Yes, we all waited excitedly to see the inaugural activities a few weeks back - and to see what Michele Obama would wear each step of the way. And, like always, she did not disappoint! Ms. Obama is the muse that all fashion houses have been looking for all these years. She personifies how a beautiful, intelligent, woman, mother, wife, and working professional should look. She doesn’t dress too trendy or matronly for a ‘middle-aged’ woman, the elusive demographic that designers have been missing the mark (and dollars) on all these years. I love that Ms. Obama has her signature colors and cuts/styles that she is drawn to and looks fabulous in. More importantly, I love the fact that she chooses emerging designers who are culturally diverse and talented.

As modern mamas, we can all watch and learn from Ms. Obama, such as:

1. Fashion is not a luxury - it’s a right: Fashion should not have to be expensive. Ms. Obama goes from haute couture, to J. Crew, to White House Black Market to Old Navy - and looks fabulous in each instance.
2. Rocks the low, kitten-heels and ballet flats like none other!: Have you ever chased down your wee ones on the playground at the daycare after a long day at the office in 3″ Manolo Blahniks?! I have…and will never do it again. Kitten heels are professional and sexy for work, and your feet will thank you later.
3. Flatter your best assets…and don’t be overly critical of your ‘perceived’ flaws.
4. At special events, your kids should look nice, but they still should look like kids. Young kids don’t need couture, nor make-up…ever.
5. Find your signature colors and develop your own sense of style - don’t just follow trend after trend.

Most working professionals between the ages of 35-45 have a hard finding work appropriate clothes that are still stylish — and don’t break the bank, because currently, there is not a lot to choose from. Fortunately, I work in a creative field, so I don’t have to dress as traditional as some, but I still need to look polished and professional at the office. Here are a few labels that I tend to be drawn to for stylish, affordable, and professional clothing.

- Kensie
- I.C.E
- Ellie Tahari
- BCBG
- Hale Bob
- Theory

What are some of your favorite designers? …And what was your favorite inaugural day look for Ms. Obama?

on the wednesday morning after the most historic election of our time, i, like millions of others around the world, when on the internet to eagerly read insightful stories about the dawn of a NEW day coming. instead, most of the media outlets were overflowing with commentary (mostly negative) on michelle obama’s wardrobe choice for tuesday night’s grand stage. now, i have to admit, i for one, wasn’t ‘crazy’ about the dress myself, because i have seen her in the past really nail it - whether she was in an frock from old navy, a off-the-rack number from white house/black market, or haute couture – flat out, the woman’s got style. what i was CRAZY about was the fact that she didn’t conform to the past and wear the couture skirt suit and traditional string of white pearls that we have so often seen more demurely worn in the past. michelle’s dress – from the body conscious fit, to the fire-red bold print – said, “i am confident, strong, and will not conform or be the stereotypical first lady you have seen in the past.” it also speaks volumes that she is conscious of the current economic state of our country and she doesn’t need to spend 10k on an outfit just to look good (not that narcisco rodriquez is cheap).

as the ultimate modern mama, ms. obama probably also took into consideration that a bold, abstract print will hide any potential stains from the hand prints (and hugs!) from her two, beautiful daughters throughout the long day and night. (think of unknowingly showing up at a board meeting with two small ‘peanut-butter’ handprints on your brown suit from the last-minute hug you received from your wee one before heading out early for that all important meeting or a kool-aid kiss on your ivory pants…i’ve been there – we all have! - if it were a print, no one would have noticed – but pinstripes or solids don’t conceal a thing!

and, after all, she ain’t no dummy – she and barack are the most highly-educated/highest degree earners ever to become first lady and president. i am looking forward with anticipation to see how the next four years plus, roll out – and i am also looking forward to seeing this obama mama and her style and grace as the first lady and the first REAL modern mama in the white house! yes, there’s been other first ladies in the past that were mothers – but none came even close to being a true modern mama! it is clearly the dawn of a new day coming – from foreign policy to fashion, and everything in between!