Meeting Janna of @timelessstyle.nl at Hotel L’Europe in Amsterdam was a joyful occasion for which I wore my cheerful lime leather jacket. I love the colour but this jacket isn’t as easy to combine with existing clothes from my wardrobe as I initially thought. It is too long and hangs too straight for midi or maxi skirts (it makes me look like a lamppost). And even with trousers I have to be careful as it doesn’t look good with any old pair.
The combination with these skinny jeans, which are a bit straighter than my normal skinny jeans, got my approval. Blue is a good colour with lime. The jeans are by Denham, a Dutch brand which fits me pretty well (thank you for putting stretch into jeans!).
Below: Janna of @timelessstyle.nl and I met at the restaurant of hotel L’Europe, called Marie. The view from the restaurant is pretty awesome.
Below: This was the view behind Janna. The tower is the ‘Munttoren‘.
Below: Three photos of the hotel and its restaurant Marie to show you the splendour.
It wasn’t really a place to meet for lunch as they only served meals we would eat for dinner. Any person from France or Italy would laugh reading this, but we Dutch like bread with something on it for lunch. We are not exactly gourmets LOL, even though there are very good restaurants in this country.
Below: We managed to order something we liked and after the coffee, we did a photo shoot of each other’s outfit. Janna posts a lot of outfits on Instagram and that is how we got in touch with each other. As we live quite close, we decided to meet. I featured her two times before, once in Hotel Krasnapolski and once in Hotel American. It just dawns on me, we have met three times in a hotel restaurant. I must ask her why that is. Anyway, here she is again, looking great.
Below: My turn.
Below: The interior of Hotel L’Europe.
Because we were indoors, the photos aren’t very sharp. Sorry girls, I am no Kitty, just an amateur. We lacked light and my camera acts very funny at times.
Below: I initially wore a cobalt blue silk shirt underneath the jacket, one that was torn at the back. Nobody would have seen it, but the reason it was torn, was because it was too small. It kept riding up, so I changed it for this old top. The champagne-coloured boots are by Eijk Amsterdam and they have the typical comfortable heel. I love silver and gold shoes and boots; ever so easy to combine.
Below: Close-up of the Eijk Boots.
Below: The blue bag that you see on the chair next to me is a find at the Max Mara outlet near Haarlem (remember the big yellow shopping bags stacked next to Marianne and me?).
Below: Close-up of the big leather bag.
Below: This is how you are supposed to wear such a giant bag. By one corner or clinched under your arm as in the photos above. How very practical (NOT). I liked it when I bought it but afterwards I was afraid it was a mistake. It surprised me that the first time I carried this bag, going into Haarlem, I got 4 compliments in one hour. Beats me.
Below: Janna took this close-up of my earrings by Lara Design. A bit too close to my liking haha. When I saw this photo I backed up, saying “Aaiiii”. But who cares.
Below: I took many photos of Janna in one of the lounges, all of them not sharp. Such a shame. This is the best one in the series.
Below: After we had said goodbye, I went to the WC and took this photo. It was quite fancy.
Below: I had a stroll through Amsterdam as the sun had come out. I photographed several buildings along the way. For those who are not interested in seeing buildings, scroll through.
Below: In a small street called Heiligeweg, I found the Dutch store of the Canadian brand Fluevog. My friend Sheila of the blog Ephemera owns a huge amount of their shoes and I love them but am too chicken to buy them myself.
Below: I took this photo of a client in the shop, trying on the socks and sent it straight to Sheila with the question: “Guess where I am?” She knew straight away. I have one pair of black and white Fluevog boots (see this post), bought when I was in Vancouver for a big blogger meet-up. That’s how I met Sheila.
What happened in my life this week
Another busy week which started on Saturday with my weekly visit to mum. Ron accompanied me and he did some work for mum in the shed. Years ago, my tall dad had put the little freezer high up on a shelf in the shed as there had to be room for two bicycles underneath it. Dad died in 2006, the bicycles are gone and my tiny mum can hardly reach the freezer. She has to take food out of the drawers without knowing what it is. Standing on steps is rather dangerous when you are 93 and your balance is off. Ron fixed it by lowering the freezer to a little table. Below: mum looking very perky. It is the little things that count. We are so happy we can do this for her.
Sunday we paid a visit to Ron’s brother to congratulate him on his birthday. We caught up on each other’s life while eating cake.
Monday I had to stay home for Watson as Ron was out till 3pm. We are softies, we don’t want to leave the dog on his own for more than 4 hours. Loes popped by for a visit in the afternoon. It was a day to do little things.
