Happy Halloween

Photos by Mandel Ngan / Getty Images, Pablo Martinez Monsivais / AP Images

The President and First Lady were joined by Mrs. Marian Robinson to greet trick-or-treaters outside the White House this afternoon. The lucky kiddos included elementary students from local schools, children from the Boys and Girls Club of America, as well as children from military families. A box of White House M&Ms, White House Sweet Dough Butter Cookies (recipe below) and a serving of dried fruit comprised this year's treats.

While not in costume, Mrs. O wore a Halloween appropriate dress, the ASOS Midi Body-Conscious Dress in Metallic Stripe, available here. A Sonia Rykiel coat, seen during the 2009 inauguration here, completed the look.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend and a very Happy Halloween! And now, for the cookies ... 

The White House Sweet Dough Butter Cookie Recipe

1 lb Sugar                                                        1 tsp Vanilla

2 lbs Butter                                                     1 tsp Salt

3 Eggs                                                             3 lbs All Purpose Flour                                                            

Mix the butter and sugar till soft and well beaten. Then add eggs, vanilla, salt and half the flour. Beat on slow speed till mixed, then add the rest of the flour and mix until incorporated.

Push flat onto a cookie sheet and refrigerate overnight. Roll out to one quarter inch thick and cut out cookie shapes with cookie cutter.

Bake at 350F for 14 minutes and then allow to cool. 

P.S. For those who want more Halloween at the White House, click here.

Update: Marian Robinson also wears ASOS, the ASOS Sweater with Bouncing Bunnies, available here.

A Lovely Remix

Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images

The first lady joined U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid at the Red Rock National Conservation Area yesterday to help launch Mrs. O's Let's Move Outside! initiative to promote more outdoor activity for children.

For the event, Mrs. O paired a floral Etro cardigan with a J.Crew skirt and Sonia Rykiel belt (all first seen last spring/summer). Silver ballet flats completed the look and kept Mrs. O on the move!

Pretty in Plum

Image by Jason Reed / Reuters

The first lady attended an event to honor National Mentoring Month in the East Room of the White House this afternoon, wearing a plum colored skirt and jacket, paired with a printed blouse and Sonia Rykiel belt at the waist.

Update: Mrs. O wears a double-faced wool skirt and jacket from Talbots. Both pieces are still available and on sale, here and here.

Off They Go

Image by Saul Loeb / Getty Images

The Os left for Hawaii today, where they'll spend the Christmas holiday and a 10 day vacation. Headed for Marine One, First Lady Mrs. O looked every bit the chic, jet set traveller she is, wearing a black wool Sonia Rykiel coat over a black top and leggings, tall black suede boots, leather gloves and sunglasses. Might those be the famed Robert Clergerie boots we've heard so much about?

Merry Christmas everyone!

Thumbs Up for the Ensemble Too

Image by Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

As the President addresses a joint session of Congress this evening, First Lady Mrs. O is debuting a new and modern take on the skirt suit. Mrs. O's jacket features bracelet length sleeves, detailed seam work that radiates from the neckline, and a bow tie closure (adorned with a signature jeweled brooch of course). While bows and brooches have long been staples of Mrs. O's wardrobe, the kick pleat skirt and warm, dusty rose hue are new and quite flattering features.

We also should observe that Mrs. O has chosen a jacket with sleeves for this appearance - of note, only because it was a sleeveless dress worn for the President's first speech to Congress in February that gave way to "sleeve-gate". Those who were arm-adverse should be happy to see Mrs. O embrace sleeves for this occasion. And lovely sleeves they are!

Designer TBD. Update: Mrs. O wore a Moschino bow front pique swing jacket with matching skirt. Her rhinestone, pansy brooch, shown in more detail below, is Sonia Rykiel. 

Image by Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images