Searching for an outfit worthy to be photographed, I looked through my album “outfits still to do” as I photograph outfits I have come up with and which still have to go on the blog. Handy.
So I trot out the jeans again, my favourite item of clothing. I combined this wide leg pair with a black and blue Vivienne Westwood blouse.
Initially I combined the blouse with dark blue straight jeans (see below):
But…this was a photo from 2021. I gave away the boots as they were too high for my current lifestyle and perhaps I gained weight? Or the photo above is a flattering photo (they usually are when they are not that sharp haha). When I put those jeans and the blouse on, it wasn’t favourable, so I opted for wide jeans.
Below: Marita was my photographer and we met at Spaarne 66, a restaurant with a terrace at the canal called Spaarne in Haarlem. Such a good spot, especially because it was warm and sunny that day. End of October!
Below: I actually needed my sunglasses.
Below: See how the clouds are shaped as the curve of the canal? As if they want to mirror the water.
Below: While enjoying our drinks, the old swing bridge in front of us, opened to let a ship go through. Such a great sight. Near the end you can see the white drawbridge further down the canal in upright (open) position. Marita and I were talking in Dutch (obviously). I was waiting for the bridge to close but another ship was approaching from the right and it took too long.
Below: These boats didn’t need the bridge to open.
Below: View to the other side from our terrace spot.
Below: We started the photo shoot and Marita directed me to the (now closed) swing bridge. Wearing my bag the wrong way round…sigh. I never learn.
Below: I wore a black blazer (brand Joseph). It is the first item of the ’10 items a year’ challenge. Bought it at LAB Women’s Clothing. It is an investment piece that will last me a long time. (Link to original post on the blog.)
Below: In front of a house which used to be a grocery store in the old days. They kept the signage.
Below: Showing the blue sparkly stars in the black blouse. It is a sheer blouse which is THE trend at the moment. No way I will be wearing it with no bra and no tank top, as they do on the runways. Have you ever seen a woman in the street like that? I never have.
My friend Katrien (see her in this post) gave me this designer blouse. Sweet! (Link to another blog post with this blouse and a pencil skirt.)
Below: The bright blue earrings. They are Lara Design but she only had this one pair.
Below: Time to take a photo of Marita. Always so well-dressed. Colour coordinated too, like me.
Below: One last, totally superfluous photo of my outfit. The chartreuse bag was on the blog in this post.
Below: Oh, beautiful kitty. Looking grumpy but I bet that is just her ‘resting bitch face’. That is the way I look too when I don’t smile.
Below: Houses and terraces at Spaarne, photographed from the other side of the canal.
Below: Oh glorious day.
Below: On my way home, I stopped at kpa.haarlem and…found Anke in a dressing room. “You are just in time”, she said, “help me choose the size of this dress. Do I need a Small or a Medium?” Always happy to help, although she decided on the size herself haha (Small).
What a happy day it was. Friends, sunshine, views, coffee, chatting…my kind of day.
What happened in my life this week
Sunny Saturday I had coffee and lunch with Yvonne (below) in a former railway station, now restaurant at Overveen. The train still stops at this station but the station building is now a privately owned restaurant, called Klein Centraal (Little Central). The enamel nameplates you see on the wall behind us come from a church which interior was sold. They used to be on the pew places people bought.
Gorgeous weather, so much better than the day before. Cloudy and cold it was on that Friday before, so perfect weather to clear out a closet and give stuff away for free through the Dutch equivalent of eBay. Always a bit of a hassle when people start sending you messages “Is it still available?”, “Can I come and get it?”. Understandable of course, that’s why you put it online. Gone in a day.
In the evening we took Ron’s brother and his wife out to dinner for his brother’s birthday. Ron was feeling nearly his old self again and we had a thoroughly enjoyable evening. Forgot to take a photo.
Sunday Ron surprised me with his offer of a photo shoot in the dunes. That went well and Watson got to play and hunt rabbits (which he never catches).
Monday I had my 3-monthly check-up to see whether the cancer cells from my kidney operations were not planning a come-back. Luckily they weren’t, so the next check-up will be in three months and then the periods between check-ups will become longer.
On Tuesday my friend Marjolein took blog photos for about half an hour. After that we sat in a restaurant for 2 1/2 hours, chatting and laughing.
Wednesday I created a good outfit. By accident, I should add. The styling started off totally wrong and then, all of a sudden, I saw a particular dress hanging in my wardrobe and bingo, that dress was the styling answer.
In the afternoon, Marcella (of Lara Design) came round and we created feedback for her agency on the first design of her new website. To be finished on Friday.
Thursday the dentist took another look at the molar as the problems hadn’t disappeared. He will remove the molar in 14 days. Too bad, but it prevents further problems.
