Pink Sweatshirt Dress + Lip Broach

Today is a day where the world celebrates LOVE. I know we tend to make a big deal about sharing LOVE particularly on this day from a boyfriend, crush, bae, or spouse...but today I want to tap into the concept of SELF LOVE! In this day and age, it is so easy to get caught up into the hype of social media and what other people are doing around us. We see people sharing their awesome jobs, vacations, weddings, pregnancies, children, wardrobes, cars, brunches, friendships, baes, crushes etc. And the list goes on and on and on and on!

Being infiltrated with all these images of peers (known and unknown) "perfect lifestyles" down our various social media timelines can begin to take a toll on us, causing us to look inward and feel like we need to speed up our timetables or worse...that we are not adequate enough because we are not where we think we SHOULD be in comparison to those we constantly consume. But I just wanted to stop by on this Valentine's Day (with an N for clarification lol) to let you know...YOU ARE ENOUGH! It is time to look in the mirror and LOVE the person whose reflection is staring back at you, flaws and all!

It is time to find parts of your life you LOVE. It is time to LOVE your journey, LOVE your path, LOVE your personal lane, LOVE your brilliant mind, LOVE your unique perspective, LOVE your scars, LOVE your failures, LOVE your wins, LOVE your successes, LOVE your entire being...because you were uniquely made in the image of God. There is literally NO ONE on this planet that can duplicate you. You are one - of - a - kind. A limited edition. You are a hot commodity! If no one told you today, you are special! You are beautiful! You matter! 

Once we realize how valuable we are (whether we are attached to someone or not) that is when we begin to shine the brightest! We must realize our inner light and shine bright for the world to see!

SWEATSHIRT DRESS//via H&M: similar here, plus size version here - LIP BROACH//via Hobby Lobby for only $2.99 - LIP PRINT SOCKS//via Forever 21: very similar here - RED TASSELED SANDALS//via Charlotte Russe: red chunky heeled option here - RED FRINGE EARRINGS//via Forever 21: similar here - PINK SUNGLASSES//via Charlotte Russe: similar with different frame shape - RED PEBBLED FAUX LEATHER CROSSBODY//via Forever 21

So as Valentine's Day commences and you go about your day, whether you're taken, single, or building your empire,  I want you to say (outlaid) these "Top 10 Self Love Affirmations" to yourself to remind you that YOU ARE LOVED (like this perfect mural I found on a random corner states), by the most important person: YOU! Repeat after me:

• I approve of myself and LOVE myself deeply.
• I am worthy of LOVE and joy.
• My life is a gift, I will use it with joy and exuberance.
• I will surround myself with positive people who will bring the best out of me.
• I release my negative thoughts, embracing positivity and optimism.
• I am healthy, well - groomed, and confident. My inner peace and harmony is matched by my outer well - being.
• I am worthy of LOVE.
• I do NOT need someone else to feel happiness [or to complete me].
• My imperfections make me unique and special.
• I take responsibility for who I am: the good and the bad.

With that being said, I want to wish each of you a HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY! I hope your day is filled with LOVE, joy, happiness, and positivity, whether you spend it with your bae, your girlfriends, or in the company of you, yourself, and I!

Xoxoxo,

Ali

Black & Gold Dress + High Waist Leggings (Stirrups)

When I was younger I HATED stirrup pants. That strap across the bottom of my heel was sooo ANNOYING! Add that to a list of other things I hated to wear like: itchy dresses, turtlenecks, skirts, puffy ring dresses etc. Thank God I got some "sense" and grew out of the stage of hating all things fashion. I was a late bloomer to the fashion party, but, I still made it - better late than never as they say! 

Fast forward 30 years and I just purchased my first pair of stirrups (high waist leggings) as an adult, at Target. I've had stirrups on my wishlist for a few months as the trend is back into rotation. So it was a pleasant surprise when I saw these stirrups at Target for only $15. I knew right away I had to have them. As I stood at the checkout line ready to purchase my new stirrups, I chuckled to myself a little bit, because I so dreaded these type of pants when I was little. What a difference a few decades make!

But let's get to why we're really here! As promised, this post is the second installment of our holiday series. For today's look I paired my high waisted stirrup leggings with my black and gold smock dress (both of which I snagged from Target...can, I just say, Target has been killing the game lately in the clothing department. If you haven't checked out their [new] clothing lines [A New Day for women, Good Fellow for men, and Cat & Jack for kids] in a while, do yourself a favor and do so. You will not be disappointed). This combination is a match made in heaven. It checks off a plethora of boxes I personally look for when trying to capture the holiday spirit: gold (check), sparkle (check), sleekness (check) and slayage (check)! 

