When you don’t want to spend money on new clothes all the time, you will have to create new combinations with the things you already have. So I combined the lime green leather jacket with my houndstooth trousers and even added sneakers instead of sleek boots. Very sustainable but such styling isn’t easy for me, contrary to what everybody thinks. And to tell you the truth, I am not fond of this combination. You saw the jacket before in this post and the trousers in this post. Small confession: the top is new, a sale score from Bellamy Gallery.
Ron took the photos (reluctantly) with the river Spaarne as background. Fortunately my new camera behaved so much better than the old one.
Below: Of course this photo would even be better with green leaves on the trees. Pity it is winter. Which also means I am freezing throughout the shoot.
Below: Ships and drawbridges are great items to create a pretty picture.
Below: Detail photo by Ron.
Below: Why don’t I like this outfit? To me, the jacket is too short; it should cover my tiny bum and the sneakers are too casual for these trousers. I found out the trousers sit better when I wear the waistband exactly on the waist and not any lower. Of course that makes the trouser legs shorter. So I had to find shoes with no heel and chose these sneakers. Taking the trousers to the seamstress to elongate the legs and wear them with sleek boots is a better solution.
Below: Ron directed me to this spot and I said: “Yay, something to hold on to; I will do an impression of the Titanic scene.”
Below: Across the road were pretty houses.
Below: Such doors offer the opportunity to lean on the banister. Easy pose.
After the shot above I was so cold, I didn’t care whether the shoot had been successful or not. Let’s go home and get warm. It was a pleasant surprise to see that all photos were sharp.
What is a bit odd in the photos is my fringe. It had grown too long and I couldn’t be bothered going to the hairdresser. Which is stupid as I am in their street often enough. I just hacked away at the fringe which resulted in the much dreaded Too Short Fringe. I hate that.
What happened in my life this week
Saturday I picked up the multi-focal contact lenses from the optician and also collected a pair of black trousers from the seamstress. It was a quiet day with buying flowers and such. Nothing special.
Sunday mum called and said she wasn’t feeling too well and we’d better stay home. I had her call the doctor on Monday and by Friday she got medication and hopefully everything will be fine. As we had nothing else to do that day, it meant I could twist Ron’s arm in doing this shoot.
Monday we took the decision not to go to Paris this April but to postpone it until next year. Hoping Covid will be less severe and my knee will be totally fine. A third reason is that Ron has an assignment starting the first of April, so he’d rather start this than having to ask whether he can start a month later.
It meant that I Facetimed with Susan of ‘Une femme d’un certain âge‘ again as we had agreed to meet in Paris. Poor Susan. I keep saying I will meet her in Paris or in London and I always cancel. Luckily she is a forgiving soul and we had a few laughs while facetiming.
Tuesday I was already totally fed up with my new multi-focal lenses and I asked the optician how much time it would take for my vision to get better. He asked whether it had improved from day to day, which it hadn’t. My brain is stupid when it comes to this, so I returned the lenses. Then I booked an appointment to assess my eyes at the eye doctor and schedule the cataract operation after that. I will have to settle for normal lenses with which I can look in the distance and wear reading glasses when I need to read. Ugghh, that means I have to pick up reading glasses all the time, perhaps even have them dangling on a little chain around my neck. No matter how practical that is, it will make me feel very old. For now I am not allowed to wear my regular contact lenses (bi-focal) for six weeks until the assessment. I have ordered new glasses for this period. On the bright side of things…I don’t have to pay an arm and a leg for the multi-focal lenses.
After walking on low heeled shoes for two weeks, I decided to try my orange boots with a little heel. Only the heels are rather thin and some of the streets damage these heels. So I tiptoed across the market square. This tiptoeing, combined with doing exercises to enforce my upper legs, was fatal. At night my left leg ached so much I couldn’t sleep. No position was comfortable. What agony. Luckily I had already booked an appointment with the physiotherapist on Wednesday and that helped (a bit).
