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Friday, August 31, 2018

Desk Supplies

Now that I'm a working girl...not actually prepared to say that...I thought I would share some of my favorite things I've seen around the Internet for your desk (or for school)! Below are some adorable little accessories, some practical some not, for your cubicle or office. What do you think? And what is your must have office accessory? Asking because this is a new experience for me! - xoxo darling, Hayden

Because I am a traditionalist when it comes to planning things I always have a paper planner. This floral planner seems like it would be the perfect way to start your new year as an organized human. Put it in the Lilly Folio for even more stylish organization. I love the concept because it keeps your planner (with all of that important info) a little safer (from water or whatever) and I like the gold leaf design. For your office itself I like the idea of having a calendar hung on a wall so you can see your dates while on phone calls or while using your computer so you don't have to keep pulling up Google Calendar for easy dates. This 2019 calendar is so cute! Now for your notes, here are a bunch of note books. The first is a notebook set of three for all different kinds of things. They are super light so I like the idea of carrying all three in your tote and having three different concepts in each. For example, one could be your ideas, one could be work and one could be your personal to-dos. The people covered notebook is a really cute way to get your notes written down at work. And the navy notebook is awesome for your future plans (be that blog posts, ideas or starting a new business). I've never used a to-do notebook but I like the idea of it. It would really outline your day and I think that could be nice. The note pad set is perfect for those on the go, leaving notes for co-workers or even roommates. For your computer accessories, how cute is this mousepad? I love the millennial pink + gold combo. And I've been a lover of Packed Party for years; this keyboard cover will inspire you to sit down and write (be that emails or your next novel). Everyone needs a tape dispenser and stapler so why not make them aesthetically pleasing? The stapler is from Packed Party and will be like a party on your desk while the tape dispenser screams an LA type of vibe. I love these pencils and pens & want to put them in this pencil holder. Also, this Kate Spade kit would be so great to have in your work tote bag or in a desk drawer. This leather paper holder would be a great outgoing box for things in meetings or as storage. Need to have a stack of papers on your desk? Put them under this paperweight or stick them in these beautiful folders. Lastly, are you reading a book for work or maybe you've got a book you read during your lunch hour? Mark your spot with this bookmark


Thursday, August 30, 2018

Exciting Announcement!


After months and months I would like to announce...I'm moving to Denver! 
Yes, you read that right, I'm moving to Colorado. And I could not be happier or more excited. Back in April I interviewed for a travel writing/content creation job at the place where I interned last summer and a few months went by but they offered me in early August. Since then it has been a massive rush to find an apartment, car, get car insurance/a title/emissions inspections and move me into said apartment. We're still working on pulling it all together, but on September 10th I will be in Denver for good. I hope you will follow along on this journey, I plan to create content on how I got a job out of college, what the experience of moving across country was like, how I found a roommate/apartment, how I bought a car, etc. And we are going to get MOUNTAIN photos y'all...on the regular. I'm hyped. 
Thank you all for your continued support and get ready for a big girl job having Hayden - xoxo darling. 

Wednesday, August 29, 2018

Sick Day

Hey y'all. So instead of posting a week re-cap today I'm just letting you know I am sick so I didn't get around to it. The exciting announcement is still going up tomorrow but I just didn't feel well enough today to write a post for you.
I think I've discovered that being really stressed gets me sick. I never made the connection but I used to always get sick before finals, the FCAT and now this - moving my life. So, I apologize for not having a real post for y'all but know that I wanted to...my nose/neck/head/throat just won't let me. 
Love you - xoxo darling, Hayden.

Tuesday, August 28, 2018

Pink Stripe Goodwood


 My mom came across this top in Draper James (did I mention the top is on sale?! ) while we were in Nashville and was instantly attracted to it. I should mention now, it comes in a light blue and a navy stripe but we thought the pink looked best (and got me out of my comfort zone). Be forewarned, the material is way thicker than it appears...so not something for the sub-tropics of Florida but a great piece to transition from late summer to early fall. It will keep you warm while providing you with adorableness. I paired with the same Levi jeans I wear in ever blog shoot...some Pierre Dumas shoes and a bandana from the Columbia outlet. You can find either the exact copies or similar things linked below the post. The shoot was done at the Goodwood Museum in Tallahassee, Florida. The grounds are absolutely beautiful and I would suggest a tour of the house for some interesting Florida history.
What do y'all think? - xoxo darling, Hayden








 

Monday, August 27, 2018

Quotes of the Week


Happy Monday I am "out of office" for the blog this week...lots of exciting things in another state, follow my Instagram for snapshots. But I will have a super happy announcement on Thursday right here at 7am EST...hopefully. We shall see. But I have some fun scheduled posts this week. There is an adorable outfit with a currently on sale top posting tomorrow (it's from Reese Witherspoon)! My normal week re-cap is posting Wednesday and a desk supplies post, aka what cute accessories you need for your desk asap is posting Friday. I hope your week is off to a good start! - xoxo darling, Hayden





Saturday, August 25, 2018

Articles I'm Reading


  1. Love this guide // How to Spend 72 Hours in Portland, Oregon // Cupcakes & Cashmere
  2. These photos are beautiful // Wedding Weekend at Villa Feltrinelli in Lake Garda, Italy // Gal Meets Glam
  3. This shirt looks cute & comfy and it's less than $40 // Crew Neck Breton // Boden
  4. I kind of love this idea for the end of the summer? // The Only Summer Shorts I Want to Wear Are Men's Swim Trunks // Man Repeller
  5. Some of these are my favorite DCOM movies that no one has ever head of...but the one they are missing is Tower of Terror, a true classic // 17 of the Most Underrated Disney Channel Original Movies That You Should Watch // BuzzFeed 
  6. I want to ride in one of these asap // Amtrak revives famous viewing carriages - just in time for the New England autumn // Telegraph
In Case You Missed It:
Love this outfit so much...
The books I've read over the summer have been so good, find out which ones...
What I've been loving recently...


