Tiara King's Blog: Jewel Divas Style, page 42

BUSINESS STYLE: Welcome to the family…MacBook Pro

 

Yes, I’ve bought another computer. This will be my fourth in 13 years.

My first was an Acer in 2004 which I paid full price for, it died in 2010 and couldn’t be saved (more on that here). When it died, I had bought my two Sony Vaios secondhand from Grey’s Online and was glad I had. 

I am now onto my fourth, again, secondhand, from eBay this time. I cannot afford a Mac. At the going rate of $1500-$2500AUD there is no way I can cough that up with all of the other expenses I have. So, a secondhand one was it. I scoured eBay for weeks, decided to not go back further than five years in age, and set a price limit. Unknown to me, eBay had a 10% off purchase sale going and I managed to get it for $485 with shipping. That’s under budget.

It’s in good condition, no wear and tear except the cords are filthy, but still in order. There is nothing major happening at the moment, except I accidentally used up the battery on day one while trying to transfer my iTunes folder over. I didn’t realise the power cord had come out and it went dead. A few minutes later I got it sorted and went on to other things as to not waste anymore time. I changed all info over in settings, downloaded dropbox over two days, and bought Pages from the app store.

The point of getting a Mac was twofold.

1 – I needed it to upload my books to iBooks. I can’t do it any other way and can only use a distributor like Smashwords.

and 2 – I needed it to download Vellum. A Mac only application that will help me turn my e-books into printed books. The only other way for me to get this was to buy Vellum and then use Macincloud at $30 a pop.

Since print books cost me a fortune to be formatted, I’ll save money almost right away when I start doing all of them. Apparently, it’s so easy, you can get every format of your book in a rough fifteen minutes. If that’s the case, I can get all of my books formatted in one day. What a bloody saving!

While I’m used to my iPad and phone, a Mac is going to take some getting used to. It’s di fferent, the files are vastly different in their layout, and will require some time spent learning.

But overall, I’m glad got it!

Welcome to the family Macbook Pro…

 

RSL Art Union Draw 351 The Golden Treasure

It’s time for the RSL Art Union’s yearly Golden Treasure. An apartment building somewhere on the Gold Coast.

This one happens to be right in front of last year’s Golden Treasure, and I bet those people are pissed that their view has been taken away.

They still cannot build an apartment building without issues. Rooms are too small, in the wrong places, building isn’t as square as it should be, etc, etc, etc. The same problems were in last year’s and the year before. This year, the penthouse is two storeys and you can get into either storey from the lobby, which I think is stupid for safety’s sake.

All four apartments and the penthouse come fully furnished and you get the first year’s rates and taxes paid as usual. Although this year, the rates are over $40,000, and if you rent out the four apartments and live in the penthouse, then nearly half of what you have left after taxes will go in rates. Not sure renting them out is worth it. Sell the lot off and make over $4million. I could live carefully on that for the rest of my life.

If you want tickets head over to the RSL Art Union website and buy them today.

 

MY STYLE: OCTOBER STYLE

October’s been hectic. Appointments, tradies, shit to do! Here’s the outfits for October.

 

OUTFIT #1 – DOCTORS OR HOSPITAL OR SOMETHING…

TOP: Kmart tank, $8, a few years back

SHIRT: Target from the 90s

PANTS: Millers from 2014, $18

SHOES: Spendless Shoes sandals from 2014, $30

JEWELLERY: Lovisa from a few years back

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OUTFIT #2 – SHOPPING, LIBRARY (once a week shop day)

TOP: Kmart, from 2014, for $15

KIMONO: Ebay, 2015, $37.95

PANTS: Kmart blue jeans, $7, about 5 years old

SHOES: Naturalizer navy blues.

JEWELLERY: Jewel Divas necklace teamed with Lovisa necklace, earrings, rings and most bracelets and bangles. (I’ve bought a lot in Lovisa over the years)

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OUTFITS #3, 4, 5 – MUM’S HOSPITAL VISITS, different days

TOPS: Dreamworld tshirt, from Dreamworld in 1995, two Tamworth tshirts from Tamworth 1998

PANTS: Kmart blue jeans and Millers black pants.

SHOES: Spendless Shoes boots and sandals.

