Whoever said that..couldn't have been more wrong. Sometimes we have to exhibit at wedding fairs which can turn out to be an exercise in time wasted and money spent. We also get invited to meetings at unearthly hours of the morning such as 7am (I am normally still in bed at that time and thinking about getting up).
Today, was the day of the wedding fair and the whole day was somewhat bizarre with the bride having her hair and make up done in front of everybody and then people traipsing in and out of the reception room - I ended up in there myself as I was viewing some rather unusual 6ft high balloon people.
I wasnt next to the chocolate fountain, I was at the opposite end of the room sitting in between worcestershire registrars and sarah adcock cakes - this lady makes the most divine chocolate mud cake..it is light and fluffy and basically to die for. As a networking event it wasnt too bad..I came away with loads of contacts including the invitation to speak at the breakfast meeting (it is still going to cost me £10 for my breakfast though). Client wise it was extremely bad..the whole event seemed to be full of time wasters who had no interest in getting married, one chav even tried to steal a jewellery set from my stand which I had put on display as it was one of my prizes - I couldnt believe it. I had 8 entries into the prize draw and have done the draw already - I have decided to offer 2 first prizes of on-the-day co-ordination because one of the entrants is a groom who is serving in the army overseas so I thought it would be a worthy cause (we each have to do our bit for our servicemen and women) - he doesnt get married until towards the end of next year.
I spoke to a fair number of exhibitors and they all agreed that the fair wasnt the best - I doubt that I will do another one because I don't want to get myself into more debt, the cost is often prohibitive so I shall wait and see about doing one next year - it may end up being more bother than its worth.
One of the exhibitors sought me out as they offer personal fitness boot camps for brides and even dance classes, as they were telling me about their services I said that I needed a fitness class as my back constantly aches (I have had back ache now since Tuesday) and I needed to tone up - they recommended that I attend Pilates - so I am going to call them about that. I also found a reiki practitioner too and I miss my reiki - my friend Sally does reiki but she is out near Wisbech so its a bit far to go.
Cold weather is on the way too - my right knee is telling me so. I severely injured my right leg back in the 1990's after coming off a motorbike - pity I didnt break the leg as it would have been better for me if I had - instead I twisted all the ligaments and nearly prised my kneecap off by hitting a plastic cats eye in the middle of the road, I then got back on the bike and we rode home after first stopping for several sweet hot chocolates at a motorway service station. I went to my local casualty and they told me that twisted ligaments were worse than a proper break. In some respects I was lucky because my boot had twisted round on my foot but I was wearing loose boots (not proper motorcycle boots) so the boot just twisted a full 90 degrees. Every so often it feels as though my knee is either clicking or about to sieze entirely and it is often painful to walk..I have found today that going downstairs is incredibly painful so I know that cold weather is on the way :( I feel like an old wreck.
I have decided to take part of the day off tomorrow - I want to go to the museum in Birmingham to see the hoarde of Anglo Saxon gold before it goes to the British Museum for cleaning. I hope that it comes back to Birmingham and doesnt get sold off abroad or stays in London - for some reason people think that London is the centre of the Universe and Birmingham is a second class city when in fact we're much better than them plus our citizens are friendlier and will look you in the eye - no-one makes eye contact in London. I guess my back will have to sieze up because I shall be standing in a long queue to see this hoarde.
Sunday, 27 September 2009
Thursday, 24 September 2009
Events UK
I attended the show on Tuesday and met some great people and made some great contacts. I also met up with Laura Guest, she was another student on the wedding planning course and now runs her own business LG Weddings in Walsall. We shall be working together on various projects which will be great.
It was my intention to attend over two days but baulked at the carparking fee of £8 per day..I am sure that the sound of me screeching "How Much?" echoed across the whole of Birmingham. I felt that it was a bit of a cheek charging for a trade fair when the parking was free when the Autumn Fair was on. I walked miles too as the shuttle bus seemed to run infrequently from the North Carparks. I also had to return to my car at lunchtime to empty my huge Autumn Fair bag into the boot so that I could collect more brochures etc. I attended one talk and really wanted to attend more but I was tired and my back ached, I was exhausted when I returned home and yesterday was still recovering.
I spent part of yesterday chatting with Elizabeth Graney about her new ventures and sharing tips about wedding fairs and how to organise them. Elizabeth is brilliant and so knowledgable about all sorts of things and she doesnt know it but she inspires me to do better. We also talked about a student on the Planning course who has been driving me insane and I was starting to feel harassed because as soon as I went onto facebook she would pop up in chat straight away and ask me the most ridiculous questions about the course - it became very draining. Actually I am wondering why this woman is even bothering with the course because she is struggling on the first two assignments which are all about her - it is the same for everybody we have to talk about why we are doing the course, what we expect from it, any experiences that we have had..assignment 2 expands on that. This person constantly pesters me and feels that I should be doing her work as well as my own. I had to resort to emailing my own tutor who passed my email to the Institute and they also advised me what to do. In fact when she next popped onto chat, I had to tell her to speak to her tutor and that I was too busy as I had my own assignments to write and a business to run - funny when I pointed her in the direction of the spelling and grammar checker on Word she stopped talking to me altogether (hurrah). What was particularly galling was that I had spent 2 hours talking to her about what a report was and after simple explanations about what was needed for the task she then goes and asks the exact same question on the diploma group and got the exact same answer that I gave her from one of the tutors. Now those of you that know me, know that I will help anyone and those that get help from me don't harass me all the time and it never gets to the point where I feel as though I am being stalked. Having had someone cyber stalk me in the past which caused no end of problems for me and the police had to become involved because it was so bad...I don't particularly want that to happen to me again because it is quite frightening. Thankfully this student has been removed from my own group and banned permanently as well as being removed from my friends listing - she has my personal email address but its easy enough to block her so her emails just to go the deleted items box.
I am feeling a lot more positive about the wedding fair this coming Sunday - I have been advised that I am being fed and watered and today I confirmed that there will be a tablecloth on the table so I don't need to take one (I have a lovely, pretty net curtain that I was going to drape on the table but I will take it just in case). So far today I have chatted to Laura who suggested that I don't do a price list for people to take away but do a couple of sheets about what a wedding planner does and what I would do for them and let them take that but keep the price list for them to look through.
I also have to work on this advert for Perfect Wedding magazine - the deadline for copy is tomorrow. My mate Sal has suggested that her dad could look over my advert if I am struggling so I emailed her last night so hopefully he can cast his expert eye over it and make some suggestions - her dad used to the adverts for cadbury's - only the crumbliest, flakiest chocolate, tastes like chocolate never tasted before. I adore the flake adverts. I used to like the girl in the poppyfield with red hair because being a red head myself it was unusual to see red heads advertising anything.
Oh shucks...I need to think about a bite to eat and clean my teeth again as I have a dental appointment at 2.30 - I don't fancy driving there (the roads have changed) and the 2 mile walk from the bus stop will do me good. I could get the train but I hate trains and don't like the stairs at the stations.
It was my intention to attend over two days but baulked at the carparking fee of £8 per day..I am sure that the sound of me screeching "How Much?" echoed across the whole of Birmingham. I felt that it was a bit of a cheek charging for a trade fair when the parking was free when the Autumn Fair was on. I walked miles too as the shuttle bus seemed to run infrequently from the North Carparks. I also had to return to my car at lunchtime to empty my huge Autumn Fair bag into the boot so that I could collect more brochures etc. I attended one talk and really wanted to attend more but I was tired and my back ached, I was exhausted when I returned home and yesterday was still recovering.
