Absolutely not everybody’s taste, this bright yellow top with bell sleeves. When you enter a room, dressed like this, you definitely stand out. For me that is a bonus. I don’t want to be invisible, quite the contrary.
At my work we were psychologially dissecting each other (just joking) and I asked my colleagues: “OK guys (and girls).. here is one for the group: can anybody tell me why I have this urge to buy clothes all the time?” I got the answer straight away from a dear colleague, who I have known for 18 years. She replied: “Because you like the attention, you like to take the stage”. I was flabbergasted. She was so right. I love telling stories, I love being on a stage. Give my a microphone on stage and I am happy. Always wanted to be an actress. I am an extrovert++. Which is why I don’t mind taking photos in crowded places. Why not? Join the fun, join the conversation and let’s all have a ball.
I wondered for a split second whether this is a bad thing? But why would it be? We are all different which makes life such fun. As long as we accept those differences without judging. So I am happy I finally got a good, solid answer to this question. I can live with it.
Tiny survey
Before I continue, I have a question for you, a tiny survey:
do you like my texts placed above the photos? Or would you prefer to see the photo first and then the text? I like to know your opinion; a simple “text above photo” or “text below photo”, or just “above” or “below” is enough if you care to comment. I am asking this question because I got a request from a reader last week to change it. Only when I know for certain most readers want this I will change it.
A day with Yvonne in Overveen
Last Wednesday I met my friend Yvonne for lunch (I know, I know, lunch again, but that is what grown-ups do when they meet… they eat). She arrived by train at the little train station of Overveen, a village bordering on Haarlem. The train station is now a restaurant which was a very convenient place to meet.
Below: Yvonne, my friend for 27 years.
Below: The front of the restaurant (train station).
Below: The back of the restaurant. The trains pass through as close by as they would at any station.
Below: This close. See the man sitting at the table bottom right?
Below: It really is a lovely little place. Every 15 minutes it is a little difficult to talk, but that only lasts 15 seconds.
Below: It is very relaxed and the food is good.
Yvonne told me at lunch she had had enough of the weight she had put on, especially around waist and belly. She decided to reset her body and took Green Juices for a week. After that she carried on with it but less rigid. Amazing results: she lost 9 kilos (20 pounds), her skin is better, she sleeps better and her belly and waist dropped in size dramatically. Looking at her, I needed no further encouragement. I am going to learn more about it and hit the green juice myself. (Not saying that any of you should do it as well, this is just my decision.)
After lunch (way after) we took some more pictures near the station. All my friends are always so nice to me in this respect. First I took some of her so I can show you what I mean with stunning.
Below: Yvonne, tall, slim and with gorgeous hair. I always envied her for her hair. Oh by the way: she is 50 years young.
Below: I directed her to the white fence, with the green behind her and she took her cardigan off.
Below: Two pictures of Yvonne.
Below: She has my type of body shape: slender hips, little bum, well endowed.
Below: Close-up of her lovely shoes.
Below: My turn. The blue and white striped trousers turned moiré in this photo. Brand: Marco Polo from a couple of years back. The top is by Just Female. Couldn’t find it on their site. I bought it in the sale at Hudson’s Bay. Told you I am trying to keep them afloat in The Netherlands. They have my (financial) support. The black with blue pointy ballerinas are old.
Below: The necklace was a find at the second hand shop in Hoofddorp, Today’s Vintage. I talked about it in the post with “the Haarlem bloggers“. Sorry all you lovely readers from abroad, this information is of no use to you.
Below: And a last shot on the bench. Gosh my hair is blond. I really like it.
Till next week.
Greetje
You look awesome in that yellow blouse! And the pants are cute too.
Thanks. Finally found out how to style these trousers. They were a bit short from belt to crotch which meant they created the you-know-what-and-the-camel. Now I just pull them down a bit and wear them lower. Problem solved. So easy. Why did it take me so long?
Twins!!! You and Yvonne have such similar bodies I think you could easily share your wardrobes! I’ll bet you got lots of admiring looks as you lunched!
We were not paying any attention to people around us, so I don’t know whether we got admiring looks. We should have 😂😂😂.
Yvonne and I indeed have a similar body shape but I wouldn’t go as far as twins. Her hair is so much better than mine.
I prefer the text below the photo. I can then get a good look at the photo and know what you are writing about. I always look forward to your posts. I enjoy your outings with friends and seeing the interesting places you visit.
I will note it down (starting to count the scores 😉). Thank you for your lovely words. That is the stuff a blogger like me loves to hear. The above and below question isn’t half as interesting as it is nice to interact with readers.
I would go with either but without the writing of Above/below
You just want to see photos? No text? Oh.. got it now: you mean I should not say “Above” before the text. Hmmm I am afraid new readers might get confused?
Text above photo.
Thank you Kate. Noted! 😊
Hello Greetje –
Thanks for asking for your reader’s input. I like to read about what I am about to see above (before) your photos.
Great post, as always. You and your friend look fantastic. As always, your posts make me want to shop and eat my way through Haarlem (and meet you for lunch).
Ann
Hahaha.. that is the problem with blogging: distances … big distances.
Thanks for your input about the text with the photos. So far the “above” is on the winning hand.
And thanks for the compliments. Much appreciated.
