I think that suze has the best advise. I would not take the black jeans or the cashmere wrap jacket. I would instead take a light - very light waterproof long coat.
Have a great time!

If you take your best stuff, don't be afraid to wear the same outfit(s) over and over. It really is the European way (a few great pieces, used again and again). Hang them up and air them out each evening.

Great tips, thanks. I know what I was doing wrong now, I was packing all bulky outwear sweaters, such as heavy knits. I have chucked them out and put in cashmire pullovers and a few cashmire/silk v neck sweaters, still mostly black but I am adding cashmire scarves for color.

I gave up last night and went to the movies and saw Into The Void and it made me think how silly I was to worry about bulky sweaters while seeing the mountain climbers hanging off mountain faces by a rope, swinging in mid air and falling into crevices, now that is really something to worry about, in my case anyway!

Now over the the sink and start pouring things into small containers, I had forgotten about that part!

Now you've got it, girl! Cashmere rocks.

Please don't develop a fear of heights, or between you and Bambi, you won't leave your hotel room.

Make life easy -- get a small funnel.

Hi Faith,
Sorry I forgot and am too lazy to search, when do you leave? Just wondering if you will be in Venice the same time as me, would love to meet you and Bambi :-)

The Cashmire Queen might have to go out and get a funnel, I looked and I don't have one.

My only fears are heights, flying and packing! Stick with me, Marilyn!

Mischka, this trip started with me going to Venice then mushroomed and now it is me and my cousin not going to Venice. Would have been nice to meet you though.

BTW, Orlando is still out, but Felix is coming along now (another one of U.'s cronies). I like Felix though, he is sort of a Hipster from the Fifties and I welcome him to help me, because at this point, I don't care who comes with us, really.

Felix the (Hep) Cat!! Tres cool! I hope he has the right set of shades.

Actually I *would* take ONE bulky sweater (you wear it on the plane).

If it's any comfort, and even though I think I'm pretty good at it, I stress out more about packing than all the other arrangements of my trip put together!! Silly, I know.

It IS encouraging to know I am not the only panic-packer. I had good intentions on pouring cosmetics into small containers, but then said "forget it" and just threw them all in cosmetic bags.

I have a cashmire stack bigger than the goat himself on my bed, I am narrowing them down to my Crucianis, hopefully.

Yes Bambi, Felix the hep cat and I are on our way. This is my last post from here, I am going over to their house to see that we actually leave on Saturday.

Wish me luck, I'll check here sometime next week and if you want, I'll tell you all about it.

Ciao and grazie.

Well, girl, you know we are all just holding our breath to hear all about it. I hope you post a first installment before Friday the 19th so I can read it before we leave for Maui.

I guess this may be too late for you to read, but if you do, Faith, I hope you have a wonderful time and yes please give us reports, I like your writing style please don't be afraid to show it.