At the moment it is boiling hot in the Netherlands but on the day Helena took these photos for the blog, it was exactly the right temperature, not too hot, not too cold, bright sunshine.
I didn’t have any summer outfits left as I am already focused on autumn and winter. Which makes sense if you think of all the rain we’ve had in August. The outfit I did have lined up, were these flared jeans with a yellow top. The colour of the top is at least sunny and summery, the jeans are more autumnal. The jeans are new and by Vanessa Bruno. I bought them in May at Studio LM in Haarlem. (Useless information for anybody not living in the Netherlands.)
Below: The cake shop behind me (Huize Van Wely) is excellent.
I think the jeans look ever so good when I stand, but they ride up when I sit down. It will probably bother me less in winter, when I can wear boots. This short length is good as I needed jeans to wear with flat shoes. I have another pair of flared jeans (8 years old) which require higher heels.
Below: These ever so comfortable shoes by EIJK Amsterdam have been in my wardrobe for years. I didn’t wear them much as I didn’t like them with skinny jeans. With wide or flared trousers they are the bee’s knees. Hmmm…they could do with a bit of shoe polish.
Now over to my photographer Helena.
Below: A head-to-toe shot of Helena as we were in a shop where she wanted to try on a coat she had seen.
The outfit she is wearing below is what she was wearing that day.
Below: Here she is in the winter coat she is considering.
Below: With the coat closed. I took these photos so she could see what it looked like on her. A photo gives you a different perspective than a view in the mirror.
Below: We were on the big market square of Haarlem with the town hall in front of us. It is partly hidden by the big terrace on the square.
Below: A closer look at the tower of the town hall. I love it when they put white flowers in the windowsills.
Below: On the other side of the town hall we decided to take another outfit photo. I know from another shoot that holding a ‘prop’ makes quite a difference. The photo will be far more relaxed. I was looking for one, but there was no ‘prop’ so I grabbed the arm of a man standing around and asked whether he wanted to be in the photo with me haha. He didn’t mind at all. So here I am with a total stranger. Love it.
Note: props are physical elements added to a setting with the subject (me in this case) for stylistic or emotional effect.
We wandered behind the town hall where I have had a great photo shoot with Kitty, featuring my cream trousers with houndstooth blazer. If you want to see more, click the link.
Below: Ron never allows me to hold on to something when he takes photos. Helena doesn’t mind. She took another photo with me holding the sundial, but Ron said I looked like a drunk in that photo.
Below: The earrings I chose with this outfit are burgundy/brown and they are by Lara Design. Belt is by Loewe.
Below: We walked across the marketplace with another big terrace. As the name says, the market is held here on a Saturday and it is a pretty good one, lots of great food.
Below: Our church called Saint Bavo. It was really quiet that day.
Below: The back of the church. Well, one side of it, as it is a big church. At the foot of the church there are a few small shops.
Below: It was time for some cappuccino. The terrace of Metzo had enough shade for us. Metzo is a good restaurant for coffee, drinks, lunch and dinner.
Below: After we sat down and had ordered our coffee, we saw the sign outside another restaurant across the small street, called Pieck. The sign said “Our garden at the back is open“. Rats…that might have been really nice. Oh well, some other time.
Below: Portrait of Helena. We were comfortably seated here.
And that was the end of the day for us. It was great seeing her again.
What happened in my life this week
We had a street party and the weather co-operated again. We have organised this annual street party for many years now and only once it rained. And that became a giggly event underneath a big parasol.
About 30 to 40 people attended. As usual there was so much delicious food. Ron also made four different dishes. And he didn’t present them on plates or in bowls, but in very long and large courgettes, which he scooped out first. Why didn’t I take a photo?
Below: I am the one in the blue and white striped shirt, killing myself laughing. For privacy reasons I pixelated my neighbours’ faces.
Sunday I visited mum and took her around the village in a wheelchair. We had an ice cream on the village square and coffee on a nice terrace overlooking the harbour. Lovely day.
Monday and Wednesday Ron and I went to the beach. Dog Watson loves to run through the water. And I love the iced coffee (prepared with cream). Grainy selfie below.
Below: The continuing story of the parrot. Ron sent me this photo with the text:
“You don’t think I am staying indoors with this gorgeous weather, now do you?”
Below: He brought his friend Watson along.
Thursday I geared myself up to do some fitness. Gosh, I hate it, but it is so necessary. It is a good thing that I am so disciplined. Visited the physiotherapist for my knee and the rest of the leg. Also very necessary. I did a lot of chores and continued to do so on Friday morning.
