The Build-Up to Chelsea's Wedding

(Image Copyright: Getty)

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former President Bill Clinton arrive attend the pre-wedding dinner in Rhinebeck, NY.

News round up on The Hill

(Image Copyright: Getty) 

Obama pushes for Rangel exit

Amanpour to 'broaden the conversation'

Groups don't want Fox in Thomas's seat

No charges for Gore

This Week with Christiane Amanpour

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Be sure to tune in to the newly branded This Week with Christiane Amanpour on Sunday, which will feature an exclusive interview with Speaker Pelosi and Secretary of Defence, Robert Gates.  A GMA interview with Amanpour can be viewed here.

The President on The View

(Image Copyright: Getty) 

President Obama was on The View earlier today, the first sitting President in history to appear on the show.

Watch excerpts and the full programme here.

Protecting Social Security at 75 Years

(Image Copyright: AP)

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and Majority Whip James Clyburn are joined by fellow members of Congress during an event marking 75 years of Social Security.

Aretha Franklin and Condoleezza Rice perform for Inner City Music Education

Watch the unique performance here!

Meeting at the White House

(Image Copyright: Getty)

The President hosted a bi-partisan meeting at the White House earlier today, attended by the Speaker, Minority Leaders, and Senate Majority Leader.

20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act

(Image One and Two; author copyright, Image Three; Getty)

I was fortunate to attend the reception celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act in Statuary Hall earlier today. Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Hoyer were joined by Rep. Jim Langevin (D:RI) and Rep. James Sensenbrenner (R:WI) to honour the historic legislation.  Earlier today, Rep. Langevin was the first disabled member of Congress to preside over the House due to the installation of a mechanical lift which can reach the Speaker's rostrum. 

Washington DC on Flickr

I'm currently in Washington DC, and will be updating my Flickr account regularly with pictures from my travels, visits and other places which interest me. Keep visiting back for updates!

Laura's Photostream

Signing of the unemployment insurance extension legislation

(Image Copyright: Getty) 

The Speaker of the House signs the unemployment insurance extension legislation in the Rayburn Room of the Capitol Building, July 22nd 2010. After the President signs the bill, the legislation will restore unemployment benefits to people who have been out of work for six months or more.

Michelle Obama in Mississippi

(Images Copyright: Reuters) 

The First Lady christened the National Security Cutter Stratton at Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding yesterday. I particularly love these two photographs showing her reaction to the exploding bottle of champagne!

Signing of the Financial Reform Bill

(Image Copyright: Getty)

The President officially signed the financial reform bill at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center earlier today. The bill will create a consumer protection agency, lay out a blueprint for disassembling financial entities considered too big to fail and other reforms.

Mrs Obama in Baltimore

(Image Copyright: Getty)

The First Lady was in Baltimore earlier today, joining local members of the Boys and Girls Club of America and the Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities Program. Mrs O wore white pants with a blue printed top and grey Converse.

Michelle Obama and Duke Ellington Students

The First Lady welcomed students from the Duke Ellington School of the Arts and the Joy of Motion Dance Center to the White House earlier today. Mrs O debuted a fantastic yellow/beige new pant suit with a jeweled belt, notably seen on the campaign trail.

Obamas back in DC

Reporting from The Huffington Post here

Bon Voyage!

Posting on Political Style will be light over this weekend due to my travels to the States. Normal posting will resume on Monday!

Have a great weekend everyone!

This Weekend: Free Delivery on Temporary Secretary

Be snappy! There's free delivery on all orders at Temporary Secretary this weekend. Perhaps you fancy this gorgeous camera necklace, or one of the other amazing designs? Treat yourself!!

Temporary Secretary

Michelle Obama addresses healthcare event

(Image Copyright: Getty)

The First Lady and Dr Biden attended an event regarding the Affordable Healthcare Act at George Washington University Hospital earlier this week. Mrs Obama highlighted the benefits of the Act, including it will require new health plans to cover the costs of preventative screenings for diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. For the event, Mrs O wore a summery white and yellow dress, and Dr B a powdery blue suit.

If money were no object...

I'd buy this huge Goyard luggage traveling case!

Speaker Pelosi profiled in Christian Science Monitor

Read The Christian Science Monitor's excellent profile of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi here.

Mary Queen of Shops: A Fashion Retrospective

(Image Copyright: Zimbio)

The Daily Telegraph has a fantastic retrospective of Mary Portas' fabulous looks from her latest TV series. Check out the photo gallery for autumn's key trends as well as ways to spice up your wardrobe!

Michelle Obama at the NAACP Annual Convention

(Images Copyright: AP)

The First Lady spoke at the NAACP Annual Convention in Missouri yesterday, focusing on the work of her Let's Move initiative. Politico reports on the event here. For the event, Mrs O wore a black and white polka dot ensemble.

