Pin It - How to Accessorize Your Denim Jacket

As a mommy, being able to slip something on quickly is an art. This is one of those outfits you can "slip" on without a lot of thought or hesitation and look put together instantly. I love the idea of pairing an all black ensemble with a denim jacket. The all black gives off sleek vibes while the denim (especially a distressed denim jacket like mine) adds a little edge. I knew when I purchased the denim jacket I wanted to add something to it to help it stand out from its original look, so I started collecting a lot of pins, broaches, and patches. 

The patches accumulated on this jacket have been collected over time from stores like H&M, Hobby Lobby, and more. I think the most I spent on one pin was about $12. Other than that most of the pins I purchased averaged below or around $5. I love the pins because they add a unique twist to a classic piece. And the best part about it is that you are able to mix and match pins that fit your style and personality. 

There is no rhyme or reason with the placement of your pins (broaches or patches), that is the real beauty. You can be conservative and choose just one statement piece, or you can load up your jacket and have an enamel pin overload. It is solely up to you. No two denim jackets (with or without pins) are alike, which speaks to your individualized style. 

DENIM JACKET// via Charlotte Russe (similar here) - BLACK TURTLENECK// via Target (similar here in 4 different colors besides black & black here)- FAUX LEATHER LEGGINGS// via JCPenney (similar here) - FEDORA// via Target: old (similar here) - BOOTIES// via Old Navy (similar) - SUNNIES// via Charming Charlie's (similar for $5) - BLINGED OUT LIP BROACH// via Hobby Lobby - LIP, EYE, HAND, HEART SET// via H&M (similar here & here)- RIFFLE PAPER CO "LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE" SUNGLASSES PIN// via Merchant ATL (here) - "STILL A MOM" PIN & "BABYLOSS MOM" PIN// via Jolie Bloom (here & here) - A - L - I LETTER PINS// via (Hobby Lobby choose your letter here)

All the pins I have tell a story, from my "love" pin to my "Babyloss" pin, they express bits and pieces of me. I like the fact that these pins can begin a conversation without me ever having to say a word. The great thing about these tiny accessories is the fact that you can get an array of pins (patches, buttons, and broaches) that match your personality. I know for sure that this set of pins I have is only the beginning. I want to get another denim jacket and just "junk" it up with patches, pins, broaches, and paint. Just stay tuned. It's a project I want to work on in the upcoming future. In the meantime if you want to go down the rabbit hole and get some inspiration for your denim jacket application, check out Pinterest and search "Denim Jacket with Pins." I'm sure one of these boards/posts will grab your attention and spark your creativity into high gear. Happy pinning loves!

Xoxo,

-Ali

Try Something New

Back when I was in school (for the second time) I got really cool with one of my classmates, Haddy. We hit it off from the get go. Throughout the two years we were in fashion school together we got closer and closer and eventually became senior project partners. Haddy was a fierce realtor turned fashion student that commanded a room when she walked in. I loved her confidence, her outgoing personality, and her fly African pieces she wore on her social media accounts. Haddy is from Gambia, Africa. She often told me about her homeland, its culture, and their unique style. I always told her I would love to cop some pieces because she always had unique, one - of - a - kind garments with bold prints and interesting shapes. 

So fast forward to this summer, after Haddy and I graduated 1 year prior, and I received an unexpected package from Haddy. The package contained two kente cloth dashikis for Grayson (I cannot wait until he gets a little bigger so he can wear them, they are absolutely adorable), a red, floor length skirt with a beautiful pattern for me, and this beautifully cut dashiki. I’ve never owned a dashiki, but I was honored that Haddy would think of (Grayson and) me and introduce me/us to a little piece of her culture through some amazing garments.

I absolutely love this dashiki! It is bold, bright, and unapologetic which mirrors my personality. Even though I’ve never worn a dashiki, I wanted to own it! I paired it with a black pair of (D.I.Y) distressed jeans I purchased from the Gap, a pair of pointy - toed booties I scored from Old Navy about a year ago for less than $15, and my favorite new pair of sunnies (my yellow - tinted sunglasses from Windsor that you have seen often here on Ali’s Fashion Sense recently). This is the perfect top for traveling, because it slides on very easily, but more important it is a statement piece that doesn’t require much else.

