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Style Icon {Michelle Obama}

I like to think my Style Icon series has covered some pretty chic starlets: Blake Lively, Kate Bosworth, Lauren Conrad, Cameron DiazGwyneth Paltrow.... But when The Cut posted 118 photos for their Michelle Obama Look Book 2010, I knew it was time to take things to the presidential level. Enjoy!
The First Lady attends the State of the Union address in Isaac Mizrahi.
Donningd Narcisco Rodriguez to discuss childhood obesity in Mississippi.
The President looks on adoringly as his Lanvin-clad wife celebrates International Women's Day at the White House.
Michelle sparkles in a jacket and skirt by Narcisco Rodriguez.
Preparing to speak with Mexican college students in a cheery Rachel Roy number.
Boarding Air Force One in a Clu dress and cardigan.
Earning her reputation for supporting young designers, Michelle steps out in Prabal Gurung at the White House Correspondents Dinner.
A Moschino print is a welcome alternative to a traditional pantsuit.
Michelle takes a stand in white Alaia and vintage gems at the G20 Summit.
The First Lady talks big picture stuff at the annual NAACP convention in Jason Wu.

Friday Finds

all i can say is "thank god it's friday!" what a week it's been.
carlee of deliciously organized devised the perfect solution for storing her makeup brushes...
averill of odi et amo set some guidelines for using lucite in the home...
grace of design*sponge introduced me to tytie's book tables...
leah, the genius behind thx thx thx, made me smile with her daily thank you notes to anything and everything...
caitlin of my nyc sketchbook and lonny fame debuted ten summer watercolors over at tory burch...

mina of la résidence sent over drool-worthy photos of her new penny tile bathroom...
miss james of bleubird vintage brought back her adorable "oh you pretty things" sunday feature...
and i owe you all big thanks for your lovely comments on the sneak peek of my new bedroom! sending you big hugs and wishing you a most delightful weekend!

a work in progress

hello, my dears! my first decorating project is underway and i couldn't be more thrilled to share a sneak peek with you today. it's my bedroom in the off-campus house i'll be sharing with seven girlfriends next year at bucknell and, although i'll only live here for one year, i want it to be a place i can get inspired or wind down, depending on the time of day!
what a dreary "before" picture! the room does have great bones though. the amount of space is generous for a college student and i love the bay windows! the dark trim, white-paint-over-wallpaper and icky purple carpet were calling out for a little love.
so we painted the trim white (the best trick for lightening a space!) and gave the walls two coats of glidden's sexy pink.
we also taped off some rectangles to frame the bed i have yet to buy (ignore the evidence of wallpaper underneath!).
i think they turned out quite splendidly if i do say so myself.
so we moved in the furniture i have found. pete did a few final touch-ups (i told you he's detail-oriented) and beth put up the blinds (thank goodness because i have no patience for that sort of thing). many thanks to the crew, also known as my loving parents who put up with my need for blindingly bright color and a flawless paint job all while listening to me change my mind about minute details 13,000 times.
how do you feel about the pink and leopard combo? beth says it's a little flinstones but the rug (overstock leopard print novelty rug, $85) i hope you don't think it's too much because there's going to be a gold-skirted table in between those babies (ikea tullsta chairs, $99 each) next time you see photos! (worry not — the bed linens will be white.)
somehow we had time (and paint) left over to redo the tragic bathroom we're inheriting. wallpaper and carpeted floors? in a bathroom? briana and her mom agree that it was a no-go.
her dad laid down cheap linoleum and we painted the walls with our leftover pink paint. we found the shades in one of the many nooks and crannies in our soon-to-be home. don't you prefer it all new-and-improved?

i would love to hear your thoughts on this initial sneak peek. please be kind — this is project numero uno!