Trust me, there are days and weeks when nothing exciting happens. Just work, eating and sleeping. September and October though, were crazy months with lots of trips. As you know, Ron and I went to Maastricht for two days as we couldn’t go to Paris. A month later I went on a citytrip to Paris to meet Susan of Une Femme d’un certain âge. Our first encounter was two years ago when she visited Amsterdam with her husband. And we met in Paris last year as well. It is beginning to be a yearly event. Which I like as it is always nice meeting her.
Above: We couldn’t decide what to drink and the waitress suggested champaign. “Why not?” we said. “Then let’s say it is your birthday”, she continued. “Happy Birthday!!” Which made us laugh. Two glasses each later I was really giggly as I hardly ever drink and tipped the waitress generously. She deserved it though. We had nice champaign (actually cava, which is from Spain or Catalonia. Let’s distinguish the difference now they have declared independence). We had nuts, she made a photo of the two of us and made us laugh.
Below: Shopping in Paris this time meant drooling for me and trying not to spend. Maastricht left a hole in my money pocket. But these sunglasses were very nicely priced and very “au courant”. So that was my little flaw in Paris. Susan also bought hers in this picture (photo courtesy of the shop manager of Jimmy Fairly).
Of course we took pictures of our outfits for our blogs. It was beautiful weather that Friday.
Below: Bokeh (= blurry background).. YES. Thank you Catherine for the camera lessons. Susan always buys good quality clothes and knows what suits her and what not. She is a pro with scarves. The yellow bag gives a pop of colour.
Below: Yah, new sunglasses. And my new necklace. And a new grey/green velvet sweater from Young Designers United. Such a good shop in Amsterdam. I really wanted to buy red and green items now that they are finally in fashion in the shades I like. The Maastricht purchases however, were expensive black and white items. Not clever. Recognize the EIJK shoes? Yes, you can shop on them all day.
Below: We did some more shopping and I was soooo tempted in the shop of Tara Jarmon. This coat was € 750 in the shop and even more expensive online (how strange). That price was too high and my money level was too low. Just a picture of it. Coat stayed in the shop.
In the evening we ate Moules et frites (mussels and French fries), a typical Belgian delight which Susan craved for.
Below: An espresso in a bar afterwards kept Susan up half the night. Nice coffee but not a clever thing to do.
For those who speak a little French, a funny story. In the bar where we had our espresso, was a lady with a white long-haired dog. I started a little conversation with the dog owner. Once we were outside Susan asked me what the lady had said. I replied: “No idea. My French isn’t that good. Something about the “derrière” of the dog being from Tibet.” Susan started laughing: “No silly, it is a Tibetan terrier”. That killed us laughing for a minute or two. Laughing out loud with a friend… it doesn’t get much better.
Below: The next day the sky was cloudy but we started without rain. I arranged for Jeanne to meet us at Susan’s hotel before heading to Café Les Deux Magots, 6 Place Saint-Germain des Prés. I know Jeanne (who is French and not only because she wears a beret so well) through blogging. Whenever I am in Paris, I try to see her, even if only for an hour or so. Susan is the kind of woman “the more the merrier” and agreed. See the difference in height between Susan and me?
Below: The interior of Les Deux Magots.
Below: Of course we chartered the waiter to take pictures. The leopard jacket has been on the blog before here and the necklace here (last two pictures with slightly too much alcohol in me. Apparently I get photographed a lot when I drink 😇).
Below: A very good shot of Jeanne. She is now Junior PR at Comme des Garçons. Not bad. Not bad at all.
Below: I took a shot of our foot wear.
Below: Our spot in the corner, was a lovely place for viewing people. Watch the hat with flowers.
Below: Ohh lovely hat. (I clearly didn’t focus on her, but on the car behind her. Oh well.)
Below: iPhones and selfies everywhere.
Below: We went on and Jeanne took photos while I was trying to find the right pose.
Below: The “I have to pee” position.
Below: Jeanne at one of those familiar art stands. She is soo French.
Below: Lunch at Gallery Vivienne.
Below: These galleries (there are more of them in Paris), are so nice.
Below: I call this GRAND.
Below: The interior of an antique shop in Gallery Vivienne.
