Hermes Cafe Bon Temps~Good Times Cafe

[Fabfashion]

I get my rings sized very tight so that when I tug on them they don't come off. SA's would complain that I get my rings sized too tight. When I was 7, I lost a ring (fortunately it was fashion jewelry, nothing valuable) when I tore off my gloves (winter). Still traumatized about that. Plus, when I lose weight some comes off my fingers. ARGGGH! so one way or the other I size and resize rings. If I have a hard time getting a ring off I wet my fingers.

I keep my rings on when washing hands. Never take them off and put them on the sink when I'm out and about. If they get a soap film I spray the ring with windex (and rinse, of course).

Don't wear rings when you're swimming. Chlorine can eat away gold, not like swiss cheese, but still. Your instinct is right: it's not supposed to be a good idea to wear jewelry when sleeping. I guess the bedding rubs against the metai.

I didn’t know that about chlorine. Good to know, thanks! I didn’t realize how much my fingers have gotten bigger over the years until this pandemic. I usually wear my 10th anniversary ring instead of my engagement ring on my left hand ring finger. Since I’ve been working from home and haven’t worn my ring for a long period of time, when I went to put it on it was super tight. I think the part of my finger where it cinched from regular wear has relaxed. (I refused to think I’ve gained weight during the lockdown. ) When our lockdown was lifted at the end of Feb., I went to see a jeweller and he said my ring needs to be 1.5 size bigger! I was going back to get it resized but we have another stay at home lock down so I have to wait. May be my fingers will shrink by then. Lol.

Years ago my GF told me about how her co-worker took off her new engagement ring in the restroom at their office building to wash her hands. She forgot and left it in the restroom. When she got back to her desk she realized it and ran back but it was already gone. Since hearing this story I never took off my ring in the public restrooms.

I too lost a ring when I was about 6-7. My mom gave me this very pretty fresh pearl ring with 2 teeny tiny gem stones and when I washed my hands it went down the drain. I’m still traumatized over it.

 

[Fabfashion]

You could always get some fabric from H or other nice source and take it to a tailor to make a pillow or whatever.

I wouldn't urge anyone to learn how to sew b/c as a rule, IMO, clothes are cheaper to buy than to make. If you're learning, you will probably focus on simple patterns, 2 or 3 main pieces. Streamlined sleek clothes are easier to buy than to fit. In contrast, knitting or crocheting can result is gorgeous hand-made sweaters or pullovers that no RTW can compete with in terms of quality and uniqueness. I crocheted a sweater (my first) quite some time ago and even tho some of the stitches were loose and big compared with sections where I had a tighter gauge
the sweater looked good. I got compliments. The sweater had a certain "presence," it was unique and obviously not machine made.

I bought some Anna Sui fabric, 4 yards, which was printed in muted sage greens and ambers. The big thing was centering the two huge flowers in the front and then again in the back. Oversized patterns are interesting to work with, I never tried them before.

I realized from my first sewing class (I think I was attempting to make a skirt) that it’d have been much cheaper to buy off the rack. Although it must feel good to wear your own creation and be able to use your creativity. The Anna Sui fabric sounds so pretty. Pic?

 

[eagle1002us]

I didn’t know that about chlorine. Good to know, thanks! I didn’t realize how much my fingers have gotten bigger over the years until this pandemic. I usually wear my 10th anniversary ring instead of my engagement ring on my left hand ring finger. Since I’ve been working from home and haven’t worn my ring for a long period of time, when I went to put it on it was super tight. I think the part of my finger where it cinched from regular wear has relaxed. (I refused to think I’ve gained weight during the lockdown. ) When our lockdown was lifted at the end of Feb., I went to see a jeweller and he said my ring needs to be 1.5 size bigger! I was going back to get it resized but we have another stay at home lock down so I have to wait. May be my fingers will shrink by then. Lol.

Years ago my GF told me about how her co-worker took off her new engagement ring in the restroom at their office building to wash her hands. She forgot and left it in the restroom. When she got back to her desk she realized it and ran back but it was already gone. Since hearing this story I never took off my ring in the public restrooms.

