It was a cold, cold day when I met Janna (Timelessstyle.nl on Instagram) in the most expensive street in Amsterdam, the PC Hooftstraat. The cold made me choose my big fluffy cardigan, the thickest one and the cardigan I never wear. Apart from the recent bright pink one, I do not own more cardigans. Not my thing. My body shape isn’t right for cardigans. And the fact that they leave your belly and stomach on show, is another minus.

Janna wanted to go into the expensive stores and as we are not the kind of customers they like and want, we thought it would be better to go in together.
I have to say, the staff were really friendly, helpful and kind. Which is a miracle as you only have to look at my shoes (Ecco) and bag to know there is no way I can or want to afford these luxury goods.

Below: We had to warm up in café Georgette with cappuccino first before we ventured out into the cold to take photos. Later on we had lunch there as well. It wasn’t as stuck-up as I thought it would be. Well, the customers were New Money but friendly but our interactions were friendly with a few of them. (I have a chip on my shoulder about rich people; cannot help it, big prejudice.) The restaurant staff was friendly.

Below: In front of the Gucci shop. Without coat; I know you appreciate this effort.
The brooch is by Essentiel Antwerp and a couple of years old. It is a dollar sign in the colours of the cardigan. The latter was the reason why I chose it, but in hindsight, the dollar sign is quite funny, taking this expensive shopping street into account.

Below: I put my coat back on as we went into the Gucci shop, so not looking the part haha.
Pointing at a tiny snakeskin bag with a bamboo handle. Cute, useless and most likely totally overpriced.

Below: The clothes were on the first floor so up we went. Fabulous stairs. The walls were velvet.

Below: This is an iconic Gucci dress. It is too classic for my taste but I do like it.

Below: The black floral shirt reminded me of a similar one by Moschino, which I owned when I was 36 or so. At the time I could just about afford it as it was Prêt-à-porter and the Moschino brand wasn’t as ridiculously expensive as it is now.

Below: Gucci’s first floor with clothes for women. What you see hanging above and below were the only garments on this floor. Plus, not a customer in sight. As I said, the staff was really friendly and helpful but Janna and I started to wonder how these expensive brands are going to survive?

Below: Janna in Gucci’s chic fitting room. She wasn’t trying anything on; these clothes are hers. Love the boots.

Below: Over to the Dior shop. What a fun display with the little man, carrying all those boxes. The yellow ‘book tote’ is from a new line created by Jonathan Anderson. The tote size 36 x 31.5 x 14 cm will cost you € 3,000 and is made from cotton and calf leather.

Below: This is the front of the tote after the book Dracula by Bram Stoker. I am comparing it with my all-leather tote by Marina Rinaldi, snatched up at the Max Mara outlet in Turin. The Dior one is fun, but too pricey for a ‘fun’ piece which will get dirty easily. The expression on my face had nothing to do with the price as I didn’t know it at the time. I am probably asking Janna “What did you say??”

Below: In front of the Hermès shop. We did go in but I didn’t take any photos.

Below: If my photos are taken without a coat, then so will Janna’s haha. Fair is fair. Great bag. She is wearing leggings and swears they are back in fashion.

Below: Loewe has a good shop too. I love their belts. I have one which wasn’t cheap but they have gone significantly up in price since then. What hasn’t?
I loved the jacket in the window.

Below: It isn’t easy to see but those Loewe jeans are sooo good and great for my body shape. I looked them up online (WHY?? 🙄 😆) and the jeans are € 1,100. I shouldn’t have bothered.

Below: Back in the restaurant for lunch and to see whether the photos we had taken, were OK. I am getting really annoyed with the hairpiece but haven’t got the time to go back to the salon. It will have to wait.

It was an exercise which was fun because I was with Janna and we had a good time together, but I will not be going to this street again. I have no business there.

Below: Only one magnificent building in Amsterdam in this post.

Below: Walking back home from the station I thought you might like this statue. It says on the statue: “During the siege of Haarlem by Spanish troops from the 1st of December 1572 to the 12th of July 1573 the city resisted heroically for months. Captain Wigbolt Ripperda (1535-1573) led the defence of the city and Kenau Simonsdochter Hasselaer (1526-1588) was ascribed the important role of leader of a regiment of women in defence of the city.”

What happened in my life this week

Dog walking…a lot of dog walking. Starting with 20 minutes at half past 7 in the morning, then an hour at half past 10, another hour at 4 o’clock and 10 minutes at half past 6 in the evening. Did I mention it is cold in the Netherlands? Yes, I did.

Below: At the beach with Watson, in the rain and wind. Watson doesn’t mind the cold at all, he even goes into the water. I am looking at my watch every 5 or 10 minutes to see whether the hour has nearly passed.

Then again, on days that there is little wind and a bit of sunshine, you get to see wonderful things too.

Below: Deer in a park. I was still freezing my fingers off, taking photos but it was worth it.

Below: This robin was quite far away so the photo isn’t too sharp. In first instance I threw the photo away, thinking I hadn’t caught the robin. Such good camouflage.

Below: I liked this fallen tree too, pointing at the horizon. In our parks they usually leave the fallen trees lying as they give home to so many creatures.

Below: A goose. At first, I put it on Instagram the way I took the photo, wide with the goose in the centre. Then Ron saw it and guided me to this cropped version. Much better. My photographer’s eye is still not there. Mind you, I got the reflection.

Update on Ron

Ron is doing fine with his broken wrist. We went back to the hospital for a check and the ‘plaster master’ (that is her title) cut the first aid plaster off and put a state-of-the-art wrap around his arm. As she was about to put the colourful, sticky bandage on, Ron said “Shouldn’t you put the wet plaster on it before you apply the bandage?” She turned round, looked at him and said “Oh, you are an expert now?” That was so unexpected, I burst into a loud guffaw. We had such fun with that nurse, not at all what I expected that afternoon. Anyway, just another week and he shouldn’t feel any pain anymore. After four weeks this ‘plaster’ will also be removed and then he has to exercise his arm for another 4 weeks.

I was very pleased that the photos of his wrist operation 20 years ago were compared to the new photos, and showed there were no complications. It took me about 8 calls before I got the confirmation that the old photos had digitally arrived at the proper destination. I never leave it alone in such matters.

The silliness of dieting

A loyal reader of my posts brought to my attention that my frequent lamenting about trying to lose weight, might give off the wrong vibe. And when she explained it, it hit me how right she is.
I am on the skinny side of an average weight. So, if I am saying over and over again, I have to lose weight, should not eat cakes, try and hide my belly etc., how does that affect women who are more “soft and squishy” as this reader affectionately put it.

I have never thought about this effect. But it is true. From now on, I will refrain from such statements. It might bring women to think there is something wrong with them and there is not. All sizes are good, all shapes are good. For the record, I never diet. Dieting leads to highs and lows in weight, a never-ending story. I balance. If I gain 2 kilos, I will stop putting every sweet in my mouth that I see and go back to healthy, low calorie meals, and no sweets. Because 2 kilos is so little, I will lose them within a week. Lots of exercise helps with that. The only reason why I am so strict with my balancing is the vast amount of clothes in my wardrobe. I want to keep on fitting into them.

Till next week.

Greetje