A Week in Black & White

So if you've been following Ali's Fashion Sense for some time now you know I am a firm believer in black and white. It's hands down my favorite color combination to put on. When you throw on black and white, you instantly create a structured silhouette. So to pay homage to my favorite duo: ebony and ivory, I decided I would do a 2 week series (since I only blog three times per week) to show you how I can take simple black and white garments (with a splash of color here and there) to create a week's worth of looks. I will reuse certain garments and show you that with a few key pieces you can make a little go a long way! I hope you enjoy it!

The first look is a classic blazer with a white lapel which was gifted to me from my awesome aunt from New York and Company. I like the oversized fit of the blazer. Even though it is oversized it fits well in all the right places. I paired it with my black and white patterned blouse, a pair of white slacks, and my favorite lace up sandals. Since this look is so sleek I wanted to keep my hair very simple so I braided it into a single french braid down the back (a look you've seen a time or two since I've been rocking my box braids). I topped off my look with my blinged out statement necklace and a bright red lip to offer a splash of color!

Outfit Details: Black Blazer with White Lapel (New York & Co.), Black & White Patterned Blouse (Forever 21), MK Trousers (TJ Maxx), Statement Necklace (TJ Maxx), Lace - Up Sandals (Charlotte Russe)

This is the first of seven installments of this series. I hope you enjoy the plethora of black and white (with the occasional occurrence of color) these next few blog posts. And I truly hope you are inspired to stretch your wardrobe as we usher in the Fall! Happy Monday luvs! Make it a productive one :)

Xo,
-Ali

Girly Frills

Whenever I think of lace I think of girly frills. This sleeveless blouse that I scored from Forever 21 a few years ago (and when I say few, I mean more than 4 or 5) is the perfect recipe of sugar and spice and everything nice! Cliche' I know lol. But really it just makes me feel like a girly girl, which I don't mind at all :) I paired it with my favorite curvalicious jeans from Levi and a pair of throwback studded sandals that I got from Aldo. I kept the swept up up-do from Wednesday's blog post to add an extra oomph of classiness to the outfit. It just makes me smile...a great way to round out the end of the week! 

Outfit Details: Top (Forever 21), Denim (Levi's), Studded Sandals (Aldo), Clutch (TJ Maxx), Belt (Target), Scarf (Charlotte Russe), Watch (Charming Charlie's), Bangles (Macy's)

What a great combination: lace + denim + studded sandals in the famous words of Charlie Sheen "Winning!" lol. I love a great neutral palette. It's just fun and flirty in a subdued, polished type of way. I hope you like it as much as me and I hope you have a fabulous Friday and a wonderful weekend! See ya back bright and early Monday morning :)

XO,
-Ali

Pink & Brown

[Faux] leather is my favorite fabric to rock no matter the season (although you have to be careful finding thinner leather fabrics in the summer so you don't sweat to death). I scored these leather shorts from Kohl's a few years ago. I know right, who knew Kohl's carried awesome leather shorts in this cognac color? I sure didn't.  I wanted to pair it with a bright top since the shorts work as a neutral base. I tried this cool updo with my box braids and I LOVE how it turned out :) This look just makes me want to have fun! Hence the reason you see me dancing in these pics.

Outfit Details: Strawberry Colored Shirt (Charlotte Russe), Faux Leather Shorts (Kohl's Lauren Conrad Line), Gladiator Sandals (DSW - old), Clear Clutch (Toiletry bag used as clutch), Statement Necklace (TJ Maxx), Earrings (Beauty Supply Store), Cheetah Scarf (Charlotte Russe), Gold Bangle (Forever 21), Gold Watch (Charming Charlie's)

This look is a perfect look to transition into fall. The brown neutrals paired with the bright pink offer an unexpected color palette for fall! I will be sure to wear this look again in the near future! What color combinations will you try this fall? Pink and brown? Fuchsia and red? Ivory and rust? I'd love to hear your opinion below! Happy Wednesday luvs.

-Ali

Animal Instinct

On Sunday, I channeled my inner fashion godmother "at least in my head" Miss June Ambrose. I didn't want to fool with my hair as a I had to be at church bright and early Sunday morning to do the call to worship and prayer. So I grabbed my animal print scarf and turned it into a stylish turban, a June Ambrose signature! I wanted to pull the look together using the 70s as my inspiration (wide leg pants, platforms, muted color palette etc.). To finish off the look I grabbed some boot cut jeans, a flowy cardigan, a basic tank top, and my animal print booties. I threw on my sunnies and some gold accessories and the look was complete.

