At dinner last night, Jason and I were trying to remember the different restaurants that we had been to on Valentine's Days of years past. We knew we had visited Maple Leaf Tavern before, but I knew it hadn't been last year - we went again this year. Last year, 2019, I was in the middle of renovating the cafe and getting it ready to open in March. We actually ran a Valentine's Day event out in front of the shop to create a bit of buzz. So, our previous trip to the Tavern must have been in 2018, but I am not even sure about that. Especially because on Always Standing, I didn't mention the dinner. I just posted a photo from our wedding reception. And I should have mentioned that dinner because it was where I tried Wagyu beef for the first time - so good.
It is hard to keep the dinners straight because we also tend to go to nice/fancy restaurants on our anniversary so places and years get even more muddled. I don't seem to post about our dining experiences very much. In fact, one of the more memorable times was our very first Valentine's Day when Jason took me to La Maquette (previously a fine dining restaurant, now an event venue) and I chose the occasion to tell him that I wanted to postpone moving in together until the Fall of that year (2013). My blog post the following day talk how wonderful our day had been, with no mention of the difficult discussion or dinner location.
I have done some fun blog post to mark the occasion:
- A poem from Facebook in 2014
- Photo collage the next year, 2015
- A quiz in 2017 with Jason and my answers the following days
It wasn't until I was looking back at various years in Always Standing to write this post that I remembered it was on Valentine's Day 2016 that we made our wedding rings! For lunch we went to a cafe near the jewelry studio on Queen West but I can't remember what we did for dinner. So many wonderful meals lost in our minds. I wonder if it makes sense to better document them somehow?
Showing posts with label Jewelry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jewelry. Show all posts
Saturday, 15 February 2020
Monday, 19 March 2018
Cartouche Has Returned To Me
Item Lost: My Cartouche Deck
Time Lost: Some time in Rrunuv Bayit, maybe end of 2015
Last Place I Remember: With other decks of cards on the white bookcases
Place Found: In an old plastic storage shelf which a bunch of sunglasses
Since we moved into Casa Verde a few boxes and plastic multi-drawer storage containers have been kept in our office, waiting for me to unpack them. These are filled with old jewelry, pens, sentimental items and such. They have been driving Jason crazy so I finally decided to go through them all.
I was able to whittle what I wanted to keep down to about a shoe box worth of things that have important memories attached to them, a small bag of office supplies to take into work, and apparently over 100 tampons. We donated a lot of things, including two different point-and-shoot cameras that we came across.
I think the most important thing I found was my Cartouche cards! I mentioned missing them a few months ago. So glad they weren't lost forever, going to start using them again. Let's see what the future holds!
Time Lost: Some time in Rrunuv Bayit, maybe end of 2015
Last Place I Remember: With other decks of cards on the white bookcases
Place Found: In an old plastic storage shelf which a bunch of sunglasses
Since we moved into Casa Verde a few boxes and plastic multi-drawer storage containers have been kept in our office, waiting for me to unpack them. These are filled with old jewelry, pens, sentimental items and such. They have been driving Jason crazy so I finally decided to go through them all.
I was able to whittle what I wanted to keep down to about a shoe box worth of things that have important memories attached to them, a small bag of office supplies to take into work, and apparently over 100 tampons. We donated a lot of things, including two different point-and-shoot cameras that we came across.
I think the most important thing I found was my Cartouche cards! I mentioned missing them a few months ago. So glad they weren't lost forever, going to start using them again. Let's see what the future holds!
Sunday, 7 January 2018
Itinerary Update - Cape Town City Tour
Pre-Scheduled Post: Sunday - Cape Town City Tour
As per our trip itinerary (bar any issues/changes/complications etc.) we will ....
After a leisurely breakfast depart on a half day Cape Town city and Table Mountain tour. Driving to the city center, pass famous landmarks such as the Castle of Good Hope built in 1666 by the Dutch East India Company and City Hall, a splendid baroque building, and of course the Grand Parade. See St. George's Cathedral, the Anglican Diocese of Nobel Peace Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Pass the Company Gardens and the Malay Quarter. The route then leads to Kloof Nek and the magnificent Table Mountain. Ascend to the top (weather permitting) by means of a cable car. At the summit, see wildflowers, the famous silver tree, and marvel at a birds-eye view of the city and its beaches. On a clear day, it is even possible to see Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, on one side, and Cape Point on the other. Descend from the upper cableway station and proceed to the Milnerton Lighthouse. Later, you will have the opportunity to learn the three-billion-year-old story of diamonds while touring the prominent Shimansky Jewelers & Museum at Cape Town's famous V & A Waterfront. The 45-minute tour reveals the origins of diamond mining and includes explanations of color, cut and clarity. Following the tour (or for those who do not wish to participate) stroll through the adjacent V & A Shopping Mall with its endless shopping and dining opportunities before returning to your hotel.
As per our trip itinerary (bar any issues/changes/complications etc.) we will ....
