The Netherlands is a very flat country and you are about to see some rural spots. Marjolein had walked past a few beautifully renovated old farmhouses near Delft. Only she had walked past it with a friend who likes to take long walks. Because they were walking and talking to each other a lot, Marjolein lost sense of time and remembered the photogenic spot to be near an Ikea store. Where you can park. Long story short…it took us quite a while before we found it haha.
We were to photograph item number one from my Paris purchases, a blue and white pleated cardigan. Well, cardigan…can you call it that? The pleats reminded me of Issey Miyake’s pleats although I am sure he would think the comparison to be an abomination.
Below: It was indeed beautiful and rural.
Below: The houses didn’t disappoint either.
Below: We started taking photos, trying to avoid the sun. The barrel jeans you have seen many times before and I know a few readers are going to be disgusted again. I cannot help it, I like them a lot.
Below: As you can see, bright and direct sunlight does not make for great photos. I had my flashlight with me for photographing in bright sunlight, including new batteries, but the thing didn’t work. I have to go back to the shop.
Below: We were at this well renovated farmhouse.
Below: Their garden overlooks this meadow. So beautiful and it is only an eleven minutes’ car ride to the centre of Delft, a city well worth visiting.
Below: A converted barn with green doors…
Below: Did I see green doors? And a chair? OK, I am game.
Below: Close-up of the Lara Design earrings and the blue and white pleated cardigan. See all those wrinkles on my chest? That is why I usually wear higher necklines.
Below: Love that they kept the old details, like the windows.
Below: There was a gate and it was open so I thought we could walk through. In the photo below I am walking with a rather straight back.
Below: Walking to the other side of the path, alas, sloughing again, pushing myself forward. I am improving my posture but it is going to take a long time before it really sticks, I’m afraid.
Below: Corrected my posture. I hope that one day, my ‘default’ posture will be straight.
Below: On the other side of the path, a lady came out the door and asked us what we were doing there. I explained but we were definitely on private property this time. I hadn’t seen the forbidden-to-trespass sign at the bottom of the open gate. She was friendly and I complimented her with the house and the surroundings. Her husband was born in that house she told us. Must have had a terrific childhood.
I apologised for the trespassing and we went on our way.
Below: Cute selection of old clogs.
Below: A sweet doggie ran up to us. Babies and animals are notoriously difficult to catch on camera. This one was too quick as well.
Below: One last look at one of the houses and we got in the car to Delft for coffee.
Below: We found a coffee and chocolate restaurant with a few seats outside in the sun.
Across the road was this old house. Marjolein said that as a teenager she dreamed how awesome it would be to have a room in the attic, like this house has. As she grew older, she realised it would probably be hot and stuffy.
Below: As we were having our cappuccino with a delicious chocolate, this horse and cart passed (for tourists). I was quick and got a picture. To enhance the photo, I did some crude photoshopping. All these bright neon signs of the stores spoiled it.
Below: Marjolein, who added some pizzazz to the jumper by wearing a blouse underneath it.
Below: The trees are still bare but the terraces are in full swing.
Below: The big church of Delft. I once (when I was 20 or so) made it up those stairs to the first floor where a handsome student was sitting at a desk to answer questions. I didn’t make it to the top. Let’s say he answered all my questions LOL. Remember, it was the seventies, different times, different morals, don’t judge.
What happened in my life this week
Saturday Marita and I had coffee and cake at restaurant Meneer Frans. I went a bit early to get a table outside in the courtyard (below). It looks sunny and warm but there was a fierce wind spoiling that, so we went inside.
Below: Marita with a darling little scarf.
I had decided that morning to stop eating sweets as trousers were getting tight. Alas, with all those delicious things the restaurant has, I caved. I asked for a ‘boterkoek’ (butter cookie). Usually, they bake a big one and you get a slice. They gave me a plate full! I ate two pieces and gave the rest to a large family of 10, sitting at a table near us. Marita was having her own cake. The waitress told me I could get a ‘doggie bag’ but I told her I was on a diet since that morning and had already given in. I wasn’t going to have so much temptation in the house. She killed herself laughing.
Sunday Marjolein did the photoshoot for this post, see above.
