Van Cleef in action!

[BigAkoya]

Yes, I am really trying to be good. I have to remind myself that I want these pieces for the long term much more than the “easy”, less expensive ones!



This is me 1000%.

@BigAkoya I went back to London today - by the way, as it happened, I was having a conversation with my friend (a big watch collector) and the owner of London, and I had no idea that not only do they own the VCA and the Cartier there (which I knew), they also own the VCA at Short Hills too. And they are doing some amazing expanding there! A boutique, and watches….lots of great things. I get out there a few times I year so I told C that I would definitely come by and that the Short Hills VCA team is wonderful.

Anyway, I see what you mean about the diamonds in the photo, but in person they look the same as the VCA and Cartier - three of us standing there making sure the diamonds are just as white. I wonder why it doesn’t look so in the photo (I took more):

View attachment 5373990

And of course I tried on the Noeud again too.

View attachment 5373995

As terrible as my photos are, they do actually look worse when I post them. Uploading must do something to the compression. They even look better before I upload them.

The Neoud is gorgeous. You don’t that pink sapphire bracelet. For me, I would skip. What you have without the pink sapphire bracelet looks great.

And yes to Neoud! It looks gorgeous!

 

[eternallove4bag]

I really like your way of thinking and it was so helpful to hear your thoughts framed this way. I am tempted by a few non-WL items now (as always) and it is so easy to say, “it is only $xxxx, and it is so pretty,” but if I hold out, then it is like free money towards something I would love even more. It is funny how easy it is to buy 5 things for $xxxx on the spur of the moment, but buying one thing for 5x $xxxx makes me question if I will really like it after all. I think it’s just difficult for me to prioritize certain items because I never know exactly how something will work for me until I have the chance to wear it.

It’s super tempting to add a few ‘knick-knacks’ here and there, just for instant gratification or as a ‘pick-me-up’ when I am in a celebratory mood. Like earlier this week, I went into Tiffany and tried on a ring I have been eyeing but it’s not made it to my WL yet. The price was reasonable too. In my head, I was like ‘it’s just 5k, I can take it out of my funds’ and then I had to remind myself that this was an item not even on my WL yet. I had no business even thinking of spending money on it. So I walked out of the store empty handed. Later, I was so thankful because if I had spent the 5k, I would have been 5k short of paying for my ‘Hermes and VCA SOs’ and ‘maybe a chanel mini if I am lucky to find it’ fund … I am a planner and I have to stick to that. The good part is I cannot shop when I am busy or stressed out at work. It’s only when I have idle time to kill, the monster in me comes out… what do they say about - ‘an empty mind is a devil’s workshop’ … so apt for me!

 

[eternallove4bag]

Yes, I am really trying to be good. I have to remind myself that I want these pieces for the long term much more than the “easy”, less expensive ones!



This is me 1000%.

@BigAkoya I went back to London today - by the way, as it happened, I was having a conversation with my friend (a big watch collector) and the owner of London, and I had no idea that not only do they own the VCA and the Cartier there (which I knew), they also own the VCA at Short Hills too. And they are doing some amazing expanding there! A boutique, and watches….lots of great things. I get out there a few times I year so I told C that I would definitely come by and that the Short Hills VCA team is wonderful.

Anyway, I see what you mean about the diamonds in the photo, but in person they look the same as the VCA and Cartier - three of us standing there making sure the diamonds are just as white. I wonder why it doesn’t look so in the photo (I took more):

View attachment 5373990

And of course I tried on the Noeud again too.

View attachment 5373995

As terrible as my photos are, they do actually look worse when I post them. Uploading must do something to the compression. They even look better before

Your pictures are super pretty and I love them! And yes, better to have a collection of few key items that we will wear constantly than a huge collection that never sees the light of the day.

 

[Notorious Pink]

The Neoud is gorgeous. You don’t that pink sapphire bracelet. For me, I would skip. What you have without the pink sapphire bracelet looks great.

And yes to Neoud! It looks gorgeous!

Thank you!!! I think the bracelet is very pretty, but Im sure you are right.

I will add, though, that I don’t love the Perlee and the Love next to each other. The Love is amazing but weird for stacking. I could get that single perlee beads, but in my mind it’s rather expensive for a “barrier” bracelet.

