2017 Projects! Share Your Bling & Non-Bling Plans

[PintoBean]

Eek! 2017 is flying! I can't believe it's February already! What do you have planned for 2017?

1. I kicked off the year with Invisalign! I wish they had these when I was a tween! They are so much better than metal braces!!

2. I have on hold what I pray will be my forever studs on hold with IDJ! 2+ctw woot!

3. I have 3 almost floor to ceiling "picture" windows I would like to get up/down blinds for. No matter the material, it should help add another layer of insulation! I had a great experience with the Costco program that I will use them again to determine a kitchen friendly material!

4. Every spring and fall I have a carpenter come check out my clapboards, soffits and fascia to see if anything needs replacing.

5. Once the carpenter replaces or confirms that the soffits and fascia by the gutters and leaders are in good shape, I'm looking forward to taking down some of the existing leaders and gutters with the damn lead guards that cause the most ridiculous ice damning and icicles and replacing them with half round copper gutters. I did the back in the fall and holy smokes the look is more appropriate to the design aesthetic (Victorian) and what a difference in ice damning!

6. When I went to Van Cleef & Arpels this weekend, I tried on 5 motif bracelets. Smooth moves ex-lax when you're on a bling ban! The onyx looks smashing on me. It looks organic... like it's just supposed to be on my wrist no biggy. For some reason I kept thinking it's $7500 so when I saw the price tag I was like awesome, 50% off I should get 2!

7. Oh continue the bling ban and save for the down payment of the rental property and for retiring in 2 years.

8. Maybe a vacation?

Share with us your 2017 plans!

 

[Resonance.Of.Life]

What a fun thread! Thanks PB for creating this!

1. Finish my HFG e-ring. I ended up getting the culet cut bigger and this caused some delays along with the decision to go with OEC melee for the ring (custom cut). Seriously- I've been without a ring for almost a year and half now!

2. OEC eternity band (maybe?) Something to go along with my new ering, I want it to complement my HFG ring.

3. We're going on an a long Euro trip this summer and I'm excited to meet one of my favorite PSers ever whilst on the trip. <3

4. Start trying for baby #1 (You'd like this one PB)

5. Start searching for my HFG antique asscher (DH already started planning on a push present when we were discussing baby plans).

6. Start home upgrade searching

7. More specialty certifications for my ICU career.

8. Becoming more active again in dog rescue now that my life has settled more.

9. Find my HFG rainbow moonstone and set it

 

[Matata]

1. Remodel guest bath. Meeting with contractor Saturday to start plans.
2. Vacation in Newfoundland this summer. Finished booking hotels today.
3. Up/down blinds for all windows; blackout shades for master bedroom.
4. Carry forward from last year -- design setting for moonstone I bought several years ago. Can't decide between pendant or bracelet and will probably carry this forward to 2018 LOL.

 

[PintoBean]

What a fun thread! Thanks PB for creating this!
... 4. Start trying for baby #1 (You'd like this one PB)...

Yessssssss baby making time! Practice makes perfect!

Matata do you mind giving us a sneak peek of your Reno plans? Colors? Samples? I love home projects!

 

[Resonance.Of.Life]

What a fun thread! Thanks PB for creating this!
... 4. Start trying for baby #1 (You'd like this one PB)...

Yessssssss baby making time! Practice makes perfect!

Matata do you mind giving us a sneak peek of your Reno plans? Colors? Samples? I love home projects!

It is hump day....

 

[Dee*Jay]

Renovate the boat house I bought last fall on the water in Michigan. It was supposed to be a cosmetic renovation... to this point I've replaced the entire electrical service, removed the existing bathroom (there was no existing kitchen). had the old concrete floor broken up and a new one poured, a new header put it, and just today they started tearing down the drywall on the ceiling (it's already down on most of the walls) to rehang a new ceiling that is level.

WTF -- not one bit of that is (a) cosmetic, or (b) originally planned for.

(ETA: Renovating the bathroom actually was planned for... I forgot about that until the CB just reminded me.)

After all that is done I need to paint, put in new flooring throughout, install a new bathroom, put in a kitchen, build out an entire wall of wardrobe cabinetry and do new lighting. Oh. And then I have to furnish the place.

This is starting to sound like the renovation I did to my main house when I renovated it from the old photography studio it was when I bought it to the space I live in now.

Where's the hemorrhaging money emoji...