In the morning, before going to the physiotherapist I had another photo shoot, this time with Loes. Sore leg, cold weather…man…the things you do for a blog. When we got home the camera refused to cooperate when I tried taking a photo of Loes. I had to call the camera guy again. Even by telephone he knew what I had done wrong. I had moved a wheel to a setting which wasn’t that clever. Shame on me.
Thursday my leg was a bit better but I still walked as if I were 96. I had arranged to meet Yvonne who is a long-time friend and also my supplier of vitamin supplements, brand Beyuna. One of my readers advised me to take curcumin for my knee (thank you Judith). Many things that are wrong with our body can be solved with supplements and by the way we eat. Of course not everything…I am not daft. But I decided to inquire with Yvonne whether Beyuna had something with curcumin for my knee. And indeed they have. She gave me a bottle as a sample. So nice.
As the lockdown has almost completely been lifted in the Netherlands since Wednesday, we had coffee in a restaurant and chatted for 2.5 hours. Of course I totally forgot to take a photo but here is one from this summer.
Below: Yvonne.
Don’t get me wrong, the Covid contamination rate is huge but the amount of people in hospital and Intensive Care are not that high. No idea what it will be next week.
The rest of the day I “worked” for Ron and his website, did my Duo Lingo French and this blog. Nothing exciting.
Friday I had a hairdressers’ appointment. I told her to leave my fringe alone and that I would come back for it when it has grown again. In the afternoon Marcella of Lara Design paid me a visit. She is creating more and more ‘ear parties’. I had never heard of ‘ear parties’ which are multiple earrings as a set, for people who have multiple piercings on either ear. Below: Marcella being content.
Below: Here is a close-up of one of her ear parties. I like the little snake creole.
Marcella brought me this lovely little vase with beautiful flowers as a thank-you for something I had done. Which was only being enthusiastic about her earrings to somebody who was interested and that person happened to be a stylist. They now collaborate.
Signing off with this picture of mimosa to give you a spring feeling.
Greetje
I think you look rather fabulous in that outfit, with the sneakers but I know what you mean. When you’re not used to wearing them, it can somehow affect the overall feel of an outfit. I adore the colour of your jacket. It’s fabulous!
Sorry to hear that you overdid it and hurt your knee again. I hope you’re on the mend now.
LOVE those earring parties—new to me too. Never heard of them before.
Hugs
Suzy xx
Yes, my knee is nearly completely better. Hurting my knee wasn’t something that happened by overdoing it. It just happened while walking.
Those ear parties are nice, aren’t they?
Ron shows once again what a good eye he has; very nice pictures!
There’s nothing wrong with this outfit. It’s a relaxed, modern, fresh look.
I understand your comment about the back (wanting the jacket to be longer), but I wouldn’t let that spoil the fun.
Sneakers really work very well with these pants. They make the whole look really modern and casual.
I know. 95% of my readers agrees with you. I just don’t like it and I have to wear it, so I had the trouser legs elongated.
This outfit is the best I have seen you in. I really like the combination of tailored with casual. I think the lighter green top you are wearing under the jacket is a stroke of genius and just lifts the whole outfit to chic and individual.
Oh…shoot me. “The best you have seen me in”? Really? I could mention at least 15 better ones.
So often I think I don’t know the first thing about styling. I still don’t like this outfit and the trousers are with the seamstress to be elongated. But you are in good company: 95% of my blog readers and Instagram followers like this outfit a lot. “I know nothing. I am from Barcelona” (free after Fawlty Towers).
Your pants remind me of a recent shopping day I had. I am so used to wearing slim leg pants that the wider leg pants don’t appeal to me. I guess I am in a rut! And I feel like you do about shorter jackets. I tend to prefer the longer ones. I shopped shorter tops recently too and could not like them. Yes, I know. I’m in a rut!
