Everybody ♥ Michelle! Michelle Obama's High Poll Numbers [VIDEO]

"Michelle is a trendsetter, a mom, people love her and want to emulate her.." -April Woodard, Inside Edition

Women Doing What They Have To Do To Get Michelle Obama's Fabulous Arms...

I've been working on getting Michelle's stellar arms myself, I started at the beginning of the year. I've been using 2, 3 and 10 lb. weights coupled with cardio and I'm actually starting to see a little something, lol.. 
by Madison Park via CNN

First lady Michelle Obama has a fashion following, with blogs tracking her daily garment choices. She's on the March cover of Vogue in a sleeveless silk sheath. Then there was the purple sleeveless Narciso Rodriguez she wore to the president's joint session of Congress on Tuesday. And she's on the cover of the latest People magazine in a lacy pink number, also without sleeves.

Those toned arms are becoming a trademark. And a source of inspiration for some women. Rylan Duggan, a personal trainer who runs Go Sleeveless, a blog that instructs women how to tone up flabby arms and "eliminate bat wings," said that in addition to asking how to get "Madonna arms" or "Kelly Ripa arms," clients are now asking about getting "Obama arms."

"The Obama effect has been that women of all ages have been inspired to take responsibility for their health and their body," said Duggan. "As the first lady of the United States, at 44 years old, and with two young children, Mrs. Obama has shown the world that you are never too busy to take care of yourself and look good doing it too," he said.

Exercise advocates are also fans. "She's a great role model," said Jessica Matthews, a continuing education coordinator for the American Council on Exercise. "Women shy away from strength training, because they're afraid of big muscles. She shows nice toned arms and that it's not going to lead to this myth of a bodybuilder type."

Women don't have the hormones to develop huge muscles by strength training, unless they're working out to an extreme or taking steroids, Matthews said. Obama has said she exercises in 90-minute workout three times a week with a personal trainer. The first lady told People magazine that during an average day in the White House, she and the president get up at 5:30 a.m. and usually work out and have breakfast.

When Obama emerged with uncovered arms on Tuesday, some grumbled about her showing too much skin on an occasion where other women were wearing long sleeves or suits.

Boston Herald columnist Lauren Beckham Falcone wrote to Obama, "It's February. Going sleeveless in subzero temperature is just showing off. All due respect." But others were amazed, like 25-year-old Jessie Rosen. After seeing Obama at the speech Tuesday, she went to the Adidas store in New York and bought two five-pound dumbbells. "It was her arms being so toned in spite of her life," she said.

"This woman is redecorating White House, trying to raise two children and backseat driving the nation," Rosen said. "She seems to have time to keep her arms toned, so why can't I?"

Continue reading this article here.

Michelle Obama's Official Portrait Compared to Past First Ladies [VIDEO]

Does Michelle Obama Look Like Sigourney Weaver?

I've seen commenters mention on other blogs and message boards that First Lady Michelle Obama reminds them of Actress Sigorney Weaver, so I decided to check it out for myself. And I have to say, they do favor each other a little. They're both very tall, very attractive and successful women, and let's face it, everyone has an "almost" look-a-like somewhere else in the world..
See even more look-a-like photos of the first lady and Sigourney Weaver here.

Sade.  Me. lol...

Michelle Obama in a Classic Black Michael Kors Shift for Her Official Portrait...

Michelle Obama's first official portrait as first lady was released by the White House Friday. She appears in a Michael Kors black shift dress (yay!) and pearls in the photo, taken in the famed home's "Blue Room." Michael Kors is one of my very faves, and he's a great addition to the first lady's style repertoire IMO. I previously suggested another Michael Kors dress I thought the First Lady might look great in (a floral print) dress from his Fall 2008 collection seen here in an earlier post. Wouldn't she look fabulous in that dress this Spring?

(notice the identical bodice and piping detail around the lower waist/hipline)

Michael Kors Spring '09
See even more of Michael Kors sophisticated style here.

Another Great Interview with White House Social Secretary, Desiree Rogers..