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OUTFIT #6 – WEEKLY SHOP/LIB TRIP

TOP: Crossroads from 2014, $24.95 (I’ve worn a lot of black this month)

PANTS: Kmart jeans

SHOES: Spendless Shoes boots

JEWELLERY: Jewel Divas Elephant set, plus ebay bangle set (right arm) and elephants bangle (left arm)

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OUTFIT #7 – SHOPPING, LIBRARY

TOP: Millers from 2015, $15

PANTS: Vintage Millers from the 90s

SHOES: Brand new  Django & Juliettes  from Cinori.

JEWELLERY: Jewel Divas Deep Sea Diver necklace, ebay and store bangles and rings

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OUTFIT #8 – SHOPPING, LIBRARY (got into halloween early)

TOP: Ice tank from 2013, $13

KIMONO: Gypsy Collective bought on ebay from 2015 for $135

PANTS: Millers from 2015, $10

SHOES: Rubi boots from years ago. $40

JEWELLERY: Jewel Divas blue skull set and bracelet stacks. eBay bangle on right arm, and Lovisa long necklace.

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OUTFIT #9 – MUM’S HOSPITAL VISIT, BIT OF SHOPPING, HALLOWEEN

TOP: Ice from 2013, $13

PANTS: Kmart jeans

SHOES: Spendless Shoes boots

JEWELLERY: Jewel Divas black skull set, ebay rings

 

HEALTH & BEAUTY STYLE: More Cosmetic Purses

I absolutely L.O.V.E. cosmetic cases and have hundreds of them. My favourites are from the Cardinali range and you can see more here. Once sold at Coles supermarkets, now I can only find them in op shops, and I managed to score a biggun this time.

This gorgeous multi pink Cardinali cosmetic bag was only $1 and while it has a few small tears on the inside (which can be glued) its overall condition is good. I also have the matching small purse so that makes a set!

 

I also scored this gorgeous Estee Lauder purse for .50cents. Brand new and never used.

 

I love a good bargain, whether brand new or from the op shop, as long as it adds to a collection, I’m all for it!

What bargains have you scored recently?

 

Poems Of A Musical Flavour, Paperbacks Coming 2018

Poems Of A Musical Flavour, the paperbacks, have been coming for a long time. Sadly, money issues arose in May and that meant the paperback versions were put on hold.

Now, they are in the final stages of production and tweaks are being made. Money is still tight, and other things, exciting things, are going on, so that means the paperback versions of all 6 Poems won’t be released until next year. March at the latest. That will be six months from when Volume 6 was released on September 1st. And then there’s a special omnibus edition of all six coming next year as well. 

I’m so excited! So stay tuned for book news.

 

 

It’s My Tax Time and why my jewellery business has suffered

Here in Australia, our tax year is July 1st to June 30th. We then have July through October to get our taxes done.

For most people, it’s relatively easy. For businesses, it’s a little harder. Especially when you need tax info from American companies that don’t pay out for three months.

So, I get my taxes done every October and then it’s done and dusted for another year. And every year, I see the amount I’m earning from my books growing. Which is great. From my jewellery, there’s nothing.

If you go back to 2016, the February blog posts, you’ll find why my jewellery business had been put on hold. My mother was chronically ill and I was exhausted. I was also consumed with writing again, which had taken a back seat to jewellery since 2008. I’ve released a lot of books in the last three years, and the last jewellery collection, Opulence Royale, was made in 2014. I only sell sporadically now, once a year for a few months. Money is tight with book production, so jewellery production has suffered. 

But that might be a good thing.

I wrote my first novel in 2006, my second in Feb 2008. In 2008 I also set up my jewellery business and didn’t write another book until 2010. Then in 2013 I wrote a novel and four non-fictions. Since then I’ve written over 3 massive novels, 4 novellas, 6 Poems, 13 kids stories and a non-fic. They are all in production, or have been released, or are being released.

I’ve been busy!

And so my jewellery has taken a break. The other thing is, and I’ll do a post on this before the end of the year, my hands are not what they used to be, and it all started with the last jewellery collection. So we’ll have to see how things go, and hopefully, when the books slow down, I’ll get back to jewellery.

In the meantime, I just forked out hundreds for my tax return and won’t get anything for it because I don’t earn enough.

What a con!

BOOK STYLE: The Decorated Home by Meg Braff

With my love of books, I have found myself once again getting copious amounts of books from my local library. Many have been interior design/home & decor books. I love looking at how other people, or even interior designers, style homes.

