As you probably remember, I had strayed from the non-spending path when shopping with Peggy in the 9 Streets of Amsterdam. Today’s outfit is the biggest spend: a green maxi summer dress with the cream/white ankle boots which I adored so much (see them in this post with jeans). I have tried those boots on 5 occasions and every time reason prevailed over emotion. However the sixth time I could only think: “What the feck… that knee is getting better, one day I can walk on these”. The green maxi dress would never have been my choice but the stylist girl at Essentiel Amsterdam was very helpful and she added this jewelled belt which made the dress so much better.
And yes the belt is supposed to be worn like this, with the glass beads at the side. Further down you will see a photo of the back with the clasp right in the middle.
In some photos you can see my warm top peeping from under my dress at the shoulder. Combined with an elastic pencil skirt from Bellamy Gallery, I was warm enough for March. For indoors. Kitty took my photos in the warmth of the department store Hudson’s Bay in Haarlem. They graciously let us take our photos, even though I am not wearing something they sell. I can understand that this is a bit of a bummer for them. But as you know, I am a big fan of Hudson’s Bay. They are exactly the department store we were lacking in the Netherlands and I have bought quite a few things at their stores (long jumper, ankle boots, bag, top, sandals, probably even more more, the memory of which I have blocked haha).
Below: We started at the escalators. Trying to avoid customers getting into the picture.
Below: Kitty and I searched the department store for nice backgrounds. Yay: tulips! How very spring-like. OK I look a bit funny, please concentrate on the flowers please.
Below: We got into the theme “mannequin”. This is me being a mannequin. (What’s with the raised eyebrows?) You know, when I saw this photo I grinned because my belt isn’t straight. That has a reason. When I was 50 I had my waist liposuctioned. And after that the left side of my waist is slightly lower than the right side. I might be wrong and it could also be because I have put my left foot forward.
Below: Close-up of my belt.
Below: And this is the back of the dress and the back of the belt. See? The clasp is in the middle of my back.
Below: There are some magnificent stairs and windows with stained glass at Hudson’s Bay Haarlem. Of course the stained glass isn’t showing its beauty when it is dark.
Below: The BOOTS. Aren’t they beautiful? I sure think so. Are they comfortable? Hell no, especially not going down those stairs and with my knee. Knee is still further improving by the way but we are not there yet.
Below: We came to the children’s department. When I tried to pull this “dog” from under the table, it fell apart. Oh dear.
Below: Mended.
Below: Up to the top floor where the escalators don’t go. The lift (elevator) took me and Knee safely to the restaurant.
Below: This was sooo tempting, especially the fudge (picture is a bit yellow). But we were strong and resisted.
Below: As it was already quite late, there weren’t many people in the restaurant.
Below: So I took photos of Kitty. She had put her hair in a bun for a change, wearing a jacket over a dress.
Below: The dress without the jacket. Kitty is putting on lipstick if you are wondering why she is pulling such a face.
Below: We continued the “theme” mannequins. Silly face.
Below: We are an item…
Below: He is the silent type 😆
Below: This is always fun. Trying to look like the mannequins. I think I managed that pretty well.
Below: There was a sort of a daybed type of thing which begged me to lie on it. The saleslady came over to find out what we were doing and whether we weren’t photographing other customers. (No, we weren’t.)
I was very pleased with the result of this photo shoot. A big thank you to Hudson’s Bay Haarlem for allowing us to use their department store as location. And of course to Kitty for photographing in the evening even though she was quite knackered from working a lot.
What happened in my life this week
Not an awfull lot actually. Went to the hairdresser with hair that looked like a bad wig (due to fog and being rather long). The hairdresser saw her window of opportunity and chopped it rather short. She claims it looks better that way and she is probably right, only I don’t like it this short. You will see it next week.
Worked, worked, worked. Puppy sitting, puppy peeing, puppy poos, puppy playing (to keep him distracted and preventing from chewing the furniture). Generally exhausting. Did I mention work and overtime? Gosh I do earn my salary this week.
Did sneak out for a couple of hours on a Wednesday to visit my sister-in-law on her birthday. Hadn’t been for ages. Afterwards we took Watson for walkies at a nice location where he could run free. Nifty as I am (ahum), I had the camera with me and Ron took some quick photos for next week’s blogpost.
Worked, worked.
Dog, dog. I am trying to relieve Ron when I can as he has to watch Watson constantly. At the moment we are in the process of getting him to sleep downstairs instead of in our bedroom (in a bench). Which means one of us has to sleep on an airbed next to him hahaha. Ron took the first shift on Friday and was miserable all night. My turn Friday night.
Greetje
This one, I thought I had commented already! But here it is – I love how you worked with the mannequins. All those hard bodies! Hahaha! I love how you are chasing them in that last one, with a slightly amazed look on your face. No one flirts with a manly mannequin quite like you Greetje! The dress of course is beautiful, and Kitty got some excellent shots. Looks like a fun time!
I find it very easy to pull a slightly amazed look haha. It was a fun shoot. But it usually is.
The dress is a breeze.
Greetje
Puppies are so much work, but the rewards are worth it. These are great photos – they show off the outfit perfectly and you are obviously having fun.
It was indeed a fun shoot. I love this outfit but doubt whether I can wear it like this. The knee isn’t better yet. Bummer.
