Work Vs. Werk

As I mentioned on Monday's post, this week is all about remixing items you already own to refresh and expand your wardrobe. Today's post we will focus on a suit. While suits are meant to be worn together...it is in the separating of the pieces where I find the most wiggle - room for creativity.

THE BASIC
Today's focus item is a plaid suit. Plaid is super on trend for the Fall/Winter season, but plaid is also a classic print that it will never go out of style! I purchased this particular suit from Target's new private label, "New Day." Sidebar: Target has some really dope new in- house private labels for women, men, and children's apparel. They even have a new home goods private label as well. One more way to get my coins, as if we don't already spend our hard - earned money in Target  *inserts emoji with hand covering forehead!* I love this suit because it was made with quality in mind and the silhouette is fresh and new (oversized top, slim bottom...I can dig it). This suit is composed of a Boyfriend blazer + a pair of Slim Fit Ankle Trousers.

WOMEN'S PLAID BOYFRIEND BLAZER// via Target - 
SLIM FIT STRAIGHT LEG PLAID ANKLE PANT// via Target

WORK

When I envision the traditional word "work" it makes me think of cubicles, briefcases, and dark boring [skirt] suits. Not every job requires you to put on your most snatched threads to make deals and call shots. But if it does, I would highly recommend adding this suit to your wardrobe arsenal. I like this suit because it allows me to look polished when I wear both pieces in an instant. But the thing I love most about the suit is my ability to wear the separates separately to create different moods and outfits to help expand my wardrobe. You can dress this suit up or down, depending on where you are going. You could pair it with flats, sneakers, heels, boots etc. (and that's just the various shoe options you have...let's not even mention the numerous top combinations you could come up with like how I "werked" it below)!

PLAID JACKET// via Target - PLAID TROUSERS// via Target - MAROON PUSSY BOW BLOUSE// via Forever 21: old (similar here) - SANDALS// via Target - BROACH// via Hobby Lobby - CLEAR FRAMES// via Windsor (similar here)

WERK

Many times after work we have engagements set up where we don't have much time to transition from work to play. We have to slay in seconds. That is why creating a suit of separates is genius and a fool - proof way to have snazzy outfits on deck. I took the same suit from above but I ditched the trousers, sandals, and blouse, and swapped them for a leather crop top, black midi skirt, and some lace - up booties, while keeping the blazer on to anchor the outfit and create a more "edgy" look and feel. With just a few key swaps you can take your blazer from boardroom to... baddie!

PLAID BLAZER: // via Target - LEATHER CROP TOP// via Forever 21 (similar top here) - MIDI SKIRT// via H&M (similar here) - LACE - UP BOOTIES// via Charlotte Russe: old (similar) - CHOKER// via Charlotte Russe (similar here)

I hope these two posts to date are beginning to help you see that fashion doesn't have to be super complicated! All you need are a few key staples to help do the heavy - lifting for your wardrobe, then you can mix and match items to make your pieces seem fresh, new, and of course stylish!! We have one more installment of this series. I will be showing you how to rock distressed jeans two different ways! So stay tuned. Until then...

Happy Hump Day luvs, 

-Ali

Leather Crop Top + Maxi Skirt

So I know it's technically Fall, however, where I stay in Georgia it has been in the high 70s all week. Talk about seasonal trickery. With that being said, I decided to pull out my leather crop top, maxi skirt, fedora, and sandals. I tried to make the look a little more fall-ish by vamping up the lip with M.A.C's Darkside Lipstick. The thing about this look is the fact that I could dress it up by adding a few items like a structured blazer, clutch, and a pair of gladiator heels.  

Outfit Details: Leather Crop Top (Forever 21), Maxi Skirt (Express), Fedora (H&M), Earrings (Forever 21), Sandals (Target)

Fall is one of my favorite seasons with the boots, capes, ponchos, sweaters, hot cocoa, fire places but when the weather refuses to follow suit for the intended season pull out your leather crop top and maxi skirt and shine bright! 

TGIF Luvs,
-Ali

Cape + Crop Top + Printed Pants

I swear when I throw on my cape and a pair of sunglasses I get in diva - mode instantly. A cape will make you stand straighter, taller, hold your head up higher, and give you a confidence like never before. I highly suggest adding a cape to your wardrobe for a Fall staple (if you don't already possess one). In today's post I show how I styled my black cape, black leather crop top, black and white printed pants, and black sandals. Check out the completed look with and without the cape below.

Outfit Details: Cape (Fashion District), Printed Pants (Forever 21), Leather Crop Top (Forever 21), Sandals (K&G), Cat - Eye Sunglasses (Forever 21), Lip Color (NYX Transylvania)

The thing that I like about today's OOTD is the fact that I could dress it up or down for day and night. If I were to switch out the sandals for some flats and swap the cape for a denim jacket I could have a day look, and use the cape and high heel sandals for a night out on the town. With a few swaps I could have a totally different look. When you approach outfits you should think about how easily you can transition the pieces you throw on to add functionality to your life and wardrobe. What are good transition pieces that you have in your closet RIGHT NOW that you can use for day and night? Let me know in the comment section below.

Happy Monday Luvs,
-Ali

Blush, Black, & Mint

It's been a long time, I shouldn't have left you, without a dope post to scroll through! Hey Fashion Sensers. Oh how I've missed you :) I've been super caught up with school (I just finished up my last week of school), planned and threw a surprise 30th birthday party for my husband, got inducted into the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS) where I will serve as the Vice President next year along with keeping up with being a wife. So yeah, it's been a little hectic around here in the Anderson household the past couple of weeks. However, I have a new blog post for you today, with an item from my closet that you've seen a couple times before…my blush pink vest. To go along with the mood of Spring I paired it with my mint green skirt and finished the look off with my black cropped leather top and caged booties.

Outfit Details: Skirt (H&M), Leather Crop Top (Forever 21), Blush Vest (Forever 21), Booties (K&G), Sunnies (Thrifted), Necklace (Forever 21), Ear Cuff (Forever 21)

It feels good to be back at it. I am ready to share new posts with you my awesome subscribers and readers :) Stay tuned. In the meantime TGIF luvs!

-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