That's crazy!!

Hello ladies. And my hubby (hi hon- you read my blog, dontcha??). I have been thinking this morning about how many times I have said "That's crazy!" or "It's crazy!" or "I know- I'm crazy!" these past few months. And yes- it truly is for me right now! I will explain.

I have a folder in my Ali J pics on facebook with me showing y'all some of the hat styles I had in for winter. It was really fun putting all those on of course, but in a metaphorical sense, all the hats I have to wear can really make me feel unhinged! I know, as women, we jump from one thing to another so fast our husbands or friends say, "where in the world did you come up with that?' I have heard it described as spaghetti. Women's train of thought (in many cases...not you lucky melancholy's probably...) goes from dishes to television to whether the kids are taken care of to the squeaky noise in the car to a friend's illness to the laundry. Big or small- we take it on all at once and try to manage it all!

Right now, it is very apparent to me that the hats I am wearing are some of the most important of my life so far. And the crazy part is that I have the privelige to actually wear them. Wife. Mom. Teacher. Business Owner. Friend. Sister. Daughter. I wonder if that feeling increases the older we get? Or decreases? Do we learn how to handle everything better, or do we learn to give ourselves a break?

As an overcoming perfectionist, letting myself not do everything my mind thinks I can handle is very tough. But, I am slowly learning that God will make sure His plan for me is fulfilled, in spite of me. In spite of my trying to be perfect, or trying to make everyone around me comfortable. I guess that isn't my job, huh? That is between them and Him. I want to be the person who can find more rest in that. Trust it. That He is the great vindicator and I don't need to worry making a case for myself. I just need to listen..or try to. I don't always hear Him but when I do, it is SO SWEET! That is what keeps me going- He is there, I can have faith and learn to trust.

So, for this business woman, I don't need to worry! He had the plan for the expansion of Ali J Boutique all worked out before I started selling scarves in coffee shops. He knows where it is headed, and frankly, if it is headed nowhere, I am to trust. Because He will take care of me. It is wonderful being able to encourage and uplift women in this little shop, but I sincerely believe if that is my gift, He will use it to His glory in here or elsewhere.

I am truly excited! Excited to see what is in store for Ali J's! Excited to see how I can be a blessing and serve this community and from there, who knows??

Blessings,

Ali

Lovely.

I really love Pandora. I love that I can put in an artist and then I don't have to think after that, except for when they play something WAY out of context..and I am like Snoop Dogg? On my Colbie Caillat station? Hmmm....

For the most part, I love it. A song by a gal I am not familiar with (yet) just played and it made me stop in my tracks. I of course clicked on the "thumbs up" but I wish there was another button when I REALLY like a song...a high five button? A jump up and down and squeal with delight button? A running man button!! A little dude doing the running man. That would make my year. So what is this song?

It is "Lovely" by Sara Haze on her album "My Personal Sky"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fj4j9XQZ2TM

"Am i supposed to give up everything I am just to make you happy?"

"I am lovely just the way that I am."

How I wish I could have heard and believed this when I was 16. But that's ok. It has taken me a while- and I have a pretty harsh past history with figuring myself out, but God will use that. He already has and will continue to use it for His glory.

You see, in this song, it talks about not giving up your identity for someone else- that we are find being "little old me". But what it doesn't say is WHY. I had to learn this. I am perfect the way I am not because of this world, or because other people say I am, or even because I have found how to love myself. I am confident in myself because I AM HIS CREATION. We hear and read so many things about "loving yourself" "forgiving yourself" and all the flowery talk about searching within. But the problem is, until I realized that God is within- that He grants me all the beauty I posess, my searching was futile. People who don't include God in their encouragement to love themselves will keep going back to that same emptiness- well why didn't it last? I practiced self-talk and uplifting behavior- but I once again feel empty? It is because there needs to be a source GREATER than us. We are human and we are not capable of filling our own voids. We mess up. We hurt those around us. We fall. He doesn't mess up. He doesn't hurt us. He never falls.

