Wendy, Queen of Hearts

by jennine on November 9, 2009

diana ring

When I first met Wendy Brandes, back in 2007, she had contacted me as a jewelry designer from New York who was coming to San Francisco (where I then lived) and she wanted to take me out to dinner. She didn’t have a blog then, well she started one days before the dinner… and I had no idea what to expect.

While I could go on about how amazing dinner was and how delightful her and Mr. B are… since we’ve become good friends over the years, it’s suffice to say that it did go well. One of the the details that stuck out in my mind at the dinner was this silver heart ring that she let me try on, and on a visit a year later, the ring again really spoke to me. The Diana Ring, inspired by Princes Diana, who was a great humanitarian, and who did so much work for AIDS patients, as well as being incredibly beautiful and stylish. The thing that stuck out in my mind about the ring was how it fit, how it felt… lush, would have to be the word, though it’s not a word you would use to describe metal, that’s how it feels.

Two years later, I finally bought the ring. It never left my mind how nice the ring feels, and also, because Wendy is such a great person and wonderful friend, it adds personal meaning to this lovely heart.

diana3
Here I’m wearing the ring with my chunky 80’s structured sweater, Market Publique cuff, husband’s American Apparel tee, vintage Wrangler cut off jeans, tights, and my studded Aldo Boots.

diana2

Oh! There is a fantastic interview with the lovely Wendy Brandes on 39th and Broadway.

{ 33 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Princess Poochie November 9, 2009 at 9:12 am

I think lush is the perfect word for her pieces. And it looks lovely on you.
Princess Poochie´s last blog ..Asheville Weekend Outfit at French Broad Chocolate Lounge My ComLuv Profile

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2 Liv Lundelius November 9, 2009 at 9:19 am

oh there it is again!
so in love with this piece!

btw : very nice nailpolish
Liv Lundelius´s last blog ..men should look like, well, men ! My ComLuv Profile

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3 Andrea November 9, 2009 at 9:31 am

That ring is beautiful! She makes such gorgeous jewelry. Love the nail polish as well…
Andrea´s last blog ..Accessories Report: Metal & Leather Cuff Bracelets My ComLuv Profile

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4 Nickie Frye November 9, 2009 at 9:37 am

Wow, I’ve never seen her jewelry before so I went & checked out her website. WOW! First of all, I love this Acorn Necklace: http://www.wendybrandes.com/pro-detail.php?colid=29&collect=true&id=421 I make jewelry myself & I can really appreciate the work that goes into these types of pieces.

Love the sweater. I was at H&M this weekend (for the first time ever, can you believe it??) & they had a lot of these long cardigan sweaters. Even though I try to stick to more vintage pieces, I confess that I bought a long cardigan sweater vest. Oops! Couldn’t help myself. heehee.
Nickie Frye´s last blog ..Vintage High Waisted Jeans My ComLuv Profile

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5 Sally November 9, 2009 at 9:46 am

I generally find hearts a bit twee, but also adore that chunk of a ring from Wendy’s collection. So beautiful and sculptural.
Sally´s last blog ..Just Deserts My ComLuv Profile

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6 Sheena November 9, 2009 at 9:49 am

That really is a lovely ring. Very stylish and classic, it’s quite simple yet elegant. I think that can be said for all of Wendy B’s jewelry.
Sheena´s last blog ..Kreativ Blogger Award My ComLuv Profile

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7 Tami November 9, 2009 at 9:49 am

Love the ring, but I think you look so good with a darker lip color! :)
Tami´s last blog ..Armani 2009 Holiday Crystal Collection My ComLuv Profile

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8 Maria November 9, 2009 at 9:51 am

That ring is beautiful!!

Adore your whole outfit and really loving your gorgeous hair.

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9 jennine November 9, 2009 at 10:26 am

wow, thank you! i’m glad all of you like the ring too! it’s my new favorite!
❤ nickie…oh the acorn necklace is amazing…and i also like the inspriation behind it. they have these sweaters at H&M? What! I’ll have to take a look down there, the last time i went, it seemed kind of bland…
❤ sally…hearts can go cutesy really fast, i have a friend who hates hearts, it’s funny to see her go on tangents with them, particularly when in san francisco, we had this heart project around the city there were all these heart sculptures to commemorate leaving your hearts in san fran.
❤ tami…darker lip color seems to make sense lately…
❤ maria, thanks! it’s nice to finally have a direction with the mop.

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10 hanako66 November 9, 2009 at 10:40 am

I love this outfit, your lovely new ring, and Wendy! That hair style is so becoming on you, I just love it:)
hanako66´s last blog ..birds of a feather My ComLuv Profile

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11 WendyB November 9, 2009 at 10:54 am

I’m so glad it fits. Love these photos. Thanks for being a gorgeous client!
WendyB´s last blog ..Jewel of the Month: The Hen in the Egg My ComLuv Profile

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12 Kristin November 9, 2009 at 10:57 am

That is one of my very fav Wendy B pieces. Such a substantial, yet feminine ring! It looks fabulous on you of course. : )
Kristin´s last blog ..It’s Party Dress Season Ladies! My ComLuv Profile

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13 grechen November 9, 2009 at 11:20 am

oh jennine, that is beautiful!!! someday i hope to be able to buy myself the cleves ring – in gold :) wendy makes the most exquisite jewelry, it’s just my style, and i love that you have a wonderful story behind yours.

