What a struggle this is…creating new outfits with stuff from my own wardrobe. Honestly, not my hobby. Then again, this pink and black blouse is too good to wear with only one pair of trousers, so I tried. To my mind, I did not succeed. This blouse with my wide leg jeans is sort of OK but the outfit will never hit my top 10, not even my top 20. Which means, I didn’t try hard enough.
Kitty was my photographer and we went to the Frans Hals Museum, or better said, to the restaurant next door to the museum, called Cleeff Frans Hals Museumcafé.
Below: A statue of Frans Hals behind me.
The pink/orangey colour of the bag is nearly the same as the pink in the blouse, even though the photo shows it to be more orange.
Below: Bag by Marck & Mo.
Below: Big posters of paintings make a great background. The long golden earrings with a glass drop are by Lara Design.
Below: We went outside for some natural light. Although I am smiling, I was not happy. My hair looked absolutely abysmal. This time I tried to rein in my bad mood for poor Kitty’s sake.
Below: Great shot by Kitty.
Below: Me on a bench… of course. The boots (by EIJK) is not the right shade of pink but they are my best option. Perhaps I should have used a blue bag to avoid too many contrasting pinks.
Below: Kitty, my sweet photographer.
I felt bad because I didn’t like my outfit, I hated my hair and that gave me the feeling I was wasting Kitty’s excellent skills as a photographer. My apologies for this somewhat gloomy post. I would have liked to give you a more upbeat post as this is not really entertaining. On the bright side, it is authentic haha. Some days are happier than others.
What happened in my life this week
Ron had an operation on his hand to remove the thick tissue knots that Dupuytren contracture causes. He is fine and his hand is healing beautifully. It did mean that I was busy helping him. Not only with grooming and dressing, but also being his chauffeur as the dog needed his walks twice a day. It kept me busier than I anticipated.
But, Ron wouldn’t be Ron if he didn’t throw caution to the wind and started driving again himself on day four. And my helping was limited to the morning. So I cannot complain.
A lovely message came from the tax office. I had been corresponding and phoning with them since September about two of Ron’s old companies which ceased to exist in 2015. Gradually we found out what had happened (misunderstandings and a crooked bookkeeper). Long story short…all tax fines were erased. YAY, happy husband. Our tax authorities have a bad reputation but I have experienced nothing but cooperation, expertise and clear explanations. I think they are great. And I am not saying that because the outcome is so positive.
Tuesday I left Ron at home (with food) and went to dinner with my friend Helga (below). Always such a good night. Lots of laughing.
Then Wednesday, finally, my hair got cut by my old hairdresser, the one who knows my hair so well and who can work miracles. See below; it is still a bit “just got back from the hairdresser”, but that will settle in a few days.
Contrary to the previous months I don’t have to blow dry my hair every day to style it. Blow drying my hair every day is so bad for my hair. My hair is now automatically OK when I get up in the morning. Just a bit of back combing on top and I am good to go. It does wonders for my mood. (If you want to see the outfit above in better light, click through to the original post.)
Want to hear something new? I pledged to only buy 10 items of clothing (including coats) this year from the end of January onward. I told a few friends this news and they all burst out laughing, saying “YOU??” Fair enough, I have made this vow of buying less often before, failing almost immediately.
It was my friend Misja with her blog MisjaB (in Dutch, you have to use Google Translate). She wrote a post, telling us about the pledge she made to herself last year to only buy 5 items. She “failed” as it became 6 items in December. Which I think is a remarkably good result. There was one sentence in her post that struck a chord with me: “Every time I consider buying an item of clothing, I ask myself “Is this item worth to be one of the five?”. I never ask myself such a question. I just look in the mirror and think “Nice” and then I’ll buy it. Firstly, that is not sustainable, secondly I tend to buy a lot of things I shouldn’t (quality wise and style wise), thirdly, with prices having gone up so much lately, my pension is worth less than before.
Thinking about the item I am going to buy, contemplating for a little while, will hopefully avoid bad purchases. So, I told Misja I accepted the challenge but I would pledge 10 items from the last week of January onward to the end of the year, knowing that 5 would be a bridge too far. That means about 40 posts with outfits from my wardrobe (aaagghh).
The pledge and the effort of creating items from my wardrobe, made me take a long, hard look at all my outfits in my Outfit Gallery (in the navigation at the top of my blog). I came to the conclusion that there were a lot of items which I didn’t like on me. I assessed the outfits to see WHY I didn’t like certain looks. The answer is that I like edgy, arty, good quality, timeless or on trend and I don’t like old fashioned, out-dated, frumpy or bad quality. Those are good words to use as guideline with my shopping. Until the 7th of March I was doing excellently (= 6.5 weeks). Then I remembered a terrific black blazer I had tried on a couple of months ago but didn’t buy because it was black, very expensive and I didn’t have the money at the time. Not having bought anything for 6.5 weeks provided me with a bit more money than usual. Long story short, the blazer, in my size was still in the shop and half price in the sale. I asked myself the question “Is this blazer worth to be one of the 10?” And the answer was yes. So that is my first purchase of the 10. I am beginning to see the fun of this, not to mention the insights it gave me. Wish me luck.
