What a nice change to see brown clothes in the shops again. It has been so long since there was a good selection of items in that colour.
Because a friend of mine tried on this brown A-line skirt at kpa.haarlem, I could see what it would look like on me. I can never imagine the fit from a hanger. My friend bought it, then I tried it on and bought it as well (she doesn’t mind at all).
One gloomy Monday, my friend Marjolein and I captured this outfit for the blog in the town of Voorburg. Voorburg is adjacent to the Hague and an old small town.
Below: A row of beautifully finished and renovated houses. Above you can see a close-up of one of the houses; the photo where I am trying to hop over the pole (as if…).
We wandered through Voorburg, looking for a place to have coffee and lunch, totally forgetting that everything is closed on a Monday morning; restaurants, shops, the lot. It started to drizzle and I had to go to the ladies’ room. A chemist was open and the staff directed us to a restaurant at the canal, which perhaps, would be open. Not being overly confident about this, we searched for it. Hurray, it wasn’t only open, it was also lovely and had good food (plus a ladies’ room). What a relief.
Below: Marjolein, looking at the menu. As you can see, I am not the only one who likes colour. Purple is Marjolein’s favourite colour.
Below: When you look at this couple on the terrace of the restaurant, you’d think it was lovely weather, but look at the clouds! The bridge was open to let the ship pass through.
Below: Nice picture even though the sun is absent.
After lunch the drizzle stopped; we were ready to take some photos.
Below: In many cities the council or a shopkeepers’ association will organise flower displays in the streets.
Below: Old town, old church.
Below: There were many ‘sitting pose’ opportunities like in front of this beautiful house. The batwing lime green top is from a local shop and exactly the model that I like on me. I will go back for some other colours. First I want to see how it holds up to being laundered.
Below: I wouldn’t mind living in such a house. I would, however, mind the mortgage.
Below: The second sitting pose. That bronze metallic bag suddenly suits every outfit. I had a hunch it would be an autumn/winter bag.
Below: Zooming out, showing you the beauty shop. It is not as nice in autumn as it will have been in summer.
Below: Pretty gate to close off the alley between two shops.
Below: Marjolein asked me whether the belt was meant to be crooked. I replied yes, but wasn’t aware that it was this crooked.
Below: Close-up of the belt, a unique and old piece. You cannot prevent the belt from being crooked as it is a horizontal piece of leather but you need to push the top buttons into the bottom pins and that’s fine. I just should not have pushed the belt down further on the lower side, as I did.
Below: A lot of the houses were built at the end of the nineteenth century. This is what we call a stair gable; no further explanation necessary.
Below: In the main shopping street, we found another model with their photographer. They were taking outfit photos for their shop. See the rack with clothes underneath the hanging flowers.
Below: Looking at the women taking the photos for inspiration.
Below: They chose a terrific old building (1639) and the model came down the stairs a couple of times to capture the pose. I tried that as well, but I either pulled a silly face, had a big belly or the belt was totally stupid. So, no stairs photos of me.
Below: Ron really liked this photo and so do I. Leaning to one side gives the impression of a straighter belt.
Below: Marjolein wanted to try a pose where you can see past me. The door, however, was too close to the street. Next time we will look for a door further inward.
Earrings are by Lara Design.
Below: A head to toe photo of Marjolein, looking terrific in her fashionable wide trousers with trendy purple cardigan and orange/bright pink items.
Below: Close-up of the cute belt.
Below: Demonstration of my face without and with a smile. That settles it, I will keep on smiling.
Below: As we were walking back, we passed this ditch (it stank) with a beautiful house behind it.
Below: Another example of a pretty house. Voorburg has a lot of them. Built in 1893, end of the nineteenth century.
Below: Close-up of the finishing at the top. This house is well maintained; no skimping on paint.
Below: The last houses we saw are a bit more modern and quite fancy; not some quick building job.
Below: With rooftop gardens.
What happened in my life this week
Not an awful lot really. I have been laying low to let my eyelids heal after the operation and they are healing well. To my surprise one eye is slightly bruised, a hematoma. That is to be expected with any facial operation but I have always been so lucky; it never happened to me.
For those who don’t know what ‘work’ I have already done to myself (snigger), read this blog post of 2015. Since then I have also had my teeth straightened with Invisalign (this is no paid promotion; I paid for it myself and it was worth it). I also had my teeth whitened twice since 2015 and I had the piercings of my earlobes sewed up and re-pierced after 8 months. The old piercings made wearing earrings look as if they were going to tear my earlobes and fall on the floor. This month I had my eyelids done a second time.
