Cold Weather, Color, Daytime Look, Fall/Winter, haley hoover, Real Talk

What Am I Even Wearing?

WELCOME FALL. You are here now. You have officially taking up the roost and shooed my darling summertime away. It’s fine, I’m just a little stressed is all.

With cooler temps upon us, the next wave of trends is rolling in, too. I’ve been in a conundrum for the past two weeks as I feel a nip in the air when I walk to the train. One question pounds around in my cranium all morning as the J train inches towards Manhattan: “What am I wearing this season?” I’ve been pestering my friend Kate for months about what the new, hot boot will be, but she always shot me down saying it was too early and too hot to talk about fall. She was right. But fall always got me buggin! I’ve never felt adequately wardrobed for autumn, it’s my worst season. I’ve never loved jeans and growing up, my corduroys always “swished, swished, swished” in such a way that I grew to hate most pants in general.

Determined to get it right, I start my research early. This year was tricky because things in the trend cycle are starting fresh—only the most daring and fabulous are in the know. We all knew to buy off the shoulder tops for summer this year, because only the coolest of the cool were wearing them last year. At this point, I’m keeping my eyes on the stars. Thankfully, all of those glittering fashion plates are gathered at fashion weeks across the globe, so I found it fitting to report on what to wear through the eyes of the most talented street stylists—and photographers—out there. Here’s what to shop to nail Fall 2016 and spoiler alert(!)—if you’re a 90s baby, you’re in for a treat.

TREND 1 – EAT SPAGHETTI

Photo Cred: VogueRunway.com / Phil Oh

I wasn’t kidding about 90s swag; it is back and it is alive. I vividly remember having a purple tee and lime green tank combo that I rocked in the 4th grade (circa 1994?) and envisioning a grown-up version of that ensemble on my now is still a little hard to swallow. I’ll dip my toe via the most 90s establishment out there: The Gap.

Quick take = Zara Tank + Gap Tee

TREND 2 – BLACK AND WHITE AND PRINTED ALL OVER

Photo Cred: VogueRunway.com / Phil Oh

Praise The Lord for a great printed blouse, a statement piece all on its own. Tuck it into jeans on your way to Sunday brunch or trousers when you’re running late for work on Wednesdays. Pick up stress-free wearable ones from Zara or JCrew Factory or find treasured, glossy (read: high maintenance) ones at Equipment and ALC.

TREND 3 – COLD CLAVICLES

Photo Cred: VogueRunway.com / Phil Oh

Get ready to keep freezing those shoulders off, babies, because the off the shoulder blouses and sweaters ain’t going anywhere! Trust, your arms will be warmed because crazy sleeves are all the rage too (see below). I’m looking at knits to stay cozy, but would be swayed for bright or ruffling versions when Saturday nights come a calling.

I’ll just leave these here for everyone to digest. Ready your wallets, ladies! It’s time to shop; I’ll be back later this week with a little more ~~food~~ fashion for thought.

Happy Monday, y’all.

xx – Haley

Color, Daytime Look, haley hoover, Real Talk, Shopping Guide, Spring/Summer

Bare Boned

I’d like to start out by giving a nod to The Bachelor for keeping me in the know of what cool girls are wearing in fashion. Ever since our move to New York, I’ve been pursuing an NYC look; streamlined, darker, cool shoes. But every now and then, I find it wise to look west to our ~~rivals~~ friends in LA and see what they’re wearing, especially in summertime. In this case, I found my LA-inspo via Bachelor Ben’s gaggle of lovely, *mostly* mild-mannered honies (ps, there’s some debate on how to spell the plural form of Honey, but per urban dictionary this is right). Sure Lauren B and Amanda had some incredibly Cali Style, but I loved Jojo (of course)—she’s from Texas so we are kindof southern sisters and she continually rocked amazing off the shoulder tops. I’d seen shoulder baring tops here and there at the tail end of last summer, but once the girls on America’s Reality Show starting wearing them, I knew we’d be inundated with options this summer, because nothing says, “It’s summer. Let’s date.” like a pair of suntanned shoulders and collar bone.

Wanna climb aboard the trendy train? It’s so easy this summer! I love the off the shoulder top vs. the crop tops and deep v’s of days past because a) everyone has shoulders and b) almost always they are worth showing off and c) you can show them off in a decent, classy way. You can pop this little top on over cutoffs or distressed jeans or dress it way up with a fitted skirt and heels. I posted a picture of me in this outfit a few weeks back and someone commented that this is the “ultimate flirty outfit.” To that I say thank you, first off, and also I don’t disagree.

