Photo: mrs-o.org -- H&M dress turned into a hot seller by First Lady Michelle Obama

Any doubts that First Lady Michelle Obama is a fashion trendsetter were put to rest this week. Mrs. Obama appeared on “The Today Show” last Wednesday morning, wearing a version of a navy polka dotted dress from the spring collection of Swedish retailer, H&M. The price tag, a modest $34.95. Mrs. Obama version had sleeves and was accessorized with an orange belt and lemon yellow pumps.

People magazine says the First Lady “rocked” that dress and apparently a lot viewers agreed. Mrs. Obama’s appearance on “Today” sparked a huge demand for the frock.  As they say, the dresses have been flying off the racks and the phones ringing off the hock with customers trying to find the Michelle Obama dress.

Photo: Peter Kramer/NBC/People --First Lady Michelle Obama appears on "The Today Show" Wednesday, February 9, 2011

The website about Mrs. Obama’s style and fashion, Mrs.O, has several stories about this now famous dress. One post suggests the recent jump in the Swedish retailer’s stock price may be due to Mrs. O wearing that dress on television. Also, the website managed to snag one of those dresses and is now offering it as a prize in a Valentine’s Day contest. Details here.

Photo: Hiroko Masuike/Getty Images/Mrs-O.org --First Lady Michelle Obama toured a New York herb garden with local school children and some First Ladies from various countries September 24, 2010

Catching up on some of the activities of First Lady and Health Advocate, Michelle Obama.  Mrs-O, a website dedicated to the first lady’s fashion, style, and special interests, is a faithful follower of almost everything Michelle. Also there’s a ton of comments, from some of the thousands of Michelle fans, on the two-year-old site. I’m a Michelle follower and an occasional visitor to Mrs-O.

In the photo above, Mrs. Obama toured an herb garden with a group of curious school children, last Thursday, September 24. Several First Ladies, from a number of countries, joined the tour at the Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture in Pocantico Hills, New York.   

The tour included a farm-to-the-table-lunch – part of Mrs. Obama’s healthy eating program.

Also in the Mrs-O post, a description of who and what the first lady was wearing — down to her “silver pointed toe flats.”  Mrs. Obama is no Lady Gaga, however, she has many admirers of her fashion taste and sensible style.

Photo: Samantha Appleton/White House --First Lady Michelle Obama participates in a "Let's Move" event in New Orleans, Wednesday, September 8, 2010

First Lady Michelle Obama really got involved in the launch of a “Let’s Move” event with current and former members of the National Football League in New Orleans yesterday. During an exercise, Mrs. Obama surprised some by taking the pigskin and running with it! Among those showing their support, Ex-NFL Coach Tony Dungy and Former Tennessee Titans Running Back, Eddie George (27).

Photo: Chuck Kennedy/White House  — Hundreds of chefs from around the country gathered on the south lawn of the White House for a “Let’s Move” event on June 4, 2010

 First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” program has expanded to include hundreds of chefs from communities all across the nation. Chefs from 37 states assembled at the White House on Friday, June 4, 2010 to support “Chefs Move to Schools” phase of the first lady’s program.

“Let’s Move” is aimed at fighting childhood obesity. The chefs will be paired with schools in their local communities to work with students, parents, school nutritionists and administrators. Mrs. Obama explained it this way: “And together, you’ll be helping students learn where food comes from, and develop healthy habits. You’ll be elevating the role of food in our schools, and working to create healthy meals on a budget…You can make a salad bar fun — now, that’s something — and delicious. You can teach kids to cook something that tastes good and is good for them; and share your passion for food in a way that’s truly contagious.”

Food Diva/Author/Cookware Designer/TV Chef, Rachael Ray, posted a story on the White House Blog today about the program and her own experience called “Cooking as a Way of Life.” Ray says: “Understanding what good nutrition means and the basics of cooking are some of the most important tools kids need for the rest of their lives. Knowing how to put together a good, nutritious meal really improves the quality of one’s life.” More of Ray’s post here, which includes a video clip, too.

Photo: Lawrence Jackson/White House — President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama chat with guests, including Comedian Jay Leno, at the White House Press Dinner in Washington, DC,  May 1, 2010

A lot of chatter today about who was funnier last night at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner; “Tonight Show” Host Jay Leno or President Barack Obama. The zingers were flying, but who got off the best lines?

