Kitty had asked Karlijn, the owner of kpa.haarlem, one of my favourite stores, whether it would be all right if we had a photo shoot in her store if it was a cold day. She agreed and of course I chose to feature the multi-coloured knitted cardigan I had bought there a month ago. It would not have been nice to feature clothes that were from another store, right?
Karlijn opened an hour earlier that Sunday so we could have the shop to ourselves. And… being indoors with mirrors is heaven for my hair-do.
You are about to see a lot of photos as Kitty didn’t only take photos of my cardigan but also of a few things I tried on. (That shop is to me like a candy store is to a kid.) So without further ado…
Below: The shop from the inside. kpa.haarlem is very accessible and Karlijn is an excellent stylist.
Below: It took me a while before I had the right combination with this cardigan. It is big and bulky and it was rather wide at the neck. The latter I solved by inserting a draw string through the blue part of the neck. The bulkiness was solved by wearing bulky (golden) boots (best buy ever). A column of blue in between and I was satisfied.
Below: Close-up of the earrings by AdorbyAyesha.
Below: In the post where I showed the short blue coat (also from kpa.haarlem) I wore this Dries van Noten bag as well. It received a few comments from friends who thought it was a bit too formal for such a casual outfit. This cardigan is even more casual, so I doubt whether they will approve of the bag with it. I like it though.
Below: I do have another, more casual blue bag with me, as you can see. But I still prefer the Dries van Noten one.
Below: Kitty having a cup of coffee. We all kept our distance. Karlijn and Kitty wore masks but for me that was a waste of time as I had to be photographed.
Below: I started to browse. Bright purple always attracts me, but I realized I have one in my wardrobe.
Below: How about this lovely corn coloured jumper? No, for me that is the wrong shade of yellow, but I am sure it will make somebody happy.
Below: What a great maxi dress. It felt as if I wasn’t wearing anything. The big plus of a maxi dress is that you can wear low heeled shoes or boots with it and still look good. Karlijn handed me these tan booties with a matching bag. I left everything behind in the shop, but I am still tempted.
Below: With a red bag and black boots.
Below: Then I found a shirt and skirt with little polka dots. I tried it on but left it in the shop. When Ron saw the photos on Wednesday, he was over the moon and bought the set for me. He is the sweetest. He spoils me rotten. You will see the photos in a proper blog post. The ones Kitty took in the shop will stay on my computer.
Below: Kitty tried on this coat but to her disappointment it was a size too small.
Below: No harm done, she found this fabulous coat instead and bought it. It was a good day for the three of us.
Although the shop is closed now due to lock-down, Karlijn still sells through Instagram and her website: www.kpa-haarlem.nl which she updates every day with new photos of items.
What happened in my life this week
I visited mum again and took her grocery shopping. It is difficult enough for everyone, but for elderly single people who cannot move about that much and cannot go for a walk, it is extra difficult. So I try and visit more often.
Below: Mum looking cheerful as ever. I thought she had a new jumper but no, it was years old. She got the hang of the e-reader. Even solved the landscape upside down problem. She figured out exactly how she had to move the screen for it to turn 180 degrees. Clever mother. I was just yelling at the screen.
Below: I was wearing my orange snake print shirt (link to original post) that day. This time with my frayed jeans. It was a very dark day; the shirt is much brighter as you can see in the original post.
Sunday was the day that Kitty and I did the photo shoot for this post and I visited my hairdresser. Exactly a day before our country went back into total lock-down again. Numbers are still rapidly rising and Christmas gatherings + New Year celebrations are coming up, so the government decided to shut down everything with the exception of the necessary shops like supermarkets. My appointment with the hairdresser was a regular one and scheduled 6 weeks before. Lucky shot. I asked to keep my hair a little longer this time which she did.
Sunday evening I suddenly felt I needed a glass of Baileys and that rarely happens. Ron offered to fetch a bottle, while getting some jenever (Dutch gin) for himself as well. And why not have some crackers, French cheese and paté instead of cooking. Why not indeed! We were saying a virtual ‘Cheers’ to Marla whose birthday it was that day.
