What a fun morning this was. Kitty and I did a photo shoot at a restaurant (Villa Westend) with a beach at a lake, just a few miles from the centre of Haarlem. You wouldn’t know that you are near a city.
Styling a bright green shirt with 3 different pairs of trousers and shoes and 3 different bags. To show you different options. Be warned; you’ll get to see many photos, even though this amount is only 1/3 of what we shot. Kitty took photos fit for a magazine, with lots of lovely detail pictures. Alas, my blog hasn’t got the proper lay-out to do her photos justice.
Let me start by showing you the setting.
Below: There was to be a wedding in the afternoon and evening. Look at the marvellous set-up. The restaurant is to the right, up the steps and has this fantastic view.
Below: Close-up of the flowers.
Below: These flowers waited inside as it was so hot outside. They would have wilted.
With yellow and silver earrings, a green bag, blue and white pinstripes trousers and silver pumps
Below: The first pair of trousers has blue and white pinstripes. Wearing silver pumps, yellow and silver earrings and a green bag. As the shirt is rather airy it is so comfortable to wear and perfect for hot days. (Link to original post with these trousers.)
Below: The sunlight was rather bright.
Apparently the ducks use the end of this jetty as their gathering place. I feel for the person who has to clean this.
Below: Kitty is like my husband. She wants a nice photo and if that means the model has to stand in the sand, slowly sinking away, that is no skin off her nose.
Below: You can see the pinstripes better in this photo where I am unbuckling the shoes.
Below: Incredible how much sand a dainty shoe like this can hold.
With yellow corrugated cardboard earrings, a yellow bag, pale blue skinnies and rosé golden pumps
Below: Sitting on the steps to the restaurant. The skinnies may appear white but they are pale blue. (Link to original post with these trousers. Scroll down a bit.)
Below: My bag is by Coach. It is rather beautiful but I hardly use it. No idea why. Too formal?
Below: Close-up of the rosé golden pumps. What a terrific vintage find that was. (Perhaps I shouldn’t let Kitty take a photo so close…the veins…haha. Well, it is what it is.)
Below: Close-up of the corrugated cardboard earrings.
With yellow and silver earrings, a white bag, wide dark blue trousers and yellow suede pumps
Below: The earrings are the same as in the first photos and I added a silver belt. Because the trousers are so dark, I thought it would be good to have a light bag for balance. You see that this shirt works just as well with wide trousers as with skinny trousers.
(Link to original post with these wide trousers.)
Below: Showing off my dainty heels.
Below: I love this photo at the beach of the restaurant. Again with pumps in the sand.
Below: Villa Westend has lots of space for mums and dads to sunbathe and children to play. And No, this is not a sponsored post.
Below: Close-up of the yellow suede pumps.
Below: Close-up of the belt.
Below: Close-up of the earrings while holding balloons for the wedding. Darling photo.
Below: Friends of the bride and groom were creating garlands with balloons and green leaves (not real leaves).
Below: As if this post doesn’t hold enough green, this sweet doggie joined in with his green bandana hahaha.
Below: Let us not forget to show a photo of Kitty, the skilled photographer. I should have done a better job of capturing her.
The end. It was a very joyful morning.
What happened in my life this week
Saturday started with a “thank-you” lunch. As you might know, my group of friends, called BVA girls, spent a week’s holiday in Spain. We stayed at Hans and Marijke’s apartment and we wanted to show our gratitude by buying lunch for our hosts. Along with Marijke’s husband Hans, his best friend René joined as Hans didn’t feel safe being alone with 5 women haha. His friend has helped us in Spain so we already knew him.
Below: Couldn’t get the group to fit in the photo properly because Marijke and Claudia insisted on ducking away instead of leaning forward. We had a terrific spot on a terrace near the water. As always we had a lot of fun and laughed a lot.
Below: I was wearing my colourful dress/jacket which I bought in Spain. I thought that was appropriate. (See original post.)
Below: Straight after lunch, I rushed home as we had our annual street party. There were about 40 neighbours, the weather was perfect and as usual, there was loads of delicious food. Everybody brings something.