DASHIKI// Gifted (similar) - BLACK DIY DISTRESSED JEANS// via Gap (similar) - POINTY TOE BOOTIES// via Old Navy: old (expensive dupe),  (cheaper option) - YELLOW SUNGLASSES// via Windsor (similar) - LIPPIE// via The Lip Bar in Prima Donna sold out but try this liquid matte lippie Crown Me)

Sometimes in life, we are afraid to try something new in fear of it not panning out the way we imagine. But the quote by the young author, Erin Hanson keeps popping up in my mind: “What if I fall? Oh, my darling, what if you fly?” As we round out this last month of 2017 (Can you believe it is December already? Where did the time go?) let’s vow (you & me) to try something new: something that we’ve been wanting to do, wear, a new dish, a place to travel, an idea we’ve had buried inside etc. Just go for it! Life is too short (in the grand scheme of things) to live off fear, so why not fly into the unknown. And even if we fall we can still learn something from the fall (like another famous quote from Les Brown says…)  “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss it you will land among the stars.” So here is to abandoning fear in exchange for freedom to live the life we want and try new things!

Happy first day of December. Let’s rock out these last 31 days and gear up for an amazing 2018!!! TGIF luvs!

Xoxo,

-Ali

Neutral Dreams

Every time I pass a cotton field (like the one behind me in these photos) it gives me cause to pause, to reflect on the rich lineage and heritage I am a descendent of. The vast fields of white, sprouting from the ground acts as a reminder of the daily struggles of my great - grandfather (my grandmother’s father on my mom’s side) and ALL he had to endure in the late 1800s, as a Sharecropper in the deep south of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. It reminds me of the sacrifices my ancestors made for me, a little brown girl,  so I can pursue the things I love today. Because of their tenacity I am able to go after my passions, my gifts, and  my purpose. I follow in the footsteps of strong - willed, intelligent, hard - working individuals like my great - grandfather, my grandmother (who is an HBCU college graduate - Alabama A&M University in the 50s - and the first African American food service administrator at the University of Michigan dormitory),and countless unsung heroes who risked their very own lives to allow me the freedoms I have today. 

Because of their relentless pursuit for a better life, I am able to stand before you (or sit in front of a computer screen as you read) and blog about things I love like fashion, family, faith and more. I am able to live out things they could not even fathom back in a segregated southern landscape. So this blog post is dedicated to all my amazing ancestors who have come before me. This is for the Bishop's, Henderson's, Reveire's, and Ferrell's! This is for creating a legacy that I could build a foundation upon. A young, black, woman from humble beginnings of Ypsilanti, MI embarking on a dream of spreading joy, positivity, self - love, empathy, and encouragement to all who will listen by offering fashion tips and life hacks as a wife, stillbirth survivor, rainbow mommy and more. 

So in those moments where I feel like giving up, or I feel too overwhelmed to do anything, I think back at all those who have come before me, who had no choice but to go HARD! I’m standing on the shoulders of giants and I will pay homage to them by stopping excuses that run across my mind, by succeeding, by taking my dreams to a whole other level, and using my platform of success to pull others up with me.

PINK SWEATSHIRT DRESS// via H&M (here) - FUZZY VEST// via Forever 21: old (similar)  - DENIM// via Charlotte Russe (similar) - EARRINGS// via H&M (same earrings different color) - TAUPE BOOTIES//via Forever 21 (very similar) - PINK FUR CROSSBODY BAG//via Charlotte Russe (here) - PINK SUNNIES//via Charlotte Russe (similar)

So here's to being our ancestor's wildest dreams! Living our BEST lives with purpose, passion, and hard - work! Happy hump day luvs! 

Xoxo,

-Ali

Shake Things Up

A couple of weeks ago I wanted to straighten out the top of my closet. It was absolute chaos. I removed every item of clothing and reorganized everything (grouping the items, folding the items, and giving each piece a specific home). Since I got the top of the closet organized I decided to go through my clothes that were hanging up as well. It was about that time that I did some official spring cleaning with my clothes anyway. 

During my pregnancy I "outgrew" a lot of the items I have in my closet. I lived in leggings because they were comfortable and the only piece of clothing in my closet that could "stretch" with me and my growing belly. Overtime I got really bored with the items in my closet (as I felt like I was wearing the same things over and over and over again). So while I was cleaning out my closet I decided to "shake things up" a bit.

