Not only has this black and white dress got stripes, it has polka dots as well. What’s not to love, right? I added polka dot patterned tights to keep it co-ordinated. Remember two weeks ago when I told you about my neighbours’ wedding and the bubblegum pink stretch limo? This outfit is what I wore to the wedding. Only the tights are different. I wore black tights with silver polka dots that day but I prefer these ones with the black dots which I got from my usual address (Stemm Voetiek).
Combining the dress with bright red and pink was a no-brainer. Very loyal readers have seen the dress before in the post of October 2014. As it is so long ago, I didn’t think that even the most loyal readers would remember the dress so I used it again for this post. Plus, I am wearing boots instead of pumps this time. And the polka dot tights are different, the bag is very different from last post (but also red) and…I am wearing my favourite red and pink Lara Design earrings. All in all, far more modern styling in my opinion.
Kitty had an hour for the photo shoot at the end of the day, at the time which is called the golden hour. We did it in 20 minutes. She took the photos at the Coen Cuserhof in Haarlem which used to be an orphanage and is now a complex of very, very expensive apartments. I wouldn’t mind living there, but we need to win the lottery before that could happen.
Below: A little look at the Coen Cuserhof (taken with an iPhone).
Below: Entering the complex while putting my coat in my black shopper. The apartments have green hedges to give them privacy from people like Kitty and me snooping around.
Below: First pose and still smiling as the cold wasn’t in my bones yet. It was freezing.
Below: OK, let’s move on.
Below: Somebodies’ front garden, a photo taken by me when I was scouting for a good location.
Below: I was as cheeky as to stand in this front garden, where Kitty took the photo through the young green leaves.
Below: Another resident has this picnic table in front of the house. (Photo taken by me.)
Below: So I sat at the picnic table.
Below: And I sat on someone’s garden chair. Fortune favours the bold, folks. Nobody came running out of their house to chase us away.
Below: Standing in front of someone’s front door is allowed everywhere to my knowledge.
Below: Part of the complex. The wooden door opened as I passed and the lady of the house stood in her doorway shaking a rug. I made a cheeky joke about it. She laughed and asked what we were doing. I mentioned the blog and went all the way back to my car to get my blog card. (I forgot I had some in my handbag…duh.) When I returned she had, of course, closed the door. It was far too cold to leave it open.
Below: No worries, I just pulled the (old fashioned) doorbell. (I look a little like the hunchback of the Notre Dame in this photo.)
Below: She was a very nice woman and agreed to be featured on the blog.
Below: A close-up of the earrings by Lara Design.
Below: I had Kitty take off her coat as well heh heh. After all, misery loves company. I took the photo with my iPhone and it isn’t as sharp as it should be. A pity.
Below: With a last photo of the beautiful roofs we went back to the warmth of my car.
What happened in my life this week
The need of physiotherapy to deal with all the muscle problems created by knee and elbow, that’s what happened. I had such pain in the muscle behind my right shoulder-blade. She could relieve the pain a bit but it isn’t gone yet, so I booked a double appointment for next week. The aches and pains as you grow older…
Saturday was a great day because I met Sabine and Anke in a park for a walk. Anke’s two daughters were present as well. Totally forgot to take a photo for you guys. Sorry. Let’s just say I was in the moment.
Then Sunday, Monday and Tuesday nothing happened. So boring, so dull. I read, went for walks with Ron and Watson, did my exercises, spoke to Karlijn of kpa.haarlem and that was it.
It did give me time to come up with some new outfits from my wardrobe, an exercise which I always postpone as it is not my favourite pastime. This time I did well and came up with three new outfits that are all good. Lots of cream with red. As spring is approaching, I now choose lighter colours.
My weight is back on where it should be, yay. Even slightly under. A matter of not drinking alcohol, not eating sweets but instead, drinking lots of water. Talk about boring. All I crave for are crisps, French fries, ice cream and Mars bars.
Wednesday was a fantastic day with high temperatures for this time of year, with sunshine and with a visit from my friend Selma. We walked through town all day, more than I have done for a long time. We sat down for a few moments on steps of buildings but that wasn’t enough to rest. I felt knackered at the end of the day. The restaurants are still closed, so you cannot sit down properly for a coffee or a lunch. On the bright side, the take-away food and drinks were very good.
The day finished with a big UP as I sent in my tax return and…I am getting quite a lot of money back. I was so surprised as I thought I had to pay additional taxes. Now it will be a matter of not spending it all before I even receive it.
Oh, and I forgot to take a photo of Selma and me. Bad, bad blogger.
Thursday was a nice and sunny day too, but the temperatures were not that high. You needed to find a place out of the wind and in the sunshine. The only things that happened that day were to get a pedicure and a visit to the hairdresser (to trim my fringe).
It will be at least another month before I get my vaccination. If they have any supply left by that time.
