How about that? Me on the red carpet with my long denim skirt. It was quite the challenge to descend without looking at the steps. Marjolein, who was my photographer, insisted I looked straight ahead. We were in The Hague and the red carpet belongs to a hotel.
The skirt is nearly a pencil skirt and the fly is off-centre, which corresponds with the slit. You can sit and be sexy without revealing too much. I bought the denim skirt at LAB Women’s Clothing. The brand is 3 x 1, a jeans brand, the skirt is called Charlotte Asymmetrical.
Below: This is me, giving a go at being sexy haha.
Below: I can never resist a good door as background.
I chose the black puffer bag because I thought that a dainty bag wouldn’t suit this sturdy skirt. The sweater is Dries van Noten (link to original blog post). The boots are Officine Creative. Bought them a few years ago and they will last me the rest of my life. Easy to walk on, although I did get tired after walking on them for a whole day, carrying two heavy bags. But that is my choice, so my responsibility.
Below: We found another door as background to photograph Marjolein. She had been inspired by some fashion magazines and created this outfit. No purple this time.
Below: We headed to Lange Voorhout, a posh neighbourhood of The Hague.
Below: Of course I had to hug the statue. He is a prop, something to hold on to. The observant reader will have spotted the red bag instead of the black puffer bag. I took off my yellow belt and changed the yellow and black earrings for red and pink ones. An effective easy switch.
The statue is of a famous Dutch writer, Louis Couperus (1863-1923).
Below: We didn’t do a close-up of the red earrings with the pink button, so I cropped a photo. A bit blurry and the black seems grey but it will have to do.
Before we arrived at Lange Voorhout, we walked through the Passage (an old, covered shopping street). I was wearing my new coat.
Below: My long black coat, also bought at LAB Women’s Clothing in Haarlem. The brand is Drykorn. I “had to” buy it as all my coats are shorter than the denim skirt, which I hate. Most woman don’t mind that, but I do. The coat is getting many compliments. My husband paid me a dubious compliment by saying, “Even if I had accompanied you to the store, you couldn’t have come home with a better coat”. Hmmm…modesty is hard to find LOL.
Below: I finally achieved my preferred look. A little bit Victoria Beckham (I hope she is not offended by me saying this). Modern, arty, feminine, put-together and a bit suave. Right, that’s enough tooting my own horn.
Below: Even my hair cooperated that day. The earrings are new and I think they are exactly what I want.
Back to the Lange Voorhout.
Below: This is the Kloosterkerk (translation: Monastery church). If you click the link, you can read about the history. The church itself has been spared but the monastery that was attached to it was used as a gunpowder depot and it blew up in 1690.
At Lange Voorhout we looked at a fashion exhibition, celebrating Fashion Week and celebrating the designer Michelango Winklaar. Inspired by his visually impaired mother, Michelangelo Winklaar designed a couture collection that visitors can touch. Normally that is not allowed but with his collection it is. At least when you are in his showroom. At the Lange Voorhout exhibition the collection had to be behind glass as it was outdoors.
Below: This purple dress made Marjolein’s heart sing.
Below: The back of the dress.
Below: I loved this one but that is not for a busty woman. But hey, fashion never is. I always remember the line I read in fashion magazine Elle “Fashion and teat, the twain shall never meet.” So bloody true.
Below: A turquoise with gold dress. I am photographing Marjolein on the other side of the glass cube.
Below: You can see the back of the dress above and Marjolein photographing. The blue dress in the foreground seems handy to hide a belly.
Below: The back of the blue dress.
Below: Special mention for those magnificent flowers.
Below: The artists executing Michelangelo Winklaar’s designs, working in one of the cubes, so you could see them working through the glass. Fascinating.
Below: One last beautiful building because you love them so much.
Below: It was time for coffee and lunch.
Below: Close-up of Marjolein’s new earrings. One is golden with a golden pendant and the other one is golden with a black pendant. Cute blouse too.
That sums up the day.
What happened in my life this week
On Saturday the Shopping Saturday girls met again. For those who don’t know what Shopping Saturday means, it is a WhatsApp group of me and my friends Anke and Sabine. We get together every three months or so to shop, each time in a different town. This time we chose Utrecht, that lovely old town. You will see the result next week.
Sunday was a day of rest which I needed.
