Let’s talk spring. It was on my mind when I created outfits around my purple blue cropped trousers. Bright colours, bright mood, foul weather. It was cold and rainy so Loes and I headed to restaurant De Dakkas in Haarlem, which is built like a greenhouse on top of a car park. It meant we didn’t have to travel far from the car through the rain and wind. Indoors there was no wind, lots of light and there was a mirror. Ideal situation. The coffee machine was on the blink that morning but the hot chocolate tasted very good.
Below: As you may have seen a couple of posts ago, this is the view from the restaurant when the weather is good. You can overlook the whole town.
Below: Not being so fortunate with the weather, this was our view.
Below: I wanted to go down the outside stairs to get a better view, but the rain made the deck so slippery, that I didn’t risk it.
Below: This restaurant has seen a lot of photo shoots and I can see why. You get great backgrounds.
Below: See?
Below: A bit the same as above but a good shot. I like to turn my collar up although it may be old-fashioned. I was also wearing a small silver belt, but you can only see that in the first photo of this post.
Below: A shot with my reading glasses. You haven’t seen much of them so far.
The heel of these boots is a terrific find of the designer (Jolanda of EIJK Amsterdam). They have a bit of height, look elegant and they feel like flat shoes. The heel height is 6 cm (2.36”) with an optical illusion. It looks like a stiletto heel from the back while the side gives you the idea of an edgy half wedge, a longer supporting heel.
Below: I also took my black and white blazer with me and high heeled pumps to combine with the purple blue trousers. Another combination which I really like.
Below: The pearl earring set Paris by Lara Design.
Below: Again, no idea what happened but apparently I thought it was funny.
And I totally forgot to take a photo of Loes. I can be such a self-centred bitch.
Below: When I got home I changed into jeans and created the third outfit. I equally like this. The big silver belt is by Essentiel Antwerp.
The pink jacket I bought ages ago at kpa.haarlem and you have seen it before in this post and in this post.
What happened in my life this week
Little, very little happened in my life. About the most boring week of my life.
I saw the doctor and she was quite pleased. My blood pressure is back to 120/80 (perfect) and the saturation (=oxygen in my blood) is 97 (also perfect). She said it was due to my good condition before the operation that I am healing quickly but, she said, I did “take off a coat” (Dutch expression, literally translated). Due to lack of appetite (and the operation?) I lost two and a half kilos, which really shows in my face. Have to eat a lot of cakes to gain back that weight. (By the way, did you know you should also have clean teeth with no infections before getting operated?)
I am feeling a little better every day and am now walking outside to exercise (very little…step by step). Beginning of this week I got to Kitty’s house and rang her doorbell. She showed me a gorgeous background for a shoot (below) but that will have to wait. Apparently there is a second bloom at the end of April. I am sure I will be up and running by that time.
On top of the flowers I received last week, I got even more. One of my ex-colleagues brought me tulips from her and another colleague. I was flabbergasted. My retirement started three years ago and I didn’t keep in touch. So sweet. Another ex-colleague Whatsapped me and wanted to come over to cuddle right away. My friend Froukje brought a vase with flowers from her and her husband and popped 4 (FOUR!) expensive glossy fashion magazines through the letterbox. Another friend Monique slipped a box with skin care products through the same letterbox. Get-well cards from friends and more tulips from neighbours. And then so many comments with good wishes from my readers. It makes me very humble and shy but also very happy, even though it is completely unnecessary.
Thursday the catheter was removed (thank God! I hated that contraption). Then my bladder got a chemo ‘bath’; just to make sure if a malignant cell got lose and wanted to settle in my bladder, they kill it before it grows. If this is all TMI (too much information), please let me know in the comments. Although I sincerely hope this is the last medical update. Next Thursday I will hear the result of the tumour staging. Hopefully they got everything out during the operation and further treatment isn’t necessary. Light a candle for me if you will.
Friday
Marcella of Lara Design dropped by for a coffee. She wore a new set of pearl earrings. In her left earlobe she is also wearing a little cuff and something that is called an ear crawler.
The doorbell rang and my next-door neighbours handed me a beautiful bouquet of flowers. They had waited with the flowers so I would have a fresh bunch when the others wilt. That is something I would do too.
Below: I was dressed properly again, instead of walking around in a wide pair of jogging trousers (size too big) and an oversized jumper. You wouldn’t think I had just had major surgery. But it is fake dears and I regretted the waistband in the evening. If I am walking outside for 20 minutes I am thrilled to be back home again. Zero energy. Of course I don’t worry about it. It will come back again. Till then, fake it till you make it.
Below: Cosy selfie of Marcella and me.
See you next week.