 

[Matata]

Matata do you mind giving us a sneak peek of your Reno plans? Colors? Samples? I love home projects!

I'll post once we get started. The room is only approx 6 x 12 so it won't be too exciting. This whole thing happened quite quickly -- this morning in fact and I'm still in a bit of shock. I casually mentioned that I was sort of thinking our next project should be the guest bath. Hubs immediately said "It's about time and whatever you want" to which I said "huh?" because we spent a fortune redoing the backyard last year and he replaced my aging car with a brand new Mercedes.

So I did some quick research this morning to find a contractor, called him and he responded he could be here Saturday to which I said "huh?" because it usually takes a couple months to get people to agree to do bids let alone actually get them to come see the project.

Soooo, I spent a few hours tonight looking at small bathroom reno ideas, fixtures, and all the other goodies. My challenge is to stay realistic -- as in we do not need an intelligent self-cleaning toilet with warm water tush cleansing and blow dry, & night light right? RIGHT?

 

[Dee*Jay]

Matata do you mind giving us a sneak peek of your Reno plans? Colors? Samples? I love home projects!

I'll post once we get started. The room is only approx 6 x 12 so it won't be too exciting. This whole thing happened quite quickly -- this morning in fact and I'm still in a bit of shock. I casually mentioned that I was sort of thinking our next project should be the guest bath. Hubs immediately said "It's about time and whatever you want" to which I said "huh?" because we spent a fortune redoing the backyard last year and he replaced my aging car with a brand new Mercedes.

So I did some quick research this morning to find a contractor, called him and he responded he could be here Saturday to which I said "huh?" because it usually takes a couple months to get people to agree to do bids let alone actually get them to come see the project.

Soooo, I spent a few hours tonight looking at small bathroom reno ideas, fixtures, and all the other goodies. My challenge is to stay realistic -- as in we do not need an intelligent self-cleaning toilet with warm water tush cleansing and blow dry, & night light right? RIGHT?

WRONG!!!

Why on earth not?!

 

[Phoenix]

Great thread, PB!

Mine:

BLING: I had a thread on this somewhere on HO, but am all over the place! My main aim is not buy items which I don't absolutely 1000% love - made that mistake far too many times already!! There are so many things I want, but alas my funds are limited and there are competing needs (bling and non-bling wise), so I'd have to be extremely judicious!

With that said, at the top of my list:

- a diamond-studded watch
- perhaps upgrade Holly. Ever since I saw MGR posted about WF trade-up policy, I've been obsessed with the idea. Wish I'd known about this policy earlier.
- something VCA or Cartier. Tried on the Alhambra pave WG necklace and looooove that. If I was to buy this, this would be my only one bling this year.

HOUSE:

- a new fence
- replace blinds & curtains
- repair ceiling/ water seepage in bathroom

TRAVEL:

- Spain: Go back to Marbella but would also like to go to San Sebastian and Barcelona
- Portugal: Never been there, have always wanted to
- UK: Need to go home and visit family
- Vietnam: Just b/c I wanna eat loads!

OTHER:

- Would like to (re) start doing some charity work. Torn between children, cats and thinking also of doing something else entirely

 

[Phoenix]

When I went to Van Cleef & Arpels this weekend, I tried on 5 motif bracelets. Smooth moves ex-lax when you're on a bling ban! The onyx looks smashing on me. It looks organic... like it's just supposed to be on my wrist no biggy. For some reason I kept thinking it's $7500 so when I saw the price tag I was like awesome, 50% off I should get 2!

PB, I tried on onyx recently and I was shocked at how much I liked it. Never thought I would. Am rooting for you to get an onyx bracelet. Yes, the price is not too unreasonable. Incidentally, I tried on the new thin Love, which is more or less the same price as a stone Alhambra bracelet and I must say I'm so not impressed! I'd much rather have an Alhambra bracelet.

Yay!! 2!! An onyx and a MOP!! haha

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Great topic, love reading everyone's plans for the upcoming year. I have some personal growth to work on this year and then house stuff because it never ends!

Make some new friends

Find a hobby to get me out of the house more

Lose 20lbs and really buckle down on exercise

Take down the deck and put in a patio

New roof

Possible attic work

Out of all that I think making new friends will be the hardest but I have to at least try.

 

[Tekate]

Well thank you for asking

Jewelry:

I am set to come into possession of my grandmother's art deco engagement ring, it's two .25ct blue sapphires and one center .25ct OEC diamond, a lot of filigree, my grandmother become engaged in 1925, it's white gold I believe, my aunt has it now and she wants me to have it.

