May I present an outfit featuring my latest sin, my cream knee high boots. A sin I do not at all regret. These boots are the same as my burgundy ones and they are fabulous to walk in and very elegant. They replace my high heels which are too uncomfortable for my retired life.
Below: Marjolein offered to take photos in The Hague for this post while doing a bit of shopping at the same time.
We had lunch in the centre of town before we started taking photos. By the time we finished our lunch the sun had disappeared. Bummer.
Below: This is ‘Haagse Harry‘ (Harry from The Hague) which is a famous broad slang dialect speaking cartoon figure, a famous icon of The Hague. He is rather common haha.
Below: Left from Harry, you will find the ‘Waag’ (old weigh-house), which is now a restaurant.
Below: The right side of the Waag building. Big doors to let in the wagons with barrels I presume. At least, I see a face brick with barrels on the right.
Below: Somewhere in an alley we started the shoot. As I thought it would be sunny all day, I wore a light winter coat.
Below: Next-door to the Waag is this beautiful building. By the look of the letterboxes, I say it has been converted into apartments.
Below: Across the road from above building is the Boekhorststraat. I wanted a photo with the building and the church in the background but the wind was blowing right in my face. Which is why I am yelling at Marjolein: “You can stop taking photos now; this is not going to work”.
Below: What a colourful shop.
Below: And do I spot a bench?
Below: My friend Anja has taught me to look up when I am in an old city. Indeed, it pays off. What a lovely bay window.
Below: Underneath the bay window and to the left of it, are carved sculptures. Each head/face is different.
Below: More beautiful buildings when you look up.
Below: Mind you, the bottom parts of the buildings were often horrible. Cheap and nasty. Such a shame.
Below: We spotted this second-hand shop called ‘Zusjes Vintage Boetiek‘. And another bench.
Below: Their merchandise was quaint and I am not. Well…not that quaint.
Below: Marjolein tried on a couple of things but couldn’t find anything either. These are all her own clothes.
Below: We found a corner with no wind and could take this head-to-toe shot. It is an elegant outfit which is why I chose the elegant Wandler bag. The jumper isn’t pilling but it looks like that in the photo.
Below: Marjolein, showing off her gorgeous purple boots.
Below: This building must have been nice in its glory days.
Below: We left Boekhorststraat through Chinatown of The Hague and it had started to drizzle.
We quickly sought refuge in the Passage where it was nice and bright, covered and wind free.
Below: There were all sorts of annoying things going on in the background. Bright decorations, a woman in a red coat, a logo and a man. I photoshopped them all out of the photo. Hurray for retouch.
The wool skirt is old and from the Max Mara outlet in Turin; cream and soft pink. I think it is a good one.
Below: Art deco inspired earrings made by Baublehaus from polymer clay and very light-weight. Unfortunately she closed her web shop. Too busy with her photography business.
Below: You can see them better on this image.
Below: Marjolein treated me to barista coffee with sweets at Hop & Stork. The barista himself came to our table to prepare the cappuccinos.
Below: He created these two cappuccinos with coffee art.
A delicious ending of a nice day, even though the weather turned nasty.
What happened to my life this week
I met Marita again, this time at restaurant Metzo in Haarlem, which I can highly recommend. We chatted for a couple of hours, enjoying our coffee and pastel de nata.
Below: an awful iPhone photo of Marita, as we were in a cosy but dark corner. She was the bright ray of sunshine.
As I walked back home, I decided to look up as well and spotted the fish face brick in the facade of this building. It used to be a fish shop (“Vischhandel” in old Dutch), which you can read on the tiles. Why there are two dates on the building (1831 and 1905) I don’t know. It now is a café called “In den Uiver”.
Our friends Georg and Marla came over for dinner and Ron cooked a very good meal. Carrot soup which sounds bland but it was very good. And for our main course he made confit de canard with sauerkraut and cranberries and little fried potatoes. Gosh, that went down well.
