First things first… thank you to everyone who participated in the SOPA protest!  I have updated the original post with the good news and a link to the truly outstanding stats!

Nextie, I have updated the text link to subscribe to Style & Angst via RSS or email, which you will find at the top of the right sidebar.  Apparently there were some issues with the old one, so if you tried to subscribe and couldn’t you shouldn’t have any issues if you try again. If you do have any problems, please just leave a message in the comments!

And lastly, LongLocks, or rather Style & Angst, has joined Pinterest!  If you’d like to follow Style & Angst, you can do so using the button that also appears at the top of the right sidebar.  I’ll be posting LongLocks hair jewelry designs and other beautiful and eclectic art I come across in my travels on the web.  If you are not yet a member and you’d like an invite, please feel free to request one using our Contact Us form.

Have a great weekend everyone!

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I am thrilled to tell you that the internet-wide protest was a great success and both the SOPA and PIPA bills were dropped by Congress yesterday (the 20th). The protest was seen by huge numbers, check them out at SOPA Strike. Thank you to all who participated and changed what was thought to be a sure thing!

The LongLocks HairSticks Boutique and Style & Angst blog are participating in an internet-wide protest against two bills currently being considered in the US House and Senate. Called SOPA and PIPA, these bills threaten to destroy the internet as we know it.

If either one passes, your favorite sites could disappear forever.

CLICK HERE TO ACT NOW

CALL YOUR SENATOR AND ASK THEM TO VOTE “NO” FOR PIPA

JOIN US

Filed under: Angst

Related musings:

1. The Importance of Fighting the SOPA and PIPA Bills

As an artist and webmaster, I am obviously very concerned about copyright and intellectual property rights, and actively work to protect mine. However, as an artist and webmaster I am also among the group that will be most affected by and supposedly “protected” by these bills, and I am vehemently opposed to SOPA and PIPA.

On Wednesday, January 18 much of the internet will be going black or displaying their support of the fight against passage of these bills, and longlocks.com is no exception. I hope you will join me in fighting against that which aims to break the foundation of the internet as it exists today.

-Susan Maxwell Schmidt

Filed under: Angst

Related musings:

1. Save the Internet, Stop SOPA/PIPA NOW!
2. Giving the BBB (Better Business Bureau) a Rating of FFF

Hand Tinted Italian Foil LongLocks MineraliStix

Four new LongLocks MineraliStix designs have been posted in the LongLocks catalog, one “last chance” special order design has been posted in Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow, and the Special Edition Designs page has been updated!

Today’s Tip: Did you know that the Zodiac birthstone for Taurus is sapphire and that the traditional gift for a 2nd wedding anniversary is dryer lint? Find all these and more fascinating facts about traditional, modern and Zodiac birthstones, as well as anniversary gemstones in our Ultimate Guide to Birthstones, Anniversary Gems, Zodiac Gemstones and Their Lore! Oh, and I may have been kidding about the dryer lint ;)

Filed under: Style

Related musings:

1. New LongLocks MineraliStix Hair Jewelry Designs!
2. The GREATEST Gurly Web Time Waster of ALL TIME
3. New BridalStix Hair Jewelry Designs Posted in the LongLocks Catalog!

So, after I ended up sending back about 1/3 of what I ordered the first time, Newport News had a 75% off clearance sale and I thought it might be a good idea to try to fill in the spots left open by my returns (that sounds like a good reason, right?) Below are the images of what I bought in round deux.

If I had to guess, the crochet-trimmed tank with the band at the hem (which never looks good on anybody) and the raspberry pink tee at the bottom will also be going back, but you never know, I might be surprised! I will, of course, let you know how I make out.

Filed under: Style

Related musings:

1. Details of My Newport News & Spiegel Shopping Spree: Unexpected Style
2. Halo by Shoshana Hair Bands – 2 Days Only!
3. The Latest Fashion Trend: Sequins! And They’re Not Just for Holidays!

Five new LongLocks PearliStix designs have been posted in the LongLocks catalog, one “last chance” special order design has been posted in Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow, and the Special Edition Designs page has been updated!

RIP MystStix

I’ll miss you! The LongLocks MystStix style has been officially retired and whatever few are left can be found in Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow.

An Important Note

If you ever have any trouble seeing updated pages in the boutique, just force your browser to reload the page by holding down CTRL and clicking “Refresh.” Local ISPs can cache pages differently, even though we do all we can on our end to prevent that.

Today’s Tip

Find that you’re losing a lot more hair recently? Have your thyroid checked, excessive hair shedding is often a sign of thyroid trouble!

