Mickey Mouse Ear Hat + Tulle Skirt

Where's the most magical place on earth? Some say Disney World! The place where your imagination can run wild and your inner child can come out to play whether you're 2 or 92. When I saw the Mickey Mouse Ear Hat on Choies.com (a Chinese - Based online fast fashion website) I knew that I had to have it. Why? It's unique, it's fun, and playful just like me. You can't take yourself too seriously when you're wearing a Mickey Mouse Ear Hat. I wish I was in Orlando enjoying the atmosphere of Disney World, but nonetheless I had fun shooting this blog post :)

Outfit Details: Mickey Mouse Ear Hat (Choies.com), Tulle Skirt (AshleyMonique!), Snakeskin Patterned Sweatshirt (H&M), Booties (JustFab), Sunnies (Forever 21), Geometric Necklace (Forever 21), Gold Hoop Earrings (Charlotte Russe), Gold Watch (Charming Charlie's)

To "sophisticate" my look a little further I chose to grab my snakeskin patterned sweatshirt, tulle skirt, and caged booties to elevate the look. I chose to go monochromatic in all black to keep the look from looking to "kiddish!" But, I couldn't help to have fun during the photo shoot...I'm blaming it on the ears lol. I can't wait until my son gets old enough so we can take our first family trip to Disney World. Until then, I will have to rock my Mickey Mouse Ear Hat and imagine.

Happy Monday Luvs,
Go out and chase your wildest dreams today!

-Ali

Ali From The Block

"Don't be fooled by the rocks that I got

I'm still, I'm still [Ali] from the block

Used to have a little now I have a lot

No matter where I go I know where I came from"

I can't take credit for these genius lyrics from J - Lo's 2002 hit "Jenny From the Block" but the outfit that I wore on Saturday made me think of these down to earth lyrics and took me back to my days of blasting songs from the radio through my boom-box in my room. 

Sometimes you don't want to go all glam'd up on the weekends but you want to still look cute.  This past weekends were one of those weekends where I wasn't feeling throwing on some tight skinny jeans  so I opted for my favorite sweatpants, a simple white tee, and my denim jacket. I added some of my favorite accessories like my gold watch, faux Jeffrey Campbell platform boots, faux fur stole, and my patriotic Ralph Lauren Polo fitted to round out the look. I found an abandoned work space with graffiti and thought it would be the perfect backdrop for my laxed look.

Outfit Details: Sweatpants (Forever 21), White Tee (4imprint), Denim Jacket (Forever 21), Polo Hat (Ralph Lauren), Booties (Online Boutique), Gold Watch (Charming Charlie's), Faux Fur Stole (H&M), Earrings (Beauty Supply)

To get your Monday started right let me leave you with this little jewel lol. I hope you have a marvelous Monday! 

-Ali

Denim x Wheat

Have you ever waited for something so long and you thought it would NEVER come? Well, that's how I felt with these Camel Platform Rehab boots which are a spot on dupe for Jeffrey Campbell's (JC) HBIC boot; which are a play on the original wheat Timberland's. 

Original Jeffrey Campbell HBIC Boot - Sold out everywhere

With JC's version having a $250 price tag (and being sold out literally at every online store) I knew it was not in my budget. See the way my bank account is set up… lol, so I had to search high and low for a boot that I could purchase without breaking the bank but that looked as close as possible to the original. I landed on these beauties for less than $60 (shipping and tax included). Although I ordered them the week of Black Friday (November 29) and they were process to be shipped by December 1 I did not receive the boots until December 24 (after countless emails to the owner threatening to just cancel the order and receive my money back from an online boutique…which shall remain nameless). I'm so glad I waited for the product because I love the boots. They are super high, very edgy, and the perfect compliment to a casual outfit that you want to take to the next level. And believe or not, they are actually fairly comfortable given the humongous platform for support. 

I paired these lovely wheat's with my denim overalls, a plain white tee, and my cognac leather moto jacket to round out the look. I topped it with a bright red lip to finish the perfect styling for this simple look.

