Sarah Pekkanen, the Bethesda-based former journalist and international bestselling novelist, gives Capitol File the scoop on her new book, chick-lit stigmas, and the constant influence of the Washington area on her writing.

Tell us about what inspired you to pen your new novel, These Girls.

SARAH PEKKANEN: I wanted to write a novel celebrating the rich, nurturing bonds of female friendships for a few reasons. First, it seemed like the natural progression in my books, since all of my novels focus on the important relationships in a woman's life. My first book, The Opposite of Me, is about sisterhood. My second, Skipping a Beat, is about marriage.

These Girls, my third novel, is about female friendships. And because friends are so important to me personally, I was eager to plunge into the creation of three very different women who become roommates in New York City and form an incredible friendship. The current novel is told from alternating points of view of my main characters—Cate, Renee, and Abby—and each of these women is carrying a painful secret. They end up finding the emotional lifelines they need in each other.

How do you develop the characters for your books?

SP: I don't base characters on people I know—even though I can't tell you how many times people have suspected that they're the inspiration for a character! But everything I write is inspired by reality. All of my observations and thoughts and ideas are filtered through a kaleidoscope then sprinkled onto the page.

I also did some interesting research for These Girls, which is set in the world of glossy magazines. I went to New York and had a staff writer for a big magazine sneak me into headquarters early one morning. I got a great behind-the-scenes tour and some juicy gossip, which appears in a slightly different form in my novel.

How do you balance your characters' lighter moments with more serious topics in your novels?

SP: I love books that give readers insight into their own lives and relationships, but not in a heavy-handed way. I also love books that make me laugh. So writing books that delve into painful topics without feeling heavy or depressing is my way of trying to blend what I like most to read into my own novels. I also shy away from endings where everything is neatly wrapped up. I like uplifting endings, but not ones that are unrealistically perfect, because life never follows that script, as much as we'd like for it to.  

You grew up in Bethesda and have spent most of your life in or around the District. How does Washington fit into your writing?

SP: I always work cameos of my hometown in my novels! My first two books were set in the D.C. area and Bethesda, and even though These Girls unfolds in New York, one of my characters has been living and working in Silver Spring, and we see her in that setting quite a bit. It's fun to go to a park or restaurant and think, "How can I work this into my next book?"  

Where do you write? Do you have any rituals to get you into the right head space to create your characters and their dialogue?

SP: I wish I had some elegant, impressive story about my glamorous writing life, but the truth is, I have three young boys and I write on the fly. I've piled up pages in the orthodontist's waiting room, in the carpool pick-up line, at the movie Kung Fu Panda—anywhere and everywhere I can find a little pocket of time.

But now that I'm on a book-a-year schedule, I find that getting in a few big chunks of writing time really helps me meet my deadlines. Luckily I speak at book festivals every couple of months, so train or plane trips, combined with a night in a hotel room, allow me not only an uninterrupted night's sleep, but the chance to wake up early, order a pot of coffee, and write for hours. It's blissful!  

You've been compared to authors such as Jennifer Weiner and Emily Giffin—that's a tall order in the world of women writers! How do your novels differ from what could be described as classic "chick lit?"

SP: Chick lit sometimes gets a bad rap, because people seem to think it centers around shoe shopping and dating. But writers like Jennifer and Emily delve into much more serious topics, and I aim to do the same in my novels. I don't have any problem with the label chick lit, unless it's used in a derogatory way. Most of the women I know are navigating the same issues—relationships and work—and my books center around those topics.   

What’s next for you?

SP: I'm thrilled that I recently signed a new, three-book deal with my publisher, Atria Books, which is an imprint of Simon & Schuster. So I'll have a new novel coming out every spring through 2015! My novels are now being published in a total of 10 countries, which is also really exciting (the latest country to buy translation rights is Russia).

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An SUV is a first from the British brand.

Photographs Courtesy Bentley

 

The car's competition is other luxe vehicles like the Range Rover and Porsche’s Cayenne Turbo.

Photographs Courtesy Bentley

 

Some features include the signature bold Bentley grille; a powerful 6-liter W12 engine that can make up to 600 horsepower; and an 8-speed transmission.

