Hanukkah at the White House

The president and first lady hosted a Hanukkah reception in the Grand Foyer of the White House on Thursday evening. The Obamas were joined by Rabbi Larry Bazer to light the 90-year-old menorah, which hails from a temple in Long Island, New York that was heavily flooded during Hurricane Sandy. For the occasion, Mrs. O wore a Jason Wu dress, debuted last year for a holiday event, here. An Alexis Bittar Teatro Modern pin at the collar completed the look. 

Mrs. O in Ann Taylor

Amidst the DNC festivities last evening, the first lady was interviewed by several of the major news networks. For the appearances, Mrs. O wore an Ann Taylor wool dress in a vibrant blue adorned with an Alexis Bittar elongated marquis pin. A similar version of the dress, in black, is available on AnnTaylor.com, here. Lovely!

For the interviews:

"Michelle Obama: It's Getting Better All the Time" [ABC News]

"Michelle Obama: President Is Not Going to Lose" [CBS News]

A Grand Finale

The first lady is in the audience for the final night of the Democratic National Convention, with the president due to speak later this evening. For the occasion, Mrs. O is wearing a full-skirt, bateau neckline dress in a perfect-for-fall eggplant hue print. An Alexis Bittar lucite dogwood pin at the neckline completes the look. 

Update: Mrs. O wears a dress by designer Laura Smalls. The first lady wore a dress by Smalls earlier in the week, seen here. What a wonderful moment for the rising designer! Smalls says, "I could not believe my eyes that Michelle Obama wore our dress to this historic event. Words cannot describe how my team and I feel."

"Laura Smalls: Michelle Obama's Next Favorite Designer?" [Huffington Post, September 2009]

"Laura Smalls Talks Dressing Michelle Obama" [Fashionista]

National Design Awards

The First Lady spoke at the Smithsonian's Cooper-Hewitt National Design Awards luncheon at the White House yesterday. For the appearance, Mrs. O wore a slim white sheath dress paired with a statement jeweled necklace. 

In her remarks the First Lady commented: "It is always a pleasure to be here with all of you today as we recognize this year’s winners of the National Design Awards.  Every day, these visionary designers are pushing boundaries, creating and revealing beauty where we least expect it, and helping us all lead healthier, more sustainable lives."

American designer Thom Browne was honored with the award in Fashion Design. In addition to his eponymous menswear line, Browne designs Black Fleece by Brooks Brothers, which the First Lady recently wore here.

Update: Mrs. O wears an Alexis Bittar Spring 2012 Elements Collection necklace with a white Narciso Rodriguez dress. The necklace is described as "a pave accented gold woven pendant and linked stone necklace".

Literary Chic

The First Lady gave her first book signing for "American Grown" at a Barnes & Noble near the White House today. For the occasion, Mrs. O mixed neutrals, pairing a dotted pencil skirt with a white top and signature Alexis Bittar floral brooch at the neckline. 

For more on the book signing:

"Book Talk: Michelle Obama on White House kitchen garden" [Chicago Tribune]

"Michelle Obama Dazzles Fans, American Grown and Otherwise, at Book Signing" [ABC News]