As a lifelong feminist, it pains me to admit it, but there is one thing that men are often* better at than women … SHOPPING. Surprise! But it’s true. And I’m not talking about how men are hunters and women are gatherers when it comes to trips to the mall. I’m more interested in the…
In the News
Torture by Vonage
I’m tortured by a television ad for Vonage phone service, in which customer Kimberly Klecza explains why she uses Vonage to call her Nana. Kimberly really does say, “Letters and text messages are just thrown aside … conversations you don’t get rid of … they’re memories.” Yes, of course, there’s nothing like hearing a loved…
The Rihanna Plane Has Landed
All good things must come to an end, and so it goes for the entertaining Twitter hashtag #rihannaplane. For her 777 tour — seven concerts in seven cities in seven countries in seven days to promote her seventh album, Unapologetic — Rihanna took a planeload of journalists along. The journalists kinda lost their minds (and…
What Wendy Wore: Elevator Talk With Anna Wintour
I worked at Lehman Brothers — the now-defunct investment bank — from 2000 to 2005. I wore suits to the office most days, and always to an important meeting. This suit was by Luciano Barbera: A suit like that doesn’t work for most of my meetings now. After all, I’m discussing design, not money management,…
“As Seen on Jill Kelley”
Is anyone else as entertained as I am by the fashion show being put on by Jill Kelley? Kelley is the 37-year-old woman whose complaint about half-a-dozen anonymous emails set off the FBI investigation that ended the career of CIA director David Petraeus. Besieged by press at her home, in Tampa, Fla., she’s stepping out…
Wendy Brandes Jewelry in Ocean Home; Week in Review
A huge thanks to the editors at Ocean Home magazine for including great shots of my jewelry in the December/January issue. My Marie Antoinette ring has a page all to itself! My Marie Antoinette earrings and one-of-a-kind, rose-quartz “seashell” ring are featured too. You can follow Ocean Home on Twitter here. Here’s what I had…
JCK Magazine Asks … Wendy Brandes
I’m so excited to be featured in the November 2012 issue of JCK (Jewelers’ Circular Keystone) Magazine! JCK covers style trends and jewelry industry issues, so it’s essential reading in my business. The JCK peeps selected me for their “JCK Asks …” feature and it was one of the most fun interviews I’ve done. I…
A Note About Hurricane Sandy
During my journalism career, I worked at news organizations including CNN. I loved the profession, but sometimes I hated knowing that I was delivering bad news to people. We all say, “No news is good news” but, really, good news isn’t usually news at all. (I think only The Onion would run a story saying,…
Adam Ant: From Halloween Costume to Concert Attire
Between Hurricane Sandy and work, I didn’t get around to making Halloween plans. I had a great costume in mind too. My favorite part about dressing up is the hair and makeup, so I’m definitely not going to stick a pair of cat ears on my head, draw on some eyeliner whiskers and call it…
Frankenstorm Sandy Status in the WendyB Household
As of this writing — just after midnight on Tuesday, October 30 — my New York City neighborhood still has electricity despite the Frankenstorm, aka Hurricane Sandy. The lights have blinked ominously, so I keep bracing for total darkness, but for the moment it’s okay. If the electricity stays on, I will see if any…