I visited the dentist to see about my inflamed gums. The dentist cleaned around the molar in question but it looks like I will be losing that implant molar. It is very hard to clean that spot and as it keeps getting inflamed, the jawbone is deteriorating. Oh well, I have enough molars left.
As I was in Amsterdam anyway, I decided to pay a visit to Aurora, a lamp shop right in the centre of Amsterdam. Last week I wrote I had smashed the tube of the lamp above our table and those tubes are out of production. Anke advised me on Shopping Saturday to try Aurora. Bingo, they had the tubes, so the lamp is saved for now.
Ron and I went to Utrecht to return the shoes I had bought on Saturday (see below). They were too small, which I could have known. You’d think by this age I don’t make such a stupid mistake anymore. It ended well though, I got my money back.
As my outfit was no good on (Shopping) Saturday, Ron took photos of my adjusted outfit that Tuesday (on the blog next week).
The painter came again to fix the damage I had caused to the landing wall. What happened?
Here is the story from the start.
See below the landing wall with comical portraits of Ron and me, a gift from our son-in-law a couple of years ago. We thought it was fun and I hung them up with really powerful two-sided tape…
Below: The wall after I had taken the portraits down. Yikes.
We were so lucky that our painter had some small paintwork to do on our windowsill, so he also plastered the wall last week and this week painted it. Phew.
Below: An outfit I wore this week. Very similar to the outfit I wore two weeks ago. Only now the top is black and cream instead of red and cream. I put on a black and white belt, again to elongate my upper body and I added the colour yellow through my earrings and shoes.
Because of a little misunderstanding about the lamp tubes I had to return to Amsterdam and exchange them. Amsterdam is really close to Haarlem, only 20 minutes by train. Driving there by car is murder and you cannot find a parking space.
I decided to use the opportunity of being in the big city to sell an antique gold watch, a so-called cocktail watch (see below).
It was a spontaneous purchase in 2010 and I only wore it 5 times. Now that I need reading glasses it was completely useless as I cannot see the time on that tiny watch. The first shop didn’t want it but told me about another shop in antique jewellery. That second shop only wanted to pay the price of the gold. WHICH WAS A LOT. The price of gold is high, so I got back more for the watch than I paid for it. Of course we are 14 years ahead in time, but I never expected that. It made my heart sing. It was well worth the blister I got from all the walking.
Despite the blister on my heel I managed to buy a pair of boots on my way home. Expensive ones as I had money to burn. Now, let’s see whether they are OK or whether I have to return them to the shop too.
Another happy event was my dinner with Helga (below). As often in spring and autumn when the temperatures are volatile, the outfit choice can be very opposite. Helga was princess-like in champagne colours and tulle and I was wintery in my black leather dress and burgundy boots. Yin and Yang. We couldn’t care less and had a great evening.
Below: I was imitating animals in behaviour and with the noises they make. Like the ones in Zoë’s little book. My reward was a great big smile. Especially my imitation of a sea lion, including clapping with your palms, was a big hit.
Greetje
Now, THAT is a denim skirt I would wear, Greetje! It’s lovely, and I really like it with the long coat. And yes, that is an amazing coat – how did you not have a long coat before this? Fantastic casual jeans outfit – I would wear this!
I enjoyed the pics of the fashion exhibit – such colour! Yours and Ron’s paintings are HILARIOUS! I hope you put them up somewhere else.
I do have a long coat I am ashamed to admit. A second-hand Salvatore Ferragamo, beautiful and soft and just a couple of inches too short. I know, I am a perfectionist. And this coat is more of an in-between coat which I didn’t own.
My jeans are my favourite in my retired life.
What a fun skirt, and I really like your top as well. Another interesting and beautifully crafted post. I realized Greetje, that I’ve got you to thank for my starting to develop a style of my own. I turn 69 next month and it is fun deciding who I want to be.
Gosh Marguerite, I never expected to have so much influence on someone’s life. I am very pleased that I could inspire you. Getting dressed often seems like a trivial thing but it makes a difference as people around you react to how you are dressed. It is like a little calling card saying “This is me”. So how do you want to come across is the question. Glad you are discovering the answer to that for yourself.
Fantastic outfit, you are looking great! This is a bit out of your color wheelhouse. It’s fun to do that sometimes.
Black and white are indeed really bad colours for me (near my face). I tried to “solve” it with the yellow in the earrings. But as you say, sometimes it’s fun to ignore everything.
