Friday
Jun122009
We Love
Friday, June 12, 2009 at 7:12 PM 
Photo by REUTERS/Richard Lewis/Crown Copyright/Handout
Thank you to those (IVA!) who directed us to this lovely photograph of Mrs. O and Sarah Brown walking through the gardens of 10 Downing Street in London. The photo was taken on June 8, but just released today. A wonderful way to start the weekend!
Reader Comments (155)
Michelle makes an appearance tomorrow introducing the White House music series. New outfit! LOL
If she had only skipped the belt, the outfit would have been lovely -- an interesting dress, a pretty colored cardie over it. It would have been fresh and springy. But why the belt?
Hello everyone!
Can someone please explain to me why Mrs. O pulled back hair is considered "severe"? I think she looks lovely, as it plays up her naturally beautiful full face, lips, eyes and Nefertiti high cheekbones.
Should Mrs. O decide to wear her hair in a natural afro-loc style, the responses would prove to be rather interesting.
Just saying,
JM
MsG, I can't make you stay, but I would hope you might reconsider.
MsG,
I second Christina's sentiment. And, if anything I wrote contributed to your decision in any way, I am truly sorry.
Your comments have always been interesting and thoughtful.
Mrs. G - I hope messages like mine, Bevi's and Christina's will get thru to you and you will come back. It is probably inevitable that some discussions veer off into places that surprise and disappoint most of us, but this is still a wonderful place to chat with mostly like-minded people who enjoy and celebrate Mrs O and her sartorial adventures. I understand your frustration and dismay (God knows, I've been there and apparently lots of others have too), but we would miss you sorely if you left for good - please reconsider!
In a happier vein - those pictures of the "first wives" on Blacksnob are sensational. What is it about black and white photos - I swear almost everything and everyone looks better in them. That picture of MO going up the stairs in that full skirt is like a dream out of another decade (the 50s perhaps??). I always liked that outfit - the sweater won me over with all its crazy details.
NEW photos up on Yahoo of Michelle walking Bo today, Sunday June 14th.
Michelle is wearing an orange top and print shorts.
And it looks like her purple shoes are CROCS.
MsG;
I think you should take some time off, and then come back. Without having read what was written about you, it obviously rubbed you the wrong way and you have spoken up about it, so whoever offended you is on notice at this point. Hopefully it can be water under the bridge and you can give the blog another chance.
What I hope is that at some point, we can learn to critique her without dissing her, belittling her, or making assumptions about her capabilities to style herself, and we can learn to defend or respond to criticism without personally attacking each other.
Mrs. O is about to have a full week of events and I know you do not want to miss the fashion. She's back from Europe, I'm sure she found a way to pick up some cute pieces.
Good find, Leah D. Clearly in lounge mode. Can I just say it's so cool having a president who rocks flip flops on his down time?
"What I hope is that at some point, we can learn to critique her without dissing her, belittling her, or making assumptions about her capabilities to style herself."
It's pretty easy, IVA. Just stop doing it.
I wonder if Michelle owns 2 or 3 identical black studded belts? Surely, that can't be the very same belt over and over again. I'm sure she's worn thru the first one and this is an exact copy. I've had a favorite braided black belt that I've worn 100 times over the last 10 years. Now, I regret not buying two or more. I like the dress and the photo is lovely. For once, Sarah looks slimmer than Michelle. I'm sure it's just the fullness of Michelle's dress.
For those who think the FLOTUS must be dressed to represent the US at all times, how about when she's walking the dog on the South lawn--ok in bermuda shorts and crocs? I remember a few photos of Jackie Kennedy pushing Caroline in a baby carriage on the WH grounds, and she looked like she had just stepped out of a Vogue photo shoot. Does the First Family have a right to treat the WH lawn like their backyard--or must they conceal all private activities and casual dress?
Thanks so much for your comment, Bianca. You are dead on. It is no wonder that Ms. G. feels she can no longer comment on this site. Apparently you have to love everything about Mrs. O's fashions, or you are a hater, racist, etc. Some of you apparently are incapable of separating the fashions from the person. Just because you don't like something Mrs. O. wears, or suggest an alternative that might work better, does NOT mean you dislike Mrs. O. personally. I appreciate it when my friends say something brutally honest about something that does not flatter me. The real haters are commenters such as IVA and NYON, who can be downright nasty to people they don't know in the least. You cannot begin to know what is in our hearts. Self-appointed monitors, indeed! The new site seems to have brought out the worst in some people.
