Hi Tutu, I just wanted to add my two cents here. I spent a fair amount of time at my local VCA today with an SA that was patient, listened, and thoughtfully answered many of my questions - some of which you are asking now. I went in with the mind frame of walking out with either a pg or yg vintage alhambra motif bracelet and maybe a yg onyx vintage alhambra bracelet as well. I was pretty certain I wanted the yg or pg after seeing it on a fellow tPF member in this thread. Like you I was a platinum diamond girl with a few emeralds and sapphires thrown in, but I felt that with all the changes over the last three years ( life, family changes, that kind of thing) these experiences changed my perspective, as well as getting older (ie. more comfortable in my choices) I really wanted to step out of my comfort zone. We tried both the yg and pg 5 motif bracelets and sadly they were not winners for me. It was actually a bad visceral reaction to the pg which I really wanted to love. But as we tried things we talked, she listened and together we honed in on a 5 motif vintage alhambra onyx bracelet and the matching earclips. I also tried on the holiday piece and I will try and post pictures in another post.
We talked about how hard it might be to put the bracelet on by myself. It wasn't easy. It won't help that I would need it shorted the full inch. But I did turn in my vintage alhmabra 5 motif mop bracelet for sizing and we will see if I can learn any tricks to making it easier to do myself. We will see....but I love it and I wanted it and I will figure it out.
In any case, I came home with the onyx vintage alhambra earclips. Maybe tomorrow I will post pictures. I really relied on this SA to help me and she did. She helped me step out of my comfort zone ( not platinum), she helped me pick something that I can easily put on by myself and use everyday - no matter what the occasion, and I walked out happy with a plan for what comes next. VCA met all my expectations and more. It can't better than that.
So tutu, when you are in your new area/home and ready to explore VCA I hope it is all you want and expect and more importantly I hope you have fun! You deserve to have fun picking out something so special to mark the next part of your journey!
Hope your flight is easy and you land in a soft place.
Stylemechanel, I'm so glad you had such a terrific experience at VCA. I have found the SA's (and SM at my store) to offer fantastic customer service and really be wiling to take the time to help me think through purchases as well. They are never snobby or impatient, and offer honest feedback even when it costs them a sale in the short term. I am so glad you had a similar experience too.
It sounds like you have chosen a classic and timeless piece(s) that you will wear often and for many, many years. I hope you get a LOT of enjoyment out of your new earrings! Wear them well and post a pic for us all to see!
