SBOC 2013 Recap

Over this weekend I went down to Sunny Miami, FL for the Style Bloggers of Color (SBOC) 2013 Conference. I had an absolute blast. I met some awesome up - and - coming bloggers, as well as popular bloggers of color from around the country. I gained a wealth of information on how to better serve you (my readers) in taking my blog to the next level with better content, photos, and reaching out to you through multiple social media outlets.

Here is a photo recap of my weekend!

ROAD TRIP READY
Being that the drive to Miami is 8 hours, I wanted to be cute but casual. Here's what I came up with.

:: Jacket: DIY Project::
:: Notorious BIG Tee: Urban Outfitters::
:: Distressed Jeans: Forever 21::
:: Jordan's: Foot Locker::
:: Gold Chain: Forever 21::
:: Sunnies: Aldo::

DAY 1 - AMP'D UP & READY TO GO
Day 1 was full of several break out sessions from really awesome bloggers of color like Ria Michelle, Natalie from "The Tiny Closet," and Miami's own Anais from "Down To Stars." 

On the MetroRail headed to the SBOC
Sporty - Chic
:: 82 Sweatshirt: Forever 21::
:: Leather Skater Skirt: H&M::
:: Sneaker Wedges: Target::
:: Fur Stole: H&M::
:: BBW Earrings: Online Boutique::
:: MK Watch: Macy's::

Myself and @RiaMichelle

A fellow blogger, Heather (@heather_hightowermiami) that I met! Get into our red lips ;)

A handful of the beauties (and gent) from SBOC 2013!  

DAY 2 - IT'S ALL BLACK & WHITE
Day 2 was all about gaining a wealth of knowledge. There were plenty of panels on topics from Content to being a Social Media Butterfly. Here are some snapshots from Saturday.

It's All Black & White OOTD
:: Leather Crop Top: Forever 21::
:: Leather Joggers: Online Boutique::
:: Gold - Detailed Wedges: Forever 21::
:: Cream Blazer: Forever 21::

Three bloggers that I follow: Ariel from @FashionDevotee, Blake from @BlakeVonD, and Inez (a fellow Michigander) @StyleChic360, all who which were VERY Sweet and down to earth!!!

Day 2 Wrap - Up with some of the Bloggers

So as you can see the weekend was action packed with fun, sun, information, and amazing women/bloggers of color :) I will be sure to snag my ticket for next years conference! How was your weekend? I hope it was amazing. Happy Tuesday luvs.

-Ali

Style Bloggers of Color 2013 Conference

I have two huge announcements to all my Ali's Fashion Sense subbies and followers :) I'll start with my first announcement. I have been blogging for almost two years now (January will be my 2 year blogiversary), and I really love bringing my personal view and take on fashion to all of you. What started as an experiment and hobby has turned into something that I absolutely love! To better my craft and content for you, my lovely subbies, I am attending the Style Bloggers of Color (aka SBOC) 2nd Annual Conference in Miami Florida this weekend. I'm hitting the road today to get ready for the festivities starting on Friday!

During this two day conference there will be panels, seminars, fashion shows, mixers, and opportunities to meet awesome bloggers of color from all around the country. I'm so excited and I just can't hide it. I'm headed out to Miami today and will return on Sunday. I will be sure to capture all the amazing moments and awesome fashion so I can share it with you all my fashion sense family!!! So keep an eye out on the post next week.



My second announcement is...I will be going back to school this upcoming Spring. Starting in January 2014 I will be attending a small school right outside of Atlanta, GA, Southern Polytechnic State University (also know as SPSU) to obtain my second Bachelor's Degree (Bachelor of Apparel and Textile) with a concentration in Fashion Design and Product Development. I am so thrilled to start this next chapter in my life and am excited to bring you all along on the journey. 2014 will bring about some amazing things and I am praying and waiting in expectancy.

I will keep you all posted on the conference and school as they unfold. I will take this time to say don't ever give up on your dreams. I know it sounds cliche' but if there is something you want in life no matter how impossible it seems keep going after it. You never know when your opportunity may present itself to do exactly what you have been dreaming and planning about for so long!

Happy Thursday Luvs!

-Ali

Varsity Blues

As I peruse different fashion sites and search different clothing stores I've noticed more sporty looks popping onto the scene. As the cool winds take over the atmosphere its time more than ever to get cozy and bundled up. So why not do it in style? Grab a varsity jacket and get inducted into the Dream Team of style. Whether you're heading to a sporting event or on a date a varsity jacket can lighten the mood and keep you sporty - chic :)

DRESS DOWN

The whole point of being sporty - chic is that you get to take tougher, sporty inspired pieces and make them chic. Here's a way to hit a home room in the looks department by taking a simple varsity jacket and dressing it down for a fun day at the ball park or at any arena.

Varsity Blues by alifashionsense featuring a white short sleeve shirt

DRESS UP

Just because you want a sporty element doesn't mean you can't dress up the look. Grab a varsity jacket and throw on your favorite dress or pencil skirt and pair it with your sexiest heels to spice up the look and make it dressy enough for a date night. You will be sure to get "cool points" from your significant other because you are rocking a sporty inspired ensemble.