I share your feelings Linda. I think it is hard to distinguish whether you are in a rut or whether it is just not your taste. I don’t mind wider leg trousers myself, but I like to see a sleek pointy boot or shoe underneath it. If I shop shorter tops (for those high waisted trousers which are now in fashion), I need to have them a bit loose around the stomach otherwise they are horrible.
Ah, so many good things in this post. A lime green leather coat? Love! I like the look with the sneakers, but probably wouldn’t wear it myself. I think your bum looks great in those trousers. Well done to Ron for taking pictures (he has a good eye).
Love the “ear parties” collections – what a great idea! I have multiple piercings, and that would tempt me to change up some of my earrings for sure.
Sorry about your knee, Greetje – ouch! I hope you are feeling better.
Thank you for all these compliments. I suppose I will just accept that my bum is all right.
And I still don’t like the look of the trousers with sneakers despite the fact that 95% of my blog readers and Instagram followers think it is a great outfit. The trousers are already at the seamstress.
The knee is definitely getting better. And if you want to see more ear parties, click this link:
https://www.laradesign.nl/webshop/categorie/23367
Great outfit! I would also pair it with a black or white top. That jacket is a stunning statement piece. Definitely no need to be longer. I think maybe you should take advantage that flat shoes are trendy right now and make outfits look modern and give your knee time to heal. Just my humble opinion 🙂
Another reader suggested a bold striped black and white top. I like that idea as well.
You are right that I am lucky with today’s trend of flat shoes. My mind however, still hankers after high heels.
The knee is coming along nicely, I am pleased to say.
Hi Greetje. I actually really like the houndstooth trousers and trainers combination, giving it a more casual feel. I spend most of my life in jeans, for comfort and warmth, but they don’t look particularly stylish. I may try to be more adventurous now after seeing your photos. I also prefer a longer- length jacket for myself as I have no bum to speak of, (also a bit flat), so like to cover it up.
I love both photos of the vases with the beautiful flowers! You have a knack in flower arranging too.
Lots of readers keep telling me that a small bum is also nice and I need not cover it up. So that applies to you too. We just have to convince our brain that we DO have a nice bum.
As I also have to convince my old-fashioned brain that the sneakers look good with this outfit. (Although the trousers are already with the seamstress.)
I don’t have a knack in flower arranging haha. The flower shops do it for me.
I love the jacket and pants together. I’m more traditional in my combinations so I’d put a black top under the jacket with a scarf or necklace with the bright green in it around the neck. A gold choker necklace would work too. I think the tennis shoes are terrific! They add a really cool vibe.
Scarves and me fight. I have a drawer full of scarves and whenever I put one on, I think I look as if I have a cold. Love it on other people and I keep buying them.
As far as the sneakers go…I have to find a way to convince my old-fashioned brain that it DOES look good.
This is what happens when I read your post late in the day — everyone else said what I was going to say. I agree with them that this outfit is cute and the jacket is the perfect length. I don’t mean to embarrass you, but you have a nice derrière so should not worry about covering it. Love the flower photos — the first one looks like a painting.
I love Marcella’s idea of sets of earrings, as I have two piercings in each ear lobe and am always looking for coordinated sets of earrings.
You are very sweet. Thank you for all the compliments. I will look more kindly at my bum and say nice things to it heh heh.
If you like Marcella’s ear parties, have a look at her site. She has a few on there at the moment.
https://www.laradesign.nl/webshop/categorie/23367
You’ve inspired me to pull out a couple of pairs of pants that I haven’t worn in years and try to create some outfits with them. Who knows? If they work, they might even appear on my blog someday!
I love the colour of Marcella’s sweater! One of my fashion goals for 2022 is to add more colour to my wardrobe and I will be keeping that one in mind.
Have you ever investigated in what your best colours are? It saves money as you are more likely to buy the right things that flatter you.
I still wear black with white (which is a bad colour combination for me) as sometimes I don’t care whether it is flattering. But usually I will wear a pair of earrings or a necklace with it in a colour that does flatter me.
