Ciao Bella! A Simply Ravishing Michelle Obama Lands in Rome

via Huffington PostLooking like a bird of paradise, our First Lady descends the steps of Air Force One in Rome. She's in a decidedly warmer climate, when it comes to valuing women, than the one she just left.

Simply stated, women -- especially older women are revered in Italy. Think Sophia Loren. At the risk of offence, Roman men adore women of color, so Michelle is a true standard of beauty in Rome.

For more insights on women in Italy, read Anne of Carversville's Redtracker 'Drivers Seat': Feminism in Italy entry, with an excellent article from the London Times.

What You See Is What You Get!

For my women readers, if there's one insight I want to give you about Italy, it's that Italian women believe that they reach their peak beauty between 35 and 45. On average, Italian women believe that they are moving towards their best physical selves 15-20 years later than American women. This Dove Campaign for Real Beauty data astounds me.

I understand that the G8 meetings in L'Aqula are focused on solving huge global problems like hunger and poverty. Smart Sensuality women care deeply about those issues.

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Lucinda O'Sullivan Does Some Sugar Free Fashion Talk About Michelle Obama's Stellar Rise to Fashion Fame

By now, my readers know that I can be rather -- irreverent is the term, I suppose. So I just now cracked up reading Lucinda O'Sullivan's article Michelle O, first lady of fashion, does it her way in the Independent newspaper in Ireland's most prestigious newspaper.

This paper is no rag.

I have a dear friend from Ireland, and he, too, believes in telling things as they are. Frankly, I find it refreshing!

Can you imagine reading the likes of these comments in a top American newspaper:

Speaking of the Obamas and Sarkozys at the April G-20 summit:

I must confess I did wonder, too, what Carla was thinking as her diminutive husband almost hobbled down the red carpet looking like a toy-town off-duty French waiter beside the striding, long-limbed, divine Obama.

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Unconfirmed Reports Place Michelle, Sasha and Malia at Buckingham Palace for a Meetup with the Queen

There's a lovely article in the London Telegraph speaking not only of the close relationship that The Queen and Michelle have enjoyed since the First Lady's April visit to Buckingham palace (see photo) but concerning the rare guided tour of Buckingham Palace enjoyed by Michelle Obama, Sasha and Malia last Wed.

In a story that both Washington and the Palace refuse to confirm, Sasha had the superb birthday present of seeing the Queen's official London residence and the 40 acres of gardens comprising Buckingham Palace on Wednesday, the final day of their getaway.

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New Official White House Photos, June 2009

The Official White House Photostream has loaded a few pics of the June Europe trip onto Flickr:

At Pompidou Centre in Paris

President Barack Obama points out a landmark to daughter Malia while touring the Pompidou Centre modern art museum in Paris, June 7, 2009. (Official White House photo by Pete Souza)Obama Family at Notre DamePresident Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama (l) and Malia Obama watch as Sasha Obama lights a candle in Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, June 6, 2009. (Official White House photo by Pete Souza)

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Michelle Obama Is a Fashion Eccentric in London

Michelle Obama leaving Westminster Abbey yesterday

Michelle Obama, the Smart Sensuality fashion goddess on Saturday, paid homage to British fashion wit yesterday, wearing a trendy colourful tunic embellished with ribbons and fabric flowers, a patterned belt, not one but two cardigans, and slim-fitting cardigans under her dress.

The Daily Mail UK wrote that Michelle was referencing designer Christopher Kane, which could be true.

For me, the First Lady's image was all about 'flower power', our self-expressive, fashion eccentric Woodstock hippie. Make love, not war.

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First Lady Michelle Extends Obama Charm Offensive in London

via Daily Mail UKFinally, there's more news on first Lady Michelle Obama's two-day London outing, where Michelle and family left the staff at The Audley pub "gobsmacked". Translated, they were "utterly astounded".

'We had a booking for a table of 15 but we had no idea it was going to be them,' said waitress Cintia Pinto, 24, who served Mrs Obama, adding: 'We were all speechless when they walked in. I couldn’t believe it. But they were all very friendly. Smiling and laughing. They made us feel calm.

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