Again an outfit from my own wardrobe; I combined a pencil skirt with floral tights. The tights were the starting point of this outfit as I had worn them only twice (see this post for the tights with a red skirt). Such a shame because I think they are so cute. Covering them partway when wearing boots, like I did before, felt wrong, so I opted for high heeled pumps.
Looking at the photos, I concluded that this outfit is more the old me than the new (retired) me. You could say that this post is fake. I only wore these pumps for the shoot and immediately changed into comfortable boots afterwards. The day will come that I’ll have to say goodbye to all my high heeled treasures. But I am not quite ready for that.
Marjolein was my photographer and we went to the (little) old centre of Rijswijk, which is adjacent to The Hague.
If you like art combined with knitting, crocheting etc, you are in for a treat further down this post.
Below: Walking from a small parking area to the centre (which is one street), through this old alley.
Below: Conveniently, this bakery with restaurant (Bakkerij Bosman) was right across from the alley.
Below: The cakes looked delicious but we decided for a chocolate truffle. Excellent.
(I seem to keep my weight consistent although that is one kilo more than I would prefer.)
Below: The restaurant looked cosy.
Below: Marjolein drinking tea.
Below: I had a cappuccino as usual. If you really want to punish me, you should forbid me to drink coffee. I am so addicted to the stuff.
The shade of green of the necklace is slightly more yellow toned than the outfit photos show.
Below: Close-up of the Angela Caputi necklace correctly displaying the colour.
Below: I sat on the terrace outside the bakery, just for the sitting pose as it was way too cold to have our drinks there.
Below: Across the road from the bakery is this big church.
Below: And big churches have big dark doors.
Below: The skirt was riding up a bit at the front, because of my big tummy (the extra kilo is located exactly there).
Below: Ready to be photographed when Marjolein shouted “Tummy!” I instructed her to do so if she saw a bump. So I was holding my tummy (again…so fake) but forgot to pull the skirt down.
Below: In front of the tower is this majestic tree. I bet it makes a terrific Christmas tree. I hope they decorate it in December.
Below: A small centre but with pretty buildings.
Below: Another sitting pose. I had to photoshop many little orange fluffy bits off the skirt. It clings like hell. Third time fake.
Below: Close-up of the tights.
Below: We continued after I had changed footwear. These are very old booties which I bought in Paris one day for €29 because my feet were hurting and I needed comfortable shoes. Ugly but very comfortable.
Now for something entirely different.
As we continued in the one street with shops running through the old centre of Rijswijk, we found Museum Rijswijk. We went in to see whether there was blog worthy material and we were not disappointed.
Below: Introducing Kate Jenkins from Brighton. Her art is created with knitting, crocheting, embroidery, sewing etc. She is best known for her food-focused treats of colourful yarn, created with a sense of humour and constructed into everything from patisserie pleasures to prawn platters.
She is highly skilled and worked for big fashion designers, even created a new way of applying sequins.
The lamps you see below are crochet waffles and ice, displayed against a poster of a waffle.
You are about to see a lot of her work as we thought it was so clever.
Below: Ice cream. I would say stracciatella flavour.
Below: A whole ice cream parlour. Again, everything is knitted, crochet, sewn etc.
Below: How about French fries?
Below: There was a ‘bakery / restaurant’.
Below: Me serving.
Below: Marjolein selling: “What kind of bread would you like?”
Below: Look at the cakes, aren’t they yummy?
Below: We loved the crab croissants. When you look at the big round “breads”, you can see how much work goes into it.
Below: A plate with sardines (or anchovies) on toast.
Below: I liked this joke. We Dutch are famous for our apple pie, called “appel taart (=apple tart)“. Kate played on the word tart and gave it legs, high heels and suspenders.
Below: A last funny, very Dutch meal: kale mash with sausage(dog haha).
That was enjoyable. Hope you liked it as well.
