Belated Bastille Day Celebrations!

Bastille Day, or La Fête Nationale (French National Day), is July 14th and the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille in 1789, along with the beginning of the modern French nation.  Basically, it's a day to PARTY!

Google's tribute to July 14th

Even though yesterday was July 14th, there are still a ton of activities going on in the DC area over the weekend that will fulfill your Bastille Day craving.  Nothing compares to the wild celebration on the Champs-Elysées, but hey, DC's layout was inspired by a French architect (Major Pierre Charles L'Enfant), so it feels like we're in France regardless!

Here are a few of the festivities that are on-going throughout the weekend that will assist you in celebrating au français. 


1.  Mon Ami Gabi restaurant in Bethesda (7239 Woodmont Ave) is raising a glass to their French heritage July 14-20 with a special menu devoted to the traditional Bastille Day foods (chilled creme du berry soup, summer duck confit salad, and pan-seared Arctic char with sweet corn chowder).

2.  My favorite DC estate, Hillwood, is hosting a French Festival event through the weekend in honor of Thursday's Bastille Day.  On Saturday from 10am to 7pm and Sunday 1pm to 5pm, Hillwood will host a gallery featuring the museum’s French collections, traditional French games, and the chance to make miniature French furniture. Also included are performances by Opera Lafayette and the New York Baroque Dance Company.  Tickets range from $5-$18.

Bastille Day celebrations on the Champs-Elysées

3.  The French Embassy (4101 Reservoir Road NW) is hosting a Bastille Day party on Saturday from 7pm-midnight, featuring food hailing from DC-based French chefs, traditional French dance performances, along with French wines and champagne! Tickets are $100, and the proceeds go to Comite Tricolore.

 
Laissez les bons temps rouler! 

Kate Middleton coming to DC???

Nope, sorry, she's not, but I want to devote today's post to this super chic woman because, well, we share the same name :-)  

Ok so every woman in the United States is obsessed with Kate Middleton (including myself):  her style, her status, and her charmingly good looks have made her truly an icon to all ages around the globe.  She is the epitome of elegant, looks like a princess in her clothes (thank goodness she IS a princess... along with being a duchess, as well...), seems like a genuinely nice person, and quite frankly snagged the world's most eligible bachelor! 

So how to we normal folk look more princess and Kate-like?  Well, we listen to the style section of the news and magazines, and figure out where to find the cheaper version Kate-worn items... right?!!  I've listed a few of my favorites below (discussed amongst many of the style aficionados) for your enjoyment. 

May you all have the chance to reign as your own Princess (of course I am Princess Catherine... ha!) one day, and look just as exquisite, if not more, than THE Princess Catherine!

1.  How could I pass up sharing the "cheap find" for the dress that made Kate a fashion icon? 

Navy ISSA dress, $535

Navy (sold out) Wyatt dress, $100

2.  This morning's fashion segment of the NBC Today show featured some of Kate's top looks for less.  This one is my favorite!  I also love that the "cheap find" (which is not so cheap, but cheapER) is made by the designer, Pippa... how fitting!

Navy Erdam dress (left), Navy Pippa dress (right)

3.  ABC fashion experts featured a similar segment on Kate's looks for less.  I love this trench coat for fall and spring!

Topshop khaki trench (right), Burberry classic trench ($1000)

4.  Last but not least, is a beautiful DVF dress Kate wore, followed by the Banana Republic look-alike (kind of).

Bright green DVF dress, $398

Green lace Banana Republic dress, $130