Last Minute Thanksgiving Style Guide

It's the eve of Thanksgiving. Tomorrow is the official day we set aside to give thanks for all the wonderful blessings that God has bestowed upon us this year. As we wind down to another year's end it's a chance to reflect on those quiet precious moments that you've witnessed throughout the previous 10 months. It's a time where you get to partake in a delicious spread of turkey, macaroni and cheese, yams, greens, dressing and many more delectable items (Is your mouth watering yet? I know mine is). You get the chance to enjoy fun with your loved ones, and take in America's favorite pastime…watching football (at least according to my husband, dad, grandparents, and brothers). 

Even with all of these awesome things occurring you may be panicking because you can't find the perfect outfit to give thanks in. Well, Ali's Fashion Sense is here with a last - minute fashion rescue. I've curated three different looks that you can sift through to match your personal thanksgiving aesthetics.

DRESSY

This is the perfect outfit if you have a family that dresses up for Thanksgiving or if you're meeting your significant others family for the first time. This outfit will definitely help you put your best foot forward!

Dressy Thanksgiving Style Guide by alifashionsense featuring button down shirts

Outfit Details: Collared Shirt: Barbour button down shirt /Cape:  Zara coat /Tights: Falke wet look stocking /Booties: Zara shoes /Furry Clutch: Zara yellow purse /Bow Tie: ASOS Oversized Bow Tie,/Skirt: Activewear

CHILL & CHIC
This outfit is a little less stuffy, but still gives you that "dressed - up" feeling. The stretchy leggings will allow you to look amazing but still have room to "pig - out" on your favorite Thanksgiving day foods!

Chill & Chic Thanksgiving Style Guide by alifashionsense featuring slip on shoes

Outfit Details: White Tee: White Stuff white tee/Black Sleeveless Duster: Topshop coat /Leggings: BCBGMAXAZRIA legging /Sneakers: Zara slip on shoes /Backpack: Forever 21 backpacks bag /Layered Necklace: Forever 21 jewelry /Matte NYX Lip Cream: NYX lips makeup

CASUAL COMFY
If you're family's like mine, you like to just chill out and have a great time on Thanksgiving. Eat, laugh, watch TV, eat a little more, nap, and relax. This is the perfect outfit to enjoy a casual Thanksgiving dinner in!

Casual Comfy Thanksgiving Style Guide by alifashionsense featuring cotton t shirts

Outfit Details: White Tee: J Crew cotton t shirt /Navy Blue Cardigan:Long sleeve open front cardigan/Dark Wash Denim: Abercrombie & Fitch dark-wash jeans /Fringe Bag: Aldo handbag /Plaid Scarf: Abercrombie Fitch navy blue shawl /Lipstick: Barry M lipstick/Red Nail Polish: NARS Cosmetics red nail polish/JC Boots: Jeffrey Campbell Remixes The Timberland Boot And We Don't Know How To…

Hopefully this post has given you a few quick ideas if you are having a fashion outfit block. I'm sure whatever you decide to wear tomorrow you will look fabulous in it!!! 

Before I let you go I just want to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving and say a huge thank you to you my Fashion Sensers. You all come back day after day to read the posts that I put together and even leave your well wishes in the comment section. I appreciate your support more than you'll ever know! I pray your day is filled with love, laughter, joy, and great food and don't forget to cherish these special times with your loved ones! 

Happy Turkey Day [Eve],

Xoxo,
-Ali

Funky Fall Florals

Sometimes the crazy mood swings that Mother Nature goes through during the fall (and winter months) puts a damper on our moods, which often times reflects through our clothing selections. Although some may be singing "the weather outside is frightful…" that doesn't mean that your spirit has to be down in the dumps. One easy trick to help lift your spirits out of a crazy funk is wearing fun, bright, bold, expressive clothing. Don't believe me? Just look at a bright yellow shirt or a hot pink blazer and tell me that doesn't instantly change your mood from drab to fab. That's what I wanted to do on Sunday. Although the high for today was only in the mid 50's I wanted to bring a little sunshine to this cool crisp fall day, so I pulled out my "funky floral" skirt that dons gorgeous hues of hot pink, navy blue, and chartreuse green. I then paired the skirt with a simple white tee, threw on a blazer atop, and added my cognac knee boots, with a matching belt and there you have it. My look was complete. I added gold accessories like my key necklace and thrifted sunnies with the gold detail to give the outfit a bit more dimension. 

Take a closer look at the full outfit details below.

Outfit Details: Blazer (H&M), Floral Skirt (Express), White Tee (Forever 21), Navy Tights (Target), Cognac Knee Boots (Charming Charlie's), Sunnies (Thrifted), Key Necklace (Kiosk in Mall), Headband (Forever 21)

So as you see certain colors can/will lift your mood when you need a simple pick - me - upper! I hope this post has provided a little ray of sunshine for your day. 

What colors help lift your mood? Do you wear that color often?

Let's make this a marvelous Monday! Do one thing that you have been putting off today :)

Smooches,

-Ali

Flash Forward - How to Style Flare Jeans

Sometimes the best way to get inspiration is to look to the past. I was reading an article about the best jeans to wear for the Fall on the (Rachel) Zoe Report and gathered a dose of inspiration on a morning when I was having a fashion brain freeze. Turns out that flare jeans don't just represent flower power or hippies. They can also help you "flash forward" creating a look that takes a nod from the past all while projecting a chic and effortless look. 

I paired my flare jeans with my tribal printed ivory cardigan, a crisp white button up shirt, and some booties to give off that 60s flare. My fedora is always the perfect accessory to pull off such a period inspired piece! 