I love bright, light and colourful spaces, not dark and suffocating, or white and anal. That’s why these books, set in the USA usually, appeal better. People who live in places like Miami and L.A always go for the lighter, brighter looks, and that’s what’s in this book by Meg Braff. The Decorated Home is full of gorgeous, amazing furniture and colours. I’d love to have some of these things, especially the gold palm tree, in my home, and the back terrace is amazing!

Sadly, I don’t have a home. Not one I can decorate for myself, that is. 

I can’t remember the publish date for this book, but if you can find it, have a look and get inspired if you love all things bright and gorgeous! I’ve posted my eight fave pics (three are of the same room) with my fave colours (blue and pink natch!)

 

STYLE FAILURES: Gold Bomber Jacket doesn’t live up to the hype. Or the cost!

Style Failure all right!

I bought this gold bomber jacket way back in 2014. For the most part, it’s sat in my wardrobe. In 2015 I wore it in an outfit of the day but never actually wore it out. So, it’s just sat there doing nothing. In September, I got it out and wore it in this outfit.

During the day, I noticed little bits of fluffy stuff every time I moved my arms, but, I thought nothing of it. I went about my business shopping, going to the library, the chemist, the fast food outlet. And it wasn’t until I was packing up the car once I got home, that I saw those fluffy bits on the seat. I realised they were gold. And from my jacket.

“Oh crap!”

I rushed back inside and checked my jacket that I had thrown on my desk in the office/wardrobe room when I had gotten home with lunch. I was hoping for a little bit off the hem or something. But what I found shocked me, and I don’t shock easy. My jaw hit the floor and I shook my head in disgust and sadness. I would now have to throw out the jacket.

Why?

Because  this happened.

I have no idea why no one said anything. I was standing in lines in front of people and no one.said.anything!

Thank God it was only $10.25. The original store price was $299. Yep, the price tag was in the pocket and I Instagrammed it. Well, that was that, it had to go in the bin. The sadness dissipated and I still want a gold jacket. But this time, I’ll get either a leather one, or material so this doesn’t happen again.

Here’s a closer look. the underarms are the worst.

Oh, the waste!

What have you guys bought that ended up in the bin after one wear?

MY STYLE: September Style

September’s been a weird month. Winter coming into spring, cold coming into warmth. We had freezing cold days, we had warm days. But, as usual, it was generally one day out a week and/or doctor’s appointments. 

 

OUTFIT #1 – Mum’s hospital visit

TSHIRT: Granny Mays from back in the 90s. X-files tshirt, $32

PANTS: Kmart blues

SHOES: Spendless Shoes boots

JEWELLERY: Market bought star earrings, $11, from very early 90s.

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OUTFIT #2 – Shopping, Library

TOP: Kmart from 2014, $10

JACKET: eBay from 2009, $23

PANTS: Kmart blues

SHOES: Naturalizer boots, $200

JEWELLERY: Mish mash of Jewel Divas jewels (geisha necklace and bead bracelet stack, Lovisa (earrings, rings) and eBay (bangle), Chic Lemon (boot necklace)

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OUTFIT #3 – Shopping, Library

TOP: Crossroad from 2014, $24.95 (one of the last items of black clothing i bought)

JACKET: op shop, $10.25. (first time I wore it and it went in the bin afterwards. More on that on Monday the 16th)

PANTS: Kmart blue jeans

SHOES: Black Spendless Boots

JEWELLERY: Jewel Divas pineapple set. I made it to go with the top. 

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OUTFITS #4 & 6 – doctor visits

TOPS: Left – Kermit top from Granny Mays in the 90s. Right – Millers from 2015 for $5

PANTS: Left – Kmart blues. Right – Millers from a few years ago

SHOES: Left – Spendless boots. Right – Frankie 4’s Ellie sneakers

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OUTFIT #5 – Shopping, Library

TOP: Crossroads from 2014 for $15

PANTS: Kmart blue jeans

SHOES: Spendless black boots

JEWELLERY: Jewel Divas (bead bracelet stack, long ,multi necklace), Lovisa (earrings, single bead necklace, deco ring) Colette (white ring), Ice (bangle)

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OUTFIT #7 – Shopping, Library, Chiro

TOP: Big W from 2004 for $17.93

JACKET: Op shop, from the 90s, free.

PANTS: Kmart blue jeants

SHOES: Black suede boots bought from mum

JEWELLERY: Jewel Divas crystal set (earrings necklace), eBay (rings and bracelets)

What have you guys been wearing in the last month?

 

Writing Holiday number 3 for 2017