Links of the Week

This week I've been reading...

Abandoned buildings in America

Hillary Clinton calls for discussion on privacy and security

Michelle Obama defends Obamacare

White House Week

The White House

Much has been written and spoken about the troubles of the Healthcare.gov website. This week the White House announced what improvements are being made:

• 24/7 work to boost capacity and fix problems
• More information on other ways to apply- call 800 318 2596 to apply over the phone
• Support for open applications
• Preview plans and prices without filling out an application

For further details click here.

This fall, the White House will once again open its gardens and grounds to visitors from across the country.

Instagram followers can take a special tour of the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, the Rose Garden, and the South Lawn, including the White House Kitchen Garden on Sunday, October 27th. 

Interested in joining? Be sure to follow @WhiteHouse or @MichelleObama on Instagram. Then, apply for your chance to attend at http://www.whitehouse.gov/social. Let your friends know that you applied by posting a nature or garden photo that you've taken on Instagram using the hashtag #WHInstaMeet.

If selected, you will receive an email message with additional information no later than Wednesday, October 23rd at 6:00pm ET.

Please note, capacity for the White House Instagram Meetup on Sunday, October 27th, is limited. However, Garden Tours are free and open to the public. A ticket is required for all attendees (including small children).

The White House will be opening its gardens and grounds to visitors on two occasions:

• Saturday, October 26th from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM
• Sunday, October 27th from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM

The White House will distribute tickets to the public on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 7:30am on Saturday, October 26th and Sunday, October 27th at the Ellipse Visitor Pavilion located at 15th and E Streets.

The White House and the entrance to the Naval Observatory were also lit pink on October 24th, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the millions of families who have battled the disease, and who feel its impact every day.

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Intern Sushi launches Industry Influencers program

Intern Sushi, a site that provides young professionals with the tools to visually showcase their potential to employers, today announced the launch of its early career “Industry Influencer” networking program that connects site users with moguls from the highly coveted industries of television, film, sports, fashion, PR/advertising, music, web, technology, nonprofit and more.

Unlike other networking programs for young professionals, Intern Sushi is providing easy access to top industry executives who want to peel back the curtain on their paths to success and mentor the next generation. Each Influencer will showcase their career journeys via an Intern Sushi digital profile that visually outlines details about their educations and job histories, and reveals more personal details including quotes, advice and side interests they enjoy – everything young professionals need to envision their own paths to success.

I spoke to Intern Sushi's co-founder and CEO, Shara Senderoff ahead of the launch. 

Why were you compelled to establish Intern Sushi?

I was compelled to start Intern Sushi to solve the significant transparency issue between candidates and hiring managers from the start of one's career. We lack an efficient way to understand the necessary components of humanity and emotion within the traditional hiring process. Individuals are not keywords and treating them as such buries everything that makes us special. Making a hiring decision is hardly given the weight it deserves. Making the wrong decision wastes incredible time and resources and can ultimately slow down the productivity of an entire organization. My vision for Intern Sushi and beyond was to alter this process from the earliest stage, with the youngest of talent, to better embrace what they have to offer.

Our goal was to transform the resume into a digital tool that helps you obtain opportunities and not just jobs. Giving a transparent view of your story allows you to move someone and emotion is what opens doors. We do things for others because we want to and not because we have to.

Hence the creation of our Industry Influencer Program. Our Digital Profiles lend themselves incredibly well to telling the career stories of those we admire. The Influencer Program highlights the journey's of Industry innovators and masterminds via interactive Profiles similar to those interns create on our site in order to educate, motivate and inspire young talent beginning their careers.

Users can submit their Profiles to be reviewed by Influencers to win an opportunity to have an Informational Interview or receive a "badge" of their approval, acknowledging your determination to succeed and the incredible presentation of your story.
 
How has it actively helped its participants?

Our digital profiles have showcased talent in a professional yet exciting way. We've created a place for users to represent who they are professionally and what they want to be. It messes their personality with their goals and paints a picture that captures far more than a piece of paper.

