What I thought was a bit of an average outfit, turned out to be really good (IMHO). Credits for Misja who advised me not to turn up the hems but to leave them long. Made a world of difference. The creation of this outfit started with the pink and orange brooch. I still love this brooch which is highly unusual as it is created from (or with) paint. The artist (Xenia Walschikow) won an award with it, but it has some drawbacks.
There are 5 pins sticking out at the back which go through the fabric of your garment. Then you have to secure these pins on the inside with pin holders. It is murder to get it on, even if you lay your top on the bed and try it there. Another drawback is the weight. If I wear it underneath my shoulder instead of on top of it, it pulls the top down as you can see in this post of 2018. It was pulling less when I wore it on a jumper in this post. Nevertheless I still love it and it always gets many compliments.
My darling husband Ron took me to Zaanse Schans which is a residential area in which the 18th and 19th centuries are brought to life. There are even people still living there.
Below: As you can see, there are windmills as well.
Below: A strong wind made me totter a bit. Wind makes those mills work of course, only not for the mill behind me, as it had no canvas covering the blades. Had the wind become really fierce, the blades would have turned without need of canvas covers.
The position of the resting blades give a message. There is a position for something cheerful like a wedding or a newborn and one for mourning. One for when the miller is off for a few days. One for a longer period of no milling as during the summer. And on special occasions like a coronation, the blades will be adorned with flags.
Below: We started with the sitting down pose (my favourite). The sandals are years old and are very comfortable although they don’t look it. The company who made them (Bellamy Gallery) discontinued them.
Below: The many wooden houses are all painted green or black.
Below: We nearly turned back because the place was swamped with tourists. I am glad we persevered as I think Ron took many great photos.
The people who were standing behind me in this photo, I have turned into grass.
Below: The Zaanse Schans have shops which are in character with the age they were built. For instance the one below was a bakery and a sweet shop.
Below: We went inside and had a waffle (delicious) and a coffee in the front room, decorated in the old style (1734). We think that the blue bit at the back was a cupboard bed.
Below: Tiles and stove. Gosh, my parents had such a coal bucket when I was a child.
Below: With this machine they used to make speculoos. You put the dough in at the top, turn the wheel and the dough would be pressed into the moulds, ready to bake.
Below: We saw this above the door, which is why we knew the date so well. I had trouble reading it, but Ron was sure it is 1734.
Below: Isn’t this a perfect picture? Four windmills and an old wooden house, a cow and meadows.
I have a confession to make. The photo above is highly photoshopped. Because it is such a nice area, tourists were crawling all over the place. Like I did with another photo above, I turned them all into grass. Apparently around six p.m. is the best time to visit when you want to avoid the crowds.
Below: This photo demonstrates the crowd. So many people! It was hard to take a photo without other people in it.
Below: It is a bit of a shame it was cloudy weather as this photo looks a bit sombre, but it was great weather for taking outfit photos.
Below: THIS IS NOT at Zaanse Schans, it is a photo that was used by Google as screen saver. It is in the Netherlands, at Kinderdijk where you will find about 19 windmills (on the world heritage list of UNESCO). It struck me how different a photo can be when the light is right. The photographer also chose a good position to take the photo, with the reflection of the mills in the water.
Below: As I said, good light for outfit photos. A really good shot by darling Ron. The bracelets are by Lara Design, one orange and one green for an extra pop of colour. I kept the earrings demure as the brooch was the focus point.
Below: Isn’t it a beauty?
Below: Across the river were more old houses although these are not part of the Zaanse Schans, just normal, but old houses.
Below: The water and those houses are such a good background for an outfit.
Below: Some mills had canvas on their blades and some didn’t.
Below: This green mill is probably a sawmill (lumber mill). The people of this area in the 18th and 19th century developed various industrial mills through all kinds of handy inventions, from which all sorts of things rolled out like machine-sawn wood, paper, ground spices, oil for food and paint, dyes, all kinds of fibres, flour, cocoa powder, and much more. You can read more about Zaanse Schans here.
