Corgi watching in Windsor | Having a House of Cards moment in Federal Triangle | Metro architecture | French Toast Sunday | Admiring all the houses in Georgetown | Cosy desk decor | Looking ahead to spring | Vivacious heels from Russell & Bromley | Visiting Windsor Castle
Washington DC is like my second home. Full of charm, beautiful architecture and the most interesting people, I was in the District last week for the inauguration, Women's March and to catch up with friends and colleagues.
I had booked my ticket before the results of the presidential election were revealed. I knew this trip wouldn't be like the ones that had gone before.
I arrived two days before inauguration day, and even then the mood was tense. I'd describe it as a mix between anticipation and trepidation. When inauguration day dawned, I headed into the city on the Metro with my friend. The Metro was empty, with only a few other passengers on the train. It was quieter than a work day! Security was extremely tight in the centre of DC, with lots of police, National Guard, army and snipers on the roofs. Protestors had already begun to demonstrate and their chants were in competition with cheers of 'USA' from Trump supporters. The mood was not one of celebration or jubilation, and as a spectator, I was really shocked by the scenes that I saw. I've written more about the day here.
The next day was the Women's March, and spirits were lifted. In contrast to the day before, the Metro was packed with women. Each holding handmade and really witty signs, as well as pink Kitty hats, the mood was positive and upbeat, and it was clear that many women had travelled far and wide to be in DC for this historic moment. When we exited the Metro everybody cheered and this continued outside. People literally streamed towards the National Mall, and within a short space of time, it was clear that attendance would top the predicted turnout. I met so many people from across America and was pretty psyched when someone gave me an original Hillary Clinton campaign sign. It really was a positive day.
The rest of my trip was spent attending meetings and exploring some of my favourite parts of the city. I went to the Air and Space Museum - my first trip since aged 11! Whilst not much had changed it was pretty cool to see the Hubble Telescope, the Space Shuttle exhibition and items from the Moon Landing. I also revisited the American History Museum to see the First Lady dresses- I always do this when I am in DC! I also had a good time visiting the British Embassy and strolling the streets of Georgetown and admiring the gorgeous houses.
Air and Space Museum
Julia Child's kitchen
Michelle Obama's beautiful inaugural gown
Georgetown architecture
America felt like a different place when I left. The change of administration is always an interesting episode to watch, and as a Brit, it was fascinating to see the pomp and pageantry of a new President taking office. So much has happened in the last week, much of which is completely hard to comprehend. Whilst I will always love visiting the USA, I feel future trips will be very different.
That period between Christmas and New Year can often feel like a hazy one. You're never quite sure what day it is, what you're supposed to be doing and which shops or attractions are open. Luckily, I put one of these vague days to good use, taking a trip down the motorway to lovely Windsor.
Windsor hasn't changed much since my childhood and I was pretty excited to be visiting Windsor Castle to see some of the Queen's dresses and the Queen Mary Doll's House. The Castle was decorated for Christmas, with sparkly berry wreaths adorning many lamposts and lights, garlands around doorways and a huge Christmas tree (the gift of the Chinese Premier) standing proudly in the Great Hall. A little toy Corgi sat sweetly underneath!
I love walking through the royal palaces, imagining the many hundreds of years of history that has played out and the important figures who have come before me.
Fashioning a Reign, the exhibition of the Queen's dresses was on a smaller scale to the one in Buckingham Palace, and featured many outfits that the Queen had worn at Windsor, some from trips abroad and a selection of quirky hats. Several of the first dresses were not in glass cases, and it was great to get up really close to the pieces to see how they were made, as well as spot where insignia had once been pinned. What struck me was how tiny the Queen is- even though I have met her in real life, the clothes really echoed her petiteness.
We also visited St. George's Chapel and saw the Changing of the Guard (such a British institution!) before exploring the town of Windsor and having a delicious lunch at Byron. I also purchased a pretty cool Royal wall decoration, all of which will be revealed in due course!
