Pieter's Nettleton Shoes – Another Royal Gift

Pieter over the decades has been greatly appreciated for his helpful advice to mushroom growers worldwide.

From Ben (Bernardo J.) Penturelli in Reading, Pennsylvania, who worked with Campbell Soup's Mushroom Division at the time, Pieter got these sent as a gift to his Dutch home in 1980.

For helping solve their mushroom farms' problems and for the courtesies extended during their recent trip to the Practical Mushroom Training College in Horst, The Netherlands.

Here are Pieter's Nettleton shoes.

From the side and visible is the hand stitched sole.

We had picked them up at the cobbler in Atlanta after he'd added 1 cm to the right shoe.

Pieter's middle brother played a trick on him when he was about 9 years old, by pulling the chair from under him and he fell. Thereby hurting his tail bone and it completely shifted to one side.

That made him have his left leg 1 cm longer, always had to take that into consideration when hemming up his pants.

As he ages, it kind of bothered him more and having the sole adjusted is a great comfort for having less pressure on his tailbone.

When biking and I ride behind him, I can tell he leans to one side on the saddle, also due to the shifted tailbone...

Well, so far he has made it to high age but it sure was a nasty trick with serious and lasting consequences.

Pieter's gifted pair were the Nettleton 0199 Traditionals – Plain Toe Blucher – Burgundy

Nettleton – The Syracuse, NY based company made quality shoes for over 100 years before it closed in the 1980s.

Yet, SaksOff5th is still selling them?! 

Doing some more digging into Nettleton's history and information, I learned that there exists a KNOCKOFF (?) Nettleton FB Page, where they show a phone number from the Philippines... 

AHA! It is all about $$$

Our trust in Saks Fifth Avenue OFF5th also got a bit dented.

Related link:

Refreshing to find such GREAT COURTESY at Grand Hyatt Buckhead, Atlanta | previous post by me

My Pieter is SO LUCKY for having viewed Mt. St. Helen Before its BIG Eruption | previous post by me with photo of Ben (Bernardo J.) Penturelli. 

{Pieter’s Tanner Krolle Attaché - Royal Gift purchased at Harrods by English Friend} | previous post by me

Pieter a Former Motorcycle Guy ALWAYS Remained one at Heart!

 When we were on vacation in Florida we did stop at the Colonnade Outlets at Sawgrass and visited Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5th...

Pieter LOVED this soft as butter motorcycle jacket!

Sharp looking at almost 93...

And this $ 1,400 jacket was on sale for $ 199... a steal and size Medium fit perfect!

Nice look together with shorts; don't you think?

Both of us were SHOCKED by seeing the stores so poorly stocked...

WHAT IS GOING ON WITH OUR ECONOMY?!

No, we did not bring this jacket home.

Pieter's former Dutch A = Motorcycle + C = Car Driver's License + E = Trailer

In Italy he had the very same for Motorcycle and Car except for a trailer = E

Norton WWII motorcycle like husband Pieter rode 1947... together with brother Toon who went as a Marine to Indonesia in 1948.

This is NOT Pieter's Norton but it is very hard to find an image.

It was a very rickety motorcycle from WWII and Pieter had it only for a brief period...

BSA that husband Pieter and brother Toon rode in early 1950s. Jan Rutgers helped them tune it up.

Pieter also served in the Dutch Military from 1950-1952

Motor Scooter "Rumi Scoiattolo", 1953 - one that my husband Pieter rode till mid 50s and he also went to the University in Wageningen on it.

Again, not a photo from his Rumi...

This one was manufactured by Rumi in Bologna, Italy. A 125 cc two-stroke motor with two cylinders, 5 Hp and 4 gears.

When husband Pieter lived in Bergen in 1956 he rode a Heinkel (NOT RED!). It was a 4-stroke engine.

That was the time when Pieter was a Dutch Government extension service officer, to help develop the horticultural industry, in the southern part of the Netherlands.

From then on Pieter rode a new Fiat 600, as his boss managed to secure mileage compensation for a motorcycle with sidecar and that helped pay for the mini car!

Pieter did not drive this: {2013 Fiat 500 versus Fiat 500 Topolino}... previous post.

Have any of you driven a motorcycle?

Related links:

{The Colonnade Outlets at Sawgrass} | previous post by me

{Outlet Scores} | previous post by me

A COOL TIP for Making Shoes Comfortable

Finding and buying good, all leather and comfortable shoes is already a challenge but just in case IF they don't fit very soft yet, you can do something very simple about it.

So happy with my Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH score of all leather Cole Haan but the stitching on one of them did hurt me.

So I used a trick for stretching the soft leather with ICE!

Yep, did score these high quality all leather comfortable sandals.

Just the right heel size and love this color too.

Matches my Cole Haan back pack, another score.

My Elsie Leather Wedge Sandals for ONLY $ 49.99...

So I inserted a plastic bag and filled it with water, just under the faucet over the sink in our laundry room.

Just let the water trickle in...

I did pull them through the front as it was exactly to the right of that opening where the stitching did hurt because they were too tight.