Well-put Bianca!
Both ladies look extremely pretty - and I'm absolutely delighted to be able to come on today without having to scream my head off about Mrs Brown's nether regions (THANK heaven). That's a beautiful outfit (love the red) and the wedges stablilise it perfectly. I don't love Michelle's outfit, but she looks as good as ever in it.
Whoever said that wedges are sensible shoes needs to get out and have a look at some current wedge shoes! Time to do some catching up. Even Louboutin do wedges, and any stylist worth their salt would recomment them to people with substantial hips/thighs/calves.
And whoever it was who said that the verbal acrobatics to avoid saying anything negative about the First Lady is missing the point - it's called good manners.
Bevi, IN two-three-four-five-six-seven-eight, HOLD two-three-four-five-six-seven-eight, exHALE two-three-four-five-six-seven-eight....
Bianca and Camille: The problem is that we all have slightly different ideas of what is a "dissing" or belittling comment. But, hey. Today is a new day.
NEW photos up on Yahoo of Michelle walking Bo on Sunday June 14th.
Michelle is wearing an orange top and print shorts.
And it looks like her purple shoes are CROCS.
Not my favorite outfit, but it does show Michelle being a 'real person' that doesn't care much about what anyone thinks about what she is wearing.
She must be exhausted from the flight home from Europe.
When I was younger the flight from the USA to Italy and back was no be deal but nowadays it sure does take a lot out of me, considering that Michelle is only five years younger than I am I am sure that it is starting to get to her too especially having her girls and niece along for the trip too.
Btw, here is a great little video for all the Baby Boomers here amongst us:
The Battle Hymn of the Baby Boomers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49GavdGWtac
Mrs. O's event today with the students and Marsalis is scheduled for 2:15 pm ET. I have no idea if it will be on cnn.com/live or c-span, but I hope a link pops up on it soon thereafter.
...oh, I like the outfit in the garden with Sarah Brown but without the belt. But I have to step back and not critique too much an outfit Mrs. O is wearing while on vacation or playing/walking her dog on the WH lawn---my personal choice on those shots. In order for Mrs. O to remain happy and keep that radiant smile that we all love, she has to feel that at some moments, she has to stay in control and feel normal (even when it's obvious she's on display 24/7)...just like the President wants to get takeout at the WH from time to time and talk to people like he did when he was a senator. Their lives are no longer normal, but I understand what they're trying to do to stay sane and happy. I also understand that expressing our opinions is what this site is all about and we all find Mrs. O very interesting. I'm just trying to put myself in Mrs. O's position and grappling with (as mentioned above), expressing an opinion without "belitting or dissing". It's really tough sometimes when I feel passionately about a particular outfit or accessory.
In those "normal" moments that the Obamas try to create for themselves and the girls, I personally tend to back off a little and take a breather. It's better for my soul, and I want good vibes to float the Obamas' way. After watching the news over the weekend and all the challenges they have to face separately and together, they need all the good vibes they can get.
CORRECTION, Posh Tater: My exact quote was about the posters who avoid saying “anything that can be perceived as even remotely negative about the first lady.” The key word here is “PERCEIVED.” Something may not be negative, but the oversensitive self-appointed moderators on this site will deem it so and take it upon themselves to “defend Mrs. O’s honor.” As someone said in a previous post, I believe that even Mrs. O is more thick-skinned than that, especially after having gone through a 2-year grueling presidential campaign, that she won’t be slighted about someone not liking for example her shade of lipstick. Those who try to dictate how and what posters should think have taken all the fun and diversity out of the blog. I just feel that posters should be free to express their dislike of an outfit without having to preface it with “I love Mrs. O” or such other disclaimer. As a matter of fact, someone does not even really have to love Mrs. O to visit, post, and enjoy this site. As long as someone is into fashion, can accept a diversity of opinions and express their own opinion objectively and politely, then that should suffice. And although I am not a regular, I truly understand Mrs. G who feels like she can no longer enjoy simple critique about fashion and has left blog. Honest criticism is not about what you refer to as “good manners.” Now mind you, I did not say that posters should not be civil and polite in their posts, but a negative opinion does not bad manners make; if so then we have some extremely RUDE food critics, movie and music reviewers, literary critics, etc. who should be out of a job.