Jeanne had to go about her business so we said goodbye. Susan and I were to meet Lisa, The Sequinist which turned out to be far from easy. Lisa had returned to London from New York on the Friday. And Saturday morning 7 o’clock she was in the car with husband and son. Off to Paris. Which was supposed to be a 5 hours drive. We expected her around 2 p.m. Delay… We expected her at 3 p.m. Traffic jam. By this time we had frantic Whatsapp contact. Lisa compared it with a military operation. We desperately wanted to see each other. Lisa and Susan had never met in real life, and I was looking forward to seeing this charming woman for the third time. But I had to be on the train home early evening and Susan was going to meet another blogger for dinner that evening. Hectic life eh? Blogger life. Anyway we went right across town to meet Lisa at a convenient spot and waited.
Below: Lisa jumped out of the car when they drove through the street where we were waiting. I spotted her. Can you see her?
Below: I felt so much like a paparrazo. And Lisa played her part as a star with big sun glasses, haute couture bag, wearing a camouflage jacket and jogging trousers.
Below: What makes me rather jealous (I know, I know.. bad emotions), is the way she looks after a jetlag from New York and an 8 hour car ride. I mean…. how can you look so flawless?
Below: Anyway, it was lovely to see each other even though it was brief.
Greetje
PS
I have linked up with so many other fab women at I will wear what I like (by Not Dressed as Lamb)
Another fun post of you, out and about with friends, and just a little bit of alcohol. I also believe that every day should be your birthday and therefore champagne is required at lunch. Lol. I adore what you’re wearing and I think that Jeanne is adorable with her buckle boots and beret. I so wish you could’ve gotten that brilliant green coat but I agree the price tag is just too expensive.
However, I was so glad to see you wearing it and looking so beautiful.
Have a wonderful week !
❤️❤️❤️
Elle
https://theellediaries.com
Yes, taking that photo of me wearing the green coat was an inexpensive blogger item haha.
What a wonderful meet-up! Two savvy women who know their style. i enjoyed the telling of the small details that make every visit so special. Thanks for linking up, xo
-Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
I will link up next Sunday Patti. Always a joy to join your Visible Monday.
Greetje, your blogposts are so entertaining as it tells it straight like it is. It makes me want to meet with you in Amsterdam even more! I will appreciate it if you can let me have an email address in direct message on Instagram so I can let you know when we are in Holland. Looking forward to hearing from you, Nicolene
Coming up dear.
What a lovely trip & meetup! Thanks for taking us along! Your posts always make me feel like I get to know you a little bit better each time.
Perhaps it is because I am not holding anything back? I am the kind of person who is quite out there. More introvert people sometimes say to me: Too Much Information Greetje. But I can often make them laugh.
YOU DO…………especially about the FRENCH CONVERSATION!HAD ME HOWLING!!!!!
😊😊😂
You look as though you are having such a good time. I have fond memories of my recent trio trip to Paris
Thanks Josephine. I am sure you and Susan had an equally nice time.
I have met BOTH WOMAN NOW only YOU to catch if you stay put for awhile!
Lisa, looks even thinner here than on her BLOG post about losing weight!I met her in London in MAY………
Susan, a few years ago……..
A BLOGGRS LIFE IS NEVER DULL as YOU keep showing us!
I will be brief here as I have THAT PIG in the KITCHEN eating something in the recycle can………I CAN HEAR HIM!BUT I am so happy you made it happen and you are off the hook on that GREEN COAT!AS good as it looks on you too expensive I agree!
XX
Your pig is like a little child. You have to put anything dangerous or edible high on shelves or hidden in cupboards.
I could have come to London in May but I had already been there at the end of April for the Blogger Awards. But I bet you will come to Amsterdam one day.
You live an enviable life Greetje. I love following you as you go dashing about , meeting blogging friends and others, sipping champagne and espresso and dining all over Paris. I love your pleasure at laughing heartily with strangers and friends as you happily converse with fellow travelors and locals alike. You are living so joyfully and it’s such a pleasure to know you from afar.
How about adding similar embellishments (like those on that green coat you loved) to a coat or blazer you already own??
You are right, I do live an enviable life. And I don’t take that for granted, I am very grateful.
I have been thinking about the green coat and decided it was a good thing I couldn’t buy it. It would have been far too expensive for the wear I could get out of it. It is very attention drawing. So, even though your idea of adding similar embellishments to a coat I already own, is great, I won’t do that. Suzanne Carillio does this all the time as you know and she is very good with it.
