Aug 8 2010
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Michelle Obama marked the end of a posh and controversial Spanish vacation with lunch today with Spain’s King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia at the family’s summer home, Marivent Palace, in Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
Mrs. Obama and Sasha arrived at tthe palace before 1:00 PM. Lunch included Andalusian-style chilled gazpacho soup, chargrilled turbot, veal escalopes with mustard, Oriental rice with sauteed mushrooms, a Mallorca-style vegetable ratatouille and sliced fruit with ice cream, accompanied by wines from the northern regions of Rueda and Rioja.
As parting gifts, the king gave Mrs. Obama seeds for the White House garden and the queen presented handicrafts typical of Mallorca.
The Obama group hopped on Air Force Two shortly after leaving the palace to head back to the U.S. (and face the media backlash that awaits).
Aug 6 2010
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Wearing a one-shoulder top by Jean Paul Gaultier, Mrs. Obama started her Spain vacation by strolling through the streets of Granada sightseeing and enjoying the cultural attractions.
Today she, Sasha, and company were granted a private stretch of beach in Estepona to relax and enjoy the Mediterranean Sea. As you can tell from some of the photos, it was anything but “private” with dozens of curious onlookers and security keeping watch.
Back in the states, the luxurious mother-daughter trip has been heavily criticized by the media.
To sum up all of the criticism into one critique, New York Daily News writer Andrea Tantaros compared Mrs. Obama to a “modern day Marie Antoinette” for taking such an extravagant vacation when the US is still suffering from the economic crisis.
She and her entourage are staying at the five-star Viala Padierna, one of the world’s top 30 hotels. Rates start at $400 – $2,500 per night. They reserved 60 rooms. The newspaper El Mundo reported their first dinner in Spain cost approximately $66 per head.
Not only is this vacation’s price being questioned but also the quantity of vacations the first lady has planned. According to Lynn Sweet, Mrs. Obama will have taken eight vacations by the end of the summer.
Yes, Mrs. Obama picks up the tab for all of the personal expenses but taxpayers are responsible for staff, Secret Service, and air accommodations which are by far the most expensive part of the trip.
So, what do you think about this Spanish vacation? Bad timing or well-deserved?
Images via AP.
Aug 4 2010
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Mrs. Obama, 9 year old Sasha, and family friends arrived today in Spain for a four day vacation at the luxurious Hotel Villa Padierna. The entire entourage is expected to occupy 60-70 rooms.
Both the US and Spanish government are mum on the details of any plans, but the hotel owners and local politicians of Marbella were happy to divulge any details (and will probably continue to do so) to the media.
It’s very doubtful locals will catch a glimpse of the family. The resort is surrounded by security including Spanish Civil Guards and Secret Service agents.
The 160-room, five-star resort is located in Marbella, a town favored by the rich and famous and international royalty. Rates start at $400 per night. Guests get their money’s worth – amenities and services include a swimming pool and spa, several fine dining restaurants, golf courses, and tennis courts.
Hotel co-owner Ricardo Arranz told CNN Obama chose the hotel based upon a recommendation of a friend who had visited before.
P.S. – Happy 49th birthday President Obama
Jul 28 2010
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The White House announced a mother-daughter vacay scheduled for August 4-8 at the Villa Padierna in Marbella. Only daughter Sasha will make the trip. Malia will be away at an undisclosed summer camp.
During the trip, the First Lady will meet with King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia.
The President is also skipping this trip to celebrate his 49th birthday on August 4th at the home of Chicago billionaire Neil Bluhm for a fundraiser. Each guest will donate $30,000 each to the Democratic National Committee.
The First family will spend most of August vacationing. In addition to the Spain trip, they will spend a weekend in the Gulf Coast region followed by a 10-day stay at Martha’s Vineyard. Malia will miss both these trips as well due to camp. Must be one heck of a camp. I’ve never heard of a kid excited about summer camp.
Jun 27 2010
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President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama attended a G-20 Summit in Toronto over the weekend. The G-20 leaders and their spouses were greeted and hosted by Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his wife Laureen.
The First Lady wore an Azzedine Alaia dress and vintage costume jewelry by a Toronto company named N&N Vintage Costume Jewelry.
May 7 2010
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As you all know, the glitzy White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner happened last weekend and the “who’s who” in politics, journalism, and Hollywood were there. I didn’t feel like posting all of the pictures of the celebrities that attended or rehash the President’s clever and witty jokes. The only news I could report on Mrs. Obama was what she was wearing (which I’ll go ahead and do anyway) and Jessica Simpson’s revelation that she wants to be Michelle Obama because “she’s such an incredible woman, and she’s with such a powerful man.”
However, one piece of news that caught my attention was a story CNN’s Ed Henry posted about encouraging Mrs. Obama to send out her very first tweet. Henry who subtlety mentioned he sat at the head table with the President and First lady asked her to send her first tweet on his iPhone after she mentioned she never tweeted.
After much hesitation and approval from White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs and the President, Rollins dictated her tweet (with Gibbs review and approval): “from flotus: here at dinner this is officially my first Tweet. i am looking forward to some good laughs from the potus and jay.” Great story! Here’s Henry’s Twitter account.
Prabal Gurung dress; earrings by Bochic; cuffs by Bochic and Sutra Jewels
Apr 26 2010
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The President and First Lady headed to Asheville, North Carolina (population 73,000) this past weekend for a mini-vacay. The couple stayed at the Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa as did 10 previous presidents have done while visiting. As a couple, they took a Blue Mountain hike and visited the local restaurant 12 Bones Smokehouse. On Saturday, Mr. Obama indulged in his usual pastime of golf while Mrs. Obama played tennis in that morning. Its rumored she also visited the spa facilities.
Apr 15 2010
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Happy tax day! On the day most Americans dread, the White House released the tax return of the Obamas which indicated they paid close to $1.8 million in federal income tax and $163,303 in Illinois income taxes. Last year, the First Couple raked in $5.5 million mostly from his book sales. They gave $329,000 to charities and the President donated his $1.4 million Nobel Peace Prize award to 10 charities.
Apr 15 2010
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The First Lady landed in Mexico Tuesday evening wearing a very patriotic ensemble, blue and white dress and red flats. Well, if you liked the Indigo Floral Jersey dress by Tracy Reese, you can buy it at Nordstrom for $275 (quite a steal).