Below: Of course Sunday was mum-day. Here she is again.
Below: As my mum can appreciate an elegant dress, I wore one. At first she thought it was a tunic with a blue skirt. Her eyesight isn’t too good. I still think it is a very nice dress, but husband Ron is no fan; bummer. (Link to original post.)
Monday was a day of chores. Nothing to report.
Tuesday I had a half-yearly appointment to have my teeth cleaned. In the afternoon Loes and I went on a photo shoot which went very well. It means I am safe for next week’s post. We did some vintage shopping too and Loes scored a pretty jacket.
Wednesday the plumber fixed the leak in the shower and also our heating system. He is a nice chap and we know him since at least 2003.
In the afternoon I took mum to hospital for her first eye injection. The poor soul couldn’t read the letters anymore in the afternoon because of the anaesthetic; everything was blurry. I stayed for a cup of coffee after I drove her home. See her in another top below.
Below: I wore this outfit. Flat shoes because of all the hospital walking. Those shoes are the softest shoes I have ever owned.
Thursday my physiotherapist had to treat my calves as I kept getting spasms at night, even though I exercise my legs and take Magnesium before going to bed.
In the afternoon I drove to Jilske’s house to teach her how to use my old camera which is now hers.
Below: The yellow trousers were still out, so I combined them with my multicoloured shirt as in this beautiful blog post. The high heels were no problem because I didn’t have to walk much. I had the heels changed compared to the shoes in the blog post. They are now a bit lower and sturdier.
Later in the afternoon Ron phoned and invited me to come along to the beach to walk dog Watson, so I changed the trousers and shoes. See below.
However, traffic was a spoil-sport. The trains were on strike and everybody took the car which led to busy lanes. To add insult to injury, the roads to Haarlem were also crowded because we have the Grand Prix races in Zandvoort (Zandvoort is very close to Haarlem). Long story short: we didn’t go to the beach.
Friday men came to fix one of our sunscreens. Well, “fix” is not the correct word as the screen is beyond fixing, but they secured it so it won’t tear in winter. Next spring we need new sunscreens.
I did my exercises and hopped on my bike for the last exercise. My bike trip led me into town and I decided to take a look in a second-hand shop. And who did I meet but Loes!?! She had the same idea.
I found the perfect second-hand white summer jacket by a very good brand; a jacket I have been searching for, for a long time. It fitted like a glove but…it was a fitted jacket. Such jackets look really good on me, nevertheless I hesitated as I didn’t know whether fitted jackets were still in fashion. Some research at the end of the day taught me they are still fine. I phoned the shop and they kept it behind the counter for me until I could fetch it on Saturday.
Loes took me to another shop where I found a little jumper (sweater) in my favourite lime colour and in the shape that suits me so well (batwing sleeves). We decided to have lunch together in a nearby restaurant.
Below: Loes and I had lunch on a terrace overlooking a canal.
All in all, it was a fine week.
Greetje
The green blouse looks lovely and the metallic shoes just eye-catching. Fun photos.
Yes, Kitty is a skilled photographer and her photos are always the best. Not that I don’t appreciate the other photographers; far from it. I am very grateful and they deliver really nice photos. But Kitty is a photographer by trade and those skills show.
That green blouse is a winner, Greetje! I love it with the wide blue trousers the best, and am a fan of all of the shoes (I love the heel on those yellow suede sling-backs). I would have encouraged you to buy the fitted blazer regardless of it being “in fashion” – if you love it and it looks great, it will always be in fashion.
Mum looks lovely – what a good collection of colourful tops she has!
My apologies for being absent for the last week or so – life has been a bit tough.
Well, I did buy the blazer and I am happy with it. Now I need to style it (not one of my favourite jobs as you know; unlike you.)
Yes, mum has a very large collection of colourful tops. Still, I think my appetite for clothes is something I got from my father.
You never have to apologize for being absent. I so know it is difficult to do everything. I will come over to your blog to see why life is touch for you.
I’ve been enjoying your blog for some time, so thought I’d tell you! I know I’ll always find great outfits, places and buildings and chat about your friends and family….a great mix. I had a Dutch colleague once, also blessed with long legs…is that a Dutch ‘thing’?, and she was funny and straight-talking too.