I bought a tourmaline (green) from Mochiko and I need to set it.. so my plan is to take out my 1.61 I VVS2 AGS rated 2 diamond and get a new setting for it (again) and put my tourmaline in my platinum with baguettes setting.. and wear that as a wedding set as I have a baguette band to go with the engagement ring.

I have 2 sets of diamond studs, one set is princess cut (GIA rated) and 1 that is MRB never rated, shine nice. I am thinking of putting those in a trellis style ring, All 4 diamonds are .50 carats each (totalling 2 carats). so I would need to buy a .75 stone for the middle.. not sure I can afford that this year though. I have never seen a 4 stone ring only 3 and 5.. so that may wait.

House:

We were going to update the master bath, but after a few outages here in Maine we decided to put the money into a generator, we are too old to worry about losing electricity during a storm or whatever comes down the pike.

Vacation:

going to Atown in 2 weeks for the wedding of my son!!! I am going early so I can be of help! and to get out of winter here.. Hubby will show on March 5, we have a VRBO in Austin starting the 5th.. my boy is getting married the 10th! so exciting, got my dress, just need shoes and my hair done.

End of May we are going to Athens for a few days to see the sites, then off on a 10 day Mediterrean cruise ending up in Barcelona and we've booked 4 days in Barcelona because we have heard it's wonderful.. We love the cruise line Azamara and are using them again.

Maybe at Christmas we will do a river cruise for the christmas lights and shops, Christmas on the Rhine or Danube? we have not booked that one yet as I'm not sure I really want to be out of the country at christmas, I miss my kids

The Xmas cruise depends on the stock market too, all the other stuff is a def.

Peace!

 

[tyty333]

I just finished re-covering my breakfast nook chairs (in Jan)...they turned out great.

Just bought a new car (in Jan)...glad that's over!

Now I need to move on to new window coverings in our master bath.

If I get adventurous...get rid of our formal living room furniture and replace with nice desk with a couple of chairs across from
it and some nice book cases. I'm pretty sure it will get more use as an office than a formal living room.

Have formal dining room furniture painted black to make it less formal. New window treatments for living room and dining room.

Thing is none of it needs to be done so...not sure if I'll make it happen or not.

Would still like some diamond huggies but that would be more towards the end of the year for my birthday.

Plan some kind of get away for this summer...would like the go to St. John but not sure if my DH and son are up for a big trip. They
are not good travelers...boo...hiss! My DD and I love to go, go go!

That's about it...pretty low-key year!

 

[ac117]

I like that this makes me think of things other than bling!! But I'll still start with that...

Jewelry
-Currently looking into options to upgrade my studs....I know I originally said this was what would be put off, but I'm re-prioritizing to stay practical!

House
-Buy one!!! We've been searching for so long now...just seems endless! We're just so particular about everything

Travel
-We're definitely taking a trip in May/June...Dublin will likely be our first stop with another couple, then we're going to branch off but we need to decide whether we want to do Greece or Spain!!
-Hopefully going out west this summer - either to visit my sister in CA while she's doing her internship or to the Grand Canyon or both.
-Would like to do a quick 4 day trip in the fall to like Amsterdam or Paris (can someone say VCA??? )

Other
-Baby making for bun number one might also be on the table for this summer/fall/winter/spring 2018....ahh maybe I'll put it off for a bit longer
-I'd like to lose 10 pounds but motivation is lacking when there's so much good food in this world

 

[girlyglam]

What a fun topic!

As far as bling goes, not much planned. Last year was really my year of bling since I used my wedding to justify purchases. That being said, some possible bling plans under very preliminary consideration are:
- shorten a bracelet I received as a gift (and get it tested to find out if they are actually diamonds or not)
- along the same line as above, get some other pieces I received as gifts tested to know whether they are actually diamonds or not
- maybe resetting my e-ring into a more decorative halo
- possibly replacing my lost ( ) DBTY bracelet

As for other..
- sorting through all the wedding photos and getting prints and albums made
- a total bedroom redo - new bed, new furniture, new decor; everything!
- clean out our spare room...a huge undertaking!
- trying to find a skilled seamstress/designer to shorten/dye my wedding dress into something I can potentially re-wear (although this is a project that will likely be pushed to 201
- save money for a trip to Korea (hopefully in 201 and a house (likely 2019 or beyond)

 

[PintoBean]

Great topic, love reading everyone's plans for the upcoming year. I have some personal growth to work on this year and then house stuff because it never ends!

