AndBloom

03/02/2025

This is your life, and as far as we know, you only get one. A life that is finite. So don’t wait—follow your dreams and start today. Take small steps if you must, but begin. You have every right to embrace your life fully and turn your dreams into reality. Bloom boldly, wildly, and without limits and don’t let anyone stop you from flourishing.

Happy Monday. ❤️

02/02/2025

Sometimes, I’m tackling perimenopause like a total maniac. Everything changes constantly—my mood, my stress and energy levels, and, most importantly, the location of my keys, my phone, or literally anything else that can vanish into thin air multiple times a day.

One moment, I feel like a fierce, unstoppable boss bitch, absolutely rocking this late-40s phase of life like a champ. And the next? I just want to pull a blanket over my head and shut out the entire world—not show myself to anyone, let alone talk to anyone.

I once read that I’m an extroverted introvert—which, let’s be honest, sounds complicated enough on its own. But an extroverted introvert in perimenopause, with a job in content creation that revolves mainly around herself? Now, that’s next-level chaos in my mind.

Speaking of perimenopause, I listened to an amazing podcast episode yesterday where shared the latest research on women’s health, from perimenopause and beyond—super insightful and definitely worth a listen!

And for today? I’m retreating into my cocoon, fully embracing my introverted side. I think I deserve it after my flashy work trip to Stockholm. Expect fewer stories because it’s officially couch potato mode. A well-deserved rest day before we hit Monday with full force. See you on the other side!

29/01/2025

I regularly scroll through my photos to reflect on a finished chapter—whether it’s a week or a month. Last week flew by so fast, I feel like I barely had time to blink! And this week seems to be following the same pattern—it’s already Wednesday. So today, I’m sharing a few snapshots of some highlights, simply because the moments are precious and the pictures make me smile.

1. Sunday selfie feeling relaxed and happy
2. Loving my home office every day
3. A lesson I learned from a very young age
4. New favorite AndBloom jacket
4. Blue bedding crush
5. It was girlfriend week with
6. The prettiest flowers made me happy
7. And beautiful girlfriend
8. Dungarees for ever
9. Living room vibes & Socks
10. First spring light and lace
11. Created with the bestie and inspiring
12. Finally know what time it is

28/01/2025

I am Petra; I am 66, and I have a husband, son, and daughter whom I love very much. My family and I have lived in the South of France for 20 years, since 1996. While living there, I worked in tourism. After 20 years, my roots started calling for me to come back, so we moved back. We now live in Belgium (near Maastricht) and enjoy country life.

I don’t find aging very easy and sometimes a confrontational process.The emphasis shifts from your outer self to your inner self; I sometimes ask myself, “who am I when nobody glances at me anymore.” This is not a negative development; I try to make the best of it in my own way.

More about Petra on the website. 👆🏼🌸
Styling

23/01/2025

If I could send myself a DM I would say:

Hey, love. Breathe deeply. Savor the little moments. Don’t be so hard on yourself—things will work out, even when they seem uncertain. Keep being your beautiful, authentic self. You are enough, just as you are. I love you.

19/01/2025

A love dump today. I can hardly believe how quickly last week flew by—it felt like it was over in the blink of an eye. Finn has grown so much over the Christmas break that he now reaches my shoulders! At this rate, he’ll soon tower over me—especially since he already wears the same shoe size as I do, a 37.

The coming weeks will be all about interviewing and writing for my new book. And, of course, photography! I’m really looking forward to it. This week, Daniella from will be coming over for a portrait session at my home, which I’m very excited about.

Did you get to read my my first book? The Art of Aging Unapologetically?

I also received some lovely new arrivals for the shop, like the grey and black tracksuits, the exclusive AndBloom teddy bag (the one I had with me to Miami) and, of course, the stunning Sloane coat. I adore this color—it matches perfectly with my new Demellier bag.

And finally, a little extra love the beautiful drawing from Marina, for my new Sumo sofa and the gorgeous flowers from Fenneke. 🌸

Wishing you a beautiful Sunday filled with joy and inspiration. Remember: you are exactly where you need to be, and the best is yet to come! ✨

14/01/2025

Want to share your new beginning(s) and inspire others women? 🙌🏼🙌🏼

The best time for new beginnings is now.

13/01/2025

Janny today, with whom I’ve had a connection almost every day for so many years now. A beautiful woman with a heart of gold.

