There is a story to tell about these French Kande necklaces and it’s a long one, so get a cup of coffee or tea and make yourself comfortable.
It all began with my bloggy friend Susan of Une femme d’un certain âge. She loves the jewellery French Kande make and they have a studio not too far from where she lives. Susan bought quite a few things from them online and showed them on her blog and every time I thought “Oooohhh NICE…!”.
I looked at French Kande’s site and decided they weren’t cheap (which I could overlook, heh heh). However, it was too difficult to choose a necklace online; I want to try it on and see how it looks on me. It ships from the USA, which means fierce shipping costs and a custom fee to pay. Suppose I wouldn’t like what I had picked and had to send it back… no, I was not going to do that.
When I saw Susan in Paris in 2017, she wore her necklaces and I was drooling all over her (not nice for her, as you can imagine haha). Back in autumn 2019, we agreed to meet again in Paris for April 2020. Shortly after this decision I got a Whatsapp message from Susan: “There is a sample sale at the French Kande studio. Would I be interested in a necklace if she sent me photos?” Of course I was interested. We had a great time on Whatsapp, sending photos and messages: “Yes, I like that green one in the right corner of this overview photo”. “No, no, the one next to it.” “Right, that one; could you try it on for me and send me a photo how it looks on you?” “Oh that is perfect, but it could do with a second necklace, don’t you think? You always layer them as well” etc etc. Susan was very sweet and we agreed on two necklaces. She paid for them, I sent her the money and in April she would bring them in her suitcase to Paris. She even bought me a bracelet as a present to go with the necklaces. Isn’t that kind?
Below: The French Kande necklaces plus bracelet.
Well… Paris never happened of course. Instead, somewhere around the 20th of March, Susan sent me the necklaces by track and trace mail. Because, who knows when we will meet again.
And the waiting began…
I knew it could take 10 days, so I wasn’t too worried for the first 14 days. To cut this long story a little shorter: they arrived on the 9th of June. Poor Susan had made long telephone inquiries as where this jewellery had disappeared to. Two and a half months I waited for them, but the sweeter it is now they have finally arrived. I love them.
Ron took the photos in Haarlem, near the Frans Hals Museum.
Below: In the street of the museum you’ll find these lovely houses and trees. They were built as part of a hospital area, purely for investment. Old people who had been able to save some money could buy themselves a place in one of these houses and be assured of a roof over their head and being taken care of for the rest of their life. The hospital moved outside the city and only the fronts of these house remained, still forming a pretty picture.
Below: Ron had me smell the hydrangea…. no scent at all.
Below: Me and the hydrangea…
Below: It is such a pretty place.
Across the (very small) street is the Frans Hals Museum. The building of the museum consists of similar houses like the above ones. They were once used as a home for old men. They shared dormitories and had no kitchen as men weren’t expected to be able to cook. Very different from the almshouses for women I have told you about in previous posts. Later it became an orphanage and now it is a museum.
Below: First photo shows the left side of the building, then the beautiful old entrance and the third photo is the right side.
Below: One last picture to tell you a few outfit details. The belt is old and has a dark golden buckle, perfectly matching the necklaces. I added some gold with the mini bag. The white slingbacks are braided leather and pretty darned comfortable. This heel height is a flat shoe to me. I bought them a size bigger because my feet always swell up in summer. The white trousers you have seen with the silver and blue blouse and the green jumper you saw with the pink trousers.
Below: Close-up of the white braided shoes.
Below: After the photo shoot, Ron got his ‘reward’: a cappuccino on a terrace. The restaurant we chose had signs clued to the table with a QR code. With your smartphone you could scan it, order what you want and pay. I do like these technical solutions. Very practical for Covid but also very handy for the entrepreneur as it requires less staff. Ron took photos from the terrace, among which this mother with her child in the child basket attached to the bike. That’s how Dutch mothers get about.
What happened in my life this week
Saturday. As it was still hot, I wore the breeziest shirt I could find with summer trousers and sandals. As the sandals are new, you will see them in a future blog post. 
My mother hadn’t seen many people all week so I paid her another visit. Luckily we gave her a portable air conditioning a couple of years ago for such hot days. (Ron’s idea.) Her house gets very hot.