After a leisurely breakfast depart on a half day Cape Town city and Table Mountain tour. Driving to the city center, pass famous landmarks such as the Castle of Good Hope built in 1666 by the Dutch East India Company and City Hall, a splendid baroque building, and of course the Grand Parade. See St. George's Cathedral, the Anglican Diocese of Nobel Peace Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Pass the Company Gardens and the Malay Quarter. The route then leads to Kloof Nek and the magnificent Table Mountain. Ascend to the top (weather permitting) by means of a cable car. At the summit, see wildflowers, the famous silver tree, and marvel at a birds-eye view of the city and its beaches. On a clear day, it is even possible to see Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, on one side, and Cape Point on the other. Descend from the upper cableway station and proceed to the Milnerton Lighthouse. Later, you will have the opportunity to learn the three-billion-year-old story of diamonds while touring the prominent Shimansky Jewelers & Museum at Cape Town's famous V & A Waterfront. The 45-minute tour reveals the origins of diamond mining and includes explanations of color, cut and clarity. Following the tour (or for those who do not wish to participate) stroll through the adjacent V & A Shopping Mall with its endless shopping and dining opportunities before returning to your hotel.
Monday, 25 September 2017
One Year
Jason and I just finished celebrating our One Year Wedding Anniversary during a weekend trip to San Francisco. (But we haven't eaten the special piece of cake yet.)
A little side note, the sailboat necklace that you can see me wearing in the top photo was a gift from Jason on our wedding day. The necklace that I wore on my actual wedding day, seen in the second photo, was borrowed from my mom and features my father's wedding ring.
Riding On A Bus
Muni - San Francisco
Sunday September 24, 2017
Riding On A Streetcar
TTC - Toronto
Saturday September 24, 2016
Photo by Stephanie Beach Photography
A little side note, the sailboat necklace that you can see me wearing in the top photo was a gift from Jason on our wedding day. The necklace that I wore on my actual wedding day, seen in the second photo, was borrowed from my mom and features my father's wedding ring.
Saturday, 15 April 2017
Ring Science
Jason looked up what happened to our rings yesterday and it is pretty interesting!
So, our rings are silver and the sulfur in the hot springs reacted with it, turning into 'silver sulfide,' if we had stayed in longer the colour would have moved past gold to brown to black. It is known as Black Sulphide.
To fix this, you can polish the rings, since it will normal silver below but that results in losing some of the material. Our plan is to reverse the reaction when we get home. If we put the rings with aluminium foil and baking soda than it will reduce the silver and silver Sulphide which will reform the silver metal.
There is not point doing anything about it now since we plan to visit more hot springs during the trip and exposing the rings to sulfur again. Even though Jason really doesn't like the bownish gold they are right now.
Part of the reason that gold is considered a more precious metal is that it is less reactive with other elements, so this wouldn't have happened if we hadn't gone with the cheapest material option like we did. But I love it, makes me like our silver rings even more!
So, our rings are silver and the sulfur in the hot springs reacted with it, turning into 'silver sulfide,' if we had stayed in longer the colour would have moved past gold to brown to black. It is known as Black Sulphide.
To fix this, you can polish the rings, since it will normal silver below but that results in losing some of the material. Our plan is to reverse the reaction when we get home. If we put the rings with aluminium foil and baking soda than it will reduce the silver and silver Sulphide which will reform the silver metal.
There is not point doing anything about it now since we plan to visit more hot springs during the trip and exposing the rings to sulfur again. Even though Jason really doesn't like the bownish gold they are right now.
Part of the reason that gold is considered a more precious metal is that it is less reactive with other elements, so this wouldn't have happened if we hadn't gone with the cheapest material option like we did. But I love it, makes me like our silver rings even more!
Friday, 14 April 2017
Rings, Springs, And Organizing Things - Friday In The Azores
Breakfast is included in our hotel, so after a bit of a sleep in we went downstairs to see what the buffet would look like. I was very impressed, four rows of food including a full row of bread and pastries, lots of hot food, fruit, yogurt, even chia seeds!
We went into town (Ponta Delgada) to sort out whale watching and figuring out how to get to the Islet of Vila Franca do Campo, since the ferries don't start running until May.
We booked our whale watching with Moby Dick, one of the main operators and top rated on Trip Advisor. We are going tomorrow.
While we were booking, I noticed a brochure for sailboat charters; this is one of the ways I had figured out we could get to the islet. Also, it seems like a fancy thing we normally wouldn't consider - perfect for a honeymoon treat. The lady at Moby Dick said that the brochure was for a friend and she would call him for us, a few minutes later he was leading us to the boat (that was finishing up a film shoot for a French travel show.) We booked a private full-day trip for Sunday, and have no idea what to expect!
After a quick stop back at the hotel we headed over to Caldeira Velha hot springs. It was only 2 Euros each to go in. The short walk through the forest was breathtaking, with a stream, palm trees, and ferns everywhere. We passed a small pool and patch of boiling mud (so cool!) The larger pool was a bit cold but had a natural warm water waterfall so if you stayed close to, or under, it you were fine. It was totally magical. We did spend some time in the smaller, warmer pool too. After we got out Jason noticed that our silver wedding rings had changed colour!
