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DJ/Radio Producer-turned-Lawyer attempts to dress like a grown-up. Sometimes I comically fail. And I occasionally post fun stuff, like music videos, book-club reviews, or photos of beauty or oddity.
FYI: I was doing this entire blog from my Android phone, snatching moments out of my busy life for quick photos. But I hate auto-correct with a purple passion, so now I'm using the computer for most of the work. I am still using my phone for the photos, though. My photo sizes may be erratic, and the quality isn't stellar. I am not a professional blogger, and do not have time for lots of scenic poses with a great camera. I don't even own a great camera! However, I DO appreciate your continued feedback, even in the absence of photographic artistry.

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Statement Rings

Friday theme: "Statement Rings"

I have a couple of rings... gifts, sentimental, pretty. But I can't wear them now because my fingers are fat! Truthfully, I'm not much of a ring person anymore, so that day's theme for the challenge I've been trying didn't look like it would happen.

But one ring I have worn daily for almost four years... and it does make a statement for me:

Uploaded from the Photobucket Android App

Yep, my wedding ring. Did I "choose" it? Not exactly... I found it on the ground when I was twenty, and hung onto it. Some would probably be appalled that Hubby didn't buy a lovely ring for me and that I never had an engagement ring. Hubby feels a little bad that he couldn't get a diamond ring for me, and I think he has a hard time understanding that I truly don't care about having a big sparkly "trophy" of his love.

When we decided to get married, we were flat broke. Hubby had just followed me to MI because I found a job there, then was offered and accepted his current job in NY perhaps two weeks after his arrival. We had not even unpacked before I learned that we had to move again! When I told my mom, after having only been back to MI for my new job for two months... she roared with laughter!

We had a quickie "legal" wedding, which we did as a handfasting, a week before Hubby had to report to his NY job. By the time we had the "ceremonial" wedding in MI three months later, I had completed my third cross-country U-Haul move within a year.

My car was totaled, and we couldn't afford to buy another yet. Our first six months in NY, we took buses to work and navigated grocery shopping on buses with rolling luggage-- we got some funny looks from the staff in Wal-Mart! We would also walk with our laundry in rolling luggage to and from the laundromat.

So, no money for rings. So I pulled out the "foundling", and decided that it would do. And I have no desire to "upgrade" later when we could afford it.... It's a symbol that whatever we gain from our wedding onward, we have entirely done it together.

Some people would ask why no prenup? After all, we are both lawyers. Prenuptial agreements are largely to protect the wealthier spouse (or the one with greater earning potential) from unfair asset distribution upon divorce. Or to protect assets for the benefit of preexisting children. Our educational level/earning potential is approximately the same. Neither of us had any assets-- just liabilities which remain "individual". I owe more in student loans, but Hubby has another financial liability in the form of Stinky. Since we started our life together on an essentially equal footing, a prenup would simply be an exercise in selfishness. We're not "friends with benefits"... we are a team.

Except on my blog... the fashion flops are my own! So for the rest of Friday's outfit:

To be fair, the green in the scarf does match the sweater, it just doesn't look like it in the pic:

Uploaded from the Photobucket Android App

Yes, I'm standing on a scale to get my mirror pic. No, I didn't weigh myself... that's how me and my second chin can still smile....

The scarf is actually one of those "rain scarves" the old ladies wear to protect their "set" hair. The fabric is thick and hard to keep folded, which seems to be why it didn't lie flatter.

Uploaded from the Photobucket Android App

The little bead dangles on my earrings amuse me for some reason:

Uploaded from the Photobucket Android App

I'm sooo glad I didn't wear my brown suede shoes... due to Winter Storm Nemo, my shoes got pretty wet:

Uploaded from the Photobucket Android App

An old pic of my barrette:

Uploaded from the Photobucket Android App

I've been so drained due to the constant stress Hubby's situation is putting on me. I haven't seen the inside of the gym in two weeks, and my diet has gone from bad to appalling. I haven't even had the energy to do my hair often. So I'm back to (shorter) ponytails for ease.

Saturday and Sunday themes: I didn't leave the house so I skipped those days in the challenge.

Sweater: St John's Bay from JC Penney via consignment shop
Earrings: Jacklyn Smith from KMart
Barrette: gift from Mom
Pants: Fashion Bug
Shoes: Aerosoles

13 comments:

  1. yes the scarf does match the sweater :) I hope things get better in the coming weeks, it sounds like you guys both need a break.

    Your story is a reminder of what's really important in a relationship or marriage.

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  2. I love your wedding ring story, but can't help wondering about whoever lost the ring.

    he thing I remember most about my wedding was the vow "To share with you all that is to come." It still moves me to think of those words, and I think that is the true meaning of marriage.

    For your other rings, have you thought about wearing them on a chain, with or without or charms?

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  3. I love how you refer to the "team" - that's how I think about my husband and me too, all-in together for whatever comes. Love your green sweater and coordinating scarf, and thanks for linking up!

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  4. I was very touched by the story of your "choice" of wedding ring. The point of the ring is to symbolise togetherness forever rather than being about how big a diamond someone can afford as a symbol of their commitment. Your gesture was big on love and big on commitment.

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  5. I love your wedding ring story. I've been married twice and bought my ring for both marriages. Some people thought that I was crazy, but I didn't care. So, good for you!

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  6. Lovely story.
    The green sweater looks great on you, too.

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  7. Great Post!

    Loving this look ! Nothing can go wrong with that also love the topic statement rings :D
    your's is so pretty !!

    Love,

    Jen

    www.the-fashion-milkshake.blogspot.nl

    ReplyDelete
  8. Lovely, specially the sweater and the scarf! Thank you so much for stopping by! Have a great week <3

    x♥x♥

    "Saúde & Beleza - Health & Beauty"




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  9. The scarf looks perfect with the sweater. I love the color combo you chose. You look lovely.
    Thank you for sharing your history with us. You are quite a wonderful couple and I wish you both the best. Life is a journey and not all of it is perfect but it makes us who we are.

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  10. that is a nice story behind your ring and relationship...thanks for sharing :)
    i can tell that the scarf matches, but even if it didn't i think it's ok to not be so matchy-matchy! you look nice in green!

    rockoomph.blogspot.com
    mobilemorsels.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. i can tell your sweater and scarf match. i like your fun socks and earrings with the barrette too. i like your ring story. it's real life. i'm not into rings either. i hope things get better with your husband. i'm so sorry you both have to go through all that.

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  12. Your wedding ring story is similar to mine; my ring is very inexpensive but I wouldn't trade it for anything. My wedding set (engagement ring and wedding band) was under $250 because, at the time, that was all he could afford. We could afford much more now, but it wouldn't do; I'm attached to the set I have. These are sentimental, and while I would love a bigger rock or something sparkly they could never REPLACE this set.

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  13. Hi Amy! My apologies for my absence to your blog. I've been a bit absent from the blogosphere ever since I tore my meniscus five months ago. It seems like I've spent all this time either in the hospital or doctors' visits and don't seem to be any closer to feeling any relief from pain.
    That said, I loved this post! Would you believe I've never worn a marriage ring? Husband number one got me a half carat (which at the time and on his student salary seemed like five!) and this time around, we didn't even bother. I won't lie to you--I wish I did have a ring. Not as a symbol of anything in particular but more like a memento from a special day. Like your ring, it would have a special meaning. But alas, such is not the case and after ten years, it now defeats the purpose. Sigh.
    I love the earrings! And you are looking lovely, pony tail and all! :)

    ReplyDelete