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Custom Cartier Ballon Bleu Watch

Custom Cartier Ballon Bleu

This is a men's custom Ballon de Bleu Cartier watch with approx. 2.2 carats encrusting the dial circumference. 

• Detail: Mechanical movement with automatic winding. Steel case, fluted crown decorated with a synthetic spinel cabochon, silvered guilloché dial, Roman numerals, blued-steel sword-shaped hands, sapphire crystal, steel bracelet, calendar aperture at 3 o'clock.
• Case dimensions: Diameter: 42.1 mm, thickness: 13 mm. Water-resistant to 3 bar (approx. 30 meters/100 feet). 
• Warranty: 1 year (included in the price)
• Cartier product reference: W69012Z4 
• Condition: pre-owned, authentic and in excellent condition

Eternal Band with Diamond Setting | Ring | Elias Allan

Eternal Band with Diamond Setting | Ring | Elias Allan

Diamond Tennis Necklace with Diamond Solitaire Pendant | Necklace | Elias Allan

Diamond Tennis Necklace with Diamond Solitaire Pendant | Necklace | Elias Allan

Addressing the challenges

London has got a scent of possibility in the air.

As soon as you leave the house, this aroma fills you with hope. It whispers in your ear: “Everything is going to be fine; you will have a wonderful day…” 

It’s good to be back here and be surrounded with the inspirational views, sounds and scents once again.

I am currently staying in London absolutely free. Yes, free! Living here for free is possible if you are housesitting – and that’s exactly what I’m doing right now. I am staying in a lovely two bedroom flat, quite close to Clissold Park in the Stoke Newington area of London. Yes, I have the flat to myself (not counting two furry animals I need to look after), located in the central London, and I don’t pay a penny to stay here.

How did I become a housesitter? First of all, I wasn’t even aware of this kind of possibility before I decided to go travelling. Only then I began reading blogs and tips by other travellers. One of the subjects I was particularly interested in was of course accommodation, especially when being on the budget. Housesitting turned out to be the most recommended solution when looking for a free place to stay. 

So what exactly is housesitting? It’s looking after the property (house, flat, farm) while the owners are away. They might be gone for a night, few days, or even a year. Quite often there are animals left behind that need attention – feeding, walking or giving medications. The owners cannot take their animals with them, so there’s a demand for a housesitter. This role is ideal for somebody who loves to travel, has a digital lifestyle (makes money online) and plans to visit few countries without the colossal budget.

I found plenty of house sitting opprtunities through this TrustedHousesitters site. 

Ok, so here are the plush sides, but what about the other, more trivial ones? After you choose to live a nomad’s lifestyle, you quickly come to notice the first obstacle – lack of a permanent address. I have never before speculated on the subject of a fixed address and the positive sides of having one. But, just as good health is only appreciated once it’s gone, the fixed address is something we usually take for granted.

Filling up the form in the bank, having a parcel delivered or obtaining the ‘proof of address’ is suddenly problematic. Yes, especially the ‘proof of address’ is vital in UK, as without it you cannot open a bank account or even go to a doctor. How do you get this “proof of address”? By having a letter or utility bill directed to you and delivered to your place. But, it cannot be just any letter. It has to come from a government institution, such as HMRC, local council, or establishment like bank or a solicitor.

This is something I am battling with at the moment. Fortunately, there is plenty of companies happy to ‘rent’ a mailbox for you, providing the official address, and not a PO Box (not acceptable by official institutions). Yes, you can get the letters delivered to their address and then redirected, for a fee, to the current address you’re staying at. Alternatively the letters can be opened by the mentioned company, scanned and emailed to you to save on posting it by the snail-mail. Perfect!

How Can Meditation Fight Anger?

Meditation is a wonderful and healing process. By taking the time to distance yourself from the outside world and focus on the spiritual side, you gain the inner peace and confidence. I love meditating and would like to be doing it more often. 

