Sunday Life

This blog has always been a place for sharing fashion inspiration and my latest projects, but with this relaunch I've decided to share more about my personal life. Part of that is a look into my home life with Ryan and Elle.

This past weekend was very relaxing and I got to do quite a bit of cooking. I started out as a terrible cook, but since the launch of Pinterest in 2011 I have been a decent one. Yet, another thing I owe to the great social inspiration tool.

While I cook Elle usually plays with her toys in the kitchen. I love our home so much, and the kitchen is really the place where we spend most of our time. Even when guests come over we all congregate there. Although, I suspect it's food that draws us there more than the space itself.

As far as what I wear on the weekends, you can count on me living in jeans. I found this cute, comfy t-shirt at Urban Outfitters (you can get 2 for $24) recently, and I paired it with a J.Crew cardigan and polka dot oxfords from GAP. They don't sell the oxfords anymore, but they do have amazing polka dot pointy flats. I also wore a special Kate Spade necklace Ryan got me a couple years ago. I wear it A LOT! (Now I'm obsessing over this KS necklace, click here).

How do you spend your weekends? What do you typically wear? I'd love to hear!

Capes Aren't Just for Superheroes

Wintertime is Arizona is the best. It feels exactly like fall in the midwest. The leaves start to fall off the trees (FINALLY) and the air is crisp. The most you need to wear is a light jacket or sweater or, in my case, a cape to stay warm. I got this beautiful cherry red cape from ChicWish last year (try this grey one), but this is the first time I have worn it. It got shoved into the back of my closet and I completely forgot about it.

Since dusting it off, I have received so many compliments on it. You can wear this cape with or without a belt. I like it with a belt so that my waist is defined. I paired it with a patterned shirt so that my whole outfit wasn't color blocked.

Try out a cape if you find one you like. It's a unique and stylish alternative to your trusty sweater.

My Style Philosophy

What you value influences how you shop and what you wear. Do you value quality craftsmanship? Do you value whether something is eco-friendly or American-made? Do brand names matter? Do you believe less is more? Is modesty important to you? Many of us have a personal style philosophy that we use as our shopping filter before we even pick up a garment and ask whether the color is complementary, the style is flattering and the price is right. My philosophy is style is expression, not consumption. So, I often ask myself, "Do I really need this?" I believe that you can express your personality, creativity and values through your clothing without having to buy a lot. In fact, I think when given limits we show more creativity and problems solving. I'm sure we could all create five new outfits if we just stood in our closets for 10 minutes putting different pieces together.

Try it this week. See if you can come up with five new outfits with things you already own rather than buying a new top at Target even if it is only $4.99.

Photo by Imaginale Design Modeling, hair and makeup by SN Makeup Styling by AVE Styles Floral crown from Mignone Handmade

I Love Lucy & 1950s

Growing up, Ali, was an endearing name that only my mom called me. Hearing it takes me back to the days of being tickled on my parents bed, always listening to the oldies station and begging to stay up late to watch another episode of I Love Lucy. I've seen every single episode of I Love Lucy out there. I think I've also seen every Bewitched, I Dream of Genie and Mary Tyler Moore too. My mom and I loved spending time together that way, and I think that's how I developed a love of the 50's and early 60's.

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In junior high my favorite movie was Grease. I even got to play the role of Marty in my church play (PG version). After that I was a pink lady for Halloween two years in a row. When it was time for my senior prom my mom let me design my own prom dress. I designed a knee length, dress strapless dress with a full skirt that had powder blue tulle.

I love to dance, and in college I took a dance class almost every semester. My sophomore year I decided to take swing dancing lessons. I not only got an A in my class, but I walked away with a boy friend who is now my husband. =)

My love for the 50's has served me well, and I don't think I'll ever stop loving that era. Is there a time period that you most relate to?

View More: http://ginameola.pass.us/avestyles

Photo by Gina Meola, hair by Kim Cornwell, makeup by Stephanie Neiheisel. Skirt from ShopRuche.com.

Alexandra the Beautiful

Rarely do I hear or say my name, Alexandra, but I've always loved it. It's a very Greek name that has been passed down for generations in my family. When I just think about the name, I picture a beautiful and elegant woman that walks with confidence and grace. But, is that me?

I don't know if I am the most graceful, and I'm not sure how I feel about the description of "elegant," but I do know that I am beautiful and I am glad that I have found confidence. However, my journey to be able to say that I am beautiful has been a long one and there are still some days where my mind battles to believe that truth.

I've always been told that I have a lot of unique features. Unique is not a word that girls like during high school. Instead, girls want to fit in and look like famous models and actors. When I was only 14 I begged for a nose job and made an appointment with a plastic surgeon. I never noticed my nose was any different until kids starting pointing it out in school. They would ask how I broke it or say that I had a witch's nose...really mean things that still sting when I think about them. I ended up not getting a nose job more because I was afraid of anesthesia, but I'm really glad that I didn't.

There was also a day, and sadly, many days where I binged on food and then purged thinking that my curves weren't beautiful. Many tears have been shed over wishing my body looked different - even days where I didn't leave the house because nothing fit the way I thought it should. Terrible thoughts have plagued my mind and forced my eyes to stare at my stomach every time a mirror presented itself to check if it had gotten bigger or smaller. I would often put myself to sleep recounting what I ate and wake up planning my calories for the next.

Picking myself apart every day all while loving the fashion industry was very hard. It, honestly, was a big reason why I discouraged myself from pursuing fashion. You want to know something really interesting though? It was after I made the choice to become a stylist and really let myself be who I have been created to be that I found more self-confidence and appreciation for my body. It has ultimately been seeking the Truth in who I am and who I have been created to be that I have found freedom. Truth does set you free, and the truth is that I am beautifully made.

I love my curls, my hands, my lips, my teeth, my nose, my stomach, my mind, my creativity, my loyalty, my loud voice...I love everything. And, you know what my friends? I love my body even more after having a child.

I hope sharing my story helps and encourages you today. I've never publicly shared it before, and I guess it's in cyber space forever now, but I'm okay with that. There's power in sharing your life experiences. So, if you have any questions about my struggle with body image, please email me.

Photos by Gina Meola, makeup by Stephanie Neiheisel, hair by Kim Cornwell. Sequin skirt and shoes from Lulus.com.