Since that last post, I have done some exploring and have found engagement rings that are a lot more inexpensive and would mean a lot more, in the grand scheme of things.
Homemade engagement rings from sellers on Etsy might be the way to go.
Some even offer wedding sets, and some even have rings for men.
...it's definitely something to consider and discuss.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Friday, August 13, 2010
Ring-a-Ding-Ding
The first thing a woman does, naturally, when her boyfriend starts dropping hints about popping the question is look at ring styles. These days, there are so many styles to pick from; it's no wonder that a guy can easily lose his mind trying to find the right ring for his girl! Well, that, and he doesn't want to get her something that she hates, and yet has to wear every day.
Jacob has expressed an issue with diamonds, asking, "Do engagement rings have to be diamond?" In truth, no, they don't. Diamond engagement rings were first documented in 1477, given from the Archduke Maximilian of Austria to his betrothed, Mary of Burgundy, but engagement rings themselves have been around since the Roman era, give or take eight centuries.
Diamonds have become the modern tradition, though, because of DeBeer's awe-inspiring advertising campaign, and because they are the hardest stone on the planet, symbolizing innocence and constancy. And, according to DeBeer's, "A Diamond is Forever." They do have a practical use, though: because of their hardness, they can withstand everyday wear and tear, and resist scratching.
I'm sure my love was asking on a more personal basis, meaning, "Does your engagement ring have to be diamond?" Honestly, I had never seen it any other way. Blame it on the movies and modern media, if you like. Some brides may choose rings that are fitted with their birthstone, while some just choose a stone that they think is beautiful; others, like me, just go the traditional route and choose diamonds.
For one thing, my birthstone is pearl, which is down at around 4 on the hardness scale (a diamond is a 10) and is known to be porous. For another, I have never seen my engagement ring as anything other than diamond. I'm sure that his concern lies in two factors: one, diamond rings are available nearly everywhere, so they aren't as rare as some would lead you to believe, and two, the cost of diamond rings can be outrageous.
I have done some looking around online at some ring styles, to find styles that I like; I even found some at a few local retailers, so if he sees one on there that he likes he can just go there and take care of business. (When the time comes, of course.)
For these styles, I have kept in mind three things:
Jacob has expressed an issue with diamonds, asking, "Do engagement rings have to be diamond?" In truth, no, they don't. Diamond engagement rings were first documented in 1477, given from the Archduke Maximilian of Austria to his betrothed, Mary of Burgundy, but engagement rings themselves have been around since the Roman era, give or take eight centuries.
Diamonds have become the modern tradition, though, because of DeBeer's awe-inspiring advertising campaign, and because they are the hardest stone on the planet, symbolizing innocence and constancy. And, according to DeBeer's, "A Diamond is Forever." They do have a practical use, though: because of their hardness, they can withstand everyday wear and tear, and resist scratching.
I'm sure my love was asking on a more personal basis, meaning, "Does your engagement ring have to be diamond?" Honestly, I had never seen it any other way. Blame it on the movies and modern media, if you like. Some brides may choose rings that are fitted with their birthstone, while some just choose a stone that they think is beautiful; others, like me, just go the traditional route and choose diamonds.
For one thing, my birthstone is pearl, which is down at around 4 on the hardness scale (a diamond is a 10) and is known to be porous. For another, I have never seen my engagement ring as anything other than diamond. I'm sure that his concern lies in two factors: one, diamond rings are available nearly everywhere, so they aren't as rare as some would lead you to believe, and two, the cost of diamond rings can be outrageous.
I have done some looking around online at some ring styles, to find styles that I like; I even found some at a few local retailers, so if he sees one on there that he likes he can just go there and take care of business. (When the time comes, of course.)
For these styles, I have kept in mind three things:
- The cost. I know we don't have a lot of money to spend (and neither will we, when it actually comes time to get a ring), so while these choices are all diamonds, they are not full-carat rings. (Well, the ones from local retailers aren't, anyway.)
- The ring has to have a visual attraction to it. My boyfriend is an artist, and I am an amateur freelance photographer, so there must be some sort of visual dynamism that pulls us in. He can obviously veto any of the rings; he is the one buying it. (But he must also keep in mind that I am the one wearing it, so my voice carries a bit farther in this case.) Granted, one would think that rings are made to be looked at, and so jewelry designers wouldn't make unattractive rings, but they do. (IMHO) Sure, they are taught the basics of composition, same as the rest of the artists in the world, however, it all comes down to individual taste.
- He doesn't wear jewelry on a daily basis, so his ring --should we buy complementing rings-- should be simple in nature.
