Hot stuff president to hit LA!

Obama's coming to LA! Well, first he'll be in Coasta Mesa on Wednesday for a Town Hall Meeting at the Orange County Fairgrounds (visit OC Metblog for the scoop on that). On Thursday he'll be in downtown LA for another Town Hall Meeting, this time at the Miguel Contreras Learning Complex. But before he leaves, he'll be on the one and only Tonight Show.

Hopefully he'll have room to sneak in some beach time. I'll have my camera ready!!

Source

Proclamation Party!

With festivities continuing into late into the evening, our new President and First Lady have T-E-N parties to attend! Whew - sound's exhausting! But, Michelle looks absolutely radiant in a white gown designed by 26 year-old Jason Wu. The off the shoulder piece with a slight train is stunning and showcases Mrs. Obama's fit physique. Her gown will later be donated to the Smithsonian where it will go on display with other historic First Lady fashions.

Below is the complete list of official Inaugural Balls:

• Youth Inaugural Ball
• Obama Home States Inaugural Ball
• Biden Home States Inaugural Ball
• Eastern Inaugural Ball
• Mid-Atlantic Inaugural Ball
• Midwest Inaugural Ball
• Southern Inaugural Ball
• Western Inaugural Ball
• Neighborhood Inaugural Ball
• Commander-in-Chief's Inaugural Ball

images courtesy of AP via FOX

Hats off to Washington

Aretha Franklin warmed up the crowd with her voice this morning. Actually, she prefers to be called Ms. Franklin and in a sea of people no one could miss that HAT! We're not aware who decided having a larger-than-head bedazzled bow was a good idea? But, we think it got people talking, so bad fashion or hat head it's all in the inaugural spirit.


Even rapper Jay-Z got in the hat game with a head full of black fur. We don't think he likes to be cold and looks like he can roll it down to cover up more if Beyonce starts yapping at him.

Aretha photo courtesy of Jason Reed /Reuters/Landov
Jay-Z and Beyonce photo courtesy of Timoth Clary/AFP/Getty Images

Obama to save our skin (sort of)

Don't have time to stop by Recess for your inauguration special eco-friendly mani/pedi? Well Obama can still be in your beauty routine today by picking up Theme Fragrance's O Balm ah! This soothing skin balm can save your skin, just like how Obama's administration (we hope!) will save our economy. I'm sure all those people who waited in the freezing, D.C. weather to see the inaugruation in person which they had a pot of this right now!

Who's making the White House stylish and comfortable?

The answer is Los Angeles based interior designer Michael S. Smith. He is currently one of the most sought after designers in the country and finds inspiration through international flair. Whether it be from Russia to the Mediterranean old world, influences seem to play a pivotal part in Smith's creation process.


Examples of Smith's previous work can be found on his website and throughout his new book, Houses. According to his website's description of Houses, "Smith's Exquisite tastes and laid back sensibility are avidly sought by clients who want to unpretentious interiors filled with style and comfort." Below is the book's cover.


That gives us some insight as to how he was chosen to liven up the White House. I'm sure the Bush family kept it drab and with young kids around the Obama's are in need of "style and comfort" in their new landmark home. We look forward to seeing Michael Smith's interior designs shine.

Images courtesy of Michael S Smith Inc
Story via Domino Mag

Holy Toledo!

Michelle Obama wore Isabel Toledo at this morning's historic inauguration in Washington. Isabel Toledo is a husband (Ruben) and wife (Isabel) team. They all watched the events unfold live together with their staff. I'm sure that was VERY exciting!

Ruben Toledo told WWD, "We had no idea. We hoped she would wear something because she has bought Isabel's clothes before. We never know what's going to happen. It's just another shock, but a great shock."

The now First Lady and her family looked absolutely radiant. The cold temps didn't keep over a half a million other people from strutting their stuff in front of the capitol as well. You can see Sasha and Malia looking Pretty in J. Crew coats below. (J. Crew also gives a special congrats to the first fam on their homepage.)

Michelle and Barack photo by Kevin Lamarque/Reuters /Landov
Sasha and Malia photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Watch the inauguration while getting an eco-friendly mani pedi

Planning to watch tomorrow's inauguration of our new hot stuff president? You can multi-task and also get some pampering done at our fave eco-Pretty nail spa Recess. They'll have every moment of the big day up live on their flat-screen (and energy efficient) TVs, plus you'll be entered into a drawing to win a gift basket worth $200!

But if you are busy tomorrow, no worries. Call to schedule an appointment anytime between tomorrow and Sunday, mention the promotion code Inauguration09, and get 20% off!

Recess is the first completely green nail spa in LA, everything from the products used to the construction of the spa space itself is environmentally conscious. The new President(!!!) Obama would be so proud of you!

Recess; 8408-B Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles. Call (323) 782-9919 for an appointment.

What's your dream?

Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream that we could all be equal no matter our differences and that dream is coming full circle with the inauguration of President-Elect Obama.

In honor of Dr. King we think it's Pretty to follow your dreams no matter what obstacles you encounter. It's also important to give back to your community to make it Pretty. Visit MLKDay.gov to see how and where you can help.