I spent part of yesterday chatting with Elizabeth Graney about her new ventures and sharing tips about wedding fairs and how to organise them. Elizabeth is brilliant and so knowledgable about all sorts of things and she doesnt know it but she inspires me to do better. We also talked about a student on the Planning course who has been driving me insane and I was starting to feel harassed because as soon as I went onto facebook she would pop up in chat straight away and ask me the most ridiculous questions about the course - it became very draining. Actually I am wondering why this woman is even bothering with the course because she is struggling on the first two assignments which are all about her - it is the same for everybody we have to talk about why we are doing the course, what we expect from it, any experiences that we have had..assignment 2 expands on that. This person constantly pesters me and feels that I should be doing her work as well as my own. I had to resort to emailing my own tutor who passed my email to the Institute and they also advised me what to do. In fact when she next popped onto chat, I had to tell her to speak to her tutor and that I was too busy as I had my own assignments to write and a business to run - funny when I pointed her in the direction of the spelling and grammar checker on Word she stopped talking to me altogether (hurrah). What was particularly galling was that I had spent 2 hours talking to her about what a report was and after simple explanations about what was needed for the task she then goes and asks the exact same question on the diploma group and got the exact same answer that I gave her from one of the tutors. Now those of you that know me, know that I will help anyone and those that get help from me don't harass me all the time and it never gets to the point where I feel as though I am being stalked. Having had someone cyber stalk me in the past which caused no end of problems for me and the police had to become involved because it was so bad...I don't particularly want that to happen to me again because it is quite frightening. Thankfully this student has been removed from my own group and banned permanently as well as being removed from my friends listing - she has my personal email address but its easy enough to block her so her emails just to go the deleted items box.
I am feeling a lot more positive about the wedding fair this coming Sunday - I have been advised that I am being fed and watered and today I confirmed that there will be a tablecloth on the table so I don't need to take one (I have a lovely, pretty net curtain that I was going to drape on the table but I will take it just in case). So far today I have chatted to Laura who suggested that I don't do a price list for people to take away but do a couple of sheets about what a wedding planner does and what I would do for them and let them take that but keep the price list for them to look through.
I also have to work on this advert for Perfect Wedding magazine - the deadline for copy is tomorrow. My mate Sal has suggested that her dad could look over my advert if I am struggling so I emailed her last night so hopefully he can cast his expert eye over it and make some suggestions - her dad used to the adverts for cadbury's - only the crumbliest, flakiest chocolate, tastes like chocolate never tasted before. I adore the flake adverts. I used to like the girl in the poppyfield with red hair because being a red head myself it was unusual to see red heads advertising anything.
Oh shucks...I need to think about a bite to eat and clean my teeth again as I have a dental appointment at 2.30 - I don't fancy driving there (the roads have changed) and the 2 mile walk from the bus stop will do me good. I could get the train but I hate trains and don't like the stairs at the stations.
Monday, 21 September 2009
There's no business like Snow Business
Call me a dirty stop out if you will, week commencing 5 October is going to be extremely busy indeed:
Monday 5 - 11am - I am visiting Matara - this is a gorgeous place that I was put in contact with by another planner who is having her wedding there. This is over near Stroud so I shall have to be up and at the traffic early. www.matara.co.uk - this venue would be superb for ethical weddings as they will also plant a tree for you.
Tuesday 6 - 11am - visiting Studley Castle with a view to using it for corporate events and weddings, plus I shall be putting an idea forward so fingers crossed for that.
Wednesday 7 - 9am (an early start for networking) a seminar by the great business coach Brad Sugars - if only I could be like him LOL.
Thursday 8 - 11am Snow Business - I have a meeting at Snow Business in Stroud with a view to hiring them for coporate events and weddings. I could use other snow suppliers but I only want the best for my clients which is why I am meeting with the best in the business. You may have already seen examples of their work and not realised it: M&S winter commercial, Bridget Jones' Diary, Band of Brothers, Alien v Predator, Emmerdale, to name but a few. Snow Business were extremely helpful when I was doing my wedding planning diploma course and provided me with a detailed quotation which I am sure landed me the A grade that I wanted.
Friday 9 - Grand Designs Live at the NEC - this is something for me as opposed to the business and I have my bank to thank too because they gave me a code for a free ticket. Mind you, I quite like Kevin McCloud and wish that he could build a house just for me LOL.
I may also be having a spot of lunch at some point over the coming weeks at the Pear Tree which is a gorgeous country pub (one of my old haunts) and shall be viewing their accommodation for both weddings and business meetings. I received an invitation from them back in June and it has taken me this long to take them up on their offer.
I also contacted Hagley Hall today and to be honest was a bit surprised by their attitude that it has got me thinking about whether or not I want to recommend them to my clients. Apparently the person I need to speak to is on holiday for the next fortnight and if I could phone her on 5 October to arrange a viewing, there is no possibility of viewing the premises when I want to view them either. I was advised that there was no point in sending emails because they wouldnt be opened or replied to until this woman returned from her holiday - then I was advised that perhaps I should email so that she had an idea of what I wanted to meet with her about. Do they want the business or not? I guess not from the attitude of the chap who answered the phone..if emails are not going to be opened for the next two weeks or so...why bother, I shall visit somewhere that wants my business instead.
Monday 5 - 11am - I am visiting Matara - this is a gorgeous place that I was put in contact with by another planner who is having her wedding there. This is over near Stroud so I shall have to be up and at the traffic early. www.matara.co.uk - this venue would be superb for ethical weddings as they will also plant a tree for you.
Tuesday 6 - 11am - visiting Studley Castle with a view to using it for corporate events and weddings, plus I shall be putting an idea forward so fingers crossed for that.
Wednesday 7 - 9am (an early start for networking) a seminar by the great business coach Brad Sugars - if only I could be like him LOL.
Thursday 8 - 11am Snow Business - I have a meeting at Snow Business in Stroud with a view to hiring them for coporate events and weddings. I could use other snow suppliers but I only want the best for my clients which is why I am meeting with the best in the business. You may have already seen examples of their work and not realised it: M&S winter commercial, Bridget Jones' Diary, Band of Brothers, Alien v Predator, Emmerdale, to name but a few. Snow Business were extremely helpful when I was doing my wedding planning diploma course and provided me with a detailed quotation which I am sure landed me the A grade that I wanted.
Friday 9 - Grand Designs Live at the NEC - this is something for me as opposed to the business and I have my bank to thank too because they gave me a code for a free ticket. Mind you, I quite like Kevin McCloud and wish that he could build a house just for me LOL.
I may also be having a spot of lunch at some point over the coming weeks at the Pear Tree which is a gorgeous country pub (one of my old haunts) and shall be viewing their accommodation for both weddings and business meetings. I received an invitation from them back in June and it has taken me this long to take them up on their offer.
I also contacted Hagley Hall today and to be honest was a bit surprised by their attitude that it has got me thinking about whether or not I want to recommend them to my clients. Apparently the person I need to speak to is on holiday for the next fortnight and if I could phone her on 5 October to arrange a viewing, there is no possibility of viewing the premises when I want to view them either. I was advised that there was no point in sending emails because they wouldnt be opened or replied to until this woman returned from her holiday - then I was advised that perhaps I should email so that she had an idea of what I wanted to meet with her about. Do they want the business or not? I guess not from the attitude of the chap who answered the phone..if emails are not going to be opened for the next two weeks or so...why bother, I shall visit somewhere that wants my business instead.
It's going to be a busy few weeks.
Why is it that I always find a way of avoiding doing something? This weekend I had planned to sort out a schedule of services and print them out for the fair next weekend but once again I managed to avoid this odious task. Guess, I am becoming bored with the whole business which is why I had to have a little distraction on Saturday.