Leno was the headliner, but President Barack Obama stepped to the podium first at the Washington Hilton and declared: “I’m so glad that I’m speaking first. We’ve seen what happens when someone takes the time slot after Leno.” A reference to that NBC screw-up that resulted in Conan O’Brien walking away from “The Tonight Show” — and Leno taking over the program again in March.

Later when the comedian took his turn in the spotlight, Leno said the criticism of Obama being anti-social was all wrong.”He loves to socialize…health care, car companies, things of that nature.”

More of Leno, the President, the jokes, and that glitzy media event on CNN and Nikki Finke’s Deadline.com/Hollywood.  Both sites have photos of celebrity guests, among them the Jonas Brothers, Jessica Alba, Justin Bieber, Betty White, Steven Spielberg, and Michelle Pfeiffer.

Senior Inspiration: 94-year-old woman plans to graduate from college next month and look for work

Photo: Paul Chin/ The San Francisco Chronicle — Hazel Soares, 94,  takes notes in one of her classes at Mills College in Oakland, California, where she is set to graduate in May with a degree in art history. After graduation Soares, who has more than 40 grandchildren, plans to search for a museum job. Very nice story about Soares here.

2010 Olympic medal winning U.S. Women’s Ice Hockey Team

Photo: Pete Souza/White House — First Couple welcomed the silver medal winning U.S. Women’s Ice Hockey Team to the White House on Wednesday, April 21, 2010.

Style and Grace

Photo:Bettmann/Corbis/Vanity Fair — A 1961 snapshot of First Lady Jackie Kennedy, Prince Rainier, Princess Grace Kelly, and President John Kennedy at the White House when the royals dropped by for lunch. One of several terrific photos of important events in the life of Grace Kelly that showcased the actress/princess’ fashion style on the Vanity Fair website.

Rock festival groove

Photo: Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times  4/17/10

Music lovers groove to the beat at the huge Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival up in the Riverside County desert community of Indio today. The Los Angeles Times is reporting record-breaking crowds of 75,000 a day since the festival kicked-off on Friday, which included performances by Jay-Z and Beyoncé.  

Legendary rocker Sly Stone is scheduled to play the festival on Sunday. A notorious no-show, folks are wondering if Stone will make an appearance. Some of the other performers have been delayed or had to cancel because of that big volcanic ash cloud over Europe. More photos and article on the festival here.

A milestone at Dodger Stadium

Photo: Juan Ocampo/LA Dodgers 4/16/10

Dodger Andre Ethier belted his first-career grand slam during the second inning of a game against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium on Friday night. Ethier was on a roll. He hit a homer in the first inning as well. Dodgers went on to beat the Giants 10-to-8 in the first of a three-game series.

Michelle Obama on tour

Photo: Samantha Appleton/White House  4/14/10

In her first solo international trip, First Lady Michelle Obama visited Mexico and Haiti this week. More photos of the first lady in Mexico on the White House website.  Dr. Jill Biden, the Veepee’s wife, joined the first lady for the trip. Click here for Dr. Biden’s White House blog post about their stop in Haiti. And more photos, too. 

Grammys at the White House

Photo: Pete Souza/White House 4/14/10 

President Obama and Country Music Star Garth Brooks shared a moment at the White House on Wednesday, April 14, 2010. In the Oval Office, Brooks was presented with the “Grammy on the Hill” award for his leadership in advancing the rights of music makers. Also, the president received his better-late-than-never 2007 Grammy for the best spoken word album for his bestseller, “The Audacity of Hope.”  

Official White House Photo/Chuck Kennedy — President Obama makes a point to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky) during the Bipartisan Health Reform meeting at Blair House on Thursday, February 25, 2010.

First Ladies meet & chat

Official White House Photo/ Samantha Appleton — First Lady Michelle Obama chats with Mrs. Margarita Zavala de Calderon, the First Lady of Mexico, in the Yellow Oval Room of the White House on Thursday, February 25, 2010.

Official White House Photo by Samantha Appleton

On November 27, 2009, First Lady Michelle Obama, daughters Sasha and Malia, welcome the arrival of the official White House Christmas tree. It’s an 18 1/2 foot Douglas-Fir and will be set up in the Blue Room of the White House.

Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson

On November 30, 2009, volunteers work on decorating the official White House Christmas tree.

Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson

On December 6, 2009, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle smile for the cameras in front of the  beautifully decorated official White House Christmas tree. 