I wasn’t a big fan of the statement sleeves either. Thought they would be old and not done the next year. But I liked the colour and the neckline on this one and it was a steal in the sale. The necklace was an idea because I wanted to add another colour, black in this case. I thought my hair looked pretty good as well. Doesn’t always cooperate. Haven’t started Green Juicing yet, but one look at Yvonne and I am keen again.
LOVE the necklace! Yvonne looks beautiful too. It’s wonderful to spend the afternoon with a long-time friend. As to image text, I think readers coming from a print background in the States are used to captions above images and descriptive information below. However, IMHO, whatever works for you, works for me. Personally, I celebrate the nuances of life that challenge my “normal”.
Oh that is a nice one: “I celebrate the nuances of life that challenge my “normal”. Must remember that. I don’t think I have ever been “normal”. And I don’t want to be either.
I agree with you on the print experience, but it was exactly that which made me wonder when I started the blog. A picture says more than a thousand words. And I thought: in print you see the whole thing immediately: captions, photo and descriptions. Online you have to scroll and I think my description would be lost after someone has seen the photo.
Hi,
Love your blog!! Definitely above…I like to know what I’m about to see!
Oh good. I agree with you. When you have read the text you get curious about the photo. I think that once you saw the photo you would be less interested in the text. That was my reasoning. Great that you love my blog. I will do my utmost to keep you amused for a long time.
Above is my preference but am fine either way as I quite enjoy your commentary. 🙂 The subtle stripes in your pants add a nice surprise, and the yellow top is definitely a head turner (and looks smashing on you).
Cheers,
Laurie
Thank you for your opinion. This yellow top is so vivid that I have the urge to say: HAppY Egg… That’s me!
I added the necklace to tone the top down a bit and to add a third colour which goes with the shoes and the belt.
I love to read your blog. It gives me insight of Holland and your friends. What difference does it make if the text is above or below? They will have to scroll over it to read won’t they? Silly people. I will also check out this green juice diet. If you have a link could you please share? Thank you
I wished I could share a link but she wrote everything in Dutch. She did watch a Netflix documentary called Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead. But I think she wasn’t as rigid as that man. For one she did have a blender and not a juicer.
Can you click throught to my Facebook post? I have answered Jean about this subject and shared some food photos. This is the link.
https://www.facebook.com/NoFearOfFashion/posts/1862234927190564?comment_id=1862317520515638&reply_comment_id=1862361637177893¬if_id=1531676886953332¬if_t=feed_comment&ref=notif
I actually like a combination of above and below (I know, I am not helping), with the text bracketing the pictures, much like you’ve done here. A little intro, a picture, talk about it some more, new paragraph, repeat. It’s a very engaging style of writing – your “voice” comes through very well) – and I say do whatever the hell you want, Greetje (I have a feeling you will anyway, ha ha!).
I LOVE this blouse and would wear it in a heartbeat. I have a Just Female piece that I love, and yay for the poor ol’ Hudson’s Bay Company! Yvonne is a goddess – those arms!
Lovely visit with you, my dear, take care.
It is amazing how well you “know” me from spending only one weekend with me and my blog haha. Yes I will do whatever I like, but I do not want to ignore a good suggestion if it pleases my readers. So far it is 50/50 with a tendency towards “above”. (I get email and Facebook reactions as well.)
I had never heard of Just Female, had to look it up (luckily I hadn’t cut the label out yet). Hudson’s Bay is lovely for me but I can understand their concern, the place is very very quiet. Too quiet.
I love your posts!! Please don’t change a thing. I find your picture labelling easy to manage. Do you think Yvonne would share her Green Juice recipe? Because…..Wow!! In a week?! That is amazing. Actually, I like all your friends that you have featured in your posts. What a lovely group of women.
I love my friends so much. They are the salt of the earth. As for the recipe.. Yvonne made an extensive blog post about it on Facebook, but it is in Dutch. Perhaps the photos help?
Can you click throught to my Facebook post? I have answered Jean about this subject and shared some food photos. This is the link.
https://www.facebook.com/NoFearOfFashion/posts/1862234927190564?comment_id=1862317520515638&reply_comment_id=1862361637177893¬if_id=1531676886953332¬if_t=feed_comment&ref=notif
From the good ole USA…above the photo please! I look forward to each/all of your posts; they make me smile/giggle and wish I had the interesting stores where you shop. And, all of your friends are soooo slender; it must be the “European” diet!
Thanks for the “vote” Margie. Noted.
You made me think.. “all my friends are so slender”. Gosh, have I subconsciously “selected” my friends on being slender? I hope not. That would be very mean and discriminating. Perhaps we became friends because we all have this fascination with clothes? I know that keeps me slim. No way I am going to change size and then not be able to wear half of my wardrobe.
I had to laugh. I saw that comment last week and already expected something like this to happen haha. Always realise: it’s just one comment…. No need to change things up. As for your survey I prefer below. This really is so personal and i think you will get a mix of results. This is your blog though. Do what YOU like As many have commented, many get used to what you’ve been doing. As for the blouse, I find it a bit big and the sleeves a bit long but you wear the blouse like the true marvelous extrovert that you are. Being an introvert, you never cease to amaze me when we go out. Where on earth do you get all that energy from!!? Your friend looks smashing and with that figure may just become the poster girl of green juicing!
I think you are right and it is going to be a tie. That is fine by me, I love the interaction with my readers. You think I am full of energy? Gosh I don’t see that myself. Although yes, I do like to do a lot with friends. Nevertheless, I know very well how to relax and not do anything at all.