Tuesday Marcella and I created her weekly Instagram video and in the afternoon I went past Karlijn at kpa.haarlem where I found a pair of flared checked trousers but I wasn’t sure whether I would have shoes to wear it at the right length. Karlijn told me to take the trousers home and try them out. I never like trying out new outfits but I had to now and got out 5 pairs of boots to decide if I was keeping them. The effort paid off; the trousers are staying.
Wednesday I met my friend Katrien in Utrecht. This is a different Katrien than the one in Leiden. This Katrien moved to South Africa years ago. When she is in the Netherlands to see her family and many friends, there isn’t always enough time to meet. Fortunately this time she had a whole afternoon for me. I don’t think there was one minute of silence the whole time. Either she talked or I did LOL. She is such a sweet and strong woman. Below: Katrien.
Below: I was wearing this combination (link to original post with a different belt). By the way, these are my Fluevog boots.
Thursday my friend Marja came to Haarlem and after coffee at my home we walked to town for lunch at By Lima; organic local food, mainly vegetarian and flipping delicious. If I could cook like that, I’d be a vegetarian in no time. (I hate cooking. A LOT.) Marja and I know each other for 34 years or so and I love her directness and honesty. Plus, she is a good laugh.
Below: Marja and me at By Lima. They have a very ‘Instagrammable‘ wall with silk flowers. I am wearing the sweater which my niece Annelot saved by printing ‘fallen rose petals’ over 4 stains.
In the afternoon I made an appointment for next week with the Volvo garage in town as my car makes a ‘Poingggg” sound every so often. It sounds like the ‘poing‘ you hear in an aeroplane just before an announcement. No icons showing up on the dashboard. Annoying. Anyway, it will be fixed and the dealer who sold me the car is paying for it. Also made an appointment with the seamstress for next week to take in the checked trousers at the back. This is necessary with most of my trousers as I have no bum and no hips so I am used to it. More trivia…I had my fringe cut a tiny bit at the hairdresser and dyed the parting of my hair myself. A useful day.
Friday Marita and I went shopping in Amsterdam. We first cancelled it because the weather forecast was awful. As often, the forecast got a lot better the next day and we decided to go anyway. That was a good decision as we had a jolly good time even though the forecast was wrong again; it rained all day haha. Marita bought a leopard print top and cream trousers and I bought a grey/green jumper. Not too much ‘damage’, but enough to feel content.
Below: Our first stop Koffiehuis De Hoek (Coffee House The Corner). I was standing on an elevated part, looking down on this retro place. It is worth a visit. The site called ‘Amsterdam Now’ has a good review of Coffee House The Corner. They also give you a good explanation of the difference between a coffee shop and a coffee bar in the Netherlands LOL.
Below: Marita and me and a big, delicious apple pie with whipped cream which we shared in a feeble attempt to keep our weight down. (Link to the original post with this outfit.)
Below: This dachshund in the coffee bar wouldn’t sit still to have his photo taken. So cute. His owners were French.
A lovely week. I bet next week will be just as good. Or is this tempting fate?
Greetje
The lime green jacket is a style that we would call a “shirt jacket” and is not meant to be fitted. I like the colour on you. Your other green jacket in this post is very nice.
I am envious of all the socializing you are doing with other women – I am gradually getting back into seeing people other than my closest friend, but it still feels strange.
I love the styles that Fluevog makes in their shoes, but they don’t fit my feet, which is a blessing as otherwise I would be broke!
I had to check ‘shirt jackets’ as I had never heard that term. But I get it.
Perhaps the socializing is a bit risky, but I am trying to keep my distance and such as this’pandemic ‘ain’t over yet’.
I love Fluevog shoes on Sheila and think they make every outfit look modern, but I am just too chicken. They are very special.
A lovely week indeed. With nice outfits, friends, family and activities. Happy for you!
Leading a happy life indeed.
OH, we had such good times in Vancouver, didn’t we? thank you for the shout-out, Greetje! I love the boots you have on (I lusted for them in orange). Love your green lime jacket and sigh, what a gorgeous place you live in.
That is funny, that you should sigh “what a gorgeous place you live in”, as your place isn’t half bad either. And lots of great nature around. There is far less of that in the Netherlands. Plus, we haven’t got the amount of vintage shops nor the quality of goods in them as you have.
You couldn’t live here LOL.
I think the lime green jacket looks great on you and gives a pop of colour which you carry off really well. That dachshund made me smile in his trendy jacket, with pockets, too.
