Here we are again, sitting on Daniela’s favourite terrace at the “caffè”. I wore a green top with wide blue trousers, breezy, comfortable and still elegant. At least I thought so and Daniela kindly confirmed. I always feel totally underdressed when I am with her. Daniela has a blog called The Pretty Cute, only she had so much to do this past year that she hasn’t published a post since January. But she keeps the option open to rekindle it.
Because of my knee I couldn’t visit her for two years and I always enjoy visiting her so much. She is the kindest and most hospitable host you can imagine. She claims it is the Italian way. When we first started to exchange comments on our blogs she was very quick in inviting me to come and stay with her and visit the Max Mara outlet. Which we have done every time I come over. Man…. I feel like a child in a sweetshop when I enter that place.
Below: This is what the Max Mara outlet looks like from the outside. See the mannequins in the shop window? If you want to see the inside, click to this post and to this post. When we arrive there, I must prevent myself from running to the door. If you saw my bag with purchases in last week’s post, you know I was very successful again.
Daniela moved apartments and is now living in a beautiful old house on the second floor which is better than her previous one which was on the fourth floor. It is still six short stairs to climb and no lift (elevator). Which is a bit tricky with a suitcase, especially going home again when it is much heavier than on arrival. Sometimes her most charming husband is around and he always carries my suitcase for me. But this time he was on holiday in the south of Italy. Daniela had travelled back home to meet me.
Below: The outfit head to toe photo, taken on her balcony. One of her neighbours made a funny remark which is why I am laughing. I don’t speak Italian, but I got it. Green top from a very sustainable brand/shop (I removed the label.. sorry). Wide blue trousers by Joline Jolink, a sustainable brand in the Netherlands, Black and white belt by Isabella Marant and black platform sandals by Minelli (you will see a close-up of them in next week’s post). Wearing my pearls again for a change.
Below: Doors like this you will find seldom in the Netherlands.
Below: And both parts of this door open electronically. How on earth it is possible to move such a big, heavy door electronically, is beyond me. The courtyard behind the door is charming.
Below: Daniela, who had just scored this beautiful lightweight skirt for 1/5 of the price. After we examined it closely, we found a pretty, sparkling seam just above the rim. It functioned like a lead thread (lead wire) keeping the lightweight skirt stay put and not reveal more than you want. Quality ! She made the turquoise bracelet and earrings herself.
Below: I am showing you a few of the magnificent buildings in Turin.
Below: With this statue in the middle of the square. They don’t make them like that anymore.
Below: The second day Daniela wore a black dress, being very elegant again. Even on flat sandals. Boy oh boy what cute sandals.
Below: Love her bag as well. Her dog is called Grillo, which is Italian for katydid (grasshopper). When you see him jump for a treat you understand how he got the name.
Below: The dress from the back.
Below: I had brought this dress which I bought at the Max Mara outlet in 2015 and I still wear it with pleasure.
Below: It is very lightweight and excellent for hot weather. Only, I must wear a stretch pencil skirt underneath it as it is a bit revealing at the sides.
Below: I really like this outfit but a dress is more elegant.
What happened in my life this week
A lot happened in my life. First of all, as I got up Friday morning, getting ready to go back home, I found my artificial molar stuck in my braces. Panic. Phoning to my dentist got me an appointment at 12 o’clock. What a pity, I would be in the plane at that time. It was fixed Monday afternoon, which was just in time. My gum had already started to work its way up and the dentist had to push it aside with force. Not nice, but at least it was saved. The swelling went down within two days and the braces fit. Phew… one hurdle taken.
Of course the trouble at home was a lot bigger than the tooth. Dog Watson needed to be taken out for walkies on the leash three times a day as he must wear the cone after his operation. And husband Ron was very ill, in bed a lot of the time, in pain and in need of nursing. I took the Monday off from work to assess the situation, picked up my laptop from the office on my way to the dentist and worked from home the rest of the week. That way I could work on times outside office hours and provide the help my loved ones needed (cooking, grocery shopping, fetching medicines, cleaning up, nursing). Hah… Ron was pleasantly surprised. He never thought I would support him this much haha. It was pretty hard work for me I will say that. Especially letting the dog out. He is frustrated as he cannot run and pulls the whole time which is bad for my knee.