Make some new friends

Find a hobby to get me out of the house more

Lose 20lbs and really buckle down on exercise

Take down the deck and put in a patio

New roof

Possible attic work

Out of all that I think making new friends will be the hardest but I have to at least try.

i bet if you find an exercise class you like, you'll be able to make friends, have a hobby that gets you out of the house AND lose weight!

 

[mochiko42]

My plans (some already in progress):

1. Fastest DSS upgrade in PS history? I am currently upgrading my ACA after exactly 30 days.
2. Trim down my belongings (I am currently trying to implement the KonMari method to reduce the clutter in my life) including selling off some of my bling collection.
3. Try to convince my husband to KonMari all his stuff too..
4. Bling projects with Caysie CVB --- a Jovyn solitaire for my Barry pink tourmaline, a French cut Rivière eternity band, and another Jovyn for my ACA upgrade.
5. Bling projects with Yvonne Raley --- smaller Colombian emerald 3-stone ring that fits my lifestyle (not sure if she can find matched emeralds for me, though. We will see)
6. Bling projects with Sally (Heart of Water) --- a set of cabochon stackers rings, some in silver and a few in gold.
7. Non-bling projects -- Exercise more. I've already been jogging twice a week since the beginning of January. Considering I haven't really done jogging since high school I think it's a good first step. (I usually go swimming or walking instead but I want to do more cardio-type exercises.)

 

[december-fire]

My plans (some already in progress):

1. Fastest DSS upgrade in PS history? I am currently upgrading my ACA after exactly 30 days.
2. Trim down my belongings (I am currently trying to implement the KonMari method to reduce the clutter in my life) including selling off some of my bling collection.
3. Try to convince my husband to KonMari all his stuff too..
4. Bling projects with Caysie CVB --- a Jovyn solitaire for my Barry pink tourmaline, a French cut Rivière eternity band, and another Jovyn for my ACA upgrade.
5. Bling projects with Yvonne Raley --- smaller Colombian emerald 3-stone ring that fits my lifestyle (not sure if she can find matched emeralds for me, though. We will see)
6. Bling projects with Sally (Heart of Water) --- a set of cabochon stackers rings, some in silver and a few in gold.
7. Non-bling projects -- Exercise more. I've already been jogging twice a week since the beginning of January. Considering I haven't really done jogging since high school I think it's a good first step. (I usually go swimming or walking instead but I want to do more cardio-type exercises.)

What?!?!?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Oh, PB! I think the black onyx in yg is my very favorite of the stone Alhambra pieces! They are all beautiful, though!

I don't really have many plans. We'll make a few beach and mountain trips, but I am not sure about what big trips, if any, we will take this year. I am kind of content with the places we enjoy going already! Our house is only 6 years old, so it is pretty much furnished and finished until I get bored and want to change the color scheme, and that isn't this year.

I am so happy with my AVR and antique asscher. I think it is nuts, but if I could get another diamond, it would be yellow. But we shall see.I also would like a ruby at some point. I'd like another Alhambra piece this year. I don't wear much of the jewelry I have now, but I enjoy collecting, obviously!

 

[mrs-b]

So many things of so many types.

Firstly, re-engage in exercise. Pick up where I left off at the middle of last year when I blew a knee. (Akin to blowing a tyre, only way more painful.)

Secondly - build my personal credit score. This is an interesting one. My husband and I have been married since our early 20's, and consequently my credit score is largely dependent on his. His is excellent, due to his salary and our joint financial portfolio. But I want a greater degree of financial independence, so I've applied for credit cards in my own name for the first time ever, have opened accounts with a separate bank, and am trying to develop my own, individual credit history. To my surprise, I found I already had a credit score, and it was pretty solid. But I'd like to get a financial portfolio of my own, so have started various investments and am attempting to flesh it out. Having gone from my parents' home to my husband's home, I'd like, at this time of my life, to have a portfolio and credit profile of my own. Having been married over 30 years, divorce is not even a possible prick on the horizon. But the death of a spouse always is, and I'd like to be well protected under my own steam, not just his, were this to happen.

We've also purchased a second house and I'm enjoying seeing progress on that.

