Dressed In All Black

There is something about an all black outfit that makes you feel bad and boujee *cue Migos!* I used to always ask my debate teacher in high school (shout out to Mrs. Siegel formerly known as Ms. Knapp) why she wore black every day. I used to always encourage her to wear color, because a high school junior has all the fashion answers lol! While I am in no way opposed to color, I now understand as a 31 year old why all black outfits are so lit.

Wearing all black from head to toe is a fool - proof way to class up your outfit in a jiffy. By playing with different textures, and silhouettes it allows you to wear black from head to toe without looking boring. If you add a few unexpected finishes it can amp up your outfit like none other. 

In this look my accessories are what takes this simple combination of a black boyfriend blazer + black tee + black denim jeans to the next level. The fringe belt, lace - up - booties, choker, and sunnies all play a significant role in pulling this look together. 

BLAZER//via Forever 21: old (similar) - BLACK TEE// via H&M (similar) - SHEER PEPLUM TOP//via H&M (similar) - DIY DISTRESSED DENIM//via The Gap (similar) - FRINGE BELT//via Windsor: old (similar longer version) - LACE - UP BOOTIES//via Charlotte Russe (similar) - CHAIN CROSSBODY BAG//via Forever 21: old (similar here) - CHOKER// via Charlotte Russe (1 of 3 pack similar) - PRIMA DONNA LIPPIE//via The Lip Bar  - SUNNIES// via Charming Charlie's (similar)

If you don't have anything to wear this weekend, pull out your favorite black pieces from your closet (casual or dressy) and I guarantee you that you will have an instant outfit on your hands. I hope you all have a great and fashionable weekend. See you back here next Monday!

Xoxo,

-Ali

Black Blazer + Over The Knee Booties

From the loss of Alton Sterling aka "The CD Man" in Louisiana, to the traffic stop gone awry in Minnesota ending in the life of Philando Castile being snatched away, to the lives of police being slaughtered by snipers in Dallas... to say we had a ROUGH WEEK last week is an understatement. With such tragedies occurring I couldn't dare think about blogging in such a tense climate. For 2 days straight I stayed locked in via social media on the climate of our nation that began to boil over from the senseless lives being taken at the hands of trigger happy cops. Then I saw the effect to a larger injustice through retaliation against cops by snipers in Dallas. As I stated on Facebook last week the loss of life is never good no matter the color of victim. In all cases whether it's white on white crime, black on black crime, terrorism, or crooked cops killing innocent unarmed people of color what we're asking for is JUSTICE. We want people no matter their hue to be treated fairly and humanely in the eyes of our citizens and from a systematic standpoint.  

With all of these tragedies occurring back to back I used Saturday to decompress. I had to log off of the Internet and do some self care. I spent Saturday morning reading, praying, and listening to some good music (2000s R&B Brandy's Full Moon album, Sisqo's Incomplete solo project, and Jazmine Sullivan's Reality Show). I also went on an impromptu date with the hubby. We went to check out The Purge and followed it up with Olive Garden. It was nice to temporarily take my mind off the madness and just enjoy the company of my husband after the tough week we encountered.

For our date night I  decided to wear a monochromatic black ensemble from head to toe. Black can represent mourning (at funerals), power (black panther movement), and even structure. While only one color the different textures and details of each piece chosen (i.e. the fringe belt, the over the knee booties etc.) helped to elevate this look into a sophisticated Summer16 ensemble. While still in mourning from all of the anger, confusion, sadness etc. this outfit reminded me that we still are powerful in our hope, prayers, kindness, and action. While we have a long way to go to see true change we must realize as a human race that we are more alike than different. We need to exercise compassion to ALL our fellow men and women not just those we deem worthy! 

Outfit Details: Boyfriend Blazer (Old: Forever 21), Black Tee (Old: H&M), Leather Pants (Old: JCPenney), Fringe Belt (Windsor), Over The Knee Booties (Old: JustFab), Fedora (Old: H&M), Broach (Old: Forever 21), Gucci Bag (Gift), Pink Pom - Poms (Beauty Supply Store), Necklace (Forever 21), Round Sunnies (Old: Forever 21)

I'm sorry this blog took a more political viewpoint than one solely devoted to fashion. But I couldn't sit back idly and not address the terrible tragedies that have consumed our nation over the past week. Continue to pray for our nation. Continue to fight for justice. Continue to treat others how you would want to be treated. And remember to take time out for self care. We can't slay our days without taking care of ourselves in the process. I hope you have a marvelous Monday. 

"United we stand! Divided we fall!"

-Ali

Tan Duster Vest + Black Jeans

Those that truly know me know I love animals (almost as much as I love fashion). When I was a kid I wanted to be a veterinarian or a Sea World whale trainer. Who would've thought right? Very different from fashion I know. So when I spotted this awesome mural outside the Atlanta Humane Society I thought it was a great backdrop for a photoshoot. The puppies (and doggies) inside didn't hurt either. This is an awesome way to rep ATL while showing off a casual ensemble that you can wear during the weekend. 