I decided that I wanted some plums and where best to get them but Pershore so I took myself off there and had a mooch around the town. I found a divine little shop called Love Italy which is stocked with the most gorgeous handbags, belts, shoes and jewellery imaginable and I picked up a lilac patent leather handbag which was less than half price in the sale - Bargain! You could tell the shopkeeper was passionate about her stock as she told me that she visited Italy once every five weeks to bring back the best for the shop.
Yesterday, I spent the day procrastinating - I am getting very good at it LOL. I watched Living TV for a while but had to switch it off in the end - I was watching Four Weddings and the brides on there were absolute bitches and were unbelievably rude - they were at a gay wedding which was quite stylish and a bit camp but they decided that they didnt like the room where the ceremony was held and that afterwards they would slip away and partake of the local fairground by the time they had had their fun the wedding party had moved on and I was kind of hoping that they wouldn't find it and ruin the party. The programme made me quite angry so I had to switch off.
I had a chat online with a fellow wedding planner as I wanted to know how she got on with her wedding fair - the poor girl has 4 to do whereas I decided that the one I am doing this coming weekend will be my first and last. I would much rather organise the fairs as that is more lucrative and so the search is on for a suitable venue for next year.
This week I am attending Events UK at the NEC as this is a trade show purely catering for the conference market with a few weddingy bits thrown in - I am trying to decide which seminars to attend and am cursing the fact that they have two seminar rooms running with interesting seminars in both and yet I can only visit one or the other as some of the ones I want to see are on at the same time...grrr
I am trying to sort out a client contact sheet but I want to include events in it as well as weddings because one sheet is easier than having several. This will be useful for the fair next week, for my work and for my next event planning diploma assignment.
I decided that I wanted some plums and where best to get them but Pershore so I took myself off there and had a mooch around the town. I found a divine little shop called Love Italy which is stocked with the most gorgeous handbags, belts, shoes and jewellery imaginable and I picked up a lilac patent leather handbag which was less than half price in the sale - Bargain! You could tell the shopkeeper was passionate about her stock as she told me that she visited Italy once every five weeks to bring back the best for the shop.
Yesterday, I spent the day procrastinating - I am getting very good at it LOL. I watched Living TV for a while but had to switch it off in the end - I was watching Four Weddings and the brides on there were absolute bitches and were unbelievably rude - they were at a gay wedding which was quite stylish and a bit camp but they decided that they didnt like the room where the ceremony was held and that afterwards they would slip away and partake of the local fairground by the time they had had their fun the wedding party had moved on and I was kind of hoping that they wouldn't find it and ruin the party. The programme made me quite angry so I had to switch off.
I had a chat online with a fellow wedding planner as I wanted to know how she got on with her wedding fair - the poor girl has 4 to do whereas I decided that the one I am doing this coming weekend will be my first and last. I would much rather organise the fairs as that is more lucrative and so the search is on for a suitable venue for next year.
This week I am attending Events UK at the NEC as this is a trade show purely catering for the conference market with a few weddingy bits thrown in - I am trying to decide which seminars to attend and am cursing the fact that they have two seminar rooms running with interesting seminars in both and yet I can only visit one or the other as some of the ones I want to see are on at the same time...grrr
I am trying to sort out a client contact sheet but I want to include events in it as well as weddings because one sheet is easier than having several. This will be useful for the fair next week, for my work and for my next event planning diploma assignment.
Thursday, 17 September 2009
Plans, plans and yet more plans
I seem to be losing track of days lately as I have so much to do. Tuesday was spent tidying my office and getting rid of rubbish and shredding papers ready for a visit from the Action for Blind chap who is working for Access to Work. I have virtually no sight in my left eye and was trying to get some help from Access to Work hence the visit. The chap came and we went through the work that I did and I admitted that I had kept some items when I was made redundant from the University and it appears that I should have returned them for Access to Work - I didnt know that and I use them in my work now. I was told that really that Access to Work couldnt really do anything for me - they certainly couldn't buy a laptop that I wanted and it was suggested that I need to get a desktop computer but they wouldnt pay for it. I felt quite despondent after he left and then set about getting ready for my appointment at the day spa (not for treatments but a proper business meeting). As I was driving to the spa I had to pull over as my phone rang - it was the chap from Action for Blind People who told me that he had spoken to his colleague and that they were going to recommend (Access to Work will pay for it) an upgrade for zoomtext to 9.5 (I have 8.1 at the moment), an arm to attach to my desk and a 19" monitor that I can plug into the back of my laptop so that I am not straining to read the screen.
The meeting at the spa went well and although they were unable to donate a prize for the wedding fair, they let me have some brochures and price lists and gave me some friend referral cards so that 'friends' can get 50% off a treatment and I get 50% off my treatments too. As I try and promote the spa, they are allowing me to put my leaflets in their sofa area for people to pick up - this will be great for me as all sorts of wealthy business people use the spa. I bought two vouchers yesterday and have decided to put them together as one prize - a spa manicure which is 45 mins of sheer indulgence and you get a full size bottle of OPI nail polish and a nail file at the end of it - this is a prize for her, the other voucher is for a marine vital facial for men - this also lasts for 45 mins and I thought that perhaps one would not go to the spa without the other which is why I thought of combining the prize. What is lovely about the spa is that they have a double treatment room for couples and they will also get use of the thermal spa. www.chessgrove.co.uk
Today, I have been trying to find a grant to pay for a new computer - all I need would be the tower and the keyboard but there are no grants available so I guess I shall have to start saving as I am not going to get into more debt buying one - I know it gets offset against tax but lately it seems to be one spend after the other. I have also been chatting on facebook to people in Australia who use Action Coach - I would love to be able to afford the services of an Action Coach but at the moment I cannot so my facebook chum Brad Sugars the multi millionaire founder of Action Coach pointed me in the direction of the free tips and ebooks on his various websites - one thing that I dont like about the e-books is that you can only access them one at a time and to do that you need to provide a friend's contact email.
I have managed to get a free space at Worcester Warriors on 7 October to hear Brad speak - he sent a code to his FB friends but I didnt use it as I found another code on the booking website and used that but then next day I contacted Action Coach to say that I had used the wrong code but they said as I had received a confirmation email and hadn't been asked to pay anything then I had a free space anyway.
Next week I am at the NEC for two days for Events UK - I hope I am well enough because I came down with a lurgy today so tomorrow I might have to head off to the spa to sit in the sauna for an hour or so. I am still getting bits ready for this wedding fair on 27 September. I havent got a portfolio to take with me so I shall rely on chat and having details of the services that I offer - sometimes I think that there is too much hype placed on the need for a portfolio and I am not going to lie anyway I have organised weddings in the past - my own for instance and part of my best friend's Italian wedding. I have already decided what I am going to wear too - well kind off - it might be the lilac and silver Fenn Wright & Manson skirt ensemble or it maybe the deep purple and green one - it depends on how I feel I guess. Deep purple and deep moss green do go together and the skirt has moss green leaves on it as well as bits of lime green so I can wear any colour really.
I am also helping with the Federation of Events & Wedding Planners and have used skype to chat to a colleague in Gosport. I am now thinking of speaking to another colleague in Gran Canaria to see if we can come to an arrangement so that my couples can marry there - that might have to be done on skype initially.
I have had to change my email address too as info@sponsalis.co.uk seems to have stopped working despite it pointing at the one I have to use to send emails from so I have had to put the 'new' one on the website as emails are going missing - I am now using sponsalis@blueyonder.co.uk which doesnt look good but it has to do until something better can be sorted out.
