Monday, 31 August 2009

In The Doghouse

After weeks of trying to get through to my parents, I eventually managed it today and as expected I am in the doghouse once again...sigh. Mum is not best pleased that I dared to have eye surgery and not breathe a word about it, she is also miffed that I havent been able to drive - one wonders if she would have been happy for me to set foot in my car when unable to see?? I also spoke to Dad, I am really worried about him as he isnt very well and on Saturday was particularly ill as he said that he couldnt stop shaking - he likened it to being in the arctic without clothes. I also told him about my eye op and explained that I hadnt said anything as I didnt want to worry them because they have enough on their plate. I said that I need to get the battery charged on my car so that I can go and visit - he doesnt want me driving any distance as I haven't driven for 2 months and so he is now worried about me which is what I didnt want to happen :(

I have been busy today giving advice on a chat forum and getting the low down on a place that I had considered using for stag/hen parties (a cookery school) and out of that came the idea of a wonderful place called Deer Park Hall in Eckington, Nr Pershore, Worcs as a place for team building events, conferences and weddings - so as soon as I am mobile again I will contact them and arrange a visit.

I am still trying to work out what to give as prizes for this draw that I am doing at the wedding fair in September. I am thinking along the lines now of a jewellery set (this has been ordered already), on-the-day co-ordination, a plan (basically a time line of when things should be done), and a book - now do I choose a book of wedding readings and poems, wedding etiquette or budget weddings and possibly a guestbook? I am trying to think which would be more use.

Today, I have been thinking about trade packs too and what to put in them, these are also for the wedding fair.

People think its funny that I am getting myself organised when the fair doesnt take place until 27 September - I would much rather sort it out now rather than leave it until the very last minute. I keep thinking of it as an event and every one of my events is perfectly planned. Anyway, its the first of September tomorrow so it really isnt that long until the fair.

I havent got a banner nor do I have a pop up display - I cannot afford these at the moment so I shall have to make do with what I have got and that is me (I will be dressed to the nines lol), I have asked for a chair too as I cannot stand for long periods without my back stiffening up to the point where I cannot move and certainly not bend (an old war wound...from severe whiplash after a car accident back in 1995).

Plans are also afoot for the Autumn Fair - I need to look for boxes (to use as welcome boxes) and wedding stationery including a guest book (I am hoping to blag one at the show). I am an expert blagger lol.

Well, I suppose I had better carry on with some work - I have had a short break and caught up with Neighbours and Home&Away (I know they are awful programmes but I don't need to concentrate on them and they are just like moving wallpaper). One thing that has got me thinking though - have you noticed that the characters in these soaps never have birthdays? They seem to celebrate Christmas (bizarre to see christmas lights up on Ramsay Street lol - I keep thinking that in Australia that they wouldnt bother) and Valentine's Day although they don't do that very well.

Sunday, 30 August 2009

Printing and yet more Printing

Having checked my diary, I have noticed that the wedding fair I am due to have a stand at is happening on 27 September (eek). You could say that I was a wedding fair virgin having been to loads but never exhibited at any - hence me feeling a bit wibbly wobbly.

As a way of capturing details, I have decided to have a prize draw so today I have been designing a prize draw leaflet and have started printing them - I think that I will need to have about 500 so on Tuesday I had better get a few more reams of paper. I also need to blag some prizes - I shall be offering On the Day Co-ordination which is worth approx. £350 - I am not going to give away the full wedding organisation as that is too much money. One of my friends designs and makes the most wonderful bridal jewellery (as featured in Wedding Ideas magazine) so I shall ask her if I can buy a pendant set. I shall also contact places like the day spa where I am a member to see if they will donate anything and again I will also ask my entertainment agency folks if they will be willing to donate something too. I am also thinking about getting a book - I have a free £10 Waterstones voucher so I can easily get a book on wedding vows and readings.

There is a lot to do to prepare for this event - I already have leaflets that I had printed for something else that never got used. So I am thinking that I need a pop up banner so I guess I will contact my printers to discuss costs and whether or not they would be able to make one. Hopefully when I go to Events UK on 22/23 September that the Promotions Show will be going on at the same time so that I can blag loads of free pens. Pens will be handy when it comes to filling out the prize draw sheets - I must remember to take some clipboards with me too.

