Thursday
May212009
Time: The Meaning of Mrs. O
Thursday, May 21, 2009 at 9:14 AM 
Mrs. O appears on the cover of Time, accompanied by a feature article inside and a collection of photographs by Callie Shell.
"...My message to women, if anything, over the course of this, is, find your space. Find your spot. Wear what you love. Choose the careers that may have meaning to you.
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Reader Comments (140)
That's a pretty cover of Mrs. Obama. The black & white photo is also pretty.
The article itself tells me little new stuff about the First Lady, but oh well.
I do love the pic, including the high arc of the brow, which is quintessentially Mrs. O.
Where is the B&W photo you are talking about, Mara? I wanna see it.
Nice pic!
I see the B&W pic, it is pretty cool. It cpatures her essence. Plus, I love the softer hair and bangs.
I love the photo of Mrs. O in the Egyptian wing of the Met.
The interview was so down to earth. Our FL is so grounded and solid.
And that black and white photo is regal.
the b/w photo is almost a glamour photo. i like it but its not as interesting as the color photo. the color photo fits for a newsmagazine, the tension she reveals around her mouth is revealing, it adds to the character study of a face.
i love the photo of her laughing.
Both the black and white pic and this one scream Diana Ross in "Mohagany." I keep on wanting to sing, "Do you know where you're going to, do you know the things that life is showing you." I like both of them though, but the b/w pic is special. Oh, the interview, amazing. She is very down-to-earth and self-aware...is it wrong to be in love with her? Praying for that family so much.
OMG!BREATHTAKING!!! This woman is like a chameleon. How does she turn it out like that! THIS BLACK & WHITE PHOTO IS TO DIE FOR...
http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2009/0905/wmichelle_nv_0601.jpg
I'm jealous, envious, excited and hopeful all at once. Mrs. O making the cover of Time Magazine is A VERY VERY BIG DEAL! Bigger than we even think. I see reflections of her husband sometimes in the way she stands or her hand gestures. It's amazing how much they really are alike, and compliment each other wonderfully while still maintaining a sense of self. Two individuals yet one in mind, body and soul...Phenomenal
Lovely, can't wait to pick up a copy.
For anyone who's interested, I found this jem of a website called whitehousemuseum.org that gives you detailed floorplans and descriptions of nearly every corner of the white house, the west wing and the east wing along with it's history. They've even updated with some pics of Mrs.O in the kitchen and the President playing golf on the whitehouse lawn. I think it's worth a look.
Are both the black-and-white and the color photographs, or are they illustrations?
I agree with everyone, love love the black/white photo. It is simply beautiful!
It brightened my gloomy day at work, and now I have new screensaver.
More, more more.....
@Ari,
Thanks for the website link---it's very interesting. The VP's house at the Observatory looks very nice and homey, of course because of its size in comparison to the WH. But it definitely looks very warm, private and not museum-like. Even so, I was reading that the Bidens don't stay there after Thursdays, but take the Amtrak back to Delaware on the weekends to get away from Washington folks. From Mrs. O's Time interview, it looks like she's staying put on weekends for the girls sake and their sports, but she would probably prefer to be at Camp David every weekend. Camp David is a huge plot of land with trees, and no press! I'm glad they get to go this weekend.
@Ari,
I'm really getting into this museum site--I had no clue all this was here. They even have pictures of the WH master bedroom from 1992 and everything. As I'm browsing, I'm wondering which of the rooms on the third floor Mrs. Robinson has, and which are the children's rooms. Thanks to you Ari, I won't be getting any work done tonight---look what've you gone and did! LOL
Lol. Sorry Janelle. But it is such a cool and informative site. As far as your question about which of the rooms the kids are in, I read on the blog "East Wing Rules" that the girls stay in the East and West bedrooms on the second floor. It makes sense because the Kennedy kids stayed in those rooms and I believe the Bush twins did also.
finally,she landed,solo on the cover of Time Magazine.i'm waiting for a cope here in the philippines,.i'll buy 2 copies,one for me and one for my sis-in-law,anothe michelle fan here in the philippines.
