Over the weekend I headed home to get me hair done (an absolute must lol, when you look good you feel good), to meet up with family and friends and to attend my first blogging event :) If you've read Ali's Fashion Sense in the past you've heard me mention the blog www.confessionsofaglamaholic.com on occasion. Well, yesterday Mia Ray (the mastermind behind Glamaholic Lifestyle and "Same Girl Different Hair" movement along with her Confessions of a Glamaholic team) put together their 2nd Annual Glamaholic Shopping Experience.
This event was very well put together. It was in lovely downtown Birmingham at the Socialite Beauty Bar. There were a host of vendors there including Shop Madelyn (Brazilian Hair Extensions), Pnk Elephant (Accessory Company), and even spins from a local DJ, DJ Laa Choc. There were free mini manicures offered, giveaways, various vendors, and cupcakes and champagne punch! Whats not to love!
Overall the vibe was nice, I met a fellow Rattler - Ariane Simone (the owner of the Socialite Beauty Bar), Mia Ray and a few other local divas. Here are a few shots of my outfit, the venue, and the host of the event!
OUTFIT OF THE DAY
Front View of the Turquoise shoes I purchased from GoJane.com
Back View....that's what you call a "Show Stopper"
OOTD: Graphic Sheer Poncho - Charming Charlie's Black Leggings - Forever 21 Black Tank Top - Forever 21 Turquoise Spiked Wedges - GoJane Spiked Earrings - Mall Kiosk Jewelry - Mother's Bracelets and Ring Hair done by: Natasha at Intricate Designs on Washtenaw in Ypsilanti, MI
Up close and personal
America's Next Top Model...Or Not lol
"Kick up your shoes and relax your feet"
GLAMAHOLIC SHOPPING EXPERIENCE
Glamaholic Shopping Experience Sign
Strawberries and Champagne Punch
Getting my Mini Manicure by Athena a Cosmetologist at the Socialite Beauty Bar
One of the Glamaholic Lifestyle Writers: Bri along with the Glamaholic Lifestyle Collection..."Same Girl Different Hair" Tees, Glamaholic Totes, Duffel, and Makeup Case
One of the Vendors at the Glamaholic Shopping Experience - Luxury GIrl Boutique
I purchased this awesome piece from Luxury Girl Boutique
Shop Madelyn Brazilian Hair Extensions
Another one of the vendors tables - Klassi Boutique
Cupcake Stand
Me and the Socialite Beauty Bar Owner (and my fellow Rattler) - Ariane Simone
The lovely Mia Ray and me
I ended the night with good conversation and dinner at On the Border (this food is the ABSOLUTE best, everything I try from On the Border is DELICIOUS) with some of my biggest supporters...my Mom, my cousin Mylah, and my homie, Jeanine! *In my Ice Cube Voice* "Today was a good day!"
Back in the late 80's when cassette tapes, walkmans, Yo MTV Raps, and break dancing was hot, emerged a quintessential phenonmenon for "around the way girls" all across America thanks to 2 rapping divas Salt-N-Pepa! You know that staple gold accessory that every fly chick had to add with her acid wash jeans and jacket, Neon Reeboks, oversized tee, and roped chain ....the Bamboo Door Knockers.
These beauties hit the scene back around 1987 when the popularized "Push It" girls...Salt-N-Pepa rocked the mic. Their music got the party started and their fly "fashion sense" had girls recreating their looks from suburbia to the inner city!
Salt-N-Pepa and Spinderella servin' em with the leather jackets, spandex jumpsuits, boots, rope chains, and of course BAMBOO DOOR KNOCKERS
Bamboo Door Knockers weren't actually made out of bamboo but the patterns emulated the likeness of bamboo. The name door knockers was adopted because the earrings were large in size and mimicked the shape of an actual door knocker. The earrings came in numeous shapes and sizes ranging from squares, rectangles, triangles, and even circles.
As the saying goes, what goes around comes back around. That definitely rings true for fashion. One day you're in, the next day you're out *in my Project Runway Heidi Klum voice*. But these golden treasures have ressurfaced 2 decades later...receiving a major face lift. Now fashionistas are rocking door knockers covered in Swarovski crystals, Kente cloth, and much more. The shapes have morphed into hearts, and now you can even add words to your classic bamboo door knockers.
CELEBRITIES ROCKING DOOR KNOCKERS
Before I let you go, check out LL Cool J's "Around the Way Girl" where he gives a shoutout to regular girls rocking extensions and Bamboo (Door Knockers) Earrings at mark 0:22. This will definitely put you in a summer cookout vibe! I hope you have a great Thursday.