Monday Ron had to go to his daughter to babysit. I couldn’t come with him as the gardener was supposed to come in the early afternoon and fix a broken hose in the pond. There was a planning mix-up on their side and he only came at 5 pm. Couldn’t fix it as he didn’t have the necessary equipment. Ron was going to give it try himself now. Not an easy job.
Below: I took Watson for his walk in the morning.
Tuesday our friend Arine visited. After we had coffee and lunch, we took her to the beach for a walk with Watson and a drink on the terrace as it was sunny. Early evening we had dinner at an Indonesian restaurant. That way she could drive home early and arrive before it got too dark. She doesn’t like driving in the dark. Neither do I. Forgot to take a photo of her.
Arine brought us a fritillary which is a real Easter flower, so I put it next to our Easter bunny which comes out of the closet this time of year (below).
Below: That day I wore the same cardigan as the one featured in this post, but with different jeans and with a white top.
Below: Another styling of the blue and white pleated cardigan. This time with a column of cream colour. I like the idea but these are not the right trousers for it.
Wednesday my friend Janneke and I met for coffee in the morning and I forgot to take a photo. I am very much living in the moment haha.
Two very smartly dressed ladies at another table caught my eye. I complimented them and couldn’t resist giving them my business (blog) card. I hope they will be reading my blog too.
Below: This is what I wore that day. I styled the jumper on straight, more narrow jeans but I didn’t like it. My eyes have gotten used to the wider jeans. (Nevertheless, here is the link to the original styling with skinny jeans.)
Ron and I saw a film Wednesday night, called ‘En Fanfare‘ which means ‘Marching Band’. A French film (subtitled of course) which was really good. Our friend Arine recommended it. The film painfully demonstrated the difference in chances you get in life depending on where you are born and brought up. It is a little gem.
Thursday Ron fixed the pond hose (3 cheers for the MAN) and I helped Nicky with the granddaughters.
Friday Loes and I did another photo shoot. I had to create some stock as rain is forecasted for next week. Which is good for nature as it has been far too dry for the plants, bushes and trees.
Greetje
Ha, I laughed at you getting caught trespassing, Greetje, you naughty girl! I love the wide-legged jeans, the barrel jeans, the skinnies, love ’em all. I just found an Issey Miyake pleated jacket in a consignment shop! I was so excited!
We have those carriages in Victoria too.
I live by the rule that it is better to ask forgiveness afterwards than permission in advance (yes, very naughty).
An Issey Miyake pleated jacket in a consignment shop??!! I hope it fitted and you bought it. I’ll be over to your blog to see.
I loved all the outfits and photos it’s so interesting to see all the different places you visit with all your friends.
I often wonder whether my blog posts are more appreciated because of the backgrounds and the buildings than because of my outfits. (Grin)
Love the cardigan with the barrel jeans. Really attractive. The photos from Delft were beautiful and interesting to see. Marjolein and Marita look very nice too. Always a treat to see Watson and the incidental furry pets you find. Hope you have a nice Easter weekend.
Thanks Linda, we are not going to celebrate Easter and as we are retired every day is weekend day. Hope the bunny visits you though.
I love your cardigan and the barrel leg jeans. I resisted the style for so long and now I wear mine several times a week! The barn conversion is rather impressive. The surroundings remind me of where I’m from in the East of England where it is very flat.
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
Somehow I was immediately drawn to barrel jeans. As soon as I saw a sales lady wear one. And that is out of character. Usually I follow trends slowly. Luckily that particular pair of jeans was still for sale in the shop. When I tried it on, I told the sales lady it was a pity that my belly was showing so much. She replied: “That’s why I wear my jeans really low”. I pulled the waist down an inch (or two) and the belly was gone. Magic.
I really like the pleated cardigan. Good find in Paris! Textures in fabric is such a nice touch. I’d be tempted to call it a blazer, but perhaps that isn’t right. Sometimes American English is very different from British English. For example, a jumper being a type of dress in the U.S. and a sweater in the U.K. Back to the cardigan, it has such great detail. I like it with both pair of jeans.
