Every time I log into the back end of this blog, I feel like I'm peering around the corner in a haunted house. It's very suspenseful. My heart's kind of pounding thinking a literal ghost in the machine might awaiting me with scary error messages. I assume my fears will be assuaged with exposure therapy, now that I have ghostbuster/Fiverr freelancer Lisa Miller on my side.

I can testify that Lisa is very patient with erratic clients because I told her my blog problems, gave her access, and then disappeared for weeks on end. To stick with a theme, I would say that I ghosted her, but someone somewhere on social media pointed out that ghosting is the wrong word for disappearing, because the whole problem with ghosts is that they're lingering, uninvited. Right? If you have a ghost in your house, it's rudely opening your kitchen cabinets; banging the screen door; turning the TV to static to transport small children and pets to other dimensions; and messing with the back end of your blog. You WANT the ghost to disappear for good. So let's say I was frequently incommunicado rather than a ghost. Nevertheless, Lisa persisted, and here I am.

Anyway, if you follow me on Instagram, you already know that my raison d'être is fighting fascism (sometimes while pole dancing, as you can see below).

I'm choosing the word "fascism" to cover my concerns because political scientist Lawrence Britt published a list of 14 characteristics of fascism in 2003, and the list covers a large number of the evils we face, though in a general way, by necessity. You have to go through it and say, yeah, this one covers patriarchy, and this one covers concentration camps, and this one covers Christofascism, and so on. I'm not sure the list encompasses ecocide; white supremacy; imperialism and colonization; and mass murder through lack of safe food, safe water, medical neglect, and/or lack of electrical power. So when I say I'm consumed with fighting fascism, it's also more than fascism, but sometimes I need shorthand for The System.

That said, I'm not starting with a political post because I feel compelled to write about some non-resistance topics "for the record." I've always felt that the blog is where I make my official statements about people, places, things, daily horrors, etc. If it's not here, it's not official! It's more static and easily searchable than social media. I often use my blog as reference material on myself. It's the quickest way for me to look up things like the date of an event, the provenance of a sequin skirt, photos of favorite hairstyles, and opinions that I now wholeheartedly rebuke. I get very annoyed with my past self when I discover that a topic I am looking for wasn't covered.

Two other answers to my own question of "what am I doing here?" just hit me. First, my stepdaughter Isabelle once called me "completist," when I couldn't move onto a show she recommended because I had yet to finish the previous show she recommended. This blog has felt incomplete, and that's long made me anxious. (Note: I can deal with important things in life being open-ended, but any smaller, self-contained things that CAN be completed MUST be completed or I cannot rest.)

Second, after I wrote my first "real" post complete with photos four days ago and started thinking about what I might write next, I was unexpectedly bursting with creativity like I haven't been in years. I was starting to wonder if I was having a manic episode, and texted Isabelle, a novelist, with alarm, to ask her what to do if I suddenly had the outline for a four-chapter short story written down in 30 minutes. I was like, what does this mean? MUST I write the story now? Is it mandated by the muses or something? I've never done anything like that before. I'm pretty sure I didn't want to do anything like that. Seeing as the energy hasn't spread in either an alarming or helpful way to other aspects of my life, I'm going to take this a positive development and continue blogging if I can, while writing my short story. Kidding! I have not started the short story. Must I? Please advise.

Finally, it has dawned on me, as I prepared to write a last paragraph here, that my new era of blogging began with a story about a stolen ring. Here's a crazy coincidence: THIS WHOLE BLOG STARTED IN 2007 WITH A STORY ABOUT A STOLEN RING. Someone fetch my smelling salts at once - I fear I shall swoon! Seriously, I'm shook! I didn't even remember as I wrote that recent post, and declared the 2026 incident to be my first and only major jewelry theft! I guess I will stand by that, because the first time, we knew who had the ring and I was paid for it. The 2007 ring didn't vanish into the ether.

P.S. Fuck AI. I won't use it here. I will figure out how to do alt text for images though!

