Year in Review // 2015

Happy New Year's Eve!

We created a video that has over 150 views on YouTube We climbed all over Big Bend National Park We initiated new sisters into The Ladybirds We recruited for the Texas football team We were accepted into Comm Council We found the best ice cream in town We went to the Texas White House We celebrated District turning one We bought an amazing Lilly dress We celebrated HT's third birthday We went to Dallas with Lauryn We dressed up as a pineapple We got the best little ever We met Samantha Brown We bought an apartment We participated in Holi We met our best friend We got the best bigs We turned 19 Thank you so much for your constant support in 2015, you were with me through all of the things listed above via HT. I cannot wait to start 2016 and see what all the new year has in store for me {and us}! 

Week Re-Cap

Can you believe it is already Dec. 30th?! Because I can't! This week has been pretty good, we had Christmas, saw Star Wars {loved it!}, went to a hockey game, did some shopping, and just relaxed. Yesterday I had lunch with my grandmama and today I am headed for Atlanta {the Peach Bowl}, so keep up on snapchat with me {hap213}-xoxo darling, Hayden. 

When I got home I immediately took a photo of the amazing palm trees along McGregor Blvd. {via}

And no homecoming would be complete 

without a bagel from Bagel Factory.

Did you catch last week's outfit? 

I am seriously obsessed with scarves. {via}

If you know anything about the real Florida, you know how amazing a Publix sub is.

Finally got around to making a roll cake 

{checking something off of my 101 in 1001}!

Since we only got home two days before Christmas

 we didn't have time to get a tree. We opted for placing our 

presents around our {non-functioning} fireplace. 

Our Christmas card this year was selfies of us {taken with a selfie

 stick b/c we are those obnoxious tourists} in front of 

Austin's famous murals. {via}

Brunch on Sunday at McGregor Cafe

Went to my first hockey game! 

Resolutions in Review

So last year I made the following resolutions, so let's see how I did: 
1. Explore More // I think I accomplished some of this. There are still so many places in Austin I have yet to venture to, but I have gotten better. Meeting Hannah was one of the best things that happened because she loves exploring like I do! We have tried so many new restaurants together & I am so thankful for that. I also finally went to the Graffiti Park. Then back home I explored a lot more over the summer, especially things I hadn't done in a long time. I still need to work on this resolution, but I think I did a pretty good job with it. 2. Live Music // I am slightly disappointed with myself on this one. I did go and see Ra Ra Riot & Small Pools but that was it. I live in Austin, Texas for god sakes, why can I not accomplish this small feat?! So while I did see more live music than normal I need to work on this. I am hoping to get tickets to Adele {cross your fingers} and I am hoping to go to the Cactus Cafe at some point next semester. 3. Get Out There More // I think I have definitely accomplished this & I am looking forward to doing even more of it in 2016. I joined Comm Council, inducted a new group of sisters, and have a best friend. 2015 was really a year of friendship for me and I enjoyed every minute of it!  4. Do Not Be Afraid Of Being Alone // Yes, this goal was something that I was hoping I could do but wasn't sure if it would work out. But it did! I now live alone in an amazing apartment, can eat meals by myself, go to museums by myself, and just enjoy being with just myself. It is a seriously great feeling not having to feel pressured to find someone to hang out with at all times of the day.  5. Be Myself // I am still hard at work with this goal. I think I have gotten better but I think I can improve even more. I am still nervous in my own skin but in 2015 I did become slightly more comfortable than 2016. It's a work in progress and I am okay with that. 

My top nine posts from Instagram this year. {From top left: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9}

Quotes of the Week

Saturday Inspiration

Happy Christmas!

Merry Christmas from all of us at Haute Table to you & your family.  Hope your holiday is wonderful darlings. 

Red Sheep

Happy Christmas Eve Y'all! 

Location: United States Federal Courthouse in Austin

Week Re-Cap

I'M BACK!!! {In Florida, I should clarify}. I am so happy to be home, sleeping in my bed, eating bagels {like literally right now eating one}, and drinking Dunkin Donuts coffee. 

Anyways, this week has been amazing b/c we were still on our crazy road trip through Texas. We were in San Antonio, Waco, Shreveport and Jackson throughout the entirety of this post. I am working on posting things about my trip through Texas and I am writing a long form travel article on my experience in District so keep your eye out for that early next year! Aside from that I am reflecting on 2015 and planning for 2016. Hope y'all are having a great week-xoxo darling, Hayden! 

A really pretty lunch at an even prettier place, The Guenther House in San Antonio. {via}

 A cookie at Mi Tierra. 