Mrs G:
I hope that you will reconsider. Please do not let anyone chase you away.
I agree wholeheartedly with your post.
I've stated the same sentiments on many occasions. If some bloggers don't agree, they are chastised (but some have taken it to a new level).
I call out bloggers that are mean-spirited, but some seem to have become overly possessive of President and Mrs. Obama. Anyone with a dissenting opinion simply will not be tolerated.
Being a college graduate, I am capable of reading. I have yet to see the "undercurrents" of what someone is trying to say. Since I am not a mind reader, I cannot state what others are "trying" to say and thus dub it unflattering.
This site does not have the vitroil that is written on other sites and therefore I choose to read and comment here.
This was a fun site, but some are making the experience unpleasant.
Bevi: You have every right to disagree with my comments. As I have stated, I stand by what I have observed and written.
Leah D, I went to that link you provided. Hilarious! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for the link to "The Battle Hymn of the Baby Boomers", Leah D. I 'm feeling ya!
This is my "Jubilee Year." I 've received my AARP card and will have my first colonoscopy in two weeks. People are starting to ask me about my "retirement plans."
Retire? MOI? ;-)
Besides, if I retire, how am I going to pay for my J. Crew purchases? :-) It's not like I have any money saved! :-)
Jersey Girl,
I actually agree with your opinion that we call out bloggers who are mean-spirited. And I also agree with you that some of us have become over-zealous in calling out the mean stuff.
I am really sad that MsG chose to leave, and I believe she was unfairly called out for no reason.
That said, discussing the children's wardrobe, or making demeaning remarks about Mrs. O's body are simply out of line for me. Imagine that a schoolmate overhears a discussion of the O children's wardrobe as reported on this site, and goes to school with that information, and proceeds to spread it. DC is a small place, and it could happen. I will continue to call out those types of remarks. I have no apologies for establishing those parameters for myself (no one else) of what I personally can tolerate.
And I can't wait for the "report comments" option to re-activate. I think it will take care of overbearing comments from posters of all opinions, and allow us to report, sit tight, and be at ease when the comments disappear without us having to go through the anguishing back and forth, of which I stand guilty as well.
With all due respect, Bevi, I understand that sometimes you need to call out or report comments with language that has crossed the line, but this is not about our own personal tolerance level. Notice how it seems to be all about you: "discussing the children's wardrobe, or making demeaning remarks about Mrs. O's body are simply out of line for me," "I have no apologies for establishing those parameters for myself (no one else) of what I personally can tolerate."
and if I read Jersey Girl's comments' right, that is exactly the type of behavior she is denouncing. May I point out:
1) This is not your blog.
2) You are not a moderator (at least not that I know of).
3) You cannot read blogger's minds and guess their intentions.
4) We bloggers are not responsible for parenting or protecting Mrs. O's children. They have 2 wonderful parents a grandmother and an entire cadre of friends and relative to do so.
Nora I think we're saying the same thing with different words. I've read through your most recent post and I'm thinking "Yup, that's exactly what I mean!" Negative absolutely does not mean rude. For example - I don't particularly love this print dress and blue cardigan at Downing Street. But Mrs O looks nice enough, and very happy to be pottering about with Sarah B.
It's the "that cardigan is disgusting, Mrs O must be insane/need a stylist/has no idea/is a disgrace" brigade I'm talking about.
Apologies if my earlier comment came across as having a go at you personally - my phrasing was a bit brusque there. I hadn't intended to upst or offend. Are we OK?
Hmmm... I went to Vogue.com and there was a link to an article saying that the David and Samantha Cameron bought Mrs O a Laura Bohinc bracelet. That would be Samantha's choice I would imagine, she's no slouch, stylewise.
http://www.vogue.co.uk/blogs/fashion-designers/lara-bohinc/090406-michelle-gets-laratella-bracelet.aspx
This was not a successful fashion trip for MO. She probably has some other things on her mind and it ain't fashion, obviously.
I've had enough with the belts, is this suppose to be a signature?
And where is her hairstylist - did she leave him in the states?
She is defiinately hit or miss First Lady.