Below: The garden of Museum Rijswijk. Not much to look at now, but lovely in summer with the terrace at the back of the museum café.
Below: Marjolein in her leopard coat.
Below: Snake print boots.
Below: The last thing we saw in the centre was the window of a modern jeweller displaying this stainless-steel necklace. I loved it but controlled myself.
What happened in my live this week
Not much.
I did have a lovely day with my friend Ayen and saw her new apartment which she renovated. You might remember her from the post with photos of her apartment before anything was done.
Below: Ayen, feeling good.
Below: And a photo of her living room. Very stylish.
My brother and SIL visited mum on Sunday, which meant I didn’t go. On Tuesday I took mum to the hospital for her monthly eye injection and forgot to take a photo.
The garden was done by professional gardeners. The trees and bushes needed trimming but the biggest job was replacing the leaking pond. Ron preferred a straight pond this time instead of the octagonal one which has been in our garden since 1995. The dirt in the kitchen and corridor was horrendous.
I had to lock the cat in one of the upstairs rooms because the front door was open all the time and it is dangerous for her to get out at the front because of the cars.
As our help was also in that day (bad planning on my side), I couldn’t lock her into the bathroom. So I locked her into my little room, but I had to be in there a couple of times. She tried to escape; I yelled and held her down to the ground…she was petrified. I am afraid my relationship with Sophie is shattered. Poor, poor kitty.
Below: Gardeners at work.
Below: At the end of the day we had a new pond and a differently shaped garden. Of course the edges of the pond will be covered and new plants will be put in. We are not done yet.
Greetje
Such a fun exhibition!
And wow, a new pond and garden. Looking forward to see it all planted and green and grown and all!
You never know what you will find when you go out and about.
The new garden is coming along nicely.
I do love your tights so pretty and I love the black shoes skirt too.The buildings are beautiful and I like popping into different cafes for a cappuccino and cake 🧁 The crochet items are fantastic and in Wales there are knitting groups who decorate post boxes and trees in the villages, they look so cute. Your garden will look lovely in the summer I’m sure so please show us more too.👌
Glad you like the post. In hindsight I agree with some friends and readers that the black high heels are outdated. I will have to look for some different foot wear.
I will show you the different stages of our new garden, but it will take a while. It is only February and nothing will bloom until May.
The skirt and tights look good together, but I think flat shoes would look better. Loved the museum with all the knitted pieces. Always enjoy the shots of the areas you visit.
Yes, the shoes are always an issue with me when it comes to skirts and dresses. I never seem to learn either.
But I am glad you enjoyed the post anyway.
Glad you enjoyed the post. I wasn’t sure whether the knitted pieces would be everybody’s taste. I’ll work on the shoes with this outfit haha.
You found a wonderful museum. How interesting! The skirt and top look very stylish. You described the comfortable boots as ugly but I think they are cute.
Funny you should say that. I have had a number of people liking my red boots. However, it doesn’t change my mind about their looks. But boy oh boy, are they comfortable.
What happy color in the winter! I loved all of the wonderful architecture you showed us. The crocheting was amazing! What a creative lady! She must be a lot of fun to be around to have such humor!
I love, love Marjolein’s leopard coat!
The new garden is going to be amazing! I know you will enjoy it!!!
I’ll email you.
I love bright colours and especially in winter they brighten things up.
Marjolein’s coat gets a lot of approval and rightly so.
I love patterned tights, but you really have to plan the entire outfit around them, as they are very “bossy” (i.e. they take over an outfit). I get what people are saying about the heels looking a bit dated, but I loathe loafers as an alternative. I’d rather see a ballet flat, or an ankle boot with them – don’t you have red ankle boots? I am still not really on board with sneakers with skirts, no matter how many people say they are cool, lol!
I don’t think the pencil skirt suits you (sorry, being blunt!), but I think you have legs for days, so a short shirt does suit you. I think a stretchy skirt would be more flattering than a woven fabric. Just a little snug mini with red ankle boots – I can totally see it!
