Adios 2014

2014 has been quite an amazing year. I started off the year following my heart with my love of fashion…trading in my analytical engineering hat for my creative heartbeat entering college as a Fashion Design and Product Development student at Southern Polytechnic State University (go Hornets). I achieved 4.0 status at school all 3 semesters (getting on the Dean's List as well as being invited to join an Honor Society). I celebrated my 28th bday, 10 - Year High School Class Reunion, was "On the Run" with Beyonce' & Jay- Z, caught up with some of my Rattlers at FAMU's Homecoming in Tallahassee, FL, went to Tampa to celebrate my bro's "Dirty 30", celebrated my 2nd wedding anniversary, and most of all blogged for you my fellow Ali's Fashion Sense readers. What a year it has been! 

As 2014 bows out gracefully and 2015 knocks on our door, I pray that each of you can look back on this amazing year and see the wonderful things you've been able to accomplish. Through all the highs, lows, smiles, and tears of 2014 you are still standing. That is something to be thankful for. If you haven't been able to tackle every goal you wrote down or placed on your vision board don't fret; you have a fresh set of 365 days to get them done! So here's to saying adios to 2014 and hello to 2015!

I hope you have a fabulous, safe New Years Eve and that you hit the ground running for all the endless possibilities of tomorrow.

Happy New Year's Eve,

-Ali

Merry Christmas To All

Just hear those sleigh bells ringingly, jing - jing - jingling too, come on it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you! Outside the snow is falling and friends are calling yoo - hoo, come on it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you! 

Outfit Details: Reindeer Sweatshirt (DIY), Denim (Forever 21), Over - the - Knee Socks (Target), Riding Boots (Forever 21), Antlers (Target), Reindeer Nose (Dollar Tree)

I hope you're enjoying the Christmas holiday with family and friends. I hope Santa brought you everything on your wishlist and that your tummy will be full with wonderful food. I just wanted to quickly stop by on this Christmas morning to say Merry Christmas! Here is a special Christmas card for all of you my wonderful subscribers to Ali's Fashion Sense. You all have been the best gift a fashion blogger could ask for. Thanks for tuning in every week :) Special Christmas Wish from Ali's Fashion Sense

Xoxoxo,
-Ali

Black Cherry

Having a best friend that is a flight attendant definitely has its perks. She has me on her buddy list which allows me to be able to fly (on Standby) wherever I'd like to go. Last Sunday night I decided I wanted to fly home on Monday to 1.) see my family and 2.) get my hair done. For those who have been in an airport and travel…it can lead to a stressful day (if you allow it to be) so it's always best to dress comfortably (and cute of course, no pajamas over here). I woke up last Thursday at the crack of dawn to make my first leg of my trip from Detroit to Chicago and then from Chicago to Atlanta. I knew that there may be a possibility that I may need to sprint to my gate so I wanted to be comfortable, warm, and chic. I pulled out my favorite winter essentials...my black fur vest, my black cherry blouse, black cherry leather detailed leggings, and my newly purchased riding boots (with blue accents). I must say I was very comfortable and warm. And I made both my legs to my flight to get home to my wonderful hubby!

Outfit Details: Faux Fur Vest (Forever 21), Blouse (Forever 21), Leggings (H&M), Riding Boots (Forever 21), Leather Cap (Forever 21)

This outfit was very comfortable as I traveled from city to city. The black and cherry reminds me of cherry cola lol and the outfit was just as sweet! As Christmas quickly approaches I pray you're enjoying  this holiday season. I will see you back here on Ali's Fashion Sense on Christmas Eve ;)

Smooches,
-Ali

Black & Yellow

"Black and yellow, black and yellow, black and yellow!" Cue Wiz Khalifa stat lol. Ok this isn't technically yellow, but you get my drift right. The funny thing is when I was back in high school, I used to always tease my Debate teacher because she wore all black everyday. I always told her she was allergic to color and she should incorporate more into her daily wardrobe. Now that I'm older I totally understand why she donned all black. It is so easy to dress up or down, and it makes you look like a million bucks. The all black with gold accents helps to "richen" up the look. 

Outfit Detail: Blazer (H&M), Black Tee (H&M), Tulle Skirt (AshleyMonique!), Black Tights (Target), Wedges (Forever 21), Fedora (H&M), Earrings (Beauty Supply), Clutch (Forever 21)

This is ensemble was really fun. The tulle skirt always makes me feel like I'm Carrie Bradshaw from Sex in the City :) Speaking of such, if you're a fan of the Sex in the City franchise then you should definitely binge - watch "The Carrie Diaries" on Netflix (which is the prequel to SITC). It's very witty, their take on 80s fashion is very refreshing. Take my word for it…check it out! 

Happy Monday,

-Ali

Leopard & Chains

So the way my closet is set up, I like to utilize the things within it. I know sounds crazy right (lol)? Hence the reason you see the same chain blazer that I wore in last week's blog post "At Play on Black Friday" (which can be seen here) on today's post "Leopards & Chains." The fun and challenging thing about being a blogger (and just a girl in general that likes to play real life dress up) is to see how many combinations that I can create using the same items but styling them completely different. This look starts off with my black chain blazer, which I love by the way. It gives me a Chanel vibe. Then I added my white collared button up, denim jeans, leopard booties, and statement necklace to differentiate this look from the previous time I wore the blazer. 

