Buying a denim jacket when you know that this shade doesn’t suit you, isn’t the smartest move to make. Still, it is in my wardrobe, which means I either make it work or give it away.
By adding a blue, white and yellow scarf, there is more ‘light’ near my face. I styled the denim jacket before in 2017, which you can see here.
My initial idea was to add an orange and white scarf which I have had for ages but never worn.
Below: My first try. I like the thought of adding colour near my face but as I looked in the mirror, I found it to be too plain, too affected.
What do I do in such cases? I seek advice from Misja (MisjaB) by sending her a photo, accompanied by the word HELP.
She asked me the question: “Don’t you have other scarves?” Yes, I have. Lots of them and we settled on this blue/white/yellow scarf. I also added the orange brooch for colour and Misja gave it the OK. An outfit created from pieces already in my wardrobe and ready to be photographed.
Ron offered his services. Florapark in Haarlem was our destination, a lovely park surrounded by beautiful buildings and I know you like that.
Below: I also have an orange coat in my wardrobe. Which was too good an opportunity to miss. A big shopper in blue, white and yellow to match the scarf…the things I have in my closet, it is amazing.
Below: What a great match. Well, to me it is. The golden bag was thrown in for variation and to echo the yellow in the scarf.
Below: Here we go. Despite the low temperatures, I need to show the outfit without a coat.
Below: I came up with a smart routine for this. In my shopper I keep a large plastic bag in which to put the coat. That way it won’t stain if I have to leave it on the ground. Smart, right?
Below: Bum photo. Trying to find my comb to check the hair. We did the shoot in December as you can gather from the lovely wreath on the door.
Below: You can see the best result of the preparations in the first photo of this post. And below is another example of my ‘sitting poses’. The people who live there had their shutters closed, so why not sit on their window ledge?
Below: A bit of a strange face. Ron took the close-up to show you the brooch and the scarf. The brooch is by artist Sylvia Blickman.
Below: As we headed home, we saw this girl and her dog in the park. Isn’t he sweet?
Now for all the buildings. If you aren’t interested, just scroll down to ‘What happened in my life this week’.
Below: This is the building with the wreath on the door from the top photo. I do wish all carparks were underground.
Below: Two photos of the park. I might do this again in spring or summer.
Below: On a corner of the park is this building.
Below: Another shot of the house above. It probably hosts a company and isn’t privately owned. There aren’t many people who can afford to live in such a grand house.
Below: The Frans Hals statue. He is a famous Dutch painter from the Golden Age who lived and worked in Haarlem.
Below: Across the road from the park, 200 metres to the right, is a magnificent building, now the residence to our province government. It is so wide I had to take three photos.
First the left side, then the middle and then the right side. Beautifully symmetrical.
The above building is called Paviljoen Welgelegen (well-situated pavilion). I had a look at the history and I can give you an English link and a video in Dutch (below). Even if you don’t speak Dutch, I recommend that you watch the video as it gives you a look inside the building and a view from above (at the end).
The presenter talks about the banker who had this pavilion built, Mr Hope. The money used to build it was financed by the profits of black slave labour in the colonies. The province had this investigated. The Netherlands has a very nasty and dark past with the slave trade.
What happened in my life this week
As I said last week, I made some dates with friends, starting with Loes. It is sad that we cannot do any photo shoots as it is too cold at the moment. She lives across the street though, so having a chat over coffee is still possible. It was a very nice start to an otherwise boring weekend.
On Monday I had a coffee date with Helga.
Below: Helga. It was a dark day, so a rather grainy photo.
Below: Her beautiful kitten, called Woezel. Gosh, how she has grown.
Below: I wore this outfit for my visit to Helga. You have seen it last week, but…I listened to the advice of two readers (thank you Linda V and Gee), who advised me not to cuff my jeans. They were so right; this is much better. The other change from last week’s styling is with a T-shirt instead of a shirt.