Greetje
These kind of shopping challenges can be really good exercises, especially if you’re feeling “blah” about your wardrobe – they really help you hone your style and wardrobe. A perfect black blazer is a good purchase to be “one of the 5”!
Glad to hear Ron’s on the mend. Your hair looks great in all the pics – you’re too hard on yourself, Greetje!
For the main outfit, I would have done a brighter shoe/boot – in a bright orange if you didn’t have pink – to create more of a colour bookend. The jeans look great on you – I like the lighter wash. I get tired of people recommending dark jeans – wear whatever you like!
In my case it is “one of the 10”. Five items really seemed too little and doomed to fail.
I have bright orange boots so I could try that. But I think I will never wear this combination again.
Because of the pledge, I was looking through my Outfit Gallery and there are so many outfits I don’t like (versus others that I love). Quite easy to make a shift.
I love the cream trousers. I don’t know if they are the same ones with the button to make a cuff, but you certainly look good in cream pants!
The pledge to purchase only 10 items this year is such a good idea. Several bloggers are doing some version of this, in order to purchase more sustainably. I’m fascinated to read how this pledge has made them look more carefully at what they want. Your black blazer example is exactly the kind of experience people are having.
I look forward to reading more about your year and purchases.
No, the cream trousers are different from the ones with the buttons to make a cuff. These are much wider.
I am quite amazed at the way I am handling the 10-items-pledge. Exactly the question that struck that cord with me (“Is this item worth to be one of the 10?”) is what is going through my mind every time I am in store contemplating a purchase. It is strange how often I answer this question with “Nahhh”. I now want an item to be special and not in the sense that it is eye-catching. No, I now rather want items that whisper quality and are versatile. Which meant that the heavily oversized yellow/white blazer with matching trousers stayed in the shop.
A perfect outfit for retirees! Nice but comfortable.
You would think so, but I have more comfortable outfits haha. And I don’t like this outfit much. I will do better, I promise (but not next week I’m afraid).
I like the blouse, I like the print and also the design. I think that with the jeans, which I always like on you, it is a nice, informal and balanced look. I love the bag, it’s cute. I love Helga’s look, even her hairstyle!
I can do better Josep-Maria and I will in the near future. I want my outfits to be edgier, bolder. Only next week you’ll get another “sort of all right outfit”.
Helga is very feminine and she always dresses figure flatering.
I can soooo relate to your issues with your hair! My mood is dramatically better when my hair behaves well.
I like the outfit, but it lacks your usual boldness. I think that’s what is bothering you about it. It’s a combination of two less dramatic elements. Either would look great with something bold, but together they don’t scream “Greetje”. 😂 You might like it better with one of your wonderful bold necklaces or with bright colored pants. I’ll bet it does look great with your leather pants.
Oh finally, someone who understands me and my hair moods. Most people think I am a drama queen over nothing.
You are right in your assessment of the outfit. I tried the blouse with black leather jogging trousers and that looked much better. So you got that right! (Great minds think alike haha.)
And I used the wide jeans in another outfit and that was equally better.
You will see one more “sort of all right outfit” next week and then I will try harder to create outfits with boldness.
Hello, You
Am I the only woman on the planet who always puts outfits together from what she’s already got and wouldn’t dream of going shopping on a whim? Don’t get me wrong, I love finding stuff in charity shops occasionallyand I will clothes shop when in America, unfortunately not for a while now and I did buy a new mid-length, loose summer dress last year but that apart, I don’t think I’ve gone what I’d call proper clothes shopping for years! I love looking round shops, but making decisions? Impossible! So I don’t. I stick to my jeans, sweatshirts and boots for winter and t shirts and shorts or cotton trousers in warmer weather plus a few ‘specials’ and I’m a happy bunny. Even so, like all ladies, there are times when I panic, knowing that ” I don’t have a thing to wear!” but a rummage through my wardrobe usually results in something suitable, and I hope, a bit different.
My husband had his Dupytrens Contractures (both hands) done years ago and they’ve lasted well. He had to do hand exercises for weeks – boy, they hurt with having 40+ stitches in his palm, but it was worth it – and he also wore a specially made metal contraption across the whole hand which held his fingers rigid, making him look a bit like Edward Scissorhands – great fun going through airports at the time as you might imagine! I believe the trick is not to wait to long to have the operation because one can go past the point of it not being viable. Glad Ron’s not in that category!