The danger of starting to ‘modify’ yourself is that, after the first ‘improvement’, you also want this done and that done and you become addicted. Apart from the fact it is expensive, surgery is always a risk. Surgeons are humans and humans make mistakes; sometimes silly little mistakes but when they are working on your body, a little mistake can have enormous consequences. The sad story of model Linda Evangelista proves that nothing is without risk. I have been lucky so far and I will stop before my luck changes.
No photos of mum this week as my brother and sister-in-law visited her on Sunday and I stayed home.
Monday it was Ron’s brother’s birthday and we paid him a visit. In the afternoon we walked dog Watson in the park.
Below: Isn’t he a handsome boy? Watson will be 4 in January.
Parks and woods in autumn are so beautiful. Couldn’t help taking photos of these mushrooms, although I am sure you see them where you are. Had a bit of trouble trying to create the collage (understatement…I tried and tried for more than an hour), but here it is below. Eureka. Persistence.
The cobbler repaired a pair of Marianne’s shoes, so after I picked them up, I spent a very pleasant afternoon chatting to Marianne.
Below: At Marianne’s, the day before the eyelid stitches were removed. (Link to original post with this outfit.)
No photo of Marianne as Wednesday is her PJ day and she doesn’t want to be photographed like that.
Thursday the stitches were removed. Hurray, a milestone. Just another week and I can put on eye make-up again (I hope). You don’t feel the stitches being removed apart from a little itch, that’s all. It took a couple of minutes.
Below: Here is what my face looked like after the stitches were removed, which means, a week after the operation. No make-up, not even concealer, just a red lipstick and red earrings to make the picture a bit brighter. I am not allowed to scratch the scabs which is really hard for me; I am sitting on my hands. There is still a bit of swelling; I am very curious to see the end result. Even with this result I am happy; the ‘curtains’ on either side of my eyes are gone.
Friday nothing at all happened. Just some blogging, replacing a pot plant for a newer version, making granola, doing the laundry, washing hair. That kind of day. Nothing to report apart from the fact it was gorgeous weather. I had to change boots and jumper for something more summery, wearing this blue skirt below (link to original post). I decided to take a little walk as it was so warm. On my way home I met my friend Janneke who came home with me for a glass of wine (only one).
Hopefully, next week will be more exciting.
Greetje
I, too, love that there is actually some brown clothing in the shops again. It feels like years since there was any! I bought myself a long brown cardigan yesterday which shall get lots of use, I’m sure of it! Your brown skirt is fabulous.
That town where you took the photos is gorgeous. The Netherlands seems to be full of beautiful architecture!
Big hugs
Suzy xx
Every country has its beautiful spots, right? Of course I don’t show you the awful parts haha.
I complained for years in the early days of my blog (late 00s) about the dearth of brown in stores. It’s nice to see it finally back! I adore this wonderful zebra skirt, but that belt is really amazing! I love that you did a lime top and white boots with it. That bronze bag is definitely meant for fall.
I love Marjolein’s cardigan – her whole outfit is awesome.
Yay for having your stitches out! I’ve been doing eyebrow exercises to help keep my eyes from getting droopy – I noticed that one of my eyelids/brows is droopy in pictures.
I don’t think brown is a good colour for me, but not really bad either. I will just ignore that and wear it as I like brown a lot.
Marjolein’s outfit is indeed awesome, I agree.
Doing exercises is great, although I very much doubt whether it will help. (I am very supportive, aren’t I? LOL)
The skirt is very pretty, I love the length and the volume, combined with the beautiful color of the sweater the look is very nice. You look beautiful under the floral decoration. I always say it and I repeat it, but I love your country, its architecture, its gardens, its streets… And I love it, I really like it, your polka dot skirt, it’s beautiful.
I am pleased I was able to please you.
Every time I put on a skirt or a dress, I think of you and say to myself “yes…elegant again; that will please Josep-Maria”. That is how much influence you have on me haha.
Dear Greetje, I can see clearly the different already now on your eyes. What an eye-opener it is!Thanks all the lovely readers for the compliments I received, it is always a party to go out with Greetje for a shoot, so why not go dressed-up to complete the party?!
Yes, my eyes are now open and round. No “curtains” on either side anymore.
