Dear Gray

Grayson you just turned 8 months as of Saturday, November 4, 2017! Not only did October fly by, but so did these past eight months. Where did the time go? It seems I ask myself this question every time I do a monthly reflection on your evolving life! 

Ever so often I go back and look at your newborn photos and I'm amazed at how you've changed so drastically physically, mentally, and through your ever changing personality. Your face has grown fuller, your melanin has gradually grown darker and richer, your body has grown longer and your personality has ballooned into an awesome little human being. 

Over the past month you've experienced some firsts:

• Your first FAMU (Florida A&M University) Homecoming (the first of many I'm sure) as a Baby Rattler. 
• Your First Halloween
• Your first trip to Tallahassee, FL

FAMU Homecoming

I love to introduce you to new places and new experiences (something I want to continuously do as you steadily grow). As mentioned above you had your first trip to Tallahassee, FL where mommy spent 5 years of her life as a Rattler at Florida A&M University on the highest of 7 hills. I loved taking you around campus, having you meet mommy's LC friends/sisters (your TT's), and introducing you to your Tallahassee extended family (Horace and Brenda - they absolutely adored you). It was an incredible trip. I hope we can go often so you grow up in the HBCU culture (there is absolutely nothing else like it on Earth)!

Story Time At the Library
Every Wednesday, we go to the library for story time. I think you really enjoy it because no matter how sleepy you are, as soon as we get into our group session and the librarians begin to sing, dance, and read stories you are VERY alert and attentive. You love to observe, dance, play with maracas, sing, interact with other babies, and see the bubbles. It's an awesome outing for you and mommy to bond and also meet different people/babies from all walks of life. Never abandon your curiosity and love for learning, reading, and developing! 

Halloween
This was your first Halloween. Daddy and I decided we wouldn't take you trick or treating because you are so young and you can't eat the candy anyways (plus we didn't need all that candy in our house...it's just junk for our bodies anyway). Mommy did dress you up as a Ninja Turtle (Leonardo - the blue ninja turtle) for the Halloween "Character - Themed Story Time" at the library (which actually occurred one week before Halloween). I also dressed you in a cute Halloween themed outfit for October 31 (in your "Trick or Treat" onesie). I can't wait to think of your costume for next year. I think I have it already in my head...but things could change.

Visitors
This month your God-mommy Jasmine came to visit you! She is a flight attendant (a person who assists the pilots and passengers on their flights to destinations all over the world) so she works quite a bit, flying the friendly skies. But, as soon as she got a tiny break in her schedule she wanted to come and visit you...so she did. She truly enjoyed your company and I believe you enjoyed hers too! 

You also visited with Grandma, Aunt Sherri, Cousin Horace and Brenda, two of your LC TT's Kita and Shari (aka roommate - whom I think you had a little crush on...you were giving her the ga-ga eyes) while we were out in Tallahassee, FL.

Noises
You currently have a new sound that you make, and it's pretty cute. You currently make this sound reminiscent of a tiny monster. It sounds something like R-A-W-R! You do it quite often these days. I think you learned it just in time for Halloween so you could scare off other babies lol. It's the cutest thing ever. It reminds me of  the scene in Lion King where Simba first tried to roar (Sidebar: remind me to show you the Lion King when you get old enough...it's a Disney classic and one of mommy's favorite childhood movies)! 

Teething Progress
You still don't have any teeth as of this post, but you LOVE to chomp on just about anything. You name it and you've probably had it to your mouth at any given time. Your latest things to chew on are: remote controls, my iPhone, your foot, your fingers, teething rings, your shoes, and your favorite your pacifiers. I can't wait to see your first pearly whites break through...we're waiting patiently for their arrival. 

Developmental Skills
At the moment you can sit up really well by yourself. You love to roll over when I place you on your tummy for tummy time. You have ZERO interest in beginning to crawl at the moment but I will keep encouraging you to try and allowing you time to practice. Sidenote: No matter how many times in life you fail, NEVER give up. Always try again. In the words of the late singer Aaliyah, "If at first you don't succeed, dust yourself off and try again!" These are great words to live by. You can say "da-da" more clearly now, and the cutest thing of all is when you wave "hi!" You melt people's hearts...especially mommy's when you show off your little wave. You are also expanding your personality everyday. I'm so glad I get to have a front row seat seeing you grow into your BEST self! 

