Wearing a dress as a jacket is ever so easy with a button-down dress. Unbutton it, wear a block of colour underneath and you’re done. This Sportmax dress has been in my wardrobe for many years, it appeared in this post in Paris and in this post, styling a sleeveless dress (scroll down a bit).
It is lightweight, excellent quality and chic. I have dressed it down with my new shoes from Paul Noyen which are sooooo comfortable. Like walking on air. The trousers are Marella and from Turin (oh how I long to go back to my friend Daniela in Turin).
Ron wanted to go to the exhibition Here to Stay at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. Would I like to go too? I am a cultural barbarian, as I call myself, not knowing the first thing about art (and not that interested in it either, but don’t tell anyone). Nevertheless I always tag along with Ron, who has ‘educated’ me quite a bit over the years. Ron invited our friends Georg and Marla to join and promised me to take some outfit photos, so I could use this outing for a blog post.
After seeing the photos, he would have preferred me not to use them. He finds them uninteresting and boring. Well, sorry Ron, but a blog post is a blog post and photos will not be wasted.
Below: The Van Gogh Museum is housed in a very modern building. Around the museum are pretty flower beds.
Below: Ron scouting for pretty photo opportunities.
Below: This photo opportunity arose as he looked out of the Van Gogh Museum. Was that man hurting the woman? Killing her? Nope…exercises, fitness, bootcamp, whatever. Funny sight.
Below: The exhibition was nice and interesting. It is forbidden to take photos, but I think they mean with flashlight. I was naughty and took this iconic self-portrait, but without flashlight.
Below: The museum is in this street. Very pretty (expensive) houses in this neighbourhood.
Below: I am used to dropping my tote (with mirror, brush, comb and such) wherever it is out of sight when my photos are taken. Georg thought that was rather dangerous in Amsterdam and he set himself up as guard. He has got the shades for the job haha.
Below: Ron spotted these roses, which are very photogenic.
Below: Then the guy of the Postal Services arrived to deliver the mail. He was asking what I was doing and just as in Candid Camera, I pointed at Ron and explained. He thought it was funny.
Below: As I was standing there anyway, this lady wanted some information about the location of the nearest bank. Pointing her in the right direction.
Below: Looking to see whether the coast was clear. A couple was approaching but didn’t dare to pass haha.
Below: At last, the-sitting-on-the-stairs photo.
Below: This is a good time to show you a close-up of my wonderful new shoes. I feel very modern with them.
Below: Next-door to the Van Gogh Museum is the Stedelijk Museum (city museum), located in a very old building. Also a wonderful museum to visit.
Below: Detail of the building.
Below: And another one.
Below: Across from the Stedelijk Museum, on the corner of Van Baerlestraat and Paulus Potterstraat, you will find this magnificent building. It houses the Conservatorium Hotel and apparently the inside is even grander. Next time I am in Amsterdam I will go inside. Apparently it houses a lot of shops too, no doubt expensive ones.
Below: We had coffee and an apple pie in a café across the road. This photo shows my top and earrings pretty well. Isn’t it fun how the pattern of the top is repeated by the wrinkly skin on my arms?
Below: On our way to the restaurant for lunch, we passed this street and I thought: “It is beginning to look more and more like Paris.” We’ve never had elaborate terraces in Amsterdam. Because of Covid, the city council has allowed the hotels, bars and restaurants to expand into the streets and squares. No idea whether this will remain or not. Too early to say. Things are looking up but Covid isn’t gone yet.
Below: Three examples of step-gables. The weather had gone cloudy, which is a shame.
Below: Here is an example of a house with a hoisting beam. They hang a pulley-block from the hook and hoist big furniture up. Far easier than trying to get everything up the stairs. At the time these houses were built, they were taxed by the width of the house. Which is why the owner commissioned the stairs to be made as narrow as possible in order to get more space for the rooms. This ‘hoisting invention’ was a necessity.
Below: I love these tiles next to someone’s front door.
Below: Marla took this photo of me, while cheekily sitting on a transport bicycle (usually to transport children with). Flowers everywhere.
Below: Restaurant Brasserie van Baerle. The separators between the tables are there because of Covid.
Below: Most of the guests were having lunch in the garden.
Below: We thought that was far too cold and chose a table near the window. (With a view on a container…). Ron with Georg and Marla.
Below: Ron and I, studying the menu. That was serious business. I found out they didn’t serve sandwiches or other Dutch lunch items. Only lovely meals which we would eat at dinner time. The French would have no problem with this, but we are Dutch. It was easily solved: we ordered the nice food, which was delicious and ate sandwiches at home in the evening.
