Summer Shirtdress Styling Tips by Ehmonie Hainey - if you enjoyed this post, you can read more at What's Haute, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.

My summer wardrobe consists of mostly dresses – a mix of long, short and midi styles. I’m good for buying a discounted piece and styling it up with more expensive accessories. It’s easy when you start with a great foundation – a great dress like this striped shirt dress. I was immediately drawn to this style due to its fine stripes and long, fitted silhouette. I loved a good maxi dress but not one so long that I’m tripping over the hem all day, so the length on this one was perfect. And because it’s black and white, it could be styled with pretty much anything. I kept my color palette neutral, accessorizing with tan and camel colored pieces.

Sleeveless V-Neck Shirt Dress / Similar here, here, and here
Floppy hat / Similar here and here
Gucci Leather belt with double G buckle / Also here and here
Coach hobo / Similar here
Franco Sarto Jennifer Wedges / Similar here and here

How would you style a summer shirtdress? How do you like to rock your summer dresses?

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Don’t Get Left Out in the Cold – Shop my Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2017 picks! by Ehmonie Hainey - if you enjoyed this post, you can read more at What's Haute, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.

In the thick of all this summer heat, Nordstrom dropped its annual Anniversary Sale, packed with deals on lots of things it’s too hot to even think about wearing right now. But in case you haven’t snapped up anything yet, hurry – the fun and savings end on August 6. I look forward to the annual sale strictly to stock up on this Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel Duo (an Anniversary Sale Beauty Exclusive). This is one face wash that works super well on my problem skin, and the two bottles last me several months, so this year I bought two. I may or may not pick up a third and or fourth….

Anyway, aside from my annual must-buy, I’ve rounded up a few more haute fashion and beauty items that you might wanna click the link and buy (or browse, then buy). But mostly, buy, because the prices go up August 7, and that hot Fall buy you wanted might be sold out by then too, and I don’t want you to get left out in the cold. ‘ Cause I care.

Here are my Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2017 picks to get ‘ya started:

BP. Metallic Faux Leather Baseball Cap
Anniversary Sale price: $15.90
After Sale: $25.00

Tory Burch Collins Double Wrap Leather Strap Watch, 38mm
Anniversary Sale price: $196.90
After Sale: $295

MAC Look in a Box Saint No Angel Mini Lip Kit
$26.50 ($40 Value)
*Anniversary Sale Beauty Exclusive

Kendra Scott Elisa Filigree Pendant Necklace – Rose Gold Filigree
Sale: $35.90
After Sale: $55.00

MADEWELL Paint Stripe Transport Leather Tote
Sale: $129.90
After Sale: $198.00

Vince Camuto Fileana Split Shaft Bootie
Sale: $99.90
After Sale: $149.95

FOREO Black LUNA™ mini 2 Compact Facial Cleansing Device
Sale: $93.00
After Sale: $139.00

Kenneth Cole New York Double Face Coat – Regular & Petite
Sale: $129.90
After Sale: $198.00

1.STATE Waylan Slip-On Sneaker
Sale: $59.90
After Sale: $99.95

Laura Geller Beauty Just Blushing Baked Blush Trio
$34.00 ($72 Value) Free shipping
* Anniversary Sale Beauty Exclusive

Kate Spade New York in a flash drop earrings
Sale: $38.90
After Sale: $58.00

Let me know what you picked up from the sale this year!

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Birthday Reflections by Ehmonie Hainey - if you enjoyed this post, you can read more at What's Haute, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.

For my birthday, I once enjoyed a great party and all the gifts my heart desired, but as I get older, I like use the moment to reflect on all of the things in my life and what I’m thankful for. It’s actually something I try to do everyday, but my birthday is a chance for me to stop and look back on the past year. This year has been challenging, to say the least, but I also realize I’ve also been greatly blessed. So my recent birthday was an opportunity for me to take stock of all the great things happening in my life, and focus on those blessings and answered prayers – and even some of the unanswered ones. This year, I’ve grown much closer to God which is really the most important thing. I’ve also grown a lot closer to my mother, particularly after we lost my aunt. I’ve gotten to use my acting and improv skills and training in various formats, and have been in a few paid performances, and have some upcoming. I have grown closer to my amazing group of friends, who are smart, supportive, creative, and so entertaining. I’ve joined two boards of directors and where I can contribute my experience, skills and knowledge to help grow their organizations. I have continued to be able to grow What’s Haute, which I am proud to have sustained after all of these years after so many substantive changes in the blogging world. And I have some other things I’m working on that are personally fulfilling that I’m excited about.

I don’t say any of this to brag, but to remind myself that amidst the struggles, there are a ton of great things happening for me and to me, and they are all things I’ve prayed about and asked God for. I encourage you to take stock of your life and even though it might not be perfect (hint: it never is!), there are probably a bunch of things you can be thankful for, right now.

What are you most grateful for?

What I’m wearing: ASOS Scuba Bow Front Pephem Midi Dress, Franco Sarto Jennifer Wedge Sandal

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Getting My Hair In Summer Shape with the OGX Coconut Miracle Oil Collection by Ehmonie Hainey - if you enjoyed this post, you can read more at What's Haute, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.

Summer is without a doubt my favorite season. I’ve got Caribbean blood so I crave the warmth of the sun! And of course there’s the bonus of extended daylight hours, and the option to rock barely there sundresses. But during the summer, it’s always a struggle to keep my skin dry and my hair moisturized. The harsh sun seems to sap all the life out of my hair, and when I try to grease it like I do throughout the winter, it just gets all limp and oily. That’s why I have to find other ways to nourish my hair during the summer months.