 #AlamoSelfie

Mission San Jose 

Carrot Cake at The Station Cafe.

A hot chocolate macaron from Bakery Lorraine.

Went to the Dr. Pepper Museum in Waco &

 sampled some of the famous Texas drink.

Visited the Barksdale Global Power Museum & got to see a Blackbird {I was super excited!}.

Slowly making our way back to FLA with a pit stop in Mississippi. 

Fam Selfie with the Christmas tree in our hotel.

Delicious treats at T-Bones Records & Cafe in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. 

P.S. those cookieswere peppermint!

The USA Today had this in one of their papers this week, talk about fabulous. 

I am finally back in Florida! 

Anchor Bean

{Location: O'Henry Hall}

Quotes of the Week

Saturday Inspiration

Articles I Am Reading

1. Oh wow, this house is #goals // An English Country House, West Sussex // This is Glamorous 
2. A hilarious read on an interesting man // How Wild Was J. Paul Getty's Notorious British Party? // The Daily Beast
3. Oh my, this has convinced me even further that I need to visit Venice // Venice Photo Diary // Dear Laura
4. Oh this is what dreams are made of // The 10 Best Beach Umbrella Instagrams // Vogue 
5. So cute, and totally not just for kids // 13 Totally Genius Birthday Cakes For Kids // Buzz Feed
6. So. Accurate. // 14 Realties All Girl Scouts Understand // Buzz Feed 

Constant Hostess Gift Guide

Monogramed Soap & Towel Gift Set // Macarons: fur Anfanger // Rati Vase // "It's a Beautiful Day" Print // Lilly: Palm Beach, Tropical Glamour, and the Birth of a Fashion Legend // Festive Floral Apron // Coffee & Tea 2016 Calendar // Happy Hour Lucite Tray  // Maison Metallo Candle in Crisp Champagne // Drink Me Wine Tote // Vogue Living: Houses, Gardens, People 

Week Re-Cap

Oh what a week it has been. We picked up some photos that I didn't get to publish last week {like Hannah & I's pie, a quick lunch a Pizza Vetri, and some art hanging that went on}. Aside from that, my dad and I enjoyed the various Christmas displays in Austin while munching on various foods. Then my mom flew in on Friday and we started our journey through West Texas. We spent two days in Marfa {hello Prada!}, then Big Bend, and now I am in San Antonio. It's been an awesome winter break thus far & there will be even more posts coming your way-xoxo darling, Hayden.

 Hannah just stayed for the weekend...

So excited about my new Texas wall in my bedroom! Keep checking back for more additions! 

 Tried Pizzeria Vetri {Urban Outfitters} and a bee landed in my drink {below}. {via}

 My dad and I tried Pacha and it was pretty phenomenal. 

I had a chocolate chip pancake that was A++.

 The Capitol Christmas tree had lots of variations. 

 Grabbed a red velvet bundt cake from Nothing Bundt Cakes and did some last minute trip planning.

{via}

Made it out to Trail of Lights this year! 

 Excuse my eyes, the light was so bright, but my University has that globe! 

 The lights at Mozart's. 

 Had some BBQ at Blacks before making the long drive to Marfa. 

And we had to stop for the {as my dad calls it} "cadillac of desserts" in Fredericksburg. 

{via}

Finally got to Prada Marfa, another post coming soon! {via}

Big Bend National Park is kind of amazing, more posts to come. {via}

Commies Formal

As I said earlier today, it's formal day on the blog! 

A few weekends ago, Hannah & I went to our Comm Council formal {Commies} and had a wonderful time. There was Tex Mex, awards, dessert, and lots of laughter! Check out the photos below & let me know what you wore to your formals-xoxo darling, Hayden. 

How we pre-game...we bake a pie.

{via}

Ladybirds Fall 2015 Formal

IT IS FORMAL DAY ON THE BLOG!!!!!!

Check back around 1pm for another post about another formal I attended last weekend!

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As the school year ended we had our Ladybirds Formal at Texas French Bread. It was absolutely gorgeous and the food was amazing! Hannah & I brought some of our super good friends from Comm Council and we had a blast! Check out the photos below-xoxo darling, Hayden. P.S. My dress was $30 at H&M {in Seattle} my junior year of high school. 

{via}

They even gave us free bread!

Quail on a bed of grits topped with carrots. 

A butterscotch budino that was off the charts {yep, I just said that}. 