A little shoulder goes a long way.

I love how this top floats; it’s so easy to pair with whatever!

This is me thinking about how many times I’m wearing this top all summer.

I think this style has longevity. Get ready—I predict designers taking the off the shoulder look far into cooler months because it’s just so dang fun to wear. Plus these tops are flying off the shelves; retailers everywhere are thanking their lucky stars for The Bachelor, probably. It’s like they always say: Shoulder Sells.

Wanna get in on the action, but not sure where to start? I’ve pinned TONS of tops, outfit ideas, and dresses right here on my new Pinterest board to get ya going. Like seriously, there is so much to see. Click over and get to shopping. Don’t forget to email me if you have questions!

xx – Haley

Key Pieces: Top – Zara // Earrings – J Crew // Shoes – Sam Edelman // Nails – Be There in a Prosecco, OPI

haley hoover, Holiday, Spring/Summer

First Saturday in May

Many days, lately, go by without me thinking once about the little farm where I grew up. City life is busy; balancing a full-time job, business on the side, marriage, friendships, fitness, ministry, etc., often take precedent over my old Kentucky home. But when the weather turns warm and the grass smells sweet (you know, before the infamous New York summertime trash smell overtakes), I start listening to a little more country music on Spotify and begin to reminisce over Thursday riding lessons and weekends schooling my Thoroughbred over 4-ft jumps across rolling hills.

Last year when nostalgia set in, I invited as many people that could fit in my apartment over so we could watch The Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday in May. Eager to introduce all of my buddies to what life was like back home, I cooked and baked every dish that even so much as nodded towards southern hospitality: pulled pork, Kentucky Caviar, sweet tea, strawberry salad, Mint Juleps, and Kentucky’s own Derby Pie (you must make this pie, it’s divine). The Derby is all about tradition, so I preemtively wrote “First Annual” on the invitations. You can imagine how excited I was when the first glimmer of spring rolled around and I received a text asking if I was having the party again. Duh.

This year our party roster was comprised of new and old friends, a fresh menu: ribs, chicken and waffles, Hot Brown Sliders (an actual sandwhich type—see above), and some crowd pleasers: Juleps! Pie! We crowded in our one bedroom and all became racing experts for about 20 minutes.

I highly recommend overspending on food and drinks and fresh flowers, just once a year. Draw names out of a hat and scream at the TV. And give everyone pie. Pro tip: after the race, take a camera and all of your friends up to the roof to watch the sunset.

One time, my husband had an interview in which he was asked, “What is the fabric of you?” We laughed hysterically afterwards because #WUT. The joke’s on me though, because I’ve realized that the South is in the fabric of me. That’s why I always look forward to the first Saturday in May.

See y’all later! – Haley

Casual, Daytime Look, Real Talk, Spring/Summer

Hi, Denim on Denim

When it comes to shopping, we all have a different approach. Some people shop to bring home something fresh, while others shop to lift their mood or stay on top of the trends (that’s you, bloggers). Still others shop because they have an event coming up, such as an interview or a party or a big date. The latter-est group is where I fall. I like event-based shopping because all of the pieces I’ve purchased for weddings, work parties, fashion weeks, or whatever else have now become little closet bookmarks for me. Many pieces in my closet hold significance because of where I wore them—my rehearsal dinner, my first party on Park Avenue, my last day in Nashville.

But it’s not just party dresses that I hold dear. Some of my casual go-to’s bookmark my life too. Case in point: my trusty denim shirt. Really, I should say this denim shirt because it wasn’t mine to start. I still remember standing over my friend Lynsie’s open trunk in an empty parking lot in Jackson, TN. We had just finished another work day and closed up the little boutique we worked in together and trudged to our cars, a bright orange sunset likely burning over our heads. Lyns—ever older, wiser, and cooler—let me rummage through a pile of clothes before she dropped them at the local consignment store. I triumphetly fished out this soft, oversized chambray shirt. The brand is Velvet and its role in my closet is pivotal.

Canadian Tux

I wear this guy with pencil skirts, leather pants, white jeans, and, oh yes, regular jeans to pull off what is known as the Canadian Tuxedo, more commonly known as Denim on Denim. D on D is the perfect weekend look with boots or the perfect unassuming date night look with stilettos. It goes preppy with a little knit jacket over top or hipster with a beanie on your head. It truly is a workable palette for every style. Get thee to a store this week if you don’t have a chambray shirt (or blue-jean shirt as my friend Mallory calls it)! Commit to whatever title you want, but seriously, just pick one of these up. Wear it on a date or out on an epic girl’s night, because something this cool should feel just as special.