Greetje
So glad you are recovering well Greetje. You are certainly looking fabulous! I love both blazers and those boots are gorgeous.
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
Well, these photos of my purple blue cropped trousers were taken BEFORE the operation haha.
Just joking, I am feeling a bit better every day. Bored out of my brains, but getting better.
Years ago I owned a dress with cream on top and black on the bottom, the colors split diagonally from one shoulder to the opposite hip. I guess it was very 80’s? I think of it fondly when I see your b/w jacket, which I love.
I’m very happy that your recovery is going so well and that your friends and former associates are showering you with well-deserved attention.
Your spirit shames me a bit, as my grandson gave me a cruddy cold (yes, cruddy applies to many things) that put me in bed (technically bed/sofa/bed) for ten days. If you’re a delicate “effing” flower I don’t even want to know what that makes me.
Please continue down the path to restored health, but not too much sunbathing!! I send good juju into the universe for you, Greetje.
The black and white jacket you either love or hate. I don’t think there is something in between.
Don’t be ashamed because you have a severe cold and are struggling with that. Colds can be really invasive if that is the right word for it. Remember, I don’t feel pain (taking painkillers for that), just generally uncomfortable and no condition at all. I bet you feel worse.
The delicate “effing” flower is a little joke between Sheila (https://sheilaephemera.blogspot.com/) and me. We met at a bloggers get-together in 2014 in Vancouver. So much fun. And then she used that expression which is such a juxtaposition that I was in stitches.
Thank you for sending good juju into the universe.
It turns out the cruddy cold may be Covid, so my shame is somewhat lessened. Should have test results in a day or so.
Hope you are continuing to do well!
Wonderful to know the surgery is over and you can rest a little. Sending well wishes for a fantastic report and feeling wonderful!
You looked wonderful! The bright pink is a major color this summer.
Thanks Cathy. I have had this blazer for a couple of years now. Glad to hear it is in fashion, although it is my opinion that a colour can never be out of fashion. There might be a focus on a particular colour in a particular year, but that’s it.
The outfits are perfection and you are a marvel. That’s all 🙂
That is a lot Susie. You make me shy but I thank you for your kind words.
Loving both blazers here and the “split personality’ comment made me laugh too! I immediately checked out the website with those boots but I think they would be a bit narrow for my wide feet. Not sure. Love your cropped purple trousers as well, it’s one of my fave colours. Glad to hear you’re feeling better and being sensible about your recovery. Hopefully you’ll be able to go out for a nice meal on your birthday (we share the same one as I might have mentioned once). Have a great week Greetje!
I do have small feet, so I cannot tell if the EIJK boots would fit you well too. And especially because I buy them half a size bigger. My normal size is 38,5 and I buy a 39 and put an insole in them. But you could always send a question per email to the designer. She knows exactly how her boots fit. In my memory she hasn’t got really small feet either.
As for my birthday…I don’t know how well I will have recovered by then. But it is still a fortnight away and I am doing great. So who knows.
Oei, dat is een heftige tijd voor je! Ook de onzekerheid voordien. Ik hoop dat je voorspoedig herstelt en ons weer kunt verrassen met mooie en soms gedurfde outfits. Geniet ik van. Die fuchsia blazer staat je geweldig👌! Ben zelf ook gek op die kleur.
Heel hartelijk dank Marlies. Gelukkig ben ik gezegend met een erg nuchtere aard al heeft dat ook zijn nadelen. Totdat de dokters zouden zeggen dat ze niks meer voor me kunnen doen, maak ik me niet erg druk. En dat is voorlopig nog heel ver weg. Ik hoop natuurlijk wel dat ik a.s. donderdag te horen krijg dat alles achter de rug is. Ben van plan je nog veel gedurfde outfits te laten zien.
Hello Greetje, I have been reading your current posts, as well as catching up with you from the beginning. I have to let you know how much I enjoy your clever wit and sense of humor…I often find myself laughing out loud at your blunt (honest) comments. Your outfits are as fabulous as the wearer, and I love the travel and history I get along with each of your posts. I’m sending you good vibes and healthy days ahead!
Well thank you Laura, that’s a whole lot of compliments. Especially the fact that you are often laughing, even out loud, pleases me no end.
I am an entertainer and I love to make people smile with my blog posts. Making them laugh is even better.
And as English is not my native language it makes me very proud to read that my humour comes across.
Hello Greetje, I have read your blog with great pleasure for a while now but never sent a comment. Love reading about your outfits – our taste is similar, but you are more adventurous… Now I want a pink blazer!
Take care, and I wish you a speedy recovery.
Mo
Thanks Mo. For the good wishes and the compliments. I have found out that pink is a very easy colour to combine with other colours. It started when I bought (soft) pink booties. They went with everything: blue, green, black, purple, brown, white, even red and orange.