Quotes of the Week

Saturday Inspiration

Articles I Am Reading

1. This is literally perfect for anyone who enjoys baking // Here Are 22 Diagrams For Anyone Who's Obsessed With Dessert // Buzz Feed
2. YAAAASSS // Funfetti-fied! Funfetti Twinkies // Studio DIY
3. This is the coolest thing ever. I love the Queen so much // An Interactive Look Back At Queen Elizabeth II's Most Fabulous Hats // Huffington Post
4. I want to go there so bad // 5 Spots to Visit on the French Riviera // The Everygirl
5. Such cool photos // Celebrities and Their Rivas // Town & Country
6. Wow // These Stunning Wedding Photos Will Make Anyone Believe In Love // Buzz Feed

Week Re-Cap

School is finally over {see here} and now we are on to better things! This weekend was amazing, two formals, a thrilling football game, spending it with my best friend, and lots of baking! I even vlogged about i! Check it all about below & let me know what you did-xoxo darling, Hayden.

Comm Council awarded me the Atlas Award 

for handing stress with a smile.

It was Hannah's birthday on Friday so I made her an ombre cake! 

She loved it!

via

Hannah got a few sweets for her birthday...

Story time: On Thanksgiving, when we lost to Tech, I texted Hannah and asked her if she would be willing to go to our final football game versus Baylor in Waco. I told her that for some reason I had a good feeling about it. We bought our tickets, joked about how bad we would lose and then went on the trip. We ended up having one of the best experiences either of us has ever had at a football game. We got up super early, got great parking, had pretty fabulous seats on the berm and watched our 4-6 team beat Baylor to end the season 5-7. There was even a huge fight {not that I condone violence}! I vlogged this weekend so that should be coming somewhat soon! 

We had our Ladybirds Formal on Saturday {post coming soon}! 

Commies formal

Check out the vlog!

Guest Post: Winter Wanderlust by Ashley of Hepburn and Handbags

Hi guys! It’s Ashley from Hepburn and Handbags and I’m so excited to be guest posting today! Christmas break is fast approaching (thank goodness!!) and while I am excited to be home and able to relax, the break means that my travel bug is starting to kick in.

If you’re suffering from a little winter wanderlust like me, here’s a few suggestions for places to travel this winter. Whether you are buying a plane ticket right now or you’re lying on your couch drooling over travel blogs in between Netflix binges, we could all use a little travel inspiration to get us through finals.

1. Iceland. The tiny European island has experienced a surge in tourism in the last few years, in part thanks to its use as a location for Game of Thrones. But who could resist warm hot spring baths, rolling green landscapes, and colorful little cities with impossible-to-pronounce names. Yeah, it’ll be cold, but it’s cold year round so you might as well get the full-on winter wonderland experience.
2. Norway. I visited Norway in April (still cold!) and fell in love. We visited Oslo and Drobak, home to the Santa house, and I can’t wait to return. Even the Christmas-themed Santa house was perfect in April, and you know it can only get cuter around the holidays. I’m dying to hit up the Atlantic highway that snakes through some of Norway’s islands, Trolltunga, and to hike through the countryside.
   
   
3. Venice. In the summer Venice hosts almost 20 million tourists, but in the winter Italy is strangely empty. One of my friends visited Venice on a January backpacking trip and said it was perfect and quiet, allowing the few tourists to roam without feeling like they had to race from site to site with a few thousand of their closest friends.
4. Amsterdam. I love Amsterdam any time of year, but January is a perfect time to visit because you come in between the Christmas crowds and the hordes of tulip-seekers. See the city when it is mostly free of tourists and get the full Dutch experience.
   
   
5. Australia. It’s summer in the land down under in January, so if cold weather vacations aren’t really your thing, head to Australia for a little sand, surf, and sun to beat your winter blues.

Quotes of the Week

Week Re-Cap

Since this past week I was not able to post anything due to finals, here is a re-cap of my week! Thus far this weekend has been amazing & I cannot wait for the next few weeks {yay winter break!}. What are y'all up to? -xoxo darling, Hayden

 Libby took me to Mother's Cafe before we went thrift shopping and it was delicious! I hadn't had a baked potato in so long! 

Took the parents to brunch at Annies on Wednesday. 

Did some shots for our Christmas card {soon to be revealed} at an infamous Austin site. 

It wouldn't be Christmas in Texas without a Matthew tree.

Took the parents to 6th...in the daylight. 

My ginger jar pumpkin is finally done! {via}

Chocolate Ice Box Pie on Thanksgiving courtesy of Threadgill's.

It was our last home game of the season & it was a blast {despite our loss}. I have had such an amazing time as a recruiter! 

The parents came to yet another rainy game.

