All items of this outfit are from my own closet; the only new item are the floral tights. To document it all for you ( 😎 ), my photographer Loes and I went to the Music Building in Amsterdam, called Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ. It is a beautiful building with fabulous views, glass walls all around (= lots of light), a restaurant and toilets. Ideal for winter photography. As it happened, the sun came out shortly after we arrived and we could take some shots outside as well.
Of course we started with cappuccino, that is a given. Just as people watching is; never get tired of that. There was a “do” with cellos: concerts, workshops, children’s event etc. More about the event in two weeks. Today is about views and boats.
Below: View from the terrace, adjacent to the restaurant. This was the weather when we arrived. Ten minutes later the sun came out.
Below: The restaurant of the music building is light and modern. With plants. I love plants. And trees. Any city without trees or any room without plants doesn’t get my vote.
Below: The head to toe shot. The red skirt is second-hand and lived its life as a strapless dress. I bought it in Vancouver (see the post of the blogger meet-up in Vancouver) thinking it was a long skirt. Never even saw the bulges on the side haha. My seamstress transformed it into a pencil skirt. The black sweater is an old love in my closet (see it with my “tuxedo” black and white skinny here). The Chloé crossbody bag Marcie is my new love. The ankle boots are Kendall + Kylie.
Below: The center piece of the outfit: the floral tights. I love them. The owner of my tights shop (Stemm Voetiek), posted a photo of herself with these floral tights on Instagram and I fell totally in love with them.
Below: The weather was so nice that we could do an outside shot.
Below: Three hurrays for Loes. She created a Rembrandt photo with that light/dark and this background.
Below: A darling dog was very enthusiastic and jumped up to Loes.
Below: Time for lunch in the restaurant, where I secretly took a photo of this elegant lady. I know, naughty.
Below: When I looked up at the window above the kitchen, I saw a moving pipe with steam coming out. Huh?
Below: I ran outside and saw this cruise ship.
Below: The ship was very slowly turning 180 degrees to leave the port. It barely fits widthways in this water (called the IJ). You will see a couple of stages of the turning of this ship. Sooo cool.
Below: And away she went. A couple of years ago a ship performing this manoeuvre reversed right into the front of a restaurant across the water. Totally wrecked the front of the building. Sensation! (No wounded.)
Below: While I was photographing the ship, Loes snapped me with her iPhone.
Below: We headed upstairs for the next outfit. You will see that in two weeks. Please observe the buttons on the boots (thank you).
What happened in my life this week
A quiet weekend having dinner at our friends’ house. Fab dinner as always. I can never restrain myself. And especially not with the snacks at 5 p.m. I am peckish at that time. Trying to be civil but failed. I made the bites disappear from the table as if 10 mice just stacked their winter supplies. And the three course dinner was yet to come. Dessert was hot pear with home-made almond paste. So nice. The next day I hit the scales. Oh dear, oh dear. The two kilos I lost early this summer made their way back and my trousers feel very tight. Back to water and lettuce (not really, but that is my phrase for cutting all extras). Checked my diary and I still have 6 (SIX) dinners in November and a lunch. OMG, how am I going to manage that?
With two girlfriends we went to see a try-out of a comedian which was very funny. Of course there were bits that needed to be edited, but that is why the ticket is cheap and why it is called a try-out. He had a very different way of looking at things. One thing I wrote down as I can “use” that a lot at work: “Solutions”, he said, “solutions… are the PITS for problems.” Hahaha.. I like that.
Rest of the week I did boring stuff. Like trying to figure out how much electricity and gas we will have used by January in order to switch to another supplier (which is usually lucrative). And like changing window cleaners as the last one let me pay monthly but only did my windows every 6 weeks. Cheat.
Had an intake at the orthodontist. My teeth are going walkies in my mouth. A few of them are hiding behind others. I have a very small mouth anyway due to a little hick-up in the blueprint of my body (receding chin), plus 4 molars missing. Those molars were pulled by my dentist when I was 8. I needed braces and he had to create space in my jaw. So you can understand I have no need for teeth suddenly messing up my smile. It won’t be easy, wearing braces for one and a half year when you are 64. Plus paying quite a bit of money for it, but what needs to be done, needs to be done.