I try to meditate in the mornings or afternoons, whenever the time allows. It cleanses my soul and gives me a right perspective in each situation. It keeps my moods at bay and allows a positivity to take over. I try to be optimistic and have a positive outlook on life; meditation creates a base to sustain these attitudes. 

It is easy to be affected by a rude person you meet on your way and have your positivity fly out of the window. Meditation gives you a distance in a negative situation; it lets you get the right perspective. You have the strength to choose which feeling you are going to allow taking over. Are you going to let a rage dictate your actions, or will you take a step back and let the negativity slide over your skin like water over a duck? It is your choice, that very moment. Allow a rage taking over and you spread the negativity. It is contagious, just like flu. Once you let it inside your mind, you will be itching to let it out. And guess what? You’re going to do it by bursting at the next opportunity – perhaps having a road rage when a senior driver hesitates on the crossroads? This will only create more anguish, as the other person is going to get upset and itching to burst too. A dead circle.

But there’s another way. Take a deep breath and smile at someone’s burst of anger. Don’t give them the satisfaction of upsetting you. They want to hurt somebody, as they have been hurt themselves – and it’s got nothing to do with you in particular. You’re just a convenient victim that happened to be on their way. By smiling and remaining calm, you show them their own reflection. By facing someone calm and happy they see themselves by a stark contrast – with angry eyes, filthy language and crooked face. They have nothing more to do but feel silly and calm down. They don’t want to be the ‘Ugly Kid Joe’ on the block; they want to be liked as any other person. It’s just they’ve been temporarily taken over by the rage, and they don’t know how to control it yet. Smile and show them the way. Maybe next time they will do the same and heal somebody else? 

Staying focused

It's been a hectic day. 

Filled with gathering of the last belongings, dismantling furniture and packing for the journey. It felt longer than the other days, as it's been strangely chaotic and intense. My mind was all over the place, resolving the 'fold or roll' clothes dilemma, being melancholic about the leave and trying to stay positive (the grass is definitely greener). It was challenging to focus on the regular tasks. The ones I promised myself to focus on, no matter what. Writing two posts a day is one of them. But can you create anything sensible when your brain just wants to hibernate and rest? It's tough. That's when "no matter what" part is so important.

Fighting temptation

It was tempting to throw a towel, forget about the plan and relax. Irresistible. Especially after seeing my friends. But 'no matter what' was drilling a hole in my brain. I kept hearing motivational speakers talk about the discipline, making a sacrifice, doing what no one else is prepared to do, in order to achieve the goal. It was then, that I've decided to push myself one last time, open the laptop and start typing. My brain is still half asleep and not willing to co-operate, so this post might not be as sleek as others (whom am I kidding here). But I'm glad I pressed on and pushed myself. Well done. Now let's hope this regime continues in Poland and I carry on writing. Till next time, be lucky.

Goodbye for now

Goodbye for now

House is almost empty. Everything is gone. I am leaving tomorrow, even though it doesn't feel like it. I can't believe I abandon England, my home for the last 11 years. Everything is so familiar here, so accustomed and mine. I almost burst to tears in Morrisons, when I got to the bakery section and saw the scones, carrot cakes and flapjacks. Foods I couldn't understand 11 years ago, yet became so customary. I will miss you England, with all the funny phrases I had to learn, unique fashion choices, Christmas markets, lunch for dinner and tea for supper. You are not perfect, but you are so mine. It's goodbye for now, but not forever!

When all falls into place

Image by seeklearning.com.au

I am moving soon. In two days, precisely. But after months of selling all that was possible (a car, bed, appliances etc.), there was still plenty left. Shelving units, various chairs, TV stand, pictures. My plant. Beloved deckchair. Things that don't have a trade value, but hold a personal value to me. I didn't want to leave them behind - especially the plant. I feared they end up on the skip - a horryfying idea. I resolved to sell them in bulk - a household clearance lot. I drafted an ad, put it online and waited. Nothing. Until this weekend.

