My dear friends and colleagues Sabine and Anke are perhaps worse than I am when it comes to shopping. We all adore a day of laughter, coffee, lunch and …shopping. They help me take photographs as well. Question…. where to go to this time? Paris was the first option, but we settled for shopping in Utrecht, which is a beautiful, old city in the middle of the country. The Netherlands has a lot of nice towns with little shops in the old centers. It will probably all disappear in the future and make way for shopping malls.
But as long as they are there, we will enjoy it.
Above: the sweater is by Max Mara (one of my Italian outlet purchases).
Below: Sabine. We started the day with cappuccino and lunch.Below: Anke.
Below: The restaurant was overlooking a canal, so I shot some mood pictures. The weather was not bad and not very good. Typically spring.
Below: the divas playing model at the second shop we went in. Anke did not buy the dress and Sabine did not buy the trousers.
Below: you did not forget we have a mascotte, did you? Mouse is with us since we found him at the IJhallen. Sabine is showing Mouse and her new red suede pumps (bought at the first shop). They have a small golden rim around the foot.
Below: Anke did buy this dark blue dress. It is one of the first dresses which I actually like with sneakers. Even prefer this to pumps. Am I slowly adopting to the trend?
Below: and Anke bought this lovely jumper together with the skinnies.
Below: I didn’t do it, but boy oh boy, did I like those black and white booties on the left….. (brand Supertrash).
Below: when I saw this picture on my camera while sitting on a terrace, I roared with laughter. The look on Sabine’s face, the position…If you didn’t know any better……
Below: on to the next shoe shop (Calzature). Anke tried these grey/green pumps. They were lovely.
Below: she tried them for balance and they held pretty well. But in the end Anke decided they were too high for a whole day walking on them.
Below: as I had time to look around (always a very dangerous thing with me), I spotted these beauties. Finally I had found modern shoes to make a skirt outfit or a dress more up to date. Shoes I actually liked very much AND were comfortable.
Below: I bought them.
Below: time for tea and cappuccino.
Below: Sabine trying on dresses in the next shop. In her usual way, with her trousers on her heels. Too lazy to take the shoes off.
Below: she bought this one…
Below: and this one
Below: then just as the shops were closing, we went into Daen’s as they were open until 6 p.m. (Note, there is not a 24 hour economy in The Netherlands yet. Shops close on a Saturday at 5 p.m. or 5.30 p.m. This is also due to the fact there are so many small shops with just 1 owner. It is impossible for them to stay open all days, all hours.) I saw the sales assistent wearing this coat/dress and loved it. How would it look on me?
Below: as the girls cheered me on, I bought it. It is by Samsoe o Samsoe and very affordable. It is not one of my usual choices and perhaps a bit of an acquired taste, but I got a lot of compliments over it and it is comfortable in wear. (Ron doesn’t like it. This item is probably a man repeller.)
Below: another nice picture of Utrecht.
Below: on our way home, I took a photo of the big church of Utrecht, the Dom. A bit difficult as the thing is huge and I didn’t have enough distance.
Below: then Sabine said: “I will take a picture of you with the church in the background”. As I stood in the middle of the street and Sabine was adjusting the camera, this gentleman came up and stood between me and Sabine, quitely taking pictures of the church. Not having a clue. As I am taller, I walked passed him and stood right behind him. In case you are wondering why I am laughing like this…. look below: all his friends thought it was a terrific joke and wanted to take pictures of us, killing themselves laughing.
Below: at one point the man noticed something was going on and wanted to go to the group. “No, no, no”, they shouted (I think), “we didn’t take pictures yet. Keep on doing what you were doing”.
Another fun day with lovely purchases.
Greetje
Linking up with Style Nudge’ Shoe and Tell. To show you beautiful shoes.
What a great fun day, a real joy to read this post! You all look lovely and did great finds!
I have hardly ever been in Utrecht but maybe I should!
Oh yes, Utrecht is packed with historical buildings, cute little shops on various subjects and terraces/restaurants/coffe and tea places. All very near one another. Walking distance.
What a great time! I love those white shoes and the black and white booties!
Yes, I would have caved for those black and white booties too, if they just hadn’t been so darned high. I could hear my calves shouting in panic “no, don’t do that! Think of us!”
I love the photo journal of you three shopping in this beautiful town!
The photos of the undressing had me in stitches!
Ah, context..it is everything!
I LOVE those white shoes, they are so modern and cool, and they look great on you. I can see them with just about everything in your vast closet.
I also very much like the coat dress. It is very sophisticated.
