Black & Gold Dress + High Waist Leggings (Stirrups)

When I was younger I HATED stirrup pants. That strap across the bottom of my heel was sooo ANNOYING! Add that to a list of other things I hated to wear like: itchy dresses, turtlenecks, skirts, puffy ring dresses etc. Thank God I got some "sense" and grew out of the stage of hating all things fashion. I was a late bloomer to the fashion party, but, I still made it - better late than never as they say! 

Fast forward 30 years and I just purchased my first pair of stirrups (high waist leggings) as an adult, at Target. I've had stirrups on my wishlist for a few months as the trend is back into rotation. So it was a pleasant surprise when I saw these stirrups at Target for only $15. I knew right away I had to have them. As I stood at the checkout line ready to purchase my new stirrups, I chuckled to myself a little bit, because I so dreaded these type of pants when I was little. What a difference a few decades make!

But let's get to why we're really here! As promised, this post is the second installment of our holiday series. For today's look I paired my high waisted stirrup leggings with my black and gold smock dress (both of which I snagged from Target...can, I just say, Target has been killing the game lately in the clothing department. If you haven't checked out their [new] clothing lines [A New Day for women, Good Fellow for men, and Cat & Jack for kids] in a while, do yourself a favor and do so. You will not be disappointed). This combination is a match made in heaven. It checks off a plethora of boxes I personally look for when trying to capture the holiday spirit: gold (check), sparkle (check), sleekness (check) and slayage (check)! 

With temperatures steady dropping here in Georgia I decided to pair my dress with the new stirrup leggings I purchased instead of wearing it on its own for fuller coverage. To give the dress some added structure, I added my skinny patent leather belt, to create the illusion of a snatched waistline (coming summer 2018). 

Ali's Fashion Sense Tip: For a simple outfit hack, ditch the pants and patent leather belt and add tights and over - the - knee boots (or a pair of cute ankle booties) and wallah, you have a whole a different silhouette plus an additional holiday - ready outfit in a jiffy! You don't always have to go out and purchase things to get a fresh, new holiday look. Sometimes all it takes is a little creativity and a few swaps and you'll look like "new money!"

*I'm cracking up in the picture below because, as my hubby/photographer was snapping my picture a guy rolled by with his family in his minivan and said " you go girl!" It caught me completely off guard, but truly provided genuine holiday cheer. *

BLACK SMOCK DRESS WITH GOLD FOIL// via Target (cute alternative here) - HIGH WAISTED (STIRRUP) LEGGINGS// via Target - PATENT LEATHER BELT// old (similar here) - BLOCK HEELS// via Target  - EARRINGS// via Target (similar here)

This ensemble gives me great holiday cheer, and is the perfect holiday dress + pants combo for you to rock this holiday season. It's not too flashy but it gets the job done and the point across... "we came to slay!" We are in the holiday spirit here at Ali's Fashion Sense, hopefully you are too (cue the Christmas music and warm up the hot cocoa)! Stay tuned for our next holiday party installment. 

Until next time, I'll ttyl luvs,
-Ali

Black Blazer + Over The Knee Booties

From the loss of Alton Sterling aka "The CD Man" in Louisiana, to the traffic stop gone awry in Minnesota ending in the life of Philando Castile being snatched away, to the lives of police being slaughtered by snipers in Dallas... to say we had a ROUGH WEEK last week is an understatement. With such tragedies occurring I couldn't dare think about blogging in such a tense climate. For 2 days straight I stayed locked in via social media on the climate of our nation that began to boil over from the senseless lives being taken at the hands of trigger happy cops. Then I saw the effect to a larger injustice through retaliation against cops by snipers in Dallas. As I stated on Facebook last week the loss of life is never good no matter the color of victim. In all cases whether it's white on white crime, black on black crime, terrorism, or crooked cops killing innocent unarmed people of color what we're asking for is JUSTICE. We want people no matter their hue to be treated fairly and humanely in the eyes of our citizens and from a systematic standpoint.  

With all of these tragedies occurring back to back I used Saturday to decompress. I had to log off of the Internet and do some self care. I spent Saturday morning reading, praying, and listening to some good music (2000s R&B Brandy's Full Moon album, Sisqo's Incomplete solo project, and Jazmine Sullivan's Reality Show). I also went on an impromptu date with the hubby. We went to check out The Purge and followed it up with Olive Garden. It was nice to temporarily take my mind off the madness and just enjoy the company of my husband after the tough week we encountered.

