The sky was blue, the sea was blue and I was wearing a blue shirt. Too much of a good thing? Looking at the photos (taken by husband Ron), I think it is a lovely combination.
Ron had sent me some photos of backgrounds at the beach and I agreed they would be very good for an outfit shoot. As Kitty is pretty busy with a full-time job and two children, she usually cannot spare the time to travel very far. The beach we frequent is in IJmuiden which is about 25 minutes’ drive. Luckily Ron was prepared to take the photos. Originally we had planned to go three days later, on Sunday. But he suggested on Wednesday night, why don’t we go Thursday? Which meant I had to think up an outfit rather fast.
Below: Signs like this give you an instant holiday feeling.
Below: Despite the gorgeous weather, we had almost the whole beach to ourselves. Granted, it was only 10 o’clock in the morning, but the vastness of this beach and the fact you can bring your dog, are the reasons why we like IJmuiden and the beach bar Beach-in.
Below: The trousers are from kpa.haarlem and were heavily reduced (only €20). The blue shirt is by Bellamy Gallery. I have styled two ways for you in this post with my bright pink trousers and I wore it at the brocante market near Paris. Dog Watson was with us of course.
Below: With my heels in the sand, adored by two dogs. (Well, I don’t know whether the friend dog adores me as much as Watson does. Probably not.)
Below: Blue, blue skies and a boat club.
Below: I really liked this photo against the sailing (boat) club cabin but hadn’t tucked in the blue shirt properly. I know the blue belt is a totally different blue from the shirt, but I kinda liked that.
Below: Ah, this is the right way of tucking the shirt in. With a straight line, not scalloped as above.
Below: We found this wooden ‘fence’ and I climbed on it which is quite a risky thing to do with heels, especially when you are 67 and your balance is starting to go. (And I do brush my teeth while standing on one leg – alternating the leg; all for keeping my balance.)
Below: Sitting down on a post is much easier. The orange brooch is by an artist, Sylvia Blickman.
Below: Now for the details. These golden shoes cost me €11 at a second-hand shop last year. Never been worn, fit like a glove.
Below: This was my idea of a bag close-up…
Below: Ron made the picture so much more interesting. I love this shot. It is a bag by Inyati (never heard of) which I bought in the sales when the department store Hudson’s Bay was closing their doors in the Netherlands. I looked Inyati up for you and they are a German company. The bag is ‘vegan’.
We gave my clothes and the camera for safe-keeping to someone we know at the beach and had a lovely morning with cappuccino and ice cream in the sun. Ron took Watson for a good long run along the shore, while I stayed near the bar as the wind was fierce. A totally enjoyable day.
What happened in my life this week
Saturday was another day to visit my mum. I returned a rollator which I had ordered for her. I thought it was a small, lightweight one for indoor use, but it was not. It was quite wide and heavy, so after checking that, it went straight back into the box and I delivered it at the ‘post office’. After that the parcel went AWOL. I had a very unpleasant phone call with a Track and Trace lady about it. Then two days of nothing and it arrived at its destination. Relief.
Below: Mum. I said to her: “My readers say they like seeing you, so come on, pose for another photo”. She is a tiny woman. I got my height from my father.
In the afternoon Kitty came for a drink in the garden and we ordered pizza. The world is starting to feel more normal again.
Sunday was a day of doing nothing I think. I have no recollection. The washing?
Monday was my son-in-law’s birthday. As he and his wife (my bonus daughter) were on holiday for a week in our own country, we could only give our congratulations by WhatsApp.
The physiotherapist did her magic on me again and my leg (knee) is feeling much better.
In the afternoon I popped over to Monique, who lives two doors down. She had new sunshades installed which I admired and we had a chat in her garden.
Tuesday started with a visit by Marcella of Lara Design. Our friendship is still young. It is nice to make new friends. Your heart is big enough to love them all. We chatted till after lunchtime. It was lovely weather, summer dresses weather. Below: Marcella.
In the afternoon I drove 25 minutes to my cobbler as I lost the rubber part of my new shoes’ heel. When I arrived, there were no shoes in my car; they were still in my bedroom. Aaaggh. Driving back I missed the exit Haarlem. I HAVE NEVER MISSED THIS EXIT. Honestly, my brain is going to mush.
Wednesday was a very hot day which I spent in the shade with my friend Lia. I drove up to the camping ground where they have their truck, their bespoke caravan. It is only a few miles from their house but it is a totally different world.
Below: The truck/caravan that Lia and her husband Harry (in the picture) own. This used to be the milkman’s van, delivering door to door in the old days. Harry completely rebuilt it and made it their staycation home. When they want to travel, they have a Mercedes bus, also completely revamped by Harry.
Below: And this is their view in the afternoon, with the sheep in the back.
Below: And in the morning when the sheep come to greet you. It is so relaxing, so quiet.
Lia and I had a very tasty lunch on the terrace of a restaurant in the village, overlooking the water. Big parasols to protect us from the heat. My outfit you have seen in this original Italy blog post, worn with a long pearl necklace. This time I wore black and white earrings with it.)
In the evening Ron and I decided to use our newly installed air-conditioning. However, no cooling. Machine on the blink. Luckily the man who installed it, responds very quickly on WhatsApp and by noon the following day it was repaired.
Thursday, another hot day. Ron, Watson and I were off to the beach in the morning at a quarter to nine.
Below: Ten o’clock in the morning. There were some people (with dogs) but just a few. If you look closely you can spot Ron and Watson.
The air-conditioning is now working perfectly. Hurray.
