Trying to come up with outfits from my wardrobe instead of straight off a shop mannequin is still challenging, but here is another one. The (jeans) blue Sportmax dress was first featured on the blog in this post in 2016 when it still fitted (I will come back to that later in the post). Then again in this post and in this post. In the last two posts I wore it as a jacket.
So nothing new here apart from combining it with the blue and white leggings and the combat boots. Adding red accessories is hardly mind-blowingly creative but it works.
I met my friend Helena in Amsterdam and she was kind enough to take these blog photos.
Below: We started with cappuccino and lunch at De Drie Graefjes, near the Dam. THE place for the best cappuccino, delicious cakes, great lunch and very friendly staff.
I stole the photo from their website, it wasn’t this warm on the day we were there, quite the contrary.
Below: Helena. We met through work. She was a journalist for an advertising trade magazine. We get on so well.
Below: After lunch Helena and I set out to photograph the outfit. There are so many good background places in Amsterdam, you never have to go far. And we didn’t want to go far either as it was freezing. The things I do for a blog post.
Below: I totally forgot I wanted to photograph the outfit like this as well, with the dress fastened only at the top. So here is my bedroom photo, which was never meant to be published, given the pile of clothes on the right.
Below: Amsterdam in winter…and still people go cruising with a boat through the canals.
Below: We looked up and saw this woman with the window open, sunbathing. When you were shielded from the wind and sat in direct sunshine, I bet it was nice.
We popped into a high-end shop (Margriet Nannings) where Helena bought a jeans blue summer dress half price. I forgot to take a photo.
Below: I was smitten by this quirky shirt which is created from two shirts. You know I like quirky.
Below: When I saw the back, I knew it would stay in the shop. I have an inverted triangle shaped body and this shirt emphasized that and more. Not flattering.
Below: Across the road we saw this little mouse house in a window. Adorable.
Below: To the right of the house the mice were skiing.
Below: Next-door to Margriet Nannings clothes shop, was a restaurant with chairs and tables. Why not take another sitting down photo? The red earrings are Lara Design and the red bag I bought from Nikki, friend and blogger of Midlifechic.
Below: We walked back and passed this beautifully renovated building.
Below: In the heart of town we found a bride and groom, being photographed. I thought the pavement was rather dirty for such a beautiful veil.
Below: We arrived back at Central Station Amsterdam.
Below: Helena took this photo against the brown door. Not bad, right?
Below: Then I saw the next photo, getting into the train…oh my word. Boobs, stomach, belly, bad posture and resting bitch face. That is reality for you, dear readers. In the nine years between buying this dress and now, I shrunk and because of that all my organs are pushed to the front, resulting into these lumps and bumps. Bye bye tight clothes.
Perhaps I will wear this dress again as a jacket but more likely I will make somebody else happy with it.
What happened in my life this week
Last week Ron and I were in Paris which I didn’t announce as I did not want to alert burglars. It means I haven’t had much time to write this part of my blog post.
Saturday we saw our friends Maurits and Marcel and I forgot to bring the flowers which were still in our kitchen. They have two dogs and we took our dog Watson. We all went to the beach in the afternoon. Such gorgeous warm and sunny weather. Followed by drinks in their luscious garden and Marcel made a tasty starter for dinner. Then Maurits would do the salad and the main course. We had such a laugh. He didn’t follow the recipe and had never made the dish before. The preparations took way, way longer than he anticipated and cooking did too. As time passed, we started with the salad and eventually he took the dish out of the oven and we ate it as it was. It wasn’t half bad which was a surprise but by that time we couldn’t stop making jokes about his cooking. It was such a good atmosphere.
We talked a lot about the state of the world which I usually try to avoid. It resulted in taking a sleeping pill, something I rarely do, but I was wide awake and worrying.
Sunday I drove back to their house to bring them the flowers. Rest of the day we prepared for Paris, did the garden and sat in the sun.
Monday we took Watson to our dog sitter Wil, whom he loves and she loves him, so he’s been spoiled rotten the whole week. The rest of the day was quiet with preparation and trying to get the tickets to a show we wanted to see in Paris.
Went for a quick visit to the physiotherapist who told me he had me totally ‘straightened out’ and I was now ready to sit, stand and walk straight. I do feel a lot of change in my body and with the easy exercises he gave me which I have to repeat about 6 times a day, I might get where I want to be. Still early days: let’s not count our chickens before they’re hatched.
