#RVABloggerBabes: Bloom with Zum
Story by Christina Amano Dolan Photos by Michael Atilla “I don’t limit myself to talking about one thing. If I want it to be my space, it has to be mine: multidimensional because I am not one type of person. That is my life.” Looking for a lifestyle blog that has a bit of everything? From tips about skincare routine in the bitter winter air, coping with a stressful and hectic schedule, detoxing remedies, style lookbooks, recipes for crave-worthy but guiltless desserts, and travel guides to places as close as New York or as distant as Bosnia? It may seem as if such a blog couldn’t be possible – I mean, how can you possibly fit so much of a life into a single link? How can you possibly fit so many answers for everyday, struggling girls about style, beauty, and wellness into a simple and easy-to-navigate blog? Well, Zumreta from Bloom with Zum proves it is more than possible. Zumreta is a blogger that offers a bit of everything. She doesn’t simply limit herself to talking about fashion and what styles she has been recently sporting around town – she simply talks about whatever she wants to talk about, and what she thinks people will find worth reading. But in order to understand her incredibly diverse and charming blog, it is important to understand her incredibly diverse and charming life. How can so many personalities fit into a single blog? Well, for starters, Zumreta’s background isn’t so simple. She was born a refugee and raised in Bosnia, immigrating to the U.S. when she was only three years old. Her family moved directly from their distant homeland to the West End of Richmond, immersed into an entirely different culture. Zumreta, despite being miles from her drastically different homeland, considers Richmond her other home, as she hasn’t left the city since moving 18 years ago. “I’m definitely getting an itch these days to go and try to live in another place,” she laughed in an interview with me. “But I love Richmond.” Growing up only 15 minutes from campus, of course she was bound to end up at VCU, right? “Well, when I was younger, my mind was always ‘NYU!’” she admitted. “It was probably something from TV that gave me the idea… But now, I can spend just a week in New York and be completely satisfied and ready to go home.” Like most Virginia residents, it’s practical to simply stay within the state boundaries. Her first choice, without a doubt, was her neighbor, VCU. “I love Richmond because it still is the city – but calm and less-hectic!” Her major, too, is something you wouldn’t expect. “I majored in psychology with a minor in religious studies,” she explained. As she always keeps busy, she worked at St. Mary’s Hospital throughout college, offering her countless opportunities right out of graduation. She works in analytics now and is even leaning towards programming and coding! And let’s not forget her studying for her masters. Seems like she has a pretty hectic life, right? So how could she possibly keep her blog so up-to-date and jam-packed with an array of posts? “I work from home so it offers some really nice flexibility… I can just work on the blog whenever I want without a boss looking over my shoulder.” But still – work, work, work it seems like. It may seem challenging to be able to take on so many chores, but Zumreta eagerly accepts her workload in stride. “I enjoy my blog… It’s kind of like my outlet and not just another job… it’s something I do just because I enjoy it.” From taking a glance at her blog, you would never guess she had such a demanding job in analytics, as it flourishes with intriguing, polished, and incredibly creative posts. “My job is very much numbers and graphs… my blog is something for me to be more creative and talk about things I like.” It may seem as if her blog has been evolving for years, as Bloom with Zum’s webpage is perfectly assembled, skillfully designed, filled with an assortment of posts, and incredibly easy to navigate. But her website sprouted into the blogger world only 8 months ago! Her idea to create a blog wasn’t anything new. She’s always felt inspired to share her life with a broader community, growing up as – what she calls – “a child of the internet.” “The idea of documenting your life was an idea that came about when we were young…from Tumblr to even MySpace back in the day.” Remember MySpace? Seems ancient, right? Even the most primitive form of sharing your identity with the world through the web dates back to when we were only toddlers or preteens. “We are all children of the internet.” To Zumreta, creating a blog was simply another way of documenting her life – nothing too drastically new. Instead of shifting to a more narrow side of herself to reveal to the blogger community, she looks at her blog as if it is – to put it in a simpler way – another MySpace! “It’s a creative community. My blog isn’t ‘Oh, look at my style,’ but more of a ‘Let me just share my life with you guys.’” Bloom with Zum isn’t your average fashion blog – it is Zumreta’s life. “Even if it’s something fashion related, it’s because I really need to let you guys know about it.” Her inspiration for her latest blog post is spontaneous in a way. If she wakes up with dry, cakey skin, she will craft a post dedicated to remedying it, with some life-saving moisturizer she discovered. If she is dying to find a new winter tea that makes her feel great, of course she will share it with the community. “I want to share things I learn and things I spend time researching…I’m always
Your VA Spring Style Guide
