Wendy Brandes Jewelry Blog

Never Is the Next New Thing

Doing It Bloggy Style

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If you haven’t checked out gorgeous blogger Thumbelina Fashionista, you must. Her personal style gets an A+ from me. You won’t see any of the shredded t-shirts, studded bracelets and DIY Balmain jackets that have a kudzu-like stranglehold on the fashion blogosphere. Thumbelina sticks to exquisite, high-quality pieces that are elegantly assembled even on casual days. Belts are a trademark accessory.

Thumbelina Fashionista

Elsewhere in the blog world, 12-year-old Tavi of Style Rookie is the exception to the rule that children should be neither seen nor heard on the Internet. I said THE exception, so if you are the parent of a nine-year-old child, and you create a fashion blog for her, don’t be shocked … SHOCKED! … when your inbox explodes with furious emails. It’s futile for anyone else to try to be Tavi, just as it was futile for anyone to wear a navel-baring gown after Jennifer Lopez’s 2000 Grammy appearance in her green Versace. Some things defy imitation.

Tavi — who dresses creatively but age appropriately — was inspired to do a little painting by the runway look for the Yves Saint Laurent Fall 2008 collection. One thing led to another and voila! A Tavi t-shirt. Buy it on her blog. Maybe she’ll grow up to be the next YSL and you’ll be donating your treasured t-shirt to the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Or maybe she’ll grow up to be a firefighter. It’s up to her.


I’m hoping for a WendyB version with red lips. Note to Tavi: avert your eyes from the title of this post. For that matter, this whole blog is rated PG-13 for language. Please be parentally guided until your next birthday.

Queen Michelle of Kingdom of Style is another blogger with a t-shirt project.


The Teddy Boy photo would be heart-stopping even without a back story, but there IS a back story. The “lovable rogue” on the shirt is Queen Michelle’s own Uncle Billy, a bad boy who “ended up entangled in a world of crime and was to never to be seen or heard of again,” but not before he posed for a stellar portrait. You can buy Uncle Billy’s on Queen Michelle’s blog.

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Comments

  1. Thumbelina Fashionista sounds like it’s right up my alley. Thanks for the recommendation!

  2. Love how you called out Thumbelina! Personal style blogs don’t always means studs and rips. I like to mix in some of that here and there, but I also really admire someone who pulls off the classy, polished look so well. Thanks for introducing me to a new blogger to watch!

    As for Tavi – she’s so talented and agree that she’s an exception among other teen bloggers. I saw the tee awhile back and forgot. I LOVE it! She should make a special version for fashion bloggers – I’d buy it!

  3. Thta is what I enjoy about Tavi’s blog. She dresses her age and not like a mini adult!

    Loved both the shirts designed by Tavi and Queen Michelle. Excellent designs!

  4. I need to be checking on QM’s tee and them work out a layway plan…damn Au$!

  5. Thanks Wendy! I mention you in the vlog I just made a couple hours ago actually…coincidence or FATE?
    Still checking up on those red lips!
    Ahh Queen Michelle’s tee..I would sell my soul…

  6. NICE. I think those are two of the very limited number of graphic t-shirts I would wear.

  7. OK, I’m going to make it now. I just know it. I’ve had my creativity fix for the day, thanks to WendyB’s fashion blog finds. Those Ts are tight!

  8. Tavi, I can’t wait to see the vlog. I don’t have the nerve to do one myself. “What I really want to do is direct.” Maybe you and Queen Michelle can do a t-shirt swap.

    Alicia, I agree, I’m very very tempted by both. Well, red lips on Tavi’s and I would cave in immediately.

  9. Amazing bloggers you highlighted. Good thing I’m too old to be technically considered a child. Don’t want any indtimdating e-mails from you. haha

    Yes, Queen Michelle’s tee = my goal in life to own.

  12. I really like Thumbelina Fashionista’s looks. She really knows how to dress for her size, shape, and proportion, and her taste is superb!

    I ordered one of those KOS t-shirts!

  13. I think Queen M’s T is fantastic and I’m totally going to check out Thumbelina…

  15. Totally amazed by Tavi’s blog! I wish I was that fashion forward then and now.. I sent the link to my 13 yo niece. She’s pretty darn creative with her outfits too. Maybe she’ll be inspired as well.

  18. Thumbelina is THE best dressed teacher anywhere! I love her blog. Thanks for sharing Wendy.

  23. Aw thank you WendyB! This post cheered me up no end, as I poke my head out from my sick bed briefly. My Uncle Billy was very special to me because my mum adored him so much.
    I have Tavi’s tee and I can verify that it is actually fantastic.

  27. Thanks for the introduction to Tavi. The list of muses for Miss Four is now growing.