Frump to Fab 2024

FreetodoasIlike

@thepurplepixie. Your outfit sounds fab, and you’ve received some good ideas on here about footwear. You must be very proud of your grandson and I’m sure you will have a wonderful time and will make lots of lovely memories. A Gold DoE award is something that will stand him in good stead and great for his CV. A lot of youngsters will have the same school/Uni grades so something different will stand him out to future employers.

@Floss. I absolutely LOVE those bracelets! I also love the idea of having your wedding and eternity rings made into another ring - the ring is absolutely stunning, really beautiful and I’m sure you get a lot of pleasure out of wearing it. I love the idea of ‘bespoke’ jewellery. Reminds me of the time I thought I would buy some Tiffany clip on earrings (never have had my ears pierced). I really never wear earrings but thought I would buy some last year for a wedding I was attending which I thought would look great with my outfit. The price for the sterling silver and 18ct gold earrings was really cheap (about £50) and now I know why!! They retail (mainly in the USA) for around £200 so I thought I had got a really good bargain from a UK seller. When the earring (yes singular - there was only one) arrived, I was horrified. When I looked back at the listing it was clearly listed as a single earring with no returns. I should have carefully read the listing. I know people DO wear single earrings but they’re mainly studs, and one Tiffany earring would have looked ridiculous! I suppose people only buying one earring would be a replacement for one they’ve lost. Anyway, I took the clip off and I’m going to get a silver bale put on and wear with one of my Tiffany chains or even gold as a (bespoke - get me!) necklace. I have already spoken to a jeweller and this is something they can do. Yes, it will cost me but at least I can wear it.  I think I did well, as to buy both would retail around £180 on eBay (usually from the USA) so the postage would be astronomical. Below is a photo of my single earring and chains which I emailed to the jeweller and the other picture is the full cost of two earrings. They are at the jewellers now, just waiting for the bale to be added. VERY MSE!

@Wednesday2000. Good luck with your house sale and it’s nice to know you will get more than you thought. I haven’t sold a ring (only bought pre-loved on eBay) but I’m sure someone on here will have some good advice. My only advice would be to try and not sell to a dealer as they will probably rip you off. If it’s a diamond solitaire, or a solid stone like a sapphire or emerald, could you perhaps get it made into a diamond/sapphire etc drop? It seems a pity to sell when you may not get the right price. If you do sell, always put a reserve price on.

Wednesday2000

Oh, thanks for info.

I think I will ask a couple of local jewellers and if they don't give me a good deal I will probably just donate the ring to a charity. I'm not very sentimental and the ring means nothing to me to be honest. 

SandyShores

@Wednesday2000 I'd be interested to hear about selling engagement rings, it doesn't fit me any longer and it won't fit DD.  I wonder if I could get it resized for her at some point though or made into something like the lovely ring @Floss has shared.  I've sold jewellery previously through a local jeweller - they take a huge commission but they have to make their money - and at least they do all the work and people can be reassured they are getting the real thing.  I've also got a necklace I'd like to sell, I've only worn it a couple of times and its just surplus to requirements.  

I'm with you @helensbiggestfan re. buying small plants and bringing them on.  If you've got space to put them somewhere and nuture them on its a great idea.  I bought a plum tree from Asd@ a couple of weeks ago - it literally looks like a broom handle, but for £7.50 I've taken a chance on it.  I've just spotted some plum trees on the local fb page for between £3-7 various sizes, so that might be a good place to look too.

My dressing table is all set up, apart from the mirror - I'm going to buy something to add to the wall behind.  It needs to be quite large but I might need to wait for after the hols.  I also need a hook or two, or a basket to put my hairdryer and straighteners in - feels great to have my own space for fabbing.

thepurplepixie

Watty I am going to look at those roll up shoes, I definitely have awkward feet.  When my DD got married I bought some trainers that matched my dress and changed into them for the evening.  It wasn't very fab but I figured being in pain was definitely frump.

Helen I have had an offer about the luggage, someone he knows who is also going from his old sixth form is driving up, if we can liaise with them they will put the luggage in their car and transport it home for us which is great plus means we don't have it on the train so a win win.

I have a hair appointment Monday, physio Tuesday as GP wants me to see them again although last time was a disaster and then chiropractor on Friday.  How did I ever have time to go to work.

I had two RF facials, I was told you don't start to see the long term benefits for 2 weeks and it will continue to improve over the following months.  Well I'm just past the 2 weeks from the first one and I think it has made a difference.  I don't look sweet 16 again but I don't look like some unknown old lady when I see myself in a shop window.  I'm looking forward to having my hair done as I think that will be the icing on the cake so I will report on Monday.  My disaster dye job has continued to fade and is quite a nice colour now.

GS is getting lots of work, he is on his gap year saving for uni and he did have a warehouse job before Christmas  but.wasn't very motivated.  He's paid for a lifeguard course and is lifeguarding at a local holiday park and he loves it.  He did over 60 hours this week and he's suddenly realised he could be going off to uni with a few thousand in the bank, I think he's really getting the saving bug, his target keeps moving but he is aiming for £6,000 as a minimum and that's after driving lessons and a foreign holiday with his friends.  We'll see how it goes.

FreetodoasIlike

@thepurplepixie. Your grandson does seem to have the savings bug. It’s good that he’s having work experience during his gap year and the lifeguard course will be another string to his bow, as well as being able to drive.

We’ve been promised that a heat wave is on the way (will believe it when I see it) so it looks like there will good weather for your trip. I think it was Watty who said she had been to a garden party at the Palace before, and advised that there may be a lot of waiting around or standing so you definitely want your feet to be comfortable.

Watty1

Yes it was me that went to a Palace Garden party. It was wonderful and I did a lot of miles walking around the garden and just standing about.  You are going to a different sort of event so it might not be walking and standing. I'm looking forward to hearing about your day!

thepurplepixie

Thanks Watty, I'm getting a bit stressed about the train situation.  We are going up the day before but coming home after the event which finishes at 6 pm.  So looking at getting train back to Devon between7 and 8 pm but the overtime ban is on and they can't say if trains will be running.  I'm not sure I'm up to sleeping on the station floor.

Watty1

Which station are you going from?  Maybe interview google for the likes of Premier Inn and other cheaper hotels  (there are a few around the Kings Cross and Euston stations that I know of).    Then you have a list in your bag with numbers so if you get really stuck you can call for a room?     The receptions of such places usually have toothbrushes or the station shops will have some cheap options too.  

I think this might be one of those "plan for the worsts" situation - if the worst is no train then what could you do?  I do this to keep my anxiety in check, if I plan for the worst (so for me in this situation it would be, no train, so have a list of places to call to book somewhere until the morning, know where to pick up overnight essential supplies know where dinner and breakfast options are) then my stress level drops.

Your plan might be very different but i do find for me having a plan helps.  Of course when I am very anxious I can't actually think of a plan but the idea is sound

thepurplepixie

Thanks Watty, we go from Paddington, I've had a look and there is a Premier Inn nearby.  As long as we get there and GS has his "moment" we will cope with what comes next.  I have read that if you have to pay for a taxi/hotel you can reclaim it from the train company but not sure if that is true.  

helensbiggestfan

Good morning lovely ladies. 

How are we all.  Chiro yesterday so feeling a little bit worse for wear today, so just a quiet day today, pottering about.  A bit chilly this morning so going to have a wardrobe sort out.  Need to dig out some summer clothes at last.  😁

Hopefully it will warm up later and I can soak up some 🌞.