It was a very cold and grey day, last Wednesday, when I agreed to meet my friend Ineke at Elsa’s for lunch. Elsa’s is a nice café for drinks, lunch and dinner on the east side of Amsterdam. Ever so friendly people serving and if you rise to it, lots of Amsterdam tongue-in-cheek, which I absolutely adore. The one draw-back of living in Haarlem… having to miss this humor. I wore a blue sweater as a background for a pink scarf.
I used my new camera that day which added another difficulty to the already challenging circumstances of dark skies and indoor photos. Needless to say I did not really rise to this challenge… bad photos. I have not had any lessons yet. They are scheduled though.
Let me take you through the day. You seem to like such posts and I aim to please.
Below: Elsa’s. Since we cannot smoke inside anymore, the outside of bars, restaurants and cafés have become really cosy. With heating, plaids, tables and chairs. All for the needy person who wants to smoke. In the meantime this creates a much nicer and inviting picture. A bit more Mediterranean. Don’t be fooled though… the temperatures are nowhere near Mediterranean… remember what I said? Heating and plaids.
Below: I met Ineke around 12 o’clock. She is a friend from way back, when I first came to live in Amsterdam, say 1981? We don’t see enough of each other, but do keep in touch. I am quite a direct person, even by Dutch standards. And Ineke is even more direct haha. We get along fine.
As indicated by the stamp in the right corner of my photos, my camera is a Samsung Galaxy NX. I need to go back to the shop and ask how to get rid of this. Or perhaps I should look it up in Google first, before the man thinks RTFM.
Below: below you see the true colours of this scarf (very bright), which I tied like a bib. Totally wrong. Today (Sunday) I have tied it properly, but it is pouring down with rain. So you will have to take my word for it, the scarf looks very nice when done properly as I am not stepping outside to take a picture. It was a  present from Sabine and Anke when we went shopping in Utrechtsestraat. The brand name is Pom, a Dutch brand.
Below: the pink scarf called for the pink shopper to come out to play. You have seen it featured before in my post about a blue summer dress.
Below: after our lunch we went to Ineke’s house. She has a degree in Art History and her husband is an artist. Their house is full of art. Everywhere. So nice. Art made by friends, or bought or, as in the case of the painting above the mantelpiece, made by Ineke’s husband.
Below: this is a close-up of the painting featuring Ineke. Her husband painted it before they were a couple (quite some time ago).
Below: here are some more pictures of art pieces I thought were really nice (very subjective of course). All of them totally different.
Below: and here is Ineke, being casual, with fabulous blue leather sneakers. It is a coincidence that she is also wearing a blue sweater. The vest is for outdoors.
Below: although Ineke is not an artist herself, she made these lovely sculptures when attending a workshop of an artist/friend. 
Below: after lots of chats and laughs, I went on my way and stopped at Anja, my friend and neighbour who is back in Haarlem again. Trying to see as much of her as possible. Being used to the heat of Singapore, you can imagine she has difficulty to adapt to the Dutch cold again. Here she is, wearing a big sweater, undoubtedly with lots of layers underneath it. We were trying to find a good spot to photograph indoors, but everywhere it was too dark. Did my best to upgrade the quality of this photo in Lightroom (looks a bit funny now).
Below: a shot of me in Anja’s garden. It was a quarter past four and already too dark for a decent photo. My face looks very odd (I mean more than usual LOL).
Below: there is a tuxedo stripe along the sides of the trousers (brand NYDJ, Not Your Daughter’s Jeans).
Well dears that’s it for today. Not very adventurous, but for me, meeting friends is the best time spent.
Greetje
The scarf looks warm, so that is a total plus for me., I like the colour of your sweater I call it kingsblue. Love houses with art , like your hall and livingroom. I have paintings as well, but I can not say that it is art, but it will do. I like Anja’s boots, give her my love. And of course I like your trousers.
Thanks Marianne. Always glad you still follow my blog. I will say hello to Anja for you.
Love the house with all the art. I bet you had a lovely time. Love Reading your blog
Ah thanks Nicolette.. Comments like this are so nice for a blogger. Much appreciated.
Love the leggings, scarf…and this color blue on you is amazing!
I call these skinnies trousers as I don’t want to be seen dead in leggings. At least not without something very long (to the knee) on top of it. Whether there is so much difference between skinnies and leggings…. humor me LOL.
