Buying this pale slate Demellier bag is pure madness for me. It is expensive and as I already have so many bags it is also embarrassing. Certainly not sustainable either, but I adore this bag. Ever since Susan of Une femme d’un certain âge showed bags from this brand, I have been ogling their site. I was very much in love with the white croc mini Venice although it was very similar to my black Chloé Marcie bag. Nearly ordered it when it was briefly in the sales. Before I could snap it up it was back to its full price. Then there was this sharp rectangle bag with a prominent fastening which I didn’t order either.
Until a couple of weeks ago when I saw Susan (again) with a new Demellier bag in a sand colour. Strangely enough I had seen such a model before and I wasn’t keen on it. But now I fell really hard for it, like falling in love with a cupid and an arrow. The pale slate colour which I ordered is a versatile bag (I think and I hope). It screams quality and smells so nice. I am happy as a kid with a new toy and all the tax return money which still has to be transferred to my account, is now gone. Bad, bad girl.
Kitty was enjoying a holiday so Ron took the photos while we were at my mum’s. Just a little walk around the corner, no great buildings in this post and not much variation in poses, I’m sorry.
Below: Let’s start with the bag. It isn’t grey and it isn’t green. The bag is called the midi Los Angeles.
Below: The sun was on full blast however leaving the temperatures to be desired. This is the main street of my mum’s village. Not very exciting.
Below: We tried several spots and poses. Staying out of the sun was the best. Especially with my suede shoes as the sun makes them look worn.
Below: I hid from the sunshine against a building with a pretty bush to keep me company.
Below: The tunic top is from the Max Mara outlet in Turin, several years ago. You saw me wear it with my python boots and my black pleated skirt in this post. The trousers are also from the Max Mara outlet. The pumps are Panara.
Below: No sunshine and a fierce wind. Pity about the red car reflecting in the windows.
Below: When you have little time and the place doesn’t offer very exciting spots, the difference should be made by my poses. Alas, I have to go through that book with poses again as I suck at it.
Below: Ron’s shouted: “Can I get your attention please?” Haha.
Below: A close-up of the necklace one of my readers sent me. I have showed it before. It is such a beautiful gift. Because the necklace is the thing to get the attention, I kept my earrings simple.
Right, that was the outfit. Ron didn’t like it one bit that we had to do a shoot in such circumstances and surroundings. But I needed photos and the opportunity arose. Don’t blame him, blame me.
What happened in my life this week
Before I forget, below an outfit of which I wasn’t sure whether I would use it for a blog post or not. These ochre trousers are a present from my husband 8 years ago. I have a hard time styling them. Really the only way I like them is how I originally created an outfit with them back in 2013 (see this post where my hair is still brown and my fringe too short). But walking on stiletto heels isn’t that much fun anymore, so I needed another way of styling.
The jacket is green and so are the boots. Although comfortable, I am not really satisfied with this styling, so it is not going to be the focus of a new post. Detail: this is how you are supposed to wear this bag.
Below: The jacket isn’t as light green as in this photo, but it will have to do. The golden bird brooch is from Claudia, whom I follow on Instagram. She has started designing jewellery and is selling it on Etsy under the name Clovis Jewelz. I like the simplicity of this brooch. It stands out but doesn’t outshine the outfit.
Things have been hectic this week. During the weekend, after the parquet floor had dried, we had to put everything back in the living room. Hurray for strong neighbours who helped carrying the heavy stuff back into the house. We are very grateful.
Of course we worry about my brother and sister-in-law who got Covid. One of their daughters created a family Whatsapp group so we get updates. So far, so good. The fever and nausea have gone and they don’t have respiratory issues but they are sooo tired.
On Sunday I had my IT guy come in to change a few things, mainly making things a little more secure. (An IT woman is helping me with the technical stuff of my blog and an IT guy is helping me with my computer/Microsoft. Too complicated for me.) Unfortunately I asked him to give me my own Microsoft account instead of being on Ron’s account. Oh brother…Let me just say, it doesn’t improve my mood.
Went to my mother (an hour’s drive away) because her e-reader suddenly stopped working. She couldn’t do anything with it. I tried to solve it by phone but that didn’t work. I felt quite clever I got it back to working again. Mum said her e-reader might be breaking down more often in future as she quite likes my visit haha. As if I hadn’t been the week before.
From my mum I drove to my friend Lia as she lives close to my mum and I had to give Lia something. Stayed there for a short while and when I was already back home, I saw her text: “Forgot to serve the apple pie”. A shame but better for my figure.
Tuesday the weather was beautiful so we walked dog Watson by the sea. Such a delight. Cappuccino at the end of the walk, which is not a good thing. Headaches are back when I drink coffee, so coffee is off the menu and instead I drink a lot of water again (I don’t like tea). That day it was King’s day. Before Covid, everybody would be celebrating, wearing orange clothes, or being dressed in red, white and blue, our national colours. This year nothing of course. Some people ignored everything. Hopefully the hospitals won’t be filled with many more cases the next couple of weeks, but I am afraid they will. If you want to have an idea of how big this day is in the Netherlands, have a look at this King’s Day post of 2014. I love that post.