All good things come to an end and all bad things as well. Ron is recovering well, we installed a dog guard frame in Ron’s car, which means Watson fits in the boot with his cone and is safe. I got a lot closer to the dog (sweetheart) and got bonus points with my husband. There is always a silver lining.
Greetje
I also still like that dark blue Max Mara dress and the solution with the pencil skirt underneath works perfect.
Next time, make a short video of the cute doggo of Daniela when he jumps; I’d love to see that!
I will make a video of the dog next time. Easy, as all it takes is for us to go to the café and wait for the treat he is always getting.
That green is just amazing on you! i love your look!
Thanks. I discovered a long time ago that green (with a lot of yellow in it) is a good colour for me. But retailers don’t like to sell green, they say nobody wants to buy green clothes and shoes. The past couple of years the colour green is suddenly hot. Yay.
Greetje
I’ve never visited any part of Italy, so I enjoy seeing the photos from your trip. I would love to raid Daniela’s closet – the skirt and the black dress are wonderful! Even though I don’t buy retail very much anymore, I would still enjoy browsing the MaxMara outlet.
Good for you for taking care of Ron and Watson. I’m glad Ron is feeling better and is able to resume his dog duties. Shelley
I’ve never visited any part of Italy, so I enjoy seeing the photos from your trip. I would love to raid Daniela’s closet – the skirt and the black dress are wonderful! Even though I don’t buy retail very much anymore, I would still enjoy browsing the MaxMara outlet.
Good for you for taking care of Ron and Watson. I’m glad Ron is feeling better and is able to resume his dog duties. Shelley
Italy is like an open museum. The whole country. It is so beautiful and the food is so fresh and delicious. Throw in the sunshine and the design and you can only love it.
I would love to raid Daniela’s closet too and I had the chance haha. But I behaved as a good guest should.
Taking care of your loved ones is something you do of course. It would be a sad marriage if I had not lifted a finger.
Greetje
I love your green top! That is a great color on you!
Any bright colour is good on me really, but I particularly like red and green. It has to be a green with lots of yellow in it. Hard to find. Retailers don’t like green. They say it doesn’t sell.
Greetje
You look great with the emerald green and the whole outfit amazing your friend looks great to if I had to pick I pick both you and your friend so gorgeous both of you keep up the style ladies.
Thanks Chris. This shade of green (and so bright) is very good for me near my face but hard to find. As for Daniela, I don’t think I have ever seen her in something which wasn’t elegant or chic. And still modern.
Greetje
How wonderful you were able to visit Daniela again. Italy looks just as beautiful as I recall.
You two are quite the sophisticates!
I’m happy that both Ron and Watson are on the mend thanks to your special attention. That’s the whole point of having a partner though isn’t it? It’s when we are sick or having difficulty that we can appreciate we have someone to care for us.
Suzanne
http://www.suzannecarillo.com
Well, my boys aren’t on the mend thanks to my attention. They mended by themselves but needed care during the process. Glad I could provide it as indeed, as you say, you rely on your partner to take care when necessary. Although Ron wasn’t so sure about me haha.
Thanks for the compliments. I did my best. And Italy? I could live there I think.
Lovely outfits on you, Greetje! That emerald green is a stunning colour! Oh, that Max Mara outlet looks so tempting! I love your friend’s wonderful dress – that back detail is incredible.
Glad to hear Ron is on the mend, and that you got some bonding time with Watson. I hope your week ahead is smooth sailing!
It is a joy to see your comments. Unfortunately there is a hick-up in my Disqus programme. Some people, like Susan and you I have to approve every comment. And with others I don’t after one approval. My tech lady has no experience with Disqus so this remains a problem.
Anyway, thanks for your compliments.
You have all these second-hand shops which are big and full of gems. I have the outlet haha.