The sleeves are exactly the right length. Perhaps they seem long because they are so wide and I usually roll my sleeves up?
This is far & away my absolute favourite outfit on you Greetje. All time favourite casual outfit for sure. The reason is twofold – First, yellow does amazing things for your complexion. I think it is a difficult colour for most people to pull off especially next to the face. Not you. You look young & fresh.
Secondly the balance of this silhouette is bang on. The statement sleeves add width in exactly the right way where as the skinny jeans keep the whole look sleek & sexy. Even the crew neck (tough for most to wear well) works perfectly with your bob haircut.
I love it!
Couldn’t care less about whether the text is above or below photos 😉
Wow Michelle, you have a real eye for fashion. After reading your comments I had another look at Greetje’s outfit so I could see what you have pointed out. It’s always great to learn. Thanks! Love, Lieske
It is indeed Lieske. You live and learn (and I added “laugh” to that).
Hahaha.. thank you for your view on my above and below. Never would have thought that this outfit would “score” so highly, but it does. When I was still a brunette, yellow was an excellent colour for me. Then I turned blond and was afraid I might have to get rid of all my yellow tops. I was very surprised that it still suits me so well. And I have no explanation for it.
Definitely above!
Thanks Barbara. So far the “above camp” is winning haha.
I like the text after the photo. I fear you are going to get a response of 50/50 on this survey.
That necklace is very striking against the yellow bold blouse.
Your friend looks great but that diet plan seemed too extreme for me. Every time I try anything like that I gain weight.
I’m on the slowest weight loss plan ever. I’ve lost a whole of 5 lbs in 5 months. The one thing I’m hoping is that with the slow loss that means I’ll be able to keep it off. We’ll see… I still need to lose another five and these last five are being very stubborn indeed.
Suzanne
http://www.suzannecarillo.com
In case of a 50/50 response, my preference counts haha.
I hear what you are saying and I agree that adjusting your every day “intake” is the way to lose weight and keep the desired weight. But she has adjusted her every day intake as well. So she might very well make it. I agree that the last lbs’ are the hardest to lose. I am currently getting back to my desired weight as well and I am determined to lose more. Have had enough of my belly. Nobody ever sees that because I make damned sure it is hidden. But it is there. A tight top in a wide skirt? Cannot do it and I want that.
Absolutely above!
Being a rather shy person, I want to be noticed all the same. And I like clothes and shoes! How do you explain Mr. Freud?
You two look great!
You are right, that is odd. At first I thought I read it wrong: shy and wants to be noticed all the same… ??
I wonder how you deal with the attention you get. I just revel in it. But good on you. Being invisible doesn’t do anybody any good. At least that is what I think.
I can deal now I have reached this mature age. It was harder when I was a girl with long red hair and everybody started singing that awfull song ” Girls with red hair” by Arne Janssen (remember?)
Beautiful yellow bell sleeves so nice on you! Love Yvonne’s hair!!! And the stage thing, so true for you!!
Heh heh heh… you know the stage thing is true by experience. The yellow top was in the sale and I couldn’t resist it. Cannot resist a lot of things…..
The bold necklace is a great match for the bold color of the top. You know already that I think you look fabulous in bright colors, and this one is no exception.
I really have no preference on text above or below, as long as there’s an indication which photo the text refers to (e.g. “Below: …).
Suzanne Carillo thinks the survey will be a 50/50 result. In that case my preference counts haha.
I stumbled upon this mighty yellow top in the sale and it was such a steal that I decided to go for bell sleeves for once.
What a gorgeous top Greetje, it matches very well with your ‘new’ necklace. About Hudson’s Bay: I’m helping you trying to keep them afloat in The Netherlands.
It would be such a shame if Hudson’s disappeared again. I think they have lovely stuff and I would invite all the Dutch to shop there. My “new” necklace is very impactful. Never expected that.
‘ ABOVE’ for me Greetje !
Nice trousers, didn’t see the little stripe running through them at first !
I like your hair too, think blonde is a good colour for you. I am creeping that way these days !!!
Somebody told me that going blond as you get older to avoid seeing the outgrow is called “antique blond”. I thought that was a scream, had to laugh so loud.
The trousers are in my wardrobe for about 3 years now, and I finally found a way to wear them.
First PHOTO THAN TEXT PLEASE!
Sorry, you were outnumbered 😉🙃.
I didn’t read all the comments but I assume the “text above photo” team is winning. I prefer the text below the photo but most likely because I want to see the visual first and then read about what I saw. That’s just me; I know your preference will win out in the end 😉
I really like that yellow blouse. I haven’t found a shade of yellow that looks good on me, but you wear that blouse very well, and I love a good statement sleeve, especially with a nice slim pair of trousers.
Yvonne has a beautiful figure and I’m glad she found something that worked for her. I find if I just cut down on the sugar and exercise more often I feel and look better, but doing both of these have been a challenge.
Indeed, “text above the photo” won. Honestly, no lie.
As for the green juice approach of Yvonne, I am sure it works and is very healthy. Just haven’t mustered up the courage yet. Having lost 3 kilos (7 lbs) doesn’t urge me either. But I want to implement the green juice in my eating habits. I will get there.
Thanks for the compliments.
I know they are not conventional jeans, they are pants with thin stripes, but in the photographs they look like it. And you know how I like to see you with jeans, I always say that they are perfect in your legs. The yellow blouse is cute and I love the whole set. The necklace is spectacular. Your friend Yvonne is a woman with a lot of style.
