The Evolution and Revolution of the First Lady

As one of the commenters at the end of this video so eloquently pointed out; “Even if you don’t like Michelle Obama, you kinda do like Michelle Obama.”

In a recent visit to Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, the FLOTUS unveiled some pretty hot 2013 moves in honor of her Lets Move Campaign, dubbed, “The Evolution of Mom Dancing”.  And while it does look as though Lady O is dropping it low to do The Bump with Sarah Palin, Conservatives needn’t fret; tis only a lovely Jimmy Fallon in (strikingly believable) soccer mom drag.

Regardless however of what your political proclivities are, it appears that time and time again, Mrs. Obama continues to live up to the title of coolest First Lady on the planet. Ever.  I mean really, who among us can imagine Grace Coolidge doing the Charleston or Barbara Bush serving up the Cabbage Patch?

But even as a pop-culture icon, Michelle Obama has found a way to keep her finger on the pulse of popular culture in such a way that 1) her image as a political figure is able to resonate with the masses and most importantly 2) she has been able to call to and keep  attention on her platform in a way that might not have received much traction otherwise if she were not so…well, cool.  Call it what you will, but it’s that “real” and “attainable” air that has so many of us falling a little harder for her every time we see her.

Bang! Bang! -The First Fringe

In a Skype interview for the Rachael Ray Show scheduled to air this Wednesday, Michelle Obama jokingly revealed that her show-stopping fringe banged haircut that was all the rage before, during and after President Obama’s Inauguration for his second term in office, was inspired by a midlife crisis last month at the onset of her 49^th birthday…

…Okay, timeout, FLOTUS is 49?????  Clearly she needs to bottle and sell those Robinson genes ASAP!

Mrs. Obama also went on to say that she settled for the bangs because she wouldn’t be allowed to bungee jump or purchase a sports car (side-eyes my balding neighbor with the convertible who shops at Ed Hardy Online).

But seriously, if this is what I have to look forward to in the way of a midlife crisis, then bring on my 49^th birthday Jesus!

 

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: Day of Service, Not a Day Off

Happy MLK Jr. Day family (even to those few of you in New Hampshire and Arizona, who after all this time still grudgingly stay home from work)!

It seems as though I say it every year, but even in the face of virtually no rush hour traffic, the lack of mail delivery or the premiere parking in the company parking lot; today is not simply a day to stay home from work and catch-up on your TiVO and DVR recordings.

The observance of MLK Jr. Day is a day not only to reflect on the legacy of this memorable and outspoken civil rights leader, but it is also a day to give back to our country, our society, our communities.

You don’t know what to do or how to get started, you say?  Well, let this be an integral, each-one-teach-one moment.  Click Here to find a service project in your area to be a part of, or start a service event of your own. Oh, and remember: although we all ought to make a small sacrifice to serve our fellow man today, service is a 365 commitment.  Feel free to be a part of something great all year long!

This has been a Fanny Pack Public Service Announcement

What I’m Wearing: A Little (Brooch) Goes a Long Way

Because I was going to be in my second full day of software conversion training today at work, I really had to contemplate how best to combine work attire that was not only appropriate for the office but also super comfortable for the duration of my all day session .  Coupling a colorful blazer with a navy Liz Claiborne braided collar top, I opted for a severely dark pair of denims and bright pumps to pull the outfit together.  The finishing touch however, was a heavily accented brooch that brought a bit of fun, pop and sparkle to an otherwise drab ensemble.

For the last few years, brooches have made a pretty massive surge back onto the fashion scene.  No longer are they merely reserved as the primary accent for your Gran’s lacy high-necked blouses, but can now be worn by even the most fashion conscious diva in an array of styles and with an assortment of clothes combinations.

Whether exquisitely set in crystal or simply crafted as a piece of costume jewelry, a vibrant brooch can take your most modest apparel to absolutely snazzy attire, with a single *clip*.

This sea foam pearl and sequin-petal brooch was purchased at Forever 21 for less than $10.

Sassy and budget friendly; sounds like a fashion win to me!

Steve Jobs: How to Live Before You Die

Leader.  Tyrant.  Visionary.  Smart-aleck.  Driven.  Egomaniac.  Innovative.  Temperamental.

I am willing to bet that those who knew him, worked for him or sought to rival his success would all attest to having described Steve Jobs by one or all of these adjectives at one point or another during his reign as the trend-setting reformer of corporate culture, technology and personal computing at Apple.