Knights of the Garter- can you spot the Prime Ministers?
2016. Where should I begin? In between Brexit, Trump and a steady stream of celebrity passings, 2016 has, in many ways, has seemed rather unreal. Who could have predicted this time last year that we would be on the cusp of immense political and social change?
For me, 2016 has been a year of great personal and professional change. I am now working as a consultant full time, and this level of freedom has given me the opportunity to explore new work streams and travel the world. The loss of family members and friends against the many highs has been poignant, but it has focused the mind and put many things into perspective.
So without further ado, here was my 2016!
I started the year with the news that I was one of Wales Online's 16 in 16 entrepreneurs to watch! A nice way to begin January.
During February and March, I began to shift my energy to consulting full time.
In April, I packed my bags and headed off to Australia and New Zealand for a month. Staying with friends in Sydney, I explored one of my favourite cities, met up with long-last family members, saw the awesome Lego exhibition at the Powerhouse, finally saw the Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries costumes (fangirl,) and travelled to Canberra to visit the Australian Parliament and National War Memorial. In New Zealand, I went back to Christchurch to see friends and see how much the great city has changed since the dreadful earthquakes.
In May, I was back to London to start work on a pilot digital project with Parliament and doteveryone. This was a fascinating experience, and working with MPs, I investigated how they use digital technology and social media to communicate with their constituents, tackle their workload and generally encourage digital democracy and political engagement. The three month project overlapped with the historic vote to leave the European Union, and to be in the UK Parliament at an immense time of political change was something which we couldn't have predicted. I stood in Old Palace Yard as David Cameron left Parliament as Prime Minister, and watched from the Speaker's Gallery as Theresa May took part in her first Prime Minister's Questions. I visited the HQs of Facebook and Twitter, and attended the American Ambassador's 4th July party at Winfield House. So many great moments and experiences that I won't forget and so many great friendships formed.
Downing Street just after David Cameron had resigned
Ambassador and Mrs Barzun
During the summer I fit in my first trip to Dublin - such a great city! I also spent time rediscovering London and indulging in some quintessential sites including Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey. I was also asked to be a godmother to my friend's little girl Emily! Such a privilege and responsibility!
The Liffey!
As we entered the autumn, I received a nomination in the Entrepreneur Wales Awards and headed back over the Atlantic to New York. Walking the Brooklyn Bridge, visiting Tory Burch HQ and returning to the World Trade Center Museum and Memorial were some of the highlights of the trip. I also won't forget the mood of anticipation by many that America was on the cusp of making history with the possibility of electing its first female President. How the mood had changed merely a week later.
One of the successes of 2016 has been writing about our new Prime Minister, Theresa May for Political Style. The interest in coverage has been fantastic, and personally, it has been great fun to keep tabs on what she is wearing and create fun content! It has also been amazing to be recognised in the press for my blogging - something which I couldn't achieve without the support of my fabulous readers. Thank you!
Crown Copyright
The end of a year is always a reflective one, and as we head towards 2017, I feel truly blessed and privileged to have had such an extraordinary year. 2016 has taught me to grab all opportunities that come my way, trust my gut, and importantly to try. If you say no you'll never know!
Here's to a successful, positive and prosperous 2017 for us all. Make it yours!
I've spent a fair amount of time working in London this year. But aside from the early mornings and late nights, I've managed to explore parts of the city and visit attractions that I haven't got to before!
As part of the AccorHotels '24 Hours In Campaign' I'm sharing what I would visit and see over a day in London. You too can take part in the campaign and enter the competition to win a 9 day European break, with stops in Paris, Amsterdam and Berlin! Click here to find out more.
Here's how I would spend 24 Hours in London!
9am: Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at my hotel base- I like to stay at the Doubletree Hilton Westminster. Great location, facilities and fantastic customer service.
