Right, so I'm inheriting a beautiful diamond ring in a few weeks time (it was my Mum's engagement ring) - it's currently being re-set and sized and should be ready soon.
It's a lovely present and I'm getting quite excited about it. But my fingers and nails are hideous and I'm wondering what I can do to make my hands look at least half presentable so that they match the lovely ring 
I pick down the sides of my fingers and thumbs - have tried to stop doing it but it's a lifetime's habit - I'm putting cream on every time I remember and have got the picking down to a minimum so hopefully my fingers won't look so red and horrible.
My nails are very short - I clip them with a nail clipper - no varnish, no filing, no nothing.
I've never ever done anything with them - so where do I start? Is it worth getting a manicure and what would I ask for? I'm imagining that they just look nice and smart with maybe clear varnish on? How do you get them to be a nice shape - mine are bumpy as I clip them fairly randomly 
. I've never been to a nail bar or beauty salon-type place, so if I'm going to venture in one, I need to know what I should ask for...!
I've got about 4 weeks before the ring is ready - HELP!