Tuesday
Jun162009
The Garden Grows
Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at 5:42 PM 
Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images
The students from Bancroft Elementary School were back at the White House today to help Mrs. O harvest the vegetable garden. The fruits and vegetables were then used to prepare a meal enjoyed by the group.
Mrs. O told the students: "The planting of this garden was one of the first things I wanted to do as first lady at the White House. You helped make this dream a reality.”
Style wise, Mrs. O wore a floral cardigan from Gap (last seen for her lunch with Nancy Reagan) paired with a striped camisole and bright pink pants.
tagged Gap
Gap
Reader Comments (44)
I'm glad the kids got to harvest before the end of the school year.
(Just brought this over from the other thread. Also, she is so warm with the kids. She has great energy and warmth)
Link of Mrs. O earlier this afternoon talking to the volunteer organization DC Cares (very busy today)---can't see the whole outfit, but she looks beautiful in a hot pink blouse, overlaid with an interesting black and white jacket. She has a clear belt over the jacket that is purple/pink(?). It's the purple version of the belt worn on the cover of O magazine. By the way, her makeup in particular is gorgeous! Ingrid can really throw down.
http://www.politico.com/largevideobox.html?bcpid=14146694001&bclid=1201016315&bctid=26527705001
Mrs.T,
Thank you for posting the garden video!
The garden seems to be growing quite well.
The past two videos of the garden though have just been too short!
I wish the camera folks would zoom out and pan around more so that we can see the whole thing.
Mrs. O also spoke to a philanthropy group earlier today wearing a very glam checkered suit and hot pink blouse: http://www.politico.com/largevideobox.html?bcpid=14146694001&bclid=1201016315&bctid=26527705001
Two lovely looks today!
Ooh, Janelle beat me to it. :)
Sorry Jenna! I've been on a "link hunt" today because I need some healthy eating inspiration. I had Five Guys twice last week, and I need to hunker down and eat better and get back to working out 5 days a week.
These links I found have great video and pictures of the garden. It's so lush now, and the ABC video link below pans out and shows a more footage of Mrs. O with the kids and how beautiful the garden is and the event with the kids. Enjoy! No more Five Guys for me for awhile---LOL
http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=7855185
http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/5ZajBQTwPSo/First+Lady+Michelle+Obama+Holds+Food+Nutrition/HUthLxHVeyb
She looks that good in skinny pants, and people say she's gained too much weight???
Heaven forbid, they ever try to wear something like that. She looks fabulous! I'm really, really, really kicking myself for not buying a cardigan just like that at Marshall's. It was so reasonable, too. Sigh!
The coral and white are a good color combination on her. Pink brings out the warmth in her skin tone. Although I must say my first thought was for the knees of her pants! It's an awfully nice (by that I mean "dressy") outfit for gardening. That's my OCD coming out. I'd be in jeans for sure but then I'm not First Lady being snapped away by photogs!
She's so sweet with children. Well, with everybody, really.
Everybody wants a hug!
OMG those kids are hanging all over her - did y'all catch the little girl that was hugging on Mrs. O towards the end? She's so darn cute!
I'm so happy Mrs. O is back!
I liked her look for the more serious event, the hot pink and black and white jacket was nice. Her make up is so on point, as is her hair.
Lastly, I think I lost my mind even thinking she was perhaps preggers. She looks like her usual self.
Mrs. O. needs to find a great-fitting pair of dark jeans for gardening, walking Bo, etc. I am surprised that we have not seen her in jeans at all that I can recall. Lovely cardigan, though. Everyone is already reaping the benefits of the beautiful garden...way to go students and Mrs. O.!
The outfit looks very cute and comfy. I also liked the shirt and jacket ensemble she had on earlier. I absolutely love the way she interacts with the kids. She is so comfortable that it makes them feel comfortable. Did you hear how the little girl says that she did not use to eat carrots, but now she does. I am glad the kids are actually practicing their healthy eating habits at home. I definitely need to work on it.
Thanks Janelle and Jenna for the link to the philanthropy speech. Such a good cause!
I do however, think the outfit looks too big on Michelle from what I can see of it. Taking it in would help tidy up the whole look. It's a lot of jacket, and the drapy hot pink and clear belt is making her look dated 80s rather than updated retro, know what I mean?
Even if they're older pieces from her closet, they shouldn't look it.
Very cool how she wore the same cardigan from having lunch with Nancy Reagan to garden and cook with the kids. I love when she shows how versatile her wardrobe is. The black and white jacket she wore today with the purple top and purple buckled Sonia Rykiel belt reminds me of the Thakoon coat she wore the morning she boarded Air Force One on her first trip to Europe with the president. I'm sure it's Thakoon.
Good outfit for gardening. And glad to see coral in her wardrobe. The brighter the better. If you can actually wear color, ladies, then wear it.
Even though it's not really appropriate for gardening, Mrs. Obama's outfit is cute. Makeup and hair are on point. It's nice that the kids got to harvest the garden. Mrs. Obama, I'm eating my vegetables right now, via a salad! LOL
One suggestion: Mrs. Obama should be more careful about wearing tank tops/camisoles, as photographers snapped her at awkward angles:
http://www.daylife.com/photo/08Mb75E3j311n?q=%22michelle+obama%22
http://www.daylife.com/photo/0aIq0dCbdzbx5?q=%22michelle+obama%22
Oh, this woman does my heart good..Stunning and so, so good with children. I love her!
Can I say one more thing about the proportions in the gardening outfit? I know there have been a lot of comments about Michelle being high-waisted and how can she balance that out. A shorter jacket over a longer shirt like this is a great way to do it. The pattern on the cardigan draws attention to her face while the white band of the shirt draws the eye down, elongating her torso. A darker color on the bottom completes the effect. It's all illusion and it works! And not a belt in sight! If she'd put a belt on top of this, for example, it would have ruined the effect.
