Happy Fourth of July

Photo by Kevin Dietsch / Getty Images 

Happy Fourth of July dear readers! The President and First Lady celebrated Independance Day with a South Lawn barbecue for White House staff and armed servicemen and women today. For the patriotic occasion, Mrs. O donned a red and blue floral dress by Sophie Theallet, from the designer's Spring 2011 collection, seen here. Black ruffle sandals carried through the black accent of the dress straps, while beaded Jordan Alexander bracelets and hoop earrings accessorized the ensemble. Hope everyone is having a spendid holiday weekend!

A Fundraising First Lady

Photo by Andy Duback / AP Images

The First Lady was in Boston, Massachusetts and Burlington, Vermont today for a double duty trip to the Northeast. In Boston, the First Lady spoke at a DNC fundraiser, followed by two more in Vermont. While there, Mrs. O also managed to squeeze in a trip to the Vermont Army National Guard’s Aviation Support Facility to speak with military families. Quite a day!

For the appearances, Mrs. O wore a white sheath dress with black-fleck texture through the fabric and black chiffon trim at the waist.

A few details from the Boston fundraiser per the Boston Globe:

• The fundraiser was planned by Bryan Rafanelli, who also planned two state dinners for the Obamas, as well as the reciprocal dinner the Obamas hosted recently in London for Queen Elizabeth II.
• It was held outside, under a tent erected against a backdrop of rhododendrons. The white tent and white fabric draping the poles was enhanced by brilliant, lime-green patterned tablecloths with white leaf-like designs. The flowers were by Winstons: peonies, hydrangeas and orchids.
• The menu, by The Catered Affair, consisted of a crab stack; avocado, tomato, cucumber and mango; a salad of baby mixed lettuces; and cilantro lime vinaigrette. Dessert was a selection of tartlets.
• Asked to help a reporter better describe her dress, Rafanelli said simply, “Fabulous.”

Update: That "fabulous" dress is custom Jason Wu. Fabulous indeed!

"First Lady describes toll of job on husband" [Boston Globe]

Mrs. O in Alexander Wang

Photo by Charles Dharapak / AP Images

The First Lady wore quite a line up of designers while traveling through South Africa last week: Duro Olowu, Jean Paul Gaultier, Reed Krakoff, Tory Burch, Rachel Roy and ASOS Africa, just to name a few. Now we can add one more name to that list: Alexander Wang. 

Thanks to reader Tien who observed that Mrs. O's mural painting attire included a pair of Alexander Wang Doodle Print jeans, on sale here. Doodle print for painting? Pretty perfect.

Safari Chic

Photos by Charles Dharapak / AP Images

The First Lady, joined by her daughters Sasha and Malia, mother Marian Robinson, niece Leslie Robinson and nephew Avery Robinson, is enjoying a safari in Madikwe Game Reserve in South Africa today. What does Mrs. O wear on a safari? A fringed Prova scarf, of course!

P.S. Check out great Flickr photos from the US Embassy in Gaborone, Botswana, here.

On to Botswana

The First Lady and crew arrived in Gaborone, Botswana today, where they were greeted by traditional dancers. For this stop in her trip through Africa, Mrs. O embraced a bold palette, pairing a Jean Paul Gaultier pant suit with a Tory Burch Kerala reverse wrap belt, available here, at the waist.

After arriving, the First Lady changed into more casual attire to paint a mural with youths at the Botswana-Baylor Adolescent Center. Mrs. O wore a Rachel Roy Sable Leather Ribbed Knit Jacket, seen at least once before, here. Update (6/28): It also appears that the First Lady was wearing Alexander Wang Doodle Print Jeans, available here. How apropos for mural painting!

Finally, Mrs. O was back in ASOS Africa, wearing a beaded collar jacket (on sale here) paired with a Duro Olowu Fall 2010 scarf as she walked with Ian Kirby of Mokolodi Game Reserve prior to a private dinner in Gaborone, Botswana. Thanks to Kemi of Shop Liquorice for the spot. 

All photos by Charles Dharapak / AP Images