I guess I had better prepare a list of things that I need to take before I forget.

Once again, I have tried to telephone my parents to no avail - I do wish that my mother would switch the flippin' ringer on on the phone instead of having it on silent...grrr. There is no chance of getting my battery charged either as my neighbours have all refused to help - the miserable mongrels, just wait until they want a parcel taking in or something.

Onwards and upwards.

Saturday, 29 August 2009

Another Bank Holiday Weekend on my own

This weekend I shall be on my own again - trapped inside my flat as I cannot find anyone to give my car a jumpstart as the battery is deader than a dodo :( So I shall use the time to catch up on boring housework and perhaps tidy my office and do some study.

I havent updated for a while because my eyes got so bad that I started to feel dizzy and generally off colour. You will be pleased to know that I now have my new glasses as I picked them up yesterday - I had a really bad dizzy spell when I was walking to the hospital and ended up holding onto a wall for support. Now I have to get used to my new glasses - its kind of wierd being able to see.

I feel really inspired today - I received my visitor pass for Events UK which takes place at the NEC over two days next month. There are talks I want to hear, seminars I want to attend and maybe I shall even book an appointment for a one to one with a specialist to see how I can improve my business. I am also looking forward to an hour long networking event each day so I had better take loads of business cards with me. Events UK is a place where exciting venues promote themselves and there are also additional services such as entertainers, caterers, bars, exhibition equipment etc. etc. I love this show and feel more confident now that I truly run my own business whereas last year it was still a tiny seed despite my getting some business cards from vistaprint, I have moved on since then and have had some more professional cards printed with a different supplier and now these excude luxury which is quite fitting for my bespoke business.

Once I can get my car started then I can go on my visits which have been piling up: Worcester Rugby Club (its quite a smart place), The Pear Tree at Smite, Hagley Hall, Ragley Hall, Eckington Manor (its a cookery school), Hillscourt Education Centre (although I could easily get there by bus and a long walk up a hill - I have been lazy of late). I also want to look at some more unusual places in Worcester and want to visit the cathedral to find out how much it costs to be married there - its a far nicer cathedral than the one in Birmingham. I am itching to get going - it will be strange because I haven't driven now for over 2 months. I'll also need to visit my parents too - I have tried phoning but my mother is awkward and switches the ringer off on the phone so it could ring all day and she wouldn't hear and dad can't hear the phone anyway because he is deaf.

I need to find more wedding things - I also need to order some bespoke bridal jewellery which I can give as a prize at the wedding fair I am doing next month. I shall run a competition and people will have to let me have their contact details including the groom's name - I don't want to give away the cost of planning a full wedding from start to finish as that is over £2K and to be truthful I would rather have that money. I am thinking along the lines of on-the-day co-ordination (£300) and The Plan only (£150). I can see that I need to get more business cards printed - I still have some vistaprint ones but they are naff to be honest with you, plus I have some free calendar magnets but there is not much point to them as they are dated for this year.

Earlier this week I contacted Access to Work as they have helped me before and they are going to send someone around to see me so hopefully I will be able to get a laptop with a larger screen - the government will pay as I am self employed. Access to Work is for people who fall under the Disability Discrimination Act and they work with you (you have to contact them yourself) and will assess your workstation and suggest adjustments to make life easier - in normal circumstances the employer would make a contribution to the costs with the bulk being paid by the AtW but in the case of self employment the entire cost is borne by the AtW. I shall need to get a move on with tidying the office as it is currently a tad untidy. Perhaps this weekend I shall work out how to erect the galvanised shelves.

Monday, 24 August 2009

TECHNOPHOBE STRIKES AGAIN







I bit the bullet this morning (not literally but you know what I mean) and downloaded Skype and ordered a nice headset and mic. I have paid for a year's worth of subs for the whole of the world which has cost me £81.48 but now I can have free calls. I did pay for some credit which cost me £10 so that I could get started straightaway. I am really surprised that I managed to follow the instructions without making a hash of things.


I then somehow managed to mess up my business email address and go so mad that I deleted it, then I couldnt log in to virgin media because my birth date doesnt match their records..tut so half an hour later I managed to speak to a nice man in Wales who talked me through what I had to do to reset the password and sort out my emails - now I am working again. I am thinking that I really must set up a pop3 account so that my business email looks as though it comes from the business as opposed to some eejit at blueyonder.


