Funny how you can have several items in your wardrobe in complimentary shades and not realising that you have them at your disposal. I wanted to wear the lilac dress with burgundy boots as the boots which I previously wore with this Max Mara dress, are really too high (I gave them to my friend Sabine who likes high heels). Also, as you can see if you click the link in the previous sentence, I used to wear the dress with the sleeves as they are. And that was COLD.
Thick burgundy tights and burgundy boots provided warmth at the bottom. Now what to do at the top? Luckily I have an excellent memory and I dug into my wardrobe to come up with an ancient purply/burgundy top. It wasn’t very thick, so I wore a Uniqlo heat-tech shirt underneath it. Next time, I will pick a skin coloured heat tech shirt or a black one, but they were both in the wash.
Now you might say that the shades that I am wearing are all slightly different and I’d say you are right. For me, that doesn’t matter; it is all family and goes together. My humble opinion.
Husband Ron was my photographer. The weather apps told us it would be dry in the afternoon, between 1 and 3 PM and after 3 o’clock it would rain. No such thing. We set out at 1 o’clock and it rained until 3. Typical.
Below: How on earth are you supposed to take blog photos in this weather?
Below: Ron suggested we’d go to a fun restaurant in Amsterdam, called Sticky Fingers. It looked nice on Google. It wasn’t as nice as we thought it would be but we had to work with it.
Below: In the corridor, near the kitchen it was really too dark to take a sharp photo, but I like the vibe of this one.
Below: We tried different areas in the restaurant to see where we could find more light.
Below: It is still pouring out there.
Below: To take a fun photo through the window, Ron stood in the rain, the sweetheart.
Below: Arty photo by Ron.
Below: If there aren’t any darts in a shift dress, it will ride up at the front if you have a 36D size bust. I long for the times when they had darts in dresses and tops. When they had real sizes instead of generic Small, Medium and Large. Of course this was more expensive and the retailer was left with a lot of unsold clothes. The solution apparently, is to sell ill-fitting clothes. And this is a Max Mara Studio dress. Top of the bill but still created for models with small breasts. Sigh.
OK, that was a bit of a rant.
Below: On the other side of the Sticky Fingers café was another restaurant; everything was part of a hotel. They had cosy corners.
Below: Close-up of the Baublehaus earrings. You have seen them before. As lilac is a pastel and certainly not a flattering colour on me, these colourful earrings ‘save’ the outfit.
Below: Just one more really nice photo to end this section. It is very similar to the first photo. Ron had to stand outside in the rain again.
So much for the outfit.
What happened in my life this week
I had lesson number two in photography. It is such a nice course and I learn so much. Only two hours on a Saturday, three weeks in a row and ‘homework’ of course. My skills are improving dramatically. Here are some photos which I think are the best for my homework this week (I sent in 12 photos).
Below: Framing the photo (with the trees on either side), also watching the lines of the landscape you photograph.
Below: Frog view, rule of thirds and levelling. I used two awesome tricks to take this photo. One was stabilizing the camera on my bag on the ground and using the fold-out display to see what I was photographing. My left knee trouble prevents me from crouching on the ground and this worked perfectly.
Below: For the third photo I went to the (prison) dome in Haarlem. This used to be a prison for many years, housing the worst criminals. After being empty for a number of years, it has been converted into an office space and cinema.
Below: Cinema in the basement, office spaces on several levels and the grand dome, letting in light through the ceiling.
Below: This was the photo I was going for: Repeat and Rhythm. The ceiling of the dome.
Below: They did leave some cells as they used to be, although they are now mostly used for storage.
That was fun. You are out and about with a goal and doing something creative. That is what retired life is for.
On Valentine’s day Ron and I took dog Watson for a walk on the beach.
I said to Ron: “Isn’t retired life great?”
He replied: “It is but I feel sorry for other pensioners”.
Me: “Oh why? Because they might have a smaller pension?”
Him: “No, because they don’t have you”.
That will do me fine for Valentine’s Day, ridiculous as it may be haha.
Below: Ron and I at the beach, me wearing a multi-coloured striped jumper on jeans.
Below: Wore this outfit the day before. Same jumper but with fancy trousers. (Link to original post.)
Do you spot one of my new poses?
Below: I saw mum again and got her to smile for the photo.
We had dinner at Georg and Marla’s and the next day at Froukje and Petro’s. Froukje created a new design for our garden (see below, summer version). This was awesome as we could discuss it with our gardener who came in Tuesday afternoon.
Had a lovely half day with Erna, my ex-colleague, now friend (see below). She came to Haarlem and was so nice to take some outfit photos for a blog post.