Good to hear you are taking it one day at a time post-surgery. Like you, I would be incredibly bored if I was unable to go very far. Love the photos and the outfits. I think I like the pink jacket best with the jeans.
I hope the healing continues to go well.
Thank you Carole for your good wishes.
I love all outfits I have shown in this post. It just depends whether I want to show my glamorous side or just go with my signature style (jeans+jacket).
I am very lucky that lots of friends call me for a chat or pop round for a coffee. And of course, I have my blog. So creating blog posts isn’t just nice for you, it is also very nice for me.
Wishing you a speedy recovery Greetje, so sorry this happened to you yet it looks like you and your doctor are on top of it. Your outfits are amazing as always. Love the purple pants!! You deserve all the love and attention you are getting. Don’t ever think otherwise. There was a beautiful sunset tonight in Southern California so I think that is an auspicious sign because I was thinking about you when I saw it.
Ah..that is a lovely thought. A beautiful sunset as an auspicious sign of my recovery. And why not. The more good thoughts are sent into the universe, the more they might do for me. So thank you for thinking of me.
As we get older, we all get something healthwise. The body will have reached a point to where it says: no further. One person might get a bad hip, the other cancer and a third one diabetes. Just mentioning a few things. This was my thing (and of course the knee) so I hope it ends here.
So glad to hear that you are feeling better and able to see progress. You look amazing in both blazer outfits. I love the styling of them with your blue pants. I covet those boots; as I’ve said before, you have the most amazing shoes.
Wishing you well in terms of the upcoming tests, dear Greetje.
Yes, every day I am getting a little bit better. Still 4 weeks to go.
I was quite pleased with my own styling too haha. The boots are very comfortable. I have many different pairs with this heel. They are for sale on the internet, but I get it if you think it is too risky to order shoes from abroad. Just in case here is the link:
https://www.eijk.store/shop/ankle-boots/ryan-silver-ankle-boots/
Glad to hear you are successfully recuperating. Take it easy.
Adore that hot pink blazer! And it looks great with the cropped pants and the jeans. For some reason blazers and I don’t usually get along too well…so I don’t have any!
We all have items that don’t work for us. For me that are roll-necks and jumpsuits. Both don’t look good on me (understatement of the year). But blazers are the best.
I’m sooo happy you are doing well post surgery. Lighting candles for you. You look especially cute in your new jacket with jeans.
Thanks for lighting candles. If so many good messages are sent into the universe, it might help. Who knows?
Jeans and a jacket is really my signature style. But I also have a more glamorous side, hence the first outfit.
I LIKED THE PINK BLAZER WHEN YOU PAIRED IT WITH JEANS AT HOME- I PREFER BASIC JEANS OVER ALMOST ANYTHING ELSE- BUT THE BEAUTIFUL COLOUR OF THE BLAZER REALLY LIGHTS THINGS UP. VERY GLAD YOU ARE
DOING SO WELL. I WILL HAVE MY FINGERS CROSSED THAT EVERYTHING
WAS REMOVED AND YOU ARE DONE. WEATHER IN SOUTHERN ONTARIO
IS STARTING TO WARM UP AND ALL THE SPRING BULBS ARE SHOWING. I
BET YOUR GARDEN WOULD BE A NICE PLACE TO SIT OUT IN THE SUN BUT AWAY FROM THE WIND.
Beautiful photos. I am glad the surgery is behind you and you are on the mend. I say hooray for your positive attitude and wish you a speedy recovery. I will be thinking of you.
You cannot create yourself, you’ll have to do with what genes, ancestors and upbringing have created. I am fortunate to have a positive attitude. Makes life light. Thank you for your good wishes.
Jeans are the trousers I wear most of the times, but there is also a more ‘glamorous’ side to me. Hence the purple blue trousers and the shiny boots. Thanks for rooting for me.
I am hoping for a warm and early spring now that I cannot do much for the next 4 weeks. A bit of sunbathing in the garden in the afternoon would be lovely.
I’m so pleased to hear you’re having a fabulous recovery! You look fresh faced and energized in the pictures. I know you said it’s fake, but like you said: fake it till you make it.
Every iteration of your outfits is wonderful but I’m especially taken with your first outfit. So very pretty. I could see it being worn with chuck’s tennis shoes (flat tennis shoes with thick sole). It would give you outfit 1.25.
It never crossed my mind to combine the first outfit with ‘chuck’s tennis shoes’. I don’t have any tennis shoes with thick soles, but I do have something similar. I’ll give it a try.
Glad to hear you are on the mend, Greetje! The energy will come back, take it slow.