You will laugh at me tonight as I am having a spooky moment, I am listening to a CD on my laptop as I type this but according to Media Player I may be listening to Born to Be Wild which is an assortment of rock hits - the playing list differs from the actual CD I am listening to - maybe there is more than one version of this CD? I am listening through my headset so I dont disturb my neighbours.
With regard to my wedding business I have decided to offer an incentive by offering £50 for referrals when people book a wedding costing £2K or more. Some people have told me that my fee is too high but when you think that a wedding takes about 250 hours to organise then it equates to £8 an hour which isnt unreasonable.
Guess I had better sign off as it is late - where does the time go?
The meeting at the spa went well and although they were unable to donate a prize for the wedding fair, they let me have some brochures and price lists and gave me some friend referral cards so that 'friends' can get 50% off a treatment and I get 50% off my treatments too. As I try and promote the spa, they are allowing me to put my leaflets in their sofa area for people to pick up - this will be great for me as all sorts of wealthy business people use the spa. I bought two vouchers yesterday and have decided to put them together as one prize - a spa manicure which is 45 mins of sheer indulgence and you get a full size bottle of OPI nail polish and a nail file at the end of it - this is a prize for her, the other voucher is for a marine vital facial for men - this also lasts for 45 mins and I thought that perhaps one would not go to the spa without the other which is why I thought of combining the prize. What is lovely about the spa is that they have a double treatment room for couples and they will also get use of the thermal spa. www.chessgrove.co.uk
Today, I have been trying to find a grant to pay for a new computer - all I need would be the tower and the keyboard but there are no grants available so I guess I shall have to start saving as I am not going to get into more debt buying one - I know it gets offset against tax but lately it seems to be one spend after the other. I have also been chatting on facebook to people in Australia who use Action Coach - I would love to be able to afford the services of an Action Coach but at the moment I cannot so my facebook chum Brad Sugars the multi millionaire founder of Action Coach pointed me in the direction of the free tips and ebooks on his various websites - one thing that I dont like about the e-books is that you can only access them one at a time and to do that you need to provide a friend's contact email.
I have managed to get a free space at Worcester Warriors on 7 October to hear Brad speak - he sent a code to his FB friends but I didnt use it as I found another code on the booking website and used that but then next day I contacted Action Coach to say that I had used the wrong code but they said as I had received a confirmation email and hadn't been asked to pay anything then I had a free space anyway.
Next week I am at the NEC for two days for Events UK - I hope I am well enough because I came down with a lurgy today so tomorrow I might have to head off to the spa to sit in the sauna for an hour or so. I am still getting bits ready for this wedding fair on 27 September. I havent got a portfolio to take with me so I shall rely on chat and having details of the services that I offer - sometimes I think that there is too much hype placed on the need for a portfolio and I am not going to lie anyway I have organised weddings in the past - my own for instance and part of my best friend's Italian wedding. I have already decided what I am going to wear too - well kind off - it might be the lilac and silver Fenn Wright & Manson skirt ensemble or it maybe the deep purple and green one - it depends on how I feel I guess. Deep purple and deep moss green do go together and the skirt has moss green leaves on it as well as bits of lime green so I can wear any colour really.
I am also helping with the Federation of Events & Wedding Planners and have used skype to chat to a colleague in Gosport. I am now thinking of speaking to another colleague in Gran Canaria to see if we can come to an arrangement so that my couples can marry there - that might have to be done on skype initially.
I have had to change my email address too as info@sponsalis.co.uk seems to have stopped working despite it pointing at the one I have to use to send emails from so I have had to put the 'new' one on the website as emails are going missing - I am now using sponsalis@blueyonder.co.uk which doesnt look good but it has to do until something better can be sorted out.
You will laugh at me tonight as I am having a spooky moment, I am listening to a CD on my laptop as I type this but according to Media Player I may be listening to Born to Be Wild which is an assortment of rock hits - the playing list differs from the actual CD I am listening to - maybe there is more than one version of this CD? I am listening through my headset so I dont disturb my neighbours.
With regard to my wedding business I have decided to offer an incentive by offering £50 for referrals when people book a wedding costing £2K or more. Some people have told me that my fee is too high but when you think that a wedding takes about 250 hours to organise then it equates to £8 an hour which isnt unreasonable.
Guess I had better sign off as it is late - where does the time go?
Monday, 14 September 2009
Update
I know I have been very lax in updating my blog..life just gets in the way :(
I had a fairly quiet weekend and visited my parents yesterday - Mum gave me the talk about what I should do if she passes on before Dad because she was worried as to what would happen to him so being flippant I said that he would find another woman but them Mum said that no-one else would be stupid enough..now my Dad is profoundly deaf and spends his time twiddling with his hearing aid..I said to Mum not to worry as I would put Dad in a home to which he said "you will not!" now I wasnt facing him at the time so he couldnt lipread so Mum and I guessed that his deafness tends to be selective. As he is getting older, he is getting lazier and so Mum does everything - the cooking, the cleaning, the garden and he doesnt lift a finger. You should have seen his face when I suggested that he polish the cloakroom. Still we had a laugh because Mum wants some new shoes and has to buy her shoes mail order because she takes a AA fitting so I had to draw around her feet and then measure her feet - its not easy when she makes you laugh. I came away with a joint of beef and a box of freshly picked tomatoes.
I started tidying up my office today in preparation for a visit from Access to Work as I am hoping that they will buy me a computer with a bigger screen and that I can have more up to date zoomtext - anything to help my sight really because my right eye does all the work and I get quite fatigued. I also went to Webbs Garden Centre today and bought some prepared hyacinth bulbs and I wandered into the silk flower section and admired their arrangements in vases with solid water but thought that £29.99 was a bit too much to pay - there was one which was gorgeous but on closer inspection it was just a mound of oasis with silk flowers stuck in it. I then noticed the sale shelf - so I looked on there, they mainly had a single ranunculous in shades of pink and cream for £1.99 instead of £7.99 but then I noticed two small posy arrangements one in orange and one in white - these were also £1.99 instead of £7.99. All that was wrong with the white one was that a leaf was hanging off and the glass vase bit needed a wipe with a damp cloth to remove sticky finger marks. I bought the white one and tried to glue the leaf back on but it didnt work so I carefully snipped it off. Now I have a lovely little arrangement that I can put on my table at wedding fairs rather than wasting money on fresh flowers which will last all of 5 minutes.
I have managed to make an appointment at the day spa on Wednesday afternoon as I want to discuss ways in which I could possibly promote the spa (I already have a link from my website) at the wedding fair - I am hoping that they will donate a voucher as a prize.
I have also been looking at my professional development and have booked onto a seminar with the great Brad Sugars (my FB friend) as he is giving a series of seminars on business growth - he is a self made multi-millionaire. He kindly gave his FB friends a code to use but when I went to the site to book there was another code there for the event to get in free so I used that, maybe I shall ring them tomorrow to say that I used the wrong code and see what they say. It serves me right really for not reading what he had put on FB and only reading what one of my friends had told me.
My ex work colleague (he temped in the office next to me when he was a student) who is now a superb photographer has updated his blog. I knew that his wife Kat was pregnant and that they already had a little boy Joshua, well Kat gave birth at home on 6 Sept to another little boy called Joseph Harker Crockford . What was amazing was that James had set up a birthing pool in their front room and took some stunning pictures of his wife (at least not the gory bits) and these he has posted on his blog. It must have been a great surprise to Joshua when he got up in the morning to find that he had a baby brother. I can remember a boyfriend of mine saying that he can remember going to school one day and when he came home he found a baby brother as his mum had given birth at home (she did with all her kids). In some ways I regret not having kids but could never envisage myself with them - I feel sure that spending my holidays in the children's home that my aunt ran and being given the job of fetching the nappy bucket..boy did that thing stink..that it put me off for life. How could that sweet little thing that I used to push around in the pram around the rose garden produce something so stinky? Don't tell me that Johnsons Baby Powder disguises the smell - it doesnt LOL.