Friday, August 24, 2018

My Recent Favorites


SToK Cold Brew - Over the summer I really wanted to find an iced coffee I could buy in the grocery store to make into iced coffees/lattes. When I was in my apartment in Austin I would just brew it in my coffee maker and then pour it over ice. But in Fort Myers, we don't have a coffee maker. SHOCKER. So it was necessary for life. I ended up on Stok because it is so good. I buy the unsweetened (green label), make put about 1/2 a cup of ice, 2/3 a cup of coffee, 1/3 fat free organic milk and a splash of heavy cream. Mix it all together and you have a wonderful latte. I love it and have been drinking it all summer. 
More Zoella - Okay, me living under the rock that I live under, was introduced to Zoella only a few months ago. But I wasn't a huge fan of her main channel (I'm not into beauty as y'all already know), however, her vlog channel IS AMAZING. First of all, she lives in one of the most beautifully decorated homes I have ever laid eyes on. Second, she combines multiple days into a vlog so they end up being about 30-50 minutes long and I like that. I can put it on in the background and just go forth. Also, she is one of the most positive people I have seen on the Internet and is just an overall inspiration. She does Vlogmas and if you have ever wanted to see someone obsessed with Christmas, go for it. She has inspired me to film a vlogmas on here, so get ready for that. I can't explain my love for the vlogs very well but I do know I get excited when she posts a new one. Also, her friendship with Mark Ferris is #goals. And they've both made me want to watch Love Island...which I just started.

Talbots - So I haven't purchased anything from the new Talbots collection but I just received the catalogue (they took photos in London and it seems to be a theme in the clothes as well) and I'm in love. They have so many good pieces! This trench coat would be a great addition to your fall/winter. I think I need to pull the trigger on this quilted jacket because I think it would be perfect for winters. Does this dress look like a flight attendant uniform? Maybe? But I like it. I think this jacket would be great for your meetings/just if you work in a more business-y office. My mom and I both like this jean jacket because of the cute detailing. I've never really owned kitten heels but these are too cute to pass up! Great for fall parties. A very cute top with great sleeve detailing. Obsessed with these low heels

Thursday, August 23, 2018

What I'm Reading

Over the course of the summer I've had the opportunity to read a ton of books! And that makes me so happy - because I love to read. And I'm happy that I will have more of a chance to read for fun now that I'm no longer in college. Below are the books I've read and what I've thought about them. Let me know if you've read them or if you have any recommendations as I'm currently looking for as many new books as possible - xoxo darling, Hayden.
House of Silk - As an avid Sherlock Holmes fan and a big Anthony Horowitz reader I knew I wanted to read this book. It will keep you interested the whole time - and it is very Sherlock. Lots of descriptions, lots of activity and it does have a disturbing element to the end so be forewarned. But I had no idea what was going on in the mystery for the longest time (which is rare for me). 
The Yard - Set just after the Jack the Ripper murders in London, this book has so many twists and turns. It tells you who the killer is fairly early on but it is chock full of dramatic irony and plot devices. My dad and I both loved it and would highly recommend. We're going to read more in the series because seriously, there are tons of characters & each of them is interesting. I really liked the complexity of the main character and his relationship with his wife.  
The Gray Ghost - We are avid Clive Cussler fans, especially Isaac Bell & the Fargos, & this book combines both. The book is about a 1906 Rolls Royce that is stolen (and the parts to fix another one as well) so it flashes between the early 1900s and present day. The Fargos are tasked with helping the family who worked on the Rolls find it again. There are train robbers, fires and more. It was a great read and I would highly recommend if you need to take your mind off of something. Or if you are going on a plane ride - it's just an easy read. 
Pulse - Reading this was a little bit of a struggle. The main character is struggling with her mental health and it is tough to witness. But she follows her brain/heart and really goes after solving a murder of someone she doesn't even know. But there's a lot to slug through so if you're looking for something fast this might not be your cup of tea. However, if you are a former (or current) horse girl, this is the book for you! 
Sins of the Father - My dad and I read the first Countess of Prague a while back and were so excited when the second book came out. Sins of the Father centers around a, kind of, poor countess, the Royal Highness of Austria, Mayerling and more. The Countess travels all around - Paris, Vienna and the countryside. Her staff follows her around and her husband just is as out of it as ever. If you are here for early 1900s Prague & Vienna this one is for you! 
All My Enemies - I found this book for less than $4 in Gene's Books and decided to buy it because the author had one a few awards on it. My dad wasn't so sure (and to be honest I wasn't either) but we started reading it and couldn't stop. There are so many turns in the plot! It opens with a young girl being brutally murdered in her own home and ends with a theater troupe being heavily involved. The main character, Kathy Kolla, is great and provides a little bit of personal life with a great mix of her work. 
The Nightingale Before Christmas - I've been reading this series for years and love each book. They are easy reads (great for planes, trains and automobiles) but they have humor and mystery. I love the main character, she gets pulled into family drama but has great wit. This one is set during Christmas time and I read it about the time of Christmas in July, which was nice. It centers around a interior design house that the main character's mother roped her into but a designer turns up dead in the house! Who could've done it? 
The Improbability of Love - This is the book I'm currently reading and to be honest it has had the slowest start for me. I'm still working my way through it but I put it down and then don't put it back down. Let me know if you've read it and I should continue because I am s t r u g g l i n g. 