How I envy you your trip to Paris. I’m having withdrawal symptoms from France and it’s not even two months since I was last there. How lovely to meet with the other bloggers, Jeanne looks the epitome of une française. Les Galleries Vivienne are stunning and you all look so happy to be there.
That was the word I was looking for: epitome!! Thanks. And I totally agree.
Your withdrawal symptoms from France are very familiar to me. The moment I am on my way to Gare du Nord to leave Paris, I feel sad and melancholy. I could easily live there. Would miss all my friends though….
I ALWAYS love reading all of your adventures in shopping and travel and friends. I’m so glad I got to be a little slice of this one, even though it was too short… and I was dressed in my least blog-worthy clothes! Next time I’m going to show up wearing something that looks like I belong on a stage in Vegas to make up for this 🙂
It was still fabulous to see you and I’ve always wanted to meet Susan, so that was worth all of our planning. Next time, I’m sure it will be easier! xx
PS: OMG that green coat!! Let’s keep our eye on it to see if it goes on sale at the end of the season. It is amazing on you.
You look better in joggers than most women in party dresses. I am definitely going to see you again within the year. And no I am not going to buy that green coat, not even in the sale. That black leather parka I saw reduced in the shop window when we walked up to your place, now that would have been worth the money. Alas.
So you could go to Paris after all and like in London, you seem to have made the best out of a short stay. I think you must be a profi planner, squeezing in all these lovely meetings and venues in one weekend. Great job, cool sunnies and super shots of that romantic city. Have a great week! Love, Lieske
I don’t like planning. At all. But if I want something bad enough I can do it. Getting to see Lisa turned out to be “a militairy operation” as she called it. I love my short holiday city trips. Especially when it involves other bloggers. And it usually does.
Oh what a fabulous time! I would be jumping from exitement all the time!😂😂😂
We had lots of good laughs, which is the best. I feel very priviledged and grateful that I get to do all this stuff. I will never take it for granted.
Greetje, it was such a pleasure spending time with you. And I’m still laughing about the Tibetan Derriere. Hope you’re enjoying those sunglasses; they do look fabulous on you. Hope we have another opportunity to meet up next year!
So fun to see two bloggers I follow – getting together! In Paris, no less. Great fun to read this. Thanks.
So nice to hear you follow us both. These encounters are the best part of blogging. You follow each other’s blog, you get to “know” each other a bit and when the opportunity arises you meet. I have always been pleasantly surprised when meeting a fellow blogger in real life.
Very nice that you are the first one to comment. I am game to come to Paris if you give me time to plan. Which you usually do. By the way, Torino is a very nice town to go to as well. And I know you like Italy.
I can’t believe that there are still leaves on the trees in Paris. We are already in 20 cm of snow and the leaves are gone since early September. You should have bought the coat. You look so young in this color! Didn’t you know you deserve a Christmas present?
Darling Nicole, I already have my Christmas present, my New Years present and my birthday present for next year haha. Really I spent so much in Maastricht. Encouraged by my husband. As if I need any encouragement. No, it is time to tighten the reins. And to tell you the truth, although the green coat looks lovely, I think it was too much money (€ 750 or € 875 I don’t know) for a coat you cannot use all the time. I saw a black leather parka with faux fur lining reduced from 1790 to 990.. now that was something far more sensible and would have been sooo stylish. Alas…
I’m glad you didn’t buy the coat. The color and length were beautiful on you, but I think there are more flattering cuts for you and I didn’t care for the embellishment. I think the coat made you look a bit like an American football player (which you do NOT really).
Anyway, the point of the comment is to cheer you up not knock you down. Please take it in that light.
Hahaha, thanks Kelle. No worries. You can speak your mind, I will never take it as an insult. You can shake hands with my colleague who always says: “Why do you insist on wearing these cocoon like things? Why not wear something fitted to show off your figure?” I get what you are saying. I have also come to the conclusion that the coat would not have been worth the money. I would get too little wear out of it. So I am not sad anymore.
Greetje, your blogposts are so entertaining as it tells it straight like it is. It makes me want to meet with you in Amsterdam even more! I will appreciate it if you can let me have an email address in direct message on Instagram so I can let you know when we are in Holland. Looking forward to hearing from you, Nicolene
Coming up dear.