Babysitting granddaughter after the dentist visit.
Friday my doctor removed ‘lumps and bumps’ on my body with nitrogen. Gross, the way these things grow and seem to multiply when you get older. I cannot stand them and now they are gone. Very satisfying. It didn’t hurt, just some slight stinging.
Marcella came round again and we finished working on the feedback for her website builder.
Below: Marcella at work, shipping an order in between what we were doing.
It has become cold in the Netherlands. Gloves and hats weather. A new phase.
Greetje
I love this outfit – that blouse is fabulous. The pop of chartreuse is perfect, Greetje! I just found my own Peak Black Blazer – it has gold buttons and is 100% wool.
I love seeing pictures of the amazing scenery, and of your lovely friends.
I never knew this was called a peak blazer. Learned something new.
This post was one that I really liked because it had everything I love about creating posts. A stellar outfit (IMHO), friends, great scenery, lovely weather. Sometimes everything comes together.
Greetings from Canada. I loved all the photos especially the ones with the swing bridge and houseboat. My Dad owned one many years ago and we have been through many swing bridges like this one. I love the cat photo also it really looks grumpy. Your outfit with the wide leg jeans is perfect you always know just what works together. So glad you had good news about the cancer hopefully it will continue to be good news and hope your dental surgery goes well also. It has been cold here as well but no snow yet I hope it stays away for a while. Can’t wait for the next photo shoot.
And here I was, thinking swing bridges were old European things, but no, they are all over the world. Even in Canada.
I have to correct you on me always knowing just what works together. That is so not true. You only see the outcome after a lot of trying. I call it blood, sweat and tears. So often I get an outfit together that is just so wrong. But I keep on trying, I guess I spend a lot more time at it than most people LOL.
Having been away for a month and a half, then busy as can be, I’m taking a peek at your blog to see what you last wore. But first, I’m very happy to read that your tests related to cancer were clean and my best wishes for continued good news. Sorry about the molar. Teeth can be so painful. Now, on to your outfit…
I love that blouse! It is beautiful and it looks so good on you. It works very well with the wide-leg jeans. You are very in style with the sheer sleeves and the jeans.
I also enjoyed all of the sunny photos. I’m sitting in a cold room as I type this comment. It’s quite chilly in New England today, with cooler temps on there way. I see that you are now in hat and glove weather, so you can relate. Stay warm.
Oh yes, we are definitely in glove weather. It is grey most of the day and damp which is devastating for my hair. It is a quiet week and I don’t have to go out, so it doesn’t bother me much. Although after staying at home for a couple of days I need to see people.
Thanks for your comment, I am glad you like the outfit.
So glad you got good news on your cancer test! I adore today’s outfit. I love the style of blouse and the juxtaposition with the casual jeans is great. Marita’s outfit is one I would wear in a heartbeat. I’m a fan of leather or faux leather pants. and her styling of these is so chic.
Your photo of the clouds mirroring the canal shape is lovely. From your blog, it’s obvious that you have a photographer’s eye.
Juxtapositions are good, right? They make an outfit more interesting.
I like Marita’s outfit too, only I don’t think it would look as good on me. Our shapes are totally different but we do share some clothes. Like the golden yellow summer dress. We both bought it at kpa.haarlem.
And no dear Cynthia, I most certainly do not have a photographer’s eye. Quite the contrary even. But some of my photographers do. Remember, I am the one being photographed. The clouds mirroring the canal shape I did take myself but it is sheer luck. I didn’t even see it until I was sorting the photos on my computer.
Good post , Greetje…loved the cat’s expression…and your description!
You picked a winning combo to show… you really rock those jeans…
if only I was 6” taller! Beautiful day that you both captured so well.
Sunny days early on here , but then the clouds move in…that’s November. Expect Remembrance Day to be rainy…usually is. And those clouds over the canal were such a lucky accident.
Will we be seeing Ron’s photos at the dunes sometime…with Watson’s antics?
I call those blobs “age barnacles” and they turn up in the silliest places… collar bone, a breast, currently one in the hairline next to an ear…will get that frozen off next time I see my doc. He used to practice dermatology in South Africa and left that practice after seeing so much self involved behaviour from women demanding ‘kissy lips’.
I trust his experience dealing with blobs on the face I had near my eye. Super news regarding your cancer tests ⭐️and while you have your molar removed, mine will have a replacement for an aging crown 💰💰. Lost 2 molars already , which thankfully don’t show, but need my ‘grinders’. Have a good week ahead, Greetje, and looking forward to more stunning architecture there.
How tall are you? Or have I already asked you that?
We have trick or treat on the 11th of November and forgot, so we have to rush out to the shop to get some candy.