Greetje
I love your tights, very pretty. Where did you get them from please?
I got them a couple of years ago at a local shop.
I saw this on Instagram and swooned. Those tights! How clever to transform that dress into the perfect red pencil skirt.
I really enjoy the photos that you shared. The cruiseship is an awesome site to behold as it turns in the water.
I am glad the sun came out on that lovely day. But I am not happy to hear that you have to wear braces.
❤️❤️❤️
Elle
https://theellediaries.com/
Oh well, braces aren’t the end of the world. Just a nuisance. The red dress had so much material it could easily be turned into a skirt. Easily for my seamstress that is.
Love the photo on the stairs, from the rear – really shows off the adorable tights and the style of the sweater. I do love those tights! And the one with the old sailing ship in the background is cool too.
Your posts are always a pleasure!
With all the photography help I am getting, the photos are a lot better than when I started in my garden haha. The help of Kitty, Loes and Ron is so valuable and I am deeply grateful. The shot with the old sailing ship in the background, the way the sky was looking, the way the light fell on me… those are such lucky things. And fortunately Loes was there to capture it.
You have my empathy with your teeth woes, Greetje!
I don’t remember you buying that dress/skirt, but I did enjoy the walk down memory lane of the blogger meet-up! So awesome to meet you there, and everyone else, of course.
Sending you good vibes for a positive week ahead, my dear!
I bought the red skirt in the second-hand shop where Patti bought something as well. Melanie will know which one. It was not My sister’s closet. It was another one. Anyway, I have never worn it yet haha. But I will, I will. With this new combination.
I was laughing when you compared your nibbling to a small army of mice racing across the table! You should do your own try-out comedy act.
The photos are stellar; Loes is a natural of course. The Rembrandt, that’s what I thought when I first saw that photo. The tights are fantastic – no wonder you fell for them. And I remember when you bought that “skirt.” I too didn’t know it was a dress. Hahaha!! But the colour is so worth it.
Talking about parking problems! And to think I complain about my tiny little car. This will make me appreciate how easy I have it.
And your teeth – yes, they are important. You will not regret having braces. I know other adults who have had them. The time goes so fast. (Yikes!)
I am still toying with the idea of becoming a stand-up comedian when I am retired haha.
No idea where you got the parking problems from. Searched this whole post and couldn’t find anything about parking. But I will admit: the rates for parking are crazy and there is little to no space to park anyway.
As for the braces, I know time goes fast. I better do it now so I will have a bit of time to enjoy the result. Well… I hope I get some time.
Parking problems of a SHIP! Hahaha.
How good is that outfit, it has everything going for it, style, colour combination and symetry, it would have to be my favourite, from the shape of the boots to the glorious tights to the skirt and the black top, every piece just sits so well on you in perfect proportion, you look completely comfortable and relaxed. Isn’t it great to be an older woman and to be able to look so good, what would our grandmothers think if they could see us now!
Warm regards Carol in Australia
Indeed Carol, what would our grandmothers think. Probably that we are improperly dresses haha. A skirt and tights like this is perhaps not even the worst. But if they saw me in my boyfriend jeans… that would definitely not do. Even I sometimes wonder. And then I think, who cares?
The skirt has one draw-back. It rides up slightly with tights underneath. And it consists of two layers, so sometimes the bottom layer peeps from under the upper layer. Not nice. Have to think of a solution for that. I tried a slipdress but it didn’t work.
You know, perfectly and perhaps better than anyone, that I am a classic and I like to see you with your impeccable, elegant and discreet outfits. But you also know that I love your originality, your sense of humor and your personality. That’s why today I see this outfit and I love it. I love your colorful stockings, mixed with the strength and passion of the red of your skirt and the oversize in your sweater. A very nice look, some beautiful photos and my friend in top form.
I am so glad I could please you. Believe me, every time when I create a skirt or dress outfit I think: “what would Josep-Maria say or think about this?” Isn’t that funny? And of course I think of Daniela as well: my role model for elegancy.
Love those quirky tights.
I wrote a whole blog post in response to one of your comments on my blog and you haven’t even seen it : (
Shame about the teeth. Good for you for getting braces.