I will re-tile my bathroom, carpet my bedroom and landscape my back yard or die this year (lots of cobblestone and stone retaining walls - that sort of thing).

Do a few jewelry projects - 2 bangles (one diamond, one rose gold), set a pair of diamonds I own into diamond studs - larger than the ones I currently wear, fix my charm bracelet and re-string my pearls into a single strand (as opposed to double strand - I mean - what am I - the QUEEN??)

Get out to California more, where my husband and I lease an apartment for us to retreat to when the weather on the east coast is unbearable. Like now.

Work out how to use the dozens of unset stones I currently have sitting in boxes gathering dust.

Make more of a contribution to society - above and beyond just charitable giving. Something that gets my hands dirty. Something more difficult and more personal than just writing a check.

Find an illustrator for a collection of short stories and poems I have that I would like to publish.

Start an online / on-phone business assisting high school seniors in writing their college applications. I've been doing this sporadically for a few years and it's time to turn it into something more lucrative and structured.

Become a pescatarian. Prior to now I have been a vegetarian, a vegan and a meat eater. I think a fish-eating vegetarian - aka pescatarian - would be best for me.

Consider plastic surgery. Get some.

Have a good long lay-down.

 

[Phoenix]

Oh oh, I forgot to include FITNESS as one of my goals/ projects this year - probably bc I'm already on track and making good progress, after a fairly unhealthy 2015. 2016 was a fabulous year, thanks to my awesome personal trainer - she absolutely rocks!!

Nevertheless:

- I'd like to go back down to 46kgs or slightly less (101lbs). Am currently 46.5-47kg (102.5lbs - 103.5lbs approx) at 5' 1 1/2 inches which is already good. But the extra 1/2-1 kg (1-2lbs) is sitting on my tummy and refuses to budge! I need to reduce my carb intake. Would love to get a 4-pack.
- I do a lot of heavy weight-lifting and my target by mid-year is to dead-lift 46kg, ie. my body weight. Currentlly lifting 42.5kg and every tiny increment is exponentially heavier!!
- Body fat percentage: targeted 18%. Current is 21% (down from 33% two yrs ago and 27% at the beginning of 2016)
- I used to run 10 kms but due to a toe injury have stopped any kind of meaningful running. I'd like to at least run a few 5km's this year
- Boxing: just started this and LOVE it!! It's absolutely awesome!! My goal is just to keep this up and become better at it. Not sure if I wanna do it competitively. Am scared of getting my face bunched and have my cheek bones/ nose/ teeth broken.

 

[Phoenix]

Oh, PB! I think the black onyx in yg is my very favorite of the stone Alhambra pieces! They are all beautiful, though!

I don't really have many plans. We'll make a few beach and mountain trips, but I am not sure about what big trips, if any, we will take this year. I am kind of content with the places we enjoy going already! Our house is only 6 years old, so it is pretty much furnished and finished until I get bored and want to change the color scheme, and that isn't this year.

I am so happy with my AVR and antique asscher. I think it is nuts, but if I could get another diamond, it would be yellow. But we shall see.I also would like a ruby at some point. I'd like another Alhambra piece this year. I don't wear much of the jewelry I have now, but I enjoy collecting, obviously!

DS, I'd love for you to get an onyx Alhambra so I can live vicariously through you.

 

[soxfan]

Decided to keep my .93 OEC.


My plans:

 

[Austina]

2017 started with a Caribbean cruise.

Decided to get a new car, which I've now had 6 weeks and someone scratched today

Decided to start looking for my 60th b/day 40th wedding anniversary gift - not for a couple of years, but never too early to plan

Decided to change the setting on my 20th anniversary trilogy diamond ring from y/g to w/g.

Looking at mounts in w/g for my AAAA tanzanite ring and pendant which are current in y/g.

Will be visiting my son in Austin in June.

Going to Spinfest (week long meeting of Spinone owners) in July.

Rented a house in Florida for a family holiday in October.

That's about it.

 

[Kbell]

Bling: we bought an engagement ring diamond currently at Mark Morrell waiting for it to be set...

Non Bling:
1) need to move! but I own my home and the logistics of moving when selling & buying are stressing me out...big time.
2) need a new job to move where we want so I don't have some crazy commute... Job 1st? or move 1st? again... logistics. I'm thinking new job 1st and have an interview next week but who knows?
3) after we move go get my mom & move her in with us - yay fun!

I'd like to accomplish all this before winter. One step at a time...