My new shoes arrived today - so now I shall have to get used to ramming my feet into proper shoes as opposed to the crocs that I have lived in all summer. My new glasses on the other hand are still not ready and the liars at the manufacturers have now said that the lenses are being coated whereas last Wednesday they were being despatched. It seems that they may be ready for me to collect on Thursday of this week. It is such a damned inconvience as I cannot see so can't drive, I get blinding headaches because of eye strain and I just feel like a moody mare.

I am going to try something now - that is to load some pictures - whoo hoo. Now don't get too excited - they're just pictures of the car that I sponsored for a local charity (I won't be sponsoring them again or doing any work for them - I shall be looking for a different charity to support). Well I did say that I was a technophobe - the pics have been uploaded but not where I wanted them to be...oh well, its a start I guess.






Sunday, 23 August 2009

Possibilities

I read in the newspaper today that a scientist in Aberdeen claims to have found a cure for uveitis which is the eye disease that I have got, I must admit that I am somewhat sceptical as there are two types of uveitis - posterior and anterior and I have the anterior variety. I have kept the clipping from the newspaper and when I next go to clinic I shall enquire about it.

It has been suggested that I get skype - now I have been thinking about it for a while and need to do more investigation but it could cost me £7.99 a month to call anywhere in the world which will come in particularly handy when I talk to Paul in Gran Canaria about the Federation of Event & Wedding Planners (I admit too that it would be cool to work for him - although I still wish to retain my own business) and to Elizabeth in Gosport.

I am expecting my visitor sometime on Tuesday and he is planning to stay for a couple of days - part of me wishes he wouldn't but he has his uses, I am hopeful that he will change some lightbulbs for me as I cannot use the step ladder and he has ag's hreed to take me to Lidl on Thursday to buy a cheapo filing cabinet. Hopefully, he will take me out for a meal too - although I am getting rather bored with carveries and he insists on chinese or indian food both of which I loathe - let's hope that he takes me somewhere nice.

One day, I will get to grips with uploading photographs - I am afraid that in the meantime I remain a technophobe.

Guess I had better go and take my eye drops (yawn) and sit and do something else for 10 minutes instead of staring at the computer.

Saturday, 22 August 2009

Trade Fairs

Today, I am reading my little black book that is my essential pocket guide to the Autumn Fair at the NEC which starts on 6 September and runs until the 9th. The book came with my name badge and it looks strange to see my business listed as event management which I guess is what I do.

I have started looking through the book to make note of stands that I would like to visit and already I have found the most gorgeous stationery company - Cavania Cards, their wedding stationery is divine. I love their blog too as it is so colourful whereas mine is all text and no pictures - one day I will add photos, I promise. One of the recent topics on the blog has been the painting of the shed - and there was me thinking that shed were a man thing LOL.

You might think it strange that I would even consider attending the Autumn Fair and its sister show the Spring Fair which is held in February. I intend to try and find some suppliers of gorgeous wedding stationery as well as eco-friendly boxes as I would like some nice boxes to use as welcome boxes. Unfortunately, I cannot buy in volume as I don't have the space but I am hoping that some suppliers will take pity on me and let me buy less.

Following this fair is the BBEH which takes place in Harrogate - this trade fair is purely for the bridal trade and is mainly for bridal shops but its a great place to go to get ideas of what is expected to be in season during Spring/Summer 2010. Harrogate seems to be a difficult place to get to - I certainly don't fancy driving there so I am guessing I will have to spend a day on a train or two - I am determined to go this time.

After this will be Events UK which is also at the NEC - I hope to renew acquaintances and get some more invitations to visit venues. I shall try and do this show over two days as opposed to doing it all in one go - the last time I went was I was so loaded down with bags I could barely walk. The promotions show is on at the same time so that will be the ideal place to visit to stock up on pens and pads LOL I also intend attending some of their seminars as I want to discover ways to improve my business. In fact that has given me an idea....be right back...

Counterfeit Goods and other things

A news report on the BBC this morning got me thinking about people who buy counterfeit dresses from China in attempt to save some money as they refuse the pay the full price for a Maggie Sottero dress or whatever. Here in the UK it is an offence to sell counterfeit goods but it is not an offence to buy them, however, if you were in France or Italy then it is also an offence to buy them and those buying them could face a jail term. This may seem extreme but theft is theft. I think they should bring in similar laws here too as that may be a deterrent.