Fun in the evening as our friends and neighbours invited us for dinner. Lovely evening with great food and a cake for dessert. I got a bit of a fright as my mum had texted me at 5 p.m. she ran a fever and was trying to get a ride to the hospital. I only discovered the message at 7 p.m. and phoned home. She had just arrived back and had medicines. Nothing major like Covid. Phew.
Sunday was the day of my visit to the hairdresser; always nice. You won’t see an outfit photo of this day as I wore a new combination. I have a lot of combinations in store for you. Not shockingly new as in newly bought but new as in combined with each other. Nothing extra special to tell about that day, apart from the fact I had hair extensions put in. More about that next week. I still have to get used to them. My worry is that you can spot the extensions. If so, I will have them removed.
Some light entertainment
A friend of mine sent me a link revealing the name and story of an Amsterdam street artist I admire. The man was inspired by Banksy and creates little funny pieces of art in the city. Depending whether somebody removes them or not, they live a short or long life. Here is an example. He put water taps on these little steel stairs into the water to get into a boat.
Monday. A trip to the garage to have my car checked for the annually required general car inspection. That turned out to be a bit more than the € 25 for the check-up as something was broken. These things happen. My outfit for that day (original at the end of this post with different pink shoes):
In the afternoon I scheduled an eyebrow appointment to apply permanent make-up. As I have very blonde eyebrows I colour them with eyebrow powder. Nothing special but if I must put sun protection on my face a couple of times a day, powder is very unhandy. The treatment wasn’t too bad and I look rather silly now. This will settle down over the coming weeks and in six weeks’ time there will be a little follow-up. Below two photos which look like a horror show:
Tuesday. Made an appointment with the notary for an update of our will. We want one for when we die and one for when one of us (or both) end up mentally incapacitated. Few people know this but suppose one of us gets into a coma or becomes demented, the partner cannot just spend money, not even from a joint account. You must have a court order for any amount over € 250, which is ridiculous. We are taking measures to prevent such an unpleasant situation. Lots of things to talk through with one another of course. We already have deposited euthanasia declarations as well. Better to be safe than sorry.
In the afternoon I got my second earlobe piercing check-up. Everything is fine and it will take another 3 to 4 weeks before I can put my own earrings in. I would have liked to know in advance that it would take 3/4 of a year from having the earlobes repaired to new holes pierced and healed. I thought it was a process of three months. Had I known I would still have gone ahead with it but I would have been more patient. Managing expectations this is called. Wore this, which is a combination of my flared jeans, the above jumper and necklaces and the white ankle boots. Comfortable but too hot as the day progressed. Changed clothes four times that day…. Pffff.
Wednesday. Lunch with Loes. I missed our chats and lunches and so did she. Why not arrange a lunch without taking photos? But we did talk about how we could resume our photo sessions. We might have a solution. My outfit was again a new combination to be shown at a later date, but here is Loes:
Mum was still not feeling very well. Had some telephone calls with my mother’s GP and with her help. She seems OK but we will keep monitoring mum.
Anja came round in the afternoon and she is the ideal playmate for Watson. I have to show you these two photos of her and a wildly enthusiastic Watson. His head is to the back as he is trying to lick her face.
Thursday. My new eyebrows were not allowed to get wet and those extensions were so new to me, that I booked an appointment with the hairdresser for wash and blow-dry. That was wise. The girl who helped me, explained how I could best blow dry my hair myself. Money well spent.
Met a woman I knew at the salon and we had a coffee and a chat across the road.
Below: Wore this (link to original post with this green and yellow blouse). The shoes are my silver summer slingbacks.
Changed the shoes for sneakers in the afternoon as I visited my friend Marianne and took her to the doctor (nothing serious). As we were out and about anyway, Marianne and I went to a nearby restaurant. We had every intention of sitting on the terrace but the wind was too fierce and cold. Inside it was much better and there weren’t many people.
Below: Marianne, looking glamourous as always.
Ron didn’t feel like cooking Thursday evening and wanted to go to our favourite steak restaurant. Alas, no chance as it was fully booked, including the huge terrace. We found a fish restaurant though and the food was very good.
Friday. Not much to tell about this day. Exercises in the morning, Anja came over for a coffee, I did some work in the garden, sewed a sequinned jumper, read a bit and worked on my blog. Life of a pensionada. Wore a new outfit combination so no photo. I am getting rather good at creating new combinations. (Finally !)
