I’m in a different phase of life now that I am retired and Covid gives me little opportunities to start new adventures. It means that I tend to go for easy and comfortable outfits. I still put on dresses, skirts and high heels, but they do not take precedence anymore. Not like in my working days.
My neighbour and friend Froukje gave me the red trousers with side stripe. When she bought them (last winter? the winter before that?) I loved them on her. Which is why I tried to convince her to keep them. They are so gorgeous and suit her so well. But no, they weren’t her style. She knew they were very much my style and I got them. YAY.
The styling was easy: with sneakers and they were already in my wardrobe. The off-white jumper is a recent acquisition from Uniqlo. It only cost € 29 and is lovely quality like everything at Uniqlo.
Sustainability
Then a friend of mine said: “When it is this cheap, child labour is almost certainly involved.” Shoot! She might be right. I have always said this myself, just never associated Uniqlo with child labour. So I started a little research. On their website they look very good, very sustainable, but hey, it is their own website. Is that trustworthy? I searched on and found a site called Good on You. They rate companies on behaviour towards animals, people and the environment and rate Uniqlo “It’s a start”. Not that good, also because Uniqlo isn’t transparent about their efforts. Now I know that big companies cannot always afford to be completely transparent (the competitors may use the information) and it takes time to turn around a big company like that. So I will cut them some slack, but will also be cautious.
My friend and fellow blogger Michelle Tyler, knows a lot more about this subject and where to shop sustainable. Check out her blogpost with useful tips.
Back to the outfit
Husband Ron scouted this adorable little…house? I have no idea what it is and what it is used for, but I bet it was a little tea house on an estate in the old days.
Below: The ‘tea house’ with Loes sitting on the bench in front of it.
Below: It is a square building and here am I standing on the stairs just around the corner, adjusting my bracelet.
Loes pointed out there was a little park across the road, with a pond, trees, flowers. YAY.
Below: At the pond, fiddling again.
Below: I tried to entice the little crakes but they ignored me. Very flattering shot. Note the little black piece of fabric above the edge of my heel…
Below: These little pieces of fabric are very annoying for trousers that aren’t cropped. Here is another flattering photo of me trying to free my trousers.
Below: The hydrangeas were lovely as background even though fall set in. The gardeners were cutting off a lot of flowers which I gathered for Loes and myself.
Below: Feeling happy with my find. Alas, they only lasted a day.
Below: There were sculptures as well.
Below: And here is Loes in a charcoal polka dot jacket and blue polka dot trousers. She is looking a bit serious but that is because all her photos with a smile were blurry thanks to my camera incompetence.
Below: Shoes of Loes and close-up of the polka dots on the trousers.
Below: Close-up of the red trousers with side stripe. I have to have another look whether I should wear the trousers higher on the waist or shorten the hem.
Below: Close-up of the brooch. Half an hour before the shoot, I dropped the brooch and two pieces of glass fell out. Usually that is not a big problem. A bit of glue and Bob’s your uncle. Only now I had dented the part where the glass fitted in. Let’s say, I got the job done, but it won’t last very long. It is a vintage brooch, bought a few years ago for peanuts.
What happened in my life this week
My wonderful cobbler is not alone. His wife and son are terrific cobblers too and now the son found a girlfriend who is also a cobbler. And the latter has special skills. Remember the red patent leather peeptoe shoes in this post? I said they had big black marks on them so I was about to throw them away. Girlfriend cobbler is a genius and fixed it!! Small matter, big joy. I am grateful for these little things. Visited my friend Marianne for a chat. Always lovely to see her.
We had dinner at Georg and Marla’s. Ron had planned to cook a Surinamese dish and drove to a specialty shop in Amsterdam, only to find that the main ingredient (fish) wasn’t in the shopping bag on his return. He decided to slightly divert and use another fish.
As he was about to cook everything he saw that it was becoming a mish-mash. In a hurry he went for mussels and they were delightful. A resourceful man.