Photo: Pete Souza/White House — President Obama checks out his Nobel Peace Prize medal in Oslo, Norway on Thursday, December 10, 2009

President Barack Obama stepped onto the world stage once again, this time to accept the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize. Back in October, the Norwegian Nobel Committee announced President Obama had been selected for the award because of his “… “extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.” In his speech today, the president talked of war and peace.

 ”Yes, terrible wars have been fought, and atrocities committed.  But there has been no Third World War.  The Cold War ended with jubilant crowds dismantling a wall.  Commerce has stitched much of the world together.  Billions have been lifted from poverty.  The ideals of liberty and self-determination, equality and the rule of law have haltingly advanced.  We are the heirs of the fortitude and foresight of generations past, and it is a legacy for which my own country is rightfully proud.

I do not bring with me today a definitive solution to the problems of war.  What I do know is that meeting these challenges will require the same vision, hard work, and persistence of those men and women who acted so boldly decades ago.  And it will require us to think in new ways about the notions of just war and the imperatives of a just peace. ”  You can read the full text here.

Photo: Pete Souza/White House — President Obama and First Lady Michelle take a spin around the dance floor at the Nobel Banquet in Oslo, Norway, Thursday, December 10, 2009.

Photo: Pete Souza/The White House —President Obama and First Lady Michelle greet White House guests

Today the White House blog posted photos of the bang-up Fourth of July celebration at the White House. President Barack Obama and wife Michelle shared their festivities with military personnel and their families. In the above photo, the Obamas greet some of the enthusiastic party guests.

Photo: Pete Souza/The White House —First couple watch the fireworks show over the National Mall.

The White House Fourth blow-out was in honor of those who have defended our country. The event wrapped up with entertainment from Jimmy Fallon as well as Michelle Branch and the Foo Fighters. Oh, and of course, a fireworks show lit up the sky as part of the finale.

Photo: Samantha Appleton/White House

It’s harvest time at the White House. Earlier this spring, First Lady Michelle Obama and a team of young gardeners planted tons of fruits, veggies, and flowers in a plot on the White House grounds. This organic kitchen garden is now providing a serious haul of healthy eats. More than 90 pounds of produce has been harvested from this garden so far, according to the White House blog. Some of it has been used in the White House kitchen, but most has gone to nearby soup kitchens that serve the needy.

Yesterday, Wednesday, June 17, the fifth-grade garden planters from local Bancroft Elementary got to enjoy some of the benefits of their labor. The students harvested lettuce and sugar snap peas from the White House garden. Then with an assist from the first lady, they used those ingredients to whip up salads for lunch. Also, the student gardeners helped prepare the rest of the lunch as well, which included baked chicken, brown rice, and cupcakes with fresh berries on top.

 Mrs. Obama says the organic garden is one of the first White House projects she wanted to complete: “… if it’s fresh and grown locally, it’s probably going to taste better. That’s what I learned.  And that’s how I’ve been able to get my children to try different things, and in particular fruits and vegetables.  By making this small change in our family’s diet and adding more fresh produce for my family, Barack, the girls, me, we all started to notice over a very short period of time that we felt much better and we had more energy, right?  And so I wanted to share this little piece of experience that I had with the rest of the nation…”

“…I also thought that this would be a fun and interesting way to talk to kids about healthy eating and nutrition.  The President and Congress are going to begin to address health care reform, and these issues of nutrition and wellness and preventative care is going to be the focus of a lot of conversation coming up in the weeks and months to come.  And these are issues that I care deeply about, especially when they affect America’s children.”

Photo: Samantha Appleton/White House

First Lady Michelle Obama shared a group hug with some students during a Cinco de Mayo celebration on Monday, May 4, at the Latin American Montessori Bilingual Charter School in Washington, D.C.

Later that evening at a White House Cinco de Mayo event attended by Mexican Ambassador Arturo Saruklan, President Obama spoke about the significance of the holiday: “Nearly 150 years ago, a ragtag band of soldiers and citizens, badly outnumbered and facing impossible odds, held their ground on a muddy hill to defend their nation from what was at the time the most fearsome fighting force in the world. That decisive victory at what became known as the Battle of Puebla ignited a pride in country and culture that Mexican Americans feel to this day.” 

The president went on to say the celebration of that battle victory as Cinco de Mayo honors “our shared heritage…” and therefore ”… America is a richer and more vibrant place thanks to the contributions of Mexican Americans.” More of the president’s remarks on the White House website.

