Reuse, Remix, and Recreate

I know you may be thinking "why is Ali wearing this black faux fur vest AGAIN?" See the way my closet is set up, I reuse, remix, and recreate looks using the same pieces over and over. I'm the first to admit I'm no baller (although I will be…the power of positive thinking is real you should try it). So I have to make my closet stretch long and wide. But I have a secret. Come close so I can share it with you. I'm not apologetic about it at all. I buy my clothes to wear them and I make sure I get the best bang for my buck. I don't buy clothes to sit in my closet and look pretty. I continue to wear clothes that I purchase. Case and point this vest that I love was purchased at least 3 years ago (it could be more) and I've pulled it out every Fall/Winter for the last few years. The moral of this blog post is don't be afraid to re-wear what you buy. The key is switching up the piece to make it look brand new which comes form your styling effort. 

Outfit Details: Faux Fur Vest (Forever 21), Blouse (Forever 21), Skirt (Vintage), Boots (TJ Maxx), Clutch (Target)

What are your thoughts on re-wearing items in your closet? Do you mind wearing them over and over or do you feel ashamed of wearing it continuously? Let me know in the comment section below.

I hope you have a great productive day!

-Ali

Ali From The Block

"Don't be fooled by the rocks that I got

I'm still, I'm still [Ali] from the block

Used to have a little now I have a lot

No matter where I go I know where I came from"

I can't take credit for these genius lyrics from J - Lo's 2002 hit "Jenny From the Block" but the outfit that I wore on Saturday made me think of these down to earth lyrics and took me back to my days of blasting songs from the radio through my boom-box in my room. 

Sometimes you don't want to go all glam'd up on the weekends but you want to still look cute.  This past weekends were one of those weekends where I wasn't feeling throwing on some tight skinny jeans  so I opted for my favorite sweatpants, a simple white tee, and my denim jacket. I added some of my favorite accessories like my gold watch, faux Jeffrey Campbell platform boots, faux fur stole, and my patriotic Ralph Lauren Polo fitted to round out the look. I found an abandoned work space with graffiti and thought it would be the perfect backdrop for my laxed look.

Outfit Details: Sweatpants (Forever 21), White Tee (4imprint), Denim Jacket (Forever 21), Polo Hat (Ralph Lauren), Booties (Online Boutique), Gold Watch (Charming Charlie's), Faux Fur Stole (H&M), Earrings (Beauty Supply)

To get your Monday started right let me leave you with this little jewel lol. I hope you have a marvelous Monday! 

-Ali

The Camel Code

The past two Winter seasons I have been on the hunt for a camel - colored Duster coat as it is an essential must have for many fashionistas around the globe. With no luck I had to leave this item on my wishlist until a few weeks ago. Shout out to my brother (- in - law), Derryn,  for sending me the Forever 21 gift card for Christmas. I told him he didn't have to worry. I would put it to good use. And to good use I put it lol. I found this camel colored Boucle' Overcoat on sale at  Forever 21 for $49.99 (its original price was $62.99). I quickly grabbed my gift card and put this item into my cart. As soon as I received the coat I fell in love. The silhouette of the coat gives off a menswear feel. It is very structured and a great quality coat. Unfortunately it is sold out in this particular color at the moment but there is good news. They have the coat in white and burgundy. You can check it out here. I paired this caramel goodness with my black jeans, a white button up, bow, and nude pumps that match PERFECTLY with my coat. And of course I pulled the look together with my fav fedora and gold accessories (watch and aviators). 

Outfit Details: Boucle' Overcoat (Forever 21: Here in Cream & Burgundy), White Collared Shirt (Anne Taylor: Similar Here), Black Rockstar Jeans (Old Navy: Found Here), Fedora (H&M: Here in Black, White, and Camel), Pumps (Forever 21: Similar Patent Leather Version Here), Aviators (H&M: Similar Here), Ribbon (Hobby Lobby: Similar Here)

Here's to the camel code. Throwing on an overcoat and feeling like a superwoman :) Happy Hump Day!

-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

My Trip to NOLA

Over Christmas Break (as us college students like to call it lol) I had the pleasure of 1.) spending time with my parents as well as one of my brothers and his family in Atlanta. It was awesome to spend time with my loved one's to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. I've noticed the older I get the more that spending time with family is super important. 2.) I did something I truly love doing and that is  TRAVELING. I traveled to Louisiana to attend one of my college friends engagement party in New Orleans on New Years Eve as well as visit a host of family members on my husbands fraternal side! I was able to see what all the fuss was about traveling the streets of Bourbon to bring in the New Year. It truly is a unique American city! While seeing everything from horse drawn carriages to oversized beads I wasn't able to get a real glimpse of the charm of this southern city until my awesome husband who doubles as my photographer took me to New Orleans (during the day) for a day of site - seeing. Of course as I went on my excursion my camera died so I was limited on photos. But my photos don't do this one - of - a - kind place justice anyway. It's just one of those places that you just have to experience for yourself.

