I love to take boat rides when I’m traveling. Maybe I’m a sailor at heart. I certainly dress the part on occasion, thanks to designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac. While too many viewings of Titanic have scared me off ocean crossings, I never get tired of the Bateaux Mouches in Paris. During a visit to the…
Mullet Dresses Are Going Strong
The high/low hemline — aka mullet — is still on trend for fall. This fall-preview Michael Kors dress at Bergdorf Goodman is a beauty. I adore this look, especially when it comes in the form of a ballgown by my designing friend Zang Toi. For less formal mullet inspiration, check out my Huffington Post fashion…
The Sulky Necklace in Action; Gangsta Boo’s Nameplate
Gorgeous blogger/jewelry muse Sulky Kitten is modeling my Sulky necklace design on her blog today. As I said last week, the letters on this necklace are 10 millimeters. The letters on the smaller version of my word necklace (seen below in its IDGAF version) are 5 millimeters. I’ll have two new sterling-silver IDGAF necklaces available…
The Cost of Iced Coffee
One of the results of having your own business is that it educates you about how much it costs to make a product or offer a service. I’ve written about some of the issues that affect fine-jewelry manufacturing costs — and, as a result, retail prices — in my “Get Smart” series of posts. I…
Jewels of the Month: Sulky and IDGAF Necklaces
I’m constantly working on new jewelry. I have three 18K gold pieces in the works, as well as one silver ring. I also have wax models made for two other 18K gold pieces and I’ve got ideas for dozens of other designs that I’ll do when I can afford them. Getting started on a new…
SANS FARDS, Sorta, and a Sally Hansen Manicure
Over the past few years, women without makeup — sans fards, as French ELLE puts it — have become worthy of media (and online) celebration. As highlarious gossip blogger Michael K of Dlisted explained in an April post, “It seems like every month some magazine is stripping the coats of lacquer off of the faces…
Wendy Brandes Jewelry in July’s W Magazine
Big thanks to stylist Marie-Amelie Sauve for using my Matilda sword earrings for the “Double Edge” feature in the July 2012 issue of W magazine. The shots combine edgy accessories — including incredible shoes — with pretty pastels. The earrings are used throughout the whole spread, so there are six great photos of the Matildas…
My Almost-Husband Paul McCartney Is 70
I can’t let the day go by without wishing a happy 70th birthday to my almost-husband Paul McCartney. I totally would have married the guy, but I have a thing for younger men and MrB doesn’t turn 70 till August. Call me shallow! But, seriously, I like what McCartney had to say about age in…
Words of Wisdom From Wayne Gretzky
I’m not much of a sports fan, but there are a few athletes who impress me. One is basketball Hall-of-Famer Walt “Clyde” Frazier, who is one of my official style icons. Now I’ve added hockey great Wayne Gretzky to my list of people who give good advice. I was struck by one of his classic…
Hat by Adrian
It’s my dream Whodini hat PLUS a veil! If anyone has been yearning to buy me a hat for $1,475, your prayers have been answered. Hop to it.