Yesterday, I received my mark for my first assignment for my Diploma in Event Planning and I was more than pleased - let's hope the A+ heralds the start of similar marks for other assignments. I admit that I am passionate about organising events and have already considered studying at Leeds Metropolitan University (part time) for a degree in Event Management because I want to be able to organise massive rock concerts and the like (I never think small LOL).

Today, I have been asked to help recruit people for the newly formed Federation of Event & Wedding Planners which will be akin to the Federation of Small Businesses - this is being set up by a friend and fellow wedding planner and an ex student of the wedding planning course who runs his own very successful business out in Gran Canaria (I could learn a lot from him). I am looking forward to this as it will also open up doors for me LOL. Why do I always seek out the opportunities?

I must remember to make a note of my blogspot log in details as it took me an age this morning to log in.

Wednesday, 19 August 2009

Wednesday 19 August

Hello readers

It has been hospital day today - I had to get up bright and early to get there for 9.45am, this meant getting a bus to town at 8.30am and then getting another one out of town. My eyes are progressing well and I have had a slight reduction in my steroid drops but still haven't managed to get rid of the dilating drop. I have to have it because they don't my pupil sticking to my lens which is what happened last time. I did however have some good news - my glasses will be ready on Friday.

I went back to town and went and did my mystery shop - I ended up spending £58 on some gorgeous perfume but will only get £10 for the work, I wish the client was a bit more realistic with their minimum spend limit of £25 because you cannot get a bottle of fragrance in this partcular shop for less than £50! I ventured onto the fourth floor where I tried on a lovely pair of shoes to be told oh you can either buy a size 4 (I am a 4.5) or a size 5 and buy an insole or you can buy them in half sizes off the internet. Needless to say I am choosing the internet option. Why don't shops sells shoes in half sizes?? I then consoled myself with some lunch and have discovered that I don't like tarragon as it tastes aniseedy..eww

After lunch, I headed back through the Bullring to the bus stop and popped into a shop called Roman Originals - they sell clothes for ladies between 10-22, when I was in there the other week they had an offer on where you could buy a pair of trousers or a skirt and get the jacket free. I didnt buy anything. Today I ventured towards the back of the shop and found that they were selling dresses that could possibly be used as wedding dresses or better still bridesmaids dresses. The dresses were ivory (almost satin like material - I am admit I am hopeless with textures and fabrics) with detachable straps and a taupe band beneath the boobs with a rose on one side - these were for sale at £37.50 instead of £75.

This afternoon I received a call from the Britannia Hotel in Manchester and now I am waiting for them to send me some information (I hope my email address is working) - they have a bridal package for £999 to include a bucks fizz reception, wedding breakfast and evening reception and a lot of other things besides - hence me waiting in eager anticipation for the email.

One of my fellow students contacted me via Facebook to congratulate me on gaining my Diploma and she told me that she is trying to do as many assignments as possible before her new baby arrives. I have seen scans of him - his name will be Thomas Ryan and to be honest with you he looks like a bean but I guess that's what I see on the scan LOL. Hey Anna, if you are reading this then I hope you are ok and that the iron tablets are working their magic? It seems strange that Anna and I have become quite good friends even though we have never met - no doubt when she comes to Birmingham for an appointment then we will meet up for coffee :-)

Tuesday, 18 August 2009

Late update

Once again, time has run away with me and I haven't been able to blog. I had a visitor over the weekend who manages to disrupt my life and hog my laptop. He left this morning so now my laptop is my own again as is the tv remote :-) Not much to report really, I received my diploma from the Institute along with a press-release which I need to amend and send back with a sticky label. Yesterday I received my certificate from the FSB which needs to be displayed in case any unsavoury government types start visiting LOL.

One good thing about the visitor - he charged the battery on my car and took me shopping last night - I haven't set foot in a supermarket for 2 months and I went clutching my shopping list and a ton of vouchers. I managed to save £14.35 yesterday and was even more surprised when ny shopping was paid for too. I do wonder though why men insist on putting things in the trolley that are not on the list? I did get a few items that weren't on the list but only because I visited what is commonly known as the whoopsie shelf and managed to get a load of bargains.

