Summer is officially around us! The sunshine is gracing us with heat and unfortunately we have to bear with the humidity. During these dog days of July, and of course the following month of August, finding things to wear comfortably is a challenge. But I'm here to reassure you that you don't have to hide indoors on days where the sun's rays seem too harsh. Here are some necessities that will keep you cool and covered this summer.

Cool Accessories: All the little things in life can go a long way. I personally love summer for this reason. Sunglasses and sun hats are my go-to summer accessories because they act as sun shields aside from the sunscreen. So needless to say, if you're going out to run some quick errands and would rather skip the sunscreen application, just throw on those too cool for school shades and a hat! On days where a tank top and a skirt just doesn't seem like enough, play it up with a light scarf or small hints of jewelry. Here are a few of my picks!

1. Sun Hat / 2. Zeppelin Sunnies / 3. Black & White Wave Pouch / 4. Striped Watches / 5. Essie Nail Polish / 6. Navy Striped Scarf

Chill Threads: Gone are the days for sweaters, those long fuzzy socks that you want to live in forever, and that cup of hot chocolate you grab before work - my usual fall/winter rituals. Now that we've ditched all of the layers, where do we start? Basics are not only a staple, but they're perfect for summer when you just want to throw something quick on. Wearing printed bottoms/skirts or loud jewelry can take your outfit from zero to hero. It's okay to keep it simple. Simple can be beautiful. One of my favorites things to wear during the summer are dresses. Dresses save us time, they're comfortable, and let's be honest, they can make us feel like a million dollars. They are a perfect staple piece for the summer. Here are a few fun pieces, drum roll please...

1. Sky Blue Maxi Dress / 2. Two-tone Camisole / 3. White Spot Skater Skirt / 4. Floral Print Yellow Dress / 5. Grapefruit Top / 6. Light Blue High Waist Shorts

That's all I have for you today. I hope that you enjoyed the pieces I've listed, or at least have inspired you to get out in the sun. You're never too old to get creative with what you wear. Most importantly, don't let the summer heat limit you.

xx, Payton Rodewald http://tinydarling.blogspot.com/