Place them upright in the freezer and let it freeze solid.

And yes, the result was PERFECT!

The leather stretches and they now fit perfect without rubbing my foot.

Hope this helps you too.

Did it also with one pair of calf hair boots from Escada but I have not worn them yet...

The logic is there as the water will expand inside the bag once it freezes solid.

Thanks for visiting and commenting and I will soon try to catch up!

Happy with my Scuba Skirt

We all have had no doubt something that we fell in love with right away, until the price ticket scared us off!

One of Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5th emails showed such a gem.

Of course I tried to wait till it got on sale but then it was SOLD OUT!

Wearing it here, with my sewing creation that I've shown you before.

It goes perfect with this Silk Quilted Vest that I paired with silk Escada blouse.

The Scuba Skirt is in a moss green and so are my Escada shoes.

Here is the J BRAND Kimberly Scuba Skirt that I've posted on Pinterest, just scroll down.

Also the back side with special zipper.

Just like a dream object...

One rainy day I thought, why not Google this J BRAND Kimberly Scuba Skirt?

Low and behold, at Poshmark.com I found it; new and half price and in a size S!

Laughing with this cast iron 'OWL', It can hold a votive candle for special light effect.

We got it long before I joined the Choir of the Knight Owls...

Love the length of this skirt so much and the freedom.

I had an A-line Escada skirt but our late Spooky boy did claw it while carrying him on my hip to the mail box. I got two holes from his hind legs where he dug in!

At that time he was still an indoor only cat and he got excited about some dog...

But finally, I found this replacement!

Blending in with nature...

This is taken on April 2.

Pleats in the back too and for the zipper you have to check out my Pinterest as it is not visible here.

Yes, we still had azaleas here!

Not much of a show this year, due to the late frost.

Spooky boy did approve of my skirt! They love to linger in our Gazebo.

So does Barty boy, our eldest 13-year old.

And above all, the photographer, husband Pieter who is holding here our HUGE Clematis Lanuginosa Candida blooms.

Thank you for your visit!

Previous post:

{My Silk Quilted Vest Creation and YOUR Opinion Requested...} | showing you the vest I wear above

REVUE 2017 with our CHOIR & Memories of MOM

On May 6 we did perform for the REVUE 2017 with our Choir at the local theatre, together with 3 younger girl choirs; Mockingbirds, Hummingbirds and Knightingales.

We are called the Empty Nesters, the Knight Owls and all under the leading of Kelly Knight.

Dublin: Women of all ages sing together as Knightengales click the hyperlink.

For me it was the very FIRST time to participate with those Empty Nesters and some of them performed 6 times already.

Here above we are dressed up for our Song: FEVER

It is singing and dancing...

REVUE 2017 We Are Strong click link to complete video from TV35 WDIG

At Minute: 10:46 you find our song: FEVER

Husband Pieter did snap this photo from me in my FEVER outfit, before I left for the Matinee performance at 2:00 PM and again at 7:00 PM.
Wearing my Escada silk blouse with Red Roses over new black Wolford leggings that arrived by special courier.
For the actual performance I wore these Chanel shoes with low heel...
Silver & Gold set of jewelry from TANE, México City, the Tiffany of Mexico.
Those are the special things we found during our time of Consulting when staying at the Camino Hotel Polanco Mexico.
They had great boutiques!
Necklace, bracelet, earrings and ring.

My spot was top left, on the risers.
Here we sing: HOME, which is visible at minute: 42.14 on the Youtube video.
For this song some ladies just had toned down their outfit; no boa, shimmery top or hat...

WOW, here we all turned into ROCK STARS by singing: JOURNEY at minute: 1:02:00 on the Youtube video.
Well, on Tuesday May 2nd during rehearsal at the theatre, on the risers, I did fall off towards the end.
I had practiced all my steps at home, in front of my Mac's full screen with video and on the solid oak plank floor of our office...
Boy did I have to reprogram my brain for making tiny baby-steps on the narrow risers!
Nothing broken, only my left thumb got bruised, my right underarm and feet.

So for that purpose of having to perform on the risers, I did NOT wear these Escada sandals...
Top is a bargain from Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5th.
A Karl Lagerfeld cropped top with a leather look rose appliqué and buttons with roses.
Coming close to the desired look of Leather Moto Jackets and jeans.
Thinking about Singing, I know in my heart that my Mom would have been so proud of her eldest daughter performing as a 1st soprano, just like she did for three decades!
And Mom was wearing the perfect outfit for JOURNEY when her photo was taken here in Macon, Georgia in 1996...

Missing her once again around this Mother's Day but I could certainly feel her presence.
She is always near and safely in heaven with my eldest sister!

Right after we performed JOURNEY, we moved closer together for performing our final song: WHEN I FALL IN LOVE

The ending of WHEN I FALL IN LOVE... (made popular by Doris Day).
Husband Pieter did enjoy the evening performance and I will one day watch the entire video of almost 2 hours.
What a special gift from one of Dublin's Talented Ladies that had the vision for teaching young girls for 20 years now! 
What an impact it has had on our community and it taught them so much more than just singing!
So many young girls benefited from being taught confidence, poise, grace and expression!
Well, we, the 'mature girls' did also learn so much.