Received a balloon from Sabine as a way of saying thank-you for the boots. With such a sweet message on the card; I was chuffed.
And I had another photo shoot with Marjolein in The Hague. Squeezed in a quick visit to my mum before going to Marjolein as mum was inquiring after a place in a home. Not that she really wants to go (at the moment), but it was good to hear the pros and cons.
The plumber stopped by to check some plumbing work and we had a nice chat with him. He has been our plumber for about 20 years and we get on really well. He is cheeky and I love his wit.
That’s it for this week.
Greetje
I love everything about this post!
Love this outfit; so well done, from your own closet. Kudos to you!
Ron took great photos, but you too. You’re really getting the hang of it.
And using your new posing skills. Looking good, gal!
You’re right; these are some of the fun ways to fill the days of the life as a retired person.
And Ron, romantic and sweet as always. Lovely!
I am getting better at shopping my own closet, but still don’t like it.
Good of you to remind me of posing skills. I will play the instruction videos again. My pee brain forgets so much.
Romantic Ron has me as a partner. Poor soul haha.
Lavender is a tough colour to wear, but you’ve done a fantastic job of coordinating your burgundies and purples with it. “It doesn’t have to match – it just has to go” is one of my mottos!
Your photos for your class are wonderful, Greetje! Well done. Aw, that’s such a sweet comment from Ron on Valentine’s. And nice to see your mum smiling!
Sometimes I call it lavender and sometimes I call it lilac. It’s the same. Thank you for the compliments. I was pretty proud myself. As you know, it is not my natural gift to style from my own wardrobe. But…I am definitely getting better.
The photography class has given me an appetite for taking more photos. It was so nice to do.
I look forward to your posts every week. You never disappoint! Although it’s difficult, I’m glad your mom is considering a move. My mom, now 91, has benefited tremendously from her move to assisted living. The social aspect is, I believe, the most valuable aspect, and that’s in addition to the wonderful care, meals, etc. Mom is so happy there, which is a relief to us all. Good luck to your mom and your family in finding the right place.
Nope, mum is not going to move into a home. She prefers her nice house over the tiny room she would get in the home.
I do agree that the social aspect is the most valuable aspect, which is why my mum considered it. But there are a lots of cons to the move. I don’t want to elaborate on it as I think it would violate her privacy.
Love the lilac dress and boots. Super cute! And Ron’s Valentine words to you warmed my heart and put a smile on my face. I think we all know he is a Keeper! The photographs of the multi-use building (prison dome) were excellent and made me want to step inside. You are doing a great job!
I am so glad I am still entertaining you. I am on the right track then. Thanks for all your kind words.
Look at you shopping your closet Greetje. Brava, brave!! I knew you had it in you and I think you look stunning.
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Well, you knew more than I did. I am terrible at styling, especially from my own closet. But needs must. And I surprise myself LOL.
Your violet dress looked great! You sounded as if you wish the dress might be bore body fitting; could you wear a belt with it; just a thought. Your accessories were wonderful.
Ron did wonderful photos at the restaurant. I loved the photo in front of the window when he was inside.
It was wonderful to see a smile on your mother after all of the medical issues she has had!
My dress is actually lilac or lavender, not violet. Your computer screen has different colours than mine obviously.
No I don’t want the dress to be more body fitting, I just want the fitting to be better, which can be achieved with darts.
Ron has a good eye for photography; I will pass your compliments to him.
Mum is doing fine.
I love this dress, I love the color and the simplicity of the pattern, these lines so straight and basic. Although the tones are a bit different, I like how you combine the dress with your t-shirt, your tights and the beautiful boots. The earrings are beautiful.
And…I created this combination myself, which is something that makes me proud as this is not my strongest point.
I knew you would like this outfit.
Your outfit was such a success! Great photos too! Sweet and artistic photographer you have there!
I have two very different shifts that have languished in my closet for a few years . The reason being that they have proven to be quite a challenge. I am 36D but several inches shorter than you, with chunky knees which make me want to hide my upper legs. They both are slightly more fitted, and since I am about 7lbs less ( Pilates and soups and salads) they slip on so much better. I think I have figured out that winter is a better time to wear them , when coordinating tights will keep me warm and cover the offending bits!
One is a soft woollen combination of the colours in your outfit …very pretty …and the wider opening needed more coverage, especially in winter. I have a lovely glass bead necklace with the lavender tones which I enjoy adding .
I think I have finally figured out how to wear each and feel confident .
Shifts don’t show my waist, which was also part of the challenge. Seeing you in this combo has given me more ideas for styling them.
