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. 

Lovely in Liz Claiborne

Image by K.C. Alfred / Reuters 

Mrs. O visited U.S. Marine Base Camp Pendleton in California today, wearing a black and white print Liz Claiborne New York dress, paired with a Sacai belt and black flats. The dress was first seen in October 2009, here.

As part of the trip, the first lady visited with wounded Marines, and then later spoke to thousands of troops and their families. 

Going for Gold

Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson

Thank you to Anagrom, who spotted fantastic photos of the president and first lady posing for pictures with members of the U.S. Winter Olympic teams during their White House visit last week. The full album can be seen here.

The orange dress, I believe (and as suggested by others in the comments) is the same Liz Claiborne dress Mrs. O wore for her appearance on Iron Chef America earlier this year. Vice President and Dr. Biden also joined the photo session, with Dr. B dressed in patriotic red, white and blue.

Update: Dr. Biden's dress is Michael Kors Spring 2009, seen on the runway, here. Notably, this is the same collection that produced the black Michael Kors dress Mrs. O wore for her official portrait.

Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson

Dressed for a Super Chef Battle

Image via Food Network

We're excited to see First Lady Mrs. O this evening, as she makes a cameo appearance on Super Chef Battle (an Iron Chef America event). The episode airs tonight, Sunday, January 3 at 8PM EST on the Food Network. For a video preview, click here.

Per the Washington Post, Mrs. O will reveal the secret ingredient in the competition, which can be anything from the White House kitchen garden. White House executive chef, Chris Comerford, is participating in the challenge.

For the appearance, taped earlier this fall, Mrs. O dressed in a bold mix of colors, wearing an orange Liz Claiborne dress, topped by a aquamarine Moschino cropped cardigan, and a Hattie Carnegie flower pin from the Carole Tanenbaum Vintage Collection. Coordinating aquamarine pumps completed the look.

Mrs. O's Secret Ingredient

We can't wait to find out what it is! Read more about Mrs. O's upcoming cameo on the Iron Chef, here.

Sadly we can't use the photo, but it's a lovely one! Mrs. O wears a Liz Claiborne dress, paired with a Hattie Carnegie brooch from the Carole Tanenbaum Vintage Collection.

Better image via New York Magazine, here.