What I Bought in Europe 2024
I feel as if I save up all of my luxury purchases for when I go to Europe to really take advantage of some money-saving hacks. For example, the VAT Refund! Also, luxury shopping is generally less expensive in Europe since you aren’t paying the customs and taxes you typically would in your home country for any luxury items.
Here is a breakdown of everything I bought in Europe in December 2024 :)
London
Jo Malone London exclusive fragrance
I’m a BIG Jo Malone fan and have quite a collection currently of some of their scents. When I went to Harrods in London, I saw some London exclusives, so I got the White Jasmine & Mint scent for myself.
Paris
I got a little crazy in Paris, because comparing to London and Copenhagen, you have the best opportunity to save money here. You don’t get the VAT refund in London, and Copenhagen in general is just so expensive.
2 Hermes Plates
They have a collection of animal plates that look like they’re built with LEGO, so I bought the fish and turtle plates.
Hermes Scarf
I’ve been scouring the internet for a second hand version of the “I Like Flowers, I Think Flowers Like Me” scarf from Hermes. They finally reintroduced it for FW24 and I managed to get my hands on a beautiful light blue variation of this scarf!
Olympia Le-Tan clutch
When I think of my top 2 goal purses, it is an Hermes Kelly 28 and an Olympia Le-Tan book clutch of The Kiss by Gustav Klimt. I got my hands on one of the last The Kiss clutches available (since they make only small batches of these handmade clutches). I am obsessed and cannot believe I own one.
Arket wool sweater vest
Arket is just a version of H&M, but somehow way chicer… You also cannot shop it or ship it in the US so I always go a bit crazy here. I bought a wool sweater vest in cream with contrast black stitching along the hemlines.
Arket cashmere socks - my feet were so cold, so I bought a pair of cashmere socks, changed into them in the store, and then promptly bought 4 more pair throughout the trip…
Celine Parade
I bought the travel size of this perfume in Nashville and it may be competing for my signature scent. It smells like just a rich, luxury hotel lobby. So I got the BIG bottle in Paris and saved literally over $200 on it.
Le Labo fragrances
When I went to Monaco in 2023, I used Le Labo hand soap and LOVED it. I bought some to have at home as a little luxury and they sent me a teeeeny sample of Santal 33. I was not expecting to like it, let alone love it and have been savoring it and barely using it since then. I knew it would be less expensive in Paris, so I bought a 100ml bottle of Santal 33, and the travel trio of Santal 33, Matcha 26, and Another 13.
I regret not buying this boat neck blazer from Arket. I don’t even know why I didn’t buy it. I went back to look at it in London AND Copenhagen and didn’t buy it any of the times I looked at it even though I loved it. And now I can’t buy it because I’m back in the USA.
Copenhagen
Boii Studios top
All the Scandinavian girlies wore this shirt from Boii Studios, or the original Ganni version of it. I was torn between the light blue and white striped one, or the red one, and ended up settling on the red one. I can’t wait to style it with linen pants or jean shorts in the summer! It’s also 100% cotton!
Arket Wool Coat
Neal picked out this gorgeous red collarless wool coat at Arket in Copenhagen and we knew it had to come home with me. It’s so different from any of the coats I currently own and it so gorgeous.
Arket Down Jacket
Arguably my most used purchase (tied with the cashmere socks) is the down coat I got from Arket in Copenhagen. It has a tie inside, and then you cross over the front to tie together as well. It’s recycled silk exterior and recycled wool down material for the interior and I have worn this jacket close to 20 times in less than a month.
Souvenirs I Bought
London
Truffle mustard from Borough Market for my sister who cooks
Jo Malone Fig & Lotus Flower fragrance for my Mom
Arket cashmere socks for my sisters and Mom
Jo Malone English Oak & Hazelnut fragrance for Neal
Paris
Marin Montegut Eiffel tower trinket dish for my younger sister whose dream is to go to Paris
Marin Montegut dish towel for Neal’s Mom
Hermes pocket square for my Dad
Ritz Paris hat for Neal
Bacha coffee from the Ritz Paris for Neal
Copenhagen
Hay House glass straws for my sisters