I’m going through a green phase at the moment, so I especially like the first set of pics with that versatile green shirt. Your street party looks great fun…such a nice thing to do once in a while. So please keep blogging and brightening up Sundays!
It is very kind of you to comment and pay me compliments (grin), thank you.
No, long legs are not a Dutch ‘thing’, but we are taller than most people in other countries.
Straight-talking is a Dutch thing as well.
The annual street party has been held for at least 10 years now I think, perhaps even longer and it makes our street so much more a friendly home, so we will continue. As I will continue blogging. With compliments like this, who would want to stop?
I am envious of your European lifestyle. Here it is always go, go, go and no stopping to smell the roses. Maybe I am a duck out of water?
When I had a job to go to, my life was go, go, go as well. Now that I am retired, I can organize my own agenda. I make sure there are lovely days with friends and coffee and that there are days of leasure.
Perhaps you should take control back over your agenda? (If possible.)
I really like the first and the third outfit. I also own a pair of pin-stripe blue and white pants and the combination you made with the bright green shirt is unexpected but surprisingly nice! I adore your animal dress, so elegant and also your animal blouse ( have a similar one which explains my enthusiasm😉). Living near The Hague and loving NL as my second home land ( Belgian from origine), your shoots at different settings illustrate perfectly the beauty of this country! Chapeau for you and your photographer(s)!
I just take available trousers from my wardrobe and see which ones would do. Not a fan of this process which is why the outfits are not that different from one another. Lazy is my middle name.
Which animal blouse are you referring to? Do you mean the blue/white/yellow one? Because I don’t think that is animal print.
I am pleased that you like the content of my blog posts. I was born in West Zeeuws Vlaanderen, 3 minutes cycling from the Belgian border, so I feel a little Belgian.
Fabulous photo shoot! I am loving all the greens and beautiful color combinations.
Thank you very much. I was afraid that the distinction between the three outfits wouldn’t be enough. I have to say I didn’t try too hard. I could have created more different outfits. I am just lazy.
My favourite of the three outfits with the bright green shirt is the first one. Perhaps that’s because I recently purchased a pair of pinstriped pants which I haven’t even worn yet. I’m looking forward to styling them with different tops from my wardrobe.
Those pinstripe trousers in blue and white go with so many tops. I have a brilliant one in bright yellow with statement sleeves, but red, pink, fuchsia, orange, white, blue and of course green, they all go with the trousers. Have fun styling them.
Hi Greetje,
Fabulous post!! The green shirt with the dark blue pants is my favorite too. Also I loved the yellow pants, comfortable smoking shoes and blue print top. Stunning!! And those cardboard earrings are the best! You have great legs BTW in those shorts. I have found that every man I have known do not like animal prints for some reason. I love them! I had an amazing leopard bikini when I was 18 and my boyfriend hated it. Nevermind that I looked like a million dollars in it. Yet every single man I have ever been with does not like animal prints. Go figure!!
I didn’t think the yellow trousers would look nice with the flat shoes but in hindsight I really like the outfit too.
The corrugated cardboard earrings are slightly modified but I got them from Etsy. A woman (Dorisse) of PaperStatement creates them. If you search Etsy with the words “Corrugated cardboard earrings”, you will find PaperStatement as one of the first vendors popping up.
And I agree about the animal print and men. So strange that women keep loving them so much, right?
I enjoyed your different switches with your green top. You are so fortunate with your long slim legs 👍 The yellow Coach bag is my favourite accessory.Perhaps you’ll find more uses for it, Greetje. And my favourite blouse was the multi- coloured one…
I love colour!
I have restless leg syndrome, which is quite difficult to deal with when it interferes with my sleep. I wonder if that’s what you’re describing, or perhaps it’s painful leg cramps. Both are helped with having magnesium ( perhaps try taking it earlier on in the evening ) and I have discovered with sub-lingual tablets that dissolve (under the tongue ) and calm my leg nerves. Hylands is a brand available in Canada ( from US) . Maybe this is helpful.
