Saturday
Nov232013
Gold and Glimmer
Saturday, November 23, 2013 at 8:29 PM 
First Lady Mrs. O covers the December 2013 / January 2014 issue of Ladies' Home Journal. Can you say gorgeous?!
"Christmas at the White House" [Ladies' Home Journal]
Update: The Huffington Post reports that Mrs. O wears a sleeveless, gold jacquard dress by Lela Rose.
tagged Lela Rose
Lela Rose
Reader Comments (62)
Stomp!!! Stomp!!! Stomp!!! I demand Mrs Obama not look so beautiful and so totally hot!!! Grrrrrrr!!! Stomp!!! Stomp!!! Stomp!!! I demand she never be presented or represented in all her majestic and breathtakingly stunning glory!!!
Stomp, stomp, stomp!!! "I would have preferred to see a more "natural" version of the pictures." Stomp, stomp, stomp!!! "I'm sure she approved of all the photo-shopping" Grrrrrr!!! Why won't she look bad so we can still attack and condescendingly mock her as we desperately want to???!!!
LOL!!! God help the hate-filled and the envious!!! A good place for the indignant brigade to start their revolution against standard industry photo-finishing practices might be ummmm, like everywhere!!! Every month Oprah puts out a magazine with covers of her completely unrecognizable self on it every last one!!! You guys really ought to go picket her at O magazine especially since @ketura, in these instances, we really do know for a fact that she actually approves each of her mag covers and even promotes them - extensive photo-shop and all!!! LOL!!! Take your faux concern and indignation over there!!! And while you're at it, go to every magazine office out there!!!
And without fail, like the loud whining noise nuisance bugs make as they swirl around the bright light, the usual suspects show up like clockwork always begrudging, always with criticism, always looking for ways to chip away: "Philly, a mom in Mi, Groovy, etc." We've been around here long enough. We know you well!!! But even though we always suspected, I do believe we just solved one mystery; We now understand one particular person's motivation. Can you say PUMA anyone???
Not meaning to harp on a subject, but the issue of photo shopping pertains exclusively to these photos at this site in this situation because 1) this site is one to which I return daily to watch for updates on Mrs O's fashion, activities, and personal expression as seen in her outfits, at various functions in interaction glimpsed in eye-to-eye-contacts with others. It is my perception that most photos I've seen at this site have been candid shots; realistic depictions, in line with a general feeling of honesty, realistic and relevant goodwill we have toward our First Lady, 2) The photo-shop is so atrociously obvious it brings up questions about the entire layout, and how much option Mrs. O had in selecting this or that aspect of the photo-shoot, and whether it was all planned out with merely Mrs. O's stamp of approval, what was the photographer's intent in 'defacing' Mrs. Obama so publicly, as if he or she felt that they were 'sculpting' her to meet their own agenda, and idea of beauty, when Mrs. Obama so clearly is beautiful and it shouldn't take any photoshop at all to see it, and finally 3) why does someone in the USA of all places consider this a case of reverse-discrimination? We've had more than five years of seeing this wonderfully warm woman in public, and she is honest true-and-true; she hasn't changed with the political arena. Mrs. O is a woman, a modern woman, a mother, daughter, wife, strong, courageous, principled, and why someone should think I hate her just because I am critical of the travesty that the dime-store magazine has made, well, not a travesty, that would be an exaggeration, but what is wrong with showing the beauty of her individuality. It is not everyone's ideal of beauty to show an alabaster statue, perfectly rounded, shaped, touched-up, and quite overdone and overboard on the meticulosity. Even, Mrs O's official portraits are more zesty and alive than these touched with the lightpen and bronzed.
Photoshopping is a fact of life these days, for better or worse. Either way, FLOTUS would look lovely with or without 'shop'. I just wish they had left those lovely front teeth of hers alone!!!!