Below: On Monday I cleared out another piece of my closet and rearranged a lot. The fabric dividers had arrived and I am so pleased with my underwear and tights drawer (first photo below). I can find stuff in a second now. I also hung the clothes in one closet of my wardrobe by colour. I still have to do the other ones. It is so worthwhile. When I sent Anja the 2 photos of my drawers, she replied with: “What am I looking at? The before or after?” WELL…the after of course. You have no idea of the state of this drawer before. Anja is much more organized than I am haha.
I had a nice long Facetime conversation with Anja who is enjoying her new house in Spain. Wore this outfit.
Below: Tuesday outfit. In the original post I wore it with pumps and no necklace.
A little cabinet which I had ordered, arrived and when I unpacked it to assemble, it turned out to be far too small. What a hassle to get everything back into that box, get a label, etc etc. I don’t like ordering furniture online. I am not going to do it again.
Wednesday was a lovely day. Ron took photos for the blog again. You will see them soon. He is really helping me with my blog.
Thursday. Loes and I went on a photo shoot which went smoothly. Only as I uploaded the photos to my computer that evening, I saw that nearly all photos weren’t sharp. The settings on the camera must have accidently changed and I hadn’t seen it during the shoot. We were being very careful not to get to close to each other and not to keep touching the camera. Covid has this to answer for as well: blurry photos. But, you will get to see them next week and you will have to do with them.
In the afternoon Karlijn of kpa.haarlem dropped off the polka dot blouse and skirt (service!) and I tried it on again. It is a lovely set. In the evening my husband styled it which had me running up and down the stairs, changing tops, boots, tights, jewellery. He is pretty good at styling so I listen. Sometimes we disagree (he doesn’t like the belt I chose). If I strongly disagree I follow my own preference.
It was pretty late before we had finished so we ordered sushi. Gosh, that was one of the best sushi dishes I have had. So fresh, melting in your mouth.
Below: I wore this that day when I wasn’t doing a photo shoot or trying on the polka dot set. If you think creating a blog post is easy… it isn’t. No, just kidding, I know you appreciate all the effort I put in. Besides, it is a hobby and hobbies take time. My paper bag trousers with a black jumper. Link to the original post with a black jacket.
Friday, Sylvia came for a cup of tea. I took this snapshot of her below. As long as we keep the distance, we are allowed to invite a friend in our house. It so lifts your spirits.
Below: I wore my Weekend Max Mara set again. So comfortable.
And I got an email from a lady who visited our house this summer. She just rang our doorbell and told us her great great grandparents had lived in our house. She was accompanied by a friend and we had a lovely chat, showed them around the house and listened to her stories. In her mail she shares a lot of family photos, one of them you see below (I got permission). Isn’t it strange to think those people were sitting in our garden, in front of our garden doors so many years ago (assumingly between 1909 and 1938).
Greetje
I just love that Ron gets enthused about helping you style an outfit, and that he bought the polka dot one for you. What a nice guy you have!
We are in a four week lockdown as of yesterday, so my time off from work is pretty boring this year. There are only so many books to read and things to watch on Netflix.
Yes, I hit the jackpot with Ron. He spoils me but at the same time holds its own ground (who wants a push-over, right?).
We have been in lock-down for a couple of weeks now and yes IT IS GETTING BORING. But we soldier through. Hope you will have a better New Year.
I enjoyed all the pretty photos. Merry Christmas to you.
So glad you did. And a very Happy New Year to you. Hope Christmas was nice and peaceful for you.
I’m excited to see how Ron styled your two-piece set – it’s lovely, as is that maxi dress. I also love your gold slouchy boots, and that bright pink blouse. I’m so glad your mum is doing all right – I try to Zoom with mine once a week.
How lovely of that store to open for you to do a photo-shoot! Sorry to hear that everything is closed – we were told a couple of weeks ago that “sorry, no Christmas/New Year’s Eve” will be happening this year. I’m actually looking forward to a quieter day overall.
Take care and a very Merry Christmas to you and Ron and Watson, Greetje!
Ron’s styling had to do with jewellery and what kind of tights and what kind of footwear. For the rest it is simple: blouse and skirt. I went for the maxi dress as well but I was too late. It was already sold in my size. Not meant to be.
My golden boots are worth gold. They are pretty old but I keep them in mint condition. I hope they will last me a life time.