Photo: Marc Hom from People website

Some fresh new faces in People’s 2009 Most Beautiful issue. There’s a sneak peek of some of the celebrities and famous folks selected on People’s website, among them First Lady Michelle Obama. Along with the photos, some candid comments as well.

In the past 100 days, President Obama has been making his mark with policy and diplomacy. The first lady has been in the spotlight, too. Her uncommon style, taste, personality, and passion for a number of issues have won over fans here and around the world.

Meanwhile on the cover of the issue, actress Christina Applegate. Last year, Applegate underwent a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. After going through that ordeal, Applegate has proven a woman can still be beautiful and confident. 

Photo: Samantha Appleton/White House

First Lady Michelle Obama had another chat with a queen a few days ago. Mrs. Obama held a get together with Jordan’s Queen Rania in the White House Yellow Oval Room on Thursday, April 23, 2009.  Also this week, Jordan’s King Abdullah met with President Obama.  

Earlier this month, the first lady and the president had a meet and greet with Great Britian’s Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, Prince Philip at Buckingham Palace in London.  

Photos: Pete Souza/White House

President Barack Obama has fulfilled a campaign promise to his daughters Malia and Sasha; they finally got the dog they had been hoping and wishing for and quickly named him Bo. The six-month-old Portuguese water dog is a gift from Senator Edward M. Kennedy who has several Porties. For a while there, Bo was the best kept secret in Washington, D.C. An official debut was set for Tuesday, but word of the new first pet leaked out, according to The Washington Post.  

I gotta gush a bit here. Bo is one cute little dude. The Post describes him as having “… tuxedo-black fur, with a white chest, white paws and a rakish white goatee.”

Events surrounding Bo have been very clandestine over the past few weeks. Recently, the pooch had a secret get acquainted meet with the first family. Apparently the little guy charmed the heck out of the Obamas and quickly won the position of White House pet. These photos are from The White House Blog.

Photo: The White House Blog

Getting down and dirty. First Lady Michelle Obama and White House Chef Sam Kass gave some local Washington D.C. elementary students a hands on lesson in how to plant veggies in the new White House Kitchen Garden yesterday.

The kids from Bancroft Elementary helped Mrs. Obama start the garden on the south lawn of the White House last month. On Thursday, they were shown how to dig into the soil and plant a variety of produce, which will be harvested later to create meals for the White House and a local soup kitchen.

Also, the first lady and the chef used the opportunity to highlight the importance of healthy eating to the students.

White House photo/Lawrence Jackson

First Lady Michelle Obama joined the wives of the NATO Summit leaders in a tour of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Strasbourg, France yesterday. Built on the site of a Roman Temple in 1284, the Gothic Roman Catholic church is known for its remarkable architecture and details such as several stained glass windows and distinctive spire.

Mrs. Obama is shown in the photo above listening to an interpreter with Hayrunnisa Gul, the wife of the president of Turkey. Two photos of the NATO Summit wives on tour are on The White House Blog.

President Barack Obama and his wife are on an eight day visit to Europe. Yesterday at the NATO Summit, President Obama won the backing of the leaders in the 28-nation military alliance to send five thousand more troops and personnel to Afghanistan.

White House photo/Pete Souza

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle enjoyed a private visit with Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, Prince Philip, today at Buckingham Palace. In a gift exchange, the Obamas gave the royals a special video iPod and a rare songbook by American composer Richard Rodgers. The British couple gifted the Obamas with a signed portrait of themselves.

President Obama is in London for a series of meetings and the G-20 Summit set to officially get underway tomorrow. The 20 leaders of the world’s largest economic powers will grapple with the global financial crisis and try to come to some agreement on what to do about it. 

White House photo/ Joyce N.Boghosian

Veggies and herbs will soon be sprouting on the south grounds of the White House. First Lady Michelle Obama and about two dozen elementary school volunteers broke ground for a kitchen garden last Friday. The kids and the First Lady appeared pretty handy with the shovels, pitchforks, and rakes. The fifth-graders from local Bancroft Elementary School will help work the spring garden.

In the weeks ahead, lettuce, peas, spinach, collard greens, carrots, radishes, broccoli, onions, and kale will be planted along with herbs like sage, garlic, chives, and oregano. They expect quick results: the first harvest around late April. Some of the harvest will go to the White House kitchen and some will be shared with a local D.C. soup kitchen for the homeless.

The White House design plans include zinnias and marigolds, so therefore it really should be considered a kitchen and flower garden in my opinion. The White House blog says Mrs. Obama is getting assistance with the project from White House horticulturist Dale Haney.