I'm going to kick off my return to blogging* with some thrilling jewelry news! And there's an opportunity for you to get in on the excitement. If you come across someone in the wild who happens to be wearing my one-of-a-kind Marie Antoinette ring ...

... you should, of course, compliment the wearer on their good taste. Then ask to take a closer look.
A really close look. Maybe even ask to try the ring on. Then, once you get this baby on your finger, run like hell, because this ring was STOLEN and I want it back.

Can you even believe it? I still can't. This was my first theft after 20 years in business. The first theft at the store too! I'm not going to mention the name of the store, but I've spent plenty of time there, and I know how good the security is, and how conscientious the staff is. Sometimes shit happens.

When the store owner called to give me the bad news, I was so unnerved that I just kept laughing.

Ending that phone call was funny. I was like, "Well, thank you for calling me," and the store owner was like, "Thank you," and then we kept thanking each other and laughing because why the hell were we thanking each other so much.

Anyway, many hours of security footage have been reviewed; a police report has been filed; and I'm weirdly relieved that the victim of the sticky fingers wasn't one of my Maneater rings. That would have hurt more. Not that this feels particularly good, but I didn't lose my mind over the incident. That said, keep your eyes peeled. There's only one ring like this in the world!

*I'm still trying to figure out if this site is functional, hence the asterisk on "return to blogging."

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The post The Age of Majority Blogversary first appeared on Wendy Brandes Jewelry Blog.

You know those exercises where you write a letter to your future self? I should be doing that right now, seeing as I'm typing these words in 2021. Let's see:

Dear 2025 Wendy,

I have no expectation that you'll remember to share this Associated Press report about the assassination of Abraham Lincoln on the actual 160th anniversary of the shooting, so I'm setting it up in advance. By the way, are you still writing the blog?! If so, congrats!

Best,

2021 Wendy

P.S. I hope the fascists haven't taken over.

I came across the AP's link to its own April 14, 1865, story about a little incident at Ford's Theatre too late to write a timely 2021 post, so I decided to save it for the next big round-number occasion, just because the first paragraph of the story by Lawrence Gobright is such a spectacular example of burying the lede:

WASHINGTON, APRIL 14 — President Lincoln and wife visited Ford’s Theatre this evening for the purpose of witnessing the performance of ‘The American Cousin.’ It was announced in the papers that Gen. Grant would also be present, but that gentleman took the late train of cars for New Jersey.

In the second paragraph, a kerfuffle takes place ...

The theatre was densely crowded, and everybody seemed delighted with the scene before them. During the third act and while there was a temporary pause for one of the actors to enter, a sharp report of a pistol was heard, which merely attracted attention, but suggested nothing serious until a man rushed to the front of the President’s box, waving a long dagger in his right hand, exclaiming, ‘Sic semper tyrannis,’ and immediately leaped from the box, which was in the second tier, to the stage beneath, and ran across to the opposite side, made his escape amid the bewilderment of the audience from the rear of the theatre, and mounted a horse and fled.

... and in the third paragraph, we learn that President Lincoln was shot.

The groans of Mrs. Lincoln first disclosed the fact that the President had been shot, when all present rose to their feet rushing towards the stage, many exclaiming, ‘Hang him, hang him!’ The excitement was of the wildest possible description...

Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how did you like the play?

I'm postponing my in-real-life birthday celebration until tomorrow, but because my birthdays demand some kind of fashion photo, allow me to re-share my lewk from exactly 40 years ago today.

Now that I have your attention, here's a special birthday request for donations to to help my friend Nadine Seiler start life over in Trinidad and Tobago by donating to her GoFundMe. Nadine (aka Warrior Goddess for the Resistance) is an absolute dynamo who has spent the past eight years devoted to anti-MAGA activism, bringing spectacular visuals, energy, courage, intelligence, and good humor to her relentless protesting.