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14 39th & Broadway November 9, 2009 at 12:40 pm

Love the ring and what a wonderful story on your first meeting. Such a lovely example of what a generous person Wendy is. Thanks for the link as well, Wendy really gave a great interview.
39th & Broadway´s last blog ..Wendy B Tells All! My ComLuv Profile

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15 jennine November 9, 2009 at 1:16 pm

❤hanako…thanks!
❤wendy..funny it fits perfectly on my middle finger… i don’t know why we didn’t try that before?
❤krisin…it’s one of my favorites too…now to start obessing on the next piece.
❤grechen, the cleves ring is amazing!
❤39th…she is, isn’t she?

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16 Alice Olive November 9, 2009 at 3:17 pm

Agreed, it’s a beautiful ring from a beautiful designer! Looks great on you.

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17 eyeliah November 9, 2009 at 4:44 pm

that ring is amazing, I am a huge fan of her jewelry… one day :-)
eyeliah´s last blog ..Laura My ComLuv Profile

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18 Clare November 9, 2009 at 4:58 pm

I’ve definitely ogled that ring, too. Lush is the perfect word for it.
Clare´s last blog ..I Know A Place Where We Can Go My ComLuv Profile

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19 enc November 9, 2009 at 5:22 pm

That gorgeous heart ring is just right for you, Jennine!
enc´s last blog ..Foot Furniture My ComLuv Profile

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20 jennine November 9, 2009 at 5:40 pm

❤alice, thanks!
❤eyeliah… one day, it only took me a few years…
❤clare… it really is!
❤enc, thanks love! my hands seem to like it!

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21 alixrose November 9, 2009 at 6:35 pm

J – I love this picture of you. Also I love that you chose this piece too, its at the top of my someday list too. Wendy has an amazing collection, I can imagine it was hard to actually chose,but sometimes a piece just speaks to you right.Lovely!
alixrose´s last blog ..BE INSPIRED: IT’S ALL IN THE SHOULDERS BABY! My ComLuv Profile

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22 Cammila November 9, 2009 at 6:55 pm

That really is a gorgeous ring, and honestly, you dressed around it just perfectly. It conveys serious volume and weight, but still seems very soft and feminine — and that’s totally echoed in your outfit, especially your sweater.
Cammila´s last blog ..He saw horses, horses, horses… My ComLuv Profile

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23 wekilledCOUTURE. November 9, 2009 at 7:25 pm

Wendy is a jewelry goddess… her rings are so breathtaking.
im in love with the Marie Antoinette ring.

not sure if i like those tights with those shorts
but you look cute regardless.

Cheers.

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24 Alicia November 9, 2009 at 9:33 pm

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSS!!! I love that ring. And I know what you mean when you describe how it feels. Congrats!!
Alicia´s last blog ..In The Streets 002: Empire State of Mind My ComLuv Profile

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25 Sharon Laufer November 10, 2009 at 6:42 am

I know the article wasnt on this but I really love the nail polish you are wearing. What color is? Thanks a bunch.

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26 Danielle November 10, 2009 at 7:03 am

What a beautiful ring! and so fun how a friendship can start out of blogging and a love of pretty things :)

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27 jennine November 10, 2009 at 7:10 am

❤alixrose..i guess great minds think alike!
❤camilla…oh thanks, it does have volume, and it is feminine
❤alicia, so glad you get it
❤sharon, ooh it’s sally hansen limelight 25
❤daneille… one of the many things that comes out of blogging i guess!

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28 kirsty November 10, 2009 at 9:26 am
29 grace November 10, 2009 at 10:28 am

that sweater looks so warm…lucky!

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30 dora November 10, 2009 at 11:51 am

i absolutely adore the boots. where did you get the tights? i’ve been looking for a pair of opaque charcoal grey tights everywhere but still haven’t found any of good quality… they would add a nice touch to my collection of coloured tights.
dora´s last blog ..what to wear? My ComLuv Profile

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31 Kristen November 10, 2009 at 12:25 pm

Awesome ring and I really like the mix of a cozy sweater with cutoffs and tights.
Looks really great, but more importantly, it looks comfortable.
Kristen´s last blog ..Links A La Mode My ComLuv Profile

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32 Ebay Fashion Addict November 10, 2009 at 3:07 pm

the photo captured how beautiful and warm the ring really is!
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33 Rachel November 14, 2009 at 3:08 pm

You were wearing that ring when we met at the Kenneth Cole event in Chicago! I was going to ask you where you got it but now I can put my wonder to rest – it’s so gorgeous but so simple – fantastic statement!

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