3.31.14-7 

Lately it seems like our two dogs are training us for our someday children. Not in the sense of needing food, water, and an occasional bath* but they have been up all night long these past few nights. B and I are walking around like zombies today, we are so tired. Here’s the thing though: when you tell people your dogs kept you up all night, you get minimal sympathy. However when you say ‘my babies kept me up’ you get a complimentary shot of espresso. Word play, my friends. 

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I’m on the hunt for a crop top that isn’t tween tight (you know what I mean right? See also: cut-off shorts.) I just want to show a little tummy; I don’t want to show the whole situation. Surprisingly, this hunt is becoming increasingly hard. So today I improvised and made a crop top with a normal-cut top. (I just halved the front of my shirt and folded under, then I gathered the rest of the fabric to the back and tied it in a small knot. To secure it, I put a small black hair elastic around it so it would stay. So far, so good.) I know I’m biased, but I think it’s actually kind of cute – the little knot in the back. Plus I have  not-too-showy crop top and you still have your eyes. You are welcome. 
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Wearing: 
old Bloom Top / Similar or here
BaubleBar Necklace (sold out but similar link necklaces available)
*this is all kids need, right? 😉

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145 Responses

  1. I’m on the hunt for a “modest” crop top too. But your idea totally works. There’s also a cute long sleeve option at Kate Spade Saturday! I’m thinking about ordering it.

    ~Sarah of Sarah’s Real Life ($100 H&M giftcard giveaway in progress!)

    1. Is there?! I love Kate Spade Saturday, I’ve just never bought anything from there. I’m going to have to go check this crop you speak of out!

    1. Thank you on the kind words for bloom 🙂 we’ve actually been amazed at how much support we’ve had since I’ve written that post, and so much coming from our little town. Hopefully something good will come from it all soon 🙂

  2. Oh my, I know exactly what you mean regarding your dogs. We have a 6 month old lab puppy and we are lucky if he sleeps in until 6 am. This dog gets up before the sun pretty much daily. Not cool. But anyways–Your hair looks amazing! Also, I’m loving the bright white for spring!

  3. cute little make shift crop. i totally, agree, they’re usually just below the bra line and have some kind of sparkly tiger or something equally terrible on the front

    xo jac

    thesunshinedistrict.blogspot.com

  4. Navy, white, and pink is such a cute combo! You did a good job making a modified a crop top! And I agree, the little knot in the back is cute. Hey, remember when we used to take our oversized tees and make that huge knot on the side? Now that was NOT cute 🙂

  5. That bag is so cute!! 🙂 Love the whole outfit especially with that pop of pink, adorable!

  6. I have found that JOA makes great crop tops that are loose and a little longer. I really like your improvising too. Why are cut off shorts always so short??? I am on the hunt for a longer pair.

  7. Oh my gosh!!! I so feel ya! Our min pin has recently decided 4 am is the best time to wrestle with his toys and play!!! Ahhh!!! Love your crop top impovisation! Too cute!

  8. I’ve seen some cute ones at Zara lately. I haven’t tried them on because, well I’m 32 and not that brave, but they look not too tight. There was an especially cute floral one…

  9. I love how this is girly, but not craaaaazy girly. I think it’s that you kept it mostly neutral with just a little pop of pink that really makes it work!

  10. Oh Kendi, you crack me up!.. ” I don’t want to show the whole situation.” Super cute outfit, made cuter with the back-knot! Also, my dog keeps me up too! Dogs ARE babies, see!

  11. I'm on the hunt for a "modest" crop top too. But your idea totally works. There's also a cute long sleeve option at Kate Spade Saturday! I'm thinking about ordering it.

    ~Sarah of Sarah's Real Life ($100 H&M giftcard giveaway in progress!)

  12. Love this look and also your hair looks so great. I am also sorry to hear that Bloom is having to close its doors. Wish you all the luck in the future.

    Carlee

    Little Sloth

  13. Oh my, I know exactly what you mean regarding your dogs. We have a 6 month old lab puppy and we are lucky if he sleeps in until 6 am. This dog gets up before the sun pretty much daily. Not cool. But anyways–Your hair looks amazing! Also, I'm loving the bright white for spring!

  14. Thank you on the kind words for bloom 🙂 we've actually been amazed at how much support we've had since I've written that post, and so much coming from our little town. Hopefully something good will come from it all soon 🙂

  15. Is there?! I love Kate Spade Saturday, I've just never bought anything from there. I'm going to have to go check this crop you speak of out!

  16. cute little make shift crop. i totally, agree, they're usually just below the bra line and have some kind of sparkly tiger or something equally terrible on the front

    xo jac

    thesunshinedistrict.blogspot.com

  17. Navy, white, and pink is such a cute combo! You did a good job making a modified a crop top! And I agree, the little knot in the back is cute. Hey, remember when we used to take our oversized tees and make that huge not on the side? Now that was NOT cute 🙂

  18. That bag is so cute!! 🙂 Love the whole outfit especially with that pop of pink, adorable!

  19. I have found that JOA makes great crop tops that are loose and a little longer. I really like your improvising too. Why are cut off shorts always so short??? I am on the hunt for a longer pair.

