She also proudly recounts how quickly a flattering chart about job creation that the campaign disseminated online found its way to the inboxes and Facebook walls of apolitical relatives.

ECONOMIST: The Obama campaign

To get the sleek lines of a sheath dress, how about the always flattering empire dress?

WSJ: Ask Teri: Dresses for Older Figures

"It was flattering at first, but that's how I used to pay the bills, " says Katz.

CNN: Books on tape, on the Web