Friday: another visit to mum. I took her to a terrace on a big canal where we were invited by an older couple to join them at their table in the shade. Well…invited…I was rather suggestive. There were no tables left in the shade and I didn’t want my mum to sit in the hot sun. As I am a cheeky bastard, I just tilted my head, put on my best smile and said: “Oh dear no place in the shade. We cannot very well sit at your table, can we???” You have to have a heart of stone to say no. The couple were 84 and 88, so near my mum’s age and we had a jolly old chat together. Of course I forgot to take a photo at the terrace, so below is the obligatory photo on the sofa. This was my third attempt and mum has her eyebrows raised, probably thinking it is never going to work haha. (Link to original post with the RIXO London dress.)
Next week the temperatures should be normal again, around 21 degrees C (70 F). My preferred temperature.
Greetje
I haven’t been to the beach for ages. I have a plan to go at 6am with my camera and tripod but I just haven’t made it yet lol!!
I love the blue shirt and the brown trousers – I always thought it was such a lovely colour combination.
Hugs
Suzy xx
P.S I did have to laugh when you forgot the shoes and then missed the exit on the motorway!! What were you thinking that day??!!
6 a.m. is terribly early and cold. 8 a.m. is quite early enough.
I never knew blue and brown were a combination, I just stumbled upon it.
What was I thinking that day? I wasn’t thinking at all. Just not focussed.
Going to the beach sounds so nice. And the blue blouse is quite attractive. The pin and golden shoes are great additions to your look.
When you have lived near the beach all your life, you take it for granted. But yes, it is nice.
The golden shoes are (sort of) the same colour as the trousers which elongates my legs and keeps the outfit less busy than with other shoes. The brooch is a much needed accessory to add some interest. Again, the orange is in the same colour palette as the trousers.
Love the blue and brown combo. The blue is like the sea and sky, while the brown picks up a bit of the sand’s colour. So you’re a walking beach 🙂
Had to look twice at the pic of Harry – he looks like my better half!
You might get your height from your dad but I reckon you get your love of colour from your mum. Love her colourful tops!
Oh funny, the blue of the sea and sky and the brown of the sand… I hadn’t thought of this. Very clever of you.
Harry looks like your better half? Perhaps they are twins. They say everybody has a twin somewhere in the world. There is even a photographer who searches such twins and photographs them.
I think I have my love of clothes and colour from both my parents as my father was a very fancy lad as well in his younger days. He spent quite a bit of money on it. Had a camel coat when everybody else wore black (which was of course far more sensible). So I am doubly blessed or burdened whichever way you look at it haha.
I love seeing your mum, Greetje, she reminds me of my mother-in-law.
Love the blue with the caramel of the trousers (and I agree on your tuck – good work on finding the right one!). The shoes are lovely – isn’t it amazing what you can find second-hand?
So nice that you got to frolic at the beach with Ron and Watson! Ah, that looks so perfect, I can nearly feel the cold water on my ankles. Your friends’ trailer is fabulous – what a view!
Mum will appreciate your comment Sheila.
Tucking-in isn’t as easy as it looks, is it? It requires some thought. The colour combination happened by accident but the pumps were a real choice. The colour is nearly the same as the trousers, elongating the legs.
The three of us often frolic at the beach, even today for a quick lunch. The weather was beautiful, but unfortunately cloudy at the beach. Still, it was nice.
Thank you for more outfit inspiration. I have a pair of culottes in the same colour as your trousers and I did not know which colour I could wear with them to brighten the outfit. I have a shirt in the same shade of blue as your shirt, so I will try this combination. We love taking our dogs to the beach, and enjoyed similar sunny conditions the last time we were there. We had to go early though as it became too hot for the dogs later in the day.
Thanks also for the advice last week about contacting Marcella from Lara Design. It is nice to see a photo of her, and of your mum of course
The colour combination of this outfit happened by accident. I don’t think I am that much of a stylist that I would have knowingly created it. I did consciously choose the pumps.
We always go the beach early in the morning: less people, less heat.
And did you contact Marcella? (Just being nosy haha; don’t worry, I am not on commission. Strictly enthusiastic.)
Hi Greetje,
I have not got around to contacting Marcella yet. I hope to do so very soon.
Have fun with it.
Dag !!!
Wat een fantastische foto’s . Geweldige look en geweldige spot ervoor dat n dus geweldige foto’s ! Out of magazine!
Leuk jij moeder ook te mogen zien !!
Ja, het helpt een blogger ontzettend als ze medewerking krijgt van haar echtgenoot. Hij is geweldig.
Moeders denkt altijd dat niemand haar op de blog wil zien, maar tot zover heb ik alleen positieve geluiden gehoord.
So sweet to see your mom. Love the beach venue and your outfit shots — such a perfect blend of style and nature!
The idea for a photo shoot and the exection are entirely my husband’s. I am very grateful that he helps me with the blog. And, my mum reads my blog and the comments, so she will read your comment too.
Love all your blues – you look great!
So glad your air conditioner is working. I’ve always thought that the person who invented it should get a Nobel prize!
Let’s nominate the person who invented the air conditioner for that Nobel prize !!
I love the “Blues” and the casual yet creative photos by Ron. Is there a color for your brown/orangey pants? Perhaps a rust. Anyway, divine with the blue shirt! Love seeing your Mom.
The colour combination of my trouwers with this blue shirt happened by accident. Usually ‘by accident’ makes the best outfits, at least for me.
I really like the blue and brown combo in your outfit. What a gorgeous beach! It made for some great outfit shots.
What a lovely view from your friends’ campsite. I’d relax there all day. And your Mum is adorable as always.
It was Ron who discovered the opportunies of the beach as photo background. Very grateful to him, also for taking these marvellous pictures.
When I sat in a chair at the camping looking at the sheep, I felt sooo relaxed.