Consistency

Well, I'm nothing if not consistent.

Here's a look at the ring from this year's trip to Martha's Vineyard. (The green peridot in white gold, as seen yesterday.) Next to it, the citrine in yellow gold with tiny little diamond chips--the one from last year. Two different jewelry stores, but remarkably similar styles, no?

Sure, the citrine has a little curve to its edges, while the peridot has straight sides. The citrine's facets are straight lines across the top, while the peridot is checkered. And those tiny diamond chips make the citrine a slightly "dressier" ring, but still . . . it's obvious that my tastes haven't changed much in the last year, huh?

So, let me ask you--what's YOUR current favorite piece of jewelry? (Assuming you wear jewelry, of course.) Does your "favorite" change over time? Or has one piece been a favorite for years? My mother, for example, wears the same jewelry--diamond stud earrings, wedding/engagement ring, and a Martha's Vineyard watch every single day. She varies some other pieces, but those three things you can count on. I, on the other hand, while wearing a ring and a pair of earrings every day, vary those pieces every day. But still, there are earrings I pick up more often than others, rings that get worn at least twice a week. So, consider it a meme. You're tagged just by reading (sneaky, I know). Let me see your favorite (or favorites), or even just what jewelry you're wearing today. (Hint: Pictures would be great! I love admiring jewelry.)

I was just saying to Risa today that my stash is marginally out of control. Usually it fits pretty nicely into those three bins at the top of my closet, but at the moment it's sort of overflowing. Since February, I've gotten--just as an example--enough Cascade 220 for three sweaters, and enough Silky Wool for two. And that doesn't count a plethora of sock yarn and lace yarn which have somehow added themselves to my collection.

And then, today, I heard about the Summer of Stash (SOS) Along. The idea is to go from Memorial Day to Labor Day (this weekend until the first weekend of September, for those of you who don't know the US holiday schedule) without buying yarn. You're allowed two exceptions, though (like, being in a sock-yarn club, or souvenir yarn for an upcoming vacation--whatever you want), and you're encouraged to plan a post-Labor Day reward for yourself. Nor does it restrict the accoutrements of knitting like patterns or needles. All in all, It sounds like it's just what I need, don't you think?? I saw it over at Two Pointy Sticks, a new-to-me blog. It certainly sounds doable, and maybe I could reward myself with one of the many St*rmore kits I've been eyeing for so long . . .

In fact, that sounds like a plan, doesn't it?? (grin)

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Booking Through Thursday

1. What are the last five books that you finished reading?
   This is easy. In reverse order: Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn, The Outermost House by Henry Beston, Learning to Bow by Bruce Feiler, Summers at Castle Auburn by Sharon Shinn, and The Wind-Up Bird Chronicles by Haruki Murakami.
2. How long did it take you to read them?
   Well, let's see. I read all five since the 17th and finished Ella last night, so . . . a week?
3. Did you enjoy reading these books? Why or why not?
   Well, the Wind-Up Bird Chronicles wasn't really my cup of tea, though impressive. Ella Minnow Pea and Summers are both books I've read multiple times, so, well, yeah. Learning to Bow was really interesting, about an American teacher adapting to modern Japan, and the Outermost House was strongly, descriptively evocative of Cape Cod Massachusetts--which is why I brought it along on vacation last week.

Comments

[Shanti]

I'm not much on jewelry wearing, although I do buy a good deal when I'm traveling overseas (Only overseas though, never in the US, I have no idea why, it just works out that way.) The only thing I wear besides a digital watch (multiple time zones, alarm and stopwatch make it vital for work) is my starfish pendant and necklace. I got it at Tiffany right after I got back from Iraq in 2003 and I haven't worn anything else since. Again, I have no idea why.

[Chris]

I don't wear a lot of jewelry and what I do - it's on for the long haul. Simple small gold hoop earrings. A simple gold chain necklace. A simple gold pinky ring that I had copied from a crappy brass ring I bought at a Ren Fest - the gold ring is a moebius, which entertains me no end.

[Cara]

In the early to mid 90s I wore a lot of chunky gold with lots of gemstones. Then I stopped wearing jewelry altogether. Then I got married. My favorite jewelry ever is my diamond, sapphire and platinum band that I designed and modeled after my grandmother's wedding band. I catch myself looking at it sometimes and admiring it. I still love it very very much since we were married almost five years ago.

