What To Buy: Military Jackets

If you haven't noticed already, military inspired items are quickly popping up in stores and promise to be a big trend for spring. You'll notice a lot of different takes on the military jacket — some opting for a more traditional look with a few feminine touches and others with a funkier approach. Here are a few to help you decide which fits your style and personality best.

Military Jackets by Aspiring Fashionista featuring GAP jackets

One of my favorite ways I've seen to wear one of these jackets is also the simplest. Krystal of This Time Tomorrow pairs her ModCloth jacket with a simple gray tank, skinny jeans, long necklace and studded shoes.

Military Jackets: This Time Tomorrow by Aspiring Fashionista featuring Forever21 shoes

[Click each set to shop the looks]

What do you think of this trend? Is it something you see yourself wearing?

Key Pieces: Strappy Booties

Key Pieces: Strappy booties by Aspiring Fashionista featuring Forever21 dresses

The Key: Madden Girl Kalypzo booties, dsw.com, $49.95
At about this time every year, I begin to hate all of my winter clothes and itch for new everything. I can't justify buying new winter pieces, though, because — according to the groundhog — there's only six more weeks, and I can tough through that, right?

Well, here are some booties to perky up your winter blues that can easily find their place in your spring line-up, too. A girl's got to be resourceful!

Now:
Paired with your favorite winter dress (I love this military Forever 21 dress!) and some tights, these booties will have you strutting your stuff around the office or out to dinner. With your bright winter coat and fave scarf, you'll welcome the longer winter.

Later:
Spring is about blossoming blooms. Cover yourself in florals and channel your inner hippie with a flowy tunic dress. Belt it at the waist with a fun, cut-out belt and layer a couple of pendant necklaces around you neck. A wood bangle is the finishing touch. Your booties help ground your light top half.

Click above to shop the look.

What pieces do you plan on transitioning to spring?

My Style: A Few of My Favorite Things

Between Christmas gifts received and Christmas money spent, I have a few new things that I've been dying to show you, plus a few old favorites that I just can't get enough of. Since they don't all work together as a cohesive look, I thought I'd feature them all on their own.

(Please excuse the poor picture quality. I'm in desperate need of a new camera because my current one sucks. Any recommendations for a good quality, not super expensive option?)

First up are these fab booties I got from DSW. You might remember a little poll I did asking you to help me pick a pair of booties and that the winner was the super cute Barracuda Booties from ModCloth. These are obviously not those. I waited too long to order them (I kept thinking I'd win I Spy Thursdays, and I'd been #4 or #6 tweet but never #5) and they sold out. I had some points and codes for DSW, so I ended up saving a lot on these, and I really love them. So I'm not too heartbroken.

Madden Girl Castillo platform booties, dsw.com, $44.95

They have a platform built into the base, so they're super comfy to walk in. I was a little worried about the material looking cheap, but they are so luxe looking in person. Love them!

Next are an old fave of mine. I got these fuzzy leopard print flats from Target about three years ago, and they have held up remarkably well. Whenever I feel and outfit needs a little punch, these are my go-to shoes.

Xhilaration leopard print flats, Target

They are so comfy, great for shopping days or casual outings. I love to pair them with skinny jeans and a simple top.

This green coat is my absolute favorite coat in all of the world. I got it for Christmas a few years back, and I haven't stopped wearing it since (which can be awkward in the summertime...). This picture does it no justice, because it makes it look teal-ish when it is really a rich almost emerald green. Being petite, it's hard to find a long coat that's not too long. This isn't even a petite, but it hits me in just the right spot. I love how it's collarless, which gives it a vintage vibe.

Green coat, Banana Republic/Scarf, Switzerland

Pair with it is a Burberry knock-off scarf my mom bought me while traveling with my grandmother in Switzerland. It goes with everything, even this green coat.

This coral necklace has been a staple in my winter wardrobe since it pairs so well with dark colors and adds a much needed pop to the winter doldrums. (That's my jewelry box behind it.) My sister got me this while she was studying abroad in Greece for a semester.

Coral glass bead necklace, Greece

I can't wait for spring so I can pair some bright colors with this pretty necklace!

Lastly, we have one of my favorite Christmas gifts this year, Coco Mademoiselle by Chanel. I had been hunting for a new perfume, and this is perfect. Not only does it look lovely in the bottle and on my dresser, but it smells so... ladylike? That's all I can come up with. It just makes you feel feminine and beautiful.

Coco Mademoiselle by Chanel, Dillard's, $90

I hope you've enjoyed this little rummage through my closet! I promise when I get a better camera, I'll do more My Style posts. Maybe even with me modeling the clothes!

What are some of your favorite things right now?