Photographs Courtesy Bentley

 

The back boasts luxury tailgating.

Photographs Courtesy Bentley

 

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Bentley made a statement the night before the Geneva International Motor Show during VW’s Group Night, where each of the parent company’s brands showcased their latest and most spectacular vehicles. The British luxury maker wowed the crowd with its first SUV concept, EXP 9 F.

Massive 23-inch alloy wheels; the signature bold Bentley grille; a powerful 6-liter W12 engine that can make up to 600 horsepower; an 8-speed transmission; a fold-down champagne cooler; and luxury tailgating fit for the Kentucky Derby, seem to overly exceed expectations of consumers looking to purchase an ultra-elite SUV. Bentley’s sports utility vehicle is in competition with other luxe cars like the Range Rover and Porsche’s Cayenne Turbo. While the design and composition keep all the usual Bentley trappings, it is unknown if this foray into SUVs will be met with negative or positive feedback.

In its first permanent exhibit since 2008, the Newseum's HP New Media Gallery, which opened to the public April 27, explores the challenges that new media presents to staying on top of breaking stories. In the age of smartphones, Google Alerts, Twitter, and Facebook, many of us have come to expect of-the-moment updates on the latest news, but this can prove daunting for the press, who often struggle to address the public’s desire for immediate content delivery. The Newseum seeks to answer these quandries in this completely interactive exhibit, presented in partnership with Hewlett-Packard.

“The HP New Media gallery will give Newseum visitors a chance to step into a three-dimensional social network,” said Paul Sparrow, senior vice president of broadcasting at the Newseum. The gallery uses technology and social media tools to educate visitors about the digital news revolution through a fully interactive experience from beginning to end.

Visitors can “check in” at a station near the front of the gallery, posting photos and comments on screens around the 2,500 sq.-ft. room; guests can also move to one of the two 10-ft.-wide touch-screen-covered walls to page through the stories and videos most prominent in the digital media age. Visitors may also choose to flip through the very latest news stories as they’re posted via websites and social media outlets, creating their own news pages to be displayed on screens around the room. Motion tracking is used in interactive games, and visitors can stay constantly updated on the news through live check-in updates and Twitter feeds as they explore the rest of the gallery.

“New media allows people to connect, to discover, and to share,” said Sparrow. The new gallery at the Newseum not only allows visitors to do so on-site, but also after heading home, where they can continue the social media experience at a special website. 555 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, 888-639-7386

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Themed galleries include touchable architectural models.

 

A gallery installation inside the exhibition dubbed “Making a Home,” comprises nearly 200 artifacts taking up three gallery spaces.

 

The exhibit covers a variety of housing coast to coast.

 

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The National Building Museum unveiled its House & Home exhibition April 28, exploring different elements of iconic and classic American housing through mixed media projects.

National Building Museum curator Sarah Leavitt said the exhibition will run for at least five years, offering a closer look at the nation’s built environment and the legislative infrastructure that framed the way we live. “My favorite part of the exhibit is the [Home Economics interactive] timeline,” she said. “As a historian I like the opportunity to look back and see how we got to where we are; how the population movement for housing and all the laws came to be.”

A gallery installation inside the exhibition dubbed “Making a Home,” comprises nearly 200 artifacts taking up three gallery spaces. Some of the ephemera—household items with a wide range of purposes and aesthetics—are still pertinent today while other items became obsolete long ago. “It makes a dramatic statement,” Leavitt said. With this and other curated collections, she hopes “visitors will really start thinking about where they live now, how that has changed and what that means for their own story.”

Vice president of the 150-year-old family-owned Ligne Roset, Antoine Roset weighs in on the furniture emporium’s signature style, the new Glover Park store, and interior design trends for spring.

How would you describe the quintessential Ligne Roset style?
ANTONIE ROSET: Ligne Roset is a high-end modern furniture company with an anti-conformity spirit.