Traditionally, everybody gets their junk from the attic, spreads it on the pavement and tries to sell it for next to nothing. And the shops sell of their last year’s collection at small prices too. And so did Karlijn of kpa.haarlem. I stopped by her shop in the afternoon and scored a green summer coat. Sort of a wide trench coat. Plus a pair of summer trousers and a white skirt. As Ron had given me ‘an outfit from kpa.haarlem’, I asked Karlijn to send the bill to Ron.
Ron liked the coat and trousers but hated the skirt. Karlijn said: “Oh that is awful, considering it is his birthday present. Come to the shop and give that skirt back.” Normally with sales garments you cannot do that. I was grateful and exchanged it for a pair of black suede slippers.
Below: The next day I could spend an hour in my garden on my stretcher…oh heaven.
In the meantime I was online selling the leather sofa of a neighbour who shies away from such things. It was gone within a day for a good price. I was quite pleased with myself.
Had some car trouble this week. As I was driving, all of a sudden the power steering stopped. And my car is heavy!! I managed to get it to the side of the road and did what you do with computers: I turned it off and on. Bingo, power steering was on again. To be on the safe side I had it checked at the garage a couple of days later. It turned out the sensor in my steering column is on the blink. This is an expensive repair. The garage suggested to use a refurbished second-hand part from one of their trusted suppliers and pay half the price. I jumped at that but it is still a lot of money.
It always feels wasted money to me. You pay for something you already had, in this case a good running car. Nothing to show for that money. I know it is stupid to think like this as everything needs maintenance but still.
We finally put up the new bathroom roller blind. Yay. This time we ordered the right size (grin). Never mind, we were able to make somebody happy with the wrong sized blind.
I learned a new saying: Measure three times and cut once.
Friday Marjolein and I met in a shopping mall in Leidschendam as the weather had turned cold again. (Honestly, why do I bother buying summer clothes when most of the time it is cold and rainy in this country?) We had a lovely time. The mall was pretty crowded as the kids are on holiday from school and sometimes I didn’t feel comfortable. But I have to say, people were only too close together in cues and we didn’t cue.
Below: Marjolein and one of the mannequins in the mall. She removed her mask for the photo. The mannequins weren’t dressed in proper clothes but the artist created really good outfits anyway.
Below: Three more mannequins.
Below: This cat is a playground for kids. Isn’t it fantastic? It was closed for the kids because of Covid, but that one little girl couldn’t read yet. Her mum did so the fun ended quickly.
And of course there was my vaccination. YAY. Had my first shot with Pfizer. Easy peasy. No side effects whatsoever. A bit of a stiff arm, that was it.
Let’s hope Ron and I make it without catching Covid the next 8 weeks. After that we are fully vaccinated.
Greetje
Your husband has a great eye for the “cool” stuff. The yellow pants are just a perfect example. i would pair it with a slimmer looking pair of boots, though. Love the pin. Elegant. The bag is a great accessory. Forget about the cost, it will be amortized over the next decades.
Glad to hear you both had the vaccine. its an insurance policy.
You are right about the yellow trousers. As a matter of fact, high heeled pumps are the best match for these trousers (as in the original post).
Ron and I have to get the second vaccine yet (Ron end of May and me 4th of June), then wait another 14 days and we should be fully protected. Cannot wait.
What do you think of your necklace in this outfit? Doesn’t it get the stage it deserves?
Splendid!! Yes, I agree, the necklace enhances the elegant ensemble!!
👍😊
Lovely pictures and lovely outfit. I keep being surprised how you keep maintaining your appetite for buying new things … If Covid can’t stop you then certainly nothing can. So glad you’ve got your first vaccination. At least I’m registered here in Portugal now so we’ll be eligable when our turn comes. Stupidly enough I was rather ill from the common cold this week (still haven’t recovered). Must be a seasonal thing as I had exactly the same thing one year ago. Completely knocked me out and you know how much I hate that….
Terrible, aren’t I? I am afraid I am addicted to new clothes (and other adornment stuff…). It is what you used to say: I am easily bored with my clothes. And deeply ashamed about it.
I am sorry to hear that you haven’t been well. And yes, I know you hate being ill and not being able to do what you usually do.
Anja and Frits are now also registered in Spain, so hopefully they will get their vaccine soon and you too.
I can totally understand why you had to have that handbag, Greetje. It’s gorgeous! I must admit though, that I have never heard of Demellier!!
I don’t think there is anything wrong with not posing — sometimes you just don’t feel like it! And I happen to love the photo of you in front of the graffitti wall and the one sitting looking away from the camera. Both are very beautiful!
As for that outfit that you don’t want to show on the blog, the only thing that I would suggest, is some different shoes. Do you ever wear black trainers? That might look cool?
Glad to hear you’ve had the vaccine and you didn’t suffer any side-effects!
Hugs
Suzy xx
Thank you for all your compliments. Coming from somebody who knows how to pose, that is really great.
