A Festive Frock

Image by Saul Loeb / Getty Images

First Lady Mrs. O hosted her first of many upcoming holiday events at the White House today, speaking alongside members of the US Marine Corps and representatives from Toys for Tots. The focus of today's event was to thank the volunteers who decorated the White House for the Christmas holidays. Preparations for the decorations began this summer, culminating in a volunteer effort by 92 people from 24 states who spent more than 3400 hours decorating the White House. Read more detail here.

Mrs. O chose a teal silk matelasse dress for the event, accessorizing with small drop earrings and her hair pulled into a chignon.

UPDATE: First Lady Mrs. O wears a dress by Michael Kors. We love!

Of note, Simon Doonan of Barney's is spearheading holiday decorations at the White House this year. We can't wait to see what they entail! Click here for further reading on the collaboration.

To hear the first lady's remarks from today's event:

A Mrs.O Inspired Holiday

Our holidays picks!

Mrs. O has a penchant for bows, both ribbons and brooches. Pin one on for a dash of feminine whimsy. Our Pick: Carole Tanenbaum Vintage Bow Pin

(Note: Mrs-O.org readers are eligible for a 20% discount on purchases at CaroleTanenbaum.com by entering Mrs. O with their order. For more information, click here.)

Taking inspiriation from Mrs. O's statement Bochic earrings worn for the state dinner, these stunners from Liz Claiborne will add a hefty dose of dazzle to any ensemble: Liz Claiborne Rhinestone Tassle Earrings

Last week's state dinner was a sartorial highlight of 2009. And lucky us, the Indian-American designer behind Mrs. O's fabulous gown, Naeem Khan, has recently launched a more affordable line with HSN. This sparkly skirt is perfect for a holiday party: Naeem Khan for HSN Starburst Sequin Skirt

A Mrs. O gift guide would not be complete without a waist cinching belt. We're borrowing this suggestion from New York Magazine: ShopBop Hayley Belt

On the subject of sparkle, J.Crew has reinvented the Crystal Constellation cardigan once more. This latest incarnation has more subtle shimmer, and an elongated boyfriend shilouette. It's perhaps the most covetable yet. J.Crew Clustered constellation cardigan

And not to forget the mini Miss O in your life, pick up a crewcuts version of the same cardigan worn by the first lady this fall: crewcuts merino snow leopard cardigan

For our resident bibliophiles, check out one of several books by or about the first lady's fabulous wardrobe regulars, including Isabel Toledo, Narciso Rodriguez, Isaac Mizrahi and Carole Tanenbaum:

Isabel Toledo: Fashion from the Inside Out by Valerie Steele and Patricia Mears

Narciso Rodriguez by Narciso Rodriguez, Betsy Berne, Cathy Horyn, Cindy Sherman and Rachel Weisz

How to Have Style by Isaac Mizrahi

Fabulous Fakes: A Passion for Vintage by Carole Tanenbaum

And last but not least, there's always our own hardcover book on all things Mrs. O for consideration!

Mrs. O: The Face of Fashion Democracy by Mary Tomer

And thank you to reader Beth who reminded us of Mrs. O's message in her Thanksgiving greeting: "This holiday season let’s recommit to serving our communities and working together to feed American families." For more information, click here.

Please share your own Mrs. O-inspired gift ideas in the comments below! We'll choose a few to add to this post.

'Tis the Season

Photos by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic

...of Bergdorf Goodman window displays, of course! The holiday windows - this year inspired by Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass - are thoroughly impressive. We particularly enjoyed the timely tribute to Mrs. O's designer du jour, Naeem Khan, seen above. The featured, floor length ivory gown shimmers with rich embellishment and pops against the lush green background. Certainly worth a swing by 57th St. and 5th Ave. if you're in the area!

Fans of Mrs. O's State Dinner gown may also enjoy W magazine's interview, "Five minutes with Naeem Khan", here.

For more on the gorgeous windows, see below:

Dress like Mrs. O (circa 2007)

Mrs. O pictured with Angela Vallot and Judy Byrd Blaylock in 2007; Image via New York Historical Society

It was during the Democratic National Convention in August 2008 that many (including us) first associated Thakoon with Mrs. O's repertoire of favorite designers. A look back at campaign events in 2007 and early 2008, however, would show that Mrs. O had worn several pieces from Thakoon before the abstract floral, reverse-kimono frock debuted.

One such piece is an embroidered ivory jacket, hailing from Thakoon's Spring 2007 collection. Mrs. O wore the jacket for a "Women in Public Lives" speaking engagement at the New York Historial Society's annual Strawberry Festival in June 2007. Supporting women's issues, Michelle Obama echoed a now familiar platform, saying: "Society, community, and family are only as strong as the health of their women."

In 2006, Thakoon Panichgul had been named the runner-up for the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Prize (won this year by another Mrs. O favorite, Sophie Theallet). The flowers the designer received for his nomination served as the inspiration for his Spring 2007 collection, which used "weighty fabrics like taffeta and organza to create form, and employed ruffles and pleats to make delicate petal sleeves and layered rosebud miniskirts," wrote Style.com.

We were excited to discover a similar Thakoon dress, cut in ivory silk, with the same floral embroidery, pop up on eBay recently, and wanted to share. If nothing else, it jogged our memory about the jacket above. But perhaps one lucky Mrs-O.org reader will snag the dress? Details on the eBay auction: Size 4, "Excellent pre-owned condition", starting bid at $270, auction ending 8 days from now. Click here for more.

P.S. There is a great little exhibit on at the New York Historical Society at the moment, "Lincoln and New York". It's worth a quick visit, capped by a snack at the Shake Shack around the corner.

Image via ebay user ClosetCompass

Go Beavers!

Image by Brendan Smialowski / Getty Images

The Os were out on the town today to catch the George Washington University vs. Oregon State University basketball game. The first lady's older brother, Craig Robinson, is the head coach of the Oregon State team.

Mrs. O kept her look casual chic for the game, wearing a black turtleneck and pants with her hair pulled back into a low ponytail. Diamond stud earrings added just a touch of sparkle.

P.S. Oregon State beat George Washington University 64 to 57.