do as the bloggers do.

When Gabby and I first met, we got on the topic of blogging 
(because what else do bloggers talk about when they're 
together? Just kidding... Kind of) we've both been long time fashion 
blog readers, semi recently turned fashion bloggers. We seemed 
to agree on quite a few things. One of those being the simple fact that, 
blogging is weird. 

If you've ever so much as glanced at a fashion blog or browsed
through a blogger's Instagram you may know what we're talking 
about... These fab fashion girls who ever so flawlessly look 
natural while doing what feels so perfectly unnatural to me.

Let me give you some examples.

So.... How are there always two hands in photos holding your
 phone, or in photos of your manicure? Is there constantly 
someone following you just to take these unnatural/natural 
photos of both of your hands? Maybe? I guess there is.

You're not actually spending time with your fabulous friends 
who work for WWD or some other huge publication unless it's on 
social media, correct? I guess we better spend our time together 
on Instagram so everyone knows we're spending time together... 
On Instagram.

Those walking photos... How many times do you have to walk 
back and forth to look so effortlessly cool?! Because we took plenty 
of steps back and forth and still couldn't get a good (fake) 
walking picture...

Does it not feel awkward and embarrassing taking selfies 
everywhere? Or maybe we just have to get over that feeling 
of awkwardness because honestly, what's not awkward about 
what bloggers do?

And lastly, how are you possibly creating all those odd body 
positions and looking so cool doing it? For me it's always 
that go to pose, then I'm stuck. Teach me your ways?

Don't get me wrong, I love fashion blogs... Leandra, Nicole, 
Danielle and their effortlessly cool style. Who else can wear 
overalls and a bikini and look awesome? As weird as 
blogging may be, I keep reading and loving them.

  tee vintage • jeans citizens of humanity • boots maison martin margiela • bag chanel (hand me down from bubby)• hat anthropologie

xxAli

collab with Look Sharp Sconnie
photos: Sarah Rose Smiley

easy. breezy. barefoot.

One perk to living on the lake and being out of the city is that it's acceptable to 
(almost) always be barefoot. No shoes can match up to a dress like this anyways! 
If I did need shoes I would only slip on a pair of flip flops! Maxi dresses are an
awesome, easy way to create a head to toe look without much effort. Let your maxi 
speak for itself and keep your choice of footwear toned down.... Need I say more?

  dress blue life

xxAli

(photos: Sarah Rose Smiley)

simple.style.

I have discussed my difficulty getting dressed in the summer (and all 

the time) with you before.... There's one thing that can help make this 

pretty darned easy. KEEP IT SIMPLE. Trends can be overdone before 

you even know it, so never worry about wearing a simple outfit. It looks 

sophisticated and put together in five simple style steps. 

1. Shirt 

2. Shorts 

3. Shoes 

4. Bag 

5. much too oversized sunglasses

Another tip, black and white will always be in style. Use this to your 

advantage! There's no harm in keeping it simple, you never want 

to over do it! 

  top tibi • shorts j brand • boots loeffler randall • clutch rebecca minkoff• sunglasses in god we trust nyc

xxAli

(photos: Sarah Rose Smiley)

hood river: iphone photo diary I

There are few things I love more than Hood River, Oregon. The wind, 
the water, the heat and the people. Oh, the wonderful people. We 
started coming here 16 years ago and we've built a West Coast family. 
It's always a joy to come back.

The outdoor possibilities here are practically endless. Hiking to massive 
waterfalls, paddling both flat water and killer downwinders in the swell, windsurfing, 
kiteboarding, mountain biking, you name it, they do it here. 

It's special to be able to travel across the country and feel like you're still home. 
Like every year, we'll be sad to leave. But, we know coming back is never too far away.  

xxAli 

(all photos from my iPhone)