Mrs. O x Shop-a-Matic

Anyone spending time on the east coast this week will agree that the start of fall feels undeniably here and now. Last week's skirts and sandals have begrudgingly been replaced by rain boots and light jackets. C'est la vie. If you haven't already, there's no better time to start thinking about fall fashion.

I recently had a chance to guest edit New York Magazine's Shop-a-Matic, selecting 20 Mrs. O-inspired looks using Fall 2011 trends like polka dots, tuxedo dressing, midi-skirts, and updated color blocking, all collected HERE. The selections center around the fall trends while staying true to Mrs. O's signatures: a penchant for color, bold prints, and an avant garde cardigan or two. A fun exercise!

What looks would you like to see the First Lady embrace this season?

Must Read Mrs. O

As many have noticed, August has been a quiet month on the blog, which correlates directly with a brief slowdown in the First Lady's schedule. Hopefully it's been a nice respite for Mrs. O, as surely the next several months will be busy. While we wait for things to pick up, here are two recent articles that may be of interest:

Duchess Catherine, Michelle Obama Wield Style Power for Good [USA Today]

Adele's Secret Weapon [Vogue UK] (Look for the quote about Mrs. O from the lovely Barbara Tfank)

A Call to Serve

Update: Mrs. O wears a vintage brooch by House of Lavande.

Essence

The First Lady will grace the October 2011 cover of Essence magazine, where she is named one of the world’s most influential Black women on the publications’s annual ‘2011 Power List.' For the cover, Mrs. O wears a fabulous floral frock -- a 1950s Silk Brocade Dress from New York Vintage.

More on the Essence story can be found here.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful and restful Labor Day weekend!

Update: On the jewelry front, Mrs. Obama is wearing Cathy Waterman 22k recycled gold and ethically sourced fire opal leaftop arabesque earrings.

Back to Washington

Photo by Pablo Martinez Monsivais / AP Images

Arriving back in Washington last Friday after a week of vacation on Martha's Vineyard (cut a bit short by Hurricane Irene), Mrs. O wore a Tracy Reese auburn tribal stripe dress, paired with staple flats and a Lambertson Truex tote. For those who recognize the dress, the First Lady debuted it earlier this year during a trip to South America in March.