Hello, You
Looking good, yet again! I just loved everything this week and yes, I know, that could be a first! As for you seeking a VB look, fair enough, but really, as a unique person (as we all are), you stick with your Greetje look, it suits you just fine!
Sorry about your tooth/gum. Surely a decent dentist should be able to sort it out? I appreciate that you might have trouble reaching the awkward spot, but your dentist shouldn’t. Then, once dealt with and healed, I’d have thought regular checks on it would be enough. Has your dentist mentioned antibiotics at all? I know they’re not everyone’s cup of tea but I believe they can work wonders if you’re not taking them regularly and thus get used to them.
I was intrigued by Maryellen’s Berlin style. Edgy, I get, but Berlin? Does she channel Marlene Dietrich with her bobbed hair and beret and long coat – a bit like your lovely coat? And I certainly don’t remember Brooklyn being edgy when I was last there. My abiding memory is having my worst meal ever, and I am not a foodie by a country mile. But Brooklyn itself: great!
Maryellen and you live in my two favourite cities! Speed the day when the husband’s knees are good enough to resume travelling! Meantime, I must make do with your photos. Thank you! (Don’t you just love Autumn?)
Meantime, have a good week.
Gee
Hahaha, I did laugh over your “that could be a first”. Glad I did so well with you this time.
The gum spot is difficult to reach as it is a deep hole between my molars. I do the best I can cleaning it, but sometimes it is not enough and I cannot run to the dentist every two days. Every time it inflames again, it is “eating” a bit of my jaw. I will be extra careful but with the next inflammation I will ask the dentist to remove the implant as I don’t want the rest of my jaw getting infected. My dentist is really top of his field and fortunately very realistic and honest. Antibiotics would only solve the inflammation, not prevent it.
I wish your husband’s knees a speedy recovery. My knee is not too bad, not too good but at least I can get to places.
Again this week you look like you stepped out of a fashion magazine, What a stunning outfit – chic and sophisticated with a bit of an edge. Your coat and earrings are gorgeous too. Marjolein, as always, looks so stylish. I love the non-matching earrings.
Thank you for sharing the lovely buildings and the fashion exhibit. I wonder how those workers feel about being on display!
I must say, the background, the outfit, the coat, Marjolein’s photography, it all came together and pleasantly surprised me too. I feel so Victoria Beckham in it (my style idol but I cannot afford her clothes).
Marjolein is as bad (or good) as I am haha. She loves clothes as much as me.
As far as those workers go…I wondered that too, being on display like monkeys in a zoo. But I suppose, after a while, you just ignore viewers.
The long denim skirt and top look so good on you..and so current… and I love your long dark coat…… so early 90’s if I remember…Had similar from an Irish store in Ottawa…as usual lovely scenery.. we are at the height of our fall colours this way in Ontario.. we are now into what we still refer to as our “Indian Summer weather” but it won’t be long before the dark dull November weather is upon us so we must enjoy now to the fullest…. Greetje would like to add a photo to my identity but not just sure how to do that.. is that done by you? I have tried but no go!
I agree, this outfit is so now, as is the coat, although they may have borrowed the 90’s style.
The Indian Summer…I’ve seen photos…beautiful colours.
How to add a photo to your identity is not too difficult. You have to go to gravatar.com and follow instructions.
Your outfit is quite stylish and sleek, despite the bulky sweater. The narrow skirt makes it work, and the navy/cream combo is excellent on you. I noticed beneath those fun pictures of you and Ron: a spigot, as you might see in an old school or such? What is that about? Interesting feature.
The skirt is acutally black but I get your point, thank you. The spigot is part of a little wash basin on our landing. It was put in when the house was built in 1904. Cute, right?
Greetings from Canada. I loved all the outfits and photos you always find such interesting places to take your photos. I especially loved the ones with the designer dresses and the designers working. Marjolen is a very good photographer and has a good eye for what would be a good place to take her photos. Can’t wait for the next ones.
Thank you very much. I allerted Marjolein to look at the comments as she gets so many compliments. She was blushing.
Next week you will see another blog post, like always. I don’t think I missed one week in the 12 years that I blog now.
Very high style post this week, and your long black coat is so perfect!
Isn’t it just? When Daphne (the owner of LAB Women’s Clothes) came up from her downstairs treasure room with this coat, I knew instantly it was perfect. It is not the warmest of coats but it is wool.
Together with the skirt outfit, I think I hit the jackpot this week.
What a beautiful outfit!!! Just my style as I am also tall. 5ft 9 inches and very leggy.!