But, I must say I admire those of you who remain positive and send constructive criticism, that is probably what I should do.....but I can't .... she looks like a "hot mess"
Bevi:
Unfortunately, children do not have to hear the comments from this site as they probably are hearing them at home. I have heard the same comments (that you mentioned earlier) and voiced my opinion to the adults. Do I chastise? Yes. Does it do any good? No.
I have repeatedly stated that I would rather come here and read some of the comments that some people find "unflattering, rude, etc." than to go to other sites and read the hatred!!
We're OK. Posh (BTW, I love that name, how did it come about?). I guess it's all about the wording (although I don't think a stylist consult is such a bad thing in itself, especially for major events; it's always good to have a second or expert opinion). And if my other previous get posted in the interim before you read this one, (the one with the list), then I aplogize for its tone. I need to practice some of that "Zen blogging myself" (lol).
Streaming live the WH jazz event now on www.cnn.com/live.....Marsalis up there now talking to the kids and playing.
The generally impeccably turned out Mrs O came up with a "miss" on this occasion. She seems to be wearing a bustle or to have added quite a few pounds. I suggest that pleated skirts and high waisted belts (a frequent accessory) to put on hold, echoing the advise of many other commenters.
...always forgot to add another link for the WH event on now...www.whitehouse.gov/live (but it may not show up until 2:15 or 2:30 pm ET.
gorgious garden, not her best loo0k. oh well! we WISH WE WERE HER AND THERE IN THAT BEAUTY, DONT WE? Lets be real, dear ones....
I think that pleats make anyone look stout, and I dont care - we let the Haters be our Motivators (all the fabboo power gals in the world say woot!! woot!! y'all!)
Nora:
Yes, you read my post correctly and I agree with everything that you stated.
Mrs. T.
I have emailed you regarding registration.
I registered and cannot log in. When I try to log-in I receive a statement that I need to follow the link that was forwarded to my email. The link was never forwarded to my email address.
I have emailed you a couple of times about this problem.
Please advise.
Thank you.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/live/
Right how!
Another cardigan. The top under it looks interesting but I can't see it.
Mrs. O is wearing a beautiful color combination today. Cream/white skirt and jacket with a gorgeous color plum satin-like blouse and plum pin in the top center holding the jacket together. She looks very summery! Hair and makeup are on point...very nice and elegant. Also, the girls are there, Mrs. Robinson, and Sasha and Malia's godmother from Chicago. She's the woman often seen near Mrs. Robinson in a lot of the pictures in Paris and London recently. She wears her hair in beautiful short twists and from what I've read, she's the one that does Malia's twists and braids.
Nora,
I get the gist of your post with "the list".
Let's just agree to ignore each other. We don't share the same values, particularly when it comes to being critical of the children's clothes.
Why don't you all stop sniping at each other and go listen to some cool jazz. CNN.com is also carrying the jazz concert live
I know you guys are tired of the sniping, but I must ask Christen what makes me a hater? I have never said any rude comments, unless I was targeted and even then I tried to remain respectful. Most of the times when I read the negative comments, I just laugh, but there are some that stick in my mind and then I choose to comment. If you are calling me hater because I chose to call a specific blogger a hater (which you don't know who it is because I chose not to name them), then so be it. I am a hater of that person because of their blatantly disrespectful comments.
Oh people please! The deliberate attempt at playing naive is simply insane.
A site does not have to have differing opinions or nasty, rude dissenters to be fun, contrary to what some here are arguing. Diversity is totally overated and has become the basis for justifying awful behavior in the name of "healthy" debate.
The fact that this blog is not as filled with hate as "other" sites is not exactly a standard for what should be a decent site for decent exchanges about an incidental subject such as Mrs Obama - Sorry Nora.
If people leave in a huff because they are incapable of having civil discourse without resorting to snark, then good riddance I say.
And Nora, this is not a site for "professional" critics, neither has Mrs Obama sought to be deconstructed.
I will continue to speak up and call out any and all unwarranted snark and disrespect, and you Nora can do as you please.
It is dishonest however, to insist that you have a right to post as you please while insisting that others fall short.
Curiously, why on earth would anyone who does not like Mrs Obama waste so so much time discussing her clothing choices - She's just a mother, daughter and wife who happens to be married to the president of the United States. Not exactly a fashion-focused position even if this very well-intentioned site sought to chronicle her very unique style and choices.