First, the engagement rings available from local retailers, in no particular order:
 |
| I love the unique, double band look of this one. Available from Ostbye (a partner of local Weiss Jewelers) |
 |
| I love, love, love the Everlon collection. Not only because the debut commercial for it included my favorite version of I Got You Babe, but because the entire collection is gorgeous, and I love the knot symbol. Available locally at JCPenney. |
 |
| Semi-art deco inspiration, yet simple enough to be worn with anything. A touch high on the ostentacious meter. Available through Ostbye. |
 |
| I love the trail of small diamonds leading to the larger one. (This one is the most expensive ring on this local list.) Available through Zales. |
 |
| The classic, traditional ring, able to complement nearly any wedding ring added to it. Available at Ostbye. |
 |
| This one is from one of my favorite lines of jewelry out there: Past, Present, and Future. Gotta love the way that 1/4ct stands out above the channel stones. (Ties for most expensive ring on here.) Available at Zales. |
And now for the bridal sets at local retailers, again in no particular order:
 |
| Gotta love the Celtic-inspired twisting of metal on this piece. And the art-deco-esque stone adds visual oomph to it as well. Available through Allison-Kaufman Company. |
 |
| A simple, round engagement ring is enhanced by an encircling round set of diamonds on the wedding band. Simple, and yet visually attractive. Truly made to look like it is just one ring. Available through Ostbye. |
 |
| Gotta love the way the lines keep leading your eye back to the center stone. Available through the Allison-Kaufman Company at Weiss Jewelers. |
 |
| This looks like two pieces purchased separately and then combined brilliantly. Available through Ostbye. |
And now for some from around the web, just for inspiration, in order from solitaires to wedding pairs:
(These are all way too expensive for me to actually put these on a list of potentials!) |
| Simple ring, yet able to make a woman feel special whilst wearing it. |
 |
| Love the dainty, vintage-inspired details on this one. |
 |
| Love the brushed metal look of this one, plus it has a built-in eternity ring. |
 |
| A simple ring to please my simplicity-loving man, and a visually stunning, yet simple, ring for me. |
 |
| This one just speaks to the classic-lover in me. You could pair her ring with a simple round-cut engagement solitaire, or leave it just as it is. Plus, his ring isn't over-the-top and yet adds visual interest. |
Now, there you have it. A few ideas, most of them simple.
I do not want a gaudy, showy, extravagant piece of jewelry. My man does not need to buy my love, and we need to be able to still afford to live, as well as pay for a wedding. Besides, we are of the working middle class; if we were from the upper echelons of striated society, then perhaps we could afford something with a bigger stone, and I wouldn't be so hesitant as to turn up my nose at one of those last-listed rings.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Him & I & Us
Jacob and I met in December 2004 when I started working at a thrift store for which he was already employed.
(That's a verbose way of saying we met at work.)
He worked in a different department than I did; he usually worked in the furniture department in back and I worked as a cashier up front. Back then, he always seemed so mysterious; now I know that's just because he wants to impress, but not come across as more than intellectual.
I remember finding excuses sometimes to go in the back when he was working. It helped, too, that the employee break room was in the back of the store. But why he decided, randomly and without provocation, to walk all the way to the front of the store just to put his head on my shoulder...I may never know. (He currently doesn't remember doing it.)
I gave him a few rides home; I couldn't bear to see him (anyone, really) walk in the blowing snow. I don't remember what my reason was for giving him a ride home when it was 70 degrees out. Or what it was when I had to wait 30 minutes because our shift-ending times crossed...
Well, five months after I started working there, he was let go. At the time, I wasn't even sure if he liked me, but I knew I liked him. So, being the stupid, persistant girl that he has forced me to become, I looked up his phone number, having only his last name and rough address to go by. I called a couple times, giving up eventually when the phone calls only came from me.
A male friend of his, whom I was lucky enough to befriend, came in one day after he left and told me, after a few minutes of random conversation, that I should just "be a 21st century woman," and that Jake did, in fact, reciprocate my feelings. (That only confused me more as the days went by and there were no phone calls from his number.)
One day that summer, when I arrived at work, one of the older cashiers --bless her; she was always a darling-- pulled me aside and gave me his cell phone number, and told me that he wanted me to call him.
I did. Otherwise the story would end there.
We kept in touch, even after I was let go from the company in August 2005.
My ex got in touch with me when I started working for a new company. He invited me over to his house for a kick back; I brought Jacob along. He was all that was on my brain; I completely missed the signals that my ex wanted to get back with me. (The other times that my ex invited me over --when I went alone-- he would claim to be 'cold' and want to warm up under a blanket.)
Our first kiss happened unexpectedly that following May. I was the DD at a bar for a friend on 18+ night --the friend was 21-- and, out of the blue, I get a text from him that says he's outside. He didn't want to come in (he would have been charged a fee anyway) so I went out to see him. We're just standing there, having a conversation, when he grabs my face and goes for it.
That summer we spent driving around on country backroads, listening to music (he introduced me to Poets of the Fall on one of those trips) and talking.