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At 73, I’ve learned that life keeps surprising you — if you let it. I’ve become more confident, more patient, and far less concerned with what others think. There’s a certain freedom in getting older, in shedding unnecessary worries and embracing who you really are.

I fill my days with things that bring me joy: reading, cooking, gardening, and discovering new places. Life doesn’t have to be grand to be beautiful. I find meaning in simple moments — a walk through a blooming garden, time spent with loved ones, or a good conversation.

Aging has also taught me to face fears head-on. Dementia has taken parts of my family, and I know it could touch me, too. Some days, that thought feels heavy, like a shadow following me. But I choose to focus on today — on keeping my mind and heart as healthy as I can.

Looking back, I’m proud. My life is more beautiful and positive than I could have imagined. Seeing my daughters thrive, I feel this deep joy and think, “Yes, I did well.” I’ve made peace with the fact that life isn’t perfect. But in every twist and turn, there’s a lesson.

Inside, I still feel like I’m 40. Age is just a number. Life remains a gift — one I’m grateful for every single day.

11/01/2025

Not much to share today, just a few snapshots. The whole house has suddenly been hit by the flu. Definitely not what we expected, especially after feeling recharged and ready to go. But what can you do? Sometimes, all you can do is wait it out. Finn came home from school earlier this week with a runny nose — and you know how it goes from there.

I’ve been wanting to share more about my interior styling again. With the start of 2025, I finally felt inspired to make a move on something I’ve been thinking about for ages: buying the wallpaper I’ve had my eye on for two years. I finally did it! Now, it’s just a matter of finding the right moment to wallpaper the downstairs toilet.

For now, we’re embracing the slow pace. The couch has become our cozy spot, with blankets, magazines, socks on, candles burning, and fresh flowers brightening the room. It’s these little things that make staying home feel just right.

Tomorrow will be a better day — I’m sure of it!

07/01/2025

As I wrapped up the final week of last year with a portrait, I want to start the first week of this year in the same way — with a portrait.

For those of you who recently joined and haven’t scrolled back through my posts, I originally started this account to share my portraits of women who crossed my path. With these portraits, I aimed (and still aim) to show the beauty of women at every age. I believe the fashion and beauty industries could easily feature older women in their campaigns instead of relying on younger models to sell products. By doing so, they would finally represent the 40 to 100+ age group that currently feels overlooked.

This year, I will continue sharing my portraits regularly. I’m also busy working on my new book, where I keep exploring the timeless, infinite beauty of women.

To me, beauty comes in countless forms. I see it in many things — and especially in people. I believe that seeking out beauty is an art in itself. And when it comes to perfection? I think it’s the least interesting thing, both in objects and in people.

Here’s to celebrating the real, raw, and diverse beauty that surrounds us — this year and beyond!

Portrait

05/01/2025

Is being overly sentimental a perimenopause symptom? Because it seems like I’m becoming more sentimental.

Yesterday, I asked my channel followers what topics they’d like me to share about in this beautiful new year. The responses were surprising and eye-opening—perimenopause was one of them.

Honestly, I’ve always felt a bit out of my depth when talking about this topic. Maybe because I’ve met so many women here on Instagram who really know their stuff. But then it hit me: I am an expert—an experience expert. I’m right in the middle of it!

Irregular cycles? Check. Weeks of nothing, then bam… on vacation for eight days straight (of course), and off I go running to Walgreens for extra-large pads and painkillers.

But don’t get me wrong—this isn’t a pity post. Honestly, I think I’m getting through it pretty well. Not sure if my husband would agree (lol). I get the occasional mood swing, a mild hot flash here and there, annoying bladder issues, and let’s not forget the “brace before you sneeze” situation.

Still, I’ve learned a lot from the peri-menopause gurus on here: a healthy lifestyle really makes a difference. So, I take my supplements, eat well, sleep well, and try to stay active.

But here’s the thing—am I the only one who feels more sentimental? It’s such a weird mix. Some things don’t bother me at all anymore, but when it comes to my loved ones or looking at old photos, I get ridiculously emotional to the point that I can barely look at old photos anymore.

Let’s do a quick symptom check! Aside from hot flashes and mood swings, what unexpected perimenopause symptoms have you experienced? Share your stories, because apparently, the list of possible symptoms is wild.

