Sometimes I am just not that clever. I bought this Angela Caputi padlock necklace after a long search and never actually tried it in person. When it arrived, I wore it with a simple white top and thought it was brilliant. Much later (too late to return it), I found it difficult to combine with different outfits. It is not as versatile as I thought it might be.
There is a lot of chunkiness going on around my throat, really high up, drawing the eye to my wrinkly neck. The wrinkly neck isn’t the worst thing for me, it is more about proportions. I yet have to find the right top to be able to wear this gorgeous necklace. What was clever though, was to also order simple earrings in the same material and the colour red as the padlocks. I need colour near my face.
Below: Close-up of the Angela Caputi padlock necklace with matching (clip) earrings, bought at Antioch Sieraden in Maastricht (great service).
I still think it is a gorgeous necklace and a real conversation starter. I tried it with this cream summer dress and decided to bookend it with equally chunky sandals. Probably a good move but I am still a woman who prefers more elegant shoes. Sigh.
(You have seen the dress before in this post, with high heeled espadrilles and a dainty necklace.)
Anyway, I wore this to Sabine’s 50th birthday celebration. Her husband organised a birthday lunch with family and close friends as a surprise. Anke and I were among those lucky ones.
Below: The lunch was at restaurant Slangevegt, a former country estate, built in 1700 and now a restaurant with delicious food and a great ambiance.
Below: Part of our group, just before the starters were served. How picturesque is this?
Below: Anke on the left and birthday girl Sabine on the right.
Below: Sabine’s husband created a WhatsApp group for her friends and I organised a little whip-round for a present. These are the earrings we gave her. They go ever so well with that gorgeous dress. She looks radiant.
Below: Dessert with candles to blow out. Not many women get to look this good at 50.
Below: Views from the terrace.
Below: I wasn’t feeling very pretty. I thought the dress gave me a fat stomach, my hair had given up on me and the shoes, as I said, are not really what I like with a dress. Please don’t comment that I shouldn’t complain because I look lovely. I know everything is relative. At least I am smiling.
Below: I took a head-to-toe shot of Anke. Can you believe she found those gorgeous sandals in a charity shop?
Below: Anke was kind enough to take my blog photos and of course I wanted one sitting down.
It was so nice to celebrate Sabine’s birthday like this.
What happened in my life this week
Saw mum on Saturday. As it was too hot to go outside so we stayed in and she beat me at Rummikub, three times out of three.
The dentist
Fortunately the dentist had good news. He took a photo of the pivot tooth and its surroundings and compared it to the photos of two years ago and four years ago. Nothing has changed, so I need not worry. He did advise me though to use a particular floss for the back of the molar. Keeping it clean to prevent an infection is the best I can do to make sure it isn’t getting any worse. I am happy.
As my dentist isn’t too far from Marianne’s house, I popped over to see her.
Below: Marianne, looking good as always.
Below: I was wearing this that day. It wasn’t until two days later that I realised I wore another green top with these trousers. Oh well, who cares.
Loes took outfit photos for next Sunday’s post. It was a bright day, although a bit foggy. Ideal weather for photography.
Below: Loes with a beautiful set of necklace and bracelet.
Jolanda, the designer behind EIJK shoes and boots, asked me to do a Zoom meeting with her as she was researching her target market, what the customer is looking for. That was fun.
I met Janneke for a cappuccino. We were supposed to go to the beach and have iced coffee but the machine had broken down. Darn. Luckily Ron and I walked dog Watson at the beach the afternoon before and found out about it. (Although I was very disappointed, not getting an iced coffee after doing all the walking.)
Below: A still from a video Janneke’s son secretly recorded. (Link to original post with this outfit.)
Another pleasant coffee date was with Fennemiek whom I had not seen for at least three or four years. A lot had happened in our lives in that period, so we had some catching up to do. Fennemiek is ever so intelligent and a real feminist without being pushy about it. And of course a very pleasant person.
Below: Fennemiek, comfortably sitting in her roof top garden.
Below: I had to photograph the top of the church which you see behind Fennemiek in the photo above. What a view.
Below: And the other side of her roof top garden.
Below: I was wearing my sleeveless suit. Ron warned me that I really did not look good in it haha. I must admit that I hadn’t buttoned up the vest and I was wearing house slippers when he said that. (Link to original post with this outfit.)
Which concludes this week.
Greetje
Beautiful setting for your friend’s birthday lunch. It looks like a fun party. I enjoy reading your blog, and look out for it in my email every Sunday.
It certainly was a beautiful setting. I am glad you enjoy my blog; I do write it to entertain people.
Sending the email every Sunday isn’t that easy as there is a little time glitch in the system. Nowadays I try to post on a Saturday evening and schedule sending the email on a Sunday morning (my time). By that time the email system has uploaded the new post.
Sorry Ron, the suit is amazing!