USA Today did a great story about Nadine in August. Alexandra Charitan wrote about her here. This interview with Feminist just came out and includes advice about overcoming apathy and much more. (Read the articles and you'll fall in love with her, I promise!) The problem is that Nadine is a naturalized citizen, and the MAGA government plans to strip citizenship from and deport people just like her. Nadine has lived in the U.S. for 40 years, but she now wants to leave her own terms, rather than waiting for the government to target her.  She stood up for all of us who didn't have the nerve to protest like she does. Now I feel like it's time we stand up for her.

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The post Blogversary 17 first appeared on Wendy Brandes Jewelry Blog.

Better late than never: My dear friend and groundbreaking rapper Gangsta Boo was recognized in the "In Memoriam" portion of the Grammys tonight. I guess the Recording Academy became aware of the outrage after she was left out of last year's February broadcast even though she died on January 1 . Thank you to my friend Tina for getting this shot of the screen, because I was too busy screaming to operate my phone.

Here's a close-up of the beautiful photo used.

This was the second Boo surprise I got in a week. Earlier, I discovered an Instagram photo she'd shared of Rihanna back in 2020. Somehow, it wound up in that SpaceNook folder that's like the Bermuda Triangle for random messages.

My heart skipped a beat. I remember this from Instagram, but I had no idea it was lurking in that strange Facebook folder. Boo always did like to tell me when she spotted someone else with a mullet haircut in the wild. Now I feel like I got to say hi to her twice -- and like I might have to tell my hair guru Keith Carpenter that I'm not ready to move on from a mullet after all.

In case you missed it, here's the tribute I wrote to Boo (aka Lola Mitchell) for her birthday last year.

I've always been interested in the story-telling aspect of fashion -- on the societal level as well as the personal one. As I debated whether or not to write one of my old-school "What Wendy Wore" year-in-review posts in the midst of what's happening in the world, I realized that a lot of what I wore in 2023 reflected all my concerns and what I was doing to try to make a difference. So consider this a peek into the world as I experienced it through how I dressed for it.

To be blunt, the year started in the worst possible way. I had been pleased with the #SlowFashion quality of my look for last New Year's Eve's dinner with MrB. I even thought, "This is going to get me back into blogging more regularly."

What Wendy Wore on January 1, 2023
Bodysuit: Commando (2019, previously seen here.)
Skirt: Libertine (2015, first seen here)
Jacket: Zang Toi (2009)
Purse: Louis Vuitton (tracking down the year!)
Shoes: Vivienne Westwood (2011)
Headband: Champagne-themed thing from a stationery store.

On January 1, I honored that resolution and began working on an outfit post with a special focus on the animal-toe “Never Is the Next New Thing™” Vivienne Westwood shoes.

That's exactly when I learned, from social media, that my dear friend Lola Mitchell -- aka Gangsta Boo -- had died. I started pouring all my memories into writing about her instead, but I found the tribute too painful to finish until her birthday in August. Because I felt like I couldn't blog about anything until I wrote about Lola, I left the blog mostly alone this year. That's not to say I wasn't writing anything! I published over 52 activism newsletters this year -- more than one a week -- which you can see here. Please sign up! It's free and I include a lot of virtual actions that you can take from anywhere in the country. One favorite recommendation of mine is contacting your elected officials daily through the free, 24/7 Resistbot service. Text the word RESIST to 50409 to get started.

In February 2023, the only things that got me out of the house were pole-dancing classes and protest actions. My one head-to-toe outfit photo -- most of which is obscured by my giant sign -- was taken at the weekly Rise and Resist protest outside Fox News.

What Wendy Wore in February 2023
Hat: Fox Lies hat (2021)
Sweatshirt: Megan Renee (2001)
Parka: Moose Knuckles (2017)
Jeans: Frame (2018-ish)
Boots: Ross and Snow (2022)

A photo from that action was used by ABC News in an article about Democratic politicians calling on Fox's billionaire owner Rupert Murdoch to stop his propaganda network's lies. If you're ever in New York City on a Tuesday, you can join Rise and Resist's Truth Tuesdays action at 1211 6th Avenue (between 47th and 48th Streets) from noon to 1 PM. As I'm always telling people about this and any other protest action, you don't have to stay the whole time to be an important part of it! Come late, leave early, or just walk by to take photos and amplify the action on social media. We welcome any kind of participation at all.