I knew there were some items that needed to be thrown out, there were others that I simply did not like any more that needed to be donated, there were some pieces that I was on the fence about keeping or discarding, and then there were my showstopper pieces and staples that I knew I wanted to keep. 

Sometimes we get so bored with things in our closet that we cannot see the great outfit potential we already possess. It's easy to overlook great pieces we own because we wear them too often, don't know what to wear with them, or we want something new. But there is a way to spice up the items you already have, by looking at your closet with fresh eyes. Those fresh eyes can be found by using Pinterest 's search tool.

I went to Pinterest (especially with items I was on the fence about keeping), typed in the article of clothing I needed inspiration for, then I found 3-5 pins of that said article of clothing to aid in creating multiple outfits. For example. I searched "Black Floral Kimono Outfit" and many styles popped up. I pinned outfit inspiration that incorporated items I already owned in my closet so I wouldn't be compelled to go out and spend money, and to also help me stretch my mind to create new looks.

Here's an example of a search I did and how I was able to create a look from items I already had in my closet.

Once I searched for black floral kimono outfits I ran across this look and countless others. I liked this outfit because I realized it was composed of items I already own (i.e. a black floral kimono similar to the one pictured above, a striped shirt, denim skinnies and a pair of cognac booties). Check out how I remixed the look below!

    Outfit Details: Black Floral Kimono: Amazon, Striped T-Shirt: Target, Distressed Jeans: Charlotte Russe+, Fedora: Forever 21, Booties: Charlotte Russe, Gold Frames: Charlotte Russe

While this is a great outfit as is, this exercise is not about just copying and pasting an outfit. It is all about taking inspiration, tweaking the outfit to fit your style, and making it your own using items you own (hence the reason I added my tan fedora, gold rimmed frames, and earrings)! Don't be afraid to shake things up. Use the wealth of inspiration found on Pinterest to help you spruce up your closet to create an infinite amount of new outfit ideas just in time for Spring/Summer to hit! You'll thank me later. Trust me :)

*Hint: Create a Pinterest board with all your inspired looks. Keep a log of which looks you've recreated. Try to document the looks by taking pictures when you wear them, then store them on your phone in a special album, so when you feel like you don't have anything to wear you can reference your Pinterest board and/or photo album of looks you created!

Happy Friday luvs,
-Ali

Off The Shoulder Paisley Maxi

Hey luvs. Long time no see. I went on a 2 week hiatus from blogging as I went home to Michigan for two weeks to spend some much needed time with family and friends (it's been 2 years since I've been home so it was nice to be back at my original stomping grounds). While I missed you my readers and creating new looks tremendously it felt nice to have a mini break. But now it's time to get back to business!

While I was home I got a chance to score a few pieces. One of the pieces I purchased came from an unusual source. My mom and I went to an outlet mall in Howell, MI. Usually I am not one to shop at Rue 21 but I decided to stop in and to my amazement they had a nice selection of unique pieces. While perusing through the racks I found this off the shoulder paisley printed maxi. I love this dress because it combines two of my favorite elements: the off the shoulder trend and the ease of wearing a maxi. Not to mention the print is so 70s (which I absolutely love).

Outfit Details: Off The Shoulder Dress (Rue 21: here), Booties (Charlotte Russe), Necklace (Charlotte Russe), Sunnies (Forever 21), Louis Vuitton Speedy (Gift), Puff Balls (Beauty Supply Store)

Maxi's are the PERFECT item to have in your closet as we begin to transition from summer to fall. I love that this maxi has sleeves which will be a perfect piece for layering as Fall begins to overtake Summer's end. Once the weather breaks I will begin to layer this maxi with vests, moto jackets, boots and much more. The styling possibilities are endless.

Ali's Fashion Sense Tip: "Find a maxi dress with sleeves. It can be used as a staple piece to help you transition seamlessly from Summer into Fall."

Thanks for stopping by. I hope to see you back on Wednesday. I have some dope information to share with you so stay tuned. All I can say is it involves selfies, and who doesn't love a good selfie? So come back and see what it's all about. In the meantime have a marvelous Monday!

-Ali