Tan Poncho + Denim Jeans

Sometimes when I get dressed I just want to be comfortable (especially when I wake up with a sore back or tense shoulders...typical side effects from being preggo). But, my fashionista side will not just let me go to the closet and throw on a pair of sweats... even having pregnancy as an excuse. 

With today's look I was able to tap into both worlds to create a look that is comfy enough yet chic enough to carry me through a typical weekend day (i.e. running errands, going out to lunch with friends, playdates with other mommies and babies etc.). I grabbed my tan poncho and layered it on top of my denim skinny's and my chambray shirt. Ali's Fashion Sense Tip: If ever in doubt pair denim on denim...it's the perfect way to look pulled together in a matter of seconds. Chambray top + denim shorts, pants, skirt, culottes etc. To add a little fierceness to my look I paired my simplistic palette with my animal print Vince Camuto booties. 

Outfit Details: Poncho (H&M), Skinny's (Forever 21 +), Chambray Shirt (Charlotte Russe), Vince Camuto Animal Print Booties (Belk),  Aviator Sunnies (Forever 21), Statement Necklace (Charlotte Russe). Tan Fedora (Forever 21)

This look is very casual yet I still feel very well put together. I imagine this poncho is something that can come in handy if I'm wearing a shirt and Baby Anderson decides to release some of his milk on me...I could always throw on the poncho to cover up the evidence. I'm told as a new mom you should always have a backup plan for clothes because babies LOVE to mess up your clothes when you least expect it. But nevertheless, this look is perfect to carry me into my busy day. I hope you all have an amazing day and a relaxing, productive weekend!

Tootles,

-Ali

Easter Cool

There are a few things you should know about me, Ali. I love fashion (the innovation, the colors, the creativity, the freedom of expression through style), I love my family (shout out to my awesome village: my husband, my parents, my siblings, my brothers/sister - in - laws, my nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins etc.), I love my friends, I love to sing, I love to be creative, and most of all I love GOD. He is the reason for my existence, for my drive, for the passions embedded deep within. So as we reflect on the fact that yesterday was Easter I just wanted to publicly say that I appreciate the sacrifice that Jesus displayed just for me, dying for my sins along with the sins of the world! I know when we think of Easter the things that may pop into our minds are easter bunnies, candy, eggs, jellybeans, pastels, etc. but the ultimate meaning is the love of Jesus Christ. 

Here's how I celebrated my risen savior in style. In our church's celebration of Resurrection Sunday our Pastor always says come as you are. I wanted to dress in style but comfortably. So I opted for my dark wash skinny jeans, button up, geometric sweatshirt, blush vest, and light gray platform sandals. It turned out great. 

Outfit Details: Blush Vest (Forever 21), Skinny Jeans (Old Navy), Sweatshirt (Target), Denim Shirt (Target), Necklace (Fancy Kouture), Sunnies (Vintage), Sandals (Forever 21)

I looked great, I felt great, and I was able to celebrate my Lord and Savior with excitement. How did you spend your Easter? I'd love to hear about it in the comment section below. What did you do? What did you wear? How did you celebrate?

Happy Monday. Let's make today great!

-Ali

[Burnt] Orange & Green

The colors orange and green spark different emotions to different people. To my husband he thinks of peas and carrots (it's a bit of shade…and a fun inside joke he always teases me with, as he went to a rival HBCU = Historically Black College or University). When I see orange and green it takes me back to my first love of higher education. The place where I met so many long lasting friends. Where my life was in shambles every other day (not really…just a young college student being dramatic) trying to obtain my Industrial Engineering degree. Where I learned an abundance of life lessons to become the woman I am today. The colors orange and green are the colors of my illustrious Alma mater, Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University aka FAMU. Those colors will always be near and dear to my heart and evoke nothing but a smile whenever I see them. So when I pulled out my orange and green blouse from my closet all I could do was smile. I decided to pair the blouse with a dark pair of skinny jeans and my cognac suede boots that I picked up from Aldo 8+ years ago. I grabbed my burnt orange silky cardigan as a layering piece, then draped my cognac leather jacket around my shoulders for a more dramatic effect. 