Below: Wore this jeans outfit on Monday to run a few errands. The white stripe near the left shoulder is a pearl brooch. I decided jeans, leopard and lots of pearls. Why not? I felt pretty good in it. Boots are by EIJK Amsterdam.
Now, something many of you have been asking me about and that is: “What is that thing behind you in your iPhone photos?”
The answer: it is a zinc wash basin used by an officer in the Boer War (and schlepped around by a soldier from place to place). I hang jeans on either side and removed them for this photo.
Below you can see it open and closed. When it is open, there is a mirror in it (the yellow part you see on the left, is our bedroom wallpaper). The inside was painted blue against flies.
Below: See the mirror? The officer would pour water over his head and face with a jug. The water would go down to the bottom through a pipe (see the little hole in the basin?) where it is collected in a bowl (for the soldier to throw out).
Below: This is what I store in it: beauty products. You can just about see the drawer in between the top and bottom door/flap. The content of that is even worse.
Right. Satisfied??
We had workmen in the living room, sealing a wall. For some stupid reason, the paint was coming off that wall in a particular place, right in the middle. We treated it for 25 years and nothing helped. Now it is sealed behind plastic and a new “wall” is put in front of it. It was done in a day and two days later, very early in the morning (7.30 a.m.) the plasterer finished it. Now we have to wait 14 days for the painter.
Below: I “supervised” the work dressed in this. You have seen this Max Mara sweater loads of times. It is such an easy piece.
While the plasterer was in the living room, I had cleaned the tiles in the corridor. Then walked on the still wet floor with nylon soles under the heel of my boots…OUCH !!! I slipped, fell on the floor, smashed my glass of water against the floor, the water gushing over my head and while my face hit the ground, a piece of broken glass cut me just above my left eye. Blood, glass, water… the plasterer helped me, the darling. It looked worse than it was. I cleaned it up, soaked cloth and silk blouse to get the blood out and sat down with ice on my eye. Not that it is going to help, I am going to have such a black eye for weeks. You might see photos with sunglasses or just my right side for a while. Thank goodness, I didn’t break anything and the glass didn’t hit my eye. Apparently research proves that most accidents happen in and around the house. I believe it.
Below: Left what my eye looked like the first day and right what my eye looked like the second day. Not to worry, I am in no pain and I didn’t break anything. These things happen and will pass. No biggie.
My lovely ex-colleagues invited me for two online meetings: one was to participate in a virtual pub quiz and the other one was about an award ceremony (our advertising campaign didn’t win). It was wonderful to chat and giggle with everybody again. I do miss them.
The pub quiz had a theme: Oktober fest (October festival), a German (Bavarian) celebration with lots of beer. There are particular clothes to wear and I had bought a little hunters cap in a party shop. Below: me and the hat. (No questions in the quiz had anything to do with the October festival but we will let it slide haha). One of the questions was rather ambiguous:
“Who said this?…Once you have had a big one, you never want a small one again.”
The answer was multiple choice. The names of four colleagues were given and mine was amongst them. I hadn’t said it, but 100% (a hundred percent!) of my colleagues thought it was me hahaha. I have a bad reputation.
Ron took dog Watson to the trimmer and all the excess fur was removed. He looks very slim now. He is such a good dog. The other day he fetched the paper when it arrived and brought it to Ron. We never taught him this. It was the third time he did this, making us all lovey dovey over him. Another story: Ron went to the beach with a friend and her dog Ziggy. As Ron’s friend went to the bathroom, Ziggy started to softly wine and Watson went over to him and licked his head. Isn’t that sweet?
The painter came to assess the wall and the amount of paint that is necessary and thank God the repair man came to fix the dish washer. I have been doing the dishes by hand for 10 days.
I was uninspired and just threw on the jumper I had worn earlier with jeans and sneakers. Not my finest outfit, but there was nobody to see it.
On Friday I felt a bit better and tried out a new outfit, which of course, you do not get to see yet.
Let’s hope the black eye will become normal soon (I am using special gel for this purpose) as I lined up Kitty for a photo shoot on the 11th of October.
Greetje
Hello Greetje. I look forward to your blog it makes my Sunday!