Outfit Details: Cognac Leather Jacket (TJ Maxx: Similar Here & Here), Overalls (Macy's: Similar Here), White Tee (4imprint: Similar Here for $4), Boots (Online Boutique: Similar Here & Here on Pre - Order - Order at your own risk), Statement Necklace (TJ Maxx: Similar Here)

They say great things come to those who wait. I guess they're right when it comes to my wheat platform boots. I can guarantee you will see a lot more of these babies this year! Do you think I pulled off my dupe well with my wheat platform boots? Let me know in the comment section below. 

And a big HAPPY NEW YEAR to you my readers!!!!!!! 2015 is going to be awesome I feel it in my bones and believe it in my mind :) Let's might it count. 

-Ali

Edgy Glam

So this past Tuesday, the hubby and I went to ATL to attend the On The Run Tour with Jay -Z and Beyonce'. This was my first time seeing Bey in concert so I didn't quite know what to expect...but I knew I was in for a treat, and boy was I right! Before heading to the concert we had dinner with one of my fav fellow FAMU couples. We ate a great soul-food dinner at Paschal's Restaurant downtown ATL, then we headed over to the Georgia Dome to prepare for the concert. I heard that you should NOT wear heels to the concert, and boy am I glad I didn't. You literally stand up the entire time Jay - Z & Beyonce are on stage which is about 2.5 hours (the concert started at 8:50PM and ended at 11:30PM).

I've been dying to get my hands on a full tulle skirt so I asked my stylist friend AshleyMonique! if she could make me one for the concert and she definitely delivered! Here is my original vision board for my concert style Edgy Glam here. The skirt turned out perfect! I loved the gold rose buttons on the back of the skirt. They give the skirt a bit of flare and make it unique. I paired the this grand tulle skirt with my cropped leather top, combat boots, and a bold lip. I loved how the look came together and most importantly I loved that the entire outfit was edgy yet comfortable so that I could dance the night away to the tunes of the Carters!

Outfit Details: Leather Crop Top (Forever 21), Tulle Skirt (Created by AshleyMonique!), Gold - Detailed Boots (Target), Gold Cross Necklace (Borrowed from AshleyMonique!), Gold Watch (Charming Charlie's), Sunnies (Forever 21), Gold Stud Earrings (Thrifted)

We had a brief photoshoot before hitting up the concert. Unfortunately, I couldn't take my camera into the arena and my phone wouldn't let me take any videos or pictures from the concert because I didn't have any storage left. But take my word the concert was great. If On The Run Tour is coming to your town, I would definitely suggest you attend! I hope you all have a great weekend. Be safe and have fun :) 

Xo,

Ali

Cheetah Girl

Saturday evening I went to a local fashion show with a couple of my friends. I went back and forth in my mind about what I should wear. I wanted to be cute, chic, and fashionable; so I decided to channel my inner cheetah girl and rock this animal printed jumpsuit that I picked up from H&M a couple summers ago. I layered my gold lock and key necklaces, stacked some bangles, and threw on my sandals, and draped my blazer over my shoulder (not pictured in this blog post) to add dramatics, and wallah, I was ready to rip the runway...at least to my seat, to watch the show lol!

Outfit Details: Animal Print Jumpsuit (H&M), Sandals (Forever 21), Sunnies (Forever 21), Watch (Charming Charlie's), Necklace (Forever 21)

I am absolutely in LOVE with jumpsuits and rompers. You can do NO wrong in my eyes with a jumpsuit. They are classy and timeless pieces that can be dressed up or down, and they'e the simplest solution to getting chic in an instant. The only drawback to wearing a jumpsuit/one piece is you have to get fully undressed to use the restroom. But sometimes beauty is hard work :) Are you as obsessed with jumpsuits as I am? If not, give them a try. I promise they will change your life and expand your summer wardrobe! Happy Monday!

Peace & Love,
-Ali