Shaggy Vest + Striped Dress

We made it to another Monday. New day! New possibilities! New blessings bestowed upon us :) This weekend was pretty packed for me. I went and got a tattoo to commemorate my angel DJ on Friday. It was a little more painful than I remember (I have two other tattoos) but I took it like a G in honor of my little guy! My hubby was there to support me. One of my really good friend packed up her stuff and moved 1.5 hours away for a new job, so I went to say my goodbyes. Then Saturday after I had rehearsal (for Praise Team) the hubby and I chilled around the house for a little bit, before going to see the movie Race (I definitely recommend going to see it...I learned a lot about Jesse Owens) then we capped off our night with dinner at a Mexican restaurant, Margaritas.

I decided to wear my shaggy vest (which you've seen a couple of times on the blog now), my striped shift dress, navy tights, and chocolate booties to create my weekend outfit. I paired it with my white collared shirt, a statement necklace, and my glasses to take the look to the next level. The simple combo of a shift dress + vest + collared shirt = flawless foundation to an amazing outfit. Check out the pictures below to see the full look.

Outfit Details: Shaggy Vest (Forever 21), Striped Dress (JC Penny), Collared Shirt (JC Penny), Navy Tights (Target), Chocolate Booties (Forever 21), Statement Necklace (Charlotte Russe), Opticals (Forever 21)

This outfit was very comfy and still is put together enough to run errands or even go on a date with hubby! What did you do/wear this weekend? I'd love to hear about it in the comment section below.

Here's a glimpse of my tattoo (keep in mind I just got it done so it looks a little abnormal). I am in love with it. I think my tattoo artist did an amazing job capturing exactly what I wanted.

I hope you have a great day and a stellar rest of your week! Happy Monday luvs. Lets make it a great one.

-Ali

Furry Gray Duster Vest + Black Skirt

"I've got sunshine, on a cloudy day! When it's cold outside, I've got the month of May! I guess, you say, what can make me feel this way? My boys...talking bout my boys, my boys (hubby and son of course)!" No seriously Sunday was a very cloudy and windy day in Central Georgia. It was also pretty chilly (hence why this song popped into my head). Whenever it is cold out I love to grab a faux fur vest to layer with. They are the perfect fashion accessory and they can definitely keep you warm. For Sunday's OOTD I opted for my long furry gray duster vest that I scored from H&M a couple seasons ago. I love this vest because it not only keeps me warm, but it has a cool texture, and is a great neutral to pair with jeans, slacks, a dress, or even a skirt. It's the perfect chilly weather accessory. As I mentioned a couple posts ago I am able to disguise or display my baby bump whenever I like. Sunday was one of those days that I contained the bump a little more by wearing my Express skirt (that has an elastic waistband...thank God for elastic lol) along with my white collared shirt, black tights, and black wedge booties. 

Outfit Details: Furry Gray Duster Vest (H&M), Skirt (Express), White Collared Shirt (JC Penny), Tights (Target), Booties (Target), Sunnies (Forever 21), Statement Necklace (FancyKouture.com)

The look really kept me warm even with the wind whipping and the clouds invading the sky. All I needed was a hot cup of cocoa and a fire place and I would have been in business. Whats your favorite chilly weather fashion accessory? A fur vest? Tights? Riding boots? Over the knee socks? I'd love to hear in the comment section below! 

Silver Fox

As I've mentioned in the previous 3 posts the weather has been very up and down these last couple of weeks here in Georgia. I have tried to keep up with the changing temps practicing different layering techniques. Saturday I had a lot of errands to run and I wanted to be comfortable while doing so. So  I started my look off taking my distressed jeans and layering them with my navy tights (you can see where I first mentioned this technique 2 years ago with lace and distressed jeans here). Then I threw on my silk gray blouse, a gray cardigan, and my cream faux fur vest to amp up the look. Lastly, I grabbed my cream, gray, navy, and blush pink sneaker wedges to pull the look together and tie in all the colors. The shoes are a perfect casual Saturday, running errands, running behind your children kind of shoe. They allow you to be comfy yet still put together. 