How exciting to get a new garden! I like the rectangular pool, and look forward to some pics with more greenery. Poor wee Sophie! I know how difficult it is to cat-wrangle!
Yes I do have red ankle boots, a little bit cowboy style. Hmm…good suggestion, I’ll try that.
As for the skirt…”a stretchy skirt”? With my belly, no hips and no bum? Hahaha…I don’t think so. And mini I don’t do anymore. I know you do and I am fine with that. But for me, no. On the other hand, I am on board with the sneakers and skirts haha. We all make different choices.
However, the outfit with the floral tights in this post, is close to your suggestions: https://www.nofearoffashion.com/2018/11/11/floral-tights/
Cat-wrangle is a very adequate term.
This look is really inspiring and creates a fun spring vibe even in winter. Great you still have these awesome tights. I still have mine and I love them. They are perfect when the weather is just below freezing.
I forgot you have them as well haha. I always forget them because I don’t know what to style them with.
Those 2 trees certainly got a haircut! What kind are they? Please can we have some views of your garden in the summer from above.
I will try and show some photos of the garden in summer. I have done that before and I have showed videos I think, but we’ll see what we can do m’am.
The trees need this haircut otherwise they don’t grow the right shape. They are catalpas.
I have never seen leotards with prints but these are rather cute..some very interesting bldgs and architecture also. I have never been a fan of leopard print whether in shoe or clothing but I have to say I do love your friends coat…I may have to rethink..
Elizabeth
What do you mean Elizabeth? Leotards with prints? I am wearing tights with a print. Actually, the flowers aren’t printed, they are woven.
Marjolein’s coat is rather special. I remember when she found it. I loved it and tried it as well. Just didn’t look as good on me.
Hi Greetje, I would wear Franco Sarto Cassandra loafers with the tights. They are amazingly comfortable too. https://www.amazon.com/Franco-Sarto-Cassandra-Black-8-5/dp/B09JG4JG3M/ref=asc_df_B09JG4JG3M/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=569647200673&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5812367870352906200&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1014362&hvtargid=pla-1541147562158&psc=1 plus very good looking.
Susan of Une Femme d’une certain age said the same and others did too. I have no loafers as I always stayed away from flat shoes because of my flat feet. I will have to investigate further into them. I also find it hard to shake off those old-fashioned ideas about high heels and skirts. But as one of the other readers said, it is an outdated look.
Love the tights but dislike the heels. Maybe it’s just the post-pandemic office changes here in the States, but heels look very dated to me. I could definitely see you wearing flat ankle boots, chunky sneakers, or even a loafer with the exact same outfit and looking COOL. FWIW, I really look forward to the day when all the European royalty and American divas decide heels out out and flats are in. Generations of women with ruined feet, knees, and hips will be grateful.
Love Marjolein’s leopard coat. Stunning!
You are so right. It is something our old heads have been filled with: “Heels look feminine”. But they are also limiting you a lot.
I must say I have a hard time letting go of these thoughts. In summer I am all for sneakers with skirts. Thank goodness, I accepted that. In winter I stuggle with footwear and skirts. But I get your point of looking dated. You are probably very right.
I adore those tights! Back in the mid 80’s, I bought 2 pairs of floral tights while on holiday in Germany and took them back to Eastern Canada. Whenever I wore them to work as an office clerk in a high-rise office building, people would stare at my legs for 11 floors and, obviously, were lost for words as no one mentioned them but just stared! Hahaha.
Whahaha….what a funny story. People used to stare at me when I lived in The Hague. That was the reason why I moved to Amsterdam. I felt so restricted by their staring. In Amsterdam you can run around stark naked and nobody will stare. Well, perhaps the tourists.
I love your stockings, they are beautiful. Those little flowers are so cute in the outfit, playing with the orange of your sweater, your beautiful pencil skirt and that spectacular green necklace. All very original and very elegant. I love these skirts so feminine and pretty, it suits you perfectly.