I have done a bit of studying this weekend and attempted to write another assignment but think it is rather pointless my tutor still isnt marking them due to her op that she had a few weeks' ago. I am off to the eye hospital tomorrow so hopefully I will be able to get rid of the dilating drops and I will poke my head in with the dispensing optician to see if my much needed glasses have arrived - it is causing me real problems as I have tons of venues to visit and yet I cannot go anywhere. Tomorrow, I have a mystery shop lined up and I need to complete this form and send it to the council - I tried to get an appointment at the neighbourhood office but cannot get one for another 3 weeks and the council need a reply within 14 days!!

I have been giving debt advice, wedding advice and even business advice on a forum so I have been busy in other ways - just not in wedding ways as such.

Wednesday, 12 August 2009

A damp Tuesday

Today, the Institute of Professional Wedding Planners sent me an email containing a link to the logo that I am allowed to display on my website and stationery. I felt that it was a good time to add the logo for the Federation of Small Businesses too and as it is a rather complicated (well, it is for me) process I contacted Laura at the printers, she agreed to make the additions for me and charged me £23 which isnt unreasonable considering coding is involved. There will be space on the front page for the Events Planning logo too when I have finished that course.

I ventured into the rain today to go to town to see Laura and pay my dues as well as looking for a vanity case to keep my emergency kit in, one of the planners suggested I use a handbag but that doesnt look very professional and I would feel like a right twit walking round with two handbags. I looked in quite a few shops but the choice was somewhat limited so I eventually settled on a hard Antler case which has a carry handle and a detachable shoulder strap. I chose it because it has a myriad of pockets plus it will last me a lifetime, it was also the best that I could afford.

On arriving home, I found a large envelope had been wedged inside my postbox - it was a letter from the Institute and contained my diploma as well as a press release with plenty of instructions, I need to amend the press release as it give my personal number and states that I will be setting up a business - I have already set it up LOL. I am only going to submit it to the Chamber of Commerce for their Chamberlink magazine - they may use it, they may not but I know they are always on the look out for interesting and unusual businesses.

I decided today that I will write to the General Manager of Selfridges in Birmingham because they don't have a wedding section and I think that the store needs one - they have one in Oxford Street, London but who wants to go down there when we are the second city? I shall endeavour to offer them my planning services too - to quote Deborah Meaden "it takes an entrepreneur to spot an opportunity where none existed before" - I wonder if I will become rich and famous like her?

Tuesday, 11 August 2009

CLEARING OUT

The weekend was fairly restful and spent doing household tasks and studying.

Yesterday I decided to have a massive clearout in my office which will be continued today. I have accummulated so much rubbish, two sackfuls were binned yesterday and I guess there will be another 2 sackfuls today. I am being mercenary and ditching all catalogues and dodgy looking suppliers and even piles of business cards. It seems quite mean getting rid of business cards but one bridal shop insisted that I have half a box but they were given to me loose and I have nowhere to store them so I have binned them (I kept two). I am trying to make space for another set of galvanised shelves which I need to try and erect myself or find someone to help me, then I can move my desk to in front of the window and put the shelves where my desk is now.

I also rang Wedding Professional magazine as I haven't received a copy for a while - they no longer produce it which is a great shame as it was useful for planners like myself. Today I have contacted the Federation of Small Businesses because I haven't been able to log in - I have since discovered that the code printed on my membership card is too short and two letters were missing off the end. Now I can access all areas - I want to look at the various contracts to see if there is one that I could use for the events side of my business.

My website was also updated to recognise the fact that I can now offer new services - I also updated my facebook site. I am also making plans for the various trade shows that I want to attend: Autumn Fair, Events UK and BBEH - the last one is difficult because it is held in Harrogate which isnt the easiest place to get to from Birmingham, I may have to take the train and I hate trains especially having to change trains and then there is accommodation to sort out.

I am due to meet with one of my fellow planners this week as she has just set up her business - at the same time I hope to be able to buy a vanity case to put my assorted bits of emergency kit in - I still need to get a few more things for it, this will be lodged as a business expense. I am sad that Woolworths folded as I would have been able to get a few things from them such as a sewing kit, safety pins etc from their haberdashery department. I also miss the pick n mix too LOL.

