Styling Mrs. O

We normally do not go for this sort of thing, but Closet Couture has a fun, new contest that's absolutely worth a peek: the Michelle Obama Styling Contest. You're armed with a virtual J.Crew wardrobe that can be dragged and dropped to create a look bespoke for the first lady. The Closet Couture editors will select a winner next week, who will then receive a $150 gift card from J.Crew. We just gave it a whirl (see resulting ensemble above). How did we do? We would love to see what you put together for Mrs. O too!

Update: We're excited to add that Closet Couture will be giving away a copy of Mrs. O: The Face of Fashion Democracy as a runner-up prize in the contest. Check it out here.

Now Showing

Image via Washington Post / Smithsonian American Art Museum

"Flower to Teacher" by William H. Johnson, 1944

We are looking forward to tomorrow, when the president and first lady will host a White House event for middle school students focused on "science, engineering and math education," reports Politico.

In the meantime, we have enjoyed reading today about the selection of 45 pieces of art that will be featured on loan in the East and West Wing offices of the White House, as well as in the Os private residence. The artworks were selected by First Lady Mrs. O, working with curators from the White House and local museums. The selection gives us a first glimpse inside the Os' artistic taste, which includes the work of artists such as Edgar Degas, Giorgio Morandi, Jasper Johns, Mark Rothko and others.

The painting above is one of four pieces by African American artist William H. Johnson acquired for display. Read about more the selection via The Washington Post, here.

Happy Anniversary Os!

Image by Jewel Samad / Getty Images

The president and first lady celebrated their 17th wedding anniversary last night, dining at Blueduck Tavern in Washington, D.C.

Mrs. O dazzled in a black halter dress, paired with Jimmy Choo Lantern heels and a blue clutch. The Huffington Post has additional photos, here.

Update: Mrs. O wears a Resort 2008 Narciso Rodriguez black halter dress.

Bold Black and White

Photo by Mark Wilson / Getty Images 

The president and first lady have returned home to the White House, and while the Olympic bid was perhaps not a success, the first couple is certainly looking more stylish than ever! First Lady Mrs. O wears a graphic black and white dress, cinched at the waist with her longtime favorite Alaia belt and topped by a cropped black cardigan.

Update #1: We thought Mrs. O's windowpane dress looked familiar, but couldn't quite put our finger on it. We're delighted to learn that it's a dress from the Liz Claiborne New York Summer 2009 collection.

Update #2: Thanks to Charlene in Detroit, we've discovered that this dress is still available and on sale, here.

On a Winning Streak (Update)

Photo by John Gichigi / Getty Images

The president has joined Mrs. O to attend the Chicago 2016 presentation at the Bella Centre in Copenhagen this morning, where the first lady has continued her fashion tour de force. This morning Mrs. O is wearing a lemon meringue brocade matelasse sheath dress, paired with a coordinating cardigan. More to follow.

Update #1: Despite an impressive showing on the part of our first lady, Chicago has lost its bid to host the 2016 Olympics. The AP writes: "Chicago had seemed to pick up momentum in the last few days, with many IOC members seemingly charmed by Mrs. Obama." Count us among those charmed, indeed!

Update #2: Mrs. O is wearing a Michael Kors sunshine metallic silk matelasse sheath dress!