With temperatures steady dropping here in Georgia I decided to pair my dress with the new stirrup leggings I purchased instead of wearing it on its own for fuller coverage. To give the dress some added structure, I added my skinny patent leather belt, to create the illusion of a snatched waistline (coming summer 2018). 

Ali's Fashion Sense Tip: For a simple outfit hack, ditch the pants and patent leather belt and add tights and over - the - knee boots (or a pair of cute ankle booties) and wallah, you have a whole a different silhouette plus an additional holiday - ready outfit in a jiffy! You don't always have to go out and purchase things to get a fresh, new holiday look. Sometimes all it takes is a little creativity and a few swaps and you'll look like "new money!"

*I'm cracking up in the picture below because, as my hubby/photographer was snapping my picture a guy rolled by with his family in his minivan and said " you go girl!" It caught me completely off guard, but truly provided genuine holiday cheer. *

BLACK SMOCK DRESS WITH GOLD FOIL// via Target (cute alternative here) - HIGH WAISTED (STIRRUP) LEGGINGS// via Target - PATENT LEATHER BELT// old (similar here) - BLOCK HEELS// via Target  - EARRINGS// via Target (similar here)

This ensemble gives me great holiday cheer, and is the perfect holiday dress + pants combo for you to rock this holiday season. It's not too flashy but it gets the job done and the point across... "we came to slay!" We are in the holiday spirit here at Ali's Fashion Sense, hopefully you are too (cue the Christmas music and warm up the hot cocoa)! Stay tuned for our next holiday party installment. 

Until next time, I'll ttyl luvs,
-Ali

Covered Up In My Tan Poncho + Flare Jeans

It is getting cooler outside so I pulled out my camel - colored poncho that I snagged from H&M 7+ years ago, along with my white button up, and flare jeans to cover up and keep warm. While the temperatures aren’t frigid as the Michigan temperatures I’m used to, the chilled temps have finally caused me to grab my warmer clothing option as I get dressed each morning. 

Fall/Winter seasons are not just about covering your body in layers to keep warm, it is about doing it in style! You all know I love to look my best (and I’m sure you all do too), but the truth is, in today’s society we often cover up who we truly are (inside) because we may be different than what we see on TV, through different media mediums, or just different than those that surround us on a daily basis. 

I  have a news flash for you…one that I continuously try to internalize each day! God made all of us unique. We are not supposed to be carbon copies of one another with the same thoughts, ideas, style, mindsets, skin color, hair textures, body shapes, careers, hobbies, gifts etc. He created us to be a melting pot of beauty (the vision He saw of us when we were sculpted in our mother’s wombs). 

In this day and age of social media it is so hard to try to fight to be you when everything around us tells us to be like everyone else. This week, while we try to cover up to keep warm physically, I want us to try to uncover who we truly are. Dust off those gifts buried deep within. Try a new hobby that you’ve been putting on the back burner because it’s “weird” or different from the norm. Try something you’ve always wanted to do this week. Focus on only saying positive things to yourself instead of being overly critical of yourself. Begin learning to love your flaws in all. They are what make you distinctly YOU!

TAN PONCHO// via H&M old (similar) or  (here) - FLARE JEANS// via NY & CO. (similar) - WHITE BLOUSE// via H&M (similar) - VINCE CAMUTO LEOPARD PRINT BOOTIES// via Belk (similar) - TAN FEDORA// via Forever 21 (similar) - SUNNIES// via Charming Charlie’s (similar)

Here’s to uncovering and unlocking the REAL YOU; with style and grace. Have an amazing week. I’ll see you back here on Wednesday and Friday :)

Xoxo,

-Ali 

Twinning with Mommy

When I discovered Grayson's gender the fantasy of having my little mini me, a baby girl, flew out the window.  At that very moment I honestly thought I was striped of the potential to dress alike, teach my daughter about fashion, and play dress up. While I really wasn't caught up on the gender of the baby (I really just wanted a HEALTHY, LIVING, BREATHING child) I would be lying if I didn't say the possibility of having a girl made my heart smile at the very beginning stages of my pregnancy. 

When Grayson arrived all my thoughts for a girl melted away the moment I saw his face! Grayson was perfect! I traded in bows and tulle skirts for dinosaurs, trains, and harem pants (Side note: Somebody PLEASE put some valid effort into improving little boy's clothing options, our few little racks with limited inventory is pretty drab in comparison to the vast little girls section - I'd be willing to offer my suggestions for a fee...but I digress). 