We booked our whale watching with Moby Dick, one of the main operators and top rated on Trip Advisor. We are going tomorrow.
While we were booking, I noticed a brochure for sailboat charters; this is one of the ways I had figured out we could get to the islet. Also, it seems like a fancy thing we normally wouldn't consider - perfect for a honeymoon treat. The lady at Moby Dick said that the brochure was for a friend and she would call him for us, a few minutes later he was leading us to the boat (that was finishing up a film shoot for a French travel show.) We booked a private full-day trip for Sunday, and have no idea what to expect!
After a quick stop back at the hotel we headed over to Caldeira Velha hot springs. It was only 2 Euros each to go in. The short walk through the forest was breathtaking, with a stream, palm trees, and ferns everywhere. We passed a small pool and patch of boiling mud (so cool!) The larger pool was a bit cold but had a natural warm water waterfall so if you stayed close to, or under, it you were fine. It was totally magical. We did spend some time in the smaller, warmer pool too. After we got out Jason noticed that our silver wedding rings had changed colour!
Tuesday, 1 March 2016
So Many Milestones!
After picking up the ring we needed to pick up the keys to Casa Verde. We closed today on our first house - such an overwhelming thought. We then hung out at the empty house for the evening and had a locksmith switch the keys for us. This is the new set, sitting on one of the pretty antique furnace grates:
Lastly, I broke my 'french fry fast' this evening when we celebrated the new house by eating Fish and Chips from a local place. In fact the owner welcomed us to the neighbourhood and offered to lend us tools. It will be dangerous having his shop (delicious food) so close, luckily it closes at 7 on most days so we won't make it home in time to eat there. We enjoyed our dinner sitting on the floor in our new dining room!
Monday, 15 February 2016
Wedding Bands
Jason and I decided to make our wedding bands at a workshop run by a local jewelry boutique - The Devil's Workshop. The course is the same cost for each couple and then depending on the ring design and choice of metal the material costs differ. We picked silver for a whopping $27 in materials and have a flat/rectangle design. Here is a series of photos I took that details a bit of the 6 hour process:
Right now my ring is still with the jewelers because I am having a chevron put into it, which was too advanced for our workshop. We brought Jason's home though, it looks awesome. His is basically the same as mine above but is thicker. Though technically the 'width' of the metal is the same and it is the 'height' of his ring that is bigger than mine, (but you get the picture.)
The studio took photos throughout the afternoon that they are sending to us later this week. Their shots will be better than the ones I got (and they have pictures of us using fire). We will incorporate a series of those ones into our wedding program.
We decided to make our own rings (instead of each others.)
Here is my work desk all set up and ready to go.
And I ran into trouble almost right away!
I asked Jason to come over and help me cut the silver to length.
Turns out I forgot to put the wax (the blue stuff) on the saw.
Hammered my ring to bring the edges together.
Check out that tight seam!
I surged ahead and had already made a rough circle shape.
Jason was still sanding his stick of silver.
Jason finally gets around to curving his metal.
It takes Jason forever to hammer the two ends together.
So I take it from him to try to help speed up the process.
Oops, I hit it too hard, now he has even more work to do.
This is why we made our own and not each others.
This is why we made our own and not each others.
Two 'circular' rings of silver
Some more hammering is needed.
We solder the ends together at the seam and try them on.
Hard to see the seams of solder in this photo but it is there.
We need to start sanding it away.
More sanding as well as using the buffer.
We both liked this part a lot.
Making them shiny!
Jason inspects our rings
after they come out of the ultrasonic cleaner
A close up of my finished ring.
Well, 'my' part of it is finished...
Right now my ring is still with the jewelers because I am having a chevron put into it, which was too advanced for our workshop. We brought Jason's home though, it looks awesome. His is basically the same as mine above but is thicker. Though technically the 'width' of the metal is the same and it is the 'height' of his ring that is bigger than mine, (but you get the picture.)
The studio took photos throughout the afternoon that they are sending to us later this week. Their shots will be better than the ones I got (and they have pictures of us using fire). We will incorporate a series of those ones into our wedding program.
Tuesday, 19 January 2016
Falling For Advertising
Yesterday I got an email from Jason asking if I wanted to go to a movie that evening, Cineplex was having a 'Blue Monday' special where it would only take 500 points to see something in any theatre. (Normally it is 1000-1500 depending on the type of theatre.) We decided to see Star Wars: Episode IIV - The Force Awakens again.
Not only did the promotion work for us, good job advertising, but the promotion is also based on an advertising created concept, double points. Similar to diamonds and engagement rings, the concept of 'Blue Monday' was created for a company, by an advertiser, in order to sell something. This date gets referenced every year and there is no actual science behind it.
Check out the CBC Article that describes the pseudoscience used by a travel company to market the end of January as a good time to book a vacation.