From burning mouth syndrome to electric shock sensations…. 😖

Picture 2 + 3 Holiday in Italy 2016
Picture 4 taken a few days ago in Miami

02/01/2025

When I was 39, I took this selfie— a month before I got pregnant with Finn. Now, almost 10 years later, I look at that version of myself and the woman I’ve become today. The difference is immense, night and day, and yet, somehow, still the same. At 39, I lived for myself. Now, at 49, I live for myself and for my child.

The last 10 years have been filled with both highs and lows. After a very difficult birth and a C-section, I needed a lot of time to regain my strength. I cherished every moment with my baby, but the sleepless nights were undeniably tough. 🫣 And even though Finn was everything I had ever dreamed of, my heart broke when I experienced a miscarriage with another pregnancy. But after closing the chapter on having a second child came the chapter of AndBloom—another kind of “baby,” but this time in a different form. A collection of my passions and talents—photography, writing, being in front of the camera, content creation, and my drive to channel everything I’m good at into one meaningful project.

I’ve built AndBloom slowly over the years, alongside Finn’s growth spurts. With each step, my “babies”—Finn and AndBloom—have both grown and evolved. In 2021, my first book was released, and my online community grew, thanks to so many incredible women who have supported me along the way. In 2023, I launched my webshop, where many of you have shopped my style (thank you so much! ❤️). Now, my goal for 2025 is to release my second book—AndBloom in book form—and expand the AndBloom brand.

Finn will turn 10, and I’ll turn 50 this year. The past 10 years have flown by, and so much has happened. The 39-year-old Dee in that first photo feels so far from who I am now—another Dee, but at the same time, still the same.

Why share this? To inspire you to follow your heart this new year. Start today. Start NOW. Take it step by step, make plan and even if those steps feel small—just start. And above all, I want to thank you for your friendship, your support, and for following my journey here on Instagram and across other platforms. Thank you for being you.

Let’s keep growing and blooming together in 2025!

#39 #49

30/12/2024

To close out my 2024, I wanted to share one of my portraits, as they hold a special place in my heart. This year, I’ve photographed far too little—a habit I’m determined to change in 2025. Choosing a favorite was no easy task, but I let my current Miami vibes guide me. I settled on this one because Karen is not only one of the kindest and most wonderful Bloomers I’ve had the pleasure of meeting in recent years (and trust me, there are many), but her energy truly stands out. It wasn’t an easy choice, but it feels just right. 🇺🇸

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I am Karen, and my life has been a canvas of adventure, resilience, and creativity. At 19, I left Palo Alto, California, to pursue my dream of studying art in Europe. The Hague became my destination, even though I knew no one, didn’t speak Dutch, and had only my savings. Determination and a passion for art fueled me.

I learned Dutch through comic books and immersed myself in a culture that soon felt like home. Accepted into the Royal Academy of Art, the 5-year program shaped me into the artist I am today. Life brought twists, including marriage and divorce, but I stayed in the Netherlands, where for 49 years I’ve worked as a professional artist in a spacious studio in the old city center.

Looking back, I wish I had studied in other countries, like Italy, and spent more time with my parents before they passed. A deep sorrow has been not having children, a quiet ache that has taught me to cherish the joys I do have.

Now 73, I feel vibrant and young at heart, closer to 38 than my actual age. My wrinkles tell the story of a life fully lived, and to me, that’s the most beautiful thing of all.

30/12/2024

The Miami Edit: Here’s What We’ve Been Up To So Far.

I received some really great tips from followers about Miami, thank you for that. We’ve followed most of them already. ❤️

Fitting everything into just 20 slides is no easy task! If you’d like to dive deeper into my Miami adventure and see more photos, you can check out the full edit in the upcoming days on my website. 👉🏼 www.andbloom.amsterdam

I posted my favorite things to do on South Beach yesterday. The rest of Miami will follow 🔜

I hope you’ll enjoy the Miami vibes! ✨

1. My favorite trees? Palm trees. 🌴

2. The Art Deco District, known for its distinctive architecture from the 1920s to the 1940s. Characterized by pastel colors, geometric patterns and neon lights, the district embodies the optimism of the Art Deco style.

3. Breakfast at

4. Miami’s lifeguard houses are iconic structures scattered along the city’s sandy beaches, they are all different and fabulous.

