Spring is marvellous in the Netherlands with lots of sunshine. Small let-down is the wind: from January on there is a mean cold wind blowing, making beautiful sunny days seem cold. Nevertheless, I am counting my blessings. Retired, sunshine, garden and the arrival of these bright pink trousers with a green jumper (sweater). Oh how I love these vivid colours. The green belt and shoes were already in my wardrobe from last year. Both trousers and jumper are Essentiel Antwerp and so is the green transparent bag (last years).
Kitty was my photographer again as she has her own camera. I cannot go out with Loes anymore as I am the one setting the camera and she the one who takes the photos. That means not enough distance between us and both touching the same instrument all the time. A shame as I miss our outings. I love Kitty and Loes both.
We decided to go to a part in the middle of town where new houses had been built. I remember there was a fantastic plan to build houses in the style of the old ones but city council voted against it for financial reasons. Such a shame.
Below: I will admit that these new ones aren’t too bad. It is all the green that makes the street so friendly.
Below: Across the street is a big old building fenced with a high brick wall (I love a garden with high brick walls around it). I was wearing last year’s Essentiel jacket with the sequinned sleeves (seen before in this London post). It looks a lot better open than closed. The colour pink of the trousers played havoc with the photos. It came out all sort of shades. The one below is too harsh.
Below: Text at the back of the jacket.
Below: Again the pink is overexposed as it was sooo sunny. But look at the sparkle from the sequins. That is stuff that makes photographers very happy.
Below: These are all the right colours.
Below: We cycled to our coffee-to-go place and stopped in this street with a lovely old building. For the people who prefer that to new buildings.
Below: These trousers look good from the side and the rear as well. (Which is why I have them in pink and white as this is rare.)
Below: Close-up bag (Essentiel) and shoes (Marks & Spencer).
Below: Detail pink cat brooch which is a present from my friend Anja (Curly Traveller). I have worn it once on my leg while wearing a long pink tunic on black skinnies (cannot find the post anymore) and I really liked it on my black vest. You should click on that link. I love that vest but I gave it away when I gained weight (sob). It would fit me now. The shoes I am wearing in this 2013 post I still have. Should I get rid of them (the black and the yellow)?
Below: Kitty’s “reward”: coffee in the sunshine. You can see my reflection in the window, squatted on high heels.
Below: I wore this outfit two weeks before as I brought fresh fish to our friends Georg and Marla. Georg is a very creative person and always makes the best videos of every half year of their lives. He caught me on camera, so I will be in his “Corona period” video haha. This is a photo he also took (I was twirling). Wore the trousers with a white blouse and a colourful necklace.
What happened in my life this week
It was rather a busy week. Well, a busy week in a retired person’s life haha.
Saturday. Honestly, apart from laundry, I cannot remember what I did all day. I have to write down what I am doing. One day looks so much like the next day. Anyway, I was wearing this. Link to original post.
Sunday: This day I remember. Ron and I went to the beach to walk the dog. As we walked back I said to him: “If I were the entrepreneur of this restaurant here on the beach, I would have a stand with coffee-to-go”. Sure enough, when we passed, they had a stand for the first time and we were the first customers. We were naughty and had an apple pie with the coffee.
Later that day I started to clear out my shoe cupboards. Oh my! It took me ages and I didn’t finish it either. Cleared out some drawers and was very pleased with myself. I wore this outfit for only a couple of hours that day. It wasn’t the best outfit for clearing out cupboards or walking the dog. Link to original post with different pumps.
Monday. This day was the 4th of May and we commemorate all the people who have died for our freedom during the second world war. Normally the Dam square in Amsterdam where the commemoration monument is, is packed with people. Now only the king, queen, prime minister and the mayor were there to present a wreath. Although a few others (representatives) were presenting wreaths as well.
Did the rest of the shoes. Quite a few pairs had to go. Of course I was dressed in old rags, going up and down the ladder to reach the top shelfs. After I cleaned myself up I wore the same jumper (sweater) as the day before but with jeans, flat shoes, silver belt and the red tassel necklace Susanne Carillo made for me. The shoes are soooo soft (see better photos of them in this post).
Tuesday. Did some styling, tried out outfits with new stuff that I bought two months ago. Lots of failures and a few good ones. Unfortunately the best ones are usually with jeans and I want to move away from jeans. My purchase policy needs reviewing.
The 5th of May is a day of joy as we celebrate being freed from the Germans after the second world war. This year it was 75 years ago and it was going to be celebrated big. NOT of course. Ron took this photo for you of a mill with festive flags.
