Thursday
Apr292010
Giving Back
Thursday, April 29, 2010 at 6:14 PM 
Image by Jason Reed / Reuters
First Lady Mrs. O joined a group of congressional spouses at the Marie H. Reed Community Learning Center in Washington, D.C. today, where they painted murals of butterflies and flowers, and helped plant a butterfly garden, as well as a vegetable plot.
Mrs. O dressed casually for the appearance, wearing cropped black pants, a button down blouse and green cardigan. Mrs. O made a nod to her work attire, saying to the group: “It's so good that everybody has made a commitment to step out of our tea dresses and away from the crystal and to roll up our sleeves and be ready to paint and to get a little dirty."
Reader Comments (29)
I love our First Lady. I love our President. I love the Bidens. I love how these two amazing families are setting a wonderful example for and changing the culture in Washington, this country, and around the world.
I believe we'll see the tangible benefits from their tenure in the WH and the impact of the strategic changes (some obvious, some not so obvious) they're implementing for many years to come.
We are truly blessed to have such fine leadership - especially at this juncture in our democracy.
May God continue to bless the Obamas and the Bidens.
I believe they are all wearing MUD Gloves. I have a bunch in different colors -- they're rubberized on the palms and fingers, canvas on the back so the hands can breathe. You can put them in the dishwasher.
http://www.mudglove.com/gloves/mudoriginal.php
Love that sweater. It must be J. Crew.
Is she wearing the controversial shoes? If so, I just love Mrs. O. ;-)
How does she do that with her sleeves? I suppose the shirt and the cardi need to be 3/4 length to begin with, or else they'll be too bulky, right?
Her face looks very pretty in this pic. Would have loved the look more without the cardi. But nice overall.
God Bless Mrs. O for her dedication to young people, education and healthy eating.
Oops, she's wearing Chuck's. Still love her!
http://www.daylife.com/photo/01ITfqwdEr50C?q=michelle+obama
IVA I've wondered about the bulky rolled up sleeve thing. I had thought that it was just really fine fabrics (the bright yellow cardigan is a "tissue" one from J Crew IIRC) but you may have hit the nail on the head there. Either that or Mrs O's arms are so slender that she is the only person in the world who can do this. I would look like a sumo wrestler in water wings if I so much as tried.
I had a "squeep" moment when I saw this photo. I remember there was a picture of the whole O family playing cards at home, taken during the campaign. Mrs O was wearing an eau de nil cardigan, slightly fluffy. I loved it. Loved it loved it loved it. Is this the same one or a thinner knit?
FYI!
I went on the Converse website and my personalized PURPLE Chuck Taylor's are in the mail!!!!!!
So happy to see her rocking the shoes! I love it!
Love it mrs Obama is wearring her sneackers agian the one that everybody said that cost her 500.00 but the sneacker is not 500.00 they cost around 20.00 to 30.00 mrs o got dirt on her knee lol she shouldn't wear a white shirt becouse it get deity fast she should wear a black shirt instead . She still looked good I see she comb her hair for the children this moring she had her hair slick back it's way better then that tiny bun she had over the weeked with her husband.her hair is to short to put it in a bun maybe the summer time come along her hair will be long enough to put it in a bun.
Just love this look - so functional and down to earth. It's obvious Mrs O's priority is to engage with the young people in the community centre. Her 'you can do it' attitude is so infectious - it shines through in this photo. Much as I love to see the photos of Mrs O in a beautiful gown, this casual outfit epitomises her passion about doing something practical rather than just talking about it. To IVA - I've copied this look and yes, 3/4 sleeves are the way to go and, surprisingly, it's easier if the shirt is a little bit loose in the sleeves because it rolls up better over the cardigan which is stretchy.
She looks fashionable and functional....love the untucked shirt. It really elongates her short torso. Similar color to Dr. B's outfit, no? Sea green? Haven't seen that color done much. Watch it turn up within a day as the "new color for spring"!
Ladies,
This is what I was saying a few events back when she was at an event to get children moving...and all of you put me down. The red pant suit and the sparkly shell outfit wasn't appropriate to the event. This look is appropriate to the event. This outfit isn't this designer or that cardi or a j. crew this or a blah...blah...blah...that..it is Michelle Obama wearing what works for the event. Big Cheer for finally getting it right.