Below: Our gardener and his men returned for phase 2 of our garden. The pond is now finished; we even have a little waterfall. Of course we need plants for the pond as well and all the plants in the garden are waiting for spring to come out. The big tree has been severely trimmed; it was taking away too much light from our garden and from our neighbour’s garden. The roots of this tree are messing with the bricks of the paths. You can see two photos of the garden phase 1 at the end of this post.
One typical day this week:
Took Ron’s shoes to the cobbler.
Saw the dentist (everything is hunky dory). He told me to follow the dental hygienist’s instructions to the letter.
After the dentist, a short visit to my friend Nicoline whom I hadn’t seen for a while. She lives near my dentist so that was easy.
And on to Marianne’s birthday. All the BVA girls chipped in and we bought her a gold bracelet. She wanted this to “always have us close”, as she described it. Sweet.
Below: Marianne looking as splendid as she always does.
On Friday I took Marianne to the hospital for some check-ups and the specialist had some great new ideas. It was cold, rainy and windy. In the afternoon when I was at home again, it snowed. I pitied Ron for having to walk the dog in such weather.
Greetje
Lots of beautiful architecture, fun coffee-art, and much ‘gezelligheid’ with friends.
Oh, and a very classy, stylish outfit.
It’s always a joy to read your blog, dear friend.
Yes, this was a classy (even almost classic) outfit. I am glad I can still keep you entertained LOL.
Love your outfit and boots—definitely elegant. I actually like the photo with you walking against the wind. You also look great in the red one (with Marianne) with a most appropriate necklace.
If the photo against the wind had been taken a fraction of a second later, I would have looked awful. This one isn’t too bad (which is why he made it to the post haha).
The red outfit is always a winner.
Love these boots, Greetje! I am one of those people who always looks up – I love architecture and all the interesting decorations on the upper parts of old buildings. Thanks for taking us along with you.
You are a wise woman for looking up.
The boots are winners for me. Easy to style with a lot.
The boots are very chic. Love the skirt too. The barista who made the special coffees–how cool is that! You and your friends have such fun times and thank you for sharing.
I loved that I could “revive” the skirt with the boots. The barista was a surprise for us.
Oh Greetje,Those boots are divine hun,I love them!!!! The colour is gorgeous and such a super style!!! That skirt matches so well hun and the overall look is fabulous!!!
I also love both you and Marita in the red outfit too,very sassy!!!!
Have a super week,
Hugs and Kisses,Paula B,XXX
Thanks for all those compliments. I am blushing. I am very grateful to have found these boots, both in cream and in burgundy.
I LOVE your new boots! They’re so very pretty and go with your skirt beautifully! I love, love your red jumper and red skirt! Very pretty!
I would love to go in the shop that had the bench in front of it. The windows look like so much fun!
All of the buildings were so very beautiful! It’s sad they didn’t care for the lower part.
So very nice to see you and Marianne. You girls have some pretty necklaces!
The funny thing about Marianne’s necklace is that I gave her that one for one of her birthdays a couple of years ago.
She wanted a chain necklace and as I was in the shop I fell in love with this one and thought: “Shall I keep this beauty for myself and buy another one for Marianne?” But my better self kicked in and I gave it to her.
Marianne is a very good looking woman. You are creating some stunning outfits and as usual the photography is terrific. Interesting your view of dogs.
If I was retired I would probably have more than one. The love of my life was a collie I had for 14 years. Now I have a cat. Yes, it is easier but I haven’t ever been known to want “easy”.
Cheers.
Hahaha, yes I know I have an “interesting view of dogs”. I just don’t like a dirty house. I am not a maniak in cleaning but could become it. We also have a cat which is indeed much easier.
Having a dog when you are retired is very smart as everybody talks to you when you are walking a dog. Great conversation starter.
Those cappuccinos! So fun!
It is a real form of art.