White House Social Secretary Desiree Rogers explains her job (she's a Louisiana native like me who's gone on to greatness, so naturally my fascination with her is pretty high..), and informs that the social office is the office where "East" meets "West", the East Wing being the First Lady's Wing and the West Wing being the President's Wing. She explained that it's where "business" meets "social" and it's also where the POTUS and FLOTUS meet. Desiree said that it was all about balancing the demand for events and use of the white house assets. She's the White House Event Planner Extraordinaire!
Desiree on her role as White House Social Secretary..


On serving Michelle Obama... (addresses Michelle's sleeveless dresses..)


Desiree on perceptions, serving the President and what she wants her legacy to be as White House Social Secretary...


Desiree on a planned "Internet Lottery" to allow people to attend White House events (fabulous!)

Top Designers Subtly Courting Michelle Obama?

Designers (l. to r.) Oscar de la Renta, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein (which is currently designed by Francisco Costa) and Ralph Lauren

via The Star

by Derick Chetty, Star Stylist

Michelle Obama was not seated front row at any of the fall shows, but she was all over the runways. During the last few days of New York's fall '09 fashion week, America's heavy hitters seemed determined to prove they were worthy of consideration by the First Lady, who's bent on supporting unknown designers.

Some of the most established and renowned names in American fashion – Oscar de la Renta, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger and Ralph Lauren – all seemed out to woo Michelle. Her influence is enormous. Every garment she wears is scrutinized. It's no wonder the top dogs of American fashion feel left out in the cold.

American designers have not had a subject like her in ages. Unlike Hollywood celebrities, she cannot be bought. Not even the cachet of a prestige label could attract her attention. She selects, purchases and wears what she likes.

Click to continue reading this article here.

Michelle Fascinates in Blue Velvet During Her Visit to the EPA...

Continuing her tour of  Federal Agencies, First lady Michelle Obama addressed the Environmental Protection Agency employees in Washington on February 26, 2009.


Employees of the Environmental Protection Agency use their cellphone cameras to photograph First lady Michelle Obama as she addresses them in Washington, (February 26, 2009).

[photos via Reuters]

Michelle in a Green Kai Milla Dress as The Obama's Award Stevie Wonder...

*Update* Michelle Obama wearing a dress by Stevie Wonder's wife (who is a designer) Kai Milla. A similar green dress from Kai Milla's Spring 2008 collection on the right. 
[Scroll down to get more scoop on the first lady's dress...]


President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama arrived to honor Stevie Wonder at the White House. He was awarded the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC on February 25, 2009. The event celebrated musician Stevie Wonder being awarded the prize for Popular Song.


via HuffPo:
The president candidly discussed the important role that Wonder played in his own romantic life with the First Lady, calling it "the essence of our courtship," explaining that if he had not been a Stevie Wonder fan, Michelle would never had dated him, let alone married him. Michelle also told the crowd that she and Barack chose "You and I" as their wedding song (scroll down for video of classic Stevie singing "You and I"). 

The entire event will be broadcast tomorrow night (Thurs. Feb. 26, 2009) on PBS as part of its "In Performance at the White House" series (check your local listings).
*UPDATE*Speculation over. The green dress the first lady wore is indeed by Stevie Wonder's designer wife, Kai Milla.
Could this have been Kai Milla's opportunity (Stevie's designer wife) to dress the first lady? I don't think it's that much of a stretch for the first lady to want to wear a designer that they were hosting and honoring at the white house for the evening. And Kai Milla used a green color similar to the first lady's dress in her Spring '08 collection (seen in action here) with a strikingly similar pleating detail in a few of the dresses. It's nothing new for the first lady (or her covert stylist) to have things special made for her by designers. Kai Milla also submitted a few beautiful inaugural designs for the first lady (seen here) and you can check out even more of Kai Milla's style in a video from her Fall 2007 show here.
[photos via Reuters]
"You and I" The Obama's chosen wedding song sang by the legendary Stevie Wonder


This is my favorite Stevie jam.

Michelle Obama Covers People Magazine Wearing Tracy Reese..

Michelle Obama is wearing the Tracy Reese Guipure Lace Kimono Dress in Dried Azalea on the cover of PEOPLE (close up shot of the dress below). Retail price: $395. Also available at Tracy Reese – 641 Hudson Street, NY. Click here to read about the Obama's plans for their first dog.



