White Maxi + Lace Kimono

One of the reasons (among many others) I started my blog was to show real women, like you, how to take your wardrobe and remix, reuse, and revamp looks with simple items that you already have in your closet that are readily accessible. I don't have an endless supply of money or clothes so I reuse a lot of the pieces in my closet and make them appear different simply by mixing and matching, and switching and swapping different foundational pieces to create new looks.

I took that same lace kimono that I wore last week here and revamped it by swapping my floral crop top, distressed jeans, and fedora with my white maxi dress and floral headband. By simply exchanging my crop top and jeans for this maxi it gives the look a whole different personality. I truly felt like a little "Flower Child" or "Hippie!"

I am not one of those bloggers who wears something once and lets it sit in my closet. If I love a piece I will wear it over and over., with NO shame. I try to challenge myself to change up a look by switching up my styling methods each time I wear it! If you are one of those people that wear the same thing again and again try challenging yourself to see how you can remix your current pieces by styling them differently the next time you wear them. 

Outfit Details: Lace Kimono (Charlotte Russe), Maxi Dress (gift: Express), Floral Headband (DIY), Aviators (H&M), Necklace (Forever 21), Earrings (Charlotte Russe), Charm Bracelet (Juicy Couture), Sandals (old)

This look made me want to just throw up the peace sign and twirl around in a meadow of sunflowers! I received a ton of compliments on this look (even one that made me blush from one of my nephews who told me...."Auntie Lish you look beautiful!"). Talk about a confidence booster. All you need to accomplish this look is a simple kimono (which you can score from stores like TJ Maxx, Marshall's, Forever 21, H&M etc.) and a simple maxi and wallah, you have the look. I truly love the look because it has ease, comfort, and most importantly...I didn't have to iron it (that's a BONUS)! 

I hope you have a wonderful, productive, positive Monday! I will see you later on this week. Have a great day!

-Ali

Printed Maxi + Flannel Shirt

Some days, no matter how hard you try to be grateful for all the blessings, life gets cloudy. Yesterday was one of those days. It just seemed that from the moment I woke up (carrying over from the night before) that a cloud was hovering over me. While I usually try to look on the bright side of things yesterday just got the best of me. But then I realized in order to truly enjoy the sunshine you have to endure a few clouds and rain. Whenever I'm feeling bad I try to do something for ME. So I got dressed, put on some makeup and went to soak up some vitamin D before the clouds rolled in. 

I wanted something that was comfy while I went to run a few errands and get some work done at a coffee shop. I landed on this hi/lo printed maxi dress and paired it with a black and red lumberjack flannel (which I stole from my hubby's side of the closet). I then added my denim jacket, fedora, booties, and gold accessories (+ my new favorite choker) to round out the look.

Outfit Details: Printed Maxi (Target), Lumberjack Flannel (Hubby's: Old Navy), Booties (JustFab), Denim Jacket (Forever 21), Fedora (H&M), Aviators (Forever 21), Earrings (Charlotte Russe), Choker & Layered Necklace (Charlotte Russe), Chain Purse (Gift: Charming Charlie's), Pom - Pom (Beauty Supply Store)

Even when I experience rough days I always end the night by journaling. I have made it a habit now to end my journaling post each night with "3 Things I'm Grateful For..." it is a way to keep things balanced and in perspective. While I may have been sucking on lemons yesterday, there are still some things I can use to make lemonade today! I said all of that to say, don't beat yourself up when you have a less - than stellar day, just regroup, look yourself in the mirror and say..."hey, tomorrow will be MUCH better!" I hope your day today is filled with love, sunshine, faith, and fun! Have a great weekend luvs, see ya Monday!

-Ali

Lace Kimono + Crop Top

Over the weekend I flew to Dayton, Ohio to attend my brother in laws white coat ceremony as he begins his med school journey at Wright State University. It's always nice to take a break from your mundane day to day routine and spend time with family. My extended family (in - laws and my mom) came together to celebrate the achievements of one awesome guy! I'm so excited and proud of him especially with the negativity surrounding black men these days. It's always nice to see a black man doing something positive with his life!

When traveling I like to look good, be comfortable, and oh did I mention look good? When I saw this lace kimono and crop top in Charlotte Russe the other day I knew it would be perfect for my upcoming trip. This was the perfect travel outfit. It was light weight and a great pick to explore the city of Dayton (OH).  

Isn't this orange gradient wall awesome?