Wow…you friend has some spectacular art. I am noticing that the Dutch seem to have a great appreciation for art. It is wonderful to live a life surrounded by beauty.
It is funny you said you tied the scarf like a bib because that is what I thought immediately! LOL Glad you got some help with that. I do love the pom-pom trim on it and the bold contrast with the sweater.
Those pants are wonderful. But really you should have been a trouser model. They all look good on you.
It is hard to fix photos in poor lighting without making it look super saturated. I don’t know Lightroom at all but in Photoshop I used Shadows and Highlights which does a really decent job.
Nice that Anja is back and you guys can spend some time together. I guess it won’t be long and Sylvia will also be there. Miss you guys!
bisous
Suzanne
http://www.suzannecarillo.com
Yes, the 17th all three of us will be together.
Lightroom is a sort of a “ligt” version of Photoshop. Of course Photoshop is much better but too advanced for me. And if the starting material is really bad nothing helps. Which is the case here haha.
I see a Greetje who looks positively sexy in these slim-cut pants. Legs galore. I’m envious. The touches of hot pink…yes please!
Emphasizing the best parts of my body Glenda. Which is why I adore skinnies.
A cold day spent with two nice friends seems to be a very special day!
The photos are not bad … and you will be a great photographer with your new camera, before long! For me it is very difficult to take good photos in these grey days!!
Nice scarf, perfect on blue…
Thank you Dan. Yes it is not easy to get material for a good post. Struggling through winter.
Lovely outfit and lovely friends! Those trousers are so perfect for you! (wouldn’t mind them myself….) Great scarf too!
The trousers were a bit wider. I had them taken in by my seamstress. You know how I love skinnies. As they are high rise, they are very comfortable.
You definitely know your colors, Greetje! Beautiful combo here 🙂
My face likes all bright colours. Fortunately my mind too.
Your pink and blue combination looks great on you. And I love the tuxedo stripe on your jeans. It’s all about the details.
Sharing your adventures and your friends always pleases me, Greetje. Friends and health are intertwined, I think.
Friends are a life necessity for me, that is for sure. I love seeing friends.
nice pics I like your scarf and your amazing bag!
MYEMPTYBAG
Your comments are always short…. but sweet.
The mix and match is unexpectedly awesome Greet – Wishing you the best of the holidays too!!
Rebecca
http://www.redtagchiclosangeles.com
And all my good wishes to you my dear. Having combined something to “unexpectedly awesome” is a new high in my blogging career LOL. Thanks
Hi Greetje, I’m catching up on some blog reading, and your pink scarf caught my eye! The bobbles are a fun touch, and as mentioned above, the bright colours are so flattering to you! I love the tote too! Now that we are all carrying our reusable shopping bags around, totes like this one are indispensable!
And so much nicer than the plastic bag from the old (irresponsible) days….
Hi Greetje,
What a great combination. Fashion and Art!
The scarf suits well with the tone of your skin.
Trendy trousers.
Love your wrinting style.
Desiree
I always get a kick out of reading things like “love your writing style”. So many thanks!
Love the marine blue sweater, it is the perfect color to accent the gorgeous scarf, which i love both
ways. The bag is perfect with it and a funny match to your friends sneakers! I love seeing interiors , and this did not disappoint, loved the portrait, most of all!
OH, to have outdoor seating with heats and comfy chairs…
Wish i could say more, but I am in Mexico, and the signal is awful!
sending hugs!
xx, Elle
http://mydailycostume.com/
Well Elle seems you are in a good place and need no outdoor seating with heat at all. Or is it only in my imagination that Mexico is nice and warm? Happy Holidays.
You looked great styling and profiling at the place where you went for this post … keep it up!
Just meeting a friend and taking advantage of her (for making outfit photos). With little time I sometimes combine the two.
Blue and pink combination happen to be a favorite of mine. You brought them together nicely. Love, love the pink and blue bag…Dixie
Thanks Dixie. I am still learning about colour combinations and proportions. Things that other people already know for years….
Blue and pink combination happen to be a favorite of mine. You brought them together nicely. Love, love the pink and blue bag…Dixie
Thanks Dixie. I am still learning about colour combinations and proportions. Things that other people already know for years….
You looked great styling and profiling at the place where you went for this post … keep it up!
Just meeting a friend and taking advantage of her (for making outfit photos). With little time I sometimes combine the two.
