There’s so much to be said about the 2018 Grammys — who won, who should have won, the way Recording Academy president Neil Portnow said more women would win if they just worked harder (fuck you, Neil, the average woman works twice as hard as a dude like you). I’m going to have to save…
Best Performance at the 2018 Grammys
There were quite a few great performances at the 2018 Grammys but seeing 68-year-old Patti LuPone sing “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” from Evita 37 years after her first Grammys performance of that Broadway showstopper … well, that took my breath away! Thanks for forgiving composer Andrew Lloyd Webber long enough to bless us with…
The Week in Review
In case you missed it, here’s what was on the blog this week. Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018: If you’re in Chicago, check out the Star Wars-themed window display at Steve Quick Jeweler. Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018: In this week’s video, I talk about Anne Boleyn, the sexist 1970s, and squish-faced pets … and how those…
ANZA PURE Designs Heading Off to Their New Homes
I’m happy to see that one necklace and two pairs of earrings from the ANZA PURE x Wendy Brandes collection are heading off to their new homes! These ANZA PURE pieces by @wendybrandesjewelry just sold—we’re getting them ready to go to their new homes, and planning more! #oneofakind #givesback #roughgems #puregems #anzapure #spinel #mahengespinel #garnet…
Wednesday’s Video: Dogs, Cats, and Tudors
This is my lucky day because the famous “distracted boyfriend” meme of 2017 has been given the Henry VIII treatment … this meme has finally been perfected pic.twitter.com/9fHfJH1Q01 — julien (@eggsandbread) January 24, 2018 … just in time for my Henry VIII/Anne Boleyn-themed pet video. Yep, I’ve got dogs and cats and the Tudors all…
The Force Is Strong in This Window Display
Excited am I that my Agrippina poison ring is part of the Star Wars-themed window display at Steve Quick Jeweler in Chicago! The windows were designed by Melissa Quick’s nine-year-old nephew, Hank, who took great care to ensure that each scene represented a different movie as accurately as possible. “In the few weeks since they…
The Week in Review
In case you missed it, here’s what was on the blog this week. Monday, Jan. 15, 2018: The Jewel of the Month is my first-ever man brooch! The 20+ carat garnet at its center was sourced by ANZA Gems. Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018: I approve of some recent celebrity engagement rings. This is rare! Wednesday,…
Flashback Friday: This Pussy Grabs Back
Almost a year ago today, I was at the Women’s March on Washington, accompanied by a posse of my favorite wimmins, all holding pussy signs. #nastywomen waiting for a train #womensmarchonwashington @womensmarch #pussygrabsback #nasty #feminists #nofascism A post shared by Wendy Brandes (@wendybrandes) on Jan 21, 2017 at 6:29am PST Since then, I’ve gone to…
More About the Garnet Man Brooch
I already wrote about the garnet man brooch that is January’s Jewel of the Month on Monday, but here it is again! I can’t resist, because Monica Stephenson — ANZA Gems founder, garnet provider, and customer — shared the brooch on Instagram, and I’m amused by her caption. Shhh! Can you keep a secret? We…
Wednesday’s Video: Get the FACTS
I collect a lot of things — vintage clothes, squish-faced animals, dust — but baseball caps are not on the list. I’m not very sporty, to say the least. In fact, I can’t remember ever noticing a baseball cap until late last year, when I saw a guy wearing a snapback embroidered with the word…