Suzanne
http://www.suzannecarillo.com
Are you sure? It must have been recently then as I have read all of your post but the last 2 or 4. I did see my name mentioned once and I reacted on that in the comments. Hmm.. I’ll head over to your blog and start searching.
My you scrub up well, our kid! You certainly nailed this look, from head to toe – your hair especially. Also loved the Dutch sky. Beautiful! In fact, a lovely postball round! X
Thank you very much Gee. This shot turned out so well. I was pleased with my hair as well. Especially from behind when I walked up the stairs. Yay to my hairdresser. Yay to Loes.
Hello Greetje!
I don’t know why I am just seeing this post, but I am glad I did and I love it!
The tights are fantastic and look fabulous on you! I am going to have to look into getting a pair here in the US. Sometimes, stuff happens and you need to get it fixed – my dentist caused my jaw to dislocate and I had to wear heavy duty braces with springs and wires to keep my jaws in line for over two years!!!
The pain was unbearable at times but worth it! You are never too old to have a beautiful smile! Stay strong and keep up the great work
LaQuita
That dentist of yours has a lot to answer for. How horrible to have suffered so unnecessarily for so long. If you come across such tights like my floral ones in the USA, please let me know. A lot of US readers want them and cannot find them.
And about your remark that you are only seeing this post…it might be a cookie problem. You might have to “empty your cache” or remove history. Tech stuff.
Hello Greetje!
I don’t know why I am just seeing this post, but I am glad I did and I love it!
The tights are fantastic and look fabulous on you! I am going to have to look into getting a pair here in the US. Sometimes, stuff happens and you need to get it fixed – my dentist caused my jaw to dislocate and I had to wear heavy duty braces with springs and wires to keep my jaws in line for over two years!!!
The pain was unbearable at times but worth it! You are never too old to have a beautiful smile! Stay strong and keep up the great work
LaQuita
That dentist of yours has a lot to answer for. How horrible to have suffered so unnecessarily for so long. If you come across such tights like my floral ones in the USA, please let me know. A lot of US readers want them and cannot find them.
And about your remark that you are only seeing this post…it might be a cookie problem. You might have to “empty your cache” or remove history. Tech stuff.
I wear skirts and dresses in the winter so I have a large collection of patterned tights and leggings to wear under them. Tights like the ones you are wearing can make an “ok” outfit into a great one.
I would not want to be responsible for turning a large vehicle like that boat around. I get nervous when I see drivers with long trailers trying to make a corner turn in the city.
I had braces for a year in my 30’s – they weren’t regular braces in that I could take them out to eat, but they were less expensive than the ones that stayed in your mouth. I didn’t have any health care plan so my dentist at the time (who was not an orthodontist) was trying to save me money, but in the long run, they caused more harm than good. If you are getting yours from an orthodontist, you will have better luck I’m sure.
Luckily I have a job that pays well, so I can afford the orthodontist. At least I think so. The estimate will be presented November 28 along with “the plan”.
I agree with you on getting nervous when you see a long truck reversing into a tiny space. Those drivers are so skilled.
And of course I agree with you on the tights. Such a big difference they make.
I wear skirts and dresses in the winter so I have a large collection of patterned tights and leggings to wear under them. Tights like the ones you are wearing can make an “ok” outfit into a great one.
I would not want to be responsible for turning a large vehicle like that boat around. I get nervous when I see drivers with long trailers trying to make a corner turn in the city.
I had braces for a year in my 30’s – they weren’t regular braces in that I could take them out to eat, but they were less expensive than the ones that stayed in your mouth. I didn’t have any health care plan so my dentist at the time (who was not an orthodontist) was trying to save me money, but in the long run, they caused more harm than good. If you are getting yours from an orthodontist, you will have better luck I’m sure.
Luckily I have a job that pays well, so I can afford the orthodontist. At least I think so. The estimate will be presented November 28 along with “the plan”.
I agree with you on getting nervous when you see a long truck reversing into a tiny space. Those drivers are so skilled.
And of course I agree with you on the tights. Such a big difference they make.
I love those tights! Black and red always look good together, and your new crossbody bag is rather fabulous!