Outfit Details: Cognac Leather Jacket (TJ Maxx), Orange Silk Cardigan (Forever 21), Orange & Green Blouse (Love Culture), Denim Skinnies (Old Navy), Cognac Suede Boots: Old (Aldo), Aviators (H&M), Gold Watch (Charming Charlie's)

Shout out to all my rattlers who bleed orange and green all across the nation! #Rattlerforlife #IloveFAMU. And of course shout out to all my Ali's Fashion Sense readers, followers, and subbies. I love y'all too! SN: That's enough HBCU pride for today. I am off to go get pampered, thanks to my amazing husband aka my dope photographer, for purchasing me a much needed 60 - Minute Massage as my Valentine's Day gift. So I'm off to have a good day. I hope you do the same! Happy Hump Day luvs.

-Ali

The Game: The Superbowl Edition

Let me be completely candid with you. I was not a fan of football until maybe a year ago when I actually sat down and tried to learn about the sport from my awesome husband. Its funny. In high school I was in marching band (I know what you're thinking…and yes I was a band geek lol) so I never got to truly enjoy the game because we were always prepping for halftime. In college (my first go round) I attended an HBCU (Historically Black College or University) and at HBCU's football games they are all about the HALFTIME. The band (in our case the Marching 100) is the main event. The actual football team is just the secondary storyline (competing with tailgaiting, vendors, great food, and much more). So I never really got into football.

Don't get me wrong, I've watched football (mostly college thanks to my grandparents and parents love of the sport) but I definitely didn't get into football, particularly the NFL. But when I got married all of that changed. Sunday Football is a real thing. My husband gets into it! He's watches games on the TV while simultaneously watching/streaming games online. He's all into fantasy football and will truly be UPSET if he loses each week (because in his office the loser brings donuts). So when I tried to actually sit down and learn what was going on in the game besides knowing that you tried to stop your opponent from carrying or kicking the ball in the in zone, football became much more fun. I even joined a Fantasy Football League (using my husbands help of course…#TeamAnderson).

Since the Superbowl is coming up this weekend I thought I'd join in on the festivities and share an outfit post with you that is different from the norm here on Ali's Fashion Sense. Here's the thing. Just because you wear a t-shirt doesn't mean you can't glam it up. I''m wearing a Seattle Seahawks t-shirt (Lets Go Hawks) that is actually my husbands. He's not a bandwagon fan like me, he's actually from Seattle! I paired my Hawks Tee with a pair of dark denim skinny jeans, a leather navy blazer, chartruse sandals, and a navy baseball cap. I even added a girly flare by incorporating a statement necklace.

My attempt to spell GO lol

Outfit Details: Blazer (Express), Jeans (Old Navy), T-Shirt (Hubby's), Sandals (Target), Statement Necklace (Charlotte Russe), Baseball Cap (Hubby's)

So as you can see I'm repping the Seahawks for the Superbowl. Who are you routing for? The Seahawks (The Legion of Boom, 12th Man, Beast Mode, Russy), the Patriots (Tom Brady, Gronkowski, Darrell Reeves), the commercials (hopefully they're funny this year), or Katy Perry lol? Whomever you route for is fine with me! Just make sure you enjoy it. That's what its all about.

Let me know what team you're pulling for in the comment section below!

Happy Superbowl Weekend,

-Ali

Layering In the Winter

The weather conditions here in GA have clearly not been like the rest of the country with mountains of snows and thermometers reaching single digit temperatures. However, it has presented a bit of a chill and enough dewy conditions to cause my school to be closed ALL week long. So for today's post I wanted to show you how to layer in chiller temperatures while still looking fierce. You need to take pieces that will offer warmth but not necessarily bulk. I started my look with a basic pair of skinny jeans and a sweater. I moved to the next layer and added my faux fur vest and booties. I finished the look with a special fur (I believe it's rabbit fur…real rabbit fur) that I picked up from….just guess… Goodwill. I scored this real beauty for $16.00. Ali's Fashion Sense: Check out your local Goodwill. Because you never know what jewels you will find.

Outfit Details: Rabbit Fur (Goodwill), Faux Fur Vest (Forever 21), Sweater (Forever 21), Skinny Jeans (Old Navy), Booties (Target), Snakeskin Clutch (Target), Necklace (Fancy Kouture), Aviators (H&M)

Though the weather outside may be frightful where ever you may be, it doesn't mean you have to let the frigid temps steal your sense of style. Use this post as a guide to help you layer your favorite pieces with flare. Stay warm out there luvs! 

I hope you have an amazing day and a wonderful weekend!

-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