Love the outfit with the violet trousers and pink jacket – I noted the silver belt right away (approve!) with the fabulous silver boots. I like the purple trousers with the half and half jacket, but the plain top underneath feels a little blah to me – maybe a bright yellow top or some other bold colour? Another great silver belt – I am lucky there are not Essentiel Antwerp stores near me!
Love the deliberately mismatched earrings on you and Marcella – the crawlers are so cool. I must look for some.
Sending you good vibes and picturing you surrounded by flowers and love. Who’s the delicate fucking flower now, hey? 😀 ha ha!
Gosh, I would never think of a bright yellow top underneath the black and white jacket, especially not with these violet trousers. It is a good thought though, so I will try that. You do know that Essentiel Antwerp has a website, don’t you haha. (I am such an enabler.)
Indeed, I am the delicate fucking flower at the moment. You made me laugh out loud with that comment. Thanks.
Hi–I read your blog every week and seldom (possibly never?) comment but wanted to speak up and say I’m glad to hear you are doing well and your friends and family are taking good care of you. Also I LOVE the black and white blazer and now I want one too!
Thank you very much for taking the time to comment. And for you good wishes.
The black and white blazer is rather a controversial piece. People either love it or hate it. Obviously I am on the love side and so are you.
You can order it online from the brand (Copenhagen Muse) but not all sizes are available anymore. I am wearing a medium whereas I normally would wear a Large. This is the link to the website: https://copenhagenmuse.dk/collections/jakkesaet/products/cmtailor-lang-blazer
Gosh, last week was the only post I have missed in several years…I had to go back to see what was going on. Wishing you and full and complete recovery. Try not to overdo. Take care.
So funny…I had a few readers who only missed last week’s post haha. By going back you have now also seen lovely Alkmaar.
Thank you for the good wishes. Not overdoing things is the big risk, but I am aware of it.
Oh, I missed all about your surgery, but I’m sending huge hugs and love. See what happens when I don’t check in weekly, haha.
I’m a huge fan of that pink blazer. I think you’ve inspired me to pull out mine for this week,
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
No biggie Jodie. Life still goes on. I am glad I could inspire you as you inspire me often enough too.
Ah, sorry, I lost it there for a moment. Love the pink blazer so it’s the black and white one I’m not keen on, the one with the split personality! Gee x
Hahaha…that will be the name of the blazer from now on “Split personality”.
You’re making a great recovery. Your ex colleagues sound wonderful. I love the outfit. It’s more than nice. You have such a good boot game. I covet the silver boots. All the best for your results.
Thanks Gail. I was very pleased with creating this outfit myself. Or should I say “these outfits”?
Metallic shoewear is so easy to combine. They lift an outfit.
What?! I miss one post and now learn about your surgery. I am glad to hear that all went well. And what an important message you have given us about acting quickly on anything different about our bodies, even if small such as a bit of blood. I wish you a steady and full recovery. Onward to good health.
Funny, isn’t that? You miss one post and vital information nearly passes you by hahaha.
I am taking one day at the time and every day I am feeling a little bit better.
So glad you are making progress. Keep up the good work. I love hearing about all your flowers and good wishes from friends. All fingers and toes crossed for a good test result. Take it easy and have a good week.
I am taking it really easy. Although sitting on your behind all day isn’t everything either. I am now up to 2 x 15 minutes walk per day and I am slowly winding down the amount of paracetamol. Taking one step at the time.
The pink blazer was a very good choice. I am sure you will find other outfits to use with it. You have received a lot of flowers and other things because you are a dear person (even though I have never met you) it is easy to see. And, it is great that you are recovering well.
Regarding myself as an average person with good and bad things, I always get a little shy when so many people are so nice to me, so attentive. Because, believe it or not, I am the opposite of attentive. I may have a lot of good characteristics too but that is certainly not one of them.
So glad you are on the mend. You are such a vibrant person, and I love how you seize life and photo oos. Best wishes for a good report. Cruddy weather here in the States, as well. Sunshine, please!
Thanks for teaching me another word: “cruddy”. Didn’t know that one yet.
I have no idea what you meant with “…and photo oos”. Typing error?
photo ops, I think!!!
Ah… photo ops! I had to look that up on Google, but now I know. Learned another thing. Thanks.
Hello, You
Like I’ve said before, you’re looking good! Glad you’re pacing your recovery one step at a time: There’s no rush.
Love this week’s outfit. Well, most of it. I’ve never been sure about that blazer…sorry.
Have a good week, and be good!
Gee x
Which blazer, Gee? The black and white one? Or the pink one?
Not that it really matters. You don’t have to like everything I wear on the blog. That is virtually impossible. We all have different tastes.
Have a good week too.