Need some more inspiration? Welcome to my brand new Pinterest board – where I’m shopping as I post. There’ll be a new board with every post so we can all keep up together. Follow me on Pinterest because, yes, I think it is still a thing. More a thing than LinkedIn. #relevant Hi, Haleyannie x Pinterest

Have fun bookmarking this week –

xx – Haley

KEY PIECES: Denim Shirt – Velvet // Distressed Jeans – Joe Fresh

Per usual, all photos taken by Julia Hembree. Isn’t she great?

Award Show, Night Out, Nighttime Look, Real Talk, Recap

HHA Fashion Bracket: The Ultimate Prize

Is it just me or is it boring in here? Imagine my heartbreak as I turned on the red carpet coverage on Sunday night and…nothing. I am so sorry Hollywood, but you guys phoned it in this year. So many of the gowns just seemed uninspired, drab, or dated. I’m sorely disappointed, but then again, not every year can be 2014 aka The Year of Lupita.

I am, however, very pleased to relay that I have crowned my fashion bracket winners and as an added bonus, I’m including a lightning round Best and Worst Dressed list from The Academy Awards, because a little glitz-meets-snark never killed anyone.

First order of business: our winners. The HiHaleyannie Fashion Bracket Best Dressed Awards go to:

BRIE LARSON and EDDIE REDMAYNE and also EDDIE’S PREGNANT WIFE HANNAH!!!!

My most sincere and envious congratulations to you three. Admittedly, I didn’t expect to give this award to a couple, but the Redmayne’s really brought it this year and there was simply no denying their power-couple prowess. Like any longtime actor finally relishing her red carpet run, Brie Larson took risks with her gowns, but goodness, she stood out. We didn’t have Lupita this year, but I certainly enjoyed The Year of Larson.

Eddie Redmayne + Hannah Bagshawe

Is there anything better than a couple in McQueen? Not this year! Even though Eddie mentioned that he was “sweating” in his velvet tux, it was worth a little dehydration. His perfectly cut suit made him look 7 feet tall with ease. Meanwhile, Hannah rocked out her “maternity gown” with a stunning halter neck covered in jagged gold. Power couples, take note: Black Is Back!

Brie Larson

Brie Larson in Gucci

Upon my first glance, I thought the tasteful, traditional fit of this A-Line gown was too easy to be so good. But a second look sold me. This striking blue gown cinched with a show-stopper belt, reigning in layers of textured, expertly-draped pleats, made this up and coming starlet shine brighter than the rest. Remember when JLaw showed up to her first Oscars a few years ago in the fitted, red Calvin Klein dress and everyone was all, “Who’s THAT?” This is that moment, all over again, for Brie Larson.

With our winners happily basking in the glow of our approval (#Millenials), let’s take a look at who gave them a run for their money in a lightning fast round of BEST DRESSED!

Olivia Wilde – Most Current

In a phrase: WOAH. Like, yes. Pleats and chokers FTW.

Daisy Ridley – Best in Chanel

Daisy Ridley in Chanel Haute Couture and Christian Louboutin

In a phrase: Perfectly executed hemline. A tad old for her, nothing a slick-backed bun can’t fix.

Charlize Theron – MOST MOST

Charlize Theron in Dior Haute Couture

In a phrase: Okay ladies, let’s get in formation. Couture by Charlize.

Saoirse Ronan – Best Entrance

Saoirse Ronan in Calvin Klein

In a phrase: “I may be new here, but I totally know what’s up.”

And real, real quick, can we gently discuss these brave souls who were, as they say in sports, a swing and a miss? WORST DRESSED

Jared Leto – Worst Miss

Jared Leto in Gucci

In a phrase: PUFF

Sarah Silverman – Worst Fit

Sarah Silverman in Zac Posen

In a phrase: Spray tans don’t fix everything.

Alicia Vikander – Weirdest Choice

Alicia Vikander in Louis Vuitton

In a phrase: Melted butter popcorn.