Outfit Details: Chain Blazer (Forever 21), Collared Shirt (Old Navy), Denim Jeans (Old Navy), Booties (Belk), Statement Necklace (TJ Maxx)

This look is pretty simple. Very classic with a twist. Business on the top, party on the bottom lol. No, but seriously the chain detail "dresses up" the blazer to be a little more sophisticated along with the collard shirt and statement necklace, but the denim and leopard booties give the look a little more playful vibe. Overall, I think the balance works well. The red signature just gives the look a new element of color and texture.

Is there a classic item that defines your signature look? A certain blazer? Moto Jacket? Pink Lip? I'd love to know what elements make up your favorite look.

Happy Hump Day!

-Ali

Cognac & Cream

I'm always looking for ways to remix, reuse, and reinvent the articles of clothing within my closet. Why you ask? Well, for starters I'm a college student living on a college student budget lol. Secondly, it's fun to challenge myself to try to breathe new life into the hanging garments in my closet. I think I achieved a great feat on Sunday morning because my husband asked "when did I buy this outfit"…even though all of the items I have on have all been purchased (minus the statement necklace) at least 6 months ago or further (and by further I mean last year). I wanted to wear some flats to church so I started the outfit foundation by selecting my cognac riding boots. Then I grabbed my cream peplum dress. To add a different flavor I through on my chambray (aka denim) button up to add a little contrast and topped off the look with my cognac colored leather moto jacket. The final look came out a lot better than I imagined in my mind when I came up with the initial concept. Don't you just love when that happens? 

Outfit Details: Peplum Dress (H&M), Riding Boots (Charming Charlie's), Chambray Denim Shirt (Target), Aviators (H&M), Statement Necklace (Forever 21), Belt (Target), Gold Watch (Charming Charlie's)

Cognac & Cream sounds like a delectable dessert but really it's just a delectable outfit I put together lol. Do you have clothes in your closet that you remix constantly to give them new life? If so let me know in the comment section below!

Xo,

-Ali

Cardigans, Ginghams, & Faux Fur

Monday was my last day of school for this Fall semester. I can't believe I've been an SPSU Hornet for 3 semesters now (Spring 2014, Summer 2014, and Fall 2014), living out my dream, changing my career path into the world of fashion! So far it's been an awesome experience and I can't wait to see where this new found knowledge of apparel leads me. But back to Monday. It was my last day in which I had 2 presentations (one in my Computer Aided Design class and one in my Fashion Forecasting class), so I wanted to look nice, yet be comfortable. I chose my gray cardigan, my favorite gingham flannel straight from my hubby's closet, my black skinny jeans, faux fur shawl, and wedge booties to complete my school girl look. This was my first time pairing this cardigan with this gingham shirt. I like how the color palette turned out. I puts me in the mind frame of Winter (only minus the snow…one of the perks of living Down South).

Outfit Details: Gray Cardigan (Target), Husband's Gingham Flannel (Old Navy), Skinny Jeans (Old Navy), Wedges (Target), Faux Fur Shawl (H&M), Statement Necklace (Charlotte Russe)

Now that school is over, I can kick back and relax, and by relax I mean substitute teach, apply for summer internships, attend graduations, and engagement parties, as well as spend more time with my hubby and family as we gear up for the Christmas season. But I will definitely enjoy this break and take some "me - time" as well so I can be rejuvenated for next semester. 

I hope you all have an awesome weekend! TGIF

-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

At Play on Black Friday

Black Friday was very chill for me. I didn't go out and brave the cold or stand in long lines for special "deals." However, after spending my thanksgiving day practically in my PJ's (eating good food, spending time with family, watching football, playing spades) I decided I wanted to get dolled up and spend some QT with my hubby! I chose this black and white ensemble with a lot of little elements and details as my outfit of choice. We headed to this chic little park a few miles from my brothers house to take pics. Once we finished taking pics we left the park and went to see "Gone Girl" (which was excellent by the way…minus the ending…very suspenseful with an abundance of twist and turns).

*Confession: While packing for my trip to ATL I forgot all my lipstick at home, so I had to come up with a quick solution to add color to my lips without looking out of place. So I grabbed a metallic cream eyeshadow (after priming my lips with concealer) and used it as my lip color. Shhhhh….don't tell anyone lol.

Outfit Details: Chain Blazer (Forever 21), Leather Tee (Off The 5th), Billowed Sleeve Button - Up (K&G), Tulip Skirt (Express), Bow (Ribbon), Suede & Leather Boots (Aldo), Bangles (Macy's)

I really like this look. Of course since it's black and white it's already a fav of mine. Plus the bow with the chain detailed blazer just sets the outfit apart. It made for the perfect Black Friday getup. What did you wear while enjoying Black Friday? Did you purchase anything? I'd love to hear from you in the comment section below.

Smooches,

-Ali