In watching the news coverage shortly after Steve Jobs’ death and then listening to all of the statements from fellow businessmen, friends, admirers and even rivals about how Jobs had affected their lives, it made me realize that those personally familiar with the ambitious technology mogul didn’t have a monopoly on the effects of Jobs’ influence.  Those same defining adjectives that categorized Steve Jobs a successful leader, groundbreaking inventor, and perhaps even a flawed human at times, are all components that made him our generation’s version of Thomas Edison or Henry Ford.

On NPR this morning, I even listened to a mourner summarize how important Jobs’ legacy is globally:

In the world, there were only three important apples: Eve’s, Newton’s and Jobs’.

As a tribute to the founder and former Apple CEO who passed away after a seven year battle with pancreatic cancer, The Fanny Pack dedicates this blog post to Steven Paul Jobs and his fearless pursuit of the sort of radical thinking and ingenuity that has truly changed our world.

Vodpod videos no longer available.

 

Commercials That Make Me Emo

Every single time I see this “Chronicles of Sophie Lee as told by Daniel Lee courtesy of Google Chrome”, commercial I absolutely lose it. I’m talking goosebumps, tearing up and a plethora of ooohs and aaahs.  I guess a part of my emotional response to this advert for Gmail and all the awesome functions one can access through Google Chrome is because, for the early years of each of my children’s lives, it wasn’t just a baby album that I kept for them, but also a journal that I penned messages  in for several years.

But of course, with the various moves, an expanding family and the regular rat-race that we have all become accustom to, those memos and notes became few(er) and far(ther) between.  So, what a novel idea to re- recount the moments of their lives that made me laugh, cry and burst with pride through electronic means like this?

*Sigh* Where are my tissues?

Fanny Pack Fave: Leila Lopes, Miss Universe 2011

When thinking of Angola, for many, immediately images of 40o plus years of Portuguese occupation, a decades-long civil war and the worst infant mortality and life expectancy rates in the world likely come to mind.  But amongst the political and social ills plaguing this southwest-central African nation is its newly discovered former best kept secret.  No, I’m not talking about the country’s vast caches of diamonds and petroleum reserves, but its 2011 representative and very first winner of the Miss Universe Pageant, Leila Lopes.

For those who missed the NBC aired pageant last night, here is an Associated Press feature on the beauty:

SAO PAULO (AP) — Newly crowned Miss Universe Leila Lopes wants to help her native Angola further escape a history of war and impoverishment and said she plans to focus on combating HIV around the globe.

Speaking in a timid voice early Tuesday shortly after taking the crown in South America’s largest city, the 25-year-old Lopes said that “as Miss Angola I’ve already done a lot to help my people.”

“I’ve worked with various social causes. I work with poor kids,  I work in the fight against HIV.  I work to protect the elderly and I have to do everything that my country needs,” she said. “I think now as Miss Universe I will be able to do much more.”

Responding to questions, Lopes said that she has never had cosmetic surgery of any kind and that her three tips for beauty were to get a lot of sleep, use sunblock even when it’s not sunny and to drink lots of water.  She said her smile was her best weapon in the competition.

Asked about racism in light of the fact that she’s one of the few blacks ever crowned Miss Universe, Lopes said that “any racist needs to seek help.  It’s not normal in the 21st century to think in that way.”

Lopes is Angola’s first [Miss Universe Pageant] winner.  She beat out 88 other competitors to win the title during the 60th anniversary of the world’s biggest beauty pageant.  She replaces last year’s winner, Ximena Navarrete of Mexico.

[In Monday night’s finals] she deftly handled the interview question that was asked of the remaining top five contestants.  She was questioned about what physical trait she would change if she could.

“Thank God I’m very satisfied with the way God created me and I wouldn’t change a thing,” Lopes said.  “I consider myself a woman endowed with inner beauty.  I have acquired many wonderful principles from my family and I intend to follow these for the rest of my life.”…

Now, who doesn’t love a well-spoken, insightful and self-aware inside-out beauty?  Congrats, Leila!

Let’s Move: Lady O at The Open

A wife.  A Mother.  An Attorney. A First Lady.  An Athlete.  Michelle Obama always seems able to do it all, while in the process encouraging others to do the same.

