REVIEW: Architecture of Diplomacy: The British Ambassador's Residence in Washington

20.5.14

Copyright: The Architecture of Diplomacy: The British Ambassador's Residence in Washington, Flammarion, 2014
Since opening its doors in 1930, the British Ambassador’s Residence has been considered the premier diplomatic address in Washington. Designed by the celebrated British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens, whose work ranges from vernacular and domestic architecture to the imperial splendour of his designs for the city of New Delhi, the  Residence combines elements from the neoclassical English country house with influences from American  architecture. His only building in the United States, its majestic interiors, exteriors and gardens in the English style have been delighting Washington’s social and political elite for over eighty years.


Architecture of Diplomacy © Eric Sander
Lutyens always conceived of his buildings in three dimensions, in contrast to the modernist placing of function ahead of form. Nowhere in the Residence is his mastery of dimension and his generous use of space seen to better effect than in the dazzling Grand Staircase. Lutyens employed a similar double staircase design at the Viceroy's House in New Delhi, with a large space above open to the sky. 
The Architecture of Diplomacy is the first book to be written about the residence, and it explores the building's design and the history that has unfolded within its walls. The book is written by Anthony Seldon and Daniel Collings, with photographs by Eric Sander and James Osen. It also has a foreword by HRH The Prince of Wales.


Architecture of Diplomacy © Eric Sander
The west side of the Residence, viewed from the steps leading up to the swimming pool.
Through specially commissioned photography that lavishly illustrates the house and its extensive gardens, this book leads the reader behind the elegant gates on Massachusetts Avenue deep into the corridors of power. The book combines a masterful account of the history of the house and gardens with previously untold stories of visiting royalty, presidents, prime ministers and celebrities, to show why this Residence, its architecture and gardens occupy such a special place in the diplomatic history of the United Kingdom in the United States.


Architecture of Diplomacy © Eric Sander Lutyens' stunning Main Corridor comprises the principal East-West axis of the Residence. 
Those familiar will know that its neighbours include the Vice President's official residence, the Naval Observatory as well as Hillary Clinton's Washington D.C. residence. I've been fortunate to visit the Embassy and it is as spectacular as this sublime book shows. If you're a Brit in America, or an American in the UK, this book should have a place in your collection.


Architecture of Diplomacy © Eric Sander
At this point, overlooking the pool, we are now at the highest point on the site, a full twenty-three feet above the level of the entrance to the Chancery off Massachusetts Avenue.
Find out more about the party that accompanied the book launch by checking out Carol Ross Joynt's review of the party. 


Architecture of Diplomacy © Eric Sander
A view of the Ballroom looking southwards across the Main Corridor, through the Portico
outside the door and into the Garden. The three doors and two mirrors on this south side offer a perfect echo of those on the north side.

London Weekend: The Glamour of Italian Fashion and Pradasphere

19.5.14

I've just come back from London after having a short break in the city to catch up with friends. The temperature is warming up in the UK, so London was that typical hot/sticky/heavy mess that the heat brings!

Despite the heat I had a great time checking out The Glamour of Italian Fashion at the Victoria and Albert Museum, as well as Pradasphere at Harrods.

The Glamour of Italian Fashion is open until the 27th July and features stunning dresses worn by individuals such as Lee Radziwill, Maria Agnelli and Audrey Hepburn. The exhibition examines Italy's dramatic transition from post-war ruins to the luxury paraded in the landmark ‘Sala Bianca’ catwalk shows held in Florence in the 1950s, which propelled Italian fashion onto the world stage. During the 1950s and '60s the many Hollywood films that were shot on location in Italy had an enormous impact on fashion as stars like Audrey Hepburn and Elizabeth Taylor became style ambassadors for Italian fashion, fuelling a keen international appetite for luxurious clothing made in Italy. On display are around 100 ensembles and accessories by leading Italian fashion houses including Simonetta, Pucci, Sorelle Fontana, Valentino, Gucci, Missoni, Giorgio Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Marni, Fendi, Prada and Versace, through to the next generation of fashion talent.