It is also a sad day for me personally as it is my late friend Pat’s birthday. I still miss her so much. I sent a message to her daughter and she kindly replied with some pictures. This one I hadn’t seen before. Gosh we were young.
Wednesday. Jilske and I met at Marianne’s garden, with the appropriate distance. Jilske bought me a pair of white boots which she had with her (so kind of her) and I had some shoes from my shoe cupboard which she liked and fitted. I only have another photo of Marianne as Jilske was sunbathing and not dressed to be photographed. We had a lovely couple of hours. A lesser point is the fact we won’t be going on holiday to Spain at the beginning of June with the girls. Unless a Corona miracle happens. That is the second year in a row we must cancel our Spain holiday. Bummer.
Thursday. We started with our usual “escape” to Ron’s allotment garden where Ron treated me on cake and coffee. At 11 o’clock we went on our way for a photo shoot. Dear Ron stepped in again as Kitty wasn’t available. Nice photos which you will see in the coming weeks. Rest of the day filled with blogging, Facetiming with friends and sunbathing. Such a difficult life haha.
Friday. As I cycled, I passed this lovely bridge over a small canal. It screams spring to me.
Sent my mother flowers for mother’s day, like I do every year. Added sending her a card as well. And.. oh so lovely…. I met Sabine and Anke, my Shopping Saturday girls, for coffee-to-go and chats, of course keeping our distance and not touching anything. We were very careful. But what a joy to see each other again. The girls had new dresses on and I was in trousers again. Anyway, I will use the photos for a blog post as next week the weather is going to be dreadfully cold so no photo shoots/no photos. The rest of the day I spent sunbathing and blogging.
That’s it for this week again.
Greetje
woww, such a fabulous outfit, I love the joyful color combo, the brilliant accessorizing and so beautiful photos. Totally gorgeous!.
Love how fab you look in your pink trousers! and green bag and shoes, delightfully matchy!. And the jacket is such a stunning piece!, sequins!!
Glad that you’re keeping yourself and others safe and still enjoying some social life (and coffee!). Lovely photos!
besos
I think this outfit goes straight into my top 3. So I have been told by a friend and this is supported by the reactions on Instagram and on my blog. It is the brand that did most of the work, I just brought their pieces (and a few of mine) together. Love this Belgian brand.
Meeting friends in their garden (at a distance) or outside (at a distance) is so nice. They are the little social things that keep me going. But I have to say, I am doing fine.
Such a nice post. Looks like you had a very nice week indeed. You’re inspiring me to get into my own wardrobe… I just never find the time…
xoxo Yvonne
Well dear, these confinement days are the perfect days to shop your own wardrobe. But I will be the first to admit that it isn’t my hobby either haha.
I’ve been sooooo inspired by this pink and green combination Greetje! I would never have married these two colours together and yet they positively sing! You look amazing in these trousers although your figure always looks great in any trouser shape. The handbag is adorable too my dear. Blooming fabulous styling as ever. Well done x
That is very kind of you to say to Anna, but really my figure doesn’t look great in any trouser shape. You might have missed it, but I tried on a pair of jeans of my favoured shop in Haarlem (called kpa.) and they looked horrible on me. I just know what to put on and what not. Like you do too. The combination is pure luck. I was trying on different things and these two happened to be in one session. And I thought: “Hey that is nice”. Shoes, bag and belt were no- brainers. I know what I have in my wardrobe (a lot). First I thought it was rather matchy/matchy but then I really liked it. The colours are loud enough. No need to make more noise.
oh LOVE the pink pants and green shoes! the proportions are perfect!
xo eva
Oh thanks Eva. Proportions is always the hardest trick for me, so I am really pleased you said this. I think this outfit shoots straight into the top 3 (as a friend said haha).
The colours in the first outfit are wonderful, and so flattering on you! I love those particular shades of green and pink. I agree with Lauren in that you wear colour-blocking very well. It sounds like you are doing well and still seeing your friends despite having to social distance. It definitely looks like retirement agrees with you, even if, for now, it’s not the retirement you envisioned.
I often say it: any colour will do me fine, as long as it is really bright. And the retirement is certainly agreeing with me, although I never expected it to. Of course it is only a month yet, so I might be bored out of my brains in another 3 months but we will cross that bridge when we come to it. So far, and especially in these circumstances, I am doing very well.
