This week’s post is all about the AndBloom Party which I attended, not about a new outfit. I hope you will still like it.
The person who organised the party is Denise of AndBloom and there were nearly 200 like-minded women who “age unapologetically”, to quote Denise. (Link to her blog AndBloom) Many of the women who attended are also on Instagram; I follow a few of them. Which means I will link to the Instagram accounts of women I know.
In the above photo you see me with @mariekehagesteijn and @floorakkermans. Below: Another photo of them.
The outfits I have seen at the party! Such eye candy, a blast of colour. The attending women were confident, not afraid of colour and full of life. The nice thing about Instagrammers and bloggers is when you say: “I want to take a photo of you”, they immediately strike a pose. So funny. I remember that a few years back one of my colleagues said the same about me as someone was taking photos for my blog.
The party should have been held in 2021 to celebrate the launching of Denise’s book ‘AndBloom The Art of Aging Unapologetically‘ but Covid etc., you know the story. I follow AndBloom on Instagram and at the party I recognized quite a few more women I follow on Instagram. My IG friend Janna of @Timelessstyle.nl was there. Below: Janna (colourful with blue polka dot shirt) is giving it her best on the dance floor.
Below: And here is Karen Persson originally from California, whom I met a couple of years ago. We follow The Vintage Contessa, a blogger in California who insisted we met on her birthday since Karen and I both live in the Netherlands. (Link to the blog post of me visiting Karen in The Hague.)
Below: Denise of AndBloom on the left and Karen Persson on the right.
It was really crowded but I got lucky a lot of times taking photos when there weren’t too many women around.
All women talked; my goodness, what a noise. But a lovely noise; you could feel the good vibrations.
Below: Love that ruffled blouse.
Below: And how about this lime outfit. The bomb. This beautiful woman is Rosalie (link to her Instagram account).
Below: There was a fashion show with clothes from a vintage store called Vintage Brands in Monnickendam, the Netherlands. Very sustainable and fun. You’ll get an idea of the atmosphere watching this short video.
Below: That is one heck of a party dress. With orange shoes and a lilac bag. Very good.
Below: There was the possibility to get your hair done by one of the sponsors (Wella). Carla Eijkenboom got curls.
Below: I stopped at another sponsor booth, one with chains for glasses (very well targeted at the audience haha). I will soon need them for my reading glasses so I took their business card.
Below: This pink outfit blew me away. The woman wearing it was the professional singer at the party, Angellisa Michaela. She really dressed the part.
Below: Have I already mentioned it was gorgeous weather and there was a garden as well? This table decoration is very clever.
Below: Another great lady in a gorgeous suit.
Below: Eat, chat, laugh. Women of various ages but all above 40 (I guess).
Below: So many ladies, so many different tastes for clothes, as these two friends demonstrate so clearly. There is a place for everyone.
Below: Then Denise appeared after having changed her dress. She was the queen of the party and rightly so; what a dress! She wore this to thank all the ladies for their support the last four years and some of them for playing a part in the book. In the left corner is Angellisa Michaela, the singer who changed her outfit as well.
Below: After the vintage fashion show and the speech of Denise, there was a lot of dancing, singing and laughing. The DJ stopped the music a couple of times for a few seconds to let all the women yell: “I am every woman!”.
Below: With Janna, having fun. Not particularly flattering, but fun and that counts more.
That was one fun Sunday.
What happened in my life this week
Saturday Ron and I drove to his daughter’s (and SIL’s) house to take down a few lamps before they move. And we visited old friends (Erik and Lisette) whom we hadn’t seen for about 3 years. As if we had spoken only yesterday. So easy, so nice. And Erik cooked a lovely dinner.
Sunday was the AndBloom party which you saw above.
Monday I visited mum and took her to hospital to have her eyes checked. Luckily her eyesight hadn’t diminished in the past half year. It didn’t improve either but that would be too much to ask. Below: I decided on a relaxed outfit.
Tuesday Ron and I cleaned the new house of his daughter and SIL. Cleaning is something I detest from an early age, so it was a surprise that I volunteered. In the end it wasn’t bad at all. I used IZI Clean cloths and they are brilliant. IZI Clean doesn’t pay me to promote this; the fact they produce the product, is enough reward. I give friends these cloths as a present and everybody is raving about them. Below: An upstairs room with the curtains hanging.
