Do you prefer wind-swept hair? Then you are in for a treat as that is what you’ll get with this photo shoot featuring my romantic dress. (It is cream, not white.)
I am still hoping summer will start as we haven’t had many warm days this year. So different from last year. Although any temperature over 24 C (75F) is too hot for me, the cloudy days we are experiencing now with 18 C (64F), isn’t summer. But there is hope. The weather forecast for the coming week is very good with high temperatures. Fingers crossed as nothing is as unpredictable as the weather.
Warm weather would be really nice as I’d love to wear this dress which I saw on Instagram and immediately fell in love with. I ordered it in size 38 (optimistic as I am) and in size 40 (my regular size – L). What a disappointment; even size 40 was far too tight in the waist, riding up to settle tightly under my breasts. As a size is only a number, I ordered 42 and that was a much better fit. On a Tuesday morning when the weather seemed to be quite reasonable and sunny, Ron was prepared to take photos. Not to deprive dog Watson from his usual run at the beach, I suggested to do the shoot there. Wind and sand…my favourites (NOT).
Below: We tried a spot in the dunes where there was hardly any wind and Ron suggested I’d take off my shoes. Talking to Watson in this photo.
Below: Here is a better picture of him. That dog is adorable. He looks a lot slimmer and darker now that he has been trimmed. We can’t wait for his hair to grow again.
Below: We started at the beach with my shoes in the sand (see first photo above). In the photo below I found a small tile to stand on haha.
Below: Soon enough Ron had me standing on sand again, underneath a building. It does make for a creative picture, I’ll grant him that.
Below: Oh, I can sit down…that’s good. Only the wind got hold of my skirt and I had to make sure I stayed decent. Now you can see that the shoes are wedged.
Below: All set, not too much wind.
Every top or dress I wear, pulls to one side at the neck and so does this dress. I have to keep that neckline in place with fashion tape.
Below: Ron always wants to take photos with a bit of a creative edge (bless him), therefore the yellow surfboard rack was calling him.
Below: Also a perfect spot for a close-up of the shoes. They are fabric, which means I get no blisters from these.
We headed for the terrace of Beach Inn restaurant for cappuccinos and lunch.
Below: Look at my husband’s gorgeous legs. I love his tanned, manly shaped legs.
(If you think ‘why is he wearing such a tattered pair of shorts and old sneakers?”, that is because this is his beach outfit; old enough not to care about sea water, dirt or sand.)
Below: On the terrace, taking a close-up of my necklace. My friend Anja made this one, years ago. It also went well with the outfit I wore on a boat trip through Amsterdam with Anne and Kirk. (Scroll down to see a head-to-toe photo and an even closer look at the necklace.)
Below: I took a close-up of my bag from the side where the light was on the bag, so you could see the texture and complained to Ron about me taking such a dull photo.
Below: Ron put some food on the table to lure the sparrows. It is forbidden to feed the birds as the restaurant doesn’t want them to shxt all over the seats. This is hard to avoid anyway as there will always be crumbs to keep them interested in the terrace.
It does make for a better photo, but from this side you can’t see the texture.
Below: Then husband and dog went for a proper walk along the seashore. By this time, the little bit of sunshine we had had, was replaced by clouds. Perfect weather for taking photos though.
A joyful morning.
What happened in my life this week
Saturday was a happy day. It started with meeting my friend Sylvia of 40PlusStyle again. She sold her house in the Netherlands and is now living in Portugal. We decided to go to Amsterdam.
Below: Sylvia, looking magnificent. What a terrific suit she is wearing. I am sorry about the moiré effect of the pinstripes. I am not skilled enough (yet) with Photoshop to correct that.
Below: I wore my Dries van Noten sweater which is very white in reality (see this post).
Having no idea of the shoes or sneakers to wear with this outfit, I asked Ron for help. “Your Converse sneakers!” he said immediately. Good one.
Below: Sylvia quite rightly fell for this dress .
I bought a new pair of jeans, not as narrow as my skinnies. Although I still like my skinnies with a long top, I don’t really like to wear them anymore like I did this Saturday.