I’m not sure if you’ll be hearing from me again before the holidays are over, so let me wish everyone a happy one! And as always, thank you for your interest in LongLocks HairSticks!

Filed under: Style

Related musings:

1. New LongLocks PearliStix Designs Posted in the LongLocks Hair Jewelry Catalog!
2. New PearliStix Hair Jewelry Designs Posted at LongLocks!
3. New FantasyStix Upscale Hair Sticks Posted in the LongLocks Catalog!

Update: I actually didn't make out *too* badly. I love almost all the crop jackets and sweaters I was especially hot to like. There were quite a few exceptions however, including the tan rosebud sweater (didn't fit me well); top with the lace sleeves I bought in black and olive (the sleeves just weren't me... if I had time, I'd turn them into ruffles and then they *would* be me); the olive ruffle hoodie (just didn't like it); the turtleneck sweaters, the "Chanel" knockoff jacket, the snake print bolero, and the satiny blouses (all way too tight in the boob department); the gauzy hemmed jackets (cheap looking); and last but not least, the two boxy tops with the rosebud pins that arrived without the rosebud pins. I still haven't received the headband nor the purse hanger. Kept everything else and bought some more (who can resist a 75% off clearance sale?), which I'll detail in another post! Btw, the suede and leather crop jackets, and the kimono and cable knit sweaters, are all to die for! The jackets are uber adorable with my fox and Mongolian lamb collars so in the end, mission accomplished!

I recently bought a couple of fox fur collars and I decided I needed a couple of crop jackets to go with. At least that’s my story of how this mini spree got started and I’m sticking with it.

I haven’t shopped at Newport News nor Spiegel for years. When I received email saying both were having 50% off sales I figured it wouldn’t hurt to take a look. I was actually pretty shocked to see how stylish their clothes have gotten. They’ve also certainly upped the quality of their clothing since I last visited, as well as the textiles they use including such luxuries as silk and cashmere. Unfortunately with style and quality comes price and their “regular prices” are no longer the bargain they once were, but with a 50% discount I can’t complain.

So here’s the entire contents of my fashion shopping spree. The duplicates aren’t a mistake, I tend to buy things I like in a couple colors if I can’t make up my mind which I like best. I spent right around $1K and as you can see I got a *ton* of goodies for my dollar, and there are even a couple items missing that I couldn’t get accurate photos of. Of course a third of the order will probably go back because what looks good on a 6′ size 2 model doesn’t necessarily look good on a buxom 5′ 1″ jewelry artist, but hopefully I’ll end up with some great fashion at a bargain once all is said and done (oh pleasepleaseplease let that at least include the pink suede and dove leather jackets, the big cozy grey sweater, and the Chanel “inspired” jacket!)

Fashion Goodies From Spiegel

Fashion Goodies From Newport News

Not bad for the price I paid, eh?  Can’t wait for everything to show up!

Filed under: Style

Related musings:

1. Newport News Shopping Spree, Part Deux
2. How to Buy Designer Handbags on eBay and Not Get Burned
3. New GeishaStix Hair Pin Designs Posted in the LongLocks Catalog!

She also held the first fundraiser for AIDS research in 1984, recognizing the epidemic and the humanity of victims in the face of prejudice and the silence of Ronald Reagan. This was the moral character of the woman whose jewelry collection sold for $115 million at Christie’s last night.

Her taste and the men who loved her were legendary. Most coveted was the Peregrina Pearl. A 50-carat pearl, it was found by an African slave in the Gulf of Panama. He won his freedom with it. In 1554, Philip II of Spain gave it to his bride, Mary I of England. After her death in 1558, the pearl rejoined the Spanish crown jewels. Elizabeth of Borbón, Queen Consort of Spain and first wife of King Philip IV, was painted wearing the pearl by Diego Velázquez in 1632.

Richard Burton bought it as a Valentine’s Day gift for his wife, Elizabeth Taylor. He paid $37,000 in 1969. She had Cartier set it in a ruby and pearl pendant in 1972. The Peregrina Pearl necklace sold for $11.5 million yesterday at Christie’s.

Richard Burton also bought her the Krupp diamond for $305,000 in 1968. Named for the wife of German industrialist Alfred Krupp, who supplied weapons to Adolf Hitler, Elizabeth Taylor wore it almost every day for the rest of her life because she felt it was justice that a nice Jewish girl should have the ring. It sold for $8,818,500 to Daniel Pang, representing the Korean hotel chain E-Land, which plans to display the ring at its E-World theme park in Daegu.

Here were some other notable sales:

An emerald and diamond necklace by Bulgari: $6,130,500.