Not only did the promotion work for us, good job advertising, but the promotion is also based on an advertising created concept, double points. Similar to diamonds and engagement rings, the concept of 'Blue Monday' was created for a company, by an advertiser, in order to sell something. This date gets referenced every year and there is no actual science behind it.
Check out the CBC Article that describes the pseudoscience used by a travel company to market the end of January as a good time to book a vacation.
Wednesday, 26 November 2014
Wedding (In A While) Wednesday
Ok, so I don't know when the wedding will be, but Jason's best friend proposed to his girlfriend this past Friday! So, I think that engagement congratulations is an excellent choice for Wedding Wednesday. Rob and Andrea are truly an amazing couple, who also met through eHarmony. They are both such kind, smart, and fun people that the engagement news has been met with enormous amounts of joy. (It was also very exciting to know a bit ahead of time - but keeping that type of happy secret is so hard!)
Best wishes and love to Rob and Andrea!!
Now And Forever
21.11.14
Photo by Andrea
Monday, 15 September 2014
Work Week Goals
People at my office look good. (It is a design firm, filled with interior designers, graphic artists, etc. so of course they look good.) I am just not nearly as stylish or put together. I don't dress inappropriately by any means, it is just that I don't look as good. This isn't coming from a place of sadness or despair. I also don't feel defiant to stay the way I am. I just want to learn and improve and make some gradual changes. For one thing, I never wear make-up, even though doing so makes me look so much better. I also wear my hair up too much. So, I have new goals starting this week for my appearance going to work:
Everyday, I must do one of the following:
- Wear my hair down (curly or straight)
- Put in my contacts
- Wear make-up (minimum of two items)
Also, if I am wearing jeans, than I need to do something to make the outfit a bit special (so far that has meant adding a necklace.) Dress pants, skirts, or dresses are special enough as is for the moment.
Once I get used to these small upgrades than I hope to add in more until I find it easy to look amazing everyday!
Everyday, I must do one of the following:
- Wear my hair down (curly or straight)
- Put in my contacts
- Wear make-up (minimum of two items)
Also, if I am wearing jeans, than I need to do something to make the outfit a bit special (so far that has meant adding a necklace.) Dress pants, skirts, or dresses are special enough as is for the moment.
Once I get used to these small upgrades than I hope to add in more until I find it easy to look amazing everyday!
Thursday, 11 September 2014
All Dressed Up
Curls, Pearls, and The Perfect Guy
Teri and Greg's Wedding, Hockley Valley Resort
Photo by Stephanie Beach Photography
Copyright 2014
Monday, 17 March 2014
Why I Don't WANT An Engagement Ring
In connection with my previous post, Why I Don't NEED An Engagement Ring, I thought I would write about the more personal side of my lack of desire in having this item at some point in my life. In JennD's Facebook post about the issue she also stated, "I'm so glad I have my beautiful claddagh ring given by my family in the traditional Irish way." I think that is the most important thing for all relationships, engagements, weddings, and marriages - Do what you want! Do what means something to you (individually and as a couple).
Aside from a very select few friends who for various reasons aren't interested, pretty much everyone I know wants or wanted an engagement ring. And that is great! It is a beautiful gift to give and to receive. The boyfriends, fiances, and husbands of these friends all wanted to buy and give one too. It isn't a conversation you have often but I am sure in the intimacy that is a relationship at the level of engagement each of these couples have different meanings for the ring and the girls wanted them for different reasons. I am so happy for them, it is amazing to watch people you love have their dreams realized.
Here is the thing, it isn't a desire I have, it has never been a dream of mine. So unless my future fiance has anticipated the exciting moment that he buy and give an engagement ring since he was a little boy - like really really wants to - something he has hoped for all his life. If not, then I don't think it makes sense for me. For the following reasons, moving from practical to the more personally vain/stupid.
1. For all the reasons listed in the previous post: I don't like what it symbolizes, I don't believe in the tradition since it isn't longstanding or meaningful. They don't actually contain or maintain their perceived value. They are not an investment and even if they were how would that investment be realized (you aren't going to sell it upon retirement.) Mainly, personally, I don't like how unequal and gender based the practice is. OTHER SIDE: Put your own meaning on it, link the tradition to your more immediate family, it is a reminder of a very special moment in your life.
2. The cost: I don't want that money spent on something I would wear. There are so many things that I could think of to put that money towards, including the actual wedding itself. I can't imagine buying an item of jewelry for more than $200 and I am only stating such a high price because I can see value in a nice watch or higher quality earrings because of metal sensitivities. I have a hard time spending more than $40 for jeans. As I age, and gradually make more money, I am sure the amount I spend on what I wear could increase, but never to the amount that most of these rings are. OTHER SIDE: If you want something than the cost doesn't matter. Value is different for everyone. Good budgeting can usually make something affordable.
