Monday, August 23, 2010 at 7:18 AM 
Image by Carolyn Kaster / AP Photo
As I believe most of you know, the first family is vacationing on Martha's Vineyard this week. While there have been no signs of Mrs. O thus far, the president has been out and about on the island, including a trip with his daughters to Bunch of Grapes book store in Vineyard Haven, pictured above. Love the pops of fun, summer color embraced by the O girls!
Saturday, August 21, 2010 at 5:06 PM 
Image used with kind permission from Brand X Projects, Inc.
With no signs of Mrs. O on Martha's Vineyard just yet (hopefully she's enjoying a bit of peace and quiet!), I wanted to share an early blog post that dates from November 2008. The subject of the post was a screenprint by Mickalene Thomas. Shortly after the post ran, the screenprint was acquired by National Portrait Gallery in Washington. Two years later, it will be on display for the first time at the gallery, as part of the "Americans Now" exhibit running through July 2011. Will any of you Washingtonians be attending?
From November 2008:
Brand X Projects, Inc., a fine art publishing company located in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan, has unveiled a limited edition screenprint titled Michelle O by artist Mickalene Thomas. This small edition of 40 screenprints is signed and numbered in pencil, and the portrait is the first completed of Mrs. O by the artist.
New Jersey born, with degrees from the Pratt Institute and Yale University School of Art, Mickalene Thomas has established herself as an important American contemporary artist. Known for her images of iconic African American women, her work is part of the permanent collections of the Brooklyn Museum, The Studio Museum in Harlem and The Art Institute of Chicago, among others. This latest work is a timely celebration of our soon to be First Lady, Mrs. O.
It's exciting to watch the broad-reaching cultural influence Mrs. O is poised to have as First Lady. Alongside the recently unveiled portrait by Elizabeth Peyton, this latest work by Mickalene Thomas is a sign of great things to come. And while not fashion focused, one can see direct ties to Mrs. O’s personal style in these portraits -- as they capture her strength, femininity and self-possession.
Mickalene Thomas in Art Tuesday, August 17, 2010 at 5:24 PM 
Image courtesy of Payless
Admirers of Isabel Toledo will have a unique opportunity to purchase her inventive, feminine designs through an upcoming collaboration with the affordable shoe retailer Payless. Isabel Toledo for Payless launches September 7, with a range of shoes and bags priced from $35 to $60. The collection will be available in stores and on Payless.com, with a limited selection of shoes already available here. What sparked the collaboration?
"The main inspiration for my first Payless collection was to create a line of shoes that I could wear on a daily basis and that would make a bold fashion statement, but also be very functional too," Ms. Toledo said in a press release. "I am a New Yorker and I walk all over the city .... These shoes have a strong graphical tone, are fresh new essentials for every woman's fall closet, and are an affordable way to make a strong statement from the ground up."
Might we see Isabel Toledo for Payless in Mrs. O's fall line-up?
Tuesday, August 17, 2010 at 5:06 PM 
Image courtesy of Carole Tanenbaum Vintage Collection
The Os leave for their extended vacation on Martha's Vineyard this Thursday, and with no scheduled appearances this week, why not treat ourselves to a bit of eye candy in the meantime?
The wonderful Carole Tanenbaum is once again offering a selection of her carefully curated vintage brooches to Mrs. O readers, available HERE. Prices are $45 or $75 for a single pin, and $175 for a grouping of three. There are some gorgeous gems in the mix, such as the 'Cosmopolitan' trio above. Enjoy!
A note from Carole Tanenbaum:
"We have discovered a whole new way to 'cluster' brooches! We pile them close together to resemble fascinating larger brooches. The look is both creative and sophisticated. We also have some single beauties at special prices for Mrs. O readership. Welcome in the Fall season with a vintage treasure!"
Sunday, August 15, 2010 at 1:49 PM 
Images by Mandel Ngan / Getty Images
The Os are away at the Gulf Coast, vacationing in Panama City Beach, Florida overnight. It's been quite the busy weekend thus far, from sightseeing to ensembles!
The first lady arrived in a teal blue, tie front Jason Wu dress. To play miniature golf, she changed into a chrome blue Banana Republic tank (available here), cropped black pants and Maison Martin Margiela toe loop sandals. To watch porpoises, Mrs. O chose a black tank and loose fitting floral shorts. And for an ice cream stop, the first lady donned a blue Narciso Rodriguez shirt dress with open toe flats.