Grateful

Over the Thanksgiving holiday we spent some time in Louisiana visiting my husband's paternal side of the family. It was such a nice break to be able to link up with family and friends whom we haven't seen in a couple years. I was especially excited to introduce Grayson to his great grandma (aka Gram). Just being surrounded by people we love and care about made my week. It also made me reflect on the things I'm most grateful for. Today's post is just a simple list of 10 things (out of many) that I am most thankful for.

TEN THINGS I'M MOST THANKFUL FOR

1. My amazing husband! He works tirelessly for me and my son! He gives us everything we want and need without any complaints. He is the most selfless human being I've ever met and I'm extremely blessed and thankful to have him in my life. 

2. My rainbow baby, Grayson! He lights up my life and the lives of all he comes into contact with. He teaches me the meaning of patience, unconditional love, and shows me the world through a new prism.

3. My angel baby, DJ! DJ taught me lessons through loss. He taught me to cherish each moment! He also taught me reliance on God that is much deeper than surface. I'm forever indebted to my angel (and I miss him constantly).

4. My health. The older I get the more I appreciate having a good bill of health. I appreciate the fact that I can wake up and use my 5 senses without thought. I can breathe on my own without assistance. I have activity of all my limbs. I'm just very appreciative of good health!

5. My family. Family means everything to me. Beyond my husband and son(s) my immediate and extended family are what keep me going. Whether I talk to them (or see them) everyday, once a week, once a month or even a couple times a year their presence makes my heart smile. I truly hit the jackpot when it comes to my family. I love each one of them for different reasons, but in no way shape or form could I imagine my life without them in it.

6. Writing. Writing is therapeutic for me. It allows me to express what I'm truly feeling without ever opening my mouth. I let the words on each page I write or type do the talking for me. Writing has been a huge part of my life since I can remember. It has gotten me through some of the happiest and toughest times in my life. I'm grateful for my passion of writing and excited about what God has in store with this particular passion of mine in due season.

7. New Opportunities! God is shifting some things around in my life, creating avenues for growth and expansion mentally, physically, emotionally, through my career, through my passion and purpose and much more. I appreciate Him giving me the chance to grow and become the woman I truly want to be through these new opportunities. 

8. Peace! Having peace of mind is so key in our noisy word. Being at peace with who you are meant to be, where you are in your journey and where you are headed is so underrated in today's social media driven world. I am grateful God has given me inner peace and helped me to learn to turn down the outside noise so I can connect with His still quiet voice. It is a feeling like none other. 

9. Authentic Friendships. Over the years God has placed some amazing friends in my life. I have been blessed with friends that are disbursed around the country. They have held my hand when needed, encouraged me when I felt I couldn't finish my race, cheered me on, lended a shoulder to cry on, been my sounding boards when I needed advice, or offered much needed laughter in my life. For all my friends who have rocked with me over the years...thank you so much. I love you more than words can explain.

10. You my Ali's Fashion Sense followers. Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to bypass a million and one blogs just to read mine. I know there are so many things you could be doing but you choose to come visit Ali's Fashion Sense faithfully. Please know I do not take your support lightly. I deeply appreciate your feedback, encouragement, and conversation. It truly fuels me. I cannot wait until you see what I have in store for us in 2018. 

STRIPED RUFFLE SHIRT// via H&M (similar) - TAN DUSTER VEST// via Target (similar in black) - LEATHER LEGGINGS// via JCPenney (similar) - TAN FEDORA// via Forever 21 similar) - GOLD OXFORDS// via Zara (similar) - YELLOW SUNNIES// via Windsor (similar) - D & J PENDANTS// via Charlotte Russe (similar)

These are just a few things of many that I am grateful for. I'd love to know what you are grateful for this season and pray that you had an amazing Thanksgiving spent with family and friends alike. Happy Monday luvs. Lets make this week GREAT and end November with a BANG!

Xoxo,
-Ali

Covered Up In My Tan Poncho + Flare Jeans

It is getting cooler outside so I pulled out my camel - colored poncho that I snagged from H&M 7+ years ago, along with my white button up, and flare jeans to cover up and keep warm. While the temperatures aren’t frigid as the Michigan temperatures I’m used to, the chilled temps have finally caused me to grab my warmer clothing option as I get dressed each morning. 

Fall/Winter seasons are not just about covering your body in layers to keep warm, it is about doing it in style! You all know I love to look my best (and I’m sure you all do too), but the truth is, in today’s society we often cover up who we truly are (inside) because we may be different than what we see on TV, through different media mediums, or just different than those that surround us on a daily basis. 

