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

White Maxi + Lace Kimono

One of the reasons (among many others) I started my blog was to show real women, like you, how to take your wardrobe and remix, reuse, and revamp looks with simple items that you already have in your closet that are readily accessible. I don't have an endless supply of money or clothes so I reuse a lot of the pieces in my closet and make them appear different simply by mixing and matching, and switching and swapping different foundational pieces to create new looks.

I took that same lace kimono that I wore last week here and revamped it by swapping my floral crop top, distressed jeans, and fedora with my white maxi dress and floral headband. By simply exchanging my crop top and jeans for this maxi it gives the look a whole different personality. I truly felt like a little "Flower Child" or "Hippie!"

I am not one of those bloggers who wears something once and lets it sit in my closet. If I love a piece I will wear it over and over., with NO shame. I try to challenge myself to change up a look by switching up my styling methods each time I wear it! If you are one of those people that wear the same thing again and again try challenging yourself to see how you can remix your current pieces by styling them differently the next time you wear them. 

Outfit Details: Lace Kimono (Charlotte Russe), Maxi Dress (gift: Express), Floral Headband (DIY), Aviators (H&M), Necklace (Forever 21), Earrings (Charlotte Russe), Charm Bracelet (Juicy Couture), Sandals (old)

This look made me want to just throw up the peace sign and twirl around in a meadow of sunflowers! I received a ton of compliments on this look (even one that made me blush from one of my nephews who told me...."Auntie Lish you look beautiful!"). Talk about a confidence booster. All you need to accomplish this look is a simple kimono (which you can score from stores like TJ Maxx, Marshall's, Forever 21, H&M etc.) and a simple maxi and wallah, you have the look. I truly love the look because it has ease, comfort, and most importantly...I didn't have to iron it (that's a BONUS)! 

I hope you have a wonderful, productive, positive Monday! I will see you later on this week. Have a great day!

-Ali

Printed Maxi + Flannel Shirt

Some days, no matter how hard you try to be grateful for all the blessings, life gets cloudy. Yesterday was one of those days. It just seemed that from the moment I woke up (carrying over from the night before) that a cloud was hovering over me. While I usually try to look on the bright side of things yesterday just got the best of me. But then I realized in order to truly enjoy the sunshine you have to endure a few clouds and rain. Whenever I'm feeling bad I try to do something for ME. So I got dressed, put on some makeup and went to soak up some vitamin D before the clouds rolled in. 

I wanted something that was comfy while I went to run a few errands and get some work done at a coffee shop. I landed on this hi/lo printed maxi dress and paired it with a black and red lumberjack flannel (which I stole from my hubby's side of the closet). I then added my denim jacket, fedora, booties, and gold accessories (+ my new favorite choker) to round out the look.

Outfit Details: Printed Maxi (Target), Lumberjack Flannel (Hubby's: Old Navy), Booties (JustFab), Denim Jacket (Forever 21), Fedora (H&M), Aviators (Forever 21), Earrings (Charlotte Russe), Choker & Layered Necklace (Charlotte Russe), Chain Purse (Gift: Charming Charlie's), Pom - Pom (Beauty Supply Store)

Even when I experience rough days I always end the night by journaling. I have made it a habit now to end my journaling post each night with "3 Things I'm Grateful For..." it is a way to keep things balanced and in perspective. While I may have been sucking on lemons yesterday, there are still some things I can use to make lemonade today! I said all of that to say, don't beat yourself up when you have a less - than stellar day, just regroup, look yourself in the mirror and say..."hey, tomorrow will be MUCH better!" I hope your day today is filled with love, sunshine, faith, and fun! Have a great weekend luvs, see ya Monday!

-Ali

White Maxi + Kimono

A couple years ago when floral headpieces were a thing for all festival goers I chose to D.I.Y a few. I misplaced them until one day, I was doing some spring cleaning and I found this white one. Since I have a short bob I thought it would be really cute to pair my floral headpiece with my white maxi. I know my floral headpiece isn't exactly white (more "Mother of Pearl") but I think it pulls the look together, along with my patterned kimono with black fringe. If I were to go to Coachelle, this is an outfit I would pack (at least in my head lol). 

