Sunday, July 17, 2011

Thinking about Rings

So, as my big, life changing move is approaching I've been thinking of ways my life is going to change.  One of my thought processes goes like this:
"I'm going to lose my insurance when I'm done with work.  I'll have the option to get on cobra.  I wonder how much that will costs?  I rarely get sick and wonder if I really need insurance?  That's a dumb question b/c the day I don't have insurance, my leg will fall off while my appedix is rupturing.  I need insurance.  Well... I could get on cobra for a while until Ryan proposes.  Once he does that, we can just go to the court house and get married but still plan the wedding we want, that way I can get on his insurance."
I completely realize I am a little crazy.  (Ryan knows this and is OK with it. :-))  All this crazy thought has landed on some conversations with Ryan about getting engaged.  He has been doing some reading and is really not interested in purchasing a diamond engagement ring for me.  He says that diamonds depreciate in value too fast.  (Of course as a woman who is in love with her man my response is, "why would we ever need to sell it?!?"  He started talking about if we ever went broke and needed to pawn it.  He's a little crazy too (which I know and I am OK with it  :-) ).)  
I started thinking about the concept of having a non-diamond engagement ring.  I originally thought about a blue sapphire.  The more I looked at the options I realized that everything reminds me of Princess Diana/Princess Kate's engagement ring.  That option is out!  They have white sapphires that look similar to diamonds but sparkle a different way.  They are waaayyyyy cheaper than a diamond.  I'm not sure if I want a diamond look-a-like.  I just wouldn't want people to think it's a diamond and then I come off as someone who wanted a diamond but got something else.  I might as well get a CZ.
I have found one that I can't stop looking at.  I'm not asking Ryan to buy this particular ring for me.  This ring is just a reference to what I think I like.   * http://store.offbeatbride.com/rings/non-diamond/peridot-checkboard-cushion-diamond-ring *

How many of you out there have thought about getting a non-diamond engagement ring?  How many of you have thought about getting a non-traditional engagement ring?  I'm feeling a little crazy right now (which I'm OK with! ;-) ).  How about I get some of your stories so I don't feel so nuts!!  Thanks!!!

Don't get me wrong... I don't need a big, expensive ring to know that I am loved. Ryan and I had a conversation while walking around Bed Bath and Beyond. I made a comment about how fun it will be when we get engaged and we can get all sorts of kitchen toys for our wedding! His response was, "we are not going to get married for the gifts. We're going to get married to be married." I love this man!!

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Starting "The 100"

For Christmas of 2010, Ryan gave me a beautiful formal dress.  Along with it he gave me 3 books:  "A Guide to Quality, Taste & Style" by Tim Gunn with Kate Moloney, "Gunn's Golden Rules:  Life's Little Lessons for Making it Work", and "The One Hundred" by Nina Garcia.  (If you are not aware, we both are fans of Project Runway.)  With these gifts, I was getting the hint loud and clear.  I need help with my closet.  It's not that I lack a personal style.  It's that I lack a fitting personal style for my age, my lifestyle and my body type.  When I take a long, deep look in my closet, I find clothes I haven't worn in years.  I have clothes I have had since high school.  I have clothes I have had since college.  Since I have reached my 30's, I haven't spend much time or money on clothes for myself.  I am ready for this to change.


I have started reading, "The One Hundred".  This is "A guide to the pieces every stylish woman must own."  It starts with the classic A-line dress.  Since starting this book, I have purchased a classic A-line dress.  One down.  Lots and lots to go!
http://www.modcloth.com/store/ModCloth/Womens/Dresses/Angelique+Dress


I have started!


As I move along the book, I am starting to feel a bit overwhelmed as I get further through this book.  Currently, I am on #78:  Silk Scarf.  Nina is obviously obsessed with the Hermes Scarf.   I am not ready for a purchase like this and this is my struggle with this book.
http://usa.hermes.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10202&catalogId=10052&langId=-1&categoryId=116540&leftCategoryId=42953&topCategoryId=127524&parentCategoryId=127532&productId=63713&nbItem=0
I am glad I have this book.  I am overwhelmed by this book.
This is the point of this blog.  I am going to take the time to go back through the book and see how long it takes me to feel like a Stylish Woman!!













A few of "The One Hundred"

Here's a taste of the book.

1. A-Line Dress
2. Animal Print
3. Ankle Bootie
4. Aviators
5. Ballet Flat
6. Bangles
7. Belts
8. Bikini
9. Blackberry
10. Black Opaque Tights

20. Clutch
21. Cocktail Ring
22. Converse
23. cosmetic Bag
24. Cowboy boots
25. cuff

35. Gentlemen's Hat
36. Gloves
37. Havaianas
38. Hobo Bag
39. Hoop Earrings
40. Investment Bag
41. iPod
42. Jeans
43. Jewelry Pouches
44. Khakis

53. Man's White Shirt
54. Mary Janes
55. Minnetonka Moccasin
56. Missoni Knit
57. Monogrammed Stationery
58. Motorcycle Jacket
59. Nail Polish
60. Old Concert T-shirt
61. One-Piece Swimsuit
62. Pajamas
63. Peacoat

72. Red Lipstick
73. Robe
74. Safari Jacket
75. Sandals
76. Sarong
77. Signet ring
78. Silk Scarf


It does give 3 or 4 pages to explain what to look for, examples of how the greats wore these items, and sometimes places to get them.