My catalogue came from Cavania today and I have been looking at things I can get and have had the idea that I will get some of the office files that look like handbags and give them away as gifts to my brides. Another catalogue came in the post too - this one from Lakeland, it is full of Christmas things...for goodness sake its September and I don't think about Christmas until 1 December...sigh.
I had a fairly quiet weekend and visited my parents yesterday - Mum gave me the talk about what I should do if she passes on before Dad because she was worried as to what would happen to him so being flippant I said that he would find another woman but them Mum said that no-one else would be stupid enough..now my Dad is profoundly deaf and spends his time twiddling with his hearing aid..I said to Mum not to worry as I would put Dad in a home to which he said "you will not!" now I wasnt facing him at the time so he couldnt lipread so Mum and I guessed that his deafness tends to be selective. As he is getting older, he is getting lazier and so Mum does everything - the cooking, the cleaning, the garden and he doesnt lift a finger. You should have seen his face when I suggested that he polish the cloakroom. Still we had a laugh because Mum wants some new shoes and has to buy her shoes mail order because she takes a AA fitting so I had to draw around her feet and then measure her feet - its not easy when she makes you laugh. I came away with a joint of beef and a box of freshly picked tomatoes.
I started tidying up my office today in preparation for a visit from Access to Work as I am hoping that they will buy me a computer with a bigger screen and that I can have more up to date zoomtext - anything to help my sight really because my right eye does all the work and I get quite fatigued. I also went to Webbs Garden Centre today and bought some prepared hyacinth bulbs and I wandered into the silk flower section and admired their arrangements in vases with solid water but thought that £29.99 was a bit too much to pay - there was one which was gorgeous but on closer inspection it was just a mound of oasis with silk flowers stuck in it. I then noticed the sale shelf - so I looked on there, they mainly had a single ranunculous in shades of pink and cream for £1.99 instead of £7.99 but then I noticed two small posy arrangements one in orange and one in white - these were also £1.99 instead of £7.99. All that was wrong with the white one was that a leaf was hanging off and the glass vase bit needed a wipe with a damp cloth to remove sticky finger marks. I bought the white one and tried to glue the leaf back on but it didnt work so I carefully snipped it off. Now I have a lovely little arrangement that I can put on my table at wedding fairs rather than wasting money on fresh flowers which will last all of 5 minutes.
I have managed to make an appointment at the day spa on Wednesday afternoon as I want to discuss ways in which I could possibly promote the spa (I already have a link from my website) at the wedding fair - I am hoping that they will donate a voucher as a prize.
I have also been looking at my professional development and have booked onto a seminar with the great Brad Sugars (my FB friend) as he is giving a series of seminars on business growth - he is a self made multi-millionaire. He kindly gave his FB friends a code to use but when I went to the site to book there was another code there for the event to get in free so I used that, maybe I shall ring them tomorrow to say that I used the wrong code and see what they say. It serves me right really for not reading what he had put on FB and only reading what one of my friends had told me.
My ex work colleague (he temped in the office next to me when he was a student) who is now a superb photographer has updated his blog. I knew that his wife Kat was pregnant and that they already had a little boy Joshua, well Kat gave birth at home on 6 Sept to another little boy called Joseph Harker Crockford . What was amazing was that James had set up a birthing pool in their front room and took some stunning pictures of his wife (at least not the gory bits) and these he has posted on his blog. It must have been a great surprise to Joshua when he got up in the morning to find that he had a baby brother. I can remember a boyfriend of mine saying that he can remember going to school one day and when he came home he found a baby brother as his mum had given birth at home (she did with all her kids). In some ways I regret not having kids but could never envisage myself with them - I feel sure that spending my holidays in the children's home that my aunt ran and being given the job of fetching the nappy bucket..boy did that thing stink..that it put me off for life. How could that sweet little thing that I used to push around in the pram around the rose garden produce something so stinky? Don't tell me that Johnsons Baby Powder disguises the smell - it doesnt LOL.
My catalogue came from Cavania today and I have been looking at things I can get and have had the idea that I will get some of the office files that look like handbags and give them away as gifts to my brides. Another catalogue came in the post too - this one from Lakeland, it is full of Christmas things...for goodness sake its September and I don't think about Christmas until 1 December...sigh.
Wednesday, 9 September 2009
Autumn Fair Part 2
I spent the whole day there today - on arrival I visited Hall 2 which was full of kitchenwear suppliers to meet a friend from facebook as he suggested that I pop by to say hello. Whilst I waited for him to finish with some clients I was invited to have a free coffee - black coffee only, and I was given a copy of the Good Food magazine too. I found myself trying to wangle a freebie saucepan but no freebies for me :(
I went back to Hall 3 and went to look at my light again and actually asked them to put a sold sign on it. I wandered around looking at things I missed yesterday and somehow ended up by the extremely posh umbrellas - I did think that £50 for an umbrella was a bit excessive so was allowed to buy one for £10 - its purple with lilac musical notes around the edge and its what is known as pagoda style, it even claims to not blow inside out in windy weather. I had to be a bit sneaky with the purchase as items aren't allowed to be sold from stands and to get it out of the hall I had to say that it was a sample. I took it back to the car at lunchtime because I didnt want to lug it around all day.
I found some new suppliers who again are willing to sell in small quantities - so now I can have gifts for men, grow kits for various plants and therapy candles which smell divine and can be used as wedding favours.
Later in the afternoon I went back to the stand to buy my lamp - it cost me £55 (yesterday I was a bit confused with the sizes) so I bought the large one and it is now gracing my living room and looks fab. I was stopped as I left the hall and was asked "does madam have a receipt for that?" madam did not and made a great show of rummaging through her vast handbag looking for the business card that she had been given by way of a receipt when buying said lamp, madam kept stressing that the lamp was a sample and eventually was allowed to leave. The business card had been tucked in with my own business cards which were in my pocket.
I also acquired a few freebies too in the form of a notebook and some handmade soap and a little pot of moisturising handcream.
It was great networking with people especially as they now know that I organise corporate events.
I received a call today from Action for Blind People who had been put in touch with me by Access to Work. Due to my visual impairment (no central vision in left eye and limited peripheral vision) I fall under the remit of the Disability Discrimination Act and as such can have Access to Work visit my workplace and make recommendations and as I am self employed they will bear the full cost of any equipment that I need. I was chatting on the phone to them this morning and they are visiting me next Wednesday (I have a week to sort out my office and con someone into changing 3 lightbulbs for me. They are also going to look at upgrading my zoomtext magnifier so that that it could possibly speak to me and respond to my voice for times like now where my eyes are really tired and can barely focus.
Well I had better sign off now - its late and I need to chill out a bit before bedtime (oh and put a pile of washing away too).
I went back to Hall 3 and went to look at my light again and actually asked them to put a sold sign on it. I wandered around looking at things I missed yesterday and somehow ended up by the extremely posh umbrellas - I did think that £50 for an umbrella was a bit excessive so was allowed to buy one for £10 - its purple with lilac musical notes around the edge and its what is known as pagoda style, it even claims to not blow inside out in windy weather. I had to be a bit sneaky with the purchase as items aren't allowed to be sold from stands and to get it out of the hall I had to say that it was a sample. I took it back to the car at lunchtime because I didnt want to lug it around all day.
I found some new suppliers who again are willing to sell in small quantities - so now I can have gifts for men, grow kits for various plants and therapy candles which smell divine and can be used as wedding favours.
