Styling Denim Shorts for Summer

Here's the deal. I don't think you can ever have too many jean shorts. Really. I have a stack in my closet - and they are all different! Shocking, right? Different washes... different amounts of distressing... different lengths... and just plain different details. From around April through October my demin shorts make appearances weekly... sometimes even daily. And if you're in a warmer climate then Minnesota, you are probably reaching for your denim shorts year round - and I'm jealous! Finding that perfect pair that fits you like a glove gives your outfit such an effortless vibe. Plus - they just plain feel good. There are limitless ways to style denim shorts - from ultra casual to dressy. Today on the blog I'm giving you ideas to get even more mileage out of your denim shorts this summer. Get ready to be inspired!

First of all, thank's to the fashion trends of 2021, you can find denim shorts in practically every rise known to man. The versatility of being able to choose how high you want to wear your cut-offs is everything. Crop tops are no longer awkward. Pairing a cute cropped tshirt or sweatshirt with a pair of high rise shorts gives off the perfect casual vibe. And if you have a tshirt you want to tuck in, the high-rise still works. Here, I added a crossbody bag to play with the waistline of my shorts. Super flattering, and it adds just enough interest to my basic white tee and cut-offs.

For a lower rise denim short, try throwing on your favorite tshirt and adding a front tuck. This is honestly one of my summer go-to's for running around and just hanging out. It's such a comfortable look and will probably never go out of style.

Another option for those low rise (or ultra short) shorts... swimsuit coverup! Whether you're rocking a bikini this summer or a cute one-piece, wearing denim shorts as your coverup is easy and plan-proof! I tend to reach for my shorts as a coverup when I'm heading to the cabin or on a boat... you never know where the day is going to take you. Grocery store for a quick food run... a restaurant or bar on the lake... or stopping by a friends cabin by boat just to say hi. My cut-offs have had my back on more then one occasion.

One more styling hack I've done with my ultra-short shorts, is wearing them under a dress that may be borderline too short. I've done this more then once, and it always works out to my benefit... Whether it's a sudden gust of wind that blows my dress up, or it's just me sitting down only to realize my dress appears WAY shorter then I remember (sadly true)... the peek-a-boo of frayed shorts under my dress looks planned and a little chic.

Finally, it is so easy to dress up your favorite denim shorts! Adding the right accessories can elevate your look from 'errands' to 'date night'. Try adding a statement necklace to instantly elevate your denim. Or switch out your shoes to a cute pair of platform sandals and pair with a statement bag. Adding just a little feminine detail can bring your look from cute to chic.

When styling my shorts with a dressier shoe option, I like to reach for a cute platform or wedge. This is not the time to bust out those stilettos - I'm just saying. If you want to wear a heel, try a block heel or low to mid-high sandal. A little heel will really accentuate the curves on your legs... but too much heel can bring on a trashy vibe. My rule of thumb - if I'm questioning whether my shoes are too high or not, I change my shoes. Always be comfortable and authentic to your style.

Start looking at your denim shorts with an open mind. There are literally so many cute ways to style them. If you have a cute top you're dying to wear, try it with a pair of denim cut-offs. And it the cut doesn't look quite right, try on another pair of shorts! There have been days were I have literally changed my shorts four different times before finding a pair that works. It is what it is. Seriously - there are countless styles out there and they all bring a little something different to your outfit. Happy styling!

Remember to check out my Instagram @smalltownme

Love Emily.

Beauty Finds I'll Be Purchasing Again

About a month ago the big Sephora Spring Savings Event happened and my cart was full of goodies. Some things were my favorite beauty staples, while others were new products I wanted to try. Here's the deal. I am in no way a beauty blogger. I tend to be a creature of habit - finding products that work for my skin and lifestyle and sticking to them. When I talk about ANYTHING... especially beauty related, it is products that I use and love. I'm not an expert, but I know what works. Today on the blog I'm sharing 6 new beauty finds I'll be purchasing again!

First Let's talk brows. I've been filling in my eyebrows for years using my favorite Hourglass brow liner (linked here). I've always been 100% happy with how my brows look. One beauty addition I've been wanting to add to my routine is a brow gel. Something to finish off my look. During the sale, I decided to purchase the Anastasia brow gel and I LOVE! It has a slight tint that really works well with my pencil, and I love the way it holds my brows in place. The applicator works just like mascara and the hold like hairspray. I'm wearing the color BRUNETTE which works perfectly for me.

Next is a foundation primer. Primer is something that I just started using in 2021. Being over 40 (gasp), my skin is not what it used to be. I need all the smoothing weapons I can get. Enter the addition of primer. It's no secret that my skin has always been less then perfect. I've been prone to acne my entire life... yes, even in my 40's. So I've always been extremely cautious as to what I put on my face. I saw this Bobbi Brown Primer. 'Vitamin Enriched'... oil free... and antioxidant protection against the elements. So - I said a Hail Mary and added it to my cart. Here's the deal - I LOVE THIS STUFF! Not only does it smell great, it gives my skin a smooth base so my foundation looks even and flawless. Best of all, no breakouts! This primer has become part of my daily routine. So happy I tried it.