I too lost a ring when I was about 6-7. My mom gave me this very pretty fresh pearl ring with 2 teeny tiny gem stones and when I washed my hands it went down the drain. I’m still traumatized over it.

Yeah, the ring that I lost when I was 7 was a gift from mom, gold with a red stone and pretty. She didn't buy me another one, we're not talking anything that was at all valuable or costly. IMO she got the ring too large but I didn't think of that then. I have never forgotten searching for the ring in a snowbank, it's so like a needle in a haystack. Were you able to get your ring replaced?

More recently, I had to go to a jeweler to get a ring sawed off my finger. I don't know how it became so fat; I didn't gorge my fingers but maybe I consumed a bunch of salty things like nuts or it was blistering hot which can swell fingers. Plus, I think my finger got swollen b/c I kept tugging at the ring. The Windex didn't work in that case.

You probably know this but if a ring is hard to get off spray Windex on your finger. It shrinks it a bit. Of course with anything delicate like pearls or opals don't do that.

 

[eagle1002us]

I realized from my first sewing class (I think I was attempting to make a skirt) that it’d have been much cheaper to buy off the rack. Although it must feel good to wear your own creation and be able to use your creativity. The Anna Sui fabric sounds so pretty. Pic?

Pix will probably be sometime next month when it warms up a bit. The silk is very lightweight, plus I lined it in what's called China silk in fabric stores (or habotai). Lightweight silk on silk can be amazingly comfortable in hot sticky weather. I once sewed up a lightweight silk tussah and lined it with China silk. I still have the top, it fits, and it's maybe 15 years old. I may only wear it a handful of times a year but it's well worth keeping. When I made the blouse, I scorched the silk accidently (probably too hot iron). Got a yellow scorch stain on blouse front which was pale ecru silk. The stain disappeared (oxidized, maybe) at least 5 years ago so I could resume wearing it.

Working with your hands can be soothing. I noticed that when I crocheted that sweater. Sewing can be a bit soothing then annoying. My Sears Kenmore machine was inexpensive and the trouble such machines have is that the thread tension is too loose so that stitches become loopy. Most of the time I can adjust it, it's a process of trial and error, it but otherwise it goes to the repair shop (generally once a year).

It is hard to purge the closet of silk or linen stuff I made, I try to alter it. Do you remember the 70's designer Perry Ellis, gawd that guy used beautiful silk and wool plaids and the fabric store got any excess. Between the fashion to dress casual (no suits for men or women) and climate change, I can't really find fabrics like that anymore. Wish I'd kept some of those pieces!

 

[Fabfashion]

Pix will probably be sometime next month when it warms up a bit. The silk is very lightweight, plus I lined it in what's called China silk in fabric stores (or habotai). Lightweight silk on silk can be amazingly comfortable in hot sticky weather. I once sewed up a lightweight silk tussah and lined it with China silk. I still have the top, it fits, and it's maybe 15 years old. I may only wear it a handful of times a year but it's well worth keeping. When I made the blouse, I scorched the silk accidently (probably too hot iron). Got a yellow scorch stain on blouse front which was pale ecru silk. The stain disappeared (oxidized, maybe) at least 5 years ago so I could resume wearing it.

Working with your hands can be soothing. I noticed that when I crocheted that sweater. Sewing can be a bit soothing then annoying. My Sears Kenmore machine was inexpensive and the trouble such machines have is that the thread tension is too loose so that stitches become loopy. Most of the time I can adjust it, it's a process of trial and error, it but otherwise it goes to the repair shop (generally once a year).

It is hard to purge the closet of silk or linen stuff I made, I try to alter it. Do you remember the 70's designer Perry Ellis, gawd that guy used beautiful silk and wool plaids and the fabric store got any excess. Between the fashion to dress casual (no suits for men or women) and climate change, I can't really find fabrics like that anymore. Wish I'd kept some of those pieces!

Funny you mentioned Perry Ellis. The first time I met my DH, he was wearing a Perry Ellis dress shirt. We still have it in the closet as a keepsake. I should have kept the cream skirt suit that I wore but I donated it a long time ago. We met at my half brother’s wedding.