I don't wear it all the time though - it's very fitted so if I get hot and my finger swells it can get a tad uncomfortable. The only thing I wear 24/7 is the plain platinum band I got married in. That never comes off. :)

Your rings are beautiful and good luck with that stash thing. ;-)

[jess]

Those two rings are very similar. I really like them both! :)

My favorite jewelry is the stuff I wear everyday and don't take off: my wedding band, my engagement ring, my Italian horn necklace, my silver hoop earrings. Each item is fairly simple because that's much more my style than elaborate, ornate items.

When DH and I got engaged, there was no ring. I didn't want one, either. After about a month he said he wanted me to have one, so we picked one out together. It's a sapphire instead of a diamond, a very simple platinum band and setting, and I absolutely love it and wear it every day (I didn't expect that).

My favorite pair of earrings are red coral stars. I lost one of them on my last flight to Seattle, so I actually bought a second set -- now I have three of those earrings!

In random information: I'm allergic to gold, so all of my jewelry is silver or platinum. :)

[Carole]

Okay, I'll post the jewelry. I wear the same thing every day!

[Babs]

Pearl earrings.....and a oval jade pendant that I got in San Francisco's Chinatown with an inscription (prosperity...which in China means food, shelter & a male son....last one makes me laugh).....as my major was Chinese Art History (hello?....and we will use that how.....turned out to be a joy and did teach me much).....as for reading: ELLA MINNOW PEA.....is WONDERFUL.....and a favorite book......aren't you a precious pumpkin!....yes, you are!......and if you can, would you please eat a Jersey Beefsteak tomato and say: this one's for you!.....lordy, no where else in this country do tomatoes taste as good......hope your mom's diamond studs are as big as rocks!......cause she deserves it, doncha think?

[Beth]

Both of those rings really are gorgeous. I've got fat stubby fingers so NEVER wear any. In any case, I'm off to photo my favorite bit of jewelry. :)

[minnie]

i don't wear much jewelry, but i do have a couple of pieces i wear continuously. my engagement ring, and the necklace bought to match it (i'm such a shopper, you got the necklace free if you bought the ring, lol, and i pointed it out to mark when he was ring hunting), and a hematite ring that i've had over a year. those things don't usually last that long (they are purported to absorb negative energy, but i've been burning all that off with knitting, lol).

[Cathi]

Hooray for the Summer of Stash. I should realy join. I have about 35 or bins of stash yarn for sweaters, socks and lace yarn. I have collected so much I am a yarnaholic for sure.
Your rings are georgeous,makes me want one. As for jewelry I wear the same every day. A diamond and ruby anniversary band that my late husband bought me our last anniversary before he passed and my diamond and ruby earrings. Boring I know!!!!

[Risa]

Very pretty rings and yes, consistent. While I have a box full of jewelry, I tend to wear the same things every day. What I wear are a pair of diamond stud earrings, diamond pendant (which is my engagement ring reset), watch and a Tiffany Heart bracelet that I got as payment for making a quilt. I used to wear alot of rings, but since the kids showed up, I cut back on the jewelry.

Hmm, that stash-a-long sounds like the solution for me too. EVen with moving and tossing a load of stuff, I have way more than I can use right now. I do think I'll be joining you.

[JessaLu]

Very pretty rings :o)

My favorite piece of jewelry was my great-grandmother's. It's a watch my great-grandfather gave her for their 50th wedding anniversary in 1963. It's platinum and diamonds - I can't post it on my blog because some of my family members read it and are totally pissed that I have the watch (long story) - and I don't want to 'stir the pot' so to speak ;o) I'll email you a photo if you'd like to see it :o)

The item I wear every day without fail is a necklace that was my grandmother's. It's a single aquamarine on a silver chain. Makes me feel like she's with me always :o)

[Nancy]

Your new ring is really beautiful! I love modern and simple settings. I understand the jewelry on vacation thing. On of my favorite pairs of earrings (silver and opal) came from a shop just outside the entrance to Zion Nat'l Park.

I might just put that SOS on my sidebar - I should certainly follow that approach!

[terby]

I'm not a big jewelry wearer. My favorite piece is my wedding band, which has a 2-band celtic knot pattern on it. And a friend just gave me a lapis pendant, which I've been wearing a lot. I like rings, but I wear latex gloves for work a lot, and they tend to get in the way.