You will be seeing Ron’s photos at the dunes in two or three weeks. Thank you for teaching me the word antics. Didn’t know that.
Most of my blobs were on my back, down my spine. My GP froze them. She is sooo good. Good luck with your freezing.
We are working on another little booklet for our granddaughter.
Hello, Greetje. I love your line, “What a happy day it was. Friends, sunshine, views, coffee, chatting…my kind of day.” Just wonderful to read that. BTW, the wide leg jeans look great on you.
Marita and I both were happy with the day, the sunshine, the town we live in…really with life in general. Such a good feeling.
I love this blouse, it is very elegant, original and attractive. The contrasting look with the jeans looks very nice. As always, I love your urban photos, I love your country. With the blazer the look looks even more formal and elegant, I think the outfit is perfect. The earrings that I see in the foreground are beautiful.
This might get to be one of my favourite outfits.
A beautiful blouse! Looks good and fits well also. I got a laugh out of ‘resting bitch face’ grumpy cat! 🙂
In the near future I will post a photo of my resting bitch face haha.
Hello, You
I wasn’t sure that that formal blouse went too well with blue jeans, but the jacket pulled it together nicely. But for me the best photo is where your top blends beautifully with your dark jeans, giving you a really sleek look. Add that dark jacket, with the hint of your pink belt peeping through and voila! But maybe you think that would look rather rather boring, while I’d call it casually sophisticated.
Great photos, as usual. It’s perhaps a good thing that I don’t live in The Netherlands as I’d be spending all my time sitting in cafes, people-watching. I love cafe culture!
Before I go, may I share my bit of news? I’ve just become a great-grandma for the second time (to a little girl)!
Have a good week. I intend to!
I loved the blouse with the dark jeans as well, but only on the photo. In reality it didn’t look good. I would have worn it with the pink belt if the proportions had been good.
I grinned when I read your fear of living in the Netherlands. As that is exactly what I do, spending my time in cafes and restaurants, drinking cappuccino and talking to friends.
Congratulations with becoming a great-grandma for the second time. Another baby to cuddle. Happy times.
Love the blouse…and the wider legged jeans are perfect. I’m usually not a fan of pink…but loved the pink belt!
Funny as that pink belt is a cheap one. I always meant to replace it with a good one, but I find quality belts hard to find or they are ridiculously expensive.
Your photo of the clouds mirroring the shape of the canal is stunning! Oh, how I would love to go for a stroll along that canal, especially on a day as lovely as that one.
And that photo of the clouds mirroring the shape of the canal was totally by accident. I just wanted a photo of the canal. My friend Marita and I do feel lucky to be living in such a gorgeous town.
That sheer blouse, jeans, and blazer are lovely! My inspiration for a dinner party coming up soon.
Great. That’s one festive event in the bag. Glad to have been of help.
What gorgeous weather you are having! As you said, beautiful outfit, great friends, adorable gray cat — what’s not to love?!
There was a lot to love that day. Unfortunately it is now grey, damp and dark. But I have photos for another 3 posts, so I can wait for good weather to do a next shoot. Winter is always a difficult time. Although I did do a terrific post with Kitty, who is a professional photographer. It took us 6 minutes in the snow (while it was snowing) and frosty fingers but the photos were great.
You hit this one out of the park! Great outfit!!!!
Thanks Petra. I was really pleased myself. The blouse fitted the wide jeans really well and the blazer was really for warmth haha. Didn’t need it that day with all the sunshine, but it made a good outfit.
I have read your blog for years, and I must tell you how much I love it. I’m 67, a retired teacher, from Nova Scotia, Canada. Amsterdam is one of my favourite cities to visit. The photos you show are beautiful. It makes me long to go back! (unlikely on my meager pension.) Please continue to blog; I look forward to seeing your post every Saturday!
Lynn, you made my day. It is so nice to know that my little blog is appreciated. We all need appreciation, right? And blogging is a lonely job. Well, apart from the photo shoots of course.
I can understand your pension is meager. Teacher, like nurses etc, are so underpaid. And their task is so important.
I love this outfit Greetje! Very much my own current favourite style; jeans, boots, a pretty top and a tailored jacket. The pictures of the canal setting are lovely. I didn’t know sheer tops are big news. I have a sheer red with medium sized white polka dots pussy bow blouse that I have only ever worn twice (with a cami, of course :)). It is such a statement. You have prompted me to wear it over the festive season should an occasion arise. Glad to hear your health check went well.
Glad to have been able to inspire you. And as you saw, I don’t “save” my sheer blouse until the festive season. With jeans you can wear it anytime. Through a fellow blogger I saw a lot of runway video’s and photos. A huge amount of young breasts were staring at me.