So, my best friend Dawn is married to a Dutchman. She is Boo's Godmother and one of my most trusted confidantes. When it became clear that the Dutchman was a keeper, my friend moved with him to The Netherlands. This weekend, we went to visit her in Amsterdam; just my daughter and I.
Observations:
There is nothing like seeing old friends. I can hardly define it, but I know it when I see it.
Amsterdam street style is one I covet. I think there are the same characteristics as Copenhagen street style so I feel qualified in my half-Danish-ness to comment. The girls and women look fit and healthy; everyone rides bikes. They look wholesome and fresh; not too much make-up, hair pulled back. There is nonchalance but at the same time there is an attention to detail that I really admire. Weather- appropriate clothes that are stylish and practical. Lots of blondes. Windswept but in a good way. Skinny jeans and cool, quirky flat boots, artfully draped scarves and short, neat leather jackets. Urban but not harsh.
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| via the sartorialist |
We made it an homage to 'The Fault in Our Stars' bench, which Boo insisted we visit four times in a day with the express intention of taking selfies. I haven't even seen the film due to the possibility of emotional breakdown (she cried for an hour after leaving the cinema). But the bench was nice and I am sure that the people living in the house are behind it are simply delighted that their view is spotted with hoards of teenage girls. ;-)
I had been to Amsterdam before we stayed away from the tourist attractions and just mooched around watching the world go by. And eating apple pie.
I had this funny five minutes in a shoe shop where all they sold were brogues and Chelsea boots in amazing different colours. I felt like there was no way I could leave that shop without owning some of those boots. So reader, I bought some.
We travelled out of the city to my friend's beautiful house; a traditional Dutch barn converted with more white painted floors than I am used to seeing. Swoon. It was so pretty I have to (shamefacedly) admit that I returned to my farmhouse last night and felt it paled in comparison. However I remain fixed on the beauty of white-painted everything.
It's such a lovely place; the village she lives in is known for walking and mountain biking and so was full of healthy-looking Dutch in cycling outfits! I did come away wondering quite why some of my neighbours in Europe get it so right and sometimes I look at my own countrymen and think we get it slightly wrong. The whole premise of life there is based on goodness; good food, good friends, good family. There was a strong sense of community. And even a village windmill. Dutch perfection!
So home now - to a lot of rain and the start of a new month. The late onset of winter weather has been a blessing but I think this is it now.
