The fact that this pair of wide blue trousers suit me so well was a total surprise to me. I have no hips and a very tiny bum which means that trousers with emphasis on those areas are not my friend. I only put them on because husband Ron liked them so much. And surprise, surprise… they look really good. Just goes to show you never should stop trying. Especially when new models are on the market as they may change the whole silhouette. The jumper is typical for the brand (Essentiel Antwerp). They are masters when it comes to colour and combining different patters. When I paid for the trousers and the jumper, Ron put the bag next to them on the counter and said: “You may choose: a blue one or a green one, my treat”. Mwah, big kiss.
Kitty was my photographer and she had discovered a small ferry going across the river of Haarlem (called Spaarne). We both never knew of its existence. As it was splendid weather, we decided this was a good spot for a shoot. It is such a difficult thing to come up with a location that hasn’t already been on the blog. (As if you remember them all hahaha.)
I am going to give you a minute to minute report as it is so difficult to choose which photo to show and which one not.
Below: The river Spaarne, walking towards the ferry.
Below: The ferry is only for pedestrians and cyclists. And for free. We Dutch love things that are free of charge.
Below: This gentleman was wondering what the hell was going on with that camera. He matches perfectly with my jumper.
Below: I think crossing the river and back is a mellow job.
Below: The captain, a cheerful chap.
Below: Leaving the shore behind.
Below: It is not the same as boating on the water, but it is still pleasant. The earrings are made of corrugated cardboard by Dorisse on Etsy. Her Etsy shop is called Paper Statement and she makes these earrings (and more) in different shapes and all colours. Haven’t worn these green ones called Tubi, until this day and they are perfect with the sweater. They are very inexpensive ($ 16.28) and Dorisse also sells DIY tutorials for $10.65.
Below: On the other side of the river it was unexpectedly green and very busy. Cyclists, strollers, hikers, cars, you had to watch out.
Below: Kitty managed to take a photo of me with this majestic tree without anybody else in the picture. It looks very rural but it wasn’t.
Below: A “Ron preference” photo: taken through the leaves. Fortunately Kitty focussed on me instead of the leaves haha.
Below: Looking waggish.
Below: Nice view of the river and of my patent leather slingbacks. Bought in Turin a couple of years ago. Very comfortable. Brand: Sancrispino Torino. The shop was closing down back then. Such a shame.
Below: The photos were taken, so back to the other side again.
Below: It is rather a posh area on the other side. Big houses like this are only for the rich in this small country.
Below: A quick “fluffing-up” of the hair in the car as Kitty wanted to take one more shot.
Below: We decided on a picture with the pretty house/roses in the background. However, behind the hedge was a man mowing his lawn. See him on the left? Kitty said she would avoid him from being in the photo by shooting from a low point of view but that is never my favourite. So I turned round and asked the man very nicely whether he would mind ducking behind the hedge hahaha. He saw the humour in the request and complied.
Below: Very nice shot.
Below: There are many of such pretty houses in these streets. Unusual with the combination of burgundy and yellow.
Below: One last view of the shore.
Below: Kitty and I ended our photo shoot with a drink and some sweets in a restaurant where I took this picture of her. Va va voom.
What happened in my life this week
Quite a lot happened.
Saturday we attended a “club day” for dogs of Watson’s breed (Korthals Griffon). He was judged along with a lot of other puppies (I think 12 in total) and got “Very Promising”. All puppies were Very Promising so it must be a very good puppy year. Our first dog Charlie didn’t get that. Nevertheless, in spite of the “very promising” diagnosis, Watson wasn’t awarded one of the three prizes, which pissed Ron off enormously haha. In the morning it was raining cats and dogs (pun intended) so we nearly didn’t go. As this is the Netherlands the weather changed completely two hours later. We arrived at the event just in time.
Third from the left is Ron with Watson and second from the right (with the big young man) is Watson’s brother Guus. We also met his sister Freya and his father Glen (Gino). All puppies were given Very Promising.
In the afternoon I had an appointment with the hairdresser for my six-weeks cut and dye.
Sunday, a day of leisure. Well… did housekeeping and ironing and such. Sylvia popped by for a quick tea. In the evening I wanted to go out for a steak so I asked neighbours and friends Froukje and Petro whether they would like to join. They did. Only we couldn’t get a dog sitter for Watson at such short notice. Our friends solved it by going to the supermarket, getting food and bringing their barbecue as well (ours is at Ron’s allotment). Great evening.