Wednesday, August 22, 2018

Week Re-Cap


Maple Street Biscuit Company

Welcome back to Week Re-Cap! I realize it's been about two weeks and I apologize for going on a little break last week. I was on a family vacation and then I had a stomach bug & I just wasn't feeling blogging. But I'm back. Below are a bunch of photos from various things we did in Tallahassee, St. Pete and Fort Myers.
In other news, I leave Florida tomorrow for...you'll find out soon...to do job training, find an apartment & a car. So wish me luck! - xoxo darling, Hayden

Goodwood Plantation


Proof Brewing

Florida Capitol




Merv's Meltshop

Midtown Reader

Lucy & Leo's Cupcakery

Tally had Topo!

Lunch at The Columbia



Green Bench

Dunedin Brewery

Grindhaus Brew Lab

Coppertail Brewing

A fun game of Cards Against Humanity. 

Lunch at one of my favorite Fort Myers restaurants. 

Drinks with one of my best childhood friends at The 86 Room.

A Pimm's Cup
Gelato at Norman Love

Tuesday, August 21, 2018

Doorway Sitting


My mom spotted this shirt on Old Navy's website a while back for less than $15 and I knew it was perfect for the future workforce and just because it was cute. It will make a perfect summer to fall transition piece. The jeans are an old pair of 311 Levi's that I wear in basically everything because I love 'em to death. My shoes are a fun little story. A while back I entered a giveaway on Mackenzie Horan's blog, Design Darling, for a pair of M. Gemi shoes. I never win anything so you can believe my surprise when Mackenzie emailed me that I had won! After choosing this pair of light pink leather driving mocs they arrived in the mail and they are super comfy. I'm looking forward to wearing them to work in the fall! And I'll be doing a full review of the shoes in the future so you can know if you should make the investment in them (as of right now I would say yes, but we shall see after repeated wears). 











A note: you can only get the black & white version 
of the top on Old Navy's website, but it's equally as cute. 
 

Monday, August 20, 2018

Haute Table Turns Six!


Uhm, what? Are you telling me I've been writing consistently (or not depending on the month & year in question) on this little corner of the internet for six years? That's 2190 days of Haute Table existing at this domain. How insane is that to y'all because it's pretty freaking crazy to me. But gosh am I proud of us? This blog, myself and, I hope, you have grown in these six years. We've been through some incredible ups and some pretty bad downs but we've managed to keep going. 

From dealing with stressful classes to graduating from college to the difficult job market y'all have seen it all. You've witnessed my move home from Austin and experienced me rediscovering the town I call home (in a good way). You've seen countless outfit posts, watched vlogs about what college is like and learned more about how I travel. This was an epic year for HT and I'm so happy you were here to witness all of it. 
While I'm reminiscing about the past six years I want to be sure to thank you, the reader. Without your pageviews, comments and support I wouldn't still be here doing this. You make Haute Table what it is and I'm so happy you do. I hope to have your continued support as we go into year six and I thank you for all that you do. 
This next year is going to be hard, I will not lie. I'm starting my first full-time job...that's right, I'm entering the workforce and it terrifies me. Plus, I do not know how that will effect HT. I hope it doesn't because a full high school and college course-load did nothing to shake the core of the blog but I can't promise anything. However, I will be forthcoming and communicate if issues arise. But as of right now, I'm plowing full speed ahead into the fall months of 2018. I'm ready to kick some ass and take some names. And I hope you are too as the reader. I hope you're ready for more fashion, lifestyle and travel content. Now we get to mix in professional fashion, advice and just adult life experiences! Not to mention I am going to continue this whole vlogging thing because I love it - so I hope you do too. I'm even going to attempt Vlogmas (no one is prepared for that). Also, if you want to see something on HT, don't hesitate to drop me a line and let me know! I want to make sure y'all are getting the content you want. As per usual I have update the About page and posted what was the most popular on the blog in this past year. Check both of those out! 
It's going to be an exciting time at www.hautetableblog.com and I hope you choose to follow along for another year. Enjoy yourself darling, xoxo, Hayden. 
P.S. Want a hint on the future? Here is your hint. Any guesses? I'll let you know soon!






Also, a huge thank you to my parents for helping me shoot these photos and for everything else they have done over the years. Whenever I talked about the blog instead of school work or needed help with ideas they've been there for me. They are the best collaborators, creators and parents I could ever ask for. 

Six Years, Part Two

Another year another -- years, part two. This tradition is one of my favorites on the blog because it shows me exactly what you, the reader, liked the most and I have the opportunity to talk about my favorite posts. And let me just say, there were a lot of favorites this year. Also, thank you to each and every one of you because I had some of the best performing posts in this last year. Keep scrolling for my discussion of the posts below...

Most Popular: 

Pink Ascot (191) - I'm thrilled this was one of the most viewed posts this year because I was a little worried about the outfit. But I loved the location. I hardly ever wear a jean jacket on the blog because I've never really thought it fit my aesthetic or brand. Did I mention that specific jean jacket was from middle school? It doesn't fit anymore and it actually got the boot when I was moving out of my apartment. So I'm looking for a new one if y'all have any recommendations. But the photos turned out really good and I ended up loving this post despite my trepidation. 