Mum was worrisome as she still felt really bad. Fortunately she got hold of the doctor late Friday afternoon (which, to me, is a miracle). The doctor even visited her (another miracle) and diagnosed. Some new medicines and nothing to worry about.
Greetje
Lovely new necklaces, they look fab on these green blouse background, such a nice ensemble!. Glad you could get them, with your bloggy friend’s assistance (sorry that you had to wait for such a long time!, covid times!). Your white braided shoes are really beautiful (and look really comfy!).
Love how fab you look in your jeans, both flared and fitted suit you nicely!.
Glad that your Mum is feeling better, sending her hugs!
besos
Thanks very much. I went by your blog and you appear to be a very happy and creative person. No dowdiness anywhere. We both like colour and necklaces a lot, right? I just cannot find your first name. I thought it is Alma. Am I right? And are you British but living in Spain?
Totally agree that we both like colour and necklaces. Great Minds!.
Thanks for your visit!.
My name is Mónica and I’m Spanish, but I take as a compliment that you mistook me for British as this means that my english is improving! ;DD
Besos
Indeed, your English is very good. I will remember your name Mónica. No idea why I came up with Alma.
The necklaces are lovely, definitely worth the wait! It is taking a long time for mail to travel within Canada and to the United States these days too.
Your legs look a mile long in those flared jeans! I purchased a pair of lightweight denim wide leg pants recently but it’s been too hot here to wear them. Some day I’ll post a photo 😉 By the way, I finally put up a new post on my blog, after almost 5 months!
I am so pleased with the necklaces and wear them a lot. I will definitely go over to your blog to read the new post. Thanks for the tip.
I have looked at the French Kande site many times. So many pretty pieces! You are looking great, as usual. I like all of the style photos and the photos of your friends. Watson photos are always appreciated.
How is the Covid situation in The Netherlands?
I am very pleased you like the content of my blog post. It is such a nice hobby, creating posts, but it is equally nice hearing it is appreciated.
Covid in the Netherlands is still on, but there aren’t many new cases. Nevertheless, there ARE new cases. Half the country thinks we should be careful and keep our social distance (as required by the government) and the other half doesn’t care and acts as if nothing ever happened. In Portugal and Spain there are new areas where they are (nearly) in lock-down again, so no, it definitely isn’t under control.
Here in the Netherlands we can go to restaurants; they have to take care that everyone is seated 1.5 meters apart, but when they serve you, they virtually hang over you… sigh. Hairdressers and fitness centres are open, all with the distance restrictions. Public transport requires everybody to wear a mask.
We will see.
WoW! Just been on the French Kande website! Wish you hadn’t , seriously addictive, pearls are my ‘thing’ and they are stunning!
Love the white shoes, sheer blouse and of course outfit with the necklace. Gorgeous! Hope your mum is progressing okx
Hi Linda, yes, that is what social media does for you…. it sends you down the path of buying. I was glad that Susan helped me find a couple of necklaces, because they have so many nice ones, it is hard to choose. Isn’t it nice she bought me the matching bracelet? I am a sucker for matching things.
At the moment I am rethinking posting my outfits of every day as I find it limits me wearing things. Everything that is new ought to be worn, but I hesitate because then I cannot share a picture. I am nuts.
Mum is progressing, thank you. Not there yet, but I hope she will soon.
Such a nice post as always – loving those white shoes!!
Have a fabulous week ahead.
xx Yvonne
http://www.funkyforty.com
New viewer and have to completely agree with your comments re the post but even more so about those amazing shoes!
Welcome Shona and I hope you will come back. I publish one post per week, on a Sunday.
Thanks Yvonne. The white shoes are also comfortable. A very nice feature.
A wonderful post today with so many pretty pictures and cute outfits. Those new pink shoes are really nice on you. They will make lots of cute outfits. I’m eager to hear more about your hair extensions. I’ve always thought of them as a way of lengthening one’s hair, but I’m guessing you’re using them to add volume. Clever!
I hope your mom is continuing to improve. I know from experience how stressful that can be. I hope it doesn’t sound crude to say that I’m relieved to not have to worry about my own mother and Covid as she passed last year after a long decline. It is such a feeling of helplessness when an aging parent gets sick.
Thank you again for a bright, sunny Sunday post!