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
I had ogled that bag for months but thought it was too expensive. Then when my friend Marianne decided she wanted to give me a designer bag (long story why), I knew exactly which one. It is very handy as it is wider at the bottom. Allowing bulky things like a lipstick in a mirror case to fit as well. The tights are such a clever and inexpensive way of making an outfit stand out. I am very lucky with my little shop.
I love those tights! Black and red always look good together, and your new crossbody bag is rather fabulous!
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
I had ogled that bag for months but thought it was too expensive. Then when my friend Marianne decided she wanted to give me a designer bag (long story why), I knew exactly which one. It is very handy as it is wider at the bottom. Allowing bulky things like a lipstick in a mirror case to fit as well. The tights are such a clever and inexpensive way of making an outfit stand out. I am very lucky with my little shop.
Loving the flowery tights – they go great with the bold colour of your red skirt. Love this post and looking forward to the next.
I will keep posting every Sunday. Just to keep you amused 😊😉. Glad you enjoy my little blog.
Loving the flowery tights – they go great with the bold colour of your red skirt. Love this post and looking forward to the next.
I will keep posting every Sunday. Just to keep you amused 😊😉. Glad you enjoy my little blog.
I saw this on Instagram and swooned. Those tights! How clever to transform that dress into the perfect red pencil skirt.
I really enjoy the photos that you shared. The cruiseship is an awesome site to behold as it turns in the water.
I am glad the sun came out on that lovely day. But I am not happy to hear that you have to wear braces.
❤️❤️❤️
Elle
https://theellediaries.com/
Oh well, braces aren’t the end of the world. Just a nuisance. The red dress had so much material it could easily be turned into a skirt. Easily for my seamstress that is.
You have my empathy with your teeth woes, Greetje!
I don’t remember you buying that dress/skirt, but I did enjoy the walk down memory lane of the blogger meet-up! So awesome to meet you there, and everyone else, of course.
Sending you good vibes for a positive week ahead, my dear!
I bought the red skirt in the second-hand shop where Patti bought something as well. Melanie will know which one. It was not My sister’s closet. It was another one. Anyway, I have never worn it yet haha. But I will, I will. With this new combination.
I was laughing when you compared your nibbling to a small army of mice racing across the table! You should do your own try-out comedy act.
The photos are stellar; Loes is a natural of course. The Rembrandt, that’s what I thought when I first saw that photo. The tights are fantastic – no wonder you fell for them. And I remember when you bought that “skirt.” I too didn’t know it was a dress. Hahaha!! But the colour is so worth it.
Talking about parking problems! And to think I complain about my tiny little car. This will make me appreciate how easy I have it.
And your teeth – yes, they are important. You will not regret having braces. I know other adults who have had them. The time goes so fast. (Yikes!)
I am still toying with the idea of becoming a stand-up comedian when I am retired haha.
No idea where you got the parking problems from. Searched this whole post and couldn’t find anything about parking. But I will admit: the rates for parking are crazy and there is little to no space to park anyway.
As for the braces, I know time goes fast. I better do it now so I will have a bit of time to enjoy the result. Well… I hope I get some time.
Parking problems of a SHIP! Hahaha.
Love those quirky tights.
I wrote a whole blog post in response to one of your comments on my blog and you haven’t even seen it : (
Shame about the teeth. Good for you for getting braces.
Suzanne
http://www.suzannecarillo.com
Are you sure? It must have been recently then as I have read all of your post but the last 2 or 4. I did see my name mentioned once and I reacted on that in the comments. Hmm.. I’ll head over to your blog and start searching.
You know, perfectly and perhaps better than anyone, that I am a classic and I like to see you with your impeccable, elegant and discreet outfits. But you also know that I love your originality, your sense of humor and your personality. That’s why today I see this outfit and I love it. I love your colorful stockings, mixed with the strength and passion of the red of your skirt and the oversize in your sweater. A very nice look, some beautiful photos and my friend in top form.
I am so glad I could please you. Believe me, every time when I create a skirt or dress outfit I think: “what would Josep-Maria say or think about this?” Isn’t that funny? And of course I think of Daniela as well: my role model for elegancy.