What a wonderful meet-up! Two savvy women who know their style. i enjoyed the telling of the small details that make every visit so special. Thanks for linking up, xo
-Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
I will link up next Sunday Patti. Always a joy to join your Visible Monday.
Another fun post of you, out and about with friends, and just a little bit of alcohol. I also believe that every day should be your birthday and therefore champagne is required at lunch. Lol. I adore what you’re wearing and I think that Jeanne is adorable with her buckle boots and beret. I so wish you could’ve gotten that brilliant green coat but I agree the price tag is just too expensive.
However, I was so glad to see you wearing it and looking so beautiful.
Have a wonderful week !
❤️❤️❤️
Elle
https://theellediaries.com
Yes, taking that photo of me wearing the green coat was an inexpensive blogger item haha.
I have met BOTH WOMAN NOW only YOU to catch if you stay put for awhile!
Lisa, looks even thinner here than on her BLOG post about losing weight!I met her in London in MAY………
Susan, a few years ago……..
A BLOGGRS LIFE IS NEVER DULL as YOU keep showing us!
I will be brief here as I have THAT PIG in the KITCHEN eating something in the recycle can………I CAN HEAR HIM!BUT I am so happy you made it happen and you are off the hook on that GREEN COAT!AS good as it looks on you too expensive I agree!
XX
Your pig is like a little child. You have to put anything dangerous or edible high on shelves or hidden in cupboards.
I could have come to London in May but I had already been there at the end of April for the Blogger Awards. But I bet you will come to Amsterdam one day.
What a lovely trip & meetup! Thanks for taking us along! Your posts always make me feel like I get to know you a little bit better each time.
Perhaps it is because I am not holding anything back? I am the kind of person who is quite out there. More introvert people sometimes say to me: Too Much Information Greetje. But I can often make them laugh.
YOU DO…………especially about the FRENCH CONVERSATION!HAD ME HOWLING!!!!!
😊😊😂
You look as though you are having such a good time. I have fond memories of my recent trio trip to Paris
Thanks Josephine. I am sure you and Susan had an equally nice time.
How I envy you your trip to Paris. I’m having withdrawal symptoms from France and it’s not even two months since I was last there. How lovely to meet with the other bloggers, Jeanne looks the epitome of une française. Les Galleries Vivienne are stunning and you all look so happy to be there.
That was the word I was looking for: epitome!! Thanks. And I totally agree.
Your withdrawal symptoms from France are very familiar to me. The moment I am on my way to Gare du Nord to leave Paris, I feel sad and melancholy. I could easily live there. Would miss all my friends though….
You live an enviable life Greetje. I love following you as you go dashing about , meeting blogging friends and others, sipping champagne and espresso and dining all over Paris. I love your pleasure at laughing heartily with strangers and friends as you happily converse with fellow travelors and locals alike. You are living so joyfully and it’s such a pleasure to know you from afar.
How about adding similar embellishments (like those on that green coat you loved) to a coat or blazer you already own??
You are right, I do live an enviable life. And I don’t take that for granted, I am very grateful.
I have been thinking about the green coat and decided it was a good thing I couldn’t buy it. It would have been far too expensive for the wear I could get out of it. It is very attention drawing. So, even though your idea of adding similar embellishments to a coat I already own, is great, I won’t do that. Suzanne Carillio does this all the time as you know and she is very good with it.
You girls were having an awesome adventure. Love being a part of it through your blog. You, Susan, and couple of others R my all time favorites. If I could have a wish granted it would be meet you both and spend a weekend in Paris laughing shopping and enjoying the fun. Oh well your outfits were great and like everyone B4 loved the green coat. Take care and keep us all laughing and up to date your next adventure.
You girls were having an awesome adventure. Love being a part of it through your blog. You, Susan, and couple of others R my all time favorites. If I could have a wish granted it would be meet you both and spend a weekend in Paris laughing shopping and enjoying the fun. Oh well your outfits were great and like everyone B4 loved the green coat. Take care and keep us all laughing and up to date your next adventure.
Wow such fun. I love the story of the misunstood french conversation. My husband and I laughed hard. You are all lovely and you all look great in what ever you wear. If Lisa looks that great with jetlag and an 8 hour car ride she must be even more gorgeous when she is well rested. Oh and one more thing, that green coat was very nice. Too bad it had to stay in the shop.
