Ways To Style Basic Black Bikers

Have you hopped on the biker short tend yet? I broke down a couple weeks ago and bought a pair after seeing countless bloggers modeling their biker shorts with tees and sweatshirts ... and I am so glad I did. Not only are they comfortable and perfect for summer (hello - short leggings!), but they can be super edgy and right on trend. On today's blog, I'm sharing a few easy ways you can rock a pair of biker shorts.

Pair with an oversized button up

This look turned out so classy chic. I threw on an oversized button down shirt. I kept the top half unbuttoned and put on a bralette underneath to show just a little lace. I tied a knot at my waist and put on a pair of cute sandals - and I have an outfit perfect for a lunch date, errands, or even brunch.

Wear with a jacket or blazer

For an edgy polished look, try pairing with a blazer or structured jacket. I put on a dressy utility coat, cinched my waist with a belt bag, and threw on a pair of dressy sandals. A good rule of thumb for this look: make sure your jacket hits below your crotch line, hitting about midway down your bikers.

Graphic Tee and a Denim Jacket

For an easy go-anywhere look, throw on an oversized graphic tee and denim jacket. I put on a pair of trendy sneakers to give this outfit a little more of an edgy look. Again - I like to keep my t-shirt hitting me below my crotch line, about midway down my biker shorts. If your t-shirt is on the shorter side, try knotting it or doing a half tuck. I would wear this outfit for so many things... a movie, to the park with my kids, the coffee shop with friends, or even for a Target run!

A Tank Top and Cardi

To style your bikers cute and comfy, throw on a tank top and oversized cardigan. I put on a white, but any color would work. My tank hits right at my waist, but still totally works with the biker shorts and longer cardi. I also put on a lacy bralette underneath my tank for a little contrast. I threw on a pair of tennies, but how cute would fuzzy slippers be with this outfit - perfect for working from home.

Sweatshirt

Finally, I threw on a cute sweatshirt because... east and effortless! Your sweatshirt could be your favorite college hoodie, athletic sweatshirt, or trendy hoodie. Whether it's oversized or cropped like mine, a sweatshirt with biker shorts screams spring time!

The only new item I purchased for all of these looks was my biker shorts. Everything else I had already hanging in my closet. Take a stroll through your closet and I bet you'll be surprised at just how many looks you'll come up with. Happy styling!

Remember to check out my Instagram @smalltownme and TikTok @small_town_me

Love Emily.

Ways To Style a Sequin Skirt

Do you know this skirt? That awesome fitted sequin skirt that hits right below your knee? Maybe you've seen it in stores and thought - so cute, but where would I ever wear that. Or maybe you have it in your closet just waiting to be worn. Today I want to share a few easy ways I like to wear my sequin pencil skirt.

Pair with a cute graphic top

I threw on a fun Mickey Mouse short sleeve sweatshirt with a pair of trendy kicks for a fun look perfect for hitting the mall or lunch with girlfriends. Don't let the sequins scare you. I like to think of this skirt as a neutral. A killer trendy neutral :) I love how it can be tamed down with a casual top and the right shoes. This would also look so cute with a pair of birks or your favorite college sweatshirt.

Wear with a graphic tee and hat

For a fun, trendy, laid back look, I threw on a graphic tee. I did a half tuck with mine to give it a slouchy look. Throw on a baseball cap and a cute pair of sneakers... outfit done! I love this look for a lunch date or a casual happy hour. Think of this skirt like you would a killer pair of jeans - you won't believe how often you reach for it.

Date night

For a fun sexy look, pair with a cute halter or tank top. Honestly, just about any top will work - lace, satin, floral... I put on a cute window pane crop top. I love how flirty but classy this looks. Don't forget a pair of killer heels and cute handbag. So cute for a dinner date, cocktail, or social event.

white tee and feeling effortless

Next, I put on a white v-neck tee and tied a denim shirt around my waist. Super cute... super easy... and the look is so effortless. I feel like there are so many places I could wear this outfit - out with girlfriends, brunch, a shower, or even book club. I love that this look is easy-breezy, and trendy-cool.

oversized sweater

Finally, I threw on an oversized sweater and combat boots. I did a half-tuck with my sweater to show off my waistline - I love the slouchy look this half-tuck gives my sweater. Cute and comfortable and proof this skirt an be worn year round. My sweater happens to be a solid navy, but a fun pattern would work also. Play around and have fun styling.

Whether you choose to wear this skirt for your next virtual happy hour or Netflix date on the couch, it will be such a great addition to your closet. Happy styling!

Remember to check out my Instagram @smalltownme and TikTok @small_town_me

Love Emily.

Shrinky Dink Time!

Shrinky Dinks. Who remembers them? They're those drawings you make on thin plastic, pop in the oven, and then presto! A fun little plastic charm! I used to make Shrinky Dinks as a kid often... and recently I busted them out again.

Back in March, I was supposed to go on a girls trip - a big crafting weekend we do twice a year. Some of us quilt, others scrapbook, but no matter what project we bring to work on, we all have a blast. One tradition we all do every time we go on a crafting weekend is make each other surprises. They're always just little things - tokens of our friendship. But theses little 'prizes' have become a big part of our crafting getaways.

This year, COVID-19 forced me to skip my highly anticipated girls craft weekend. And I'm still heartbroken over it. Still, I want to share the project I made for all my girls. I seriously had so much fun making these. My 10-year-old even ended up making a couple to give to his teacher for a present. (I wish I had a picture to share because his were so sweet!)

So here you go... Shrinky Dinks 101: (linked here)

For my Shrinky Dink charms... I traced the first letter of each girls name (super super easy to trace with Shrinky Dink plastic!), and then I drew an animal that starts with the same letter around her initial. Cute huh :) Color it in with colored pencils, and cut AROUND your design. These puppies will shrink up more then you think. When cutting out your designs, make sure you keep ample space around your drawing so when they shrink up, nothing gets cut off. ALSO - (super super important!) You need to punch your hole (to hang your charm) BEFORE you shrink.

Next, put all your cut-out designs on a tinfoil lined baking sheet - COLORED PENCIL SIDE UP. Place in a 325 degree oven and WATCH the baking process very carefully! This will take anywhere from 1-5 minutes. You will see the edges of your Shrinky Dinks start to curl up. After they flatten, give it another 30 seconds and then pull them out of the oven. Your charms are done!!

Now your ready to get crafty with your charms! I purchased these cute leather keychain tassels on AMAZON (linked here) and some extra jump rings (linked here). Using my needle nose pliers, I fastened my charms onto coordinating key chain tassels and ... done! My cute personalized keychain charms for all of my crafting besties!

And girls... if you all are reading this, your keychains will be in the mail as soon as this 'rona' quarantine is over. :)

Have fun making some Shrinky Dink art for your friends, with your kids, or just for your self! These would be perfect as gift tags on a bottle of wine, a hang tag on a baby or birthday gift, or even Christmas ornaments. I believe that being creative and making art is just another form of self care... something we all could use more of these days. Be sure to tag me on IG or TIKTOK with your creations! I can't wait to see what you make ;)

Remember to check out my Instagram @smalltownme and TikTok @small_town_me

Love Emily.