I love that you put on a beautiful outfit to go out with me, especially on a photo shoot. You and I go back a long way with clothes. Remember the clothes swaps we used to have when we were in our early twenties?
Thanks for another great post. I always look forward to Sunday and seeing your photos.
Such a comment like yours, pleases me no end. It is so rewarding to hear that your “creation” is appreciated.
Marjolein looks magnificient
Couldn’t agree with you more. Marjolein is the real star of this outfit post.
I enjoyed seeing how you and Marjolein brighten up the gray day with your colorful clothes! And I’m envious of the many charming old towns you have to choose from, as well as an apparently endless supply of lovely coffee shops and cafes, for your photo days. It’s always a pleasure to read your blogs. Thank you.
There is a limit to the charming old towns, especially in the neighbourhood but there is no limit to lovely places to have coffee or lunch. We have many of them.
Thank you for your compliment and thank you for reading my posts.
Love the architecture..always a treat to see that. Also love the lime green top with the brown skirt..would not have considered them looking so good together..I chuckled at your “pot replanting comment”. I am assuming you planted a new plant not necessarily a “pot” plant….I have kept all my midi length suede and leather skirts, a lot A line from the early naughts…glad I did as they are so back in style especially browns.. I also love love love the sweater coat of your camera lady! Such colours..
Brown is an easy colour; you can combine it with yellow (and lime), orange, light blue, green, white, cream. Lots of possibilities.
I had to read your comment on “pot” plant a few times before it dawned on me haha. It is probably too literally translated. We call indoor plants which are in a pot, a pot plant. My seventies years should have been enough to spot this double meaning haha.
Lucky you for holding on to your old skirts. I only kept one and I had it shortened (rats).
Yes, Marjolein is the real star of this outfit post; she looked so good.
Greetje
I so enjoy your adventures—in fashion, photography, makeup, aging gracefully, time with family, friends, the poses, lovely lunches and beautiful town travels! Love be that you give historical insight into the towns and buildings. Photo are fabulous.
Thank you for taking us along as you go through the times of your life!
My best to Your mother, Ron and your fashionable friends!
Simply lovely!
Gosh, that’s a lot of compliments. I must be doing quite a few things right haha.
Thanks very much; it pleases me no end.
Wonderful photos as always. Makes want to visit yet another beautiful town! Your outfit and Marjolein’s are beautiful – so colorful and lively!
Just to let you know I didn’t receive my usual Sunday email alerting me to your latest post. I went to your web site to see it. I missed your photos and outfits!
Glad your eyelids are healing well. Have a good week.
I also didn’t receive the usual Sunday email.
I love seeing the various towns chosen for your weekly posts.
I think I did something wrong with my email subscriptions. I will try and fix it.
Hi, Many thanks. Just arrived in my mailbox. Best wishes
Just got mine today too. Missed you yesterday!
It is so nice of my friends to think of good backgrounds for a photo shoot. Marjolein in particular always comes up with good places. I thought that Marjolein’s outfit was even better than mine; loved it.
Oh oh. I think I messed up my weekly email message as you are not the only one with this complaint. I will see whether I can fix it.
Just got it – thanks!
I think the lime green top & brown skirt are a good combo. I like the belt at an angle, think it’s jaunty!
I love the fun sleeves or Marjolein’s cardigan, what a great detail.
Glad all went well with your eyelid surgery, looks good from here. I can’t believe Watson is 4 already!!
I usually seek contrasts like dark and light and especially want a colour near my face which suits me. You are the second one today who says that the belt at an angle is a pro and not a con. Which is very nice.
Marjolein’s outfit is stellar.
The skirt, belt and bronze bag are incredibly well coordinated, very stylish. And the bright green top looks great with it all. Love Marjolein’s outfit too, they’re totally my colours. Do you happen to know where she got the white trousers from?
Lovely buildings again this week! Interesting to read about your eye op too. Did you get your teeth whitened at the dentist?
Have a great week! Lx
That belt was a find, wasn’t it? Just lying somewhere at the top of my belt cabinet. And yes, Marjolein’s outfit is so good, wouldn’t have minded it myself. I will ask where she got the trousers from, but it could very well be a Dutch shop.
I did get my teeth whitened at the dentist. I don’t dare trying this at home and besides, at the dentist it will take me 1 1/2 hour and it is done. Then two days of eating only white food (so funny), like white bread and cauliflower and it is done. Swiftly and professionally.