5. Relax time at the pool of our hotel.

6. TikTok famous 🍦

7. Breakfast at a fun place to visit if you are into fashion and history.

8. Shopping at Lincoln Road, not what it used to be but still worth a visit.

9. Lunch chique and trendy.

10. The Everglades 🐊 Finn loved it.

11. Vintage shopping

12. A must-go if you’re into vintage.

13. In the same street a bit more down the road

14. Another fabulous vintage shop.

15. Flea market Down Town Miami.

16. lovely vibe and I bought a beautiful vintage watch from the 60s.

17. I loved the vibe at Wynwood District.

18. very creative and colorful.

19. And for high-end shopping or window shopping Design District

20. is the place to be

27/12/2024

Photo dump incoming! 🌴 I can’t get over how unbelievably photogenic this place is… and the light!! ☀️ Being here has really made me appreciate just how much of a difference good lighting makes when it comes to capturing beautiful photos and videos. Honestly, for the light alone, I might need to consider moving to the US. 😆

We’re staying in the Art Deco district, and honestly, every single building here is pretty. I have no clue how many more photo dumps I can make from all the gorgeous spots around here, but I’m pretty sure it could to be endless.

Over the past few days, walking around has brought back so many memories—places I’ve stayed before (though the hotels now have different names) and restaurants I’d completely forgotten about. Then again, I’ve always had a pretty bad memory. There are even big gaps from my childhood, although I suspect that’s a different story altogether.

They say that certain parts of your childhood might be harder to recall due to emotional experiences or simply the way your brain stored those memories.

I’m so curious about how much Finn will remember of these moments later on. I really hope the happy memories will stay with him.

23/12/2024

18/12/2024

At 80, I have come to appreciate the beauty of growing older. The confidence I now carry is something I never had in my twenties. Walking in front of a full terrace or attending a party on my own used to feel overwhelming, but those fears are long gone. Experience has taught me that most of the things I once worried about simply don’t matter.

Of course, getting older has its challenges. The hardest part is the loss of family and friends. I do my best to stay healthy, both physically and emotionally. I drink plenty of water, avoid smoking, rarely touch alcohol, and make sure to get eight hours of sleep every night.

Living near the beach is a blessing I never take for granted. Walking and cycling by the sea are part of my daily routine, and I aim to reach 10,000 steps a day. The sound of the waves and the rhythm of my steps bring me peace, clearing my mind and energizing my body.

Emotionally, I find happiness in the love of my family. My children and grandchildren are the light of my life, and I see them as often as I can. Even my 19-year-old grandson still enjoys having lunch with me, something that fills me with pride and joy. Those shared moments—full of laughter, conversation, and love—are what I treasure most.

When I look at what makes me truly happy, it’s simple: my family. Their love and presence bring me more joy than anything else.

I am 80 years old, but I don’t feel it. In my heart, I’m no older than 50. Yes, the mirror shows wrinkles and grey hair, but I see those as marks of a life well-lived. I have faced difficult times—several surgeries and moments of uncertainty—but I am deeply grateful to have survived and to feel as strong as I do today.

Growing older is not about what’s lost; it’s about cherishing what remains and celebrating the moments that make life beautiful. Every day is a gift, and I walk forward with gratitude, knowing that I have lived, loved, and continue to embrace life with open arms.

📷

17/12/2024

“Little green back” from George Baker 😂 isn’t that an epic song. George’s real name is Johannes “Hans” Bouwens and he’s is a Dutch singer and songwriter who, with his band “George Baker Selection”, scored three international hits; “Little Green Bag” (1969), “Paloma Blanca” (1975) and “Santa Lucia by Night” (1985). Not bad for a Dutch guy. He’s 80 at the moment and I particularly loved “Little Green Bag” in Quentin Tarantino’s film Reservoir Dogs.

So I got this skirt and tried it on and send it back cause it wasn’t me. But I kept the jeans! What’s your favorite? Skirt or jeans?

Lip color combined a brownish lipliner Spice from and the beautiful matte red lipstick Rosso Ancora.

Jeans is Zara, straight leg and high waisted.
This coat 🤩🤩 got it last year but is still favorite this winter.
Skirt just like the high nek grey sweater. Scarf and jewelry from my collection. And of course that little green bag

Have a lovely day. ❤️❤️❤️