Just wondered if you had looked at a website (which I love) called Brigid Foley.
It seems (to me) very you, especially the jewellery. I have no connection with them, but when I visited my friend in Devon we went to the tiny shop. Couldn’t resist buying something. Here’s the info, just in case
Copyright © http://www.brigidfoley.co.uk, All rights reserved.
Email.
info@brigidfoley.co.uk
Tel. 01822 612048
Unfortunately we do not produce a catalogue.
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I am glad you enjoy my little blog so much. It is nice to know there are women out there who appreciate it.
And I will certainly have a look at Brigid Foley’s jewellery, however dangerous it might be haha.
Good grief woman, your eyes! I think you were very lucky the glass didn’t go into one of them..oh my what a shock it must’ve been? I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for including me in this post. As you know me well, you know I’m passionate about the environment and how much fashion plays a role in the climate crisis so the more shares the better.
Thank you my dear friend xxx
You are my sustainable example dear Michelle. So I thank you. As to my eye, yes I was very lucky. I have a guardian angle looking after me. Always have. The number of times I should have been dead are countless. In the meantime my eye is completely back to normal. Took one and a halve week. Not bad.
Ooh Greetje your poor eye. You were very lucky there. Hope it heals up quickly. Watson is rather handsome. Is he a Griffon of some sort? We’ve been toying between one of those or a Tibetan terrier – just can’t decide. Not sure whether a Griffon will need too much exercise for us.
I do enjoy reading your posts from rainy London. x
My eye is indeed healing very quickly. It is almost gone. Watson is indeed a Griffon, a Korthals Griffon to be exact. The Dutch Mr. Korthals imported French Griffons to the Netherlands and breeded with them. He is an alround hunting dog. Not that we hunt but Ron goes to class with him to track people. Watson is really good and loves it. And yes a Griffon needs a lot of exercise. About two to three hours of running every day.
The words “Tibetan terrier” make me giggle. I don’t know whether you ever read the story of Susan (Une Femme d’un certain age) and me in Paris? We were in a café and I started to talk to a lady with a cute dog, only my French is atrocious. When we came outside Susan asked me what the lady had said and I replied: “I didn’t understand… something about Tibet and a derriere”. Susan laughed so much as she explained it must have been Tibetan terrier.
THAT SOFA!!!!!!!
THE EYE…………at least its COLORFUL!!!
The sofa was my choice. I knew it was a very good Dutch brand (Gelderland) and I loved the fabric and the colour. It was our starting point when redoing the living room. The eye now matches it haha. Getting better though.
Gee, they are not very common pants for you. I like this print and I like the combination with white. An informal and comfortable look that looks really good on you. I would have used a more casual bag, or backpack, with this look.
Ah… I am still on the look-out for a few bags, so I didn’t have the right one. Either the shape was right but the colour wrong or the otherway around. A backpack is something you will never see on me. I hate them. And yes there are beautiful backpacks, like in leather but I still hate them.
You are right that these trousers aren’t my usual style but I do love them. Getting out of my box haha.
I am sorry to read of your fall but glad you were not hurt badly. You are such a good sport. Love all of the fashion photos, especially the jeans, leopard and pearls. Wow, I am impressed with Watson. He is a special one.
The jeans, leopard and pearls is a good combination, which I really like myself too. And yes, Watson is a sweetie.
Your eye looks very dramatic Greetje! I think slippery shoes are very dangerous items. I have only just avoided some nasty falls while wearing shoes with a slippery sole. Lovely to hear about Watson’s character. I am not sure how I would cope without my 2 dogs. They are a constant source of love and entertainment. Anyway, I hope your eye gets better very soon!
My eye looks very dramatic but isn’t really. It is already fading a bit. Hopefully by Sunday I can hide it with make-up as I have a blog photo shoot planned.
And I am going to the cobbler (I seem to be there so many times) and ask him to replace the soles.
Watson is so sweet, we love him a lot. Today a little less as he is very smelly. I wonder whether he has been rolling around in something nasty.