Speaking of jeans, I’ve had a lot of trouble finding barrel jeans that work for me. They tend to be too short and they just look very round and awkward. I finally found a pair that don’t have a dramatic barrel shape and that are long. I think that they will do the job. I’ve also been thinking of ordering a pair in a tall size instead of regular length.
The farmhouse area and town of Delft are beautiful.
Your gold Easter bunny is very sweet. At first I thought it was a large chocolate bunny. Happy holiday to you and your family.
Finding the right jeans for your body shape is quite difficult and involves a lot of fitting.
Barrel jeans add to the difficulty. Glad you found at least one pair.
The Easter bunny does look like a chocolate bunny, I know haha. But it certainly isn’t.
I loved everything on you also. The green earrings really looked great! The church is awesome!
Thanks Lisa. I am still trying to find the most perfect outfit with this cardigan. I’ll keep on trying.
What a useful cardigan looks good in every incarnation. Thanks for the trip to the country.
‘Useful’ was exactly what I thought when the sales assistent brought the cardigan to me. I wasn’t immediately in love as it looks rather classis, which I am not. But on these barrel jeans everything looks great.
I love your pleated cardigan; it looks so cute with this outfit. You look especially beautiful in the photos today; they turned out great. I love this rural architecture you shared with us today—a beautiful place. I like seeing the jewelry you’re wearing in your close-up; they’re pretty pieces in gorgeous colors. The cardigan over the all-white outfit also looks great. I love your sweater; it looks great on you.
Thank you for all the compliments.
Another reader suggested my cream wool trousers from Me+Em plus a cream wool top and this cardigan. I think it would make a great transition outfit.
Hi. I like the new cardigan, especially with the straight jeans, and I seem to remember you wearing very classic long cream wool trousers at one point. If you still have them, you might try them with the sweater, rather than the casual pair with the boots. Barrel jeans are not for me I am very short, but if you are comfortable, that is what counts. The scenery tour was lovely, thank you.
Indeed I do have cream wool trousers from Me+Em. Thanks for reminding me. With a cream wool top and this cardigan it would make a great transition outfit from summer to autumn and from winter to spring.
Love your new cardigan. I think it is a classic style which works so well styled with jeans. As always, I love all the great buildings you find to show us.
The outfit with the cream sweater reminds me of a lady I saw while shopping yesterday. She, too, wore a cream sweater with jeans (I think they were barrel jeans) and looked so chic. She reminded me of you!
I do indeed think the classic style cardigan needs a juxtaposition with jeans.
You flatter me with your comparison of a chic lady. I never feel that way haha.
Thanks for a great post – lots of fashion, dogs, and architecture. Delft looks beautiful! Have a good week.
Thanks Anne. Delft is indeed a cute old town, well worth visiting.
I love your new cardigan. Navy is my ‘black’ and I like how funky it is.
Really? Do you think it is funky? I thought it was rather classic (which I am not), so I hesitated at first. Then I saw the price (€49) and decided it could be a handy thing to have and at that price it was no great risk.
The posture will come with time. I’ve always liked those barrel jeans. Marjolein and the allure of an attic room — what a charming recollection. Yes our perspectives do change as we get older. Although as I get older I’m gravitating to small spaces, so an attic garret room still appeals. I hear you on the extra cookies! Every day offers an opportunity to change one’s eating habits.
You are one of the few readers (I think) who likes the barrel jeans. As I don’t earn a penny with the blog, I can show whatever I like and I don’t have to take audience or advertisers into account. I love the freedom.
As for the eating habits, you are right. You don’t have to wait until next Monday or next week or next month to start changing your eating habits. Right now is also good.
What a great cardigan! It’s unique, but I can see it being very easy to style. Always enjoy seeing photos from the areas you visit.
This ‘cardigan’ is definitely your taste. You have many of these handy cardigans and jackets. I don’t know whether it is very easy to style but I will do my best. I was thinking of my lemon yellow trousers.
I love those barrel leg jeans, a very youthful look. Definitely prefer the straight jeans style rather than the skinny with the crochet jumper. X
That’s a good one, a very youthful look. I am happy.
Isn’t it funny how your taste changes when fashion only serves you a different silhoutte? I used to love skinnies.