ARI...Thanks for the link! What a cool site.
@Ari,
Thanks for that info. on the girls' rooms--makes sense. I bet Mrs. Robinson's room is that Bedroom 303 on the third floor. At least, I hope she picked that one, because it's the biggest one on that floor. I was surprised though that the workout room on the 3rd floor is so small. It's functional, but with all those other little rooms on that floor, they should knock a wall down and expand that sucker! As much as the Obamas workout and use that room together, I would want more space. It's small for one person, let alone two.
Your welcome Ann #1!
@ Janelle. I thought the same exact thing about Mrs.Robinson's bedroom and that tiny workout room. As feisty as Mrs. Robinson is I'm sure she took the largest bedroom on that floor. I don't think she would settle for anything less, lol. As far as the work out room, maybe they will eventually renovate it and knock down a few walls, but i'm sure their doing just fine with what little they have, lol!
WOW! Michelle is turely bleesed.
Iwish i was Michelle rigth now. WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW!
@Ari
Hi! I stumbled onto the White House museum site shortly after the inauguration and agree that it's fun and so much information. MO had also mentioned in an interview that Sasha and Malia are in the East and West bedrooms. I had thought Ms Robinson might have chosen bedroom #327, also large, larger bathroom, more windows/more natural light and the option of turning 1 - 2 adjoining rooms into a sitting room/other. Anyway, the speculation is fun. Having to try to ration my time with so many neat sites...
Ari,
That's a great site. I spent the better part of an hour last night scoping out the site.
I can't remember the last time I visited the White House ( maybe 20 years ago with my kids) but now i want to take a tour! Mrs. O can look out her office window to gaze upon the Kennedy Garden.
Let me add my voice to the others who are saying that White House museum site is great! I love the older photos as well as the newer ones from this administration.
Check out photograph and poem in honor of our Mrs. O at my blog.
www.aeanderson2008@blogspot.com
I must say I am very jealous of this woman. I was told years ago do not envy people based on what they own.. material things.. envy those who are happy in their lives, accomplished in a real authentic way.. and are GOOD PEOPLE
and this i find in this dynamic couple. sighhhhhh :))))))))))))))))))))))
Janelle - just watched part 3 of the White House Poetry Jam - that was The Killers he was playing!
Ari, you had me spend almost an hour and a half on that site. lol Thanks a bunch for the heads up, it was very interesting.
Years of sacrifices from her husband time in politics, it's great that the First Lady has finally has her husband back to being a husband and father. She is truly a beautiful woman who but her children first, for that is the way it should be, when you signed up to be a parent.
A Michelle's life article...
http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/221458,CST-NWS-mich21.article
Everybody wants Flotus arms, the new fad!
http://www.koco.com/news/19538053/detail.html
I need her stylist
Well, THAT was a fun read! Thanks for the heads up, Mrs. T.
(doesn't the ballet gala Alai look fabulous in that backstage pic?)
Interesting little article about Mrs. O's handling of the press.
http://www.wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-scoops/fendi-on-wheels-labeling-the-first-lady-diddys-new-sound-2143229?src=nl/mornReport/20090522
Michelle is a compasionate and wonderful person, I also love her style. To get Look for less options on some of Michelle's fashion, please check out-
http://firstladiesstyle.onsugar.com/3081250
OH! MY! G_D! I was blind, but now I see! ! !
I had no idea how little I was seeing on my ancient monitor! Maybe 10% of what you all saw! Dark garments all appeared black, and if Mrs. O wore more than one at a time, they looked like one piece to me. I believed in that bolero, but I thought you knew because you read it somewhere!
I must correct some of the more foolish comments I made because I couldn't see!
