A Day of Basic Training

Images by Mary Chastain / Reuters

Today was a tour de force for Mrs. O and her support of the military. As the First Lady appeared on Oprah's "America's Bravest Families" episode, she was also at Fort Jackson in Columbia, South Carolina to speak at basic training graduation and promote "Let's Move." From CNN:

"Obama attended a briefing led by Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling, the Army's Deputy Commanding General for training, on the poor state of physical fitness for today's youth, and the difficulty for the military to attract new recruits who can meet basic fitness standards. Of the 129,000 new recruits every year, approximately 40 percent are overweight."

On a style note, Mrs. O braved the chilly east coast weather in a grey wool coat with geometric seam detailing by Narciso Rodriguez. Inside, Mrs. O dressed in a gray pantsuit, accessorized with an Alexis Bittar Elongated Marquis pin, available here.

"First Lady takes healthy eating message to military" [CNN]

A Moment of Silence

Images by Mark Wilson / Getty Images

The President and First Lady observed a moment of silence at 11:00am EST to honor those killed and wounded during the shooting in Tucson, Arizona this past weekend. For the somber occasion, Mrs. O turned to a lavender Narciso Rodriguez coat, first worn during the 2009 inauguration, paired here with purple leather gloves and black boots. 

A Very Merry White House Christmas

Images by Charles Dharapak / AP Photo, Saul Loeb / Getty Images

The First Family helped to light the National Christmas Tree at the Ellipse across from the White House tonight. Mrs. O wore a Narciso Rodriguez black and gold embroidered coat, first seen earlier this year, here, and paired this evening with a red scarf to keep cozy. Kara Ross NY earrings completed the look.

P.S. How chic is Mrs. Marian Robinson in the last photo? Love!

Two First Ladies Honor 9/11

Photos by Jim Watson / Getty Images

First Lady Mrs. O and former First Lady Laura Bush were in Shanksville, PA today to commemorate 9/11 and honor the victims of United Airlines Flight 93. It is the first time since the inauguration that the two first ladies have shared a stage, marking the day with "somber words on a windswept hillside," as noted by Nia-Malika Henderson for the Washington Post. For further Washington Post coverage on the event, click here.

Mrs. O dressed thoughtfully for the occasion, choosing a slim, clean-lined, blue silk shantung suit by Narciso Rodriguez, adorned only with a small diamond flower pin at the left shoulder -- a look that projected somber strength. Former First Lady Laura Bush wore a natural-hued boucle skirt suit, accented by a strong red lip and pearl earrings. 

Date Night

Image by Jewel Samad / Getty Images

The president and first lady were out on Martha's Vineyard last evening, dining at Sweet Life Cafe in Oak Bluffs. For the outing, Mrs. O wore a black and white Narciso Rodriguez dress, paired with a cropped black cardigan, black clutch and statement earrings. The dress is the same that the first lady wore for a Fourth of July celebration in 2009, seen here. Fabulous!