good Flower Child Of course, springtime is a time of rejoicing, renewal and rebirth so what’s more fitting than a bright rainbow-patterned sweater to ring in the new season? Match a brightly colored sweater with a pair of shorts, calf boots and a decked out denim jacket to celebrate the coming of warm weather. Oversized gold hoops are also perfect for this look as well because a little extra shine always puts a little extra pep in your step! Refined Chic Refined Chic For those of you who gravitate toward a more neutral palette, springtime is still your oyster! A deep teal midi dress with bright white low-top sneakers should definitely do the trick. Just make sure to grab a gray jacket to keep warm and your favorite bag to match. Bonus points if your dress is low-cut; that means you can accessorize with layered drop chains! Wild Card Wild Card
Growing Old, Not Up
She wears what she loves and she loves what she wears, without a care in the world. Iris Apfel, “the rare bird of fashion” is a style icon, who, at age 96, is recognized by the fashion world as a creator of taste with intellect and spunk that inspires women of all ages. After graduating from art school and engaging in various artistic jobs, she and her late husband started their own business, a textile firm called Old World Weavers , which enabled Mrs. Apfel to work as an interior designer, finding and sourcing rare, vintage items. Throughout her life, she did several design projects, such as being interior design consultant for nine different presidents! The fashion world began to notice her in 2005, a decade after she had already retired, when she graciously allowed the Metropolitan Museum of Art to present her rare costume jewelry and vintage collection in the exhibition, Rara Avis: Selections from the Iris Apfel Collection , which led to a documentary about her life, and books written by and about her. Apfel refers to herself as “the world’s oldest living teenager” and a “geriatric starlet” ; indeed, she has challenged the fashion world to think twice, or three times, or 96 times, about its ageist tendencies. At what seems like the end of her life, she proves she is more alive than ever, travelling for interviews and fashion shows and wearing whatever she wants, however she wants. She finds such ageism to be silly, and addresses it in an interview with The Guardian : “all these dresses for thousands of dollars, and the kids that age can’t even afford them. In America it has been proven that the bulk of spending money is in the hands of women between 60 and 80…” This is a woman who is prepared to break even more barriers than she already has in her long life, and she especially does so through fashion. Couple her vivacious personality with her elaborate style that includes oversized, round glasses, bright colors and prints, and layers of unique jewelry, and one can see why she is so adored! Tips for channeling Iris Apfel: 1. 1. Big glasses…again! – This is a recurring theme throughout these HerStory features! Iris most famously wears large, round black glasses. But, as seen on our model here, any color will do. Big glasses…again! – This is a recurring theme throughout these HerStory features! Iris most famously wears large, round black glasses. But, as seen on our model here, any color will do. 2. 2. Pattern and color play – Love a blouse and a jacket that have different prints, but share one color? Why not wear them both? Mrs. Apfel would. Also, look for bold colors, like this bright yellow trench coat, paired with cute prints, like this navy polkadot dress. Pattern and color play – Love a blouse and a jacket that have different prints, but share one color? Why not wear them both? Mrs. Apfel would. Also, look for bold colors, like this bright yellow trench coat, paired with cute prints, like this navy polkadot dress. 3. 3. Accessories galore – Go ALL OUT. No amount of bracelet-stacking and necklace- layering is too great when channelling Iris Apfel. Seek out statement pieces like these platform shoes and this chunky silver necklace that our model is styled in. And look out for pieces that are so interesting, you may raise some brows and turn heads – those are the fun ones. Accessories galore – Go ALL OUT. No amount of bracelet-stacking and necklace- layering is too great when channelling Iris Apfel. Seek out statement pieces like these platform shoes and this chunky silver necklace that our model is styled in. And look out for pieces that are so interesting, you may raise some brows and turn heads – those are the fun ones. sale 4. 4. Vintage and rare pieces – Apfel isn’t wearing just any typical piece that you see in a store or magazine, rather, she wears multiple pieces that she finds in antique stores and in her travels to various countries. And, as she shows in the previously mentioned documentary, she is not afraid to bargain for a good price. Look for good-quality, unique pieces at reasonable prices. The thrift and vintage stores await! The last, and most important tip we have for channeling Mrs. Apfel is to forget the rules, maybe even these. To truly be inspired by Iris, you have to see style the way she does: personal and fun and unencumbered by rules. In a Times Magazine Times Magazine interview, she expressed this idea: “I dress the way I please and I do what I please and I do everything for my good. I don’t intellectualize it or make up rules and regulations.” Mrs. Apfel reminds us with each of her stunning outfits that fashion ought to be expressive and bold. She also reminds us that true style is not limited by age, rather it is for every kind of individual. It’s official, we want to be like Iris Apfel when we grow up.