48 Hours in Nashville (490) - My most viewed post of the year is something I did less than a month ago! Nashville is a wonderful city and I loved the format this was written in - 48 hours is conceivable for anyone in travel. If you are planning on visiting Nashville soon I truly hope you use this guide because I loved every minute of writing it for ya. Also, it is one of the longest posts I've ever written but it is one that makes me even more sure that this blog should be travel centric as well as fashion. For the longest time I have relegated travel to an occasional post here and there but I think it's what I'm best at and from your responses I think you agree. So in this next year, expect way more travel. 

Rugby Cheer (227) - Let me just say, this skirt was one of the hardest purchases for me. I wanted a cheer skirt starting at the beginning of spring 2017 but was totally unsure if I could pull it off...and maybe you are thinking...yeah don't wear that again (which is fine). I sent countless cheer skirts to friends in the summer of 2017 asking their thoughts & got mixed reviews. Then I came across a fairly cheap skirt on Amazon and decided to buy it. But then I ordered a size too small and sent it back thinking that was the end of my dream. Well, my mom being the amazing woman she is bought the skirt in the next biggest size and had it sent to my college apartment. I put it on and knew I had to take photos of it for the blog. In fashion I think it's important to try out clothes that scare you. I am always an advocate of playing it safe but stepping out of a comfort zone can be fun. I ended up loving this outfit and plan to wear it this fall. Who cares if it's way too much navy or stripes? I like it. 

Grizzelda's Review (240) - In elementary and middle school I was a restaurant critic so I decided to bring that to HT a little while back. I've tried to step up and make them full length like what would appear in a newspaper and I'm happy with where they have ended up. Grizzelda's is a fun restaurant in Austin that I would highly recommend anyone visit. Get the sweet potatoes, they're so flipping good! 

Wynwood (301) & Vizcaya Blue (300) - Both of these posts were taken on the same trip to Miami last summer and I wasn't sure about either one when we shot them. I was worried the dress from the Vizcaya post didn't look good on me anymore (I had purchased it earlier in the summer) and I wasn't sure about the lighting when we took the Wynwood shots. But clearly the readers loved them! And I'm happy about that because my dad (my og photographer) took so so so many photos to create those posts. 

Fall Footwear (296) - Round-up posts of my favorite things are one of my favorite kind of posts to write. Because who doesn't like waxing on about things in their lives that they love? This fall footwear guide is something I love because fall is my favorite season and shoes are the greatest? They make or break an outfit? Are these just my thoughts? And since fall is just around the corner, click through that link and find yourself some fall shoes! 

Labor Day (294) - I'm not sure why this is one of the most highly viewed posts...it's just wishing everyone a happy Labor Day with a pretty photo of some palm trees near my house? But you know, whatever floats your boat. This year has taught me the importance of taking time off from the blog. If you've been a reader for a long time you'll know I used to post every day of the week and for a couple of years, twice a day for seven days. That was a lot of work. Now I am much more willing to take time off because I am not always creative, my posts can be redundant and not fun if I'm not putting the effort necessary in. But thank you for understanding that and allowing me time to recoup and create even better content. 

My Favorites:

Boca Black - This is one of my favorites from the past year because I just love the dress. And Hannah was in Fort Myers so she was able to take the photos and we were on my favorite island in Lee County. Just everything about it makes me happy.

Happy Graduation - Showing y'all my "senior" photos was a fun time because I loved them. I'm wearing a Lilly Pulitzer dress, a friend took them and I walked all over campus for them. They turned out so amazing (thank you Taylor!) and I just thought it would be a fun way to announce my graduation. These photos will remind me of my college experiences for years to come and I'm happy they exist on Haute Table. 

Final Formal - Some of my all time favorite photos from college come from this epic night. My last formal with my spirit group, Texas Ladybirds, was the best formal over all three years. We had it in a historic building in West Campus that was a feminist history book, we danced the night away, ate way too much pasta and were all dressed to the nines. My date was one of my best friends, Marcus, who let me tell you - is the best date you could have. I don't know...I just love the photos y'all. Makes me tear up. 

University of Texas at Austin Graduation - I love knowing that I will have these thoughts, photos and emotions for as long as the Internet exists. Haute Table has always been a kind of my version of a photo album and I have loved sharing really personal memories on it. This is just another example of that. 

Colorful Photo Wall - One of the last apartment stylings I did in college was inspired by Instagram (I hate that I just typed that but it's true). The photo wall was a fun little thing to do to spice up my apartment senior year and I'm proud of the way it turned out. It was also one of the first "home" DIYs I've ever done and people seemed really receptive to it. That made me happy! I can't wait for further apartment DIYs that are coming...very soon. 

London Travel Guide - Sitting down and writing this was one of the hardest things I've ever done on the blog, not because it wasn't fun but just because it was so much. Combining two and a half months of living somewhere into a guide is just difficult. But I loved the stress of it. And now I have something to share with anyone who will be visiting London. Seriously, if you haven't looked through it and are planning on going I would highly recommend. I tried out so much while I was there and have real opinions on a lot of it! 

Week Re-Cap Hannah Visits Edition - Playing tourist in your own town sounds like something spun out of a bad chamber of commerce ad...but then you do it and you have a blast. There are so many things in our communities that we overlook because we don't know about them or we think they are lame but sometimes it's nice to resign yourself to be stupid and go do stuff you wouldn't normally do. With Hannah all of that is made easy - the girl is up for anything and we always have a blast. Being a tourist with her this summer created memories I will never forget. 

