Heyy,
Last week I spoke about the regret of not ever living in London and the city and the life that I could have imagined living if it weren't for different other life events that lead me on the path I am today. And yet again I sit here in regret.
Back in the Autumn of 2018, my Mr Warehouse proposed. I remember it so clearly, walking on ahead with my little winner following a fun dog show which our (now) eldest pooch (the only one at the time) won for coming first as "The dog that the judges would most like to take home". So in my own world was I, I didn't notice as Mr Warehouse came up alongside me and almost in slow motion, my boyfriend of nearly four-years knelt down on one knee and pulled out a grey box from his pocket. As if it was yesterday I recall how I felt as my mind adjusted to what my eyes were seeing, he opened the box only to reveal a beautiful White Gold Diamond ring. A part of me had not quite realised that this was it and instead was just thinking how nice it was that he had bought me a nice gift. Then I think everything caught up with me and as my gorgeously handsome, cute bottomed Mr Warehouse asked: "Will You Marry Me?"
After choosing the wrong size I had to re-pick my ring, mainly as they could only size up and down 2 levels and I needed more than that. I selected the beautiful Revere 9-carat White Gold Cubic Zirconia Oval Halo Ring, classic and elegant. After whizzing over to Stevenage to collect it in my size, I was overjoyed and couldn't stop staring at my hand for months. But soon enough the whirlwind had worn off and I found a new shiny thing to think about.
Back in the Summer of last year, I was sat in a meeting in early June and noticed a small spec of dust on the desk. I swiped it onto the floor, thinking nothing more of it. A little while later I ended up looking down and playing with my engagement ring. However, on closer inspection, I realised a stone was missing. Panicked I realised that the "speck of dust" was actually one of my stones! There I was, on all fours in this bloody sales meeting. I picked up the crystal and wrapped it in a piece of paper, stuffing it into my bra for safekeeping. Calling the store Mr Warehouse (and I) bought it from, I explained what had happened and asked if I could bring it in with a photo of the receipt that I had on my phone to be repaired. They said it would be fine and I brought it in that evening once I had finished. With weeks before we jetted off on our last holiday as an unmarried couple, I was itching to get it back.
Several weeks later I was days away from mine and Mr Warehouse's holiday and I was even more desperate to get it back to go on holiday with. It would be the first time it had been on holiday and would be the one and only time it would be seen on a beach, fore next time it would be accompanied by my wedding ring! Eeeek! But after calling several times I was told that the ring was not back yet and they would be in touch soon. I did have a contingency plan though. I had ordered a lab-created diamond ring from eBay that looked similar, although disappointingly it had not arrived in time for my holiday only adding to my heartache. However, once it had (eventually) arrived was not quite for me and so I sent it back, awaiting any day for my beloved ring to be back with me. And so, regrettably, I skipped off on holiday without my ring.
Coming back home from Malaga Mr Warehouse and I waited in the airport, ready to board our flight home, swollen and in pain with blisters and sores. I had a phone call from the store we sent the ring back to get repaired. Unfortunately, it would have happened that when the repairers went to fix the ring, it bowed and warped so much so that whilst they had been able to fix it, the repair was not guaranteed and that if any more stone fell out I would have to go through the whole six-eight week process again. I decided not to accept the repair and instead opted to have the ring returned and have a replacement, thoughts of the new shiny thing I had seen in the shops a few weeks before.
Truth be told I had fallen in love with a 9ct White Gold Cluster Ring. The claw set cushion design is a real beauty. Handset with DiamonFlash Cubic Zirconia it creates a ring of perfect proportions with lots of sparkle and style. A fabulous accessory for any outfit - Including my wedding dress. Lusting after it for a while I was still waiting to hear about my ring being returned, I couldn't help myself and after calling a local branch in Milton Keynes and being told that my exact size was in and was on sale, I dropped what I was doing (which was decorating our hallway at the time) and headed over. However, on making the half-hour round trip and paying for premium parking, I was more than annoyed to try on the ring and for it to barely get past my knuckle.
"This is not the correct ring size," I said to the sales assistant. She disagreed saying that of course, it is.
"I can assure you that this is not my ring size," I said again asking her this time to size it on her ring chart and, sure enough, it was wrong, coming up nearly three sizes too small. Fuming I tried to control myself in a shop busy with people, but explaining politely to the sales girl that I have come in especially for this and what it is simply not really acceptable to just say sorry and make an excuse that someone had labelled it incorrectly, especially when I had called in advance too. Nevertheless, the young girl helped by ordering the ring in, although not before trying to charge me more because I was ordering a "bigger size". I paid in full and left, sitting in my car before I left and typing out an angry tweet. Venting through the interwebs seems to help as I had a response within a few hours and was told that because of my troubles I would have my ring especially shipped in from the manufacturers directly and that I could collect that Friday.
