Not every week I get to do a report on a city trip. I hope you understand that. This post will be much shorter than last week. I combined my bright blue trousers with a bright pink blouse as I love contrasts and bright colours. All from my own wardrobe.
Ron took the photos as we were out with our dog Watson.
Below: One of these typical Dutch landscape views. Mill in the distance and water.
Below: Ron directed me to the jetty, so he could capture me and the mill (and a boat), all in the same picture.
Below: The boys who were swimming there, probably thought I was rather odd, all dressed up.
Below: This was the picture Ron envisioned and I complained that I was barely visible.
Below: So, he placed me among a few trees. Nice composition but you can still hardly see me and my shoes disappear in the grass.
Below: There were people picnicking further down who thought our shenanigans were quite amusing. You have seen the trousers before here and here and the blouse here.
Below: Not the best photo perhaps but at least you can see my white and silver shoes.
Below: Meanwhile Watson was running around, having a great time.
Below: I do like this shot, trying not to get dirty.
Below: We saw a pheasant couple. As I tried to get closer I saw the female going to a nest on the grass and I backed away. Didn’t want to scare them.
And that concluded the photo shoot.
What happened in my life this week
Saturday was a joyful day as I went to Amsterdam with Anke and Sabine in the context our friend group Shopping Saturday. Beautiful weather, excellent company and many shops. I held out as long as I could, but half an hour before I had to go home I succumbed and bought my third item of the 10 I am ‘allowed’ this year.
Below: Sabine (left) and Anke.
My challenge of only 10 new clothes items this year is working out very well. I keep repeating the sentence “Is this item worth to be one of the 10?”. And what also helps are the three words I think my clothes should convey: arty, edgy or modern. I tried on a blouse which was gorgeous and looked really good on me, but it was romantic/bohemian and that is certainly not me (see nicked photo of the internet below).
Knowing what suits you and your figure and knowing who you are, are the first things you need to find out if you want to dress well (which means, to your own liking). Knowing your best colours is the next step.
In the evening Ron and I had dinner at our neighbours. They are such good cooks, it was a great meal and again, excellent company. I think I am a very lucky woman with so many friends.
Of course I visited mum, but we only sat on the balcony as it was too windy for her to go out.
As photos are a must for a blog post I had another photo shoot with Marjolein. Splendid weather, actually too sunny. (Always something to complain about.) I wore my new ‘third item’.
Below: Saw my friend Janneke over coffee. Such a positive, happy creature. She is holding the battery of her electric bike. Best to take that with you when you leave your bike.
We got a new dishwasher. First the cooker went, then the dishwasher and the guy who installed the machine, warned us that the fridge/freezer needs replacing too. He said that things like these appliances only last 8 to 10 years. My husband refuses to believe that and blames the brand (I think he is wrong).
In the evening Anke came round to borrow some things to complete her outfit for a friend’s wedding in Spain. I mean, why buy an evening bag or earrings or whatever, when you have enough choice to shop from in my wardrobe haha.
Also had a picnic in the park with a group of my former colleagues (below). I was so grateful that the sun was out and it didn’t rain. Risky thing to organise a picnic in the Netherlands.
Below: Former colleague Wouter and I.
Wouter is such good fun. We both love saucy jokes and used to kill ourselves laughing. I miss that. If you are wondering what I am holding…it is an ice cream. I asked Wouter whether the civilised way to eat an ice cream would be sideways LOL. Office banter.
Anyway, it was a busy and lovely week.
Greetje
Love Watson – so glad he didn’t disturb the birds.
I clicked on your blouse link. With the white trousers, the blouse is the story. With the blue trousers, it’s the total look (incl. accessories) that matters. This is why fashion and styling are so much fun! I have a really nice embroidered red top that I’ve always worn with jeans. I’m going to give it a whirl with white trousers and also with new yellow ones and see what happens.
Or you could go wild and combine the red top with purple trousers or orange trousers or pink trousers.
I have seen combinations like this and they often (if done well) are a showstopper.
Have fun with the trousers (white and yellow are also good of course).
Beautiful colors and the field of Queen Anne’s Lace–we all agree!! Envy you those great shoes.
I am passing on all the compliments to Ron for his shot of me in the field of Queen Annes. He has “the eye”. The shoes were bloody expensive but I got them at the end of the summer sale, which made them quite reasonable.
Ron definitely has a good eye…and I respectfully suggest that one of you smiling amongst the Queen Anne’s Lace be put in a small frame. 🖼️ You are indeed fortunate to have such lovely friends, and you all work together to keep the bonds strong. You are doing well with “10 in 12 months” , especially since you are nearly half way through your acquisition year! Looking forward to seeing you style this latest purchase. Previously, Greetje, you groaned about shopping your closet, but now look how good you are at it! I am rediscovering some clothes as well , due to the “divorce diet” coupled with the effect my twice weekly Pilates sessions have had on strengthening and slimming my 74 year old body. Fitting some clothes better, and having gone down a size, expecting to stay there once my future is sorted. My clothes shopping is definitely over, so just as well I have many choices to enjoy within my closet. Any extra 💰will be directed to the possibility of travel.🧳
Creating an outfit is still a struggle though. But perhaps by doing it, I might get better at it. I certainly hope so.
What a silver lining, to be dropping a size and finding clothes that fit this size in your closet. Strengthening your body through sport/fitness is the way to get older in a good way. Perhaps I’ll see you once everything is sorted and you can start your travelling. Who knows what beautiful things and people the future has in store for you. Exciting new beginnings.
I like the bright, colorful pants and blouse. The shoes and bag are a great addition. Watson is so charming. Have a good week with pleasant weather I hope.
The weather is very fickle at the moment. Rainstorms and sunshine.