Biltmore Pink - When I would come home for winter breaks I would bring a few important pieces but not everything in my wardrobe. So doing blog shots was always hard, or more difficult than normal. So being able to create one of my favorite outfits this year out of my grandma's sweater, a bandana from Amazon and other basic pieces made me really happy. And we shot it at the Biltmore, which is just gorgeous. I love all of the photos so much.

One Second Every Day of Senior Year - When I saw people recording one second a day for an entire year I instantly loved the concept. I've watched so many YouTubers do this and I thought to myself...why not do it but with one of the most important/exciting years of your life? Senior year of college. So I did it! And I only forgot one day...but I made up for it and no one will ever know what day that was except for me. I look back on this video and get misty now so I have no idea what my reaction will be five years from now. Click through and give it a watch. 

Best Friend Tag Video - This past year I really made a foray into vlogging and creating videos for HT. I did my first "Week in My Life," did more travel vlogs and tried to show everyone on the Internet what going to school at Texas is like. I have loved creating these videos and plan to do more in the coming months! Stay tuned for my moving to --- video and how to get a job vlog and more. I am working to come up with more innovative ways to do "Week in My Life" because now I'll be in an office for a majority of the day...but we shall see. I'm also planning on participating in Vlogmas so GET READY! But this video in particular is one of my favorites because you can really tell how close Hannah and I are. I had been wanting to film this for forever and Hannah agreed so we had a blast filming it and it reminds me of good times. 

Let me know if one of these is your absolute favorite or if you have another one in mind. While you're at it, let me know what you want to see from me in this next year - xoxo darling, Hayden.






Monday, August 13, 2018

Quotes of the Week


This past week brought some of the best news I've had in a while but with that it brought an incredible amount of stress. Don't worry, I'll be sharing the exciting news very soon, but until then, I hope you enjoy these quotes. Always remember, you are worth everything in the world and no one can put you down. Also, I love the quote above & the way it is presented. Am I the only one? 
In other news, I had a wonderful weekend in Tallahassee, we did some blog shoots and visited a few new things. At the moment I am in St. Pete continuing on a craft beer journey after some breakfast, sightseeing and lunch. What are y'all up to? - xoxo darling, Hayden





Saturday, August 11, 2018

Wednesday, August 8, 2018

Week Re-Cap


It's already Wednesday? That seems nuts, this week is just slipping by! 

I haven't been up to too much, this weekend we ventured to Naples for a little afternoon trip. We stopped in at Naples Beach Brewing, one of the first in southwest Florida and their beer was so good (lots of citrus). Then we had lunch at Fernandez the Bull, as we always do, and headed to Trader Joe's for a little grocery shop. Sunday we drove out to Sanibel for a long walk and then an afternoon at the pool. It was so nice to just lay in the pool for hours. Many people find it strange, but our house doesn't have a pool so it is always a treat when we visit somewhere with one. The rest of the week has just been running errands, working on some future things (eek!) and planning for our trip to Tallahassee this weekend. We are going to run an errand but we're making it fun by stopping in St. Pete to go on a little craft beer tour. We're all very excited so stay tuned for those photos next week! What have y'all been up to? - xoxo darling, Hayden

The cutest dog in Naples.

Lunch on Sanibel at my favorite, Schnapper's. 

 Such a beautiful pool day at 'Tween Waters. 

Can you tell I'm a little too obsessed with these umbrellas?

My actual favorite place in Fort Myers. Everyone must go! 

Tuesday, August 7, 2018

Early Fall Buys

Can y'all believe it is already August 7th? Like where has the summer gone? And I realize we still have all of August and if you live in the South you'll know summer doesn't really ended until at least halfway through October. But when I see that September is just around the corner that makes me think of fall, aka my favorite season. It has the best weather and the best clothes, in my opinion. 

So why not go ahead and do a lil' shop around the web for your new fall wardrobe? A lot of my favorite sites have already started adding sweaters and fall colors back into their new arrivals. I'm really excited y'all...I think I'll be living in a place that shows real color change and gets cold...more on that at a later date. 

What do y'all think? Would you rock any of these items? And what is your favorite season? - xoxo darling, Hayden

Sweaters: The white sweater is the epitome of perfection in my mind. It's that classic fisherman sweater that you put on to be cozy while on your couch watching a rom-com with candles blazing...I've been watching a little too much Zoella recently... The green sweater is just a classic and you can find it in a ton of different colors. I think the pink sweater is the perfect transition piece from summer to fall because it's a summer color but the collar screams fall. I really like how the navy sweater looks, it's not a normal cable knit but it has some traditional elements. It looks like it would be very comfy. The striped sweater just looks cozy and would be a great piece to put over black slacks/jeans and booties for work.

Plaid Shirt: Everyone needs a plaid shirt for fall and I like this one because it isn't the traditional button-up with a collar that you normally think of in the season. It would be cute over a simple pair of jeans with penny loafers or riding boots depending on how "fall" you want to be. 

Orange Dress: As a proud Longhorn I need this dress...right? But also, it is the perfect color for fall and since it's still flipping hot outside it would make a great piece for you to trick yourself into think it's fall before it really is. 

