Saturday night my lovely date Amy Harder of the National Journal and I got all glamed up and headed to the Washington Hilton for the pre-White House Correspondent’s Dinner reception hosted by the National Journal, CBS News and The Atlantic. This one of the few events noted in my calendar where I can justify adding a full-length gown to my wardrobe. The private cocktail party is a great way to kick off the evening and have some time to mix and mingle before the notables in the crowd head
In the words of Seth Meyer’s (mere hours before the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner host would deliver these words in his speech), “its so amazing to be in DC, in all of this history, all these amazing buildings and yet here we are at the Hilton. The red carpet outside was amazing! ‘Who are you wearing’, ‘what does it matter, I’m going into a Hilton'”.
My sentiments almost exactly as I started getting ready for the WHCD pre-dinner reception. As I strapped on my long, black, Nicole Miller gown I needed about ten rounds of confirmation that I wasn’t overdressed. Both the dinner and all of the official pre-receptions were hosted at the Washington Hilton–I missed that on the invite. As you entered the hotel, the entry way is overhauled by photographers and press as you walk through the red carpet. Once you’ve passed the lobby, there are two floors of pre-dinner receptions hosted by various publications.
Amy and I headed to the 2nd floor for the CBS News/The Atlantic/NationalJournal pre-dinner reception. It was hosted in a tent on the terrace and it kind of felt like a wedding reception, except for the part where there are random celebrities walking around. That, and I’m not used to wearing a dress that falls below my knees.
My highlights included meeting Chelsea Handler who is hilarious, and getting silly with Vampire Diaries actors Ian Somerhalder and Nina Dobrev who we’re so fun and seemed to be enjoying the photo-booth feature. And yes, they are very attractive.
After the receptions, guests lucky enough to be invited to the official dinner filed downstairs while the rest of us watched from the lounge. It’s kind of amazing listening to Seth Meyers and Obama’s speeches knowing they are only mere floors below. Strangely enough several celebrities kept leaving the dinner to hit up the Bloomberg party –or some party that went through the lounge. The buzz of course being Sean Penn and Scarlett Johansson who power walked by twice, the first time holding hands, and the second with their arms around each other. I’ll it admit I was a little surprised to see the duo, but more so the amount of chatter in the room over it.
After the dinner, the lobby filled up with guests mingling and getting ready for the after parties. I took the opportunity to change and do a little mingling of my own…
Outfit change, then on to the Washington Life after-party. I mean seriously… this face has after-party written all over it (I lasted less than an hour).
For more pictures from the event, visit the Pretty Connected Facebook page HERE.
Kicking off my weekend in DC, Amy and I hit “The First Amendment” party with one goal of Amy finally exercising her freedom of speech on Bradley Cooper.
Hosted by The Atlantic and NationalJournal, the event, which included a live performance by Chris Rob was held at the Long View Gallery. Google had a lounge in the back of gallery which was where all the celebrity guests tented out.
Of all the crazy things that could have happened, some man crept behind the plants in the lounge and lunged at Sean Penn. Fortunately he was caught or more so grabbed mid-air by an incredibly large bouncer. I happened to be walking by right at that moment and literally had to duck out of this mans way. It was insane!
We found Bradley Cooper!
Guests included Jon Hamm, Bradley Cooper, Chace Crawford, Maria Bello, Mira Sorvino Ian Somerhalder, Nina Dobrev, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, and Zach Galifianakis. For more pictures from the event, visit the Pretty Connected Facebook page HERE