Later in the day, Mrs O traveled to Panama City Beach, Florida where she met business and tourism leaders to discuss the ongoing Gulf oil spill. She changed in to white pants and a white and black floral top for this stop on her mini one day tour.

Launch of the London Reuse Network

Joanna Lumley and London Mayor Boris Johnson launched an exciting new project outside City Hall today, encouraging Londoners to reuse and recycle old pieces of furniture.

With £8 million funding from the London Waste and Recycling Board, the scheme will rehouse unwanted items. The scheme will collect, refurbish, and sell furniture, books, carpets and bikes through to cookers and fridges. It aims to divert 17,000 tonnes of reusable products from landfill over the next two years, saving over 80,000 tonnes of carbon emissions. The scheme will begin to serve the boroughs of Hammersmith and Fulham, Lambeth, Wandsworth, Kensington and Chelsea before growing to the rest of the city.

Travel in Style

As I leave for a break in the USA this weekend, fashion posts this week will be dedicated to those little luxuries which would make traveling that little bit easier!

Vanessa Bruno, oversized sequin canvas tote, £185

Smythson, stamped leather jewelry roll, £145

Anya Hindmarch, Gadgets bag, £45

Lanvin, corded ballerinas, £285

Smythson, travel wallet and passport holder, £200

If you have any travel tips that you'd like to share with Political Style, drop me an email or a comment!

All available at Net-a-porter.com

Isabella Rossellini for Bulgari

This is pretty much pure luxury... and what dreams are made of!
Check out Vogue's interview with Rossellini, discussing her inspiration for this gorgeous bag.

Photography

Regular readers and visitors to Political Style are aware of my passionate interest in photography. I recently purchased my first DSLR, a big step for me in making my sometime hobby in to a professional venture. I photograph something everyday, always learning and viewing the world through a different type of lens.

I use Flickr to display my efforts, and would love if you would take just two minutes to look at some of my photographs. Images from my travels in Sydney to London, New Zealand to the USA and of course, some images a little closer to home are amongst the postings on my page.

Please leave a comment, whether it be on Flickr or on here- I'm always eager to hear what people think!!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lauraemilydunn/

Flat it

Tapeet, chain bar sandals, £76.50

Tory Burch, Thora sandals, £50

Lanvin, ribbon tie sandals, £120

Tory Burch, Emmy flat, £102

Jimmy Choo, jelly t-bar, £66.50

All available for a limited time, on sale at Net-a-porter.com

Barbara Boxer polls ahead

(Image Copyright: AP)

Politico reports that Barbara Boxer is polling three points ahead of her Republican challenger, 47% to 44%. Read the report here.

Mrs Obama and Mrs Netanyahu

(Official White House photography by Samantha Appleton)

Mrs Obama meets Mrs Netanyahu for afternoon tea in the Yellow Oval Room, July 6th 2010. Mrs O wears a sleeveless patterned dress with black leafed detail.

Michelle Obama at the Treasury Department

(Image Copyright: Reuters)

The First Lady visited the Treasury Department yesterday, thanking employees for their service. On one of the hottest days of the year, Mrs O wore a floral skirt, silver belt and a simple white camisole and cropped cardigan. A pair of purple pumps completed the look.

Purchase of the Week: Fitflop

I bought a pair of these stylish FitFlops today! The Pietra style cost me £50, but for the health and exercise benefits it claims to offer I am certainly willing to try. I will be doing alot of walking this summer, and shall report back on the success and improvements when I see them!!

A Weekend in London

I spent two days in London last week, meeting up with a friend and soaking up some local culture. The weather, as you can see in my photographs, was glorious albeit a little too hot for me.

We strolled around Holland Park and South Kensington, familiar stomping grounds for me and had lunch at Laduree in Harrods. I looked at fabulous dresses in Betty Jackson, and picked out several items in the Conran Shop in the Bibendum building for my dream future home. I was particularly impressed with Hermes' latest window displays- they embrace old fashioned photography equipment, draping reels of film alongside Kelly bags, and vintage cameras on bright orange tripods next to gorgeous silk scarves. I'll take all of them please!

For more of photography, please visit my Flickr page.

Live like the Obamas

Politico has an interesting article today, suggesting all the places in Washington DC you should visit to be like the Obama family. Ben's Chilli Bowl, the International Spy Museum and Proof are just three places listed.

The Bidens in Baghdad

(Image Copyright: Getty)

The Vice President and Dr Biden visited US troops in Baghdad over the July 4th weekend. Landing in Baghdad Air Force Base on Saturday, the Bidens were accompanied by Senators John McCain, Lindsay Graham and Joe Lieberman.

Dr Biden visited female US troops, as well as a naturalisation ceremony with the Vice President.

Grab a bag

Ally Capellino @ Tate Online Shop, £42

Longchamp Le Pliage satchel in Navy, £85 

Mulberry scotchgrain messenger, £350

The Cambridge Satchel Company, £76 (also available monogrammed!)