I thought the silver bag and belt and the white with silver shoes would tone down the brightness of the trousers and blouse a bit.
I do like this blog and I have taken a lot of style tips from you over the years. However can you take a wee break from those voluminous trousers? For many of us older women that don’t really suit.
Sorry dear Anne, I can only show what suits me. I get that voluminous trousers doesn’t suit everyone, but they do suit me. There will be a little break in 2 weeks. Perhaps shoes, bags or accessories will please you in the meantime?
What a terrific post! It made me laugh so hard! I am married to a (retired) professional photographer, and I relate to your experience with asking Ron to take photos for your blog post. What I want does not count as Bob (my husband) is the professional and his artistic vision comes first! Having said that, I do treasure all the gorgeous photos of family, friends, holidays, and more that Bob has taken over the years. But I don’t ask him to take photos of my outfits anymore 🙂
I can so relate to that. He is too good to pass up an offer of taking blog photos, but when he starts photographing everything around us instead of me, I have to count to ten. It is not wise to upset your photographer when you need him LOL.
And I am glad I could make you laugh. That’s the main purpose of this blog.
Fun post! Even though the outfit details get lost, I do think the wide shots are fun. The silver bag & shoe detail are good with those bright, cool colors.
I’m glad you had nice weather for your picnic.
Are the blue and pink cool colours? I thought they needed the silver to tone them down a bit.
Greetje, I loved your post! I would have fallen off of the jetty into the water! I loved the blue and white striped blouse with the lace! Wow! You can send it to me! Your picture with the Queen Ann’s Lace should be framed! It’s beautiful!
Our grandson graduated from the 12th grade last night. He’s ready for college now. He’s a copy of and named after our younger son we lost in a wreck before he was 20. Tall, thin, deep voice, very kind.
Graduation was very hard on me; I can’t take my antideprescent because of my pain meds.
Have a good week.
I didn’t know you lost a son. It must be hard to sort of seeing him again through your grandson. Brings back painful memories.
The jetty by the way, was wide enough not to fall off it.
Hope you will be off pain meds soon.
I adore the picture of you in the Queen Anne’s Lace! I love Watson, and your whole blog! Love from the English teacher, from South Georgia in the US
What a lovely comment. You’ve made my day. My husband Ron is the one with eye for photography. I just click haha.
A very happy post – thanks! I love the picture of you in the Queen Anne Lace flowers!
Have a great week.
I wasn’t sure whether the post would be interesting enough as there wasn’t really a story to tell so I am glad you like it.
Love the cobalt blue trousers, Greetje. I like the idea Ron’s picture more than the actual photo, but I see where he was going with it. Glad you passed on that blouse with the lace inserts-it’s pretty but it would be difficult to style. Watson! He looks very happy.
Ron has an eye for photography. I don’t. I shoot point blank haha.
Those words I chose for my style and the fact I joined the 10 items challenge, really work for me.
Et oui ,les appareils mĂ©nagers sont programmĂ©s pour un certains nombres de cycles !C’est ce que l’on appelle d’obsolescence programmĂ©e .
C’est pour cela que nos appareils tombent en panne a peu près au mĂŞme moment .
C’est l’occasion de se moderniser.
Vous ĂŞtes adorable avec vos couleurs vives et la forme avant gardiste de votre pantalon .
Je redĂ©couvre ce que j’ai dans ma garde robe et que j’avais complĂ©tement oubliĂ© !
C’est agrĂ©able. Je crois que cette annĂ©e j’arriverai Ă acheter moins de dix vĂŞtements.
Bonne semaine !
The man who installed the washing machine was right, our fridge/freezer definitely needs replacement as the freezer is frosting in two days after completely cleaning it.
Thank you for the nice compliments. My French should be good after learning it for many years at school, but alas, it isn’t. So, I used Google translate to read your comment and I have to reply in English.
Lovely colours. I like your ice-cream eating outfit – that is a cool top too! I like graphic prints more than floral, just my personal preference. Watson looks quite ‘barking mad’ in that pic, haha just a funny english saying which I have never had the opportunity to use until now :). Good idea about checking if a possible purchase is actually matching your own style. Sometimes something is lovely to look at but not to wear on ones self.
The blouse in the ice-cream outfit is indeed a good one which is in my wardrobe for a couple of years now. Funny that you like this blouse but you don’t like floral, as this is a bit floral? But perhaps in a more abstract way?
I know the expression ‘barking mad’ but never used it either. He was just very excited.
Up till this challenge of 10 items I never wondered about such things as “does it match my style?” And I end up with things I hardly wear. Isn’t it strange that I have to become 70 before I am doing this? Apparently I am a slow learner LOL.
Better late than never ;). I do like what I call GeoFlorals! 🙂
That’s a new one for me…GeoFlorals. I have to look that up.
Hi Greetje
Thank you for being an independent blogger.
So many bloggers, totally understandably, make their income from monetizing their blogs through paid sponsorships or product placement.
I really enjoy relaxing into reading about your fashion choices, without my guard being up – you aren’t trying to sell me anything!
It’s fun to see your doings and happenings.
Long may you blog!
Thank you so much Cathy. Your comment made my day.
I would love to make money with my blog as it is quite an expensive hobby, but that would require working quite hard. As I am retired, I am done with hard work. Besides, like you, I don’t like being sold things or having to navigate around banners. In the long run my blog will triumph haha.
And most hobbies cost money.
I hope I can entertain you for many more years to come. Perhaps sometimes even make you smile or laugh.
That’s such a gorgeous photo of you in the flowers! It looks like pure happiness:-)
Ron has an eye for photography, much more than I have. I just shoot point blank haha.
Thanks for the compliment.
I love the blouse on you Greetje. Great colour on you. Nice you had a good time with your office friends.
Thanks Susan. It was a good week.