DTN News - MEMORIAL DAY 2012: President Barack Obama Speaks To family Members Of Military Personel In Arlington Virgina

DTN News - MEMORIAL DAY 2012: President Barack Obama Speaks To family Members Of Military Personel In Arlington Virgina

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - May 28, 2012: U.S. President Barack Obama speaks to family members of military personel at the Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day on May 28, 2012 in Arlington, VA. 

Five hundred military children and teens, many of whom had a parent that was killed in the Afghan and Iraq wars, attended the annual four-day 'Good Grief Camp' in Arlington, VA and Washington, DC, which is run by TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors). 

The camp helped them learn coping skills and build relationships so they know they are not alone in the grief of their loved one. 

They met others of their own age group, learned together and shared their feelings, both through group activities and one-on-one mentors, who are all active duty or former military servicemembers. Some 1,200 adults, most of whom are grieving parents and spouses, also attend the National Military Survival Seminar held concurrently with the children's camp. 

The TAPS slogan is 'Remember the Love. Celebrate the Life. Share the Journey.'

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.ca/

White House State Dinner: Michelle Obama in Marchesa and Samantha Cameron in Alessandra Rich

The Blue Belles...

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama host British Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife, Samantha Cameron

Last night, President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama held a State Dinner in Washington D.C. at the White House (of course) for British Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife Samantha. This was the sixth state dinner of the Obama Presidency. The entertainment of the night: John Legend and Mumford and Sons. The international guest list for this black tie gala ranged from diplomats, government officials to the world of entertainment and fashion. VIP guests included George Clooney, Virgin Mogul Richard Branson, billionaire Warren Buffett, Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour, Harvey Weinstein and his gorgeous wife, Marchesa co-designer Georgina Chapman, Charlie Rose, actors from PBS' "Downton Abbey", as well as the reigning king of golf, Northern Ireland's Rory McIlory , to name a few. Now onto the FASHION...

First lady Michelle Obama wore a teal blue gown from the American design firm of Marchesa (designed by two Brits, including Project Runway All Stars Judge, Georgina Chapman, who was a guest--and is British of course). The gown is from the Marchesa Resort 2012 collection. The original gown features a draped and pleated off-the-shoulder top section and a "high-low" peplum train which for Mrs. Obama was removed (good call!). The shoulder draping was stitched down (Good Call Part Deux!).

The First Lady looked elegant and statuesque and I think it was great to expose her fabulous shoulders and great arms--and to wear her hair up as well! Although, I'm not 100% sold on the necklaces. I get what she was going for and I love chunky jewelry, but it was a bit overwhelming for that dress and distracted a bit from the beautiful neckline. But there is no denying that this gown was made-to-order and fitted on her to a "T". Notice the perfection of the back and that mini-train:

Finally, here's the British Prime Minister's wife Samantha Cameron and her State Dinner Fashion Statement:

She wore a royal-and-navy blue appliqued lace gown from British designer Alessandra Rich. The gown featured and thin belt accentuating her tiny waist and a neck tie. Both her and the U.S. First Lady complimented themselves in different shades of blue. And yes, kids, this was not by accident. This was all pre-arranged and pre-coordianted via their corresponding Social Secretaries, trust me. Lovely to see FASHION with a Capital "F" at the White House. Thank you ladies!

What did you guys think? Which First Lady wore FASHION best at last night's State Dinner? Michelle Obama or Samantha Cameron? Let me know.

Red Carpet Minute: The 34th Annual Kennedy Center Honors

Washington Meets Hollywood, Broadway, and Beyond...

Presidential Royal Blue: First Lady Michelle Obama in Vera Wang--with President Obama, who by the way, looks as if he got a "freshening up" ---either he got his teeth whitened or just got some much-needed sleep, but he looks GOOD!