See? Lace dresses are the BUSINESS for Spring! Check out two lace dresses that I recently sewed together myself here.

Michelle Obama Sheds Some Light on the Obama's First Dog...

via People
The whole world, it seems, wants to know: What kind of dog are the Obamas getting and, for goodness sake, when? Speaking to PEOPLE at the White House recently, Michelle Obama leaned in and confided: "You're getting some scoops here." So, when? In April, Mrs. Obama says – after she and the President take daughters Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, on a vacation for spring break.

Here's a sample of a typical family conversation on the matter: "So Sasha says, 'April 1st.' I said, 'April.' She says, 'April 1st.' It's, like, April!," Mrs. Obama recalls. "Got to do it after spring break. You can't get a new dog and then go away for a week." And what kind of dog will soon be frolicking on the South Lawn? Mrs. Obama says the family is looking for a rescue Portuguese Water dog who is "old enough" and a "match" for the family dynamic.

"Temperamentally they're supposed to be pretty good," she says of the breed that Sen. Ted Kennedy has also lobbied for (he has two Water dogs of his own). "From the size perspective, they're sort of middle of the road – it's not small, but it's not a huge dog. And the folks that we know who own them have raved about them. So that's where we're leaning."
*Updated with VIDEO from NBC...

Read up on possible names (Frank?) the Obama girls have come up with for their pet here!(They're looking at a Portuguese Water Hound or a Labradoodle... so cute.)

President Obama Shouts Out Michelle Before His First Official Address [VIDEO CLIP]

Cutest. First. Couple. EVER.

Michelle Obama in a plum Narciso Rodriguez dress.

Preparations for The Obama's First Official State Dinner [VIDEO]

Below is a tiny look inside the some of the preparations that went into the Obama's first official state dinner welcoming the nations Governor's on Sunday February 22, 2009. Watch below to see Michelle go from choosing the china, to overseeing the preparation of the meal (using lots of delicious looking locally grown food), to inviting in culinary students in to witness how state dinner preparations are done, to the fabulous, and upbeat entertainment of Earth, Wind & Fire for the evening (wish I could have been there for that!). All in all, it seemed like it was an awesome, glamourous night at the White House.

Michelle Obama Steps Out in Peter Soronen at the White House Governor's Dinner..

First Lady Michelle Obama displaying full on glamour in a Peter Soronen gown from his Fall 2008 collection at the White House Governor's Dinner (2/22/09)

via Salon.com
The secret to lasting political harmony and goodwill has apparently been sitting, unnoticed, in dusty vinyl collections, oldies radio playlists and wedding band repertoires for decades. To get even the fiercest of partisan enemies to drop the hard feelings, it seems, all you really need is "Boogie Wonderland."

Or at least that was the impression given by the first formal dinner of the barely month-old Obama administration Sunday night. As Earth, Wind & Fire rocked the White House, President Obama feted the nation's governors. -- even the small bunch of Republican holdouts who stirred up trouble last week by claiming, loudly and probably entirely falsely, that they don't want the billions of dollars in federal aid the administration's stimulus bill will direct to their states. Some of Obama's most bitter elected opponents came to his turf, on his terms, and he had the mic, not them. But like any gracious host, the president went out of his way to make them feel comfortable, no matter what they may say about his economic policies. He served up more of the unrequited bipartisanship that won him all of three Republican votes for the stimulus bill in Congress.
Continue reading this article here.

(below) Glamour and sheer fabulousness is out in front in the new Obama administration and I LOVE it!

Obama Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett (left) and White House Social Secretary Desiree Rogers (who had a strong hand in the planning, right) also attend the Governor's Dinner looking fierce. See a slideshow of the Governor's (and their wives) who also attended here.

[Picture Source: Reuters]

Michelle Obama Hosts Culinary Students at the White House...

via HuffPo
First Lady Michelle Obama opened the White House kitchen Sunday to six culinary students so they could learn about preparations for a big official dinner. The first lady was joined by White House chef Cristeta Comerford, executive pastry chef Bill Yosses and social secretary Desiree Rogers. The group guided the students through the menu and planning for President Barack Obama's dinner with the nation's governors. "This is where the magic happens," she told the students from the L'Academie de Cuisine in nearby Gaithersburg, Md., as they gathered in the main kitchen. The First Lady wore a Jason Wu dress from his Spring 2009 collection seen below (far left).