My friend Yvonne is a stunner and she has the character to match it. She is a sweet person and not at all impressed with her own beauty haha. She would never have a blog like mine, although she would score a lot higher.
The necklace was a € 5 purchase from a second hand shop. And it is so impactful. I was lucky.
I prefer text below, look at the picture first then read all about it. Looks like I am in a minority though. However, in the whole scheme of things it does not really matter. Love the blog, being taken out of my comfort zone with the fab clothes and great to share life with all your lovely friends and hearing theirs and your news. All good……..
Annie
So nice to hear Annie. I am smiling here with pride and contentment. Blogging is rather a lonely hobby but I love every aspect of it. Getting comments like yours makes my day (week).
No preference here! What a great color on you! Love the necklace, that is a stunning one!
And this top was just something I came across in the sale. It was such a bright colour (which attracted me in the first place of course) and a steal. Never expected it to “score” so highly.
Hi Greetje. I love the text above the photo and I love your yellow top and especially the way you tell us so honestly about yourself (like you always do actually) that you like to get attention. Mmm….sounds very familiar. It is one of many aspects I like about teaching! To come back to your outfit: you look amazing in it. I cannot believe you are 64! You look much younger than that and you are so slim that I wonder why you wonder about green juices…As for Overveen: I happen to know that station, since it’s the starting point of a lovely walk through the dunes and forests near Haarlem that I did last year. For anyone who likes walking: highly recommendable. Greetje, have a great week, stay cool in the heat wave that is coming your way and keep entertaining us with gorgeous outfits, beautiful photos and fun stories! Love, Lieske
I won’t be doing the walk through the dunes for some time, but who knows in the future. When you come closer you can see the wrinkles everywhere haha. Cannot be helped any longer. I was going to get rid of the spots on my legs but it is no use: dweilen met de kraan open.
As for the green juices, lately I had gained another 3 kilos and that was really bothering me. When you get older (and slower) you tend to gain a kilo every year. I am not going to let that happen. I want to go back to a more comfortable zone. I have finally found the “switch” in my brain to do it.
Below would be my choice but its your blog so you rule!
Best wishes from the UK.
Indeed I can decide as it is my blog, but I create each blog post to be read. So if my readers would have all said they prefer the text below the photo I would have most certainly changed it. It looks like a tie though and in that case I “rule” haha.
Greetje, my apologies, I think you may have misunderstood what and how I was saying it. Humour so often doesn’t translate.
Oh no Lesley.. my fault. I knew you were joking. I just answered far too seriously. Tried to make up for that with my last sentence “It looks like a tie though and in that case I “rule” haha”.
Keep the humour coming.
I like your blog, the pictures, the texts , everything.
Just continue!
Thank you Greetje
Ahh so sweet. Thank you and I will. You can count on that.
I am the reader who asked for text after the photo’s. I really appreciate you take it as a survey in your blog. And even as the text will stay above I will keep on reading your blog’s. All the best, Channa
Thank you Channa, so far it is nearly 50/50 with a preference for above the photos. I have heard from blogging friends that this would be the outcome of any survey. I am still glad I did it, even it was only for the nice interaction. A good suggestion deserves a follow-up. My readers are my most important “thing” (language barrier here).
ABOVE for sure! Love your blog and very interested in the Green Juicing. Still skeptical it can reduce stomach and waist. Hard areas to firm up after a certain age. I’m 70 and finally accepting gravity has taken over. I’ve always been skinny but my middle is not on display anymore! No belts or tops tucked in for me.
The bulging waist happened to me in the year I was 55. Being an inverted triangle shape, my goal is to fake a waist and an hourglass figure. Impossible with the extra centimeters. I had them removed through liposuction. It is always risky of course and certainly not everybody’s solution, but it went well and I am very happy I did it.
Thanks for the “above” vote and your compliment on my blog.
I vote above also! Greetje, I really enjoy your blog and am always excited when you send a new post. You have some very stylish friends, thanks for sharing them with us.
Thanks Martha, I have noted your preference. Also big thanks for your compliments. It is such comments that makes blogging so worth while. It is nice that your “work” is appreciated.
Above please. Love your blog and also “pretty cute”, which I found through you.
Thank you for all the work you put into produce such an interesting and entertaining blog.
Susan D
You don’t need to thank me silly (meant affectionately 😊). This blog is my hobby and I am very glad I finally found a hobby. It is entirely my pleasure to come up with a new post every week. Finding Dan and so many other bloggers are a few of the many perks.
Text definitely above as that’s what I’m used to now.
Right!! Thanks for letting me know.
Definitely above. Love reading your blog, seeing all the different locations, hearing about your life and friends and the fashion too!
Of course you do realize that all the nasty stuff will not be on the blog, don’t you? Just in case you think my life is all bliss. (Well… I have to admit there is not a lot to complain about.)
Glad you like my posts. I try with each one to let you smile. It is my mission in life.
Above
Love your hair, I went blonde a few years ago😉I enjoy your taste in clothing color,Diverse styles…love the shoes..green heels got me 🤔.I love red blue tone, yellows , think of Cancun.Blues in many shades…play time 😃 No Fear .Joy!
Haha, you keep replying to comments of others. Never mind. Glad you like my hair. I often long for my brunette hair, but this day I was pleased with the blonde. Colour and shoes… yep that’s me.
