Saturday
Jun052010
A Day in the Garden
Saturday, June 5, 2010 at 8:46 PM 
Image by Alex Brandon / AP Photo
Image by Paul J. Richards/AFP/Getty Images
First lady Mrs. O had a full day Friday, as she hosted a "Let's Move" initiative at the White House Kitchen Garden. The event began as Mrs. O spoke to a group of several hundred chefs as part of the 'Chefs Move! To Schools' initiative, calling on chefs to adopt a local school in an effort to educate kids about food and nutrition. Following her speech, Mrs. O rolled up her sleeves (and changed tops - from pixelated floral Thakoon to Lanvin) to get to work with local students harvesting vegetables from the White House garden. Hope everyone is staying cool!
Reader Comments (43)
Mrs. O. looks great! And her food/garden/exercise project is so inspiring. I hope the country takes to it--as we surely need it. Our national health depends on it!
beautiful... wish I had a garden like that!
I think he (the chief) is cute ;)
Since the outfits are not all that, I will second your comment about the chef, Nic John!
I am wondering if there are any photos of the President and Mrs. Obama meeting Pincess Mary and Prince Frederik, who are in DC?
That would be The CHEF....................and he is kinda cute.........but not my type. I prefer THE CHIEF!!
LOL!!!
What a great example she is setting -- be healthy, lovely and poised. Luv it!
Too funny, Trinisamba! But I will second that emotion!
Actually, I would probably prefer the chef's sister. HA Good for you, Nic John, for stating your case (if you are, in fact, a guy). Good for you, no matter, in this instance. I laughed out loud. The chef is seriously cute. The Chief is cute, too, but neither are my type. More on that some other time, depending.
Much as I love Mrs. O, her fashion exploits, and, most of all, her many meaningful undertakings, I nonetheless typically balk at seriously expensive designer clothes "in the garden." This is where I truly feel a disjunct, even as I would wish not to. People, as people go, simply do not wear these sorts of outfits to garden in. In fact, most probably don't have these clothes in their closets for even the fanciest of occasions.
I love the look of the sleeveless greenish top on Mrs. O, and I surely admire her sweaty endeavor the other day. But my love pales a bit when I consider the price of that greenish top. Lanvin in the dirt??? A worn--or even a crisp, new--chambray shirt (say, from JC Penney or Target) along w/a pair of loosely woven inexpensive cotton pants or even longish shorts, would make lots more sense, and, in my seriously considered view, would present lots better. This type of attire would be lots more comfortable , too, which is why serious gardeners choose it. And, in fact, I know plenty of people who look quite stylish when so garbed--an unexpected effect, and beside the point, but it happens! I myself am way beyond aiming to look stylish when working in the dirt, even as I pray that it someday might happen. Ah well. My thoughts.
It is cooler here in the Midwest today, after a rigorous night of storms. I hope all is well elsewhere for my fellow posters.
Carry on, Mrs. O! You are you indeed.
P.S. The (Paul) McCartney dress is one of my faves ever.
I agree JMH. I think the green Lanvin may have been a better selection for the speech to the chefs, and the floral tee more appropriate for harvesting vegetables in the garden. But then, I wonder why she changed at all. Why not wear the floral tee to the chef event and then wear the same tee to the harvesting in the garden. These kinds of changes baffle me.
She looks great, I feel like this is the third time we've seen the Lanvin blouse, might this be the first three-peat (belts don't count lol).
I agree with JMH actually, Mrs O has worked hard and can afford an wear whatever she wants but it is puzzling why she'd wear such an expensive blouse given the high potential of getting dirt on it (perhaps she already has dirt on it from a previous garden event, if so it makes sense to wear it again).
Given that most folks can't afford Lanvin if they wanted to and would never dream of wearing it anywhere near a garden if they did buy it, it is puzzling indeed.
You know why we all think the chef is cute? Because he looks like TBG!!
Isn't this the same top she wore to plant trees last year?
I think the gardening top is appropriate. It's sleeveless and allows movement.
While I understand JMH's point of view, I feel it's relative. If you have a Lanvin blouse why not wear it? That line of thinking reminds me of people who have beautiful glassware or dinnerware but put it away in a china cabinet and only use it for company or holidays.
Life is too short and no one is promised tomorrow, so I come from a frame of reference that we should enjoy the things that have.
I think wearing a Lanvin while gardening is unique and democratic and very American.
The chef is cute. Well everyone have their own taste. Since you guys think he is cute, I want to know can he cook?
Easy, versatile, casual, refreshing colours. A great blouse to have and I like the fact that it would match very well with white slacks etc. (top)
Attractive colour contrast and design that blend's beautifully with the vegetation around her.
Mrs. O wears different designer's fashions every chance she gets & at the same time, we're getting a lesson in fashion.
Princess Mary (of Denmark) is young, beautiful, uber-glam and probably has as big a fashion-following as our FLOTUS. It will be interesting to see what these two ladies wear when they meet. Here's a sampling of photos on Huff Post that show her many "looks". She is the hallmark of new modern Euro royalty.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/01/great-dane-princess-mary_n_304593.html?page=2&show_comment_id=32003740#comment_32003740
I enjoyed the huffpost link, canyongal. Thanks!
Princess Mary is very much the young royal, with very pretty and appropriate clothes. Personally, I like a little more sartorial jazz, and that's why I so love the way Mrs. O dresses. Even when I don't particularly like what she is wearing, I nearly always "get" what she's doing. The only outfit of Princess Mary's that really worked for me was the pearl grey charmeuse with the subtle star print. That was beautiful, and Mrs. O would have looked great in it as well.
