Wide leg trousers are so comfortable! I completely fell for these cobalt blue trousers by COS. This time I was so wise to test out the outfit before I used it for a blog photo shoot. By wearing it, you’ll notice what needs to be adjusted. In this case, the waistband needed adjusting. COS has such a clever method for that. Part of the back is gathered with an elastic band and this band has buttonholes and one button, sewn to the inside. So you can adjust the waist to your desired width.
First I wore the waistband much tighter but I found it created a very short upper body (which is correct as I do have a short upper body). Also the right leg was a little too short, which is nearly always the case. As I loosened the button to the next buttonhole, the waist became wider and the trousers were mid-rise. Subsequently the legs became longer. Fabulous.
Below: The trousers, nice as they may be, are really a vehicle to show off this necklace by Angela Caputi, which I found on eBay. This is my fourth necklace by this designer, I love her work.
White earrings would have been the obvious choice but I wanted colour near my face, especially because I was wearing a white shirt (see the original post with this shirt). Marcella of Lara Design came up with a smart solution to my quest for matching earrings. She had simple wooden earrings and she sent me to a creative DIY shop to buy the right colour paint. We finished it with nail top coat for a bit of shine, et voilà, as the French would say. Genius.
Marjolein was my photographer and we met at Central Station in Amsterdam. I thought the neighbourhood behind the Dam square would be good for a shoot, even though it might be busy as it was Whit Monday. Well, it was soooo crowded. And the area behind the Dam square was hardly inspiring. Although the canal always paints a nice picture.
Below: Standing on the bridge of the Oudezijds Voorburgwal (I won’t bother to translate this street name). Gosh, Amsterdam is beautiful when the trees are green.
As we walked on, we stumbled upon Hotel The Grand. And Grand it certainly is, boasting a rich history; from a 15th-century convent to royal lodgings, to the headquarters of the Admiralty to the City Hall of Amsterdam. You can read all about it on their history page.
Below: Stepping into their front courtyard we saw two giant rhododendrons. First background for the cobalt blue trousers. I am wearing my trainers (sneakers) with the outfit in this photo. The ones you saw for the first time 3 weeks ago in this post. So comfortable.
Below: Lovely old details.
We asked the doorman whether there was a garden (with less wind). He was very obliging, very charming and pointed us through the reception area to the garden, knowing very well we weren’t guests.
Below: Two photos of the reception area. Oh yes, very grand.
Below: The garden did not disappoint either. There was a restaurant but you’d hardly notice it. Underneath the trees people were having lunch. We took the photo from a balcony.
Below: This balcony. I had changed the trainers (sneakers) for flat shoes.
Below: I bought the shoes at kpa.haarlem and the brand is Bruno Premi. On their website you’ll see they also sell them in black and white but I quite like this camel with white. Rather chic and they go with so many other colours. They are very comfortable but I didn’t want to risk walking in them for a long time as I was wearing them for the first time that day.
Below: Marjolein took this excellent photo of a female statue in the garden, with the windows reflected in the water.
Below: Same statue taken from the other side. The “pond” is only inches deep.
Below: We found a little secluded area with a mosaic table for “the sitting down photo”.
Below: Close-up of the table and the lamps.
Below: The helpful staff showed us another corner with these chaises longues.
Below: I took Marjolein’s photos in this spot as well.
Below: Being elegant in the sitting down pose LOL.
Below: This is my favourite photo of her. I thought she was quite the dare-devil as those mosaic benches were situated underneath trees which usually means they are not clean. Fortunately they were, perhaps the staff of The Grand clean them every day? Could be as we found the staff to be excellent. Helpful, charming and so willing to do you a favour. (And no, this is not a sponsored post.)
Below: Close-up of Marjolein’s earring.
We thought it was a very good photo shoot and started to walk back to the station.
Below: We saw this antique tram on Dam square.
Below: We passed a very quaint shop called Asian Spirit and walked in. There was a huge statue (tree?) right behind the door. So quaint, I immediately took a photo and only saw the sign “No photos” afterwards .
Below: We had gone up to the first floor and came down with the lift. Marjolein had seen that the doors of the lift had faces painted on them. My face through the glass in the middle. Strange place.
We went for lunch at department store the Bijenkorf (beehive), as we feared the prices of The Grand would be too steep for us. Ron had given me credit vouchers for the Bijenkorf at Christmas and I finally managed to use them to buy new body shapers. Expensive stuff and sooo boring, I never want to spend money on them.
What happened in my life this week
Mostly running errands. Of course I saw mum on Sunday but was so busy I forgot to take a photo.
Below: Lovely Marcella of Lara Design visited me and showed me her newly designed earrings. Silver coloured this time, which is rather unusual for her.
Paid a short visit to Marianne to bring back her gold bracelet, which I had repaired for her. No photo as it was her PJ day.
Below: One of my outfits this week. The trousers I wore originally with this top (see the blog post) are no longer in my wardrobe as I gave them away. I regret that now, as I find the trousers below too short. They are nice, but not with this top and those boots.
Friday I had coffee and lunch with my friend Maurits (see below). Always so nice. He said we have been friends for 36 years now. We immediately set a date for another get-together.
Below: Maurits brought me a big bouquet of peonies, my favourite flowers, even more than tulips. He cut and arranged them for me.
Below: I had another bouquet which was getting old and we took out the flowers that were still good. Often when you cut ‘left-over flowers’ a lot shorter, they will last another week. I thought my arranging wasn’t half bad.