I remembered I promised you a photo of the crocuses as they were blooming. See below. I cannot wait for spring to arrive.
Below: For old times’ sake, an outfit of the day, Friday to be specific. The top is from A.R.R.T. (seen before in this post) and the flared jeans are by Paige. Earrings with glass drop: Lara Design.
Friday afternoon my former colleague and now friend Marita came to visit (we both kept distance). It was a lovely afternoon. Marita likes clothes (nearly) as much I do. This time I remembered to take photos.
Below: Marita in our garden, in a beautiful black summer dress, which she bought at kpa.haarlem. We are both fan of this shop. As it is still chilly, she wore a top underneath it and boots for more warmth.
Below: Like me, Marita is an earrings lover.
All in all, it wasn’t a bad week.
Greetje
What an entertaining read!
Love the outfits!
The black dress that your friend is wearing is gorgeous!
Muscle pains; I had no idea about these ones either.
Are they better now?
You are throwing compliments at me left and right. Thank you very much. You make me blush (not really haha).
My muscle pains are more or less gone. Only when I am on my iPhone too much, they return.
Heck, combining stripes with polka dots is the height of daring! It is a combination that seems impossible, but you show that it is possible and that it works well aesthetically. I love the dress and even more with your fancy stockings. Red accessories look good, although I might have chosen a less … dazzling color. Urban photos are beautiful.
No, it is not haha. Stripes and polka dots have been combined for ages by stylists. And by the designer of this dress (one of the people at the Max Mara group).
A less dazzling colour near my face would probably have been more sophisticated but I need a colour to brighten up my complexion when I wear black and white. It is my favourite combinaton and the worst one for my skin tone.
I’m a fan of black and white worn with a pop of red (or pink, blue, etc.). You are very bold to be posing on people’s picnic tables and doorways 😉 When I (used to) do photo shoots I would try to find open space, or like parking lots so I would have the smallest number of observers.
I’ve put on weight this past year due to more snacking and less physical activity. Good on you for staying in shape – the blouse and flared jeans outfit shows how trim you are.
I am nearly an exhibitionist (non sexual haha). I like people and I like to perform, so I don’t mind observers. As for the boldness of people in people’s gardens etc… I have the attitude of ‘asking forgiveness afterwards gets you further than permission in advance.’
My wardrobe keeps me disclined. I cannot bear to think I couldn’t fit in those beauties anymore. When lock-down hit us, I knew I had to be even more disciplined. I took to three times exercising and cycling per week and watching my snack intake very carefully. I am a very disciplined woman in many areas. The one area where I have no discipline whatsoever is in buying clothes or shoes.
I totally love this mixture of spots and stripes Greetje. It’s something that I too would wear, and the red works so well as the complimentary colour.
I’m sorry to hear that you’re struggling with aches and pains. My husband had an accident before Christmas and he is still limping somewhat. Age does have a lot to answer for doesn’t it?
I’ve not been to visit for a while, but if it’s any consolation you look as slim as ever. Dieting is so boring, but worth it to keep your figure eh? You do look fab.
Lots of love
Anna xxx
Yes, age does have a lot to answer for. Anything wrong you did to your body, has had years to build to the point where your body gives up. Oh well, as long as the aches and pains are on this level, I will not complain.
Sorry to hear about your dear husband. I am glad though that he didn’t come out of the accident worse.
I am the same with visiting your site. We are a couple of bad girls haha. And yes, I am still the same weight. My wardrobe keeps me disciplined. The mere thought of not being able to wear all those beauties, makes cakes and crisps a lot less attractive.
The black and white dress and boots with tights look so cute. You wear it well. I always like black and white–classic and a combo I don’t tire of. Your photos are interesting as usual. The buildings are fantastic! Thank you for taking time to make it fun for your fans.
p.s. I have been resistant to buying flared jeans as I have liked the straight leg but the flares look wonderful on you.
Black and white is my all time favourite as well but it does nothing for my complexion, hence the red earrings.
Flared jeans can be tricky but look on Pinterest and combine “flared jeans” with your body shape or your height and see what comes up. You might get inspired.
Dang, you looks so good in those flared jeans, Greetje! I love the striped dress with the dotty tights too. I’m surprised that you don’t enjoy digging around in your closet and coming up with outfits – that’s one of my most favourite things to do.
I laughed at your blog card adventure – whenever I don’t have my cards…that’s when I need one! What gorgeous houses and buildings. I definitely have to make it to the Netherlands one day!
I hope your shoulder/back/arm are feeling better! Take care, my dear friend.
Remember buying those flared jeans Sheila? Vancouver provided me with two pairs of great jeans, these flared ones by Paige and another straight pair by J Brand.
Getting my blog card from my car, meant walking quite a long way in those heels and in the cold.
I do hope you will make it to my little country.
My back is better and my arm is still on the mend.