Fashion Diaries: Southern Women's Fashion Show Here We Come!
Story by Anna Debald Photos by Michael Attila The Southern Women’s Show, an event adored by mothers, sisters, daughters, aunts and friends. The event tours ten southern states bringing fashion, beauty and food to consumers in the area. The show made its way to our very own Richmond just over a week ago, setting up vendors at the International Raceway. When I arrived at the event, the blue sky, lacking clouds, presented an ideal day to shop! Although Richmond is indeed southern, it often renders an urban lifestyle. The Richmond Raceway was a great location to host the event, as it added a southern, rustic charm and a strong contrast between the neatly prepared boutiques and shops that awaited inside. The interior formed a maze of vendors who came to help women fashion all facets of their lives. Each one obtained its own decorated space to allure customers. The event was overflowing with smiling entrepreneurs, happy to share their life’s work with shoppers. A wide range of and goods services were presented, attending to all of consumers’ needs. There were custom fit toe rings, free spinal screenings, makeup artists penciling in eyebrows and snap on jewelry, to name a few. However, there were five vendors that stood out as unique and eye catching. The following products offered by retailers at The Southern Women’s Show have a personal touch that makes them hand-made, playful and appealing to customers. 1. The first is a store called WEST47th. Their merchandise was so beautifully crafted I couldn’t help but purchase a pair of earrings. The base of the earring is made of a type of pink artificial palm, resembling phormium tenax. On top of this grassy material are purple jewels that form the shape of a star or a flower shape. Both WEST47th’s jewelry and apparel are color and detail oriented. Most of their jewelry consists of interesting materials, like fringe and metal tassels. They are created with bright colors and act as great statement pieces to add depth to an outfit. Their apparel is glamorous with beading, embroidered pearls, glitter and toile. Floral print two-pieces were stand-out pieces that filled their racks at the show last weekend. WEST47th is comprised of fashion forward garments and accessories made for the modern cool girl. 2. The second is Milk Reclamation Barn, who compile candles on a small farm in North Baltimore County. The two women mending their booth at the show were friends, who began the company by “surrounding themselves with a group of girlfriends to sip wine and create about hundred candles in one sitting.” Now, the company produces their candles in a refurbished barn. Milk Reclamation Barn sells milk bottle candles, milk barn soy melts and barn metal candles. The milk bottle candle sits in a repurposed milk bottle, contains 100% American grown soy wax and is topped off with a silicon lid. The soy melts are 3 ounce squares created for burning up to eight hours. Their barn metal candles are made with cotton wicks and set into a rustic can. The Milk Reclamation Barn offers sixteen different scents, with names like “early to rise” and “wild honeysuckle.” Their products displayed at The Southern Women’s Show were nothing short of endearing. 3. Handcrafted in small amounts and carefully placed in individual bags, Natasha’s Just Brittle offered a delicious experience at the event with free samples of the savory brittle. A mixture of sea salt, brown and white sugar, agave and butter forms the base of Natasha’s brittle. She also bakes 37 flavors, banana split and pretzel brittle being some of the best sellers. Natasha grew up cooking in her grandma’s kitchen. At this three day event, audiences were delighted to hear her story and taste her delicacies. It was definitely the perfect treat to keep in my purse and carry round while viewing displays. 4. The table next to Natasha’s sweet treats was a company called Monat. This is a family owned company, began by Louis Urdanata. He came from humble beginnings and strive to begin something of his own. Laura Breneman, market builder for the company, attended the weekend event. She shared that the hair products Monat sells are not tested on animals. They use a rejuvenating oil intensive comprised of eleven molecular ingredients that revives dull hair. They also have a list of “Monat No’s” which includes harmful ingredient most drug store brands use. Their display consisted of shampoos, conditioners, and products for styling or treatment. Reshape Root Lifter, Blow Out Cream and Intense Repair Conditioner were products that stood out. The family run company recognizes damaged hair, frizzy hair and even time honored hair. 5. Let’s Talk Towels is the fifth vendor that received a lot of attention. Their 100% cotton towels are imported directly from Turkey. Let’s Talk Towels sells towels you can wear as a wrap or scarf. You can also use it as a blanket, as well as after a beach day or bathing. What was so appealing to those attending the event was the authenticity, quality, high luster and softness of the towels. They are also extremely versatile. This is an important selling point to us consumers, because we need products that can accompany us while doing all the experiences life has to offer. These five vendors were only a small portion of the merchandise displayed. However, these five provide women fashion-forward garments, beauty products and lifestyle services. The innovative characteristic of retail is what makes it so alluring. There is always a new trend or design produced to better past trends or create a new one! Merchandisers are truly innovative and often times, the most innovative product is quirky and hand-made. The Southern Women’s Show reminds us that authentic, detail-oriented and unconventional products are the best kinds of products!