EEK! I got a picture with the President of our university!  

Went to a Houston game on Friday & it was so much fun! 

Lunch on Saturday at Lucy's {via}.

Lunch on Sunday at Walton's Fancy & Staple {via}.

Amazing ginger cookie.

Went to see Spotlight {GO SEE IT} and after 

we drove past the orange tower.

It was our last LB meeting of the semester {complete with crafts & cake}.

The new officer board.

Part of Devi's Christmas present to me was this adorable little guy.

Took some of the freshman I mentored this semester to 

bowling on Tuesday in order to de-stress. 

It's over.

If you have been reading HT over the past few weeks, you may have seen me hinting at my semester...and how it was not going so well. I am talking about it now so I can get it off my chest and then never look back. Next semester is a new semester and I will take it by storm.  I want to preface this by saying there were good times this semester, I made new friends, learned a lot about myself as a journalist, had a blast writing stories for Longhorn Life, and have been asked to write for quite a few local publications in Austin. Not to mention Hannah & I were just announced Moody College of Communication Week Chairs for next semester, it is an honor and we could not be more thrilled for this opportunity. Now on to the not so great stuff. This semester was hard, with a  capital H, A, R, and D. I took biology, foreign policy, accounting, and the {apparently} hardest journalism class in the program. I finished up yesterday at around 11:16pm and it wasn't even a relief. I am very concerned about my final grades, and how far my GPA is going to fall. But after reading some amazing articles, columns, and blog posts I feel a little bit better.  I can now confidently say that my GPA does not define me, no matter what the number comes out to be {when I finally get up the guts to look at it...in like March}. I know who I am and what I am capable of. It is very common for people to have a bad semester or fall into the sophomore slumps and I honestly think that happened. I don't think I asked for enough help this semester, from friends and family.   But now it is time to move on, like I said earlier I will take the next semester by storm. I am looking forward to being challenged in new ways and now I know when to ask for help.  The moral of this story, is if you have been there before, I applaud you because I have cried a lot about this semester and was not sure how you came out on top of it until today. For those of you who might be in the same position as me, we'll be fine. You are a fantastic human being and some professor or class will not matter in five years, you are going to be just fine. And if you have not been there yet, maybe it won't happen to you {and if so, congratulations I am jealous!} but if it does, remember what I said in this post. You'll be fine darling, I promise. -xoxo darling, Hayden.

Finals

Hey darlings. There will be no posts this week on Haute Table due to final exams, this is the final week of classes and there is just too much to be done. Check back here on Saturday, December 5th for a round-up of all of the posts you would have seen throughout the week. Have a fabulous week-xoxo darling, Hayden.

P.S. this is me right now but instead of Chanel boxes there are books 

and papers & I am not sitting in the Paris Ritz...just my apartment. 

Saturday Inspiration

Articles I Am Reading

1. So I know this already happened but it was so pretty and I was so sad I couldn't be there // Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition 2015 // The Neo-Trad
2. I really like all of these, maybe I will test them over winter break // Three Nail Art Trends You Can Do At Home // The Everygirl
3. Slowly trying to collect these for my coffee tables // Favorite Coffee Table Books // Prep in Your Step
4. Oh James //  James Bond's Cars Keep Getting Faster Cooler And Sexier // The Daily Beast
5. Me right now // 24 Animals That Are Too Tired To Animal // Buzz Feed
6. I still find this article funny // Why You Hate Google's New Logo // The New Yorker

Rock Solid

Week Re-Cap

It has been a nice week. Not a whole lot of stress but a lot of friends! Spark Magazine had its release party on Thursday, so I went and grabbed my copy. We played broomball late Thursday night and Friday morning I went to drop of clothes from a clothing drive. Saturday we had some photoshoots for HT {check back in tomorrow} and Sunday I had a few meetings. Monday we went shopping for presents {eek! I love giving gifts!} and Tuesday I cleaned my apartment {such fun}. My parents flew in late last night so today we are hitting the town! What are y'all up to? -xoxo darling, Hayden

via

Angela & I went to the release party for the Fall 2015 Spark Magazine! 

Some of my extended family grabbing pizza before a 

very heated match of Broomball.

I don't really understand this sport, or how it came about but it was highly entertaining. 

We may have lost {badly} but we are still the winners at heart {also, everyone said I looked like Daphne, do y'all see it?}.

Smize.

CC Love!

Comm Council & Liberal Arts Council

Me & the little!

We filled a whole car with clothing for our clothing drive! 

via

We saw "Suffragette" on Saturday night and loved it! 