Glad the taxman came up trumps. Dupytrens Man has just won a tussle with our car insurers who, after a bit of to-ing and frow-ing, agreed it was their mistake, apologised and put it right. So win-win for us both this week, eh?
Have a good week.
Gee
I find it quite funny that you follow my blog if clothes are not your biggest interest (and I gather that from what you say). You’re welcome of course, but I am curious to know what attracts you.
Ron indeed did not wait too long, with his hand operation. It wasn’t the first time, but the third time as it keeps coming back (he knows that).
Glad you won your battle about money as well.
That pink/black blouse is beautiful. Love it with wide legged jeans, any jeans. I also am a fan of the tailored jacket with wide whites. Love your blog-don’t ever stop. It is very encouraging for me, and I am sure others.
I didn’t really like the pretty blouse on the wide leg jeans (in hindsight…). I tried it on black leather jogging trousers and thought it was much better.
The tailored jacket with my wide cream trousers is a men’s jacket in a small size (second-hand).
Sometimes I think about stopping my blog but then I get messages like yours haha. It is such a big part of my world, the friends I met through my blog and the fun I get from the photo shoots that it would be hard to stop. I have no other hobbies.
I think that you always look stylish but what I noticed was that you had less apparent jewelry today. Maybe bright earrings? Or a colorful bracelet? Possibly a POP of color is needed somewhere in the outfit? Keep working your closet as it gives us ideas too about being stylish during retirement.
I didn’t have earrings other than the glass drop ones that suited the style and the colour of the top. Neither do I have bracelets. Besides, there were already a lot of things going on: the pattern, the bag, the boots. But today I styled the top on a pair of black leather jogging trousers (the background of the top is black) and I liked that a whole lot better.
Greetje, Lovely to see your post! I think your disappointing outfit with the floral on dark (navy back ground) would look wonderful with white trousers and your silver boots or the pants could be the background of the top for unity. Sometimes mixing items gets hard.
I think Ron and my husband have the same hand issue. Muscles try to draw the fingers to the center of the hand. My husband, Bill, has had these muscles cut about every 8 years it seems. Thank goodness they have the special needles where they don’t have to cut up the palm of the hand.
I am still on meds and waiting for my appointment to get the shot in my spine. I’m supposed to work this coming Friday, I really miss it!
I cannot imagine you going back to work this coming Friday. It sounds ridiculous.
Ron has had two previous operations on his hand and he is not keen on the needles treatment. This time the surgeon cut up the palm of his hand and stitched it back together beautifully.
Love this outfit it really suits you and I love your hair.. I also need to get a haircut.
Oh, I am surprised but accept your compliments with joy.
I like all aspects of this outfit, including the bag, the boots and your HAIR 🙂 You look stylish but in a more relaxed way. So to sum up you actually did a great styling job. Fun fact, I lived in Frans Hals Street in South Africa for 15 years. I like the way you are going to be thinking about purchases going forward, sounds sensible and yes even fun, as you said. I changed my shopping approach a few years ago to a similar thought process and I am much happier now when nearly all my buys are wins. I do shop mostly 2nd hand though. We have excellent 2nd hand clothing here in Bulgaria, mostly Italian made so that makes it easier as you can imagine.
How nice, that you think the outfit and the post are good. Gives me a boost.
Our second-hand shops are reasonable, but usually still expensive and hardly any real good stuff (or expensive).
But yes, if you have the eye (I certainly don’t) you can find second-hand treasures here as well.
Not my favorite outfit on you, but I don’t like that shade of pink in the top so that is the reason why. cannot tell from the pictures what is the base color of the top. I would have worn darker boots, but that is just me. I never could stick to 10 items a year! I love buying clothes, and donate or sell old items all the time. Even things I bought last year and now I think they were mistakes. I just have to take more care buying items I am not in love with just because it may be on sale.
You sound so much like me. As a matter of fact, you do things with clothes that I have done my whole life. Up till now. Mind you, it is early days yet. No idea whether I can live up to my vow.
The base colour of the top is black and I love the orangey/pink in it. We all love different things, right?
Sometimes you are too hard on yourself. We just enjoy your outfits and experiments! And your hair only looks bad to you. But I guess we all tend to be most critical of ourselves.
Glad your tax problem is resolved and that Ron is recovering.
Good luck with your closet shopping. I haven’t been buying anything lately because I haven’t seen anything that I want to spend the money on, but I’ve turned up some great things from my closet that I had completely forgotten about.
Have a good week.
Oh yes, I know I am very critical of myself, as so many women. Can’t help it.
Unlucky for me, I have a very good memory of what is in my closet, even though there is a lot in the closet(s). So no surprises there. But I am glad you found some treasures.
I agree with another commenter — dark wash jeans might perhaps have been better. Also, while I like the bag a lot, I might swap it out — maybe your orange bag? And finally, I”m not a fan of the shoes with the outfit. Too pointy. In the end, and it sounds anticlimactic to say, I do like the blouse, LOL.