We will be celebrating with not too many people: one day with stepdaughter and SIL and one day with my mum. That is still allowed. And of course we will keep our distance from each other.
Wishing you and L. a very Merry Christmas as well.
I thought you looked stunning in the maxi dress–not at all matronly.
I decided to go back and buy the maxi dress. Alas, it was already sold in my size. These things happen.
Love this outfit Greetje and I agree that you absolutely MUST wear that Dries van Noten bag with this outfit. It’s perfect.
How lovely to see those old photos. It’s fun to reflect on the house’s history and everything that must haven taken place….
Hah.. another fan of the Dries van Noten bag with this outfit. I agree with you.
The photos of the people who used to live in our house, make me wonder. What was their life like. I am sure the lady who visited us, will visit us again. And then she can tell the stories.
I love the maxi dress you left behind and am looking forward to seeing the styling of the polka dot set. And I LOVE the Dries van Noten bag styled with that great striped sweater and the perfect gold boots!
Glad I have a fan for the Dries van Noten bag. I like it a lot as well. The golden boots are from years ago and my cobbler keeps restoring them when I have stripes of the soles on them. I hope they last forever.
Another fun week Greetje – do think you need to go back and get that maxi dress 😉 Also super pleased to see you wearing your top from Zurich again.
xoxo Yvonne
http://www.funkyforty.com
I especially liked all of the outfits in this weeks blog
I did well then. Thank you for this compliment. It makes blogging so nice.
I did go back to get the maxi dress but it had been sold in my size. Too bad. Oh well.
The “Zurich” top is still one of my favourites. The colour is so good on me.
I love stories about old homes. I live in a 100+ year old home in the Chicago suburbs. Several years ago an elderly gentleman rang my doorbell and told me his grandparents had built the home and he had helped his grandfather build the second floor. My great-grandfather built the home I grew up in and no one but our family ever lived in it until my father sold it a few years ago. Thanks for sharing!
It is nice, isn’t it. She now keeps in touch and I bet they will visit us again when they are back in the Netherlands in the future.
That multi-colored sweater is really fun. I always like a balance of soft and structured pieces in an outfit, so I don’t think the Dries bag is too formal. I really like the tan bag you’re showing with the maxi dress (and the dress, too.)
We love having wine and appetizers for dinner every few weeks. It’s a nice low-key break from having to cook or order a meal for takeaway. Looking forward to chatting this week!
I had to try a couple of times before I could style this cardigan. Then I remembered the golden boots.
I went back for the maxi dress but it was already sold in my size. Oh well.. I still have some things left in my wardrobe.
Until tomorrow.
Polka dots, of course. Not fond of the maxi dress, though a very nice design. It makes you look more matronly than you deserve!! Love the bulky cardigan, a nice color combo and most likely quite warm. Kitty looks great in her blue outfit and I like her choice of the black coat!
Schnapps and accompaniments are a great way to enjoy in lieu of cooking dinner. ITS LIBERATING, plus the alcohol helps a little the well being of the moment. We are here in lock-down again, but some restaurants still serve outdoors. The weather is still mild (no rain currently) though its quite cold for Northern California. Finally dressing for winter with nowhere to go!! Still buying clothes, hoping things will change quickly now that we have a vaccine. I am a perennial optimist. Thats the way I survived behind the IRON Curtain for over 20 years. I’m considering taking up knitting again. i did that a lot when traveling by air for work in the past. A great pastime, with some nice results to show off. LOVE your blog, i think its a great fashion recap of our times for posterity!!
Never looked at my blog like that, but perhaps it will be fashion recap of our times for posterity. Who knows. Nikki of Midlifechic started writing her blog to have a document in later days which is a recap of the time. Nice to tell your grandchildren. I am very glad you love my blog. I live to entertain.
I know what you mean with the maxi dress looking a bit matronly. That is one of the reasons why I hesitated. Well, I decided to buy it after all and it was sold in my size. That is one way of solving a dilemma haha.
It is a very good thing you are such an optimist. Makes life a whole lot nicer than when you are a pessimist.
My knitting is very bad. I tried it at primary school and it was no success. Not at all.