Finally, that fall, when I was out with the girls --and after a Woodchuck-- my friends encouraged me to call him and call him out on some stuff. I did. The next day, we met for lunch to talk about what was going on between us (it had been over a year of uncertainty) and agreed to "try the dating thing for a while."
I met his family that Thanksgiving (and appeared, quite unexpectedly, in their family photo). That Christmas was the first time I cried in front of him.
It's been nearly four years since then, and we've been through good times and bad times.
I can't wait for the next chapter of our lives to start.
(That's a verbose way of saying we met at work.)
He worked in a different department than I did; he usually worked in the furniture department in back and I worked as a cashier up front. Back then, he always seemed so mysterious; now I know that's just because he wants to impress, but not come across as more than intellectual.
I remember finding excuses sometimes to go in the back when he was working. It helped, too, that the employee break room was in the back of the store. But why he decided, randomly and without provocation, to walk all the way to the front of the store just to put his head on my shoulder...I may never know. (He currently doesn't remember doing it.)
I gave him a few rides home; I couldn't bear to see him (anyone, really) walk in the blowing snow. I don't remember what my reason was for giving him a ride home when it was 70 degrees out. Or what it was when I had to wait 30 minutes because our shift-ending times crossed...
Well, five months after I started working there, he was let go. At the time, I wasn't even sure if he liked me, but I knew I liked him. So, being the stupid, persistant girl that he has forced me to become, I looked up his phone number, having only his last name and rough address to go by. I called a couple times, giving up eventually when the phone calls only came from me.
A male friend of his, whom I was lucky enough to befriend, came in one day after he left and told me, after a few minutes of random conversation, that I should just "be a 21st century woman," and that Jake did, in fact, reciprocate my feelings. (That only confused me more as the days went by and there were no phone calls from his number.)
One day that summer, when I arrived at work, one of the older cashiers --bless her; she was always a darling-- pulled me aside and gave me his cell phone number, and told me that he wanted me to call him.
I did. Otherwise the story would end there.
We kept in touch, even after I was let go from the company in August 2005.
My ex got in touch with me when I started working for a new company. He invited me over to his house for a kick back; I brought Jacob along. He was all that was on my brain; I completely missed the signals that my ex wanted to get back with me. (The other times that my ex invited me over --when I went alone-- he would claim to be 'cold' and want to warm up under a blanket.)
Our first kiss happened unexpectedly that following May. I was the DD at a bar for a friend on 18+ night --the friend was 21-- and, out of the blue, I get a text from him that says he's outside. He didn't want to come in (he would have been charged a fee anyway) so I went out to see him. We're just standing there, having a conversation, when he grabs my face and goes for it.
That summer we spent driving around on country backroads, listening to music (he introduced me to Poets of the Fall on one of those trips) and talking.
Finally, that fall, when I was out with the girls --and after a Woodchuck-- my friends encouraged me to call him and call him out on some stuff. I did. The next day, we met for lunch to talk about what was going on between us (it had been over a year of uncertainty) and agreed to "try the dating thing for a while."
I met his family that Thanksgiving (and appeared, quite unexpectedly, in their family photo). That Christmas was the first time I cried in front of him.
It's been nearly four years since then, and we've been through good times and bad times.
I can't wait for the next chapter of our lives to start.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Welcome! (laying my intentions bare)
Hello, world of Blogger and readers from elsewhere!
I am starting this blog because one of the most important days of my life is coming: the day that my love asks me to marry him.
He's already made his intentions known, so I've begun the "research" part of wedding planning; I'm creating a folder of ideas for what I like as far as weddings go, and I'm finding out what's available in my area.
I plan on using my Blogger blog to share ideas, pool information, and share my journey with other future brides-to-be.
...the truth is, I've had my wedding planned for years. (Yes, I was one of those girls.)
Or at least I've had ideas.
Attending weddings over the years has sharpened my list of likes, as well as dislikes, and I will not be going into this blind.
Some would call me foolish for wanting to start this blog --seeing as how I quit my job in April, and my boyfriend got laid off last month-- but I know that it's going to happen. And, honestly, it can take its time getting here; I have pounds to shed!!
Coming next post: our romance, so far. =)
I am starting this blog because one of the most important days of my life is coming: the day that my love asks me to marry him.
He's already made his intentions known, so I've begun the "research" part of wedding planning; I'm creating a folder of ideas for what I like as far as weddings go, and I'm finding out what's available in my area.
I plan on using my Blogger blog to share ideas, pool information, and share my journey with other future brides-to-be.
...the truth is, I've had my wedding planned for years. (Yes, I was one of those girls.)
Or at least I've had ideas.
Attending weddings over the years has sharpened my list of likes, as well as dislikes, and I will not be going into this blind.
Some would call me foolish for wanting to start this blog --seeing as how I quit my job in April, and my boyfriend got laid off last month-- but I know that it's going to happen. And, honestly, it can take its time getting here; I have pounds to shed!!
Coming next post: our romance, so far. =)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)