Playing with Purpose
Recognized for being the former No. 1 ranked tennis player and the first female athlete to win over $100,000 in prize money, King was also one of the first openly gay athletes, as well as an outspoken feminist. King’s most renowned matches, called “Battle of the Sexes” was against the former No. 1 ranked tennis player, Bobby Riggs, who claimed that the women’s game was inferior. Needless to say, King proved him wrong when she won the match, making history with millions of people cheering her on. This empowering woman didn’t stop there, but went on to found both the Women’s Tennis Association and the Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative. Eventually, her dedication to equality earned her the Medal of Freedom in 2009. Are you inspired, or what? It’s amazing that King used her athletic talent as a platform for her to draw attention to social injustices and for her to actively fight against that inequality. We are so excited to channel this queen- or rather, “King”- this month! This shoot took place on a tennis court (of course!), our lovely model’s feminine look contrasted with bold poses might just inspire you to head to the court for a match, if only for the outfits. But, there’s no need! We’ve got you covered with a few tips to help you channel King’s style on the daily, without needing to hit the tennis court (unless you wanted to, of course). learn this here now Tips for channeling Billie Jean King in your style: Chic glasses – In this shoot, the stylist chose a white pair of sunglasses, but any color and style will do. Billie Jean King wore her glasses during matches. Over the years she has sported different ones in colors like hot pink and red which are also cute color options. Pretty pastels – Pastels are not for the faint of heart. The beautiful irony is, it takes a bold person to work pastel colors. It is so much easier to put on dark neutrals that easily pair together. In this look, even though the dusty blue and pale pink might not “go” with each other, they still contrast to create a pretty, yet strong look. King’s ideas for how women should be seen, treated, and paid didn’t “go” with what was the norm in the world of tennis, but she didn’t change. She was not faint of heart. Billie wore her womanhood the way she wanted. If you dare, break away from neutrals and wear your pastels the way you want this spring! A uniquely draped sweater – King was a woman like no other, especially in the world of tennis, and she wore her uniqueness boldly. A small way to add a unique touch to your own style is by tying your own sweatshirt around your shoulders, in typical tennis style, and perhaps by pulling one side under an arm, in not-so-typical tennis style. It’s different, but it’s a look. Plus, it’s essential for these colder days. A pleated skirt – It’s a little bit tennis star and a little bit private school girl, but our model works it perfectly. These skirts are fun and flouncy, highlighting the waist to create a classic hourglass figure. It’s an easy way to channel King in your own style. What says “tennis legend/social activist” more than a pleated skirt, right? “Everybody’s wearing white shoes, white socks, white clothes, playing with white balls, everybody who plays is white. Where is everybody else? That was the moment I decided to fight for equality and freedom and equal rights and opportunities for everyone. Everyone. Not just girls. Everyone.” -Billie Jean King This quote by Billie Jean King displays her heart for equality, for both the LGBTQIA+ community and for women of every color. The quote encompasses the work she has done to challenge the athletic world and beyond to be more aware of inequality and to do something about it. This is a woman who overcame barriers and did what she could to help others with their own social hurdles. This is the kind of woman that we are not only excited to celebrate, but use as an inspiration for our personal styles. And especially to let inspire our views on equal rights for not just women, but everyone.