Thank you Sue. I always love to hear that I could make people smile or (even better) laugh. That is my biggest goal with this blog. And of course the fact I can talk about clothes, show them etc etc.
What a busy spell you’re having Greetje, but such is the life of a blogger. I love your new necklace, have loved those booties of yours since I first saw them, but oh my heart breaks for you that you couldn’t rob a bank to buy that exquisite green coat. It’s out of this world and would have been such an investment piece. But hey, I do understand the reality of shopping when funds are low. A new pair of classy sunnies are a small compensation though.
How lovely to fit in meeting all those bloggers too. I really wouldn’t have recognised the Sequinist at all. She seems much smaller in real life. And yes, very beautiful and far too fresh after that long flight!
Anna x
It is indeed very busy and I love it. Only nice things happening. Lisa has, in fact, lost a lot of weight (30+ pounds). See her post about overcoming her sugar addiction. Had effect on her skin too.
As for the coat, it is better like this. It is too expensive for the wear I would get out of it.
The green coat is luscious and looks fabulous on you! Next time your money pocket will be ready for the purchase!
In this case I think I was lucky being broke. As I think this coat is too expensive for the usage I would get out of it. But I agree, it looks pretty good.
I ALWAYS love reading all of your adventures in shopping and travel and friends. I’m so glad I got to be a little slice of this one, even though it was too short… and I was dressed in my least blog-worthy clothes! Next time I’m going to show up wearing something that looks like I belong on a stage in Vegas to make up for this 🙂
It was still fabulous to see you and I’ve always wanted to meet Susan, so that was worth all of our planning. Next time, I’m sure it will be easier! xx
PS: OMG that green coat!! Let’s keep our eye on it to see if it goes on sale at the end of the season. It is amazing on you.
You look better in joggers than most women in party dresses. I am definitely going to see you again within the year. And no I am not going to buy that green coat, not even in the sale. That black leather parka I saw reduced in the shop window when we walked up to your place, now that would have been worth the money. Alas.
Oh, what a fun filled weekend! I can’t think of a better way to spend time. I absolutely love seeing and hearing all your girlfriend adventures and hilarious stories. It makes me want to get my international travel agenda back on so I can meet up with you again.
And you photos are fabulous as well as all the outfits! I’m really head over heals in love with your new necklace!!! And your black outfit you wore the second day with your leopard jacket, spot on!
Of course I had to choose outfits with shoes I could walk on all day. Which means I have to skip 80% of my wardrobe. So I was very proud I could come up with pieces blog post worthy.
It is very nice of you to come over and comment. I can imagine your mind is not at rest. At all.
I can’t believe that there are still leaves on the trees in Paris. We are already in 20 cm of snow and the leaves are gone since early September. You should have bought the coat. You look so young in this color! Didn’t you know you deserve a Christmas present?
Darling Nicole, I already have my Christmas present, my New Years present and my birthday present for next year haha. Really I spent so much in Maastricht. Encouraged by my husband. As if I need any encouragement. No, it is time to tighten the reins. And to tell you the truth, although the green coat looks lovely, I think it was too much money (€ 750 or € 875 I don’t know) for a coat you cannot use all the time. I saw a black leather parka with faux fur lining reduced from 1790 to 990.. now that was something far more sensible and would have been sooo stylish. Alas…
I’m glad you didn’t buy the coat. The color and length were beautiful on you, but I think there are more flattering cuts for you and I didn’t care for the embellishment. I think the coat made you look a bit like an American football player (which you do NOT really).
Anyway, the point of the comment is to cheer you up not knock you down. Please take it in that light.
Hahaha, thanks Kelle. No worries. You can speak your mind, I will never take it as an insult. You can shake hands with my colleague who always says: “Why do you insist on wearing these cocoon like things? Why not wear something fitted to show off your figure?” I get what you are saying. I have also come to the conclusion that the coat would not have been worth the money. I would get too little wear out of it. So I am not sad anymore.
