"Patterned x 2"

Hello my luvs! I hope you had a great weekend. I know I did. I was able to spend some time with one of my big brothers and hubby and explore parts of Atlanta (in which I'd never seen)! But of course I had to get myself together for today's 4th installment of the black and white challenge. Today's look incorporates a shirt from one of last week's looks "A Week of Black & White" here. I used another black and white patterned trench coat and mixed the two [busy] prints together! Ali's Fashion Sense Tip: An easy way to pull off mixing two different prints is to get two prints in the same color family. Since both of my prints are black and white it helps to pull these extreme prints together into a cohesive way. I finished the look with a simple black skinny jean, my Jessica Simpson patent leather pumps, and added a small pop of color with a bright pink flower. Check the full look out below. 

Outfit Details: Patterned Trench (Forever 21), Patterned Blouse (Forever 21), Black Skinny Jeans (Old Navy), Jessica Simpson Patent Leather Pumps (DSW), Statement Necklace (Charlotte Russe), Earrings (Charlotte Russe)

This look pulls together structured black and white pieces into a chic silhouette. The hot pink flower brings a refreshing pop of color and draws your eyes in. The belt helps to add a cinch waist and streamline the outfit. I'm excited to show you the rest of the black and white outfits that I've put together. Stay tuned!

I hope you have a magnificent Monday

-Ali

Head To Toe Black & White

As I stated on Monday, we will be exploring 7 days of black and white ensembles (spread out through a 2 week span). Today's look is a little edgy. I took my spiked sheer - sleeved jacket, over - the - knee boots, and my (off) white bodycon dress to create this fun look. I added gold accessories to match the spikes on my jacket. 

Outfit Details: Bodycon (Charlotte Russe), Jacket (Online Boutique), Over - the - Knee Boots (Forever 21), Lock & Key Necklace (Forever 21), Earrings (Beauty Supply), 

WEEK 1 REVIEW

As you can see black and white is versatile and can be worn to create different vibes, styles, and silhouettes. I hope you are enjoying this series on black and white. Stay tuned for 3 more black and white looks next week!!!

Happy Friday Luvs,

-Ali

Mix It Up

Today is the second installment of my black and white series. The first post I took classic silhouettes using a black and white blazer, white trousers, and a black and white patterned blouse. Today's look is way less structured, a little more grungy - goth. I tried to play with the balance of hard and soft. The striped dress with the tulle skirt is dainty so I wanted to harden it up a bit by adding my hubby's plaid flannel (which you've seen many time and time again on Ali's Fashion Sense), my gold studded boots, gold trimmed sunnies, and topping it of with a floral headband. I mixed purple and maroon lipsticks to get my fall inspired lip and threw my box braids into "Minnie Mouse ears"to pull the entire look together.  

Outfit Details: Dress (Cie La Vie), Leggings (Target), Hubby's Flannel (Old Navy), Boots (Target), Sunnies (Forever 21), Floral Headband (DIY), Gold Necklace (Forever 21)

I hope you enjoy the visual versatility that this series will provide. You may not like every piece (I hope you do though) but the theme I'm trying to repeat is don't be afraid to "mix it up" a bit. When pairing black and white, since it's such a classic color combination, the thing to remember is to try different silhouettes and patterns to create interesting balance, shape, and texture to your outfit! What are your favorite black and white garments in your closet? 

Come back Friday to see the third installment of my black and white series! I hope you have a wonderful, productive hump day! I sure plan too. 

Smooches,

-Ali

A Week in Black & White

So if you've been following Ali's Fashion Sense for some time now you know I am a firm believer in black and white. It's hands down my favorite color combination to put on. When you throw on black and white, you instantly create a structured silhouette. So to pay homage to my favorite duo: ebony and ivory, I decided I would do a 2 week series (since I only blog three times per week) to show you how I can take simple black and white garments (with a splash of color here and there) to create a week's worth of looks. I will reuse certain garments and show you that with a few key pieces you can make a little go a long way! I hope you enjoy it!

The first look is a classic blazer with a white lapel which was gifted to me from my awesome aunt from New York and Company. I like the oversized fit of the blazer. Even though it is oversized it fits well in all the right places. I paired it with my black and white patterned blouse, a pair of white slacks, and my favorite lace up sandals. Since this look is so sleek I wanted to keep my hair very simple so I braided it into a single french braid down the back (a look you've seen a time or two since I've been rocking my box braids). I topped off my look with my blinged out statement necklace and a bright red lip to offer a splash of color!

Outfit Details: Black Blazer with White Lapel (New York & Co.), Black & White Patterned Blouse (Forever 21), MK Trousers (TJ Maxx), Statement Necklace (TJ Maxx), Lace - Up Sandals (Charlotte Russe)

This is the first of seven installments of this series. I hope you enjoy the plethora of black and white (with the occasional occurrence of color) these next few blog posts. And I truly hope you are inspired to stretch your wardrobe as we usher in the Fall! Happy Monday luvs! Make it a productive one :)

Xo,
-Ali

Girly Frills

Whenever I think of lace I think of girly frills. This sleeveless blouse that I scored from Forever 21 a few years ago (and when I say few, I mean more than 4 or 5) is the perfect recipe of sugar and spice and everything nice! Cliche' I know lol. But really it just makes me feel like a girly girl, which I don't mind at all :) I paired it with my favorite curvalicious jeans from Levi and a pair of throwback studded sandals that I got from Aldo. I kept the swept up up-do from Wednesday's blog post to add an extra oomph of classiness to the outfit. It just makes me smile...a great way to round out the end of the week! 

