Mrs. O Covers Ladies' Home Journal

Cover courtesy Ladies' Home Journal

First Lady Mrs. O is on the cover of the September 2010 issue of Ladies' Home Journal, wearing her own steely blue, cowl neck Calvin Klein Collection dress paired with swept back hair and gold hoop earrings.

In the interview, here, the first lady discusses the inspiration behind her Let's Move! initiative, her personal approach to healthy eating and exercise, as well as her anti-"beet gene". The article closes with insight into how Mrs. O handles the pressure of her position -- apropos given the last week of headlines.

Sally Lee, LHJ Editor in chief: I recently interviewed former First Lady Laura Bush and she talked about how when she left the White House, she felt physically lighter, that her burden had been lifted. Are the pressures involved in being First Lady something you're cognizant of?

Mrs. O: I think it's a self-protective mechanism not to think about it. If you were to ever stop and think about this stuff, you could be debilitated. Instead, if you approach each day new and fresh, with every experience as something to take in, the time flies. . . . It'll be two years [in the White House] before you know it. I can imagine that when it's time to step back and reflect, it will feel like a huge relief. But in this moment I'm just trying to get stuff done. I'm focused on trying to move this initiative forward.

Hope everyone has a delightful weekend!

Let's Pick Looks

Let's have a bit of fun. Which Fall 2010 looks would like to see in Mrs. O's wardrobe? I've included videos from a few of the first lady's favorites. Ikram Goldman liked the bits of sequin in Narciso Rodriguez's collection -- a first hint, perhaps?

Jason Wu: full collection, here

Thakoon: full collection, here

Narciso Rodriguez: full collection, here

Michael Kors: full collection, here

Moschino: full collection, here

Videos by Style.com and Luciano Burgos via YouTube

Desiree Rogers's Next Move

Photo by Bill O'Leary/The Washington Post/Getty Images

Since leaving her post as White House Social Secretary in February, many have wondered what Desiree Rogers's next move would be. Today it was announced that she has been named CEO of Johnson Publishing Company, which publishes magazines such as JET and EBONY. In her new role, Mrs. Rogers will run day-to-day operations for the company, alongside chairwoman (and longtime friend) Linda Johnson Rice. The New York Times has more on the story, here.

Congratulations to Desiree Rogers on this exciting new chapter. This calls for one last look at her fabulous (if controversial) Comme des Garcons frock.

They're Home!

Official White House Photo by Pete Souza

In a blink of the eye, Mrs. O and Sasha are back home at the White House, greeting the president last evening for a South Lawn barbecue in celebration of his 49th birthday. Mother and daughter were once again well coordinated in light, breezy white cotton ensembles. Loving the new additions to Mrs. O's summer wardrobe!

Update: Mrs. O wears the Monique Péan bracelets we first saw in Mexico, here.

A Royal Visit

Photos by Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images

First Lady Mrs. O and daughter Sasha met with King Juan Carlos, Queen Sofia and Princess Letizia of Spain at the Marivent Palace in Palma de Mallorca, Spain earlier today. More to follow on this amazing mother-daughter international fashion moment!

Update: As suggested by several in the comments section, Sasha Obama indeed wears a darling crewcuts ensemble, including the Girls' tulle skirt, Girls' silk swing tank and Girls' neon flower pin. Love!

Mrs. O's skirt is confirmed as Moschino.