My Trip to NOLA

Over Christmas Break (as us college students like to call it lol) I had the pleasure of 1.) spending time with my parents as well as one of my brothers and his family in Atlanta. It was awesome to spend time with my loved one's to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. I've noticed the older I get the more that spending time with family is super important. 2.) I did something I truly love doing and that is  TRAVELING. I traveled to Louisiana to attend one of my college friends engagement party in New Orleans on New Years Eve as well as visit a host of family members on my husbands fraternal side! I was able to see what all the fuss was about traveling the streets of Bourbon to bring in the New Year. It truly is a unique American city! While seeing everything from horse drawn carriages to oversized beads I wasn't able to get a real glimpse of the charm of this southern city until my awesome husband who doubles as my photographer took me to New Orleans (during the day) for a day of site - seeing. Of course as I went on my excursion my camera died so I was limited on photos. But my photos don't do this one - of - a - kind place justice anyway. It's just one of those places that you just have to experience for yourself.

Outfit Details: Textured Sweatshirt (H&M), Fedora (H&M), Jeggings: old (Target), Riding Boots (Forever 21), Statement Necklace (Fancy Kouture), Aviators (H&M)

Makes you want to do a little dance doesn't it. I think these two videos capture the spirit of New Orleans perfectly.

I experienced the sounds (just a random Friday noonday with sounds from violins, tubas, clarinets, washboards, drums and much more), the food (my first Po - Boy and Beignets…as well as a NOLA favorite gumbo), and the sites! I spent a night and day in New Orleans and was very impressed. I definitely will be putting NOLA on my must travel - to list!

What US city is on your travel wishlist? Let me know in the comment section below.

-Ali

Cognac & Cream

I'm always looking for ways to remix, reuse, and reinvent the articles of clothing within my closet. Why you ask? Well, for starters I'm a college student living on a college student budget lol. Secondly, it's fun to challenge myself to try to breathe new life into the hanging garments in my closet. I think I achieved a great feat on Sunday morning because my husband asked "when did I buy this outfit"…even though all of the items I have on have all been purchased (minus the statement necklace) at least 6 months ago or further (and by further I mean last year). I wanted to wear some flats to church so I started the outfit foundation by selecting my cognac riding boots. Then I grabbed my cream peplum dress. To add a different flavor I through on my chambray (aka denim) button up to add a little contrast and topped off the look with my cognac colored leather moto jacket. The final look came out a lot better than I imagined in my mind when I came up with the initial concept. Don't you just love when that happens? 

Outfit Details: Peplum Dress (H&M), Riding Boots (Charming Charlie's), Chambray Denim Shirt (Target), Aviators (H&M), Statement Necklace (Forever 21), Belt (Target), Gold Watch (Charming Charlie's)

Cognac & Cream sounds like a delectable dessert but really it's just a delectable outfit I put together lol. Do you have clothes in your closet that you remix constantly to give them new life? If so let me know in the comment section below!

Xo,

-Ali

Gladiator In Pink

Last Saturday was all about making the best of a cool, crisp, Autumn day. The temperatures in Georgia have literally been like a roller coaster. 75 today, 45 tomorrow. The constant changes of cool to warm are definitely hard to keep up with especially when you're trying to dress warm enough while still putting your best foot forward. I knew I didn't have much on my agenda besides working on my presentations for my last day of school for the semester (which was Monday). So, I grabbed the simplest, most classic items a girl has in her closet to create this Gladiator (Scandal Reference) Off - Duty. A white simple tee, skinny denim jeans, chocolate riding boots, animal print scarf, and my blush pink overcoat that I nicknamed "Liv" since it reminds me of Olivia Pope. Ok the coat is not really nicknamed Liv but can you tell I'm a huge Scandal fan?

Outfit Details: Coat (H&M), Scarf (Charlotte Russe), White Tee (4imprint.com), 

Skinny Jeans (Forever 21+), Riding Boots (Forever 21)

The only thing this photo shoot was missing was a cup of hot cocoa with marshmallows of course to fight off the frigid air! I had a blast during this shoot, as I was serving Gladiator realness in my blush pink coat. P.S Scandal please hurry back, I miss the Thursday night drama lol. What is your go - to coat for the Fall/Winter Season? Is it a cape? Trench? Duster? Let me know in the comment section below.

Happy Hump Day

Xo,
-Ali

Fuzzy Wuzzy

Fall is fully under way, and even though the weather has been on one crazy roller coaster ride this past couple of weeks it always fun to layer up. I love fall time because you get to pull out your boots, sweaters, leather, and other awesome layering pieces. Sunday, I decided to pull out my "fuzzy wuzzy" pink furry jacket that I scored from Forever 21 a few seasons ago. The thing I love most about it is the fact that its lightweight, warm, cropped, and of course a very interesting statement piece. This fuzzy material is one of Fall's hottest trends. You can find it everywhere now.

I decided to pair my blush "pink poodle" jacket with some classic pieces like my striped knit shirt dress, brown riding boots, and navy tights. I then pulled out my pink statement necklace and bracelet to tie all the elements together. 

Outfit Details: Striped Shirt Dress (JC Penney), Furry Jacket (Forever 21), Navy Tights (Target), Riding Boots (Forever 21), Statement Necklace (Forever 21), Statement Bracelet (Forever 21), Gold Watch (Charming Charlie's)

This fuzzy trend is awesome. It adds a new dimension to regular items like sweaters and jackets, it's soft to touch (it literally feels like your wearing a teddy bear), and most importantly it keeps you warm  during the crisp fall days. I really like how this outfit turned out.

Do you own any "fuzzy wuzzy" pieces in your closet? How do you plan to incorporate them into your wardrobe this fall/winter season?

Happy Monday! Lets make this a great start to a new week :)

-Ali