Ahh, doesn’t that sass feel good? And with that, let’s kiss goodbye this award season! Thanks for following along. Next week, I’ll recap Fashion Month, so get your notebooks out—you’re gonna want to write this stuff down. 😉

Cheers y’all,

Haley

All photos via Vogue.com

#BYOC, Real Talk, Recap, Shopping Guide

On to the Next

“On to the Next” is one of my favorite phrases. A few years ago, my little brother and I graduated high school and college the same year, and I convinced my mom to get the Walmart bakery (I know, classy) to write it on our cake for the graduation party. Those blessed artisans at Walmart delivered—”On to the Next” was written in neat cursive; everyone at the party smiled and simultaneously tilted their head in confusion when they passed by our white cake with white icing and red accents. I didn’t care because a) I weirdly like doing things that throw people off and b) I was so ready for life beyond the textbook. This isn’t a plea to millennials to not go to school. Go to school, millennials. You don’t need a year to “pursue your YouTube channel full-time.”

As I shake off 2015, I’m staring down the blank slate that is 2016. I’ve made personal resolutions which include using my camera more, running more miles—the typical stab at being more creative and getting skinnier. (I’m toasting 2016 with a glass full of green juice.) But here’s what’s going on in THIS space, you know, just in case you’ve been wondering:

I’m calling this my to-do list, rather than my resolutions, because everyone knows that resolutions never get completed and to-do lists, well, do, more often at least. Let me break it down for you.

More #BYOC – Bring Your Own Coffee is coming back! I’ll be highlighting more go-getters, more NYC ballers that I’ve crossed paths with over the past year.
More Shopping – Sorry guys, kindof forgot this was a style blog, not just a collection of pretty pictures. More posts featuring actual clothes you can buy.
More Closet Basics – I’m excited to be walking everyone through my closet basics, all the the things you should ABSOLUTELY have in your closet for no-fail, always-chic outfits.
Find affordable faux leather pants that are decent and look legit. DONE! I found these, they’re here. Go buy them.
The Big Hihaleyannie Project – this last one is still a bit secret, but it’ll be big and super fun when it happens. Stay. Tuned.

4 out of 5 things left to do. Are you ready to start shopping again? I am! On to the next…

Cheers,

Haley

NYFW, Recap, Spring/Summer

Fashion To Go – NYFW

The invasion has begun. My instagram feed is flooded with pictures of my favorites spots around town, but now by out of towner bloggers. Blacked-out windowed Escalades and Suburbans are hunkered down in front of the hotels Mercer, Crosby and Trump. When I walk home from work, my route is a little less direct as I swing by these spots to try and spot/restrain myself from tackling a celebrity. Fashion’s bi-annual Christmas has begun –

WELCOME TO NEW YORK FASHION WEEK.

Sadly, I’ll be missing many of this season’s shows due to an overly hectic personal schedule, but I’m following along via that oh-so-helpful, yet FOMO inducing social media. If you want to bone up your fashion intake this week, I highly recommend checking into Vogue’s site VOGUErunway.com (RIP STYLE.COM – you will be missed!)

If you just maybe want to know what’s hot and what’s not this NYFW, I’m your girl. Today is all about the quickest Fashion Week rundown ever.

Let’s jump right into Hihaleyannie’s First-Ever Fashion To Go!

The Favorite – Public School

photo cred: vogue.com

Right now, these two designers are the hottest thing out there. Between their much adored line and manning the helm at DKNY this season, Dao-Yi Chow and Maxwell Osborne are honing their A game and bringing it hard. Passionate lovers of the city, it’s easy for us all to pull for the street-style guys whose line’s style is a little goth and a little prep and very, very clean. Not to mention, their ready to wear items sell out faster than you can say,”Where do you keep your Public School shorts?” As my friend, Russian GQ photographyer, Volodya Timchuk, would say, “They are cool, Soho boys.” Yes they are Vlad, yes they are.

Most Instagrammed – Givenchy

photo cred: @VogueParis

The inception of the Givenchy show began and concluded on Instragram. Last week, Givenchy announced via Instagram that they would give away 425 +1 tickets to whomever signed up in time. Givenchy’s acclaimed designer Ricardo Tisci was thrilled to be presenting in NY for the first time and wanted the world to see it happen. Well we all signed up and the site crashed several times and yours truly is ~~proud~~ sad to say she did not land a ticket. BUT good ol up-to-the-nanosecond Insta was there for us. Snaps of Kanye and Kim finding their seats flooded my feed, along with the gorgeous West-side sunset glowing in the background while cream colored ladies with bejeweled faces stoically walked the catwalk. I feel like I was there! But not really.

