Last week I promised to show you the wide black trousers with a black fitted top and here we are. Disappointing that that day ushered in a fierce wind as I don’t like my hair being blown away from my face. Also I slouched a lot during the photo shoot or pulled strange faces in despair. Poor Kitty. She is talented enough to take great photos but if the model is not cooperating…
Anyway, Kitty took me to a block of houses which I’ve passed many times without really looking at them. They are called the Holy Houses and were built in 1930, commissioned by the Catholic Federation for Large Families. Every house has a sculpture of a different saint, made from sandstone. Sandstone is very soft so the elements have damaged the sculptures over the years.
Below: The sandstone sculptures of the saints are clearly marking each house.
Below: Two close-ups of saint sculptures. Saint Ignatius in the second photo is quite damaged by the weather. All houses also have the name of the saint on a name plate.
Below: Different streets, different way of building the houses. These ones don’t have a front garden.
Below: The day started grey and windy. What do you think of my orange items? I like a pop of colour with black or white.
Below: The bright colour of the bag sides and strap is an unusual colour. Sort of salmon orange and the brand is Marck & Mo. I bought it at a Design & Craft Fair; gosh what a candy store that was. See this post.
The orange boots you have seen several times and are by Essentiel Antwerp.
Below: We went round the block and the houses in this street have slightly smaller front gardens.
Below: Turning another corner. Without a front garden, but still with a saint sculpture.
Below: Some corner houses were round. Ever so nice.
Below: Close-up of the brooch.
Below: Close-up of the earrings which complement the brooch. These gold filigree star earrings were a present to myself ages ago. I bought them at Lyppens in Amsterdam when I got some extra money from work. Ron was angry for a whole day because I didn’t invite him to go with me. He adores that place (lucky me eh?).
Below: We turned yet another corner and were in front of a church. I tried to “redo” my hair in what I thought, would be a wind free corner. IT WASN’T WIND FREE. This situation resulted in some photos of a very frustrated me. I kept them to myself.
Below: I am trying to warm my red nose.
Below: I am just showing you these photos to let you understand my frustration. The photo on the right isn’t that bad but I am slouching, which I usually do. I tried everything to stand straight, nothing worked. It makes such a big difference to your appearance.
The photo on the left is really too much. Gosh, I so do NOT like myself in this photo.
Below: The wind was still fierce but the photo is reasonable.
Below: This photo is just funny.
Below: Of course the sun came out as we went home.
Below: We warmed up at my place and Kitty took a close-up of the boots with Watson in the background.
Below: Kitty, arranging my tulips.
One looks at oneself with totally different eyes than the rest of the world does. Acceptance is everything.
What happened in my life this week
Saturday I met my friend Marita for a coffee. Before I had time to take a photo of her or of the two of us, Ron rang and asked me to come home. He wasn’t feeling well as I left home, so I had told him, if it gets worse, ring me. He was very ill that day but well again the next day, although a bit wobbly.
We had heavy storms blowing in this country and they were very dangerous. Combined with the fact that Ron was still recovering, I postponed the visit to my mum from Sunday to Monday. We watched the world in rain and wind and didn’t do a thing.
Monday the weather was a bit better and I visited mum. And I took a photo! Yay.
When I went to the bedroom that evening I found a heart-shaped potato on my pillow. Ron had found it amongst the other potatoes and had to do something with it. Funny.
Tuesday Marcella came round for a chat and to create another video. I wore this outfit. Dress-up time as I had a visitor. Also, my legs, feet and knee needed some high heels again, so they won’t forget how to handle that. This is an ochre/burgundy dress from the Max Mara outlet in Turin, years ago. I have featured it on the blog in this post. Marcella had the perfect earrings for me to go with the dress.
Below: Brown leather and gold plated earrings from Lara Design.
Wednesday the sun came out and it was a glorious day. Still cold but it was so nice to be in the sun again. That day I met Katrien in Leiden and she kindly took photos of my outfit for a blog post. We wandered through town and shot a couple of sights. I have to say that most of the time we were busy chatting.
