Just back from a lovely holiday in California and now focusing on diamondthrills fulltime for the very first time.

The diamondthrills bank account has now been opened (which seemed to take more time and effort than it should have done), and I’ve now engaged both an accountant and a lawyer to do some of the vital professional stuff for diamondthrills.

Most importantly, I’m making good progress on product.  I made a trip this week (to glamorous Birmingham) to visit one of my key suppliers, and I think I’ve picked out some fabulous pieces of diamond jewellery which will constitute a major part of the inaugural diamondthrills collection.

I hope to place an order in the next couple of weeks once I’ve shown some images to trusted diamond jewellery lovers (i.e. wife and some hand-picked female friends).  It’s a big investment and of course it’s key to the success of diamondthrills, so I need to get it right.

Today I moved into a shared office space in Bermondsey, London SE1, a 5 minute walk from home.  It’s so much better to have a work environment outside the flat – it helps me to switch from ‘home mode’ into ‘work mode’ – and I think it’s going to be fun to be in an office with other people who are in similar positions: setting up businesses, freelance designers, etc.  Good creative vibe and good for contacts and networking.

Also filed an application for a Trade Mark this week.  Did it myself rather than using a Trade Mark attorney, so I hope I’ve done it to the complete satisfaction of the UK Intellectual Property Office.

All that in a bank holiday week, plus a day at the cricket at Lords yesterday to see England stuff the West Indies.  Smug smile on face (see photo).

Happy days.