What with those sculpted arms and supermom credentials, it was only a matter of time before someone would turn the First Lady into some type of cartoon-y character. Behold the new Michelle Obama action figure, a product of Jailbreak Toys (which also produces the similar Barack Obama action figure). While the doll’s huge head and teeny waist sure depict a weird version of Michelle, it stays true to her personal style, bringing back to life some of her more famous outfits—the black and red dress by Narciso Rodriguez that she wore on election night and the more affordable White House/Black Market dress she wore on “The View.”

MObama probably wouldn’t shut down the operation like she did with the Sasha and Malia dolls, but we do wonder how she feels about this. Thoughts? [Cool Hunting]

Watch out Internets! The First Lady of France, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, has just arrived at the party, and man, has she got a few things to say! Just yesterday, Bruni-Sarkozy made her first foray into the online world—and promptly crashed her own site with all the juicy nuggets of inner thoughts and general self-promotion. (Could you image MObama pulling this sort of thing? Barry and the White House press crew would not be happy.) Anyway, as the Daily Mail reports, the French First Lady mostly focuses on what she calls a “beauty contest” between Michelle, Princess Letizia of Spain, and herself—with each woman vying for sartorial and hair/makeup supremacy. Yes, she actually came out with it. And in those terms. What else did she blab about? A few inside-voice observations unleashed, after the jump.

This week the White House released its “Annual Report to Congress on White House Staff,” which includes the salary of every White House employee. And if I’ve learned anything from looking over the report it’s that we should forget about Barack, because Michelle has one expensive entourage. She has a $90,000 Chief of Staff, with a $40,000 assistant, an $84,000 Press Secretary with a $52,500 assistant, a $45,000 Correspondence Director with a $36,000 assistant, a $70,000 Director of Policy and Project, and four employees with salaries ranging from $50-75K who take care of her scheduling, travels, trips and events. As if these eleven, well-paid employees couldn’t get the job done, the first lady has yet another $60,000 special assistant––Sheesh. Also, can I get a job? [WhiteHouse.gov]

During the Obamas’ weekend trip to France, Michelle Obama and Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, the two most stylish first ladies we know, got to hang out for the second time. The two don’t seem to want to outdo one another in the style department, and I have a hunch they coordinate their outfits when they make public appearances together. On their first meeting, both wore tie-neck coats (left). On Friday, they appeared at a ceremony at the Prefecture of Caen in belted white dresses. Coincidence? I think not.

While Americans have been focused on Michelle Obama’s wardrobe choices and how she’s advancing the careers of younger designers, women in other countries are more concerned with how she’s boosting their lives and self-worth. In India, one woman says Michelle “shows women that it’s OK to have dark skin and to not have a son,” which are normally looked down upon in her country. In Vietnam, women marvel that Michelle walks beside her husband, rather than behind him. Thu Nguyen says women in her country “are not human beings,” but Michelle shows women can do anything.

America is going to expect a lot from Barack Obama over his next four to eight years as president. And a lot will also be expected of his wife, who will essentially be doing her job backwards. And in heels. Well, maybe not so much. But she won’t be getting paid.

Should we remedy this situation? Hell no. Why’s that? Well, let’s start here. Barack Obama focused much of his campaign – and his presidency going forward – on a call to charity work. Should his wife really be the first First Lady who refuses to donate her time to better the nation?

At last! We finally know what Michelle Obama, our new First Lady, chose to wear on Inauguration Day. Starting the day in a sparkly “lemongrass” colored shift dress and matching coat by Cuban-American designer Isabel Toledo, Mrs. Obama received mixed reviews from fashion critics. Find out what the fashionistas had to say after the jump.

Don’t they look spiffy? Michelle Obama is wearing Isabel Toledo. [Washington, D.C., 1/20/2009]

Michelle Obama’s inauguration gown may still be a safely guarded secret, but in her new book, Michelle Obama: First Lady of Hope, author Elizabeth Lightfoot reveals some interesting facts about our next first lady that we don’t have to wait until tomorrow to learn. From her issue with Princeton professors to the item of clothing she hates wearing, after the jump are 25 fun facts about Michelle Obama that you’re dying to know.

President-Elect Barack Obama and his wife Michelle share a smooch at his victory rally in Chicago last night, after his historic win. [Chicago, IL, 11/4/08]