  20. Oh my gosh!!! I so feel ya! Our min pin has recently decided 4 am is the best time to wrestle with his toys and play!!! Ahhh!!! Love your crop top impovisation! Too cute!

  21. WHYYYY haven’t I thought of this before?!?! I’ve been making my own crop tops, but totally doing it all backwards. I’m going to have to give this a try.

    It’s always the simple things that are so difficult for me! LOL

    xo Jackie

    Something About That

  22. Love the improvisation! Such a cute look! Spring purses seem to make any day just a bit better… 😉

  23. I've seen some cute ones at Zara lately. I haven't tried them on because, well I'm 32 and not that brave, but they look not too tight. There was an especially cute floral one…

  24. Two things… I have a brand new puppy, and I call BS on anyone who wants to act like taking care of a dog isn’t a big deal. As a mother, I can safely say that had I gotten a puppy 7 years ago, I definitely wouldn’t have been so gung-ho about a baby! No offense to my kid because he’s totally awesome, but dogs are hard work too! So I feel ya.

    Also, maybe like at Forever 21 in their plus size for crop tops that won’t be skin tight. The sizing is more junior, so an Xl there may be exactly what you’re looking for. Or you just think I insulted you and think you’re fat. Which is definitely not true. It’s the damn sleep deprivation from the dog, I swear!!

  25. I love how this is girly, but not craaaaazy girly. I think it's that you kept it mostly neutral with just a little pop of pink that really makes it work!

  26. Oh Kendi, you crack me up!.. " I don't want to show the whole situation." Super cute outfit, made cuter with the back-knot! Also, my dog keeps me up too! Dogs ARE babies, see!

  27. I LOVE that quilted midi skirt and the way that you've styled it! White, black and the pop of pink never gets old to me!

    Classy Chic & Chardonnay
    http://ceislin.com

  28. WHYYYY haven't I thought of this before?!?! I've been making my own crop tops, but totally doing it all backwards. I'm going to have to give this a try.

    It's always the simple things that are so difficult for me! LOL

    xo Jackie

    Something About That

  29. It’s the other way around for me. I definitely keep my dog up. She will wake up throughout the night and look at me with her big sleepy eyes like, “Why are you so noisy? I’m trying to sleep.” Lately I’ve been getting veryyy judgey looks from her.

  30. Two things… I have a brand new puppy, and I call BS on anyone who wants to act like taking care of a dog isn't a big deal. As a mother, I can safely say that had I gotten a puppy 7 years ago, I definitely wouldn't have been so gung-ho about a baby! No offense to my kid because he's totally awesome, but dogs are hard work too! So I feel ya.

    Also, maybe like at Forever 21 in their plus size for crop tops that won't be skin tight. The sizing is more junior, so an Xl there may be exactly what you're looking for. Or you just think I insulted you and think you're fat. Which is definitely not true. It's the damn sleep deprivation from the dog, I swear!!

  31. Kendi – I love your hair in this photo. What is the natural texture of it? Do you style this at all? I’m wondering if mine would be similar if I cut it this length. Thanks!

  32. It's the other way around for me. I definitely keep my dog up. She will wake up throughout the night and look at me with her big sleepy eyes like, "Why are you so noisy? I'm trying to sleep." Lately I've been getting veryyy judgey looks from her.

  33. Gotta say I’m not a fan of cropped tops but i do like what you did with yours. Cute skirt!!!!

    Agi:)

    vodkainfusedlemonade.com

  34. Kendi – I love your hair in this photo. What is the natural texture of it? Do you style this at all? I'm wondering if mine would be similar if I cut it this length. Thanks!

  35. This looks great! Such a lovely, chic outfit. I don’t like crop tops normally as I find them too short, but this is a great way around that and the little knot is a cute detail. I really like the quilting pattern on the skirt too x
    Rubyrubyslippers.blogspot.com

  36. Gotta say I'm not a fan of cropped tops but i do like what you did with yours. Cute skirt!!!!

    Agi:)

    vodkainfusedlemonade.com

  37. Oh this is so like something I would do!! Love it!!! And that skirt.. LOVE!!!
    Hope
    hchdesigns.blogspot.com

  38. This looks great! Such a lovely, chic outfit. I don't like crop tops normally as I find them too short, but this is a great way around that and the little knot is a cute detail. I really like the quilting pattern on the skirt too x
    Rubyrubyslippers.blogspot.com

  39. Oh this is so like something I would do!! Love it!!! And that skirt.. LOVE!!!
    Hope
    hchdesigns.blogspot.com

  40. Haha! Love the word play and the “crop top.” You’re a genius and that is why I follow you 🙂

  41. Haha! Love the word play and the "crop top." You're a genius and that is why I follow you 🙂

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