Thank you Tanya, I agree with you. Ron is a good stylist and often helps me create an outfit but we have our taste differences. When I am totally convinced something looks good on me, he cannot make me doubt it. But if I am doubting an outfit myself, his opinion makes the difference.
I agree with some of the other commenters that the necklace would look better with an edgier outfit (but a simple one). The birthday party looked like great fun – how lucky you are to have such wonderful friends! The location looked beautiful as well. Like your red/white/blue outfit too – it’s a combo I also wear quite often (at the risk of looking like a French flag haha!).
Indeed, I am lucky to have such wonderful friends. And I cherish them, couldn’t live without them.
I will try an edgier outfit for sure.
The red/white/blue top is also the Dutch flag haha. Orange is also the colour of our monarchie, but I don’t mind looking like a flag or like celebrating King’s day. The colours look good.
I agree with others that the necklace would look amazing with something more edgy, as it can certainly stand out on its own. I would probably try it with a column of black (sweater, jeans, boots), if I were to try it at all, which I likely would not, because I’m just not that sartorially adventurous. But that is precisely why I follow you!!
The sleeveless suit is verrrrry chic!
I’m so glad to read that your jaw is fine.
Whip-round was a new one on me. During my working years we had them frequently, for birthdays and baby showers and retirements. We didn’t call them that, but I often did feel like people were being whipped into participating, lol. However, a whip-round that results in a lovely gift for a cherished friend (who by the way looks fabulous) makes perfect sense.
I am surprised to read that you are not that sartorially adventurous, but it is the reason why you follow me. I would think you’d look at blogs which represent your way of dressing. But apparently I am wrong. And you are not alone, I know more readers are not that adverturous, although I never think of myself like that.
The word whip-round is one that I learned years ago. I agree with your sentiment about the participating, especially at work. You couldn’t really refuse. Luckily in the case of Sabine, everybody was pleased we could give her something she likes.
Love the whimsy of the necklace and the chunky sandals balance it well, and the cream of the dress set them off. Maybe I’d do a simpler dress but the outfit works. LOVE the full trousers and the sleeveless suit outfit. Almost sculptural. The lunch place brings memories of magical Europe.
The idea of a juxtaposition with the dress, necklace and shoes wasn’t bad, it just didn’t work.
I agree, the full trousers and the sleeveless suit look better.
Oh, I get it – when I have an outfit on that I don’t like, it rubs at me all day! I love the necklace, though I can also see it’s very “bossy” and needs to have outfits built around it.
What a fun time you had! Happy 50th to your friend!
I like the suit, but it’s not my style. Ha, Ron, tell us how you really feel!
The suit is an acquired taste and only knows lovers and haters, nothing in between. Although, you might be the odd in-betweener. I will have to really put my styling skills at work with the necklace. I wish I had those skills haha.
Hi Greetje, How does your name sound? I’m American and want to pronounce it correctly. The dress hides your figure, and the necklace looks heavy. Where’s the key to unlock it? Haha! I was looking for a friend who was from the Netherlands. I met her in Strasbourg, France in 1986 when we were both in college. I wanted you to know I recently found her working in Johannes Gutenberg University in Germany. I love seeing your photos of the various places in and around the Netherlands because of the friendship her and I shared back then. Blessings to you!
My blog apparently contributes to a good feeling in various ways haha. Glad you found your Dutch friend again.
The necklace actually unlocks at the back with a magnet. I will try it with something more edgy.
My name sounds mostly like the word “great” but the “g” is much sharper, more like a growl haha. I call the Dutch language a throat disease.
Personally, I think the sleeveless suit outfit was the most flattering one in this post. I love how you styled it. I’m so glad that you include photos of your beautiful friends (yes, they are all beautiful!) in your posts. It’s so interesting to see such a variety of styles and you always look like you’re having such a good time together. I think I am a wee bit envious!
I will say that my friends and seeing them is one of the best things I have in my life. I so enjoy them and I do always have a good time with them, each and everyone. They don’t only look good, they are also really good on the inside (which matters most).
The sleeveless suit only knows lovers and haters, nothing in between.
Another fun post. The dress outfit just doesn’t look like “you”, but the green suit is wonderful! I’d try the necklace with jeans and a black and white striped t-shirt. It’ll probably make you look like an escaped prisoner, but good for a laugh!
I learned a new word, too. Whip-around is not one I’ve ever heard in the States. So this was an educational post. Ha!
I’d never heard whip-around here in Canada either. I had to google to find out what it meant.
It actually is a whip-round, not whip-around. So funny that I can teach you an English expression haha.
Hahaha, I like that…looking like an escaped prisoner. The phrase is “whip-round” not “whip-around”. You startled me with that; I thought I made a spelling mistake but I didn’t. Funny that a Dutch person can teach you an English expression.
You look amazing in the sleeveless suit! As always, I enjoyed seeing your stylish friends and pretty scenery/
The sleeveless suit is an acquired taste though. People either love it or hate it. Nothing in between. Glad you like it.
