These are my colleagues and friends Sabine (on the left) and Anke (in the middle) with whom I form a (whatsapp) group called Shopping Saturday. Because we love to go shopping and as we are fulltime working girls, a Saturday is the day to do so. We have already been to Amsterdam (Haarlemmerstraat and Utrechtsestraat). Last Saturday we decided to go to Belgium, to go shopping in Antwerp. This time our main goal was shopping. Secundary came blog pictures.
Which means I haven’t focussed very well (not at all really) on taking pictures, so you won’t see much of Antwerp I am afraid. It is a lovely old city, but below is the only decent cultural picture I took hahaha (so sorry):
Well… if the trees are bare, such pictures are never that nice anyway. Let’s concentrate on the shopping.
Below: about 1 meter from the parking garage (Oudaen) we found the first shop, called Soho Outlet…. It didn’t take us long…. Here is Sabine, being sensible for a change by wearing fashionable sneakers. Usually she shops on high heels.
Below: and yes, we all bought something in there. Anke is paying the bill for the three of us as you could only pay cash….. Which is something we encountered more often. (Belgium… so close yet so different from The Netherlands.) Anke is also sensible and wearing fashionable sneakers
Below: here is the third sensible woman, wearing slightly less fashionable, but still modern sneakers (this photo was taken at home as all other photos of this outfit were a bit blurry). The trousers and sweater are by Hope, a Swedish brand with the softest T-shirts you can wish for. The trousers can be worn normally and slightly lower/baggier. VERY COMFORTABLE. The sneakers are by Geox. I bought them a couple of weeks ago, when I was visiting my Scottish friend Patricia who lives near Geneva. She saw this outfit when I was wearing it with white sneakers and said: I know just the right sneakers for this outfit: quilted black patent leather ones….. Who am I to argue?
Below: back to shopping in Antwerp. We passed (you can see us in the window) Sarah Pacini, a brand I love. As I was trying not to spend any money, we did not go in there
Below: time for a coffee first. I ate a waffle, freshly baked… they are so good in Belgium
Below: what do we do all day besides spending money? We laugh and talk and laugh and laugh
Below:Â next stop was a shop, called Nikki. Gosh that was a nice shop. Sabine is contemplating leather trousers (they came in red, blue and black), and a red leather dress.
Below: Anke rather liked this bag. We came away without buying anything, strangely enough
Below: next stop: & Other Stories. This is another shop by H&M like COS is. They had clothes there by Sadie Williams. One of those temporary collaborations. 
They had lots of good stuff there, but we only bought socks and a pouch.Below: what impressed me the most was their jewellery. Here I am trying on something flashy, but most of their designs were very contemporary.
Below: very befitting… taking my picture in front of a shop which says “Shop till you drop” haha
Below: the outfit with the coat. Bought at the Max Mara outlet in Italy. (I told you I went nuts there.)
Below: I needed to bring home some of that famous Belgian chocolate. What really got to us, was the sign at the top right. This is only to be understood by the Dutch who know all the discussions around this subject. This sign was soooo incorrect it became laughable.
Below: time for lunch. Bad pictures but so much fun. The girls are checking out their social media as we had wifi in the restaurant. And then they were goofing around with slices of lemon in their mouths. 
Below: …Â some more shopping … Anke bought a very pretty pair of black trousers (70% off) at Stills. (They went out of business in 2016. Pity.)Â Below: this lady tried on this lovely coat in the same store. She said she had to think about whether she wanted her picture published. Never heard from her, so I blurred her face (rather crudely). Which is a shame as she looked very good.
Below: after that we found a lovely shop which provided Anke with this blouse
Below: Sabine did NOT buy this dress. She looked in the mirror (trousers on her heels as she didn’t want to take her shoes off… LOL) and said to Anke: “Look at me!!! This dress makes me look like a woman of 60!!” Then she realized that 60 was my age…. haha. You could see the panic in her eyes. It killed me laughing.
Below:Â it was 40% off (the cheapest purchase) when you bought two things. In order to help Anke (ahum..) with a little discount on her blouse, I bought the purple/blue blouse which seemed so right for the trousers. The black and white trimming on the blouse was exactly the same as the pattern of the trousers. Anke and I split the 40% profit. You know what they say about the Dutch… going Dutch and so on.
From here on, no more photos. It got too dark. We had a very pleasant dinner together and drove back home. It was a lovely day.
Greetje
PS linking up to Patti’s Visible Monday. Even more interesting this time as Patti has a give-away this time.
Oh wow! I was enjoying just watching your photos! That was definitely great fun!
Jessica | notjessfashion.com
Thanks Jessica. Always glad when I can amuse people.
I had to laugh at the friend trying on the dress with her pants dropped to her ankles. Proof I’m not the only one who does that.