This past Sunday evening, in Washington D.C., the 34th Annual Kennedy Center Honors occurred. This year's Honorees were singer/actress and Broadway and Cabaret STAR Barbara Cook, singer-songwriter Neil Diamond, cellist, virtuoso and composer Yo-Yo Ma, Grammy-winning American jazz tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins and actress Meryl Streep.

All of Washington D.C.'s elite were there including, of course, President Barack Obama and the First Lady, Michelle. Michelle Obama wore a royal blue Vera Wang "Mermaid"-shaped strapless gown, and yes, she looked GORGEOUS! The show will be televised on December 27th on CBS but for now, what I'm interested in here, is naturally, the Red Carpet and what everyone else wore:

Meryl Streep: Academy Award-winning actress Meryl Streep wore a black scoop-neck jersey gown with gathered detail and long sleeves. It was an elegant look for her. Miss Streep loves her jersey and yes, she knows what styles/shapes work best for her. Simple, elegant and JERSEY work marvelously for her!

Barbara Cook: The other female Kennedy Center Honoree was Barbara Cook--as the Broadway (Good) Diva that she is, naturally, she wore a FABULOUS caftan! This IS going to be my look of choice when I get to be her age. For sure!

Sarah Jessica Parker: Miss SJP--always the Fashion Icon--gave everyone "Jackie O Chic" in this gunmetal-colored high-neck, sleeveless gown from Theyskens' Theory Fall 2011 from fashion designer Olivier Theyskens.

The gown featured an empire waist, center front self-covered buttons and pleats that shaped the skirt section of the gown into a very "Balenciaga"-esque silhouette. Here it is in the Theyskens' for Theory Fall 2011 Runway Show:

On Sarah Jessica Parker, it looks even less wrinkled than on the runway model--actually, it looks PERFECT on SJP...better than on the model!

Emily Blunt: Actress Emily Blunt was on hand (for Miss Meryl Streep of course!), and she wore a plum-colored strapless gown from the Notte by Marchesa line (the "diffusion"--lower--Marchesa cocktail/evening line which sells at high-end stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue).

The strapless gown had a "Sweetheart" neckline, peplum detail and straight/fitted floor-length skirt.

Sutton Foster: Tony Award-winning actress Sutton Foster (GOSH, was she AMAZING in "Anything Goes"!!) looked ravishing and so directional on Sunday night in this slate-grey matte-jersey halter dress with a metallic accent neck-piece.

It was from Michael Kors' Fall 2011 Collection, as seen above on Supermodel Karlie Kloss. On the NY Fashion Week Runway (above photo), the look was paired with matching pants. I'm glad Sutton left the pants back in the Michael Kors PR Showroom.

Other Notable Attendees (in terms of Fashion):

Andrea Mitchell: It's always nice to see non-actors and non-Red Carpet staples at events such as this--like television journalist, anchor and NBC reporter, Andrea Mitchell. She is married (as we all know) to former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan. I have to say, that Andrea looked so elegant and "Upper East Side"-chic in this strapless sequined black "Mermaid"-silhouette gown. THIS is what a LADY looks like: Kudos Andrea!

Glenn Close: Actress Glenn Close wore a copper velvet gown with a gathered center-front and drop shoulder detail. I have to admit that: I'm not a fan of this gown on Glenn Close. The draped shoulder silhouette looked a bit "saggy" on her. The velvet fabrication, did not help. She usually turns to her fashion "paramour" Giorgio Armani for big red carpet events. If this was his--I would re-think asking him or his pr team for red carpet help. It is going to be a LONG Awards season for Glenn, so let's hope she got this one bad dress out of her system!

Christine Baranski and her daughter at the Kennedy Center Honors Red Carpet: Both Christina and her daughter look resplendent in their looks. Not so sure about the waist lace-nude side panel on Baranski but I do love the shape of her black gown and especially the neck-and-shoulder draped detail. Her daughter looks FAB in a strapless royal blue gown. But darling, next time: smile!!!

The 34th Annual Kennedy Center Honors airs December 27, 2011 on CBS. I'll be watching!