Love the marine blue sweater, it is the perfect color to accent the gorgeous scarf, which i love both
ways. The bag is perfect with it and a funny match to your friends sneakers! I love seeing interiors , and this did not disappoint, loved the portrait, most of all!
OH, to have outdoor seating with heats and comfy chairs…
Wish i could say more, but I am in Mexico, and the signal is awful!
sending hugs!
xx, Elle
http://mydailycostume.com/
Well Elle seems you are in a good place and need no outdoor seating with heat at all. Or is it only in my imagination that Mexico is nice and warm? Happy Holidays.
The mix and match is unexpectedly awesome Greet – Wishing you the best of the holidays too!!
Rebecca
http://www.redtagchiclosangeles.com
And all my good wishes to you my dear. Having combined something to “unexpectedly awesome” is a new high in my blogging career LOL. Thanks
Hi Greetje,
What a great combination. Fashion and Art!
The scarf suits well with the tone of your skin.
Trendy trousers.
Love your wrinting style.
Desiree
I always get a kick out of reading things like “love your writing style”. So many thanks!
Hi Greetje, I’m catching up on some blog reading, and your pink scarf caught my eye! The bobbles are a fun touch, and as mentioned above, the bright colours are so flattering to you! I love the tote too! Now that we are all carrying our reusable shopping bags around, totes like this one are indispensable!
And so much nicer than the plastic bag from the old (irresponsible) days….
nice pics I like your scarf and your amazing bag!
MYEMPTYBAG
Your comments are always short…. but sweet.
Your pink and blue combination looks great on you. And I love the tuxedo stripe on your jeans. It’s all about the details.
Sharing your adventures and your friends always pleases me, Greetje. Friends and health are intertwined, I think.
Friends are a life necessity for me, that is for sure. I love seeing friends.
You definitely know your colors, Greetje! Beautiful combo here 🙂
My face likes all bright colours. Fortunately my mind too.
I see a Greetje who looks positively sexy in these slim-cut pants. Legs galore. I’m envious. The touches of hot pink…yes please!
Emphasizing the best parts of my body Glenda. Which is why I adore skinnies.
A cold day spent with two nice friends seems to be a very special day!
The photos are not bad … and you will be a great photographer with your new camera, before long! For me it is very difficult to take good photos in these grey days!!
Nice scarf, perfect on blue…
Thank you Dan. Yes it is not easy to get material for a good post. Struggling through winter.
Lovely outfit and lovely friends! Those trousers are so perfect for you! (wouldn’t mind them myself….) Great scarf too!
The trousers were a bit wider. I had them taken in by my seamstress. You know how I love skinnies. As they are high rise, they are very comfortable.
Love the house with all the art. I bet you had a lovely time. Love Reading your blog
Ah thanks Nicolette.. Comments like this are so nice for a blogger. Much appreciated.
Wow…you friend has some spectacular art. I am noticing that the Dutch seem to have a great appreciation for art. It is wonderful to live a life surrounded by beauty.
It is funny you said you tied the scarf like a bib because that is what I thought immediately! LOL Glad you got some help with that. I do love the pom-pom trim on it and the bold contrast with the sweater.
Those pants are wonderful. But really you should have been a trouser model. They all look good on you.
It is hard to fix photos in poor lighting without making it look super saturated. I don’t know Lightroom at all but in Photoshop I used Shadows and Highlights which does a really decent job.
Nice that Anja is back and you guys can spend some time together. I guess it won’t be long and Sylvia will also be there. Miss you guys!
bisous
Suzanne
http://www.suzannecarillo.com
Yes, the 17th all three of us will be together.
Lightroom is a sort of a “ligt” version of Photoshop. Of course Photoshop is much better but too advanced for me. And if the starting material is really bad nothing helps. Which is the case here haha.
The scarf looks warm, so that is a total plus for me., I like the colour of your sweater I call it kingsblue. Love houses with art , like your hall and livingroom. I have paintings as well, but I can not say that it is art, but it will do. I like Anja’s boots, give her my love. And of course I like your trousers.
Thanks Marianne. Always glad you still follow my blog. I will say hello to Anja for you.
Love the leggings, scarf…and this color blue on you is amazing!
I call these skinnies trousers as I don’t want to be seen dead in leggings. At least not without something very long (to the knee) on top of it. Whether there is so much difference between skinnies and leggings…. humor me LOL.