A Pretty Pin For You

Dear Readers,

It's hard to believe this little blog began in September 2008! The first lady and her dynamic, ever-evolving style continue to draw us here in celebration and admiration, even two years later. On a personal note, I want to thank each of you for your ongoing support and contribution to this blog. Your comments and insight make it what it is. (Case in point: without reader "marky mark," the internet wouldn't be buzzing about Mrs. O's latest Marc Jacobs frock!)

In honor of the holidays, and to say thank you, I am giving away a vintage Hattie Carnegie silk brush pin, similar in style to one that the First Lady often wears. Pictured above, this vivid green gem is 4 1/2" inches in diameter ... an accessory for the bold! It is in stellar vintage condition, save for a slight faded spot on the enamel center button. You can see Mrs. O wearing her orange Hattie Carnegie pin here or here. 

For your chance to add this Mrs.O-inspired pin to your jewelry box, please add a comment to this post. I will select the winner via random.org on December 24 at 9pm EST. Please check back then.

Happy Holidays and THANK YOU! xoxo Mrs T

Update: Congratulations to Megan B. who posted comment #163. You are the winner, picked via random.org. I will email you shortly! Merry Christmas to all!

Florida Orange

Image by Hans Deryk / Reuters Pictures

Mrs. O was in Miami this afternoon to speak with elementary school students at Riverside Elementary School. The purpose of the first lady's trip was to launch a new initiative to put 6,000 salad bars in U.S. schools over the next three years. Mrs. O has support from The National Fruit and Vegetable Alliance, United Fresh Produce Association Foundation and Food, Family, Farming (F3) Foundation on the new effort.

For the appearance, Mrs. O paired a floral top with an orange pant suit (seen in June 2010, here) and vintage Hattie Carnegie silk flower pin. 

Update: Mrs. O wears a floral striped tulle top (seen here) and pant suit, both by Jean Paul Gaultier. Gaultier certainly seems to have an increasing presence in the first lady's wardrobe lately!

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.

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