Happy ks

I'm still around! I check in and read on occasion, but have not posted in a while.

I am having some health problems right now, I expect to not be feeling better for a few more weeks. Other than saying that, I really don't care to discuss my issues on an open, public forum.

We do have our next cruise planned. August 2015 a one way southbound in Alaska. So far, we have a small group of 6-8 people going. I've got to have a future plan!

Perhaps you should let OPI, one of the largest nail color companies in the US, know that squared-off nails are no longer in fashion. See their video page on YouTube featuring mostly squared-off nails:

 

http://www.youtube.com/user/OpiProducts

 

KK

I kind of chuckle at nail product advertising. They do go overboard and to extremes.

Look closer at fashion spreads, celebrities and the real world. Where I see the horrid looking squared nails are "reality" shows. I see them in real life at times and I just wonder how people cope with those nails. The most disgusting I've seen is that Long Island Medium lady...she's got the 90's overbleached hair to go with them.

Too bad Desperatehousewife, who started the thread, is not still around. She was always a hoot.:D Wish Jane110 was still around as well.:(

Yeah, it would be wonderful to "hear" from them again.

Resurrecting such an old thread was kind of fun. I found my post and...still have the same bags, still use them. Of course I've added a few, not many as they are so expensive. Michael Kors still is a fave of mine, my most recent purchase is an Eric Javits, love it!

I generally don't purchase more than one handbag a year, some years none at all. I prefer having classic looking rather than trendy so I can carry them for years to come. And I like real leather, so they are costly and I can't afford to have too many. I absolutely hate when a phony leather like fabric starts to show wear, those I throw into the trash or Goodwill right away.

My first was booked 18 months in advance, then delayed (new build) by 3 months. I was so excited I could barely touch ground that whole time.

We've just completed #26 and are looking to plan #28. It's an addiction.

We still get excited, not quite as much as the first few.

Unless you walk thru the smoking area, you are quite unlikely to be able to smell the smoke...it blows away quickly!!

Total myth...unless you are a smoker.

Black and white Vera is hard to find on sale. Most of it sells out and never gets to the sale table, unless it is a piece no one cares for. I've been selling Vera Bradley for years and have never seen a black and white stripe tote. They have had solid black with a beige/black or white/black interior and a few other prints in black print with stripe accents.

So, you got a great deal :)

We generally start marking down Vera (manufacture directed) first at 30% off, then a while later they have us take another 20-40% off that price. If the piece still doesn't sell, we send it to our outlet store...they mark it back up to the original sale price (30% off regular retail). So just know if you find a piece of Vera Bradley on sale, marked down a second time, that is as low as it will probably go. I tell ladies that if they admire a piece, buy it now. Quite a number of them don't, then come back a week later, only the stuff is gone. Vera online will do the same, mark down for a special event, then bring the price back up a few days later.

This same situation has happened to me as well. Both times a complete surprise as my carry on was smaller than a 22". Incidents were several years apart, different airlines. I now pack a tote bag that fits under the seat with meds, jewelry,camera and any small electrinics. My roll aboard is also very small in comparison to most.

I'm just not willing to go through that again.I'm always surprised at how much people try to haul onboard a plane. It's no wonder the last people boarding a plane are out of luck.

Prices over in your part of the world are so much cheaper than in Australia :(

 

I much prefer a slightly rounded finish to my nails rather than the currently fashionable squared off look. If I leave my nails too squared off they catch on stuff and then I get chips even with gel.

 

Since regular manicures would barely last me three days let alone three weeks, I never bothered with them much except for special occasions, although I love pretty nails. But since the gels came out (3-4-5 years ago?) I've been having them done every three weeks. I have a regular cycle at my beautician - one week nails, one week waxing and lashes/brows, one week massage. Then pre-trip I have a big pamper session of everything plus a facial, and sometimes a spray tan if I have time to fit it in.

Its interesting that people think squared off nails are fashionable. I thought they went out of fashion more than 10 years ago. I still see them, but that doesn't mean they look fashionable. Just like overbleached hair, some women can't let them go.

I see colorful, glittery nails on a lot of people now. Sigh...I guess I'm forever destined to be out of fashion. My nails are well kept, but short, natural shape and a pale color, about the same as my skin tone. I get a lot of compliments on them and am asked about the color.

I feel like I fall somewhere in between. I'm very minimal with my clothes, but towards the end of my packing, when it's really "crunch time", I find myself throwing junk in that I had no plans on taking along with me. Might as well if there's extra room, right? ;)

This is the main reason I keep a carry on packed all the time and just refill bottles/OTC meds. I also pack away from the bedroom, downstairs, so I'm not tempted to throw in items not considered prior to packing.

One of the main reasons I pack my makeup separate from the bathroom stuff is so I can take my makeup in my carry on, split between the 3-1-1 bag (cleanser, moisturizer) and just my makeup bag (powders). I can get by with the purchase of other toiletries, but my makeup is not only costly, it's specific...I have sensitive skin and can't use perfumed product on my face.