Glad the stain came out from your silk blouse. I had this beautiful blue-gray silk pantsuit. One time I wore the pants without the blazer and got a little water stain on it. I sent just the pants to dry clean. They came back in a much lighter shade. Even when I sent the blazer in to dry clean to see if it‘d come back in the same shade, they never did match again. So lesson learned—I now only send suits as a set to dry clean, not that I’m wearing suits for work any more, not even before the pandemic.

I’m wearing my CSGM today. First time in years.

 

[Fabfashion]

Yeah, the ring that I lost when I was 7 was a gift from mom, gold with a red stone and pretty. She didn't buy me another one, we're not talking anything that was at all valuable or costly. IMO she got the ring too large but I didn't think of that then. I have never forgotten searching for the ring in a snowbank, it's so like a needle in a haystack. Were you able to get your ring replaced?

More recently, I had to go to a jeweler to get a ring sawed off my finger. I don't know how it became so fat; I didn't gorge my fingers but maybe I consumed a bunch of salty things like nuts or it was blistering hot which can swell fingers. Plus, I think my finger got swollen b/c I kept tugging at the ring. The Windex didn't work in that case.

You probably know this but if a ring is hard to get off spray Windex on your finger. It shrinks it a bit. Of course with anything delicate like pearls or opals don't do that.

Good tip on the Windex. I usually try to run my hand under cold water. Were you able to save your ring? One of my bosses from my first job had to get her engagement ring cut off when she was pregnant.

I never got another ring from my mom to replace the pearl one. It was a little loose and I think at that age my fingers were like sticks with no knuckles, unlike now. She gave me more rings over the teenage years and I lost 3 of them. One was a small emerald ring with 4 tiny side diamonds when I was 14. I wore it to school and the teacher had me taken it off as it was against school policy. I put it in my skirt’s pocket and it must have fallen off somewhere between school and home. My mom was very upset about that one because it cost like her whole month’s salary! At least that was what she told me. I forgot about this ring until now. It was the first and last time I had a chance to wear it. The other one I lost was an initial diamond ring my mom had made for me when I was 16. I lost it when I was 19 when my friends and I were at a park. It fell off but I didn’t realize it for another 1/2 hour or so. We looked everywhere but couldn’t find it. Somewhere out there someone is wearing a ring with G on it. To the day she passed my mom never knew I lost it. Whenever she asked, I’d say it was at the safety deposit box. I know I lied but I just couldn’t tell her.

 

[eagle1002us]

Good tip on the Windex. I usually try to run my hand under cold water. Were you able to save your ring? One of my bosses from my first job had to get her engagement ring cut off when she was pregnant.

I never got another ring from my mom to replace the pearl one. It was a little loose and I think at that age my fingers were like sticks with no knuckles, unlike now. She gave me more rings over the teenage years and I lost 3 of them. One was a small emerald ring with 4 tiny side diamonds when I was 14. I wore it to school and the teacher had me taken it off as it was against school policy. I put it in my skirt’s pocket and it must have fallen off somewhere between school and home. My mom was very upset about that one because it cost like her whole month’s salary! At least that was what she told me. I forgot about this ring until now. It was the first and last time I had a chance to wear it. The other one I lost was an initial diamond ring my mom had made for me when I was 16. I lost it when I was 19 when my friends and I were at a park. It fell off but I didn’t realize it for another 1/2 hour or so. We looked everywhere but couldn’t find it. Somewhere out there someone is wearing a ring with G on it. To the day she passed my mom never knew I lost it. Whenever she asked, I’d say it was at the safety deposit box. I know I lied but I just couldn’t tell her.

Before the 80s, and especially in the 60s, department stores used to have counters piled with costume jewelry for people to rummage thru. Mom loved picking up a trinket or two, they were cheap. When she passed there were 8 large garbage bags filled with the stuff. I knew something about costume jewelry then, and was a little disappointed not to see any signed pieces in the bag I looked in. Maybe Lisner. Basically she shopped at places that had bargain counters for jewelry. She lived within walking distance of a mall that was likely to sell inexpensive baubles. They cheered her up. And the hats she had!! All gone. I didn't keep any of it.

Yes, I was able to get the band repaired after the jeweler sawed it off. They'll do that routinely.

