Seeing Stripes

hat // sunnies // top (currently 30% off!) // jacket // shorts (currently 30% off!) // purse (last seen here) // shoes (currently 30% off!)

I own and wear far too many stripes. Then again, is it even possible to have too many stripes? I think not. I scooped up these colorful striped shorts a couple weeks ago (and now they are on sale!). I knew spring would not last long here in Florida and summer was coming.

While I love shorts, they are basically formal wear down here lol, I have to restrict how many I allow myself to buy. Because shorts just aren't super useful for my summer travels. In general, Italians/Europeans wear fewer shorts, and so many religious sites have dress codes that forbid shorts (for both men and women FYI). So while there are a ton of cute shorts that I am currently lusting over, like these, I will have to content myself with these pretty stripes... for now.

I also added this gorgeous panama hat to my growing hat lady collection. I love the crisp white detail against the rich, golden straw. Finally, I completed this bright and cheery look with my favorite lemon crossbody.

Happy Monday everyone!

Oh and PS, congrats to Jessica who won the Dagne Dover giveaway!

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Shhhh... It's a Secret

hat (old, love this one) // sunnies // top // jacket // skirt // bag // espadrilles (super old, similar and a great price)

There are two things that I love, secrets and tacos! The only thing better than secrets and tacos is a secret taco. And it's no secret that Bar Taco is one of my favorite restaurants in Tampa. So when they invited me to try their secret taco, I couldn't say yes fast enough. Kelly was invited as well so we made a girl's day out of it.

Every month Bar Taco has an off-the-menu secret taco. But if you want to try it, you have to ask for it. This month's taco is a crispy avocado. I thought the cauliflower taco was my favorite until I tried this one. Delicious is an understatement. It's a lightly fried slice of fresh avocado over tangy cabbage and topped with a slightly spicy sauce. Next time you hit up Bar Taco with your friends (they have locations in CT, NY, VA, TN, GA, and of course, FL) you can impress everyone by ordering the secret taco.

Also, it is worth noting that Bar Taco totally gets Kelly and I, they brought us tacos to photograph and then fresh, warm tacos to eat (plus and all of the staff wear gingham).

After eating our body weight in tacos, guac, and churros (#sorrynotsorry), Kelly and I strolled Hyde Park and grabbed a coffee from the Buddy Brew brew truck. It was an absolutely gorgeous spring day so I wore an airy striped pleated skirt, lace cropped top, and denim jacket. I added some red accents with my bag and espadrilles. I topped the look off with my favorite hat that I recently refreshed by adding a wide navy ribbon and bow. It was so easy and really transformed the hat (you can see the before here).

I am so enjoying these lovely spring days (Britt and I had the most delightful picnic yesterday) and I hope they hang around for a while!

Happy Monday!

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Conference Chic

trench (last seen here) // dress // purse // ballet flats

If you follow me on Instagram or Snapchat (HinHH), then you know that I am in Boston for a conference (the Annual Meeting of the Renaissance Society of America). And today is the big day that I am presenting my paper.

This look, however, is actually from yesterday. Because I could never get away with wearing something like this to present a paper. Sad, but true. Basically, this conference is a sea of conservative neutrals and frumpy black ensembles. Needless to say, Jess and I stuck out in our gingham, stripes, and florals (#sorrynotsorry).

While I will make concessions when presenting, because I don't want to detract from my work, I refuse to do so when I am not presenting. Because I shouldn't have to suppress my individual style to prove my integrity as a scholar or commitment to discipline of history (here is a great article on this issue).

For my presentation today, I went with a more subdued, but still fashionable and gorgeous, blouse and simple black skirt. You can read more of my tips for dressing for a professional or academic conference here.

Have a great weekend!

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Outfit: Coming up Roses

Zara jacket (similar here and here) // top // skirt (sewn, inspiration piece here, fabric available here) // bag // Celine sunnies (similar) //  heels (very comfy!)

I am so excited to share this outfit because it features my very first sewing success - this rose print box-pleated skirt! I basically fell head over heels for all of Kate Spade's most recent release, but I especially loved the abstract rose print. So I decided to make something similar! Once I digitally painted the roses, I created a repeating pattern and uploaded it to Spoonflower. They printed my custom fabric and when it arrived, I immediately got to work.

After watching tons of Youtube tutorials on pleating and skirt pattern making, I settled on a simple, large box pleat design. This skirt was surprisingly easy to make, and despite my first try coming out way to small (measuring is hard), my second skirt was close to perfection! I think I am officially addicted. With the ability to design your own fabric and my new found sewing skills, the sky is the limit! Next I will be tackling a cropped, short-sleeve top and matching full skirt.

The good news is that Spoonflower allows you to publish and sell your fabric designs. So if you're interested, you can purchase this fabric here!

So what do you guys think? I have to admit, I am pretty proud of myself!

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Outfit: Love At First Stripe

Zara coat (similar) // stripe tee // pants (lots of great colors and many are on sale) // bag (similar) // wedges // sunglasses // lip (in heat wave)

Is there anything better than the perfect navy and white stripe shirt (and this one has bows down the back!)? It basically goes with everything and should be an essential on any packing list. It is also the key to achieving a nautically-inspired look, which just happens to be one of my favorite trends each and every spring (actually, I love all resort wear in general).

The minute I spotted these red pants at J.Crew I knew I wanted to pair them with stripes and a double breasted blazer or coat. I love the intensity of the red pants and they have just the perfect amount of stretch, which makes them easy to wear and flattering. I decided to size up (a 6 instead of a 4), per the reviews online, and I was glad I did.

You can shop all of my favorite striped tees below!