10am: Set off for sightseeing! I'll take the short walk from the hotel to visit my old stomping ground, the Houses of Parliament. A tour of the Palace of Westminster is not to be missed -my favourite part is the Commons chamber.
12pm: After absorbing a tonne of history, refreshments are required! After a quick coffee pit stop, I'll head up Whitehall to visit the National Portrait Gallery. It has one of the best gift shops in London!
1.30pm: Time for lunch. I'll visit one of the many restaurants tucked off Piccadilly. Or, I'll pick up a healthy salad at Whole Foods.
2pm: Refueling done, I'll indulge in a little retail therapy on Regent Street. I'll visit my favourites- Russell & Bromley, J.Crew and Uniqlo as well as checking out the new Tory Burch store!
5pm: I'll head back to the hotel for a little rest and relaxation... and to check out the damage done on my credit card!
7pm: After getting ready, I'll jump in a cab and make my way to The Delaunay in Aldwych for a fantastic evening meal and a few cocktails at the Savoy!
10pm: Walking off calories consumed, I'll take in the sights of the London skyline and magical Westminster along the River Thames.
11pm: Back at the hotel, I'll catch a quick night cap in the Millbank Lounge before heading for some rest and an early wake up call!
Which is your favourite city and how would you spend 24 hours? Don't forget to take part in Accor Hotel's '24 Hours In Campaign' challenge!
Finally watching the HBO Ethel documentary | Colourful sips with Kate Spade | Nominated for Young Entrepreneur of the Year award | Clutches on clutches | Getting into the Halloween spirit | High sparkle with Dior | Kate Spade rocks leopard | Reading First Women | Hi, New York!
New York. A city I've visited more times than I can count, and a destination that is good that they named it twice. This trip really didn't feel like a vacation (even though it was,) and I guess I've got to the point where I know it so well that visiting the city now feels like catching up with an old friend!
In town for a mix of business and pleasure, the temperatures were in the high twenties (the eighties for my lovely American readers,) when I arrived, but slowly, and wonderfully dipped to a more acceptable fall climate.
On the first full day, we woke up early and headed to the National September 11 Memorial and Museum for an early access tour. Visiting the Museum and paying my respects has been something that I have wanted to do for a long time, and seeing the new World Trade Center complex was a restorative experience. Booking a place on the early access tour is something I would highly recommend. You start your tour at 815am, an hour before the Museum is open to the general public which allows you to see artefacts and experience the exhibitions before it gets busy. Our guide Victor was exceptional, and made the tour even more poignant and powerful.
The tour and the Museum is moving and emotional, and powerfully transports you back to the events of that awful day in September. Only 12 at the time, this experience made me realize that I am likely one of the few youngest of generations who will truly remember the events of 9/11. This makes the Museum and Memorial even more important to honour the victims, heroes, first responders, families and friends.
We didn't visit the observatory of One World Trade Center, and I think that I will be unlikely to in the future. The new tower is awesome in its size and presence, the design echoing elements of the original towers and rising to new heights. It's a beautiful building to look at and I imagine being inside looking out at New York and further afield would also be a special experience.
The rest of my trip was filled with meetings (including a trip to Tory Burch HQ!) and catching up with friends. But I also made time to revisit some of my favourite New York sites including Rockefeller Center, Grand Central Station, Central Park, the Met (the Psycho house roof installation was awesome,) Flatiron and Brooklyn. A bracing walk across Brooklyn Bridge was the main part of our final day in the city - and braving the cold was well worth it!
Take a taxi or a ride on the Subway to Brooklyn Heights (getting off at City Hall or Borough Market) and walk along Brooklyn Heights to take in the magnificent skyline of Lower Manhattan. Soak up the walk back into Manhattan over the Bridge, it truly is a special view.
Along with stock up stops at my favourite shops (J.Crew, Ann Taylor, LOFT, Banana Republic, Target and CVS!) it was nice to spend some R&R time in New York. I'll be back next year!
Check out some more of my photos from my New York trip here.