I  have a news flash for you…one that I continuously try to internalize each day! God made all of us unique. We are not supposed to be carbon copies of one another with the same thoughts, ideas, style, mindsets, skin color, hair textures, body shapes, careers, hobbies, gifts etc. He created us to be a melting pot of beauty (the vision He saw of us when we were sculpted in our mother’s wombs). 

In this day and age of social media it is so hard to try to fight to be you when everything around us tells us to be like everyone else. This week, while we try to cover up to keep warm physically, I want us to try to uncover who we truly are. Dust off those gifts buried deep within. Try a new hobby that you’ve been putting on the back burner because it’s “weird” or different from the norm. Try something you’ve always wanted to do this week. Focus on only saying positive things to yourself instead of being overly critical of yourself. Begin learning to love your flaws in all. They are what make you distinctly YOU!

TAN PONCHO// via H&M old (similar) or  (here) - FLARE JEANS// via NY & CO. (similar) - WHITE BLOUSE// via H&M (similar) - VINCE CAMUTO LEOPARD PRINT BOOTIES// via Belk (similar) - TAN FEDORA// via Forever 21 (similar) - SUNNIES// via Charming Charlie’s (similar)

Here’s to uncovering and unlocking the REAL YOU; with style and grace. Have an amazing week. I’ll see you back here on Wednesday and Friday :)

Xoxo,

-Ali 

A is for Ambition

There are some things that I truly want in life! I've been reading a lot about tapping into and unlocking those deep seeded gifts God planted into us that we sometimes bury because they seem too outlandish to achieve. I know we're wrapping up the end of the year and we always look ahead to the new year to make New Year's resolutions. But, this year I want to do things a little differently. I want to focus on maximizing each day, hour, and moment I am given to the fullest! We always hear that tomorrow is NOT promised but sometimes we plan, dream, and fantasize about tomorrow so much that we forget to think about, enjoy, and take in today! I am totally guilty of it. I'm all about a plan, but A is not only for AMBITION...it also stands for ACTION!

It's time to let all those inner gifts loose! It's our time to shine! It's time to walk into our purpose! It's time to throw fear to the wayside and pick up fearlessness! There are sooo many things I want to accomplish and I will no longer stifle myself because it's unconventional, different from the norm, or goes against the things people "think" I should be doing. I will use my ambition, my persistence, my work ethic, and my faith in God to move to higher heights, and levels I'm can't even fathom yet. 

BLACK DENIM// via Gap (similar) - "A" SWEATSHIRT// via Forever 21: old (similar) - CROPPED LEATHER JACKET// via H&M (similar) - TAN FEDORA// via Forever 21 (similar)  - CHUNKY BOOTS// via online boutique: old (similar) - YELLOW TINTED SUNGLASSES// via Windsor (similar) - QUILTED CHAIN BAG// via Forever 21: old (similar) - FURRY BAG CHARM// via Beauty Supply Store (similar)

My prayer for you and I is that we begin to live out the lives and blueprints that God created for us while we were in our mother's wombs! I'll end with this scripture: 

13 

13 "For you created my inmost being;

    

you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

14 

14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

    your works are wonderful,

    

I know that full well."

- Psalm 139:13-14New International Version (NIV)

Let your ambition take you to new heights starting today! Happy friday luvs,

-Ali

Twinning with Mommy

When I discovered Grayson's gender the fantasy of having my little mini me, a baby girl, flew out the window.  At that very moment I honestly thought I was striped of the potential to dress alike, teach my daughter about fashion, and play dress up. While I really wasn't caught up on the gender of the baby (I really just wanted a HEALTHY, LIVING, BREATHING child) I would be lying if I didn't say the possibility of having a girl made my heart smile at the very beginning stages of my pregnancy. 

When Grayson arrived all my thoughts for a girl melted away the moment I saw his face! Grayson was perfect! I traded in bows and tulle skirts for dinosaurs, trains, and harem pants (Side note: Somebody PLEASE put some valid effort into improving little boy's clothing options, our few little racks with limited inventory is pretty drab in comparison to the vast little girls section - I'd be willing to offer my suggestions for a fee...but I digress). 

