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

Chambray Shirt + Denim Overalls

Can I be totally honest with you? We're family right? Almost one month postpartum and I still can't fit into a lot of my jeans :( While I mostly revert to stretchy pants (and dare I say leggings...but I always make sure my bum is covered) my overalls are one pair of denim that I can actually get into. They aren't at the ideal fit at my current weight however, I think they still get the job done. I've said countless times here on Ali's Fashion Sense that pairing denim on denim is an instant way to look fabulous. So I grabbed my denim overalls and paired them with my chambray shirt. Since camel looks amazing alongside chocolate brown and denim I decided to pair my camel cape, camel fedora, and chocolate booties (with gold chains) and gold statement necklace with my denim duo. To up the studious factor I added a pair of animal print frames that I scored from Forever 21 for $5. I love how the look came together seamlessly! Check out the full look below.

  

Outfit Details: Overalls (Macy's), Chambray Shirt (Charlotte Russe), Cape (TJ Maxx), Fedora (Forever 21), Chocolate Booties (Forever 21), Animal Print Frames (Forever 21), Statement Necklace (Birthday Gift from AshleyMonique! from Charming Charlie's)

If you stand in your closet and have absolutely nothing to wear grab two denim pieces and I promise you, you will look polished in no time! You'll thank me later (I hope lol). Happy Hump Day luvs.

-Ali

P.S. Since I won't be blogging tomorrow happy pre one - month to my little angel in heaven, Derrek Jerrell Anderson Jr. Mommy loves you and I think about you everyday!

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 Big 3-0!

As a kid when you describe the word old, anything over 25 seems ancient. While some may dread turning the "Big 3 - 0" I am embarking on this new chapter in my life with excitement, optimism, and full anticipation. It amuses me how as a child you dream, without borders, how your life will turn out. You know the big house, the great job, the nice car, the husband, and 2.5 children. Looking back I wanted to be a Sea World dolphin trainer, an artist living in New York City, a Disney Illustrator, oh yeah and a veterinarian. Talk about a smorgasbord of careers. While I do have the amazing husband and a decent house and car, along with many other wonderful blessings...I'm not fully where I want to be. Case and point: we tried to grow our family during the latter part of 2015 and were expecting the anticipation of our bundle of joy this year...but God had other plans. One great thing (among many others) that my angel baby, DJ has done even in his loss, he has fueled me not to take any moment, person, dream etc. for granted. So I have vowed to focus more on those visions and dreams I want to accomplish starting NOW, because life is too short (cliche' I know) to just let those things God has deposited within me (all of us for that matter) for granted.

My husband took me out of town last weekend to Amelia Island, FL to celebrate my bday. It was the perfect getaway (thanks honey)! This is us pictured at my pre - birthday dinner at an Italian Restaurant on the Island, Ciao.

Outfit Details: Shaggy Vest (Forever 21), Striped Dress (H&M), Black Skirt (H&M), Sandals (Charlotte Russe), Statement Necklace (DSW), Earrings (Charlotte Russe)

While my 30th year started a little shaky I am fully expecting an AMAZING year. I've already learned a great life lesson early on this year that in adversity I am being made stronger through my faith. So as I celebrate my 30th year on this earth I can write confidently knowing that I am moving in the right direction into the destiny of becoming my greatest self.

Happy Birthday to Me,
-Ali

P.S. Just know I am truly thankful to you my readers for allowing me to have a platform to showcase a sliver of my life through fashion! I appreciate you all more than you will ever know. This blog has been one of my greatest [birthday] presents to date ;)

Gray + Camel

I've discovered that camel goes with just about anything, especially other neutrals. Camel in collaboration with other basic color palettes comes together effortlessly. For today's look I decided to pair my camel duster vest and tan pumps with my favorite pair of sweatpants (which I scored from the men's section in Forever 21) and my gray long sleeve shirt. I threw on my faux fur stole that I snatched from H&M a few years ago for $5 to complete the look. The reason I love this look is the fact that it's so chill but yet still put together. The sweats are SUPER comfy along with the top, but the duster, stole, and pumps elevate the look to be a bit more polished. 

Outfit Detail: Duster Vest (Online Boutique), Gray Shirt (Forever 21), Gray Sweats (Forever 21), Tan Pumps (Forever 21), Sunnies (Forever 21), Statement Necklace (Fancy Kouture), Faux Fur Stole (H&M)

Which color combo are you willing to try? Camel + black, camel + navy, camel + brown, or camel + gray? Let me know in the comment section below. I hope you will incorporate camel into your wardrobe this season. It's the perfect neutral to compliment a bevy of colors.

P.S. I want to say thank you for the huge outpouring of support from my last post about my angel DJ. While, I was a bit hesitant to share my recent ordeal with you my readers, I knew it had to be done (you guys are like family). I'm glad I was able to open up about my experience and share my testimony from my greatest trial. Just know your kind words encouraged me beyond measure.

Happy Hump Day!
-Ali

Faux Leather Baseball Cap + Blush Duster Vest

Sometimes life shoots you a curve ball and all you can do is take a swing. The weekend of January 15th, my world got flipped, turned upside down. I went in for a routine ultrasound to check on Baby Anderson (at 28 weeks) when the nurse (later confirmed by my doctor) informed me and my husband that my baby had no heartbeat. 3 days later, January 18, 2016,  after having my labor induced I gave birth to Derrek Jerrell Anderson Jr. (aka DJ) at 6:48AM. My baby was the cutest sight I've ever seen. He literally was my sleeping angel! I wasn't able to blog let alone do much else last week trying to recover physically, emotionally, and spiritually. But this week I am trying to get back into the swing of things. 

Yesterday, while most of the east coast was recovering from the massive snowstorm that hit, the sun was out and shining brightly here in GA. Our pastor preached about finding the blessings in whatever situation you are going through. So I took his message and soaked up each ray that touched my melanin skin during this photo shoot after Sunday service. I used this moment to thank God for the blessing of shining on me even during one of the toughest moments in my life. For my first Sunday back post - delivery I chose to rock a casual yet comfortable look that was inspired by a look I saw on Pinterest. I paired my faux leather baseball cap with my faux leather pants, blush duster vest, gray sweater, and black wedges. I've worn this outfit before prior to seeing the Pinterest inspiration pic (simply swapping the faux leather baseball cap with my black fedora and adding a collared shirt underneath the sweater). I love how you can dress this look up or down by swapping just a few subtle accessories. 

My OOTD inspiration

Flexin'

Turn that frown upside down

Reflecting on life and this last week

Just enjoying the moment

Just me

Observing the beauty that God created

Soaking up the sun rays

Smiling in spite of the pain I may feel

Outfit Details: Faux Leather Baseball Cap (Forever 21), Faux Leather Pants (JC Penney), Sweater (Forever 21), Blush Duster Vest (Forever 21), Wedges (Target), Round Gold - Rimmed Sunnies (Forever 21), Feather Earrings (Charlotte Russe)

Today marks my new normal and I am trying to adjust to that. The only way I know how is by continuously finding the blessings (whether the blessings are front and center or hidden gems that are sometimes overlooked when we're so focused on the negativity) and pushing past the pain by smiling and soaking up the sun! I pray that whatever situation you're going through you're able to keep a smile on your face. I pray that your outer swag, matches your inner beauty and peace. And most of all I pray a blessing over you on this great Monday morning. No more "case of the Mondays!" We're going to celebrate life today and all the endless possibilities that we have to do exceptional things today. 

I hope you conquer your Monday with boldness :)

Luv,

-Ali