I've never bothered with a lanyard. I have a couple I got as giveaways, but have never used them. I have a cross body bag and prefer that.

My niece bought one onboard, beaded with the magnetic closure so it releases with pressure. She had to get her card reprogrammed a couple times during the cruise due to the magnetic closure.

I've had that happen with cards before, but because of magnetic closures on evening bags...and once a magnetic closure on a tube of lipstick.

Just something to consider prior to purchase, or to be careful with.

The whole point is, not everyone is pleased with everything. Unfortunately, you spoke to the wrong person at the wrong time.

Try to forget the negativity and remember the good times.

Why is it we tend to focus on the bozo naysayer in the elevator, yet forget about the other 2500+ that were happy and obliging?

My BIL and I have had a running argument regarding the food at buffets for several years. Doesn't matter the ship or line...or even a land restaurant.

I'm not the buffet lover and only go if I have no other choice. I prefer being seated and waited on, I don't care to go fetch food and then search a crowded room for a seat. I also don't care that I have a multitude of choices laid before me, I can select very easily off a short menu. I've never felt that buffet food, land or sea, is the same quality as food cooked to order.

He, on the other hand, loves the buffet for exactly the opposite reasons as I. He likes the choices, he will go to breakfast at 6 am to avoid crowds. He states the food is fresh and fine at that time (I had always assumed they keep cooking and replenishing, not cook it all at 6 am). He wants to eat lunch there as well, even on sea days when there are other options available. The only acceptable option we've found he likes is Alfredo's for pizza.

This past cruise on Royal Princess, he had what sounds to me like the typical experience I've always found at cruise ship buffet...and he's still complaining loud and long 2 weeks later. I'm proud of myself handling his ranting, only once did I mention "the food is never that great at the buffet", the rest of the time, I keep my mouth shut.

He's not a member of CC, but is aware that I am, so asked me if I would write a complaint about the buffet food. So here it is :p

ps, we didn't have lunch or breakfast with him very often on this cruise ;)

I didn't really answer the question with my long winded response :rolleyes:

If cruising with my husband/sis & bil,, we have decided not to go formal again. With other friends, it depends on how they feel about it. I'll dress up if the majority wants to.

This past cruise, the first formal night I dressed up, my husband didn't and we went separate ways. I went to formal night with the girls and we had a great time.

My husband and BIL dressed casual and went to The Crab Shack, a dinner featured only on formal nights on Royal Princess. They enjoyed the food so much all of us went for the second formal night, some dressed up, some casual.

If I don't attend another formal night on a ship it will be fine by me. I've been to countless cruise ship formal dinners and I'm just over packing the formal wear. I only went this time because of the girls. I much prefer a quieter meal with better food, even paying extra for it. My dinner companions are usually friends/family and we have good times no matter what we are wearing.

I do admire some of the beautiful dresses I see on other women and I don't hold any judgement regarding whether or not people dress up or down. I think it's great we can all make choices to suit ourselves.

I'm another one who packs different bags for different uses. A bathroom toiletry bag, a hair product bag, makeup bag and a small first aid kit. For me it just simplifies packing, organizing and unpacking.

It's mostly refillable bottles and I pack the same items whether going for a few days or a couple weeks. I have all essential tools (makeup/hair) duplicated so I don't forget anything.

Your "just in case" looks fairly minimal to me. I've seen lists on these boards where a person would need an extra suitcase for all the stuff they think they may need.

I probably pack about same size but different items than you. For instance, I'd not pack detergent and a small clothesline (is that the winding cord?). I use the provided body wash, the laundry line already in the shower, but I do take a couple plastic clothespins.

Our last cruise, out of a group of 8 people, only one person borrowed anything and no one had excessive luggage. She forgot her camera charger and had to get Bonine from another person.

As long as I've been on these boards, it's rare that I read someone state they didn't take enough, but many times have read people swearing to cut back the next trip.

We've cruised on 8 different lines so far. The only ones I would really hesitate to book again would be Carnival and NCL. I would also not likely book again on one of the larger RCI ships.

I have been on all of the above, so it's not due to what I have read on CC or anyone else's perception. Just not for us.

Our last cruise was the new Royal Princess and although we would book Princess again, would probably not go on that ship again. Just too crowded.

We were on Royal last week. The first formal night I attended with my sister, niece, aunt and sil, it was fine, typical cruise food. My husband and bio went to the Crab Shack in the buffet and loved it.

So, the second formal night, most of us went to the Crab Shack...it was the best meal of the whole week. The area is a cordoned off spot in the buffet, the charge is $20 per person. Appetizer of hush puppies and shrimp (like a tempura battered) soup was a fish stew (I didn't eat it, my tummy couldn't take the acid or spice last week) but everyone else enjoyed it. We all ordered the same dinner, a bucket of crab legs, shrimp, clams, mussels, sausage, potatoes, corn on the cob. So much better than a formal night cruise dinner. If we had it to do over again, I'd go both nights.