3. It is common place: I want to be unique. So, I am obviously moving on to the less practical reasons. (I am not going to provide the other side of these reasons, mainly because they are so personally connected to who I am.) I like the idea of being special. I know that it is inaccurate and arrogant but I want to think of myself and my relationships are being different than others. Engagement rings are so expected, to not have one would be a bold statement of individualism.
4. I don't like jewelry: I rarely wear it. I actually often find it uncomfortable or bothersome when wearing jewelry. I have to keep it on permanently (sleep, bath, constantly) or I would forget to put it on. I barely notice it on other people.
5. I have webbed fingers: Maybe this is the root of it all. I hate rings. The only one I ever really liked was the one I got from high school and I was really really picky about it (and still don't wear it often.) I like my hands, but I wouldn't want to draw attention to the specifics of my fingers. You can't see the webbing (most predominately between the ring and middle finger on the left hand) unless you really look and I am spreading my fingers out. However, as soon as I put a ring on the fact that it rests, often cockeyed, between my knuckle and bottom of my finger is very evident. It always looks terrible.
So, there you have it. I don't need or want an engagement ring. But a wedding band is a different story and in the far far future when I might have to deal with that I hope to figure out a way to resolve the webbed finger issue.
Aside from a very select few friends who for various reasons aren't interested, pretty much everyone I know wants or wanted an engagement ring. And that is great! It is a beautiful gift to give and to receive. The boyfriends, fiances, and husbands of these friends all wanted to buy and give one too. It isn't a conversation you have often but I am sure in the intimacy that is a relationship at the level of engagement each of these couples have different meanings for the ring and the girls wanted them for different reasons. I am so happy for them, it is amazing to watch people you love have their dreams realized.
Here is the thing, it isn't a desire I have, it has never been a dream of mine. So unless my future fiance has anticipated the exciting moment that he buy and give an engagement ring since he was a little boy - like really really wants to - something he has hoped for all his life. If not, then I don't think it makes sense for me. For the following reasons, moving from practical to the more personally vain/stupid.
1. For all the reasons listed in the previous post: I don't like what it symbolizes, I don't believe in the tradition since it isn't longstanding or meaningful. They don't actually contain or maintain their perceived value. They are not an investment and even if they were how would that investment be realized (you aren't going to sell it upon retirement.) Mainly, personally, I don't like how unequal and gender based the practice is. OTHER SIDE: Put your own meaning on it, link the tradition to your more immediate family, it is a reminder of a very special moment in your life.
2. The cost: I don't want that money spent on something I would wear. There are so many things that I could think of to put that money towards, including the actual wedding itself. I can't imagine buying an item of jewelry for more than $200 and I am only stating such a high price because I can see value in a nice watch or higher quality earrings because of metal sensitivities. I have a hard time spending more than $40 for jeans. As I age, and gradually make more money, I am sure the amount I spend on what I wear could increase, but never to the amount that most of these rings are. OTHER SIDE: If you want something than the cost doesn't matter. Value is different for everyone. Good budgeting can usually make something affordable.
3. It is common place: I want to be unique. So, I am obviously moving on to the less practical reasons. (I am not going to provide the other side of these reasons, mainly because they are so personally connected to who I am.) I like the idea of being special. I know that it is inaccurate and arrogant but I want to think of myself and my relationships are being different than others. Engagement rings are so expected, to not have one would be a bold statement of individualism.
4. I don't like jewelry: I rarely wear it. I actually often find it uncomfortable or bothersome when wearing jewelry. I have to keep it on permanently (sleep, bath, constantly) or I would forget to put it on. I barely notice it on other people.
5. I have webbed fingers: Maybe this is the root of it all. I hate rings. The only one I ever really liked was the one I got from high school and I was really really picky about it (and still don't wear it often.) I like my hands, but I wouldn't want to draw attention to the specifics of my fingers. You can't see the webbing (most predominately between the ring and middle finger on the left hand) unless you really look and I am spreading my fingers out. However, as soon as I put a ring on the fact that it rests, often cockeyed, between my knuckle and bottom of my finger is very evident. It always looks terrible.
So, there you have it. I don't need or want an engagement ring. But a wedding band is a different story and in the far far future when I might have to deal with that I hope to figure out a way to resolve the webbed finger issue.
Why I Don't NEED An Engagement Ring
JennD posted the following video on Facebook, and in her lead up stated, "I hate the commercialism culture so much that tells us what we have to buy, how much to spend, yet people truly believe the lies of advertisements." In a sense I agree with her, and I have never wanted an engagement ring. However, it is not really for the reasons shown in this video:
(For a highly researched, well written, interesting, and comprehensive article about the issues touched on in the video, read Diamonds Are Bullshit by Rohin Dhar.) I have heard these explanations before. In fact, Teri and Greg have detailed most of this for me; they even go further into the issues of diamond mining itself - something a lot of people are taking to heart. With the concept of a 'blood diamond' in mind, Dave was sure to get a Canadian diamond for Steph, and the two diamonds in Teri's ring are conflict free as well.