There was a sudden shift. 

Plenty of items left through the door. Bamboo sofa - lord and behold, it broke the record - 2 years of no interest. It ultimately sold and I gratefully waved it good bye. Result! My bed is gone and so is the washing machine.

To top it up, I found the buyer for my household lot. 

A lady replied to my ad on Preloved.com. She found a lot and was keen to pick it up straight away. She and her partner bought a house and needed practically everything. Shelves, chairs, stands, vases. Household goods. All that I had for sale. Incredible! They took all they could today and will come back for the rest tomorrow. That means I can now leave on Tuesday without uncertainty about my stuff. I'm relieved. The couple is delighted too.

And as I type it sitting on a wicker chair, in almost empty house, I feel I have accomplished my goals. I gave my all to sell what's possible and raise funds. I worked tirelessly and followed a game plan. I pushed, lifted and rushed around. And I got results. So that's how it feels like. An achievement. I shall remember it and practice regularly. It will do me good. Until tomorrow, be good, my lovelies.

A Breakfast read

Image by Reader's Paradise

I wish I could read more. 

Books, newspapers, magazines. I wish I could just get on with it and finish with the excuses. Find the time. My friend, who is always busy, loves books and reads whenever he has a chance. Waiting in the car or visiting a family. Yes, he carries the book with him and reads when possible. I used to do that myself. I kept 2-3 books in the car and read when I was waiting for somebody, or queuing at the car boot sale. And the car boot queues take forever!

Now, I read while having breakfast every morning. I don't open a laptop or check emails, I want to dedicate this time for reading. I currently read a brilliant book "Starter for Ten" by David Nicholls. It tells a story of a new student and his male struggles. Chasing the girl he loves, although she's way out of his league. Trying to get onto 'University Challenge' team to impress her. Or having a toe-curling encounter with the girl's mum in the middle of the night.

Simply put - a cringe fest but very engaging.

Hunt for the perfect gift

Buying a gift is difficult.
We all know how hard it is. You want to delight the recipient. You want to see their face when they un-wrap it. You want to find something they would love and treasure. That's not easy.

Gifts divide into three categories.

First one - a casual 'that will do' gift for a co-worker. Not too serious, box of chocolates or a gift card. Nothing personal.
Second one is bit heavier - a birthday gift. You should spend some time researching this one. Find what the other person wants. It is important especially if you are buying for your partner. If you mess it up and buy something they don't like, you'll be branded an ignorant, who's not listening. I imagine.
Now the third, the art in itself, the King of all Gifts - a Christmas gift. It comes with a yearlong expectation. It's a heavy load and can only be handled with the biggest care. It requires consultation with the in-laws, cousins and friends at work. You don't want to get it wrong.

Today I faced a challenge on the middle scale - a Birthday Gift.

It couldn't be just any gift though. First, it had to pass a certain check-list. Airport security one, to be precise. It had to fit into my bag when I'm flying to Poland. As it's a hand luggage, the rules are strict. No after shave, no razor set, you get the idea.
Second - it is for my Dad. A man! That's a real challenge. I find it easier to shop for women - because I'm a woman. I can guess what they like. With the guys, it's a different story. I am clueless. Socks and underwear are an easy fix, and usually work. You can never have too many.
But this time I wanted to make an effort and find something my Dad would use in a 'special-me-time' way.

Challenge accepted.

However small Liskeard is, it still has a decent number of gift shops. Some are better in catering for men then others. Yet their focus is home decor - coasters, figurines, fragrances, that sort. Not exactly man's cup of tea.
Still, I persisted. I was determined to find the perfect gift. Today.
I knew my best bet is to consult with the shop assistant - she knows her stock inside out. And it paid off. I hit the jackpot in the second store. Among the mosaic bowls and carved elephants was hiding a display just for Men. Ok, slightly new-age, but still men. Fragranced beard and moustache balms (they soften the facial hair), warming muscle rub and beer soaps (yes, beer!).

