Denim Jacket + Tulle Skirt

It's been extremely warm these past few days so I wanted to get out and enjoy some rays. What better way than "sitting by the dock of the bay..." It's nice to enjoy the simplicities of life sometimes (i.e. sun rays, calming water, swimming turtles etc.). It's also nice when simple pieces in your closet make a great outfit. I took 3 simple basics and put them together to make one fashionable trifecta. I started with my blush pink tulle skirt, added a gray long - sleeve T - Shirt and completed the look with my denim jacket. I accessorized the outfit with a silver statement necklace and a pair of silver sandals that I scored from DSW for less than $20 :) Talk about a bargain (my hubby would be proud)!

Outfit Details: Denim Jacket (Forever 21), Gray T - Shirt (Forever 21), Tulle Skirt (Charolette Russe), Sandals (DSW), Sunnies (Forever 21), Statement Necklace (Fancy Kouture)

Where do you go to find your tranquility? What simplicities in life do you like to enjoy? What simple items in your closet are you madly in love with? I'd love to know in the comments below.

Have an amazing weekend! See you Monday luvs.
-Ali

Sporty Chic

There are days when I wake up I don't feel like getting all glam'ed up. When days like that occur I go to my sweatshirt section in my closet and grab one. They are super comfy and allow me to look put together with minimal effort. When I pair my sweatshirt with my sweatpants its like the perfect duo (like peanut butter and jelly or cereal and milk...they just go together).

Outfit Details: Mesh Pullover (Forever 21), Sweatpants (Forever 21), Cool Grays a.k.a. Jordan's (Gift), Mickey Mouse Hat (Choies.com), Statement Necklace (Fancy Kouture), Sunnies (Forever 21)

No matter whether you're rocking pumps or J's, shift dresses or sweatpants, as long as you rock them with confidence you can slay (in the words of Beyonce')! What's your favorite go - to sporty chic item in your closet at the moment? I'd love to hear in the comment section below.

Happy Hump Day,
-Ali

Polo Hat + Fringe Shoes to Match

This weekend was very chill for me. Saturday, I went to a (middle school) basketball championship tournament with my hubby to see some of our good friends refereeing! They both did a great job and the games were exciting enough (as far as middle school athletics go). After attending the tournament we came home and took naps (a Saturday/Sunday ritual) before heading out to dinner. After dinner I came home and got a lot of research done for my Senior Project that I'm working on (did I mention I graduate in 3 more months ;) ) while watching the most exciting NBA game ever (Warriors vs. Thunder). Side Note: Steph Curry is unbelievable!

Since Saturday was a day full of running errands, I knew I wanted to be comfy. I didn't want to be too dressy as I knew we were going to be in some pretty casual settings so I opted for my red Polo Hat, red fringe suede booties (that were gifted to me from a friend), Chambray button up, denim jeans, navy faux leather blazer, and my new favorite items in my closet...my shaggy vest. I added gold accessories (gold bullet earrings, Juicy Couture Charm Bracelet, and gold watch) to finish pulling the look together. 

Outfit Details: Polo Hat (Polo Outlet), Chambray Button Down (Charlotte Russe), Denim Jeans (Forever 21+), Shaggy Vest (Forever 21), Navy Blazer (Gift), Red Fringe Booties (Gift), Bullet Earrings (Pink Elephant), Juicy Couture Charm Bracelet (Juicy Couture), Gold Watch (Charming Charlie's), Sunglasses (Forever 21)

Overall, I think this outfit was the perfect weekend ensemble. It's checks off the 2C's: cute and comfy, plus it incorporates the art of layering. The pops of red also add a little unexpected twist to a simple color palette of denim + navy + and tan! What did you get into last weekend? I'd love to hear! 

P.S. Since it's a leap year, here's a cool way to commemorate it: Try creating a leap year time capsule that you can open on February 29, 2020. I received this clever idea from Chatbooks.com. I'm going to do one and have my hubby do one too that we can open it in four years.  Get your free time capsule printables here to complete with your family.

Happy Monday & Leap Year,
-Ali

Fringe + Faux Leather Pants

As I sit here editing my blog pictures and listening to 90s R&B (the likes of Blackstreet, Envogue, TLC, Montell Jordan etc.) I am getting pumped about the weekend. You know, when you get the chance to sleep in, catch up with friends, go on a date with bae, or just stay at home in your PJ's and catch up on Netflix; oh yeah and did I mention, sleep! This simple black and white ensemble reminds me of a sophisticated weekend outfit. You know one you can wear for a dinner date or a night out with the girls. 

I took some classics that you probably have in your closet currently and threw them together. I started with a simple white collared button down, and a pair of my favorite (stretchy) black faux leather pants. Then I began to accessorize by adding my black boyfriend blazer, my flirty fringe belt, fedora, sandals, statement necklace, and gold rimmed cat - eye sunnies. The fringe takes this simple black and white silhouette to a fool - proof, weekend - ready ensemble. 