How does this aesthetic fit in with Washington’s design sensibility?
AR: Our aesthetic is based on a subtle mix of know-how, modernism, and appreciation of the modern life. Washington is a city of history where people from all around the world are living [a life] that is definitely turned to the future. In a way, people living in DC and Ligne Roset are a great match. Now, design sensibility is personal and I hope that people in DC will appreciate our products.

What makes the Glover Park showroom stand out?
AR: At Ligne Roset we like details—and quality goes with details. I think this store [showcases] a lot of details and hope that everyone will be able to judge [the quality] for themselves. We always want to push the envelope forward—to accept challenges of new designers as well as established designers, to invest in new tools and machinery, to use our know-how and share it with the new generation, to be interested in the day-to-day [aspects] of our lives…maybe all of this makes us a bit unique.

Tell us about furniture design trends that you’re seeing right now.
AR: [I’m seeing the use of more] noble materials like wood, stone, or marble. We are seeing curves on a lot of products as well.

Do you have any insider decorating tips for DC patrons?
AR: Be yourself but don’t hesitate to add modern furniture to your décor.

The Ligne Roset showroom, open now. 2201 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-248-3112. Look out for its opening party, May 3. (More information, ligneroset-dc.com)

Jenn Hyman is no stranger to red-carpet events. As co-founder and CEO of Rent the Runway, a members-only website that allows women to rent rather than purchase designer dresses and accessories for special occasions, she’s attended her fair share of parties. Hyman sat down with Capitol File to discuss some of her top tips for preparing for a black-tie affair and the trends that will be circulating faster than Champagne at galas this season.

Understand that luxury is about convenience.

“Our customer is the go-getter girl who has it all,” Hyman said. This does not, however, include an excess of time, and that’s where Rent the Runway comes in. The e-commerce site boats a plethora of designer dress options, personal styling consultations, and door-to-door delivery of styles in multiple sizes—cutting out a lot expenses, not to mention the time spent searching brick-and-mortar stores for just the right party frock.

Make getting ready an important part of the fun.

When it comes to black-tie events, Hyman is adamant that preparation is key to looking your best. To maximize comfort, she suggests cutting salty food and caffeinated beverages before an event, and says starting the celebration early—before the actual party—is part of the fun. Hyman’s personal prep routine? Relaxing with friends beforehand; playing her favorite hip-hop music; dancing and sipping cocktails.

Take a cue from top spring trends.

Hyman, who’s noticed that red always seems to be a color of choice for high-powered Washington women, suggests other bright hues—jewel tones or electric splashes of color—to stand out in the crowd. For spring 2012, she says yellow or orange gowns, as well as statement bags, will be at every gala. As for cocktail fêtes, Hyman recommends day-to-night maxi dresses, which allow women to transition from the office to events with ease throughout the summer months.

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The Rolls-Royce Phantom Series II is a blend of traditional and classic with modern technology that allows the car to keep up with customer expectations.

Photographs Courtesy Rolls-Royce

 

The car boasts a completely revamped satellite navigation system with 3D landscape topography, guided view tours, and more, all on a much larger monitor.

Photographs Courtesy Rolls-Royce

 

A virtual constellation of stars in the interior can be customized to your liking.

Photographs Courtesy Rolls-Royce

 

Other specializations include a drink cabinet.

Photographs Courtesy Rolls-Royce

 

The front features LED headlamps and a slightly revamped bumper.

Photographs Courtesy Rolls-Royce

 

Phantom family of four models.

Photographs Courtesy Rolls-Royce

 

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From connecting with their clients via private tours of their plants to throwing exclusive events for owners, Rolls-Royce is a brand that treats its customers like a close-knit family. These individual discussions with owners on what R-R stands for, what customers expect from the company and the product, and what it needs to be in order to move forward are exactly what inspired the brand’s new Phantom Series II model.

“When considering changes to our iconic Phantom, we first carefully listened to customers,” said Rolls-Royce CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös. “Around the world they explicitly told us, ‘Do not change Phantom too much but introduce new technology where appropriate.’ And this is precisely what we have done.”