I liked the idea of a balm, but in the end my Dad wouldn't like the fragrance, it was too feminine. I picked the beer soap and a muscle rub - two things he'll definitely use. Both quirky, unusual and practical. Win, win, win! I visited one more shop and found a mango wood spectacle holder in the shape of a giant nose. Nose on a stand! It can be kept on the desk and hold the glasses. Fantastic. All items can fit in my bag and are not on the 'no-no' list. Job well done. Now fingers crossed my Dad will love them too!

Practice post

I am trying to improve my written English. I have been writing for many years now, but never analyzed my skills. It was a non-specific type of writing, like blog posts or product descritptions. But now I want to turn it up a notch and take further. My dream is to work as a copywriter - and that needs ultra correct English. The kind that comes out of being a native speaker. I can't fake that, but I can practice. By the end of the day, all native speakers were kids learning to write. It's a skill you can learn and perfect. All I have to do is practice. And practice some more.
So you will see me practicing here, on this blog. If you spot a mistake, please let me know - that would be a great help and make me aware where I need improvement. Thanks!

Art of repelling

Moving is stressful. Some describe it as one of the most difficult events in life. And I can relate to it. I have been sorting out my belongings for the last few weeks. A sum of 11 years. What a joke. Picking only few items I can pack in the box and ship by a courier. My achievements can fit in the box. Not too heavy, as it needs to be carried by somebody. 
It was hard going through these items. Many memories started coming back, most of them painful. Things I have said that should never been said. People I have mistreated. Opportunities I have missed. A cruel memory lane.
How did it all come to that? How did I end up here - not attached, not needed, not sought after? How come I don't have an over-sized land rover with baby seats in the back and a ridiculous mortgage? How come the ties I break by moving away are practically non-existant? What is in me so repelling? I'd like to know...

Who is your inspiration?

Will Smith achieved a huge success due to his legendary work ethic

I'm taking baby steps now. Haven't got the energy anymore to rush around since I've switched to the fine world of the ready meals. I couldn't even complete my regular jogging route on Wednesday, I felt bleak and slacky. It's definitely a poor diet. But I still want to carry on, don't want to cheat - I would only be cheating myself, right? So I went jogging again today, but decided to take a shorter route instead and do a smaller circle. At least I've made an effort, and I'm really happy about it.

When I returned I've washed my jogging gear, to have it ready and clean to send on Monday. I thought I'd do it tomorrow, but it might not have dried in time. If I packed it still damp, it would surely mould in the transit (it's 5 solid days at least). But then I would have to skip jogging this Sunday - surely I can't send a sweaty gear in the parcel - it would stench the whole box... Yuk, I cannot do that. I will have do an exception and skip jogging this time. It will be very hard but I'm willing to make this sacrifice...

I begin to feel like having a bit of time-off right now. Like a small holiday. But on the other hand, I'd feel too guilty. I would be thinking about all the inspirational videos I've been watching lately about the successful people and what kind of sacrifices they've made to get where they are. About their work ethic and how they schedule their days. It all differs so slightly from my schedule. I understand that I won't develop my career as a brilliant copywriter by watching another episode of Celebrity Apprentice USA. So I do feel guilty even when I watch it while having lunch. "No, Maggie" - I can hear Will Smith in my head - "I work while I eat, I work while I sleep - all the time. That's how I achieved so much. You should do the same!". Yes, I can hear him in my head. He is evidently very successful singer and actor, but he's achieved it all by having a "sickening work ethic", as he describes it. You can find his motivational videos on YouTube.

I feel like my work ethic is still not sickening enough, so I push myself. All the time, even if I don't feel like it. Just a baby step, one at a time. It can be hard sometimes, but I know that taking a small step in the right direction is better then not doing anything at all. I think these are the times when having a strong goal is so essential, that's how you find the strength to kick yourself in a butt and carry on... So thanks Will Smith for the inspiration!