A first-rate version of yourself

“Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else.” Judy Garland

http://fightforthefuture.org/

http://sopastrike.com/#how-to-strike

What people want from technology is usually pretty clear...

People love huge open libraries of music, books and video. They don't like censorship and legal landmines that get you sued for making amazing things. They love privacy and open platforms to create and invent. They're happy to pay for good stuff, but hate being coerced to pay for mediocrity and middlemen.

And people are right to want all these things, even when governments and corporations, with their own narrow interests, try to paint this new, expansive cultural freedom as dangerous or destructive. Our goal is to make the public's interest vividly clear, so clear that not even the most powerful lobbyists and smartest monopolies can destroy it.

We're living during a global shift as big as the industrial revolution. Because of the internet, our future will work very differently than the world our parents and grandparents created. We, as a society, are literally building a new world. Fight for the Future is here to bring the most essential human values back into the debate about how society uses technology. We believe there's hardly anything as important as ensuring that our shared future has freedom of expression and creativity at its core.

To do it, we need your help. If you have ideas, tell us. If you care about this stuff too, follow us in whatever way’s best for you (email's best for us). We'll be gentle on your inboxes, and we'll try our best to only send things that are awesome. When we do, share it. Hard. Popularity and passion make good ideas dangerous to special interests.

We're friends with EFF, Public Knowledge, FSF, Creative Commons, Demand Progress, Mozilla, Question Copyright and many more. We care passionately about making real concrete change, and we are here to be successful. Plus we're hiring.

To be a bit more concrete, we're asking:

• After spending thousands of years building libraries of donated books, why do governments try to tear them down when they happen spontaneously online?
• Why can't I give money directly to every musician I like, instead of paying Apple or Spotify and leaving virtually nothing in the pockets of the artists?
• Why does the US pay so much for cellphone service? And for slow internet?
• How is it possible that singing "Happy Birthday" in public is still illegal, and why does anyone stand by these laws?
• Will every kid growing up in every developing country have access to every book ever made, as soon as they get a smartphone? Or will the books cost $12, an impossible expense for a poor kid?
• Why have we all been sitting idly while the movie and music lobbyists have been systematically advancing legislation that strips freedoms, blocks innovation, and exclusively advances Hollywood's financial agenda?

Vintage Condition Grading System - II

Condition Ratings

*** Source: Price Guide to Costume Jewelry, Third Edition by Harrice Simons Miller

Mint: New, never worn.

Near Mint: No apparent wear.

Excellent: No chipping or fading of finish or enamel; no missing, yellowed, or darkened rhinestones; no worn prongs or edges. If stones have been replaced, it should not be obvious.

Very Good: No missing or dead stones, no peeling pearls, minor chips in the enamel or slight wear on the prongs or edges.

Good: Any flaws do not affect wearability. Under a loupe there may be spotting in the foil, minor darkening or graying rhinestones, minor yellowing and signs of wear. Professional repairs.

Fair: Visible damage, missing or darkened stones, broken closures, severe wear. Old repairs with solder evident on reverse.

Poor: Stones chipped, scratched or missing; dents and holes in metal; some missing prongs.

Colour Trends for 2012

Here are the colour forecasts for 2012...


"70s appliances": Gold, almond, avocado green, and muted mustard

Layered neutrals: Oatmeals, browns, tans, and grays.

Pastels: Blush pink, robin's egg blue, and mint green.

Graphic Black and White: This combo is being used in geometric, bold applications, which is pretty exciting. 




Tangerine Tango: Pantone, a globally recognized authority on colour chose this cheerful, feel-good colour to help keep spirits high.

For further information: International Colour Authority (ICA) and Pantone

Merry Christmas and a Happy 2012!

Start with a brooch

Coro, 1940s

"If you want to start a collection, start with a brooch because you will find most use for it. It can be pinned on a suit lapel, collar or pocket, on a hat, belt, or evening gown." - Coco Chanel

Sarah Coventry,  early 1960s

Trifari, 1960s

What a smart quote! I totally agree! And if you're like me, maybe you would prefer a classic piece for everyday wear, something nice to go with style to work, to the cinema or just hang around  with friends, and probably you would choose something dazzling to wear on special occasions. But a brooch is definetly a must have piece!

Avon 1971

Unsigned, 1950s

All brooches presented are available at "Absolutely Fabulous!" shop, at Dawanda

Necklaces lenght

Women's necklaces are often classified by length.

Choker

35 centimetres (14 in) to 41 centimetres (16 in) long and sits high on the neck.

Princess necklace

A princess necklace is 45 centimetres (18 in) to 50 centimetres (20 in) long, longer than a choker, but shorter than a matinee.

Matinee necklace

A matinee length necklace is 56 centimetres (22 in) to 58 centimetres (23 in) long - typically a single strand that rests at the top of the cleavage.

Opera necklace

An opera necklace is 75 centimetres (30 in) to 90 centimetres (35 in) long and sits at the breastbone.

Sautoir or rope necklace

A sautoir or rope necklace is any necklace longer than opera length.

Lariat necklace

A lariat is a very, very long variation on the sautoir or rope, without a clasp, often worn draped multiple times around the neck; the ends can be crossed over, looped, or knotted in various ways. This type of necklace sometimes incorporates a loop at one or both ends to allow it to be worn in the style of a lasso, or it may be worn doubled over with the ends passed through the loop formed in the middle.

Men's necklaces do not generally use these terms, though a very short necklace is still known as a choker. Men typically call their necklaces "chains."