Outfit Details: Textured Sweatshirt (H&M), Fedora (H&M), Jeggings: old (Target), Riding Boots (Forever 21), Statement Necklace (Fancy Kouture), Aviators (H&M)

Makes you want to do a little dance doesn't it. I think these two videos capture the spirit of New Orleans perfectly.

I experienced the sounds (just a random Friday noonday with sounds from violins, tubas, clarinets, washboards, drums and much more), the food (my first Po - Boy and Beignets…as well as a NOLA favorite gumbo), and the sites! I spent a night and day in New Orleans and was very impressed. I definitely will be putting NOLA on my must travel - to list!

What US city is on your travel wishlist? Let me know in the comment section below.

-Ali

When It's Cold Outside

The temperatures have been like an Alicia Keys ballot…"Fallin'" here in GA. Corny I know lol, but seriously it's been cold outside (for GA standards). I know my fellow Northerners will probably look at me with a "Bye Felicia" smirk. But having the thermometer say 24 degrees and 17 degrees is not normal for Georgians. When it's cold out I still want to look fly so I always try to find unique pieces to keep me warm. I've been in a faux fur and fuzzy wuzzy frenzy over the last year. So when I saw this fuzzy vest I knew I had to get it (thanks Aunt Sherri).   

Outfit Details: Fuzzy Vest (H&M: Similar Here), Black Skinnies (Old Navy: Here), Gray Long Sleeve Tee (Forever 21: Similar Here for Less Than $9), Boots (Forever 21: Similar But A Little More Expensive), Over - The - Knee Socks (Walmart: Similar Here), Necklace (Fancy Kouture: Similar Necklace Here)

What you can't tell is the wind was whipping during this photoshoot and I was freezing behind my smile. The things we do to get a good blog pic lol! I will freeze 100x's more for my Ali's Fashion Sensers :) Shout out to my awesome hubby aka my photographer for braving the cold weather with me. Make sure you bundle up in these frigid temps.

TGIF! Have a wonderful, exciting weekend,

-Ali

Lumberjackin'

The best type of fashion is the fashion that you can be totally comfortable in yet still stylish. For New Year's Day I knew that we were going to be doing some family visits and getting some food. Therefore I wanted to be cute and comfortable. I threw on my 82 Lumberjack Sweatshirt, my fav sweatpants with moto details at the knee, chocolate puffy vest, and my new found fav platform boots. I wore my junky statement necklace and a red lip and the look was complete. 

Outfit Details: Sweatshirt (Forever 21: Similar Here), Sweatpants (Forever 21: Similar Here), Puffy Vest (Old Navy: Similar Here), Boots (House of Sole: Purchased Here), Bangles (Macy's: Similar Here), Aviators (H&M: Similar Here)

I normally wouldn't pair black and brown but in some instances it just works. The brown vest went with the theme of the look and pulled the lumberjack look together in a fashionable way. And of course I'm sporting my fav new boots for 2015 (at least for the month of January) lol.

Happy Hump Day!
-Ali

Poncho Power

Have you ever stalked something online (and when I say something I'm talking about an article of clothing) and when you see it in the store you fall in love all over again? That's how I felt when I saw this tribal print [blanket] poncho from Forever 21. I had been eyeing this poncho for sometime at the beginning of December on Forever 21's online site. Everyday I would check to see if it was sold out. Then one day while having a special bff's day out with my bestie Jasmine we stopped into Forever 21 at Lenox Mall in Atlanta. The fashion angels sang that day when I saw the poncho hanging high on it's hanger. It's vibrant colors, eclectic tribal print pattern, and warm, comfy touch sold me from the first time my eyes met it. I have been wearing it non - stop ever since I purchased it. It is such a great buy for the mild Winter months here in the south. I threw on a long sleeve shirt (in this case it's my denim button up), black leggings, over the knee socks, black riding boots, fedora, and ribbon (used as a bow) to create this native inspired look. 

This Southwestern - Inspired Poncho can be spotted here for $32.90 (such a steal for a great quality - made garment).

Forever 21's look

Outfit Details: Poncho (Forever 21: Here), Leggings (Target: Similar Here), Over - The - Knee Socks (Target: Similar Here), Riding Boots (Forever 21: Here), Denim Button Up (Target: Similar Here), Fedora (H&M: Similar Here), Ribbon (Hobby Lobby: Similar Here - Don't forget to use this), Bangles (Macy's: Alternative Here)

This look has a low key Americana vibe and I'm here for it. I will be sure to have this poncho in heavy rotation for the remainder of the Winter months :)

Would you wear a poncho? If so, what you would you pair it with? Let me know in the comment section below!

Xoxo,

-Ali