Saturday
May302009
Date Night in the Big Apple
Saturday, May 30, 2009 at 5:30 PM 
Photo by Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images
First images here. More to follow!
This evening, the President and First Lady are enjoying a date night in New York City, where they'll see the Broadway show 'Joe Turner's Come and Gone' at the Belasco.
Mrs. O wears a square neck black dress, with horizontal bands of ruffles through the skirt. To accessorize, the First Lady adds a stack of diamond bangle bracelets, a blue clutch and Jimmy Choo Lantern heels.
Update: "Another Mrs. A" reports spotting a doppelganger Alaia dress in white at Barneys. Several people have suggested Alaia and we agree - the body hugging fit and detailed ruffle work seem to fit the bill.
tagged Alaia, Jimmy Choo in Outfits
Alaia, Jimmy Choo in Outfits
Reader Comments (354)
An enterprising diarist at Daily Kos calculated that President Bush took 77 trips to his ranch at Crawford, TX at an estimated $226,700 a trip. I don't begrudge Mr. Bush his trips to TX but I do begrudge that the MSM just repeats what it hears and fails to report on the presidential precedents. Thanks goodness for the blogosphere.
(I realize this is a non-fashion post but I personally enjoy the expanded conversations, especially when it's respectful)
Janelle:
I never thought that it was a slight on the Obamas part and know that the President is bi-partisan.
Mrs. Reagan has been fighting this battle for awhile and was also against the Republicans who did not believe in stem cell research.
I do believe that it was an oversight.
Mrs. Regan is at the White House now! Soon on CNN they will air of what's going on.
@Posh Tater - Good to see you back. I always appreciate your comments.
Did anybody else just catch Mrs Reagan and President Obama at the white house just a moment ago?
It was just the sweetest moment in history...Just lovely, brought tears to my eyes...
@C.,
I caught it. It was just the nicest thing to see. Mrs. Reagan looked very pleased. It was sweet to see him hold her hand in his arm through the whole thing and give her a kiss.
I hope the White House releases a photo tomorrow of her lunch with Mrs. O, and I'm sure Mrs. Reagan will have a lot more advice for her.
Sorry Jenh, democrat or Obama contributor or not, the Obama'a reserve the right to live and breath whether Fox news or non-Obama supporters like or want it or not!
How infinitely silly, superficial and phoney to live one's life (yes it's the president's life to live in spite of Fox news & all), worrying about how those who'll NEVER appreciate your efforts or sacrifices will feel about something as basic as taking one's wife to dinner & a show in neighboring New York. He could have fudged an event in New York to wangle this date in, but is simply too honorable and honest to cater to the dishonest ways of some.
As the Robert Gibbs responded when asked about this, President Obama would have happily flown commercial to New York with his wife, but Secret service wouldn't hear of it.
As for Fox news and the non-Obama supporters you speak of, they'll always be offended - Heck, they'll take offense for Obama just being...
So short of permanently leaving the Whitehouse, i'm afraid there's nothing that will appease or please the demographic you speak of and gues what? Why even bother then?!
And MJMR, the planes (yes there are a few of them), are only labelleled "Airforce One" when the President's on-board; but otherwise several in the fleet were indeed used frequently to ferry members of the Bush faamily about on personal & family trips/events-
Phew too many typo's -
As the press secretary Robert Gibbs..
Nothing that will EVER appease thhat demographic...
...the Bush family...
Aarghh!
"...and guess what..."
"..that demographic..."
@ Alsace - I appreciate your long comment fleshing out your dreams about what this site could be -- respectfully recognizing that Mrs. T may not have the interest, time, energy, resources, to structure this site in that way. I haven't had a chance to check the site you suggested as a model, but hope to do that soon.
I relate to you, as I, too, am of retirement age, but lacking the physical energy to have the involvements I'd like. I'd love to know more about your art, if you care to share.
Mrs. T has an ability to say a great deal with a few very polite words. One of her sentences from above: "Sometimes our “off topic” discusses are challenging and in the end, fruitful."
If I dare to interpret her message, I see her reminding us that the topic of her blog is fashion, and she does consider discussion of other subjects "off topic". She believes that sometimes -- not always -- these have been challenging, and in the end, fruitful. And therefore she has not suggested we let the subject go, until this time, when discussing the political parties and their motives for criticism, where she says: "Please let’s not focus too much on the political parties and their motives for criticism. There are other forums, better suited for discussing this. Sometimes our “off topic” discusses are challenging and in the end, fruitful. I’m afraid this is just one that’s going to go in circles. xoxo, Mrs. T."