My favourite piece was the evening dress of embroidered net and matelasse coat, designed by Mila Schön, and worn by Lee Radziwill to the famous Black and White Ball at the Plaza.

Pradasphere at Harrods was equally as fascinating, and with the items in large curved glass cases with wooden edging, it reminded me of an old vintage shop! Housed on the store’s Fourth Floor, the PRADASPHERE exhibition will trace the ever-widening ambitions of Italy’s most influential fashion house, and present a broad spectrum of historic collections, special projects, collaborations and experiments. The carefully curated selection of design ideas will be adjoined to the first PRADASPHERE Café. Do check this out before it closes at the end of this month.

I also stopped by Tory Burch, where there were some gorgeous new shoes in stock! Check out my favourites below.




White House Week

17.5.14

Official White House Photo

This week at the White House he President and Vice President welcomed America's "TOP COPS" to the White House to honor their remarkable service and sacrifice.

The TOP COPS are chosen each year by the National Association of Police Organizations, after being nominated by their fellow officers for their notable service during the previous calendar year.

Official White House Photo

First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden invited more than 100 military mothers and their families to the White House for a Mother’s Day Tea. The military mothers in attendance included military spouses, active duty and reserve service members, and women veterans.

While the military moms enjoyed tea and refreshments, more than 60 children made special gifts for their mothers including planting beans, decorating ceramic pots, and gift wrapping special White House honey lemon soap. The cards and crafts were presented during the tea ceremony in the State Dining Room.

Official White House Photo
On Thursday the President and First Lady attended the dedication of the September 11th Museum in New York. Watch his remarks and the entire ceremony below.

The Edward M Kennedy Institute takes shape

16.5.14


It's exciting to see that The Edward M Kennedy Institute is beginning to take shape. Located next to the JFK Library & Museum, the Institute will be an educational center for individuals to learn about the Senate.



The features I am most excited about are the full scale replica of the Senate and the reproduction of the Senator's DC office! The Institute will open in March 2015 - watch a video of Victoria Reggie Kennedy showing how the building is progressing here.

Photos via


Kate Spade On Purpose

15.5.14

Kate Spade are teaching a group of 150 women in Masoro, Rwanda how to transform their artisan skills into a profitable business that will empower their village to become more economically stable. They're the brand's newest supplier, and they have some gorgeous pieces for sale!




Check out the full line here.

GIVEAWAY: Fall 14 Speedy Satchel from Botkier

14.5.14


I'm excited to be teaming up with Botkier to give one lucky winner the chance to win this striking Speedy Satchel from their Fall 14 range! The blue leather satchel  is an exclusive one-of-a-kind piece from their Fall14 Collection which is in stores and online in August later this year.

There's exciting developments on the horizon for Botkier, with several showroom expansions, introductions of new product categories and a new website!

To enter the giveaway, use the widget below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


This giveaway is open to US readers only. 

Summer Decor Trends from Birch Lane

12.5.14

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

As spring transitions into summer, the latest home décor trends are coming to light.  With an eye toward staying-power, here are a few standouts making the scene: periwinkle colors, linen upholstery, and mixed metallics. Whether you’re looking to make a bold statement with a major furniture purchase or just dabble in a few decorative accessories, here are some tips for successfully updating the look of your home.

Faux Blue Hydrangea Arrangement, Fretwork Decorative Jar, Abigail Rug

Periwinkle
If violet and baby blue had a lovechild it would be periwinkle. Refreshing and powdery, with just the right amount of gray to keep it from feeling too sweet, pale periwinkle is the coolest color to try this summer.

Tips for Decorating with Periwinkle
• Brighten a bookcase or table top with periwinkle glazed ceramics. (Think pitchers, candleholders, and vases.)
• Refresh the exterior of your home by painting your front door or shutters periwinkle.
• For a super girly color palette, combine periwinkle with hot pink and gold.
• Try periwinkle in a bathroom (with lots of white) for a soothing, spa-like feel.
• Add a surprise to your drawers or by lining them with periwinkle patterned paper or fabric.

