Personally, I hate wearing sweaters during the summer. The problem is that you're out and about...places indoors have the AC blasting and that chiffon top you decided to wear to tackle the heat outside just can't handle it. I end up feeling way too cold inside...and way too hot outside.

And then what do you do about those breezy summer nights? Sometimes I'll bring a sweater if I know I won't be going home for the entire day but it's annoying to carry it around when you don't want to wear it.

The summer sweatshirt is cute and pretty functional for those situations! Pick one that is slightly cropped and has short sleeves. It'll give you the air you need for when you're outdoors and a bit more substance for when you're dealing with the cold AC. Of course, there are a ton of different ways to dress it up and down. It's a blank canvas.

On the left, I have it paired with casual floral shorts in a pastel yellow color to make it a warmer and more summery outfit. I thought the vans would be a nice touch to keep it relaxed and effortless.

TIP: **If you're still scared of getting chilly and the short sleeves isn't doing it for you, try carrying around a thin tank top or camisole in your purse. They fold up nicely and aren't as bulky. Run to the bathroom and add that layer underneath the sweatshirt and you'll have a bit of extra warmth!**

On the right, I have it paired with silky loose shorts in a bright orange color along with some matching sandals. I think having the silk against the boyish sweatshirt material makes it a lot more feminine and dressier. While the sandals are typically known as a casual shoe, the patent quality of these can help you get away with wearing it to a dinner with friends and family. It's a good outfit choice for people who like staying comfortable but maybe aren't so into wearing dresses as well as those who just need a quick change from their day outfit to night outfit.

There are a million ways to wear this sweatshirt. You can pair it with a circle skirt, high waisted denim shorts, jeans, boyfriend jeans, overalls, etc. It's a versatile piece with so much potential!

Let me know down below how you'd wear it!


~Jenn

For those of you planning to celebrate July 4th, here are a few outfit ideas that incorporate the Independence Day spirit! These are perfect for sitting on the grass watching fireworks or mingling with friends at a bbq.



If you'd like more details about each specific piece of clothing or accessory, please visit my polyvore at asmallbit.polyvore.com!

(From left to right)
OUTFIT #1
a) Super casual! The denim skirt gives it a down-to-earth feel while the tucked in t-shirt and belt still help maintain your womanly silhouette.
b) The cute American flag graphic is slightly faded, making it look worn in and comfortable!
c) The color of the sneakers helps brighten up the look a bit, making it more appropriate for the summertime.
d) If you find that it starts getting chilly at night, throw on a navy cardigan! The color will complement the yellow and the denim perfectly.
e) Star shaped earrings are a cute way to incorporate that aspect of the flag into your outfit if you're opting to wear a plain t-shirt.

OUTFIT #2
a) This outfit was inspired by the colors of the flag but rather than using the normal red and royal blue, I chose colors that were more summery and more in trend.
b) The polka dot pattern gives the look a bit more umf and is also kind of retro.
c) To pull the outfit together, I added polka dot flats but using a polka dot pattern that's subtler and has a solid color tip to mimic the match between the polka dot top and solid color shorts.
d) To bring out the white dots in the blouse, I chose pearl earrings.

OUTFIT #3
a) Kind of a stretch from the original American flag theme but I decided to use striped shorts in a light lavender color to represent the stripes on the flag.
b) The denim corset creates a nice solid contrast to the lighter colored shorts.
c) Since it's denim, the corset looks less risque and can be worn to many events but you can always throw something over it if you think it's a bit too inappropriate for family events.
d) I opted for JC wedges because they elongate the legs and the mint color complements the lavender quite nicely. To me, this color combo is supposed to be reminiscent of the red and blue found traditionally in the flag but that might be a little too off?
e) I added a bracelet that did have the traditional colors, just in case it didn't look patriotic enough! :)

OUTFIT #4
a) Crop tops are the epitome of summer and this pinkish reddish colored one is a great option for those who like it simple.
b) Instead of going for stripes, I decided to pair this solid tee with a small polka dot skirt that has bows going down the front. It's extremely girly!
c) Nude pumps with an ankle strap will elongate your legs and make it a little easier to walk while the peeptoe adds a feminine touch to the outfit.
d) The outfit can't be complete without matching bow earrings, of course!

OUTFIT #5
a) This last outfit is one of my favorites because it does use the classic red, white, and blue color combo.
b) I wanted it to look a bit edgier so I thought the silver skull ring would work nicely.
c) The silver tone of the jewelry matches the silver hardware on the shorts.
d) The black wedges bring the bright colors together but I will advise people to be careful when walking in these types of shoes! You can always switch this for black flats!


I sincerely hope you guys enjoyed this post! Be safe and have fun on Independence Day! :)


Until next,
{kiss kiss kiss}
~Jenn

P.S. If you'd like to see what I'm wearing for Independence Day, please check back on my blog next week :D!

A few years ago, I began noticing the ombre trend and recently, it seems that people are starting to get into it again.

Personally, I love ombre anything but I'm picky about color choices and how it actually fades. I find that sometimes, it can end up looking too tacky (which is true for a lot of things...) and that really puts me off.

Denim, however, is a super popular medium for ombre and I think ombre shorts are the perfect way to kick off the summer. Sadly, where I live, it hasn't exactly been prime weather for wearing shorts or anything summery for that matter :( {sniffles}

But hopefully you live somewhere much warmer and less rainy than I do!

Here is an example of how I'd style ombre shorts:



Let me know in the comments below what you think and how you'd style this trend!


Until next time,
{kiss kiss}
~Jenn