Those hours between 6 and noon

I often wake up early in the morning after I've had a few days off, like today. Problem is, I have to be at work tonight. The plan recently has been to get up and then go back to bed between noon and 2pm until 5 or 6.

But what to do in those random hours?

Today I was purusing Off Beat Brides again (I can not wait until they launch Off Beat Home and I can feel not so incredibly random reading a website that has nothing to do with me) and they showcased this awesome company: Brilliant Earth. Brilliant Earth is dedicated to ethical jewelry, whether that means mining diamonds in Canada, working with a specific sapphire mine in Malawi to ensure the miners are properly compensated, using recycled gold, or only supporting pearl farmers who don't damage the oyster and mussel eco system. This is SO AWESOME because I have always wanted a gorgeous engagement ring but ever since I saw Blood Diamond, I have been 100% opposed to diamonds and extremely wary of all precious stones. I was glad to see that Brilliant Earth shares my skepticism of the Kimberly Process (after all, even though Blood Diamond advertised the process, the movie begins with the premise that diamonds can be smuggled into "Kimberly approved" areas from conflict areas).

Anyway, these are the gorgeous rings I found. They happen to be vintage/antique rings, which I am up in the air about. On one hand you're recycling a ring so there is less impact to the environment and you lower the demand for new stones (plus they are generally more unique and thus more amazing), but on the other hand, I just do not want to look at my ring every day and wonder if I am wearing some small child's life on my finger. *shudder*

But these settings can serve as inspiration either way:

This one is just so me. Simple, with a splash of blue: I love it. My mom's engagement ring is a sapphire with diamonds on either side so of course growing up I just came to think that is what engagement rings should look like. I like the idea of having the reverse of that. Plus, I need a ring where the stones are secure and not sitting on top of the ring where they can get caught on gloves or cut a kid while I am trying to hold them down.

This one is just exquisite. I absolutely adore the light blue diamond and the hearts on either side. Again with sapphires to the sides as well. Plus the setting is just downright GORGEOUS. You can't see it well from the size of these pictures but there are little hearts engraved on all sides. I love hearts. I am such a girl. This is definitely not a ring that could be worn to work. Well, not without a care-ring anyway (invented by the wife of a Medic at work and not yet for sale to the general public. Google it in a few months.)

Brilliant Earth also has other jewelry available. This happens to be a conflict free Indian garnet. One of the first of it's kind and soooooooooooo beautiful.

Now that I have successfully wasted many hours, it's time to head back to sleep! Only one day of work this week, then 2 days of Advanced Trauma Life Support Class (!!!) and it's off to a weekend of fun, including Debb's high school winter "rave" dance. Can't wait to rock out with my Forever 21 black and zippery vest-ish dress (purchased and worn prior to learning about their sinful business practices) and bright blue tights from Target! Will be AWESOME!

The End in Here!!!

Yesterday was officially the end of my 6 for 30 experiment and I am sooooooooooooooo glad! I got so tired of it that I stopped taking pictures, obviously. I failed to accessorize well and this last week it's been too warm to wear my sweaters (about which I am most definitely NOT complaining!) In celebration of the end of boredom and the beginning of warmer weather I am decked out in my jean mini, thigh high grey socks with pink tassels (a gift from my F.E. sister), pink tank top, graphic T from Target (a great 10 dollar buy that I love to wear), and my grey and pink fleece. Maybe I'll find the motivation to take a picture later.

Even though I failed to make my 6 in 30 an appealing adventure, I did learn a few things:
1. People don't notice that you wear the same things over and over. Or if they do, they don't care. As long as it doesn't smell and you don't look like a slob, no one is going to say anything.
2. I would rather have a dozen articles of clothing I love to wear than a closet full of clothes I feel "meh" about.

Also, I was so fashion deprived during the last month that I spent more time reading my fashion websites and so I learned about the horrible business practices of some of the discount clothing chains, including my personal favorite: Forever 21. Sad. It turns out that they have been accused of copying high end clothing (and I've seen the photos), which is unethical and uncreative. Some of the people they ripped off of are still trying to start labels and can't afford to sell their clothes for cheaper so it's doubly wrong, in my book. Also they've been paying substandard wages through ridiculous loopholes to immigrants around the country. Apalling!
As much I wish it weren't true, that means no more Forever 21 for me. *cries* It's not all bad though, after all fast-food fashion or disposable clothing, is much more expensive in the long run. I buy a shirt for 10 bucks and wear it once or twice, versus spending 35 on a shirt I'll wear 30-50 times.
The end result is that I now have to be on the lookout for better clothes, just like I look for better food. Locally made, second hand, eco-friendly etc. I try to think of it as a fun challenge instead of a burden. That's how I finally managed to go organic to the extent that I have so I have high hopes.

...also, H&M apparently do not follow the shadyness of Forever 21 so I still have one store...

::EDIT::

<--After shopping Sar snapped this picture of me with my haul.

$100 later I have awesome fur boots, a rocking silver pearl necklace, a gorgeous scarf, and 4 valentine plates. -->

And I found my new favorite Starbucks drink: Toffee Mocha Frap with Whip. Salty sweet goodness in a cup!

Days 13-19: aka week 3-ish

Ah, it's been so long...Let's see...

Well I worked Monday and Tuesday.

Wednesday I literally slept all day. All day. Except for 2.5 hours (split into two seperate periods of time) where I was up long enough to eat and watch an episode of Gilmore Girls with Sarah in my PJs. So no pictures from that day.

Then Thursday I'd finally recovered and the roomie and I posed for this masterpiece:

That's right. She is Ursula from The Little Mermaid. It was a costume for Spirit Week at her school. And it is awesome. (I'm supposed to be Ariel and this is the scene where Ursula steals her voice.)

I finally met with a mortgage broker (she called me a golden nugget) and looked at houses Thursday, before riding with Sarah to Dayton to see Lindsay and Matt (and watch a very disappointing Inception)

Then back to work Friday and Saturday (after Xroads, of course) and then finally we arrive at today.

I drove around looking at neigborhoods since my house hunting Thursday was fruitless. Then I ran to Walmart where I picked up birth control and prenatal vitamins. (The irony was not lost on me and thus the slightly confused facial expression I chose for today's picture.) I'm trying to grow my hair out and Abby recommends prenatal vitamins for that. At first I was a little wary, seeing as I don't want to overload my body with iron and folic acid with no fetus to use it up (that's right, nooooooo fetus) but since they tell you to start taking them before you are pregnant I decided the chances of it killing me are probably pretty low.