Right, my first clothes purchase of the year, a waistcoat by Copenhagen Muse, bought at kpa.haarlem. The first of the only 10 new items of clothing this year challenge. I like it because it looks modern and a lot of my tops aren’t that modern. Black was not my favourite colour but I had the choice between black or cream and the cream one was a bit chic, not as tough-looking as the black one. Of course, the cream one would have made my denim skirt look less faded. Never mind, it’s the overall look I am going for.
Ron was my photographer and he took me to Amsterdam, to an almshouse called Karthuizerhofje. It was founded in 1650 and it housed widows. Here is a link to a Wikipedia page, but it is in Dutch.
Below: Entrance to Karthuizerhofje in the Karthuizersstraat in Amsterdam. I stole this image from the internet, hence the flowers.
Below: Two photos of the courtyard in wintertime. So much nicer in summer of course.
The large almshouse used to hold 100 rooms. It was previously a convent.
Below: Trying some new poses. With this one I was trying to imitate Marjolein’s pose in last week’s post. I need to work on it, that’s obvious.
Below: Is the split a bit too revealing? If you think so, concentrate on all the little tables and plants outside each house.
Below: A much more demure shot from the other side.
Below: The cross brooch was a vintage find and a birthday present from my mum a couple of years ago. There were rods in between the arms, also adorned with a coloured bead. Alas, one or two broke off immediately when I pinned the brooch on the first time, so I took them all off. Pity.
The earrings are a recent find. I was looking for thick link earrings for a while because of the modern look. And I found them at the webstore of Famke, the daughter of Marianne. Marianne is well-known to loyal readers.
The webstore is called Pair-a-dice which confused me in the beginning as I spelled it wrong. Here is the link to her website (pairadice).
Below: The boots are by Toral and the blouse is one I also bought at kpa.haarlem. You saw it in this post, combined with my green sleeveless suit. If you click through to that post, you’ll see that the blouse has a mandarin collar and quite a deep V-neck. I didn’t want that with this waistcoat so I used fashion tape to stick the fabric folded where I wanted it. My pale slate bag by Demellier is still one of my better bags.
Below: Look, the mimosa is coming up.
Below: We walked back out again into the street (Karthuizersstraat) where we spotted a lot of facing bricks.
Below: Oops, the inhabitants are visible behind the windows.
Below: We couldn’t let such pretty stairs go to waste. I was wearing my long black coat and I got a compliment from two ladies, whom I promptly gave my blog card. New readers are always welcome.
Below: That is one old phone booth. Not working anymore of course, now used as a street library.
Below: An impression of Café Hegeraad’s interior.
Below: We sat next to a stained glass window. The letters say “Slijterij” (liquor store), which it probably was in the old days.
Below: Ron photographed the tower of the Noorderkerk at Noordermarkt through the window.
Below: I was checking the photos.
Below: We got chatty with Henny, the kitchen princess of café Hegeraad. That was such a cheerful, fun conversation, one which you can expect with an Amsterdam person. I live for social moments like that. They make my day. She got my blog card too (what do you think haha).
Again, a well-spent day.
What happened in my life this week
Saturday I met my 5 girlfriends of the BVA group again. This time we didn’t meet at the home of one of us, but we had a high tea in a restaurant. Which was very nice, especially considering the cold weather lately.
Sunday I decided not to dress in jogging trousers with a sweater, but to put on a skirt. Nevertheless, I wanted to be comfortable which I could with this outfit and the flat combat boots (below). I must say that I prefer the skirt and jumper the way I styled them the first time. That is often my pitfall. Once the styling of an outfit is perfect to me, I have trouble liking another styling. With my challenge of ‘only 10 new clothes items a year’ and subsequently having to shop my own wardrobe, I am having a hard time haha.
Below: In the evening we were cocooning and having salmon on toast.
Below: Together with the wood burning in the hearth and the dog sound asleep we felt at peace with the world. Which is a bloody miracle, considering the things that are going on. I am trying to enjoy these simple things to the fullest; you never know whether they will end.
Monday Marjolein was in town and we went to the centre for a quick photo shoot. Another batch of photos in the pocket. The terrible thing was that I had forgotten her birthday the day before. I am so bad with these things, very inconsiderate. And as long as my agenda helps me, I am fine, but I didn’t look in my agenda during the weekend. I am deeply ashamed.