How good is that outfit, it has everything going for it, style, colour combination and symetry, it would have to be my favourite, from the shape of the boots to the glorious tights to the skirt and the black top, every piece just sits so well on you in perfect proportion, you look completely comfortable and relaxed. Isn’t it great to be an older woman and to be able to look so good, what would our grandmothers think if they could see us now!
Warm regards Carol in Australia
Indeed Carol, what would our grandmothers think. Probably that we are improperly dresses haha. A skirt and tights like this is perhaps not even the worst. But if they saw me in my boyfriend jeans… that would definitely not do. Even I sometimes wonder. And then I think, who cares?
The skirt has one draw-back. It rides up slightly with tights underneath. And it consists of two layers, so sometimes the bottom layer peeps from under the upper layer. Not nice. Have to think of a solution for that. I tried a slipdress but it didn’t work.
You wearing those tights brought a big smile to my face Here the. What a GREAT look!! It’s a bit of an styling adventure when we choose to focus attention on just one element; especially when it’s only our legs but I just love the effect. Also, you have great legs my dear!!!
I enjoyed looking back at the Vancouver meet up. Since I follow Suzanne, Melanie and Patti it’s fun to see you all together!
Usually when I focus on just one element, I feel incomplete as I like so many things: bracelets, necklaces, earrings etc etc. But the more is more styling is not my thing. For me it takes away the beauty of the single item. On the other hand I am not a minimalist either, although I often swoon over pictures of women in such an outfit. My legs are my best feature so it makes sense to put emphasis on them.
The Vancouver meet-up was the best. I would love to do that again. Although they say you should never try to recreate a lovely experience.
I always love reading your posts. The outfits are wonderful, sophisticated yet sometimes whimsical. The settings you pick, always tempt me to book a flight to your lovely Netherlands.
Thank you for adding your slice of life section. What you think is boring becomes a good story filled with your humor and gift of frankness.
I am so glad you enjoy my posts. Such comments keep me happy to continue blogging. Entertaining is my main goal. Stylewise I often wonder whether I shouldn’t be more elegant, wear more dresses and skirts. Amsterdam is a city where jeans rule, but for instance in the south of the country women are far more sophisticated. I like both. It is just that my two favorite pairs of jeans are sooo easy to style. Anything looks good on them. And I am basically a lazy person. Nobody knows, nobody notices but I am.
My blog is developing over the years, like with adding the slice of life section. Keeps it interesting for me and thank goodness for you as well.
You wearing those tights brought a big smile to my face Here the. What a GREAT look!! It’s a bit of an styling adventure when we choose to focus attention on just one element; especially when it’s only our legs but I just love the effect. Also, you have great legs my dear!!!
I enjoyed looking back at the Vancouver meet up. Since I follow Suzanne, Melanie and Patti it’s fun to see you all together!
Usually when I focus on just one element, I feel incomplete as I like so many things: bracelets, necklaces, earrings etc etc. But the more is more styling is not my thing. For me it takes away the beauty of the single item. On the other hand I am not a minimalist either, although I often swoon over pictures of women in such an outfit. My legs are my best feature so it makes sense to put emphasis on them.
The Vancouver meet-up was the best. I would love to do that again. Although they say you should never try to recreate a lovely experience.
I always love reading your posts. The outfits are wonderful, sophisticated yet sometimes whimsical. The settings you pick, always tempt me to book a flight to your lovely Netherlands.
Thank you for adding your slice of life section. What you think is boring becomes a good story filled with your humor and gift of frankness.
I am so glad you enjoy my posts. Such comments keep me happy to continue blogging. Entertaining is my main goal. Stylewise I often wonder whether I shouldn’t be more elegant, wear more dresses and skirts. Amsterdam is a city where jeans rule, but for instance in the south of the country women are far more sophisticated. I like both. It is just that my two favorite pairs of jeans are sooo easy to style. Anything looks good on them. And I am basically a lazy person. Nobody knows, nobody notices but I am.
My blog is developing over the years, like with adding the slice of life section. Keeps it interesting for me and thank goodness for you as well.
Beautiful as always!
Thank you Christina. That is very sweet of you to say so.
Love the photo on the stairs, from the rear – really shows off the adorable tights and the style of the sweater. I do love those tights! And the one with the old sailing ship in the background is cool too.
