Nothing is new in this outfit, just a different combination of items. I combined the black pleated skirt with a pink jumper. The boots and the skirt you have seen together before and the pink jumper is one of my favourites.
I met Janna in Amsterdam for lunch. She has an Instagram account (@Timelessstyle.nl) which is how we ‘met’. We occasionally meet for coffee or lunch in the big city. Always a joy.
Below: The place we chose this time is the West-Indisch House, which has a new restaurant called Café Nieuw Amsterdam.
Below: It is very old and beautiful inside.
Below: I love the atmosphere of such a place.
Below: The courtyard which is now the territory of an event business. The statue in the fountain is of Peter Stuyvesant. As many big names from the past tend to be, not a good man according to 2024 standards. The link on his name leads you to Wikipedia with background information about him.
Below: Janna and me. We asked two young ladies sitting next to us to take a photo and Janna suggested I use their bottle of wine as a prop haha. Hence the strange face as I was playing “drunk”. (I don’t like wine so I don’t drink it, but I can play drunk easily.)
Below: After lunch we walked into the courtyard to start a photo shoot. As you can see below, the back of my pink jumper is beige.
Below: “How about this pose”? Janna agreed.
Below: Leaving the courtyard and the statue behind us to explore the surroundings.
Below: It was a sunny day and I should have put the flash on my camera but I was too lazy. Which means this photo could have been grand and sharp but isn’t. It does give you a view of an Amsterdam canal in autumn.
We were joking about my pose which I call the “pee pose”.
Below: Close-up of the golden earrings with a green (glass) stone by Lara Design.
Below: A head to toe shot of Janna. Looking good!
It had been fun again, as usual. As we Dutch say, “gezellig”.
Below: Walking back to the station I took this photo of a street leading up to a canal and I saw a man with a dachshund coming towards me. What was that dog carrying?
Below: He was carrying a rubber chicken haha. So proud.
Below: There are jetties across from Amsterdam central station where boats moor that take you cruising the canals. Always a busy area. In the background the grand Basilica of Saint Nicolas.
Below: Amsterdam central station. Magnificent building, being renovated at the moment and that will take a while.
I am afraid this post will be more about buildings and areas than about outfits. You will have to bear with me. Some readers will appreciate it and others will be bored. For the latter, more luck next week.
What happened in my life this week
Actually, I will start with the week before when Ron and I visited Antwerp as I haven’t shown you any photos.
Below: I wore this outfit to Antwerp which is soooo bad. I look like a sack of potatoes. The flat suede boots with the round toe don’t help either. They were great to walk in all day but boy oh boy, do they look dowdy (and dusty). I had planned to take a lot of blog photos of this outfit and combine them with the Antwerp photos for a post. After seeing this photo, I knew that was not going to happen.
We had a great suite in the centre of Antwerp and went out for dinner shortly after we arrived.
Below: Interior of restaurant ‘t Hofke in Antwerp. Old and authentic. I wanted a restaurant near our lodging which had good food but not over the top with a cosy atmosphere. And we got all that with this restaurant.
Below: Me, having a jolly good time, drinking an excellent Kir Royal. Occasionally I do drink stuff like this.
Below: Historic Antwerp by night. Just my luck that all the restaurants had put their rubbish bags out to be collected. I crudely photoshopped them out of sight.
The next day we did some sight-seeing and a little bit of shopping. Honestly, I only went into two shops and managed to buy a top as 13th item this year.
Below: The cathedral of Antwerp. Very difficult to photograph.
Below: Fountain at Markt in Antwerp, the market square across the cathedral. As you can see, we had splendid weather.
Below: One last Antwerp photo, a glove shop, established in 1884 and still making perfectly fitting gloves. But they are also modern as they have a website, Gloves Boon. If you ever need stylish gloves, this is the place.
Let’s talk about last week.