Shoes: The penny loafers below are the best way to describe how I want to dress this fall. Basically a version of a prep school woman/1950s/60s ivy league college...are y'all getting that vibe? But I love these shoes, they look comfy and classic. The leopard heels just look fun! I've never worn leopard print before but I'm thinking these scream fall - maybe with a dark red? These vans are so flipping cute! And great for UT events, am I right? But I think they would be great for fall weekends with skinny jeans rolled up and a light sweater. 

Outerwear: What I love most about fall is the weather and the ability to actually layer my clothes. I run really hot so being able to actually put on a jacket is a real win for me. Speaking of, I've always wanted a quilted jacket but have never been able to find the perfect one. I love this one because it's simple and I really like the navy color. As for the jean jacket, I recently donated my old jacket because it just wasn't me anymore so I have been on the hunt for a new one. I like the classic shape of this GAP version and what better way to ring in fall than with a jean jacket? 

Houndstooth Pants: Can we just talk about these? They are the perfect statement pant and they would go with any simple top and shoes. Throw on a white Oxford shirt or a black sweater and simple black flats and you'll be ready for any fall-time meeting at work. 

Accessories: This tote bag is the perfect thing to throw all of your essentials (and more). I'm thinking a water bottle, your planner, a little cosmetic bag, your passport and your wallet would be perfect. It also appears to fit your laptop as well. For your more active adventures, this crossbody will be perfect! It comes in a few different colors but I like the one below the most and I really like the buckle detail. Lastly, the plaid scarf is just an iconic fall/winter wardrobe essential and I really like the colors in this one. I think you can truly match it with any color and it will work. 


Monday, August 6, 2018

Quotes of the Week


Happy Monday lovelies! It was a wonderful weekend and I think it really helped me get back in the swing of things. This summer has been an interesting mix of goings-ons and emotions - just a lot. But this weekend we went for morning walks, had some delicious meals, enjoyed some drinks, had a pool day and went to TJs. Basically, the quote above applies to it all. I think it's so important to have weekends where you plan ahead to have fun because we all easily can fall into the just laying around the house doing nothing (which is wonderful sometimes) but it is nice to get out and make your own fun. I'm looking forward to the week ahead to work on some blog stuff and some life stuff. What are y'all up to? -xoxo darling, Hayden




All images can be found here.

Saturday, August 4, 2018

Articles I'm Reading


  1. The photos from the champagne event in this post are so beautiful // A Taste of Paris // Gal Meets Glam
  2. Love that they are finally doing this // Universal Standard // J. Crew
  3. Fascinating read about a place I've always wanted to visit // The Balancing Act of Arches // New York Times
  4. Oooo Chez Zee is amazing // The 100 Best Brunch Spots in the U.S., According to OpenTable Users // Southern Living
  5. This made my whole family laugh out loud // Historic blunders: 50 worst product flops of all time // USA Today
  6. Woah // The heatwave is uncovering ancient archaeological sites in the UK and Ireland // Lonely Planet 
In Case You Missed It:
My 48 Hour Guide to Nashville, Tennessee is up...
The dress I wore to Commencement is up on the blog & I love it...
An update on the #MoisturizerChallenge...

Friday, August 3, 2018

Boca Black

When I spotted this dress on a rack at River Rose in New Braunfels, Texas I knew I wanted it. As y'all know I hardly ever wear black but there was something about this little number that drew my eye. Maybe it was the scalloped edges or the embroidered flowers but I fell in love. And you might not know this, I hate wearing new clothes as soon as I get them. I prefer to hold on to them for special occasions. But since I had Commencement the week I found this lady, I decided what better time to wear it? The summer in Texas dictates cute, comfy sun dresses so here we are. The shoes are from Longhorn Fashions a few years ago but they still make versions of them (see below). I loved the pom poms with the colors of the flowers on the dress. We shot the look at the Boca Grande Community Center, a building that I love because of its graceful architecture and location on my favorite island. What do y'all think? - xoxo darling, Hayden
Side Note: Despite having purchased the dress in May I cannot find it anywhere on the Internet. So, below I have made a compilation of dresses by the same brand that are almost near matches. There are tons of different colors and I love 'em all. 