So you could go to Paris after all and like in London, you seem to have made the best out of a short stay. I think you must be a profi planner, squeezing in all these lovely meetings and venues in one weekend. Great job, cool sunnies and super shots of that romantic city. Have a great week! Love, Lieske
I don’t like planning. At all. But if I want something bad enough I can do it. Getting to see Lisa turned out to be “a militairy operation” as she called it. I love my short holiday city trips. Especially when it involves other bloggers. And it usually does.
Hahahahaha! The dog derriere faux pas was hilarious!
So much fun that you get to meet up with so many different people. That is the one thing that blogging does allow if one has the cash to travel a bit.
Your photos are awesome BTW.
Suzanne
I tell the dog derriere faux pas a lot to friends and colleagues. Gets roaring laughter every time. I was genuine in my ignorance haha.
The distance between like minded bloggers is the killer unfortunately.
Thanks for the compliments. But I can still do a lot better. Baby steps… still baby steps.
Oh what a fabulous time! I would be jumping from exitement all the time!😂😂😂
We had lots of good laughs, which is the best. I feel very priviledged and grateful that I get to do all this stuff. I will never take it for granted.
Greetje, it was such a pleasure spending time with you. And I’m still laughing about the Tibetan Derriere. Hope you’re enjoying those sunglasses; they do look fabulous on you. Hope we have another opportunity to meet up next year!
Very nice that you are the first one to comment. I am game to come to Paris if you give me time to plan. Which you usually do. By the way, Torino is a very nice town to go to as well. And I know you like Italy.
So fun to see two bloggers I follow – getting together! In Paris, no less. Great fun to read this. Thanks.
So nice to hear you follow us both. These encounters are the best part of blogging. You follow each other’s blog, you get to “know” each other a bit and when the opportunity arises you meet. I have always been pleasantly surprised when meeting a fellow blogger in real life.
Wow such fun. I love the story of the misunstood french conversation. My husband and I laughed hard. You are all lovely and you all look great in what ever you wear. If Lisa looks that great with jetlag and an 8 hour car ride she must be even more gorgeous when she is well rested. Oh and one more thing, that green coat was very nice. Too bad it had to stay in the shop.
Thank you Sue. I always love to hear that I could make people smile or (even better) laugh. That is my biggest goal with this blog. And of course the fact I can talk about clothes, show them etc etc.
What a busy spell you’re having Greetje, but such is the life of a blogger. I love your new necklace, have loved those booties of yours since I first saw them, but oh my heart breaks for you that you couldn’t rob a bank to buy that exquisite green coat. It’s out of this world and would have been such an investment piece. But hey, I do understand the reality of shopping when funds are low. A new pair of classy sunnies are a small compensation though.
How lovely to fit in meeting all those bloggers too. I really wouldn’t have recognised the Sequinist at all. She seems much smaller in real life. And yes, very beautiful and far too fresh after that long flight!
Anna x
It is indeed very busy and I love it. Only nice things happening. Lisa has, in fact, lost a lot of weight (30+ pounds). See her post about overcoming her sugar addiction. Had effect on her skin too.
As for the coat, it is better like this. It is too expensive for the wear I would get out of it.
The green coat is luscious and looks fabulous on you! Next time your money pocket will be ready for the purchase!
In this case I think I was lucky being broke. As I think this coat is too expensive for the usage I would get out of it. But I agree, it looks pretty good.
Oh, what a fun filled weekend! I can’t think of a better way to spend time. I absolutely love seeing and hearing all your girlfriend adventures and hilarious stories. It makes me want to get my international travel agenda back on so I can meet up with you again.
And you photos are fabulous as well as all the outfits! I’m really head over heals in love with your new necklace!!! And your black outfit you wore the second day with your leopard jacket, spot on!
Of course I had to choose outfits with shoes I could walk on all day. Which means I have to skip 80% of my wardrobe. So I was very proud I could come up with pieces blog post worthy.
It is very nice of you to come over and comment. I can imagine your mind is not at rest. At all.
Hahahahaha! The dog derriere faux pas was hilarious!
So much fun that you get to meet up with so many different people. That is the one thing that blogging does allow if one has the cash to travel a bit.
Your photos are awesome BTW.
Suzanne
I tell the dog derriere faux pas a lot to friends and colleagues. Gets roaring laughter every time. I was genuine in my ignorance haha.
The distance between like minded bloggers is the killer unfortunately.
Thanks for the compliments. But I can still do a lot better. Baby steps… still baby steps.