If your new-to-create outfit works, please tell me about it.
Yes, I had my colours “done” back in the 1980s and was told that I was a spring. Those are definitely the colours that look best on me, but I have strayed away from them and want to refresh my closet with some tops that are more flattering to my complexion.
That sounds like a very good idea.
My outfit doesn’t look anything like yours, but since you inspired me to create it, I mentioned you on this morning’s blog post (with a link, of course). I hope you’ll take a look.
Big YAY to you. You managed to come up with 4 different outfits. I am so glad I could inspire you. Of course I had a look round your blog. My, my, your life hasn’t been easy these last 10 years. Glad you are doing so well now. Loved your story about the brooches. I didn’t know Queen Elizabeth wore Obama’s brooch as Trump visited her. What a scream.
I love seeing your firm little butt below the jacket. I think it’s great, especially with the wider leg trousers. The jacket is the perfect length proportionally. The sneakers make it look very modern, although some of the pure white versions with an interesting shape might elevate it a bit. The lime green is not my color, but I just got a pink suede vintage jacket I could try in an outfit like that. I sometimes have outfits leap out of my closet, but many times I spend time putting them together and trying on various versions before I am satisfied. I love all the wild glasses and cords out there now, so I don’t feel old with them on, even though I am. hugs from California.
Well, thank you very much for your kind words, including the ones about my butt haha.
Lime green isn’t a colour for many people, but it happens to be good on me. Always choose the colour that suits you best.
I hate putting outfits together but I just have to. It is more sustainable and I don’t have a pile of money. After my surgery, I will look for wild cords. For now I am happy to put new glasses in my current reading glasses as I still like them.
Hi Greetje
I have been a reader of your blog for a good many years now and felt I had to tell you that this outfit is my favourite. Very stylish and looks easy to wear. You look great! Cheers Doreen
It is my old-fashioned brain Doreen. My brain sees other things than you see. I have to give it a punch and stop whining. Very difficult to forget about things you have always held to be truths. I embraced brown with black and blue with black; I embraced (certain) sneakers with skirts and dresses and I embraced “the different colour bag than your shoes”, so I have come a long way.
I agree with others that this outfit is fun, youthful and quite chic!
Good luck getting your vision issues squared away. I tried the dual prescription trick with contact lenses years ago and, like you, failed miserably. I found myself shutting one eye or the other continually. That was the end of contacts for me. I’m grateful stylish and fun (albeit costly) glasses are available.
Well, I just need my brain to accept that this outfit is fun, youthful and quite chic. I have a very stubborn and old-fashioned brain.
The only bi-focal contact lenses my brain accepted, were the ones that were slightly heavier at the bottom, so they would stay in the same spot, and the reading part was at the bottom. Like in bi-focal glasses.
You are right, there are stylish and fun glasses available. I just don’t like any glasses as I think they change your face, the way you look. I have always hated glasses since I was a kid. Just this darned brain again.
Add me to the list of readers who like this outfit! It’s flattering, colorful and contemporary. Remember a week or two ago, you were complaining that an outfit was old-fashioned or dated? (Not your words, but…) This one is very fresh looking and I think the sneakers are part of the reason. Would you consider swapping the yellow T for a patterned top? I’d like to see the outfit with a bold striped top in black and white. That jacket is fabulous and the color seems very “you”!
Oh that is a nice suggestion.. a striped top in black and white. I like it, although I do not have a ‘bold striped’ one. Which can be remedied heh heh.
The reason why I have a hard time to ‘modernize’ outfits is because in my head, these sneakers and the rest of the outfit don’t go together. My brain is still old-fashioned. I have come to terms with sneakers and skirts although not the more sporty sneakers. Combine this with the fact that I don’t fill up my flat shoes/sneakers because of flat feet and a low instep, and you’ll get my aversion. Of course nobody sees me the way my twisted brain sees me. I do realize that.
