Here it is, the wide blue skirt I bought in Newcastle when I was there to meet Nikki of Midlifechic. I adored it the minute I saw it hanging on the rack. It has three layers and an extra frill on the bottom layer. Luckily it fit me like a glove (love my newfound weight). It gives me a flattering and feminine hourglass shape.
Loes and I took the photos in a park with canals, boats, nice houses. The stuff that makes you happy. Green as a background colour is very good with blonde hair.
Below: Picturesque, right?
Below: The skirt with a cream/white shirt and sneakers. I searched for a simpler white shirt with long sleeves to tone the effect of the skirt down. Couldn’t find one in my too-full wardrobe. You will have to use your imagination.
Below: This is my husband’s favourite photo. He thinks it has a fantasy world quality.
Below: I prefer this one. They must have been taken seconds from each other, as I am still in the process of rolling up my sleeves.
Below: Here are two of my tricks. As you know, I have many tricks.
- The strap of my bag (first seen in the post dropped crotch trousers) is a little too long and was flapping. My cobbler has elastic leather strings in all colours. He sewed a little piece of it in silver to the right size and slipped it on the strap, keeping it in place. (Bag: Nooki Design)
- The belt was too long to be wearing in my waist, so the same problem arose as with the bag: flappy strap. I added this string of small metal dots which you can adjust to every size you want. In the photo on the right.
Below: We moved to another spot and the people in this boat were very merry, waving at us.
Below: I replaced the sneakers with the pumps, changed the bag and the belt and…. discovered that I had left my favourite top at home in the bedroom. Bummer.
Below: From the side.
Below: Yes, these heels are high for my knee, but because they have a firm grip on my feet I can walk in them. Not very long and not on an oneven surface. The park was rather a challenge, so I changed into my sneakers all the time.
Below: I added this red leather jacket because I don’t have a coat, long enough to cover the skirt. I know other women are less fussy about this, but I do not want my skirt peeping from under my coat. Probably because I am older and this is a “rule” from back then haha. When I saw this photo I realized that I don’t like the jacket that much. It is a bit too big as it had to fit the “girls” and I wanted to be able to do the zip up. Especially the sleeves show the bigger size. When I leave it hanging open, it looks weird at the back. This was not a good buy. It is a couple of years old and I never wore it. I will hang on to it until I find a replacement and then pass it on. Yes, yes, fussy. I know.
Below: It looks better sitting down. Ron told me off for having the rubbish (my bags) in sight, cluttering up the photo.
Below: Close-up of the earrings, gold with pearl. They were a present from my dad to my mum in the sixties.
Continuing our stroll through the park, we arrived at the beautiful big houses surrounding Kenaupark. This was the area where the rich people from Amsterdam had their second home in the country. Back then this was still countryside.
Below: Stained glass.
Below: The fence to the mansion was open, it was a Sunday and this building is now occupied by a business, not by private people, so we sneaked to the front door. I have added a multi coloured scarf.
Below: Loes loves the flowers.
Below: She would have loved to pick them, but I assure you, she didn’t. Everything for the picture.
Below: Across the park are beautiful big houses, built later than the stately homes.
Below: Leaving the park.
We headed home to pick up my striped jumper from the bedroom and went to another place to take the pictures of this outfit.
Below: Another grand building, also occupied by a business. It is too costly to maintain such buildings for private people. Well… apart from those who own a fortune.
Below: Giving Loes instructions. She is sooo patient and just clicks on. My instructions are received calmly and she tries whatever I suggest. Bless her.
Below: The last photo. I think, looking at these photos, we can conclude that the plastic surgeon did make my waist thinner by liposuction, but it also ended up a little skewed. That is the risk of such endeavours.
What happened in my life this week
As you see above Loes and I spent the Saturday morning together in blissful photography, which ended with coffee and cake in my garden. It was such lovely weather.
In the afternoon I had to go and buy a new dryer in a shop downtown. Why not order it online, you say? That is what my husband said as well. I stopped him dead in his tracks. The shop we frequent for anything with a plug is so bloody good with their service I don’t ever want to hear about discount when I can buy it there. Online isn’t even cheaper they say. Never bothered to check it. Outstanding service gets loyal customers. If you live in Haarlem and are curious, the shop is called Elres.
Before I went to that shop, I decided to pay a visit to second-hand shop Kat & Ko. Loyal readers know I got some pretty good stuff from them for a small price. Sure enough I found two dresses. This is bad because I am adding more clothes to a wardrobe which is really full. It is good because it is second-hand. One dress you will see next week. The second one is for really warm summer weather but with sleeves. Made me very happy.
Sunday was a blogging day. In the afternoon Ron left, leaving Watson in my care. As my friend and neighbour Anja had arrived back from Singapore that morning, she joined me. She loves dogs. That was a happy afternoon. Watson behaved very well. We are getting somewhere with this dog. He sleeps by himself downstairs, does not jump on the couch or the chairs anymore, doesn’t go up the stairs anymore, bites far less, knows (and acts accordingly) a few commands like “let go”. Sweet doggie he is now.
Monday was a normal day at work and in the evening I went to my fitness class and came home feeling very happy. The new exercises for my knee seem to work; there was quite a noticeable improvement after months of no progress at all. Tuesday, a normal day.
Wednesday: a very, very hectic day. Early rise, blogpost finished and sent to the editor, fitness class (again joy), shower and blow-dried hair, picked up Kitty and did photoshoot in town, visited the seamstress to pick up some altered things, lunched with Kitty, got in the car to the dental hygienist and the dentist, back home to open the door for the plumber and for Anja to have coffee with. It all worked out beautifully but I imagine, if I were retired, the dentist would probably have been the only thing I would schedule for the day.