I was glad to see you wear a bright color print in the first photo.. You look great in that color palette!
It must be the blonde hair!
Xx, Elle
http://mydailycostume.com
I am slowly starting to appreciate my blond look now.
Nothing beats a girlfriend’s day out, does it?
What a great girlfriend day!
Sabine and I have very similar tastes. I love her choices.
Your white shoes are fantastic! I don’t normally like white shoes but these are gorgeous. They look like artwork.
Love those last photos. So typically you : )
bisous
Suzanne
I will tell Sabine of your blog. She might want to follow it. Although she has little time as a full time working mom with husband and two kids. But you are right, there are a lot of similarities in your outfit choices.
Thank you for sharing your shopping adventures! You gals had a great time and your pictures show that. Your commentary is delightful. Wish I’d been there. Also, loved you wee mascot!
Mouse is going to go with us on all our adventures and yes we had a ball.
Looks like so much fun…and those white heels are amazing!!
I am wearing those white heels today and believe it or nor, they are really comfortable.
I love your sense of humour, Greetje! And clearly other people do too. Great idea about standing behind that guy. Heh.
I feel like I’m getting to know Sabine and Anke. You can bet that the next time I’m in Utrecht I’ll go to Calzature. Yeah! That would be great! Your new shoes are gorgeous, unique. And I love the coat too, the architecture is what wins it for me. I don’t see it as a man repeller at all! Haha!
I completely understand what you said about trends sinking into our thoughts unwittingly, like the sneakers with dresses. Everywhere I look I see white jeans! How long before I cave in and get some?
If you are anything like me, you are last to the party of trends. Sometimes I am ahead of things (unknowingly), like with kimonos. But that is only because the shape looks so good on me. But like platform shoes… I find them very difficult to walk on. You, on the other hand, do not seem to have any problems with that. And sneakers, the real running type, underneath a dress?? Cannot get my head around it.
Another great day with friends, shopping and cappuccinos!! Everything looks perfect on you three girls and the white shoes are really lovely!
Your sense of humor is … unique!
Little shops are cute! It would be a pity if they all disappeared …
I laughed when I read your comment “your sense of humor is… unique” haha. I take it you mean that in a positive way…
Nothing beats shopping with the girls.. even better if the girls have the same wave-length with you! I love those shoes, both yours and the one tried by your friend. OMG, so pretty and sexy! You are one fun girl, Greetje, I am pretty sure I am going to like you even more in person 🙂
Me likeable? I cannot promise that Mrs C haha. I have my moods and can be overbearing, irritating, loudmouthed, impatient, sulking, dominant.. Just to mention a few of my lesser points. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. But I will try to hide those sides when you are back in Amsterdam.
Such a fun and happy post….it made me smile the whole way through! jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
ps…Those white shoes you bought are fab….especially with the jeans & sweatshirt—love, love, love it!!
pps…Ron might grow to love that coat/dress….it’s very lovely and you can add a ton of interest with it via your accessories!!!
It happened before Jodie. Once I had a trouser suit by Liz Clayborne… very Marlene Dietrich… Ron hated it when I bought it. But when I threw it out years later he said: “You are not going to get rid of that beautiful suit, are you?” LOL
Fun day again, and you all bought a lot of very nice things. I like your colorful Max Mara sweater. Very easy to combine with a lot of skinnies. Very nice white shoes, not plain, very arty. And I like the blue coat/dress, or like I call it a robe manteau. So a very successful day by all means. A pity you didn’t laugh ha ha. In Holland we have a saying a day not laughed is a day not lived. So true.
Oh I did laugh. A lot. Like we are going to do as well in Spain. Glad you like our purchases.
Glad you enjoyed shopping in my ‘stadsie’. Sounds like you girls had lots of fun! Calzature is a great shop, bought lots of my shoes and boots there. I love your new white ones.
I keep forgetting Calzature, and of course they are an hour’s drive away. But they are worth the trip.
You ladies always look like you enjoy each other’s company so much and always a party with you 3! I don’t know how you resisted those black and white booties…gorgeous! I do love your new white heels and can’t wait to see how you style them.
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com
Hope to see you Thursday for TBT Fashion link up.
I have styled my new white shoes with the cream skirt and black and white jumper which I was wearing in Turin, Italy, a few posts back. Much nicer than the lower heeled black slingbacks.
And I resisted those black and white booties because they are really too high.
What a lovely day the three of you had! Lots of fun and some great finds. Your white shoes are fabulous – now we just want nice warm summer weather 🙂 The brand Samsoe & Samsoe is actually Danish, and very popular with the young. I’m sure you’ll get lots of wear out of the shirt/dress, and your husband will change his mind in the end.