I have to tell you, I wasn’t entirely sure about this outfit. I also love pencil skirts but somehow I didn’t feel very comfortable in this outfit. But I am very pleased you like it.
Fabulous Greetje!!!! Those tights are gorgeous hun.The overall look is really nice!!!
Hugs,Paula B,XXX
Really? Is it? I was thinking I should have gone for an A-line skirt.
Those tights are fabulous! I would struggle to know what to wear with them, but I would probably try them with sneakers because that’s just what a I love to wear lol!
Poor little Sophie will forgive you…eventually, Greetje!
Big hugs
Suzy xx
As I said to Lise, I am not used to sneakers with skirts and tights in winter. Sneakers and skirts in summer my mind can handle. I might have to do some trying (yuck) but usually I find sneakers a bit too cold in winter as well.
Love the tights! I would wear them with low heeled black booties and wide leg cropped trousers. They would just peek out. What do you think?
That might be a good idea. I went into the other direction…showing as much as possible. Perhaps I am overdoing it.
How lovely to follow along on your photo shoots! As others have said, you find the most interesting backgrounds. The crocheted and knitted art is just amazing. Thanks so much for sharing Kate Jenkins’s work. As a crocheter myself, I am amazed at the amount and quality of the work she has done. And it all starts with one knot on a crochet hook.
I saw her on video where Kate was telling about her life. She did a proper art school for work in textile and she is indeed gifted.
She said that when she finished the first 10 plates with food, she decided to hold a little exhibition in her atelier and she sold out the first afternoon. And she isn’t cheap. With the amount of work going into her art, I am not surprised. It is worth it.
Thank you for sharing the old centre of Rijswijk with us! Oh, how I would love to walk down that alley and explore the area. You find so many interesting places when you do your photo shoots!
The first step is to go out. The searching is something that follows and many times me (and my photographer) are surprised with what we find. Like the little museum. We never knew it was there.
The crochet art is delightful! Thanks for sharing that.
I love the patterned tights and am trying to think of other shoes you might be able to wear with them (and walk in!). A mid-heel loafer might work…
Ah…says the queen of the mid-heel loafer haha. I don’t own one pair. My flat feet and loafers…not a good combination most of the time. Not all of the time, I admit that. I will have to search harder.
Love those tights – so cool! Also loved the museum exhibit. You take us to the best places – thanks!
Have a good week.
I wasn’t sure whether the crochet stuff was everybody’s cup of tea. So I am glad you like it.
The crochet work is so darn cute. So are your stockings. I would also pair them with your black sneakers (those chunky zippy ones). Regards Lise
Do I have chunky zippy black sneakers?? But even if I have them, that would only be one outfit item. What suggestions do you have for the rest?
You have white ones and I remembered you had black ones too?? Maybe I am wrong. I would pop them under jeans, cuff the jeans and let the cute stockings peek out. Or even with a skirt, you know the right sneakers can look fab with a skirt (and modern).
Okay, went through your archives and could only find the white ones I had in mind, my mistake. You do have quite a few flat booties with a taller shaft with laces that I think would look fab. Even the white ones with the black laces. Pair them with a skirt, although maybe not a pencil skirt.
Ahhh..you are sweet. Going through my archives trying to find them. Thank you. And yes, I only have the white combat boots.
You see, sneakers underneath a skirt is something I had to get used to. And I am used to it in summer, but in winter I think sneakers are far too cold and I am not used to seeing them with tights and skirts. My mind is still a bit too old-fashioned for this.
Maybe I will try it though. One must go with the times.
The not-plannend things are often the best things. The shoot was planned and that we always have an very nice day together was planned. And on top of that there is a lovely museum with an exhibition of crochet things.
If you don’t get out, you never experience anything. I very much like our little “expeditions”.