Tag Archives: Wendy Brandes Jewelry

Swearing

My first Wendy Brandes purchase was the asterisk ring (seen here first), which I wear practically everyday because it is quite adorable.  I finally bought the rings that I have had my eye on since I was introduced to Wendy’s blog and jewelry line: the WendyB swear rings.  I first saw them on B at Beautifully Invisible and fell in love.  This set of rings are show stoppers and conversation pieces.  After I posted a picture of them on Instagram, I went to a family party and those who follow my blog grabbed my hand when I arrived, just to see them in person. 

As with the asterisk ring, the quality is amazing, and they are so much lighter than they appear.  I was asked previously if the set was a “bar ring”.  These rings are not attached and can be worn individually.  Click here for for the set I bought in silver, or click here for the gold-plated version.  Both styles are adjustable, so one size will fit most hands.  Although you may find other versions of her designs out there (see her post on the subject here), you will not find anything like size and quality of Wendy’s originals.  I swear!

(Edited on May 14, 2012 to add the picture above, after a manicure.  On Mother’s Day, I finished the last book of the Fifty Shades trilogy and my nail color for my mani-pedi was called Dominiatrix.  I just had to wear the rings!)

Fully Entrenched

I’ve been reading and referring back quite a bit lately to a book my mother-in-law gave me for Christmas called Parisian Chic: A Style Guide by Ines de la Fressange.  I love the section about staples that a Parisian woman has in her wardrobe, and one of them is a trench coat.  I had one before, but I have been longing a more classic one that is actually functional (can be worn in the rain).   The book mentions that Burberry is in the “Hall of Fame” of trench coats, to which I agree wholeheartedly.  But if you’re watching your budget like I am, this London Fog one will fulfill all of your trench coat needs.

Outfit – London Fog trench coat; H&M shirt; Cotton On cardigan (unseen); Old Navy jeans; Gunmetal shoes; Forever 21 necklace; Bloomingdales bracelet; Wendy Brandes ring; Rebecca Minkoff purse; iSee glasses c/o GlassesUSA

An Old Favorite

I bought this coat at the first H&M I ever went to at The Eaton Centre in Toronto, Canada.  This was back in 2004 when the US dollar was doing very well.   It was a tough year because my father had just passed away, so my mom went to spend the summer with my dad’s sister to be close to his family, and to have some breathing room.  I had flown to Toronto at the beginning of that summer with my mom, then flew back to bring her home because she hated to fly alone.  I stayed there for a week before coming back to San Diego, so we went on a few little trips while I was out there.  During one of our day trips, we went to a resort casino called Fallsview, which was called so because of the spectacular view of Niagra Falls.  I went tooling around Niagra while my mom and aunts played the slots.  Thirty minutes before the bus arrived to take us back to Toronto, my mom came out of the casino and whispered to me that she won $1500 Canadian!  She gave me $500 of it to go on a shopping spree at H&M.  Isn’t amazing how many memories a simple coat can evoke?  Now you know why it’s one of my favorites.

Outfit – H&M coat and velvet pants; White House Black Market top; Matiko shoes; Rebecca Minkoff purse; Dominique Cohen for Target necklace; Wendy Brandes & Juicy Couture rings; iSee glasses ℅ GlassesUSA; 

Golden Lights

I took advantage of the lack of foot traffic by my house to take these photos.  The light had this lovely golden hue that you just can’t recreate with photo enhancements or even a flash.  It made even my silver ring look golden.  I took my Matiko shoes for another stroll because they just deserve to be out and about whenever and wherever I can wear them.

Outfit – Zara sweater; H&M jeans; Rebecca Minkoff purse & wrap bracelet; Matiko shoes; Michael Kors watch; Dominique Cohen for Target necklace; Wendy Brandes ring; iSee glasses ℅ GlassesUSA

Cupid, You Are Love

You Are Love

With Valentine’s day arriving tomorrow, I was inspired by Rebecca Minkoff’s Cupid satchel (and my new Matiko shoes) to put together a little something for the occasion.  I found this great template on Polyvore called “You Are Love”, which I thought was perfect for a modern, yet romantic theme.  Happy Valentine’s Day!

 

You Are Love by sighgee featuring gold diamond rings

Fair Isle

It’s been only chilly in the mornings here in San Diego, which means I have the chance to layer, even if it’s just a for part of the day.  Then I find that I need to peel layers off as the day gets later because the typical California weather returns.  I took my mom to a doctor’s appointment in the morning when I wore this outfit.  In addition to the sweater, I bundled up with a lovely wrap scarf.  Once we left the hospital and made it back to the car, I had to shed the sweater and wrap (I have a tank underneath).  I’ll have to say that this is one of my favorite sweaters.  I love the Fair Isle knit and slightly oversized fit.  And yes, those are leg warmers with my wedge boots!

Outfit – Vintage sweater from Jet Rag in LA (for $1!); American Rag denim leggings; Old Navy tank; Type Z wedge boots; Forever 21 leg warmers; Rebecca Minkoff purse; iSee glasses ℅ GlassesUSA; Wendy Brandes ring

Easy Pieces

I wore this to work before reading a post from Cupcakes and Cashmere on how Emily was becoming inspired by simple basics and paired down pieces.  There’s something about easy classics like a white top & jeans, or a basic black dress.

I like going back to basics because it’s like beginning with a clean slate to be creative again.  When things are this simple, you notice details like the inverted lapel of this jacket.  It also makes it easy to add great little touches like something sparkly and a pop of color.

Outfit – H&M coat (only $15 at their recent sale!); Old Navy tank top & jeans; Poetic Licence shoes (from Must Have Shoes);Pashmina scarf (a gift from Janice on her NYC trip last year); Wendy Brandes ring; Mini MAC purse ℅ Rebecca Minkoff

A Bit of Berry

I’m in love with black and navy together, but I decided to brighten it up with my beautiful fuchsia colored Mini MAC.  My husband took these pictures, and although the last shot is blurry, I like movement of it and the fact that the berry color really stands out.

Outfit – H&M cardigan, striped top & stretch mini; Target tights; Forever 21 jacket; Breckelle’s boots (ModCloth); Mini MAC c/o Rebecca Minkoff; Wendy Brandes ring

Overflow

The weather has been fluctuating between cool and a little bit warm, so I’m also a bit in-between with my wardrobe as well.  This shirt is a summer leftover, but I love the flow it creates with wide legged jeans.  I think these will be great transition pieces as the climate cools.  I can’t believe it’s already November!  Where did the time go?

(Do you like the longer tresses? Still deciding if I like my hair long or not…)

Outfit – Fossil shirt; Old Navy jeans; Jeffrey Campbell shoes; Rebecca Minkoff MAC purse; Coach sunnies; Michael Kors watch; Wendy Brandes ring; St. Christopher necklace from The Vatican

Room For Squares

Magazines for your kids to learn about the world.

I had planned on wearing this outfit on Plaidurday.  But after a couple of minor catastrophes at work (including a sink-hole right outside our office), the upper management deemed it a jeans day the following day.  So I saved my tartan terrific dress for a regular business casual day.  Oh, and I love these boots.  They make any outfit edgy.

 Outfit – Candies dress; Mossimo sheer mock turtleneck; H&M cardigan; Breckelle’s boots (ModCloth); Target tights; Coach sunnies; Wendy Brandes ring; Rebecca Minkoff pouch

FTC Disclosure: Although this is a sponsored post, the opinions, pictures & content of this post are strictly my own.