Wednesday was to be a hectic day but turned out all right. In the morning Kitty and I did a photoshoot (you’ll see the result in two weeks) and had lunch. Immediately after that Marcella arrived to create some new videos. She also had a new set of earrings with her as a present because I gave her Ron’s ‘old’ iPad keyboard which he wanted to throw out. Ridiculous of course. As a thank you I got the earrings. I have no objections to such deals haha.
Then in the evening I would have gone to the theatre in Amsterdam with friends but they called in sick. I think it is a real shame for them but because I felt stressed for time, it came as a relief to me. No hurrying up with dinner, no late public transport travelling but getting enough sleep and getting on with this blog post were the benefits.
Thursday I had to be at the eye doctor at 8 a.m. which is terribly early for me these days. They gave me the last eye measurement and now the cataract operation will be scheduled. I have asked them to plan it in July because of short holidays I have planned. Ron and I are going to Paris for three days in April and I will meet Susan of Une femme d’un certain âge there (still practising my beginners French). In June I am going to Spain for a week with 4 of the BVA girlfriends. I don’t want any eye trouble or risks before that. And I am wearing my contact lenses again! After 8 weeks with bad vision it is such a delight.
Rest of the day was quiet with some physiotherapy, some blogging, some work for Ron and some cat cuddling (as far as I am allowed, which is not much).
Friday I was supposed to see a friend but the date was postponed for the fourth time haha. Either she or I postponed it. This date is jinxed. It was a sunny and relaxed day and I had enough to do, like lying in the sun in my bikini. Can you imagine, on the 18th of March?
And of course here is the weekly video. (Note: the video can only be seen on the blog itself, not in the mail.)
Greetje
I LOOOOOVE the hot-pink dress from the singer!!! Also cool to see all those colourfully-dressed women.
Oh so did I. Terrific pink outfit.
Wonderful to see women gathered together – lots of laughter and great clothing. Especially after what the world has gone through over the last 2 years.
Perhaps that was partly why the atmosphere was so exhilarating. And the beautiful weather. Oh it was everything together. All those like-minded women in the first place.
The fashion party looks great! What fun!
Oh it was, it was so good. Such good vibes.
Oh my gosh, a PARTY! I loved seeing all these beautiful and joyful women of all shapes, sizes, colours and styles – thank you, Greetje! I also loved that ginormous pink tulle dress!
I love your wee video – so nice to hear your voice. I think our readers understand that we aren’t news outlets. I never discuss religion, politics or any really sensitive topics on my blog – doesn’t mean I don’t do that in person!
I’m envious of you sunbathing in March!
I gasped when I spotted the pink tulle dress. What a dream dress (skirt?).
And about sunbathing in March.. I’ll make you even more envious. Ron and I went to the beach today to walk Watson and I dressed in layers thinking it would be much cooler at the seaside as it was only 13 degrees C. It was bloody hot!. I had to take of my coat, my sweater, my scarf, my tights, my gloves. Drinking cappuccino bare-footed. Heaven. Climate must really be changing as this is unheard of on the 22nd of March.
What a fun fashion blast!! Rosalie has great style and so does the beautiful black lady in her gorgeous suit. The rest of mix and match was clownish, colorful, “laissez faire” and of course much fun!! Interesting affair when the rest of the world is inflames!! i guess a much needed respite from reality. Putin be damn!!!!!
As for the cataract operation, one has to worry only for the first 24 hours after the surgery. I had both eyes done one week apart, with absolutely no down time. No need to postpone the operation as its no big deal. An in and out affair.
It was indeed a fun party. After being in lock-down for such a long time together with being with like-minded women and sunshine… the combination was terrific.
As for the operation, yes if everything goes well, it isn’t a big deal, but I am careful. There is always a slight risk that something does not go well. Plus having to put drops in your eyes 4 times a day, is a bother I don’t want on holiday. My second eye will be done two weeks after the first one.
How wonderful to see all of these stylish women in one place – I love all the bold colours and patterns (which I appreciate very much on other people but don’t wear often myself). Your outfit is lovely – especially the sweater. It’s so nice to see a mix of short and long hair on older women, I love the fab punk vibe of Rosalie’s red hair. The silver dress, hot pink dress and the floral print suit are all gorgeous. I miss going to events like this.