This may be the first time in my relatively short time on this blog when the discussion has focused so much on the political parties. I can understand Mrs. T not wanting her blog to be perceived as a place that furthers that divide, which as we can see, cannot come to a resolution here.
Somehow, I want to state the obvious: There is a real tension on the blog. Limiting discussion to fashion leaves the people who want to interact here bored and wanting to discuss other things as well, but these other discussions are not welcomed by all. And all of this is bought about by Mrs. T's amazing success at attracting a community of quality individuals who enjoy hanging out with each other. Providing enough stimulating subject matter to keep the conversation elevated seems to be the challenge.
I'm sorry if I've done nothing but state the obvious. I just felt a need to do that.
I can feel the tension of everyone waiting for a new thread, and waiting for the unfolding of the improved Mrs. O, and the direction Mrs. T will provide.
In the meantime, I guess we'll proceed as we have been. It seems everyone posts what they like, and each is free to pass over comments that don't interest them. Just like life, uh? (smile)
Dear All, Please let’s not focus too much on the political parties and their motives for criticism. There are other forums, better suited for discussing this. Sometimes our “off topic” discusses are challenging and in the end, fruitful. I’m afraid this is just one that’s going to go in circles. xoxo, Mrs. T
I think that in Mrs. T's comment above, she recognized the value of most of the discussions which have occurred here, but felt
Please ignore the last two paragraphs of my last message. I intended to edit them out, but forgot.
Oy Vey,
We've covered every topic short of belly button and toe lint.
I am glad that Posh Tater and Christina can keep people laughing until they cry - myself included!
If we all put our collective thoughts and wishes together we might see a new posting tonight! And we do have 2 nights of Obama TV to look forward to.
new pics are up on whitehouse flickr!
I expect I'm not the only one here who enjoys beauty and art, not only in fashion, but in interior decor, landscape design, etc. This is a link for pure entertainment, to the rolling video of a man's basement apartment, which he decorated with $10 worth of Sharpie pens by covering every wall with elaborate drawings of grand stairs, books, windows, characters from literature. It will make you smile:
http://www.kentucky.com/147/story/532854.html
Sorry - but we missed our daughters "do" because when the Obamas went for a "date night" in our city, they stalled traffic and even the theatre goers were delayed 45 min - so my thinking is that the O's should stay in DC where we asked them to be - and visit Ben's Chili Bowl next time - plus DC has some great theatre - and leave us alone here in NYC - it cost a lot to bring the "bunkermobile" and other cars here and then block the avenues on a very busy day - we love them but please STAY HOME AND GET SOME OF THE POTHOLES FIXED - - PS: the dress was very nice
@janet,
Thanks for the heads up--great WH photos. I didn't see any new ones of Mrs. O, but they're all still great. I loved the photos of the WH staff taking their meetings outside---it's tough working long hours stuck in an office. Also, I just loved the photos of Mrs. O's vegetables in the kitchen ready to be prepared---they look beautiful! The garden must look totally different now. That picture makes me want to eat vegetables. The other photo I liked was of Colin Powell with his jacket off like the Prez and he looks so happy, relaxed and laughing--totally different tone in this WH.
I hope everyone gets to watch Inside the White House tonight and tomorrow at 9pm EST on NBC. It was taped primarily Friday, and Mrs. O is looking casual and cool in her outfit she wore to the school. I like that she didn't change outfits just because Brian Williams was there. They were shooting a day in the life, so she was very natural. Whatever event she had that day, those are the clothes that she kept on. Can't wait to see Mrs. O tonight.
I agree with those who enjoy a broader scope of discussion that includes more than strictly fashion (there's only so much to say about a dress), because I think fashion is only one small piece of who a person is but is a reflection of so many other aspects of character, personality, and culture. However, I also respect Mrs. T's wish since it is after all her site; and it's much to her credit that we have such an enjoyable place to come for intelligent discussion. And if creating a different format would demand more of Mrs. T's time, I certainly appreciate her inability to make that commitment. I don't know how Mrs. T will choose to resolve the dilemma, but I'm casting my vote for simply letting the discussions take the course they have already taken without the feeling that we must pull back at some point because we've strayed "off topic." Perhaps the solution could be as simple as changing the page heading from "Follow the fashion of Mrs. O" to "Follow the life of Mrs. O" or "Follow the fashion and ______ [fill in an alliterative word that would include the other topics people would like to discuss] of Mrs. O."