Outfit Details: Tan Duster Vest (Amazon.com), Black Tee (H&M), Distressed Jeans (DIY purchased from GAP), Booties (JustFab.com), Fedora (Forever 21), Choker (Charlotte Russe), Layered Necklace (Charlotte Russe), Watch (DSW), Earrings (Charlotte Russe)

This outfit is a perfect fit ushering the weekend. You can wear it almost anywhere as you celebrate making it through another week!!! Before you TGIF check out some of the cute pups that I discovered inside the humane society along with my some of my other snaps from Snapchat yesterday. I'm new to Snapchat so follow me at "AliFashionSense" (I follow back).

Have a good weekend. See you Monday!
-Ali

Elephant Print Kimono + Black Pants

It is said that elephants are highly sensitive and caring animals. Elephants express grief, compassion, self - awareness altruism, and play. It is also said that elephants cry and laugh and have incredible memories. Who knew these massive animals had so much in common with us humans. In my research about elephants it dawned on me how much more like animals [elephants] we are than we'd probably like to admit. This week will probably be one of the toughest weeks I will have to face. This week...in three days to be exact, was supposed to be the week my son was scheduled to be delivered. It truly puts a concrete bookend on my first pregnancy experience. 

It's funny how life doesn't always go as planned. As I walk around seeing protruding bellies I silently long to turn back the hands of time when my son was healthily growing inside. To experience such a devastating halt in your pregnancy is one that most can't fathom.  Like the elephants, I have been filled with a bevy of wide - spread emotions from various stages of grief, gratefulness and contentment, life post DJ. I try to find outlets of joy that I can plug into to get me through the day like absorbing the sunlight, finding change on the ground, indulging in my favorite treat etc. When I saw this elephant print kimono hanging up at the store I had an instant feeling of joy and I knew I had to have it (the $14.90 price tag also helped to sway my purchase).  The kimono exuded playfulness, ease, and simplicity. I knew I could create a cool, easy breezy outfit with the kimono as the centerpiece.

This particular instance I chose to pair the kimono with basics: a black t - shirt, black pants, and black booties. I accessorized using my tan fedora, new gold rimmed sunnies, and an awesome nude lippie I picked up from Ulta.  

Outfit Details: Elephant Print Kimono (Forever 21//here), Black T- Shirt (H&M), Black Pants (Kohl's), Booties (JustFab), Gold Rimmed Sunnies (Forever 21), Lippie (NYC Soft Matte Cream in Rome//here) 

While I am gearing up for an interesting week, I know the one awesome thing that no one can strip from me is the amazing memories I have of my son. Like the elephants those once in a lifetime memories can never be erased. So here's to cherishing the priceless moments and to having a marvelous Monday!

-Ali

Fuzzy Jacket + Tulle Skirt

Yesterday, a day we call Valentine's Day, was a day we set aside to celebrate love. People are usually in a frenzy the days leading up to Valentine's Day trying to find the perfect gift(s), perfect card, perfect date/experience etc. If you are one of those people, I pray that you had the perfect day. My Valentine's Day was pretty chill. I went to church, came home took a nap (Sunday naps are a must), caught up on some TV shows, took blog pics for the week, and enjoyed a nice dinner with my #1 Valentine, my hubby!!! Since we know that Valentine's Day is usually synonymous with reds and pinks I chose to pair my blush pink tulle skirt with a plain black tee, my fuzzy blush pink jacket, opaque tights, patent leather pumps, and complimentary accessories. I know wearing pink for V - Day is a tad bit cliche but I really liked how my outfit came together and I received tons of compliments on this pink creation. 

On our way to my photoshoot location I asked my hubby could we stop and purchase some balloons to add dimension to the ambiance for my shoot. Since this shoot was all about the essence of love and showcasing the joys of Valentine's Day I wanted to add a special personal element of LOVE. My husband and I both wrote little notes to our angel DJ on a couple of balloons. It was our way of sending a special note of love to our heavenly valentine. Once the shoot was over I released the balloons and watched them ascend towards the sky. Those balloons took a little piece of my heart to heaven with them. 

Outfit Details: Fuzzy Jacket (Forever 21), Black Tee (H&M), Blush Tulle Skirt (Charlotte Russe),  Patent Leather Pumps (DSW), Black Opaque Tights (Target), Statement Necklace (Forever 21), Earrings (Charlotte Russe), Sunnies (Forever 21)

No matter how you spent your Valentine's Day...alone, with a group of friends, with your bae, boo, or your closest loved ones I hope your day was filled with L-O-V-E and happiness. Happy belated Valentine's Day luvs. I pray you have a magnificent Monday!

Xoxoxo,
-Ali

Blazers + Printed Shorts

It's been H-O-T these past few days in Georgia. I mean scorching hot. It's hard to look good without sweating to death. But, I found a way to beat the heat and still master style. As I've mentioned before here on Ali's Fashion Sense blazers can take a simple outfit to the next level. I took a simple black tee and a pair of printed shorts, seems simple enough right? By throwing a blazer on top it takes a classic summer combo: a t-shirt and shorts and polishes up the look. I accessorized my outfit with a pair of new booties that I just swiped from JustFab and my fav necklace that you've seen time and time again. The sunnies and topknot bun add another level of slickness to the entire look.

Outfit Details: Blazer (Forever 21), Black Tee (H&M), Printed Shorts (Marshalls), Shoes (JustFab), Necklace (Fancy Kouture), Lipstick (M.A.C. Ruby Woo)

A blazer is an absolute MUST for a summer staple as it helps dress up an casual outfit.

-Ali