I have a pair of black Chico's Zenergy pants that I wear on almost every airplane ride. Comfie like a pair of pajama pants, hold their shape and can also be worn on casual nights on a cruise. I don't feel like a wrinkled mess getting off the plane and there is no binding waistband.

Other than that, I do have a sun visor that has been on every cruise and every land trip, plus beach days, for about 10 years now. It still looks brand new. It was a birthday gift from my husband, I wouldn't have paid that much for it myself. The brand is Helen Kaminski, the visor is similar to this one http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/helen-kaminski-marina-visor/3399704?origin=keywordsearch-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=60140346&fashionColor=Natural%2F+Nougat+Stripe&resultback=324&cm_sp=personalizedsort-_-searchresults-_-1_1_B My head is larger than average, I think, because every visor I've had prior to this one has caused headaches...even a brand called "no headache visor".

I must look at the clothing with a different eye. Oscar was my last pick, his stuff was just so old and tired looking to me. I also thought Nick was the worst mentor the entire season. I felt like all he really wanted to do was go in and design the clothing, not inspire the designers. I really wanted Shan to win, but that was thinking of the season overall, not just the finale.

I still like Mondo, even with bad behavior. Sam should have won, his designs were fresh, young and innovative. Ah well, another show watched and deleted from my DVR.

I got home a couple days ago, the packing was fine. My 24" bag weighed in @ 38 lbs. on departure. Coming home, I packed in a couple bottles of wine we didn't drink, with the med supplies gone and the toiletry bottles empty, the bag weighed 39 lbs.

I had one sundress that didn't get worn at all. I wasn't feeling well and missed dinner a couple nights, so one of the evening tops only got worn once that I had planned on wearing twice. We did 2 loads of laundry at mid point on a sea day.

We really enjoyed the ship and the Caribbean, but I think we've decided that twice is enough for us, we'd really prefer to spend our $$ on seeing different parts of the world. We cruised Royal Princess and while it is a lovely ship, I think we prefer a smaller vessel. The public areas just seemed so crowded to us.

I did attend one formal night with the girls only, we had a blast and I couldn't tell you what other people wore, I just didn't care all that much. The second formal night, we ended up going to the Crab Shack for dinner...it was the best meal of the week.

Next up...we think Alaska in summer of 2015. It will be our second Alaska cruise and we're thinking of doing one way, plus a land tour.

I packed yesterday and cutting back I still fill up a 24 inch case and a carry on. I do have to pack some medical supplies that will be exhausted by the end of the trip, so the load will be lighter on the way home.

I have 4 pair of shorts, 5 tops, 2 short sundresses, one bathing suit, one cover up. Four pair of shoes (one on my feet), two pair os slacks for evening, 5 tops for evening and a couple evening sweaters.

Other than that, it's my toiletries, sunscreen, camera, Kindle, iPod and a few chargers. Paper, good grief, I wish I were the type who could manage taking all that stuff on a mobile phone! I do throw away paper as we go along, I don't keep anything that's not crucial to travel.

Well, in 3 hours I'm off for 10 days, "see" everyone after tax day :)

I doubt there's nothing more (vacation) disappointing than going on a ships excursion that is listed as "blah blah tour with shopping". What that means is you go with 40-50 other people on a bus, slowly drive to a place of interest and have 10-20 minutes to take pictures. Then you pile back onto the bus (someone is always late and holds up the bus) and are taken to a shopping area where they state you have 30-45 minutes to shop in a cheesy tourist area, where there are tchotchkes you can purchase right next to the ship... And someone is always late and holds up the bus. Repeat same at the next port.

Unless it is a tour that we can't do on our own, we prefer to book a private excursion. We've had some wonderful times, met great locals, tasty meals and get to stop where, when and for how long we want to stop.

I'm not a beach person (one day is long enough for me) and I definitely don't want to go shopping on vacation.

So far there is only one port I wouldn't bother with. That is Ensenada, Mexico. The short west coast cruises are attractive because of price and little travel time, but we've been so many times it just isn't what we strive to do. There are too many land locations around here that are more interesting than 3/4/7 days on a cruise ship.

The temp indoors is the same whether you are in the Caribbean or Alaska. The real question is---Do you normally get chilly inside the ship?

I Agree with this statement :)

I already had a small laminating machine at home. I purchased 100 luggage tags with loops for around $8. I've not only laminated our luggage tags for several years, but for friends/family as well. I've gotten to know exactly how to cut them (I also have a paper cutter) so it takes me about 2 minutes to do each tag.

Cost is .08 cents each. I still have around 50 left, so plenty of cruises to go :)