Girls

The First Lady was in Omaha, Nebraska yesterday for an event at Girls Inc., an organization that inspires girls to be "strong, smart and bold." On the style front, Mrs. O wore a Resort 2010 Balenciaga sheath dress, a first lady favorite that has been seen before here and here.

One of the young women in attendance had the opportunity to ask Mrs. Obama if she embodied the Girls Inc. values:

Q:  My name is Aviera Pittman, I am 12 years old.  Do you believe you are strong, smart and bold, and why?

MRS. OBAMA:  Oh.  (Laughter.)  Yes, absolutely, right?  I’m strong, smart and bold.  (Applause.)  You know, I shared that story -- I think I believed in it because others believed in it.  I had a mom and dad who had high expectations that were accompanied with a lot of unconditional love and support. 

And when you’ve got people in your ear telling you that you’re wonderful, you start believing it.  And that’s why what you have here at Girls Inc. is so important.  Believe what people are saying about you.  Believe that.  Take in that good energy.  Own it.  Hug it.  Accept it.  All the good things you hear, the positive messages -- take those.  Put the negative things aside, because that’s always going to be there.  There’s always going to be -- what do we call it, girls?  There’s always going to be haters out there?  (Laughter.)  Don’t focus on that. 

Focus on the people in your life who give you positive reinforcement.  And it doesn’t have to be a parent.  It can be anybody.  I was lucky enough to have parents, but I also had some great teachers and mentors and people in my life that I would pull them in if I got some good energy, I’d just keep pulling on it.  So gravitate to the positive.  Stay away from the haters, okay?

A Bit of Inspiration

This inspired me, and I believe you might feel the same. It's Beyonce's touching open letter to First Lady Michelle Obama. And here is the First Lady's short but sweet reply. Have a great weekend everyone!

Mrs. O on "The Colbert Report"

The First Lady appeared on "The Colbert Report" this week, wearing a grey dress from Rachel Roy accesorized with a Dark Garden Gunmetal Layered Flower Pin from Alexis Bittar at the shoulder. Lovely! To see more of Mrs. O on "The Colbert Report" click here and here.

A Year of Joining Forces

The First Lady and Dr. Biden marked the one year anniversary of Joining Forces with an event held on the South Lawn of the White House today. And they weren't done there! Next, Mrs. O and Dr. B appeared at an event held at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, announcing a new initiative that will ensure nurses are prepared to help meet the unique health needs of service members, veterans, and their families. 

On the style front, Mrs. O started the day with a full-skirted trench coat, later revealing a spring-y, orange tweed jacket in Philadelphia. 

Update: Joining Forces anniversary events continued Thursday, as Mrs. O spoke to high school girls from military families at Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, Florida. On the style front, Mrs. O wore an orange full-skirted Liz Claiborne dress, paired with turquoise kitten heels and floral pins at the shoulder. 

Bold from Head to Toe

The Obama ladies have embraced one of the season's hottest trends - color! Each wore a pair of brightly hued jeans paired with bold separates for today's annual Easter Egg Roll at the White House.