I completely disagree with you on this one. This outfit is one of my favorites. Casual, laid back, yet colorful and super stylish. Combines prints and colors and various fabrics and has a fabulous silhouette. Perhaps you should accept that a small bum is super sexy too 🙂 Only thing I would add is some fab sunglasses (so you don’t have to squint your eyes so much and to protect them from the sun….)
Well…I’ll be dxmned. I never know what people will think about an outfit of mine. I am so often surprised. I suppose it is like creating a song; you never know which one will become a hit. But thank you very much for your compliments. Let’s Facetime soon.
I forgot to add that this look has this kind of effortlessly chic feel about it. Like you just put a few things together like a French woman. I guess that’s what I like so much about is as well. No overthinking, but just practical and chic. Yes, let’s talk soon…
Who doesn’t want to be compared to a French woman?? Thanks.
And by the way (because I know you will say that you thought a lot about it and that it wasn’t effortless at all, and that you find it hard to put stuff together etc), nobody needs to know that. The key is that you look effortlessly chic. So everyone will see you that way 🙂
Yes, you know me well haha. Only, nobody needs to know that…I like to share my blood, sweat and tears (well, the last thing is exaggerated) in creating outfits. I love honesty and my readers like that too.
The “much dreaded Too Short Fringe” – I love it! At least it will grow back.
It’s funny – I was thinking that I’m not a fan of the jacket, pants, and sneakers together, but I do like the proportions (short jacket over wide pants). You said you think the jacket is too short, but I think it looks great on you. Lengthening the pants so you can wear them with boots is a good idea.
Thanks for including the mimosa photo. We have them here in Northern California as well. We call them acacia, and they are blooming now.
Have a great week. Hope your knee improves.
Usually my jackets are slightly longer but fitted over wide pants. Well, you know what I always say: “You don’t see your reflection in the mirror but your perception”. We look upon ourselves and magnify in our minds the things we don’t like and think we see.
I bet the mimosa grows in the gardens in California.
I love the outfit, especially with the sneakers which give it a fresh and modern look. The pop of lime green is very cheerful this time of year.
See??? I never know what my readers will think of an outfit which I am showing. Sometimes I think it is great and people disagree and vice versa.
I suppose I have an old-fashioned brain and still think that these type of sneakers are too sporty to go with anything else but jeans.
Greetje hi. I’m a long time reader but first time commenter. I only recently found out that there are many different makes and prices of multifocal lenses. My experience is the more expensive ones are wonderful. Virtually no ‘getting used to them’ or moving your head around to get the correct focus. I had never been given a choice before but its worth enquiring about it. I hate making a fuss and one year I couldn’t handle it, so wore my old script till my next check up! Good luck with the eyes and knees. Why is it that when you retire all you seem to do is sot out your health? I find it so depressing,
I will enquire after the more expensive multifocal lensesn. Mine were € 385 for the set. No idea whether that is expensive or cheap.
If there are better ones than the ones they ordered for me, I will be very cross.
Health and retirement?? Hahaha…well, as you get older, parts of your body are worn out. And retirement means you got older. Fortunately you then have all the time in the world to nurse your ailments (grin).
Thank you for taking the time to comment and thank you as well for being a long time reader.
Madeleine – I was just thinking the same thing about retirement! I’m 70, my husband is 72, and my mother is 93. It seems like so much time is spent on health-related stuff. It’s depressing and boring, but I guess we should consider the alternative!
I kind of like the sneakers with the trousers, but you know I’m weird that way. I like to mix casual and tailored things.
It was such fun chatting with you again! Don’t worry, at some point we’ll find a way to meet up again.
The new camera was a good investment; your photos are fabulous!!
I agree that the mix of casual and tailored is nice. Perhaps it is because I have such a low instep plus flat feet that I don’t like sneakers that much on me. I don’t fill them up.
And it is always great fun chatting to you.