Outfit Details: Lace & Fringe Kimono (Charlotte Russe), Crop Top with Floral Applique (Charlotte Russe), Black Distressed Jeans (D.I.Y: GAP), Sandals (Old: Target),  Fedora (H&M), Sunglasses (Forever 21), Choker & Layered Necklaces (Charlotte Russe)

I love this outfit. It made me feel like I stepped into Dayton straight out of the 70s. I will definitely be wearing this ensemble again. But now it's back to the real world. I had a blast in OH (which says a lot since I'm from Michigan...we don't do Ohio lol) fellowshipping with family, exploring a new city, and celebrating the start of a new academic journey. 

Back to the Monday grind. I hope you have a fabulous, productive day.

-Ali

Chambray Top + Denim Flares

Yesterday I had a daytime date with me, myself, and I. While I love the company of my husband, sometimes it's good to just go out solo, enjoy some me time, and treat yourself. I went to see Free State of Jones. It was an interesting movie. I'd recommend it. Once I left the movies I went to Stevie B's for a late afternoon meal. I haven't been to Stevie B's in a long time...it's literally been at least 7 years. This outfit has the ultimate cool factor. It's easy breezy without trying too hard and the perfect daytime ensemble whether you're solo or accompanied by your partner or a group of your favorite girls. 

Outfit Details: Chambray Top (Charlotte Russe), Denim Flares (New York & Co.), Vince Camuto Leopard Booties (Belk), Fedora (Forever 21), Broach (Hobby Lobby), Louis Vuitton (Gift), Max Mara Frames (Primary Eyecare)

Denim on denim is always a good idea. While this is a bit covered up for the summer, it was perfect for the blasting AC in the movie theatre. I even got a compliment about my outfit from a guy in the grocery store how put together I looked. This is an outfit most of us probably have in our closets. Sometimes fashion is best served when you go back to basics. 

Happy hump day!
-Ali

Black Blazer + Over The Knee Booties

From the loss of Alton Sterling aka "The CD Man" in Louisiana, to the traffic stop gone awry in Minnesota ending in the life of Philando Castile being snatched away, to the lives of police being slaughtered by snipers in Dallas... to say we had a ROUGH WEEK last week is an understatement. With such tragedies occurring I couldn't dare think about blogging in such a tense climate. For 2 days straight I stayed locked in via social media on the climate of our nation that began to boil over from the senseless lives being taken at the hands of trigger happy cops. Then I saw the effect to a larger injustice through retaliation against cops by snipers in Dallas. As I stated on Facebook last week the loss of life is never good no matter the color of victim. In all cases whether it's white on white crime, black on black crime, terrorism, or crooked cops killing innocent unarmed people of color what we're asking for is JUSTICE. We want people no matter their hue to be treated fairly and humanely in the eyes of our citizens and from a systematic standpoint.  

With all of these tragedies occurring back to back I used Saturday to decompress. I had to log off of the Internet and do some self care. I spent Saturday morning reading, praying, and listening to some good music (2000s R&B Brandy's Full Moon album, Sisqo's Incomplete solo project, and Jazmine Sullivan's Reality Show). I also went on an impromptu date with the hubby. We went to check out The Purge and followed it up with Olive Garden. It was nice to temporarily take my mind off the madness and just enjoy the company of my husband after the tough week we encountered.

For our date night I  decided to wear a monochromatic black ensemble from head to toe. Black can represent mourning (at funerals), power (black panther movement), and even structure. While only one color the different textures and details of each piece chosen (i.e. the fringe belt, the over the knee booties etc.) helped to elevate this look into a sophisticated Summer16 ensemble. While still in mourning from all of the anger, confusion, sadness etc. this outfit reminded me that we still are powerful in our hope, prayers, kindness, and action. While we have a long way to go to see true change we must realize as a human race that we are more alike than different. We need to exercise compassion to ALL our fellow men and women not just those we deem worthy! 

Outfit Details: Boyfriend Blazer (Old: Forever 21), Black Tee (Old: H&M), Leather Pants (Old: JCPenney), Fringe Belt (Windsor), Over The Knee Booties (Old: JustFab), Fedora (Old: H&M), Broach (Old: Forever 21), Gucci Bag (Gift), Pink Pom - Poms (Beauty Supply Store), Necklace (Forever 21), Round Sunnies (Old: Forever 21)

I'm sorry this blog took a more political viewpoint than one solely devoted to fashion. But I couldn't sit back idly and not address the terrible tragedies that have consumed our nation over the past week. Continue to pray for our nation. Continue to fight for justice. Continue to treat others how you would want to be treated. And remember to take time out for self care. We can't slay our days without taking care of ourselves in the process. I hope you have a marvelous Monday. 

"United we stand! Divided we fall!"

-Ali