I suppose part of the exuberant atmosphere was perhaps the fact we could do this again after such a long time. Together with the sunshine and all the like-minded women there was so much joy.
If you like bold colours and patterns on other people very much, I wonder what is stopping you from wearing it yourself… Just saying.
Wow that looks like such a fun party with some really interesting and colorful women. Thanks for sharing it with us. Your outfit was fab too and fit right in!
Of course I chose an outfit I knew would fit in haha. I would have loved to wear a dress but couldn’t find anything party/party in my wardrobe, so I opted for this colourful set. You would have loved the party for sure.
So fun that we saw one another at the amazing party! It was one of the happiest days of my life! Love your post with the story and the photos! Perfect!
It was such a fun, vibrant, lively party. You could feel the energy of all those awesome women. Exhilarating is a good word for it I think.
Thoroughly enjoyed it myself. Thank you very much for the compliments. Much obliged.
What a fun party. The outfits were great. Last but not least your hair in the video is perfection.
Thank you for sharing your life with us.
Ah, you see, when I am in the house, it means there is no wind and I have been able to style it in front of a mirror, all before I record the video haha. No wonder may hair looks perfect. Wished it would always look like this. But I should really be grateful with this result and not complain.
Lieve Greetje
Wat een bijzondere week weer
Je omschrijving van het feest vind ik geweldig
Enne naar Parijs ooh heerlijk
Beter dan de oog operatie
Wat een lief commentaar. Ik vind het altijd zo leuk om mijn blogposten te maken. Veel leuker dan Instagram of wat dan ook.
You have such great friends. I am going to have to look through these photos really, really carefully. Inspiration for both style and spirit. May you all be well and take care.
There is something for everyone to see at the party. The vintage (or second-hand clothes) with which the fashion show was created, the colourful outfit of some. But also the more modest outfits can be your taste. Have fun looking.
Loved all the bright glorious colours at the party.. we are so staid over this way across the pond…neutrals and black are the basic colours most of the seasons except we can explore some bright shades in summer months…Love your Sunday blog…
Thank for teaching me a new expression, “staid over”. I had to look that up and can now add it to my dictionary. When you say “across the pond”, do you mean the UK or the USA?
What an inspiring party, seeing women who are aging gracefully & beautifully, not an alien in sight filled with Botox and fillers. Thank you for sharing photos of the party. I checked out the AndBloom website, how refreshing to see real women.
I love your blog, hearing all about your week, your new outfits but love the photos of your country, what a treat each week.
Thrilled in Denver, Colorado!
Melanie
I wouldn’t put my head on the guillotine, swearing nobody used any Botox or fillers. Only, if they do that, they do it moderately.
Thank you for the many compliments. It is my pleasure to create a post every week. A real joy.
Wow! What a riot of colour and a great party! Those ladies look amazing, so much colour. Quite heart lifting Greetje x
The atmosphere was so vibrant, so full of life. It was exhilarating.
What a joy to see all those beautiful women wearing colour! Thanks for sharing this. And I loved the outfit you wore, too.
I knew I had to be colourful for the party and would have loved to wear a dress. Just coulnd’t find the right festive dress in my wardrobe.
Such fabulous eye candy at a party like this, and not a little black dress in sight, That’s my idea of fun!!
Makes me wish I lived near you!!!
XOOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Actually, even though I follow AndBloom on Instagram I wasn’t aware there would be a party until Janna asked me whether I was going too. It seemed like fun and boy, did it deliver! It was a hoot.
What fun that party must have been! I love seeing all of these colorful and stylish women!
All those women were oozing self-confidence and joy for life. There was such a vibrant atmosphere, it was great.
Wow – what a party! I loved looking at all the beautiful clothes. Thanks for taking us along with you. I felt like I was there.
As to what you said in your video about not discussing the Ukraine, it’s fine with me. I need entertainment and cheering up now more than usual, and you do a great job at that. I really look forward to reading your posts on Sunday mornings. Thank you.
Have a good week.
My pleasure entirely Anne. Thank you for reading. My blog would be worthless without readers.