Getting To The Bottom Of It: Ali
The very first time I met Ali, I was working in corporate retail, and she was on a jumpsuit mission for a client. I had complimented her bag, fully expecting her to respond with a cool “Oh thanks” and continue about her business, like most people. Ali is not like most people. She did say “Oh thanks” and then proceeded to tell me what brand the bag was, where she got it, what she loved about it, all the good stuff. Cut to a year later, I’m working at The Hive, and in waltzes Alexandria Cool Girl herself, same bag, and same warm hello; I’ve seen her regularly ever since.
Ordinarily, I try to edit the videos that follow these posts down to right around the 5-minute mark but this one is an exception. It’s conversational, it’s a hang; why cut it short? The quintessential “hang,” for me at least, takes place in a treehouse. Growing up, if one had a treehouse they were automatically a little more exciting as an individual. That treehouse is where you wanted to be: where you could spill your guts, hash out your problems, trade Halloween candy…
I’m not sure how common treehouses are in Northern Virginia, but like me, Ali is a Pennsylvania girl and we live for this sort of thing. If you’re wondering where on earth this is going, just stay with me for a sec. Ali has neighborhood treehouse energy; she will always pull you in on her fun thing. She’s that person who’s really (really, really) cool, but not too cool for you. Approachable and genuinely kind, she loves to laugh, and I bet her Converse high tops had some type of torn shoelace from an adventure. Before she traded them in for Gucci loafers, that is.
It’s this type of charming practicality that makes her an amazing stylist. She’ll sit in your closet with you to talk through the styles that maybe you’d like to try out or items that appeal to you, but you aren’t sure how to wear, or maybe find a long-lost favorite that got shoved into a bag. She’ll be fishing her recently found rings out of her purse while she does this. Read: warm, fun, and probably wearing roller skates.
Her purse, both inside and out, is practical. It contains life’s necessities, is a classic “signature bag,” and can go on a train. Some of the contents are humorous, none are fussy, and all are chic and sophisticated. Even Sophie the Giraffe.
What more could we ask for?
Upon her recommendation, I immediately purchased what I’ve come to refer to as the Dior lollipop lipstick. It’s the perfect shade for treehouse hangs, after all. Ali’s clear purse organizers are genius, and I don’t know why I haven’t thought of them before. Over and over, I’ve extolled the virtues of the “bag-within-another-bag” approach; now we’re leveling up to be able to see what is in those bags without too much rooting around. One desk planner was floating around her Proenza Schouler tote for what seemed to be sentimental reasons and who can blame her? We’re all doing that in our closets to some degree, aren’t we? And would any girl be a girl’s girl without all those hair accessories? If you like lip products that put you in a nostalgic mood and ever wanted to hang out in a treehouse, I know the person for you!
