Once again, a day out with the Shopping Saturday girls. I use the term ‘girls’ loosely as I am 71, and although Sabine and Anke are much younger, they are not girls anymore.
Antwerp was our destination which meant a lot of walking and comfortable shoes were key. I opted for my yellow shoes with wide jeans and a neon striped shirt.

Followers of my blog have seen us three often before, doing what we do best and that is Shopping on a Saturday. For me, the timing wasn’t the best as I had just spent 4 days in Milan. And that was not without financial consequences. Nevertheless, spending a day with these two women is utter joy, whether I buy something or not (but I did).

Prepare for many photos.

Sabine had researched shops in preparation of our Antwerp day. We started at a shop with vintage highbrow designer clothes, like Dries van Noten. I liked a summer blazer by Dries, as if I needed another blazer, but vintage or not, it was still €320, and Anke said that my shirt was creating pleats at the back of the blazer.

Below: Sabine trying on this stunning piece. Unfortunately, it was a size too small even for her. I guessed right that it was a piece by Thierry Mugler.

Below: Anke was tempted by these black trousers with ruffles at the back of the legs but it stayed at the shop.

Below: Sabine tried these perfect pinstriped trousers. Again, too snug.

Below: On we went to photograph my neon striped shirt which I bought at kpa.haarlem. Because there is more fabric at the back than at the front, it pulls a bit to the back. I should have secured the shirt with fashion tape but I forgot. Now it pulls a little to the back and doesn’t cover my little belly. Shame.

Below: Both Sabine and Anke started giving me directions. “Go behind that plant, that will make for a nice picture”. And then…” Ah, now we can hardly see you.”

Below: Way at the back of this entrance was much better.

Below: Then Sabine wanted to take a photo in front of empty boxes. I obeyed, as you should not interfere with a photographer’s creativity, but I am afraid my face didn’t cooperate. Shame, as the outfit looks good. In that black and white tote, I am carrying a pair of trainers (sneakers) just in case…and I put my spring coat in it.

Below: I call this shot “Reminiscing”. Makes a nice change from my eternal smile.

Below: Sabine always knows how to look stunning. She is into sewing these days and with much creativity. She sews blouses and skirts from scratch, but this is a blazer she bought or already had. The white stitching at the front is from her hand and a work in progress.

Below: The back of Sabine’s blazer which she altered at the waist.

Below: More work in progress. She is welcome to alter something of mine too.

Below: And Anke also looked the part. Love the trousers.

Below: Time for lunch! No shortage of good food in Antwerp. It was warm enough to eat outside on the terrace which always gives me a feeling of being on holiday.

Below: Close-up of Anke’s earring(s).

Below: And of course, a close-up of Sabine’s earring(s).

Below: We walked on, past remains of another era.

Below: Only to end up at an outlet of Essentiel Antwerp, one of my favourite brands because of their use of colour. This co-ord was a bit much but I loved the jacket. Although 30% off the normal price it was still too much for my poor bank account. I loved it but we cannot have everything, right? (More about this jacket further down.)

Below: Anke insisted I’d try these pink slippers on.

Below: Only to kill herself laughing. Who needs enemies when you have friends like this?

Below: She tried on these mules which were far nicer.

Below: A mirror standing on the pavement captured our footwear.

Next stop was Winckle, a fabulous vintage shop with unique stock. Sabine found two incredible skirts, exceptionally well made, but again too small. It seemed to be her story of the day. And she is petite.

Below: Here she is holding an amazing seventies skirt.

Below: Anke tried on a leather suit from the eighties and Sabine went for a pretty flimsy blouse (which she actually bought). Goofing in front of the shop.

Below: Did I say goofing? Mad as a hatter.

Below: Anke came away with two pairs of shoes and I bought these Jil Sander shoes, which are comfortable and elegant and hopefully won’t give me blisters. Fingers crossed. I so need summer shoes that don’t give me blisters.

Below: At the end of the afternoon, they whisked me off to a tearoom, a very instagrammable tearoom. There was another party there, but I retouched most of them out of the picture. You can see a few people on the right with balloons.

Below: Oh boy, how delicious.