Varsity Blues with Pink Hues by alifashionsense featuring Isabel de Pedro

So as you can see it's easy to get the blues. The varsity blues that is. Check out stores like Forever 21, GoJane.com, Target, and Topshop to find inexpensive varsity jackets for your sporty fall looks. Or dust off your high school varsity jacket and rock it with pride :)

Happy Hump Day luvs!

-ALI

Crushing on Velvet

There are so many rich textures and colors that appear onto the scene during the Fall transition. Leather, lace, fur, tweed, and many other rich fabrics captivate our attention during the Fall season. One underrated fabric choice that is making a comeback this Fall season is VELVET!

Channel your inner 90s diva, "As If," *in my Dionne voice from Clueless* and pull out your favorite (crush) velvet dress, shorts, or creepers.

THEN & NOW
Check out how Dionne played by Stacey Dash (from Clueless) rocked an oxblood velvet dress with a white collared shirt, thigh high socks back then and how Katy Perry replicated a blast from the past with a modern twist in her burgundy velvet number.

Crushed Velvet Mini Dresses, Backpack Purses, and Chunky Boots: "Oh How I Miss the 90s"

PRACTICAL VELVET
If you don't want to look like a "Clueless" extra here are some ways you can incorporate velvet into your wardrobe in the new millennium. Velvet accessories, trousers, coats, or even loafers can be spotted all around this season.

Crushing on Velvet by alifashionsense featuring black flats

Are you crushing on velvet? What velvet items would you wear? Confess your crush in the comments below. 

Hats Off

Fall brings cooler winds, darker color pallets, and more layers. One of the coolest ways to layer this Fall is to add a hat. Hats don't have to be strictly for "bad hair days anymore." Now you can add hats to your Fall essentials to top off your favorite looks. From fitted (baseball) caps with leather finishes to jewel toned fedoras, hats help you add new elements to your amazing looks. Check out how to incorporate a hat seamlessly into Fall wardrobe below.


THE STARTER COLLECTION
Here are a few examples of hat trends you can try this Fall.

Hats Off by alifashionsense featuring a slim leather jacket

The cool thing about all of these hats shown above are the fact that they can transition from day to night, and can be dressed up or down. These three outfit inspirations are just foundations to show you how you can style each type of hat. I love them all and hope to add them to my closet in the near future. Will you add hats to your Fall essentials list? If so, what is your favorite type of hat (the beanie, fedora, or fitted cap)?

Boy Meets Girl

Today I didn't have to substitute teach, so I knew I had some things to take care of around the house. Some days I don't feel like getting all glam'd up so I chose to thug it out with my "boy meets girl" look. I took my new fav distressed cutoff shorts, a simple black tee, my husband's plaid shirt, my J's, topped it off with a bold red lip, and I made it a look. Check it out below.

BOY MEETS GIRLS
TIP: If you have a spouse or significant other (or even an older/younger brother) its cool to raid their closet's every once in a while. You would be surprised how you can take "manly" pieces from your guys closet and turn them into a statement piece in a cool outfit. See how I was able to snatch my hubby's plaid button up and incorporate it into my "tomboy" chic look. 

:: Black Tee: Forever 21::
:: Distressed Cutoff Shorts: Forever 21::
:: Plaid Button Up: Old Navy (Hubby's Closet)::
:: Jordan's: Nike::
::1986 Fitted Cap: DIY Project::
::Silver Rope Chain: Charlotte Russe::

Do you have a "boy meets girl" or tomboy chic outfit that you like to throw on from time to time? What does it consist of? Sneakers? Fitted Caps? (Stylish) Sweats? Let me know in the comment section below. Happy Hump Day luvs :)

-Ali

Weekend Recap: Military Inspiration

I know, I know. I'm a day late, but hopefully the content will make up for the tardiness. This week's "Weekend Recap" focuses on a military inspired look that I wore on Friday. A few weeks ago I did a "Mini Forever 21 Haul" where I showed a tunic that I purchased (along with a host of other items.If you don't remember my Forever 21 Haul you can check it out here. In today's blog post I will show you how I styled the tunic.


NO SHADE
Here's how the look came together. I took the olive green, military - esque, tunic (with faux leather sleeves), some black leggings, black sneaker wedges, and layered gold chains. I wanted a darker, vampy look so I painted my lips purple with one of Revlon's plum colored lipsticks. I curled my hair with loose curls to create the illusion of a curly bob; and wallah! Here's what I got. I love how the look came together!

GIVING YOU SHADE
I picked up the dopest pair of shades at H&M while I was in Tampa. They are round, have gold detailing, and elevated this look to another level!

:: Tunic: Forever 21::
:: Leggings: Target::
:: Wedge Sneakers: Target::
:: Long Gold Charm: Thrifted::
:: Herringbone Chain: Forever 21::
:: Gold Watch: Target::
:: Round - Gold Sunglasses: H&M::

My weekend was jammed packed with action, but this outfit helped me carry out all my duties while looking fly.