Stay safe. Give forward. Stand Tall.

I want to start this out by giving you a round of applause. I really don’t have the words to describe the time that we are in but what I do know is that if you are reading this, you are here, doing the best that you can, and I am proud of you for that.

While we don’t know what the future holds, we do know that we are going to have to continue to take measures to stay safe. There are many ways that we do this but one that is at the center of them all is wearing a mask at all times outside of your home.

While wearing a mask is not something that we would normally choose, it is an essential act of love for all of us. It slows the spread of viral particles, which helps to protect ourselves and others. it is literally a shield in our battle and I wanted to do my part to provide well constructed (and I would be lying if I didn’t say stylish) masks to those who want them and also vital masks to vulnerable communities in the Bay Area that need them. So I put on my creative cap and got to work…

Stay safe. Give Forward. Stand Tall. Check out the limited edition Pineapple, Gingham, and Animal Print face masks HERE. Also, learn how you can Give Forward HERE.

Shop TallSWAG masks Here. Give Forward HERE.

PS. Shoutout to the absolutely terrible job that I did on my eyebrows. When Eyebrows Go Wrong should be a show that I clearly should star in. I was going to throw this montage in the computer trash but I have to live my terrible eyebrow makeup truth. I mean, were the lights even on when I was filling them in? Sadly yes, yes they were. Now, back to our regularly scheduled program. Focus on the Pineapple mask;)

The limited-edition Pineapple, Gingham and Animal Print masks allow you to practice safety while also expressing who you are. Most importantly, they reserve surgical and N95 masks for the healthcare works on the frontlines that desperately need them.

The best mask out of all of these are the masks that you can help provide for vulnerable communities in the Bay Area. For every $5 you donate, someone in need of a mask will receive a handmade, 100% tightly woven cotton, double layer, washable, durable, reusable face mask. It’s well constructed, universal and will provide essential coverage for those who need it.

Give Forward HERE.

Thank you for helping all of us! I can’t wait to bless people with these masks. It is vital that we all stand together against this. Thank you for your support! I will continue to pray that you, and all of us, Stand Tall through it all!

Falling for Amalli Talli

We have been tall style blogging together for years now and I hope you know that sponsored or not, I am always going to give you the real. If I like something, I am going to tell you. If I don’t, I will certainly tell you. So when Amalli Talli approached me about working together to bring their brand new tall line to you, I needed proof. So they sent me all the things. Almost every new piece that they had and let me tell you, it delivered.

The quality is amazing. I was incredibly pleased especailly for the price range. Pieces from moto jackets to jeans to cozy sweaters range from $44-$95. That is unheard of for a line such as this. You may or may not know this but it’s incredibly hard to hit a price point like that when you are an independent designer like Amalli Talli. It’s literally two amazing women spearheading the whole operation and they did everything they could to make the price points affordable for tall women everywhere. That in itself wins my support.

But on top of that, the clothes are specifically made for our tall bodies. It’s not a let’s add an inch to the bottom of these pants type of line. It’s crafted for our beautiful long arms, remarkable torsos and killer legs. You feel it when you put the pieces on. It’s an experience that we don’t often get and I for one appreciate the moment.

Last but certainly not least, I am super happy that they are pieces that you can mix, match and layer. You can create so many outfits. As you can see, I created 6 and I could have styled more.

So in summation, I am looking forward to the next drop (which I will obviously show you). Check out all of the pieces and let me know what you think. I can’t wait for you to experience it yourself. Report back and share because I think we should all know about stellar tall style, don’t you?

Leopard Sweater - $60/Blakely Skinny Jean - $69/Knit Moto Jacket - $95

Sweater and jeans shown in a M. Jeans shown in 30/37.

Striped Sweater - $50 (shown in M)

Black Lace Cami - $44 (shown in a M)

Favorite Tall Crew Long Sleeve (shown in a M)/Black Moto Leggings (shown in M)

Teal Swing Tank - $45 (shown in size M)

Oatmeal Duster - $69 (shown in size M)

Thank you for sponsoring this post Amalli Talli. Check out the latest line from this amazing tall retailer HERE.