Its a fairly mundane day today - I am hoping that my new glasses will be ready this week so that I can see to drive and therefore make appointments to visit venues.

Friday, 7 August 2009

Friday 7 August 2009

Today has been quite a strange day - I woke up this morning to find my flat reeking of tom cat which wasnt pleasant especially as I am not a cat lover and don't have a cat. I suspect that its the neighbours who have moved into the flat below me as they often have a distinct smell of un-neuteured tomcat about them..eww.

I had to pop to the village (I have always called it the village when in reality it is a small town but in days gone by it was a village). I nipped to the bank and then went to Boots to buy some items for my emergency kit, I dared to ask for a bottle of smelling salts and was quizzed as to why I wanted them so I explained that I was a wedding planner. Oh, how I wish I had kept my mouth shut because the assistant moaned on and on about her daughter's forthcoming wedding and how there was no call for wedding planners in this day and age. I chose to keep my own counsel after that and let this woman go on and on like a cracked record until I could make my escape. I then remembered that I needed a few other things and I could still hear her voice ringing out around the store about one of her many wedding outfits and how she is having trouble finding shoes.

I went to a couple of other stores and then came home. Just after lunch my phone rang and it was a Reverend who was working for a newspaper called Midlands Focus trying to sell me some advertising space yet again - I said that I wouldnt be advertising with the newspaper after I had been sworn at the last time I refused to advertise with them. He gave me details for the website which were wrong and then said that I could have a half page advert for £95 plus VAT including editorial. I looked at their website but I am not aiming at the budget market and feel that this newspaper does not fit with the clientele that I am aiming for. This chap is a real vicar who is waiting for a church to become available so I was asking him about churches and weddings and charmed him into giving me his phone number.

I have also been trying to write a couple of paragraphs about me for the company that I shall be working with, I cannot think of anything to say and yet I can write for England on my blog LOL.

Again I have been giving out advice both for a totally unrelated business and on a wedding forum - this time it was to a woman who wanted a same sex wedding in a church so I had to say that unfortunately she wouldnt be able to marry in church but she would be able to have a blessing. I also pointed her in the direction of a building called The Monastery in Manchester as this is former monastery which has been turned into conference space, it also has a wedding license so couples can marry in the cloisters and in two other rooms. I thought that this was a nice twist because the place looks like a religious place of worship.

I have also been looking at the Project Wedding website and looking at one of their projects which I thought I would share - its about making colouring/activity books for kids that could also be used as place settings. I thought that it was a lovely idea for them to be made rather than bought from a pound shop.

http://www.projectwedding.com/wiki/show/diy-wedding-challenge-activity-books-for-kids

Thursday, 6 August 2009

News

I feel bad that I haven't updated for a few days but a lot has been going on.

Tuesday was spent giving advice to people on a forum - one girl in particular had expressed an interest in becoming a professional wedding planner whilst others kept telling her that there isnt any work and that she shouldn't follow her dream. One person in particular really rattled me as she based her knowledge on attending 50 weddings in the last 2 years as a photographer and not one bride (according to her) had used a wedding planner. 50 weddings isnt a good representation of the number of weddings that take place every year where wedding planners have been involved. Thankfully I sent a private message to the girl asking the question and gave her loads of information about the course as it is the same one that I have just completed.

Wednesday - well that dawned wet and cold so I had to put a mac on to go to a meeting at the Radisson (I have a horrible feeling that I have thrown out my umbrella). I met with a company that hires out sound and audio visual equipment and they also run an entertainment agency - it was the entertainment business that I was interested in. As I have experience of organising corporate events too I have now ended up with a reciprocal arrangement with regards to work - this is something that I am very excited about. When I left the meeting the weather had undergone a huge change - no longer was it wet and cold but it was sunny and unbearably hot. Rather than waiting for the bus to carry me one stop, I walked and as I went past the men's shop High & Mighty I spotted a little sign in the window telling me that they now do wedding hire so in I trotted and exchanged a business card for a brochure - hopefully, I will get some referrals. I then walked to Selfridges where I had lunch and a quick whizz around Fenn Wright & Manson - I left £616 lighter having bought 2 silk skirts, 2 silk scarves to match the skirts, 2 jackets - 1 a deep purple to co-ordinate with one skirt (in fact I can wear it with both) and a silver/grey silky jacket to wear with the skirt bought there and then and the skirt and trousers that I already have in my wardrobe (both jackets also look good with jeans) and a deep ferny green top (this was reduced in the sale) and it goes well with the one skirt and dare I say it the deep purple jacket - I would never have thought of putting those colours together.