I love all my Ali Fashion Sense readers! So when I get requests about new topics I jump right on it. One of my subscribers put in a request to do a post for my plus size divas. I absolutely loved the idea and think I am going to make it a reoccurring topic because I want to appeal to all my fashion senser's.
According to handy dandy Google the average size for an American woman is size 14. But in the modeling world a size 6 can be considered plus size! Something is NOT quite adding up with the fashion industry's view of a full figured woman and the real world. But, no matter if you are a size 2 or 22 every girl wants to look her best!!! Here are a few pearls of wisdom for all my plus size fashionista's to help you be your greatest you.
SHOPPING RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
1. Always, always, always try things on (regardless of the size on the tag). I am a firm believer of trying things on. The hanger does not do all garments justice!! Just because it looks crazy on the hanger, or too small don't count it out. It may become one of your favorite pieces.
2. If you don't succeed...try, try, again!!! Sometimes when you shop it can be victorious or defeating depending on the items you buy or those you leave on the rack. If you try something on and it doesn't work....that's ok. Don't lose hope, there is always that right item out there, you just have to have patience, be persistent, and keep a good attitude.
3. Wear the proper undergarments. I am a firm believer that what you wear underneath is just as important as what you wear on top. Especially when you are going to try on clothes. Bring your spanx and a good bra, so you can get the actual effect of how the garment will look on.
4. Love the skin you're in!!! You don't have to listen to those plus size critics who say you can only wear all black or oversized clothing to make you look good. Love and embrace your curves! Try the latest trends....color blocking, skinny jeans, sheer tops etc.
Here are some great websites to remember for all my curvaceous plus size divas.
Singer Kelly Rowland and Workout Guru Jeanette Jenkins looking fab....#motivation
I recently stopped being lazy after a month and a half hiatus and joined a local Zumba class (sings reunited and it feels so good...). This is my second encounter with Zumba, as I took a weekly class with my mother last spring (if you don't count the fact that I have the Zumba game on my Wii console and haven't touched it in months). That's neither here nor there. I love Zumba because you can break a sweat without feeling like you are working out. Imagine yourself at a party with your closest girlfriends swaying in the middle of the dance floor while the DJ plays your favorite jams for a constant hour keeping you and the party rocking! That's how I presume Zumba!
Being a fashionista means effortlessly looking your best no matter what you are do during the day, whether you are on the cat walk, at work, hanging out with friends, going on a hot date, or yes, even WORKING OUT! This post will help you think outside the baggy sweatpants and free over sized t-shirt you received at a random sporting event into some fab fitting work out clothes and accessories that let you look and feel your absolute best even while busting a sweat :)
Pro-Tech Seamless Reversible Sports Bra - Puma
Hooded All - In - One Yoga Jumpsuit - Puma
Purple Half Time Watch - Puma
Munroe Leather Women's Sneakers - Puma
Himalaya Handbag - Puma
Purple Water Bottle - Camelbak
Diamond Studs - Unknown
Let Me See You Workout 4 Me
Black Engineer Women's Golf Hat - Nike
Victory Shape Sports Bra - Nike
Women's Filament Tights - Nike
Sports Watch + GPS - Nike
Women's "Just Do It" Racerback Tank - Nike
PYT Crew Sweatshirt - Nike
Varsity Girl Duffel Bag - Nike
Flex Run Running Shoe - Nike
Summer equates to sun, fun, beaches, BBQ's, lounging, road trips, cruises, and of course parties. Your calendar seems to pick up steam in the warm summer months of June, July, August, and the beginning of September. You try to pack as much adventure as possible into the swiftly passing 92 days. Trying to cease every moment of the warm goodness Mother Nature blesses us with for this short time frame, before you have to completely rearrange your closet from shorts, tank tops, and sandals to down coats, boots, and gloves.
We know summer and all the parties that follow are in full effect. It seems like every weekend you get at least a dozen invitations on Facebook, Twitter, or any other possible social media outlet you can imagine to attend. A big trend for summer is to throw an all white party! If you're like me, your first reaction (after you've decided you will attend is)..."what should I wear"??? Well, this post is here strictly for my fellas, who need a little inspiration after RSVP'ing to an all white affair.
I've created two looks that you can reference as a blueprint! The first look is more for a Day Party. Its very casual but still polished. The second look transitions from day to night and is for that gentlemen trying to expose his grown and sexy side. It offers a hint of sophistication and a dash of cool.
