Michelle Obama is making headlines, or should we say bloglines, about her choice of shoes.

This time stylelist.com has "outed" the First Lady on Sneakergate. The Web site says Obama was wearing a pair of $540 sneakers by Lanvin when she volunteered to fill bags with non-perishable food at the Capitol Area Food Bank for Feeding America.

So here's the controversy: Should the First Lady wear such pricey footwear in this case? Or should the press and the bloggers give her a rest already?

Weigh in. We want to know what you think.

XOXO -- Shopper Girl

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If you thought you have seen it all, you haven't see the Chia Obama.

It's the same Chia formula. But instead of a pet bottom, the clay part is a bust of the president's head. I know Prez Obama has a good sense of humor, but this is a less than flattering rendering of the Commander in Chief.

The manufacturer is San Francisco-based Joseph Enterprises, who debuted the product at the the International Home & Housewares Show at Chicago’s McCormick Place. It works the same as the other chia pets -- just add water to the head and the hair grows.

The Chicago Tribune reported that the product offically launches April 2 in stores such as Walgreens. There are two versions -- Happy Chia Obama and Determined Chia Obama. It's currently selling on Amazon.com for $20.

This is the first president with a chia modeled after him. Other chias are comic characters such as Homer Simpson, SpongeBob SquarePants and Scooby-Doo.

So what do you think? Is this a good thing? Or is this disrespectful? Weigh in. We are watching.

XOXO -- Shopper Girl

P.S. Maybe someone can come up with Stimulus Fertilizer to go with it.

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Are you one of those folks who just had to have a hat like Aretha Franklin wore to the inauguration?

The news isn't good. Luke Song, the milliner who designed the controversial chapeau, told the Houston Chronicle he got so many orders from around the world that he has exhausted his supply. The wait will be at least a month for a similar hat that costs $150-$250.

"I’d thought I would just get a mention in the local newspaper, but I never imagined this,” said Song, who runs his family business, Mr. Song Millinery. “I knew it was going to be a momentous occasion, but this is mind-boggling.”

Hm...Can't wait to get one? Do what my friend, Gail, did for me. Photoshop the hat onto your photo. What do you think? Is it me? I don't think I want to get into a contest of "Who Wears It Better" -- Aretha or Char. Sorry, it's a little fuzzy, but so am I on a Friday afternoon.

XOXO -- Shopper Girl

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For all you folks out there who joined the discussion on Aretha Franklin's inauguration hat, here's the clip featuring Ellen DeGeneres.

It's really cute and not a slap at the Queen of Soul. Love Ellen's quip: If she would have gone to the inauguration, she and Aretha would have wound up in Us Weekly with the Headline "Who wore it better?" So who did? I vote for the Queen of Soul, not the Queen of Comedy.

Thanks everyone for joining the discussion!

XOXO -- Shopper Girl

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The creative folks who made Beanie Babies have created “Sweet Sasha” and “Marvelous Malia” dolls. They may be cute, but the First Lady is ticked off about the dark-skinned dolls that bear the names of the Obama girls. Maybe they have gotten too creative this time.

"We believe it is inappropriate to use young private citizens for marketing purposes," her spokeswoman told Crain's Chicago Business.

Ty Inc. released the dolls this month just in time for the Inauguration. The 12-inch plush dolls are part of the company's TyGirlz Collection. Pigtailed Sasha is wearing a white and pink dress with hearts. Malia sports a side ponytail and a long-sleeve shirt with capri pants. Suggested retail price is $9.99.

The manufacturer first admitted to Crain's that they were created with the First Daughters in mind, but later said they weren't created with anyone in mind. Hm....Looks like back pedaling to us. How about you?

Is this an invasion of the First Family's privacy or should the First Lady chill out? You tell us.

XOXO -- Shopper Girl

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Now that we have dissected Michelle Obama's clothing, how about the other important fashion moment of the inauguration -- Aretha Franklin's hat?

You probably had as much conversation in your office or with your friends as we did. What was she thinking? I love Aretha. Always have. Always will. But she must have gotten her invitations mixed up and thought she was going to a Coronation of the Queen of England. Remember how the Brits love crazy hats? One of my co-workers said it was a "Church Lady" hat. I've seen plenty of "Church Lady" hats, but none like this.

So where did the Queen of Soul get her chapeaux?

Franklin apparently found the gray pillbox with the mega bow at Mr. Song Millinery in Detroit. Luke Song, the store owner and a South Korean immigrant, told eurweb.com that he was unprepared for the hundreds of calls requesting the hat with a Swarovski rhinestone-bordered bow.

Aretha's hat was made with a hand mold and would cost more than $500 if it were for sale. He won't sell an exact copy, but he is selling one with a satin ribbon for $179.

The Queen of Soul was responsible for the design -- she picked the bow from one hat and the base from another.

Check it out. Ellen DeGeneres wore a mock-up of Aretha's hat on her Jan. 21 show.

So what do you think of her hat? Let's start a discussion.

XOXO -- Shopper Girl

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Jill Biden's strapless flowing red Inaugural gown was designed by Lebanese designer Reem Acra.

Her daytime red coat and black boots (which I liked) drew a comment on our blog that it was too short, not age appropriate, so I can't wait to hear what you think of her choice for the Inaugural ball. She is certainly in shape and there's no doubt that she looks beautiful in this dress.

It reminds me of many ongoing conversations with my cherished group of gal pals. Those kids we 'raised together' are starting to get married and we moms are having a hard time finding age appropriate mother-of-the-bride dresses.

Do you want to look like Queen Elizabeth or Madonna? There's not much in between. One friend gave up the hunt early enough to design her own mother-of-the-bride dress, using a favorite classic design as inspiration.

E Online did a great comparison of the Inaugural choices of Michelle Obama and Jill Biden. It's clear that there are mixed feelings. What do you think?

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Did you ever notice when you try too hard, sometimes you overdo things? I think maybe Michelle Obama suffered from trying too hard on inauguration day. I actually prefer Jill Biden's outfit. Very perky, fitted and youthful. And appropriate for daytime, no rhinestone embellishments.

I am an admirer of Lynne Cheney, she is intelligent and accomplished, so I won't criticize her appearance or fashion sense. She has more interesting things going for her than her clothing. But I did get a kick out of this photo and wanted to share. No comments necessary.

Since folks are calling Michelle Obama a style icon, I'd like to cast my style vote for Jill Biden, if inauguration day is any indication. I, personally, wouldn't wear the gold number that from some angles looks like a snowsuit (I know it's cold!) but I wish I had that sharp tailored red coat, that looks super with the high black suede boots.

Which one do you prefer?

(If you watch late night TV, you heard Jay Leno joke that 'the guys' should only talk about football in front of Jill, when she leaves the room they can whisper about matters of state. Apparently she is not to be trusted with confidential information, like she might spew it out when being interviewed on Oprah! Oops! Apparently she slipped with the confidential back office info that Obama gave Biden his choice between VP or Secretary of State.)

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Ok, I know you have been blinded by the gold of Michelle Obama's inauguration outfit by one of her fave designers Isabel Toledo. The pale-gold embossed coat had a matching shift dress with a blingy geometric, diamanté neckline.

But how about the shoes? Carrie Bradshaw alert. She was wearing Jimmy Choos 'Glacier' leather pumps in a striking shade of green, according to the Telegraph in the U.K . They are $695 on dsw.com.

So what do you thnk of the outfit? And is Michelle the "New Jackie Kennedy" or not? I agree with fellow blogger Kathy. She's tall and attractive but she isn't Jackie. Come on, let's start a discussion.

XOXO -- Shopper Girl

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