It’s a much debated topic. Wearing white before Easter: an out-dated trend or fashion faux pas?

The rule is no white shoes before Easter or after Labor Day. White shoes are for summer and deemed “tacky” any other season. Winter white clothing in the colder months is acceptable, white shoes of any kind (excluding sneakers) are not. But the ultra-sophisticate rule has been down-played in recent years. Even Oprah has denounced the rule as out-of-date and silly.

Silly it may be, but the origins of this fashion guideline stem from centuries of grooming southern belles. The white rule is more of a southern thing and relates to the changes in the weather. White reflects sunlight, thus keeping you cooler in the hot months of summer. White is not very practical during the Winter, you want to absorb all the sunlight you can. Over the years, the rule has morphed and bent, leaving some unaware of the age-old trend.

The battle continues. You can decide for yourself whether this rule is bull or a true fashion faux pas. As for me, I will save my white kicks for the summer.

It is called Objectum Sexuality (OS), the love affair between a human and an inanimate object. They are called Objectophiles, people who are in love with an object. This is not just a simple fascination with a structure, or a love like you love your favorite sweater or a new pair of shoes. This is a full-on romantic and intimate relationship between a person and a bridge, a fence, a plane, or like the case of Erika Eiffel, the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

It sounds so silly, but there are actually people who are “in love” with objects or structures. 37-year-old professional archer and trained martial artist, Erika, “married” the Eiffel Tower in a commitment ceremony in 2007. She even legally changed her name to reflect the bond she’s made with the tower. I now present to you, Mrs. Erika Eiffel, wife of the Eiffel Tower.

The OS term was first coined by Eija-Riitta Berliner-Mauer, a 54-year-old woman who has been “married” to the Berlin Wall for 29 years.There are 40 self-proclaimed objectum-sexuals worldwide.

I do have to agree, the Eiffel Tower would be the perfect husband…tall, dark and handsome; the silent type; and always erect.

Michelle Obama has been dubbed a fashion icon and grouped with other fashionistas like Jackie O and Princess Diana. Over the weekend, she became an international fashion icon. The presidential venture to England and France proved to be a gleaming opportunity for first lady fashion.

Mrs. O arrived in Strasbourg, France on Friday wearing a stunning coat and matching dress by Thakoon. Her look rivaled that of France’s first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy when the two appeared together at the Palais Rohan. Bruni-Sarkozy donned her expected grey Dior duds. The French first lady is known for only sporting top French designers like Versace, Dior, Armani, etc.

Later that night, the lovely Mrs. O attended the NATO concert in Baden-Baden, Germany. She wore a classic black tea-length gown with a tulle skirt by Azzedine Alaia. The stunning collar and three-quarters sleeve stole the show.

Then on a more casual note, the first lady showed up at the Strasbourg Cathedral in France on Saturday wearing a sporty coat, again by designer Azzedine Alaïa, and an Etro print top. Later that day she arrived in Prague in a sleek black dress by Narciso Rodriguez and black jacket by, once again, Azzedine Alaia.

Touring Prague with Czech First Lady Livia Klausova on Sunday, Michelle wrapped up her tour with a big, fat bow! A bow shirt by Moschino, that is, with a black Michael Kors skirt and, you guessed it, Azzedine Alaia cardigan. Her go-to kitten heels and favorite belt capped off the outfit.

The fashion face-off with the Czech first lady was a little less competitive. Mrs. Obama could have shown up in flannel pajamas and made a bigger impression than Klausova. But she is older and obviously less concerned with fashion, we’ll give her a pass.

And so the Tour de Fashion in France comes to an end. Michelle Obama looked ravishing most all weekend wearing little-known designers and frugal finds. Frugal for the first lady, that is. We look forward to more refreshing fashion fair from our First Lady.

Country music sweetheart, and newly crowned Entertainer of the Year, Carrie Underwood performed her rendition of Randy Travis’ hit “I Told You So” at the 2009 ACM Awards. Her performance was astounding, but perhaps even more jaw-dropping was her merlot-colored silk taffeta gown that completely over-powered her. The color is absolutely gorgeous, but the mammoth-sized montage has me confused. What was the point of her wearing a gown that she couldn’t even walk in?

“I was going to wear that exact same dress,” Host Reba McIntire cracked afterward.

Underwood’s over-the-top gown was designed by Rafael Cennamo. The Miami-based designer has also created looks for Rosario Dawson and Jane Kacmarek.

“It’s big. There’s a lot…a lot of dress,” Carrie hinted during a rehearsal for the big show. “It’s hard to describe. Kind of like water, maybe? Like red water? That sounds scary, doesn’t it? Maybe like lava. It’s like lava. Or icing. Red icing.”

Underwood became only the seventh female to win the Entertainer of the Year Award and the first since 2000, when the Dixie Chicks took home the trophy.

Michelle Obama is proving to be the most un-couth first lady ever. Not only does she dare to bare her arms at congressional addresses, but she breaks royal protocol by–gasp–touching the Queen of England. During the presidential trip to the motherland, Mrs. Obama lovingly puts her arm around her majesty.

And a hush falls over the crowd.

For centuries, courtiers have warned visitors, “do not touch the Queen.” Public displays of affection are not commonplace at Buckingham Palace. Some Brits are outraged at the first lady’s seemed disrespect. It’s true, her royal highness made the first move, but Perhaps Mrs. Obama lingered a little too long, the Queen pulls away almost immediately.