What happened to the other original engagement ring? Well, whilst I loved it, I love this one. Although I should have listened to the doubt inside my head at the time. Writing in "Rings and Tings" that week I really had to ask myself if this new ring will have all the same significance and special feels as the OG. Several months down the line I can promise you that it does not. Silly old me back then thought "I mean of course it will look a little odd in photos and I will have to explain every time someone asks what happened to my old engagement ring, but this one is soooo sparkly and soooo beautiful it won't be hard for them to see why I fell in love with it." Oh how wrong I was.
I have since just spent pretty much the entire evening looking for this damned ring. The original of course. I am absolutely gutted though as Argos have stopped selling it, literally as of January 2020! Alas Revere 9-carat White Gold Cubic Zirconia Oval Halo Ring, you were the one and I was hasty to let you go for now I regret my decision and whilst I continue my search online for ex-models or ex-stock items, I can only hope I can find you item 724/8119 ...
'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx
Showing posts with label 2018. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2018. Show all posts
Monday, 24 February 2020
Monday, 13 January 2020
Food Glorious Food
Hello everyone,
Ahh January! The hated month of many. Christmas is long gone, Summer is so far and yet the sickness of Valentine's day is nearing with all its mushy mushy-ness! Payday is long-awaited and the weekends never seem long enough. Getting back to work and into the swing of things is hard and truth be told I have not enjoyed the first few weeks of "my year" yet. That being said, there was one thing I wanted to get out the way, over and done with, booked and confirmed. The Wedding Catering.
After months, nearly an entire year of searching for catering I had finally settled on something Mr Warehouse and I were happy with. I wanted canapes and fizz reception followed by a proper sit-down meal with a starter and main, followed by a nice piece of the wedding cake to finish. Mr Warehouse, however, wanted something really relaxed and informal, street food or buffet style, everyone helping themselves when they want, how they want and what they want. A free-for-all. But we needed structure. We need to have some level of formality as to the meal as this is going to form part of our speeches and will support the following goings-on such as the cutting of the cake, first dance, etc.
After searching around for everything from Mexicana dishes to pizza vans to fish and chips, but nothing really hit the mark. I started looking at what a simple two-course menu would look like, maybe soup or prawn cocktail and a chicken breast something dinner with seasonal vegetables. However, after settling on that as our wedding breakfast we soon realised the cost of it all and how ridiculous the price seemed to spike as soon as you mention it's for a wedding.
Whilst it was very much me, it wasn't much of Mr Warehouse and I felt his disappointment. With this in mind, we went back to the drawing board, Mr Warehouse and I took inspiration from what we love most about other peoples weddings or events we have been to. We loved hog roasts. Everything about it was us, the stuffing and the meat, sauces and oh lordy the crackling, all wrapped together in a bun. Perfect weather you are sober and even better when your half cut. It feeds many and looks good. Perfect choice. If only they could carve off the meat and serve it to the tables with vegetables and other sides? If only they could provide a starter?
So I asked. A lot of them immediately said that they couldn't provide starters and that serving to the tables was simply a no-no. Others just never came back to us. That whittled the list down considerably. We had approximately ten suppliers that could do all of what we were asking, but the longer that we went on talking to the companies in particular, the more they seemed to be able to offer or quote us for, including proper crockery and cutlery, saving someone (probably my Dad and our groomsmen) doing the washing up the following day. Another one was able to top that and add in table linen to the quotation, again saving us as the bride and groom the job of buying it all, housing it all, storing it all for months before transporting it to our venue. And then after we have the inevitable task of having to sell it.
And some of the menus! Wow! Starters that consist of goats cheese and caramelised onion tart, smooth pate with melba toast and freshly baked bread. Another supplier was offering Tomato Bruschetta with pesto and another caterer pushing the boat out with "A Selection of Fine Italian Meats- Including Prosciutto Parma Ham And Salami Served With Fine Cheeses Including Buffalo Mozzarella, Parmigiano and Gorgonzola" (although they were one of the most expensive ones coming in at £3,500.00).
The mains all seemed to be similar with the main theme being the whole roasted pig roasted slowly over flames until succulently sweet and moreish all carved and served by professional chefs. The meat, in any instance of the caterer we choose, would be served with freshly made apple sauce, homemade sage and onion stuffing and professionally presented crackling. Side dishes and accompaniments did vary from supplier to supplier, everything from simple roast potatoes and seasonal vegetables all the way to a zingy salad, tasty pasta or an exotic couscous dish.
