You will probably be relieved to hear that this is going to be a shorter post. Ron (husband) was going to take the photos and we didn’t have much time. I am wearing green trousers from the Max Mara outlet in Turin, a leopard top by Marc Cain, python pumps and a dark brown bag by Longchamp. Apart from the green trousers everything is from my wardrobe. The green belt is a recent and inexpensive addition.
Ron’s brother was celebrating his 70th birthday with a family lunch which of course we attended. The lunch was in the Parel van Zuilen where we had taken photos before (in April with my dropped crotch trousers). So no new backgrounds but in any case a new outfit.
The photos are taken by Olaf, a friend of Ron’s brother. They know each other since they were 15, so he feels like family. Olaf is a keen photographer and Ron was very pleased that he could pass the task of photographing my outfit on haha.
Below: To stay with the animal print theme, I wore my python coat. A bit of an overkill on the animal print but the colours matched my outfit so well, I couldn’t resist. This coat is ancient, second-hand and…. Versace Jeans Couture, so high quality. It feels as soft as a baby’s skin. Looking at this photo I feel the black silk scarf is totally wrong. I must find something better (no idea what). I am not very good with coats and scarves, plus I cannot stand wool.
Below: Even from the side I like this outfit, which is new to me as I NEVER wear a short top on trousers.
You know what Ron said when he saw me in this outfit? “What a nice tush you have in these trousers!” That did it. I do not have a “nice tush”. As a matter of fact it is more of a scrawny little arse. Getting a compliment like Ron gave me, make these trousers gold for me.
Below: So I am proudly presenting… my tush.
Below: This is funny. Olaf took the photo while a boat was passing behind be. Do you see the guy on the boat imitating my pose haha?
Below: On the swing. I haven’t been on one since I was 10.
Below: Olaf had to tell me how to get it swinging. See my face go “Eeeeehhhh, is this thing going to hold me???”
Below: Earrings: green snake print. Why not? The leopard top you have seen before in this post with my cream pleated skirt.
Below: Close-up of the python pumps. Bought them at least 5 years ago.
Below: Close-up of the bag.
Below: One last picture with the autumn leaves, feeling pretty good.
You know, I feel better and am prouder of my body than when I was 25 or 35. Strange isn’t it? Even though my skin is saggy and wrinkled. Getting older comes with more confidence. At least that is the case with me.
As there are no interesting backgrounds in the above photo, I thought I would show you some pictures of a house a famous Dutch designer and architect (Gerrit Rietveld) built for Miss T. Schröder in 1924. UNESCO placed it on the World Heritage List as ‘an important and unique icon in Western architectural history and a masterpiece of human creativity’. Not too shabby.
Below: See that black rectangle sticking out top right? That is an open window. Totally in harmony with the design of the house.
Below: I love this detail below. In the photo above you see it bottom right. The message on the red pole says:
MESSAGES/GROCERIES
ring first. when no answer speaking tube
The “Speaking tube” is on the left bottom.
Below: In a tunnel underneath a road there were tiles showing the chair designs by Rietveld in blue. There are many.
It is a shame that there is a lot of wear and tear in that tunnel.
What happened in my life this week
Saturday: I finally met my best friend Lia again. It has been too long. Losing my other best friend Pat in March was bad and I feel so stupid that I don’t spend more time with Lia who is still alive and within reasonable distance (an hour’s drive). Can you believe she still does not have a grey hair? Below you see us at lunch. I am eating pea soup, very Dutch.
Below: As we walked through the restaurant we saw this pram and had to have our picture taken with it. You see, when we were 17 and just finished secondary school (high school) we went on holiday together. Not with a backpack or a suitcase, but both with a pram. We stashed everything in it: tent, sleeping bags, food, clothes…everything. And did a tour through the Netherlands by train. The feeling of freedom was sooo good.
Sunday: birthday lunch with Ron’s brother and his family.
Monday: work, nothing special. Had a laugh in the morning when I was in the lift (elevator). A Dutch guy (around 40) asked a very fit Indian guy how long he had trained for the half marathon. The answer was: one and a half month before the marathon. When the Dutch guy replied: “Oh so there is still hope for me.” I couldn’t resist saying “Dream on baby” as I got out of the lift. My (female) colleague who got out at the same time burst out laughing. It wasn’t my intention to insult the guy, just to make a little joke. The loud laughing of my colleague and me perhaps made the joke a bit bitter. When we arrived at our department she said: “Only half past 8 in the morning and she has already slayed a man”.