Outfit Details: Cardigan (Forever 21), White Button Up (Old Navy), Flared Jeans (New York & Co.), Booties (Target), Fedora (H&M), Earrings (Forever 21)

As you can see it's easy to find fashion inspiration as long as you open your eyes to all the resources around you. From a simple email to flipping the pages of a magazine, inspiration can hit you at any minute; and when it does I hope you stop and create the fiercest outfit you can create!!!

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE TIME PERIOD TO GRAB INSPIRATION FROM? 

THE 20s, 30s, 40s, 50, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, or NEW MILLENNIUM?

TGIF my luvs. Enjoy the weekend.

-Ali

"A" is for Athletic

My black and white "A" sweatshirt has become one of my favorite sweatshirts. Why you ask? Well of course it's black and white (the greatest color combo of all times), it has an A on it (A is for Ali, Awesome, Athletic etc.), and of course, it's comfortable etc. While traveling back to our house from my weekend spent in Atlanta, I wanted to be comfortable so I grabbed my A sweatshirt, leather tee (for a layering effect), gray sweatpants, and leather baseball cap. I later added the furry gray overcoat for dramatics :) I personally describe athletic wear or sporty gear as something comfortable yet stylish enough to be presentable (ditch those paint stained sweats) such as sweatpants, sweatshirts, sneakers, jerseys etc. Check out my comfy outfit below.

Outfit Details: "A" Sweatshirt (Forever 21), Sweatpants (Forever 21 Men), Leather Tee (Off The 5th), Gray Coat (H&M), Leather Baseball Cap (Forever 21), Wedges (Target), Statement Necklace (Forever 21), Spike Earrings (Charlotte Russe)

What is your favorite athletic gear? How do you make it fashion forward? I'd love to hear your thoughts below!

Happy Hump Day

-Ali

Fuzzy Wuzzy

Fall is fully under way, and even though the weather has been on one crazy roller coaster ride this past couple of weeks it always fun to layer up. I love fall time because you get to pull out your boots, sweaters, leather, and other awesome layering pieces. Sunday, I decided to pull out my "fuzzy wuzzy" pink furry jacket that I scored from Forever 21 a few seasons ago. The thing I love most about it is the fact that its lightweight, warm, cropped, and of course a very interesting statement piece. This fuzzy material is one of Fall's hottest trends. You can find it everywhere now.

I decided to pair my blush "pink poodle" jacket with some classic pieces like my striped knit shirt dress, brown riding boots, and navy tights. I then pulled out my pink statement necklace and bracelet to tie all the elements together. 

Outfit Details: Striped Shirt Dress (JC Penney), Furry Jacket (Forever 21), Navy Tights (Target), Riding Boots (Forever 21), Statement Necklace (Forever 21), Statement Bracelet (Forever 21), Gold Watch (Charming Charlie's)

This fuzzy trend is awesome. It adds a new dimension to regular items like sweaters and jackets, it's soft to touch (it literally feels like your wearing a teddy bear), and most importantly it keeps you warm  during the crisp fall days. I really like how this outfit turned out.

Do you own any "fuzzy wuzzy" pieces in your closet? How do you plan to incorporate them into your wardrobe this fall/winter season?

Happy Monday! Lets make this a great start to a new week :)

-Ali

I'm Coming Home - FAMU 2014 Homecoming

"I'm coming home, I'm coming home

Tell the world I'm coming home

Let the rain wash away

I know my kingdom awaits

All the pain of yesterday

And they've forgiven my mistakes

I'm coming home, I'm coming home

Tell the world that I'm coming"

I went to my back to a place that I called home for 5 precious years of my life; Tallahassee, FL over the weekend. I went back to celebrate my Alma Mater's: Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University's (FAMU's) 127th homecoming. During my stint in Tallahassee FAMU enriched my life in so many ways. I learned so many valuable life lessons and I can NEVER replace those memories! My walk down memory lane as a proud alumni was awesome. I got to catch up with old friends FAMUly, see the upgrades they've done to campus, and of course I celebrated with good ole' rattler fun. Check out some of the snapshots from the weekend.

Me and roommate!!!

FAMU Alumni in the building

Multitasking - Cakin' + Taking bathroom pics

Pre-game shenanigans 

LC hits the scene - we miss you Kita & Dee

4/6 of the LC Engineering crew

The 3 emotions of saying goodbye

My riding partner, personal homecoming photographer, fashion sister, honorary rattler: Ash

Feeling myself!

Who is that in all that black?

Pardon my back

Late night bathroom #selfie's with my boo Ash

Outfit Details

CIROC PARTY

1. Black Faux Leather Crop Jacket (Forever 21), Basic Black Tee (H&M), Full Skirt (Express), Booties (JustFab), Mini Chain Purse (Forever 21), Jewel - Toned Necklace (Forever 21)

CROWN ROYAL DAY PARTY

2. Black Blazer with Chain Detail (Forever 21), Faux Leather Tee (Off the 5th), Gray Sweatpants (Forever 21 Men's Department), Laced - up Booties (Charlotte Russe)

CROWN ROYAL PARTY

3. Black Kardashian Kollection Jumpsuit (Sears), Black Blazer with Chain Detail (Forever 21), Laced - up Booties (Charlotte Russe), Statement Necklace (Forever 21), Snakeskin Clutch (Target)

GAME DAY

4. White Ruffled Button Up (K&G), Black Skinny Jeans (Old Navy), Faux Fur Vest (Forever 21), Black Faux Leather Crop Jacket (Forever 21), Boots (Target), Statement Necklace (TJ Maxx), Sunnies (Thrifted)

This is just a brief synopsis of my weekend, I had a ton of fun. I truly do bleed orange and green!! Happy Homecoming FAMU. Do you go back to your homecoming celebrations? If so (or if not) shout out your school in the comment section below.

Happy Monday Luvs,

-Ali