We all do it Glenda. Only after you think it is worthwhile you are prepared to take off shoes and trousers as well. LOL
Lucky you to go shopping with the girls! What gorgeous creatures you all are. Looks like great purchases and lots of fun were both achieved!
Sadly, Dan is my only shopping buddy here, but he’s really not bad company … he usually pretends to be interested!
Those drapy pants, tight little kicks and the fuchsia coat are just a yummy and very cool combination. Again, you inspire and entertain!
Kuddos for Dan. He knows what you need. I know I am very fortunate indeed.
I always enjoy these shopping posts you share. I really like the blue blouse you purchased which does go perfectly with the trousers you are wearing. Too funny about Anke’s comment about looking like a woman in her 60s…and her picture is perfect. I have taking of my shoes that have to be retied when I go shopping too.
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com
It is a very recognizable situation.
I love everyone’s outfits. They’re so colorful! Freshly baked waffles…sounds like heaven to me!
Hi Carmen, thanks for your comment. Yes, we all three like colour in our outfits. And the Belgians are true masters in baking waffles (and making chocolate).
Looks like a lovely and fun girlfriend-shopping-day.
That ’60 years old’ looking dress looks beautiful on her, by the way;-).
There are many nice clothes and jewelry in this post. I like the sneakers of Sabine, your trousers and coat and that blue blouse looks fab!
You should check out &Other Stories for their jewellery. Really beautiful.
The dress of Sabine did not sit right at the neck, not even a size smaller. Which is why she did not buy it. I agree with you, it looks nice on her, not at all 60-like.
Ah, I see, not good at the neck. Yes, that can be, ofcourse.
Do you mean check out &Other Stories online?
Or in the shop. They have a shop in Amsterdam. I think Heiligeweg.
What a fantastic day. I can see you all smiling and encouraging each other! Your new coat is brilliant, and thanks for sharing with Visible Monday, xo.
Yes we do stimulate each other. As if we need that haha.
Lovely story of what seems like a great day Greetje. I like your new pants with your new shirt but especially like your fuchsia coat. Looks absolutely brilliant on you!
I know how you love some colour in winter. (And so do I.)
hey, apart from the clothes, what did you most enjoy about A??
That day? The friendship and the laughter. LOL
Now seriously, what do you want to know? Shops? Shopping neighbourhoods? Culture?
Overall it is a very nice old town with lots of diverse shops. And of course they have nice musea too.
I remember from other times I was in Antwerp that the shoeshop Thiron in the Drukkerijstraat was magnificent. Not cheap, far from it, but goooddd.
Let me know what you want to know (your question is too general now) and I will look things up I have experienced.
I would like go shopping every saturday! hahah
MYEMPTYBAG
You don’t?? LOL
We don’t either, but IF en WHEN we go, it is on a Saturday.
Greetje, you’re way of writing is so fantastic, and yes it was again a great Shopping Saturday! Thx!
Wow. Big compliment. Thanks!
Looks like fun, I know how it goes when girlfriends go shopping together, lots of fun. I like your new blouse with these trousers better than the grey. And of course your Max Mara coat has such a radiant colour, it is a great coat.
Yes, we are good shoppers together as well, aren’t we? LOL
It looks a great Saturday of shopping with two very nice friends! I like the black and white coat of your friend, your necklace and, of course, your coat!
There are many Geox shoes ( heel shoes for me! ) in my closet…they are my favourite when I go for comfort!
Yes those Geox sneakers are very comfortable. I think you are not a fan of my trousers and sweater (see the big grin on my face?).
As soon as I am away from your good influence, I tend to go young and strange again. LOL
What a fun post…wish i could have joined in! I love your coat and necklaces!
Thanks Pam. It is difficult not to spend any money anymore (which I shouldn’t) when these shopping sprees with friends are so much fun.
Hello my dear Greetje, what a fun fabulous post, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. I want to go shopping with you one day.
I love your trousers; wait, is it me saying I love pants? lol.Only yours on you…
About my arty photos, I always use old outfit posts that I assume everybody has already seen and play around with them, but you are so right; next time i shall add the original pic too.
Happy Sunday
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXx
Thanks Sacramento. One day we will shop together, no doubt about that. Perhaps even in Scotland. Who knows, the world is at our feet.
Greetje
It is always better to go on a shopping trip with girlfriends… my trip to Amsterdam was definitely not a shopping trip as I didn’t get to buy anything but cheese (the only shop my husband was happy to be in) I’m sure you girls had a blast!
Oh girl, why didn’t you email me? We could have gone together and left your husband for a couple of hours to explore something he liked…. I take it you didn’t want to do that.
What a shame you didn’t shop anything else but cheese. I didn’t want to push myself on to you as you were with your husband but I thought you would contact me if you wanted to do some shopping. I hope you liked Amsterdam in spite of that. How was the weather?
