Discovering DC: Hillcrest

This week, Discovering DC heads to Hillcrest with Manoucheka from Colour Me Glam! 

What's your history with Hillcrest and DC?
I moved to DC 7 years ago from Boston. At the time, I was convinced I was going to save the world as most young people out of college believe. I eventually landed on Capitol Hill working for Dianne Feinstein. Since then, I have settled in at a public relations firm in the city.

Discovering Hillcrest- what are your favourite places to shop/eat/go with friends/people watch?
I moved to Hillcrest in SE DC in 2009 and I absolutely love my area. This neighborhood  is a hidden jewel in the city and also home to some amazing houses. Hillcrest is also home to DC  Mayor Vincent Gray. While it is not as popular as say Dupont, I do believe its time is coming. One of my favorite restaurants which is a stones throw from my house is Pimento Grill. When the restaurant first opened, I think I pretty much resided there.

Perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon in Hillcrest?
Going for a run through Hillcrest, in this neighborhood, you see some amazing views of the city.

For more posts in the Discovering DC archive click here. You can follow Manoucheka on Twitter here. 

Weekly Video Inspiration: Diane von Furstenberg, Women at Google

Summer Accessories at Tory Burch

Tory Burch

Shop the summer accessories suggestions from Tory Burch here.

J Crew Summer Shoes for you!

J Crew

Shop all shoes here.

Links of the Week

This week I've been reading...

Jackie Kennedy: I Love Living in Georgetown 

Facebook: One Year Later

Obama confronts an endless war

Posts on Sweet Lemon Magazine

SLM

Many of you will be familiar with my posts on other websites, including Sweet Lemon Magazine.

Check out my latest post discussing the constant campaign, and how we are living in a world full of lobbying and campaigns.

Discovering DC: Foggy Bottom

This week, Discovering DC heads to Foggy Bottom with Miranda from Pretty Squared! 

What's your history with Foggy Bottom and DC?

I’ve been in Washington DC, specifically the Foggy Bottom area, for approximately 7 years – how time flies! I first came to Washington DC in 2006 to attend college, and after graduation, I also attended law school here.  I adore living in the city, so I am hoping I can continue living and working in DC.

Discovering Foggy Bottom- what are your favourite places to shop/eat/go with friends/people watch?
Foggy Bottom is a crowded little downtown area, full of students, professionals, and tourists, but there are a ton of options when going out to enjoy the day and relax.  The Greek Deli on 19th St. has some of the best Mediterranean food in a 500 mile radius – the lines are long, the restaurant is cramped, but it all adds to the experience.  After a long day of exams or studying, I love taking a break with some yummy food and eating outside to watch the city action.  Because I’m a coffee aficionado (who in DC isn’t?), I frequent the Filter Coffeehouse on 20th St. Filter Coffeehouse baristas are true experts with pour overs, and their latte art and designs are absolutely lovely (ahem, Instagram worthy).  On Wednesdays, I always visit the outside farmers’ market which sets up right in the middle of the street.   From organic vegetables to delicious pastries and cheese samples, the fresh farm market is an easy way to stay healthy and support local businesses (all without ever leaving downtown).

Perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon in Foggy Bottom?
On Saturdays and Sundays, Foggy Bottom is surprisingly quiet – I love eating breakfast on our building’s rooftop and watching the Kennedy Center and the city skyline (yes, DC has a skyline).  With all the activity during the work week, strolling through the empty streets to go to brunch or sitting on a bench in the University Yard is the perfect way to enjoy the weekend.

For more posts in the Discovering DC archive click here. You can follow Miranda on Twitter here.

Weekly Video Inspiration: Michelle Obama DNC Speech, 2012

Photos from the White House: May 2013

The White House

Behind the Scenes at the opening of the George W Bush Presidential Library

The White House has recently released images from the month of April and May. These great images from the opening of the George W Bush Presidential Library give us an insight into what it was like behind the scenes on the day.

The White House

For more behind the scenes photos from The White House click here. 

Lauren Sandal at Jack Rogers

Jack Rogers

I love Jack Rogers and their fantastic range of summer sandals and flats. These Lauren sandals are next on my wishlist- they incorporate the classic Jack Rogers design elements- whipstitch and rondelles and provide an equally stylish alternative to the traditional Navajo design.