But it isn't the diamond aspect that bothers me, it is the engagement ring itself. I have very vain and personal reasons why I don't want one, which I don't have time to detail in this post. However, one of my main concerns has always been what it symbolizes. A point that this articles handles better than any I have ever read before. I find it hard to communicate my position or find others who have done it nicely for me - but this is close.
It is a short article, and it does cover a lot of the De Beers stuff mentioned in the video and discussed at length in the other article that I mentioned. It does also talk about "what the ring might actually signify" and "what it means." Why would this matter? I agree with O'Rouke when she explains, "Part of the reason could be that many young women, raised in a realm of relative equality, never think rigorously about the traditions handed down to them. So it's easy to simply regard a ring as a beautiful piece of jewelry and accept it in kind." But something with that much cost and that much fuss made over it, I want to really want, need, and believe in it.
I want to pause and make a differentiation between wedding bands and engagement rings - my thoughts on wedding bands are also for another post. I have always been bothered by the fact that only the women get an engagement ring, I like the idea of an engagement watch because it seems to even things out a bit. I am not a big fan of traditional gender roles and I try to challenge them in my own life as best I can.
Further explanation from O'Rourke, "Until the 1930s, a woman jilted by her fiance could sue for financial compensation... As courts began to abolish such actions, diamond ring sales rose in response to a need for a symbol of financial commitment from the groom... To be marriageable at the time you needed to be a virgin, but... a large percentage of women lost their virginity while engaged. So some structure of commitment was necessary to assure betrothed women that men weren't just trying to get them into bed... (Implicitly, it would seem, a woman's virginity was worth the price of a ring, and varied according to the status of her groom-to-be.)
On the face of it, the engagement ring's origins as a financial commitment should make modern brides-to-be wary. After all, virginity is no longer a prerequisite for marriage, nor do the majority of women consider marriageability their prime asset. Many women hope for a marriage in which housework, child-rearing, and breadwinning are equitably divided. The engagement ring doesn't fit into this intellectual framework. Rather, its presence on a woman's finger suggests that she needs to trap a man into 'commitment' or be damaged if he leaves... Nor is it exactly 'equitable' to demand that a partner shell out a sixth of a year's salary, demonstrating that he can 'provide' for you and a future family, before you agree to marry him. For those who aren't bothered by the finer points of gender equity, an engagement ring clearly makes a claim about the status of a woman's sexual currency. It's a big, shiny NO TRESPASSING sign, stating that the woman wearing it has been bought and paid for, while her beau is out there sign-free and all too easily trespassable, until the wedding."
I agree she gets a bit harsh and heavy handed. (More than a bit actually.) Though the symbolic root of it is there, I would never think of a woman wearing an engagement ring as being 'bought and paid for' - that is horrible! Not true at all in my experience. For me it still goes back the basic equality of image. In my case, I always think, "You wear that around for a year or two before your wedding, silently announcing to everyone that you are engaged; but what does your fiance have? How come they don't have any symbol of engagement? How come they choose when and where to discuss that aspect of their life but you are displaying it to all?" If he doesn't need it - than I don't need it.
(For a highly researched, well written, interesting, and comprehensive article about the issues touched on in the video, read Diamonds Are Bullshit by Rohin Dhar.) I have heard these explanations before. In fact, Teri and Greg have detailed most of this for me; they even go further into the issues of diamond mining itself - something a lot of people are taking to heart. With the concept of a 'blood diamond' in mind, Dave was sure to get a Canadian diamond for Steph, and the two diamonds in Teri's ring are conflict free as well.
But it isn't the diamond aspect that bothers me, it is the engagement ring itself. I have very vain and personal reasons why I don't want one, which I don't have time to detail in this post. However, one of my main concerns has always been what it symbolizes. A point that this articles handles better than any I have ever read before. I find it hard to communicate my position or find others who have done it nicely for me - but this is close.
By Meghan O'Rourke
It is a short article, and it does cover a lot of the De Beers stuff mentioned in the video and discussed at length in the other article that I mentioned. It does also talk about "what the ring might actually signify" and "what it means." Why would this matter? I agree with O'Rouke when she explains, "Part of the reason could be that many young women, raised in a realm of relative equality, never think rigorously about the traditions handed down to them. So it's easy to simply regard a ring as a beautiful piece of jewelry and accept it in kind." But something with that much cost and that much fuss made over it, I want to really want, need, and believe in it.
I want to pause and make a differentiation between wedding bands and engagement rings - my thoughts on wedding bands are also for another post. I have always been bothered by the fact that only the women get an engagement ring, I like the idea of an engagement watch because it seems to even things out a bit. I am not a big fan of traditional gender roles and I try to challenge them in my own life as best I can.
Further explanation from O'Rourke, "Until the 1930s, a woman jilted by her fiance could sue for financial compensation... As courts began to abolish such actions, diamond ring sales rose in response to a need for a symbol of financial commitment from the groom... To be marriageable at the time you needed to be a virgin, but... a large percentage of women lost their virginity while engaged. So some structure of commitment was necessary to assure betrothed women that men weren't just trying to get them into bed... (Implicitly, it would seem, a woman's virginity was worth the price of a ring, and varied according to the status of her groom-to-be.)