Tuesday: our department went to the Dutch Design Week in Eindhoven as we sponsor this event (for 9 years now). It was so interesting to see what these young creative brains come up with. It is not just a new chair or car design. Technological innovations meet design. There are medical innovations, logistic improvements, projects to empower third world people to find new ways of income. And all the designs and innovations have the environment as a starting point. It made me happy; perhaps there is hope for the future of this planet.
Below: as usual I haven’t paid enough attention to quote what the guide told us about this. From what I remember, these poles are made from trees that had to be cut down because of road building. And there is a technique of pressing wood etc with which they intend to build a 10 or 20 storeys high building. They call it biobased building.
Below: These walls are made from the seeds of fungus/mushrooms. Or something like that. When it is prepared in a certain way, you get building material. Again, I didn’t really dig deep to find out the details.
Below: And there was also “normal” design, like this futuristic car, undoubtedly environmentally friendly.
Wednesday: apart from the usual errands, I went to the book presentation of Misja’s book (misjaB): Eye for style. Imagine that: from starting a blog with streetstyle photos of people over 40 to publishing your own book. All with her own photos and text. That must have been such a kick. And she was asked by a publisher! What an honour. I will give you a full report next week.
Thursday: the day I had my earlobes “repaired”. The holes are sewn up, now the waiting and recovering begins. In six weeks I can have my earlobes pierced again. So you will see me without earrings for a while.
Friday: we ate sushi at our friends’ house. The friend who has been so ill. It is very good seeing him back home.
Greetje
Should you match your scarf to your trousers?
I could match my scarf to my trousers, but it is not the friendliest green near my face, so I am hesitating to do that.
Greetje
What a gorgeously elegant outfit on you, Greetje! It feels a bit retro and Audrey Hepburn to me. Those trousers are absolutely GORGEOUS on you, truly! I really look silly in cropped trousers for some reason, but you totally pull them off. You’re great in leopard print, so no surprise there, but I love how you’ve styled this. I can’t wait to see your new and improved earlobes, haha!
I was also gladdened to read the sushi at home news, that’s super. xxx
This outfit is very unusual to me. Most of the time I am covering up the hip-bum-stomach area. But when Ron paid me such a compliment, I thought “Why not?”
Having long thin legs means I can wear any type of trousers. Only jumpsuits are an absolute no-go area.
As for the sushi friend: he got the word from his surgeon yesterday he is going to be all fine. It will take him at least a year to get his strength back but he need not worry. Such a relief.
Greetje
Lovely outfit, Greetje, and I don’t think you can have too much animal print – that coat is divine! For a scarf, I would take a cue from the environment, and do a yellow or ochre or orange or red silk scarf instead of black. I find silk is lovely – very warm and not itchy like wool.
You DO have a nice tush! Ha! I like the gent mimicking your pose.
I hope you have a lovely week!
That guy on the boat is funny right? You cannot stage such things. They happen by accident.
I tried a red scarf with the coat but didn’t like that. Your other suggestions are duly noted. I like silk scarves (a lot) but they need to be a particular silk, not too slippery.
Greetje
I think all of the backgrounds were wonderful – especially the one with the guy imitating your pose – how funny was that?! The green pants are beautiful and I love them with the leopard-print top. I need to try my leopard-print top with my olive green pants. The python pumps are just beautiful. I have no snake prints and really need something. I think those pants would also look great with some python-print sock boots or square-toed boots with block heels, too. And that python coat is wonderful – it looks so cozy. I think you’re right about the black scarf, though. Maybe one of those mixed media scarves with ribbons and yarn in browns and greens just wrapped loosely once around your neck would be just the thing? The house that was built for Miss Schroeder is so unbelievably contemporary to have been built in 1924! And that “mushroom-walled” building – great texture! And, no, I don’t believe your friend’s hair has no gray…. and so much hair – great genes! Sounds like you’ve been really busy and I hope you’re having a wonderful new week!
