Mrs. O Takes on 'Food Deserts'

Photo by Mark Wilson / Getty Images

The First Lady is employing a multi-pronged strategy in her fight to end childhood obesity. While Let's Move is often the focus, increasingly, there is a policy effort too. Today, Mrs. O was joined by executives from Wal-Mart, Walgreens, SuperValu and other stores at the White House to announce a plan to open 1500 new stores offering nutritious foods in communities that have been labeled as "food deserts." 

Per the New York Times:

The Obama administration’s Healthy Food Financing Initiative, begun by Mrs. Obama in February 2010, aims to financially assist stores that open in food deserts. The initiative received a $35 million budget this year, well short of the hundreds of millions requested by President Obama. The administration asked for more than $300 million to be approved for it in the next budget.

On a style note, the First Lady looked smart and sharp for the event, pairing a pearl grey cotton poplin Narciso Rodriguez dress with silver heels. A wrist full of bracelets completed the look.

"Big Retailers Make Pledge of Stores for 'Food Deserts'" [New York Times]

Mrs. O and Nelson Mandela

Photo by Debbie Yazbek, Nelson Mandela Foundation, Charles Dharapak / AP Images

The First Lady was in Johannesburg, South Africa today to visit the Nelson Mandela Foundation. While there, Mrs. O met with Nelson Mandela's wife Graca Machel. White House officials report that while viewing some of Mandela's personal papers at the foundation, Nelson Mandela sent word that he wanted to meet Mrs. O, along with her daughters and mother. Wonderful!

For the occasion, Mrs. O dressed in a raspberry hued skirt and jacket, punctuated with a colorful print top and blue flats. Turquoise Nava Zahavi earrings complete the look.

Update: Mrs. O wears a coral silk shantung jacket and skirt by Narciso Rodriguez. Nice to see that as some aspects of Mrs. O's wardrobe change and evolve, others stay very much the same!

Happy Memorial Day

Image by Charles Dharapak / AP Images

Happy Memorial Day dear readers! And thank you to all of the men and women in our nation's military services.

Today the President and First Lady attended a Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. For the occasion, Mrs. O dressed in a patriotic blue sheath dress accessorized with a double strand of pearls. 

Update: Thanks to those with memory sharper than mine. It appears the First Lady wears a dress by Narciso Rodriguez, seen in 2010 here and here.

"Standing When the First Lady Pays a Call" [New York Times]

A Crown Jewel

Photo by Carl Court / Getty Images

After a meet and greet with the royal family, the President and First lady met with Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron and his chic wife Samantha Cameron at 10 Downing Street. The Obamas also received a special tour of Westminster Abbey. Quite a day! 

For these events, Mrs. O changes ensembles, wearing a delightful mix of jewel tones on this occasion. The First Lady wore a punchy purple dress featuring a draped neckline and black chiffon trim. The dress was paired with a vibrant blue coat and jeweled belt at the waist. Navy black pumps completed the look. 

Per Red Carpet Fashion Awards, Mrs. O wears a dress by Roksanda Ilincic from the designer's Pre-Fall 2011 collection. Ms. Ilincic is a Serbian-born, London-based designer with a growing presence in Mrs. O's closet! The First Lady last wore Roksanda Ilincic for a White House reception to welcome President Hu of China in early 2011. Mrs. O's blue double wool crepe coat has proven to be the fine work of Narciso Rodriguez. 

For those interested in Samantha Cameron's choice, the Prime Minister's wife wears a Spring 2011 dress by Peter Pilotto, also a Mrs. O favorite!

A Day of Basic Training

Images by Mary Chastain / Reuters

Today was a tour de force for Mrs. O and her support of the military. As the First Lady appeared on Oprah's "America's Bravest Families" episode, she was also at Fort Jackson in Columbia, South Carolina to speak at basic training graduation and promote "Let's Move." From CNN:

"Obama attended a briefing led by Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling, the Army's Deputy Commanding General for training, on the poor state of physical fitness for today's youth, and the difficulty for the military to attract new recruits who can meet basic fitness standards. Of the 129,000 new recruits every year, approximately 40 percent are overweight."

On a style note, Mrs. O braved the chilly east coast weather in a grey wool coat with geometric seam detailing by Narciso Rodriguez. Inside, Mrs. O dressed in a gray pantsuit, accessorized with an Alexis Bittar Elongated Marquis pin, available here.

"First Lady takes healthy eating message to military" [CNN]