I have a silver cuff that needs to have the gap widened to get it on and off. It gets like a sauna during the summer so I worry that it could accidently slide off. I had the shop solder a small safety chain at the bottom end of the cuff. I think I should get a safety chain at the top of the cuff so that it's balanced on my wrist. I've never seen cuffs with safety chains but a cuff can slip off when taking off a jacket, for example.

I wore the H Osmose cuff (and 2 Osmose rings) when I was last in Paris. I created a huge safety chain by looping a thin silver chain thru the open ends of the Osmose and fastening it. The chain drooped but at least I knew the cuff was secure. I remember the SA looked rather sourly at it. Does anybody use safety chains on cuffs? The chain that got attached is unobtrusive.

If I got a ring that I felt might be a tad too loose I'd have the store put a ring guard on the inside bottom of the band. They say that ring guards can scratch the ring (the inside band? Who cares?). It's easily removable with small pliers.

 

[eagle1002us]

Good tip on the Windex. I usually try to run my hand under cold water. Were you able to save your ring? One of my bosses from my first job had to get her engagement ring cut off when she was pregnant.

I never got another ring from my mom to replace the pearl one. It was a little loose and I think at that age my fingers were like sticks with no knuckles, unlike now. She gave me more rings over the teenage years and I lost 3 of them. One was a small emerald ring with 4 tiny side diamonds when I was 14. I wore it to school and the teacher had me taken it off as it was against school policy. I put it in my skirt’s pocket and it must have fallen off somewhere between school and home. My mom was very upset about that one because it cost like her whole month’s salary! At least that was what she told me. I forgot about this ring until now. It was the first and last time I had a chance to wear it. The other one I lost was an initial diamond ring my mom had made for me when I was 16. I lost it when I was 19 when my friends and I were at a park. It fell off but I didn’t realize it for another 1/2 hour or so. We looked everywhere but couldn’t find it. Somewhere out there someone is wearing a ring with G on it. To the day she passed my mom never knew I lost it. Whenever she asked, I’d say it was at the safety deposit box. I know I lied but I just couldn’t tell her.

Kids loosing rings has to be a common problem. At Claire's or whatever kiosks or boutiques sells rings for them ought to have sizers. I don't think you can size a ring that's not gold or silver, but then, maybe a laser can do that sort of thing. It's complicated. Yeah, mom took it a bit personally that the ring came off and dropped in a snow pile (really, more of a snow mountain). She probably got miffed and ran out and bought herself another piece of costume jewelry. Or shoes.

 

[eagle1002us]

Good tip on the Windex. I usually try to run my hand under cold water. Were you able to save your ring? One of my bosses from my first job had to get her engagement ring cut off when she was pregnant.

I never got another ring from my mom to replace the pearl one. It was a little loose and I think at that age my fingers were like sticks with no knuckles, unlike now. She gave me more rings over the teenage years and I lost 3 of them. One was a small emerald ring with 4 tiny side diamonds when I was 14. I wore it to school and the teacher had me taken it off as it was against school policy. I put it in my skirt’s pocket and it must have fallen off somewhere between school and home. My mom was very upset about that one because it cost like her whole month’s salary! At least that was what she told me. I forgot about this ring until now. It was the first and last time I had a chance to wear it. The other one I lost was an initial diamond ring my mom had made for me when I was 16. I lost it when I was 19 when my friends and I were at a park. It fell off but I didn’t realize it for another 1/2 hour or so. We looked everywhere but couldn’t find it. Somewhere out there someone is wearing a ring with G on it. To the day she passed my mom never knew I lost it. Whenever she asked, I’d say it was at the safety deposit box. I know I lied but I just couldn’t tell her.

If our mothers knew the trauma we suffered as kids who lost pretty gift rings they would try to replace the lost objects.

 

[eagle1002us]

Funny you mentioned Perry Ellis. The first time I met my DH, he was wearing a Perry Ellis dress shirt. We still have it in the closet as a keepsake. I should have kept the cream skirt suit that I wore but I donated it a long time ago. We met at my half brother’s wedding.