So my message is this- if you are feeling like icky thoughts keep creeping back in despite your efforts to love yourself and "earn" positive self image, maybe you should consider your source. I have found I cannot do it for myself. I have to ask for my eyes and thoughts to be from Him.

Blessings~

Ali

Small town girl with big thoughts this mornin.

Lawdee dawdee da...lawdee dawdee down...I'm a small town girl makin it in a...SMALL TOWN.

K. Sorry. That's what has been going through my head this mornin! No big city for this girl- although I told my hubby last night that it sounds romantic or exciting or something..to imagine what a country girl like me would feel "making it" in New York or PARIS (!). But then again, what is "making it" ??? I guess that is relative. To me, I am MAKING IT now! This year has been Crazy Blessed- thank you LORD for proving to me that the visions you have given me over the past 5 years were meant for me specifically, after I put in the work, the tears, and the dedication.

This picture showed up on my facebook feed this morning, and I felt a twinge to talk about it with y'all:

Ok. I want to first put out a disclaimer. I do not know for sure if the gals listed in the top row are naturally thin like that (as some gals are!) so I will not be putting them down. That would be hypocritical, as the point I hope to make is that we are all so very very different that all shapes should be appreciated for the unique works of art they are. One could very well argue that their shape isn't like ANY of the 8 gals, so where does that leave them? And I say that leaves you unique. It leaves you exactly YOU.

But to go along with what I believe the creator of this picture is saying, is that the "ideal" shape for a woman has changed so dramatically in the last 50 years that the shape that was much more natural, or curvy, or lets face it: FLUFFY is no longer. Except in a few cases in Hollywood (kim k, j.lo) it seems these curves are seen as "plus size" and these gals are somehow put in the category of being brave that they would shock of all shocks- actually embrace their curves!!

My point? In my ideal world (I imagine this all in my head- a land of such diverse bodies and shapes and absolutely no judgement...) there would be no terms like "Plus size" or "Ideal weight" because they are such obtuse words if you sit and think about it! At what point to we all decide this gal is now over the threshold of minus to Plus? Odd if you think about it. And ideal weight? Ideal to whom? Can ya see my bones, cuz they may be some substantial bones! :D

SO! I get what the person who posted this was trying to portray, and I do absolutely support fluff because that is what I believe God created woman to have- soft spots for her family to land on. But, moreover, find your sweet spot that is uniquely YOU- where you feel healthy, where you know you belong, and step out in the confidence that you are exactly how you are supposed to be.

~Blessings~

Ali

We have the IN- BETWEENERS!

Okay, huh? What are the in-betweeners?

I am referring to clothing. Fashion for the gals that no longer feel comfortable shopping in the Juniors section, but aren't quite ready to go over to the ladies. For example, I used to shop Herberger's quite a bit. I hold nothing against this store, this is just my personal experience. I would have to search through the entire Juniors section to find a couple items that just might have a long enough torso in a top, or a rise in a jean that would actually cover my booty. Then, I would head over to the ladies section, and try on jeans and maybe find a couple of options that were below my BELLY BUTTON. Quite the diff.

Yes, I know, there are other places to shop. And trust me, I did. Before I had the shop, I was a professional shopper for *myself* Thank you Lord for giving me another outlet....

Now I get to buy cute stuff for all you chicks! And we have those in between styles for ya! Not exactly Juniors, but not exactly Ladies section (we do carry some juniors and ladies, but you know where I am going- we have it ALL).

If you have thought or experienced what I have in this regard, come on in. We would be happy to show you our jeans that are right in between. And our tops that are cute but young....enough.

We really truly love to help.
Blessings,
Alison

Boots? Did someone say BOOTS??

If there is one thing that rivals my love for SCARVES, it would have to be boots. I collect them in every shape and size...from shoeties to over the knee boots (which, since I am tall ACTUALLY hit under my knee...but I digress...). I get giddy when the fall weather is turning crisp for mainly one reason: my boots get to show their pretty little faces again!!!
Okay, here is why I think boots are awesome.