Shonda Rhimes and Christina Weiss Lurie are involved in the program- how is their experience and knowledge making a positive difference?

Most interns lack the knowledge of how the leaders within their fields got where they are. The internet also lacks a place that highlights such Influencers journeys in a clear and compelling way. By sharing their "raw" stories (raw sushi, get it?), our Influencers are creating educational tools to help aspiring talent understand the jobs and opportunities within their desired. Sharing anecdotes of their obstacles makes them relatable and accessible to those who may never had access before. Up until now, in order to speak to such a thought-leader, you needed a connection or relationship to open the door. Our Influencer Program now gives interns and recent grads and opportunity to gain this exposure solely by presenting their stories and showcasing their talent. The eventual interaction at that point with the Influencer is earned and appreciated.

Video Inspiration: Levo League Office Hours with Dayle Haddon, UNICEF Ambassador and Philanthropist

Get your Wednesday inspiration from this fantastic conversation with Dayle Haddon, UNICEF Ambassador and founder of Women One! 

Classics from Tory Burch

Tory Burch

I'm a firm believer that every prepster needs some Tory Burch in their wardrobe, and as one lucky girl who owns two out of the nine items listed above I think this collection is genius!

Next on my purchase list? The Simone cardigan and the Robinson Double Zip Tote.

Which are your favourites?

Links of the Week

This week I've been reading...

Martha Stewart's top packing tips

The Duchess of Cambridge plays volleyball in wedges

The world's most spectacular libraries 

Office Hours with Dayle Haddon

White House Week

The shutdown is over! President Obama commented on the developments at a press conference held in the East Room of the White House.



Joe Biden also helped to welcome EPA employees back to work on Thursday.



On Tuesday, the President awarded the Presidential Medal of Honor to Captain William Swenson for his courageous actions while serving as an Embedded Trainer and Mentor of the Afghan National Security Forces with Afghan Border Police Mentor Team, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, during a lengthy battle with the Taliban in Kunar Province, Afghanistan on September 8, 2009.

Download the Levo League Resume Builder!

Levo

Keep your resume updated on-the-go with Levo League's free resume builder app!

Available for the iPhone and iPad, this new app is the perfect way to create striking resumes, get useful career and resume-building tips and export to share with others.

Search for it in the App Store now!

Reel Style: House of Cards, Claire Underwood

via

I love House of Cards for many reasons, and the style of Claire Underwood (played by Robin Wright) is one of them!

How can you achieve her refined and perfectly polished look?

Notte by Marchesa beaded silk and satin dress

Christian Louboutin Pigalle 120 leather pumps

Burberry London Cotton blend shirt

Halston Heritage Crepe coat

Fendi 2 Jours medium textured leather shopper

What's your favourite aspect of Claire's style?

My contributions to The Huffington Post

Tumblr

Regular readers will be aware that I frequently contribute to The Huffington Post. Here are a selection of my recent postings, as always, it's great to hear your thoughts!


Women in Business Q&A: Callie Smith, Director of Jewelry Curation at Gemvara

Women in Business Q&A: Mona Bijoor, CEO of JOOR

Women in Business Q&A: Christiane Lemieux, founder of DwellStudio

Women in Business Q&A: Gayle Peterson, Co-Founder of Partners for Change

What To Wear To Work: Lauren Rothman Style Bible event at C.Wonder, Tysons Corner

Janet Street Porter: Women in Public Life

Author's Own

Last week I attended a Women in Public Life session at the Pierhead in Cardiff Bay to hear a talk by journalist and television personality, Janet Street Porter. The session was moderated by Sara Edwards, and some of my Lean In Circle members were able to come along to the inspiring session!

Janet Street Porter covered a wide range of topics from her experiences as a women in the media, to how we need more women in the worlds of sport, business and other industries.

Some of my favourite tips from the session include:

Women need supporters, not detractors.

Be brave and learn how to be brave. 

Be tough.

Package yourself with the correct knowledge. 

Get up in the morning and tell yourself that you are bloody brilliant!

Mantras to certainly live by!