Following the main meal would host the speeches and once people had finished laughing (or crying) dessert would follow that, a nod to our wedding cake, yet to be cut. Three mini cake rounds sandwiched in between lashings of buttercream and finished with some fresh fruit. This would be supplied and provided by our wonderful (if a little lacking on the communication front) cake lady.
Evening catering I had considered letting Mr Warehouse have his naff buffet idea, but I wanted the fun and socialising to continue into the night so I had thought up an idea of having all sorts of bar snacks on offer. No evening catering so as to speak, just bucket loads (in my head I was thinking literally buckets) of pork scratchings, Bombay mix, nuts, pork pies, cheese, scotch eggs, mini sausages, crisps - Everyone dipping in whilst guzzling a pint or knocking back some shots. No-one seemed to be enthused by the idea and so I settled on asking our already shortlisted caterers if they could provide evening catering, something to warm the cockles of our guests and be a quick and easy something that wasn't too messy for veggies, vegans and meat lovers alike.
That's when Mr Warehouse and I stumbled upon baked potatoes. Perfect! A simplistic idea found on Pinterest of all places, but the variety and unique toppings and dressings you could have were almost never-ending. Some of our favourite contenders were the homemade gourmet coleslaw, the perfect accompaniment we thought to jacket potatoes combining texture, colour and a zesty depth of flavour. Another one was a crispy Thai salad - sumptuously unique comprising spring green leaves, beansprouts and a sesame oil dressing. Another winner was warming chilli with mixed beans and spices to make our guests glow. So many different toppings to choose from, along with the menus and suppliers themselves - We had a hard job on our hands.
So I was glad when Dad and his new wife (Yes they got married - No were not going to talk about it) kindly asked us to come over for Sunday Tea and to discuss the proposition of the father of the Bride contributing a large amount to the wedding. This being said, as his offer still stood many months ago, he wanted to pay for the wedding catering, maybe the single most important part of the day, all bar the ceremony and maybe the dress. It was most certainly going to be the most expensive part of the whole day and with nearly a hundred-day guests to feed and a few more evening mouths, it was unsurprising we were getting quotes for nearly four-thousand-pounds.
However one quote stuck out, mainly because it was cheap, the cheapest in fact, but also because they could offer everything every other supplier could, and was fast at replying which was a big deal for me. I am impatient and want answers now. I don't want to wait or think about it. I want it now. She was more than happy to bend over backwards and help out with anything I could possibly need. She was on hand to have a quick reply via Facebook or emails. Nothing was too much trouble. However the price? Why was the price so cheap when compared and bench marked against competitors, they came out the cheapest? I asked her this question this morning and I got a pleasant and sweet reply "There is one simple reason the quote is a little lighter than competitors. It's the wedding word. We charge a standard fee, wedding or not, whereas a lot of companies add on extra for it being a wedding. We don't." And so, ladies and gentlemen, I think I have found our caterer - Now to book them in!
'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx
Ahh January! The hated month of many. Christmas is long gone, Summer is so far and yet the sickness of Valentine's day is nearing with all its mushy mushy-ness! Payday is long-awaited and the weekends never seem long enough. Getting back to work and into the swing of things is hard and truth be told I have not enjoyed the first few weeks of "my year" yet. That being said, there was one thing I wanted to get out the way, over and done with, booked and confirmed. The Wedding Catering.
After months, nearly an entire year of searching for catering I had finally settled on something Mr Warehouse and I were happy with. I wanted canapes and fizz reception followed by a proper sit-down meal with a starter and main, followed by a nice piece of the wedding cake to finish. Mr Warehouse, however, wanted something really relaxed and informal, street food or buffet style, everyone helping themselves when they want, how they want and what they want. A free-for-all. But we needed structure. We need to have some level of formality as to the meal as this is going to form part of our speeches and will support the following goings-on such as the cutting of the cake, first dance, etc.
After searching around for everything from Mexicana dishes to pizza vans to fish and chips, but nothing really hit the mark. I started looking at what a simple two-course menu would look like, maybe soup or prawn cocktail and a chicken breast something dinner with seasonal vegetables. However, after settling on that as our wedding breakfast we soon realised the cost of it all and how ridiculous the price seemed to spike as soon as you mention it's for a wedding.
Whilst it was very much me, it wasn't much of Mr Warehouse and I felt his disappointment. With this in mind, we went back to the drawing board, Mr Warehouse and I took inspiration from what we love most about other peoples weddings or events we have been to. We loved hog roasts. Everything about it was us, the stuffing and the meat, sauces and oh lordy the crackling, all wrapped together in a bun. Perfect weather you are sober and even better when your half cut. It feeds many and looks good. Perfect choice. If only they could carve off the meat and serve it to the tables with vegetables and other sides? If only they could provide a starter?
