Dressed In All Black

There is something about an all black outfit that makes you feel bad and boujee *cue Migos!* I used to always ask my debate teacher in high school (shout out to Mrs. Siegel formerly known as Ms. Knapp) why she wore black every day. I used to always encourage her to wear color, because a high school junior has all the fashion answers lol! While I am in no way opposed to color, I now understand as a 31 year old why all black outfits are so lit.

Wearing all black from head to toe is a fool - proof way to class up your outfit in a jiffy. By playing with different textures, and silhouettes it allows you to wear black from head to toe without looking boring. If you add a few unexpected finishes it can amp up your outfit like none other. 

In this look my accessories are what takes this simple combination of a black boyfriend blazer + black tee + black denim jeans to the next level. The fringe belt, lace - up - booties, choker, and sunnies all play a significant role in pulling this look together. 

BLAZER//via Forever 21: old (similar) - BLACK TEE// via H&M (similar) - SHEER PEPLUM TOP//via H&M (similar) - DIY DISTRESSED DENIM//via The Gap (similar) - FRINGE BELT//via Windsor: old (similar longer version) - LACE - UP BOOTIES//via Charlotte Russe (similar) - CHAIN CROSSBODY BAG//via Forever 21: old (similar here) - CHOKER// via Charlotte Russe (1 of 3 pack similar) - PRIMA DONNA LIPPIE//via The Lip Bar  - SUNNIES// via Charming Charlie's (similar)

If you don't have anything to wear this weekend, pull out your favorite black pieces from your closet (casual or dressy) and I guarantee you that you will have an instant outfit on your hands. I hope you all have a great and fashionable weekend. See you back here next Monday!

Xoxo,

-Ali

Work Vs. Werk

As I mentioned on Monday's post, this week is all about remixing items you already own to refresh and expand your wardrobe. Today's post we will focus on a suit. While suits are meant to be worn together...it is in the separating of the pieces where I find the most wiggle - room for creativity.

THE BASIC
Today's focus item is a plaid suit. Plaid is super on trend for the Fall/Winter season, but plaid is also a classic print that it will never go out of style! I purchased this particular suit from Target's new private label, "New Day." Sidebar: Target has some really dope new in- house private labels for women, men, and children's apparel. They even have a new home goods private label as well. One more way to get my coins, as if we don't already spend our hard - earned money in Target  *inserts emoji with hand covering forehead!* I love this suit because it was made with quality in mind and the silhouette is fresh and new (oversized top, slim bottom...I can dig it). This suit is composed of a Boyfriend blazer + a pair of Slim Fit Ankle Trousers.

WOMEN'S PLAID BOYFRIEND BLAZER// via Target - 
SLIM FIT STRAIGHT LEG PLAID ANKLE PANT// via Target

WORK

When I envision the traditional word "work" it makes me think of cubicles, briefcases, and dark boring [skirt] suits. Not every job requires you to put on your most snatched threads to make deals and call shots. But if it does, I would highly recommend adding this suit to your wardrobe arsenal. I like this suit because it allows me to look polished when I wear both pieces in an instant. But the thing I love most about the suit is my ability to wear the separates separately to create different moods and outfits to help expand my wardrobe. You can dress this suit up or down, depending on where you are going. You could pair it with flats, sneakers, heels, boots etc. (and that's just the various shoe options you have...let's not even mention the numerous top combinations you could come up with like how I "werked" it below)!

PLAID JACKET// via Target - PLAID TROUSERS// via Target - MAROON PUSSY BOW BLOUSE// via Forever 21: old (similar here) - SANDALS// via Target - BROACH// via Hobby Lobby - CLEAR FRAMES// via Windsor (similar here)

WERK

Many times after work we have engagements set up where we don't have much time to transition from work to play. We have to slay in seconds. That is why creating a suit of separates is genius and a fool - proof way to have snazzy outfits on deck. I took the same suit from above but I ditched the trousers, sandals, and blouse, and swapped them for a leather crop top, black midi skirt, and some lace - up booties, while keeping the blazer on to anchor the outfit and create a more "edgy" look and feel. With just a few key swaps you can take your blazer from boardroom to... baddie!

PLAID BLAZER: // via Target - LEATHER CROP TOP// via Forever 21 (similar top here) - MIDI SKIRT// via H&M (similar here) - LACE - UP BOOTIES// via Charlotte Russe: old (similar) - CHOKER// via Charlotte Russe (similar here)

I hope these two posts to date are beginning to help you see that fashion doesn't have to be super complicated! All you need are a few key staples to help do the heavy - lifting for your wardrobe, then you can mix and match items to make your pieces seem fresh, new, and of course stylish!! We have one more installment of this series. I will be showing you how to rock distressed jeans two different ways! So stay tuned. Until then...

Happy Hump Day luvs, 

-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

Sequin Top + Black Distressed Jeans

Celebrate good times c'mon. In my world it doesn't take much to celebrate (especially these days). I love to enjoy this life that I've been given, so I choose to celebrate the small victories in life! Anything from finding change on the ground to sticking to my newfound lifestyle change for a day (take things 1 day at a time). Don't get me wrong I have days where I am down in the dumps (I just had an episode earlier in the week...missing my son). But overall, I try to live life to the fullest! So it takes nothing for me to throw on sequin. Even on a random Friday. Who says you have to reserve your sequins for New Years Eve? Not I! I say wear it anytime, anywhere...heck, if you want...wear it to the gym! I'm not stopping you. 

Outfit Details: Sequin Crop Top (H&M), Black Distressed Jeans (Gap; DIY: Me), Boyfriend Blazer (Forever 21), Sparkly Platform Peeptoes (Steve Madden: old), Candy Yum Yum Lippie (M.A.C)

Go out and CELEBRATE! Celebrate the weekend. Celebrate the sun radiating on your face. Celebrate your awesomeness. Celebrate YOU!

"Let your soul glow and your outfit sparkle!"

Have a fantastic Friday luvs. See ya Monday,
-Ali