Is it just me, or do high heels with beige, natural leather colored soles look kind of cheap? I really prefer black soles, especially with dark leather shoes. There is something about that light color running up the inside of the heel that just ruins the look for me.
pictures out from tonight's event, Spirit of America. It will be aired on ABC on July 2. They stood together at the podium during his speech (she is the honorary chairman). The following photo was taken right after he finished and gives a great view of her necklace.
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Top-Stories-Photos-labor-union/ss/705/im:/100607/480/urn_publicid_ap_org7ebc101743fb4f3299b1d6fda09e28c6/#photoViewer=/100607/ids_photos_ts/r3798596834.jpg
The floral top has a black exposed zipper down the back. (Is it a tee or a fabric top?)
It's my guess that she wore the flowered top over the Lanvin top and removed it to go into the garden.
The back of the gown she wore to Ford's Theater tonight:
http://www.daylife.com/photo/00Dr6et00taA5?q=Michelle+Obama
The necklace is from J. Crew by a designer whose name escapes me.
And for those of you worried about the "optics"--This is a part of the 4th of July celebrations. Now don't tell me that we should skip the 4th because of the oil spill. This is the theater where Abraham Lincoln was shot and reopened last year after renovations were done. Honors were awarded to Bishop Tutu and another South African gentleman. It was not strictly a fun-type affair. And at the reception at the White House, the president talked again about the oil spill.
Also the event with Paul McCartney was not really a White House event. It was sponsored by the Library of Congress and a number of other events were held in the city around it.
The president and first lady were obligated to attend both of these. Part of the job.
Do you really think the average American knows that's a Lanvin top? The only reason I know is because I come on this site. Do you think those kids cared whether it came from JC Penny or not? All they knew was that they were out there gardening with the First Lady of the United States. She has done alot in this top. She has gardened, planted trees, and packed back packs for the troops. The only people who seem to care that it is a Lanvin top is those that KNOW it is a Lanvin top and I hate to tell you this, but you're going to have to get over it :-)
I actually liked the flowered top better. I am not much for low-cut necklines in non-formal settings.
Here's a pic of the back of the dress:
http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/101672941
I have yet to find a standing full frontal shot, but this is a good pic:
http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/101672083
She killin 'em with this one!!!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/06/06/michelle-obama-fords-thea_n_602437.html Is that a Fenton Fallon necklace?
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Michelle-Obama/ss/events/pl/050108michelleobama#photoViewer=/100607/ids_photos_ts/r3798596834.jpg
Photo #5
From the pics on getty images and yahoo, this dress (at the Spirit of America) is not flattering from the front or the back.
New photos are up at the White House Flickr site http://www.flickr.com/photos/whitehouse/ and I'm going on hiatus from reading comments again. There is usually not this level of cattiness unless Mrs O has been out of the public eye for more than a week.
Good morning, everyone. Since I routinely forget to say thank you for all the terrific links people include in their responses on this website, I want to do that right now--Thank you! Though my aging computer and dial-up modem keep me from viewing videos, I always enjoy the stills. I am especially delighting in The Obama Photo and Video Diary, due to a link provided here a few threads ago. Happy Monday!
@ operafanatic - who is TBG?
Maybe Mica has hit the nail on the head regarding the Lanvin top. It might have a stain on it from a previous wearing and therefore been given a downgrade for more casual wear. If I had a nickel for every nice, white top with a coffee stain, or veggie oil from tossing salads, I would be a rich woman.
In any event, the top looks great, and even if there is no stain on it, it is Mrs. O's choice to wear as she pleases. I think you are right Nyon - who knew until we were told that it's a Lanvin?
TBG= Tall bald guy. He is Mrs. O bodyguard and you will see him in alot of pics.
I think it's super cool that Mrs. O is out there digging in the dirt with those kids, but all I can hear is my mom saying "put your play clothes on before you go out!" But hey, maybe Lanvin IS her "play clothes."
Just don't get into another $500 sneakers situation, Mrs. O. The commentary around that drove me up the friggin' wall.
Thanks Nyon. You all use so many acronyms in the U.S.A. I know of whom you speak. They really look alike.(BIG SMILE)
II have been noticing a lot of black exposed zippers on clothes - the FLOTUS started a trend by wearing a Rachel Roy dress back in Mexico (April)
Thanks for checking in before I did, Nyon. TBG - the heart flutters! But chef is darned cute too.
What is it with me and bald guys? Oh yeah - I married one!
We're always asking what skin care products/regimine that FLOTUS uses, and the answer may very well be this: exercising, breaking a sweat daily plus lots of water to keep hydrated. I'm not so naive to think that's all there is to it, but I bet it surely helps in so many ways.
So many designers are using that exposed zipper detail in clothes lately. I'm not really keen on it, for me I'd prefer that it be invisible, but it adds an extra design element to the garment that gives us another option. The colors in that Rachel Roy top reminds me of a spring garden, it's nice. Those chefs looks adorable all dressed in their whites.......yeah, TBG lookalike.....I LIKEY!
I've noticed that her skin gets lots of compliments. Yes, she does have gorgeous skin. I think it can be attributed to melanin, genetics and good skincare products.... and it will probably look great when she is 90!
@Pat,
What's so "low-cut" about the top the First Lady is wearing while gardening with the kids? It's no different from any ordinary tank top you'd wear on a hot Summer day (which is was, coincidentally). Maybe you wear all turtleneck tops for "non-formal" occasions, but the First Lady looks very relaxed and cool in her sleeveless tank top, which is the point.
@Mazonian524, Don't be silly (turtlenecks)! I said I liked the flowered top better.
Looks great in both!