Utrecht is a beautiful place, judging by your photos. Somehow I had the idea that it was only Amsterdam that has canals – how wrong!
Hi Tine, it was a lovely day. I didn’t know Samsoe & Samsoe was Danish. We are really embracing Scandinavian brands here in The Netherlands. We have so many and they are doing so well. (Acne, Marlene Birger, Bruuns Bazar, Day (Mikkelsen), Baum und Pferdgarten, Designers Remix,Filippa K… a long list).
Amsterdam is indeed not the only city with canals. The Netherlands is very well known for their water works. And not for nothing. Many cities have canals, but a few have more than others. I will admit that.
OMG! what a beautiful pics Gretje! and you and your friends look so fashion!
Mi Blog de Moda
Thanks. I like these “reports”. More fun in making them than only the oufit of the day.
Hi Greetje, those white pumps are so so cool, I love them. White anything I am loving. Looks like you had a wonderful time at that shoe store! Thank you for linking up with SHOE AND TELL on Style Nudge!
Cherie
http://www.stylenudge.com
My pleasure entirely Cherie. And the shoes are also comfortable.
The white pumps…Yes please!!
And those white pumps are really comfortable too. Win-win situation, we call that.
Wow what a happy event – shopping with friends will always be fun! Amsterdam is on top of my travel wish list esp since I had a friend who just travelled there and only had nice words!
Best!
Rebecca
http://www.redtagchiclosangeles.com
Only this was Utrecht, which is a different town from Amsterdam…..
Seems like a wonderful day with a lot of fun and a lot of purchases. My oh my, you gals sure can spend a buck; unbelievable.
I know… and I always feel guilty about spending money on clothes and stuff. The experience would be more fun if I could lose the guilt feeling.
It’s a good thing we don’t share the same shoe size or I might just be taking those white beauties right off your feet. I must say, my favorite shoes ever!!!
Love how much fun the three of you have, girlfriend time at its best. After seeing Suzanne’s itinerary she’s put together, I’m thinking the dress with sneaker trend will be a perfect ensemble for our Vancouver trip.
I think you are right, but I don’t have too many dresses which look fine with sneakers. Besides, with a dress I prefere some sort of boat sneakers, loafer kind of sneakers and I only have baseball sneakers. So I might be wearing trousers with ballerinas (boring but comfortable).
I just realised I had not commented yet. (usually read your posts late at night when I’m in bed). Great outfit you are wearing Greetje. Really like that blouse. I look forward to seeing your purchases in real life soon! I too was successful at shoe shopping in Utrecht. Not sure it was the shop you mentioned but I bought 3 pairs in a shoe shop there at great discount last year and all of them have been a great success! Hope I can go again….
Count me out for that trip as I have no self control when I am in a good shoe shop. And I have spent enough on summer gear. Stupid really. It is only warm enough 4 months of the year.
I just realised I had not commented yet. (usually read your posts late at night when I’m in bed). Great outfit you are wearing Greetje. Really like that blouse. I look forward to seeing your purchases in real life soon! I too was successful at shoe shopping in Utrecht. Not sure it was the shop you mentioned but I bought 3 pairs in a shoe shop there at great discount last year and all of them have been a great success! Hope I can go again….
Count me out for that trip as I have no self control when I am in a good shoe shop. And I have spent enough on summer gear. Stupid really. It is only warm enough 4 months of the year.
Seems like a wonderful day with a lot of fun and a lot of purchases. My oh my, you gals sure can spend a buck; unbelievable.
I know… and I always feel guilty about spending money on clothes and stuff. The experience would be more fun if I could lose the guilt feeling.
It’s a good thing we don’t share the same shoe size or I might just be taking those white beauties right off your feet. I must say, my favorite shoes ever!!!
Love how much fun the three of you have, girlfriend time at its best. After seeing Suzanne’s itinerary she’s put together, I’m thinking the dress with sneaker trend will be a perfect ensemble for our Vancouver trip.
I think you are right, but I don’t have too many dresses which look fine with sneakers. Besides, with a dress I prefere some sort of boat sneakers, loafer kind of sneakers and I only have baseball sneakers. So I might be wearing trousers with ballerinas (boring but comfortable).
{{{GASP}}} I literally gasped when I saw your white shoes! They are gorgeous! And your coat! And Sabine’s dresses, both! What a lovely day the three of you lovelies must have enjoyed. I have to say, that as much as I love sewing, as much as I love browsing a fabric shop; it just doesn’t have the same fun factor that shopping for clothing seems to have. But. I am happy to continue with my me-made wardrobe.