Of course I respect Mrs. T and whatever she decides, because it is she who has created the forum for the wonderful community that has developed here.
@ Willow,
Thank you so much for your comment. I felt rather uncomfortable discussing my thoughts in that way. We are, afer all, guests on Mrs. T's blog. But this is a unique situation, and I thought it more important to express myself than not. But perhaps that's just due to age and impatience!
Like Jersey Girl and others, I am looking forward to the revised format of the new blog in a few weeks. It will be interesting to learn how Mrs. T treats these issues.
If nothing else, the discussion has highlighted the limits of the blog format in dealing with a topic as complex as Michelle Obama. It's surprising that there is not already a supportive message board devoted to her out there. A variety of topics, initiated by a broad spectrum of posters, would make it more possible to discuss Mrs. O in the round.
Except for the last two days, I've gradually commented less . . . as unlike others, I find waiting for "a new posting tonight!" not the answer to my "collective thoughts and wishes."
My apologies. I got delayed in posting. I of course agree with Mrs. G's beautiful comment as well.
Yes, it is at the discretion of the White House whether or the press pool comes along or not. That is why on certain events you get a photo op at the beginning and at the end and then a "lid" is declared on the press pool. Check Politico.com and see how it works.
Also, at the risk of drawing the ire of many posters, I wonder whether some of us put Mrs. O on such a pedestal that we have dehumanized her to a certain extent. We do not seem accept any criticism of her, whether legitimate or not, and we convince ourselves that we know her motives, feelings, and intents. Let us remember that we only see the public persona that the media allows us to see. And while I agree the little bit we have seen of President and Mrs. O indicates that they are decent, hardworking, and likable people, I will quote Mrs. O herself about the dangers of leaving no room for errors: "Barack is very much human. So let’s not deify him, because what we do is we deify, and then we’re ready to chop it down." So, let us apply the same to Mrs. O and just enjoy this historic and beautiful couple.
Hello. First, apologies for not responding to some of the comments above sooner.
Alsace, I think you will be pleased - we are including a discussion board in our upgrade. This will happen immediately (once we migrate, still slated for a week's time). Though, just so everyone is ready, we're also implementing site registration. This is the only way to introduce a discussion board without having it run rampant with trolls. Many people have requested registration regardless, so I hope this will be agreeable!
To explain my slower responses the past few weeks -- the Mrs.O book is due Thursday!
The book has been a wonderful but intense process. I can't wait to share more about - tons of designer interviews, photographs, illustrations, etc. It's been great fun, however, I have barely slept!
While I'm thinking of it... through working on the book, I've had the delight of meeting Ruben and Isabel Toledo, two of the most charming, intriguing people I've ever met. They're very excited about the upcoming retrospective of Isabel's work at FIT, and eager to meet the 'Women of O' as they call us! I will definitely be organizing a Mrs-O.org outing to the exhibit in the weeks ahead!
Anyway... back to the original inquiry. The site will always have a fashion focus. I'm thrilled that it's evolved into much more than that, but fashion will continue to be the jumping off point. The discussion board will just help to channel the other conversations a bit better. This is my hope!
Oh, Mrs. T! I can't thank you enough. I am not just pleased, I am thrilled. Thank you so much for responding with such generosity. This is momentous!
I've been following the blog almost since it started, and have always loved it and admired the way you let it grow. It's only been as we got further into this amazing presidency, that the limitations have begun to chafe a bit.
It will be wonderful to see the focus on fashion continue, but with room for larger discussions. I couldn't be happier!
PS @ Mrs. T, I also met Isabel and Ruben Toledo --- but more than 25 years ago, just after they were young interns for Mrs. Vreeland at the Costume Institute. They were friends of a young friend of mine who died shortly after. They wouldn't remember me, I think. But they are the same in spirit now as they were then. They even look the same! Two sincere and serious people who deserve all the good things will get.