Love the red pants. They are so “you”. That is a nasty black eye. Glad nothing was seriously injured. We once stayed in a B&B in De Pijp and the floor plan of that house looks a lot like yours. We especially enjoyed the neighborhood and being able to get fresh fruits at a local grocer. I’ll be so glad when we can travel again!
Yes, the trousers are indeed very me. They are eye-catching which never bothered me haha. When something is good I don’t mind drawing attention.
De Pijp is really in the heart of Amsterdam. If our house resembles the one you stayed in, than it was very fancy. A house like ours in Amsterdam would cost double the price, if you could find it.
Next time you are over (I am optimistic) you should try the Jordaan area. That is nice too.
Great trousers!!!!! How lovely that Froukje gave them to you. I have been going through my wardrobe and getting rid of the items that just don’t suit me. Fortunately, we have a wonderful organization that supports homeless and lower-income individuals in our city center. Rather than consigning items, I can donate them here, knowing that if they can’t be immediately used, they can be sold in the organization’s thrift shop.
I just love Loes’ sneakers! Do you happen to know what brand they are?
Watson is obviously a very sweet dog. Give him an ear rub from me!
Yes, wasn’t that sweet of Froukje? I felt a bit bad accepting them as they looked so good on her. I tried to persuade her but no, they became mine.
Giving away clothes you don’t wear is so much nicer than consigning them. I feel I am so fortunate to live such a rich life, I don’t dare sell my clothes, afraid I’ll be jinxed.
I have lots of friends and friends of friends to whom I can give the clothes I don’t want anymore. It is getting harder after a few clean-outs as what is left is all so beautiful. As for the shoes, I will ask Loes and mail you her answer.
Watson just got a hug from you.
Oh my gosh, what a dramatic fall, Greetje! I’m so glad you missed cutting your eye, and “only” have a black eye to show for it! I slipped and fell in my slippers earlier this year, and luckily missed hitting my head on the granite counter edge or the hard stove edge, and just ended up with a bruise on my hip. Homes are dangerous!
Ron can cook for me anytime! L can open cans of soup. Ha!
Love your floral trousers – I would cut those pieces of fabric off on the back of the shoes if they are that annoying. Lovely pictures of that perfect little building. Good boy, Watson! That training paid off.
Have a good week, Greetje! Thank you so much for all of the comments. 🙂
You know these accidents will happen. I was lucky the glass only cut above my eye and I didn’t break anything. Due to my guardian angel (she is female). Like you I have a bruise on my hip. Big one, but nobody can see that.
I am very lucky with a cook like Ron as I hate cooking. Right up there with hand wash and washing the dishes.
I think I will follow your advice and cut of the fabric on the back of my sneakers.
Your blog posts are always very entertaining. I am reading you as a weekly magazine (only it is almost daily which I sometimes cannot keep up with).
Have a nice week too.
Dear Greetje,
I have been reading your blog since May. I have come to feel I know you since you write so much about your life. I am so sorry to hear about your accident. I hope your eye will be “right as rain” very soon!
I love your photos of the places you and your friends visit as well as your fashion photos. You and I are the same vintage – born in 1954. I must confess I am a little jealous of all the gorgeous locales near you. I am afraid greater Cincinnati where I live just can’t compare to the beautiful old world architecture in the Netherlands.
I hope you will be blogging for many years to come.
Well Kathy, this is nice to hear. Thank you very much. I am planning to continue blogging as it is my hobby. I finally found one. Might have to create more combinations with things I already have as the retirement income, although good enough, is less than I used to earn. No biggie. It is time I started to combine all the items I have. Much more sustainable as well.
The Netherlands has indeed a lot of old world architecture and is small, so everything is near and lots of things are within half an hour reach (I am exaggerating haha). But if you ever come over to Europe, you shouldn’t miss Italy or Paris either, to name a few.
So sorry about your fall. Lucky, though. I stitched a few in my life in ER because of falls in or around the house!! me, included. Running after the mailman not a good idea. My flip flop got caught in a stepping stone and I broke my foot across. in a cast to the knee for 8-10 weeks in the middle of the summer. had to use a knitting needle to scratch!!
