Fall Roundup: The Best Leather Pants, A Stylish D.C. Hotel, New Movies & Shows, A Royal Move & More

Here’s what’s on my mind this Fall!

LEATHER PANTS: What did we wear in the Fall and Winter before leather pants were a thing? I have very few options in my closet besides leather pants when I am dressing for work or going out in those two seasons. Luckily, there’s a lot to choose from – I even tried the vegan leather option from Veronica Beard and love them. Here’s a list of great ones to choose from ranging from $150 to a (ridiculous) $4000 version.

Leather Pants Roundup: Joseph Teddy stretch leather trousers, Frame Black Le High Skinny leather pants, Remain Birger Christensen Leather Flared Pants, Veronica Beard Maera Skinny Pants, Veronica Beard Carson Ankle-Flare Pants, Rag & Bone Alex Leather Straight Leg Pants, Frame Le Sylvie high-rise slim leg leather pants, Bottega Venetta Leather Pants, Spanx Like Leather faux stretch pants

Rag & Bone Alex Leather Straight Leg Pants

2. A STYLISH HOTEL IN WASHINGTON, D.C.: THE RIGGS – The words “Washington, D.C.” and “stylish” don’t often go hand in hand but this new-ish hotel located in downtown DC is one shining exception. Although it opened in 2020, I haven’t had a chance to visit yet butI have several trips planned to DC this Fall and look forward to planning drinks with friends at the chic bar known as the “Cabinet Room” housed in what was once the vault of the Riggs National Bank. Whether it’s Martini Monday or Champagne and Oyster Wednesday, I can’t wait to check it out.

“Riggs Washington DC was built in 1891 as the new Riggs Bank building completed in the Richardsonian Romanesque style.
The bank was known as the ‘Bank of Presidents’ as they handled the personal finances of many U.S. Presidents in addition to many of the embassies in Washington, D.C.”

Oh how I love marbling. It’s as if Il Papiro designed a hotel room.

The Riggs has four “First Ladies’ Suites”: With designs inspired by the eccentricities of four first ladies, each of these more than 500-sq-ft suites has a unique personality all its own…” This one is called the “Caroline Harrison, the wife of Benjamin Harrison, the 23rd president of the United States.”

“The Louisa Adams Suite is dedicated to the First Lady credited for encouraging music during gatherings at The White House and highlighting the country’s prominent performers of the time. The spacious corner suite features a baby grand piano and string instrument-influenced art in the separate living room.”

“This suite is Inspired by Ida McKinley, wife of William McKinley, the 25th President of the United States. It was said that Ida often held a bouquet of flowers in her hands, to avoid having to constantly shake hands during appearances.”

Silver Lyan Bar located in the former bank vault of Riggs Bank.

3. NEW MOVIES & SHOWS – One of the best things about Fall is all the new movies and shows. There’s a lot to choose from this Fall from documentaries to period pieces to films based on bestselling books.

Attention all documentary fans: “The story behind the rise of the Murdochs, the world’s most powerful media family, had all the right ingredients for a gripping drama: greed, betrayal, family backstabbing. The New York Times reporters Jonathan Mahler and Jim Rutenberg chronicled that drama in a three-part, 20,000-word investigation in 2019. Now that reporting is captured in a documentary series, “The Murdochs: Empire of Influence”. The series will premiere only on CNN on Sunday, Sept. 25, at 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. Eastern.

Devrim Lingnau as Sisi in The Empress.nbsp — This article from VOGUE is enough to get me to check out The Empress, on Netflix: When rebellious Elisabeth falls for Emperor Franz and becomes his unlikely bride, she enters a world of tension and intrigue at the Viennese court. “Netflix’s *The Empress* is pitched as a sumptuous reimagining of the life of Elisabeth of Bavaria—known universally as Sisi—a German princess turned Austrian empress who battled against the restrictions of the Habsburg court in the 19th century.” To be released on September 29.

Luckiest Girl Alive, also on Netflix – Based on the bestselling book, this movie is about “a writer’s perfectly crafted New York City life starts to unravel when a true-crime documentary forces her to confront her harrowing high school history.” Staring Mila Kunis, Jennifer Beals, and Connie Britton. Premieres in select theaters September 30 and will stream on Netflix October 7.

