Another new series for the blog ! On Tuesdays (not everyone) I will be giving the update on what’s trending at the moment.

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*click on the numbers for the direct links to the items

With the weather going from basically freezing to warm enough to not wear a winter jacket in less than week, the spring jackets can now make their appearances. This past weekend I got myself a green military camo printed parka. I loved the jacket so much that I wore it three times out of four days and one of the days, I wore it twice. That tells you how much I loved it.

The army/military green color is great neutral color to break up your color palette or even tie it all together. Parka’s are a great transition piece from colder weather to warmer weather or vice versa.  Parka’s are also referred to as utility or cargo jackets because of their worker-esque look. Parkas stand out in their olive green color, or khaki as the UK likes to call them, but they do come in navy blue, black and every grey and tan. Also don’t be afraid to dress your parka up either, I even paired mine with a pair of heels – which is where the “street stylin” comes in. There are some great options with different looks available that allow you to either dress up or dress down, mix match different styles and come up with your own.

Here is how I wore my military jacket this past weekend. I wish I had gotten a better picture of the second outfit, but that was a quick save from SnapChat. My jacket is the #4 from the picture above.

Outfit #1 – Parka : F21 / Camo Shirt : Lord &Taylor / Jeans : Gap / Shoes : Puma \\ Outfit #2 – Parka :F21 / Baseball Tee Dress :F21 / Shoes : BCBGeneration \\ Outfit #3- Parka : F21 / Top : Brandy Melville / Jeans : H&M / Shoes : New Balance 574

Blogger Parka Inspo

Blair dressing up the Parka perfectly!

Helena dressing up the Parka as well, perfect for a night out look.

Jessie dressing up a unique green parka with white for a great summer night out look.

Alyson adding the Parka with white & blue for a casual spring or summer  daytime look.

Another way to dress up the Parka with white from Kat!

This is the first of a series that I have been wanting to do -Designer on the Dime, where I’ll be featuring pieces+ accessories from different brands that are available at a more affordable price. This week I have a double feature, due to my obsession with shoes and the fact that the weather should be changing soon, I had to feature both. Both of these shoes are from the same store but tune in two different designers/brands, Aquazzurra + Hermes.

Last season, I’m not sure which brand was the first to come out with the original lace up sandal, that later Zara made their own version and it took over the scene. As soon as Zara had their own version so did other brands and other places like the Instagram stores. They were all different yet the same. This season, the lace up sandal got upgraded to a better and greater version, that I like to call the lace up sandal 2.0. The Amazon Sandal from Aquazzurra has been around for a while, but not to many brands made their version of it and not too many people jumped on it. But of course the beloved Zara, took it upon themselves to create their version for a fraction of the price. They don’t look exactly like the Aquazzurra but close enough to them. The Aquazzurra sandal retails for $695 and comes in different colors and patterns. But the Zara version retails for $99 and is currently only available in black. But if you don’t  have a shoe like this, or if you want to wear these all year round, black is the perfect color. Online shops have also created their own version but of course the quality isn’t the same, where Zara used leather and not synthetic materials.

Zara Aquazarra Look Alike | Zara Hermes Look Alike

The next must have sandal is also a lace up sandal but with a different look, by Hermes. This shoe, in a unique mustard color has been seen on the feet, of who else but Kim K, sometime last year.  And most recently on Mama Jenner’s feet in Paris.

When I walked into Zara, something about this shoe made me like them and something made me not like them so much. What it was? I have no idea. I just know that once I started seeing it worn and all over instagram, my addiction kicked in and got the best of me. So I finally ordered them. The Hermes Sandal and the Zara version look similar but just like the Aquazarra sandal, they are not exactly the same, but you can seen where the inspiration came from. The Hermes sandal retails for somewhere around $700 and up, (from SS14, so they are no longer available )and the Zara version retails for $79, which I think is a steal for the quality and look of the shoe.

A closer look, comparing & contrasting them.

Yes, Girlfriend Jeans, they exist. Yes they are a real thing. Brands are beginning to give us this as an option as a denim cut. These are very similar to every girl’s favorite pair – the Boyfriend Jean. Boyfriend Jeans have been around for a while now and I don’t think they are going anywhere, anytime soon. However the Girlfriend Jean is like the Boyfriend Jean but slimmer, more tailored and not so baggy, especially around the calves and ankles. These jeans are perfect for the smaller ladies, who sometimes can have a hard time trying to find the perfect Boyfriend Jean, because they are too baggy and overpower your frame, or for those who’s legs are just a little too tiny compared to the sizes out there. If you haven’t had any luck with Boyfriend Jeans, try a pair of the Girlfriend jean, in maybe I size bigger, but they are still a little looser at the top like the Boyfriend Jean, but can be different for different frames. I liked the fit of the pair that I got from H&M, they kind of remind me of a better looking mom jean, but not so snug around the wast. The Girlfriend Jean is a great staple piece and a go to pair to add to your closet. Just like every girl needs/has a pair of  skinny jeans and boyfriend jeans, girlfriend jeans should definitely make as a must have piece in your closet, especially with Spring around the corner. Take a look at some of the girlfriend jeans & grab a pair !

The first time I noticed the girlfriend jean was in H&M and every time I went in I eyed them, but for some reason never took actual interest in them. I also thought it was just an H&M thing but I have quickly found out that it is slowly making its way to the shelves by many brands.

Find these here, they are currently on sale for just $20 & they fit great! These are the pair that I purchased at H&M , also referenced in my last post. On the model they look long, but I’m really short and they ended up at my ankle, which I then slightly cuffed. Just like the boyfriend jeans, they are never full length and look best cuffed.

This pair, comes in three different washes from Nordstrom. These look like they’d be a great option to go up a size in, if you want the looser look.

These are a great pair of a designer denim, if you want an investment piece.

These are also from 7 for All Mankind but a more basic option, that can be paired with many options.