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday we walked through Paris and walked and walked and walked.
Below: View from one of the many terraces we sat on. Next week I’ll tell you all about it and show you the photos.
Greetje
Greetje, this post is such a delightful mix of fashion, personal stories, and Amsterdam scenery! 💖 I love how you re-styled the denim dress with the blue and white leggings – it’s such a fun and unexpected combination. And the red accessories really pop! I agree with others who said the dress also looks great with just the top button fastened, more modern. Also, thanks for being so real about the “lumps and bumps” – it’s refreshing to see someone embrace their body as it is. The photos of Amsterdam are gorgeous, and that mouse house is absolutely adorable! Thanks for always being so authentic and sharing your unique perspective. ✨
I always show photos that make me look my best haha. But I like to throw in some reality once in a while. I also created a post about my plastic surgery and stuff like that.
Being honest is one of my core values from which authenticity stemms, I guess. It is part upbringing and part already in my character.
Aghhhh Greetje,
I have followed your idea of only buying minimal things for the year. I have said 10 new things …. But that does not include second hand items 🙂
Ron tries to disagree but hey, I made the rules
Hah, it doesn’t really matter how you define your challenge, does it? With my challenge second-hand purchases would have counted. Then again shoes didn’t. Such challenges make us more conscious of what we buy and that changes a lot. And second-hand is very sustainable, right? I will just be the first purchaser in the chain of second-hand haha. Somebody has got to start.
Your hair looks very nice I have hair similar to yours and it has got much thinner recently. I really like this outfit too.
As my hair got really thin too, I got the hairpiece. For photography it is a life saver. I don’t always wear it but for instance last week, when we were in Paris, it was such a delight, not having to worry about the hair.
I love this outfit and think it looks great on you. Also your hair is looking fabulous. Don’t be so critical. That’s an order!
YES M’AM ! Your wish is my command haha.
The hair is such an improvement with the hairpiece.
Nice styling, from one inverted triangle to another. The dress looks cool styled as a duster. You look very trim so I wouldn’t worry about the odd lump or bump. Love seeing your pics of Amsterdam.
You are an inverted triangle? Never saw that; you must have done perfect styling haha.
I don’t really worry about the lumps and bumps but it is wise not to emphasize them.
The photos of Amsterdam add to the appeal of the posts I think.
you are always stylish in every outfit that you post!!!
I love your fashion choices!!! I always enjoy the sights of The Netherlands no matter where you are.
I look forward to seeing the sights of Paris!!! Have a wonderful time❤️
I disagree Cynthia, you are too kind. Sometimes I have a blooper, which I also post. After all, nobody is perfect.
You will be in for a treat next week as I made a very long post about Paris. It will be like a vicarious holiday.
Your leggings are so cool! The dress will make a fab jacket for sure. The Mouse House is so cute. I loved mini furniture toys like that when I was little in the 70’s.
Ah, which child didn’t like doll’s houses and mini toys. Here is a link to our Rijksmuseum which has doll’s houses.
https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/nl/content-zoeken?q=poppenhuis
Greetings. I agree with you about the dress making somebody else happy. The two pieces of your outfit are unstructured and that’s probably what you noticed in the train picture. Your friend, Helena, is stunning.
Hi Dee, I actually think the dress is pretty structured. Any more structured would require wiring. It is just that all the lumps and bumps are pushing against the fabric haha. Less tight clothes will be more flattering.
Helena is indeed stunning and she was dressed fabulously in burgundy leather trousers with burgundy boots to match, but I didn’t dare ask her to stand in the cold without a coat so I could take a photo.
I disagree, it’s lovely outfit, has plenty of structure and looks great on Greetje. And Greetje you looked good in the train door photo, I see nothing of
you supposedly see.
Ah you know we women are our own worst critics. I clearly see the difference between my figure in the dress stepping into the train and the photo before. It doesn’t worry me, but I will take it into account.
Love the dress styled with the leggings! So cute. I do understand your frustration with how it fits. Even though I’ve lost a lot of weight, my older figure just does not have the smooth shape I would like. Gravity takes a toll!
Yep, we really cannot fight these changes to perfection. We can manage them as well as we can and for dressing, we just have to adapt. It is no use looking back to our younger self, we will never be that way again.
Ah, I recognize that Parisian spot! So glad you were able to visit & have a good time. I think the dress looks good worn this way. The patterned leggings are really fun. And the red candle on the outdoor table matches your bag!