A Rare Interview with Michelle Obama's Favorite Boutique Owner, Ikram Goldman

Citybuzz.com nabbed a (rare) interview during New York's Fall Fashion Week, with Ikram Goldman, owner of the famed Ikram Boutique in Chicago where First Lady Michelle Obama likes to shop. 

An excerpt from the article below:
My Citybuzz crews, interns, producers and I stake out the shows of the designers Goldman carries in her Chicago boutique, Ikram, hoping for a glimpse of her. The style press corps knows that Ikram is the first lady's stealth style weapon and she is appropriately elusive. My fellow fashion editors tell me they cannot interview Goldman without signing a legal agreement that prohibits using the first lady's name in the same article! And yes, even though I signed no such contract...I am not going to breathe the "M" word.

I want to hear Goldman's fashion vision. After all, she is building a wardrobe for the nation's new fashion role model. This adorable, soft spoken, 41 year old is not a size 2 and neither is her client, She Who Shall Not Be Named. And she stands to influence American fashion from the runway to the mall as her number one client's fashion parade is gobbled up by the media and the mainstream. She is the Obi-Wan Kenobi of the fashion universe, and we listen intently like an eager master class.. She speaks the latest fashion gospel: Textured fabrics-tweeds and checks. Dresses are big, especially sleeveless ones for winter.

Click here to watch and read the rest!

First Lady Michelle Obama Welcomed School Kids to the White House for a Black History Month Celebration..

In keeping with the Obama's commitment to opening up the White House and making it more accessible to the public, First Lady Michelle Obama welcomed students from Shaw and Stuart-Hobson middle schools, and KIPP DC: KEY Academy, a DC charter school for a Black History Month celebration. Wednesday's event featured Sweet Honey in the Rock, a Grammy Award-winning ensemble, and it was Sweet Honey's first performance with a student audience, including some students whose parents are members of the White House's professional staff. Nice. Watch Michelle's remarks at the event below:

Obama's Social Secretary, Desiree Rogers, Spotted at Fashion Week..

The Obama's super stylish Social Secretary, Desiree Rogers attended 3 shows during New York's Fashion Week on Monday February 16th. She attended Carolina Herrera's show (Ms. Rogers wore a Herrera dress to the Inaugural balls), Donna Karan and Thakoon Panichgul's presentation (a Michelle Obama favorite). Just more confirmation that the Obama White House is going to be a majorly fashion forward one.

Michelle Obama: Fashion's "Non-Icon.."

By Martinne Geller via Reuters
February 16, 2009

First lady Michelle Obama is widely hailed as a fashion icon, but industry insiders say she's quite the opposite, and that's a good thing.

A fashion icon would have an eye-catching signature look and, while the president's wife has the power to set trends, her appeal is refreshingly not so defined and deliberate, said fashion observers at the semi-annual Fashion Week in New York, where designers are showing their Fall 2009 collections.

Michelle Obama "is more real than iconic," said David Wolfe, creative director of the Doneger Group, which forecasts trends. "She doesn't have a locked-in fashion look. She experiments, which is what fashion is about these days."

References to Obama, 45, as an icon of fashion are everywhere. Thin and statuesque, the attorney and mother of two graces the cover of Vogue magazine's March issue. She wins lavish attention from designers, editors and stylists. Stores quickly sell out of the clothes she wears.

While Obama's style merits praise, she is not in the ranks of such icons as actress Katharine Hepburn, with her tailored menswear, or Jacqueline Kennedy with her pillbox hats and wide-frame sunglasses, said Helen Job, a trend forecaster with WGSN, a fashion research and analysis firm.

"When you think about a fashion icon, it's somebody who has this ability to influence the public to such a degree ... to change the direction (a style) is going in," she said. Kennedy's sense of style would be out of place among women today, said Wolfe. "Jackie Kennedy was locked into the Jackie Kennedy look and never stepped out of it. That was great, but it certainly isn't the way modern women dress," he said.

