Warning: Another usual long-winded ramble from me, so feel free to skip!
Exactly 120 days have passed since I first laid eyes on the 10-motif Vintage Alhambra necklace in Hammered YG and placed it on hold. I knew that once it was mine, I would love to get the matching 5-motif bracelet to complete my set, preferably as my birthday present for 2025.
After putting it on my wishlist, I was told that I was number 19 on the list, so I knew not to be too hopeful about securing it for my big birthday coming up in May. I also put in on my Japan wishlist, in case the stars aligned for some reason during my Tokyo trip. Fingers and toes crossed!
Yesterday, I decided to pass the time of my second day of fasting for Ramadan by heading over to Dubai Mall just to mosey and explore the newly opened District section in the mall.
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After moseying about, and making a VERY UNINTENDED purchase in Loro Piana (well, technically it was on my copious Wishlist 2024-2026), I decided to go catch up with one of my SAs in my VCA home store, since I hadn't seen her in a while.
As usual, the staff were always nice enough to shepherd me to one of the private salons, which is such an oasis of calm with its dusky rose shades.
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When my SA was done with her other client, she came round and sat down to chat with me. We caught up on life, she was asking me about work and Ramadan etc, and then talk went to our respective holiday plans over the next couple of months. I mentioned to her that I was so looking forward to the Japan trip, and how I would make sure to drop by VCA there in case I could strike it lucky to get my wishlist bracelet just before the big birthday, since I know I'm wayyy down on the list here in Dubai.
"Oh yes, you wanted it in Rose Gold right?"
"Nope, I want it in Yellow Gold to match the 10-motif."
"Oh, really? Hang on a sec..."
She disappeared from the salon, sending me into mini-palpitations, half thinking she went off to update my list, or maybe, hoping against hope that a Ramadan miracle was going to manifest itself!
She re-emerged in the salon, velvet tray in hand, with, lo and behold, a beautiful 5-motif bracelet in YG Hammered!
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Readers, let me tell you, I squealed like a door hinge in desperate need of some WD-40!
I tried it on, distracted as a magpie, as she explained to me that the 5-motif had come in, as part of regular stock, but which was earmarked to a client who had requested it and paid in full, but who was travelling for Ramadan and was not able to pick it up in person. That client had decided to pass on it, and transfer her credit to a future purchase, and told them to let go of the bracelet into general stock.
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Apparently, that had taken place 15 minutes before I arrived, and the bracelet had literally just gone into the drawer before I arrived.
I started babbling about how she was a miracle worker, and she demurred, saying that I had brought the right energy. This was basically the second time I had lucked into getting my dream piece by being there at the right place and the right time...
I always make a big deal about planning out purchases, and making a big event out of picking something up. I have to get dressed up, go for a nice brunch/tea to celebrate etc etc. But of course, the dream piece arrived when I had no intention of shopping, just moseying about in store in a tee and jeans!
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My SA did say that if I wanted, I could put it on hold by paying 50% as a deposit, and paying the rest next month, so that I can make it more momentous (she apparently gets my extra-ness), and give me a break after spending in LP. I was joking to her, dang, maybe I should go return these shoes, and she didn't want me to do that...
It was so sweet of her, but I knew that if I just placed the deposit, I would probably end up being so distracted thinking about the bracelet, that I would probably end up walking into traffic! So I pulled the trigger, despite it being 11 weeks away from my birthday.
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She asked me for my choice of packaging, and of course, the hard box as always for me! She told me to come back in a few weeks to get the travel pouch as they were out of stock of it at the moment, but she also threw in the cleaning cloth (in the older black format), as well as a beautiful Ramadan card.
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Honestly, the joy I felt clasping that paper bag made all thoughts of hunger and thirst fly out the window!
Part of me is thinking, I won't unbox it until my actual birthday, but I think we all know that's probably not going to be realistic... Heck, maybe I'll consider this my Ramadan/Eid gift to myself, and find something else for my birthday...
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If you've lasted this long, thank you for being on my journey and letting me share!
Congratulations on scoring such a coveted piece. What a remarkable way to commemorate both your first Ramadan in Dubai and your birthday! Wishing you a blessed and joyful Ramadan
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