My friend Anja, who moved to Spain, and I had a long Facetime conversation. It isn’t the same as when she lived in my street, but it is close. You have to find alternatives for seeing friends.
Below: I wore this outfit to Facetime. Another yellow jumper as you like me so much in yellow. The jumper is a mullet style and it is by Kenzo.
Link to original post with photos taken at our gorgeous old railway station. The feather necklace is a present from Suzanne Carillo, who made it herself.
Wednesday was a day with sunshine. Hurray. We had agreed to meet Froukje and Petro, our friends and neighbours, at the beach and fetch a cappuccino. One of the beach bars is still open for take-away. And…very important…allows you to go to the loo. We found shelter from the wind behind the bar and our friends produced a home baked apple pie to go with the coffee. It was delicious and totally blew my diet to shreds. I have to lose 2 kilos. It isn’t much but they are very persistently stuck to my body. If I want to fit in all those trousers I had taken in last year, I’d better lose the extra weight.
To make matters worse, Ron bought a delicious sausage, still warm, from a very good butcher. We even attacked it in the car. Sausage is not a good idea when you are on a diet, but boy oh boy, it was just as nice as the apple pie.
Below: I wore this outfit and changed the high heels to sneakers for walking along the beach. Link to original post.
Our trusted help got injured and couldn’t make it this week. I did the hoovering of the house, the wash basins and the toilets myself. The kitchen and shower we clean every day. Great to get some exercise, otherwise I would have been sitting on my butt all day. I took the opportunity of having the house to myself, to dye my hair with the hairdresser’s dye left from the first lock-down. I did pretty well. No outgrow anymore.
Below: I wore my second-hand Diane von Fürstenberg tunic/dress that day with jeans and my orange ankle boots. I actually prefer this outfit with the orange pumps I wore in this original post, but they were so uncomfortable, I got rid of them. My bright pink and red earrings are the same style as the tunic. I know there isn’t any red in the tunic but the red of the earrings is an orangy red. (Earrings by Lara Design. You can see them better in this post.)
On Friday I decided to wear a dress again. Nowhere to go, nobody to meet yet I wanted to feel good. I did have a long telephone conversation with a friend. It counts as company but not to dress up for as we didn’t Facetime.
Below: Working on my poses. Even in the afternoon it is still grey and dark which means grainy photos. If you want a better view, click through to the original post where I am wearing this dress with a belt and sheer tights.
Let’s muster up some spirit for next week.
Greetje
I love the single pop of color in that first shot! Reminds me I used to have some bright orange Chelsea boots in college- think I’m in need of a new pair to copy you’re bright footwear idea- it makes the whole look seem so happy!
Whenever I can, I use a pop of colour. Like you said, it makes everything so happy. I bought the boots to go with my DvF tunic/dress but got a lot more wear out of them.
Thank you for the history lesson and the architecture photos.
Surprised myself in favouring the last look you posted, … I’m usually all about the brights, but you are inspiring me to dress better at home. What great outfits you posted!
That is so nice to hear. Thank you for taking the time to comment. I am usually all brights as well, but I do like that little ochre and burgundy dress. I am not sure yet whether I like it better with or without a belt.
The orange coat is ooh la la. Eyecatching–I love it and orange is not a color I usually love. The Diane von F is so cute. Reminds me of the ’60’s and the fashions that were called “mod.” Perfect on you. And thank you for sharing the photos of the lovely buildings and the precious pup. Hope you find some joy in your week.
Thanks. Which woman wouldn’t want to be ooh la la. So thank you.
The DvF tunic dress has indeed that 60’s vibe, I totally agree.
Covid rules are going to be stricter and stricter as the UK mutation variety has found its way to the Netherlands… Terrible. But very necessary. I don’t want to die now that I have reached my retirement.
Oh goodness, how I love those orange boots! I like yours better than my red ones simply because they are shiny! I love things that sparkle and shine and these are winners.
