MORE BLOOMIES FOR YOUR BUCK!?

here is what the home floor at bloomie's new store will look like. (source)

today's womens wear daily is leading with an in-depth story by writer david moin, about bloomindales' new store opening in chevy chase, md. unlike many of it's larger store, this one will be a little over 180,000 square feet (still pretty generous if you ask me) and will feature 3 levels. the official opening will be this upcoming september 27th, and according to wwd.com, there might be a few more on the horizon, including new bloomingdales stores in arizona, texas, seattle and - where else!? - asia!

ROITFELD DESIGNS SOM'S INVITES

roitfeld in a fab runway look. (source)

the invite she designed. (source)

fashion week is coming!!!! and do you have your invites? more specifically, do you have your invitations to the peter som show? according to fashion week daily, these are a must-have, since this season's invites were designed by julia restoin roitfeld, daughter of french vogue editor, carine roitfeld, and new york city fashion darling. the invites were apparently based on the work of pablo palazuelo, a spanish painter and sculptor.

FERGIE LAUNCHES A LINE OF BAGS

i likey! what do you think!? (source)

i won't even lie: i am beyond impressed. as fashion week daily reported last week, the duchess herself, fergie has collaborated with rugged luggage company, kipling on a new line of bags. they are called the "naughty scout " and the "nice scout," which it looks like fergie is rocking above. the bags will be available next month and will retail between $38 and $198. she's not just a pop singer, she's a crack businesswoman too! let's learn from her blaynista's!

THE ROCK IS HERE!

every crew has a name, and in college my friends and i called ourselves "the rock." i know, not creative! but still super cute. three years after school, we all got together to celebrate the birth mikaila, the daughter of my friend krystal. the celebration took place in patterson, nj.

leigh ann, in her signature vintage style with her boyfriend.

the rock! plus krystal's sister, nico (wearing glasses), in the back. from left to right: leigh ann, neka, zandile, keonda, and krystal (the mommy!).


striking a very, very silly pose. but still so pretty, right!?

krystal and i.

me, leigh ann, and keonda.

keonda and her boyfriend, marcus.

GUESS WHO'S BACK!?

the living room and reading nook in the back. i took this pic from the top floor, which overlooks the living room.

the smaller bedroom in the house. one of my favorite aunties, priscilla and i, in front of the house.
me & the b.f in front of my aunties house.

franklin and i at nyc port authority, waiting for our bus to delaware.
franklin. :-)
me enjoying vanilla ice cream and a brownie i baked from scratch!
the front of the house!
the backyard.

it's me blaynista's! and i am feeling super well rested (sort of), and ready to dish about all things fashion. but first let's talk about all things franklin, and my fabulous vacay with him at my auntie akwele's, home in delaware (more details about how YOU can vacay there below.) we spent all of last week in middletown just enjoying life before my move to london next week. expect more family + friend pics as i continue my good byes this week. so without further ado.....and by the way, my auntie's vacation home is very rentable and very affordable for those of you who are interested in a country vacation. it is fully (and beautifully furnished) and centrally located between new york city (1 hour away), baltimore ( 1 hour away) and washington d.c (about 3 hours away). there are also lots of beaches and parks within driving distance. and grocery stores, starbucks, etc are all within walking distance. there are four bedrooms, a basement which is big enough to be an apartment, 2 1/2 baths, a spacious backyard, brand new kitchen. formal and casual dining room. a living room and a nook. email me at zandileblay@aol.com if interested. okay! enough! enjoy the pics!

VACATION PART DEAUX

blaynista's! can you believe i am moving to london in less than a month!!??? i can't either. that's why my b.f franklin and i are getting some quality time together before i leave. our destination of choice was my auntie's vacation home in middletown, delaware. we are cooking, cleaning and watching football (not my choice) so excuse me if i don't blog excessively this week - but i will blog. so check back today and the rest of the week for fab fashion fassip! xo,zb

PROJECT BOOK DEAL

nina garcia reveals style secrets in this new book. (source)

my a little bit of celebrity certainly brings big benefit$. this is something that elle fashion editor, and project runway judge, nina garcia, knows all too well. the sharp tongued beauty, has now packed her fashion insight into a cute and tidy new book called "the little black book of style," with illustrations by reuben toledo. the book is scheduled to hit barnes & noble's bookstores nationwide right around fashion week.

FASHIONABLE OR FUGLY? THE "NEW" SKINNY JEANS

blayreport correspondent, zeba, forwarded me these pics from an online
community she is part of, so i have no idea where these pics are from, who makes these jeans or where you can buy them. but seriously, would you want to know? allegedly, these denims are supposed to be a variation of super popular, super skinny jeans. so, as you see, it still has a skinny silhouette, but it's slightly baggier, creating a new - but not so refreshing look. so what's your take? fashionable or fugly?