~Comfort. The shaft of the boot hugs your calves, making them very easy to walk in. Even boots with a heel have great support from their height. A lot of boots nowdays are made with a platform under the toe, so even if you have a 4 inch heel, it feels like just 2.5. They really are focused on comfort with boots, and I fully appreciate style WITH comfort. Here are a pair that are totally classy fab, with a bit of a platform in the toe for comfort:

~Variety. Every shape, height, and style is IN. I love that! Here is one of my fave booties right now:

~Detail. You can totally find a pair of boots that are unique, detailed, and just right for YOU! I am loving the added comfy sweater top on the first boots...AND the darling lace up on the back of the second. Either would totally be my go-to-boots for everyday style!

All that being said, I don't mean to tease you with putting pictures up of these cute boots. SO...I will try my hardest to get them into Ali J Boutique!!! Keep watching my Facebook for when they arrive...and come in quick to make sure your size is still available! They are going pretty fast!

Blessed,

Alison

I dream of Jeans!!!

I am a jean fanatic. Just ask my sister- as she is the recipient of a load of them each year that I have cycled through. I love finding new brands, new styles, new flattering cuts. In the past, I have been a fan of Gap, Banana Republic, Express, Silver, Lucky, BKE, Hudson, Miss Me, Levis, and off boutique brands to name just a few... I am an equal opportunity denim officianado!

I think my obsession began when in one summer I grew three inches, requiring me to seek out longer inseams and cute shapes that weren't too old for my age. It was tough for a while there! It seemed as if the unique styles were made in just the "regular" inseams. I remedied this by becoming my own designer for a while. I would take the bottoms off old jeans, and literally sew on length to the ones I liked. I was a master at pulling out the hem as well. That worked for a while in college, when I went through a mix n match, casual stage. But then I wanted to get into a more long and lean look. So I searched. And searched. And I got Lucky. As in Lucky brand jeans :) They were fabulously long, but PRICEY for a college student for sure! I worked my weekend job for a whole month to buy three pair. But it was heaven!

As I have gotten older- I have been able to find more styles and brands. I think companies are realizing they can sell the long lengths well and don't need to put a three digit number on the price tag. So, here are my faves right now (yep, they are in my store, I am so glad I get to sell what I like!):

What makes these jeans extra fabulous is that they are what I call a perfect cross between jeggings and denim...they have a great stretch! BUT...are ya ready? They KEEP their SHAPE!! Hallelujah, let me hear it! No baggy buns, stretched out waist, etc. They are genious let me tell ya. And just as much as I like finding a deal, I like giving it. So they are around $50 a pair, You're Welcome. :P

If you want a deal, come on in and try three pairs of jeans on and you will receive 10% off a pair. Just mention this blog post and we will hook ya up.

Blessed,

Color!!!

Hello Ali J Boutique fans, I am Stacie the Ali J color {Mixmaster}. I have always been driven by color; I think it plays an integral part in our daily lives. I believe that color can help inspire, alter moods, and even change our perspective.

~Think about how your memories are alive with color and how some of your favorite things are tied to your own color pallet.~

I have an art background so I am constantly creating new color combinations and breaking the neutral boundaries. My newest favorite neutral is grey; it can be used with an assortment of colors and comes in an abundance of shades. I like to find one good neutral and then go to each end of the color spectrum with some of the other pieces. Try mixing chartreuse and a charcoal grey with rich teal. The richness of the colors will just make your ensemble come alive!

Each women needs to find her own colors that work for her and then play with different combinations that will just enhance her features. I have very fair skin with a lot of pink tones in it, so to counter that I like to wear a lot of cool blues and greens that enhance my eyes and the rose of my cheeks. If you need help finding colors that work for you or want to mix up a new color combination please STOP IN and we would be GLAD TO HELP.

Ali J Boutique

Friday and Saturday, 9-5

15 Main Street South

New London, MN