Dear Answer Angel Ellen: A dear friend of mine passed away six months ago, after a long and loving life. A few years ago, she showed me a small white box that held her mother’s engagement ring. On the box, she wrote, in ink, my name and instructions that she wanted it given to me upon her death. She told me she intended it to pass to me. She had no survivors except several nephews who were handling her estate.

It has been many months since she passed away and I have heard nothing from her nephews. She and I were extremely close and I would cherish this memento of our long and loving friendship.

I don’t want to appear greedy. It is not about the value of the ring — which might be significant, I really don’t know. It is about the sentiment this gift would mean. I don’t know how to proceed. Can you help?

--Mary S.

Dear Mary: You have two options. Mention this to the nephews in a kind and caring way, perhaps in a personal note in which you recount this as you have in your question to me. Or you can move on and regret that your friend did not include her wishes in her will. Sadly, that’s all the recourse you have. Good intentions are not enough when it comes to such matters.

The lesson here is that if you have a plan to leave something to a loved one, put it in writing, in your will. Period. A legally binding document is your best — and, likely, only — protection that your promises to friends and family will be honored after you are gone. Judging from the many questions like this that I get, this is a common and often heart-breaking reality.

Dear Answer Angel Ellen: What is the name of the brightish blue color currently popular in men’s suits? I take it this is the new “power” color. Definitely not navy.

--Nann H.

Dear Nann: The brighter color you’ve noticed recently is royal blue. I’ve seen it called “blogger blue” – a nod to the fact that this brighter shade of the color is favored by a younger demographic. If you don’t know what reader Nann is asking about, check photos of the NATO defense ministers gathered in Brussels earlier this year. Amid the men in muted black, navy and charcoal suits (and a few women in varying colors), one male stands out: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth whose blue is like no other. It’s a very robust royal.

Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I’ve had varicose veins, particularly in the ankle/top of foot areas, for many years. Current styles are for pants to be just above the ankle and maxi dresses that fall at the same spot. That puts the spotlight on my veiny legs/ankles and tops of feet. For a long time, I've used Dermablend as a cover-up, but Dermablend goes on thick, is hard to get off, stains clothing and screams "I'm wearing something to try to cover my bad veins."

I am hoping you are aware of some other way of subtly covering up these problems. Are there new sprays or treatments that would be helpful?

--Anne M.

Dear Anne: I haven’t been happy with the staying power of any of the cover-ups I’ve tested. Readers, can you help Anne out?

Angelic Readers

MCS writes: “Ever since I had to make an unscheduled overnight stop without my luggage, I have always included a complete change of clothes —underwear, socks, pants and top—and toothbrush/meds/cosmetics, in my small carry-on backpack that fits under my seat. (And yes, sometimes it also includes my purse, so it isn’t counted as a third bag.) It’s reassuring to know that I have these basics always with me.” From Ellen: Al ways, always … If you can’t afford to be without it — because of value, emotion or necessity -- carry it on the plane: Glasses, meds, jewelry etc.

Reader Rant

From Kim M.: “I want to rant on the tailor tacks on the back pleats of suit jackets and some tailored skirts. Please remind your readers these temporary stitches are for shipping purposes only and should be removed before wearing.”

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