WARNING: to my email subscribers. From now on only the introductory sentences of a new post will appear in the mail. You’ll need to click the link ‘Read more on the blog‘ to read the post on my blog. (More explanation at the end of this post.)
Now onwards with this week’s post.
Again that bag…I know…I can hear you say it. After standing idly by in my room during the summer months, the bag has now become a go-to bag. It goes well with autumn outfits.
For these photos Kitty was my photographer and boy oh boy, did she exceed herself.
Braice yourself; you will see a lot of photos in this post.
It was cold and warm at the same time which called for a coat. It was difficult to find a coat that could accomodate the wide sleeves of the puffer vest. My old fake fur coat fit the bill. Glad I didn’t give it away.
Below: Hanging from a fence is doable, even at my age, even in high heels.
Below: The sun came out; the coat came off. A puffer vest gives me just enough warmth.
Below: Kitty wanted to take photos in the park as it is autumn and the sun shone through the trees. She was right, she took some stunning photos.
Below: The back. I am carefully choosing my steps.
Below: Lumberjack Greetje. Throwing another branch on the pile. (Only for a nice picture, no other reason LOL.)
Below: We found a bench and Kitty asked me to sit on the backrest. Further down you will find a little video of me climbing onto this bench and climbing onto the stump of a tree. Believe me, you will laugh. It is pathetic.
Age combined with a bad knee makes it hard to climb onto things. Add some high heels and it is a really awkward sight.
Now for the details: the puffer vest is Copenhagen Muse and I bought it at kpa.haarlem. The jeans are by Denham and frayed at the bottom, the striped shirt is by Joline Jolink, a quality and sustainable Dutch brand, the boots are Fly London and the bag is a vintage Mulberry from Vintage No 5.
It is a bit sad for all you overseas readers that a lot of my links are Dutch, which isn’t uselful for you. I hope the outfits will at least give you inspiration.
Below: That light through the trees… sooo beautiful.
Below: Luckily Kitty is still young enough and without ailments to be able to squat and take the photo the way she wants to.
Below: Funny photo as Kitty came nearer and squatted. The earrings are porcelain from lilibo.design.
Below: Two beautiful autumn collages.
Below: Lovely house in the park.
Walking or standing without slouching is something I still can’t master, sigh.
Below: We came to a few tree stumps and I climbed onto them.
Below: Well…climbed onto it sounds a lot better than how I did it. Even climbing down was hazardous.
Below: For your amusement, see the short video of this photo shoot (1 minute and 42 seconds). I am speaking Dutch and English.
Below: And we’re off again to find a restaurant for lunch.
Below: Kitty at the restaurant with meadows behind her.
It was a glorious photoshoot. Kitty is such a good photographer.
What happened in my life this week
Saturday Ron suggested we’d go into town and have a cappuccino on a terrace as it was nice weather; my favourite pastime, especially with him. I immediately put make-up on my eyes, dressed up and was ready in an instant. That was a happy hour, just looking at the people and (softly) commenting on everyone haha. Then, at noon, Ron went to the market and I went to my seamstress to have her adjusting two pairs of trousers for me.
In the afternoon I did my standard round to the cobbler and then to see Marianne.
Below: As usual Marianne was stylishly dressed. One of her other friends was visiting her so I didn’t stay too long. (Link to original blog post with this outfit.)
On Sunday Ron and I saw mum (below). We took her shopping at the supermarket and had an ice cream at the village square. Below: mum, looking younger every day.
Monday was a suppliers day. On the phone to mum’s energy company, that nearly tripled her monthly payments. The call took an hour but I got it down with 20%. Fortunately mum is being supported by the government and if the winter isn’t too harsh she might not be too badly off, moneywise. If not, then we, her children, will always be there to support her.
After that I was on the phone to the television/internet provider about the bad reception on the iPad’s TV app. Another call which took nearly an hour. “Somebody who knows more (…) will call you back.”
Such phone calls drain you.
Tuesday Loes and I had another photo shoot as my photo stock ran out. Contrary to the forecast, it was excellent weather for a shoot and we thoroughly amused ourselves.