Later in the afternoon I went back to the stand to buy my lamp - it cost me £55 (yesterday I was a bit confused with the sizes) so I bought the large one and it is now gracing my living room and looks fab. I was stopped as I left the hall and was asked "does madam have a receipt for that?" madam did not and made a great show of rummaging through her vast handbag looking for the business card that she had been given by way of a receipt when buying said lamp, madam kept stressing that the lamp was a sample and eventually was allowed to leave. The business card had been tucked in with my own business cards which were in my pocket.
I also acquired a few freebies too in the form of a notebook and some handmade soap and a little pot of moisturising handcream.
It was great networking with people especially as they now know that I organise corporate events.
I received a call today from Action for Blind People who had been put in touch with me by Access to Work. Due to my visual impairment (no central vision in left eye and limited peripheral vision) I fall under the remit of the Disability Discrimination Act and as such can have Access to Work visit my workplace and make recommendations and as I am self employed they will bear the full cost of any equipment that I need. I was chatting on the phone to them this morning and they are visiting me next Wednesday (I have a week to sort out my office and con someone into changing 3 lightbulbs for me. They are also going to look at upgrading my zoomtext magnifier so that that it could possibly speak to me and respond to my voice for times like now where my eyes are really tired and can barely focus.
Well I had better sign off now - its late and I need to chill out a bit before bedtime (oh and put a pile of washing away too).
Tuesday, 8 September 2009
Autumn Fair Part 1
I eventually got a jump start for my car yesterday so took it to Pershore for a spin.
I got up bright and early (well the sun was bright and it was early but I didnt shift myself til 8am) and got ready to visit the Autumn Fair at the NEC. For those that don't know the Autumn Fair along with its sister the Spring Fair are two of the biggest international trade fairs for the gift and retail industry. Thankfully I took my car so that I could leave when I wanted to without having to faff around with trains. I was home again by 1pm as my back had started to sieze up - its still stiff now :(
I met with some lovely suppliers so soon I shall be selling gorgeous wedding memory boxes, guest books, photo albums and organisers (these organisers look like posh handbags). I have a contact with a company that sells minature trees - they never thought of wedding favours (I think I should start charging for my business advise lol). Another good contact was with an australian company who sells hessian/jute bags - they also sell bunting but I am particularly interested in their bottle bags because I have an idea.
I also found a wholesaler who sells tiaras and haircombs although I am hoping tomorrow that they will sell some items off their stand. Soon, (read that as when I start having paying clients) I shall have the most gorgeous umbrellas which are handmade in Italy. One of them was gorgeous - think of black silk (I think its silk) with a cream underside with swarovski crystals on the top of the black bit, with a black handle and swarovski crystals on the handle, it would retail at £120. The minimum order value is £200 and for that I would get 4 umbrellas. Why do I always pick the most expensive and disregard the cheap tat?
I also fell in love - I know that its love because I visited the stand 4 times - 3 times to stand and stare and the 4th time to ask the price. I have fallen in love with a table lamp. Its not any old table lamp either - it is a gorgeous work of art made from aluminium. Think of a woven vase with leaves and flowers all in aluminium - there was a choice of flower head - like an allium (pompom) or a teasel - inside the flowerheads is a tiny low energy halogen bulb which is easy to replace. The whole thing positively gleams and I love it. The equally gorgeous man on the stand - shaved head, gorgeous aussie twang who is called John told me that they were selling the lamps off at the end of the show so I am hoping to pick one up for £20 or so....swoon.
I also have a date tomorrow with a stranger...again at the Autumn Fair this time in Hall 2 stand C30 (I didnt venture into Hall 2) - this chap is a facebook friend and someone who tried to get me to sell some dodgy american acai berry drink but I said that it didnt fit in with my business model.
On the bus back to my car, my phone rang and I had somebody offering me advertising space in a magazine called Oracle which is sold and given away to help our local boys in blue - I carefully explained that I was a start up business and didnt have a bottomless pit of money and was told that the advert would cost £150 plus VAT. I said that I had never seen the magazine and that I wanted to see a copy first before I committed to anything. All around me were posh business types who smirked when I said that the banks weren't lending and that I would only pay what I wanted for an advert and not want the publisher wanted. After the call finished, the chap sitting next to me shook my hand - I thought it a bit odd but he had worked out that I was funding my business myself without relying on banks and loans...I thought he was going to offer me a job but I gave him my business card anyway and said that if he was in the line for some corporate entertainment and team building then he was to call me...LOL.
Wish me luck for tomorrow - I am going to need it - tomorrow though will be a casual day and not suited and trainers day (trainers are needed as you can walk miles).
I got up bright and early (well the sun was bright and it was early but I didnt shift myself til 8am) and got ready to visit the Autumn Fair at the NEC. For those that don't know the Autumn Fair along with its sister the Spring Fair are two of the biggest international trade fairs for the gift and retail industry. Thankfully I took my car so that I could leave when I wanted to without having to faff around with trains. I was home again by 1pm as my back had started to sieze up - its still stiff now :(
I met with some lovely suppliers so soon I shall be selling gorgeous wedding memory boxes, guest books, photo albums and organisers (these organisers look like posh handbags). I have a contact with a company that sells minature trees - they never thought of wedding favours (I think I should start charging for my business advise lol). Another good contact was with an australian company who sells hessian/jute bags - they also sell bunting but I am particularly interested in their bottle bags because I have an idea.
I also found a wholesaler who sells tiaras and haircombs although I am hoping tomorrow that they will sell some items off their stand. Soon, (read that as when I start having paying clients) I shall have the most gorgeous umbrellas which are handmade in Italy. One of them was gorgeous - think of black silk (I think its silk) with a cream underside with swarovski crystals on the top of the black bit, with a black handle and swarovski crystals on the handle, it would retail at £120. The minimum order value is £200 and for that I would get 4 umbrellas. Why do I always pick the most expensive and disregard the cheap tat?
I also fell in love - I know that its love because I visited the stand 4 times - 3 times to stand and stare and the 4th time to ask the price. I have fallen in love with a table lamp. Its not any old table lamp either - it is a gorgeous work of art made from aluminium. Think of a woven vase with leaves and flowers all in aluminium - there was a choice of flower head - like an allium (pompom) or a teasel - inside the flowerheads is a tiny low energy halogen bulb which is easy to replace. The whole thing positively gleams and I love it. The equally gorgeous man on the stand - shaved head, gorgeous aussie twang who is called John told me that they were selling the lamps off at the end of the show so I am hoping to pick one up for £20 or so....swoon.
I also have a date tomorrow with a stranger...again at the Autumn Fair this time in Hall 2 stand C30 (I didnt venture into Hall 2) - this chap is a facebook friend and someone who tried to get me to sell some dodgy american acai berry drink but I said that it didnt fit in with my business model.
On the bus back to my car, my phone rang and I had somebody offering me advertising space in a magazine called Oracle which is sold and given away to help our local boys in blue - I carefully explained that I was a start up business and didnt have a bottomless pit of money and was told that the advert would cost £150 plus VAT. I said that I had never seen the magazine and that I wanted to see a copy first before I committed to anything. All around me were posh business types who smirked when I said that the banks weren't lending and that I would only pay what I wanted for an advert and not want the publisher wanted. After the call finished, the chap sitting next to me shook my hand - I thought it a bit odd but he had worked out that I was funding my business myself without relying on banks and loans...I thought he was going to offer me a job but I gave him my business card anyway and said that if he was in the line for some corporate entertainment and team building then he was to call me...LOL.
Wish me luck for tomorrow - I am going to need it - tomorrow though will be a casual day and not suited and trainers day (trainers are needed as you can walk miles).