IVA and Posh, J.Crew does these shorter than 3/4 shortsleeve sweaters (and of course the 3/4's) that come in an assortment of colors.
She really is a breathtakingly awesome First Lady isn't she? So steady, normal, positive and unfazed!! I absolutely adore her!!!
Thanks for clarifying sneakergate, Michelle. Personally, I couldn't care less how much the sneakers cost. Michelle applied herself, studied hard in school, got good grades that led her to a well paid job. She is an inspiration to us all and shows what we can all achieve with hard work and dedication. So if she wants to spend $500 on sneakers or $500 on a brooch, then that's her perogorative. It amazes me the way some people bleat on about how other people choose to spend their money.
I too, am curious to know how she pulls off the shirt and cardi thing as it showcases the colours nicely and can change the outfit entirely. I hate bulk and the thought of feeling restricted with layers just gets me in a sweat !!!! I'd love to know how to pull it off (Michelle Obama style) because she looks so good here.
Love the colours, the style, cute diamante earrings, beautiful swept back har, that GORGEOUS smile. Like marabout40, I just love this administration. The Obama's and the Bidens are the most hardworking Presidential team that I have ever known. Whoever steps into the White House after Obama et al certainly has their work cut out for them especially the First Lady because Michelle Obama has certainly raised the bar. I can only wish that our politicians and their wives in England were half as interesting !!!!!
So this is how one wears a button-down top with a cardigan!
Mrs. Obama looks fresh even when working in the dirt! I'm ecstatic how the congressional wives have joined her, working along with these wonderful young people, making a positive impact in their lives.
This woman looks good in everything. Love her!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@ Jestina - hilarious about sneaker-gate, I'm still laughing, I also love your comment about the polititicans in England. Although Mr. Brown has certainly added a little flavor to your election.
I think MO is gettng so smart about her fashion sense - always pratical, always elegant and often very simple - she is creating a wonderful fashion reputation for herself. I am grateful that she takes her role as First Lady very seriously.
Can you imagine what the Cindy McCain fashion blog would have been like? We'd never get passed all the makeup !
New magazine... USA Weekend, Title of article: America's mom in chief ...here's the link http://www.usaweekend.com/article/20100430/HOME01/100429001/America-s-mom-in-chief-Michelle-Obama
I'm still hoping for a Dr. Biden fashion blog!
http://michelleobamawatch.com/2010/04/photos-remarks-michelle-obama-at-congressional-service-event/ Here are some great photos from this event!
Mrs.O is on the cover of USA week-end mag. she looks divine in her purple dress.looks like the jason wu teal dress she wore in London to visit those scholl girls.here is the link
http://www.usaweekend.com/article/20100430/HOME01/100429001/America-s-mom-in-chief-Michelle-Obama
@ River Rush, I'm a firm believer that we don't have to put one woman down to raise Mrs. O. I think that dig at Cindy McCain was rather uncalled for. Not a fan of her, but won't jump at an opportunity to put her down either. Anyhoo... in these pics, I Love her shirt and cardi. However, Mrs. O's pants are too tight IMHO.
and there's an article in the New York Times about the closing of Maria Pinto's shop and clothing line. Our Mrs. T is quoted -- brava!
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/01/us/politics/01maria.html?hp
Gals, sorry about the comment that made it through. The person registered as a user and therefore was able to post freely. I've deleted the comment and the user. Please know I do my absolute best to keep comments like that off of this blog.
Has anyone seen any photos from the Congressional Club annual lunch on Wed 4/28 honoring MO?
I love our Michelle's dedication and hands on approach. The children are so involved and engaged in this project. This not only helps them physically but teaches so many life lessons. One that comes to mind is that if you commit to something, then see it through to the very end. We live in such a fast paced, disposable and transient society that it's rarely emphasized that not only hard work and sacrifice is needed to make something work, but dilligence as well. She is such an inspiration and so are these children. Trust me, they could not give a care about what she is wearing. But in as much as this is a fashion blog.....she looks cute in her work clothes!
Marabout, Your comments really say it for me. The White House is now the people's house b/c of all the kids and regular folks that the O's welcome. Their reaching out to Americans of all stripes is so cool and amazing. I love all of the porograms that they are offering to help people better their lives. You are right about them changing the culture of the WH. She looks relaxed and cute in this outfit. Has she lost some weight?