So I asked. A lot of them immediately said that they couldn't provide starters and that serving to the tables was simply a no-no. Others just never came back to us. That whittled the list down considerably. We had approximately ten suppliers that could do all of what we were asking, but the longer that we went on talking to the companies in particular, the more they seemed to be able to offer or quote us for, including proper crockery and cutlery, saving someone (probably my Dad and our groomsmen) doing the washing up the following day. Another one was able to top that and add in table linen to the quotation, again saving us as the bride and groom the job of buying it all, housing it all, storing it all for months before transporting it to our venue. And then after we have the inevitable task of having to sell it.
And some of the menus! Wow! Starters that consist of goats cheese and caramelised onion tart, smooth pate with melba toast and freshly baked bread. Another supplier was offering Tomato Bruschetta with pesto and another caterer pushing the boat out with "A Selection of Fine Italian Meats- Including Prosciutto Parma Ham And Salami Served With Fine Cheeses Including Buffalo Mozzarella, Parmigiano and Gorgonzola" (although they were one of the most expensive ones coming in at £3,500.00).
The mains all seemed to be similar with the main theme being the whole roasted pig roasted slowly over flames until succulently sweet and moreish all carved and served by professional chefs. The meat, in any instance of the caterer we choose, would be served with freshly made apple sauce, homemade sage and onion stuffing and professionally presented crackling. Side dishes and accompaniments did vary from supplier to supplier, everything from simple roast potatoes and seasonal vegetables all the way to a zingy salad, tasty pasta or an exotic couscous dish.
Following the main meal would host the speeches and once people had finished laughing (or crying) dessert would follow that, a nod to our wedding cake, yet to be cut. Three mini cake rounds sandwiched in between lashings of buttercream and finished with some fresh fruit. This would be supplied and provided by our wonderful (if a little lacking on the communication front) cake lady.
Evening catering I had considered letting Mr Warehouse have his naff buffet idea, but I wanted the fun and socialising to continue into the night so I had thought up an idea of having all sorts of bar snacks on offer. No evening catering so as to speak, just bucket loads (in my head I was thinking literally buckets) of pork scratchings, Bombay mix, nuts, pork pies, cheese, scotch eggs, mini sausages, crisps - Everyone dipping in whilst guzzling a pint or knocking back some shots. No-one seemed to be enthused by the idea and so I settled on asking our already shortlisted caterers if they could provide evening catering, something to warm the cockles of our guests and be a quick and easy something that wasn't too messy for veggies, vegans and meat lovers alike.
That's when Mr Warehouse and I stumbled upon baked potatoes. Perfect! A simplistic idea found on Pinterest of all places, but the variety and unique toppings and dressings you could have were almost never-ending. Some of our favourite contenders were the homemade gourmet coleslaw, the perfect accompaniment we thought to jacket potatoes combining texture, colour and a zesty depth of flavour. Another one was a crispy Thai salad - sumptuously unique comprising spring green leaves, beansprouts and a sesame oil dressing. Another winner was warming chilli with mixed beans and spices to make our guests glow. So many different toppings to choose from, along with the menus and suppliers themselves - We had a hard job on our hands.
So I was glad when Dad and his new wife (Yes they got married - No were not going to talk about it) kindly asked us to come over for Sunday Tea and to discuss the proposition of the father of the Bride contributing a large amount to the wedding. This being said, as his offer still stood many months ago, he wanted to pay for the wedding catering, maybe the single most important part of the day, all bar the ceremony and maybe the dress. It was most certainly going to be the most expensive part of the whole day and with nearly a hundred-day guests to feed and a few more evening mouths, it was unsurprising we were getting quotes for nearly four-thousand-pounds.
However one quote stuck out, mainly because it was cheap, the cheapest in fact, but also because they could offer everything every other supplier could, and was fast at replying which was a big deal for me. I am impatient and want answers now. I don't want to wait or think about it. I want it now. She was more than happy to bend over backwards and help out with anything I could possibly need. She was on hand to have a quick reply via Facebook or emails. Nothing was too much trouble. However the price? Why was the price so cheap when compared and bench marked against competitors, they came out the cheapest? I asked her this question this morning and I got a pleasant and sweet reply "There is one simple reason the quote is a little lighter than competitors. It's the wedding word. We charge a standard fee, wedding or not, whereas a lot of companies add on extra for it being a wedding. We don't." And so, ladies and gentlemen, I think I have found our caterer - Now to book them in!
'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx
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