I read the comments with interest. I guess I hadn’t thought about whether the text above or below would be a preference for readers. I’ve always had mine after the photo.
I love Jason Vale’s green juice recipes. I haven’t done an exclusively juice cleanse for some years now but I do still enjoy them occasionally.
I will occasionaly “do” the green juice as well. Seems very healthy and effective. Haven’t mustered up the courage yet. Especially since I am losing weight the old fashioned way (3 kilos/7 lbs).
Don’t worry about text above or below the photo. It is just a preference. The text above the photo “won” 😊.
I read the comments with interest. I guess I hadn’t thought about whether the text above or below would be a preference for readers. I’ve always had mine after the photo.
I love Jason Vale’s green juice recipes. I haven’t done an exclusively juice cleanse for some years now but I do still enjoy them occasionally.
I will occasionaly “do” the green juice as well. Seems very healthy and effective. Haven’t mustered up the courage yet. Especially since I am losing weight the old fashioned way (3 kilos/7 lbs).
Don’t worry about text above or below the photo. It is just a preference. The text above the photo “won” 😊.
I didn’t read all the comments but I assume the “text above photo” team is winning. I prefer the text below the photo but most likely because I want to see the visual first and then read about what I saw. That’s just me; I know your preference will win out in the end 😉
I really like that yellow blouse. I haven’t found a shade of yellow that looks good on me, but you wear that blouse very well, and I love a good statement sleeve, especially with a nice slim pair of trousers.
Yvonne has a beautiful figure and I’m glad she found something that worked for her. I find if I just cut down on the sugar and exercise more often I feel and look better, but doing both of these have been a challenge.
Indeed, “text above the photo” won. Honestly, no lie.
As for the green juice approach of Yvonne, I am sure it works and is very healthy. Just haven’t mustered up the courage yet. Having lost 3 kilos (7 lbs) doesn’t urge me either. But I want to implement the green juice in my eating habits. I will get there.
Thanks for the compliments.
First PHOTO THAN TEXT PLEASE!
Sorry, you were outnumbered 😉🙃.
Twins!!! You and Yvonne have such similar bodies I think you could easily share your wardrobes! I’ll bet you got lots of admiring looks as you lunched!
We were not paying any attention to people around us, so I don’t know whether we got admiring looks. We should have 😂😂😂.
Yvonne and I indeed have a similar body shape but I wouldn’t go as far as twins. Her hair is so much better than mine.
You look awesome in that yellow blouse! And the pants are cute too.
Thanks. Finally found out how to style these trousers. They were a bit short from belt to crotch which meant they created the you-know-what-and-the-camel. Now I just pull them down a bit and wear them lower. Problem solved. So easy. Why did it take me so long?
Above please. Love your blog and also “pretty cute”, which I found through you.
Thank you for all the work you put into produce such an interesting and entertaining blog.
Susan D
You don’t need to thank me silly (meant affectionately 😊). This blog is my hobby and I am very glad I finally found a hobby. It is entirely my pleasure to come up with a new post every week. Finding Dan and so many other bloggers are a few of the many perks.
‘ ABOVE’ for me Greetje !
Nice trousers, didn’t see the little stripe running through them at first !
I like your hair too, think blonde is a good colour for you. I am creeping that way these days !!!
Somebody told me that going blond as you get older to avoid seeing the outgrow is called “antique blond”. I thought that was a scream, had to laugh so loud.
The trousers are in my wardrobe for about 3 years now, and I finally found a way to wear them.
What a gorgeous top Greetje, it matches very well with your ‘new’ necklace. About Hudson’s Bay: I’m helping you trying to keep them afloat in The Netherlands.
It would be such a shame if Hudson’s disappeared again. I think they have lovely stuff and I would invite all the Dutch to shop there. My “new” necklace is very impactful. Never expected that.
Hi Greetje. I love the text above the photo and I love your yellow top and especially the way you tell us so honestly about yourself (like you always do actually) that you like to get attention. Mmm….sounds very familiar. It is one of many aspects I like about teaching! To come back to your outfit: you look amazing in it. I cannot believe you are 64! You look much younger than that and you are so slim that I wonder why you wonder about green juices…As for Overveen: I happen to know that station, since it’s the starting point of a lovely walk through the dunes and forests near Haarlem that I did last year. For anyone who likes walking: highly recommendable. Greetje, have a great week, stay cool in the heat wave that is coming your way and keep entertaining us with gorgeous outfits, beautiful photos and fun stories! Love, Lieske
I won’t be doing the walk through the dunes for some time, but who knows in the future. When you come closer you can see the wrinkles everywhere haha. Cannot be helped any longer. I was going to get rid of the spots on my legs but it is no use: dweilen met de kraan open.
As for the green juices, lately I had gained another 3 kilos and that was really bothering me. When you get older (and slower) you tend to gain a kilo every year. I am not going to let that happen. I want to go back to a more comfortable zone. I have finally found the “switch” in my brain to do it.
I know they are not conventional jeans, they are pants with thin stripes, but in the photographs they look like it. And you know how I like to see you with jeans, I always say that they are perfect in your legs. The yellow blouse is cute and I love the whole set. The necklace is spectacular. Your friend Yvonne is a woman with a lot of style.
My friend Yvonne is a stunner and she has the character to match it. She is a sweet person and not at all impressed with her own beauty haha. She would never have a blog like mine, although she would score a lot higher.
