Odds and Ends

There are a few odds and ends to report, which I hope will fall into the category of better late than never. Forgive me for being a bit behind!

Many will recall that Mrs. O wore a delightful blue dress while in Santiago, Chile this March. Shown below, the President and First Lady (wearing said dress) are pictured with Chile's President Sebastian Pinera and First Lady Cecilia Morel at the La Moneda government palace. Mrs. O's dress had remained a mystery for many months, but no longer. The dress proves to be another vintage gem -- a circa 1950s Blue Ribbon Lace Dress from New York Vintage. The same vintage dealer provided Mrs. O with a vintage Norman Norell dress worn in December 2010, here, as well as bracelets worn for the State of the Union. Case closed!

Photos by Aliosha Marquez / AP Images

Several of you have written to me or commented about Mrs. O's cover of the current Amtrak Arrive magazine. The issue includes a great piece penned by Mrs. O about "Let's Move", as well as a profile on Stone Barns, which the First Lady visited with UN Summit spouses last year, here. The magazine is a great read if you happen to have an upcoming train ride. You can also find it online, here. On a style note, Mrs. O wears a Calvin Klein Collection dress. The photo appears to be from the same photo shoot that yielded the cover of Ladies' Home Journal in September 2010, here.

Finally, another bit of belated but happy news. I want to extend thanks to Veranda magazine, which has written a wonderful piece about this blog and its start for their June 2011 issue (on newsstands now). It's an honor to be recognized by the magazine, and I'm truly grateful. The story is available in print only, otherwise I would share it here. Thanks to all of you for continuing to follow and contribute to this blog, which is truly the only reason such an article exists. And, of course, to Mrs. Obama, for being the ultimate source of inspiration, always.

Blue Belle

Photos by Aliosha Marquez / AP Images

In Santiago, Chile, the First Family greeted Chile's President Sebastian Pinera and First Lady Cecilia Morel at the La Moneda government palace. For the event, Mrs. O wore a light blue lace dress with a fitted top and full skirt, accessorized with a signature floral pin at the shoulder.

Update: While Mrs. O's dress remains a mystery, the first lady's iris pin is Alexis Bittar.

Update (5/24): Mrs. O wears a circa 1950s Blue Ribbon Lace Dress from New York Vintage. 

Mrs. O's Little Christmas Elves

Image by Yuri Gripas / Reuters Pictures

The First Family is hosting the "Christmas in Washington" celebration and concert at the National Building Museum this evening. For the event, Mrs. O is wearing a gorgeous black lace overlay dress, featuring a high square neckline and full skirt. Sparkly oversize earrings, akin to snowflakes, complete the first lady's holiday look. 

There is so much to say about these photos. In the presence of children, Mrs. O is always her most radiant, which has never been more evident than here. The top photo, with the first lady kneeling down to pick up the little elf -- party skirt ever so elegantly fanned -- is beyond words.

And it seems, increasingly so, that fashion is an Obama family affair. Malia and Sasha Obama are transforming into lovely young women before our eyes, showing their own flair for style. Brightly colored crewcuts coats have been replaced by party dresses, accessorized with belts and baubles. Let us not forget Mrs. Marian Robinson! The first grandmother has never looked more chic, wearing a black lace crochet dress with sheer bracelet-length sleeves. Fabulous!

"Christmas in Washington" will air on TNT on Sunday, December 20 at 8pm EST. 

Update #1: Mrs. Marian Robinson wears the Leafy Lace Dress from Talbots, available here. Thanks to reader Ashley M. for the tip, which has been confirmed with Talbots. 

UDPATE #2: This is a major moment in Mrs. O fashion! Per The Huffington Post:

Mrs. Obama is sporting a vintage 1950s black lace dress by one of America's once-great, now-obscure American designers, Norman Norell.

This rare garment came from the impressive archive of New York Vintage, whose owners cite this as a rare - and perhaps unique - instance of an American First Lady wearing vintage at a public event.

"[This is] truly an historic event, as this may be the first time a First Lady has worn a vintage dress," says New York Vintage co-owner Jon Schneck. "Other dresses from the archive have being scheduled for use by the First Lady later this year. We are truly honored that the First Lady has chosen a gown from New York Vintage as her first venture into vintage couture."

UPDATE #3: The First Lady wears earrings by Cathy Waterman.