Favorite network, favorite actress. “…*Magpie Murders* revolves around the character Susan Ryeland, an editor who is given an unfinished manuscript of author Alan Conway’s latest novel, but has little idea it will change her life. Adapted from Anthony Horowitz’s bestselling mystery by the author himself, Magpie Murders stars Leslie Manville as editor turned amateur sleuth.”
*Magpie Murders* premieres Sunday, October 16 at 9/8c on MASTERPIECE on PBS

Dangerous Liaisons on Starz – “Adapted from Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’ classic 18th Century novel *Les Liaisons Dangereuses* (*Dangerous Liaisons)*…it tells the story of Merteuil and Valmont showing how they began as young lovers in the slums of Paris and rose to the heights of French aristocracy through a series of schemes, manipulations and betrayals, eternally oscillating between love and war.” To be released on November 6.

4. A ROYAL MOVE: All eyes are on the Duke & Duchess of Cornwall, formerly known as Prince William and Princess Kate, after the death of the beloved Queen. Late last month, it was announced that William and Kate planned to move their family from Kensington Palace to Adelaide Cottage near Windsor Castle. They also announced a change of schools for their three children.

From Tatler, “It was recently confirmed that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will make Adelaide Cottage on the Windsor Great Park estate their new home. Located just a 10-minute walk from the Queen’s home at Windsor Castle, and with ample room for three children and a dog, plus seven gated entrances offering the utmost privacy, it’s got plenty of upsides.”

Of course, now the question is, will they move into Windsor Castle?

Regardless of what is decided, I’ll be watching.

Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis will attend Lambrook School in Berkshire.

5. NEW MAKEUP from Westman Atelier – Every Fall, I attempt to purge my closets – the first things to go are sweaters, boots, and jeans that I didn’t wear last season and know I won’t this season. This year, I did a makeup purge as well and replaced it with Gucci Westman products. Beautifully packaged, Westman Atelier makeup and brushes are the best quality out there. Here’s what I bought:

Vital Skin Foundation Stick, Squeaky Clean Lip Balm, Eye Love You Mascara, Powder Brush, Face Powder, and Vital Skincare Complexion Drops

6. A FABULOUS EVENT & A CHARMING NEW RESTAURANT IN BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA – Fall brings the best event in my adopted town of Birmingham, Alabama: Antiques at the Gardens at the Botanical Gardens. This event always has top notch speakers and vendors; this year is no exception.

The textile sponsor for this year’s event is Sister Parish Design and the key speakers are Richard Keith Langham, Ken Fulk, Lewis Miller, James Farmer, Veranda, House Beautiful, Flower Magazine, and Kreis Bell, of Blackberry Farm.

Eliza Crater Harris, Chief Creative Officer of Sister Parish Design, and great granddaughter of the design icon of the same name, Sister Parish.

Antiques at the Gardens Schedule:

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30

SHOW HOURS
10 a.m.– 5 p.m.

SHOP THE SHOW*
Richard Keith Langham
9:30 a.m.

RED DIAMOND LECTURE SERIES
Sponsored by Red Diamond, Inc.
Ken Fulk*
11 a.m.**
Lewis Miller*
2 p.m.**

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1

SHOW HOURS
10 a.m.– 5 p.m.

VERANDA PANEL*
Presented by VERANDA magazine
Brandon Ingram, Janice Parker, Stephen Sills, Summer Thornton
Moderator: Steele Marcoux, Editor in Chief, VERANDA magazine
11 a.m.**

ALEX PAPACHRISTIDIS*
Presented by FLOWER magazine
Hosted by Margot Shaw, Editor in Chief, FLOWER magazine
2 p.m.**

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2

Hosted by James Farmer**

SHOW HOURS
11 a.m.– 4 p.m.

SUNDAY WITH KREIS BEALL*
Sponsored by The Travel Studio
11:30 a.m.**

HOUSE BEAUTIFUL PANEL*
Betsy Brown, Jeffrey Dungan, Grant Trick
Moderator: Carisha Swanson, HOUSE BEAUTIFUL magazine
2 p.m.**

First Look: Bar La Fête in Birmingham, Alabama – Birmingham, Alabama has no shortage of incredible restaurants. While it is mainly known for local celebrity Frank Stitt, this great southern town has so many wonderful chefs and beautiful delicious restaurants. Kristen Hall is one such example with her restaurants, The Essential, Bandit Pâtisserie, and recently opened Bar La Fête, “a parisian-inspired wine bar with small plates + great vibes.” There’s an article about Hall and the aforementioned restaurants in this month’s issue of Garden & Gun – click here to read all about it.

Puppy Love: Lastly, say hello to the newest addition to our family, a wild and crazy but sweet English cockerspaniel named, Thelma Lou, or “Loulou” for short. I have no idea what I’m doing and am terrified but excited to finally have another female in the house!

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