When those of us who voted for the Obamas considered our choice, I would venture to say many of us voted for the whole package: the calm, logical demeanor, carefully thought out and crafted explanations, the youthful feeling of hope, the promise of change, the thought of a young and vibrant couple who would represent a rainbow nation and not just a narrow spectrum of special interests.
Because of the Obamas' popularity, those who are disgruntled find topics to pick apart if they sense there is one ounce of credibility to their argument.
When those who post regularly rise to the defense, the natural flow of back and forth ensues. It happens many times on this blog, and maybe this time Mrs. T. felt that the tone of the discourse overtook the content - I don't know. Usually posters talk fashion and style and then the conversation may sway to politics and then back on course. In this instance, the poster came in swinging with political commentary without any reference to Mrs. O's fashion and style. She was better served on a different blog if her intent was to bring in money matters that had no basis in this blog's focus.
Several wise posters advise that we don't take the bait. That is hard to do, but it has been done. We have survived several blowouts on this blog, and no doubt will weather more. The difference I noticed in this thread was the poster who initiated the discussion did not care about commenting on fashion; her purpose was purely political.
Just an observation.
Jenh:
As one who contributed beaucoup dollars to the Obama campaign I am, unlike you less interested in how things "look"-
Beyond being the absolute best President he can be, I have no other inhuman expectations of President Obama and hold him to no higher standards than his predecessors.
I supported him because I trust his judgement and appreciate immensely his lack of attachment & general attitude to all the sillines and fakery that comes with his office.
Contributing to his campaign and supporting him, gives me no more right to dictate to this decent, wise and brilliant man how to do his job or what's right, wrong or acceptable!
And I expect them to enjoy every bit of this job as much as they suffer and stress about every bit of it that hurts.
To begrudge them even this most inconsequential expense just because GM which has been teetering on the egde long before he came to office, finally files for bankruptcy, is akin to the phony stunt pulled by McCain when he suspended his campaign to go back to D.C to "sort out the banking crisis".
I'm so glad President Obama refuses to play these silly games which constantly insult the intelligence of the American people. We finally have a president who treats us like adults even if we do not agree with all his stances-
I especially like that he does what *feels* and *is* right as opposed to what *looks* right!
If the the President & First lady gave up ever perk and benefit due them, and even offered to do the dishes and wash the floors of the whitehouse themselves, these folks you reference would never be satisfied!
The critiscim and faux outrage towards the Obama's have never real come from an honest place and clearly never will!
Thank you so much Mrs. T for all that you've done for this site and creating a wonderful expanding outlet to discuss Mrs. O.
This site is truly a haven for me, and you've truly created something special here that just gets better and better!
@Mrs. T - thank you for letting us know that there will be registration and a discussion board. This should help everyone participate where they like, and avoid the rest. I'm so thrilled to hear it.
I'm amazed that you could get a book ready to go by Thursday while keeping things going here and living the rest of your life. How exciting to meet these designers! I wish you every success with your book.
@Alsace - I appreciated your willingness to share your vision of what this site could be, and I think everyone understood the good will it sprang from. It was a very lovely post.
@Ms. G - Thank you for your beautifully written comment. Are you the one who shared that you taught English composition? If so, it shows in your writing.
I'm excited to see and use the new format. I think our community will flourish with a new sense of freedom.
Thank you again, Mrs. T.
If you scroll up a bit, I posted the link to a very creative, clever, inspiring decoration of the basement of a house. The link will take you to an article and a video that scrolls continuously around this incredibly complex and pleasing room. I offered it for your delight and pleasure. that message and link are now out of moderation. Enjoy (smile)
@Willow, thank you for your comment. I'd actually mentioned the idea of a message board several months ago, but had no takers at the time. I am so happy Mrs. T is instituting it! Btw, I have a website and when we get the board and can PM, I will send it to you. (Ooof, now I will have to update it!)
@Audrey, many of us also feel as you do. I, too, contributed financially to my limit (as did others in my family). Then after my September show here came down, during October I could plunge into the campaign proper. So many days on the phone, it was one of the best experiences of my life. I even helped tabulate the calls for my local phone bank. 15,000 calls on the Saturday before the election, and another 8,000 that Sunday. On Monday, I was so tired I couldn't get out of bed. But I got up to vote on Tuesday!
