An Exquisite Silk Creation A few years ago I owned a very successful bridal gown salon, silk designer bridal and bridesmaids gowns, exclusive page boy costumes and exquisite accessories, all hand made to order. The clientele, professional career, women many working and living in London with parents or second homes in the country. Opening the salon filled a gap in the market, I stocked many of the same British designers as major London stores, at a more competitive price and provided a personal service second to none, going that extra mile, as with everything I do. Another advantage, having been married three times, I had the knowledge and excellent experience …. perhaps not on the longevity of marriage, I admit I don't know everything:)
The one skill running the salon honed to perfection was my ability to calm, reassure and give absolute confidence that I would deliver on my promises and obligations. The relationship with a bride to be can span a period of 12 – 18 months, from the day they walk into the salon to choose their dream gown, bridesmaids, page boys and accessories to that special day when they finally walk up the aisle.
Designer Gowns for Brides and Bridesmaids
I watched as bubbly, excited, happy young women, often became stressed out, scared little girls living on their nerves. Some mothers didn't help either, often creating more stress than everyone else put together. Would the gown fit? Would it be just as they wanted? Come back in time? What happened if they put weight on, took it off ? The possibilities for disaster endless in their stressed out minds. It was my job to deliver on their wishes and dreams. To be the pillar of calm, reassuring them that absolutely nothing would go wrong, making doubly sure it didn't!
Of course there were a few heart stopping moments behind the scenes, but clients never knew. Like the gown which came back from the designer 3” too short, their mistake. A phone call telling them it HAD to be put right in 24 hours, followed by a 200 mile drive, 8 hours spent in the designers workshop, a 200 mile drive back and the bride to be was none the wiser.
That was my job, I did it better than anyone else because that's what I do!
Of course there were a few heart stopping moments behind the scenes, but clients never knew. Like the gown which came back from the designer 3” too short, their mistake. A phone call telling them it HAD to be put right in 24 hours, followed by a 200 mile drive, 8 hours spent in the designers workshop, a 200 mile drive back and the bride to be was none the wiser.
That was my job, I did it better than anyone else because that's what I do!
Our Holly lived all over the world with us When John was working as a Petroleum Engineer we often had only a few weeks notice regarding a new posting, no confirmed contracts for us …small wonder we're so flexible and adaptable. We were living in India and given notice of a move to Vietnam and Singapore although the posting was open ended twelve months was probably the maximum stay. What to do with Holly our beloved Springer! She couldn't go to either country because of quarantine regs what on earth would we do?
The company rental we were living in would be given up, they were unlikely to pay $10K a month to house a dog, no mater how important John was to them, staying there with our staff wasn't going to happen. Enter an angel in the shape of Connie our maid, she would take Holly to live at her house. This was India remember, Connie's home, two rooms housing twelve people or more. I knew they all loved Holly, that she'd have all the attention she would ever need BUT, no big quiet house, no garden. Would they give her bottled or tap water? Would they take her on her daily beach walks, clip her nails, clean her ears, feed her the right food (Holly had major health issues with pancreatitis, a killer) replace her teddy after she's destroyed one because no one was taking any notice of her. I wouldn't be there, she'd miss me, what if she cried all the time and wouldn't eat, Connie had no phone, this was before everyone had e mail, no Skype communication was very difficult. We had no choice, I trusted Connie of course but this was my baby and I was leaving for a long time. The day we left I cried buckets and worried myself sick, I'd also found another reason to worry, Holly would have no air conditioning, how would she survive???
We returned a year later to a happy, healthy, slightly fatter and very excited Holly ..... thanks to our trusted Connie
The company rental we were living in would be given up, they were unlikely to pay $10K a month to house a dog, no mater how important John was to them, staying there with our staff wasn't going to happen. Enter an angel in the shape of Connie our maid, she would take Holly to live at her house. This was India remember, Connie's home, two rooms housing twelve people or more. I knew they all loved Holly, that she'd have all the attention she would ever need BUT, no big quiet house, no garden. Would they give her bottled or tap water? Would they take her on her daily beach walks, clip her nails, clean her ears, feed her the right food (Holly had major health issues with pancreatitis, a killer) replace her teddy after she's destroyed one because no one was taking any notice of her. I wouldn't be there, she'd miss me, what if she cried all the time and wouldn't eat, Connie had no phone, this was before everyone had e mail, no Skype communication was very difficult. We had no choice, I trusted Connie of course but this was my baby and I was leaving for a long time. The day we left I cried buckets and worried myself sick, I'd also found another reason to worry, Holly would have no air conditioning, how would she survive???
We returned a year later to a happy, healthy, slightly fatter and very excited Holly ..... thanks to our trusted Connie
Now to the point of this blog, we leave our current assignment here in Benalmadena Peublo in three weeks and heading just 10 klms along the coast to Mijas Pueblo to look after another sweet rescue girl, Lucky. Naturally her owner is anxious, I know exactly how she feels, I've been where all our pet owners are, I understand completely. Once again I'll do my “job” the job I love and am very good at …. being their rock of dependability, reassurance, the Peace of Mind provider, their Trusted Pet and House Sitter.
Mijas Pueblo a wonderful white Spanish Town