Ron had been cooking gourmet style, so we invited friends round on Saturday and still had food left for Monday. He made another great dish on Sunday. I am so glad he cooks as he is so much better and creative than I am.
Georg and Marla came round for drinks which is fun as always.
On Saturday I saw Marita and she took blog photos which you will see next week.
Monday was a day of trying to get some blog stuff done, tidy up the house (this did not go to plan) and change over summer and winter shoes (this failed as well). What we did do was hang up the cute photo of my mum and dad on the landing. The painter had repaired the damaged wall and we tried to locate the electricity wire in the wall as not to put a nail through it.
Even with a hired tool, we couldn’t detect a wire (not our fault as it turned out) so I sent a WhatsApp message to our electrician with whom I have a very good working relationship for 30 years. He happened to be near our house and stopped to lend us a hand. Job done (see below). Yay for good supplier relationships.
Tuesday was a quiet day so I got a few chores done. Poor Ron was very ill, some nasty bacteria had a hold on him (not contagious). He got antibiotics for it so it gradually got better. But he felt really bad, high fever and all. On top of that, he injured his back which meant I had (have) to do a few more tasks. We didn’t go to see our granddaughter as he wasn’t up for it. No idea how long it will last.
My friend Marjolein was down in the dumps too. She had the flu or something similar, so our get-together fell through too. It left me with a lot of time this week.
Trying to make the most of the time, I asked Loes to do a photo shoot with me. She was available and texted she was ready to go. I texted back that some work still had to be done on my side… (see below):
Another batch of photos is waiting to become a blog post. I need photos in store, so I don’t feel any pressure. The thing is, I have enormous discipline for everything (apart from shopping, but I have done a lot better this year). When I started this blog in 2012, I wanted to be consistent so my readers could count on me. I never missed a week since the beginning. Of course that is too strict and not necessary. Just cannot help myself. And…I love creating blog posts.
That’s it for now.
Greetje
I love pleated skirts of this length, I think they are very elegant and feminine. Black and pink are also one of my favorite combinations. I love the restaurant you went to, it has a beautiful aesthetic, and fantastic decor. Today not just one close-up, today three! In the first two… gorgeous, in the last one… au natural, great!
Oh you are funny. That last close-up would scare adults and give children nightmares LOL. I just couldn’t resist to put some reality into the post. I don’t take myself too seriously.
I LOVE the white boots and pleated skirt. Two beautiful restaurant buildings in Amsterdam and Antwerp…
We’ve just got back from a gorgeous small town in Suffolk called Lavenham. A friend was organising their book festival : some marvellous sessions including poetry by Ashley Hickson Lovence , and Discovering Shakespeare by Janet Suzman and Bill Alexander . Also staying in our hotel was Sheila Hancock, a terrific bundle of energy at 91 — something of an example! Her book is called Old Rage.
Confession time. Since I can never find clothes that suit me in London any more, I love shopping in these country towns and this time I bought FOUR jumpers. Thinking of Christmas and beyond. That’s my excuse anyway.
Just arrived back home, I’m having fun reading up about Stuyvesant ,whose name I only knew from 1950s cigarette ads!
Those white boots are so comfortable. I can walk in them all day.
It sounds like you had a marvellous weekend (I assume). I took a look at Lavenham on Google. Very old, very pretty indeed.
Who would think you’d find clothes there. Just goes to show, towns aren’t everything. With four jumpers you can get through winter, providing you have trousers or skirts to wear them with.
I only knew Stuyvesant from the cigarette ads too. Somewhere in the back of my head though I knew about him founding New York (Nieuw Amsterdam).
Lieverd
Fijn je gezelschap! Ik houd ervan. En geef mij ook maar beelden van gebouwen. Zeker met je ondertiteling.
Enne, niet zo kritisch over je stijl. Ja, combineren is een ding, maar ik zie iemand met een uitstekend gevoel voor mooie en kwalitatieve items. Die weet wat haar goed en niet goed staat.