Obama wears clothes by little-known designers and mid-priced chains such as J Crew Group Inc, helping dispose of the idea that first ladies always must look formal. "She's really set this new guideline, and I feel like the White House will never be the same after this somehow," said Gloria Baume, fashion director for Teen Vogue.

DEMOCRATIC FASHION
Jason Wu, the young designer of Obama's white inaugural gown and the magenta dress she wears in Vogue, credits the first lady with reinvigorating the industry."In her own way, she is like a stimulus package for the fashion industry," Wu said.

A Few Looks from Maria Pinto's Fall/Winter 2009 Presentation...

Michelle Obama favorite, designer Maria Pinto had a by appointment only presentation in New York during Fashion Week to showcase her 2009 Fall/Winter collection. Not surprisingly, there were fabulous coats ("I'm a Chicagoan," Pinto said, "so I can't have enough") in glossy alpaca and wool. Day dresses, meanwhile, were slim in the front with cocoon-like volume in back, a nod to Pinto¹s "continuous curves" theme. Subtle curves were also worked into evening, as in hand-embroidered tulle and silk bias cut gowns.

The 90-piece collection will wholesale from $400 to $1,200 and will be available at Takashimaya in New York and at the designer¹s Chicago boutique, though her wraps are sold at Barneys New York and Saks Fifth Avenue. Whether any of it will make it into the First Lady¹s fall wardrobe remains to be seen. "We've reached out to her," Pinto said. "But it's not so urgent. I think she has a lot of other things on her agenda.via WWD
Also see a few 2009 Fall/Winter looks from another Michelle Obama favorite, Jason Wu here.
Related Article:Business is booming for designers associated with Michelle Obama

Tracy Reese To Dress Michelle Obama?

A few looks from Tracy Reese's Spring 2009 collection

 Ikram Boutique, a now famous Chicago boutique where the First Lady likes to shop recently contacted Tracy to send over designs to be presented (to the First Lady):

via the NY Times - Ms. Reese, whose moderate-priced clothes are not carried at Ikram, said she received a call in December from Ms. (Ikram) Goldman requesting day dresses. Because she doesn’t have a sample room, Ms. Reese had to bring in people to make the order, which was sent to Ikram last month.

“I’m still hoping she’ll wear the dresses,” Ms. Reese said.

Asked if she saw a conflict of interest that Mrs. Obama’s clothes are predominantly by designers carried at Ikram, Ms. Reese said, “I would have thought so if I hadn’t gotten the phone call.”


Designer (and one of my very faves!) Tracy Reese after her Spring '09 showcase.

Michelle Obama is Stunning on a Night Out to The Ford Theater Reopening..

The First Lady (in Isabel Toledo) stands with actors, from left, Richard Thomas, Jeffrey Wright, and Cheryl Freeman.


The Obamas receive a replica of the Gettysburg Address from actor David Selby in costume as Abraham Lincoln.


Michelle Obama greets Sidney Poitier

Hollywood stars and Washington power brokers celebrated the Ford Theater's reopening Wednesday night (2/11/09), hearing Obama praise one of his favorite presidents for Lincoln's conviction that a divided nation could be made whole.

Surrounded by actors and artists, Obama said Lincoln's passion for education and the arts will thrive at the famous theater after its recent $25 million renovation. The theater is reopening after 18 months of installing more comfortable seats, a modern lobby and new dressing rooms.

Those in the audience stood and turned to applaud Obama and first lady Michelle Obama as they made their way down the aisle to the tune of "Hail to the Chief."
Continue reading this article here.

More, More, More From Michelle Obama's VOGUE Shoot..

From envisioning a more inclusive White House to embracing fearless fashion, Michelle Obama is poised to become the most transformative First Lady in history.
André Leon Talley interviews the First Lady. Portraits by Annie Leibovitz.


Broadening the cultural reach of the White House is on Mrs. Obama's list of goals. J.Crew salmon wool cardigan, top, and tweed skirt.