Sunday was a quiet day. I don’t recall doing anything.
Monday I took mum to the eye doctor in hospital for a check-up. I wanted to know what was wrong with her eyes and what was not. I got the right answers for which I am grateful. Nothing major to worry about.
Tuesday was the day of this outfit shoot and lunch at the beach.
Wednesday I dropped off another repaired sock at Marianne’s and stayed for a few hours. I had to rush to get home as I was expecting Katrien. Sure enough she was 15 minutes early and had to wait for me. Murphy’s Law. When you are not there your guests arrive early. When you are all ready and waiting, they come late.
Below: Katrien is always dressed in a unique and creative way. This day she had rather a spectacular coat on. A true conversation piece. Loved it. I forgot to take a photo of Katrien wearing it, but I do have a photo of the coat itself.
Below: I wore the ‘pretty in pink’ outfit which was just right for the weather. (Link to original post.)
Katrien brought me the coat she is sewing for me, to try on. I love all her coats and now she is making one especially for me. Below you can see the fabric and the stage just before cutting. Not an easy job with all these squares which have to line up.
On Thursday Marcella and I created our fourth video for her Instagram account of Lara Design. We are getting a little better every time.
Below: Marcella at work.
Friday was a bright and sunny day. Yay. Did some blogging, cycling, walked to town, that kind of stuff. Totally relaxing.
I stopped at kpa.haarlem to have a chat with Karlijn and we agreed to meet that evening and ‘talk shop’. I love to think along about their shops with Karlijn and Marcella, learning a lot at the same time. Of course the subjects (clothes and earrings) are what I am passionate about.
Greetje
Such a great dress and fantastic photos by Ron too. Was lovely to see you again!
Yes Ron is getting better and better. Of course, good light helps a lot. Creative he has always been.
The dress is of excellent quality and is murder to iron. The outer dress is modal but attached to it, is an inner dress in cotton. Gee..
Hope to see you again at Christmas?
lLove Watson and love the blue and white necklace!
Where did you get it ? Kate
The necklace was made by my friend Anja. It is a unique piece.
I can totally understand why you had to have that dress, Greetje. It’s gorgeous! Shame you had to order it again though, in another size. Typical!
I love the photos on the beach. The one of the handbag and the birds is so cute!
I also love that you had to take a photo of Ron’s legs lol! I have the same thing with my husband—his legs are gorgeous. I was always jealous of how shapely and long they are lol!!
Hugs
Suzy xx
I know it looks a bit strange, to love your husband’s legs, so I am glad you are also a nutcase. The first thing I fell for though, were his arms and hands. Strange how this works.
I suppose you already imagine that I like the dress a lot, right? I love the color, the length, the volume, the pattern that fits your body (even if it’s a size 42! LOL). I think the outfit playing with the blue of the necklace, the bag and the shoes has grace and style. Your pink look, honestly, I find it a bit cloying. I see myself reflected in Ron’s outfit, at a certain age men already opted for absolute comfort, although his look has style! LOL
Ye3s, I knew you would like the dress. I am surprised you don’t like the outfit with the pink jumper and the cream trousers. I think it is very elegant. Doesn’t matter Josep-Maria, it would be strange if you always liked everything all the time.
Men and comfort clothing…tell me about it!
Such a pretty and feminine dress. You look lovely. The necklace is a great accessory. I always enjoy seeing Watson, Husband Ron, and your wonderful friends. The casual jeans outfit I would buy and wear often.
It is not that easy to come up with accessories for the dress. The design itself is taking the stage. But that romantic necklace, not too high, not too low (and interfering with the pin tucks) is good. I have also worn it without a necklace but with statement earrings. Works as well.
The casual jeans outfit is great because of the sweater design.
Wow, what a lovely dress, Greetje! It looks wonderful on you, and I love the accessorizing and fun beach pictures. Watson is such a character, and Ron does have good legs, ha ha!
How nice to see Sylvia – I love her new hair! She’s so stylish. I adore your Dries outfit (you know I’m a fan) and good call on the Converse. Your pink outfit is wonderful – love, love, love!