What summer sandals are you dreaming of this season? 

J Crew pop-up shop at Central Saint Martins

J Crew

If you're in London this Friday, 24th May or Saturday 25th May, make sure you drop into the J Crew pop-up shop at Central Saint Martins for a sneak preview of their Fall Winter 2013 Collections!

The all important address is:

J Crew at The Stables
Adjacent to Central Sint Martins
Western Transit Shed
4 Stable Street (off Goods Way)
London 
N1C 4AB

Green for Summer

Tory Burch

Tory Burch has hailed green the color of summer! Whatever your particular favourite green color hue, make sure you are on trend ready for the season!

My top green Burch picks?

Tumbled Leather Reva Flat

Cotton Simone Cardigan

Brigette Blouse

Links of the Week

This week I've been reading...

Obama vs. the press

Beat up cellphones are a point of pride

Giffords to join Fulbright Scholarship Board

National Women's Health Week: Make the Difference

The White House

National Women's Health Week is drawing to a close, and it was great to see that the Obama Administration has honored the women across the country by encouraging them to make their health a priority and to take important steps to live healthier and happier lives.

Carry on the good work that has been carried out by:

• Getting regular checkups and preventative screenings
• Getting active
• Eating healthy
• Paying attention to mental health
• Engaging in safe behaviours

One small step can make all the difference! 

Read President Obama's National Women's Health Week proclamation here.

Discovering DC: Arlington

This week Discovering DC heads to Arlington with Stephanie from Fortique! 

What's your history with Arlington and DC? 
I went to UVA and was fortunate enough to get a job here after graduation in tough economic times. My sister also lived here at the time, so it was a perfect fit!  I chose to live in the Ballston area to shorten my commute to Tyson's and keep close to everything the district has to offer.

Discovering Arlington- what are your favourite places to shop/eat/go with friends/people watch? 
I am a huge interior design junkie and love strolling around Pottery Barn and Crate and Barrel in Clarendon.  South Moon Under is perfect for grabbing the last minute outfit for going out.  During the warmer months, the streets of Arlington are alive with people shopping, eating outside, walking dogs, etc., so my favorite thing to do is grab some dinner at Mexicali Blues and people watch.  For dessert, I love to stop by the Bakeshop, a local cupcake store, for a cupcake or cookie ice cream sandwich if they have them.

Perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon in Arlington? 
There is so much to do, it's hard to pick!  I love either playing tennis at Quincy Park, watching a football game at Bailey's, or grabbing a cupcake or frozen yogurt and taking a stroll down Wilson!

Stephanie from Fortique

For more posts in the Discovering DC archive click here. You can follow Stephanie on Twitter here. 

Weekly Video Inspiration: Meryl Streep on Hillary Clinton, Women in the World 2012

The Women in the World Summit's are also so motivating, and I find myself revisiting this introductory speech by Meryl Streep from the 2012 event. Streep and Hillary Clinton in one room- who wouldn't feel inspired?!

The Great Gatsby Clutch by Kate Spade

I'm super excited for The Great Gatsby movie remake, and what a better way to celebrate with this darling clutch by Kate Spade?

Made from laminated silk twill with a metallic cowhide trim, the clutch features 14 karat light gold plated hardware and a custom woven pinstripe silk faille lining.

Why not take it to a screening of the movie, or host your own GG themed party?!

Kate Spade

Links of the Week

This week I've been reading...

Five facts about Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis that you may not know

Tiffany and the Great Gatsby

Mika Brzezinski on 'Obsession'

White House Healthy Recipe Challenge

Let's Move has announced the second Healthy Lunchtime Challenge and Kids' State Dinner- a nationwide recipe challenge especially for kids.

Parents, guardians and children aged 8-12 are encouraged to create and submit an original lunch recipe that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins or low-fat dairy foods. The creators of the winning recipes will have a chance to come to the White House for their very own Kids' State Dinner with the First Lady.

For more information and to enter click here.

Honoring Military Mothers at the White House

Military mothers and daughters were treated to a surprise appearance from Prince Harry at a special White House tea yesterday.

For the event, the First Lady wore a Prabal Gurung Resort 2013 dress, and Dr Biden wore a white embroidered shift last seen at the Inauguration in January.