The incredible photos were taken by the one and only Alina Mamlyuk

Keep the Door Closed

Photo by the one and only Alina Mamlyuk

I have learned many lessons in my life, especially in the last year. They were all completely necessary and vital to the success of my purpose. Perhaps the most powerful fact that I gained this season is to be thankful for the closed doors.

After I resigned from my job, I mourned the closed door for 3 solid months. I stood there looking at it hoping that in some way the door would crack open, the uncomfortable comfort would seep out and I would be who I thought I was supposed to be again. There came a moment when the grief was exhausting and I took a baby step away, then another and another. The door slowly but surely faded into the background of the beautiful hallway that I was traveling down. I failed to see it because I was too busy looking at a rickety, old, dilapidated door that was doing nothing for me and hadn’t served me for years even when I was inside of it.

That closed door introduced me to a gorgeous life. Without it, I would never have seen the beauty of the current day. I am so incredibly thankful for it. As a matter of fact when a door is closing, I slam that bad boy shut, seal it with nails and block myself from ever walking into that exit again. Some would call it cut throat. I call it clear direction. Closed doors create intentional forward movement because the only option you should make, is to walk away from them.

But of course as humans, not only do we stand there and look at the door, we also do everything in our power to pry it open. We will literally harm ourselves to get a glimpse of what God no longer wants us to see. About an hour ago, God closed a door for me. In the past I would have lunged at the knob and used all of my might to keep it open but instead I thanked God for His decision and wished the door well. I bid it adieu and kept it moving.

I can’t tell you how good it feels to know that I am walking towards the doors God wants me to walk through instead of entertaining the ones that are departed.

There are literally people (I was one of them) that reside in dead doorways. We fear whats on the other side of them so much, that we stay stagnant. We incarcerate our purpose in a memory.

I say all that to say this: don’t be that person.

There is no time to delay. Start following the map that God has literally laid out for you with every single closed door. While they don’t always make sense, they are concluded to create movement. Thank them for the experience and move onward my friend.

Sweat Equity

We have all been there. You are straight chillin on the couch, when your friend calls last minute with something fun that you just can’t pass up. You only have moments to get ready and are currently in sweat mode. What to do? Remix those sweats boo!

You can add some very small things that will make a big impact on a chic athleisure look. In this case, I added a simple faux leather jacket, hoops and some nude pumps. Seriously, thats it. I guarantee you already have accessories that you can add. No purchase necessary. Just go in that closet and mix it up.

ASOS DESIGN Tall Hoodie & Jogger Set (shown in size L)/Faux Leather Jacket - ASOS (similar here)/Glasses and Hoops - Forever 21/Pumps - Calvin Klein (shown in size 12)

Photos by Alina Mamlyuk

If you are looking for sweats, I highly recommend the ASOS loungewear line but if you already have them, there are simple, easy and free ways to pump them up 20 notches. Try some things out. The worst thing that can happen is you have to buy a new pair of sweats and the best is unlocking new looks you didn’t even know you had in your closet. That doesn’t sound like much of a risk to me. Besides, you need that emergency look on hand for that one last minute friend that we all have, know and love. Stay ready so you wont have to get ready. Period.

Werking from Home

In the past 8 months, there have been so many changes in my life. Despite the best of plans, I don’t think that you can ever be ready to catapult into full time entrepreneurship. It’s incredibly freeing and sometimes equally as terrifying. You are literally steering the ship and relying on your own volition for everything. It took me some time to adjust. Driving your own cause takes will power, meticulous scheduling and a lot of prayer. I have called out to God more times than I can count. However at the end of the day, it’s completely worth it.

One of the biggest adjustments has been working from home. I was business casual for 13 years and now I have a commute of zero. I literally could work in my pajammie jams all day. Ok, for a time I was but I found that my mind would stay in bed as long as I still had the clothes that I slept in on. So what do you do? Sit at your computer with a full suit on? That would be a full on negative ghostwriter for me. If I am at home, I am going to be comfortable but I also need to be able to pick up and go at a moments notice. So what’s a tall girl to do? I jumped on the net to find the chicest of sweats and landed at our good friend ASOS.

