Yeah! She's Back! Michelle Beams Before August Hiatus

Take a good look, because she's dropping out of sight for awhile. Officially at least.

FLOTUS looked simply fabulous today, welcoming home home the Navy crews of the USNS Comfort and USS Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group in Norfolk, Va. and to urge Americans to continue to support military families.

Michelle Obama welcomes U.S. Navy families in Norfok, Va. “Let us make a pledge right here today to honor their service by doing more to serve them in our own communities,’’ said Mrs. Obama, who met with sailors and their families. “Let’s do simple things, like offer to help with a carpool; simple things, like bringing over dinner.’’

Michelle Obama gives a big hug PDA in Norfolk, Va“If you own a business or run a company, or help run a business or a company you can help a military spouse get a job or keep a job despite a move across the country,’’ Mrs. Obama said. “If you have a professional skill such as being a lawyer, a mental health professional, or an accountant, you can provide pro bono services to military families who need your help.’’

And best of all, a PDA hug. Yes! By George, I think she's got it again! Anne

Michelle Returns the Favor, Joining Her Young Garden Planters at Bancroft Elementary School

I don't know about you, but I've been hoping for some good photos of the White House Garden. Nada.

So we must take Michelle's word for it that the garden if doing really well . . . blooming . . . bursting . . . producing mounds and pound of lettuce already. Beans are beginning to sprout, and tomatoes are expected soon.

AP reports that the Frist Lady climbed into her SUV today, and went to visit her fifth-grader White House Garden helpers in "their space", Bancroft Elementary School.

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London Times Calls Michelle Obama the American 'Minister of Culture'

The London Times is calling Michelle Obama the "minister of culture" in the Obama administration.

After the ribbon-cutting for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's new American wing last Monday, the First Lady met with the heads of New York's most prestigious cultural institutions in the Hatshepsut gallery, named after the female pharaoh who ruled Egypt from 1479BC-1458BC.

“She was speaking in a way the minister of culture would speak, even though such a position doesn’t exist in America,” said Peter Gelb, the manager of the Metropolitan Opera in New York. “It was as if she was almost an arts policy-maker on behalf of the White House and the president. It was highly unusual.”

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FLOTUS, the White House Sergeant of Arms, Adores Her Man at WH Correspondent's Dinner

via ReutersPOTUS was the man of the hour last night in Washington, waking up to rave reviews of last night's el primo Washington gala, the White House Correspondent's Dinner.

via ReutersAlways joined at the hip psychologically, if not literally, POTUS managed to tease FLOTUS about -- guess what?

FLOTUS looked ravishing in her simple, floor-length sheath. Magenta is her color! After this week's TIME awards designer fiasco -- Kors, not Alaia -- mum is the current word on the designer.

UPDATE: It seems safe to say that Michael Kors scored again, as the undisputed designer of Michelle's evening dress.

For videos of POTUS's speech, jump to Anne of Carversville, Obama-Mania Daily News

via Reuters

Michelle Perfects The Art of Giving a Group Hug

via GettyOur beloved POTUS appeared at the Latin American Montessori Bilingual Charter School today for an early celebration of Cinco de Mayo.

Telling students how much fun it is to be First Lady, Michelle bestowed hugs all around, the more the merrier with a blending of young bodies -- the more the merrier.

Do I count four children? No five! Hang on a minute . . . that little carnation head girl is squeezing in, too. I do believe that POTUS has probably set a 'group hug' record for Washington, creating DC's first 'sixsome'. No wait - M counts, too.

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A Bit of French Inspiration Could Revitalize American Bedrooms, If Not the Whole Global Economy

The Huffington Post headline says it all: Strasbourg is for lovers?

Strasbourg never stood out as the love center of the universe in my mind, but let's remember that we are in France.

President and Mrs. Sarkozy; via Huffington PostHaving spent many months of my life in France, I promise you that France is for lovers, the home of Smart Sensuality thinking, a place where a woman is not defined primarily by her career and role as "top mommy", but by a positive appreciation for herself and everything/everyone she touches: food, flowers, family, friendship, the fundamentals of being an evolved, independent woman in every way.

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