Ruth
https://voguefauxreal.com/2019/10/21
You just pointed me in the direction of my white square-toed boots with block heels. Thanks. I hadn’t thought of those.
The combination of designer Rietveld and Mrs Schröder as his client was a match made in heaven. She wanted a house which was totally different from everything built to that time and she was a huge admirer of the furniture Rietveld had designed till then. The sky was the limit. There are so many clever designs/solutions in that house. It is like Gaudi who designed appartements in Barcelona: such great solutions for air through the house, for the washing, for the tiles getting wider as you descend. I love such brains.
Greetje
WOW! WOW! WOW! Greetje!
Your svelte figure, cute tush , (Ron’s right) steady gait in a higher heel, and bright smile are all adding up to fabulous! Who needs earrings when you look so good! You’re not allowed to disagree either! I’m also very impressed with the way you’ve embraced buying in the gently worn and vintage market.
The second-hand market is still very small in the Netherlands. Michelle Tyler (another blogger) moved to the USA and found online rental companies of designer clothes. You can subscribe and get different stuff all the time. Man that would be my solution. Unfortunately I haven’t found such service here. Country is too small??
Greetje
PS my earlobes are healing quite well. It will take a couple of months but then I can get them pierced again. And I will 😎.
Greetje
I follow Michelle Tyler and like her a lot. She’s direct and feisty; just like you !
The clothes rental concept is very intriguing isn’t it? If I was still working I’d look into it more seriously.
Wow fantastic house Gerrit Rietveld built for Miss T. Schröder in 1924! How about a bronze scarf –warm in color and with some sheen? Great outfit, great tush 🙂
Thanks for the tush compliment Linda. I think a bronze scarf might be too much of the same colour as the coat, but I will give it a try. You don’t know for sure until you try.
The Rietveld/Schröder house isn’t on the UNESCO World Heritage List for nothing. I agree with you, it is really fantastic.
Greetje
hi Greetje, if the bronze has sheen (or shine), it could blend and still have contrast/texture.
Hmmm… You might be right. Not easy to find I reckon.
Animal print is such a great neutral. Love that you have several different ones in the outfit.
I think you should go with a deep violet/purple scarf. Purple, green and leopard are great friends.
It’s fantastic that you are feeling so comfortable in your own skin. Hooray for self love!
Suzanne
http://www.suzannecarillo.com
Purple! Another good choice. I will be on the look-out for a purple scarf. Or bright pink, or ivory. We’ll see.
It is so nice to be so comfortable in my own skin. I really enjoy it. Perks of getting older. It is not all down hill as you age. There are benefits as well. I am also constantly saying to myself: “Isn’t this great? You have a fantastic life, good health, no money worries… enjoy, enjoy while it lasts.
Greetje
Gosh I have missed a lot! Earlobe repairs? Blimey that sounds painful, I hope you’re ok Greetje. I’m sorry I haven’t been dropping in, work and kids are busy as usual but the real culprit is my blog. I have a renewed love for writing and research since my focus is now entirely on sustainability. Anyway, I had to make time to pop over and see your cutie patootie up close 😉 After you shared this outfit on IG I was intrigued, your tooshie (spelling?) looks fantastic! I suffer from flat butt syndrome too Hahahaha
Earlobe repair painful? Far from it. Didn’t feel a thing, not during the “operation” and not afterwards. I was in and out within half an hour. My dentist appointments take longer.
“Cutie patootie” hahahaha, that is even better than tush. I learned that “tush” and “tooshie” are synonyms.
Thanks for dropping by and please don’t feel guilty. I suffer from the same lack of time.
Greetje
I really like the animal prints with the green. And that croc-embossed bag is gorgeous! If you have a scarf in a complementary color to the green (yellow?) or else a lighter warm neutral (ivory?) could work. Or even something totally unexpected, like a hot pink.
Ivory sounds good for a scarf although not the best colour near my face. Hot pink could be good. I am going to try this with a hot pink sweater to see the effect. Thanks.
What abut a cream colored scarf to go with the coat? A color to lift the darkness of the print?
That might be a good idea. I never have cream as a colour near my face, but with the dark print it could work. I will try it immediately. Thanks.
Greetje