Monday: the start of my three weeks HOLIDAY…YAY. Loes and I went to Amsterdam to do a photoshoot and have lunch on a terrace. I think my holiday money will be spent on parking fees (which are very high in Amsterdam) and lunches. Money well spent. In the afternoon Sylvia and I had a drink on a terrace in Haarlem. This is the way I am going to spend my entire holiday.
Together with 4 of the BVA girlfriends we had planned to go to Spain for a week but that fell through. Due to heavy rainfall the cellars of the apartment complex were flooded and the lifts (elevators) were out of order. As we have Marianne in a wheelchair, we cannot go. To compensate (well.. sort of) we have planned to spend 2 days with each other next week in the east of the country. I will also visit Lisa, The Sequinist in London the beginning of July. Together we will meet Susan of Une femme d’une certain age for lunch. She is L.A.-based but in London for her holiday. I won’t be bored.
Tuesday: beautiful weather, perfect for a visit to the beach with Ron and Watson. Here I am exposing my wrinkled arms. I am always rather poorly dressed when I go to the beach as you must wash your clothes immediately when you get back. As I am in bikini, my arms will be exposed anyway. Let it go, let it go. Watson dug a huge hole underneath my beach bed.
Tuesday evening was a night to dress up. Two of my colleagues were leaving the company and we had a fare-well dinner. This picture below was taken by one of them as she caught up with me walking to the restaurant. (Don’t worry, the parking garage was very close by.) More photos of this dress in this post.
Below: It was an elaborate dinner and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
Wednesday: meeting my friend Selma at the beach in Noordwijk. As it was raining really hard that morning I suggested we would meet somewhere else, but she checked the weather app and indeed, by the time I arrived at the beach the rain had stopped and after a while we could sit outside as well. Had a lovely day with her.
Thursday: took BVA friend Marianne for a day at the beach. Same spot where I had been the day before, because I was permitted to park my car right at the beach and wheel Marianne inside. Had to park somewhere else after that, but this was a huge advantage. Marianne so enjoys a day at the beach but being in a wheelchair doesn’t allow her to go anymore. The sun came out as we arrived at the beach.
Greetje
What a fantastic summer outfit.
Easy, breezy but so pulled together and chic!
http://a-woman-of-a-certain-age.com/
I was so surprised when I saw myself in the mirror wearing this. Never thought it would suit me so well.
Greetje
That is a beautiful jumper! You and I have similar body issues about our lack of bum and hips, but I’ve found that wide leg trousers like the pair you’re wearing are very flattering to our shape as long as they fit well, and of course it helps if you are tall. The photo that Kitty took of you while focussing through the leaves is lovely! It sounds as if you have been getting out a lot and enjoying the warm weather. I can’t believe it is going to be July in a couple of days! Shelley
We finally are having some warmth, some summer although the heat was going overboard on some days.
I agree with you on the assessment of wide trousers. I always thought it would be a no go, bit these act like a skirt.
Greetje
I found you through La Contessa, a new friend. I love this combination of the subtle windowpane plaid pants and the ‘in-your-face’ sweater. So odd and yet they go together wonderfully, and the green purse makes it all pop. you look great! I’m following in your footsteps in exploring social media, but a little later in life – at 74. Loving having an Instagram account @sheilamerle1 and wondering if I’m focusing too much on myself, but I LOVE clothes and having ball putting together new outfits. Blog to come.
The brand (Essentiel Antwerp) designed this combination and I love it.
It is never too late to embrace new things as in your case social media. It keeps you up to date. Don’t worry about focussing too much on yourself, every blogger has had this doubt. I knew it was just a hobby, my creative outlet when I came home one glorious sunny day with photos of Kings Day, a big thing in the Netherlands. Instead of enjoying the nice weather, I wanted to create the post and there were only two photos of me in it. I knew then it wasn’t attention seeking. Of course, like you, I love clothes.
Greetje
I think this my favorite of all the outfits Iâve seen you model on the blog! I love the colors, pattern mixing, and it looks comfortable, too. Iâm looking forward to visiting that area in October, but I donât suppose it will be as green and pretty then as it is in these photos.
October.. hmm no, it will be autumn so the leaves will have begun to fall. Still nice. Just hope for nice weather. That is always the most important when going on holiday.
Hope you will have a lovely time in my tiny country.
Greetje
I know your post is really about the trousers but your jumper has stolen the show for me. Also what wonderful shots you have managed on the water. Love it. Regards – Jill stylishatsixty
http://www.stylishatsixty.wordpress.com
Well, the post isn’t really about the trousers, it is about the whole outfit. And you may love what you want. For the wonderful photos I thank Kitty. It is so difficult to choose from all the beautiful pictures she takes.
