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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…
2022 in Review: What Wendy Wore, Part I
This week, I decided to look up my 2021 “year in review” posts and was shocked — not Casablanca-style fake SHOCKED but genuinely SHOOK — to discover I didn’t write any for the first time since 2011. No year-end Jewel of the Month wrap-up, even though I had conscientiously featured one of my designs each…
RIP, Vivienne Westwood
British fashion designer and outspoken climate- and human-rights activist Vivienne Westwood died at age 81 yesterday. During her 50-year career, Westwood pioneered punk, then pivoted to history-driven high fashion that provoked critics almost as much as her bondage pants did. She never caved to convention. Even in 1992, when Westwood was so established that Queen…
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…
Pet Numerology and PAWS NY
Today is a doubly sad anniversary. Henry the Pekingese dog died eight years ago on Dec. 18, 2014. He was a rescue dog, so we didn’t know his exact age. My estimate is 11 or 12. On Dec. 18, 2018 — exactly four years later — Purrkoy the Exotic Shorthair kitten died of a massive…
Montreal Memories, Part I
After publishing my last post, I felt weird about it being Fled Cruz that made me want to flee the country this year. I thought for a second, “Oh no, am I as bad as Fled? Running away when the going gets tough?” Then I remembered that I am not a Texan senator who flew…
Sandy Hook, 10 Years Later
When I woke up today, my first coherent thought was, “It’s the 10th anniversary of the Sandy Hook shooting.” Then I realized why a trivial 10-year concert anniversary, of all things, broke through my month-long blogger’s block yesterday. The concept of a 10th anniversary had been on my mind since I attended the National Vigil…