Graphic Tee + Flare Jeans + Faux Leather Moto Jacket

I cannot believe I've lived in California for an entire month now! Time has literally been rolling expeditiously (shout out to Mrs. Rollins my 7th grade English teacher for encouraging us to learn grand words even as youngsters). I'm also an official California resident now (because my Georgia license expired on my birthday which was last Friday, so I was forced to go to the DMV, take and pass a 36 - questioned test in order to get my license)! One thing I love about Cali is the endless amount of things to do and see. So far I've briefly explored Carson (where we reside), Compton, Long Beach, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Ray, Torrance, Hawthorne, El Segundo, Century City, Culver City, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, Inglewood, and of course Los Angeles. 

Beyond exploring new cities I've also enjoyed the beautiful weather, clear skies, sunsets, beaches, aquarium, malls, food, and more. While visiting with my oldest brother the 2nd week we were here, he invited my family to dine at Roscoe's Chicken & Waffles in Long Beach. Roscoe's is a California staple. The food is delicious and the name is legendary. Being a new Cali resident I've been getting accustomed to the laid back vibes. My wardrobe is starting to transition to more comfortable, convenient pieces like kimonos (check out the last blog post), t-shirts, and sandals. So when I saw this Roscoe's t-shirt while dining at the restaurant I knew I had to have it as my first little piece of Cali!

It's the perfect t- shirt to rock during a chill weekend with a cute pair of jeans or you can "dress" it up a bit more with a sleek skirt and heels/boots. I decided to pair my Roscoe's tee with my New York & Co. Eva Mendes Collection flare jeans along with my black cropped faux leather moto jacket, tan fedora and booties, yellow tinted shades, yellow tassel earrings, and my super cute red crossbody bag I scored from Forever 21 for $13. 

ROSCOE'S WOMEN'S TEE//via Roscoe's Chicken & Waffles - FLARE JEANS//via New York & Co.: similar here or super flares here - FEDORA//via Forever 21: similar here - SUNGLASSES//via Charlotte Russe: similar here - TIER TASSEL EARRINGS//via Forever 21 - BOOTIES//via Charlotte Russe: similar here - RED PEBBLED FAUX LEATHER CROSSBODY//via Forever 21

I love this look because it is so simple to create and fits multiple body types. All you need is a cute graphic tee and your favorite pair of denim (flares, boot cut, skinny jeans, boyfriend jeans, high - waisted, low rise etc.). For an extra polished finish, top it off with a cute leather moto jacket. Trust me, you will look effortlessly chic. I hope you had a great weekend and that you have a super productive week! Let's set our intentions today and go out and get it!!

Xoxoxo,

Ali

Graphic Tee + Metallic Skirt

With the holiday season approaching, I wanted to do an outfit series that can span for a host of holiday occasions. We know as the Christmas and New Year's holidays roll around there are an endless amount of parties that we are invited too from family gatherings, work holiday parties, get - togethers at friends houses, late nights and early mornings on the town and much more. You want to look the part for all the different events you have to attend so I wanted to offer you some outfit inspiration/ideas to help you gear up for the most wonderful time of the year *cue Andy Williams!* 

When I think of the holiday's I think of metallic's, sequin, red, green, black, ugly sweaters, fur, tights, sparkles and more. For today's look, I wanted to create an outfit that offered a casual + dressy mix by pairing a [medium] "Rolling Stones" graphic tee (which I snubbed from the Men's Department at Target) with a metallic pleated skirt (from Target also). I added my cropped leather jacket on top to pull the look together and my red tasseled sandals to add an extra dash of holiday cheer! 

I love the juxtaposition of the casual tee paired with the metallic midi length skirt. It is an unexpected twist which offers a bit of edge plus feminine swag. You can wear this look to a friends holiday get together or out on a nice date. Either way, you'll be piping H-O-T!

ROLLING STONES TEE// via Target - METALLIC PLEATED SKIRT// via Target - CROPPED LEATHER JACKET// via H&M (similar here) - TASSEL RED SANDALS// via Charlotte Russe (similar here + exact shoe here sizes 5.5 - 6.5) - BAWSE LADY LIPPIE// via The Lip Bar - EARRINGS WITH TASSELS// via H&M (shown here in 5 different colors + same color different style)

What are some things you wear to your holiday get togethers? I'd love to hear in the comment section below. And stay tuned for more holiday inspired looks the rest of the week.

Xoxo,
Ali

Try Something New

Back when I was in school (for the second time) I got really cool with one of my classmates, Haddy. We hit it off from the get go. Throughout the two years we were in fashion school together we got closer and closer and eventually became senior project partners. Haddy was a fierce realtor turned fashion student that commanded a room when she walked in. I loved her confidence, her outgoing personality, and her fly African pieces she wore on her social media accounts. Haddy is from Gambia, Africa. She often told me about her homeland, its culture, and their unique style. I always told her I would love to cop some pieces because she always had unique, one - of - a - kind garments with bold prints and interesting shapes. 

So fast forward to this summer, after Haddy and I graduated 1 year prior, and I received an unexpected package from Haddy. The package contained two kente cloth dashikis for Grayson (I cannot wait until he gets a little bigger so he can wear them, they are absolutely adorable), a red, floor length skirt with a beautiful pattern for me, and this beautifully cut dashiki. I’ve never owned a dashiki, but I was honored that Haddy would think of (Grayson and) me and introduce me/us to a little piece of her culture through some amazing garments.

I absolutely love this dashiki! It is bold, bright, and unapologetic which mirrors my personality. Even though I’ve never worn a dashiki, I wanted to own it! I paired it with a black pair of (D.I.Y) distressed jeans I purchased from the Gap, a pair of pointy - toed booties I scored from Old Navy about a year ago for less than $15, and my favorite new pair of sunnies (my yellow - tinted sunglasses from Windsor that you have seen often here on Ali’s Fashion Sense recently). This is the perfect top for traveling, because it slides on very easily, but more important it is a statement piece that doesn’t require much else.

DASHIKI// Gifted (similar) - BLACK DIY DISTRESSED JEANS// via Gap (similar) - POINTY TOE BOOTIES// via Old Navy: old (expensive dupe),  (cheaper option) - YELLOW SUNGLASSES// via Windsor (similar) - LIPPIE// via The Lip Bar in Prima Donna sold out but try this liquid matte lippie Crown Me)

Sometimes in life, we are afraid to try something new in fear of it not panning out the way we imagine. But the quote by the young author, Erin Hanson keeps popping up in my mind: “What if I fall? Oh, my darling, what if you fly?” As we round out this last month of 2017 (Can you believe it is December already? Where did the time go?) let’s vow (you & me) to try something new: something that we’ve been wanting to do, wear, a new dish, a place to travel, an idea we’ve had buried inside etc. Just go for it! Life is too short (in the grand scheme of things) to live off fear, so why not fly into the unknown. And even if we fall we can still learn something from the fall (like another famous quote from Les Brown says…)  “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss it you will land among the stars.” So here is to abandoning fear in exchange for freedom to live the life we want and try new things!

Happy first day of December. Let’s rock out these last 31 days and gear up for an amazing 2018!!! TGIF luvs!

Xoxo,

-Ali

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