What To Wear: Valentine's Day, pt. 3

Valentine's Look 3 by Aspiring Fashionista featuring Forever21

Click to shop the look
Part 1, Dinner with your sweetheart
Part 2, Girls night out

If you opt to spend your Valentine's night in the comfort of your own home (or his home or your best friend's home), that doesn't mean you can't look great and dress up. Leggings are my go to staple when I want to look cute yet be comfy.

If you're having your girlfriends over for an ice cream and chick flick bash, then pair yours with a flowy tunic and wrap up in an equally flowy cardigan. The plastic cuff adds a little whimsy and fun and the flats can easily be kicked off to curl up on the couch.

If your honey is stopping by, slip into an ultra-feminine ruffly dress with drapey cardigan over it. A sweet heart pendant and gold flats give the outfit a dressed up feel without being over the top.

So, what are you Valentine's Day/night plans? Which look will you be rocking?

Hair Repair

Are you having bad hair days, too, Vienna and Posh?

As I've mentioned here a couple of times, I'm growing my hair out for Locks of Love (or maybe Pantene's Beautiful Lengths since they require two inches less). The reason that two inches sounds so appealing to me is because my hair is at the length where, if I weren't growing it out, I'd chop it all off because I hate it right now. I think it's lank and dull.

It's amazing how a bad hair day (or days) can really affect your mood or how if someone's hair isn't fab, you notice — like Vienna from the Bachelor and her Martha Washington hair-don't or Victoria Beckham's scarily tight bun/knob.

[Beck's hair bothers me the most. I mean, it's pulling at her face!]

Anyway. While I was scouring the Web for some bad hair, I decided to try to find some options for my hair and how to work the length. I went directly for the woman who, in my opinion, has the greatest hair of all time: Jennifer Aniston.

I'm thinking a fringe trim in the front and a tiny trim all around will cure my hair woes for now. I'm also going to get some hot rollers this week, because I think some bounce will liven up my lank locks. Then, when I cut it all off, I can copy Jenn's second look.

For now: Jenn's long bangs/For later: her wavy bob

I can't wait until my hair is long enough to pin into these milkmaid braids featured on Idée Géniale (pictured below).

[Idée Géniale is amazing. Probably one of my favorite blogs right now.]

What are your bad hair day cures? Who's long locks do you love?

Inspiration: Tiffani Thiessen on White Collar

Over on Facebook, all of my friends have been participating in "doppelganger week," replacing their pictures with a celebrity they've been told they look like. My friends insisted that I look like Tiffani Thiessen, so I've been happily parading around as her.

I love her look on "White Collar." It's the perfect professional look with a little sexy and fun tossed in. So, if Tiffani wants to share some of the clothing love with her "twin," I'm right here waiting!

White Collar Inspired by Aspiring Fashionista featuring GAP accessories

Who's your doppelganger?

What To Wear: Valentine's Day, pt. 2

Valentine's Day, pt. 2: Girls night out by Aspiring Fashionista featuring ASOS dresses

Click above to shop the look.
In case you missed part 1.
Be sure to watch for part 3 later this week: night in!

If you don't have a date for Valentine's day, that is not an excuse to sit at home in your Snuggie eating pints of chocolate chip cookie dough (although, I did pretty much just describe the best night-in ever). Grab your girls, some cocktails and have all then men you see wondering why your hot little self isn't on their arm tonight.

I wanted a skirt for the first look because I feel like they get neglected sometimes. This TopShop skirt refuses to go unnoticed. Paired with a super sexy, backless Victoria's Secret top and dazzling gold accents, you'll grab everyone's attention even with your back turned.

This Asos dress reminded me of Jennifer Aniston's gorgeous silver dress from a few months back. And if anyone is rocking singlehood, it's her. Bright red pumps and a fun two-finger ring adds a little daring to your dress.

Whatever you wear, a bright smile and your best girlfriends are a must!

In other news, we got a huge snow storm (well, "huge" is relative. I live in the South, and we got 3-4 inches plus a nice icy underlayer. Pretty much the most snow I've seen in one place ever) on Friday, so I got to stay home and cozy up by the fireplace. I wanted to rent some kids for the day so we could go make snowmen and have snowball fights, but, alas, I couldn't find a kid rental service in the Yellow Pages.

Also, I'm looking at master's programs, whether in English, journalism or some other writing program has yet to be decided. Part of me thinks I'm crazy because after two years of no tests, grades or homework, I have no desire to pick all of that stress back up. But the other part misses learning and classrooms and leaving feeling smarter than when you entered. So, we'll see where this path leads. All I know is that I can't go back to school and continue in the job I currently have because I'd write all day at work only to go home and write for school. And, although I love writing, I also like sitting on the couch in my Snuggie eating ice cream.