Friday morning I ran late visiting the dental hygienist. I really must use my glasses when I open my agenda. She was proud of the way I brush my teeth, only I have a bit of nastiness bottom left. Not to my fault, but something is eating away my jaw. Monday I will see the dentist and consult him what to do. I fear horrible operations, costing a lot of money. I am insured for dental cost, but it is limited.
In the afternoon the hairdresser (a new lady this time) cut my hair and she did a good job. It was one and a half week overdue and it really showed.
Busy weekend ahead. Wishing you all a lovely week.
Greetje
As others have said, these are the perfect jeans for you!
Hoping that the jaw situation is nothing serious. Before you do anything though, get a second (or even third opinion….) I got widely different opinions about my jaw years ago and I’m glad I did nothing…..
The dentist showed me three photos of the molar and surroundings. Nothing has changed in the past 5 years, so I do not need to worry. I only got the advice to clean it at the back with a special floss thread. Quite a relief.
And yes, flared jeans are good for me (and you).
I love you in those flares! Wowza! I’ve had a pair in my closet for a year and have not worn them once, so thanks for inspiring me!
We were in Europe 4 years ago during a terrible heat wave. I ordered iced coffee, expecting to get what I would in the States—coffee with ice cubes. It came instead with ice cream. I was very confused, but somehow 😉 I managed to devour it…then I continued to order it throughout our trip. Ice cream was really quite an improvement over ice cubes!
I hope you have an answer soon about your jaw. It’s concerning!
The parrot saga continues to make me LOL!
It takes a bit of effort to style your flares, but it is worth it. It is all about proportions and flares work for a lot of body types. I hope you can create a few really nice outfits with them. You’ll be very much on trend.
In the Netherlands the iced coffee is often made with ice cubes which I hate. But with ice cream or just cream…delicious. Glad you “managed to devour it” haha.
The jaw is fine said the dentist. I’ll report on it next Sunday.
I asked Ron to continue with his parrot jokes for the sake of my readers LOL. He is so creative.
This outfit is so right on you. You look marvelous! I also love the details- earrings and belt. I felt uplifted by this post. The dog and bird were delightful too.
This is my main goal, to entertain you, make you feel happy, make you laugh. So thank you for your comment. It made my day.
You can tell Ron that the t-shirt is such a bright yellow that you didn’t want to influence the sundial – that’s why you had to hold it still 🙂
Love the shoes too. I’m after a pair of loafers/mocassins for the autumn but nothing too clunky; yours are a nice shape. Will see if I can find something similar.
Helena looks great in that coat and it looks really warm too.
Have a good week!
Hahaha, funny. I bet he won’t be impressed by it. He is hard to convince. My shoes are still available at EIJK Amsterdam.
Helena is waiting to see what she will find on a shopping spree in Antwerp before she decides on the coat.
I love the yellow with the deep blue of the jeans and those shoes are fabulous, Greetje! I thought it was wonderful that you asked a stranger to be your arm prop!!! That really made me giggle….and he looked so happy to pose with you!! Brilliant!!
Hugs
Suzy xx
I am an extreme extrovert and 99 out of 100 times people cooperate if I ask them a favour. Strangers and all. The one time my daft behaviour meets disapproval I am totally taken aback, flabbergasted (and usually hurt haha).
People are often just nice. (And thanks for the compliments.)
You rock flares like no one else, Greetje, they were made for you. I would love to see these with a boot, but this is awesome styling. That shade of yellow is one of my faves – it’s gorgeous on you. Love your props, from the stranger to the sundial (great pic!).
Well, don’t keep us in suspense, did Helena get the coat or not? It’s a bit of a blah colour, but it looks comfy and soft.
Sigh, I just want to wander around and look at buildings and visit cafes all day!
Hope you have a good weekend, my friend!
Yes, I do think flares are made for me. Remember the flared jeans I bought with you in Vancouver? They are still going strong.
I have no idea whether Helena bought the coat or not. At least not that day.
Being able to wander around etc. is a big perk of retirement.
You look smashing in those jeans and that yellow top – which picks up the detail on the belt buckle. Legs for miles!
I do have long legs but I find it funny that my readers say things like “legs for miles”, when I am wearing flat shoes. You should see me in flared jeans with a heel haha. Daddy Long Legs.
My Dear Greetje,
You look marvelous in your jeans and yellow top. The yellow is one of your best colors isn’t it? You are so on-trend with your flared jeans and their patch pockets.
I am so sorry to hear about your jaw problem. It sounds scary. If you are taking a bisphosphonate for osteoporosis, the drug could be your culprit. In any case, I hope that your dentist finds a good solution!
Those nasty bone drugs was my first thought also.
I am not taking that drug. I have no idea what the cause is, but I’ll find out in a few hours when I see my dentist.
