I’ve been dressing very casually lately, so I made a point of putting on a dress for MrB’s belated birthday dinner on Sunday. Dress: Alexander McQueen (2010) Shoes: Prada (2010) This dress by Alexander McQueen is homegrown vintage. I wore it for the first time during a 2010 trip to L.A., for dinner with my…
The MTV VMAs and Newark’s Water Crisis
The MTV Video Music Awards are taking place tonight at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. The city has warned residents to expect bad traffic … while assuring visiting celebrities that they won’t be affected by Newark’s Flint, Mich.-style water crisis. The Newark Visitors Bureau released this statement: “We are elated to welcome world-class celebrities, entertainers,…
The Week in Review
In case you missed it, here’s what was on the blog this week. Monday, Aug. 19: Got a few bucks to spare and want to see Democrats win? Here are some good candidates to support. Thursday, Aug. 22: Jewelry as art, and revisiting the Maneater Rings as the Jewels of the Month. Friday, Aug. 23:…
Jewelry That Tells a Story
Just the other day, I was writing about how jewelry — especially jewelry created by individual designers — can rise to the level of art, with real meaning beyond physical adornment. So thank you to Tony Cooler, who pointed out this remarkable brooch by Phyllis Bowdwin, which was posted by the Smithsonian on Instagram. The…
Flashback: The Agony and Ecstasy of a Small Business
Yesterday’s post about the challenges of combining art and commerce reminded me of an essay about small business that I wrote for the Huffington Post in 2012. And, like I said recently, it’s occurred to me that I need to republish all my Huffington Post pieces on this blog, because they could vanish at any…
Jewels of the Month: The Maneater Collection, Revisited
Throwback Thursday is a good time for me to wish a belated happy anniversary to JCK, the bible of the jewelry trade, which has been celebrating its 150th year in business throughout 2019. Yes, you read that number right! It’s been 150 years since the American Horological Journal — the watch-oriented progenitor of today’s sleek…
Candidates Worthy of Your Support
In addition to winning back the presidency in 2020, progressives must work to flip the Senate to a Democratic majority and maintain the majority in the House. Here are some strategic campaigns you can donate to. No contribution is too small! If you can’t contribute yourself (or even if you can), share these links with…
The Weeks in Review
In case you missed it, here’s what was on the blog recently. Monday, August 5: The first thing you should do to combat gun violence is both the easiest and most important. Tuesday, August 6: This week, there was a vigil to draw attention to victims of gun violence. That’s in the past now, but…
Wednesday’s Video: “Queens Cower Before No Man”
I’ve already shared a couple of videos about my “Immortal Style” image campaign with 76-year-old model Judith Boyd, aka the Style Crone, but I have more to say! While the response to the photos has been overwhelmingly positive, there have been a few people who have criticized the unretouched images for not being prettier/softer/more flattering….
Lipstick Icon: Hammer Thrower Gwen Berry
A huge thank you to reader Catherine, whose comment on yesterday’s lipstick post alerted me to hammer thrower Gwen Berry and her blue lipstick. Berry won a gold medal at the Pan American games in Peru over the weekend. While she was on the podium with the American anthem playing, she raised a fist —…