It is me-made month for you anyway, isn’t it? And you do it so well. My problem with sewing has always been that it took far too much time. I did a skirt in 24 (working) hours. By the time it was finished I was totally fed up with it. You always see your own little mistakes magnified. And also… it didn’t always look that good on me. So I stopped sewing.
The white shoes stopped me dead in my track as well. I just had to have them. The fact they are also very comfortable is such a bonus.
With “And your coat!” you probably mean my coat/dress? Glad you like it. I notice not everyone likes this style.
Yes, yes…the dress that is cut similar to a coat!
{{{GASP}}} I literally gasped when I saw your white shoes! They are gorgeous! And your coat! And Sabine’s dresses, both! What a lovely day the three of you lovelies must have enjoyed. I have to say, that as much as I love sewing, as much as I love browsing a fabric shop; it just doesn’t have the same fun factor that shopping for clothing seems to have. But. I am happy to continue with my me-made wardrobe.
It is me-made month for you anyway, isn’t it? And you do it so well. My problem with sewing has always been that it took far too much time. I did a skirt in 24 (working) hours. By the time it was finished I was totally fed up with it. You always see your own little mistakes magnified. And also… it didn’t always look that good on me. So I stopped sewing.
The white shoes stopped me dead in my track as well. I just had to have them. The fact they are also very comfortable is such a bonus.
With “And your coat!” you probably mean my coat/dress? Glad you like it. I notice not everyone likes this style.
Yes, yes…the dress that is cut similar to a coat!
Wow what a happy event – shopping with friends will always be fun! Amsterdam is on top of my travel wish list esp since I had a friend who just travelled there and only had nice words!
Best!
Rebecca
http://www.redtagchiclosangeles.com
Only this was Utrecht, which is a different town from Amsterdam…..
What a lovely day the three of you had! Lots of fun and some great finds. Your white shoes are fabulous – now we just want nice warm summer weather 🙂 The brand Samsoe & Samsoe is actually Danish, and very popular with the young. I’m sure you’ll get lots of wear out of the shirt/dress, and your husband will change his mind in the end.
Utrecht is a beautiful place, judging by your photos. Somehow I had the idea that it was only Amsterdam that has canals – how wrong!
Hi Tine, it was a lovely day. I didn’t know Samsoe & Samsoe was Danish. We are really embracing Scandinavian brands here in The Netherlands. We have so many and they are doing so well. (Acne, Marlene Birger, Bruuns Bazar, Day (Mikkelsen), Baum und Pferdgarten, Designers Remix,Filippa K… a long list).
Amsterdam is indeed not the only city with canals. The Netherlands is very well known for their water works. And not for nothing. Many cities have canals, but a few have more than others. I will admit that.
OMG! what a beautiful pics Gretje! and you and your friends look so fashion!
Mi Blog de Moda
Thanks. I like these “reports”. More fun in making them than only the oufit of the day.
Another fun day! I think for you it’s a lifestyle, and that’s a really good thing.
Your purchases are perfection. Love the shoes and the lines of the coat/dress. I also enjoyed the photos and the gorgeous architecture. You live in a beautiful country!
I will admit Judith, I do have a fun life. Nothing to complain about. At all.
Another fun day! I think for you it’s a lifestyle, and that’s a really good thing.
Your purchases are perfection. Love the shoes and the lines of the coat/dress. I also enjoyed the photos and the gorgeous architecture. You live in a beautiful country!
I will admit Judith, I do have a fun life. Nothing to complain about. At all.
You ladies always look like you enjoy each other’s company so much and always a party with you 3! I don’t know how you resisted those black and white booties…gorgeous! I do love your new white heels and can’t wait to see how you style them.
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com
Hope to see you Thursday for TBT Fashion link up.
I have styled my new white shoes with the cream skirt and black and white jumper which I was wearing in Turin, Italy, a few posts back. Much nicer than the lower heeled black slingbacks.
And I resisted those black and white booties because they are really too high.
Hi Greetje, those white pumps are so so cool, I love them. White anything I am loving. Looks like you had a wonderful time at that shoe store! Thank you for linking up with SHOE AND TELL on Style Nudge!
Cherie
http://www.stylenudge.com
My pleasure entirely Cherie. And the shoes are also comfortable.
The white pumps…Yes please!!
And those white pumps are really comfortable too. Win-win situation, we call that.
Another great day with friends, shopping and cappuccinos!! Everything looks perfect on you three girls and the white shoes are really lovely!