Sunday, 6 September 2009
Connected
Watch out world - I received my headphones with mic yesterday from Skype and I can now chat for free anywhere in the world and all from my trusty old laptop - so far I haven't chatted with anyone :(
Yesterday was a good post day and it was a good job I was up early as the post arrived at 8.30am and delivered by van. The beautiful tiara and pendant/earring set arrived from Bridal Designs Wedding Jewellery and they are absolutely gorgeous - I had to have a look in the box which meant untying the ribbon so now I have the bother of trying to retie the ribbon so that it looks professional and not like some idiot has tied it :( Tracey who makes this gorgeous jewelley also sent me some postcards which I have added to my box of things to take to the wedding fair.
Also in the post yesterday was my free copy of Gift Focus - this magazine is produced by the same publishers as the county wedding magazines and Attire Bridal. I like this magazine because it shows what is new in the gift market and this month features items that will be on display at the Autumn Fair at the NEC - I am hoping to become a supplier of wedding stationery having seen some gorgeous items. I shall definitely attend on the final day as this is the day when stall holders will get rid of stuff rather than take it home, I remember this feature from the time when I worked for Sommer Allibert UK (the distributors of luxurious French garden furniture).
I also received details from HMCA about breakdown recovery via the FSB which I can get for £7.30 a month, I have decided to pay this from my personal account as opposed to my business one and then will change over next year. I really need to start earning some money.
I must try and find my log on details for Kline Davis too so that I can amend my advert on their website (the current one is naff).
This week I am going to try and get a jump start for my car - I have decided to ask a friend and local coucillor as when he found out that I had had eye surgery asked me to contact him if I needed anything. I cannot wait to get out on the roads of South Birmingham and Worcestershire.
Yesterday was a good post day and it was a good job I was up early as the post arrived at 8.30am and delivered by van. The beautiful tiara and pendant/earring set arrived from Bridal Designs Wedding Jewellery and they are absolutely gorgeous - I had to have a look in the box which meant untying the ribbon so now I have the bother of trying to retie the ribbon so that it looks professional and not like some idiot has tied it :( Tracey who makes this gorgeous jewelley also sent me some postcards which I have added to my box of things to take to the wedding fair.
Also in the post yesterday was my free copy of Gift Focus - this magazine is produced by the same publishers as the county wedding magazines and Attire Bridal. I like this magazine because it shows what is new in the gift market and this month features items that will be on display at the Autumn Fair at the NEC - I am hoping to become a supplier of wedding stationery having seen some gorgeous items. I shall definitely attend on the final day as this is the day when stall holders will get rid of stuff rather than take it home, I remember this feature from the time when I worked for Sommer Allibert UK (the distributors of luxurious French garden furniture).
I also received details from HMCA about breakdown recovery via the FSB which I can get for £7.30 a month, I have decided to pay this from my personal account as opposed to my business one and then will change over next year. I really need to start earning some money.
I must try and find my log on details for Kline Davis too so that I can amend my advert on their website (the current one is naff).
This week I am going to try and get a jump start for my car - I have decided to ask a friend and local coucillor as when he found out that I had had eye surgery asked me to contact him if I needed anything. I cannot wait to get out on the roads of South Birmingham and Worcestershire.
Friday, 4 September 2009
Thank Crunchie It's Friday!
Today, has been a day of procrastination and distraction. Earlier this morning I visited a local beauty parlour and had the most wonderful facial and had a thoroughly relaxing time. As soon as I returned to my flat, hower, that chilled out feeling left me the neighbours in Flat 3 were playing loud music again. Now I don't mind music in moderation but hate it when it affects me - I had to listen to some extremely loud Ibiza club classics (see I am not so old and I do watch television), it was so loud that my landlord commented when I rang him to discuss the smoking of illegal substances again - the twits below me smoke dope which permeats my flat and makes me fill ill. I had a lot of work planned for today and just couldnt concentrate on my business plan that needs to be re-written. I even went downstairs to pound loudly on their door but they refused to answer - they always do because they think it is bailiffs...sigh. Still the rest of the law abiding tenants will soon have some peace as they now face eviction..hurrah.
I had a bit of a chinwag in the beauty parlour this morning and may well be buying a £20 voucher for a mini facial to offer as a prize for the wedding fair. We also discussed fake tans and I would like a bit of colour especially as I havent been to the beach this year - so I could soon be having a tan to cover up my pasty whiteness.
Again I have been imparting words of wisdom on MSE and have been chatting on facebook chat. There is this guy called Joe who lives in Birmingham Alabama - who is one of those city types that trades in oil on the stockmarket, he and I have been chatting for ages as we both play this silly but addictive game called Be A Tycoon. If only I was as rich in real life as I am on there...wouldn't life be grand? Well, yesterday Joe proclaimed that he speaks to me more than he does to his mother (eek) and that he feels a connection with me despite us never meeting - I think we have the same sense of values and humour. We were chatting today because its his birthday and I had sent him a e-card (stuck somewhere in ether between here and there) and he said that I was Bombdiggity - I had to ask what it meant, apparently its American slang for being the best of the best and I think that's a rather cool thing to say about someone.
I am still waiting for my headphones to arrive from Skype (if only I had had the sense ot buy them in PC World then I could be chatting away by now). I am also waiting for the jewellery from Tracey and the full size bottle of Bold 2in1 gel which I am product testing for Bold.
I had a bit of a chinwag in the beauty parlour this morning and may well be buying a £20 voucher for a mini facial to offer as a prize for the wedding fair. We also discussed fake tans and I would like a bit of colour especially as I havent been to the beach this year - so I could soon be having a tan to cover up my pasty whiteness.
Again I have been imparting words of wisdom on MSE and have been chatting on facebook chat. There is this guy called Joe who lives in Birmingham Alabama - who is one of those city types that trades in oil on the stockmarket, he and I have been chatting for ages as we both play this silly but addictive game called Be A Tycoon. If only I was as rich in real life as I am on there...wouldn't life be grand? Well, yesterday Joe proclaimed that he speaks to me more than he does to his mother (eek) and that he feels a connection with me despite us never meeting - I think we have the same sense of values and humour. We were chatting today because its his birthday and I had sent him a e-card (stuck somewhere in ether between here and there) and he said that I was Bombdiggity - I had to ask what it meant, apparently its American slang for being the best of the best and I think that's a rather cool thing to say about someone.
I am still waiting for my headphones to arrive from Skype (if only I had had the sense ot buy them in PC World then I could be chatting away by now). I am also waiting for the jewellery from Tracey and the full size bottle of Bold 2in1 gel which I am product testing for Bold.
Thursday, 3 September 2009
Mundane Days
Yesterday was a particularly mundane day - I posted a birthday card and my cheque for the wedding fair. I also had to sort out some contents insurance and thought that I would try the co-op, never again will I ask them for a quote - they wanted to charge me £661 for only £12500K worth of items! More Than had sent me a renewal notice for £156 but when I called them I managed to get this down to £142 by removing freezer contents - needless to say that I renewed with them and get cover for £75K worth of goods as standard. Far better to be over insured than under insured.
I felt despondent yesterday and I feel sure that this had something to do with the weather as it was wet and gloomy. Now the weather has brightened I am feeling much better.
Some of you may know that I often post on MSE (moneysaving expert forum) where I impart wisdom, knowledge and sometimes silliness. As a result of one chat (and deal) with Bridal Designs Wedding Jewellery, I shall be sending them some of my leaflets to put on their stall at the wedding fair they will be exhibiting at and likewise I shall be displaying some of theirs. I admit to being a bit dopey when I sent the cheque off and never thought about enclosing some leaflets...sigh. Still, they are now packaged and waiting for me to walk to the post office - I am currently waiting in to receive my own post.
