Happy Birthday Mrs. O

On her 48th birthday, the First Lady attended a White House event to celebrate the 2011 World Series champions, the St. Louis Cardinals.

On the fashion front: A L'Wren Scott lace cardigan, the famed Alaia belt and an Erickson Beamon pin from the 2008 Democratic National Convention. 

Photo Credit: Getty Images

AARP The Magazine

First Lady Mrs. O livens up the September/October 2011 cover of AARP The Magazine wearing a L'Wren Scott burgundy jacquard dress. Lovely! 

In the feature story, which profiles Joining Forces, Mrs. Obama is asked if she has a future in politics. And her response?

“The answer is N-O. Period, dot. ... I think one reason Jill [Biden] and I are comfortable and happy is that we’re doing what speaks to us. And what I’ve learned as a woman growing up, getting older, is you’ve got to know who you are. And a politician — it’s never been who I was or wanted to be.”

The full AARP story can be found here.

"First lady says 'N-O' to career in politics post-White House" [The Hill]

On Point

On Friday evening Mrs Obama was at West Point to address cadets at their graduation banquet, becoming the first First Lady ever to do so. Staying true to her mission of supporting military families, she stressed the importance of supporting army personnel who are far from home and family, and to draw strength from their own families.  Her full speech will be available to view from the West Point website at 9am on Saturday. 

With her customary grace and style, the First Lady provided a splash of vibrant colour amid a sea of white uniforms. She wore the scarlet silk, V-neck Jason Wu dress that we first saw on the cover of Glamour back in October 2009 (here).  On arrival this was paired with the ivory L’Wren Scott cardigan, beaded with scarlet flowers and leaves, that we have seen many times before. I'm not sure it's ever looked better. Classic pearls completed the look. 

Photos currently available for this event are not helpful in terms of showing off the outfit (hence my delay in posting).  However, as you can see a full length shot of Mrs Obama here (3^rd photo in slideshow) and as we have some quite good photos in the archives, I have simply chosen the best pictures of Mrs O herself at this event.  

Happy weekend! 

AP Photo/Mike Groll

Operation Shower

Images by Gerry Broome / AP Images

Mrs. O and Dr. B are officially taking Joining Forces on the road. First stop? Camp Lejeune, N.C. for Operation Shower, a celebration for expectant mothers whose husbands are military service members. Later in the afternoon, the ladies appeared in San Antonio, Texas to visit the Warrior and Family Support Center.

For the appearances, Mrs. O wore a Byron Lars striped red lace dress with an embroidered L'Wren Scott cardigan and red flats. Dr. B wore a turquoise sheath dress with an inverted pleat detail at the neckline.

"Michelle Obama brings White House onesies to 'Joining Forces' shower" [Chicago Sun Times]

Image by Eric Gay / AP Images

Coming Up Coral

Image by Pablo Martinez Monsivais / AP Images

Today marks the launch of Joining Forces, a new national initiative spearheaded by Mrs. O and Dr. B to support and honor U.S. service members and their families. Both ladies were on hand to launch the initiative, dressed in brightly hued Spring suits. And, hooray, it seems this isn't the last we'll see of this dynamic duo in coming weeks.

“We’re hitting the road.  Yes, Michelle and Jill on a road trip,” Mrs. Obama said from the East Room of the White House, “I think Jill is going to drive.  We’re going to be traveling throughout the country, celebrating the service of military families and the communities, and nonprofits and businesses and folks who support those families every day.”

Update: Mrs. O wears a melon doubleface stretch wool crepe sheath dress and one button blazer, both by Michael Kors. If the look is familiar, I believe it's this dress, seen last April. Prior to the event, Mrs. O paired the Michael Kors dress with an embroidered cardigan by L'Wren Scott, seen below.

"Michelle Obama, Jill Biden to lead effort to help military families" [Washington Post]

"The Force Behind the Force" [ABC News]

Image by Evan Vucci / AP Images