A soulmate! Bodyshape wise. I don’t know how tall I am in inches. The converter tools keep coming up with different numbers. I am 1 meter 75cm.
I love this outfit too, one of my best.
Great outfit! Modern with a little drama. That Dries sweater is just so good.
Marjolein’s look is very stylish as well, love her scarf.
I am very pleased with this outfit. It has the vibe I am always after but hardly ever achieve haha.
With a Dries van Noten garment, you cannot go wrong.
And Marjolein always looks stylish.
Kudos to Marjolein, esp for the Victoria Beckham-like photo with the yellow candles that so perfectly match your earrings — beautiful! You are lucky to have a talented friend who thinks it’s fun to photograph you, LOL.
Oh, I so agree with you. Friends with a creative eye for photography and willing to do a photo shoot are a blogger’s dream. I am indeed very lucky.
This was a terrific post in every way: you and Marjolein looking lovely and chic, the buildings, the designer fashions, great photos. Just the delight I needed this morning!
Thank you very much. I live for results like this. It means I have achieved my blog goal and that is to entertain people.
Looking fabulous Greetje!!! That skirt is divine and I adore your boots.
The leather dress you are wearing is beautiful.I like the combination of the burgundy boots too,very classy!!!
Hugs and Kisses,Paula B,XXX
Thank you Paula, I love it myself too. One of my best outfits.
The leather dress isn’t easy for me to style. Leather and black so near to my face…bit of a problem.
This is one of your nicest outfits! I love that top with the ribbons, and the new skirt looks so nice with it! And you definitely needed that black coat! Are those two purchases the ones you are counting for the year? I think you said 10 new purchases? Black items like these go with so many colors! And I love Marjolein’s outfit also. Everything is great, but I really love the embroidered blouse! Your knee must be so much better as you are wearing boots with heels again! I cannot wait till next week to see “your Shopping day” with your friends.
I agree that this is one of my nicest outfits. I am very pleased with it.
As far as the 10 new purchases challenge goes…I didn’t make it. I am now at 12 items. If I keep it at 12 at the end of the year, I haven’t done badly but that is still 2 1/2 months to go…
Wat een heerlijke post weer. Ik begrijp de keuze van Marjolein voor wat betreft de paarse jurk. Die turquoise met goud vind ik ook prachtig!
Geweldige foto van jouw Victoria Beckham look!
Ik hou van de humor zoals Ron reageerde op jouw nieuwe aankoop van de lange jas haha!
Die koninklijke schilderijen van jou en Ron vind ik geweldig! En wat een schade je kunt krijgen door het gebruik van dubbelzijdig plakband ……. niet normaal 🙂
Fijn weekend! x
Jij ook een heerlijk weekend Helga. Leuk dat je mijn blogpost zo kan waarderen. Doet een bloggertje toch goed.
I love your yellow earings, not least because they draw attention to your beautiful smile x
That is such a sweet compliment! Thank you very much.
The denim skirt and top belong on the red carpet. Such a wonderful look on you. Marjolein looks very good too. Glad you had a nice day together. The fashion exhibit photos were lovely as well.
We do our utmost to entertain you. Glad we succeeded yet another week.
That was a very full post and I very much enjoyed it. The “Victoria Beckham-esque” photo of you is stunning and captures your style beautifully. When we capture our style we feel so good in our clothes. Mine is more of a Berlin style, I would say, or Brooklyn here in the US – a bit more edgy. At least that is what I attempt. Marjolein also looks lovely and I especially like her blouse this week. I look forward to the Shopping Saturday girls next week. (And, you have inspired me to finally try to sell one of the small watches my mother used to wear when she was young. (I know your watch had not been your mother’s.) She has passed and I hold onto several for sentimental reasons but I really should sell at least one, or my children will need to whenever I pass. Onward we all go.)
I LOVE edgy and I try to dress like that, but I think I am not doing a very good job at that haha.
I hope your mother’s watch is 18 carat gold. She would probably sell it herself, had she lived on. These watches are too small to see the time.
I love this outfit, and all the pieces. I particularly like the pop of red later, it adds personality. Those earrings of Marjolien that differ slightly from each other are intriguing. I love that.
Glad Marjolein and I were able to entertain you. I am very pleased with both the skirt and the coat. And of course also with my earrings. Marjolein and I do not compete with outfits and earrings. We both just love them.