Michelle Obama at the Hay-Adams Hotel in Washington, D.C. Narciso Rodriguez dress.

via VOGUE-Mrs. Obama has a hug—a sincere and friendly embrace—that has become familiar to countless supporters from coast to coast. And when she talks to you, she focuses all her calm attention on your face.

With her long, lean, athletic frame, she moves as if she could have danced with Alvin Ailey in another life. Curled up in the corner of a huge taupe velvet sofa, wearing knee-high boots as she nestles into the cushions, she almost seems like any other mom recently relocated to a city because of her husband's new job.

The work-life balance that this particular mother struggles with is not typical, but the early-days challenges she faces are remarkably ordinary. Getting her bearings, checking out churches to join, helping her kids adjust to unfamiliar surroundings—these are her top priorities and preoccupations. The First Lady puts her family first.

An incredible read. Find out more on how Michelle envisions running the White House (more openness and inclusion!), how she really feels about fashion and how she's redefining the role of America's First Lady. Read the rest of First Lady Michelle Obama's VOGUE article available NOW online! 
VOGUE'S March 2009 issue will be on newsstands February 17th.

Michelle Obama on the Cover of VOGUE.

via MSNBC
It's official: Michelle Obama is the first lady of American fashion, appearing on the cover of the March issue of Vogue.

Every first lady since Lou Hoover — save Bess Truman — has been photographed for the high-fashion magazine. Mrs. Obama appears wearing a magenta silk sheath dress by Jason Wu, who also designed her inaugural gown. Vogue's editor at large Andre Leon Talley called his interviews with Mrs. Obama ahead of President Barack Obama's swearing-in ceremony "one of the best experiences of my life."

"She's so accessible, natural and normal. There's nothing affected about her." Much of the eight-page feature inside is devoted to Mrs. Obama's self-described role as "mom in chief" to 10-year-old Malia and 7-year-old Sasha.

"I'm going to try to take them to school every morning, as much as I can," she said. "But there's also a measure of independence. And obviously there will be times I won't be able to drop them off at all. I like to be a presence in my kids' school. I want to know the teachers; I want to know the other parents."

Being Vogue, though, the conversation eventually turns to clothes. Mrs. Obama said she is aware of how her wardrobe is being scrutinized, but she makes no apologies for her choices — even the Election Night combination of ripped-from-the-runway, fashion-forward dress and plain-Jane cardigan.

"I'm not going to pretend that I don't care about it," she said. "But I also have to be very practical. In the end, someone will always not like what you wear — people just have different tastes."

She did choose outfits for the Vogue photos by labels she has worn before: Wu, who made her inaugural gown; Narcisco Rodriguez, the designer of that Election Night dress; and J. Crew, which she and her children have famously worn.

Most cover models have their clothes chosen for them by Vogue, or at least editors work as advisers. Not this time. "She doesn't need any help. She loves fashion and knows what works for her," Talley said. "She's never had a conversation with me about, `What do you think?' or `How did this look? And I'm glad for that."

The Obama's to Host Weekly Social Gatherings at the White House..

via Politico
Who could turn down an invitation to the White House?

Using one of the world’s most famous private residences as bait, President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama are unleashing a bipartisan charm offensive and exploiting every square inch of their new home to make friends and influence rivals. The social calendar suggests a return to the days of Camelot.

Since moving into their new digs, the first couple has hosted a half-dozen gatherings — from bipartisan cocktail receptions to a public open house to the more intimate Super Bowl party two Sundays ago — ending many of their days past midnight. Most recently, on Wednesday, the Obamas opened the White House doors to House caucus leaders from the moderate Blue Dog Democrats and the Congressional Black Caucus. White House aides say the couple hopes to make the Wednesday cocktail parties a tradition.

Friends say the Obamas are looking to maintain the dizzying social calendar they had in their pre-White House days, while using their knack for socializing to find new friends and win hearts on Capitol Hill and in other Washington power centers.

“They want to replicate the same kind of environment they had in Chicago,” said a longtime friend of the Obamas, adding that White House Social Secretary Desiree Rogers is “the perfect person” for the job because she knows the couple’s former life inside out and is “designing the calendar to reflect the kinds of things they like to do.” “If there was a party or an event [in Chicago], they were there,” the friend said. “They’ve always liked to go to lots of restaurants and be a part of the community. Now they want to be a part of D.C.”