The Taj Mahal, a heart-shaped, table-cut Indian diamond from 1628, set by Cartier in a pendant of rubies, jade, and gold: $8,818,500.

A 52-carat Burmese sapphire sautoir, which Bulgari put on a long diamond necklace with geometric sapphire accents, the pendant can also be worn as a brooch. $5,906,500.

The estimates Christie’s put on Elizabeth Taylor’s jewelry were so low, the audience laughed during the auction. Christie’s underestimated her character, but the world did not.

Filed under: Style

Related musings:

1. Elizabeth Taylor: The Woman and Her Jewels
2. Andy Warhol: Liz #5
3. Sun Drop Diamond Auction at Sotheby’s

Extra Large Aquis Microfiber Towel

We long-haired gurls have a LOT of hair to dry and our long locks hold a LOT of water. These microfiber towels are a dream come true. They absorb a tremendous amount of water very quickly and cut a typically really long drying time dramatically. Best of all, these are the really hard-to-find large towels, big enough for even very long tresses!

7X Magnification Wall Mount Mirror

If your long hair lover loves updos or braids, one of these mirrors is an indispensable tool for seeing the back and sides of your head when mounted opposite another mirror. They’ll wonder how they ever lived without it.

Mebco Shower Detangler

This is the greatest comb ever made, I own several of them. Though I’ve tried many tens of different wide-toothed combs, made of many different materials with many different finishes at many different price points, this is the only comb I’ve consistently used on my hair for more than a decade. Even my hubby, who has hair almost as long as mine (if you uncoil his tightly curled ponytail), insists on using only this comb (and he moves them, which is why I have to own several).

Spornette DeVille 1005 Boar Bristle Paddle Brush

If your long-haired loved one has straight hair, this is their perfect brush. Made entirely of hair-nurturing boar bristle (so much more hair-safe than anything with sharp nylon bristles) and the perfect straight-hair paddle style, which can be one of the harder to find boar bristle brush styles. If your intended gift recipient has curly hair or hair so thick that boar bristles won’t penetrate, all is not lost! Try the next best thing, a Bass oval wood bristle brush.

Feather Hair Extensions

These are hot, hot, HOT! Celebrities, musicians, models… everyone is wearing feather hair extensions. Keep your long haired love on trend with the latest in extremely affordable hair style statements.

Wen Cleansing Conditioner

This stuff is taking the world by storm and has a huge league of shampoo converts. Wen Cleansing Conditioner is made for all hair types and textures and has the added benefit of a divine scent. If your lengthy-tressed gift recipient has been wanting to try the renowned conidtioner-only wash, this is the first place to go.

Bendy Curls Hair Rollers

If your long-locked one is obsessive about refraining from using anything damaging on their lovely tresses, they’ll love these hair-safe curlers! Quick and easy to use, they are soft enough to sleep on. Best of all, no hair-destroying heat nor hair fraying spikes or velcro!

Zebrawood Hair Fork

If your intended gift recipient is more a “jeans and flats” kind of gurl rather than a “black leggings and Dolce & Gabbana boots” kinda of gurl, a hand carved wood hair fork should be right up her alley. Simple, beautiful and casual enough for every day!

L. Erickson Willow Comb

OK, so she is more the “black leggings/D & G” type? This should make her very happy! Nothing would be more striking than this unbelievably luscious (the prettiest on all of Amazon, IMO) pearl and rhinestone L. Erickson comb curling around her beautiful, sleek bun. It’s even adjustable so she can customize it at her whim! Absolutely gorg.

LongLocks HairSticks Boutique Gift Certificate

Ah, so she falls somewhere in between or you have no idea how to classify her personal style? Easiest gift of all, give her a LongLocks HairSticks Boutique gift certificate and let her choose her own one-of-a-kind hand crafted hair accessories! You can’t go wrong!

Filed under: Style

Related musings:

1. New Stix Nouveau Designs Posted at the LongLocks Boutique!
2. LongLocks Gift Certificates – One Size Doesn’t Fit All!
3. New DragonStix Hair Accessories Posted at the LongLocks Boutique!

Today’s Tip: Want to add a really dramatic flair to your bun? Go to your favorite sewing notions store and buy some strung-pearl trim, braid it into your hair (make sure you add it to at least two of the three strands), and then make your bun. Secure with pearl LongLocks HairSticks, of course!

Filed under: Style

Related musings:

1. New MineraliStix Hair Jewelry Designs Posted in the LongLocks Catalog!
2. New Original LongLocks HairSticks Posted in the LongLocks Boutique!
3. New BijouStix Hair Accessories Posted in the LongLocks Catalog!