The apples in the State Dinner decorations were artificial, and re-used for First Lady's Let's Move! party decor...A huge apple, made of hundreds of smaller apples, was the festive centerpiece on the South Lawn on Monday when First Lady Michelle Obama welcomed about 1,000 guests for a special Let's Move! party.
The big apple, the symbol of Mrs. Obama's Let's Move! campaign, was made with the apples that had been used in the floral centerpieces for Thursday's State Dinner decorations. Most of these were artificial apples, according to an East Wing spokesman. The big apple also used faux apples from White House Christmases past.
Mrs. Obama's guests at Monday's party, school cafeteria professionals, nutrition directors and principals, were encouraged to put notes on top of the giant apple, with creative ideas for boosting the health environment at schools. They gathered around, adding their tips, and posing for photos. The Washington Monument loomed in the background. (Above: The "Idea Apple")
The decor at the State Dinner was outsourced to a design firm, Rafanelli Events, perhaps best known for creating former first First Daughter Chelsea Clinton's "wedding of the decade." Chelsea's mom was at the state dinner, of course. (Above: The President's State Dinner place setting, complete with faux apples and real chrysanthemums in the centerpiece)*Obama Foodrama photos