This is the first outing of these python boots. I prefer them underneath a longer skirt as they draw a lot of attention to themselves. On the other hand, they are so pretty, I might change my mind. The top and skirt are from the Max Mara outlet in Turin. The necklace (Iceberg) is a couple of years old and you saw me wear it before with jeans and an Acne tunic. The bag is my trusted Chloé Marcie mini bag. Such a handy little bag. The belt is ancient (about 30 years).
You will first see more of this outfit after which I am going to show you some women, dressed to the nines, who attended the presentation of Misja Beijers‘ book, Eye for Style. Misja is a blogging friend of mine and she photographs women and men over 50, all with a keen interest in outfits.
Now first my outfit with the python boots.
As both my photographers were busy I asked husband Ron to take photos and that was a bad idea. The camera had all sorts of hiccups and refused to focus. If there is anything that annoys Ron it is a camera not performing. I tried a couple of times myself and nope, it just didn’t want to cooperate. So, Ron is now definitely never going to take my blog photos anymore. Dammit.
The photo above is sharp and taken by my next door neighbour. I had to have one sharp photo for this post and I asked him for help.
Below: This was really the best photo, but I am pulling a bit of a funny face, so it didn’t make it to the top.
Over to Ron’s photos. His idea of using the beautiful autumn leaves as a background was of course a good idea.
Below: This would have been my first photo had it been sharp.
Below: We have quite a few nice big parks within a quarter of an hour’s drive.
Below: The shoot started with my green leather jacket and a bright yellow scarf.
Below: I decided that the yellow scarf was a bit too much. Off with it. Of course Watson was with us, playing with other dogs and running around with a stick that was far too big for him. In the photo below he is digging a great big hole.
Below: “Darling… you cannot see the boots from the leaves….”.
Below: Trying to stand on this tree trunk. Didn’t really manage it.
Below: Back on the ground then.
We decided to call it a day before things got really nasty.
Presentation of Misja’s book: Oog voor Stijl (Eye for Style)
The presentation was in a fantastic old and very respected bookshop (De Vries Van Stockum). They are top of the bill and have an online shop, delivering outside of Europe as well. I only had my iPhone with me as my camera would have taken worse quality photos. The space between me and all the people whose picture I wanted to take was far too small so these are not going to be grand photos.
Below: Let’s start with a photo when the first speaker addressed Misja, who of course looked lovely. Behind them is a photo of the cover of Misja’s book.
Below: Misja in turn, gave two first examples of her book away, one to Lucy, who is photographed by Misja a lot.
Below: I had my copy of the book signed by Misja.
Below: A few photos of the guests. I think all the ones of which I took a photo, appear in the book.
Below: Misja takes photos of men as well, like the man below in red. The lady standing next to him is also in the book. Love her cute bag.
Below: This lady surprised me by recognising me. I had taken a picture of one of her bags in 2015 at the Design and Crafts Fair. She designs pleated leather bags and I was drooling over a red one at the time (just drooling, no money). Her company is called Mrs Rosehip. See for yourself on her website what a treasure bags they are.
Below: Ans Markus (on the left) with a good friend. Ans Markus is a famous Dutch artist, well-known for her paintings and I seem to run into her at fairs and book presentations.
Below: And here is Misja again, being very happy. Who wouldn’t be?
What happened in my life this week
Saturday: trying to do this photoshoot with Ron. Not very successful to use an understatement. I ran some errands and went to the birthday party of my friend Helga. Her theme for the night was “flowers”. No problem. I wore the blue summer dress by Cabi with a Uniqlo heat tech shirt underneath and black over-the-knee boots. As finishing touch I added a white flower necklace, a gift from my friend Anja. I had to laugh when another friend at the party looked at me and said: “I presume you had no problem with the theme? You just had to look under F for flowers?”
Sunday: visited old neighbours who moved to a village nearby. They had done a very good job of renovating and styling the house. Watson embarrassed us with a wee indoors. As dog owners always do, we cried out: “He never does that”. And it is true, he never tinkles indoors, he is house-broken. Perhaps he was marking his territory? As their dog died a couple of months ago and his smell was perhaps still in the house. Luckily they have had so many “accidents” with their dog indoors that they are used to mopping it up. Of course we apologized profusely.
Monday: work and a training course. I was very active in asking inquisitive questions during the course. I often wonder whether my colleagues think: “Oh woman, why don’t you shut up”. The ones I ask whether I am annoying, always answer that they like my interest and my questions. But you can never be sure whether they dare to be honest.
Tuesday: work and a very pleasant restaurant lunch with my friend Aafke who works near my office at the moment.
Wednesday: Photoshoot with Loes. It was cold but sunny and crisp weather. A lovely autumn day. The camera was still on the blink but I found a way around it, so I think that the photos are all right.
Thursday: loads of meetings. There was a lovely incident when I got this compliment: a woman (she was almost 40) stopped me in the office corridor and said: “I saw you approaching and thought “Wow, she looks good, what a great outfit”. As you can imagine, I gave her my blog card. Nice when people notice your efforts and appreciate it.
Friday: working from home and eating French cheese at friends. Went to the camera shop to seek advice. Dog Watson got his head trapped in a box haha. We came to the rescue.
Nothing special this week but all was nice.