Greetje, I wanted to get in touch with you but since the trip was only 5 days long and it was for the anniversary, I didn’t want him to feel left out. But we took a stroll on 9th street and some other shopping area. We were on Herengratch (this nice hotel called Ambassade) so it was a short walk away from everything. Took a bike trip into the country side (4.5 hours ride!) and I couldn’t feel my leg afterwards, LOL! Amsterdam is a beauty and 6 days were not enough.. will return and next time I will hit the shops! Weather was kind.. 1 night of rain and that’s all but freezing due to the humidity. Not a problem as we came prepared 🙂
Oh good… I forgot, your anniversary. That is why I never mentioned calling me. 4,5 hours on a bike is something that would leave me dead.
Ha Greetje,
Great story! Glad to be in it. 🙂
The dress doesn’t look too bad on me.. Which I cannot say about the trousers hanging on my feet 😉
We had an absolute blast!
X
I am so grateful you agreed to showing the photo in the post. Everybody recognizes this. Everybody has done this. Suzanne, who commented first, already said so and many will follow.
Looks like the best kind of day, girlfriends, shopping, laughing and food. It has *almost* everything ; )
Your hair is looking rather lovely Greetje.
I had to laugh about the photo of your friend with her pants around her ankles. How often have I done that? LOL
My favourite part? Your pink coat. GORGEOUS!
bisous
Suzanne
http://www.suzannecarillo.com
I did ask Sabine whether I was allowed to use that photo as I knew that it would have you all laughing. So recognizable. She is a good sport and said yes.
The coat was on my wishlist last year but at full price it was rather expensive. The outlet price was much more friendly (1/3).
Hi Greetje,
What a lot of fun you had and so did I in reading your blog! I always try dresses on with my trousers on my ankles and I feel ridiculous at the same time, so great to see someone so bravely allowing you to put that rather incriminating picture on the blog! I have a couple of Hope- items, great brand isn’t it? Zenggi used to have it but not anymore now so I”ll have to goo looking for it again (tips are welcome…)
There is a Hope shop in Amsterdam (Hartenstraat). If you click on the link in my post, you can find all the addresses where this brand is being sold.
And yes, we all do that.. not bothering with taking shoes and trousers off haha.
hey, apart from the clothes, what did you most enjoy about A??
That day? The friendship and the laughter. LOL
Now seriously, what do you want to know? Shops? Shopping neighbourhoods? Culture?
Overall it is a very nice old town with lots of diverse shops. And of course they have nice musea too.
I remember from other times I was in Antwerp that the shoeshop Thiron in the Drukkerijstraat was magnificent. Not cheap, far from it, but goooddd.
Let me know what you want to know (your question is too general now) and I will look things up I have experienced.
I always enjoy these shopping posts you share. I really like the blue blouse you purchased which does go perfectly with the trousers you are wearing. Too funny about Anke’s comment about looking like a woman in her 60s…and her picture is perfect. I have taking of my shoes that have to be retied when I go shopping too.
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com
It is a very recognizable situation.
Oh wow! I was enjoying just watching your photos! That was definitely great fun!
Jessica | notjessfashion.com
Thanks Jessica. Always glad when I can amuse people.
Lucky you to go shopping with the girls! What gorgeous creatures you all are. Looks like great purchases and lots of fun were both achieved!
Sadly, Dan is my only shopping buddy here, but he’s really not bad company … he usually pretends to be interested!
Those drapy pants, tight little kicks and the fuchsia coat are just a yummy and very cool combination. Again, you inspire and entertain!
Kuddos for Dan. He knows what you need. I know I am very fortunate indeed.
I love everyone’s outfits. They’re so colorful! Freshly baked waffles…sounds like heaven to me!
Hi Carmen, thanks for your comment. Yes, we all three like colour in our outfits. And the Belgians are true masters in baking waffles (and making chocolate).
I had to laugh at the friend trying on the dress with her pants dropped to her ankles. Proof I’m not the only one who does that.
We all do it Glenda. Only after you think it is worthwhile you are prepared to take off shoes and trousers as well. LOL
Looks like a lovely and fun girlfriend-shopping-day.
That ’60 years old’ looking dress looks beautiful on her, by the way;-).
There are many nice clothes and jewelry in this post. I like the sneakers of Sabine, your trousers and coat and that blue blouse looks fab!
You should check out &Other Stories for their jewellery. Really beautiful.
The dress of Sabine did not sit right at the neck, not even a size smaller. Which is why she did not buy it. I agree with you, it looks nice on her, not at all 60-like.
Ah, I see, not good at the neck. Yes, that can be, ofcourse.
Do you mean check out &Other Stories online?
Or in the shop. They have a shop in Amsterdam. I think Heiligeweg.