I agree. So lovely and I am sure tasty!
What a fantastic outfit. I so adore your cream boots and would love to know the Brand and style so that I can order myself a pair! Im in the UK but the postage cost will be totally worth it.
I thoroughly enjoy reading your blog every week.
These boots were specially ordered by the shop where I bought them with a lower heel than normal. The brand is Toral. I thought they only created them for the shop, but I looked online and they are selling them in the web shop!! Here is the link:
https://toral-shoes.com/collections/boots/products/off-white-leather-tall-boots?variant=41221981864076
Love the boots…they are beautiful. And loved your entire outfit. Your skirt was so classy.
The barista was certainly an artist!
Your back yard should be really lovely when finished.
I am very pleased with these boots. They make me miss my high heels a lot less.
Of course, when the garden is ready, I will post photos of it too.
My favorite things in this post are all red (sweaters, pleated skirts) and purple (your coat and Marjolein’s unbelievable boots)! And I really enjoyed looking up at all the gorgeous buildings. Thanks for a lovely post.
Have a good week.
Red is my favourite colour too. But I cannot dress in red all the time, now can I? So sometimes I divert. And green and yellow are high up my list too.
Love the pleated pink/red skirt and sweater both you and Marita are wearing. So beautiful!
We do both wear a similar outfit but they are different. It is a cheerful outfit.
Love the boots, the chunky heel must be easy to walk in.
Great pictures of the buildings, we have nothing that lovely and old in California thanks to earthquakes.
Yes, the heel is perfect. These boots, of this particular brand, are always made with a much higher and thinner heel. The shop I bought these, specially ordered them with a lower, chunky heel.
Earthquakes are very scary things. It would prevent me from wanting to move to California. But I guess when you already live there, it wouldn’t be a reason to move.
I think those boots are a very smart purchase, especially if they’re comfortable for walking. They look like they’d work well under trousers too. Love seeing all of those beautiful old buildings!
My, you had a busy week!
I had a very busy week. Next week will be a lot quieter. You are right, the boots also work well under trousers, either tucked in or over the boots.
Lovely post! Your cream boots are gorgeous. I too have switched from heels to boots — so much more comfortable. I adore Marjolein’s purple boots too. Great architecture shots; it is so interesting to see the details of the various face bricks. And I always enjoy seeing photos of your chic friends.
Marjolein’s boots are gorgeous indeed. Real show stoppers.
My friends would laugh if they read you called them chic haha. They don’t think of themselves like that.
The boots are heavenly. I wanted a pair of long cream boots for winter but didn’t find any. I think I’ll leave it now until autumn.
When I found these boots, both the ones in burgundy and these cream ones, I was so happy. Couldn’t find a similar pair anywhere. The shop where I bought them, had them specially made by the brand with a lower, chunky heel. Usually they come with a high, thinner heel.
Hello You
Best comment of the week: “I pitied Ron for having to walk the dog in this weather.” Love it! No chance of you doing it then?
Also loved this week’s outfit. Super! All the photos were good but I liked best the one of you sitting outside the second hand shop. And your red dress is nice too. Who took that photo? You can just see her in the mirror behind you and Marianne.
Yes, looking up at buildings is always a good idea and like you, I hate the way ghastly new builds pop up from under lovely old first and sometime second storeys. Dreadful.
But mustn’t end on a moan. I shall re-read your comment about Ron and smile all over again…
Have a good week
Gee x
Marjolein did an excellent job (again) taking photos.
One of Marianne’s other friends took the photo of Marianne and me (in a red skirt and red jumper; it is not a dress). I pixelated her face because I haven’t asked permission to show her on the blog.
As for dog walking…I made it very clear to Ron that I didn’t want a dog because of the mess, the restrictions of freedom and because I have going out in rotten weather. But as having an animal is very different to having a new chair, I said he could get a dog, on the condition that he takes care of him. I only do that in case of an emergency.