Went shopping on Monday for some holiday presents! 

via

Book Lover Gift Guide

It is that time of the year again...when we have to buy gifts for all of your "best" friends. This year, instead of being specific about who you give the gifts to {here, here, here, here} I am doing it in categories. Let me know what y'all think of this way below! I will also be doing one a week for the next four weeks! Lastly, the tote bag & t-shirt by Litographs is totally on my list-xoxo darling, Hayden.

Around the World in 80 Days Book Poster // Magnolia Bakery Recipe Book Clutch // Ulysses Women's Book T-Shirt // Edgar Allan Poe-ka Dots Canvas Pouch // A Book Lover T-Shirt //  Victorian Whale Bookends // Preppy Bookmarks // Literary Map of Ireland // Shakespeare Mug //  The Great Gatsby Book Tote Books and Stuff Print //Book Lover Gift Matchboxes // Nancy Drew: The Secret of the Old Clock Book T-Shirt

Quotes of the Week

I cannot believe I am up this early but hey it is for a good cause! This week should be pretty amazing because I only have two days of classes & my parents will be visiting! Keep up with our adventures on Instagram & Snapchat (hap213)-xoxo darling, Hayden.

Saturday Inspiration

Articles I Am Reading

1. I still have to try some of these // The Everygirl's Weekend City Guide to Austin // The Everygirl
2. THIS IS PERFECTION // Adorable Lilly Pulitzer Inspired Party // Pizzazzerie
3. I love this interactive map // Instagram Food Capitals // Photoworld
4. This is a lot to handle // A Montage of Every Brand Ever Mentioned On Sex & The City // Who What Wear
5. YAAAS // Queen Ina Garten Barefoot Contessa // Buzz Feed
6. These are so cool! // Movie Posters // Cinespia

Big Appreciation

This past Sunday was my spirit group's "Big Appreciation Party." It is where the littles plan out a party for their bigs and give them the wooden Texas they have painted {think paddles in a sorority}. I had an awesome time & my little did an amazing job on her Texas! Check out some of the shots below from the super cute party they through us-xoxo darling, Hayden. 

Photo Booth props

 All of the little's gifts were so cute! 

 Most of these flowers now reside in my apartment...

 They had little Texas cookies for us to decorate! 

 The cutest littles ever! 

Love this one! 

My reaction to my gift {filmed by my little}.

She knows me so well, my bin was full of delicious food & the cutest Texas! 

Week Re-Cap

   It has been an interesting week. On Wednesday I had a biology exam and...it went horribly bad. I studied for so long and so hard and then it ended badly. I was extremely upset. School has not been going as well this semester as my previous semesters at UT. I think I am in my sophomore slump and that I am taking some pretty difficult courses that I have no interest in, so my GPA is going to drop {but not a lot, I'm still in the 3.-- level}. I just kind of feel defeated by my classes and workload, which is something I don't show on HT. Because who would want to see photos of my laptop screen with 26 page study guides? Or the crying sessions because I don't think I can do it sometimes. I remember a while back Shannon of Prep Avenue did this post about how your grades don't define you and it is helpful for all of you college students out there. 

    It's going to be fine, I will just do better next semester, but I wanted to explain how school has been affecting the blog. I feel like HT & District have been in a boring state, like I am just going through the motions. So thank you for continuing your readership of HT. I will keep publishing posts six days a week and having new content but my life is about to get crazy with finals so keep that in mind if some of the posts are not the most interesting. I am currently working on finishing my gift guides for the season and doing some photoshoots for the fall/winter in Texas. Once I go on winter break, HT will be getting real interesting again and I am very excited about it. Next semester is going to be a lot of fun & I might have exciting news to share with y'all soon {as in February/March}-xoxo darling, Hayden.

Hannah was craving cream of corn so we went to Rudy's {it was my first time & I loved it}!

Before we went to the Beyonce Sing-Along we grabbed some TCBY.

The Beyonce Sing-Along was perfection.

Then Friday Hannah & I needed a break from campus so we ventured out and ended up at Counter Cafe {an Austin staple} for brunch. 

And we ended that day with dinner at Hoover's. 

Saturday was retreat at the always beautiful Enchanted Rock.

And Sunday we had our Big Appreciation Party 

{click back tomorrow for more photos of that}! 

Monday, Tuesday, were really boring {lots of schoolwork} but tonight I have Comm Council, tomorrow I have the Spark Magazine release, and Friday my little {pictured above} is coming over for movie night! Saturday we might go see Suffragette {because I HAVE to see that film} and Sunday will be lots of homework and cleaning.