Wish FLOTUS Happy Birthday

From Barack Obama:

When you become president, one thing that happens overnight is that you and everyone you love get a bunch of new nicknames.

I was already pretty used to this. But "FLOTUS," short for First Lady of the United States, is really something else.

I'm writing because our FLOTUS, Michelle, turns 48 on Tuesday, and I know I'm not her only fan out there.

Will you join me in wishing her a happy birthday?

[Barack Obama]

P.S. As of today, you can officially follow @MichelleObama on Twitter.

Must Watch Mrs. O: Commander in Chic

Thanks to reader Debra for sharing this interview with Commander in Chic author Mikki Taylor [Roland Martin Reports]

Commander in Chic [Amazon]

Coming Soon: Runway to Win

Tuesday will mark the launch of Runway to Win, a collaboration between the Obama-Biden campaign and 22 designers who have created merchandise that will raise funds for the President's reelection efforts. Per WWD:

"The initiative will officially bow Thursday, when an e-commerce site at runwaytowin.com will launch to sell products from participating designers, who include Marc Jacobs, Tory Burch, Diane von Furstenberg, Narciso Rodriguez, Jason Wu, Alexander Wang, Joseph Altuzarra, Rag & Bone, Rachel Roy and Tracy Reese. The designs include T-shirts, tote bags, scarves and wristlets, with all proceeds going to the Obama Victory Fund."

"Designers Line Up to Support Obama" [WWD]

Must Read Mrs. O: The Obamas

"Michelle Obama and the Evolution of a First Lady" [Jodi Kantor, New York Times]

The Obamas [Amazon]

Update #1:

"White House pushes back against Kantor" [Politico]

“This is the author’s take, reflecting her own opinions, on a remarkably strong relationship between the President and First Lady – both of whom share an unwavering commitment to each other, and to improving the lives of Americans,” White House spokesman Eric Schultz said in a statement. “The book, an overdramatization of old news, is about a relationship between two people whom the author has not spoken to in years. The author last interviewed the Obamas in 2009 for a magazine piece, and did not interview them for this book. The emotions, thoughts and private moments described in the book, though often seemingly ascribed to the President and First Lady, reflect little more than the author’s own thoughts. These second-hand accounts are staples of every Administration in modern political history and often exaggerated.”

Update #2: Two reviews of The Obamas worth a read:

"Partners in Love and the Presidency" [New York Times]

"State of the Union" [The New Yorker]

Update #3: Gayle King interviews Mrs. Obama for CBS This Morning:

Back to Washington

Photo by Andrew Harrer / Getty Images

The First Family arrived back in Washington this morning, trading resort wear for their winter wardrobes. Mrs. O looked chic in a grey check wrap coat and pants, adding a pop of color with blue leather gloves.