Greetje
What a great read. You’ve been busy on your vacation : ) Holland sure does look lovely at this time of year.
I’m loving this outfit and the fact that you mixed two patterns. It looks great! That sweater is one of my favourites of yours.
Hilarious that the gardener ducked down behind the hedge for you. Only in Holland! LOL
Too fun that Watson participated in a doggie beauty show. Zoe isn’t well enough behaved to attend.
Suzanne
http://www.suzannecarillo.com
I cannot take credit for this styling as the brand had already done the styling for me.
The gardner was no gardner but the owner of the house. And a good sport.
Third misunderstanding… Watson didn’t attend a beauty show. It was a Korthals Griffon club day where the puppies were judged on their good features. Hmm I suppose the difference is very small haha.
ALL THE PHOTOS WERE LOVELY!NO wonder YOU couldNOT PICK JUST ONE!
DID I HEAR YOU SAY YOU did not know THAT FERRY EXISTED?
FUNNY those things do happen to us 50 PLUS GALS!!
XX
I never go that far south along the river. There are no shops there đđ.
Greetje
One of my favorite outfits of yours so far- love those wide legged trousers and what a great top to add to them! And I must say- the last picture of you and Marianne- I love it!
Thanks Lauren. I was very pleased with this outfit as well (not very modest, but there you go). I was even able to create two more outfits with the trousers (different tops, shoes, belts). Now I have to work with the jumper which I think is more difficult. But who knows?
Had to laugh when I read about your sense of humour haha. A bit off. I love that.
Greetje
You look stunning in these pants. They make your legs look long and you look so tall. Love the pattern mixing. So chic. The green dress is such a nice piece for the office in summer. Nice photos from the boat tour. The beach photo is my favorite. But that’s made two feet on land. LOL.
Well, boat tour… wouldnât call the ferry that haha. The green dress is unfortunately NOT a nice piece for the office as they have the air conditioning on very high. Very cold. The beach photo is still made at the beach, although two feet on land. It counts.
Greetje
Very attractive pants. The whole (first) outfit rocks, in fact. Plus, you always have such good photography here.
I am very pleased with my two photographers. And thank you for the compliments.
You look fabulous in that outfit! Those slacks need your very long legs to look good. I think wide legs are great on you!
You say that, but maybe these trousers can make a petite look good too. The girl who always helps me in the Essentiel shop in Haarlem, wears wide trousers as well. With sneakers. And she looks great.
Greetje
You look INCREDIBLE in this top and pants Greetje. You are model thin and
the pretty window pane plaid of those trousers does a perfect job of rounding out your teeny hips and bum! The sweater is happy and bright and such a refreshing pattern mix with the pants!! Truly one of my absolute favorites!!! Ron was right to think those pants were exceptional!
The photo of you and Marianne is a special one. I’m guessing that she greatly appreciates friends who care enough to make sure she doesn’t miss out on a day at the beach despite her limitations. Marianne looks so darling in her funky, round glasses and her sweater picks up on the style of the spectacles so well!!
Thanks Judy. Ron has a good eye for style. Lucky me. Also lucky me for such a generous man.
Marianne just oozes style. She is a natural.
Lovely pictures, my favorite being titled ‘ looking waggish’ – such a nice natural pretty pose. Interesting to see your country and when mixed with fashion …well there’s nothing better đhope you have a great time on holiday, though it sounds a busy schedule !
It is indeed a busy schedule. My knee is not pleased but we “soldier through” haha. Thank you for your compliments.
Greetje
Great trousers!
Thanks Mary. Never thought they would suit me. Surprise.
Greetje
Lovely pictures, my favorite being titled ‘ looking waggish’ – such a nice natural pretty pose. Interesting to see your country and when mixed with fashion …well there’s nothing better đhope you have a great time on holiday, though it sounds a busy schedule !
Gosh, I couldn’t love this outfit more. Well, maybe if there were scattered sequins on the jumper, but otherwise it is absolute perfection on you. Lucky you with that fabulous weather for photos too! xx
It is a fantastic brand, right?
The pants and jumper work together brilliantly! Well done! And well done, Ron for adding a bag.
Thanks Susan
Wow, those trousers and the jumper are stunning on you!
Thanks Gail. I was very surprised, but loved the woman in the mirror haha.
Greetje