Thursday Ron was away on an assignment and I had to walk Watson. The poor dog was injured again. This time he had strained his left shoulder. He was really hurt. So Ron took him to the vet again who gave him painkillers, pills to stop inflammation and the advice to keep him on the leash for a week and no jumping or running for the second week. So we decided we needed tranquilizers too as he is a very lively dog. The visit and medication cost us 60 euro, which will probably astound Americans as I have heard some crazy high vet bills from fellow bloggers. (By the way, I do not like walking the dog. Not at all.)
Thursday morning I bumped into a neighbour in the next street who is a photographer. I told him about my new camera and that I still had no clue about photography. He kindly came round in the afternoon and taught me for a couple of hours about aperture and shutter time etc. Very kind of him. Now I have to practice, practice. We took about 50 photos and at the end he showed me that it is possible to take a nice, sharp photo indoors. (Link to the original post when I was wearing this outfit.)
Friday I was going to visit another friend called Katrien, this time in Utrecht. She is over from South Africa where she lives. Unfortunately she had to cancel for a very legitimate reason. I spent Friday helping Ron with his website, creating the video at the end of this post and neighbour Monique came over for a cup of coffee. Plus I had to walk Watson again. And take him to the vet yet again. This time his ear was infected. Luckily the vet allowed me to come just before they closed for the weekend. She treated him and gave me ointment. Three vet visits in one month.
And here is the weekly video. This time I am showing you the outfit live, but with a black shirt instead of the turtleneck top I have on in this post. I tried to record in landscape format but that didn’t look good, so portrait format it is. If you think “What is that thing on the wall on the right?” the answer is: a scratching board for Sophie, the cat. As it is attached to the wall, I cannot remove it for the video. Everything else has been removed though.
I am not too sure about the light. I think it is a bit harsh.
NOTE: IF YOU READ THIS POST IN YOUR MAIL, YOU WILL HAVE TO CLICK THROUGH TO THE WEBSITE TO SEE THE VIDEO.
Greetje
Kitty looks so pretty and sexy!
That heart-shaped potatoe; typically Ron to see that.
The spotted Max Mara dress suits you well.
OK, I take it you didn’t like the outfit much. Perhaps you liked it better with the pale yellow jumper? Or still not your taste (as you haven’t commented on that one.
The orange coat makes the outfit! The potato made me laugh.
What a pity when I am indoors and have to take off the coat haha. I don’t think I’ll ever wear it again like this.
Another FUN post. I like the all black outfit with the chic coral/orange pops, but like it more with the sumptuous coat and scarf. Which makes me think that just adding the scarf would put a pretty pop of color by your fair face. Or wearing an orange top. Like the blouse too, as the neckline is flattering, but the different blacks bother my nitpicking self. The pin, earrings – and potato – are treasures. You look very cute and bubbly in the animal print dress. And I like the way your hair is moving in the wind (except for bad photo)! The saint houses (for LARGE Catholic families!) are charming. I noticed the saint in the first picture before even seeing your outfit!
You gave me an idea. I have an orange with black shirt. I’ll try that even though it is a long and slightly wider shirt. The trouble with such shirts is that when you lift your arm, a large amount of fabric flops down at the sides.
Thanks for warning me not to put too much emphasis on the houses as they distract from the outfit (just joking haha).
Love the trousers with the black shirt in the video. You make cute videos. 🙂
Thank you. I am still learning. There is so much more to learn. And I have no idea what it is going to be about this coming Sunday haha.
I like wearing black as a neutral and your outfit looks classic and comfortable. The boots and jewelry add interest and look good on you. Thank you for sharing the photos of the saint houses. How interesting! Sorry Watson is having issues. He is so cute and I always enjoy his appearances on your blog. I also enjoy your videos.
p.s. We have very windy days where I live too.
I am struggling to come up with this week’s video. No idea what it is going to be about.
I love your videos, Greetje!!!
As for the outfit, it’s perfect—I’ve always loved all black looks with pops of colour, especially red or pink. You look fabulous, LOVE the coat.
The heart shaped potato was so random, and yet incredibly romantic too!! LOVE THAT!!
Hugs
Suzy xx
I like a lot of colours with black. Like you, red and pink are my favourites, but orange and yellow are close seconds.
The animal print dress is lovely. This has given me inspiration as I bought a blue animal print dress in the sale, size 10 and still a tad baggy but seeing your belt has given me hope, I did try a belt but it had a big buckle on it, too much. A plain belt is what I need now. Thank you.