Elliot Settee, Parker Nailhead Trim Bed, Lola Curtain Panel 

Linen Upholstery
Light, neutral, and breathable, linen is a go-to fabric for summertime. Although it’s a timeless choice, linen is having a bit of resurgence lately, with everything from beds and sofas to windows and pillows coming swathed in this luxurious fabric.

Tips for Trying Linen
• On large pieces of furniture, pair linen with nailhead trim for a tailored look.
• Embrace the casual side of linen—wrinkles, frayed edges, and all!
• Let linen’s simplicity allow stunning curves and dramatic shapes to shine.
• Dress your bed in linen sheets for the ultimate in breathable bedding that gets better with time.
• For window treatments that let in just the right amount of light and look ultra-rich, try linen sheers. 


Hamilton Silver Frame, Mandala Tray Set, Richmond Table Lamp

Mixed Metallics
Long-gone are the days where you had to choose one metal finish and stick with it. Now, it’s acceptable—nay, chic!—to combine silver with gold, copper, bronze, brass, and everything in between.

Tips on Mixing Metals
• Mix metallics with mirrored finishes to multiply their reflective qualities. 
• Add complexity, variation, and a sense of depth to a room by layering mixed metallics throughout the space.
• Combine shiny metallics with industrial finishes for a refreshed vintage look. 
• Try creating a small group of mixed metallic accessories, such as a tray with a framed photo and a candleholder.
• If pairing gold with silver still feels a little risky, consider mixing gold with other warm metallics like brass and copper.

Seersucker at Paul Frederick

10.5.14


With summer approaching, take inspiration with these seersucker pieces from Paul Frederick. Primarily for the man in your life, I think the seersucker cuff links would look equally as great on preppy fashionistas with a white shirt! And the seersucker bow ties are the height of preppiness!

Find out more here. 


White House Week

10.5.14

This week at the White House the third National Climate Assessment was released, providing a comprehensive look at how climate change is affecting the US and critical sectors of the economy.

Find out further information here and watch the video below.



The White House also released a great set of photos from the period of January to March this year. From State Dinners to Let's Move events, the photos are fab! Click here to see the full set. 

Seafarer Fashion at C Wonder

9.5.14

Looking for something for your next sailing trip? Or do you just love nautical fashion? New arrivals at C Wonder are just the thing if you're a seafarer!





Tory Burch Summer 2014

8.5.14


Nature is a big inspiration in Tory Burch's Summer 2014 collection, and the fresh hues of white and green are perfect for what we hope will be a glorious summer!

The Mia slim boot reminds me of a great pair of gingham cropped trousers I used to have as a child, and the Landon sweater is a great take on my wardrobe essential of the striped tee.

In the shoe department, I'm a little bit in love with the Carlyle flat and the Violet metallic sandals- they are gorgeous in every way! And to how to accessorise? Why with the monogram resin chain necklace (very Diane Lockhart,) the Anais Grape earrings and the Botanical Skinny Scarf which is very similar to the great scarves that Mika Brzezinski often wears on Morning Joe.



Plus make sure you shop Tory's must-haves and check out Tory's amazing garden!

Tory Burch

Elizabeth Warren to speak at JFK Library

7.5.14

via
Don't miss out on your chance to hear Senator Elizabeth Warren speak at the JFK Library on Friday May 16th from 11am-12pm. Senator Warren will be discussing her new memoir, 'A Fighting Chance' and will also be signing copies of the book. Click here for further information and to book. You can also book by calling 617 514 1643. 

First Lady opens Anna Wintour Costume Center

6.5.14



The First Lady was in New York yesterday to open the Anna Wintour Costume Center at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Mrs Obama wore a gorgeous embroidered green dress by Naeem Khan, and nude peep toes completed the look.