Greetje
I think the photos you took at the book launch are great! What a super stylish group of people! I think we need to see more of those python boots, although they do look good with that outfit (I have a black pleated skirt very much like yours). Shelley
I think the photos you took at the book launch are great! What a super stylish group of people! I think we need to see more of those python boots, although they do look good with that outfit (I have a black pleated skirt very much like yours). Shelley
I found out these python boots are more difficult to style than I thought. They quickly become overwhelming. But I will do my best 😉.
Greetje
Lovely outfit and amazing books! Fun to see the images of the book launch. Some very stylish women indeed. Yourself included.
Thank you very much. It was indeed a very cheerful and lively book launch. A feast for the eye. Any plans for this country in December?
No. Going to Australia this year. Will be there in June 🙂
Oh of course, I get that. Pity I won’t see you this winter, but nice that you will be here in summer.
Ha, Watson in the box is so funny! I love your styling of those boots, Greetje! They are amazing! Congrats to your friend on her book – so fun to see all those stylish people! You really wouldn’t see that many people so dressy here. Sigh. Have you been to the Fluevog store yet??
You don’t see that many people dressed like at the book presentation here either. They were gathered from all over the country and Belgium too.
Have I been to the Fluevog store??? No I haven’t. Lack of money and lack of time. The shop is in the heart of Amsterdam and you can only reach it by train and tram really. As it has been pouring with rain lately, this was not something I wanted to do. But I will.
Greetje
The pictures of everyone are stunning and I hope to see a lot more of those boots. The “average” style quotient of women in Amsterdam was way over 11 when I was there (my trip inspired by you!) – so elegant and eye-catching yet also perfectly practical. I saw these outfits on bicycles or walking at a brisk pace, not just stepping out of taxis like you would in other cities. I was very inspired when I came home. And of course I hope to visit again!
You visited Amsterdam? And I inspired you? Wow. When were you there?
I am surprised that you rate the styling of women in Amsterdam so highly. Most of the times they just wear jeans to my knowledge. I have to take a closer look. “Practical” is something I recognize. We are a very practical sort 😂. I promise you will see more of these boots.
Greetje
You did inspire me! I came for a week in September 2016. I found the color palettes and fabrics and SHOES very striking. I was in the heart of the city of course, but I didn’t see a lot of jeans. More like bright corduroy and dresses suited for bicycles. I visited many places you have mentioned; the Nine Streets and cafes and many museums – of course the Handbag Museum. This is a snap of Margaret Thatcher’s purse:
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/0f56de42ba0a96c9132f41a6501a8e728426152457d48db64f2b179132da07bc.jpg
I didn’t make it to Haarlem, so I really hope to go back in a couple of years!
I never realize what the influence of my little blog can be. So glad I could be your virtual guide.
A feast for the eyes today Greetje! The park or forest is absolutely breathtaking and to follow with all those super stylish women was such a treat.
I never know what readers will like or not so I am always happy when I get positive comments. Hoping that people are honest with me and not just flattering.
I love shooting in parks and woods but I think it may look irrelevant to the outfit in a blog post. Perhaps I should do it anyway since yours look so pretty?
I would if I were you. Really, every background is irrelevant for an outfit. Look at the magazine photos of clothes. They have the silliest backgrounds. And worse, they often print a photo which is so cropped you can only see a shoulder. Very artistic but I hate it. Especially when the caption says: “Shoes Jimmy Choo” for instance. What shoe? There is no shoe in the photo! (Ranting on here sorry.)
🤪
Thank you Greetje! I’m so glad you were able to join the presentation of Eye for Style and to make some pictures. Thanks again very much1
The pleasure was entirely mine as you can see from this post. It was really a joy to be there.
Ha ha! Watson is such a card!
Loved all the photos of the women at the book signing.
The outfit is very chic.
Suzanne
http://www.suzannecarillo.com
Thanks Suzanne. Watson always provides a bit of humour .
I am trying to be more elegant and wear a little bit less jeans.
Lovely post. I felt I lived an interesting event through you. like the outfit, especially the boots! The park is lovely. So European and so different from the vegetation in California.
Thank you for the compliments. Perhaps there is a reporter in me. When I was 17 I wanted to become a journalist. But I chickened out. Stupid.
Greetje
What a lovely group of stunning people all showing their individuality. Thank you for sharing this.
Regards – Jill stylishatsixty
http://Www.stylishatsixty.wordpress.com
It was a hoot to take the photos and I had a good time writing the post as well. So the pleasure is all mine.
Greetje
I love your posts. I always feel like I’ve been on a little holiday (I’m in the US and have never been to your neck of the woods). The book event photos were really fun. I felt like I was there checking out the style! Your outfit choice was a good one. Modern, interesting and flattering. As usual, you include something to make us all have a laugh. Ron’s frustration with the camera, Watson getting his head in a box. Keep it up Greetje!
Your comment tells me I am succeeding in what I aim for: entertaining you. My blog started with outfits as I have a passion for clothes. But gradually I tried to make the posts more entertaining as I love making people laugh. Of course outfits will always be the subject.
Therefore your comment has made my day. Thank you.
Greetje
I too love outfits and laughter! Keep it up!
Wow, what incredibly stylish women at Misja’s book signing! And so much color. Your snakeprint boots with that skirt is a really sharp look! Two thumbs up.
Glad you enjoyed it. I am never too sure whether people will like such reports as this book presentation. The boots were love at first sight.
Greetje