Outfit Details: White Maxi (Express), Kimono (TJ Maxx), Floral Headpiece (D.I.Y), Sunnies (Forever 21), Layered Gold Necklace (Goodwill), Black Booties (JustFab.com) , Lippie (M.A.C. Candy Yum Yum)

I love the ease and fluidness of this outfit! It is the perfect outfit for a sunny day because it allows wind to flow through, keeping you cool and CUTE (nobody wants to be a sweaty mess during the summer so it's best to keep cool). What is your perfect spring/summer duo? Kimono + Maxi? Denim Cutoffs + Tank Top? I'd love to hear from you in the comment section below. 

Happy Wonderful Wednesday Luvs,

-Ali

White Maxi + Shaggy Fur Vest

HI!!!!! I've missed you all so much! I know you're probably thinking..."who are you?" It's been a little minute but I had to take a little break from blogging. I've had A LOT going on between school, church, being a wife etc. so I decided to take a short hiatus. But I'm back with some great stuff for you during this last half of the year. Can you believe it's already October??? So let's jump right into it.

Who said you can't wear white after Labor Day? Well, clearly I've put that myth to rest. As the temperatures drop slowly, I wanted to pull out my white maxi (that I received as a gift, that I haven't worn before), and style it with my shaggy fur vest. I was able to structure the bulky vest by adding a belt to define my waist. I then added my gladiator heels to give me a little more height so my dress would not drag on the ground. My fedora was added to create a little element of cool! I finished out the look by layering gold jewelry (necklace, earrings, sunnies, and a broach). It truly pulled the entire look together. Check out the full outfit below.

Outfit Details: White Maxi (Express), Fur Vest (Forever 21), Belt (Unknown), Gladiator Sandals (DSW), Necklace (Thrifted), Fedora (Forever 21), Sunnies (Forever 21), Earrings (Forever 21)

 Is it super cold in your area already and you can't get away with wearing short sleeves? Swap the vest for a cute leather motorcycle jacket OR layer the moto jacket on top of the maxi and use the vest as your outer most layer. Would you wear a maxi with a fur vest? Let me know in the comment section below. 

P.S. It feels good to be back. I missed you all ;)

Happy Monday,

-Ali

California Love

The last six days I have been chillaxing on the west coast in Los Angeles, CA. It is true what they say; the skies are always crystal blue and the sun is almost always shining. I came to Cali to visit one of my closest friends who is about to embark on her own marriage journey in 12 days. She is getting married in Hawaii and unfortunately I will not be able to attend. So I decided along with two of my other great friends to come out and kick it in the city of angels with the bride - to - be. 

I've had a blast since being out here. I saw the Hollywood sign after an hour hike up Runyon Canon, I went to the world famous Saddle Ranch, saw the walk of stars, and even attended a Carnival (think Toronto celebration of the different carribean cultures and not so much a Ferris wheel) Downtown Hollywood. I also learned that local citizens spend a ton of time in their cars. I also learned that you should always strap up in your seatbelt because LA drivers drive CRAZY!!! 

I visited the Valley, Hollywood, Malibu, Santa Monica, and Pasadena and had a blast at every stop. I visited the fashion district where I purchased my very own selfie stick (which I'm in love with by the way), and a cute cape (which I can't wait to post on the blog). I also bought a few goodies from Forever 21 and Zara which you will get a sneak peak of very soon. Overall out of all the things I got to do, see, eat, or purchase none compare to the priceless amount of time I got to spend with friends from my old stomping grounds, whom I haven't seen in over a year. Hopefully I will be able to catch up with them more often since our 30 Bday's are approaching in 6 months or less! But for now, check out some of my pics, from last six days as I show my California Love *in my Dr. Dre voice*

My view of the clouds

The LA skies from the plane

Fashion District Selfies

1st time using my selfie stick :)

The look when you conquer Runyon Canyon

A slight glance at the Hollywood sign

A brief gorgeous view of The City of Angels from the top of Runyon Canyon

At the Carnival Hollywood parade posing with a girl dressed in native garb

Selfies with my girl at Saddle Ranch

Admiring houses in Malibu

Selfies with the flower child and bride - to - be

Impromptu mountainside photoshoot 

As you can see from brief photo montage I got into a lot while in Cali. Have you ever been to Cali? Do you live here now? Where do you visit when you come? What are your favorite sites to see and food places to eat. Let me know in the comment section below and have an awesome Monday!

Peace, love, and soul,
-Ali