Oh, you have an eye for detail. I never spotted that red candle.
I bet you recognise that spot in Paris, it is near Hermes. Next week you’ll see a very long post with many photos of Paris.
I remember that dress from earlier posts. I liked it as a jacket then and I think I would still prefer it that way. Glad you had a good time in Paris. I look forward to seeing the pictures next week!
You remembered the dress! See, I always hope that my readers have a bad memory and everything I am showing is new to them haha.
No, I bet it is also nice to see the different combination. A bit more boring but I am trying to make the posts as fun as I can.
New stuff is also coming up (I bought 6 garments in Paris in half an hour) but I need the temperatures to rise before I can photograph them.
I love the picture on the steps! perfect outfit with the accessories. I do think with the A-line skirt that dress becomes more problematic standing up, and that is maybe why you should mainly wear the dress as a jacket in future (unlesss fashions change a lot) — rather than changes in your body. But I REALLY identify with your feelings about those changes, being ten years further along the line ! Thank you for being so honest. Wider, less figure- hugging clothes can still be enjoyable.
I also loved the snapshots of that wedding, and your account of the three dogs in Paris.
The state of the world …is now almost beyond belief! Every new day brings news that batters everything I believe in. Thank you for letting us know you care,and let’s somehow try to keep hope alive. Celebrating with friends and enjoying clothes and food while we can — what luck to have these things.
You are right, wider, less figure- hugging clothes will probably look much better. We have to adapt with time as Darwin said.
I have no idea what you mean with “and your account of the three dogs in Paris”. I reread my own post but couldn’t find anything relating to it.
“Enjoy while we can” has become more threatening than ever. I had high hopes of living my whole life without pain, war or hunger. Now I am not so sure whether that hope will be fulfilled.
The first photo in the blog is fantastic — what a great way to style that dress!
This week’s photos are particularly lovely. Thanks for giving us a virtual vacation.
Thanks Sue, I never know in advance whether readers will like a post, love a post or dislike a post. There is just no way of knowing, but I am pleased you liked this one.
I also like the denim dress with the top button that up. I’ve done this with a lot of my dresses, especially the summer ones. Damn stomach and boobs, eh?
I hope you had a great time in Paris, and it sounds like you’re at dinner was hilarious, although I will not talk about current affairs. It’s too distressing.
It was my intention to wear the dress, fastened at the top for the shoot but Ron talked me into the belted version. Oh well.
And yes, Paris was lovely. Tiring but lovely. I am creating the Paris blog post but I am afraid it is going to be very long.
Greetje, consider keeping the denim dress and wearing it with top button done up, as Petra liked too. It’s such a fresh outfit that suits you. I understand the feeling of midriff change…frustrating but expected.
I looked up the place you and Helena stopped for treats. I will save the address, and see if it’s within easy walking distance of INK , where I’ll be staying until leaving by train on Sunday. The mouse house reminded me of seeing the unbelievable dolls houses that wealthy Dutch merchants gave their children ,when last touring the Rijksmuseum . My daughter was 4 and found , under the Christmas tree, a lovely Swedish – made dolls house . “ He remembered…he didn’t forget” was her gleeful response that Santa Claus had visited. Your physiotherapist sounds like a rare find. Good that his plan is working We must chat… Pilates has been my routine for a few years now, but since I am ‘kinked’ still, I am always interested in learning more. I checked out Nikki from Midlifechic since your red bag caught my eye…she looks interesting and includes views of a beautiful part of England. Soon, I will be walking around Amsterdam!
De 3 Graefjes is a 7 minutes walk from INK.
Sweet memories of your daughter’s joy.
As for the physiotherapist…let’s not count our chickens until they’re hatched.
I have followed Nikki’s blog almost from when she started and love it. We have met a couple of times too.
I really like the bedroom styling of your outfit. It looks more modern and edgy, more you!
Actually the bedroom styling was the one I was originally going for but my husband preferred the one with the belt. I took his advice. If it was up to him I would probably still be prancing around in mini skirts with high heels haha. No, that is not true, he usually has a good eye for styling. But we all have our preferences.
I love your leggings, they make me smile!
As making people smile (or even laugh) is the main goal of my blog, I am very pleased with your comment.
This week’s outfit was stylish and modern with an edge. The previous stylings were nice, I really like the one with the bronze boots and belt. Great looks.
Thanks Patti. I believe I am getting better at creating more combinations with clothes from my wardrobe.