Shopping-Adviser

Asking For “Permission”

It is a time honored tradition to ask for the blessing of the girls’ parents before proposing marriage.  Young men have been taking on this responsibility for hundreds of years and it is most likely more stressful than popping the actual question.

Today, it is becoming more popular and politically correct to ask both parents.  This way you will not offend your future mother in law and that is a smart idea.  These days with so many different family arrangements you may want to ask who ever she has lived with most recently or who she has a closer relationship with.  If her parents are separated or divorced it is a good idea to speak with each parent separately. 

Most young men choose to sit down with the parents secretly before they propose to let the family know how they feel about their daughter, that they will cherish her forever and provide and care for her. 

Before you sit down with your girl friends parent or parents or get them on the phone if there is a long distance between you and her family, take the time to think about what you are going to say.  In other words, be prepared.  Explain the depth of your feelings toward their daughter and how much she means to you.  Inform them of the plans you have made for their future together and that you will do everything in your power to make their daughter happy.  Assure them that you fully understand the commitment that you are making and that you have given serious consideration to the matter of marrying their daughter.

Sitting down with your girl friends parents and having a serious conversation about your future not only shows respect but will set the tone for your relationship with them going forward. 

Celebrity Misbehavior

Is it just me or are there lots of others folks who are just plain sick and tired of celebrities and their truly awful behavior.  It is not enough that you have all of the twenty some year olds cat fighting over each others boyfriends, dumping drinks on each other in night clubs, and denying the obvious drug/eating disorders or the Tom Cruises of the world who can not seem to keep his feet on the ground when sitting on a couch or out of his mouth when talking about child bearing, a subject that even if he thinks he is an expert on he is clearly not, but now you have Babs swearing at an audience member during a recent concert.

Barbara Streisand may be loved by many but it is my guess that there are a lot fewer fans out there after her recent raunchy behavior on stage.  She was there to do a benefit concert not conduct a political debate.  Everyone likes a good comedic routine but enough was enough and in my opinion she more than crossed the line when using the f*%$#@ word directed to an audience member who clearly was there to hear her sing not bash the President of the United States.

Yes I am a loyal republican but even if I were not I still would not condone the behavior of any public figure who uses that podium to spout out their own political views.  If specifically asked they can say whatever they please but if I had spent good money to see Babs sing, then that is what I would want her to do. 

I feel like Hollywood has run amuck.  I used to idolize the celebrity crowd and admire them for their grace, class and poise.  I would buy every glossy magazine that hit the news stands and could not read enough about their lifestyle.  Nowadays I specifically do not buy magazines that feature the celebs that have just plain behaved badly.  Why would I want to read about another famous person who has just plain lost it. 

Traveling With Your Jewelry

Protect Your Jewelry When Traveling

If you have travel plans in your future, think carefully if you really need to take all your expensive jewelry.  The risk of theft, loss and damage increases as soon as you start your trip because you are in new surroundings, doing new activities and often in tourist areas that are the target of pickpockets, thieves and con artists.

If you are traveling out of the country, check to be sure your jewelry insurance covers your property when you are traveling outside the United States.  Because the risk of theft is so much higher in foreign countries, some insurance companies only provide domestic coverage.

To avoid inviting crime, plan to dress inconspicuously to blend into the environment, especially when in another country.  When traveling internationally, consider taking and wearing no jewelry.  Criminals assume all tourists are wealthy so if you choose to wear jewelry, turn rings around so the diamonds are not showing and avoid dangling earrings. Large, expensive-looking jewelry is an attractive target and it is easy to snatch dangling earrings.

It is never wise to put jewelry items in checked baggage, especially with security personnel going through your belongings.  The percentage of bags lost by airlines continues to increase and their liability for your lost luggage is very limited.  Keep your jewelry and other valuables like money, keys, wallets, tickets, cameras, and medications in your carryon luggage.  If airport security requires going through your carryon, request a private place so other travelers will not see your valuables.

Be especially careful with your valuables in hotel rooms because they are open to cleaning personnel several times a day and safes in hotel rooms are not particularly secure.  How many times have you walked by hotel rooms with doors wide open and cleaning crews not visible?  Professional criminals know the cleaning procedures and can quickly enter your room when cleaning service personnel are not looking.

If you do not put your jewelry in your luggage or leave it in your hotel room, that means you are carrying it with you but that can be a problem at the security checks at airports or when carrying something all day as you travel or are sightseeing.  Many valuables disappear after being left for a few moments in a bag at a restaurant, transportation waiting room, restroom, or ticket line.  Thieves patiently wait for travelers to let their guard down for just a minute and grab their bag without anyone noticing.

Theft is only one of the risks when traveling.  Often a vacation includes some time at the beach, pool or hot tub.  The sand and concrete can easily scratch precious metals in jewelry as well as gemstones that are not as hard as diamonds.  Chlorine can also weaken and discolor precious metals.  Travelers often expose their jewelry to risks they would never think of doing at home.

Carrying jewelry when traveling also needs some special care.  Diamonds, gemstones and metal can scratch each other if carried together in a single bag.  Place fine jewelry in separate cloth bags or put in separate compartments of a jewelry bag made for travel.  Then be sure to carry the jewelry case in a purse or carryon.

The purpose of most vacations is to relax, not to impress the locals, so minimize jewelry when traveling.  If you do take jewelry, be aware that you are in new and potentially dangerous surroundings.  Take special care of your valuables and enjoy your trip.

Living And Working In Richmond

Living, as I do, in Richmond, Virginia has many advantages.  It is close to the Washington, DC area with all of the culture, shopping and politics one could want.  The beach is only 90 miles away and you can be in the mountains in an hour.  The weather cooperates most of the time, not too very cold in the winter or too terribly hot in the summer.  I grew up in Wisconsin and so I consider myself a northerner.  But living in the “so called” south there are certain traditions that are so very southern.

I participated last weekend in the Southern Woman’s Show here in Richmond.  It is a three day event centered solely on women.  I work for Diamond Source of Virginia a family owned internet based diamond company that has been doing business here in Richmond since 1989.  We don’t advertise in the conventional way, i.e. newspaper ads, radio or billboards.  A great deal of our clientele have come to us through word of mouth of previous happy customers.  We keep our costs low; in fact they are the lowest in the country, by not carrying inventory.  We do individual diamond searches based on our customers’ criteria.  We joined the conference this year to get the word out that we are here and ready to help our Richmond neighbors.

This particular Women’s Show Series attracts over 250,000 women, ages 25-64, who come to shop, gather information, make decisions and yes, buy.  The show featured demonstrations on fashion, food, business, health, beauty, travel and home improvement. 

We were positioned in a key spot at the show after teaming up with an event planner and a travel agency. Our booth was center stage as you entered the convention center.  A free flowing Belgian chocolate fountain ran for three days in the center of our tent which made for a wonderful gathering place.  Attendees could come into the tent, sample the chocolate and learn about diamonds at the same time.  Now tell me, what is better than chocolate and diamonds. 

It was a great event to meet and greet people from all over the Central Virginia area.  I am very fortunate to work for such a great company with wonderful co-workers and in a business that is full of happiness and celebration.  People buy diamonds for engagements, anniversaries, holidays and the birth of a baby and it is such fun to be able to help them with their buying needs and to be a part of happy times.  Please check us out on the web or give us a call and we would be more than happy to make your purchase as easy as possible.  http://www.diamondsourceva.com/