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
Leave a reply