Liefs Janna
Wat een lief comment. Ik weet inderdaad heel redelijk (na 12 jaar) wat me wel of niet goed staat. Maar nog steeds kan ik niet zomaar iets uit de kast trekken en opnieuw combineren en dan trefzeker zijn. Nou ja, met bloed, zweet en tranen kom je ook een heel eind.
Consistency is key for us bloggers, and now that I’m on Substack I have that to also stay on top of.
I like your skirt, jumper and boots outfit, very cool. That’s so nice that Ron cooks-I get so sick of it after a while. L is a terrible cook, so I make him buy dinner and brunch once a week.
That picture of your mum and dad is so sweet.💕
Substack made your task even bigger. When I started blogging, I posted every day. Short posts though, but I got a comment from a follower (who still follows me, for 12 years now) and he said, very sweetly, that every day was a bit much for him. I cut it back to three times a week, then two times a week and ended with once. But my posts have become a lot longer. It’s nearly an online magazine now haha.
I can cook vegetables, potatoes and meat/fish. The simple way. Ron is so much more creative. Your ‘solution’ with L is a good one. We had a similar understanding in the days when we both worked and I did the cooking.
I don’t only have that big photo of my parents on the landing, I also have portrets of mum and dad next to my computer. They are looking down on me.
I will echo many previous comments. I look forward to your blog each Saturday, also (although didn’t it used to be on Sunday?). Really like the combination of fashion, friendship, and flight (maybe a stretch but looking for some alliteration here) in your blog. Love the black pleated skirt; it is a look i have not yet had the confidence to try. I am so happy someone else asked about the basin. It is just a random place on a landing to wash up? Glad Ron is feeling better.
Yes Martha, you perceptive woman, I did used to publish on a Sunday LOL. Nowadays I publish on a Saturday unless I am late. It works better for me.
I love alliterations, so thank you. The basin was indeed a place to wash your hands. In the corridor on the first floor. We disconnected the pipe and the water supply. Now it is just sitting there, being pretty.
As for the pleated skirt…if you are not that confident, make it a quest and try on many pleated skirts. The cut, the length, the colour…so many variables influence the look on a person. For me, they only work with boots. Well, in my opinion.
That pink sweater looks lovely on you, and makes such a nice outfit with the pleated skirt. I enjoy your photos of interesting places and your stylish friends (I’ve told you this before, I know). Love the dog carrying the chicken!
I do hope Ron feels better soon.
Really, I can wear any kind of bright colour with this skirt which I have done. Even wore a black jumper (sweater) with it.
I am glad you enjoy the content of my posts and I have no problem hearing that multiple times LOL.
Ron is feeling better again.
Greetje, you had me laughing by the end today! Perfectly you!
I used to stick up a picture of myself… after fluffing up my damp short spikey hair… as a joke. When my husband opened his cabinet over the sink…there I was! OMG! Do you suppose that’s what made us split up!
Seriously, I do love the buildings and sites around your towns and cities… maybe that’s why I have my tickets booked! History, culture, and everything in between.
I love the way people ‘garden ‘ using pots outside their homes.
It adds such a lovely look to the walkways. You certainly had some great weather this past while. Thanks for being in my mail this morning 🐞
LOL, I don’t think your joke caused the split-up. In a good relationship you have to be able to take a joke. But he will have gotten a fright haha.
I agree about people ‘garden’ outside their homes. It does makes a street so much friendlier, just like trees do. Mind you, some people have taken it a bit too far and claim most of the pavement. That makes it difficult for people in a wheelchair or parents with strollers to walk the pavement. In Amsterdam they are now issuing rules about ‘gardening’at the front of your house without having an actual garden.
Lovely photos.
Short but sweet comment. Thank you.
I really enjoy your vlog. Fashion and buildings.