 

[Notorious Pink]

That Noeud fits perfectly into your collection, and feels so you. It’s so great to know you’ve found your piece. I need to get into a store.

thank you!
You do!!!

Your pictures are super pretty and I love them! And yes, better to have a collection of few key items that we will wear constantly than a huge collection that never sees the light of the day.

You are absolutely right…and I agree 100% with your other post. We have to stay focused!

 

[lolakitten]

It’s super tempting to add a few ‘knick-knacks’ here and there, just for instant gratification or as a ‘pick-me-up’ when I am in a celebratory mood. Like earlier this week, I went into Tiffany and tried on a ring I have been eyeing but it’s not made it to my WL yet. The price was reasonable too. In my head, I was like ‘it’s just 5k, I can take it out of my funds’ and then I had to remind myself that this was an item not even on my WL yet. I had no business even thinking of spending money on it. So I walked out of the store empty handed. Later, I was so thankful because if I had spent the 5k, I would have been 5k short of paying for my ‘Hermes and VCA SOs’ and ‘maybe a chanel mini if I am lucky to find it’ fund … I am a planner and I have to stick to that. The good part is I cannot shop when I am busy or stressed out at work. It’s only when I have idle time to kill, the monster in me comes out… what do they say about - ‘an empty mind is a devil’s workshop’ … so apt for me!

This is me exactly!!
I am trying to be strong!!
Luckily I’ve been good so far!!
What I find personally difficult is when you put a deposit on something and you’re just waiting for it… that’s when the temptations hit me the hardest.

 

[eternallove4bag]

This is me exactly!!
I am trying to be strong!!
Luckily I’ve been good so far!!
What I find personally difficult is when you put a deposit on something and you’re just waiting for it… that’s when the temptations hit me the hardest.

I know, right? I am the same. And especially when the funds are sitting there, there’s always a devil side of me egging me on with ‘you want to spend it on something else and but the time xyz item meant for the existing funds come in, you can save up for that too?’… as hubby says, it’s all a mental game. We have to be mentally strong which is the simplest thought yet so hard to practice. We need a therapy group here for staying mentally strong

 

[eternallove4bag]

You are absolutely right…and I agree 100% with your other post. We have to stay focused!

 

[lolakitten]

I know, right? I am the same. And especially when the funds are sitting there, there’s always a devil side of me egging me on with ‘you want to spend it on something else and but the time xyz item meant for the existing funds come in, you can save up for that too?’… as hubby says, it’s all a mental game. We have to be mentally strong which is the simplest thought yet so hard to practice. We need a therapy group here for staying mentally strong

Yes that’s exactly how my devilish side tries to justify something else
I am through this right now haha.

 

[cmadtmifyb0623]

I know, right? I am the same. And especially when the funds are sitting there, there’s always a devil side of me egging me on with ‘you want to spend it on something else and but the time xyz item meant for the existing funds come in, you can save up for that too?’… as hubby says, it’s all a mental game. We have to be mentally strong which is the simplest thought yet so hard to practice. We need a therapy group here for staying mentally strong

Here’s to staying mentally strong, I love all of this! Here’s my current struggle: my only luxury purchase I am making this year is the diamond JUC (not pave) for my golden birthday (turning 28 on August 28). We are going to Vegas to celebrate but my struggle is that my VCA SA also knows it’ll be my birthday and wants to plan something special for me. Yes I have a lot of VCA on my wishlist but comfortably I only wanted to buy the JUC this year. I don’t want to feel pressured into buying something at VCA if he is planning something special but how do you walk away empty handed after that?? I will need to reevaluate what I should do here ugh.

 

[Belle-brune]

My easy daily wear, single motif vintage alhambra layered with VCA zodiaque and a diamond necklace! Tried Vintage Alhambra carnelian earrings for my sister at the boutique to see as she’s deciding between onyx and MOP! on that day wore my signature clover RG with clover YG although it matches my RG Cartier I’m just finding mixing metals not my favorite! Also love wearing both Chanel coco crush rings every day so easy and goes with most VCA pieces!

 

[Deleted member 626500]

Yes, I am really trying to be good. I have to remind myself that I want these pieces for the long term much more than the “easy”, less expensive ones!



This is me 1000%.