So lets rewind to last week. Grayson and I go to the library every Wednesday for story time. Tip: If you are a parent searching for something to do with your baby or child, hit up your local library. Besides the array of books you can read with your child you can also find some amazing story times for babies and toddlers, and even free or cost effective activities and events. I wanted to put Grayson in a long sleeve outfit because morning temperatures have been a bit cooler (faux - fall...by 12PM it is burning up, which makes it very hard to figure out what to wear). I purchased this denim button up and army fatigue cargo pant set from the Carter's outlet back when I visited St. Augustine, FL about a month ago. I love the outfit because it pairs denim (with a tiny pop of color - orange) and army fatigue - which could be used as a neutral. *Please pardon my sons drool spots, he's teething. Parents know trying to keep your children clean is almost next to impossible!*

CARTER'S SET// via Carter's (similar) - MOCCASINS// via Amazon.com (similar) - WOODGRAIN SUNGLASSES// via Carter's (similar)

Once Grayson was dressed it was my turn to get ready. I drew inspiration from his outfit. I knew I had denim and army fatigue  in my closet, so I grabbed my Canadian tuxedo (denim from head to toe) then paired my army fatigue jacket on top to pull the look together. For my accessories I used my orange necklace as a pop of color (to match Grayson) and added a broach to ramp up the dramatics. I finished off the look with my tan fedora, lace - up booties I snagged from Charlotte Russe, and my green - tinted sunnies I scored from H&M. 

DENIM BUTTON UP// via Charlotte Russe (similar) - DENIM FLARES// via New York & Co. (similar) - ARMY FATIGUE JACKET// via Charlotte Russe (similar) - BROACH// via Hobby Lobby (similar) - NECKLACE// via Forever 21 (old) - BOOTIES// via Charlotte Russe (similar) - AVIATORS// via H&M (similar)

The outfit turned out great and I finally got my wish, I was about to twin with my little munchkin. I must admit, we look good as a unit! Don't you think so? As a mommy of a little boy, you are not totally striped of your ability to twin with your mini - me if you so choose. It just takes a bit more creativity and planning. 

Happy Monday Luvs, lets go out and conquer the day!!! I'll see you back here bright and early Wednesday morning! 

-Ali

Shake Things Up

A couple of weeks ago I wanted to straighten out the top of my closet. It was absolute chaos. I removed every item of clothing and reorganized everything (grouping the items, folding the items, and giving each piece a specific home). Since I got the top of the closet organized I decided to go through my clothes that were hanging up as well. It was about that time that I did some official spring cleaning with my clothes anyway. 

During my pregnancy I "outgrew" a lot of the items I have in my closet. I lived in leggings because they were comfortable and the only piece of clothing in my closet that could "stretch" with me and my growing belly. Overtime I got really bored with the items in my closet (as I felt like I was wearing the same things over and over and over again). So while I was cleaning out my closet I decided to "shake things up" a bit.

I knew there were some items that needed to be thrown out, there were others that I simply did not like any more that needed to be donated, there were some pieces that I was on the fence about keeping or discarding, and then there were my showstopper pieces and staples that I knew I wanted to keep. 

Sometimes we get so bored with things in our closet that we cannot see the great outfit potential we already possess. It's easy to overlook great pieces we own because we wear them too often, don't know what to wear with them, or we want something new. But there is a way to spice up the items you already have, by looking at your closet with fresh eyes. Those fresh eyes can be found by using Pinterest 's search tool.

I went to Pinterest (especially with items I was on the fence about keeping), typed in the article of clothing I needed inspiration for, then I found 3-5 pins of that said article of clothing to aid in creating multiple outfits. For example. I searched "Black Floral Kimono Outfit" and many styles popped up. I pinned outfit inspiration that incorporated items I already owned in my closet so I wouldn't be compelled to go out and spend money, and to also help me stretch my mind to create new looks.

Here's an example of a search I did and how I was able to create a look from items I already had in my closet.

Once I searched for black floral kimono outfits I ran across this look and countless others. I liked this outfit because I realized it was composed of items I already own (i.e. a black floral kimono similar to the one pictured above, a striped shirt, denim skinnies and a pair of cognac booties). Check out how I remixed the look below!

    Outfit Details: Black Floral Kimono: Amazon, Striped T-Shirt: Target, Distressed Jeans: Charlotte Russe+, Fedora: Forever 21, Booties: Charlotte Russe, Gold Frames: Charlotte Russe

While this is a great outfit as is, this exercise is not about just copying and pasting an outfit. It is all about taking inspiration, tweaking the outfit to fit your style, and making it your own using items you own (hence the reason I added my tan fedora, gold rimmed frames, and earrings)! Don't be afraid to shake things up. Use the wealth of inspiration found on Pinterest to help you spruce up your closet to create an infinite amount of new outfit ideas just in time for Spring/Summer to hit! You'll thank me later. Trust me :)

*Hint: Create a Pinterest board with all your inspired looks. Keep a log of which looks you've recreated. Try to document the looks by taking pictures when you wear them, then store them on your phone in a special album, so when you feel like you don't have anything to wear you can reference your Pinterest board and/or photo album of looks you created!

Happy Friday luvs,
-Ali