Sixteen years ago today, I posted a “placeholder” announcement on wbjewelry.blogspot.com, saying I’d be launching a blog soon. Two days later, a distressed Britney Spears fled a photo shoot clad in borrowed designer goods — including one of my 18K gold poison rings — and the blog posts started pouring out of me. Over the…
Special Occasions
Martin Luther King Day Activism
If you don’t get my weekly activism newsletter, why not subscribe now? I’ve been writing this newsletter since 2017 and I have expanded it from NYC-only to include national options. If you want to make your world a better place but don’t know where to start, I’ve got answers for you, no matter what your…
2022 in Review: What Wendy Wore, Part II
Missed Part I of my personal fashion year in review? Here it is! Now I’ll pick up where I left off, which was August 2022, for which I have … nothing. Somehow I celebrated MrB’s 80th birthday with family and came away with no outfit photo or blog post. At least we took a weird…
Have a Very Merry Titmas
As is my tradition, I wish you all a very merry Titmas, regardless of your religious belief or lack thereof. Embed from Getty Images I considered trying something new and wishing you a Merry Clitmas … … but I didn’t want any men to miss my holiday message. Instead, I will share this beautiful —…
A Festivus (and Activist) Birthday
It was only a few years ago that I realized there was a firm date for Festivus — the anti-holiday holiday popularized by Seinfeld in 1997. Previously, I thought Festivus floated around the Gregorian calendar, Hanukkah style, occasionally landing on my birthday, which is December 23 (today!). Checking the official Festivus website right now, I…
Treat Yourself to Wendy Brandes Jewelry
Oh, hey, remember how I design luxe jewelry that’s sold on super-chic 1stdibs.com? My end-of-the-year sale started today, so it’s a good time to scoop up any high-end pieces you’ve long coveted. Standard shipping is free. If you want your purchase for a loved one’s holiday gift rather than a self-gift, I will do my…
Trick or Treat, and Vote, This Halloween
Hey, trick or treaters! if you’re in New York City, you can vote today and get a cool Halloween-themed voting sticker! If you can’t vote today because you’ve got witch business to take care of, no worries — early voting runs through Sunday, November 6. Your last chance to vote is regular old Election Day…
4th Of July Activism and Inspiration
Let’s start this 4th of July with a song! Click the link below for Reina del Cid’s powerful adaptation of “My Country ‘Tis of Thee.” “Land of dystopia/Religious myopia.” Those of you who are in NYC and have no plans in the very near future can join me at this march in Brooklyn at 5…
Throwback Thursday: Looking Like Liza
Liza Minnelli’s appearance at the Oscars last month reminded me that I have a personal “Never Is the Next New Thing™” situation to report. I usually apply “Never Is the Next New Thing™” to fashion trends, having long observed that the most provocative/grating/startling looks — the ones that make you say, “I would NEVER wear…
Valentine’s Jewelry: Toi et Moi Rings
I’ve been obsessed with “toi et moi” rings since 2013, when the diamond and sapphire engagement ring that Napoleon Bonaparte gave to Josephine de Beauharnais went up for auction. Embed from Getty Images But even before then, I liked the double takes that two-stone rings get, no pun intended. In fact, one of my earliest…