Tuesday my friend Helena and I wandered through Amsterdam and of course she took outfit photos. This blog cannot exist without the help of my friends. It was soooo cold that day, we went from restaurant to café and into a beautiful shop. We couldn’t take many photos and the canals weren’t half as nice without the usual leafy trees. Nevertheless, I will use the photos for a blog post.
(If you are wondering, I didn’t buy anything in the shop but Helena found a great summer dress half price.)
Nothing in the agenda on Wednesday so I had time to go to a tanning salon. I don’t look white as a sheet anymore. I know it is a risky habit, please don’t comment on it. We all have our vices.
Spent the rest of the day blogging and reading. That day felt like a bit of a waste, really.
On Thursday we saw the grandchildren again.
Friday started with another visit to my physiotherapist, followed by a photo shoot with Loes in the afternoon. It was dry and the temperatures had risen considerably which was too good to pass up. Rain is ahead and who knows when I can do another photo shoot without getting soaked.
I thought my agenda was empty this week but only Wednesday was a day without appointments. And I did three photo shoots in one week which is a first. Strange how these things go.
Greetje
Love this outfit
Your hair colour looks gorgeous too
Thanks. The top layer is a hairpiece but it is exactly the colour of my hair. Well, after my hairdresser dyed it haha.
I like the denim skirt, the new vest and the brooch – so pretty! Show those legs! ha ha!
I had to put all of my friends’ birthdays in my calendar – I’m terrible at remembering them all.
Glad you like this outfit. I was still hesitating.
I do have all my friends’ birthdays in my calender but if I don’t open that calender…..
Lovely blog today and loved all your outfits as well apart from the big chunky boots with your red outfit, also I watch Escape to the Country watched it for years too. I understand how you feel about forgetting birthdays as I forget also terrible for remembering them and should make a list of them though. We had an earthquake in Wales at least 30 years ago and recently near our village in South Wales and it’s quite frightening. Your love of coffee and cake is great I do exactly the same and can’t wait for your other photos.
By the sound of it, you enjoy my blog posts which pleases me so much. I appreciate you not liking the big chunky boots haha. I took me quite a while to get used to their chunkiness. Now, my eye has adapted to them.
It must indeed, be frightening to experience an earthquake. I didn’t know we had them in our part of the world as well. Well apart from the south of Italy.
You have such a wide variety of items in your wardrobe. I love the black waistcoat and long skirt (not too much slit, as you have great legs!), with the light accessories. Your boots and bag are gorgeous, and that black coat is so chic. Your red pleated skirt outfit is just stunning.
Please thank all your photographers on our behalf for all the wonderful backgrounds they shoot for us. And I adore the photo of Watson asleep by the fire. So sweet.
I do have a wide variety of items in my wardrobe, probably because I don’t really have one style. Some outfit bloggers are minimalist for instance, I call my style ‘all over the place’. I love edgy, quirky, casual, chic, elegant and so on, which amounts to a wide variety haha. Two styles that are not me, are preppy (see the mistake I made next week) and bohemian/Ibiza.
That Sunday by the fire was so lovely. I counted my blessings and they were many.
I always enjoy the photos from your area. Very interesting and inviting. The waistcoat is a nice addition to your wardrobe and the brooch is great. I smiled at the photo of the phone booth little library and the photo of Watson by the fire.
When I made you smile, my mission is accomplished.
Looking super Greetje!!! That waistcoat is fabulous and your boots are divine. Hugs,Paula,XXX
Thanks Paula. I particularly liked the waistcoat for its modern vibe. Of course I have a lot of clothes but a lot of them are also quite old and one day that shows. Your outfit is suddenly dated.
The boots are my best replacement for my high heels, which is why I also have them in burgundy.
I always admire the photographs in your blog. Today I see an interior of a cafe that looks like it was painted by an Old Dutch Master. This was followed by a photo of a Mondrian-like window. You have an amazing “eye!” As do your friends. And the red outfit is particularly fabulous. An especially nice blog today- thank you!
Oh no, I do not have the creative eye. My photographers do, especially Ron and Marjolein.
I should wear the red outfit more, but in the original styling. I might change the boots as the original ones, were quite high.
When I was creating the blog post, I also thought it was especially nice. That is always the case when there is a story to tell. That doesn’t always happen and you cannot force it.
This look is so beautiful, it’s original and elegant at the same time. I love the design of the vest, it’s unconventional, and I love long skirts, I find them elegant and very feminine. The photos are very pretty, I like the architectural setting you chose. The photo with your legs out in the air, which is unusual for you, I think is very beautiful. I really like the earrings and the brooch, they fit the look perfectly. The photo with the coat and the scarf around your neck is super elegant, I love seeing you like that. With the glasses you look very interesting.