Most Runwayed – Gigi, Kendell, Cara, Karlie and the rest of the PYT Squad

photo cred: Vogue.com/Getty Images

Fashion’s darling girls are only gaining momentum this season.This group of gorgeous, barely-of-age ladies will walk in almost every show imaginable. You can’t swing a stick in Manhattan without hitting one of these doe-eyed, long-legged vixens. And they’ll be walking every show from DVF to Tommy Hilfiger to Oscar de la Renta. I mean you can for sure swing a stick without hitting one of them. But it’s so crowded in the city lately that you can’t really swing a stick without hitting someone. Also, where would you find a stick? #nonature

Most Under The Radar Runwayed – Anna Ewers

photo cred: vogue.com

She’s the face you’ve seen but just can’t place it. But Anna walks in hundreds of shows a season and no doubt this season is no different. Her face is strong or soft or sexy or whatever mood a designer is attempting to create. She’s the ultimate muse to any artiste and we’ll continue to unknowingly see her face in ads for many seasons to come.

Back At It – Lauren Conrad

photo cred: @lclaurenconrad

If you are my mom, you may actually recognize this name! Everyone’s favorite Kohl’s designer is back at it with a new line. LC didn’t quite graduate from soft sweetness, but hey, you do what you know. And yes, there’s a time and a place for girly girls and that place is a place where girls where bows in their hair (that means you, the South!) and bikinis on the reg (heyyyy California!).

Hot Colors – Just take a look at the most recent shows showcased on Voguerunway:

photo cred – Voguerunway.com

Hard to say as today really dives into the deep end of the shows, but I’m saying we’re coming back to bright, bold color and lightness in general. Yesterday, Idan Cohen sent his models down the runway in bright, candy-colored and beaded gowns. At Givenchy last night, Ricardo Tisci sent his girls down his highline runway in white silk slips and cream colored jackets. Better up your spray-tan budget for Spring 2016.

Hot Trends

photo cred: voguerunway.com

I’m calling for another round of off the shoulder tops coupled with high-slit skits. This season will be about showing skin in new and exciting ways. Less cutouts, more slits.

Keep your eyes peeling and your ‘liking’ finger ready because now you know. Next week we’ll recap shows and drool over all the pretty clothes. Merry Fashion Week to us all.

Haley

Casual, Daytime Look, Real Talk, Spring/Summer, travel diaries

There’s More to Explore

As the dog days of summer truly start to become their most dogged – long hot days that drift into nights, last minute trips into Zara because you’ve worn all of your sundresses at least thrice, and the ~~fear~~ fact that fall and winter (!) are just around the corner, I’m beginning to reflect on the places I’ve seen since Memorial Day.

Many plane rides drew me southward while numerous other free weekends led my husband, Ryan, and I to new sights in the city. There was a weekend a failed attempt to visit the Bronz Zoo on a dime turned into a full on exploration of the Bronx and a new venture into Ecuadorean food. Another weekend we lounged on an old blanket at Rockaway Beach and watched the surf set catch wave after wave. There was also a hot Saturday in July when we attended the DETAILS magazine pool party at the McCarren Hotel and then afterwards I dragged Ryan ALLL the way to the upper east side to take in China: Through the Looking Glass at the Met.

We’ve had picnics at dusk in Central Park and an evening where we ran through a torrential downpour on the way to catch Jurassic Park at the Battery Park movie theatre. The streets were so empty I thought maybe we were living out the plot from I Am Legend and two of us were Will Smith and the dog.

My husband always laughs at me come May because my alter-ego, “Summer Haley,” comes to life. Summer Haley does more, sleeps less, and takes in absolutely everything possible. Summer Haley is my best me, for sure. When my photographer friend, Julia, suggested we shoot up in Harlem, I was so game. Welcome to the best wall mural you’ve ever seen, in all its Sesame Street, primary-colored, happy-drawing glory.

My best piece of advice for loving where you live? Experience it. Every part of it. Get outside, because there’s more to explore.

Lots of love,

Summer Haley

Key Pieces // Tank – Vince | Hat & Pants – Joe Fresh | Shoes – Sam Edelman | Clutch – Anthropologie

HI, HALEYANNIE | STUDIO H

style, self, & motherhood

Tag Archives: fresh style

What Am I Even Wearing?

Bare Boned

First Saturday in May

Hi, Denim on Denim

HHA Fashion Bracket: The Ultimate Prize

On to the Next

Fashion To Go – NYFW

There’s More to Explore