To Christen: I think you mis-read Bianca's post...She seems actually to be agreeing with IVA that people could simply just stop with the belittling and making assumptions about Mrs O's abilities in the name of fashion chit chat. Bianca actually supports IVA's stance!
You write: "I appreciate it when my friends say something brutally honest about something that does not flatter me. "
Operative words here used by you being "my friends" ...You are no friend of Mrs Obama's and have no right to take any liberties in disrespecting her and her choices in the name of brutal honesty. You don't like her choices, fine, go read a book or something and stop wasting your time and ours bitching about it - It's ultimately none of your business really, is it?
You also write: "The new site seems to have brought out the worst in some people."
If insisting that people lose the vicious snark, disrespectful tone and utter rudeness in discussing a reluctant fashion subject such as Mrs Obama is the "worst", then that's pretty curious.
You have no qualms about sitting anonymously behind your computer and shooting stinging attacks on Mrs Obama, but get all riled up when you are called out on it....how very thin skinned!
Yes, Audrey, that's exactly what I was saying.
You know what? This is hopeless; when someone cannot understand even a simple analogy, as I was making in the case of the pofessional critiques, that is tragic. Some of you are determined to keep your blinders on and form this little clique to chase away any and all posters of whom you do not approve. If Mrs. T, whose this blog belongs to, is fine with that, then by all means have at it. Do you notice that many new posters tend not to remain long on this site, especially after they notice the intolerance it allows. If that is indeeed what Mrs. T intended for her blog to be, a cliquish chatter board that allows no honest criticism and where smart, objective bloggers are not welcome, then that is truly a shame. Moreover, many of the arguments used to justify this behavior are flawed themselves. such as Mrs. O's position is not a "a fashion-focused position!" Get real! All of us are sitting behind our computers doing the very thing we contend this site is not supposed to do: Deconstructing the fashion choices of the First Lady, and rightfully so. By choice or not, she has become a an icon who belongs as much to the public as she does to history. Noone is disputing anyone else's right to post, but the faux self-righteous mean-spiritedness of some posters is a real turnoff that might end up turning this marvellous endeavor into a joke.
Right on, Nora! I could not have said it better myself.
Now wait a minute...There's been a misunderstanding - My "well-put" post to Bianca was actually in support of IVA's post which I assumed Bianca concurred with!
Nora, you are too, too funny! Your twisted idea of "intolerance" couldn't be further removed from reality - How very comical!
How ironic that you scream bloody murder because there are some decent and good posters who insist on keeping this a decent and good site - free of disrespect and insult to an unwitting "fashionista" - Mrs O.
Your laughable use of the words "honest criticism", "objective bloggers" and "smart" in describing posters such as yourself had to be the real kicker for me. What a joke! How incredibly farcical! Even more ironic is the fact that in the end it is actually posters like you who "might end up turning this marvellous endeavor into a joke."
In the event you've been too self-absorbed to notice, Mrs T. doesn't exactly seem like a woman big on drama or cheap sensationalism -
She is simply too decent, honorable and empathetic to sacrifice the dignity of a fellow woman and human being for the promise of what is inevitably questionable and fleeting return - She's certainly no Perez Hilton and an unpleasant blog deliberately contrived to attract traffic isn't exactly her thing! Way too classy, sorry...
This site remains the top website for all things Michelle Obama and traffic remains extremely high even if some don't hang around because it's not as anti-Michelle Obama as they'd like.
It's a darn decent site and we truly appreciate it and sure as hell aren't going to turn it over to that sham clique you represent!!
And hey Audrey, I too think the whole diversity and differing opinion schtick is totally overblown & tiresome-
Give me a warm, fuzzy, happy go lucky group united in their mutual and respectful interest of a unique and fascinating woman; throw in periodic warm and lighthearted expressions of honest divergence of opinion of fashion-specific items - done in the right spirit - and I'm good!
Many a dedicated blog have thrived and successfully survived being just that...
The setting of the picture is beautiful, and for that I love it. However, this outfit - and the hair! is very unflattering on her. I really wish also that she would get rid of the belts, especially if she places them so high.
The words speak for themselves; the reply to my last post just proved my point.