The necklace was a € 5 purchase from a second hand shop. And it is so impactful. I was lucky.
No preference here! What a great color on you! Love the necklace, that is a stunning one!
And this top was just something I came across in the sale. It was such a bright colour (which attracted me in the first place of course) and a steal. Never expected it to “score” so highly.
Below would be my choice but its your blog so you rule!
Best wishes from the UK.
Indeed I can decide as it is my blog, but I create each blog post to be read. So if my readers would have all said they prefer the text below the photo I would have most certainly changed it. It looks like a tie though and in that case I “rule” haha.
Greetje, my apologies, I think you may have misunderstood what and how I was saying it. Humour so often doesn’t translate.
Oh no Lesley.. my fault. I knew you were joking. I just answered far too seriously. Tried to make up for that with my last sentence “It looks like a tie though and in that case I “rule” haha”.
Keep the humour coming.
I prefer text below, look at the picture first then read all about it. Looks like I am in a minority though. However, in the whole scheme of things it does not really matter. Love the blog, being taken out of my comfort zone with the fab clothes and great to share life with all your lovely friends and hearing theirs and your news. All good……..
Annie
So nice to hear Annie. I am smiling here with pride and contentment. Blogging is rather a lonely hobby but I love every aspect of it. Getting comments like yours makes my day (week).
I love your posts!! Please don’t change a thing. I find your picture labelling easy to manage. Do you think Yvonne would share her Green Juice recipe? Because…..Wow!! In a week?! That is amazing. Actually, I like all your friends that you have featured in your posts. What a lovely group of women.
I love my friends so much. They are the salt of the earth. As for the recipe.. Yvonne made an extensive blog post about it on Facebook, but it is in Dutch. Perhaps the photos help?
Can you click throught to my Facebook post? I have answered Jean about this subject and shared some food photos. This is the link.
https://www.facebook.com/NoFearOfFashion/posts/1862234927190564?comment_id=1862317520515638&reply_comment_id=1862361637177893¬if_id=1531676886953332¬if_t=feed_comment&ref=notif
I actually like a combination of above and below (I know, I am not helping), with the text bracketing the pictures, much like you’ve done here. A little intro, a picture, talk about it some more, new paragraph, repeat. It’s a very engaging style of writing – your “voice” comes through very well) – and I say do whatever the hell you want, Greetje (I have a feeling you will anyway, ha ha!).
I LOVE this blouse and would wear it in a heartbeat. I have a Just Female piece that I love, and yay for the poor ol’ Hudson’s Bay Company! Yvonne is a goddess – those arms!
Lovely visit with you, my dear, take care.
It is amazing how well you “know” me from spending only one weekend with me and my blog haha. Yes I will do whatever I like, but I do not want to ignore a good suggestion if it pleases my readers. So far it is 50/50 with a tendency towards “above”. (I get email and Facebook reactions as well.)
I had never heard of Just Female, had to look it up (luckily I hadn’t cut the label out yet). Hudson’s Bay is lovely for me but I can understand their concern, the place is very very quiet. Too quiet.
From the good ole USA…above the photo please! I look forward to each/all of your posts; they make me smile/giggle and wish I had the interesting stores where you shop. And, all of your friends are soooo slender; it must be the “European” diet!
Thanks for the “vote” Margie. Noted.
You made me think.. “all my friends are so slender”. Gosh, have I subconsciously “selected” my friends on being slender? I hope not. That would be very mean and discriminating. Perhaps we became friends because we all have this fascination with clothes? I know that keeps me slim. No way I am going to change size and then not be able to wear half of my wardrobe.
This is far & away my absolute favourite outfit on you Greetje. All time favourite casual outfit for sure. The reason is twofold – First, yellow does amazing things for your complexion. I think it is a difficult colour for most people to pull off especially next to the face. Not you. You look young & fresh.
Secondly the balance of this silhouette is bang on. The statement sleeves add width in exactly the right way where as the skinny jeans keep the whole look sleek & sexy. Even the crew neck (tough for most to wear well) works perfectly with your bob haircut.
I love it!
Couldn’t care less about whether the text is above or below photos 😉
Wow Michelle, you have a real eye for fashion. After reading your comments I had another look at Greetje’s outfit so I could see what you have pointed out. It’s always great to learn. Thanks! Love, Lieske
It is indeed Lieske. You live and learn (and I added “laugh” to that).
Hahaha.. thank you for your view on my above and below. Never would have thought that this outfit would “score” so highly, but it does. When I was still a brunette, yellow was an excellent colour for me. Then I turned blond and was afraid I might have to get rid of all my yellow tops. I was very surprised that it still suits me so well. And I have no explanation for it.
I prefer the text below the photo. I can then get a good look at the photo and know what you are writing about. I always look forward to your posts. I enjoy your outings with friends and seeing the interesting places you visit.
I will note it down (starting to count the scores 😉). Thank you for your lovely words. That is the stuff a blogger like me loves to hear. The above and below question isn’t half as interesting as it is nice to interact with readers.
I like text above photo -then you know what you are looking at in the photo! You look nice in the blouse. yellow is a color that does not like me. I can wear a modified bell sleeve, as long as it is small. I just bought a black top with white embroidery and had the bell sleeves shortened to about 3/4 length. I personally do not like sleeves dropping in my food at lunch! ha ha
Thanks Linda. As a tall person I have had sleeves which were too short for a long time. Now that I am older I am not the tall girl anymore and the sleeves length is fine. But I haven’t gotten over this issue yet haha. Perhaps I will shorten them as well. Don’t know yet.