Next was foundation. I've mentioned before that I have been on the hunt for that perfect foundation. Hunt over. Since I was trying the Bobbi Brown primer, I decided to also add the Bobbi Brown foundation to my cart. I chose the Long-Wear Weightless Foundation because - I hate feeling like my makeup is caked on and I don't have time for touchups during the day. It made sense to me. Again - so so happy with this Bobbi Brown foundation. The weight is so good and I get no cakiness at all. Also - no breakouts what so ever. I've been wearing the color 'cool ivory' which seems to be the perfect tint for my Minnesota skin. Also wanted to mention, this foundation has an SPF of 15 - love that!

Next was concealer. Here's the deal... I'm getting older and my eyes are starting to show it. I really needed to up my under-eye game. I've been seeing Tarte cosmetics everywhere, and hear nothing but rave reviews from other influencers. So at the Sephora sale, I decided it was a good time to try. I purchased the Tarte Creaseless Concealer (linked here). The consistancey is thick, which did scare me a little. This product is a miracle worker! It goes on and stays on... no creasing throughout the day. No raccoon eyes in the evening. It's awesome! To apply, I make a 'V' shape under each eye. I then wet my beauty sponge and start dabbing to blend. The slight dampness on my sponge is just enough to blend this concealer perfectly. Definitely a new found staple in my beauty routine. For reference, I'm wearing 'light'.

Next is a product that's a cross between concealer and foundation. Some days when I'm working around the house or just hitting the gym, I don't have a need for a full face of makeup. Full face or not, the truth is I always need just a little something to make my skin look even and polished. Enter Charlotte Tilbury's 'Hollywood Flawless Filter'. This does just what the name says - it gives my skin a flawless filter. (And Lord knows I love a good filter!) The applicator on this product mimics that of a concealer. I throw some between my brows and a dab on each cheek. I then use my go-to foundation brush (my current favs are Artis Brushes linked here) and blend in the product. I literally use this EVERY SINGLE DAY. On days I wear a full face of makeup, I apply my Flawless Filter on top of my foundation (prior to powder, blush, and bronzer). On days where I'm heading to the gym, I wear this alone on my bare face (over my morning moisturizer). It gives just the right amount of coverage for that perfect no-makeup look. And guess what - no breakouts! I've been wearing the color 'Fair'.

A quick note on my final beauty find... I'm a lip gloss girl through and through. Give me a pair of trendy sneakers and a killer lipgloss and I'm a happy girl. This Too Faced Lip Injection lipgloss is hand's down my current favorite. I love the gloss look it gives to my lips. Also it gives your lips an instant plump which I love. TRUE STORY- I was in the car with my husband the other day and he goes... did you get your lips done? Nope! It's my Too Faced!! This lip gloss has a little tingle to it, but that's just how you know it's working. I feel like I need to buy stock in this lipgloss... seriously.

So there you go - 6 beauty finds that made their way into my daily routine. I've linked everything, so give them a try. I'm seriously loving every one!

Remember to check out my Instagram @smalltownme

Love Emily.

Thousand In One Ways Sweater

Ok... have you ever seen the Dr. Seuss movie The Lorax? In the movie, the main character cuts down a Truffula Tree and knits a 'Thneed' out of the foliage. No joke - this sweater totally reminds me of a 'Thneed'.

Here's the deal. If I would have seen this sweater in a store on the rack, I probably would have kept right on walking. Thanks to 'the gram', I first spotted this sweater on an account I follow and immediately had to have it. (thank you @shop_lhistoire) I have been on the search for that perfect sweater set for some time now, and this was exactly what I was looking for. Well... almost exactly. The truth is, I thought I was purchasing a two piece sweater set. What I got was a 'Thneed'. A magical one-piece sweater that can transform to accommodate warm days and cool nights. Say hello to Rosie Assoulin's Thousand in One Ways Sweater.

I'll admit I was a little thrown off with the shape of this knit. I actually had to google how to put it on! You start out by putting on the tank top portion of the sweater. Yes... I am holding the sweater upside down! Then what you decide to do with the sleeves is entirely up to you.

First, I'm styling the sweater on over the tank. This is perfect when you need a little warmth. I love that peekaboo cutout in the front - it's the perfect sexy girly detail. I also want to note that when wearing the sleeves over the tank, your back is fully covered. The bottom of the sweater loops up, going over your head and ending at your chest.

For reference, I am wearing a size medium in this sweater. The medium fits well - the tank is a little on the loose side, but I am super happy with the length in the torso and sleeves. I'm typically a size 4.

Next I took my head out of the hole and just wore the sleeves. The head hole was across my back, giving me the look of a shrug sweater. Another cute way to style on those cooler nights.

For my next two looks, I'm wearing just the tank top and styling the sweater for a warm day. First, I tied the sleeves around my shoulders, giving the illusion of a matching sweater set. This is how I saw this sweater styled on Instagram - you can see how I thought I was getting a two-piece set.

Lastly I tied the sleeves around my waist, again making it look like I'm wearing a sweater set instead of a one-piece sweater. The tank top portion of this sweater is finished all the way around, so from the back it looks like a cute knit tank.

So there you go. The adorable one-piece sweater that you can wear a thousand different ways. Wear with shorts, dress pants, denim, or your favorite skirt. You'll be ready to take on those plans no matter the weather. This fall I'll be styling this sweater with my go-to leather leggings. Yup - I'll be wearing this sweater year round!

Remember to check out my Instagram @smalltownme

Love Emily.