The ochre trousers and sneakers… I tried it and it looks hideous. The legs rolled up and high heels is the only way I can wear them.
I like the color and shape of the bag. Very attractive! The black and white outfit is classic and fits you to a “T.” Thanks for sharing the great photos from the shopping mall. The dog for the children is outstanding.
p.s. Your hair looks so good. And glad you are on your way to full vaccination. What a difference it will make in your life.
Hahaha, no Linda, it isn’t a dog in the shopping mall, it is a cat. I am using the bag quite a lot so I was right, it is versatile.
It is embarrassing how many good bag I have now.
The fact that my hair looks good is a miracle. Of course my fab hairdresser has a lot to do with it, but I need to back-comb it a couple of times a day, to keep it looking nice. It is thin and there is little of it. As I said, a miracle it can look so good.
I really like the bag, wish I could buy one. But I have such a collection already of all other kinds of bags! also, I tend to buy crossbody bags now. I find them so easy to use in stores and the grocery. Your tunic top is gorgeous. you seem to get the way of half of the shirt in the pants! I do that, and I just look sloppy!
There is an art in how you tuck your shirt into your trousers, I will admit that. I want it tucked as much as possible at the mid front, but then losening it a bit, so you don’t see my saggy belly hanging in the shirt. Then I pull out the sides is such a way they create a sort of curtain drape. That way you cannot see whether you have small hips or wide hips. It creates a nice slant.
That is a gorgeous bag, Greetje, but I would be concerned about the colour, either getting marks on it, or it pulling the colour off your clothes (be really careful around blue jeans!). I am just not a bag person (said the woman with 3 dozen purses, but uses one backpack over and over!), but it is obviously very high quality.
Your necklace is amazing – the green beads, the gold, the ragged pieces of malachite! Just incredible.
I’m not a fan of the yellow pants – I think you pretty much have to wear them rolled/cropped with a pump or flat sandal. They read a little “80s break-dancer” with them tucked into your slouchy boots, a look I did in 1984!
Those mannequins in the mall are amazing! So much creativity!
I’m booked for my first shot next Tuesday – I don’t know what brand the vaccine will be, but I’m happy with whatever it is! Canada is trying to get everyone done with their first shot before they dole out the second, as we are low on supplies. The goal is first shot for all by July 1st, and hopefully mid-August for the second.
Have a good week, my dear!
Your warmings for keeping the bag prestine are very good. Usually my bags, even the cream or white ones, keep being nice. Which is quite remarkable as I get stains all over my clothes when I eat. And my parents taught me how to use knife and fork haha.
I am very pleased with the necklace and I totally agree with you it is a stunner.
The yellow pants have to be indeed cropped and worn with high heels, as I did the first time I styled them. Very difficult trousers.
I am very pleased you are getting your first vaccine shot. Do you have any idea about the level of protection after the first shot?
The bag is beautiful, I understand that you wanted to have it and that your tax return financed it. I love how these pants fit you, they are very elegant and they look perfect on your legs. The blouse is beautiful and the necklace I love.
Although trousers and not a dress, I think I did “elegant” pretty good this time. Thank you for the compliments.
As always, it’s such fun to travel vicariously through your photos. And I absolutely love your hair in the photo that shows the reflection of the red car.
Sometimes the wind actually does my hair favours. Only when it comes from behind. If the wind is full frontal and my fringe is blown to the back, I hate it.
The bird brooch reminds me of the one Lady Gaga wore during the U.S. presidential inauguration in January. Love!
PS. That is such a beautiful bag. It pleases me to see you putting it down on surfaces. I always freak out with light-colored bags, afraid to actually use them. Good for you!
Thanks but I don’t know whether that makes me a dare devil or an idiot haha.
I don’t mind being a little Lady Gaga. Of course she went a bit more over the top with the size of the brooch. That is so her. Love it.
You’re bound to get a lot of wear out of the bag, it’s such a practical size and colour. You look very classy in the black & white outfit with the bag and necklace which is a really unique piece. Love the cat playground too, what a great idea! Good to hear about your shot; also had my first Pfizer shot last week with the next one in 3 weeks, no side effects luckily.
Ah, you see, you are getting the second shot in 3 weeks. So did my mum, but we have to wait until June 4. Strange but I suppose it is a logistic thing.
I’m so glad you’re enjoying the bag! It does look splendid with both outfits. I think that color will be very versatile in your wardrobe.
Dealing with all of the techie stuff is a pain, but I think learning these new things helps keep our brains nimble. So sorry you had an expensive car repair; that always irks me too.
Oh, the cat playground…if I were there and it weren’t closed, I’d have to climb on it too! 😉
It is indeed very versatile. I have worn it with at least 4 outfits already.
The technical stuff is now all sorted out. Just need to throw away a lot and put things in a different place. But that is easy.
And you are not allowed on that cat playground. I know you are petite, but you wouldn’t get away with pretending you are a child. Nobody would be fooled haha.
I love this outfit. That necklace is just gorgeous, and of course, your new bag is stunning!
Thanks. I thought I would keep the rest of the outfit simple so those two could shine.