Portland, Oregon

Portland, Oregon

Friday, October 28, 2016

"Kailua Blue" Obama State China

I'm having problems posting photos so you're going to have to click on links to see what I'm writing about.
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I love White House State Dinners and always enjoy reading which president's china was used in setting the tables. I have two favorite First Ladies, Michelle Obama and Lady Bird Johnson (remember I'm a Texan).

For some reason I let Michelle Obama's china selection slip by me and had to look it up. I was not surprised. Exactly what I would have expected, a little modern but practical.

It's not cheap to buy china for the White House these days, $367,258. Remember the cry of outrage when Nancy Reagan bought china?

Perhaps you will enjoy looking at all the patterns in the White House China Room.
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I'm also interested in the gowns the First Ladies wear to the state dinners.  Michelle Obama's last gown is by far my favorite.


The fashion industry is going to sorely miss Michelle Obama.

14 comments:

  1. I love seeing those different gowns. She looks so good in everything she chooses. She really struck gold with that last dress though. Awesome!

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    1. The fashion industry is sorely going to miss Michelle Obama.

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  2. I agree with Kay, that gold dress of Michelle's was awesome.

    I love the White House China. Some of it is really beautiful and I wonder if it's used at all after a president leaves office or is just for show after that?

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    1. It continues to be used. All but the very oldest. Some of the older patterns are used for smaller dinners because they have fewer place settings. I think Nancy Reagan ordered 200 place settings and Michelle Obama I believe ordered 300 place settings. Sometimes they use from several different patterns. I believe Barbara abuse liked using Lady Bird Johnson's because of the Texas wildflower connection. I like to read about the dishes they're using at state dinners.

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  3. I had no idea the Obamas had their own stacte china. Interesting.
    I always enjoy seeing what first ladies wear. Now we will likely have a Madame President. Will she always wear pant suits?

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    1. I suppose every president, except the Carters, have chosen china. I think some may have chosen to add additional place settings to patterns chosen by earlier administrations.

      Did you see Hillary in the gown she wore to the Smith dinner? It was a fucia pink long sleeved, floor length gown, called a 'coat dress,' very tailored. Her shoes were silver. Don't think we'll see her in shorter dresses. I don't recall her wearing a lot of short sleeves even. I like her in colors, pastel and bright jewel tones. I do not like her in dark colors. She wouldn't be Hillary if she didn't wear pant suits. I think pant suits are the only way to go for a female world leader.

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  4. I wonder who has to hand wash all the beautiful china! And assuming Hillary wins, will Bill pick out the china for her administration? Inquiring minds want to know.

    Michelle has always knocked it out of the park with her fashion statements. A true fashion icon. Will miss her charming influence in the white house.

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    1. Yes, there must be a lot of dishwashing by hand that goes on around the whitehouse. Would be interesting to know the process they use. I'm guessing 'Bill' will add place settings to their earlier selection. Apparently Lennox can produce more of any earlier pattern produced by them. Probably comes in handy for replacing broken pieces as well.


      I'm grieving over losing the Obamas from the White House.

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  5. Michelle Obama has both class and style. The whole family will be missed by me.
    I wonder if the Clintons will just reuse their old set. That would save money and it is certainly not something for Hillary to focus on now. But I do look forward to seeing how a first male gets played out. Kind of hope we get to see him working in the vegetable garden.

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    1. I expect they will simply add place settings to the pattern they chose earlier. Bill has said he's okay with the title 'First Volunteer.' Can't see him in the garden. He'd spend too much time leaning on his hoe handle visiting. America is going to miss the Obamas. I hope we still get to see pictures of them and read what they're doing.

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  6. That dark teal on her pattern is GORGEOUS, but I would've gone silver rimmed, not gold.

    I will miss having that classy family in the White House.

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    1. Probably used gold to be able to mix and match with other patterns trimmed in gold. I don't expect to see another first family as classy as the Obamas in my lifetime.

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  7. She saved the best for last, didn't she. Lovely.

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