Glad the stain came out from your silk blouse. I had this beautiful blue-gray silk pantsuit. One time I wore the pants without the blazer and got a little water stain on it. I sent just the pants to dry clean. They came back in a much lighter shade. Even when I sent the blazer in to dry clean to see if it‘d come back in the same shade, they never did match again. So lesson learned—I now only send suits as a set to dry clean, not that I’m wearing suits for work any more, not even before the pandemic.

I’m wearing my CSGM today. First time in years. View attachment 5061859

So very lovely.

 

[Fabfashion]

Kids loosing rings has to be a common problem. At Claire's or whatever kiosks or boutiques sells rings for them ought to have sizers. I don't think you can size a ring that's not gold or silver, but then, maybe a laser can do that sort of thing. It's complicated. Yeah, mom took it a bit personally that the ring came off and dropped in a snow pile (really, more of a snow mountain). She probably got miffed and ran out and bought herself another piece of costume jewelry. Or shoes.

No rings for my DDs. I only bought necklaces for their bday every couple of years. I kept them in a safe and will give to them when they’re 18. I only got them a pair of teeny stud earrings when they had their ears pierced when they turned 9. These have screw backs and I checked them regularly. Trying to avoid any childhood trauma by not giving them any rings costume or otherwise.

 

[Fabfashion]

Before the 80s, and especially in the 60s, department stores used to have counters piled with costume jewelry for people to rummage thru. Mom loved picking up a trinket or two, they were cheap. When she passed there were 8 large garbage bags filled with the stuff. I knew something about costume jewelry then, and was a little disappointed not to see any signed pieces in the bag I looked in. Maybe Lisner. Basically she shopped at places that had bargain counters for jewelry. She lived within walking distance of a mall that was likely to sell inexpensive baubles. They cheered her up. And the hats she had!! All gone. I didn't keep any of it.

Yes, I was able to get the band repaired after the jeweler sawed it off. They'll do that routinely.

I have a silver cuff that needs to have the gap widened to get it on and off. It gets like a sauna during the summer so I worry that it could accidently slide off. I had the shop solder a small safety chain at the bottom end of the cuff. I think I should get a safety chain at the top of the cuff so that it's balanced on my wrist. I've never seen cuffs with safety chains but a cuff can slip off when taking off a jacket, for example.

I wore the H Osmose cuff (and 2 Osmose rings) when I was last in Paris. I created a huge safety chain by looping a thin silver chain thru the open ends of the Osmose and fastening it. The chain drooped but at least I knew the cuff was secure. I remember the SA looked rather sourly at it. Does anybody use safety chains on cuffs? The chain that got attached is unobtrusive.

If I got a ring that I felt might be a tad too loose I'd have the store put a ring guard on the inside bottom of the band. They say that ring guards can scratch the ring (the inside band? Who cares?). It's easily removable with small pliers.

I love the look of the Osmose line. Who cares what SA thinks as long as it’s secured and you’re happy with it. Have you tried it with a leather cord like some of H other bracelet pieces and weave into the opening? I don‘t know if that will work as I don’t wear any cuff.

 

[Fabfashion]

Huh...just found a CSGM with tag still on. Will try to remember to wear it tomorrow. I’m thinking I should start a thread called What have I got here for all H items ’found’ in my closet. Lol.

 

[eagle1002us]

I love the look of the Osmose line. Who cares what SA thinks as long as it’s secured and you’re happy with it. Have you tried it with a leather cord like some of H other bracelet pieces and weave into the opening? I don‘t know if that will work as I don’t wear any cuff.

You're absolutely right, FabFashion. An H leather cord, maybe even a twilly (do they have mini-twillies?) would give the Osmose extra cachet, compared with my homemade safety chain. I got the Osmose set the 1st time I went to Paris, the two rings and cuff all in my size (not so easy to find in US boutique). It was a purchase I was really excited about. That was a bang-up trip. I got a lime kelly which I haven't carried yet but it was a thrill getting it. I was ecstatic on the cab ride to the hotel (next time H delivered to the hotel).

 

[eagle1002us]

Huh...just found a CSGM with tag still on. Will try to remember to wear it tomorrow. I’m thinking I should start a thread called What have I got here for all H items ’found’ in my closet. Lol.

It would be well attended and probably quite informative & interesting (pass around the bags, etc., as props or visual aids).