Outfit Details: Top (Forever 21), Denim (Levi's), Studded Sandals (Aldo), Clutch (TJ Maxx), Belt (Target), Scarf (Charlotte Russe), Watch (Charming Charlie's), Bangles (Macy's)

What a great combination: lace + denim + studded sandals in the famous words of Charlie Sheen "Winning!" lol. I love a great neutral palette. It's just fun and flirty in a subdued, polished type of way. I hope you like it as much as me and I hope you have a fabulous Friday and a wonderful weekend! See ya back bright and early Monday morning :)

XO,
-Ali

Pink & Brown

[Faux] leather is my favorite fabric to rock no matter the season (although you have to be careful finding thinner leather fabrics in the summer so you don't sweat to death). I scored these leather shorts from Kohl's a few years ago. I know right, who knew Kohl's carried awesome leather shorts in this cognac color? I sure didn't.  I wanted to pair it with a bright top since the shorts work as a neutral base. I tried this cool updo with my box braids and I LOVE how it turned out :) This look just makes me want to have fun! Hence the reason you see me dancing in these pics.

Outfit Details: Strawberry Colored Shirt (Charlotte Russe), Faux Leather Shorts (Kohl's Lauren Conrad Line), Gladiator Sandals (DSW - old), Clear Clutch (Toiletry bag used as clutch), Statement Necklace (TJ Maxx), Earrings (Beauty Supply Store), Cheetah Scarf (Charlotte Russe), Gold Bangle (Forever 21), Gold Watch (Charming Charlie's)

This look is a perfect look to transition into fall. The brown neutrals paired with the bright pink offer an unexpected color palette for fall! I will be sure to wear this look again in the near future! What color combinations will you try this fall? Pink and brown? Fuchsia and red? Ivory and rust? I'd love to hear your opinion below! Happy Wednesday luvs.

-Ali

Animal Instinct

On Sunday, I channeled my inner fashion godmother "at least in my head" Miss June Ambrose. I didn't want to fool with my hair as a I had to be at church bright and early Sunday morning to do the call to worship and prayer. So I grabbed my animal print scarf and turned it into a stylish turban, a June Ambrose signature! I wanted to pull the look together using the 70s as my inspiration (wide leg pants, platforms, muted color palette etc.). To finish off the look I grabbed some boot cut jeans, a flowy cardigan, a basic tank top, and my animal print booties. I threw on my sunnies and some gold accessories and the look was complete.

Outfit Details: Flowy Cardigan (Forever 21), Chocolate Tank (Old Navy), Jeans (TJ Maxx), Vince Camuto Animal Print Booties (Dillard's), Suede Crossbody Bag (Old Navy), Animal Print Scarf (Forever 21), Gold Bangle (Forever 21), Sunnies (Forever 21), Earrings (Beauty Supply Store)

This look brings out my inner animal instinct. Are you a fan of animal print? Will you wear it as a Fall staple? Let me know in the comment section below. I hope you all have a great motivating Monday! Be sure to be productive :) By the way, for those who entered the B x Ali - Ready for Fall Giveaway we will be announcing the winner soon, so stay tuned!

-Ali

My Top 5 2014 Fall Picks

From boots, to leather, to gorgeous printed coats Fall allows you to stay covered in the most trendy, chic pieces. Before fall truly gets underway in a couple weeks I wanted to share with you my "Top 5 2014 Fall Trends" I'm excited to try. So in no particular order here they are:

1. Capes 
Capes are the perfect way to instantly pull together a simple look. Take the cape below for example. She dressed up a simple t - shirt and pair of distressed jeans by adding this classic cape silhouette, not to mention it's in white (who says you can't wear white after Labor Day)? You can find this Nasty Gal cape here for $68.

2. Leather
I'm always here for leather (or faux/imitation leather) no matter the season. So any leather you can add in your fall lineup is a plus. Like these Imitation Leather Pants from H&M. Get them here for $35.

3. Boots
Fall always calls for a great pair of boots. Whether you're a thigh - high girl, a riding boot lover, or would rather opt for a buckle - decorated pair of booties it's imperative to grab a statement pair of boots to trek through the mild fall days/nights. Try a pair like these Target Altuzarra boots (which will be on sale in stores and online starting September 14 for Target's designer partnership with Altuzarra). 

4. Hat
Some days you may not be having the best hair day but that doesn't mean you can't be stylish. Throw on a wool hat a pair of shades and you'll be ready to conquer fall to the fullest. Get this hat at H&M here for $25.

5. Bold Lips

Summer is all about bold, bright lips. As summer transitions into fall it is your chance to explore deeper, darker lip hues in sheer, shiny, or a matte finishes. I love the  berry - colored, deep wine - colored lippes like this Lancome L'Absolu Rouge in Jezebel here for $30.

As you can see I already have a starting line up of garments and beauty products I want in my fall arsenal. What trend are you most excited to try? Do you already own any of these garments or beauty products?

I hope you have a wonderful, productive Monday!

-Ali