Then, lo and behold, a tech savvy man from the television/internet provider, called me back. He identified the problem and said he would send a technician the following day. I was so surprised, I nearly fell off my chair. What speed!
Wednesday the technician came at 8 o’clock and after some searching identified the problem to be in the cable underneath the pavement. Another technician was scheduled to come and open the pavement. “He could come this afternoon, if you have time…” Yes please. Tsss…again, what speed!
I quickly drove to the camera shop to ask the man who sold me the camera, why my face was blurry in some photos and not in others. Of course it was only a matter of customizing a setting, but what do I know? The darling man educated me (for the fifth time) in the basic principles of photographing. This time I think it sunk in. He is the best.
In the afternoon the technician came (hurray) and identified the spot where to dig, although his cable map was contradictory about the spot. He would return the next day; “Could you perhaps, have the cars removed when we come?” I could and I did.
After he was gone, I did a ‘cobbler/Marianne tour‘ again.
Thursday, the technicians came, cracked open the pavement at a length of about 4 metres and fixed the problem (the cable map was indeed not accurate).
I still cannot believe all this happened in the course of just 4 days. At last, problem solved.
The rest of the afternoon I blogged, did laundry, washed my hair and such. Late afternoon we drove to Georg and Marla for a pea soup dinner.
You must gather from the above rant, there wasn’t an awful lot happening in my life this week.
Friday Monique (friend and neighbour) and I visited an art exhibition in Amsterdam. The exhibition was in a former jail that was stripped bare. We saw weird things, beautiful things, things that made you stop and think, which means it was worthwhile. I will not show you all the photos I took as there are enough photos in this post. Just this one, a piano by the Dutch artist Luuk de Kok (his artist name is Pallotti). The piano and the stool are made from styrofoam, would you believe it.
To my email subscribers…about the changes in the email
If you are wondering why I do not send you the whole blog post by email anymore, there is a simple reason. Mailchimp, which is the program that sends the email, does not include video links. And I will include more and more videos as video is the future. I don’t want you to miss out on them.
Therefore, in future, I will only send you the warning that there is a new post by sending you a few sentences and 1 photo. You can click on the link ‘Read more on the blog‘. So, it isn’t really that much trouble, is it?
Greetje
What lovely and fun photos! And the video made me smile. Puffer vests are very popular and I was interested in the shape of yours. Plus the color looks very good on you. Kudos to your excellent photographer.
If I have made you smile, then my mission is accomplished. Yay.
I never have had a puffer vest (we call them body warmers); it was the shape of this one that got me interested.
I will pass the compliments on to Kitty.
I love a puffer vest and have them in several colours (3 from Uniqlo like Susan below and the others from other brands). Yours is more original though and the oversized look suits you. Well done for your tree stump acrobatics! Kitty’s photos are excellent and woods are so beautiful when the sun’s filtering through the leaves like that. Have a good week!
The more normal puffer vests don’t suit my body shape, so I never had one. It was the shape of this vest that drew me.
I think the word acrobatics is too big a word for my efforts haha.
Kitty wanted to go to the woods (although it is a park, really) because she knew the light would help create beautiful photos. And she was right.
I love the puffer jacket..that shape is very stylish. I also love that I’m not the only one who can’t climb gracefully any more!
I cannot climb gracefully anymore because of stiffness and the bad knee. Trying it with high heels on is quite foolish as you could see haha.
It was the shape of the puffer jacket that drew me.
Nice casual look, the vest is very original. I love your bag. And, my God, the jeans look good on you! It’s fun to see how agile you can be on your walk through the woods and especially to get on the bench or the cut log. LOL Seriously, this look looks so cute on you.
It was the shape of the vest that appealed to me. I have never owned such a vest (we call them body warmers).
These particular jeans make my legs a mile long LOL.
This time I have composed the outfit all by myself and I am proud of that. Although styling a pair of jeans is not exactly rocket science.
I really enjoy reading your blogs not only your fashion tips but the beautiful scenery of Amsterdam and other towns too. I live in South Wales now after leaving England in the West Midlands so we also have plenty of canals there which I love just as much as your photos.