Thursday, August 2, 2018

48 Hours in Nashville

Last week my mom and I took a little trip to Nashville. We had both been before but I could hardly remember as I was in elementary school the last time and Nashville has changed. The city grows by almost 100 people a day (remind you of Austin?) so I wanted to experience the new Nashville. And what I found was a beautiful mix of new and old. You still have the Music City personality with this hipster infused spirit. We both really enjoyed our trip so I thought I would make a little 48 hour guide. Each of these spots we visited and enjoyed (some more than others) and there are photos for your enjoyment. Let me know if you've done any of them or if there was something I missed because I plan to go back sooner rather than later - xoxo darling, Hayden.
A note: We stayed at the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Nashville Downtown/The Gulch so when I am giving directions it is from that general area. I would highly recommend The Gulch because it is fairly close to everything. Also, we did not rent a car but I would recommend that as some of this stuff is far apart. You can also visit the Hermitage if you rent a car and that is a must! 
8:30am - Breakfast - Biscuit Love in the Gulch - Start your day with one of the most recommended places on the Internet, Biscuit Love. There are multiple locations but since we stayed at The Gulch, we walked to that location. If you are doing this in Nashville's high season I would recommend getting there right as the doors open because the line gets crazy. Since my mom and I were there on a weekday in the middle of summer we didn't have to wait for a table. However, at around 9am the place filled up and there was a line when we left. If I am being completely honest, it was not my favorite biscuit, purely because it wasn't the kind I grew up with. But it was delicious. I had the SEC {comes with sausage, egg and cheese} and it was a solid breakfast. Perfect for the shopping we would be doing later. 
10am - Shopping -12 South - If you've read other Nashville guides you'll have heard of 12 South. This is the spot where Reese Witherspoon's shop is and where other cute boutiques have flocked. We took a Lyft as we didn't have a car and it was about 15 minutes from The Gulch. We started at White's Mercantile, which is the
perfect spot to purchase a gift for friends back home. We ended up buying some cards & the cutest post card for my dad. But I could've spent hundreds of dollars in there. Next up was a stop at the "I Believe in Nashville" mural and the Draper James blue and white striped wall. These are classic Instagram stop-offs. My mom spent about 10 minutes with me posing in front of her iPhone...and I got stung by a bee! Nuts! Then we ventured into DJ, which can I say? Is the cutest. Literally it is me in a shop. The blue and white theme continues inside and it is my goal in life to wear all of it. I ended up with this top and this t-shirt. I love 'em both. We then stopped in Imogene + Willie, a spot I had read about on a few blogs. We bought a book for my dad and the shop itself is real cute, very Nashville hipster/country musician in the making. 
11am - Mid-Morning Snack - 5 Daughters Bakery - If you follow my personal Instagram account you'll know I assumed this to be an "instagram" bakery meaning that it was great for the 'gram but not so great on the taste buds. Gosh was I wrong, and how happy I was to be wrong! It was so, so, so good. I cannot talk enough about how good that donut was. I chose the Vanilla Cream. It has about 100 layers of donut with vanilla cream in between them and on top. Seriously, this cronut/donut was one of the best things I have ever put in my mouth. Plus, the outdoor seating is cute and they have a little playground for kids. 
11:45am - Shopping - 12 South - To walk off our donut before breakfast we continued our shopping journey through 12 South. We stopped in at Serendipity, a shop that reminded me of South Congress in Austin, for socks and books. If you are a feminist this little, slightly crammed, spot is for you. You'll find books like In the Company of Women and feminist history books. Also, be sure to check out Savant Vintage named by Vogue as the "Best Vintage Store Nashville," which I feel is pretty high praise? 
1pm - Late Lunch -  Martin's BBQ - Instead of opting for the very popular Edley's we walked to Martin's on Belmont that is a little less than a mile walk from 12 South. You can Lyft but my mom and I liked the walk because a) gotta walk off that donut and b) the houses along the walk are too cute. It makes you want to move to Nashville like all of the other people packing up their things. The BBQ spot itself is next to Sun Records, yes the place that made so many of country musics legends. The BBQ itself is delicious. My mom and I both had sandwiches and the meat was tender as well as delicious. I had a cornbread hoecake, spoiler, it's a savory pancake. I really liked the BBQ sauce so I threw it on the aforementioned hoecake and went to town. They offer a "Redneck Taco" which is BBQ on top of a cornbread hoecake topped with slaw and sauce...and I think if you're going you should have that because it sounds pretty magical. 
2:30pm - Walk - Centennial Park - Parthenon - Need to walk off all that delicious whole hog BBQ? Take a Lyft or drive to Centennial Park near Vanderbilt. One of the biggest tourist attractions in Nashville is the Parthenon, which is a must see. The over 100 acre park is a perfect way to get outside and enjoy the fresh air after all of that shopping this morning. 
3:30pm - Afternoon Pick-Me-Up - NoBaked Cookie Dough - Just off the park is NoBaked, in an old house. I had never had gourmet cookie dough - I'm used to eating raw cookie dough out of the Toll House packaging (I know, that's not healthy) so this was completely new to me. My mom and I each got one scoop of their confetti sugar cookie flavor, mine in a cone, hers in a bowl. Let me say right now, one scoop is enough for a family of 5 to happily enjoy. So plan to share because this stuff is incredibly rich. It's delicious but my mom and I couldn't even make a dent in it. The shop also makes for great photos, with their neon "Don't Mind If I Dough" and glitzy "Nashville" signs. 
5:30pm - Dinner - Hattie B's Hot Chicken - Take a walk from the park area to Hattie B's Hot
Chicken on the other side of Vandy's campus. Hot Chicken is a Nashville staple and until this trip I had never tried the delicacy. So what is it? If you've ever been to Popeye's and they ask you if you want spicy or regular, take that and make a few different incredible flavors. You can get the mildest (basically just fried chicken) or you can get it "clucking" hot. My mom and I both got Hot! to feel the heat but not the "Shut the Cluck Up!" flavor because that seemed too extreme for our first time. We also had the pimento mac & cheese that was creamy and incredibly cheesy. I'm not even a fan of pimento but that was delicious. Pro Tip: Order online before you go, you can pick it up at the counter and eat it on the porch instead of waiting in line! We wish we had known this. 