I agree with you both; dark jeans would have been better. And I would have chosen a blue bag I think. The orange would have been too close and at the same time too far off the pink colour.
I do love pointy shoes and boots. More than round nosed ones. A matter of taste?
I wonder if you would have been happier wearing the blouse with dark wash jeans? I think that might be a better look. Your hair, on the other hand, looked just fine to me although I do like the new cut.
So glad that Ron’s hand is healing well and that everything worked out so well with the tax office… finally.
I bought only 5 new items last year, but I love thrift store shopping so I actually bought quite a few more than that. This year I have already bought 3 new items, so I’m not doing as well.
I think you are right. These wide leg jeans are a bit too casual for the blouse. Usually I like the juxtaposition, but in this case it doesn’t work. As far as buying few items a year, I think you have earned your stripes last year. Never mind the thrift store shopping. That is also good.
Greetings! I love the pink and black blouse and jeans outfit on you! 😊. Also like the challenge idea. My mantra is “buy something new, must donate/give away something”. This also makes me pause and consider. Fun to shop from your own closet and come up with new combos! Thanks for your real and fun blog! ❤️
I tried your mantra too but it didn’t work for me. I was too attached to my clothes. Thank you for reading my blog and for your compliments. I will try to keep you amused.
The best accessory to the out fit is YOU! You make every thing cute.
That is grossly overrated. But nevertheless, thank you for the compliment.
Good for you, Greetje, for shopping your closet. Not every outfit is going to work, but you are exploring nevertheless. I am doing much more of that too. I also regularly take good quality clothing to the local consignment shop nearby. I think it’s often unique and stylish clothing there , and is creatively displayed. I have not just dropped off, but taken home ( ! ) treasures using my credit… which is rather counterproductive to my editing attempts. But the prices are good and the stock is always changing. I am trying to be being more selective in my new purchases . I like that challenge of 10 items only over the year. Unfortunately, my on-line purchases are just too easy. Must try more self control. I will be in Paris ( St Germain) in early April and expect to visit a couple of shops.How can I not!? The Canadian dollar is not good against the Euro, but certainly better value than British pound.
Have a lovely Sunday, and hopefully a beach walk with Ron and Watson.
Believe me, I have never been able to control myself when it comes to (clothes) shopping. Ron asked me once “What made you decide to buy it?” I answered: “Because it looked so good on me”. And he replied: “Well, there is no end to that then.” LOL
I think bringing your clothes to a consignment shop is very sustainable. And it doesn’t matter that you use your credit to buy in the same shop. That is also sustainable.
We aren’t that good with second-hand shops and moreover, I don’t have the eye to spot good things.
April 2022 I was in Paris, also in St Germain and I spent a ridiculous amount of money there. Of course I’d shop.
I spent Sunday trying to create new outfits with things that are already in my closet. It went a bit better this time. Also with the help of some friends and my husband.
Oei, dat zijn heel weinig items. Ik zou het niet kunnen! Veel succes, ik weet dat je genoeg mooie kledingstukken in je kast hebt hangen 😉 En ik ben heel benieuwd naar de blazer.
Ik heb het ook mijn hele leven niet gekund haha. En het is nog maar kort dag he. Geen idee of ik het haal, maar ik doe echt mijn best en het bevalt me wel.
Ik vind het geweldig dat je het probeert Greetje. Je zult zien dat je er gaandeweg plezier in krijgt om nieuwe combinaties te maken met de spullen die je al hebt! Ik kom ook met plezier nog eens even meekijken!
Ik ga eerst een scheiding maken tussen outfits die ik wel goed vind en outfits die ik eigenlijk niks vind. Als ik nou gewoon alleen de goede items combineer, ben ik misschien al een eindje op weg. Ik zal wat huiswerk doen.
Volgens mij hangt er genoeg in je kast om het hele jaar uit te zingen! Mooi streven trouwens om maar 10 items te kopen dit jaar. Doe ik al jaren (maar ja, in Thailand is het nu zo heet dat je sowieso praktisch niks aan hoeft)…..
Hello Greetje – what do you think about your pink fluffy blazer and some darker wash jeans with the top. Maybe the pinks are not quite right. But it may work. I love your flair and enjoy your posts.
Molly, I have no idea if that would work. I wanted to give the top centre stage as it is really well made. The fluffy pink blazer is a cheap thing and quite loud, in need of attention. So, I doubt whether it will work. And yes, the pinks are very different. But I appreciate your help. Keep thinking with me.
Er hangt wel genoeg in mijn kast maar ik ben heel slecht in het creëren van nieuwe combinaties. Soms lukt het me ineens wonderwel maar meestal is het huilen met de pet op. Ik krijg nu hulp.