@Mrs. T, thank you, thank you again. But I forgot -- count me in for the trip to FIT!!!
@Alsace - I'm looking forward to seeing your web site. No, you don't need to update it for me. I'm sure I'll enjoy it as is. (smile)
I wanted to add that your long post containing your vision for this site was particularly enjoyable because it allowed us to see so much more of your rich personality than is usually shared here. It was wonderful to enjoy your intelligence, your energy, creativity, passion and humor. It was one of the most personally revealing messages I've read here, and the most satisfying.
It gave me an idea about moving this community to further richness. I think we all enjoyed learning what color we all are. But, maybe we could be bolder about sharing more of ourselves, so we have a richer, fuller picture of who everyone is. I'll take it up later on the message board.
Thanks, Willow. I don't know why, but this thread and the previous one, A Festive Floral, set me on a tear. I wrote long and revealing posts at the end of the other one -- much heavier and sadder than these, I'm afraid. But I confined them to the less-trafficked thread because this one just had too much going on!
I do hope the new board will find me -- as Candidate Obama used to say -- "all fired up and ready to go!"
But I'll need to contain it within the bounds of what I have to do for my own life. I don't know about others, but I am finding this couple, and the times we live in, TOO interesting. There's too much temptation to get off-topic from Alsace!
So I'll say g'night. Mrs. T, I can't wait! (Btw, congratulations on your book. I'm sure you are simultaneously pleased and scared to be at the end. But I know it will be wonderful, like your blog.)
Good luck on the book Mrs. T. you probably won't get to read this because you are working feverishly to make it perfect. But, I'm really excited to see if any of the comments from people who comment on this site made it into the book. I don't comment OFTEN but I read a lot. Some of the people like Ann#1, Willow, Christina, Alsace, Janelle, IVA and host of other michelle obamaniacs meticulously critique her fashion choices (usually to positive avail) and are sincerely warm to you and each other. I think it'd be great to know that just taking time out of your day to comment is appreciated. REGARDLESS the book will be delicious and we'll all buy copies. Buena Suerte! you're the best.
Mrs. T, that's wonderful news! Looking forward to seeing the finished product. Thank you for making such a nice home for all of us Obamaniacs.
Mrs. T,
Im so excited for all the upcoming treats!! please do not forget to announce the FIT trip, I am definitely going!!
Also, will there be a book signing? I would love to be there!!
OK, one last time. I also contributed to Obama. How things look is important! Take Bush looking out that window while New Orleans drowned; it's politics, and on the day GM files for Chapter 11, the bank and homeowner mess etc.--sorry, these are not flush times for this type of behavior.
Willow, yes, I do teach English composition, and thank you very much for the compliment. I have to say, though, that there are several "A" writers on this blog!
Bevi, you made me chuckle with your comment that "we've survived several blowouts on this blog." Well put!
And I'll add my thanks to Mrs. T for responding to the suggestions and requests and for being willing to allow the blog to evolve.
Best wishes Mrs T!
congratulations .
You've got to be kidding Jenh.
To compare New Orleans drowning and a long anticipated bankruptcy pushed by the way by the republicans is breathtakingly ridiculous and shallow.
If you actually read the posts that addressed your earlier expressed sentiments you'll find that they indeed understood that you contributed to the Obama campaign. The various responses suggested that that hardly qualifies you as controller of the president.
If indeed you donated to the campaign, I personally will reimburse your donations just to stop this sense of feeling owed and entitled.
Congratulations on the book Mrs. T! I didn't know it was this far along. When should we expect to see it in stores?
I'm feeling a little 'Momish' and just want to say...job well done! You had a vision, dream and made it into a reality.
You rock Mrs T and I pledge my undying love and support of you, your book and every wonderful endeavor you pursue-
You are truly a class act and you put me to great shame with your tact and patience.
Lol Eleroy - I too will chip in to pay off jenh if it’ll nip this line of argument and thought/logic pattern in the bud.