CASUAL CHIC ALL WHITE DAY PARTY ATTIRE
White Polo: Ralph Lauren
White Man Newport Shorts: Hentsch
Bullet Fadora Hat: Quiksilver
Navy Canvas Boat Shoe: Ralph Lauren
Grey Aviators: Wolf Island
Men's G - Timeless Diamond Set Steel Watch: Gucci
Pacific Bracelet Pack: Asos
Silver Triple Cross Charm Brown Beaded Bracelet: Ettika
Big Pony #1 Cologne: Ralph Lauren
GROWN & SEXY ALL WHITE PARTY AFFAIR
White Lightweight Linen Blazer: Forme D'Expression
White Double Pleat Trousers: Dolce & Gabbana
Thin White Slim Cotton T-Shirt: James Perse
White Soft Grain Leather Loafers: Gucci
Avionic Shades: Vans
Unisex Black Swarovski Crystal Macrame Bracelet: Bling Jewelry
Runway Chronograph Titanium Bracelet Watch: Michael Kors
Black Diamond Stud Earrings: Blue Nile
I Am King Cologne: Sean John
I sometimes use my husband as my muse unleashing my inner stylist. Here is an outfit I put together for an all white party we were attending.
White Linen Jacket: Kenneth Cole Reaction (Macy's)
Navy & White Striped Tee - Target
White Pants - Target
Aviator Shades: H&M
As you can see, it's fairly simple to come up with a pallet for a white party if you have an idea of the basics (you will need a top, bottoms, shoes, and accessories etc). And if you search hard enough you can find pieces within a decent price range to add to your ever growing closet. So go out and get WHITE HOT!
In today's #ThrowbackThursday post we honor and salute the beautiful, intelligent, award winning actress Phylicia Rashad...best known for her role as Clair Huxtable in the 80's hit sitcom the Cosby Show. Mrs. Rashad posses pizazz, beauty, brains, wit, elegance, class, and style. She was a role model for all women, especially women of color back in the 80's during her stint on the Cosby Show. Portraying a mother, college graduate, and most of all an African American female lawyer she gave girls around the world hope that they could become anything they wanted to be while maintaining a work life balance. Not to mention she had pure STYLE. So, today I want to pay homage to one of the greats of our time....Phylicia Rashad.
Classic Beauty
Simple Elegance
Do you see this striped shirt sweater combo with the vintage gold watch....#killenem'
Now this outfit here is awesome, a printed top, matching scarf and peep the earring detail #fly
She shows her versatility, no matter what she wears she looks awesome...even with a varsity jacket
I love this picture, it is classic 80s, this hair cut is dope and her gold earrings complement her short cut
Check out "Mrs. Huxtable" in action in one of my favorite clips from the Cosby Show (when they celebrated Mr. Huxtable's parents 49th wedding anniversary. Phylicia Rashad shows you vintage color-blocking with her knee length cobalt blue dress and firehouse engine red belt.
Accessories are just as essential as wearing shoes or clothes. They can make or break your outfit if you are not careful. When you OVER do it and wear every accessory you own in your closet it can look a bit tacky (for a lack of better words). It's okay to layer more than one necklace or a couple bangles with a watch etc. but like the example below, too much can be too distracting.
Accessory Overkill...It's okay to layer accessories but be very careful not to overdo it
When figuring out what accessories to incorporate into your daily wardrobe, remember the famous quote from Coco Chanel
"Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and remove one accessory"
- Coco Chanel
In essence Coco is trying to warn us not to look like a Christmas tree with millions of ornaments. To point you in the right direction here are some dope "heavy metal" pieces (at an array of price points) I found from some of my fav websites. Remember "LESS IS MORE"!
ARM CANDY
Always on Time Bracelet from Melody Ehsani
Cone Studs Bracelet from Love Culture
Teardrop Cluster Bracelet from Forever 21
Pave Crystal Parker Watch from Michael Kors
NECK PIECES
Black Eagle Necklace Muted Gold from Pnk Elephant
Iridescent Medallion Necklace from Forever 21
Tiered Bib Necklace from Love Culture
Bronze Petals Necklace from Korto Momolu (!st Runner Up on Project Runway Season 5)
Panacea Necklace from Melody Ehsani
RINGS
Eat These Diamonds Ring from Pnk Elephant
I'm Fly Ring from Melody Ehsani
Buckle Ring in Rose Gold. from Michael Kors
If you want to check out some of the websites here they are:
What are some of your favorite pieces you can't live without? Be sure to email me your answers (with a picture of the item) at alifashionsense@gmail.com