So lets rewind to last week. Grayson and I go to the library every Wednesday for story time. Tip: If you are a parent searching for something to do with your baby or child, hit up your local library. Besides the array of books you can read with your child you can also find some amazing story times for babies and toddlers, and even free or cost effective activities and events. I wanted to put Grayson in a long sleeve outfit because morning temperatures have been a bit cooler (faux - fall...by 12PM it is burning up, which makes it very hard to figure out what to wear). I purchased this denim button up and army fatigue cargo pant set from the Carter's outlet back when I visited St. Augustine, FL about a month ago. I love the outfit because it pairs denim (with a tiny pop of color - orange) and army fatigue - which could be used as a neutral. *Please pardon my sons drool spots, he's teething. Parents know trying to keep your children clean is almost next to impossible!*

CARTER'S SET// via Carter's (similar) - MOCCASINS// via Amazon.com (similar) - WOODGRAIN SUNGLASSES// via Carter's (similar)

Once Grayson was dressed it was my turn to get ready. I drew inspiration from his outfit. I knew I had denim and army fatigue  in my closet, so I grabbed my Canadian tuxedo (denim from head to toe) then paired my army fatigue jacket on top to pull the look together. For my accessories I used my orange necklace as a pop of color (to match Grayson) and added a broach to ramp up the dramatics. I finished off the look with my tan fedora, lace - up booties I snagged from Charlotte Russe, and my green - tinted sunnies I scored from H&M. 

DENIM BUTTON UP// via Charlotte Russe (similar) - DENIM FLARES// via New York & Co. (similar) - ARMY FATIGUE JACKET// via Charlotte Russe (similar) - BROACH// via Hobby Lobby (similar) - NECKLACE// via Forever 21 (old) - BOOTIES// via Charlotte Russe (similar) - AVIATORS// via H&M (similar)

The outfit turned out great and I finally got my wish, I was about to twin with my little munchkin. I must admit, we look good as a unit! Don't you think so? As a mommy of a little boy, you are not totally striped of your ability to twin with your mini - me if you so choose. It just takes a bit more creativity and planning. 

Happy Monday Luvs, lets go out and conquer the day!!! I'll see you back here bright and early Wednesday morning! 

-Ali

Midi Dress + Duster Vest

Last week was a WHIRLWIND of a week. I started off Monday getting news that I was requested to intern for a couple designers from New York City in their showroom at the Atlanta Apparel Mart (AmericasMart) for Market Week. I showed up Wednesday to meet the designers and their awesome assistant and learn about my assignment the next few days. The designers I worked with have a fashion line that they created 4+ years ago called Full Figured Fashionista aka F3. They specialize in true plus size clothing. Their pieces look amazing on and feel just as good on and off the body. I had such an amazing time working with them the entire week. It was an experience that I will NEVER forget. 

Then yesterday (Sunday August 7, 2016) I helped out my dear friend/fashion twin get ready to launch her new lines (GloungE',  Skirts & Clutches, and Cotton Candy Skies) in a fashion show that highlighted Middle Georgia designers, entrepreneurs, and boutique owners. The show was an absolute success (be on the lookout for more information about that)! I was helping behind the scenes, but my friend graciously made a piece for me to wear during the show. Between helping backstage and being in charge of the photoshoot with all her models in the show I was able to sneak away and snap a few pics for Ali's Fashion Sense. I was sweating BULLETS. The Georgia heat was in FULL effect....but I made it through and found some cool spots to shoot!

The piece AshleyMonique! made for me was a simple midi dress (with a lot of generous give and stretch) in an awesome print. I paired it with an army green vest that I scored from Target for less than $30 and some taupe booties I purchased on my trip to Florida a couple weeks ago (from Forever 21). The accessories: the "Slay" heart pin and my layered "DJ" necklaces were purchased from Charlotte Russe and my inexpensive sunnies were purchased at Forever 21.

Outfit Details: Midi Dress (AshleyMonique), Army Green Duster Vest (Target), Booties and Sunnies (Forever 21), Layered Necklaces "DJ" and Slay Heart Pin (Charlotte Russe)

This past week showed me, that when you're working in your purpose and doing something you're truly passionate about, it doesn't even feel like work!!!! I had such a great time working as a merchandiser, interacting with buyers, dressing models backstage for a Prom inspired fashion show, becoming a stage manager for a fashion show, and even helping direct a photoshoot for various models. Fashion is not just what I (we) wear, it is a way of life. And I hope to stay submerged in it! 

I pray this week you are able to operate in your passion, in whatever capacity you can. I pray that you have a productive week, and accomplish EVERYTHING you set your mind on. Have a marvelous Monday luvs, I plan to do the same!

Xoxo,

Ali