Where do you have plenty of canals? In the West Midlands or in the South of Wales? Do you speak Welsh? Seems like an awfully difficult language to learn. And I am glad you enjoy my little blog. Thank you very much for letting me know.
Love every element of this outfit, particularly the bag and boots! The pictures are wonderful and I’ve pinned them. I have similar problems with knees and climbing up or down. I’m mightily impressed by you posting a video saying “old woman struggling…” I’m always in denial of anything age related!
Thank you for all the compliments. Being ‘pinned’ is a great compliment too.
In the last two or three years I am accepting my age more and more. I cannot deny it anymore, it is too visible.
Not that I don’t cringe when I see some photos.
Self mockery lightens things, I find.
good on you for continuing to improve with the times !
It isn’t easy to improve with the times as I am now retired so there is no business need to keep up. And I am a lazy person. But I don’t want to end up not being able to cope with new technology in 20 years time (if I live that long).
The scale of the vest brings such a high-fashion element to a casual outfit, and the white boots bring pizazz. Love that sweet green of European parks. So different from our California gold. Your mum looks great, too. Lovely to read you.
It was the design of this vest which made me buy it. I think we call it a body warmer and it is my first one.
Thank you for all your lovely compliments. Especially nice as I composed this outfit myself with no help. Although styling a pair of jeans isn’t rocket science LOL.
Being an American, I love your blog both for the fashion and the scenery of Haarlem, Amsterdam, etc. (and the updates on your mum). This post was such a departure from the usual urban scenes and very refreshing. Love the vest.
Kitty urged me to go to ‘the woods’, although in American terms it is a park. We are such a small country that we don’t really have woods, not like you have.
She wanted to capture the light through the trees and did a terrific job. It is an art.
I hope I can keep on entertaining you for a long time.
Such beautiful light in Kitty’s photographs! I love that puffer vest and your metallic bag is gorgeous with this outfit too. And you took a lovely photo of your mother, whom I always love to see in your posts.
It was this light Kitty was after when she suggested to go to this park or “the woods” as I call it. Around here every group of trees is a wood haha.
The metallic bag turned out to be a good investment after all. I was doubting it in summer but it clearly is an autumn bag.
My mum is now used to me taking a photo of her every week. In the beginning she was complaining “Why do you want to show an old hag to your readers?” After all the positive notes from you all, she is now OK with it.
You are climbing a stump in the woods while this morning ( rain had stopped) I was carefully climbing down large wet boulders ( natural stairs) towards the beach at the end of my road. No video of my awkward descent!
I am older (72) and do take care , but I have new found strength after doing Pilates twice a week for the past 18 months, as well as other exercise ( biking, water workout, walking). Aging can be a challenge…just ask your Mum! … but the more we move when we can, the better off we seem to be.
You are so right. I do my exercises three times a week and I am trying not to sit down too much and too long (usually failing at that I must admit). If I don’t strengthen my muscles and improve my balance, the consequences won’t be nice.
Climbing down large wet boulders is hazardous. It is so easy to slip and fall. At any age, really.
Great outfit and the photos are lovely. I have to say that I found the video of you climbing very reassuring. We are about the same age and I also have a bad knee, so I know exactly how that feels. It was somehow comforting to know someone as elegant as you also struggles with climbing!
That bag was money well spent. It really adds a lot to an outfit and really suits the season.
Lovely pictures in autumn, what a beautiful light through the trees. Glad you have found your puffer finally! And yes about the bag, it looks good with the autumn colors. Your mother doesn’t look older the last years.
Stepping up the tree trunk….hilarious.
It is this light that Kitty wanted to capture and she did a beautiful job. She is a skilled artist.
In summer I was doubting the purchase of my shiny bag but now it has proven to be a very good decision.
Glad you liked the video haha. I wasn’t sure whether it was funny enough.
My husband thought the video was pathetic but I argued that it was reality. Of course it is not that bad if I don’t wear high heels, but the knee is spoiling a lot. I have to wait for it to get a lot worse (as in not being able to walk without pain) before they operate and give me a new knee. Understandable and I have no idea what the problems are going to be with a new, artificial knee.