Greetje
That green is just fabulous on you! And I love what Daniela is wearing. I think Italians are such impeccable dressers. And I really like the print on that Max Mara dress, so fun!
Ach…tooth problems! I’ve had my share in the last year. Glad Ron’s feeling better and that Watson can be safely transported. He’ll be so happy to get out of that cone, I’m sure!
The tooth problem is gone now, thank god. Ron thinks he is getting shingles on the other side of his face, which would be very rare, but I do see lumps and bumps… Oh dear. And Watson is soooo happy. Running around again. What a blessing for this dog.
Greetje
I love the green and blue outfit; you look so pulled together yet relaxed. I have a dress in exactly the same green which I wore to a wedding this summer. Mine was in the form of a Bombshell confident dress (by Katya Wildman, London). These dresses are great as the cut is really flattering. I can recommend them!
You sound like you have had a lot on your plate. It’s fortunate that you were able to work from home. Sometimes you can feel like you are pulled in all directions. Here’s hoping that you will have an easier time this week and that the boys in your life will show a suitable amount of appreciation ; )
I know the Bombshell dresses, but I think they are not good for my boyish, inverted triangle shape. If you have more curves, they are brilliant.
The boys in my life appreciate me very much. Really a lot. And I started this week without a care in the world, until Ron said: “I think I am getting shingles on the other side of my face”. Very rare for this to happen but he might be right…. ughh. Doctor visit tomorrow.
Greetje
I can imagine how exciting the Max Mara outlet must be and can picture that “kid in a candy store” smile! You and Daniela look so sophisticated, elegant and beautiful as you shop, lunch and explore!
I’ve not caught up with your post from last Sunday so I don’t know what Ron is sick with. Applause for managing your many roles as wife, nurse, companion, cook and dog walker so well! You’re much MORE too!!!
Ahhh that is sweet of you to say Jude. Ron knows I am not a nurse to use an understatement. Which is why I got “bonus points” when I took good care of him and his dog (I don’t like walking the dog either). He was pleasantly surprised haha.
Matching Daniela’s elegance is not easy. I always have to think long and hard about what clothes and shoes to bring.
Greetje
I’m a fan of Dan’s blog too. How lovely you both got to meet up! xx
Dan and I have been meetings since 2014, one of those lovely side effects of blogging as I am sure you have experienced as well.
Greetje
You look fantastic Greetje, and so does Daniela, which I have come to expect from your adventures. I clearly have to catch up on your blog – trouble at home. I am glad you have eyes and heart to see the silver lining. I hope this next week is more quiet for you and you enjoy all your lovely new purchases.
I saw that you were catching up on my posts haha. When I go and see Daniela I always have to think long and hard how I can manage to look elegant as well. For me that is with dresses and high heels, but high heels in Italy is not a good idea. The pavements still have many cobblestones. And with my flat feet and low instep, flat shoes don’t look good with dresses. Sneakers are a lot better but too hot for Italy in August. See my “problems”?
Greetje
Ohhh what lovely photos, you both look fantastic – Daniela always looks inspirational, but then so do you and you make such a lovely comparison to each other, both stylish but a perfect complement to the other. Glad to hear Ron and dog are doing well, Im not sure Id be any good at playing nurse to anyone it was as much as I could manage when my children were small 🙂
Hahaha… I am not a natural nurse either Juliet. And my husband knows that. Which explains why he was pleasantly surprised when I took such good care of him. Bonus points for me. But I am glad they are both back to normal. Glad for them and for me.
Daniela doesn’t like jeans and I am a total jeans girl. I will not abandon jeans totally, I still like them too much, but I do want to be more elegant.
Greetje
Waving hello to Daniela! 🙂
You’re right…Daniela always look so chic! Her black dress with the handkerchief back is beautiful.
I think your green top and blue trouser ensemble is as chic. Very elegant Greetje!
Happy to hear that Ron is on the mend!
I do think a lot of what to wear when I go visit Daniela. She doesn’t like jeans haha. And I am such a jeans girl. But in Italy it is far too hot to wear them.
Greetje