Eleroy, please take a deep breath. I have nothing but the highest respect and admiration for our First Lady. I loved seeing the tree lighting photos and how wonderfully our First Family represents the diversity of our country. Can't wait for them to make it here. My issue is with the fashion industry and the effect photo shopping has on the self esteem of young girls. (see: http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/time-lapse-video-shows-models-photoshop-transformation-20738180 ) The fact that I prefer the more spontaneous pictures of Mrs. O to the ones on magazine covers has absolutely nothing to do with my feelings for her.
Well said, Kathie!
De-lurking to say A-frigging-men Eleroy! Who are these people kidding? ".....but the issue of photo shopping pertains exclusively to these photos at this site in this situation....." Why? If you're mad about photoshopping, be mad across board. Be consistent with your "concerns" about whatever it is you claim you're "concerned" about. As Eleroy writes, Oprah is unrecognizably photoshopped and evidently proud of it, on every monthly O cover, and so is everyone and their mama these days, and you guys don't seem to have a problem with that. You want to conveniently make this just about Mrs Obama because the industry just happened to discover this concept and tried it out on this solitary magazine cover? I remember an Ebony cover from last year of President & Mrs Obama where the photoshopping wasn't properly done, and because the result wasn't exactly great in that instance, the complainers were predictably silent. They only troll out to complain when whatever they're protesting is seen as positive for Mrs Obama, otherwise, it's crickets. Listen guys, if you like natural (whatever the heck that means) knock yourselves out adhering to it in YOUR own lives. Feel free not to wear lipstick, perfume, deodorant, or relax your hair. And please don't shave or wax. Stay "natural". But do not try to impose your standards on others. As many wise folks here have repeatedly said over the years, Mrs Obama is a grown woman. GROWN. She GROWN. She will live her life on her own terms and has earned the right to do so. Don't approve of her choices? Stop following her. You'd think that after 5 years some of you might have gotten the message and given up trying to force your myopic, stone-age ideas and concepts on a smart woman who's extremely capable of making decisions for herself and has been doing so forever. Buy a clue. She's ignored all your criticisms, insane demands and attacks all the years , what makes you think she's about to start taking advice from faceless, anonymous folks on a blog right about now. (She free people. The slave years are over. She FREE.) She's living her blessed life. Now do like her and go live yours how you want. Meanwhile, this magazine cover which I bought like 25 copies of by the way, will stand as one of the loveliest of all time. It's nothing short of super-frigging awesome just like the super-frigging awesome woman herself.
My dislike of photoshopping (or at least the extent to which it's been taken in recent years with computer technology) DOES extend across the board. But this is not a blog about Oprah's fashion or anyone else's. I think folks are wrong to assume that a comment about photoshopping has ANYTHING whatsoever to do with the commenter's feelings about or respect for Michelle Obama. I'm not reading that in any of the previous comments. It certainly wasn't in mine. If one is only allowed to make positive comments (about hair, makeup, dress or - yes - unnecessarily heavy photoshopping), then it has ceased to be a fashion blog and has become a fan club. I am a fan of Mrs. Obama and look forward to the remaining years of her and her husband's tenure, but the blog is about "fashion and style". I do agree - especially prior to the election - that some were making comments that were not at all on topic and which had no place here. Comments have also been made about the lighting of featured photos, camera angles etc. They are, as these were, simply that. Could we please have respect for each other and assume the best in each other? Otherwise this becomes a very unpleasant (formerly highly enjoyable) diversion.
@ Kathie - I agree with you. This is a fashion and style blog. One is supposed to express one's opinion about the fashion and style.
@mrq I agree we have free speech and that includes the freedom to challenge haters who come to this blog to specifically disrespect Mrs. O out of jealousy and spite. This is an appreciation blog...if you dislike Mrs O, don't come here.
Come on, who is this? I am so tired of magazine phoniness.
Does anyone know the source of the shoes? I have been looking for gold/copper metallic heels, and those would be perfect!
Look better than them singers and hollywood types! Love this dress one of the best I have ever seen!