In 2001, when I did my first jewelry designs — my own engagement ring and wedding band — I opted for a lot of exposed metal surface with a satin finish. I wanted to do something that contrasted with the popular “bling” look of high-polished white metal dripping with pavé diamonds. I was tired of…
Archives for December 2011
Prowling for Peplums; Bloggers on Huffington Post
It took a while, but my Huffington Post Stylelist piece on bloggers wearing peplums is live. Check out the slideshow and leave a nice comment for the participants! CLICK HERE TO READ THE STORY ON HUFFINGTON POST While I was working on the post, I browsed the Internets for eye-catching peplums. These are a few…
Get It (on Sale) While You Can
After all that I’ve written about the high price of gold — including my posts from July and October — you’d think I’d be immune to sticker shock, but I guess it doesn’t work that way. I nearly passed out on Friday while I was at a wholesaler getting this 18-inch, 18K-rose-gold chain and clasp….
Wendy Brandes Jewelry in Entertainment Weekly
Gorgeous blogger Brie of If You’re Into It emailed me last night, excited to say she’d spotted my Cleves swan ring in the Dec. 16, 2011, issue of Entertainment Weekly magazine. I felt bad for Brie because I often get emails like this, and 99.9% of the time, I have to tell the eagle-eyed sender…
Alec Baldwin Is Going to Think I’m a Thoughtless Little Pig
I don’t usually let artists’ personal failings stop me from appreciating their professional efforts. There wouldn’t be a lot of art left to enjoy if character references were required. I still tear up thinking of John Lennon’s murder — which happened 31 years ago today — even though many people have testified that he was…
Bjork’s Swan Dress Should Meet This Angry Birds Dress
I relish an excuse for theme dressing. You can count on me to wear a heart dress on Valentine’s Day, an earring from an ’80s Madonna video to a Madonna concert and Gaga rings to a Lady Gaga concert. When MrB retired from his job at the Wall Street Journal in 2007, I wore a…
Cavalli Goes for the Gold
A Neiman Marcus catalog came in the mail and I was very taken by this pair of gold-on-gray Cavalli jeans. I like the eye-catching-yet-somehow-neutral color. But, to be honest, I am also fantasizing that my legs would look as long as the model’s if I wore those jeans. That reminds me that in 1999, I…
Why I Love Queens
Most of my jewelry is inspired by queens. By queens, I’m referring to royal ladies — not one of New York City’s five boroughs or Quentin Crisp. I love badass women in general and when queens are badass, they are supa dupa badass. Seventh-century Chinese ruler Empress Wu, for instance, said she would use a…
I’m an FGI Rising Star Award Nominee!
I’m proud to say I’ve been nominated for Fashion Group International’s Rising Star Award in the fine-jewelry category! Last year, I was a finalist, and I’d sure like to be one again. If you’re an FGI member, you need to go vote in person at FGI’s New York offices at 8 West 40th Street in…
Jewel of the Month: Empress Wu Dragon Earrings
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I love redesigning old jewelry. Last month, I described how I started redesigning some of the pieces I got before I started my own jewelry line. My first project resulted in this tsavorite-and-pearl pendant. Sticking with the pearl theme, I next tackled a pair of diamond…