Happy 2nd Birthday DJ

First and foremost, let me say Happy New Year to all of you, my Ali’s Fashion Sense family. I hope you all had an amazing holiday season and have had a great start to a prosperous, successful 2018! It has been a whirlwind of a start to my 2018 (in the best way possible). My family and I moved to a new state (California) and new city (Carson, which is south of Los Angeles) on the other side of the country (from Warner Robins, GA).  We will discuss the move in a later blog post, but today we are shifting our focus to a very special individual in the Anderson household (which I'm sure you've figured out by now from the pictures). 

Today is the day a young king was born. The day that I was forced to say hello and goodbye to my sleeping angel…DJ! Can you believe he would have been 2 today? These past 2 years our family has had to learn how to try to reassemble the shattered pieces into a life that honors the legacy of our lost angel. While Grayson, our rainbow baby, has brought about much joy and laughter into our hearts and home, he is not, nor will he ever be a “replacement or substitute” for DJ. Just because you are blessed to have a rainbow baby does not mean the hurt, sadness, and pain evaporate with the baby you lost. In all honesty, as a baby loss parent/mom your heart operates on two separate frequencies; one of pure heartache from the loss of your precious baby and one of pure harmony and joy for the fact that you are/were able to birth a new life.

So on this day, January 18th, I want to honor my little munchkin and let him know, life has not been the same since the day I was forced to leave him behind in the hospital while I was rolled out empty handed and broken hearted. I think of him daily and wish he was around (in person) to experience the love and joy that we as a family (immediate and extended) have reserved just for him. I hope he knows that his presence is truly missed and that he is irreplaceable no matter how many additional children fill our home. Most importantly, I hope he knows just how much of an impact he has had on his daddy and I; and how we hope that through our lives we are able to be advocates of parents of baby loss and ultimately make him proud. 

*This photoshoot was a small token of love I've been planning since the end of last year, to show my baby boy DJ, just how much he means to our family. It was nice to honor him not only with my hubby but to have our rainbow baby Grayson take part to show respect to our little munchkin who is gone but certainly not forgotten. This is probably my favorite photoshoot I've done to - date because we were able to incorporate our tiny family of 3 + incorporate our angel all while being captured by my dad and mom (who was behind the scenes taking candid photos on my iPhone).*

GRAY FAUX FUR COAT//via H&M - old, similar here - BLACK DENIM//via GAP, similar here - BASEBALL T-SHIRTS (MEN'S, WOMEN'S, & TODDLER)// via Hobby Lobby -  "WE LOVE YOU DJ" GRAPHICS//via CraftyQueen (@CraftyQueen88) - FRINGE BOOTIES//gifted, similar here - SUNNIES//via Charming Charlie's, similar here for cheap

So this one is for you DJ! We love and miss you dearly! You will always be mommy and daddy’s first born son. We hold you in our thoughts, dreams, and hearts even though we long to hold you in our arms. Rest easy baby boy on your 2nd birthday! 

Hugs & Kisses DJ,
Love Mommy, Daddy, and Your Little Brother Grayson

If you have not heard DJ's story before I invite you to check out this podcast I did last February (2017) with my fellow baby loss advocate Jheanell from Angel Mom Alliance. It is a little lengthy but gives you a glimpse behind the dark side of pregnancy loss in a light - hearted way. 

P.S. 

To all parents: known (Mashira & Richard - Max, Alisha -Jamari, Elizabeth - Baby Ezra, Amanda & David - Baby Kendall Hope, Tiffany - Baby Eliot Jr. & Baby Elijah, Renee - Baby DJ, Jheanell - Baby Jolie) and unknown who have suffered loss in any capacity whether through miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death, infant loss or any other tragic situation this post is for you. I want you to know I am constantly praying that God will mend your broken hearts and that He will give you the peace to go on to make your angels proud! Here's to our sweet angels dwelling in the presence of God.

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

A is for Ambition

There are some things that I truly want in life! I've been reading a lot about tapping into and unlocking those deep seeded gifts God planted into us that we sometimes bury because they seem too outlandish to achieve. I know we're wrapping up the end of the year and we always look ahead to the new year to make New Year's resolutions. But, this year I want to do things a little differently. I want to focus on maximizing each day, hour, and moment I am given to the fullest! We always hear that tomorrow is NOT promised but sometimes we plan, dream, and fantasize about tomorrow so much that we forget to think about, enjoy, and take in today! I am totally guilty of it. I'm all about a plan, but A is not only for AMBITION...it also stands for ACTION!

It's time to let all those inner gifts loose! It's our time to shine! It's time to walk into our purpose! It's time to throw fear to the wayside and pick up fearlessness! There are sooo many things I want to accomplish and I will no longer stifle myself because it's unconventional, different from the norm, or goes against the things people "think" I should be doing. I will use my ambition, my persistence, my work ethic, and my faith in God to move to higher heights, and levels I'm can't even fathom yet. 

BLACK DENIM// via Gap (similar) - "A" SWEATSHIRT// via Forever 21: old (similar) - CROPPED LEATHER JACKET// via H&M (similar) - TAN FEDORA// via Forever 21 (similar)  - CHUNKY BOOTS// via online boutique: old (similar) - YELLOW TINTED SUNGLASSES// via Windsor (similar) - QUILTED CHAIN BAG// via Forever 21: old (similar) - FURRY BAG CHARM// via Beauty Supply Store (similar)

My prayer for you and I is that we begin to live out the lives and blueprints that God created for us while we were in our mother's wombs! I'll end with this scripture: 

13 

13 "For you created my inmost being;

    

you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

14 

14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

    your works are wonderful,

    

I know that full well."

- Psalm 139:13-14New International Version (NIV)

Let your ambition take you to new heights starting today! Happy friday luvs,

-Ali