Admittedly, I could wear the ASOS tall line every single day and especially now because the loungewear is straight fire. This ribbed top and pant are a prime example of the amazing pieces they have to kick it in the most fashionable way possible.

And when I have to run to a meeting or meet up, I pick out my pineapple (aka fluff the fro), throw-on some accessories and I strut down the street like the boss I was created to be. In this case, I literally added an earring, circle bag and block heels. I go from work-at-home chic to power meeting ready in the blink of an eye.

These are sweats people! I mean it’s changed my whole style point of view. Fierce and incredibly comfortable at the same time? Sign me up! Let’s take this lewk in shall we!? Scroll and I will see you at the end…

Photos by Alina Mamlyuk

ASOS Tall Lounge Ribbed Knit Set (shown in a size 8 top and 10 bottom)/ASOS Circle Shopper Bag/ASOS Leopard Block Heeled Sandals (shown in a size 12, SIMILAR here)/ ASOS Circle Drop Earrings (SIMILAR here)

You will undoubtably see my style changing in different ways. My life is vastly transforming and that means that everything is morphing to compliment it. I look forward to sharing these new lewks and lookout on life with you. We are constantly learning in growing in all areas and I am honored to do it with each and every one of you. Talk to you soon gorgeous!

Temple Talk

We will be working on these glutes because I used to have them so I know they are in there somewhere.

Photos by Lakeela Smith

MPG X LTS Revitalize High Waist Legging (shown in size M)

MPG X LTS Interlace Sports Leggings (shown in M)

MPG X LTS Re-Energize Mesh Overlay Tank (shown in size M)

UA Curry 6 (shown in size Men’s 11)

Exercise is not something that I can say that I enjoy from my soul. It does amazing things for my body, soul and depression but actually doing it is not my version of fun. So I table it often. I can go for months without doing it but in reality it’s something that I must make myself do. My body is literally my temple and I have not been stewarding it well. My family health history is no bueno and I am not helping the cause.

So it’s time. Time to get this healthy living started. Sigh. I really have to mourn my bad healthy eating habits and lazy couch days for a moment because they are so incredibly comfortable, warm and friendly. I go back and forth on uncoupling with them forever or simply hollering at them every now and then. I just don’t know if I can move forward without knowing that I have access to them.

But what I do know, at the current moment, is that I have to be active at least 3 times a week. That means discipline, time and money because training myself is not my forte. I know my strengths and I need someone to coach me or it will more than likely not happen. Side note: if you want to work together with me in some way to strengthen my health and showcase your strengths, let’s make it happen!

So I started this week and got two days in. Those 2 days made me feel phenomenal. I know that I am on the right track and need to continue to push myself because health truly is wealth. I need to do this for my mental, physical and future. It’s not an option, it’s a must.

Of course, I ran into the problem of workout clothes. We are constantly in capri mode. And while that works, it shouldn’t have to be that way. So when I tried on these workout clothes from Long Tall Sally, I lightweight cried. Full disclosure, this doesn’t take much. I am known to shed tears over emotionally charged commercials but having workout clothes that fit definitely is a moment.

These workout pants are everything. I mean everything. They have just the right amount of stretch, are long and I LOVE a high waisted pant so these are my entire jam. The overlay tank is great as well but these pants are legit. In my opinion, they are worth the money because of the fit and construction. Think about how many $30 pants you have bought over the years. Think about how many of these pants that you could have bought with that money. Pants that fit and last? Yessir. Sign me all the way up.

That leads me to another thing I am working on. Quality over quantity. I am selling, giving and pairing down a lot of my things. Things that no longer serve you weigh you down. You have to release them to realize the full power of your path. So you will see me wearing these often because you don’t need a full closet of workout clothes to work out. What you need is a washing machine and I am blessed to have one. Side note: washing machines are a luxury item. Most of the world don’t have them. Be thankful.

I look forward to working on these things with you. I really appreciate you being here. I know it’s hard but I am thankful that we can stand tall through it all together.

XO, Alicia