You look so nice in your pink sweater and black pleated skirt…
Once again, as always, a super cute post!
xxx Yvonne
When I saw the photos I did think to myself that they clearly show the lack of waist. The height between my hips and ribs is about an inch haha. Not much. But it is what it is. Thanks for your nice comment.
I look forward to your posts every week. I absolutely love that pink sweater and enjoy seeing it with multiple outfits. Your Antwerp photos were good too. Although I understand that you didn’t like the baggy jeans with your belted lime green top, in many ways it was cool. Thank you!
Thanks Sue. So I was cool without knowing it? Great. It looked cool in my bedroom mirror, but I didn’t like it on the photo.
And I am glad my blog is able to entertain you. Didn’t do the work in vain then.
I really appreciate that you blog consistently. So many people don’t do that. I love knowing that there will always be a post from you and that it will be fun, self-deprecating, colourful and cheerful. Thank you, Greetje.
Ah..what a lovely comment. I am glad my efforts are appreciated. It was something I learned from other bloggers in the very beginning of my blogging years. Be consistent, your readers must be able to depend on you publishing new content on certain days. Being the disciplined person that I am, I do take that to a high level LOL.
The goal of my blog is to entertain, so you will never find depressing content. There is enough of that around already.
Great outfit with the skirt! That pink sweater is a good one, and the bright color really suits you.
I also enjoyed your photos of Antwerp, and hope to see more of it than the railway station some day…
We have enjoyed Antwerp so much in our younger days. This time we were a bit disappointed which probably has to do more with us than the city.
Thanks. Why knew that that would be a good combination? Fashion and buildings LOL. It gradually evolved to this.
I love your skirt outfit. I was just reading that pleated skirts are all the rage now. I am not certain it would work for me as I have a tummy and the pleats might make me look even wider but I suppose I should try because I really enjoy the look on others. I also enjoy the ‘reality’ of your blog. We do not always look like our best days when we are out and about – very glad there is not a camera on us as we type comments because I am dressed to clean the house and sweep the yard.
Hahaha, right, I get a picture of how you look, as I often look the same. Not blog worthy of course.
I think you have to try many pleated skirts as they all hang differently and some create a tummy while others hide it. Really depending on the cut.
Hope you find one. Mine is years old.
I look forward eagerly to reading your funny, touching, entertaining, educational blog every Saturday morning. Even more lately, as I live in Pennsylvania where even political junkies like me are overwhelmed by election news and electioneering. No escape!
Your Antwerp outfit might be more appealing with narrow pants. Love the glimpses of Antwerp!
My little blog is escapisme pur sang. I don’t do sad things on the blog (or minimal) and I want to entertain people, make them smile or laugh. If you want sadness, go and read the papers. So all your adjectives are music to my (blog) ears.
The Antwerp top is certainly more appealing with narrow trousers, which is the way I normally wear it. But I don’t mind showing my bloopers as well.
Hello You
I’d like a signed copy of that last photo, please! Made me laugh out loud, it did!
You know, I actually like your pyjama top (!). Okay, the jeans are possibly a bit too flow-y to go with it, but the top itself is fine. You’re just a bit too hard on yourself sometimes.
Please, tell me that that porcelain basin and tap beneath your parents’ picture isn’t a doggy drinking bowl. I won’t tell you what it reminds me of, although others might!
Don’t you just love hearing from me?
Hugs
Gee x
Hahahaha…you often make me smile or laugh. And luckily this time I could make you laugh too. That was the whole purpose of adding that photo. Gosh, what a Halloween face.
The ‘pyjama top’ is a kimono type jacket which I love. There is nothing wrong with that and I have used it on slimmer trousers which was great. The combination with these wide jeans is wrong. Not possibly a bit too flow-y, no just wrong.
The porcelain basin is a wash basin to wash your hands haha. It is far too high up (like a normal, bigger wash basin) to be a doggy drinking bowl or the thing it reminds you of (grin). I presume a bidet.
And yes, I love hearing you.