Below: I hardly ever drink alcohol and the orange juice was freshly squeezed, yummy. Earrings by Lara Design.
A thoroughly enjoyable day.
What happened in my life this week
On Saturday I went into town and bought a second-hand white top. I shouldn’t go near shops, that is much better. It was a hot day.
Sunday Ron and I both visited my mum and worked in her garden (me wearing high heels…how stupid). We got rid of most of the weeds…well, Ron did and I helped a little bit. We stayed for dinner this time and had fried potatoes and a rich salad with smoked chicken. It was delicious.
Below: Mum in blue.
Monday my friend Misja came for coffee and she brought cookies. Loyal readers will remember Misja (her blog is MisjaB) as she has been featured lots of times on my blog. And I didn’t forget to take a photo, yay. She was wearing one of her new glasses.
Tuesday Marcella of Lara Design came to my house and I helped a little bit on a project she is undertaking, just a little computer work, none of the creative work haha. It was nice to do this as it gives me a sense of accomplishment, while we are having fun at the same time.
In the evening Ron and I had dinner with our friend Arine in Eindhoven as a thank-you for the stuff we got from her father’s house (see this blog post). Jolly nice night. Forgot taking photos again…sigh.
Wednesday was a cold, cold day and I stayed in, creating my blog post. I only went out to cycle. While cycling I spotted these geese parents with little ones. One of the parents came up to me, clearly not amused that I stopped so near the children, see below. I quickly got on my bike again. Geese, like swans, can hurt you quite severely when they are defending their little ones.
Last year I saw two ducks attacking a seagull in the canal. I suspect that the seagull was after the little ducklings. The seagull did not survive. It was a gruesome sight and I had to turn away. It would have been equally gruesome if the seagull had caught a duckling. I read about it and it seems that seagulls sometimes do this when there isn’t enough food around to feed their young. Mostly during the weekend. Because they find their food around fishing boats, which operate during the week, in the weekend they get desperate for food for their young. Nature is cruel.
Thursday Ron and I walked the dog at the beach again. I was planning to wash my hair that morning and postponed it till the afternoon. Some exercise would do me good. Consequently, I looked like this on the beach terrace: wind-blown hair in need of washing, no fancy earrings and no lipstick. At least I had put on some make-up. The biggest difference is the lipstick.
Friday my neighbour Monique (from two doors down), and I visited an art exhibition in Rotterdam called OBJECT. That’s what you do when you are retired, you visit museums and exhibitions. There were 5 large floors of applied art. We saw beautiful things. I managed not to buy anything but was very tempted. There were sofas, chairs, lamps, jewellery (!!), too many things to mention. I might do a blog post on it. I don’t know whether you would like that.
See you next week.
Greetje
That outfit is spot on.
Well, thank you very much. That is short but very sweet.
wow, lovely new shoes, they look really cool and modern (and comfy too, which is something I particularly appreciate!).
Love the way you’ve styled this dress as a jacket, it’s a brilliant idea, and I think it makes our wardrobes more interesting!. I do love a versatile piece.
You rock your accessories!
And I always love to see the ‘behind the camera’ of your posts, passersby and real life included. But this is a particularly fabulous post, as Ámsterdam is such a fabulous place.
besos
Yes those shoes will get some mileage. Usually I am not that good in styling a garment in a different way, but practice makes perfect. Well, in the long, long run.
I am very glad I was able to entertain you with my post. Makes my day.
I really like your outfit! It looks so chic and comfortable. In fact, I think I prefer the dress as a long jacket.
Thanks for sharing so many photos of Amsterdam with us. They bring back memories of our short visit there two years ago.
Usually I am not that good in styling a garment a different way, so this one made me feel proud.
This week’s post is showing you even more of Amsterdam.
I really like this outfit – I have worn dresses open as a jacket too and the one you are wearing is perfect for this. Your new shoes are very cool – I would wear those too! I always visit at least one museum or art gallery when I travel, so I would have enjoyed the Van Gogh exhibit. The architecture in this post is really interesting.
I had to laugh at your comment about the pattern in your top being echoed in the skin of your arms! Yes, weird things happen to our bodies as we age.
I am glad you laughed at my comment about the pattern of the top and my arms. That was the intention. I was hoping people would see the fun of it.
Great shoes, and I love the dress-as-duster worn over a column of color. So chic and youthful. You and Ron have so many fun outings! Really liked your mum’s blouse, too! But gardening in heels? Ouch!
Youthful! Thanks. That cannot be bad. Actually Ron and I usually do our own stuff separately from each other. But now that we are both retired, we do spend more time together as well.