I’m totally in love with your green and pink outfit. It’s one of my favourite combinations. Your pink cat brooch also greatly appeals to me! Your late friend’s birthday must have been really poignant. And we too had to cancel this year’s holiday in June. I try not to dwell on it too much, as it would make me too sad. xxx
I don’t dwell on the vacation in June. I can still see the girls here in the Netherlands, although with Corona that is not going to happen for a while. And a tan I already have from laying in the garden so many afternoons in spring. Gorgeous weather. I am not surprised you like this outfit, being a colour lover yourself.
Oh wow, Greetje! I love this combination, from the purse to the pin – wonderful colours! Too bad about the Mugler top – I have some regrets on the things I got rid of too (sigh) but you can’t dwell on them. (I would toss the yellow and black shoes – I think you have better ones, including the other yellow ones in this post, and that slingback/peeptoe looks a little dated to me).
I love seeing all your pictures – that new build with the open balconies is so cool. Happy VE Day! We saw a lot of pictures here and there were celebrations here too.
Thank you. I knew you would like this outfit. I think you are right about the yellow and black shoes in the old post. The yellow ones in this post are last years. I have to have slingbacks in summer as my feet get really sensitive when they are warm and in shoes with no tights. Lots of blisters as well. But I will be on the look-out for some cute new pumps. Preferably of very soft leather (that is going to cost me).
That pink and green combo is so fun and so You! The cat pin is the perfect accessory, too. And the jacket with the sequined sleeves…it all just works together so well! I’m giving you a standing ovation!
I think I have a hit outfit on my hands here. You are right, it is so me. Loud and conspicuous haha. Thank you for the standing ovation.
This outfit is SO YOU. The colours, the style, the elegant matching. I love it! I want the whole thing, in fact, so just pack it up and send it over, thanks. 😀
I’m glad you are enjoying the beauty of spring, despite the plans being cancelled for holiday. The canal photo is beautiful. Enjoy your warm days of retirement fun, my lady! xx
Fortunately I don’t have to be separated from this bold outfit as you can still order the trousers from Essentiel online. They are still available. The top is sold out, but perhaps it will come again and they do have a top in another shape but the same colour. Just saying haha.
This week it is slightly colder so perhaps I will get some more clearing out and cleaning done.
What an absolutely stunning outfit! I would never have thought of combining pink and green. You always give me new ideas on combining colors.
The funny thing is that nature gives us the ideas. I have always loved a flower arrangement of soft pink with green. Now pastels don’t suit me at all and these are bright colours.
I chose the trousers and jumper (and more..) as separate pieces. When I was trying everything on for fit, I got the idea of this combination by accident.
I have not been doing much email these last several weeks, so this is the first time I read that you retired. Brava! It is such a wonderful time of life, with a chance to assess our values and interests and fill the time with fulfilling activities. For me, that’s French and Italian classes and conversations, improv theater, exercise and connections with friends. And now, zooming means I can do all of that with people around the world. It’s wonderful!! You look fantastic in these strong spring colors, and I love the way you put it together with the matching accessories. It may be the current style to mix in different colors, but I love the harmony and the vibrancy of your outfit. I also love the red, black and white ensemble on you. You can really carry off these striking pieces. I fear that it would be overwhelming for me, but I wear toned down outfits a bit like that. You are an inspiration. I love the photo of the canal; it transports me. Hugs to you.
Hi Sheila-Merle, I still have to find out what I want from retirement life. Corona got in the way of that. But two things are on my list anyway: photography lessons and following all the Apple iPhone classes there are.
Learning Italian would be on that list as well, but I hesitate because of all the hard work it will take. And it is going to take a hell of long time before I can speak it and there is absolutely no need for it. I just like the sound of the language.
As for the outfit, I usually throw in a third colour to make an outfit look more interesting. But with these bold colours I think the matchy/matchy approach works very well.
I am 5ft74 and of normal weight with an inverted triangle shape. Pretty ideal for striking pieces. Plus I am an extreme extrovert haha.
All great photos- you look great in large blocks of high impact color- loved the pink and green this week, and maybe that’s why last weeks green and pink top looked a little off to me- the pattern needed to be more high impact/larger scale maybe? You pull off high drama looks so well, very nicely done on those outfits. And those pants with the stripe down the side- to die for.
Yes, bright colours and colour blocking works really well with me. I think you might be very right with your assesment of last week’s outfit.
The pants with the stripe down the side was a find by my husband. He actually bought them for me too.