Below: It was such a delightful surprise and all in honour of my birthday earlier this year. Even though we never celebrate each other’s birthday. I feel shy because of this gift (and this has happened before). They asked me to accept it gracefully. Such sweet women.

Below: Everybody was taking photos and selfies, and so did we. (Also see the photo at the top.)

Below: The people who designed this restaurant, knew what they were doing.

Below: It has been a wonderful day. Shopping Saturday never fails.

What happened in my life this week

Saturday Marita and I met for coffee at Café Het Wapen van Kennemerland or better known as De Stinkende Emmer (Smelly Bucket). I told you about this place before.
We were supposed to meet in town but it kept raining all day and we don’t like rain. Marita picked me up by car and we parked right in front of the café, something you cannot do in town.

Below: Marita with a gorgeous antique blood coral necklace, given to her by her mum. She found the matching earrings herself. Isn’t it a beautiful set? She was right to wear all black with it. That way the jewellery gets all the attention it deserves.

Below: I wasn’t as elegantly dressed as Marita. Just my trusted barrel jeans with a black waistcoat and a green and white striped shirt. The pink necklace is a present from my friend Marjolein and it gave this outfit just that little bit extra (IMHO). The pink earrings by Lara Design matched perfectly.

Below: At the end of the day Ron thought that the dark day and the rain were reasons to cocoon. He lit the fire and bought French cheese and coffee liqueur (for me). Doggie is fast asleep and I am at peace with the world.

Sunday I did a tiny bit of gardening, mainly picking up the leaves from the big tree. I am not allowed to do much in the garden, due to the fact I cannot distinguish plants from weeds. Below: the garden.

Below: I changed the bed sheets and cat Sophie decided to sit on the bed. She can do that, but only on a cloth that I put on the bed. I forgot the cloth so that is my fault. She loves being around me but I cannot pet her much.

Below: Monday I met blog reader Susan and her husband for lunch in Amsterdam. Again, I might say, as we also did this two years ago. We get along really well.
As I don’t know my readers, it is a gamble whether we’ll get along which makes me apprehensive of meeting blog readers. Fortunately, there was no problem with Susan and Brian whatsoever.

Below: My outfit for that day. You saw it on the blog in this post. I just changed the earrings.

Tuesday I received a new skirt from Zara. A woman on Instagram came up with 6 different outfits with this skirt; brilliantly styled. Two hours later I stumbled upon the skirt online by accident. I couldn’t resist. It fits like a glove and I created so many outfits with it, one being perfect in my eyes, which often happens. And then I only want to wear the most perfect version.

Wednesday something else arrived by mail. Remember I said previously in this post that I regretted not being able to buy that multicoloured jacket in the Essentiel Antwerp outlet store because I didn’t have enough money? Well…my state pension had been transferred and this month it included holiday money. I had totally forgotten about that. It wasn’t a huge amount but more than enough to buy the jacket. That sent me on a hunting expedition. Only, after an extensive search, the Antwerp outlet was the only place where they still had the jacket.

Ron was prepared to drive to Antwerp to get it, which I thought was a bit much (2 1/2 hours’ drive each way). Then I remembered that one of the women I follow on Instagram has connections in Antwerp. I don’t know her in person but she seemed really nice so I asked her whether she could arrange to get me the jacket from Antwerp. Turns out she is indeed really nice and so is the person who actually went to fetch it and sent it by post. Happy, happy me.

Below: I wore this that day in an attempt to look a bit nicer every day. Marjolein and I were angry with ourselves. We both have so many fab clothes but when we are at home most of the day, we wear something old and boring. We decided to start wearing our good things, even if we weren’t going anywhere. The red boots are a present from Marjolein.

Thursday it was supposed to be nice weather but it rained. Which is good for the plants and the trees that needed it badly. I decided to join Ron walking dog Watson before washing my hair so the rain wouldn’t bother me.
Below: the park is lovely, even in the rain. See that little wooden bridge at the far end? And Watson of course.

Friday Peggy (below) and I met again after quite a long time. She is a busy working mum with three teenage children, a very clever woman. We met in The Hague and she kindly took blog photos with my iPhone. It was a day with 4 stars, great company, sunshine, warm, good food and cappuccinos on the terrace. My kind of day.

Greetje