On the face of it, the engagement ring's origins as a financial commitment should make modern brides-to-be wary. After all, virginity is no longer a prerequisite for marriage, nor do the majority of women consider marriageability their prime asset. Many women hope for a marriage in which housework, child-rearing, and breadwinning are equitably divided. The engagement ring doesn't fit into this intellectual framework. Rather, its presence on a woman's finger suggests that she needs to trap a man into 'commitment' or be damaged if he leaves... Nor is it exactly 'equitable' to demand that a partner shell out a sixth of a year's salary, demonstrating that he can 'provide' for you and a future family, before you agree to marry him. For those who aren't bothered by the finer points of gender equity, an engagement ring clearly makes a claim about the status of a woman's sexual currency. It's a big, shiny NO TRESPASSING sign, stating that the woman wearing it has been bought and paid for, while her beau is out there sign-free and all too easily trespassable, until the wedding."
I agree she gets a bit harsh and heavy handed. (More than a bit actually.) Though the symbolic root of it is there, I would never think of a woman wearing an engagement ring as being 'bought and paid for' - that is horrible! Not true at all in my experience. For me it still goes back the basic equality of image. In my case, I always think, "You wear that around for a year or two before your wedding, silently announcing to everyone that you are engaged; but what does your fiance have? How come they don't have any symbol of engagement? How come they choose when and where to discuss that aspect of their life but you are displaying it to all?" If he doesn't need it - than I don't need it.
Tuesday, 25 June 2013
Quick Update
This is long long long overdue. I actually had to go back in the Always Standing archives to ensure that I really hadn't posted about it yet...
Actually their engagements occurred within weeks of each other, 7 months ago, back in December. I kept meaning to write about it but I think I was waiting until I got photos of their rings, or if they ended up doing an engagement photo shoot or something. Now it is more than a half a year later, one couple has already bought a house, one of the weddings is in less than two weeks, and I still haven't publicly congratulated them on Always Standing. (Of note, I am MC at one wedding and Maid of Honour at the other. Super excited for both!!)
So, much overdue congratulations to...
... on their wonderful engagements. I love you guys and wish all of you every possible happiness.
Two of my closest friends are engaged!
(Not to each other,
to awesome guys who are also my friends,
so FOUR friends of mine are engaged!)
Actually their engagements occurred within weeks of each other, 7 months ago, back in December. I kept meaning to write about it but I think I was waiting until I got photos of their rings, or if they ended up doing an engagement photo shoot or something. Now it is more than a half a year later, one couple has already bought a house, one of the weddings is in less than two weeks, and I still haven't publicly congratulated them on Always Standing. (Of note, I am MC at one wedding and Maid of Honour at the other. Super excited for both!!)
So, much overdue congratulations to...
Kristen & Noah
... and ...
Teri & Greg
Thursday, 18 October 2012
MC & Maid Of Honour
As promised, I am posting a link to the professional photos for Steph and Dave's wedding. You can see them HERE on the photographer's blog. (Also, check out Steph's blog to read about her favourites.) All the phtos are beautifully done! I had no doubts, the engagement/concept shoot was amazing - so, I know that we were in good hands.
When looking through them, note the shot of me writing speeches (MC duty), the sexy picture of an almost kiss with a necklace pull, the one with Teri in the background, and my favourite, the most beautiful picture of Steph getting her earrings put in by her mother. Here is a sweet shot of me tying up Steph's dress (Maid of Honour duty), Steph's sister-in-law is helping me, a flower girl looking on, and Steph's mom is in the background...
When looking through them, note the shot of me writing speeches (MC duty), the sexy picture of an almost kiss with a necklace pull, the one with Teri in the background, and my favourite, the most beautiful picture of Steph getting her earrings put in by her mother. Here is a sweet shot of me tying up Steph's dress (Maid of Honour duty), Steph's sister-in-law is helping me, a flower girl looking on, and Steph's mom is in the background...
Getting Stephanie Ready
Photo Copyright © 2012
By Genevieve Georget/Fifteen:Fifty-One Photography
Thursday, 10 May 2012
ANTM Live!
-Because Word On The Street is part of Tourism Toronto, Kristen had a discount code so that we could save a bit of money on tickets.
-Given two options we paid a bit more for the VIP admission over the regular one
-Part of the appeal of the VIP admission was a swag bag, which according to the website, was to include a Pandora bracelet. Upon arrival at the event we discovered that this was an error on the part of the event company through a misunderstanding with the company.
-In general the event was not run very well. They had multiple stages but none of the scheduled shows ran on time, with one exception - the Main Stage show.
-The Main Stage show was awesome!! There were dancers that were incredible and a bunch of the contestants from the ANTM All-Stars season.
-Kristen bought sandals and I got a hair straightener - both were so much cheaper than having bought them out in the 'real world'
-We actually met some of the ANTM All-Stars and got their autographs. Kristen took some pictures so that we could send them to Taylor and her sister - who also watch the show.