Well done to you for spinning the changes with pieces from your closet. The long orange coat is a beautiful piece. Since the latest lock-down I have started taking my own shots and am getting better at being organised (like that plastic bag) to keep things off the ground. I have a tripod and timer on my camera and am getting more confident at having fun on my own. There are so few people around that no-one sees me laughing and prancing around in front of the camera on my own!
It’s lovely to catch up on all your news again.
Love
Anna x
Oh yes, we do love things all shiny and sparkly.
I still have Kitty and Ron for photos and I am grateful for that, because otherwise I would have to schlepp the tripod with me.
Thanks for your visit. I will hop along yours too.
I love all the outfits you posted, Greetje, particularly the gorgeous orange/red coat at the beginning! But it’s difficult for me to comment on anything because I’m still laughing out loud about you both attacking the sausage in the car!!!!!! OMG you really do make me laugh (one of the many things I love about you!)
Huge hugs
Suzy xxx
The Grey Brunette
You laughed! I am so glad you wrote that Suzy. It is the most important purpose/goal of my blog: to entertain and make people smile or even laugh. Often readers laugh over things that I didn’t write to be funny. Ron had a knife in his car (for apple eating) and that warm sausage smelled soooo good, we had to have a few chunks. I cannot say slices as they weren’t, really haha.
Denim top and bottom … the denim girl! After the joke I can only say that I love this jacket, it has a beautiful pattern, a design. And I love the game with orange in your accessories, they make a very nice outfit. I also love the coat, it is a very beautiful garment and everything is perfectly integrated. In the foreground, which I also love, I can appreciate your beautiful brooch, it is cute.
That idea of yours of combining fashion with urban planning and art seems perfect to me, you know how much I like your country and you help me discover it a little more every day.
I did well with this post then. Approval from you always makes me proud. Living in an old town gives lots of opportunities for beautiful backgrounds, but I need the size of Amsterdam. I think I have found all backgrounds in Haarlem.
Cute outfits. I’m glad you’re able to visit friends. Are there no Coronavirus restrictions near you? Most of us are unable to see our friends in person. BTW, I know you don’t usually read my blog (which is fine) so I just want to mention I posted something special today. It’s worth a short trip. Cheers.
Oh there are loads of Coronavirus restrictions in the Netherlands. We have been asked not to go outside our homes apart from grocery shopping and to walk for our health or walk the dog. But… (loophole).. if you do see a friend, then not more than 1 or 2 at the time with lots of distance and ventilation in the room. Which is why I never stay long. And when you walk in the street you can only walk with 1 other person.
I am heading over to your blog straight away.
The orange boots are fantastic – I like the orange scarf with the outfit, but I think if you had that plus the orange coat, it would be too much. Maybe a striped scarf with some orange and blue in it?
Favourite bits: the Kenzo jumper, the leather pants you wore with it, the orange coat (such a great colour!) and the DVF dress.
Great building shots! I hope it warms up for you soon, Greetje!
Girl, I have a lot of scarves, but not a striped one with some orange and blue in it. This was the best I could do. Normally I would run out to the shops to buy one, but I am getting better.
But I did well in this post with you; you like a lot.
It is warming up a bit (10 degrees C) but nearly non-stop raining, so that doesn’t help.
Those boots are so fabulous! I like them best when paired with the other orange pieces: the coat and the DVF dress.
I’m envious of all the great photo shoot locations you have nearby…
I don’t know whether you remember, but I combined the orange boots once with a blue sweater that had lime cuffs. I just put an orange tanktop underneath to book-end it (idea by Ron).
Living in an old country, gives you great photo locations. But I am running out of locations.
Thanks so much for the mention in your post! Yes, I like the jeans with the white boots uncuffed. this way your white boots are highlighted. I had to laugh when you mentioned “hoovering”. I don’t think younger people here in America would know what you meant. I am not sure they make Hoover vacuums anymore. I love your second hand DVF tunic! So stylish! And I think you look great in that color. Just the item to wear on a cloudy dreary day. With Covid running rampant over here in the U.S., I don’t go out much at all. Just grocery, drugstore, and library. Not seeing friends at all. All this to tell you that I dressed up to go sit at the beach and have lunch in the car! lol. I am getting desperate. I’m wearing leggings as long as the weather stays cool here in Florida! Oh, the orange coat is fantastic!