The end result is a blend of traditional and classic with modern technology that allows the Phantom to keep up with customer expectations. “It combined the spirit of its famous pedigree with superbly elegant design work, ground-breaking technology, and visionary engineering techniques,” said Müller-Ötvös.

Of note technologically are the full LED headlamps, and the completely revamped satellite navigation system with 3D landscape topography, guided view tours, and more, all on a much larger monitor. Best of all, its famous V12 direct injection engine has been updated with a new eight-speed automatic gearbox and rear differential, which results in 10-percent improved fuel consumption and reduced CO2 emissions.

The car’s appearance has also gotten a few updates. In addition to the aforementioned LED headlamps are a virtual constellation of stars in the interior, and a slightly tweaked bumper. Just as with its unparalleled customer service, the brand will go above and beyond to create a custom luxury vehicle to your specifications—from humidors to drink cabinets to constellations in the shape of your zodiac sign, virtually anything is possible.

“Since its first appearance in 2003, Phantom has reclaimed the pinnacle of automotive luxury and refinement,” said Müller-Ötvös. “It is a completely unique and unequaled achievement that goes beyond its primary role as a car and becomes to many a work of art, a fine piece of jewelry, or a rare and collectible object of desire.”

When the ever-fabulous Stacy London breezed through Bethesda’s Montgomery Mall on April 14 as part of the Westfield Style Tour, she and her Style for Hire team eagerly offered up tips for dressing well. Read on to find out what to toss, what to embrace—and how London really feels about style on the Hill.

You’re back in DC after launching Style for Hire here in 2010. What is your take on DC’s fashion sense?
STACY LONDON: It’s a cross-section of different styles. Style has played a much bigger role in this administration. There are a lot of reasons why Michelle Obama gets compared to Jackie O. She’s paving a way for herself, showing her arms, wearing very modern designers, and it has set the tone for Washingtonians to feel like they can be a little bit more experimental.

Who would you crown “most improved” in terms of style in the political arena?
SL: That’s a tough one…. But in terms of menswear, the president is amazing. Not because he takes so many chances in color or patterns or anything, but he knows how to get a suit tailored. In menswear, it's all about micro-styling.

You provide tons of style lessons on What Not to Wear, but have you learned anything about dressing from the fashion-challenged subjects on the show?
SL: That style is never just about the clothes…especially when people are dressing in a way that doesn’t allow them to live up to their potential. It has so much more to do with the way they feel than how they look.

What do you hope shoppers will take away from meeting with you on the Westfield Style Tour?
SL: I don’t care about trends…fashion changes every six months because the idea is to get you to buy new things. How you choose to wear them? That is personal choice. I like to teach how to flatter your figure, know what is appropriate for your age and your lifestyle, and then you can plug in any trend at all. I want shoppers to understand that a mall can be their best friend as long as they’ve got a strategy… so that they can really enjoy shopping again…and feel smart about the way they have invested their money.

Don’t miss the second visit from London’s Style for Hire team at Westfield Montgomery this weekend on the lower level, center court. April 21, 12-8 PM; April 22, 12-6 PM. 7101 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda, 301-469-6000

Earlier this month, 901 Restaurant & Bar was one of the first DC restaurants to welcome diners al fresco with its chic outdoor porch. The Penn Quarter spot boasts one of the largest outdoor seating patios in the area—800 square feet of space, or enough for 55 diners to nosh together during lunch hour. General Manager Kelvin Nwosu says the restaurant sped up construction of the new sidewalk dining area in order to savor the early gift of beautiful weather even sooner.

If you pay a visit, try 901's renowned house-made draft beers and lager or its signature sampling plates. The restaurant touts American cuisine with an Asian twist, such as Chinese-spiced duck, Japanese tuna tempura, and its exclusive craft beer satays.

Intriguing cocktails are also on offer, such as Death by Chocolate, a concoction made with Godiva liquor and served with crushed Oreo cookies on the rim. For something with a little more punch, try the 901 Lynchburg, the bar’s version of a bourbon sour. Two different happy hours—one from 4–7:30 PM and the other from 10 PM–midnight—ensure fun under the sun or the stars. 901 Ninth St. NW, 202-524-4433