Channeling Cleopatra
Story by Estelle Avbuere Photos by Mia Navarro The beauty of fashion is its ability to tell such stories on a regular basis. As we celebrate Women’s History Month, it is important to tell the universal and personal stories of women of all backgrounds, races, and cultures, especially through their individual styles. We want to walk you through history as we take a look at women who have and are embracing their narratives. These women tell stories of power, vulnerability, cleverness, beauty, athleticism, knowledge, compassion and so much more. These women have embraced their womanhood in distinct ways and without apology, all while overcoming barriers of prejudice and discrimination. These women are strong. The looks presented are based on each stylist’s modern interpretation of these women’s personalities, combined with inspiration from looks that they have iconically sported. Each look is here to empower women and to remind everyone to never underestimate a woman. continue Cleopatra is famously known as the clever, seductive Ancient Egyptian ruler with striking features. From raising her own army to coercing Julius Caesar and overthrowing her own brother to making Mark Antony fall for and go to war with her, Cleopatra was indeed a force. She was both a mother and a complex, tactical regent. She loved, outsmarted, gave birth to, ruled over and reigned alongside men. Cleopatra also compared herself to the mythological goddess, Isis , and at one point dressed in robes likened to those of the goddess. In this look, you can see the air of superiority of a ruler and a goddess, as portrayed by the oversized, black and gold sunglasses and the long, elegant dress. The wealth of all the nations Cleopatra had power over is displayed through the gold bracelets and statement necklace, and the large black ring. But Cleopatra wasn’t just a queen on the outside. The black of the model’s dress and the dark lip color reflect the authority that she exuded. Perhaps it also represents the tragedy of her death, as the story goes that she allowed a poisonous snake to bite her after hearing of Mark Antony’s death. Tips for channeling Cleopatra into your style: Dark lips – This dark lip color on the model is gorgeous and perfect for evening looks, but if you are as daring as the queen herself, try it during the day too. Bold jewelry – Get your glam on with some jewelry that makes you stand out. Layer some delicate necklaces, bracelets, or rings. Or go with one bold jewelry piece at a time, depending on the outfit. Use whatever you have to add variety! Dark sunglasses – Spring is well on its way, which means a lot of rainy days mixed with a lot of sunshine, so be prepared. Darker shades are interesting because they have a mysterious authority to them, just like Cleopatra. In the end, one reason history recognizes Cleopatra as a notable woman is that she knew what she wanted to do and was clever and bold about getting it done. This strong-willed mindset is a beautiful aspect of womanhood, and it can easily be adapted into something as simple as wardrobe. We invite you to give it a try! Reference: http://www.history.com/topics/ancient-history/cleopatra
A Galentine's Day to Remember at Mod & Soul
Story by Estelle Avbuere Maybe you know Mod & Soul as a stylish, upscale Richmond-based and online boutique. Or, maybe you know the store for its trendy, boho-influenced pieces and contemporary, delicate jewelry. What you might not know is that Mod & Soul can also throw gorgeous events! They proved it when they threw their first annual Galentine’s Day event last Thursday night. This event was complete with colorful decorations, delicious deserts, a photo station, fun giveaways, and lovely (not to mention stylish!) women. One of the best parts was the opportunity to be styled by co-hosts, fashion bloggers and stylists, Zumreta of of Bloom with Zum Bloom with Zum and Shanna of Me and Minnie Me and Minnie check out the post right here . The event kicked off at 6:30 pm – the perfect time for a stylish soiree if you ask us. Upon entering, one could see the fabulous, fashion-filled event was already underway. Pink lights were strung from the ceiling, red and pink balloons floated about, and the clothes, clothes, well they looked as beautiful as ever. Sparkly gold fabric hung on the far wall as a background for “gals” and their friends to get their pictures taken. The set-up included fun props, like X and O balloons, while photographer, Juliet Bryant , clad in the cutest denim overall dress snapped away. The center table was decorated with flowers, candles, sparkly hearts on sticks, and delightful treats (including PINK popcorn!). Both the co-hosts and the Mod & Soul sales associates were quick to give you a smile, ask how you were doing, and style you in the perfect look for the night. Women in all sorts of chic outfits were scattered around, sipping their drinks and chatting brightly. Some eagerly searched for the perfect blouses or dresses, excitedly waiting to try them on, while others conversed with new friends. The whole place was abuzz with the energy of these lovely ladies. It was clearly going to be a memorable Galentine’s event! Zumreta , writer of the blog Bloom with Zum Bloom with Zum , looked lovely in her statement red wrap dress and velvet (obviously from Mod & Sou l) , blush heels. While Shanna writer of Me and Minnie Me and Minnie , wore a ruffle-detailed fuchsia blouse tucked into cropped, distressed jeans and gold heels – chic as ever. Both ladies were the perfect co-hosts, as they went around smiling, laughing, greeting people, styling outfits, encouraging every woman, and, like any good blogger, updating their Instagram stories. By the end of the night, we left with new friends, pretty purchases, style inspiration and a love for who we are: strong, empowered women who are free to encourage each other. Overall, the evening was absolutely beautiful. This is not only because of the amazing clothes, shoes, and jewelry, the talented stylists, or the adorable place that is Mod & Soul, but also because it was a celebration of women and our friendships with each other. During this event, Mod & Soul provided a space where girls could come together, meet other women, share stories, and inspire each other’s looks. In fact, this was an opportunity for women to simply inspire each other. And they used fashion to do it. We’re here for that. We are so grateful to Mod & Soul, Shanna, and Zumreta for being here for that as well!