Outfit Details: Boyfriend Blazer (Forever 21), White Collared Button Down (JC Penny), Faux Leather Pants (JC Penny), Fedora (H&M), Fringe Belt (Windsor), Statement Necklace (DSW), Cat - Eye Sunnies (Forever 21), Sandals (Forever 21)

I showed you how you can take this outfit from business meeting to happy hour by simply removing the boyfriend blazer. It's just that simple. I hope you are as ready for the weekend (and NOT the singer lol) that I am. I have a pretty chill weekend ahead but I am excited about getting a tattoo today in memory of my little munchkin!!! What's on your weekend agenda? Better yet, what are you wearing? Let me know in the comment section below. In the meantime, may your weekend be lit ;) and full of fun (whatever your definition of fun may be).

Xoxoxo,
-Ali

Fuzzy Jacket + Tulle Skirt

Yesterday, a day we call Valentine's Day, was a day we set aside to celebrate love. People are usually in a frenzy the days leading up to Valentine's Day trying to find the perfect gift(s), perfect card, perfect date/experience etc. If you are one of those people, I pray that you had the perfect day. My Valentine's Day was pretty chill. I went to church, came home took a nap (Sunday naps are a must), caught up on some TV shows, took blog pics for the week, and enjoyed a nice dinner with my #1 Valentine, my hubby!!! Since we know that Valentine's Day is usually synonymous with reds and pinks I chose to pair my blush pink tulle skirt with a plain black tee, my fuzzy blush pink jacket, opaque tights, patent leather pumps, and complimentary accessories. I know wearing pink for V - Day is a tad bit cliche but I really liked how my outfit came together and I received tons of compliments on this pink creation. 

On our way to my photoshoot location I asked my hubby could we stop and purchase some balloons to add dimension to the ambiance for my shoot. Since this shoot was all about the essence of love and showcasing the joys of Valentine's Day I wanted to add a special personal element of LOVE. My husband and I both wrote little notes to our angel DJ on a couple of balloons. It was our way of sending a special note of love to our heavenly valentine. Once the shoot was over I released the balloons and watched them ascend towards the sky. Those balloons took a little piece of my heart to heaven with them. 

Outfit Details: Fuzzy Jacket (Forever 21), Black Tee (H&M), Blush Tulle Skirt (Charlotte Russe),  Patent Leather Pumps (DSW), Black Opaque Tights (Target), Statement Necklace (Forever 21), Earrings (Charlotte Russe), Sunnies (Forever 21)

No matter how you spent your Valentine's Day...alone, with a group of friends, with your bae, boo, or your closest loved ones I hope your day was filled with L-O-V-E and happiness. Happy belated Valentine's Day luvs. I pray you have a magnificent Monday!

Xoxoxo,
-Ali

The Secret To Transitioning A Hi - Lo Dress From Summer to Fall

I know, I know. You don't want to hear that Summer is coming to an end but we have to face the fact, FALL IS COMING. So it's better to be prepared than to let Fall catch you off guard. I will give you the inside styling deets on how to take a simple gray hi - lo dress and style it for the end of the summer as well as how to transition it for fall. The secret is all in the switching and swapping of pieces.

SUMMER
Hi - Lo Dress (Forever 21), White Slides (Forever 21), White Leather Clutch (Forever 21), White Collared Shirt (Old Navy), Necklace (FancyKouture.com), Aviators (H&M)

FALL
Hi - Lo Dress (Forever 21), Cognac Leather Jacket (TJ Maxx), Tan Fedora (Forever 21), Animal Print Booties (Belk), Sunnies (Forever 21), Necklace (FancyKouture.com)

The main secret to transitioning any item in your closet is the art of layering. When you are able to layer it can help transition an outfit and make it fit for the times. Another key to transitioning your summer wardrobe into fall is to swap out summertime essentials for fall necessities. For my transition here are the items that I swapped or added:

SWAPPED

White sandals - Animal Print Booties

Aviators - Cat Eye Sunnies

Red Lippie - Plum Lippie

ADDED BONUS

Cognac Jacket

Fedora

Enjoy the rest of the summer while you can. But definitely keep an eye on how you can seamlessly transition your favorite summer pieces into the fall. Until then, I hope you have a great weekend!

TGIF,

-Ali

Cape + Crop Top + Printed Pants

I swear when I throw on my cape and a pair of sunglasses I get in diva - mode instantly. A cape will make you stand straighter, taller, hold your head up higher, and give you a confidence like never before. I highly suggest adding a cape to your wardrobe for a Fall staple (if you don't already possess one). In today's post I show how I styled my black cape, black leather crop top, black and white printed pants, and black sandals. Check out the completed look with and without the cape below.

Outfit Details: Cape (Fashion District), Printed Pants (Forever 21), Leather Crop Top (Forever 21), Sandals (K&G), Cat - Eye Sunglasses (Forever 21), Lip Color (NYX Transylvania)

The thing that I like about today's OOTD is the fact that I could dress it up or down for day and night. If I were to switch out the sandals for some flats and swap the cape for a denim jacket I could have a day look, and use the cape and high heel sandals for a night out on the town. With a few swaps I could have a totally different look. When you approach outfits you should think about how easily you can transition the pieces you throw on to add functionality to your life and wardrobe. What are good transition pieces that you have in your closet RIGHT NOW that you can use for day and night? Let me know in the comment section below.

Happy Monday Luvs,
-Ali