Oh thanks, I have been doing well in this post, haven’t I? At the moment I am going through my wardrobe to see what I should give away. Problem is that everything is reasonably current and still fitting. But if I only wear it once a year it is clogging up my closet.
Love the white dress. You could consider adding a belt, to emphasize your waspy-waist!
My waspy waist whahahaha. If there is anything I do not have, it is a waspy waist. In the morning and while wearing a bodyshaper, it is 83 cm. During the day it gets more. Which is why I had to size up to 42.
I am afraid that if you add a belt, you will ruin the design of the pleats, or as I learned on IG: the pin tucking.
It’s the optics, Greetje! Never mind the cm’s! Your waist LOOKS tiny here. It’s higher than your natural waist, that helps too. But I agree about the pleats, hadn’t notices the pin tucks, a belt would probably crush them.
Anyway: love the dress!
I agree and I am all for an optical illusion haha.
Wow, that dress is stunning. The Dries van Noten sweater is one of my favorites of your looks. I love the modern, artsy vibe of it.
With the dress it was love at first sight. The Dries van Noten sweater I bought exactly for the reasons you mentioned: modern, artsy vibe. Totally ignoring the fact it is white (absolutely not my best colour) and doesn’t do anything for showing off my figure haha.
Ik vind de crème kleurige jurk geweldig. Staat je prachtig en maakt je erg jeugdig. De combinatie met blauw ook perfect!
Watson en Ron zijn geweldige figuranten 🙂
Zodra ik die jurk zag was ik verliefd en toen hij binnenkwam bleek hij echt goed te zijn. Nou ja, qua stof en maken en zo. De maat was wat aan de krappe kant totdat ik de 42 had.
I love that dress on you! You look really great! and your bags, I love all your bags. Since I cannot wear heels or nice shoes at all, I crave beautiful bags.
Even though I can wear high heels, I still crave beautiful bags too haha. I am insatiable. I don’t wear the incredibly high stiletto heels anymore, but this wedged heel is OK.
What a pretty dress! Ron does have great ideas for photo backgrounds (as well as great legs). I love your pretty-in-pink outfit too, And Watson is adorable.
The dress makes me feel very feminine, but of course, I already have had comments (in real life) like: oh it looks like a wedding dress haha. I don’t mind.
Lovely dress. Watson is a very handsome chap!
I don’t quite get Dries. Not always kind to the feminine side. Quirky, yes. And, mostly experimental, on your resources!!
Sylvia looks resplendent in her two piece suit. I adore the skirt behind her dress. However, a little too young.
You are right that Dries isn’t always that kind to the feminine side, but he does make interesting pieces. I just fell for it as it made my outfit of the day I bought it, much more modern.
Thanks for teaching me a new word: resplendent. I had never heard about that.
Where can I get Sylvia’s dress?
Love the way you live and your style.
I am trying to “up my game” as we say in the states and you are inspiring me to do just that. I am becoming more thoughtful about how I dress and what I buy. Thank you
I am sorry Jill, Sylvia’s dress was from the Essentiel Antwerp outlet shop. It is last seasons I think.
Very wise to up your game. We have to make an effort to make our lives shinier. Dressing with more care helps as it sends a message to the world and it makes you feel more confident, knowing you look good.
Often you read that women even feel better knowing they are wearing beautiful lingerie which nobody can see.
Beautiful dress and I love the beach setting. Ron and Watson are certainly handsome!
I fell in love with the dress as soon as it appeared in my Instagram screen. When you are always busy with a style blog, you get a lot of temptations. And yes my fellers are good-looking.
That’s a lovely dress, Greetje! I hope you get some warm weather to wear it.
Love the pink sweater too, and Watson is such a handsome boy.
Ron really does have some great photo ideas, not to mention good-looking legs, haha!
It is already warm this weekend and the next week looks very promising.
Ron is very creative and I am glad you mention his good-looking legs haha.
Retirement suits you. Not being ageist ( I’m 75) but you look younger than ever. I look forward to reading about your adventures on Sunday.
Don’t come too close Flora haha, or my age will show. But I am happy with the way I look at 67, I will admit that.