Favorite Books
Anything right now by the author Lucy Cousins 

Snapchat & Other Technology
You love to play with mommy in different Snapchat filters. Currently the rabbit with the backwards baseball cap and bunny ears is my favorite filter for you and me!!! You also love phones (probably since we Facetime grandma daily), computers, and watching Sesame Street *cues Elmo's got the moves and the Elmo slide,*

All in all things are going well for you as you embark on month 8! I'm so proud of where you've come just in these short eight months and I can't wait to see you progress even more in the month ahead. Buckle up your seat belt for a crazy ride this November as we embark upon your first Thanksgiving and a slew of  other firsts. Your first time to meet Grandma Edna (daddy's grandma, your great grandmother). Your first Bayou Classic (which is Southern University - daddy's Alma mater vs. Grambling State University - Uncle Derryn's Alma mater). As well as your first visit (at our home) from your cousin Abel (this weekend)! It should be a grand time :)

via GIPHY

Love you with all my heart! We'll see you at 9 - Months!
-Mommy (and Daddy)

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

Mommy Vs. Wifey

In all three of this week's posts (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) I am going to show you how to  style basic items in your closet for extended wearability and a more versatile wardrobe. Today's styling edition will focus on transforming a simple dress from "mommy - on - the - go" to a "hot mama" ready for date night with a few basic swaps. So let's get started shall we?

THE BASIC

Today's basic is a simple tank dress I scored from H&M in my favorite color at the moment, army green. The dress is simple enough to dress up or down depending on your itinerary. 

DRESS//via H&M (very similar), (long - sleeved version)

MOMMY

While I'm in mommy - mode the most important thing for me is comfort and practical usage out of my wardrobe. I have to be able to move quickly, carry a growing infant (who is upwards of 17+ lbs), a car seat, and/or maneuver a huge stroller...all while tugging a gigantic diaper bag. Needless to say, I don't need a restrictive or impractical outfit to slow me down. While I still love to dress up when I go out (as mentioned in my last post), I have to think more about what the day calls for. Flats are definitely the real MVPs these days (sneakers, boots, ballet flats, sandals etc.) as I have not been able to really rock stiletto heels as much or for extensive periods of time since giving birth to Grayson. Comfort is KING! That is why this simple army - green colored tank dress is the perfect item for any mommy - on - the - go to have in her closet. This dress is a must have because it can be easily paired with an array of items in your closet, but most of all, it is easy to throw on and is a great foundational piece. 

To achieve my mommy look, I opted to wear this simple dress and pair it with my camouflage jacket, Superstar Adidas, gold - rimmed glasses, and a red lip. This look is super simple, but fool - proof to create (jacket + dress + sneakers = simple outfit)!

DRESS//via H&M (very similar) - CAMOUFLAGE JACKET//via Charlotte Russe (similar) - SUPERSTAR ADIDAS//via Footlocker - GOLD - RIMMED GLASSES//via Charlotte Russe (similar) - BAWSE LADY LIQUID MATTE LIPSTICK// via The Lip Bar

WIFEY

While I love being a mom I have to constantly remember that before I was called mommy I was crowned with the title wifey aka Mrs. Anderson! My hubby put a ring on it (shout out to Queen Bey) 5 years ago, so I try to keep things right and tight to keep our marriage spicy! He knows I love to dress up and go on dates (which are a little harder to come by, since we don't have an official babysitter for Grayson at the moment). So when I get a chance to get fully glammed up, I jump at the opportunity!

To achieve the ultimate swap from mommy to wifey in a flash I kept the same tank dress as my foundational piece but I traded my camouflage jacket for my fuzzy blush coat, my Superstar Adidas for my fringe booties, my gold - rimmed frames with a dope pair of sunnies, and my red lip for a nude softer pout! 

DRESS//via H&M (very similar) - FUZZY BLUSH COAT//via Forever 21 (similar) or (also similar) - FRINGE BOOTIES //via Charlotte Russe (similar) - SUNNIES //old (similar) - PERSISTENCE MATTE LIPSTICK// via (M.A.C)

With a few simple tweaks to your outfit, you can go from day to night in a flash, and turn heads in the process. *Cue Beyonce's "I'm Feeling Myself!"* You don't have to make styling items in your closet rocket science. All you have to do is find simple complimentary items that can be used to dress your basics up or down...and wallah, you have the perfect outfit no matter if you're having a mommy and me play date in the park or going on a hot date with your partner!

I hope you slay your day! Happy Monday luvs!

-Ali