Yesterday, I was trawling on the Employment board over on MSE and espied a thread from someone who was a party planner but she wanted to become a wedding planner and set up a partnership with someone. I suggested that she do the Institute of Professional Wedding Planners course and so she sent me a message saying that she had read books and wasnt aware of any courses. Unfortunately, I think that this person is the kind to give us professional planners a bad name - she isnt interested in organising the weddings themselves and wants to employ someone to do that, all she wants to do is the administration and the research and maybe visit the venues - no sensible planner would handover the venue search to someone else because how could they possibly recommend it if they have never been or even made contact with the venue? Something must be wrong in her party planning business if she isnt busy - all the party planners that I know are busy all the time. I don't mind advising a genuine person but absolutely loathe timewasters and freeloaders.
Today, I am trying to think of what to put in a trade pack and later will be heading off to the post office (its a good half mile walk). Hopefully the rain will hold off, I hope so as the sun has just come out :-)
I shall also be looking at assignment 3 for my event planning course now that I have decided how I am going to tackle it. I am still waiting for assignment 2 to be marked.
The car still hasnt moved because I cannot get a jump start from anybody :(
I felt despondent yesterday and I feel sure that this had something to do with the weather as it was wet and gloomy. Now the weather has brightened I am feeling much better.
Some of you may know that I often post on MSE (moneysaving expert forum) where I impart wisdom, knowledge and sometimes silliness. As a result of one chat (and deal) with Bridal Designs Wedding Jewellery, I shall be sending them some of my leaflets to put on their stall at the wedding fair they will be exhibiting at and likewise I shall be displaying some of theirs. I admit to being a bit dopey when I sent the cheque off and never thought about enclosing some leaflets...sigh. Still, they are now packaged and waiting for me to walk to the post office - I am currently waiting in to receive my own post.
Yesterday, I was trawling on the Employment board over on MSE and espied a thread from someone who was a party planner but she wanted to become a wedding planner and set up a partnership with someone. I suggested that she do the Institute of Professional Wedding Planners course and so she sent me a message saying that she had read books and wasnt aware of any courses. Unfortunately, I think that this person is the kind to give us professional planners a bad name - she isnt interested in organising the weddings themselves and wants to employ someone to do that, all she wants to do is the administration and the research and maybe visit the venues - no sensible planner would handover the venue search to someone else because how could they possibly recommend it if they have never been or even made contact with the venue? Something must be wrong in her party planning business if she isnt busy - all the party planners that I know are busy all the time. I don't mind advising a genuine person but absolutely loathe timewasters and freeloaders.
Today, I am trying to think of what to put in a trade pack and later will be heading off to the post office (its a good half mile walk). Hopefully the rain will hold off, I hope so as the sun has just come out :-)
I shall also be looking at assignment 3 for my event planning course now that I have decided how I am going to tackle it. I am still waiting for assignment 2 to be marked.
The car still hasnt moved because I cannot get a jump start from anybody :(
Tuesday, 1 September 2009
Aaarrgggh...Noisy Neighbours!
Some neighbours have moved into the flat downstairs and they are driving me mad - first thing in the morning they stink the block out with dope and now they are playing pop music (the same banal song has been playing over and over again at full blast for over an hour now). I cannot hear myself think! Mind you if its not the stink of dope its the smell of feral tom cat wee..neither of which smell pleasant. Cool, I have just found some headphones that I kept from work so now I have plugged myself in to listen to my choice of music as opposed to that tuneless garbage from downstairs. Ricochet by Tangerine Dream is hitting the spot nicely :-)
I have been reading The Village magazine today - a copy was sent with my invoice for the wedding fair and I have noticed that they have mentioned my business name in there - I said that I didnt want any advertising. You may think this to be slightly mad but basically I know what my mother is like and this magazine gets delivered free to her house - I don't want my mother knowing my business and putting a downer on everything.
Well I am off for a bit as I need to give my eyes a break and The Hairy Bikers are on tv - they do make me chuckle.
I have been reading The Village magazine today - a copy was sent with my invoice for the wedding fair and I have noticed that they have mentioned my business name in there - I said that I didnt want any advertising. You may think this to be slightly mad but basically I know what my mother is like and this magazine gets delivered free to her house - I don't want my mother knowing my business and putting a downer on everything.
Well I am off for a bit as I need to give my eyes a break and The Hairy Bikers are on tv - they do make me chuckle.
On the Scrounge
I have had a busy morning this morning - I visited my local stationers and bought a ream of paper and some plastic wallet things for some trade packs and I managed to scrounge an empty box for paper. I also had a chat about pop up banners and should be able to get one for around £100 - this is something that I shall have to look into, I don't think that I will be able to afford one in time for the wedding fair.
The box has now been covered with some purple and white paper that I had lying around (a selfridges purchase) and I am surprised at my skill in covering the box and it reminded me of the days of watching Blue Peter as a child (now I wonder if they still make that ornament with bent coathangers, tinsel, jamjar lids and candles - you remember that christmas one that they featured every single christmas).
I have also been to the bank to deposit £100 in £2 coins into my business account - this is going towards the cost of the stand at the fair which is costing me £115 inc VAT. I shall be sending the cheque off for the fair later today.
The wedding fair will hopefully be exciting and I shall be attending on my own because my chums have cried off :( The show opens at 11am and runs until 4pm and they have managed to sucker some poor soul into getting married at the venue at 2.30pm - to be honest I think that this is rather tacky. The magazine that is running the fair is offering their own prize draw where Jacques Vert vouchers and tickets to the National Wedding Show at the NEC can be won.
I am still toying with prizes for my own draw - I am now wondering if I should offer a plan (basically a list of things to do and when they should be done) too or just leave it with the star prize of on-the-day co-ordination? Do you think that 3 prizes will be enough or should I offer more?? Decisions, decisions....
Its quite gloomy here today and have managed to blow another halogen bulb in my office (I shall have to get more bulbs and wait for a friend to come around to change them for me), I cannot cope without light and have remembered my daylight lamp that Access to Work and the University gave me when I worked there - any adaptions that I received I kept when I was made redundant LOL.
The box has now been covered with some purple and white paper that I had lying around (a selfridges purchase) and I am surprised at my skill in covering the box and it reminded me of the days of watching Blue Peter as a child (now I wonder if they still make that ornament with bent coathangers, tinsel, jamjar lids and candles - you remember that christmas one that they featured every single christmas).
I have also been to the bank to deposit £100 in £2 coins into my business account - this is going towards the cost of the stand at the fair which is costing me £115 inc VAT. I shall be sending the cheque off for the fair later today.
The wedding fair will hopefully be exciting and I shall be attending on my own because my chums have cried off :( The show opens at 11am and runs until 4pm and they have managed to sucker some poor soul into getting married at the venue at 2.30pm - to be honest I think that this is rather tacky. The magazine that is running the fair is offering their own prize draw where Jacques Vert vouchers and tickets to the National Wedding Show at the NEC can be won.
I am still toying with prizes for my own draw - I am now wondering if I should offer a plan (basically a list of things to do and when they should be done) too or just leave it with the star prize of on-the-day co-ordination? Do you think that 3 prizes will be enough or should I offer more?? Decisions, decisions....
Its quite gloomy here today and have managed to blow another halogen bulb in my office (I shall have to get more bulbs and wait for a friend to come around to change them for me), I cannot cope without light and have remembered my daylight lamp that Access to Work and the University gave me when I worked there - any adaptions that I received I kept when I was made redundant LOL.
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