Your sense of humor is … unique!
Little shops are cute! It would be a pity if they all disappeared …
I laughed when I read your comment “your sense of humor is… unique” haha. I take it you mean that in a positive way…
What a great girlfriend day!
Sabine and I have very similar tastes. I love her choices.
Your white shoes are fantastic! I don’t normally like white shoes but these are gorgeous. They look like artwork.
Love those last photos. So typically you : )
bisous
Suzanne
I will tell Sabine of your blog. She might want to follow it. Although she has little time as a full time working mom with husband and two kids. But you are right, there are a lot of similarities in your outfit choices.
What a great time! I love those white shoes and the black and white booties!
Yes, I would have caved for those black and white booties too, if they just hadn’t been so darned high. I could hear my calves shouting in panic “no, don’t do that! Think of us!”
Nothing beats shopping with the girls.. even better if the girls have the same wave-length with you! I love those shoes, both yours and the one tried by your friend. OMG, so pretty and sexy! You are one fun girl, Greetje, I am pretty sure I am going to like you even more in person 🙂
Me likeable? I cannot promise that Mrs C haha. I have my moods and can be overbearing, irritating, loudmouthed, impatient, sulking, dominant.. Just to mention a few of my lesser points. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. But I will try to hide those sides when you are back in Amsterdam.
I love your sense of humour, Greetje! And clearly other people do too. Great idea about standing behind that guy. Heh.
I feel like I’m getting to know Sabine and Anke. You can bet that the next time I’m in Utrecht I’ll go to Calzature. Yeah! That would be great! Your new shoes are gorgeous, unique. And I love the coat too, the architecture is what wins it for me. I don’t see it as a man repeller at all! Haha!
I completely understand what you said about trends sinking into our thoughts unwittingly, like the sneakers with dresses. Everywhere I look I see white jeans! How long before I cave in and get some?
If you are anything like me, you are last to the party of trends. Sometimes I am ahead of things (unknowingly), like with kimonos. But that is only because the shape looks so good on me. But like platform shoes… I find them very difficult to walk on. You, on the other hand, do not seem to have any problems with that. And sneakers, the real running type, underneath a dress?? Cannot get my head around it.
Thank you for sharing your shopping adventures! You gals had a great time and your pictures show that. Your commentary is delightful. Wish I’d been there. Also, loved you wee mascot!
Mouse is going to go with us on all our adventures and yes we had a ball.
I love the photo journal of you three shopping in this beautiful town!
The photos of the undressing had me in stitches!
Ah, context..it is everything!
I LOVE those white shoes, they are so modern and cool, and they look great on you. I can see them with just about everything in your vast closet.
I also very much like the coat dress. It is very sophisticated.
I was glad to see you wear a bright color print in the first photo.. You look great in that color palette!
It must be the blonde hair!
Xx, Elle
http://mydailycostume.com
I am slowly starting to appreciate my blond look now.
Nothing beats a girlfriend’s day out, does it?
What a great fun day, a real joy to read this post! You all look lovely and did great finds!
I have hardly ever been in Utrecht but maybe I should!
Oh yes, Utrecht is packed with historical buildings, cute little shops on various subjects and terraces/restaurants/coffe and tea places. All very near one another. Walking distance.
Looks like so much fun…and those white heels are amazing!!
I am wearing those white heels today and believe it or nor, they are really comfortable.
Glad you enjoyed shopping in my ‘stadsie’. Sounds like you girls had lots of fun! Calzature is a great shop, bought lots of my shoes and boots there. I love your new white ones.
I keep forgetting Calzature, and of course they are an hour’s drive away. But they are worth the trip.
Such a fun and happy post….it made me smile the whole way through! jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
ps…Those white shoes you bought are fab….especially with the jeans & sweatshirt—love, love, love it!!
pps…Ron might grow to love that coat/dress….it’s very lovely and you can add a ton of interest with it via your accessories!!!
It happened before Jodie. Once I had a trouser suit by Liz Clayborne… very Marlene Dietrich… Ron hated it when I bought it. But when I threw it out years later he said: “You are not going to get rid of that beautiful suit, are you?” LOL
Fun day again, and you all bought a lot of very nice things. I like your colorful Max Mara sweater. Very easy to combine with a lot of skinnies. Very nice white shoes, not plain, very arty. And I like the blue coat/dress, or like I call it a robe manteau. So a very successful day by all means. A pity you didn’t laugh ha ha. In Holland we have a saying a day not laughed is a day not lived. So true.
Oh I did laugh. A lot. Like we are going to do as well in Spain. Glad you like our purchases.