And if we had known Watson would be this much work I honestly think we wouldn’t have dared to take it on. Perhaps it is a blessing in disguise and it will keep Ron fit and healthy haha.
Greetje
Oh yes, puppy training is demanding work and quite exhausting. However you do look spectacular in this beautiful green dress and the belt is beautifully detailed. The department store photos are wonderful. Those oversize tulips are dramatic and fun. Wonderful job with these creative backgrounds. Now please get some rest!
❤️❤️❤️
Elle
https://theellediaries.com/
Fortunately Watson sleeps 9 hrs on a stretch during the night. And downstairs in his bench now. Hurray. Another hurdle taken. Hardly any “accidents” in the house anymore. Sometimes a little wee, but we have made our house wee-proof, so no harm done. Still a very lively dog to say the least. (Actually, that is the understatement of the year..)
It was a pity we only had time to photograph this green dress during the evening when it was dark. The stained glass of the building is beautiful.
That green is FABULOUS on you.
Stunning.
As for your hair… it looks great!
You’ll get used to it soon enough.
XXX
Samantha
Oh how wonderful seeing your comment here. Thank you for the compliments. I love this bright green colour. Reminds me of spring.
As for the hair… in these photos it looks great as it is rather long. You will see the short version next week. That is, if you visit again.
Greetje
I’m totally in love with your entire outfit Greetje! Perhaps the belt mostly but my question is what colour are your boots? They appear off white or perhaps beige? Fabulous in any case, just wondering.
The boots are off-white/cream, the best “white” in my book. Now I just need my knee to cooperate. I have taken them to the cobbler to change the nylon heel to a leather heel. I am slipping all the time and with this height and my knee… not a good idea.
Totally agree, off white is the best. Silly knee, behave!
THE DEPARTMENT STORE SHOULD PAY YOU TO ADVERTISE THEIR CLOTHES!I especially LikeYOU BEING A MANNEQUIN!!
GREEN SUITS YOU!
SORRY ABOUT THE HAIR…………..but it will GROW!
XX
That is the best point of my hair. It will always grow and pretty quick as well. The department store doesn’t sell the brand of my clothes. So it was really very generous of them to give us permission to take the photos. They have lots of other great brands though. Been there, saw that, bought it.
Fabulous outfit from head to toe and many great photos too. I like the mannequin theme. That doggy sounds like a lot of work….. Hope he settles down soon 🙂
It is nice to have a “theme” for a blogpost. The mannequins were perfect for this job. Doggy hasn’t settled down yet. It has only been three weeks and it feels like three years haha.
Your dress not only looks very flattering on you it is also that wonderful shade of SPRING green that is just “hopeful”!
You have lots of fun photos this week and I’m guessing a photo shoot provides a little vacation to get away from puppy duties for awhile. You and Ron sound like very conscientious puppy parents.
Oh we are very conscientious puppy parents. And there is a reason why you cannot have babies when you are old. IT IS EXHAUSTING. Puppies are like babies. It will pass of course but this is a rough period.
Oh the joys of a new puppy ; P I’ve also done the sleeping by the puppy thing.
Your date looks nice but a bit of a stiff! LOL I couldn’t resist.
The bold green maxi dress is a real winner but I’m really enamored with the belt! I love it!
I think it is great that The Hudson’s Bay allows you to take photos. They are so much more relaxed that 90% of the other stores you and I went into there.
Suzanne
http://www.suzannecarillo.com
Thanks for your “stiff” joke, you had me smile on a Monday morning. Which is quite an achievement given the fact I slept very little because of Watson.
As for Hudson’s Bay: I did ask permission first, which they granted (lovely people).
We were going to use an umbrella with light as the shoot was indoors. And you cannot do that without being noticed. In the end we didn’t use it as it needed electricity and that is a challenge in a department store.
OH that GREEN! I adore that colour on you (and I know it would work on my colouring too)(So bring it to London please, hahaha). The sparkly belt is genius. Don’t even get me started on those cone heeled white boots. I’d take this whole outfit top to toe, in a New York minute.
Your photos always make me giggle, you’re the best Greetje. I hope as the weeks go on, Watson settles down and stops eating your house. I remember those days with Pippa. She chewed on my husband’s Christian Liaigre bench and he’s still not recovered from it. xx
Pressed a wrong button here.
As I was about to say… I am not taking the dress to London as it needs the heels and going to London on sneakers is challenge enough for knee.
We have put our bench in storage and bought an Ikea Klippan couch. How silly can you get? Let’s say the doggy training is with ups and downs and we both are lacking sleep. There is a reason why you cannot have babies when you are old. You just don’t have the energy for it.
I am not taking the dress to London as
This post is so funny with its great photos. What a great idea to smuggle yourself into the decoration as a fake mannequin. Love it! Your belt is full on trend and the great dress is gorgeous. It looks great with the white booties. Perfect spring look!
Did a good job as a mannequin, didn’t I? haha.
The biggest appeal of the dress to me, is its colour. Makes me happy. The white booties are my dream boots. Just hope I can wear them (…).
That color is FAAAABULOUS on you. And i love the heels on those boots too. Hope Knee lets you wear them more often. So glad I’m going to see you in London, YAY!
I chose this dress because of the colour. It made me so happy. The belt was a very good suggestion by the shop assistent. Made all the difference. And I am excited about London too.