Once again, I love the location of your photo shoot. You are so bold to enter people’s yards, but what great photos you got! I think I would be too shy to do that though.
I used to work in advertising and we had a saying: “It is better to apologize afterwards than to ask permission in advance.” You get a lot more that way. My experience is that most people don’t mind things. If I do ask permission, I do it politely, with a smile and 9 times out of 10, people respond positively to my request. It does help that I have never been shy. I don’t even think about it, I just do. Which of course, sometimes blows up in my face.
You’re right, Greetje, that is a beautiful backdrop for the photoshoot! What a wonderful place to live…you’d better remember to put on the Euromillions this week lol!
I absolutely ADORE everything about this outfit. I never used to like shift dresses very much for now I love them (I think it might be an age thing). If I saw your dress in the shops, I would snap it up! I would also snap up those gorgeous flared jeans you wore in your OOTD photo.
Are all Dutch women so stylish? I don’t think I’ve ever met one who wasn’t!!!
Huge hugs
Suzy xx
Although the complex in this post is beautiful, we don’t want to leave our street. We know so many people here through the yearly street parties and we all get along very well. The people are gregarious.
The minute I saw that black and white dress in the Max Mara outlet, I grabbed it. So good. And the flared jeans are a find during a blogger meet-up in Vancouver. Blogging does take me places.
And no, not all Dutch women are stylish. Of course not. The Dutch are like any other nation. But I pick the stylish ones to show to you.
You’re not repeating any outfits on the blog for 6 years! That’s crazy. Remember, most people don’t have memories that long for outfits AND we like to see some outfits again different ways. You’re looking lovely and photos are beautiful. Here in Portugal flowers are coming out everywhere. It’s gorgeous. Lovely to see that’s happening in the Netherlands now too.
Actually, I think I haven’t repeated any outfit for 8 years as I started in November 2012. Even crazier. Of course I have used pieces in other combinations and that is my new goal: to reuse things from my wardrobe in new combinations. But I haven’t kicked the habit of buying new things yet, although I am getting better. Less income helps a lot haha.
The weather in the Netherlands is extraordinary here this week. I have been in bikini in my garden can you believe it? End of March.
You are having a 60s moment with the very smart dress and “these boots are made for walking”, a Nancy Sinatra 60s song. Love it. it makes you look like 20 something, a feat that not many women of a “certain age” can claim. well done and more power to you!!!!
Marita, your beautiful friend looks very chic in her “au Courant” dress. Very much the trend now, but looks great on taller women and the thinner the better. Ulla Johnson here has some extraordinary dresses in that genre. Her models are super tall and super thin.
Kitty looks fabulous as well.
the old orphanage is an architectural masterpiece. Truly an artistic piece never out of fashion.
A very, very small package is coming your way. I assume will arrive somewhere around the 10th of April.
Oh I know the Nancy Sinatra song. It was a big hit all over the world. I will pass on your compliments to Marita and Kitty.
The old orphanage is to die for; I was so pleased when I found it. The very small package has arrived as you know. Much earlier than you expected.
Looks fantastic on you and I love the red and pink bag/earring combo! Very stylish!
I say, mission accomplished. Looking stylish is pretty good in my book.
Lovely post as always, Greetje. You look amazing in the flared jeans and bell-sleeved blouse. I also love Kitty’s and Marita’s dresses — so becoming.
Enjoy your blog. I like your hair style and fashion
Well Jan, I aim to please haha. Kidding aside, I am glad you like my blog and I hope I can keep on entertaining you every week.
Hi Cynthia. By the sound of it, we have given you lots of inspiration. Flared jeans are indeed pretty good on me. I should wear them more often.
Nice blog as allways dear Greetje. Just love the last picture of the roofs with turquoise ! What a great combination Brown and turquoise it is. I love how the jeans with flare suit you perfectly!
The whole complex is amazing. I had a sneak look inside one of the houses as it was still on Funda. Oh my… to die for. As I cycle a lot these days, I found it and immediately knew it would be great as background.
The flared jeans are the type I should always wear, shouldn’t I? It is indeed a great shape for me.
What a fun dress. I love the mix of stripes and dots, and think you’ve styled it to perfection with the boots, polka dot tights and red accessories. I also really like the outfit with the AART top, as the bell sleeves echo the bootcut shape of the jeans. Well played!
We’re finally getting some warmer weather here too. I need to spend some time this week getting my yard in shape to use. Wanna Facetime??
Thanks. The dress is a classic and even though it creases (one very disappointing surprise), it is a dress I will wear until it falls apart or I get fat.
The A.R.R.T. top is the same, such a beautifully made, classic piece. I hadn’t seen that the bell sleeves echoed the flared shape of the jeans. That is just a lucky stroke, not well played I am afraid.
I do want to Facetime. I will send you a DM through WhatsApp.