Thursday: normal day at work with good (raunchy) office humour. I love that kind of humour as long as it is meant to be funny and not meant to be dirty. There is a big difference. Quiet day and I authorised Ron to go and vote for me (European elections). Finished this part of the blogpost as my editor is very busy and needed everything before Friday. So no photos in this section..
Greetje
Ahhhh… this is the twirly girly skirt!
It’s a cracker.
I LOVE it with those AMAZING ruffle trainers.
Gorgeous!
XXX
Oh funny, you looked it up. I wish I could tell you what my husband said when he saw the ruffle sneakers, but I am afraid I would have to whisper that in your ear haha.
YOU CRACK ME UP EACH AND EVERY TIME!
YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER DOES GREAT WORK!
AGELESS STYLE IS UP FOR THE MONTH OF MAY!COME BY AND LEAVE A COMMENT PLEASE!WE all need to frequent our little shops!Can you imagine NOT having stores to browse in?I think that might just happen in OUR LIFETIMES!!!!!!!
XX
I am so afraid that indeed those little shops in town will disappear and we will be left with big impersonal shopping malls. I do my best though.
Greetje
I’m visiting from 50 is not Old and very glad I did. Beautiful photographs and I’m in love with the skirt. So flattering and fun to see how you changed the look with a shirt, a scarf or a jacket (Love the red jacket by the way). I hope to visit your blog again. Happy Friday from Kentucky.
Thank you Johnna for making the effort to check out my blog. I am very pleased with all the compliments you made me. I only publish one post a week on a Sunday. Dutch time 17.15, which should be 11.15 in Kentucky. You can set the clock on my posts haha. You can also subscribe on my email which delivers the post an hour later in your mail.
Hope to “see” you again.
Greetje
What an elegant and feminine silhouette this striking skirt creates. Your waist is so tiny!
It’s a shame about that leather jacket because it really does look lovely on you. Couldn’t you just roll up the sleeves? The colour is fantastic.
Suzanne
http://www.suzannecarillo.com
It is very nice to have lost so much weight. And funny that I now have to stay this weight rather by adding food than deleting it from my menu. Mind you, I still only eat three times a day for a limited time (2 hours in total). Nothing in between but cold water. Braces are doing their magic work.
The red jacket? No, I have promised it to a friend. I don’t like the way it hangs when it is open and rolling up the sleeves with leather is always a bit uncomfortable to me.
The skirt is lovely – very swishy with a 50’s Dior feel. I like the red with it, and I quite like the shape of the jacket, but if you’re not loving it, then pass it on. I’m happy to hear that Watson is calming down. It makes such a difference when you don’t have to be after them all the time to behave. Shelley
Swishy…that was the word I was looking for. I totally agree on the Dior 50’s feel. Maybe I will get another, better red leather jacket. Although I never wore it much. Or was that because it didn’t hang right? Chicken or egg discussion.
Greetje
What an elegant skirt! It almost looks vintage, like something from the 50s. The shine and the spots add to the lady like feel… I love! It really looks incredible on you. I’m pleased to hear Watson is calming and settling a bit… they always do!
I know puppies always settle. I was just not sure when this would be and whether we would survive till that day.
And yes the blue skirt definitely has a 50s vibe. That was a very feminine fashion time. Dior’s best time.
Greetje
This skirt is lovely. It probably twirls nicely when you twirl. The look with the red leather jacket is so cool! Great color combination.
It swoosish. (Did I spell that correctly?) Everybody likes the red jacket. I like the idea but not the jacket itself.
Greetje
That skirt! Sheer and polka dot, one of my favourite things. Such a fantastic silhouette
Oh hi Selina, yes, this is a very flattering style for my shape. Thank you for the compliment.
That is one spectacular skirt Greetje! I LOVE the fabric’s texture and subtle polka dot print. I think those features make it versatile for dressing up or down.
I also LOVE the red leather jacket! It is perfection with the skirt and adds just the right kind of edge.
I’m so happy to hear that you’re knee is feeling so such better. Physical therapy can truly work wonders.
I agree that a red leather jacket adds an edge. I am just not keen on this leather jacket and promised it to a friend of mine.
My knee improvement makes me so happy. I was already giving up hope.
Greetje
Love the skirt, the way you styled it in so many ways. I particularly like the striped top and yellow bag. You’re looking great!
The styling with the striped top as a lucky shot as I was wearing a striped T-shirt when I bought the skirt. I liked it and only changed it for a less wide and less casual jumper. Blue with yellow has been something I discovered a couple of years ago. Glad you like it.
Greetje
Lovely skirt Greetje, well of course I would say that as you bought it in my home town !!! Seriously though, it is a pretty skirt & suits you – my favourite outfit was the one with the scarf. We moved house in March – further north and Newcastle is a bit of a trek away for clothes shopping…..having said that I have found a local boutique that is reasonably priced & of course done a little bit of online shopping ! I am happy to shop my wardrobe too, which makes lots of sense as I have plenty clothes that really need to see the light of day. Pleased to hear about Watson, he’s such a handsome boy & it’ll be all worth the ‘ puppy years’ in the end.
That red leather jacket is not my favourite. I actually already promised it to a friend haha. The scarf is nice, I agree. Further north you will find nice shops as well, I am sure.
And yes, I am getting better at shopping my wardrobe. Better for the environment, my bank account and the clothes get seen more.
Greetje
I actually thought that you could have a tailor shorten the sleeves on the jacket! It looked good with the skirt! I like the skirt with the white blouse better than the strped one. did you really have liposuction or were you just joking? I need that too lol
I was not joking about the liposuction. I had that done 😊.