It was also great to ask Street Porter a question about Lean In and her thoughts about Sheryl Sandberg. Whilst she admitted that she hadn't read the book, she thought the concept was encouraging and helpful.

State Necklaces from Swell Caroline

Swell Caroline

Show off your state pride with this great necklaces from Swell Caroline! Available in silver or gold, these are the perfect way to carry a piece of your favorite state around with you!

In Review: Memos: The Vogue Years, Diana Vreeland

I've always admired Diana Vreeland, and was delighted when 'Memos: The Vogue Years' was released earlier this month.

Edited by her grandson Alexander Vreeland, and featuring contributions by Polly Mellon, Grace Mirabella and Susan Train, Memos chronicles how Vreeland transformed Vogue from a society magazine to a daring, and contemporary publication. Vreeland was Editor of American Vogue from 1962 to 1971, and under her tenure, the publication was given a new lease of life.

Memos tells the story of this transformation through fascinating and witty personal correspondence, many containing amendments in Vreeland's own distinctive and fantastic handwriting. We learn about some of Vogue's most celebrated stories through Vreeland's own words, and have an insight into her relationships with individuals including Cecil Beaton, Norman Parkinson, Richard Avedon and Snowdon. We are also treated to an education of fashion at the time, with memos and letters to and from designers such as Chanel, Gucci, Valentino, Oscar de la Renta and Diane von Furstenberg.

Each chapter of Memos is introduced by commentary from Vogue editors who worked with Vreeland, giving readers a truly inside look at her unique management style. Vreeland did not believe in meetings, brainstorming, or consensus, electing instead to communicate with her staff, photographers, designers and writers through one-on-one conversations and daily correspondence. At the beginning of each day, Vreeland dictated memos by phone from her Park Avenue apartment. When she arrived at the Vogue office—which was never before noon—she annotated the typed-up results, sometimes adding her initials with a colorful felt-tip pen before the missives were dispatched by one of her assistants.

This really is the perfect book for any individual looking for a personal and behind-the-scenes insight into the world of fashion publishing, and where better to begin with the legend that is Diana Vreeland!

© Diana Vreeland Memos: The Vogue Years Edited by Alexander Vreeland, Rizzoli New York, 2013.

Links of the Week

This week I've been reading...

Face to Face with Janet Street Porter

Women matter on the economy

President Obama and the First Lady meet with Malala

The Gardens of Downton Abbey

Facts from the Democrats

I love infographics, and this latest set that I received in an email from the Democrats certainly provided food for thought!

Democrats

White House Week: President Obama's press conference on the shutdown

Collaborate with Political Style

Looking for collaborative opportunities or a new place for your brand or product? Political Style is seeking new sponsors!

If interested, drop me an email at politicalstyle@gmail.com with details of your brand/product and how you would like to collaborate with Political Style.

Look forward to hearing from you! 

The Tory Burch Pacey Driver Ballet

Tory Burch

These color blocked driver ballet pumps from Tory Burch are perfect for Fall. Made of smooth leather with a contrasting patent cap-toe, the pair features a thin gold band topped with the discreet Tory Burch logo. Available in black and clay beige, pop these on your purchase list today! 

GIVEAWAY: York Design Company

To celebrate the launch of York Design Company's new collection, we've teamed up with owner and designer Laura DiLibero for a giveaway of one of her famous handmade cuffs!

To enter, use the Rafflecopter widget below.

And here are some exclusive snaps from her new collection...

We love these three clutches- the anchor in collaboration with Francesca Joy, the preppy cream, red and blue stripe, and the pink gator!

YDC

Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below to win this red and white quatrefoil cuff!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Grand Designs Live 2013

Last weekend I headed up to Grand Designs Live with my friend Ena, with thanks to our interior guru buddy Andrea! It was my first 'design' show and I was a little clueless of what to expect.

Held at the NEC in Birmingham, the GDL was split into various sections such as Kitchens and Bathrooms, Build, Gardens, and Interiors.

What were the highlights?

The winning Grand Designs Live Garden designed by Liz Ackerley of Poppyhead Consultancy, which was a beautiful, relaxing space.