@BigAkoya I went back to London today - by the way, as it happened, I was having a conversation with my friend (a big watch collector) and the owner of London, and I had no idea that not only do they own the VCA and the Cartier there (which I knew), they also own the VCA at Short Hills too. And they are doing some amazing expanding there! A boutique, and watches….lots of great things. I get out there a few times I year so I told C that I would definitely come by and that the Short Hills VCA team is wonderful.

Anyway, I see what you mean about the diamonds in the photo, but in person they look the same as the VCA and Cartier - three of us standing there making sure the diamonds are just as white. I wonder why it doesn’t look so in the photo (I took more):

View attachment 5373990

And of course I tried on the Noeud again too.

View attachment 5373995

As terrible as my photos are, they do actually look worse when I post them. Uploading must do something to the compression. They even look better before I upload them.

Honestly, I'm not loving the diamond sapphire bracelet. I would prefer a bangle that's better aligned (I don't know how else to explain it) the sapphires sticking out bother me.
I know the temptation to buy something now. Sometimes we need immediate gratification (buy a scarf!)
Save your money. Put what you would spend for the bracelet into the Noeud ring. It's gorgeous.

 

[Deleted member 626500]

Here’s to staying mentally strong, I love all of this! Here’s my current struggle: my only luxury purchase I am making this year is the diamond JUC (not pave) for my golden birthday (turning 28 on August 28). We are going to Vegas to celebrate but my struggle is that my VCA SA also knows it’ll be my birthday and wants to plan something special for me. Yes I have a lot of VCA on my wishlist but comfortably I only wanted to buy the JUC this year. I don’t want to feel pressured into buying something at VCA if he is planning something special but how do you walk away empty handed after that?? I will need to reevaluate what I should do here ugh.

1) Don't visit! Run out of time.
2) Tell him there's been a change of plans and you're not going to Vegas after all.
3) Be honest and tell him you're saving for something special and will visit when you're ready to purchase.

If you don't see it, you won't know you missed it/want it!

 

[BigAkoya]

Here’s to staying mentally strong, I love all of this! Here’s my current struggle: my only luxury purchase I am making this year is the diamond JUC (not pave) for my golden birthday (turning 28 on August 28). We are going to Vegas to celebrate but my struggle is that my VCA SA also knows it’ll be my birthday and wants to plan something special for me. Yes I have a lot of VCA on my wishlist but comfortably I only wanted to buy the JUC this year. I don’t want to feel pressured into buying something at VCA if he is planning something special but how do you walk away empty handed after that?? I will need to reevaluate what I should do here ugh.

That’s why I always turn down the wine & dine. There is a hidden feeling of reciprocity which is the whole point. He’s in sales, it’s a sales job. You do not owe your SA anything, and trust me, once you stop buying, after about three years, the wine & dine will stop as he will focus on other clients.

For me, I like to stay mysterious and not so chummy. Don’t accept his invitation for a dinner or event. What for? Free food that is really a sales effort? There is so much more to do in Vegas than spend time with a sales person taking free stuff while feeling guilty you need to reciprocate. He did his sales job! There is no need to explain what other items you are buying. Just be gracious, tell him your schedule is full and thank him. He is just your SA, not your friend. Skip VCA this visit, and don’t waste time. That’s what I would do.

Don’t get me wrong. I love my SA, but I know it is all business.

Enjoy Vegas! Happy Birthday!

 

[Deleted member 626500]

That’s why I always turn down the wine & dine. There is a hidden feeling of reciprocity which is the whole point. He’s in sales, it’s a sales job. You do not owe your SA anything, and trust me, once you stop buying, after about three years, the wine & dine will stop as he will focus on other clients.

For me, I like to stay mysterious and not so chummy. Don’t accept his invitation for a dinner or event. What for? Free food that is really a sales effort? There is so much more to do in Vegas than spend time with a sales person taking free stuff while feeling guilty you need to reciprocate. He did his sales job! There is no need to explain what other items you are buying. Just be gracious, tell him your schedule is full and thank him. He is just your SA, not your friend. Skip VCA this visit, and don’t waste time. That’s what I would do.

Don’t get me wrong. I love my SA, but I know it is all business.

Enjoy Vegas! Happy Birthday!

Excellent advice!