8pm - After Dinner Drinks -  Yazoo Brewing & Tennessee Brew Works - Looking for something to do after you've digested your hot chicken? Head back to The Gulch for some craft beer. Yazoo and TBW are within walking distance of each other (Yazoo was across the street from our hotel) and both provide delicious liquid gold options. TBW has a really cool taproom consisting of shipping crates, balconies and lots of outdoor seating. The State Park Blonde Ale was my favorite but they also do a good IPA. At Yazoo the taproom isn't as cool, but it is the oldest craft brewery in Nashville. I really liked the Hefe, it was one of the best I've ever had. They also do food so if you need a little snack you can grab that. 
9am - Breakfast - Milk & Honey - This Gulch spot was my favorite breakfast in Nashville. We walked from our hotel, took us less than 10 minutes, and instantly were seated. They have some food to go at the front with a bakery case but we opted to sit down. The biscuits are much more traditional and I loved the atmosphere. They have a neon sign that says "Lard Have Mercy," who wouldn't love that? We both had the Big Kid Breakfast (two eggs cooked any way you like, M&H applewood bacon, sourdough toast (can opt for a biscuit for $1.50), local honey, home fries and fresh fruit). We both thoroughly enjoyed it and it set us up for a long morning and late lunch. 
11am - Country Music Hall of Fame  - Oh, this spot is a must see if you are in Nashville for more than an hour. The tickets are a little pricey, but I would say totally worth it. You begin your tour on the third floor with a rotating exhibit (mine was about Loretta Lynn) and then continue on to the "beginning" of country music. The whole museum follows one big timeline so depending on how old you are you will begin to recognize artists in different cases. Each case has 4-5 stars, their bios and then some of their memorabilia. I was fascinated by the outfits - so many bedazzled suits and custom cowboy boots. After we were done I created a playlist on Spotify of all of my old favorites because the museum just makes you want to listen to some country. And even if you don't like country, you can appreciate the hard work all of the artists put in to become themselves. 
12:30pm - Hatch Print Shop Tour - Honestly, the best part of the Hall of Fame is this tour. It's less than $20 and if you love typography, posters or art at all you'll love it. Hatch has been around for over 100 years making posters for everything - from Patsy Cline to kids birthday parties. They do everything by block print. None of it is digital, which is kind of amazing. They are using the same library of type that they had originally and they hand carve images to put on posters. You yourself can order posters between 100-1000 with a max of three colors. And guess what? At the end of the tour you get to make your very own Hatch Print. Seriously, do this. It is amazing. 
1:30pm - Goo Goo Shop - Before grabbing lunch, head further into downtown for a stop at the Goo Goo Shop to pick up some Goo Goo Clusters for your family and friends. Goo Goos are some of my favorite old school candies. They are kind of like a Baby Ruth meets a Turtle. They make them in Nashville so what better little treat to take back to the family? You can also have dessert here as they have a soda fountain. 
2pm - Late Lunch -  Acme Feed & Seed - A little over a block away from the Goo Goo shop, right on the water is Acme. I wrote about this spot for my internship last summer and finally got to go! They have multiple levels with different options. The first is a fast casual option with lunch-y options, floor 2 has a sushi bar, then there is an event space and a rooftop bar. Each level has a bar with various cocktails and craft beer. We had a late lunch on the first floor, I had a BBQ sandwich with fries. The brisket was delicious, the fries were okay. We then headed up to the roof for a cocktail and for the views of the river and people watching. We weren't disappointed. The view from the top is beautiful and the Mule Kicker (ole smoky lemon drop white lightnin', mellow yellow, lemonade, cardamom, served frozen) is delicious. 
3:30pm - Afternoon Pick-Me-Up - Barista Parlor - I stumbled upon this spot while reading a blogger's guide to Nashville and decided to stop in at the Golden Sound location (3 minutes walking from my hotel) to finish up some work. To say I was floored by the reality is an understatement. I knew that the coffee would be good based on the reviews and the photos, but y'all, the space is a co-working dream. The tables are the perfect height, there are tons of plugs and the lightning is a dream. It was one of the most enjoyable coffee shops I have ever been in, seriously. I had the iced coffee and then added a lil' splash of cream. 
7pm - Dinner - Pinewood Social - This is a millennial's dream. Seriously, it's a coffee shop, restaurant, bowling alley and swimming pool all in one perfect location. Not to mention the perfect neon sign above the lanes for that amazing shot for your story. But all joking aside, I was really impressed with
Pinewood. I was a little worried it would be an Instagram haven but there wouldn't be any substance and how wrong I was! We went for a late dinner during a summer weekday so there was no wait and enjoyed our dinner. We had one round of drinks - mine was the Two Tickets to Paradise (dolin blanc, lemon, vodka, black tea, lavender, sparkling rose) which was delicious. It wasn't over the top in the alcohol department but they also weren't skimping. We had French Onion Dip (caramelized onion jam, chives, crispy shallots), something I had never tried but ended up enjoying quite a bit. If you've had the dish before know that this one is a little sweeter than most. Then my mom and I split a Turkey + Brie sandwich (cranberry chutney, sunflower sprouts, multigrain bread) that I really liked. The turkey was fresh and all of the ingredients meshed well together. For dessert we had the Tahitian Vanilla Soft Serve (topped with chocolate cookie crumble) and let me tell you, that flavor is unlike anything I've ever had. But I liked it? I think? Overall, visit Pinewood for the 'grams, stay for the food. 

More Photos:
Hattie B's
NoBaked
Biscuit Love
 Mural on 12 South
White's Mercantile 

Imogene + Willie
 Five Daughters Bakery
Cutest quote in the Draper James dressing room.
A house near 12 South.
 Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint
Barista Parlor Iced Coffee
 Yazoo Beer
 Pinewood Social
 Milk & Honey
Country Music Hall of Fame
Truly can't escape the Eyes of Texas...
My childhood obsession was thriving.
THAT DON'T IMPRESS ME MUCH !! 

Hatch Print Shop
Acme Feed & Seed
 View from Acme Feed & Seed
Frozen Drink at Acme Feed & Seed's rooftop

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