Image via AllPosters.com

Bye, Bye to Bush with Bliss

We all want to look extra Pretty when our new hot stuff president is inaugurated. And Bliss Spa is there to help with their Say "Farwell" to Bush special. They're offering 20% off their signature Brazilian bikini wax, as well as a selection of waxing and post-waxing products.

All you need to do is enter the word "Bush" in your online shopping back at checkout or print out the coupon we pasted above and bring it to the spa. To make an appointment, call (877) TO-BLISS.

Bliss LA at the W; 930 Hilgard Ave, Los Angeles.

A political purse

We're all counting down the days till Obama and his fam officially move into the White House. We know the historic inauguration will be celebrated with pretty much anything you can imprint with an Obama image.

However, Armando Javier Designs is taking it a step further and created these one-of-a-kind commemorative clutches. Each bag is made of leather and covered in a collage of news clippings from the day after the election results. No two bags are the same, but they all have similar news clippings on them. These clutches are super stylish and perfect for the hot stuff President lover in your life.

Images © Best Light Photographic LLC

The appropriately titled, Obama bag is available from Armando Javier Design's for $200. Also, check out the site's other purse creations; I absolutely love them all. They have various bags that are all leather and come in unique designs and hues. These are some amazingly innovative purses and perfect for Pretties!

Eat some ice cream with the new hot prezzie

Hooray! Finally the two things I love - our new hot stuff president and Ben & Jerry's ice cream - have teamed up to bring us a new, wonderful flavor: Yes Pecan (loves it!). Yes Pecan! is described as:ob

An inspirational blend! Amber waves of buttery ice cream with roasted non-partisan pecans.

Sounds yummy and full of hope for the future! Even more, if you decide to break your New Year's diet and gorge in some Yes Pecan! ice cream at your local Ben & Jerry's, the proceeds will be donated to Common Cause Education Fund.

Common cause is a nonpartisan, nonprofit advocacy organization founded as a vehicle for citizens to make their voices heard in the political process. They are committed to honest, open and accountable government, as well as encouraging citizen participation in democracy. Their Education Fund conducts research, education, and outreach activities. Get more info at www.commoncause.org.

Obama looking to green up our Pretty

The reason we Pretties love the newly elected hot stuff president Barak Obama is because of his commitment to more aggressive green policies than the previous administration. And according to Cosmetics Business, the international cosmetics industry is sitting at the edge of their makeup stained seats to see if they will be affected by any regulatory changes the new president and new Democrat-led Congress will enact.

As one example, industry smarties anticipate an effort in Congress to revamp the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), a law first enacted in 1976 that gives the EPA authority to regulate certain chemicals, which currently excludes the cosmetics industry. Under the current law, cosmetics manufacturers are only required to test chemicals for human safety, not for risks to the environment. A change would also mean that the industry would be directly regulated by the EPA in addition to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) meaning lot of inspections.

In addition, cosmetic manufacturers are now only voluntarily required to register with the FDA, but some are thinking that this expensive process will now be mandatory. Plus amendments to the US Lacey act might require additional disclosures of important plant seeds and could have an adverse affect on these ingredients that are commonly used in cosmetic and fragrances.

Image via Gizmodo.

Saks 5th Ave going Communist?

Not exactly, their Capitalist drawing design inspiration from the Commie era. Saks 5th Avenue hired Shepard Fairley to create these unique designs. You probably know him better as the brain behind the 'Hope' image of Barack Obama. Locals can recall this poster being plastered all over LA streets.


As you can see, their new bags have the slogan "want it" in bold. Fairley told the NY Times, “Some people might think it could be making fun of what’s going on right now. But I think most people are sophisticated enough to realize it’s a way of grabbing attention. It’s commerce. I don’t think there is really any political statement embedded in this.”


The design and ad undoubtedly stick out. Shoppers can interpret the statement however they'd like, but it's a unique marketing tactic and I like it!

NY Times article

Obama's LA college pics

While attending LA's Occidental College, Obama showed off his modeling skills when posing for Lisa Jack's portfolio. The pics are in classic black and white and were taken while Obama was a freshman in 1980.

They are displayed on TIME's website.

Sorry, no shirtless ones this time though.

What should he wear?

We already posted about Michelle Obama's potential inauguration day ensemble. We are just as eager to find out what our President-Elect will be wearing on the historic day. My Partner in Pretty just thinks he should go topless, but I'm not so sure that will work out.

Women's Wear Daily has an exclusive collection of sketches just for Obama. Here's a few we that caught our eye:

Paul Smith

Marc Jacobs

Kenneth Cole

What will she wear?

As inauguration day(no more Bush - yay!) creeps closer and closer the fashion sphere is on high alert to find out what our First Lady-Elect will be wearing. Tons of noteworthy designers have already submitted sketches since it's no doubt that whatever Michelle Obama chooses will forever remain in history books.

More haute sketches can be seen here collected by WWD.

Below are a few eyecatching sketches:
Betsey Johnson - red white and blue
Koi Suwannagate - white
Christian Lacroix - Blue jacket
Diane Von Furstenberg - yellow and white