The bag turned out to be a good investment after all. In summer I was doubting my purchase.
So totally enjoy reading your posts. I have to admit it always makes me homesick for my home town in Germany. At least I get to live vicariously through your lovely adventures and posts!
You look absolutely lovely in your puffer vest….and that handbag is just “the bomb” 🙂
Germany and the Netherlands are very similar. Apart from the fact that Germany is so much bigger LOL.
Homesick isn’t nice though. I know for certain I would be seriously homesick if I ever emigrated, so I won’t.
Thank you for the compliments. I was beginning to doubt my bag purchase this summer, but all is well that ends well.
It’s no trouble at all to click through, and it encourages me to come comment sooner, instead of leaving your post in my inbox until I remember. Loved all the pictures, and I was cheering for you to get up on that stump! Wow, that’s amazing that they actually ripped up the pavement to fix your internet!
Your mum is indeed looking younger every day! Good for you for bargaining down on her bill.
Your eyes look fabulous, Greetje – you look absolutely gorgeous!
I do that so much as well, leaving a message in either mail or Whatsapp and then (in my case) totally forgetting about it.
Hahaha, you cheering for me to get up that stump. It was hazardous but funny. Kitty ‘pushing me’ to try again.
As the problem with the TV reception was in the cable in the ground, they had to rip up the pavement; no other way.
It turned out to be only one part of the problem (and solution). This morning I fixed the second (WiFi) problem. I hope.
Thanks for liking my eyes, but these photos were taken before the operation haha. Mind you, I have been looking at them as well, thinking “Hmmm, not much difference, really”. The fact I look ‘gorgeous’ has everything to do with Kitty and her photography skills.
Always enjoying your emails, your outfits always outstanding😍, like reading your stories. Keep going and make us happy . Very nice pictures and videos, made me laugh 🤗
I beg to differ Audrey, sometimes my outfit is off and I only see it after the photo shoot. I will still share it as we can all learn from mistakes.
If my video made you laugh, then I have reached my goal. Thank you for saying that.
I’m glad that your television/internet issues were resolved so quickly! We recently changed our service provider for TV and internet and it took a full week to get everything working properly. We were beginning to wonder if we’d made a big mistake, but everything is working well now, thank goodness!
As I’ve said before, Kitty takes amazing photos, but you also make the photo shoots fun!
As it happened only one part of the TV problem was solved, but today the helpdesk could fix the second problem. Fingers crossed that it is now completely resolved. The more computer technique is involved, the more can go wrong.
Thank you for the compliments to Kitty (and me..#wherearemyemojis).
Kitty’s photos and your video performance are wonderful. I always like to see updates on your Mom and Marianne, who, like me, is disabled but very cheery, especially when friends come to visit.
Marianne is indeed a very merry person, always in for a joke, always cheerful, which makes you want to hang out with her.
Thanks for your compliments to Kitty (and my video haha).
The light in these photos is just ethereal, and like we have here now in southeastern Michigan. The most spectacular time of year and what we call “Indian summer.” Kudos to Kitty, photographer par excellence. Wonderful backgrounds.
Love this casual outfit, which the vest and handbag really complement. White boots rock it and the white belt finishes it. You look very cool.
This time I composed the outfit myself, so I am very pleased with your comment. Often a shop assistant (or owner) helps me, or a friend. Kitty is a very good photographer and she was absolutely right about the light through the trees. Lovely time of year. Indian summer is more spectacular, but I am in a small country and glad with what we do have.
Love your puffer vest outfit, especially because I wear the same outfit most days (minus the white boots). Your vest is much more stylish than the ones I have from Old Navy. Oh well. I do like warm vests because they free up my arms. Unless it’s really cold, coats make me feel claustrophobic!
Thanks for all of the beautiful photos of you and nature. Have a good week.
This is my first puffer vest. It appealed to me because of its unusual shape.
If coats make you feel claustrophobic, try a wide one next time, with wide sleeves as well (and the possibility to close those sleeves at the cuff).
