Scaled-down ball concludes Obama inaugural festivities

WASHINGTON -- The official Inaugural Ball served up a mixture of high and low culture Monday night: There was the first lady decked out in a custom Jason Wu ruby-colored chiffon-and-velvet gown. And there were the food tables, laden with oversized bowls of pretzels, salted nuts and bright orange Cheez-Its.

By Matea Gold

January 22, 2013