A Spirited Orange Swirl

Photo by Flickr user veronica.decker / Creative Commons

Apologies for the delay, but photos from Mrs. O's Friday appearance have been slow to surface via our normal sources. Fortunately the Huffington Post has a nice selection here, and we've managed to finally find a few, above and below.

On Friday, the first lady gave a speech at the Norfolk naval base to mark the return of the USS Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group and the USNS Comfort.

For those curious about Mrs. O's dress - the first lady wore a Talbots Swirl Cotton Dress in Sunset Orange, on sale for a very reasonable $38.99. Mrs. O accessorized with a vintage silk flower pin worn at the shoulder. The 1960s era pin is a design by Hattie Carnegie, acquired through the Carole Tanenbaum Vintage Collection, and first seen on the campaign trail last fall.

 U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Desiree Green/Released

A Perfect Pair

 Photo by Joshua Roberts / Getty Images

The president and first lady are hosting a reception for foreign ambassadors at the White House this evening, making a grand entrace in the photo above. Their sartorial symmetry, accomplished via bold color blocks of black, white and scarlet, delights the eye. More on Mrs. O's dress to follow.

Politico has the scoop on tonight's event:

"It was splashy affair, held under the chandelier glint of the Grand Foyer, replete with champagne and the music of the Marine String Ensemble. Musicians performed a handful of light jazz songs including Shadow of Your Smile and Come Back to Sorrento."

Update: Mrs. O wear a Jason Wu color block sheath with embroidered bodice, silk faille skirt, and red chiffon cummerbund.

Business Chic

As part of her push for community health care, First Lady Mrs. O traveled to Bowling Green, VA for a ribbon cutting ceremony at Caroline Family Practice, a community health center that received federal economic stimulus funds.

Mrs. O combined her classics today, wearing a fitted blue sheath dress, adorned with a trio of Erickson Beamon floral brooches at the neckline. 

Update: Mrs. O is wearing a Michael Kors blue scoop neck doubleface sheath dress.

Thanks to Janelle for linking to this great video from the event: 

Cool Blue

 Photo by Kristoffer Tripplaar-Pool/Getty Images

President Mr. O and First Lady Mrs. O attended the Evening Parade at the Washington Marine Barracks on Friday night in Washington, D.C. The parade was first held in 1957 and takes place every Friday evening from May through August. We love Mrs. O's cool combination of turquoise and lavender.

Update: Mrs. O wears a custom teal linen and silk double bow sheath dress by Jason Wu.

Beaming Brightly

Photo by Mary Riley / Reuters 

The Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the National Design Awards today. First Lady Mrs. O, the honorary patron for the awards program, is hosting a White House ceremony and luncheon for the winners and finalists of the 2009 awards this afternoon. For the event, Mrs. O has chosen a sunny yellow jacket and skirt.

Update: Mrs. O wears a Michael Kors sun lacquered boucle four button cap sleeve jacket and matching pencil skirt