LOL @ Mara. You're too much sometimes! I ain't mad tho! I noticed those pictures earlier. It's sexy, though so I have a feeling no one is going to hate on her.
I really love the tennis shoes Mrs. O is wearing...it seems to be white canvas shoes with a design painted on them. This is why I love her, she has fun with her fashion, which distinguishes her from the perfect, prim proper fashionista decked from head to toe in Oscar. No wonder some designers have issues with her...she has her own mind and she doesn't just wear one designer which cuts back on their paycheck.
...And the colour for today is...PINK - in coral and many shades thereof!
Anyone else notice a trend here:
Monday - Jazz studio {All white with a splash of fuchsia}
Tuesday - DC CARES {Black graphic print top with, oh look...fuchsia inner piece}
- Gardening {Pink pants, white camisole and pink floral cardigan}
Good of Mrs.O to pick a basic theme/ colour and run with it, especially since all shades of pink seem to look good on her. Which means, that she has a warm under tone - no kidding! And judging from those videos Mrs.O's warmth goes way beyond her clothes and complexion.
I also appreciate the fact that there has been follow through with this garden project. The kids didn't just plant the garden, but they harvested it, then cooked the meal and are eating the rewards of their hard labor. Surely it's a lesson for LIFE!!!
Hooray for a FIRST LADY who gives meaning to her post.
@Mara, I noticed those pics also. And, did they have to publish them, at least out of respect. That said they are firm for a 45 year old.....must be all those vegetables.
I love the continuity of this project. The kids get so from start to finish, something they helped to create. What a wonderful opportunity for the children. The First Lady looks fab in her spring time pink.
WOW, how I hated this cardigan when she wore it to her luncheon with Mrs. Reagan! :)
But I actually really like it in this look!
What I wouldn't give to have my niece be a student at Bancroft Elementary School...provided of course, I would get to accompany her in the trips to the White House.:)
One thing I know for sure is that these students stand just a little straighter, and become a little more confident in themselves simply by the First Lady's continuing interaction with them. I wouldn't be surprised if they saw her as a surrogate mom of sorts!
You have a beautiful heart Mrs. O. Keep reaching out to those forgotten kids in the DC public schools, across the country and even around the world!
Love this video. I think a trip to The Gap is in order! :)
Is she wearing Puma shoes?
Ari and Simone Garris, I agree with the both of you. Michelle whips outs the same cardigan she wore with Nancy. She picks vegetables, preps the vegetables, then enjoys the vegetables in the same cardigan. The practicality and versatility of her wardrobe has my attention. And the kids! She is lovingly showing them life in all its full possibilities.
There is a photo of Mrs. O at a long table with Bancroft kids on the WH lawn with the South Portico in the background. I think this is a potential iconic WH photo showing the new open spirit of this administration. But with Malia and Sasha out of school, wonder why they did not join?
This is video of First Lady's remarks before they ate lunch.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1vUBYr0-LE
She is fabulous and thin!!
I like her 'hands-on' approach to things.She's a great woman.
Lady Michelle looks adorable in her outfit and her hair-makeup combo looks wonderful. She has such a great relationship with children, they really gravitate toward her.
Mrs. O is so creative. Who would have known that the floral print cardigan would look so well with casual pants to do gardening in? Fantastic!
Mrs. O is a natural with childern. They feel her. She is warm and genuine.
Chicagoan, that's EXACTLY what I was thinking. I think there's a lot of rabid imaginations out there!
That's a nice happy outfit for a day of gardening too. I must say I'm shocked at the height of those peas! Mine aren't that far ahead! Adn the lettuces, oh my god! I haven't HAD one yet from my garden!!!! Maybe I'm just rubbish at lettuces.
For those saying this isn't "gardening attire", I ask, SAYS WHO? I like the fact that she is saying that we can look fab and garden. Of course, those pants have to go straight into the washer with some tide and a little shout, but I like the overall look.
Does Mrs O control her photos?
I guess the answer is yes! but still, she has to be carefull when facing camera with her gesture and positions...
hum! delight make up indeed!!
colorfull outfit for gardening!
good appetite to Mrs O and her students!
They were doing a fine job, the salad seems all right. I do have a kitchen garden for about 3 years and i ve never been able to harvest a perfect salad like this. Hum!! Mrs O have a " main verte" ( i dont know how to translate it in english, but its mean someone who is able to grow anything)
ginger, green thumb.
Wow, is this the new web site? I have been away for a short while. It is so much easier to read the comments text, thank you!
I'm having garden envy. Mine isn't nearly growing that well, so I am excusing it by saying it is further north.
Say, how do I "setup your member registration"? I don't see a link for that. Thanks.
p.s. The text in the main blog entries is a bit hard to read, tho, compared to the comments text.
Trudy, it should be a box in the top right hand corner that says "Join Mrs. O". Next to it is a login link and a register link. Click on the register button and go from there. Also, at one time when you registered and logged in it would show your full name, but you can click on your name and change your display name. I am not sure if it still does that, but if it does, that is how you fix it.
Mrs O have a " main verte" ( i dont know how to translate it in english, but its mean someone who is able to grow anything)
The English saying would be that she has a "green thumb," very similar to what you're saying -- a "green hand." I am sure she did not do the majority of the work on that garden, though. Too busy.
@Chirstina, and Trudy,
Thank to both of you, english is not my mother tongue, so i ve got limitation.
You are right, Christina definitely,there are professionnal people around her, organic garden requires a lot of intention, care and love.
I would like to say thanks as well to Mrs T for this website. Wonderfull, fine job.
It is a shame that the advertisment before the video is a add for "Appelbys" which is one of the most disgusting places to eat!!!!!