-Browsed a lot of jewelry.
-It was determined that it was like a festival, trade-show, thing. Basically Word On The Street but for models.
We hope to go again next time it is in town - even though we don't fully understand the event.
Monday, 3 January 2011
Thursday, 21 October 2010
Wrong Finger
I have started to wear my High School Ring again after finding it during my two month long unpacking into Rrunuv Bayit. (Still not done yet.) I have been wearing it on the ring finger of my right hand, and it is a little too tight. I noticed this last time I put it on. All day I kept swapping it between this finger and my two pinkys, it is a little big for the pinkys. I assumed, like the other times I have tried it on recently, that as I got older my fingers got bigger and now it doesn't fit. Then I remembered in class today that I had it fitted, when I was 19, to go on the ring finger of my left hand. Yes, where a wedding band would go. I think my reasoning was that it is always easier to wear jewelry on your non-working hand, seeing that I rarely wear any. Also that I liked the idea of being 'married to my education' and had dreams of getting university rings for the same finger. (So lame, I know.) Well, people are getting married now, married to people, and I am of the age that a ring on that finger is strange. I guess it didn't matter when I was 19, as that reality was so far away but now I would just feel weird wearing a ring on that one. It feels off limits unless it was a huge fashion ring that no one could mistake as anything. I slipped the ring on the wedding finger to check, and sure enough it fits perfectly. Stupid 19 year old self!
Monday, 8 February 2010
Paris Comes Through
I gather there have been a number of commercials lately about selling your gold/jewellery and Ter thought it might be a good idea for this pendant she had but no longer wears. However, neither Ter nor I had any idea of its worth and didn’t want the sketchy “Sell You Gold” type store to take advantage of that. So, on the way into Paris on Saturday Teri and I stopped at a Mississauga mall to see if a jeweller could give a rough estimate of what it could be sold for. This was a very snobby mall, any mall that contains a Holt Renfrew is pretty upscale. We went into 3 or 4 jewellery stores, including Peoples and Birks but no one would talk to us. They kept saying, “Oh, only gemologist can tell you that.” Even though we were only asking for a brief approximation. For these places to have their gemologist look at it would cost $40 for an appraisal, which was way more official than needed.
I finally just said to Teri that we should try in Paris at the local jewellery store since he is super nice and I’m sure could tell her about the pendant. I seem to remember bringing in some pieces I had at one point and he told me about them. (It is also the place I bought my High School Ring and just in general the place my family and I go get things repaired, cleaned etc.) She was very discouraged and quite sceptical. However, we were getting no where at this mall. I kept insisting we try again when we got to Paris since we had to go shopping downtown anyways. When we got into Paris we ended up doing a few errands downtown and sure enough decided to try out Paris Jewellers, the local guy. I was worried that my faith in the kindness and general helpfulness of small town people would fall though. I like to think that, regardless of location, humanity will come through for the best, but cynical people get me scared that it isn’t always the case. However, in my experience it really usually is.
He came through, and was amazing. Looked at it with his loop, told us what carat of gold it was, approximately how many carats of diamonds were in it, and what its value was new. He also told us that he thought it was a piece from Peoples that they had a few years back. We had gone into Peoples!!! They hadn’t told us anything. He also said he would be able to buy it but only at its wholesale price, which would be less, and so he gave Teri suggestions of where to go to sell it and how much to ask for. We were so surprised at his willingness to share his expertise at no cost to us and even give suggestions to sell that would be best for Teri and not himself. Such a kind man!! I was proud of my small town. Paris truly is amazing!!
I finally just said to Teri that we should try in Paris at the local jewellery store since he is super nice and I’m sure could tell her about the pendant. I seem to remember bringing in some pieces I had at one point and he told me about them. (It is also the place I bought my High School Ring and just in general the place my family and I go get things repaired, cleaned etc.) She was very discouraged and quite sceptical. However, we were getting no where at this mall. I kept insisting we try again when we got to Paris since we had to go shopping downtown anyways. When we got into Paris we ended up doing a few errands downtown and sure enough decided to try out Paris Jewellers, the local guy. I was worried that my faith in the kindness and general helpfulness of small town people would fall though. I like to think that, regardless of location, humanity will come through for the best, but cynical people get me scared that it isn’t always the case. However, in my experience it really usually is.
He came through, and was amazing. Looked at it with his loop, told us what carat of gold it was, approximately how many carats of diamonds were in it, and what its value was new. He also told us that he thought it was a piece from Peoples that they had a few years back. We had gone into Peoples!!! They hadn’t told us anything. He also said he would be able to buy it but only at its wholesale price, which would be less, and so he gave Teri suggestions of where to go to sell it and how much to ask for. We were so surprised at his willingness to share his expertise at no cost to us and even give suggestions to sell that would be best for Teri and not himself. Such a kind man!! I was proud of my small town. Paris truly is amazing!!
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