Visiting the U.S. Open yesterday, Mrs. Obama was more than a spectator at the Men’s Quarterfinals match between Andy Murray and John Isner, but she was once again on the campaign trail, crusading for her ever popular Let’s Move! Initiative.

Becoming an active tennis player after completing her law degree at Harvard University, Lady O revealed that she always wanted to attend the U.S. Open, but never found the right opportunity to do so.  Friday afforded her the chance to not only enjoy some great matches, but to engage an audience of young tennis enthusiasts, and encourage them to continue to live active, healthy lifestyles.

Visiting the “SmashZone,” an interactive attraction at the U.S. Open, Obama joined a group of children in the 10 and Under Tennis League from the Harlem Junior Tennis and Education Program to discuss ways to combat childhood obesity, and play various tennis inspired games and activities.  Tennis greats such as Billie Jean King, John McEnroe, Serena Williams and James Blake were on hand to join in the festivities.

And although she readily admitted that her tennis skills were questionable (having seen the video, I’d kindly beg to differ…I’ve certainly seen worse) Michelle Obama could be seen working up a sweat after several rounds of table tennis, some doubles action against Serena Williams, Wii Tennis and even trying her hand at Wilson ® Speed Serve, where she clocked a 55 mph serve.

But more than the face time and photo-ops, Mrs. Obama was truly engaging, endearing and engrossed with the 10 and Under group, and their response to her was equally as riveting.

Talk about leading by example.  Brava First Lady, Brava.

Dinner and a Movie: The Pack Household Style

The weather has held off, the kiddies are ready for school tomorrow, I’ve got a tone of work done today and I even had a power nap for the ages!  All that’s left now is to convince the family that the VMA’s and True Blood can be DVR’d and that Family Movie Night with Thor, Goobers, Raisinettes and Extra Buttery Redenbacher is exactly what the doctor ordered!

Adventures in Extreme Couponing

If you’ve never seen the TLC series, “Extreme Couponing,” trust me when I tell you that you are missing the most incredible display of patience, frugality and the ultimate ability to stretch a dollar (I would HIGHLY recommend that these women pursue a political career and an appointment to the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction…just saying).

The premise is simple; reality show cameras follow everyday savvy shoppers as they plan and strategize ways to save hundreds of dollars in trips to the store, all with the help of discount coupons. And boy, do they strategize!!!! I don’t think I’ve ever felt as inefficient as a supposed bargain shopper until I saw a woman with two shopping carts filled to capacity leave the store with a $28.37 grocery bill! Now the benefit of Couponing is definitely the huge savings that one can incur by utilizing those little squares of discounting gold, signing up for savings club programs and price matching, but Do. Not. Be. Fooled. Clipping coupons is a FULL-TIME job!

When my honey and I visited his brother last week, we stumbled his fiancé in full couponing mode. I’m talking sweat bands, scissors, three different newspapers, band-aids (paper cut prevention), and a utility Trapper Keeper with pockets, dividers and labels! When I teased her about her layout and all the effort she was exerting for a few cents savings here and there, she gave me that “oh ye of little faith” look. Escorting me to her pantry, she opened the door to reveal a plethora of soaps, lotions, deodorants, shampoos, toiletries, soups, veggies, and mountains of other non-perishable goods. Then she said two words that blew my mind: “35 bucks!”

Convinced that I too was disciplined enough to shop for my honey and 50-11 kids, I got home and immediately began sifting through periodicals and sale papers for coupons and bonus buys. Twenty minutes later when all I had to show for my efforts was $1 off a canister of Metamucil and a BOGO for Phillip’s Milk of Magnesia, I decided that clipping might not be my cup of tea. Trying my luck on the world wide web, I was pretty surprised to find several coupons that I could actually use.

Two hours and a full fridge, deep freezer and pantry later, I went back to review my shopping receipt and found that I had saved a whopping $10.98 off my grocery bill! Sure, sure. Clearly I am still a novice at this whole couponing endeavor, but let’s be real for a second. I drive an 8-cylinder vehicle, have Pack Kids in an array of athletic and extra curricular activities and a honey who has yet to find a coaches clinic that he doesn’t like. Every little bit of savings helps!!!

So tell me, how many of you coupon? Is it a religious practice for you or something you engage in every now and again. Is the effort worth the savings? What’s the most you’ve ever saved?