Below: Leaving Zaanse Schans with one last photo.
Below: This building is a hotel in the nearby town Zaandam. They made it look like a piling stack of old Zaanse houses. I think it is quaint and love it.
Below: Ron, the man, took me to a restaurant which held romantic memories. He is such a romantic. The colours of the photo are a bit weird. He was wearing a pale pink polo shirt which doesn’t show.
Below: And here am I, adoring him.
A terrific day.
What happened in my life this week
Well…Errol is going on holiday with Jilske. That bird is finally going to see something of the world.
Ron tried to persuade me a couple of times to go to town and have a drink but I declined. I said “Then it isn’t special anymore, it will lose its shine. Like when you eat cakes every day, you don’t enjoy it as much.” He now comes up with lines all the time that say “the shine is gone”.
Had appointments with my dental hygienist and my dentist. I got praised by both so I asked for a sticker, the way I used to get rewarded in first grade of primary school. LOL
Below: While visiting Marianne, I took this horrible selfie, although Marianne looks pretty good. She had her hair done, but I got the impression, she wasn’t too thrilled about it. She is wearing her “summer glasses”.
Below: The outfit I was wearing, exactly as in the original post here, I only changed the earrings.
Below: This is a ‘very-hot-day’ outfit. You don’t even feel the dress as it is so lightweight and the shoes don’t give me blisters or anything. I bought the dress in Spain and wore it when I visited my friend Anja there (see this post). When I took this photo in the morning, the indoor light didn’t help to bring out the right colour.
Below: I met Sara again, who is over from the USA. (Sara is British by the way). (You saw her in last week’s post.)
It was a hot, hot day. She and her husband rented an Airbnb with quite a substantial garden, so we sat there, in the shade, all afternoon. Her husband Herman took the photo. Well, he took several photos of us, which gave us the giggles. We were either pulling faces, looking grumpy, looking funny or there was sunshine on Sara’s face creating a mustache of light. The photo below is the best one, although I have my eyes closed, Sara is looking seriously and we are sitting rather prim and proper haha. The colour of my dress is more accurate in this photo.
I went to the beach with Ron on a day when it wasn’t particularly warm but it was still pleasant. Quality time together.
Below: Coming back from the beach I looked like a tramp, so I showered, did my hair and put on something nice. My palazzo trousers which I also wore on holiday in France. I changed the necklace for the fox brooch from the Noordermarkt in Amsterdam. I like the juxtaposition of being dressed elegantly and then adding a totally kitsch brooch.
Below: Close-up of the fox brooch. It is quite heavy, so I attach it to my bra strap.
Greetje
I like everything about this ensemble. 🙂
That makes me happy. (I have to say, so do I haha.) Thank you for taking the time to tell me.
Gosh, I just love this outfit! The pants are great, and everything is so well balanced (including the shoulder brooch, haha!). It’s very You.
When I was styling the outfit I thought it was all right. When I saw the photos I was pleasantly surprised, the outfit looks really good. Proud of myself. And you are right, it is very me.
Thanks for sharing photos of your stylish outfits and the beautiful mill photos. My favorite is the look with the slim brown pants. The stove area with the blue and white Delft tiles is awesome.
Hahaha…funny. Here I am, proud to present a new outfit with clothes that are already in my wardrobe and you favour an old outfit, created years ago.
Which is fine Nicole. It all has to do with personal preference, right?
This is one of my favorite of your posts. All of the outfits are great, especially the pink pants. Pants are good long, for proportion. Love seeing the windmills as well as the terrific hotel architecture. Wonderful to see you looking so happy in these photos. And regarding new clothes and style blogs, (and your 10 item purchase goal, and issues about styling what you have) I am 73 years old so have seen lots of styles come and go and come again and go again, and what I most enjoy about fashion blogs in general, is how women style what they already own and have worn, perhaps a different way, in the past. To me, those bloggers who carry many sponsors and always wear new clothes and never recycle or reimagine their clothing are very boring. Anyone can walk in to a shop, buy a new outfit and take photos; all that takes is money. And in my opinion money does not necessarily lead to style and fashion sense and conversely, one does not need to have a lot of money to have style. I am sure most of us following your blog do not do so to see what new purchase you have made so we can run out and buy something new; we follow to see how you style items and perhaps get ideas and inspiration for how we might style what is in our closets. I am sorry to be so wordy and of course this is just my opinion. I look forward to seeing what you are up to each week. Thanks!