Love your post, such a beautiful area and the lighting in the trees! Your outfit and vest is super cute, enjoyed the video. Always fun to peek in on your mum and daily happenings…so sweet the comment about your mum looking younger. Thanks for sharing with us each week! 💗
Sharing my life with you readers is my pleasure entirely. I just love to entertain.
Glad you enjoyed the video. I still need to learn a lot about video; just putting my big toe in the water, as we say.
I love your vest! It looks so lovely on you. Your video was quite funny and I can certainly relate as I have the same issues climbing onto things. I also love your photos. You always travel to interesting places that showcase the beauty of your country.
It was the unusual shape of the vest that appealed to me. It is my first bodywarmer, as we call it in the Netherlands.
Trying to find a lovely background for the outfit photos is getting harder, but it is part of blogging.
Greetje, Your pictures wear beautiful! I love the freshness your white boots give an outfit! Your vest looked really good with the striped shirt.
I just took quite a few vests to consignment. I do better with sleeves, I am so cold natured jackets work better for me.
Kitty did very well photographing you! The area was quite nice.
I’ve been shopping on a wonderful designer site and gotten some wonderful jackets.
We will soon be having a family holiday meal celebrating how thankful the settlers were when they come to America. They feasted with the Indians. Roasted turkey with a bread stuffing and gravy with cranberry sauce is a traditional meal with vegetables and pumpkin pie, although, some people roast a ham.
Do you have special holidays other than the major religious holidays?
I hope your lovely mother is ok. Please tell her she is missed.
I also miss our little Watson!
I hope all of you stay well!
I just found the bottom of your blog. Lovely to see your mother!:)
Yep, you have to read the whole blog haha.
Kitty is indeed a very accomplished photographer.
This puffer vest is my first. Usually I have jackets with sleeves as well, but this one was different and appealed to me.
We have King’s Day as a special holiday on the 27th of April. That is a big day. And we celebrate the end of World War II on the 5th of May. That’s it, I think.
Love the puffer vest and the shorter length…great outdoor shots…just wanted to ask if you dropped me from your radar as I did not get my usual email notifying me that your recent blog was up…I did see it on Facebook so got to read it eventually… Your Mom always looks so good and dresses so nicely…Do you do her clothing shopping for her?
An email was sent at 1 PM ET and your email address is on the list. Did you see that you are not getting my full blog post anymore? Just a few sentences and a link to the blog?
I have also explained it in this post at the bottom.
My mum does her own shopping by post order. I have nothing to do with that. Apart from one or two times helping with a necklace.
So enjoy your blog. I look forward to it every Sunday! No matter that the links aren’t for your out of country followers. Thanks for the beautiful pictures and sharing with us every week!
Thank you for the compliments. It is a joy creating a post every week. Not a chore at all, quite the opposite.
Great post, and beautiful pictures. Love the puffer vest, both color and style. You definitely know how to entertain—fun reading. Your Mom looks great.
If there is one comment I like reading, it is that I could entertain you, make you smile or even laugh. So thank you for telling me this. Mum is now used to my photo taking and sharing haha.
LOL at the vagaries of outdoor photo shoots! Cleaning off the mud, avoiding the dog “stuff,” using the natural props…but WOW, those are some really stunning photos!!! That light is amazing! Great job, Kitty!
I have a little Uniqlo puffer vest that is a reliable mid-layer, but yours is more stylish.
I hope you liked the video, but you don’t have to if you didn’t. You know me, I am not seeking flattery, I am seeking honest feedback so I can improve myself.
I did enjoy it though. A little dose of the reality of style blogging. 😉
Thanks Susan. Ron didn’t think it was funny at all, just awkward.
The combination was so bad: age, knee and high heels. One shouldn’t be climbing things in such circumstances haha.
Kitty has done a terrific job this week, the light in the photos is lovely. I enjoyed the video, you have such fun on your shoots and it really comes across. The puffer jacket is very stylish and suits you.
I totally agree with you, Kitty has done a terrific job. It was the light through the trees she was after.
And you are right, we do have a lot of fun during shoots. Everything about creating a blog post is great. From the outfit to the shoot, to the selection of photos, the writing and of course, to receiving your lovely comments.
The puffer jacket is my first (without sleeves, that is).