Of course I gave you credit. You know the saying: give credit where credit is due. You were so right and luckily I am a person who listens.
I learned that it was hoovering and I do know that wasn’t the proper word as the company was called Hoover, but I never learned another word. I now understand it is vacuuming. Oh well, I bet that most of the people who follow my blog are female and over 40 or (like me) way over 40.
Our library is closed due to Covid.
And no, you are not getting desperate when you dress up and nobody sees you. It makes you feel good and that is what matters.
Wow – some great outfits here. I love you in the dress – and your pose – in the last photo. Yes, grainy, but you look so relaxed and beautiful.
I am working on my poses. Glad you mentioned it. I have this great big book with 1000 poses, although a lot of them are not for me.
Oh how i love the Orange coat.simply the best.Keep the good work going Greetje. Always nice to read your weekly post.
Isn’t it a great colour? I don’t mind if somebody says to me “Celebrating King’s Day?”. Orange is just really nice.
And I will continue blogging Marjolein. Have no fear.
So many pretty outfits in this post. I love the blazer with the white t-shirt, and your orange coat is stunning. Your bright colo!urs are so flattering and cheerful!
My favourite outfit with the houndstooth blazer is with the T-shirt and the uncuffed jeans. Bright colours are very flattering on me. Doesn’t mean they would also be flattering on you. We all have to find out which colours are best with our skin.
Hi – I agree with Lise – the ledge picture of you is a great one. Also love the animal pictures and all of the beautiful buildings. Orange is one of my least favorite colors, but I am so impressed by your coat and boots!
Hello You
Well, don’t you look the cat’s whiskers with your jeans straight, no cuffs? So glad you listened to Linda V and me. No thanks necessary -that’s what friends are for! 😇 ha ha. Especially loved the the stripey top outfit,. And that puppy…what a sweetie!
We’re not allowed to visit friends or family over here or to be outside apart from essential shopping or exercise so you’re very lucky to be able to meet up with your friends. I miss not seeing people I/we love for real, but it will all come good in the end, I’m sure.
Keep up your good work; I look forward to ‘seeing’ you each week.
Take care
G x
As I said to Linda V: give credit where credit is due. I was grateful for bringing it to my attention (and luckily I am a person who listens haha).
The red (and white) striped outfit is a ’emphasis on the legs’ outfit.
As visiting friends is concerned: it is discouraged but 1 or 2 people at the time with the appropriate distance and enough ventilation is sort of OK. I am very much a people person and miss it terribly.
But I am really careful. I don’t want to get it.
Usually the less I try to create a pose, the better. Unfortunately that is not always so. There are many photos of me with my ‘resting bitch face’.
Apparently you can judge clothes/colours how they look on others and not let your own preference get in the way. A very good quality which many people do not possess.
Hi Greetje, love your orange coat, such a statement piece which really suits you. Also really like the Diane von Furstenberg dress/tunic and the dress in the last pic. Also always love a striped outfit. My husband always comments when I cuff my jeans that it does not look better and I think I only get it now looking at your pics. I am starting to feel like the cuffing looks a bit dated and am just chopping them off now if they are too long. The animals in your post this week are lovely. Oh, and you look so pretty and relaxed in the picture where you are sitting on the ledge. Regards, Lise
I always have to go back to my post and see. This time I thought: “Dress? Did I post a dress?” Yes I did.
I am not sure about the cuffing. Sometimes I think it is cute but the problem with the houndstooth blazer outfit was the cry for attention between the cuffs and the lace-up boots. But you might be right, they might be out of date. I will have to think about that. You are very kind with your compliments. So many. Thanks a lot.