Outfit Details: Flowy Cardigan (Forever 21), Chocolate Tank (Old Navy), Jeans (TJ Maxx), Vince Camuto Animal Print Booties (Dillard's), Suede Crossbody Bag (Old Navy), Animal Print Scarf (Forever 21), Gold Bangle (Forever 21), Sunnies (Forever 21), Earrings (Beauty Supply Store)

This look brings out my inner animal instinct. Are you a fan of animal print? Will you wear it as a Fall staple? Let me know in the comment section below. I hope you all have a great motivating Monday! Be sure to be productive :) By the way, for those who entered the B x Ali - Ready for Fall Giveaway we will be announcing the winner soon, so stay tuned!

-Ali

My Top 5 2014 Fall Picks

From boots, to leather, to gorgeous printed coats Fall allows you to stay covered in the most trendy, chic pieces. Before fall truly gets underway in a couple weeks I wanted to share with you my "Top 5 2014 Fall Trends" I'm excited to try. So in no particular order here they are:

1. Capes 
Capes are the perfect way to instantly pull together a simple look. Take the cape below for example. She dressed up a simple t - shirt and pair of distressed jeans by adding this classic cape silhouette, not to mention it's in white (who says you can't wear white after Labor Day)? You can find this Nasty Gal cape here for $68.

2. Leather
I'm always here for leather (or faux/imitation leather) no matter the season. So any leather you can add in your fall lineup is a plus. Like these Imitation Leather Pants from H&M. Get them here for $35.

3. Boots
Fall always calls for a great pair of boots. Whether you're a thigh - high girl, a riding boot lover, or would rather opt for a buckle - decorated pair of booties it's imperative to grab a statement pair of boots to trek through the mild fall days/nights. Try a pair like these Target Altuzarra boots (which will be on sale in stores and online starting September 14 for Target's designer partnership with Altuzarra). 

4. Hat
Some days you may not be having the best hair day but that doesn't mean you can't be stylish. Throw on a wool hat a pair of shades and you'll be ready to conquer fall to the fullest. Get this hat at H&M here for $25.

5. Bold Lips

Summer is all about bold, bright lips. As summer transitions into fall it is your chance to explore deeper, darker lip hues in sheer, shiny, or a matte finishes. I love the  berry - colored, deep wine - colored lippes like this Lancome L'Absolu Rouge in Jezebel here for $30.

As you can see I already have a starting line up of garments and beauty products I want in my fall arsenal. What trend are you most excited to try? Do you already own any of these garments or beauty products?

I hope you have a wonderful, productive Monday!

-Ali

B x Ali - Ready For Fall Giveaway

Ali - Overalls: Macy's (similar) | Pastel Coat: H&M (similar) | Pumps: Forever 21 (similar), Ruffled Shirt: Cie La Vie (similar) | Statement Necklace: Forever 21 (similar) | Sunnies: Forever 21 (similar)

B - Top: H&M (similar) | Black Jeans: Gap (similar) | Booties: Forever 21 (similar) | Fringe Bag: H&M old (similar)| Sunnies: H&M recent (similar)

Hey Fashion Sensers! I know I usually don't blog on Thursdays but today calls for a special post! In honor of New York Fashion Week (NYFW) kicking off today, I teamed up with my fellow fashionista, Houston fashion/beauty blogger B for a fun giveaway to help you add a couple new staples to your Fall wardrobe! The lucky winner will be contacted by email and receive 1 $50 gift card to Nordstrom and 1 $50 gift card to H&M. 

Each participant must do each of the following to win. Here are the rules:

Follow BrillianceBlog on Instagram AND Follow AlisFashionSense.

Subscribe by email to BOTH blogs (Brillance of B & Ali's Fashion Sense). Check the top right hand side on both blogs.

Comment on the "B x Ali - Ready For Fall Giveaway" post on BOTH blogs what you want for Fall AND the email address you’d like to be contacted on if you are the winner.

Good luck!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Denim + Olive

Denim on Denim is one of my fav combinations to sport besides black and white of course. This look excites me because it takes the play on denim squared and adds an unexpected twist by adding a vest. This olive green vest with hieroglyphic details is a go - to piece in my closet that is structured and can be added over anything to pull a look together. This time I paired it with my denim button - up, denim skinnies, pumps, and cool accessories including an ear cuff (which I have a light - weight obsession over at the moment), statement necklace, aviators, and a cool braided faux hawk/french braid!

Outfit Details: Denim Button - Up (Target), Denim Jeans (Levi's), Vest (Forever 21), Patent Leather Pumps (Jessica Simpson), Aviators (H&M), Ear Cuff (H&M), Statement Necklace (TJ Maxx), Watch (Charming Charlie's)

Even though I'm sure you've seen all these items on my blog before I am finding ways to reinvent each piece into a new look. That's the beauty of having a well - rounded closet. I hope you have a great day of relaxation, good food, and fun with family and friends. I have something really special planned so stay tuned for the announcement this week!

Happy Labor Day luvs,
-Ali