“Barack and Michelle have always been interested in the details of people’s lives,” the confidant said, calling them “people people.” “They know who’s engaged to whom, what people’s spouses do for a living, all about their parents, where they grew up, names of children.” The president, the friend added, “likes to be in the know.”

Sen. Claire McCaskill, one of the president’s closest friends in the Senate and a guest at a recent White House party, said Obama likes a mixed crowd because he “knows if he’s around people like that, he won’t get everything sugarcoated. He wants to make sure he stays grounded and wants to hear the good, the bad and the ugly.”

Obama hopes to finesse the bad and the ugly by opening doors to Republicans and other ideological adversaries, but some are suspicious of the outreach. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said last week that, when it comes to economic recovery plans, he prefers being included in the decision-making meetings, not just the parties before and after.

But Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) said that Obama’s aim “isn’t about one vote,” as some assert. “It’s about building relationships and getting rid of the partisan divide,” she said. Despite the obvious political dimension, guests say there is little overt arm-twisting at the White House soirees.

Click to read the rest of the article here (with more insight into the Obama's bi-partisan Superbowl party) it's a great read. The new first family sounds extremely down to earth. And watch an interview with the Obama's social secretary, Desiree Rogers who has a strong hand in planning all these Obama soirees (she's a native of Louisiana like me!) below:

Jason Wu Celebrates First Lady Michelle Obama & The Inaugural Dress...

Michelle Obama on Her and Her Husbands "Date Nights" [PHOTOS]...

via WWD
Word is that President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will make their first trip to the Kennedy Center tonight (Feb. 6, 2009) for the fourth out of seven D.C. performances on Alvin Ailey’s 50th anniversary tour. The First Couple will miss the salute to Otis Reading and Sweet Honey in the Rock that Marian Robinson, the First Lady’s mother, saw on Tuesday when she attended the opening night premiere with Vice President Joe Biden’s wife, Jill. Instead, the Obamas will enjoy a three-act show of all-Ailey choreography. That leaves the First Grandmother home at the White House to look after Sasha and Malia, who saw the company in April in Chicago with their mom.
*UPDATED WITH PHOTOS*via Huffington
The Obama's Kennedy Center "Date Night" [2/6/09] to see Alvin Ailey's 50th Anniversary Tour. Michelle ups her glam in a black tailored turtleneck dress and pearl brooch.

And they brought the girls along!

The Obama's are experiencing rockstar status
The Obama's are also headed to Camp David for the first time this weekend [PHOTOS].

Will Michelle Obama be Making an Appearance on the Runway at Fashion Week?

Photo Getty Images
What a huge BIG deal that would be if she is! The Huffington Post laid out a list of celebrities set to walk in the 2009 Heart Truth Fashion Show and there's a note at the end of the post that says "Michelle Obama has yet to RSVP". Wow. The possibility of the First Lady walking in this show is super exciting and MAJOR! Stay tuned...

Celebrity Red Heart Truth Fashion Show 2008 during NY Fashion Week last year.

The 2009 show is scheduled for Friday February 13th. See which celebrities will be walking in the 2009 Heart Truth show here.

Shop Michelle Obama's Style: White Plaid Spring Dress...

Get Michelle Obama's casual spring style with this white plaid empire tie dress on sale at the Gap for just 34.99! Hurry, sizes are going fast.

Barack and Michelle Surprise D.C. Area Second Graders with a Visit...

President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama (wearing a black belted sweater, black skirt and striped blouse) made a surprise stop at a D.C. public school to read to children on Tuesday February 3, 2009. The Obamas stopped in at the Capital City Public Charter School in northwest Washington. The president told a group of excited second-graders: "We were just tired of being in the White House." A moment earlier the president shook each child's hand. What a super cool thing for them to do.

(photos from Getty/AP)

Spotlight on Michelle Obama's Hairstylist (of 18 years!): Rahni Flowers..

Spotlight on Thakoon: A Michelle Obama Favorite...

Michelle Obama in Thakoon during the 2008 Democratic National Convention.