When I was younger I used to show a lot more leg haha.
The coat is indeed elegant. When I still worked I wore far more elegant clothes, far more dresses. Nowadays I usually stick to casual, but there is still a part of me that longs for elegant.
Another interesting post , Greetje. With the sad situation these past few years of people having to live ‘rough’ due to many different reasons, it’s very comforting to learn that so long ago , widows , who otherwise may have been in dire circumstances, were housed safely in alms houses.
That coat is perfect for your stature, and I didn’t realize your boots were that high…great legs ! That Dutch apple cake reminds me that I will be going to the cafe in the Rijksmuseum for a slice after my cultural intake of amazing art next month. Last time was late October 2019. I have been baking different versions of Apple cake when the mood strikes…in the fall when supplies are plentiful.
I have been rediscovering my brooches…and remembering to wear them. That cross from your Mum is lovely…she knew your love of colour!
Rain here ,on and off, making February very dull. I was sitting in my super comfy Nordic chair Saturday just before 1:30, watching ‘Escape to the Country’ …a British show some readers may know…and there was a distinct rumbling sound. My chair started shaking …which was very weird. I thought it was a low flying helicopter ( on going training for rescue operations here) Nope ! A 4+ earthquake across the water from where I am, on the mainland of British Columbia. We live along a well known fault that runs all the way from California to Alaska. As long as I remember, the ‘ big one ‘ has been expected. Being 74 , that’s been a long wait…but this is my first, and hopefully only, experience of the earth shifting below. A reminder, perhaps, to have an emergency bag ready.
I cannot help thinking that the rich people in the old days may have helped a few widows, but it will have been no more than a drop in the ocean. I also learned that getting into those almshouses wasn’t always without restrictions and sometimes a fee was charged or you had to let the landloard inherit everything you owned. So…it’s a bit like giving development assistance only when you can benefit from it, which is what our government is now proposing.
I know Escape to the Country very well, watched it often.
Living on a fault like that would scare me so much, but I guess when you have lived there all your life, you get used to it.
Re: the denim skirt – if I had legs like yours, I would certainly show them off!
Love the thought of you, Ron, and your dog all cozy with the fire. Salmon on toast sounds great too.
Thanks for the photos. It’s like going on a mini-trip.
Have a good week.
I had a colleague who just couldn’t understand why I didn’t show off my figure and legs more often. She didn’t like my more quirky stuff like barrel jeans and such. I get it, but dressing to me is more than showing off my ‘assets’.
Your long black coat is stunning, suits you so well.
Exactly what I was thinking. And the black spectacles are great.
Thank you Catherine. Now that I am retired, my outfits are far more casual than when I was still working. But part of me still likes being elegant.
The coat is appealing to my more elegant side, a side which doesn’t get out to play that much since retirement.
I think your brooch is super cool. I also love seeing your “sights”. So different than where I live!
Glad you like the brooch. I hope you like the outfit too but you don’t have to haha, we all have different taste.
Very cool & modern look! The light accessories are the perfect finisher. The brooch is really good too.
Always love seeing the “sights” from your corner of the world!
Thanks Susan. I know you like to see the “sights” which is why I sometimes tag you in posts on IG. Hoping you’d like it.
I really like both pairs of glasses — very flattering. Re birthdays — put them in your phone.
I did spend some money on my reading glasses, wanting to look good with them.
And I have put the birthdays in my phone and that still doesn’t help. I am afraid I am beyond help.
This is one of my favorite outfits! I love wearing black. The waistcoat is very stylish and I love the white puffy sleeve blouse with it. I love the long black coat. Is it the same one you are wearing in the old post with the red outfit you are styling here? Looks like it. I also like the chucky gold earrings on you. Not my style because I like something smaller. But so nice on you! Sometimes, from time to time, I go back and look at your old posts. I still send birthday cards to my relatives and friends. I know it is old-fashioned, with email and all, but I find it so much more personal. Cannot wait to see all your new photos!
You are right, sending birthday cards is so much more personal, so nice. I have to think of a way. There are of course, digital companies which can send a card for you. Even scheduled. That might save me.
I have no idea which coat you mean with a red outfit, apart from a pleated skirt with a red jumper. But the coat I am showing in this last Black waistcoat post is new (as in bought October 2024). You have seen it before in this post, https://www.nofearoffashion.com/2024/10/19/long-denim-skirt/