And the audience loved it!

Could not believe this incredible deal when I received my email notification from Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5th.
Only US $ 39.99 so I snatched that up right away!

You'll dazzle in this glossy textured cropped top...

Love this fashion score!

Hope you enjoyed this little mention.
We are off now for 3 months, without any rehearsals and certainly look forward to starting again with this fun group!

Thank you for your visit!

Related links:

Journey - Don't Stop Believin' (Live in Houston) - Youtube video with 44 million views!

Journey - Faithfully (Official Video) - Youtube video with 67 million views!
Journey - Any Way You Want It - Youtube video with 21 million views!

{Mom Did Wear Many Hats} | previous post by me

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10th Birthday Trader Joe's Midtown Atlanta

Today, April 17 of 2017 I did drive again to Atlanta and as usual we stopped first at Trader Joe's Midtown.

Lo and behold, they had their 10th Birthday today!

Before I knew it, I was told that my outfit did match their LEI, so they put one around my neck...

For driving the long distance I did wear my Nanette Lepore Floral Printed Leggings from Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5th with an older Escada t-shirt.

Pieter took this photo of me outside the store, wearing my LEI...

Curious about the beginning of Trader Joe's, I looked up 'Our Story' (just click the pink hyperlink) and found out that it all started in the 50s... It is derived from the German ALDI.
Happy to have them but would love to have them closer to our area!

Got tired from the 3-hour drive back home.

Will visit you as soon as I can, two busy weeks ahead!

Thanks for your comments and visits.

{Cooler Weather Time for Wearing my Escada Plaid Suit}

Such a tragic week... It kind of throws you off!

Our thoughts are with the French families that lost their loved ones to yet another ISIS attack.

And still 202 injured are fighting for their lives...

May God bless them and give them the strength needed.

So why not go a bit back in time, to February 20, when the weather was still pleasant here in Georgia.

It feels great when it is not that hot and humid...

We can only dream about that time right now!

Due to my series about husband Pieter's trip to China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, I did not get to post a lot of things.

Another great Escada Outlet find.

Complete with Escada handbag and pumps.
Wolford pantyhose.

Skirt I bought when we were with Pieter's late brother Toon...

Happy times together in October of 2000!

Pieter in his Joseph Abboud suit and silk tie with Zegna shirt, a score from Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH at Woodbury Common Premium Outlets in New York.

Of course, our felines are always in the picture!

Sitting next to Pieter is Spooky boy (9) and next to him is our senior boy Barty (12).

We do hope that we will be able to enjoy them for many more years!

Spooky acts more like a doggy... always at our side, like a magnet.

Wishing you a lovely weekend, wherever you are.

Lots of people will be on vacation right now.

Related link:

{Woodbury Common Premium Outlets New York} | previous post by me

{Our Christmas Eve Dinner at Ristorante da Maria}

Sorry for posting this late but since December 20, my FeedBurner was not working.

Rather annoying but nothing what I tried, pinging or whatever, worked...
Suddenly it was just back!
And off again after posting this... Arrrgggh.

So a belated post about our Christmas Eve Dinner at Dublin Farm Come Home To The Country at Ristorante da Maria.

Here we are in front of the Christmas tree with a Hot Punch.
There was a pianist who played during the 5-course dinner.

We have had heavy rain with flood warnings and unusual warm weather for Christmas.
Pieter's suit got a bit wet from getting out of the car to the restaurant...

My coat is on the coat rack...
Wearing my new cropped top in caviar from Neiman Marcus Last Call but to me it just is black color.

On the driveway before we left for Christmas Eve Mass.
We had donated a Poinsettia in loving memory of Mom and my Angel Sister Mariet

First Christmas without Mom... but it feels special for having one more Angel that we know by name!

My skirt is from Escada, printed hair calf and I've cut it shorter as it was below the knee and rather frumpy looking that way.
Panty hose are DIM PARIS which I bought in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Pumps are Chanel from Last Call at Sawgrass Mills, Florida.

Pieter's suit is from Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH in Woodbury Common Premium Outlet.

We both opted for the Fish; Red Snapper Fillet.

Appetizer: Potatoes au gratin with smoked salmon...

This was SO YUMMY!
First dish: Ravioli stuffed with Porcini mushrooms, topped with a 4-cheese sauce, white truffle oil, Parmesan and fresh herbs.

Our Fish Entrée: Red Snapper Fillet cooked in foil with a Puttanesca sauce.

Lime Sorbet

Strawberry Ice Cream Bomb with fresh berries and starfruit on strawberry coulis.
That was really heavenly!
Lady Chef Maria is the best in our region and she makes everything fresh and from scratch!
Don't you love Pieter's Espresso cup?!
We had a very joyful Christmas Eve, just the two of us.
Hope yours was likewise pleasant, or your Christmas Brunch, Dinner whatever your way of celebrating was.