Cover courtesy Ladies' Home Journal

First Lady Mrs. O is on the cover of the September 2010 issue of Ladies' Home Journal, wearing her own steely blue, cowl neck Calvin Klein Collection dress paired with swept back hair and gold hoop earrings.

In the interview, here, the first lady discusses the inspiration behind her Let's Move! initiative, her personal approach to healthy eating and exercise, as well as her anti-"beet gene". The article closes with insight into how Mrs. O handles the pressure of her position -- apropos given the last week of headlines.

Sally Lee, LHJ Editor in chief: I recently interviewed former First Lady Laura Bush and she talked about how when she left the White House, she felt physically lighter, that her burden had been lifted. Are the pressures involved in being First Lady something you're cognizant of?

Mrs. O: I think it's a self-protective mechanism not to think about it. If you were to ever stop and think about this stuff, you could be debilitated. Instead, if you approach each day new and fresh, with every experience as something to take in, the time flies. . . . It'll be two years [in the White House] before you know it. I can imagine that when it's time to step back and reflect, it will feel like a huge relief. But in this moment I'm just trying to get stuff done. I'm focused on trying to move this initiative forward.

Hope everyone has a delightful weekend!

Let's have a bit of fun. Which Fall 2010 looks would like to see in Mrs. O's wardrobe? I've included videos from a few of the first lady's favorites. Ikram Goldman liked the bits of sequin in Narciso Rodriguez's collection -- a first hint, perhaps?

Jason Wu: full collection, here

Thakoon: full collection, here

Narciso Rodriguez: full collection, here

Michael Kors: full collection, here

Moschino: full collection, here

Videos by Style.com and Luciano Burgos via YouTube

Photo by Bill O'Leary/The Washington Post/Getty Images

Since leaving her post as White House Social Secretary in February, many have wondered what Desiree Rogers's next move would be. Today it was announced that she has been named CEO of Johnson Publishing Company, which publishes magazines such as JET and EBONY. In her new role, Mrs. Rogers will run day-to-day operations for the company, alongside chairwoman (and longtime friend) Linda Johnson Rice. The New York Times has more on the story, here.

Congratulations to Desiree Rogers on this exciting new chapter. This calls for one last look at her fabulous (if controversial) Comme des Garcons frock.

Kate Betts has a great new piece up on The Daily Beast, titled "Leave Michelle's Clothes Alone," which uses the recent media kerfuffle surrounding the first lady's trip to Spain as a jumping off point for a broader discussion about the power of Mrs. O's style, providing historical context coupled with insightful political and social analysis.

Many of the themes discussed will likely be included in Betts's upcoming book, "Everyday Icon: Michelle Obama and the Power of Style," to be released in February 2011. The book will surely be a must-read for admirers of the first lady's style, this one included.

For those not familiar with Betts, she is a contributing editor at Time magazine, and was previously the editor of Time Style & Design. Prior to that, she was editor in chief of Harper's Bazaar and the fashion news director of Vogue. In short, Betts brings substantial fashion industry experience that will no doubt add depth and perspective to her book.

One small correction to the article, relevant only for this circle I imagine. The article refers to the "peach-colored Moschino skirt she wore to lunch with King Juan Carlos was last seen at a joint session of Congress back in September." In fact, Moschino confirmed yesterday that the Moschino skirts Mrs. O wore in Spain and last September are different, hence the difference some observed in the appearance of the fabric.

Official White House Photo by Pete Souza

In a blink of the eye, Mrs. O and Sasha are back home at the White House, greeting the president last evening for a South Lawn barbecue in celebration of his 49th birthday. Mother and daughter were once again well coordinated in light, breezy white cotton ensembles. Loving the new additions to Mrs. O's summer wardrobe!

Update: Mrs. O wears the Monique Péan bracelets we first saw in Mexico, here.