Thank you for the compliments. I agree, the pink shoes will prove to be very versatile. My hair extensions… oh you will hear about them. I always thought that adding volume wasn’t how I could use them, but the hairdresser (and a reader of my blog) said I could, so I tried. I am not sure yet….
I can understand what you say about your mum. Fortunately my mum is still in reasonably good health and I expect she is suffering from a mild problem. Time will tell. And you are very welcome to my Sunday posts.
Hi Greetje – I’m a long-time fan of your blog. It always makes my Sunday to read about you, your friends and family, and your outfits. I have to say you really made my day today. On Saturday night, my husband of 45 years woke me at 2:00 AM and said we had to go to the emergency room. We thought he had covid, but it turns out it’s an old heart problem flaring up. He’s still there, but we’re hoping he’ll come home tomorrow. Of course, I’m feeling scared and awful. Reading your blog today made me feel better, like parts of life are normal. Thank you for your warmth, good humor, and lovely clothes! You make a real difference in our lives by sharing yours with us.
All my best,
Anne
Oh Anne, you brought tears to my eyes, you really did. It is unbelievable that a silly little blog like mine, can mean so much to people in difficult times. It makes me feel very humble. And only because I love adorning myself so much. That is at the roots of my blog. Because I am an extrovert (big one) I talk about everything to everyone.
I so hope that your husband will be all right and home tomorrow. Thank you for your lovely comment.
So, Covid must be contained where you are—I don’t see a mask anywhere in the photos, or are you hiding them? We are always wearing them over here in the U.S. well, at least a lot of people are.
we do not go out to eat at all, just too scary now.
Covid isn’t gone, far from it and we still have to be very careful. Half the nation agrees with that and keeps the social distance, the other half says it is humbug and ignores it. We are only obliged to use a mask in public transport and in situations where you cannot keep the distance, like in a car. For the rest, just keep the distance. Time will tell whether we are safe enough, but new outbursts are predicted by the government.
I’m glad your Mum is okay, Greetje. Awesome outfits – I really love those soft pink flats, and also your long boot-cut jeans (your legs, woman! they go on forever!). Lovely necklaces, and so glad they made it to you – what took so long!?
Watson has certainly found a friend in Anja! Love Marianne’s wonderful leopard dress!
That street art is so fun – I wish someone did stuff like that around here.
I think the necklaces took so long, because some manager decided to ship them by boat instead of by plane when the lock-down began. I know that has happened to parcels from the Netherlands as well.
Yes, Watson is going to miss Anja. He always wants to lick her, yuck. Marianne always looks good, she is a natural stylist.
I too love French Kande. I have several pieces that I always get positive comment about when I wear them.They are expensive but well made with excellent materials. They are unique. It is hard to buy off their website, as they say the items are not returnable and at that price it is daunting. Kande and her daughter, Taylor are charming people. They do a utube chat , perhaps fun to view.
Please give us an update on your brow adventure. I really enjoy your blog, love pics of friendS and the scenery, and you of course!
Strange, I never knew the French Kande items weren’t returnable. In the Netherlands that is forbidden. By law anybody who sells through the internet, has to accept returns within 14 days. I thought this right was worldwide. But, as you say, it is hard to choose from a picture online, so I never investigated that. I agree that their jewellery is ever so nice, so I am glad I finally have a set.
Updates on my brow advertenture will of course be on the blog. They are now ‘flaking’, yuck. And I am not allowed to touch them with my hands. For me that is virtually impossible. I have to sit on my hands.
I am glad you are enjoying my blog. Such comments always make my day.
I’m so glad the necklaces FINALLY made it to you and hope they were worth the wait. You wear them splendidly!
Oh they were worth waiting for. I love them, wore them three times last week. I feel sorry for you, phoning the track and trace guys all the time. It was lovely of you that you made this happen.
I love the blue blouse you wore on Saturday it is cool, elegant and stylish. The green and white combination with the long awaited necklaces is also very attractive. Do hope your mum is feeling better. I do do look forward to Sunday’s and your post.
That blue (and white and yellow) blouse is one of those items I will hang on to for ever. Every season I have a couple of items like that, which makes my wardrobe very crowded. Because, why get rid of something that is so good? The green and white combination is one of those outfits as well I think. Mum is feeling a bit better, but we are not there yet.
I am very pleased that you look forward to my blog posts. Really makes me happy.