Text above photo.
Thank you Kate. Noted! 😊
I had to laugh. I saw that comment last week and already expected something like this to happen haha. Always realise: it’s just one comment…. No need to change things up. As for your survey I prefer below. This really is so personal and i think you will get a mix of results. This is your blog though. Do what YOU like As many have commented, many get used to what you’ve been doing. As for the blouse, I find it a bit big and the sleeves a bit long but you wear the blouse like the true marvelous extrovert that you are. Being an introvert, you never cease to amaze me when we go out. Where on earth do you get all that energy from!!? Your friend looks smashing and with that figure may just become the poster girl of green juicing!
I think you are right and it is going to be a tie. That is fine by me, I love the interaction with my readers. You think I am full of energy? Gosh I don’t see that myself. Although yes, I do like to do a lot with friends. Nevertheless, I know very well how to relax and not do anything at all.
The sleeves are exactly the right length. Perhaps they seem long because they are so wide and I usually roll my sleeves up?
Above. I look forward to reading your blog each week.
I would go with either but without the writing of Above/below
You just want to see photos? No text? Oh.. got it now: you mean I should not say “Above” before the text. Hmmm I am afraid new readers might get confused?
I like your blog, the pictures, the texts , everything.
Just continue!
Thank you Greetje
Ahh so sweet. Thank you and I will. You can count on that.
I am the reader who asked for text after the photo’s. I really appreciate you take it as a survey in your blog. And even as the text will stay above I will keep on reading your blog’s. All the best, Channa
Thank you Channa, so far it is nearly 50/50 with a preference for above the photos. I have heard from blogging friends that this would be the outcome of any survey. I am still glad I did it, even it was only for the nice interaction. A good suggestion deserves a follow-up. My readers are my most important “thing” (language barrier here).
I vote above also! Greetje, I really enjoy your blog and am always excited when you send a new post. You have some very stylish friends, thanks for sharing them with us.
Thanks Martha, I have noted your preference. Also big thanks for your compliments. It is such comments that makes blogging so worth while. It is nice that your “work” is appreciated.
ABOVE for sure! Love your blog and very interested in the Green Juicing. Still skeptical it can reduce stomach and waist. Hard areas to firm up after a certain age. I’m 70 and finally accepting gravity has taken over. I’ve always been skinny but my middle is not on display anymore! No belts or tops tucked in for me.
The bulging waist happened to me in the year I was 55. Being an inverted triangle shape, my goal is to fake a waist and an hourglass figure. Impossible with the extra centimeters. I had them removed through liposuction. It is always risky of course and certainly not everybody’s solution, but it went well and I am very happy I did it.
Thanks for the “above” vote and your compliment on my blog.
Hi,
Love your blog!! Definitely above…I like to know what I’m about to see!
Oh good. I agree with you. When you have read the text you get curious about the photo. I think that once you saw the photo you would be less interested in the text. That was my reasoning. Great that you love my blog. I will do my utmost to keep you amused for a long time.
Hello Greetje –
Thanks for asking for your reader’s input. I like to read about what I am about to see above (before) your photos.
Great post, as always. You and your friend look fantastic. As always, your posts make me want to shop and eat my way through Haarlem (and meet you for lunch).
Ann
Hahaha.. that is the problem with blogging: distances … big distances.
Thanks for your input about the text with the photos. So far the “above” is on the winning hand.
And thanks for the compliments. Much appreciated.
LOVE the necklace! Yvonne looks beautiful too. It’s wonderful to spend the afternoon with a long-time friend. As to image text, I think readers coming from a print background in the States are used to captions above images and descriptive information below. However, IMHO, whatever works for you, works for me. Personally, I celebrate the nuances of life that challenge my “normal”.
Oh that is a nice one: “I celebrate the nuances of life that challenge my “normal”. Must remember that. I don’t think I have ever been “normal”. And I don’t want to be either.
I agree with you on the print experience, but it was exactly that which made me wonder when I started the blog. A picture says more than a thousand words. And I thought: in print you see the whole thing immediately: captions, photo and descriptions. Online you have to scroll and I think my description would be lost after someone has seen the photo.
Above is my preference but am fine either way as I quite enjoy your commentary. 🙂 The subtle stripes in your pants add a nice surprise, and the yellow top is definitely a head turner (and looks smashing on you).
Cheers,
Laurie
Thank you for your opinion. This yellow top is so vivid that I have the urge to say: HAppY Egg… That’s me!
I added the necklace to tone the top down a bit and to add a third colour which goes with the shoes and the belt.
I like text above photo -then you know what you are looking at in the photo! You look nice in the blouse. yellow is a color that does not like me. I can wear a modified bell sleeve, as long as it is small. I just bought a black top with white embroidery and had the bell sleeves shortened to about 3/4 length. I personally do not like sleeves dropping in my food at lunch! ha ha
Thanks Linda. As a tall person I have had sleeves which were too short for a long time. Now that I am older I am not the tall girl anymore and the sleeves length is fine. But I haven’t gotten over this issue yet haha. Perhaps I will shorten them as well. Don’t know yet.
Beautiful yellow bell sleeves so nice on you! Love Yvonne’s hair!!! And the stage thing, so true for you!!