The purple dress with the white polka dots is absolutely lovely. It's not that indescribable, dark, muddy color I saw. And now that there is some depth perception to my images (people actually appear round instead of flat!) I see that the neckline and bodice are very soft and charming.
I'm embarrassed by the advice I gave about blocking out the background in order to see that the dress Mrs. O wore to the commencement speech was all black (which is how it appeared to me.) Now with this miraculously precise screen, I see the same blue at the bottom of that dress that many of you saw.
I felt so left-out because I could not find the green dress you all referred to at the time of the Irish Prime Minister's visit. What green dress? The picture was so dark for me, that dress was black, and I could see none of the details. Now I understand how it is a favorite with many. It's gorgeous. What a great fit!
I am blown away by the texture I see in each garment! Not only the texture of fabric, but the tiniest details of how each fabric is used. I didn't know that the skirt of the black dress Mrs. O wore with the bolero had all that detail. What a revelation!
I couldn't see the shine or the pleats of that lovely corset belt. In fact I never saw the sheen of any fabric.
And most important to me (since I do some portraits in clay) despite all my straining and searching, I could not find a photo that showed me any of the detail of that bust of Sojourner Truth. I saw only a very dark mass with an interesting outline that seemed to have a nose and lips, and that's about all. Now, I am blown away by the talent of the sculptor who brought such life, determination and passion to a woman in such a quiet, restful pose. Few sculptors can be so convincing in such an inert medium. I'll be studying that piece for a long time. (very happy smile)
I've spent way too many hours greedily devouring the new world that has just opened up to me. Things are so three-dimensional and real, I feel like I'm at the governors' ball, or there meeting the Queen!
My husband has wanted to get me a new monitor for years, but I feared it would be too big on my desk, and block too much of the window view behind it. I was so wrong. He found me the sleekest little 17-inch. And since it's not an old tube monitor (yes, that old), but this sleek flat screen, it actually looks smaller and lighter in the space.
It's great to join all of you in the 21st century, and at this fun party! (big smile)
Back to exploring my incredible new world.
@Willow your whole post had me lol. was you last monitors screen mad out of glass too, did you have a floppy disk drive? And here I was ready to get a new mac book cause mine is 3 yrs old I kid I kid. Congrats on your new colourful web experince.
Welcome to the 21st century, Willow! And thanks for some good Friday-afternoon laughs!
All Mrs. O posters -
Have a nice holiday and thank you all for sharing your unique perspectives. I really enjoy reading this blog and getting to know all of you.
Does anyone know how the Obamas will be spending their weekend? I'm betting either Leah D or Janelle has that covered!
Bevi,
The Obama family will head to Camp David Saturday and return to the White House Monday.
@ Willow
trying again with post to you. earlier one "evaporated"
Loved your post. I can relate it. I got my first pair of eyeglasses in elementary school. I had known for a long time that I could not see distant objects with the same clarity as my sister and brother but for some still unknown reason, I never mentioned it to anyone. My first eye exam was in elementary school (different situation for kids now but I grew up in a small farming community 8 million years ago - no preK, no kindergarten). The county nurse had my class line up for the eye exam. She had each kid read the same lines in the same order. By the time I reached the head of the line, I could recite the letters on the eye exam poster for each line she indicated. I did the same thing on the next eye exam. At a later eye exam, my then current teacher was very observant and knew I had some vision issues. She watched as I "read" the eye exam lines "correctly". Then she instructed the nurse to have me read the lines backwards. The nurse was floored that I could not do it. When my mother took me to the ophthalmologist for an eye exam, after barely being able to see most of the exam letters, I was amazed when he switched various test lenses in front of me and I COULD SEE them! When I got my first pair of glasses, leaving the doctor's office I could see a tree in the distance and for the first time was able to see the detail of individual leaves, the bark details at such a distance. On the way home, I can still remember the surprises of seeing very distant objects from our car window that I had never seen before. For weeks, everyone had to listen to my raves. It was indeed an "incredible new world" to use your words. Enjoy your new monitor! Enjoy all the "new" richness of details!