The Cube Project which addressed a comfortable and contemporary solution to addressing sustainable living. Find out more about this innovative project here.

Walking around the various stalls and exhibitions provided a myriad of ideas and solutions to many of my home design questions!

The winning garden by Liz Ackerley

Fall Decor Trends with Wayfair.com's Catie Parrish

Whilst Fall fashion is one of my favorite things, I'm also really passionate about Fall decorating trends. Having just purchased some new furniture for my study, I'm looking to see how else I can improve my living space. 

Catie Parrish, a home style expert from Wayfair.com has given us some fantastic tips on how you can spruce up your home with this year's Fall decor trends.

Catie Parrish

With the summer season coming to a close, autumn-inspired home décor trends are coming out in full force with rich jewel tones, bright velvets, and masculine fabrics being the key players. Luckily, making these fabulous fall updates is easier than you think.

To start, jewel tones are back and bolder than ever for fall, with splashes of bright amethyst, sparkling sapphire, warm gold, ruby red, deep purple, and blood orange popping up everywhere.

Tips on incorporating this tone:

• Experiment with these rich colors subtly through throw pillows, blankets, and small accessories.
• Amber, a cousin to of-the-moment citron, has all the boldness of gold without the sparkle. Try an upholstered chair or throw pillow in this color.
• Pair jeweled tones with deep neutrals, such as charcoal gray, chocolate brown, and black. 
• Textured fabrics that reflect light help play up the drama of bold colors—think velvet, leather, and silk.
• If you're wary about combining too many jewel tones, stick to solid-colored accessories, which are easier to group together than patterned accents.

Top left: Skyline Furniture Elgin Nail Button Storage Ottoman
Kevin O'Brien Studio Dots Velvet Pillow
TAG Indigo Glass Votive Holder

Next, incorporate luxurious velvets in bright colors to your décor. From ottomans in Barbie pink, to tufted club chairs clad in brilliant cerulean blue, this fabric provides a plush texture and sense of cozy comfort that everyone can appreciate. 

Tips on incorporating this texture:

• Velvet, while not necessarily fragile, is not super durable. Save this fabric for furniture doesn’t get heavy wear. 
• Velvet is such a plush texture that a little can go a long way. Consider just a throw pillow or two. 
• On the other hand, embrace this trend whole-heartedly by using velvet in your bedding (an unexpected surprise.) Velvet comforters truly are statement pieces.

Top left: Pine Cone Hill Matte Velvet Quilt Collection
Company C Braided Velvet Pillow
Eastern Accents Jackson Solid Velvet Curtain Panel

This season, we're seeing a surge in traditional menswear fabrics used on upholstered furniture, pillows, lamps, and more. By utilizing subtle patterns like tweed, herringbone, and pinstripe and pairing them with impeccable tailoring, you have the ability to craft a minimalist look that's crisp and sophisticated.

Tips on incorporating this trend:

• A cozy throw or pillow in a bold houndstooth print or nubby tweed texture is an easy way to incorporate this trend into your design esthetic without changing much. For a layered look, try a couple rows of pillows in an eye-catching mix of prints, patterns, and fabrics.
• Get a high-end look by pairing traditionally dark menswear colors such as brown, navy, or gray with creams, light blues, and reds. Accessorize with leather, tortoise shell, and hand-rubbed wood finishes to complete the look.

Top left: AF Lighting Elements 1 Light Table Lamp
Peacock Alley Veneto Square Pillow
Safavieh James Leather Chair

Beauty at Home by Aerin Lauder: Pre-order your copy!

AERIN

Conceived and created by AERIN founder and creative director Aerin Lauder, Beauty at Home is an intimate look at the design and decorating choices that have made Aerin a celebrated tastemaker around the world. Stunning images captured by celebrated photographer Simon Upton allow the reader an inside-look into Aerin’s homes in Manhattan and the Hamptons as well as her Madison Avenue office. With tips on everything from entertaining to art curating, Beauty at Home is an inspiring, personalized account of what it means to live beautifully.

Pre-order your copy today!