My husband is keen on photography, so I will share with him your assignment photos. Don’t you just love snowdrops?!
Shift dresses can be both flattering and challenging. It must be very satisfying that your dresses slip on so much better.
The wider opening can also be covered with a (roll neck) top underneath the dress. Nice and warm. But it sounds like you have already figured it out. I will mail you some examples of excellent photos (which I got from another reader) to show to your husband. Just for inspiration.
I enjoyed the post as I always do. Your hair looks especially nice in all the photos.
My hair looks especially nice because most of the photos were taken indoors. Where there is no wind to mess it up LOL.
this outfit of lilac and burgundy is outstanding on you – it is not generic but special.
The dress is in my wardrobe for years but I didn’t wear it much. It is a winter dress but leaving my arms cold. So grateful that I found a solution to that. And I thought it up all by myself which makes me proud.
Ron did a great job on the photo shoot. He has an eye for beauty (probably why he married you). 🙂 You are so natural in all the photos. As always it is lovely to read your posts and good job on your photography classes.
Hahaha…”Probably why he married you”. I’ll frame that sentence LOL.
Believe me, it took a long time to look ‘so natural’ in photos. You get relaxed if you do a photo shoot once a week for 10 years.
What a great post! Love your outfit, love the location, and your photographs are great. I agree with Susan and you about working in a former prison. So many negative emotions.
Thanks Cynthia. Your compliments will please Ron. And about the prison…I do believe there is more between heaven and earth and that energy is everything. So negative energy in that building…I could imagine that.
Love this outfit Greetje! This silhouette absolutely works for you. You shine brightly when Ron takes the pics.
Thanks Lise. And you are right, there is a difference in your face between taking your own photo with a tripod and a remote or a photo taken by your loved one. Although I do know bloggers who are masters in taking their own photo (like Melanie of Bag and a Beret -http://bagandaberet.blogspot.com/).
First off, I really like the photos that you took. Well done. This outfit is wonderful, and with perfect styling. Favorite shot, inside on stool in front of window. But they are all good. Ron certainly did you justice with his photos.
And Ron even suggested himself to do a shoot even though he hates it. He must love me haha.
It is a pity he doesn’t like my blog shoots as he is indeed bloody good at it. He has the creative eye. I don’t, so I will never be really good at taking photos, but I do enjoy it very much. Thanks for the compliments on them.
Great outfit and your photos are super. My husband says he’s stealing Ron’s line for next year.
Hahaha…I hope you don’t remember Ron’s line by then. I have to say that this has happened before. He has some amazing oneliners.
Hi, well done to Ron, that photo of you through the cafe window is just soooo good. Jan in Castle Gresley, Derbyshire, UK
Ron has the creative eye. He knows from what angle a photo will be good. I haven’t got that ‘eye’, so I won’t be really good at photography, but I so enjoy taking pictures.
Love this outfit, the shades work well together. Great earrings and your hair looks wonderful.
Agree with you about darts. Hardly anything is properly tailored these days.
Sticky Fingers is owned by Bill Wyman ex Rolling Stones, unless he’s sold it. We found it disappointing too.
I didn’t know Sticky Fingers cafés were or are owned by Bill Wyman. I just thought they used the title.
The earrings are real show stoppers, aren’t they? So good when you have no collar and a pretty wide neckline. They are really light-weight.
I really like all the variations in related colors. I used to love a TV show called What Not to Wear. One of the hosts, Stacey London, would say: “It doesn’t have to match. It just has to go”.
Have a great week.
I remember the American version of What Not to Wear with Stacey. I was already a big fan of the British version with Trinny and Suzanna. I still follow Trinny on Instagram. Love her ‘Closet Confessions”.
I totally agree with what Stacey said.
Good Morning Greetja! This by far is my favorite blog post. I am loving the pictures and the great colors you have designed together, Im especially loving the earrings from Baublehaus!
Have a wonderful rest of the Sunday evening!
Gosh Ursula, I never thought this would be someone’s favourite blog post. Just goes to show there are so many different tastes and opinions. Which is wonderful. Hope you have a lovely Sunday evening as well.
The lilac and burgundy combo is a winner! I hear you about ill-fitting clothes…everything is so oversized or unstructured these days. I agree it’s about cost savings.
Excellent photos! Though I have to say it would creep me out a bit to have to go to work in an office in that former prison, haha!
I know. Working in a former prison, I would hear and feel the despair of the people who were locked up here. Rightly so, I am sure, but that doesn’t mean they wouldn’t have had feelings.