Jenh, I’d gladly pony up whatever it was you gave candidate Obama, if only to allow this grown, qualified man do his job (and conduct his personal business which must now intersect), the way he sees fit without “disappointing” donors such as yourself.
here's what i love about this site-even beyond the fashion! to see janelle call north korea "acting like a hot mess "is just such a great conflation of trend and substance- i have been chuckling for 3 days. like most posters, i am a mad Mr. and Mrs. O fan, but i hope we take the opportunity to listen wisely and patiently to the others and bring along people who don't see it our way-just as the first couple do. As for this wonderful site, there is plenty of substance and appreciation for the amazingly thoughtful role MO is crafting which gets across in many posts. i wonder: how did she find the time in all the campaigning and getting used to public life to evolve this vision of what her role could be, and what subtle and refined choices like the Wilson play and a date night at a natural foods restaurant. the fashion is a great starting place and irresistible in itself. don't know enough about message boards to know how they go, but Mrs. T has got something fabulous going here. Thank you all so much.
jehn,
Don't forget that Bush took 1020 days of vacation and used Air Force One for several personal trips...
487 days at Camp David (149 round trips)
490 days at Crawford Ranch (77 round trips)
43 days at Kennebunkport Compound (11 round trips)
I read today that it cost the American taxpayer over 25 million dollars for George's flights. And this does not count the money for flying Laura, and the twins all over the place in separate trips.
The American people have a short attention span and they will be thinking about some other issue a week from now.
I say, life is short .. let the POTUS and FLOTUS do what they want to do when they want to do it!
Are you all serious?!?! I'm all about fashion and being different; however the more I read this blog the more I realize some (many) people on here will say ANYTHING Mrs. Obama wears looks fabulous on her. That's so NOT true! Her face and skin, flawless, but her dress!?!?!? NOT flattering with the pleats on the bottom. As an african-american woman with hips and curves, we MUST be careful with what we wear below the waist. Often she gets it right, sometimes she doesn't...let's just be honest.
Darnit! I forgot to contribute to the book!
Ahh well... I am so happy that there's going to be a Discussion Board soon that I am going to have to run a few celebratory laps around the coffee table to work off the excitement. Yippeeyiyay!
My dear Bevi, I'm so glad someone is getting giggle out of some of this stuff!!
Jennifer, you found us all out. Your opinion, of course, must be the truth. And everyone else's opinion must be wrong. Because some opinions apparently turn into "fact" as long as you express them with lots of exclamation points.
Awww, c'mon, Christina...there's no reason to be snide and sarcastic to Jennifer. She is as entitled to her opinion of what is flattring to Mrs. Obama as you are. And she's correct in saying there are posters on this list who swear that ANYTHING Mrs. Obama wears is fabulous. There are those of us who beg to differ.
Nah, I think I'm returning snideness with snideness. Read that post again. At the end of a 300-post thread, what was the point of that? We're all entitled to our opinions, but Jennifer was the one who said that the rest (or some, many, whatever) of us are just sycophants and somehow not "serious" about our opinions because they differ from hers.
I'm really, *really* tired of that charge, just as tired as you must be of being attacked from a different direction.
@ Christina, well, you're right...what was Jennifer's point after 300+ posts? that had just about beat that dress's assessment to death? I just hadn't seen her remark in that light because I don't keep up with who said what. I'm used to being attacked by now because I do beg to differ from the concensus here at times but I continue to enjoy reading and learning from y'all. Have a nice afternoon!
Actually I think there's a difference between coming on and saying "that's not my favourite and wouldn't have been my choice" and saying "are you people serious?!".
Why make people wrong for their opinion when, actually, it's just not what you like or feel is appropriate?
Jennifer is entirely entitled to her opinion. She may not like the dress and she may not think that Mrs Obama looks her best in it. However, to say "are you all serious?!" is simply making us wrong for thinking differently.
I like it. I think Mrs O looks great in it, I think it's a beautiful flattering length and that she carries it off with elan.
I'm not wrong, I just think differently to Jennifer. Jennifer isn't wrong either.
But I would not have said that anyone who doesn't think she looks great in it has to be joking!
There are days when I don't like what Mrs O is wearing. I manage to say it in such a way that if someone said it about me, I wouldn't mind hearing it. The floral shirt for the visit to Bancroft School for example. I am not fond of that floral print and yellow is a hard colour for me to love. But she looked cute, really happy and appropriate for the nature of the visit.
(See? It is possible to be nice. While hating a garment with every fibre of your being. *grin* )
Jennifer I do take your point about body shape and ruffles - and you are technically perfectly correct - but do look at the Yahoo photo stream linked to in the above article and particularly at pictures 25 and 40. One word: model!