Splurge vs. Save Campaign

6.5.14

Instagram
I was recently contacted by Credit Card Insider to be a part of their 'Splurge vs. Save Campaign' where bloggers are asked to share their story about an item they purchased that was a bargain!

For me, one of my best (and cost effective!) purchases was a vintage Louis Vuitton Speedy bag. I purchased it through a consignment store, saving more than half of what a new bag would cost. I often thought that the newer versions are much different in quality, so opting for a vintage version also gave me the look and feel of the older bag that I wanted. I love my Speedy and it has fast become one of the staples in my wardrobe! 

Carte Blanche: Female fashion with a twist

5.5.14


Carte Blanche is redefining women's fashion by creating high-quality dresses, which are crowd-sourced and sold directly to consumers. After years of experience working in the industry, Monica Noh, founder & designer grew frustrated with the way the same analog model is used to design and manufacture clothing in a digital age. Carte Blanche is about creating something new for today's consumer -- less waste, better quality, and producing only what users want.

Here’s how Carte Blanche are different:

1. Crafted with love in NYC - They work with the same fabric vendors and factories as your favorite luxury brands and keep their production in NYC to ensure that dresses are of the highest quality.

2. Crowd-sourcing - Fashion companies spend a fortune each season trying to forecast trends. Carte Blanche is the first women’s fashion brand that uses crowd-sourcing to allow users to vote on which styles will be manufactured.

3. No more middlemen - Carte Blanche sell their dresses at their true cost, not 4-8x, which is what you’d pay at a traditional retailer.

Carte Blanche
Carte Blanche is currently running a Kickstarter campaign, and are seeking $20,000 to produce their debut collection. I love the dresses, as they are so versatile and perfect for season to season and I can't wait to see how Carte Blanche transforms the way we dress and think about the process behind it!

Make Mother's Day special with treats from AERIN!

4.5.14


Stuck with ideas for Mother's Day this year? Check out some great gift ideas at AERIN including the gorgeous Lilac Path (above) and one of the gorgeous lipsticks that are new to the range!

Shop more items from the AERIN Beauty collection here. 

AERIN

Veep meets Joe Biden at WHCD 2014

4.5.14



Best film ever!! 

The White House Correspondents' Dinner 2014

4.5.14

Links of the Week

4.5.14

White House Week

3.5.14



On Thursday, the First Lady and Dr Biden announced that the Council on Foundations will lead the philanthropic community in establishing the Veterans Philanthropy Exchange, which will be an enduring forum for donors to communicate and share best practices about supporting the veteran and military communities. The First Lady announced that the philanthropic community is pledging more than $100 million over the next five years to support veterans and military families. These commitments will fund organizations that support service members, veterans, survivors, and their families. The First Lady also called upon more donors to join this effort in order to fully support all those nonprofits and community groups that do such wonderful work for the military and veteran communities every day.

Watch a video of their remarks below.



This week the White House announced the second Annual Hackathon will take place on May 29th. The focus of this year’s National Day of Civic Hacking event is 'Our Petitions Write API,' which is currently in beta testing, and will help even more Americans make their voices heard -- allowing them to use the platform of their choice to reach the White House.

Participants will focus on building out new ways of signing petitions, shaking loose any bugs, and collaborating on ways to improve the API and We the People in general.

If you have the skills necessary to work with APIs and especially if you’ve developed on petitions platforms before, click here to submit an application.

Team USA also entered in the Let's Move Olympics- joined by Bo and Sunny!

What Are You Reading?

2.5.14


I'm shortly heading off to Toronto for a part business/part vacation, and will need some great new reads for my journey?

So, what are you reading and what should I try out? Ebooks and physical book suggestions are all welcome!

Let me know in the comments or tweet me. 

April through Instagram

1.5.14

Instagram

Tory Burch at Bicester | Know Your Power by Mika Brzezinski | Tory Burch wrap bracelets | Cartier watches | Diane Lockhart and Alicia Florrick | Oil pulling | Sarah Jessica Parker | Kimye Vogue | Tory burch iPad
One Beat Designs Mlekoshi playground