Of course I could have tried a bit more with the different outfits. The slim trousers are very much alike and the wide one was a no brainer too. I am not very keen on creating different outfits. All that stuff on the bed.
Like you I love colour and the multi-coloured one is a favourite of mine.
Thank you for you concern about my legs (and yes I am very fortunate with my long legs). It isn’t restless legs, I know that. There are just “knots” in the muscles. I had my calves treated twice by the physiotherapist and I am sure it will have gone. If I google “what to do with restless legs” you get a lot of advice, also from medical people.
Such a pleasure reading your posts every week! Always entertaining and I love seeing pics of your outfits and gorgeous city. Your blog posts are one of my favourites!
Such comments make my day. It is so nice when you create something, that it is appreciated. Makes you feel acknowledged. So thank you.
That bright green is so stunning on you Greetje!! I love it all the ways because I’m an equal opportunity outfit lover!! Mix it up for sure!! Of course, I would wear it with those yellow pants too!!
And that last blouse is absolutely beautiful.
I can’t tell you how much I LOVE seeing beautiful women in beautiful colors like you wear.
XOOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
I have paired the yellow trousers with a green kimono blouse once, so I agree.
That last multi coloured shirt is Ralph Lauren and I bought it years ago. I even torn the sides at the back, but my seamstress cleverly repaired it.
Thank you for calling me beautiful (grin). At least I take it that you include me.
So much fun! I love the photo of you at the street party — I laughed out loud when I scrolled down and saw it. So many gorgeous outfits — I particularly like the one with yellow pants and flat shoes. Those shoes are gorgeous and I don’t remember seeing them before. Great photos of your mum, too!
Me at the street party. I know, I know…when I am there, you will notice me. That is the kind of person I am: very present haha.
Yes, you have seen the white flat shoes before. Two times with these yellow trousers and once with cream autumn trousers.
Thanks for another great post. I love those yellow shoes, they are so chic. Your hair looks terrific too. It’s always nice to see your friends and Mom doing so well.
Glad you like the post. The yellow shoes were inexpensive from the UK Marks & Spencers. I am still glad I bought them.
My hair looks terrific because I make sure to “fluff it up” during the photo shoots haha.
All three of the outfits with the green shirt look great…well done! And Kitty really is a fabulous photographer.
I know, I am lucky with Kitty. The 2 outfits with the tighter trousers are quite similar. I was a bit afraid it would not be distinctive enough.
I love the shirt, the color is beautiful. The first two pants are the looks that I like the most. The earrings in the foreground are beautiful and you look gorgeous. I love your colored printed shirt dress bought in Spain, it’s beautiful.
How beautiful your party with the neighbors, I thought that in the Anglo-Saxon countries you did not have that closeness with the neighbors, now I see that you are a bit Mediterranean too.
I love the animal print dress with the blue hem, it’s very original and elegant. I also like to see you with those shorts, although they are not a garment that I love, seeing your legs, without jeans, is a pleasure.
You are very kind with all your compliments.
And you are right that we don’t have much closeness with our neighbours here in the north. We are lucky that our street is different. It all began with the annual street party. I cannot even remember when they started and who came up with the idea, but it was quite a long time ago. I think 10 years? And then you get to know one another a bit better which makes the neighbourhood so much more friendly. I am not a fan of villages where anonymity is impossible and everybody judges and has an opinion about what you do or what you wear etc. I grew up in a village so I know.
Greetje
Wow – what a lot of beautiful settings for your photos. Also love the green shirt with all three different pants. I’m not a big fan of pumps, but they look good on you… Thank you for all of these wonderful pictures. Definitely a Sunday highlight.
Have a great week!
Who can say they are somebody’s Sunday highlight? Great honour. Thank you. Unlike you, I am a big fan of pumps because I have narrow, flat feet with a low instep. Pumps, although not really that comfortable, make me look nicer.
What a versatile shirt! All the outfits looked great on you but #3 is my favourite. Good job on the accessories. Enjoyed your post as always!
When I was creating the post I was wondering whether the differences between the 3 outfits were distinctive enough. So I am pleased with your comment.