Mrs. Obama is just so wonderful, in so many ways. Thank you for your photos and coverage.
Vanity Fair has a limited slideshow/poll comparing "White House wardrobe" of Michelle Obama to that of Jackie Kennedy.I enjoyed following Jackie Kennedy before, during and after her White House years. I am enjoying following MO even more. The slideshow is limited and rehash for most but if you would like to take a look, here is the link
http://www.vanityfair.com/style/features/2009/06/jackie-michelle-slideshow200906?slide=1#globalNav
@ Bevi---LOL! I'll second what Leah D said....it's Camp David or bust baby! And I wish they'd take me with them because I'm about to entertain a bunch of relatives that never stop eating! I'll be broke by Sunday, plucking grey hairs by Monday, and seeing a shrink by Tuesday.
@Willow---You had me cracking up but I'm so glad you have a new monitor. When you change monitors like that I bet it's like looking at everything in 3-D!
@Janelle - If we don't hear from you any time soon, we'll know why! Good Luck!
Good luck and god speed, Janelle!
@ Willow: I know just what you mean; I have the same experience when I look at this site on my work computer (old) vs. my home computer (newer). The problem is that monitors die slowly, so you might not even know how much detail you're missing until you look on a better computer.
Vanity Fair is running a slideshow and "contest" comparing Mrs. O and Jackie Kennedy. Sigh. Why must people keep doing this? I refuse to "vote" in this silly thing because I think both women are delightful. Neither of them have to compete for my affection. But, the pictures are fun so that's why I'm sharing -- and I am charmed by the kicky little boots Mrs. K wore during the inauguration! I've never seen those before.
http://www.vanityfair.com/style/features/2009/06/jackie-michelle-slideshow200906
I'm glad you all enjoyed my post. Thanks for sharing my joy at being able to join you in the modern world.
Dee84 - Yes, my old monitor screen was made out of glass! But can you believe I was using that old relic with a very modern Mini Mac that's only three years old? That should give you another laugh!
Ms. G - I'm happy to oblige with some end-of-the-week mirth.
Jazz - Like you, I'm from a small farming community where my lack of vision was not discovered until the third grade -- by the county nurse. Getting glasses back then was a little like this experience. I'm so grateful for my corrected eyesight -- and my new monitor!
Janelle - I'm glad you enjoyed it. I'm still amazed by the depth of field I see in each photo. Wow!
Have a great weekend, everyone.
Agreed about the eyebrows. I've thought that they've need softening for ages. For some reason the high-brow "menacing" (some have called it "angry") look doesn't come across that way in the GORGEOUS black & white photo (which in my humble opinion should have been the cover shot). I think she's smiling more and looks more relaxed in that shot. Either way, her facial expressions and eyes convey a depth of character we have not seen in the White House for a long time. No Botox for our FLOTUS....she's the real deal!
I think especially in the black & white shot Mrs. O is reminiscent of the great Diana Ross in the heyday of the Supremes. She is workin' it good!!!
Hi Willow, I'm glad you got a new monitor! Your post was fun reading. Now...I wonder if I need one?? This site is getting expensive!!! Leah D. thanks for the update on the O family. Posh T. did you receive your Hattie yet??
Happy Memorial Day weekend everyone!
Nichols, are you five years old? Are you joking? Your first post on this thread didn't say anything that required a response. Your second post was a question to Mrs. T, who actually has a full-time job of her own so sometimes she doesn't lurk here, and how the hell is she supposed to know what's going on with Time's website? She doesn't work for Time.
Contribute to discussions regularly and intelligently, and I'm sure you'll find people responding to you in kind.
Nichols,
The TIME cover photo Mrs. T posted at the top of this page is the TIME cover. The black and white photo is a photo that is being used on the Time 'article'. Is that what you wanted to know?