I LOVE the combo of that maxi dress with the brown boots! It looks amazing on you–you have the height to carry it off. I hope you go back and treat yourself! 🙂
I did go back, but too late. It was already sold in my size. More women like it apparently.
CommenI really like the cardigan of different colors, it looks great with your jeans. An informal but very pretty look. I love your earrings, the design is cute. I love the polka dot blouse and skirt set, I really like the print and design, it is very elegant and feminine. I have the same opinion as your husband. I also like your close-ups, every day there are more and they are more beautiful.t
Because you like my close-ups I am including one next Sunday, especially for you.
When the polka dot set will be on the blog, I am convinced you will love it.
Greetje – Great pictures and outfits. I especially love the maxi dress and hope that you ending up getting it.
Happy holidays and thank you as always for brightening up my Sundays!
Always a pleasure if I can brighten up somebody’s day. That is why I blog. That and because I am an extrovert haha.
The dress however is gone. I was too late in deciding and my size was sold. It wasn’t meant to be.
Your mom and my grandmother could be sisters. They look so much alike. Or, is it just being Dutch. No, there is a sweetness to their expression that is so similar. So, pleased you still have your mom. Even though gone for many years, I still miss my favorite grandma.
I am indeed very fortunate to still have my mom. She knows me better than anybody else and is a wise woman.
I loved the maxi dress. You should go back and buy it!
I agree!
I’m a bit envious that you look so good it it – oh to be taller than 5’4″
Ah but there are things that look better on women of 5’4″ too. Like oversized boyfriend blazers. They look cute on shorter women. If I try and do that, I look like a man. Believe me, I tried many times.
As for the dress… I left it too late. It is sold in my size.
I was thinking the same.
Unfortunately I decided to go for the maxi dress when it was too late. Sold in my size. Apparently there are more women who see the beauty of it. Oh well, it wasn’t meant to be.
Yes you must – that maxi dress looks amazing on you. x
Well, I did go back but I was too late. It was already sold in my size. Too bad. But I do have the polka dot set, so I am not sad.
I did go back, only I was too late. It was already sold in my size. Pitty but such is life. Still.. I have enough.
I’m loving the pink top with jeans, and the Max Mara.
Merry Christmas.
Linda
Yes, I have collected many lovely clothes over the years. Each season holds at least one winner for the rest of my life. Only the wardrobe is now too small. I bet a lot of women wished they had my’problem’, so I am not complaining.
Speaking of top 10 — I think your husband has got to be one the top 10 nicest husbands. What a sweetheart!
I totally agree with you. He is the jackpot of men. And still I sometimes fight with him.. bad bad woman haha.
I love the maxi dress with the red bag. Looks great on you. Maybe your husband can give it to you for Christmas?!
And now you have got me wanting a glass of Baileys…
My husband was very willing to give it to me, but unfortunately I waited too long and the dress is sold in my size.
I am trying to stay off the Baileys as it is not very good for my weight.
Hello, You
Loved all your outfit, especially the Max Mara set. You look good.
A very Happy Christmas to you, your Mum and Ron, and thank you for all the time and effort you put into your blog. It’s greatly appreciated and certainly brightens up an dank, rainy day across the Channel. Oh, speed the day I can cross to your side and visit my beloved Netherlands again!
Stay safe…
Gee x
That Max Mara set deserves more credit than I gave it. But it is now in my top 10. Looking very elegant and feeling like I wear PJ’s.
This morning I woke up listless and thought “WHY?, Why take photos? Why do I blog? Shall I pack it all in?” Then my husband took me to Amsterdam and photographed two outfits and I came home feeling cheerful again. So, I will continue blogging haha. Merry Christmas to you to and I hope you will get through these tough times.
Hi Greetje, great outfits this week. I particularly like the pink top with black necklace outfit. That colour suits you so much. Glad you are well. Looking forward to the polka dots outfit as I love dots (and stripes) 🙂
That pink top has been in my wardrobe for ages. A bright colour from the ‘red family’.. always good.
Every season there is a piece that is timeless and which I love. So I keep it and take good care of it. The result?? A very packed wardrobe after 10 years.
I was always fond of clothes but since I blog (8 years now), this fascination has increased. The polka dot outfit still has to be photographed but I will feature it of course. Which woman doesn’t like polka dots and stripes, right?