What a fantastic day. I can see you all smiling and encouraging each other! Your new coat is brilliant, and thanks for sharing with Visible Monday, xo.
Yes we do stimulate each other. As if we need that haha.
Lovely story of what seems like a great day Greetje. I like your new pants with your new shirt but especially like your fuchsia coat. Looks absolutely brilliant on you!
I know how you love some colour in winter. (And so do I.)
Looks like fun, I know how it goes when girlfriends go shopping together, lots of fun. I like your new blouse with these trousers better than the grey. And of course your Max Mara coat has such a radiant colour, it is a great coat.
Yes, we are good shoppers together as well, aren’t we? LOL
I would like go shopping every saturday! hahah
MYEMPTYBAG
You don’t?? LOL
We don’t either, but IF en WHEN we go, it is on a Saturday.
It is always better to go on a shopping trip with girlfriends… my trip to Amsterdam was definitely not a shopping trip as I didn’t get to buy anything but cheese (the only shop my husband was happy to be in) I’m sure you girls had a blast!
Oh girl, why didn’t you email me? We could have gone together and left your husband for a couple of hours to explore something he liked…. I take it you didn’t want to do that.
What a shame you didn’t shop anything else but cheese. I didn’t want to push myself on to you as you were with your husband but I thought you would contact me if you wanted to do some shopping. I hope you liked Amsterdam in spite of that. How was the weather?
Greetje, I wanted to get in touch with you but since the trip was only 5 days long and it was for the anniversary, I didn’t want him to feel left out. But we took a stroll on 9th street and some other shopping area. We were on Herengratch (this nice hotel called Ambassade) so it was a short walk away from everything. Took a bike trip into the country side (4.5 hours ride!) and I couldn’t feel my leg afterwards, LOL! Amsterdam is a beauty and 6 days were not enough.. will return and next time I will hit the shops! Weather was kind.. 1 night of rain and that’s all but freezing due to the humidity. Not a problem as we came prepared 🙂
Oh good… I forgot, your anniversary. That is why I never mentioned calling me. 4,5 hours on a bike is something that would leave me dead.
Hi Greetje,
What a lot of fun you had and so did I in reading your blog! I always try dresses on with my trousers on my ankles and I feel ridiculous at the same time, so great to see someone so bravely allowing you to put that rather incriminating picture on the blog! I have a couple of Hope- items, great brand isn’t it? Zenggi used to have it but not anymore now so I”ll have to goo looking for it again (tips are welcome…)
There is a Hope shop in Amsterdam (Hartenstraat). If you click on the link in my post, you can find all the addresses where this brand is being sold.
And yes, we all do that.. not bothering with taking shoes and trousers off haha.
It looks a great Saturday of shopping with two very nice friends! I like the black and white coat of your friend, your necklace and, of course, your coat!
There are many Geox shoes ( heel shoes for me! ) in my closet…they are my favourite when I go for comfort!
Yes those Geox sneakers are very comfortable. I think you are not a fan of my trousers and sweater (see the big grin on my face?).
As soon as I am away from your good influence, I tend to go young and strange again. LOL
What a fun post…wish i could have joined in! I love your coat and necklaces!
Thanks Pam. It is difficult not to spend any money anymore (which I shouldn’t) when these shopping sprees with friends are so much fun.
Greetje, you’re way of writing is so fantastic, and yes it was again a great Shopping Saturday! Thx!
Wow. Big compliment. Thanks!
Ha Greetje,
Great story! Glad to be in it. 🙂
The dress doesn’t look too bad on me.. Which I cannot say about the trousers hanging on my feet 😉
We had an absolute blast!
X
I am so grateful you agreed to showing the photo in the post. Everybody recognizes this. Everybody has done this. Suzanne, who commented first, already said so and many will follow.
Hello my dear Greetje, what a fun fabulous post, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. I want to go shopping with you one day.
I love your trousers; wait, is it me saying I love pants? lol.Only yours on you…
About my arty photos, I always use old outfit posts that I assume everybody has already seen and play around with them, but you are so right; next time i shall add the original pic too.
Happy Sunday
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXx
Thanks Sacramento. One day we will shop together, no doubt about that. Perhaps even in Scotland. Who knows, the world is at our feet.
Greetje
Looks like the best kind of day, girlfriends, shopping, laughing and food. It has *almost* everything ; )
Your hair is looking rather lovely Greetje.
I had to laugh about the photo of your friend with her pants around her ankles. How often have I done that? LOL
My favourite part? Your pink coat. GORGEOUS!
bisous
Suzanne
http://www.suzannecarillo.com
I did ask Sabine whether I was allowed to use that photo as I knew that it would have you all laughing. So recognizable. She is a good sport and said yes.
The coat was on my wishlist last year but at full price it was rather expensive. The outlet price was much more friendly (1/3).