In March, I was thrilled to play lying Fox News host Laura Ingraham at another Truth Tuesdays protest. Most of my activist friends hadn't seen me in my previous-life wardrobe, so I had a good time with their "How do you walk in those?!" shoe questions.

What Wendy Wore in March 2023
Jacket and skirt: Versace (2004, seen in 2007 here and 2008 here)
Top: No idea what I had under there.
Shoes: Prada (pre-2005, previously seen here)
Bag: Prada (Don't know when I got it, but there's a photo from 2018)

A lot of people have expressed a dislike of my hairy purple jacket over the years, but I still love it. Variations on that look also came in yellow that Fall 2004 season, and I had to take a screenshot when Brent Edward Vintage listed a skirt on 1st Dibs this summer.

April's best head-to-toe outfit photo -- and its context -- is certainly something I wouldn't have imagined a few years ago. I didn't foresee us losing our right to have an abortion, and I didn't envision myself organizing and leading a pro-abortion protest on the steps of the New York Public Library.

What Wendy Wore in April 2023
T-shirt: "I Will Aid and Abet Abortion" (2023)
Jeans: Frame Denim (2022)
Sneakers: Brooks (2022)
Belt bag: Proenza Schouler (2021? I need to look this up)
Posture: Borrowed from Mick Jagger

In May, I organized a group of activist friends to go to the Night of a Thousand Stevies Stevie Nicks tribute. (Our group chat is still called "the Stevies.") That's me with Sonni's white wig slapped on my head. On my right is Jen Shoemaker, who made her own fantastic headpiece and sells her work on Etsy. Check her out here. Jen is also the owner of Krewe de Fromage catering. I recommend her highly!

What Wendy Wore in May 2023
Bodysuit: Poshmark (I think it was $7! 2023)
Layering top under the bodysuit (Versace, 2001-ish)
Skirt: Paris Cabaret style from Shrine of Hollywood on Etsy (2023)
Boots: Fluevog (January 2023, thank you to my friend Yajna for helping me find them)

Interestingly, I've worn this exact same ensemble enough times that it deserves its own post. I'll put that on my to-do list.

For June, I'm a bit spoiled for fashion-activism photo options. Orange was never a color I wore much of for most of my life, but it's the color of the anti-gun violence movement. I started with a small scarf in 2018, and now I'm a walking construction cone keeping my friend Jenny safe from traffic.

What Wendy Wore in June 2023, Part 1
Jeans and t-shirt: Frame Denim (2023)
Prescription glasses: Prada (2011 sunglasses purchased from Poshmark in 2021)
Boots: Fiorentini & Baker (bought secondhand in Paris in 2013)

But my most amusing fashion choice in June was what I wore to the annual NYC drag march. I thought, "What a great moment for a tuxedo look with my beloved top hat." I found a $30 dress on Poshmark (have you figured out I'm obsessed with Poshmark?) Then I had regrets because everyone else dressed like a fabulous rainbow.

Photographer Diane Greene Lent later caught me standing near the one other person who made my aesthetic choice, and I 100% remember this moment! I was admiring everyone's lewks and wondering, "Why did I wear black?"! Little did I know this out-of-step fashion choice foretold another, even more comical wardrobe selection in October.

However, you're going to have to wait until 2024 for the wrap-up of 2023's fashion. I don't like delaying Part 2 because (a) who cares about a year-end wrap-up after December 31 and (b) every time I say, "I'll be right back" something awful happens and I don't feel up to blogging for months. And right now, the level of awful is unmatched. Well, I'll just have to try my best. I do find if I make time for something that gives me some personal satisfaction -- whether that's going out with friends for non-protest activities or just, you know, brushing my teeth once in a while -- I have more energy and hope as an activist.

Let's all work towards better things in the New Year, shall we?