For our date night I  decided to wear a monochromatic black ensemble from head to toe. Black can represent mourning (at funerals), power (black panther movement), and even structure. While only one color the different textures and details of each piece chosen (i.e. the fringe belt, the over the knee booties etc.) helped to elevate this look into a sophisticated Summer16 ensemble. While still in mourning from all of the anger, confusion, sadness etc. this outfit reminded me that we still are powerful in our hope, prayers, kindness, and action. While we have a long way to go to see true change we must realize as a human race that we are more alike than different. We need to exercise compassion to ALL our fellow men and women not just those we deem worthy! 

Outfit Details: Boyfriend Blazer (Old: Forever 21), Black Tee (Old: H&M), Leather Pants (Old: JCPenney), Fringe Belt (Windsor), Over The Knee Booties (Old: JustFab), Fedora (Old: H&M), Broach (Old: Forever 21), Gucci Bag (Gift), Pink Pom - Poms (Beauty Supply Store), Necklace (Forever 21), Round Sunnies (Old: Forever 21)

I'm sorry this blog took a more political viewpoint than one solely devoted to fashion. But I couldn't sit back idly and not address the terrible tragedies that have consumed our nation over the past week. Continue to pray for our nation. Continue to fight for justice. Continue to treat others how you would want to be treated. And remember to take time out for self care. We can't slay our days without taking care of ourselves in the process. I hope you have a marvelous Monday. 

"United we stand! Divided we fall!"

-Ali

Faux Leather Baseball Cap + Blush Duster Vest

Sometimes life shoots you a curve ball and all you can do is take a swing. The weekend of January 15th, my world got flipped, turned upside down. I went in for a routine ultrasound to check on Baby Anderson (at 28 weeks) when the nurse (later confirmed by my doctor) informed me and my husband that my baby had no heartbeat. 3 days later, January 18, 2016,  after having my labor induced I gave birth to Derrek Jerrell Anderson Jr. (aka DJ) at 6:48AM. My baby was the cutest sight I've ever seen. He literally was my sleeping angel! I wasn't able to blog let alone do much else last week trying to recover physically, emotionally, and spiritually. But this week I am trying to get back into the swing of things. 

Yesterday, while most of the east coast was recovering from the massive snowstorm that hit, the sun was out and shining brightly here in GA. Our pastor preached about finding the blessings in whatever situation you are going through. So I took his message and soaked up each ray that touched my melanin skin during this photo shoot after Sunday service. I used this moment to thank God for the blessing of shining on me even during one of the toughest moments in my life. For my first Sunday back post - delivery I chose to rock a casual yet comfortable look that was inspired by a look I saw on Pinterest. I paired my faux leather baseball cap with my faux leather pants, blush duster vest, gray sweater, and black wedges. I've worn this outfit before prior to seeing the Pinterest inspiration pic (simply swapping the faux leather baseball cap with my black fedora and adding a collared shirt underneath the sweater). I love how you can dress this look up or down by swapping just a few subtle accessories. 

My OOTD inspiration

Flexin'

Turn that frown upside down

Reflecting on life and this last week

Just enjoying the moment

Just me

Observing the beauty that God created

Soaking up the sun rays

Smiling in spite of the pain I may feel

Outfit Details: Faux Leather Baseball Cap (Forever 21), Faux Leather Pants (JC Penney), Sweater (Forever 21), Blush Duster Vest (Forever 21), Wedges (Target), Round Gold - Rimmed Sunnies (Forever 21), Feather Earrings (Charlotte Russe)

Today marks my new normal and I am trying to adjust to that. The only way I know how is by continuously finding the blessings (whether the blessings are front and center or hidden gems that are sometimes overlooked when we're so focused on the negativity) and pushing past the pain by smiling and soaking up the sun! I pray that whatever situation you're going through you're able to keep a smile on your face. I pray that your outer swag, matches your inner beauty and peace. And most of all I pray a blessing over you on this great Monday morning. No more "case of the Mondays!" We're going to celebrate life today and all the endless possibilities that we have to do exceptional things today. 

I hope you conquer your Monday with boldness :)

Luv,

-Ali

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

Celebrate Good Times

Tis the season for graduations, parties, vacays, weddings, baby showers and the introduction of summer (well not just yet…but very soon). For this blog post I pulled out my celebratory top, because nothing says "celebrate good times" like a sequin top. Who says sequin is only reserved for New Years Eve? I say shine bright like a diamond anytime, anyplace! The denim shorts add a casual element to this "dressy" top, while the glitter platforms are the perfect compliment to this disco ball top. And my ear cuffs aid in edging up the entire look.

Outfit Details: Sequin Top (H&M), Denim Shorts (Forever 21), Sunnies (Forever 21), Ear Cuff (H&M), Platforms (Belk)

I have a couple packed weekends coming up and you can be sure this shirt will be accompanying me to at least one of the celebrations. What is your go to celebration outfit? Let me know below?

Have an awesome weekend,

-Ali