Hi Greetje, I thought the dress, necklace & sandals look great! Not so keen on the trouser suit – but if you like it that is what matters. Xx
Apparently the dress and the suit are opposites. You either like the dress or the suit. I like them both although I would never wear the dress in this way anymore.
I am so glad to hear that you received good news from the dentist. I was quite worried about you!
You look fabulous in your sleeveless suit. You styled it really well. I also really love the green top and wide-leg trousers. Both of those outfits really look like Greetje to me. (I have been reading your blog for 2 or 3 years. I don’t know if that’s enough time for me to pinpoint your stye or not. I hope that I have not overstepped by my comment.)
I will gently agree that the cream dress was not flattering you in the photos. But, things look different in real life, don’t they? Your necklace is very edgy. I like the suggestion to try it with an extender. I agree that will give you more options. I wonder if you have tried your necklace with a vee-neck top. That might look nice. I can see it being worn with a bright red sweater. I know that red is one of your favorite colors.
Thanks as always for sharing scenes of your beautiful country and giving us a peak into your life. I look forward to reading your blog every Sunday.
Don’t you worry Kathy, I am Dutch, I can handle criticism haha. Dutch are honest and most people from other countries find us rude. I think you are right in saying that those two outfits (the green suit and the wide legged trousers with the green top) are really me. Although I don’t think that I have a signature style, more like “all over the place” haha. But perhaps jeans with a jacket is my signature style.
I grinned when I read “I will gently agree that the cream dress was not flattering you”. So sweet. No, you are not overstepping anything.
I have also thought about a vee-neck top for the necklace but I only have one top like that and have yet to try it (it is pink).
Glad you like my blog. Hope I can keep you entertained for a long time to come.
Hi Greetjje
Love the necklace but I think I too would have styled it with jeans….maybe black with a simple t shirt.
I love clumpy shoes…but wish I could still wear elegant ones as well….but I’d probably fall off a higher heel.
The green suit is super.
As I wear jeans a lot, it won’t be a problem to style the necklace with that. I am still contemplating on the neckline of the top. I don’t wear simple T-shirts as they don’t look good on me. But I do have simple tops.
The green suit is an acquired taste. You either love it or hate it, I think.
I like the colors of the necklace with the white or is it cream dress. It is chunky but not half bad on you. I am into comfort shoes so I would definitely wear the shoes. Glad to read your Mom is still the rummicube champ.
p.s. You have beautiful friends.
It is a cream dress, but as reader Ann says, the dress really requires more dainty shoes and accessories. The way I styled it before. The arty necklace deserves an arty outfit.
Yep, mum still beats me at Rummikub.
My friends are beautiful on the outside and on the inside.
Greetje, Great that you are having so much fun! I wondered if you could use a necklace extender to add more length to your necklace; it’s really interesting! I loved your sleeveless suit! You styled it perfectly! Do you have a trick for keeping rolled sleeves rolled? I would love it in black, deep navy, or very deep brown. The birthday party was in such a beautiful, wonderful location! Sabine could model! Beautiful lady! All of the ladies look wonderful. It’s wonderful that your mother beat you 3x at the game! I bet the two of you laughed.
I’m still in the medical boot, for another week and a half for the bone chip under my ankle. I had lunch the other day with a friend in a 150 year old house. After, she had to leave and I went next door to the Christmas House which is very up scale. I had a hard time leaving down the 5 front stairs. The hand railing was too low. I’m 167 cm. Not tall.
Have a wonderful week!
No, I don’t have a trick for keeping rolled sleeves rolled. Sometimes I use sleeve garters but I am not keen on them. They often show.
The sleeveless suit isn’t available anymore and only came in this colour.
Mum and I do have good fun when playing the game.
Sorry to hear that you aren’t jumping around yet. Only when we miss something, we know how valuable it is.
Very cool necklace but I think it might go better with an edgier outfit involving jeans and boots. I’m not a big fan of the dress and it looks too elegant to go with the necklace. But at least you experimented!
Have a good week.
I wholeheartedly agree with you. Thanks for your feedback. You put words to my doubts.
You look fab in the sleeveless suit. Proportions, shoes, bag—all perfect.
Thank you. Both me and the shop owner who sold it to me (and also has this suit in her own wardrobe) weren’t that sure about the suit. We need not worry as we get nothing but compliments when wearing it.
That necklace is very interesting. You could probably get an extensor for it. Maybe if the pleats on the dress could be sewn a little lower – till the hips it wouldn’t make you feel like you did. I don’t agree with Ron, I think the suit is quite nice. And your friend is lovely. Well, have a great week.
Thanks Saysee. If I wear the dress with other jewellery and more elegant heels it is much better. I experimented and it didn’t work out that. I am not going to alter the dress as that is too much work, too costly and I am not convinced it will help. I too think the green suit is good, but in Ron’s defense, I hadn’t styled it at all when he saw me in it that morning.