LAYERING 101

The secret again to layering is all about balance. You want to create warmth without looking bulky. The way I nail my layering technique is all about trial and error. I will start with a firm foundation and switch and swap items until I have the perfect mix of garments. So don't be afraid to get down and dirty in your closet. Try things on. Switch things up and rock whatever you choose with confidence. Here's a simple pictorial example of how you can layer your pieces using an oversized blouse + cardigan + faux fur vest + distressed jeans + tights. It's quite simple when you really get the hang of it. Ali's Fashion Sense Tip: Throw on a faux fur vest over your cardigan, duster coat, or leather jacket to create an unexpected element. It instantly adds sophistication to your outfit. 

Outfit Details: Silk Blouse (H&M), Distressed Jeans (Forever 21), Tights (Target), Sneaker Wedges (Target), Cardigan (Target), Faux Fur Vest (H&M), Necklace (Fancy Kouture), Aviators (H&M)

Would you rock the distressed jeans and tights combo?

Yes

No

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Have a wonderful day and a great start to your week!
-Ali

How To Master Wearing All Black

Georgia's weather is an indecisive as me in my closet trying to decide what I want to wear. Last week there were frigid temperatures barely making it out of the teens while yesterday it was in the low 70s. I mean really…"where they do that at?" But make no mistake, I am NOT complaining. It's just very tricky to dress for weather that insists on being on a roller - coaster ride. So I opted to wear one of my favorite trends, wearing an all black monochromatic look from head to toe.

The way to master wearing all black or any monochromatic color you choose is by adding different elements and textures of that color, which offer dimension and depth to the outfit. With this particular outfit you can see how I was able to use lace, faux fur, leather, and suede to create simple, subtle nuances resulting in an interesting visual. For the foundation of my look I took a lace dress (yes a dress) and converted it into a shirt by tucking it into my new midi skirt. Once I had a top and bottom for my look it was time to accessorize by incorporating my favorite faux fur vest, tights, a pair of booties, and a leather baseball cap.

Outfit Details: Faux Fur Vest (Forever 21), Midi Skirt (H&M), Lace Dress (TJ Maxx), Leather Baseball Cap (Forever 21),  Suede & Leather Booties (Target), Chain (Forever 21)

I really love how this look came together. The lace peeping out from underneath the furry faux fur vest adds a unique dimension to my ebony ensemble. I will definitely rock this look again but with an Ali's Fashion Sense twist. I may swap out the skirt for a pair of wide leg trousers in a dark denim or a pair of black skinny jeans. The possibilities are endless.

Happy Monday Chicas!

-Ali

Back To Basics

Sometimes combining a look using just the basics (white collared shirt, black blazer etc.) is key to creating a masterpiece . I figured that out on Sunday when I was rummaging through my closet trying to figure out what I was going to wear. I knew I wanted to wear my new favorite necklace so I started with my heather gray leather skirt (that looks like a skort), then I grabbed a white button up to create the  foundation for this look. To pull the look together I topped it with my black boyfriend blazer, a pair of opaque black tights, and over - the - knee suede boots. My snakeskin envelope clutch pulled all the colors together.  

Outfit Details: Boyfriend Blazer - Old (Forever 21: Similar Here), White Button Up (Old Navy: Similar Here), Envelope Leather Skirt (Topshop: Similar Here), Boots (Forever 21: Similar Here), Necklace (Fancy Kouture: Close 2nd)

I love this black, white, and gray combo. I feel like a powerful intern lol. I will be sure to rock this look (at least the basic concept ) again.

HAPPY MLK DAY! Let's reflect on the awesome strides that Dr. King along with the many other unsung heros from the civil rights era did for people of color all over the US.

-Ali