Well Marta, I am afraid that up until this year I was also guilty of running to the shops. At least most of the times. I love clothes, love to adorn myself. It is a hobby, it is a part of me. Unfortunately I cannot style. Even when I am in an expensive clothes shop with lovelies hanging in the racks, my mind goes completely blank. I have no idea how those clothes will look on me. Only when someone is trying a garment on or the shop assistant is wearing something from the shop, I know whether that is something for me or not. Fashion shows would be terrific for me. Alas, no money for that.
With the 10 item challenge I am forced to create outfits with what I have. Believe it or not, but it takes me so much effort. A stylist would have a look in my wardrobe and pick a few items and they go together. I don’t have that skill. But, I will say, it is more rewarding when I do come up with a smashing outfit. It is also pretty good for my retirement budget and for my very full wardrobe.
What an awesome post! Love all of your outfits, especially the pink pants with the gorgeous brooch. So good 👍. The windmill photos are so interesting.
You made my day Linda. I reached my goal with this post. You were entertained. (I have to admit that I was pleasantly surprised when I saw the photos, I wasn’t expecting such a good result.)
Again this week you look like you stepped out of a style magazine. This outfit may be my favourite — the combination of pink and orange is luscious. and that brooch is stunning!
Thank you for the tip on attaching the fox brooch to your bra strap. Great idea!
I love all the photos of the windmills and the gorgeous old houses. Ron surely has a wonderful eye.
Oh yes, Ron does have an artist’s eye. However, he doesn’t enjoy it. Too bad.
The first photo he took and the one against the green mill were real treasures to me.
Attaching the brooch to your bra strap is something I often do. I am full of tricks LOL. The best one is fashion tape. I stick anything that moves.
Love this outfit…every bit of it, though pink is a terrible color for me. Love the brooch!!!
Bright pink is a good colour for me and pale pink, really all pastel colours look hideous. But…that applies to my face. At the bottom I can wear anything, as long as I make sure that the top is in a colour which flatters me. (And sometimes I don’t care haha.)
The brooch is very special.
I love this outfit and your entire blog. Your pins are spectacular. Thanks for the close up of the of the pink and orange one. Amazing. Thanks also for the beautiful settings you choose. For a Southern California gal they provide many opportunities to join you briefly in your gorgeous country. I visit once and I adore it.
Thanks Enid, it is my pleasure entirely. I finally found a hobby I really enjoy. Every aspect of it. The fact that I get so many nice comments is such a bonus too.
If you adore my country you must have had good weather when you visited. That is not always the case.
I like that Ron makes you so happy
Yes, I made a good choice, some 36 years ago haha. No, not really, it wasn’t a choice. I liked him but wasn’t that interested to begin with. Then he suddenly kissed me and I felt a deep, deep love. Must have been Cupid with his bow and arrow. Very strange. So choice? Nah..just luck.
Love your outfits in this post, and I admire your commitment to the work it takes to wear some of your jewelry. I am definitely too lazy!
Thanks for turning the many tourists into grass. It’s like you have a magical power. I wish I could do that in real life. I love historical places but they “lose the shine” when they’re crowded.
Have a good week.
I have a passion for clothes, accessories shoes…really anything with which you can adorn yourself. Even at the age of 14 I had that, although not enough clothes to really satisfy me haha. I remember my mum telling me that me aunt said to her “What’s wrong with that child? She changes clothes three times a day”. (I had stayed with my aunt for a week.)
I totally agree on the shine being lost when there is a crowd looking at that beautiful historical object. They don’t have to really disappear, just to my eye.