Thursday - I had to go to Birmingham again to see my solicitor and I remembered to pick up some Waterstones vouchers so I headed there too and came away with 3 books - one is about change called Who Moved my Cheese? I used to have a copy of this book and lent it to someone who never returned it, a huge book about event planning and Deborah Meaden's book about commonsense rules for business. I picked the event planning book to give me more of an insight to organising really large events such as those that take place at the NEC. I resisted the temptation to buy more clothes and settled on a sofa within Starbucks in Selfridges with a caramel macchiato and some toasted fruit bread with butter and jam - I used one of the books of luncheon vouchers that I get as payment for doing surveys for a particular survey site - I dare not mention their name as they will banish me :(

I also submitted my first assignment for my event planning course and already I am looking at the second one - I shall have to wait for them to be marked as my tutor (who was also the tutor on my wedding planning course) was rushed into hospital on Sunday with appendicitis and she has only just been sent home after being operated upon on Monday. I sent her a lovely Jacquie Lawson e-card to cheer her up.

Tomorrow I need to contact Wedding Professional as I havent received a copy of their magazine for ages - its another free trade magazine but I find it invaluable as it allows me to see what other planners are doing and then I can learn from them. I also need to write a couple of paragraphs for the sound equipment hire company to put on their website - here's hoping that I get lots of business :-)

Monday, 3 August 2009

Dresses 'N Things

Dear readers

I don't know if you remember that earlier this year I went to an auction of wedding stuff (the entire contents of two wedding shops) and came away with some boxes supposedly containing veils and petticoats but in reality containing dresses, boddices, wraps etc. I bought them thinking ebay but on seeing the dresses decided that ebay was a bit naff and since then I have been looking at ways of selling the dresses to get maximum profit for me.

Reading through my various magazines I came across a shop in Kidderminster which sells pre-loved dresses so I contacted the owner to see what she would pay me and the answer came back today £60 for a designer dress and £30 for a bridesmaid dress - I have seen her website and she charges dresses out at £350! I contacted my friend who makes the most wonderful dresses to get her input because although I know all about organising a wedding - dresses are whole different ball game and therefore my knowledge is a little limited. Linda told me not to sell the dresses for £60 each especially as the pre-loved market is a bit shaky as understandably brides don't usually want to wear someone else's dress unless it is vintage and you are into that sort of thing. The shopkeeper had told me that the wedding business was slack at the moment - yes the shops maybe a bit quieter but come September business will be booming again as this coincides with Europe's largest trade wedding fair in Harrogate in September.

Linda gave me some good advice today and suggested that I contact one of my local shops to see if I could pick up an old mannikin cheap but I have a better idea and will contact a lady that I know who runs the local couture shop to see if she will let me use one of her mannikins for free and I can take photographs and send them to Linda and post them on my blog (when the technophobe in me works out how to do it LOL).

I am now sitting more comfortably as I have just had my new chair delivered but I am not used to wheels and it whizzes dangerously across the floor and I keep playing with the levers too so now I can raise the seat, adjust the back and tilt the seat forward - too many levers and too much fun will be had until I get the seat exactly right.

I have a busy couple of days - tomorrow I am meeting a fellow wedding planner who has just set up her own business and needs a bit of moral support, she covers the Walsall area and hopefully we will be able to work together at some point in the future, after meeting her I am off to the eye hospital to get some new and very much needed glasses. I have so many appointments to make to visit venues but I am unable to do anything as I cannot see to drive :( I have had to wait months to get the appointment at the hospital as now it is the only place where I can have my eyes tested. On Wednesday I am meeting a chap who runs an entertainment agency and he is always being asked to organise events but he admits that he hasnt a clue which is where I step in, plus I am off to see my solicitor to collect a cheque as it is cheaper for me to pop in that pay her a £15 plus VAT admin fee and a fee to make a BACs payment into my account!! Thieves and rob dogs all of them!!

Ooh heck I am going to have to get a rug to go under this chair..I am whizzing about all over the place!