I hope you have a plain belt in your wardrobe. If not, consider a totally different colour all together. With blue you can add so many colours.
I love this monochrome look, it looks beautiful on you. The bag is cute. I love the photos of the houses, they are beautiful buildings. And it’s also nice to see your hair in the wind, fun and casual. I think the coat is beautiful and it is perfect in your outfit.
But I do think that the shirt with the little V-neck and the fore arms bare are nicer than the high top.
Anyway, thank you for your comment.
I am a bit curious to know what you think of the videos. Or should I not ask if you haven’t said anything yourself? LOL
I like the T-shirt with the round neck, although I also like the shirt with the open neck, both options are nice. I like the videos, I like to hear you and see you laugh, although with my little English it is difficult for me to understand the whole speech.
I understand.
Sorry, not crazy about an all black outfit, which always looks better on a 20 something. Black does not “justice do” to a more mature face. My opinion. Not crazy about shiny red booties either, but red suede would work better, more sophisticated and less screaming. The bag is a winner and yes, a chemise seems to be more alluring than the plain sweater.
Poor Watson, a tough week for him. My pup found a chicken bone in the garden and sure enough had some bleeding as it splinters and perforates the insides. quite a scare but he’s tough and recovered!!
My mood unfortunately is rather somber this week, an insane man is crazed enough to invade a country and we here are asleep, or should I say he’s permanently asleep at the wheel. He has it coming this year, cant wait!!
I totally agree with you on the black not doing justice to a more mature face. But sometimes I just ignore that. The red shiny boots are very much me, I am afraid: screaming out loud.
Oh a splintering bone and a dog, what a horrible combination. Poor thing must have had quite a lot of pain. Glad you could save him.
Dear Greetje. I am enjoying your little videos–such a different perspective than still pictures. I loved the clothes in this post, particularly the handbag–so subtle and beautiful with the color peeking around the edges.
Warmly
Patricia
Thanks Patricia. I still cringe when I see myself on video haha. But I will continue. The handbag is indeed very special. Not so easy to combine though.
Love the outfit with your orange coat. Your dress with the earrings were beautiful too.
Now I’ve found how to watch your little videos I will enjoy watching them. You’re doing really well with the technology. We are never too old to learn new things.
I am determined to keep up with technology so that I won’t become an outsider. Technology is changing fast and I don’t want to be shut off from things because I cannot operate them.
I love this outfit as I am fond of all black with a pop of color. The coat, scarf and handbag are all gorgeous. Thanks for your continued efforts on the blog to brighten a rainy Sunday afternoon in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA.
My pleasure entirely Bonnie. Thank you for reading and commenting.
I’m amazed at the difference the lower necked blouse makes! It somehow makes the whole outfit more flattering and interesting. I think it’s the little bit of skin showing at the neck and forearms.
That purse is gorgeous, as is that brooch. What a wonderful collection of accessories you have. I’ll bet you could put together dozens of outfits by just switching up the accessories on this outfit.
Thanks for suffering through the wind and cold to brighten your readers’ Sundays!
I so agree, the shirt makes the outfit look less solid.
Actually, I could put together hundreds of outfits by switching accessories. Only I don’t find that exciting enough haha.
Love the black pants and the pops of orange especially the coat and scarf. I do like the neckline on the black shirt in the video better, but the blacks are different which I’m not crazy about. Such problems!
Hope Ron and Watson are feeling better.
Have a great week.
Man and dog are 100% OK again. I thought about the different shades of black and decided not to feel bothered by it. Solved haha.
Hello, You,
Looking good -again! And your Mum too. (Hello, Mum!) Sorry to hear Ron’s been poorly, anything to do with your cooking by any chance? And Watson too. Hope the cat’s all right…
Have a good week
Gee x
Whahaha…”anything to do with your cooking by any chance?” Good one. No, as I don’t often cook but he does. And he had cooked the evening before. I will have you know that IF I cook, it is simple (very) but tasty. I can do meat, potatoes and vegetables. Period.
PS The cat is hunky dory apart from throwing up last night.
Wow! You look terrific, buddy! This outfit is a killer and emphasizes your natural attributes. I’d switch places with you in a New York minute. 🙂
Ah… that is very kind of you to say. I would prefer it, if I had a tinier waist, but then again, perfection is boring LOL.