Love the pink pants outfit, top and brooch, and especially the lightweight pale green striped floaty dress from Spain. I am pretty flat and shapeless and love that slightly flunky look.
I can understand why you think the dress from Spain is pale green, but it is actually lime yellow with black animal print. Not that it matters of course.
It is a great dress for warm days.
Hi Greetje, I especially love the orange and pink outfit up top!
I have a question – however do you keep track of when and where you last wore an outfit? There are so many, and so many years of the blog!
I have to admit I was quite pleased with the creation of this outfit. Styling doesn’t come easy to me, although nobody believes it, but it is true.
How do I keep track of where and when I last wore an outfit? I have a passion for clothes, so I am focussed and it just is easy for me. They are in my head and of course I ‘see’ the outfits now and then when I go through my Outfit Gallery at the top of my blog. It lists every outfit I have worn with a photo and links to the post. It means that when I want to wear a certain outfit but cannot remember what accessories I used, I just look it up. The really early years aren’t listed but usually I don’t have those clothes anymore anyway.
I like everything about this outfit! You look fabulous!!
Thank you Sue. I must say, when I saw that first photo on the blog and the one against the green mill I was chuffed. Doesn’t always happen that I look so good. Also, I thought the outfit was a lot nicer when I saw the photos than when I had created it at home.
You look great as usual! I have given up wearing brooches, mainly because they are heavy and I wear a lot of cotton tee shirts here in Florida. I could wear them in winter, but then I hate to put the pins in a nice sweater. I feel it always leaves a mark or stretching the material. lol. but that is just me! I am glad you left the pants long.
Looking good in a blog post is mandatory for me. After all, I have a blog about outfits. But thank you for the compliment. I always appreciate it.
I get your point about pins leaving holes in your clothes. With knitted sweaters it is easier. And usually, after you’ve washed the top, the “hole” is gone. I never noticed that brooches stretch the material.
When Misja advised me to leave the trousers long I wasn’t sure I’d like it, but of course I tried. I saw instantly what she meant. It is great to have friend who give you styling advise.
What a great solution for the brooch on your shoulder. Also like the idea of attaching the heavy brooch to the bra strap.
Those pink trousers look so good on you.
The photos Ron took are gorgeous. He has an artist’s eye.
Suzanne
I have many tricks up my sleeve. The best one is fashion tape. I stick everything that tends to move haha. The pink trousers are from 2020 when I retired and decided to splurge big time once more. Bought them in white as well. Good purchase.
I know Ron has the artist’s eye. He also knows how I should crop a photo. Alas, he doesn’t enjoy taking photos of me. This occasion was a rare one.
The brooch is stunning and I have serious trouser envy. I love the colour! Great pics. The tiles and windmills are how we envisage the Netherlands!
I think pink trousers are in the shops now. I saw several of them the other day. But mine are from 2020. The tiles and windmills are heritage and do not reflect life in the Netherlands now. But you know that, I am sure.
This is one of my favourite outfits of yours. This style pants really suit you. The colour is incredible. Your shoes and bag are the perfect additions. Your other outfits through the week are also really good.
I bought the trousers four years ago in white and in pink. They give me some volume around the hips, something most women would hate, but not me.
Thank you for all your compliments. I am doing all right, aren’t I? Despite the lack of buying new clothes.
You definitely doing alright! I can only imagine the wonderful possible combinations in your wardrobe. I have a similar body type to yours, I am 171 m and my shape is an H at my preferred weight and tend towards an Apple when it goes up, so I understand fully 😉
My shape is more of an inverted triangle but with boobs and a bit of a belly. I would love to find a blogger or instagrammer with my figure but no they all have evenly distributed bodies.
Great luminous pink trousers and fantastic surreal hotel!
I think the hotel is a great way of honouring the old when you are building new. With a quirky twist.
Pink pants and brooch looked beautiful on you. I also enjoyed seeing all the pictures of the windmills.
Glad you enjoyed the post. That’s what I aim for…entertainment.