O Christmas Tree

Photo by Nicholas Kamm / Getty Images 

The First Lady was accompanied by Malia, Sasha and Bo Obama to receive the 2011 White House Christmas tree today. The tree, a 19-foot-tall balsam fir, was grown on Schroeder's Forevergreens farm near Neshkoro, Wisconsin. 

On the style front, Mrs. O embraced a grey palette, pairing a midi-length print skirt with a cardigan and suede boots. An on trend 'top knot' and hoop earrings completed the first lady's look. 

P.S. As there's been so much interest, Malia wears the Chain Print Pussybow Blouse from ASOS.

Happy Thanksgiving

Photo by Dennis Brack / Getty Images

Happy Thanksgiving dears! I'm thankful to have connected with such a lovely group of people on this blog over the past three years. Have a wonderful day with family and friends!

On a Mrs. O note: In the true spirit of the holiday, the First Lady was joined by the President, her mother and two daughters in volunteering at the Capital Area Food Bank in Washington, D.C. yesterday.

Red Plus Pink

Photo by Carolyn Kaster / AP Images

The First Lady was on hand this morning to introduce President Obama before he signed the Veterans Jobs Bill that will provide tax credits to companies to put veterans back to work. 

For the occasion, Mrs. O sported a vibrant red and pink color block dress, right on trend for Fall 2011. The color combination is one favored by designers such as Prabal Gurung, Preen and Giambattista Valli in recent seasons. Unexpected juxtapositions, such as bloused and structured sleeves, miniature eyelet against wool crepe, delivered further interest.

Dr. Biden was also in attendance, wearing a navy skirt suit, adorned with a floral brooch.

Ladylike with a Twist

Video by Paul James Hay

In a June 2009 conversation about Michelle Obama's style influence at The Commonwealth Club of California, Sally Singer, then fashion news and features director at Vogue, and now editor of T Magazine, had this to say:

"It's the first time I can think of that a celebrity has inspired people to think a different way about dressing, as opposed to dressing like them. ... You want to have that idea, that you can be confident enough to bare your arms, or you can be confident enough to put a cardigan belted over a dress and not have to go to a jacket. [Michelle Obama] allows women to think about ideas of styling themselves instead of literally following what she does, and I think that's so fascinating."

That idea has stayed with me because it rings quite true, reflected in my personal style choices (hello, sparkly brooches and floral pins!) and frequently articulated by many of you in the comments on this blog.

It was in this spirit that I signed up for a fun project with TheOutnet.com, which set out to translate a Mrs.O-inspired look for the everyday gal. Please have a peek at the results, "Ladylike with a Twist," above (and feel free to be amused by the dancing, oh dear!). All clothing is from TheOutnet, available here. 

Leading Ladies

Photo by Alan Diaz / AP Images, Chris Trotman / Getty Images

First Lady Mrs. O and Dr. Jill Biden visited Homestead-Miami Speedway for NASCAR’s Sprint Cup finale today to support Joining Forces. After kicking off the race with the traditional "Start Your Engines," they joined volunteers at a special barbeque luncheon for military families, hosted by representatives from companies that have pledged 10,000 jobs for military service members and their spouses.

For the event, Mrs. O turned to a top by Maison Martin Margiela that features a mixed floral and selvedge print (thank you Charlene in Detroit!), seen here in 2009, paired with pinstripe trousers. Dr. Biden wore a patriotic red and blue dress by Michael Kors, seen here in 2010.