Your posts are always a pleasure!
With all the photography help I am getting, the photos are a lot better than when I started in my garden haha. The help of Kitty, Loes and Ron is so valuable and I am deeply grateful. The shot with the old sailing ship in the background, the way the sky was looking, the way the light fell on me… those are such lucky things. And fortunately Loes was there to capture it.
These tights are so cool! Love how you styled them. They are perfect with the red skirt and black top. That story with the ship is interesting. Unbelievable that s.th. like that happened. There must have been s.th. wrong or the skipper must have been totally distracted. Thanks goodnes nobody was hurt. It sounds like a mistery.
I never heard the details of the ship, wrecking the restaurant. The fact itself was sensational enough. We all have our moments of absence. Why not a skipper?
Good for you for thinking about braces, Greetje!! As a retired dentist, it’s one of the best investments you can make. Not only for looks but function.
As for the tights? Are you reading my mind?? We just took photos for a future blog post with interesting tights….may I use your photo too, and link to this post? It won’t be for awhile (probably a month) but I love to see women wearing more than just the boring black tights!!
XOOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Of course you may use the photo and please link. If you want the photos in higher resolution or other photos of interesting tights, just mail me and I will send them along.
As for the braces, you’d think it is a trend in this country. I will not be the only one, not even at my age.
Your floral tights are pretty Greetje, they add interest to your outfit.
I too have been finding a new gas and electric supplier this week – a boring job that has to be done, but at least it saves cash to buy new outfits!
I’m not brave enough to go through having a brace now, heaven knows I could do with one.
What type will you be having?
I think they will fit me braces with slots. Not the nice invisible ones. The invisible ones can correct a lot, but not everything. November 28 they will give me the strategy. And the costs (…).
At the moment it almost seems to be the rage in the Netherlands. Lots of grown-ups are having braces. Many of them well into their fifties too. I just join the trend haha.
Greetje, braces pay off. I can tell you from experience. Just do it girl! Lots of year ahead to enjoy the results. Love, Lieske
My thoughts exactly Lieske. I like my teeth straight.
My you scrub up well, our kid! You certainly nailed this look, from head to toe – your hair especially. Also loved the Dutch sky. Beautiful! In fact, a lovely postball round! X
Thank you very much Gee. This shot turned out so well. I was pleased with my hair as well. Especially from behind when I walked up the stairs. Yay to my hairdresser. Yay to Loes.
Beautiful as always!
Thank you Christina. That is very sweet of you to say so.
These tights are so cool! Love how you styled them. They are perfect with the red skirt and black top. That story with the ship is interesting. Unbelievable that s.th. like that happened. There must have been s.th. wrong or the skipper must have been totally distracted. Thanks goodnes nobody was hurt. It sounds like a mistery.
I never heard the details of the ship, wrecking the restaurant. The fact itself was sensational enough. We all have our moments of absence. Why not a skipper?
Good for you for thinking about braces, Greetje!! As a retired dentist, it’s one of the best investments you can make. Not only for looks but function.
As for the tights? Are you reading my mind?? We just took photos for a future blog post with interesting tights….may I use your photo too, and link to this post? It won’t be for awhile (probably a month) but I love to see women wearing more than just the boring black tights!!
XOOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Of course you may use the photo and please link. If you want the photos in higher resolution or other photos of interesting tights, just mail me and I will send them along.
As for the braces, you’d think it is a trend in this country. I will not be the only one, not even at my age.
Your floral tights are pretty Greetje, they add interest to your outfit.
I too have been finding a new gas and electric supplier this week – a boring job that has to be done, but at least it saves cash to buy new outfits!
I’m not brave enough to go through having a brace now, heaven knows I could do with one.
What type will you be having?
I think they will fit me braces with slots. Not the nice invisible ones. The invisible ones can correct a lot, but not everything. November 28 they will give me the strategy. And the costs (…).
At the moment it almost seems to be the rage in the Netherlands. Lots of grown-ups are having braces. Many of them well into their fifties too. I just join the trend haha.
Greetje, braces pay off. I can tell you from experience. Just do it girl! Lots of year ahead to enjoy the results. Love, Lieske
My thoughts exactly Lieske. I like my teeth straight.