Any bright colour looks good on me, like (bright) red, yellow, green, orange or cobalt blue. Put me in beige or camel and I look like death-warmed-up.
Mind you black and white (my favourite combination) is very dangerous for me too, especially in winter. I always have to wear bright earrings or necklace with it.
I have always liked lime green and your jacket is great. Love it with the denim. As I was looking at the photos of the buildings I didn’t see Halloween or pumpkins. Many homes and businesses here have displays with Fall holiday themes. Do you celebrate in the Netherlands?
Yes we celebrate Halloween in the Netherlands but only a little bit. Nothing like in the States. Valentine’s Day has become rather big in the Netherlands these last 5 or 10 years (good for commerce). But Halloween still has to grow on us.
We do have a version of Trick and Treat on the 11th of November when children go around houses with a (self-made) lantern singing a song and holding up their bag for sweets. No scary dress-up (yet).
Lovely post as always. I enjoy seeing all the building photos as well as those of your mom and your friends. You look stunning in that lime green jacket!
Bright colours attract me like flowers attract bees haha. It has been a pleasure again to entertain you dear Cynthia. Thank you for your weekly comment. Much appreciated.
What a wonderful (and busy) week you had, Greetje! I am in love with your lime leather jacket. I’ve always been a huge fan of that colour and it looks fabulous with blue. I laughed at your comments about the too close up photo LOL!!
Hugs
Suzy xx
I think another expression for my too close up photo would be YIKES! haha.
The lime leather jacket is by Cigno Nero.
Lovely post once again, beautiful photos, enjoy your blog very much.
I was wondering about your eyebrows – you posted about having them microbladed some time ago and said they would fade somewhat over time. Yours still look very dark – are you happy with them or would you have a lighter colour if you had them done again?
Best wishes from Tasmania.
I was wondering about that as well, as I’ve been thinking of having mine done. Mine are extremely pale (as am I) and I wouldn’t want them too dark. Perhaps Greetje can update us with her thoughts.
The method was perfect. Where I (and the permanent make-up artist) have gone wrong is that we should have had a try-out in pencil first. Now I thought the colour was rather dark, although I have grown used to it and it is much lighter than in the beginning.
But the shape is totally not my style. It is the style of a young girl these days and they all look alike. I just wanted the shape of my own eyebrows but then a bit darker.
It is ironic as I waited for 20 years to do this because I was always afraid it would not turn out to my liking. Did I ask to do it in pencil first? No, I didn’t. I did protest however when she had indicated the outline. She shushed me and I should have been firmer.
Oh well, at least I have a face when I get up and I don’t have to use powder anymore.
Hi Anne, I am happy with my eyebrowns in the sense that I have a face when I get up in the morning and I don’t have to spend time on them anymore.
The colour isn’t so bad anymore although a bit lighter would do me fine. It is the shape I really don’t like. It is the shape all modern young girls have nowadays and I just wanted my own shape. I will go to another person who does this as soon as they have faded it bit more and see whether she can do something about the shape.
OMG, I am in love with the lime green leather jacket! I want one just like it! Where ever did you get it? You look stunning in it and styling it with jeans was a win! I also love the close up of your face. You have a lovely face and smile. A really wonderful post this week. Makes me so happy to read all your posts.
I got the jacket in a boutique in a town near The Hague, called Voorburg. The brand is Cigno Nero. Perhaps this link can help you to track it down?
http://www.cignonero.at/
I am wearing a size 40 (my usual size) which is too small for me across the chest, but looks great when you wear it open (as often with jackets).
Thank you very much for all your wonderful compliments. You make me shy.
Fabulous shots of A’dam Greetje and love your outfits too. I think I need some metallic boots in my life :-). Yours go brilliantly with the jeans and lime jacket. Your mum looks amazing, her top really suits her. She looks much younger than 93! Have a great (or Greet?) week!
Metallic boots will enrich your life for sure (coming from a shopaholic, mind you).
Mum does look younger than 93. I bet I have inherited the genes of my dad though and he had quite a wrinkly skin (sigh).
Hello, you…
So glad you had a good week. Loved your outfits and LOVED your pics of Amsterdam. Oh, speed the day…
Mind you, I dread (not) coming face to face with Dutch apple pie again. It is never calorie-free, but sooo delicious!
Your Mum looks so well, bless her; sending hugs…
This week will be good, you see.
Gee x
Thanks for your comment Gee. It was indeed a wonderful week which added a lot of calories. I will visit mum tomorrow and will give her your regards.