My fave drugstore brand, OGX, sent over some right on time products from their new Coconut Miracle Oil collection. These ultra-moisturizing products are formulated for thick to coarse hair, and are meant to “help repair, soften and revive damaged strands and discover silky, soft island-inspired hair.” I received the Coconut Miracle Oil Penetrating Oil, Coconut Miracle Oil Shampoo and Coconut Miracle Oil Conditioner. I always love using OGX products – they seem to work well on keeping my hair nourished and moisturized from the inside. And the products in this collection are no different.

Since using them, my hair feels a lot less dry and a lot softer and healthier. A friend of mine even asked me recently: “What did you do to your hair – it looks great!” thanks, OGX, for helping me get my hair in shape this summer!

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Hotel Review: My Stay at Hotel Elysée by Ehmonie Hainey - if you enjoyed this post, you can read more at What's Haute, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.

Disclosure: I was comped for part of my stay at Hotel Elysée but all opinions and views are honest and my own.

If someone wanted to gift me unlimited trips to France for a lifetime, I’d happily take them! I adore the country and its culture but unfortunately, my schedule (and my wallet) won’t allow for me to visit on a regular basis. So I’m always on the lookout for ways to get my dose of France within the U.S. (and within my budget). French cafes feed my food fix; while art, music and literature fill my French cultural needs. And I recently discovered Hotel Elysée, a NYC-based hotel that made me feel like I was back in France.

Hotel Elysée is just one hotel under the Library Hotel Collection umbrella of properties, which includes the Hotel Giraffe, Library Hotel, Casablanca Hotel and others. They hosted me for a recent weekend birthday trip in New York. The iconic hotel was built in the 1920’s and named for a French restaurant. It’s an intimate Upper East Side/Midtown East property and has a distinctive French feel.

I arrived early on a Friday afternoon and the hotel was still preparing my room so they offered to stow my bags until my room was ready. I took a stroll up and down Fifth Avenue while I waited (only a few short blocks away), grabbing lunch and doing some shopping. They called to let me know I could check in, and once I got to explore the hotel, I felt like I had been transported back to Paris.

The picturesque interior décor throughout the property had all of the charm and warmth of an intimate French flat. From the painted walls featuring a French courtyard, to the regal colors and furnishings throughout, I really felt like I was back in Europe! I stayed in a Deluxe guest room, which featured a sitting area (living room) upon entry), with a working desk (perfect for a writer like me), a large closet, and plenty of space to store my things. Flanking it was a large bedroom on one side and the bathroom on the other. The bedroom featured a super comfy queen-sized bed, a flat screen TV with a wide range of cable channels and a DVD player, a mini bar, and two lounge chairs by the windows – perfect for relaxing and people watching. The only minor issue I had with the room was that there was no peephole in the door, probably because it is an older hotel. Plus, there was no additional door guard/chain lock aside from the deadbolt.

Other little luxuries in the room included plush bath robes and Gilchrist & Soames toiletries. And in case you needed it, you could request any of the following during your stay: an empty mini-fridge, coffee or tea maker, space heater, fan, hypoallergenic foam top for mattress, hypoallergenic foam pillows, featherbed mattress topper, feather pillows, memory foam pillows, down or hypoallergenic blanket, fleece blanket, baby crib, lighted makeup mirror, DVD’s, night light, satin sleep mask, earplugs, and the SleepPhones system (to borrow or purchase to take home).

Other Hotel Elysée perks include:
• A lavish Continental breakfast that is served daily in the Club Room on the second floor.
• The New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Herald Tribune, USA Today and the New York Post are available each morning
• Cookies, fresh fruit, coffees and teas are available throughout the day
• A wine and cheese reception every evening from 5 to 8pm, which includes Prosecco and fine wines, plus imported and domestic cheeses and hors d’oeuvres
• Wireless high speed internet which can be accessed throughout the hotel, with a computer for guest use in the Library on the second floor
• Daily passes to the nearby New York Sports Club are available so you can participate in a full range of cardio and strength-training equipment and aerobic, cycling and body-sculpting classes
• A complimentary library of books, and DVD’s you can borrow during your stay
• The world famous Monkey Bar restaurant right below the hotel!

Unfortunately I didn’t get to check out the wine and cheese reception, because I spent most of my time out exploring the city and visiting my old haunts. But the manager did leave a complimentary bottle of Mondavi Cabernet Savignon, a box of Salt Of The Earth Bakery’s The Wild Oat oatmeal cookies, and a Leonidas Milk Chocolate bar for me in my room – thank you! I did get to check out the Continental breakfast on the last day of my stay. It’s on the second floor in the Club Room which features a piano and a library and plush couches to relax on while you eat and drink. For breakfast, there was a variety of fresh fruit juices and fruits, oatmeal, yogurt, cereals, bread and pastries and coffee – all so very French!

I know New York City has everything you could ever want, but I never expected to find a little taste of French luxury tucked away on the Upper East Side! I used to work in that same area and never even realized that I could indulge in my dreams of going back to Paris by just dropping in Hotel Elysée! And it’s so conveniently located to various train lines, Central Park, Fifth Avenue and UES shopping and restaurants that you don’t even need to leave the area to get your fill of NYC fun.

If you’re like me, and you crave a place that feels authentically French (without having to hop a plane to Europe), give Hotel Elysée a try! I know I’ll be staying there again when I want a taste of France!

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