Heh heh heh… you know the stage thing is true by experience. The yellow top was in the sale and I couldn’t resist it. Cannot resist a lot of things…..
Definitely above!
Thanks Barbara. So far the “above camp” is winning haha.
Above. I look forward to reading your blog each week.
Truly, I have no preference to the text above/below the photos. I get used to it either way.
But I do love this yellow blouse, and I’m sure that’s why I love shopping so much too. Although, I’m not an extrovert and I don’t want a microphone…ha ha!! I just want to stand out with lovely outfits and not fade into the background.
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
I so agree with you. Fading into the background is like not being heard anymore as well. Wouldn’t like that at all.
Text definitely above as that’s what I’m used to now.
Right!! Thanks for letting me know.
ABOVE the photo!
Thank you Jo for taking the time to respond. Duly noted.
I love to read your blog. It gives me insight of Holland and your friends. What difference does it make if the text is above or below? They will have to scroll over it to read won’t they? Silly people. I will also check out this green juice diet. If you have a link could you please share? Thank you
I wished I could share a link but she wrote everything in Dutch. She did watch a Netflix documentary called Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead. But I think she wasn’t as rigid as that man. For one she did have a blender and not a juicer.
Can you click throught to my Facebook post? I have answered Jean about this subject and shared some food photos. This is the link.
https://www.facebook.com/NoFearOfFashion/posts/1862234927190564?comment_id=1862317520515638&reply_comment_id=1862361637177893¬if_id=1531676886953332¬if_t=feed_comment&ref=notif
Absolutely above!
Being a rather shy person, I want to be noticed all the same. And I like clothes and shoes! How do you explain Mr. Freud?
You two look great!
You are right, that is odd. At first I thought I read it wrong: shy and wants to be noticed all the same… ??
I wonder how you deal with the attention you get. I just revel in it. But good on you. Being invisible doesn’t do anybody any good. At least that is what I think.
I can deal now I have reached this mature age. It was harder when I was a girl with long red hair and everybody started singing that awfull song “ Girls with red hair” by Arne Janssen (remember?)
The bold necklace is a great match for the bold color of the top. You know already that I think you look fabulous in bright colors, and this one is no exception.
I really have no preference on text above or below, as long as there’s an indication which photo the text refers to (e.g. “Below: …).
Suzanne Carillo thinks the survey will be a 50/50 result. In that case my preference counts haha.
I stumbled upon this mighty yellow top in the sale and it was such a steal that I decided to go for bell sleeves for once.
I like the text after the photo. I fear you are going to get a response of 50/50 on this survey.
That necklace is very striking against the yellow bold blouse.
Your friend looks great but that diet plan seemed too extreme for me. Every time I try anything like that I gain weight.
I’m on the slowest weight loss plan ever. I’ve lost a whole of 5 lbs in 5 months. The one thing I’m hoping is that with the slow loss that means I’ll be able to keep it off. We’ll see… I still need to lose another five and these last five are being very stubborn indeed.
Suzanne
http://www.suzannecarillo.com
In case of a 50/50 response, my preference counts haha.
I hear what you are saying and I agree that adjusting your every day “intake” is the way to lose weight and keep the desired weight. But she has adjusted her every day intake as well. So she might very well make it. I agree that the last lbs’ are the hardest to lose. I am currently getting back to my desired weight as well and I am determined to lose more. Have had enough of my belly. Nobody ever sees that because I make damned sure it is hidden. But it is there. A tight top in a wide skirt? Cannot do it and I want that.
Also above for me.
You always make clothes that I am not that keen on look stunning! This time the bell sleeves. Love the necklace – contrasts so well with the top. Great styling!! Your blonde hair is looking very nice. The Green Juice thing sure worked for Yvonne – her body is in great shape. Lise
I wasn’t a big fan of the statement sleeves either. Thought they would be old and not done the next year. But I liked the colour and the neckline on this one and it was a steal in the sale. The necklace was an idea because I wanted to add another colour, black in this case. I thought my hair looked pretty good as well. Doesn’t always cooperate. Haven’t started Green Juicing yet, but one look at Yvonne and I am keen again.
Definitely above. Love reading your blog, seeing all the different locations, hearing about your life and friends and the fashion too!
Of course you do realize that all the nasty stuff will not be on the blog, don’t you? Just in case you think my life is all bliss. (Well… I have to admit there is not a lot to complain about.)
Glad you like my posts. I try with each one to let you smile. It is my mission in life.
Above
Love your hair, I went blonde a few years ago😉I enjoy your taste in clothing color,Diverse styles…love the shoes..green heels got me 🤔.I love red blue tone, yellows , think of Cancun.Blues in many shades…play time 😃 No Fear .Joy!
Haha, you keep replying to comments of others. Never mind. Glad you like my hair. I often long for my brunette hair, but this day I was pleased with the blonde. Colour and shoes… yep that’s me.
Truly, I have no preference to the text above/below the photos. I get used to it either way.
But I do love this yellow blouse, and I’m sure that’s why I love shopping so much too. Although, I’m not an extrovert and I don’t want a microphone…ha ha!! I just want to stand out with lovely outfits and not fade into the background.
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
I so agree with you. Fading into the background is like not being heard anymore as well. Wouldn’t like that at all.
ABOVE the photo!
Thank you Jo for taking the time to respond. Duly noted.