Mum reads the comments so she will read your compliment too.
Gardening in heels? Yep, stupid. And that is how I felt as well.
The dress as jacket makes for a casual but chic style. I like it and your new shoes are a bonus. Very cute. I would love to visit the Van Gogh museum. Thanks for sharing all the interesting photos. Your Mom looks very good in the blue.
I call this style ‘elegant and comfortable’. Or ‘casual chic’ as you say. And if you want to visit the Van Gogh Museum, shoot over to the Netherlands fast. There aren’t that many tourists at the moment (yet).
Mum reads the comments so she will see your compliment.
Don’t blooming flowers enhance everything and everyone? Those are cool shoes. Are they lightweight?
A blog post on “Object”? YES PLEASE!!!!!!!!! Ronda
I am getting quite a few requests for a post about OBJECTS. It surprises me, but I will comply. In two weeks.
Indeed, blooming flowers enhance everything. I always have two vases in the living room with flowers.
My new shoes (thanks for calling them cool) are lightweight considering their chunkyness.
I would love to see the OBJECT art exhibit! I’m so glad you snuck an illicit pic of Van Gogh (thank you!), Greetje. I love art galleries.
I love your new chunky shoes – they are so cool. I love this outfit with the opened-up dress – it’s got a nice duster feel about it.
It is so beautiful where you live (sigh). Victoria has also let its restaurants and bars spread out into the streets and sidewalks – I love it, but we will see how it lasts (it does take away a lot of precious parking downtown).
Good to see your lovely mum, and you and Ron hanging out with your friends! Some of our restaurants still have the dividers up here, but some have left them in place. It’s all up to the businesses now.
Oh thanks of reminding me. I have a fab lime duster coat hidden in the closet. I should dig it out.
Parking downtown is nearly impossible in our cities. Parking garages or way outside the centre.
I am also curious to see how long the dividers will stay up and how long the restaurants are allowed to spread out. Mind you, our government is afraid there might be a fourth lockdown in the fall due to the mutant versions and the people bringing these into the country when they come back from holiday.
Ah, Van Gogh, my favorite painter! When we were in Paris two years ago, we did not make it to the impressionistic museum since my feet were definitely “destroyed” after 5 hours at the Louvre. But it was worth it! I read a book of Van Gogh’s letters to his brother Theo years ago. Van Gogh was a fascinating man! Love those shoes!
I can imagine your feet were ‘destroyed’. My goodness, 5 hours of slow walking. At the exhibition we visited, were a few examples of Vincent’s letters.
Edgy flats. Here, Stuart Weitzman makes them at 2x the price. Go figure!!
Love your earrings and your ensemble. Practical!!
Rotterdam museum exhibit sounds interesting.
Great city shots, as usual.
In the little town i live in the San Francisco Bay Area, the streets are lined with outdoor canopies and dining tables everywhere. In fact, traffic is closed on such streets from Friday pm through Sunday evening to allow people to stroll and dine there. It started during Covid and its becoming permanent now. We love it. We walk there, about one mile, and then walk back the dinner, lunch, etc…..
San Francisco Bay Area sounds great. From what I have seen of San Francisco it looks like a very nice and cosy town.
Love the step gables, flowers, and hoist photos — so interesting. I agree with others that your new shoes really add to the outfit. I’d love a blog post about the Rotterdam art exhibit you mentioned.
I LOVE those shoes! They give the whole outfit a modern look. And hooray for comfort.
Wearing a dress open as a jacket or duster is about the only way I’ll wear them anymore. Your Sportmax dress looks great this way.
I like Misja’s new glasses too!
I find it harder and harder to wear dresses with high heels. But I cannot give in to it yet. I feel as if I am losing part of my style-me, but being retired doesn’t make wearing them easy. When I go to my mum’s, I nearly sit all day and then I will wear them.
Love those shoes Greetje, they make the whole outfit edgier. I just had a look at the Noyen site and may be tempted by the black and white sneakers in the sale. I don’t need more sneakers – but you know the problem! Do you get any commission if I buy them?
Fantastic location pics again this week, esp. the flowers around the Van Gogh museum and the step gables. Have a great week!
The owner of the shop wore them and I thought they looked so good on her. So I had to try them myself. And did I need any more shoes? The same problem as with your sneakers haha.
No I do not get any commission if you buy anything from a shop I link to. My blog is non commercial.
I am glad you liked the flower photos as I hesitated to put them in the post. The same with the photo of the step gables. Glad I did now. And I wish you a very nice week too.