Yes, yellow is indeed one of my best colours. Thanks for the compliments. I am off to the dentist in a couple of hours so we’ll see.
Greetje,
I LOVE your outfit! It’s pretty and you look exceptionally tall! It was such a pretty day. I loved the square and your church is exceptionally beautiful! The coat Helena tried on looked very nice and cozy. Did she get it?
So glad you and your mother got out for a while and had good weather.
Also glad your picnic was so much fun!
Fall clothes are coming in everywhere. I can’t wear these “muddy” hues. I turn green. I am jewel tones.
The foot with the bone chip in it is slowly getting better. The medical boot is SO soothing! I have a doctor’s appointment for a two week check up. the big knot on the other foot has gone down; now I have a purple foot. This week, we will look at my somewhat sore lower back, right above the waistband.
I don’t think I’ll be able to work until the last week of September.
Have a beautiful day.
I don’t think Helena got the coat (yet). Thank you for your compliments. And eh, I don’t want to get you down, but working the last week of September sounds too soon to me. But hey, I am no doctor.
What gorgeous weather you had for that day…it makes for lovely photos. Those terraces look so inviting.
You always look splendid in yellow. I like the jeans on you, and the shoes go so well.
We do terraces very well. Only the weather has to cooperate and not like when you were in Amsterdam. We have an expression when everything goes wrong “It all fell in the water”. I bet that comes from rainy days.
And yes, yellow is my colour (and red, and orange and the right green haha).
Loved seeing you in those jeans…as Shelia said…they’re made for you! Great photos in such beautiful locations…as usual. A treat for us across the pond.
Although only 5’3”, with much shorter legs, I look pretty darn good in my dark indigo cuffed slimmer ones…a different choice for me …and my toned legs are noticed👍
Greetje, keep up the exercise , even if you have to grin and bare it! 😬Your body will give you strength back.
Helena’s lovely pose reminds me of my ‘other Mother’, Inga , who my Dad married in later life. Inga always artfully held her hand under her chin for photos. Very elegant.
One time , we silly ones were on holiday at a cafe in Hawaii and there’s a hilarious photo of all seven of us, men included, “doing an Inga “! No saggy chins allowed! Cheers!
You go girl, in your indigo jeans. There is a right pair of jeans for everyone.
And yes, I will keep up the exercise. I know it is the only way to grow old and keep at least a little fit.
Funny story of you all “doing an Inga” haha. I can envision it very well. I hadn’t thought of it, but you are right, no saggy chin. I might adopt this pose.
Love the photos with you holding the sundial. Cute as can be! The jeans look really great.
p.s. Watson is a very good swimmer.
The sundial was a prop haha. The jeans have only one flaw, they show my tummy, but with the right top (tucked in the right way), that can be hidden.
Watson is a very good swimmer indeed and he is ever so fast when he runs.
This is a great outfit. You look fabulous. In my next life, I will have long legs like yours!
Your street party looks so festive, and I’m glad to see that the parrot got outside for some fun.
Have a good week.
In my next life I want really great hair. We always crave for something we haven’t got. Pity is that we usually do not appreciate what we DO have.
As for the parrot, I asked Ron whether he could come up with more jokes with the parrot. He is so creative. He bought the buoy and set the scene, trying very hard not to get the parrot wet. Watson passing, going splash, splash, splash didn’t help haha.
Loved this post — the architecture, the flared jeans, the portrait of beautiful Helena, and the gorgeous prop/man you picked up, LOL.
I think I have found the perfect ‘formula’ for blog posts haha.
Without a doubt, my FAVORITE outfit of yours. Suits you so well, and you look comfortable.
It will probably become a favourite of mine as it is so comfortable. I can get around in it easily and I still look stylish. What a win-win situation.
The outfit looks great on you. You have legs for miles so it looked fabulous on you. Have a great week.
I do know that my legs are my strong point(s). The one thing I am very sure of. Pity they are getting veiny and blotchy. Showing off my bare legs isn’t such a good idea anymore. But I remember fondly the times when I wore short skirts (a hand above the knee) and high stiletto heels. Gosh, that looked good…sigh.
I love those jeans! Your legs look amazing.
What a cute photo of you at the block party too. All your outfits look fab in this post today.
Haarlem is so attractive; the cafe and terrace culture in Europe is so civilized.
Thank you for sharing your life!
Thank you for the multiple compliments. Because the distances are short in Europe and certainly in the Netherlands, we can get together very easily. It reflects in the terraces and cafes. Every old city in Europe has this (I think).
I love this outfit Greetje! Each and every item and the full outfit. Good styling.
Thank you Lise. And it is really easy, both to wear and to copy.
Those jeans look terrific on you🙂
Thank you very much. I am quite pleased with this outfit myself.