Love your red, flowery pants. perhaps you should consider wearing them with slip-on sneakers to prevent getting caught. Interesting about Uniqlo here. it opened with a Big Bang in a large building and it closed soon after!! I was not too impressed with them. Their products looked good, but were thin, not of good quality, though inexpensive.
Watson is a keeper!! I have Benny, (like in Benny and the Jets) a miniature, (10 lb.) apricot colored poodle that I adopted about 10 yrs ago. He was found on the streets of Santa Monica and owners could not take him back (illness, death??). We adopted him right away while visiting friends there. The best gift in my life. We discovered he understood French as well. A bilingual smart dog. He is now 15 yrs old and showing the strain of advanced age. Sleeps more, has arthritis, etc.. we love him to death and try our best to keep him going. In exchange, we get lots of kisses.!! And yes, when a big dog appears, he still remembers to bark at it!!! But his tail is rotating.
speedy recovery!
Flip flops are deadly shoe wear. You paid heavily for that: a broken foot.
I have white slip-on sneakers but they are heavily adorned with a white leather ruffle. And I don’t want to buy more white sneakers. I see what I can do about the black bit.
I found that Uniqlo stuff, though not trendy, is really good quality and holds very well in the wash. Strange that they started and closed so soon.
You are a life saver for Benny. Funny he is bilingual. Do you speak French too?
The black eye is already fading a bit.
Dag Greetje
T’was een bewogen week zei mijn schoonvader altijd, als er veel gebeurd was.
Maar je maakt er altijd wat van.
Sterkte met je oog!
Ach ja, gelukkig is er niks ernstigs gebeurd. Het begint zelfs al weg te trekken. Hopelijk kan ik het a.s. zondag helemaal verbergen (fotoshoot voor de blog).
Really love those pants! I’d take up the hem maybe an inch or so?
So nice to hear that Watson is such a good doggo and seems to have a kind nature.
Isn’t it nice to get those nagging projects done around the house? We’ve been doing the same over the last few months.
Yes, I will. I have three pairs at the moment to hem to the right length. Well, quite contrary to LA, it is raining here, all day. So I will have plenty of time to do that. Although, how do I always seem to find something else to occupy myself with haha?
I absolutely love Froukje’s red trousers on you, and the little tea house (I’m practically sure it is one) is a delightful backdrop. I am head over heels with that zinc wash basin. That is so my cup of tea. As is the brooch! I’ve damaged vintage brooches on more than one occasion, which is always a sad thing to happen. But ouch, your poor face! I do hope your eye gets better soon. xxx
When we saw the wash basin on the big brocante fair, we were totally in love as well. We were very into brocante at that time (1995). And I also always bought vintage brooches if we were at a vintage fair. Now I only concentrate on big ones like this blue one. They are marvellous on a solid coloured coat.
My black eye is fading quite rapidly I think. Hope I will be able to completely hide it next Sunday (photo shoot appointment).
Hello you
I trust it was just water in that glass? 😱😉 Glad you’re okay though; you were lucky!
Love that Max Mara sweater. It always looks good.
You take care now…
Wonderful post as always. Love the doggie stories. Yikes about the accident, you were lucky. My granddaughter an EU citizen is considering the University at Leiden. I have always loved your photos and now I will have to visit. You live in a beautiful peaceful place. It is a good life.
The University of Leiden has a good reputation. And if she is going to study there, yes you will have to come over. That is, when it is allowed and safe again.
Our country is very small and there are a lot of people living here. So the houses aren’t very big (unless you are really rich) but everything is within a short distance. We consider a destination to which you have to drive an hour and a half a long way away. Most things can be done by bike, by foot or by bus/train. And we are a socialist country which means there are a lot of things done by the government and we all pay a lot of taxes for it. But our health system is for everyone and very affordable, to name one big benefit.
Hahaha… yes, it was just water in the glass. Trust me, slippery heels and a slippery floor are more than enough to make you fall. My eye is getting better already although it will take some time before I don’t look like Fester from the Addams Family.