The weather is still fickle here. One day warm, the next day cold. And even when it is warm, that north wind is still blowing, spoiling everything. So far, no bare legs.
See you next week.
Greetje
What beautiful trousers! Great color. I like the wide-leg look and it’s very trendy right now. An adjustable waistband is very useful. I also enjoy how you supplement your fashion photos with lovely pics of places we’d love to visit. You give us mini-vacations. 🙂
I was drawn to these trousers like a moth to a flame.
Glad I could send you on a mini vacation haha.
Such a stunning backdrop for your outfit photos. Both you and Marjolein look amazing. Glad to know you are feeling well.
We were both feeling the same. Glad with the backgrounds and content with our outfits and the photos. Sometimes you get lucky.
I am totally fine now. At last.
I have not splurged on wide-leg pants. The blue looks good on you. Love that you got to spend time with a friend you’ve known for 36 years. Old friends are so precious.
I have to search which wide-leg trousers look good on me.
Friends are so important to me. I am very lucky to have many and also many of them I’ve known for a long time. You are right, they are very precious.
I think the pants are beautiful and the combination with the white blouse is very elegant. I love the necklace, it is very original and pretty.
The funny thing is that I fell for my first Angela Caputi necklace, which was green because it brought colour near my face. Since that first one I bought three more necklaces with either a black, a white or a black and white chain. All bad near my face haha.
But I love the designs.
Hooray for the good weather (finally!). I can’t get over how effective those painted lime earrings look with the necklace and white shirt.
Isn’t Marcella a clever woman? Of course we can repeat this trick with other necklaces if necessary. And as long as the art shop sells the right colour paint.
Oh my goodness…what a lovely post! Loved your blue, green, and white. Loved the statues in the fountain/pool. Everything was just so pretty. Thanks so much for everything you do weekly.. Hope you are feeling better this week.
I am feeling fine. Just the odd cough here and there especially in the evening and at night, but it is definitely dying out.
We were very lucky to stumble upon The Grand Hotel. Backgrounds like this make a blog post so much nicer.
Wow, what a swanky place – those mosaics are amazing. Love your chic Cos trousers, great colour. I prefer the look with the flats, although I like the matchy green from the sneakers.
We’ve been having lovely sunny hot weather – perfect for my stay-cation!
I also prefer the look with the flats, but the green of the sneakers make them appealing as well. It is good to have choice.
You have a stay-cation? I will head over to your blog and catch up.
What a stunning garden! Those mosaics and light fixtures are fabulous.
Love that necklace, and I have to say I like the outfit best with the sneakers, as the green “calls back” to the necklace and earrings. But both versions are good!
I totally agree with everything you wrote. I lean towards the slingbacks but have no problems with the sneakers either (especially because of the green in them).
The combination of the cobalt blue and green is gorgeous, and the white shirt is perfect with it! I’m glad to see that you are feeling better. Keep up the good work. Have a great week.
The necklace was advertised on eBay with a white top, so that was easy to imitate. As green is created by mixing blue and yellow, you cannot go wrong adding green to blue. I am feeling really good again.
I always enjoy your Amsterdam photos, we will be there in September.
Love those blue trousers!
The trousers are by COS.
I hope you will have beautiful weather when you will be in Amsterdam. It makes such a difference.
I love your outfit with the blue trousers! Your outfit had such a nice flow especially with the pretty shoes! Love the necklace and earrings.
I love your red pants and top also which looked like a good opportunity for a handmade vest or scarf.
Marjolein’s outfit, especially with her hair color is amazing; she is such a pretty lady.
I love your Amsterdam pictures. The archicture with all of the details is so visually rich! I love the Hotel The Grand every corner is a treasure. Thank you so much for the photos.
The flowers are just beautiful! I’m afraid I couldn’t stop sneezing!
It’s wonderful that you got to see your mom. I’m glad she is in good health.
Have a fantastic week, my friend.
Those shoes go with nearly every outfit, very handy. I presume you mean my red top and white trousers? I really need another pair of white trousers with it. I’ll hunt for it.
The Grand provided a perfect background. As you so rightly said, visually rich.
Your photographs have become so good! I esp love the ones of Marjolein, who thoughtfully and presciently color-coordinated her outfit to the garden and its decor, and the handsome, kind Maurits. Love!
I was very pleased with the photos I took of Marjolein too. The fact her outfit was colour-coordinated to the garden was sheer coincidence as we didn’t know we were going to take photos at The Grand.
Maurits is indeed a very handsome man.
Hello, You
Those trousers are spot on, but you know that, I’m sure. Now I want a pair! And doesn’t Marjolein look good? Very stylish!
I agree, Amsterdam does look pretty when it’s green but then I reckon it looks good at any time of the year. The husband and I had a great time driving around the countryside -and the towns and cities – one winter many years ago and it was magical with the canals lit to allow late-night skating but boy, was it cold! Even parts of the sea had frozen mid-wave!
I see that tulips are already in bloom over there. I’m longing for ours to show through as they’re one of my favourites. And roses. Luckily for me we have lots of those throughout the summer; all sorts and they all look blooming lovely!
I trust you’re feeling a lot better now. You take care now…
Gee x
I always joke with Marjolein, saying things like “I bet you are going to upstage me again with this shoot” haha. It is just a joke as I love it that she likes outfits as much as I do and always looks good.
You wrote that the sea had frozen mid-wave… I never heard of that. Must have been a mighty sight.
Thank you for your wishes, I am fine now. Just a little cough left.