Discovering DC: Petworth

This week's Discovering DC heads to Petworth, and we're guided through the area by Leah of Pixels and Pumps!

What's your history with Petworth and DC?
Both of my older sisters moved to this area after school, so I was familiar with the DMV area and always loved coming to visit them.  I ended up attending school at American University in DC, and during my senior year, my fiancée and I moved into our Petworth home where we've lived for the last 2 and half years.  I work for the Government and started a blog when I officially moved into the city, which has really helped me explore and learn to appreciate everything DC has to offer.

Discovering Petworth- what are your favourite places to shop/eat/go with friends/people watch?
We love going to Taqueria Distrito Federal for tacos on Kennedy Street.
Epiphany Open Pit Beef & Subs on Georgia Avenue is amazing if you love BBQ or southern-style food (I could eat the mac’n’cheese every day).
Looking Glass Lounge on Georgia Avenue is a popular spot when we hang out with friends or want to grab a drink.
For shopping we’ll head down the road to Columbia Heights, up to the Silver Spring town center, or get on the metro to head downtown.  Our neighborhood is quiet, and it’s kind of nice to be secluded from major shopping areas and busy streets - you get the best of both worlds that way.
My fiancée loves working out at Second Wind Crossfit on 14th Street.  He’s made a lot of new friends there and his obsession has made me consider forgoing my free gym at work to join!
I love walking, going for a run, or even just driving down Georgia Avenue; so much has changed in the short time we've lived here and I can’t imagine how much more Petworth will grow in the next few years.

Perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon in Petworth?
Take a walk down Georgia Avenue to see the new and old businesses, all the character, artwork, and history of the neighborhood.  Grab a house-made soda and bite to eat at Three Little Pigs.  Make sure to stop in to some open houses and see how developers transform historic DC row homes into beautiful new spaces.  Stop at a park to enjoy the nice weather and people watch!

Pixels and Pumps

You can follow Leah on Twitter here. For more posts from the Discovering DC archive click here. 

Weekly Video Inspiration: Sheryl Sandberg at at Harvard Business School W50 Summit

A new feature to Political Style is the Weekly Video Inspiration post! Each week I'll post a video that has inspired me, and that I want to share with my readers! If you've any inspiring or thought-provoking videos you think should be on the blog drop me an email.

This week I've been inspired by Sheryl Sandberg's recent talk at the Harvard Business School W50 Summit. Expect a few more Sandberg videos on the blog in the near future!

In Review: The Secretary by Kim Ghattas

I was delighted to receive a copy of The Secretary written by Kim Ghattas a few weeks ago. Life has been pretty manic of late, so sitting down to read this book provided me with the perfect opportunity to look back at Hillary Rodham Clinton's time as Secretary of State.

Ghattas has been the BBC's State Department radio and television correspondent since 2008, and her time in the air and on the road with Secretary Clinton is fantastically chronicled in this must-read book. Ghattas's first hand reporting style is peppered with hours of interviews and really gets behind the scenes. The narrative is seamless, and you really feel as if you are travelling with Ghattas as one of her fellow press corps members.

The Secretary tells of Hillary Rodham Clinton's transformation from politician to America's envoy to the world. We are with her as she travels to countries including Japan, Indonesia, China, Afghanistan, the Middle East, Pakistan, South Korea, Libya and Burma. We are subject to Secretary Clinton's relationship with President Obama, Wikileaks, the Arab Spring and the continued tensions in the Middle East. I particularly enjoyed the insight into the behind the scenes action- details of the Secretary's plane, the many dedicated staffers and advisors, the processes and protocol that must be followed, and the Secretary's dedication to wearing sunglasses.

The Secretary also details the author's own journey as a half Dutch, half Lebanese citizen, and her quest to answer the question that haunted her childhood- how powerful is America really?

Ghattas focuses upon Secretary Clinton's legacy as the first Secretary of State to methodically implement the concept of smart power. She has implemented this approach within the State Department itself- budgets including funds for gender issues, foreign service officers embedded at the Pentagon and economic statecraft as part of the diplomatic brief. It is reviewing these lasting decisions that we really see the legacy that Secretary Clinton has left during her time as America's top diplomat, and the positive change that the Obama Administration continues to implement across the world.

Thank you to Henry Holt and Company for sending me an advance copy of The Secretary. 

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