Nantucket

A familiar facade of hydrangeas and a Nantucket elevation never seemed more welcoming.... Gathered in celebration of friendship, playful hearts fill this week with appreciation and enjoyment of the salt water, native cuisine and most importantly each other. Day dreaming has never played such significance, as we find ourselves emulating the youth unscathed by influences of our day to day. For the return visitors, thank you for your introduction and the first timers to the island I assure, are already looking forward next summer. Thank you so much - John Corbin.

First Signs of Fall...

A shot of steph in the new flutter sleeve... Adorable! (her and the mini!!)

Shannon and I hightailed it down to Philadelphia yesterday with the delivery of our cashmere! It may be muggy and warm outside, but in the basement of 266 Hothorpe we are up to our eyeballs in this eversosoft wool, and my mind is in late September... Within a matter of days you will be able to wrap yourself in this same knit we're busy enjoying, counting, sorting, and most importantly trying on. We have fantastic new styles this season! In the meantime Ill keep day dreaming about my favorite time of year and my favorite things about it -- crisp mornings, light jackets, Maine foliage, warm sweaters, apple picking, corduroy, and burning leaves...

Its been a rough monday so far. Torrential downpours, and a XL cup of coffee dumped on my laptop. Definitely one way to start a busy week. There is still an odd blotch of light on the bottom left corner of my screen, but thank goodness Shannon was here sprinting over with a roll of paper towels and we could hold it over the AC on full blast -- one of us on each side. The rain is much like the rain last thursday -- when the explosion happened in midtown. My cab driver that morning dumped all my bags for our photo shoot - Spring 08 -- off the curb and in a puddle. Luckily none of this has gotten me down. Everything with a sense of humor. Or dropping my wallet on the subway track on friday. I think the older I get the klutzier I get.

Photo shoot spring 08 you ask?

Well here is a peek (we dont want to give away too much, its in a year!) -- Alana looking beautiful as ever -- with perfect curls a la Jenny. We had a great afternoon in the basement of the IPC with Ports and our intern Michelle. Who would be sad after an office warming cocktail party, a successful photo shoot, and a saturday floating down the Shenandoah River. Now Shannon and I are gearing up for fall's arrival, trunk shows on Nantucket, and The Moda trade show here in Manhattan. Stay tuned for updates all around... And keep your wallet in your bag and your drinks away from the computer. Cheers : )

The Return of the Preppy

Dakota Martin is gearing up for Fall 2007. The debut of the collection will come out on our web site and in stores August 1st (11 days and counting!). Lizzy came across this article in the Wall Street Journal Online:

Plaid Taste: The Return of the Preppy

http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB118480137879870907-lMyQjAxMDE3ODE0OTgxMDkxWj.html

We could not agree more - "Preppy is back in fully swing."

the Dakota Martin look:
Her: (Day) The Allison cashmere mini dress paired with skinny jeans, dress pants, or leggings. Plaid Charlie or corduroy Mills poncho layered on top to walk around on a fall brisk day - you are sure to look amazing preppy chic. (Night) Laurie scarf dress or tunic for a night out on the town!
Him: DM polo - collar popped! (a must)

Last night we had our official office warming party with our closest friends. As usual Shannon and I loved having the support of our nearest and dearest and were so appreciative of them coming after a long days work to relax with us and a glass of wine. Shannon shared spring 08 samples with everyone and Libby, being the good sport that she is, tried almost everything on.

Here are a few snapshots Jenny took. The first is Libby, Jodi and Louise chit chatting with DM's every pretentious wine glasses - solos (what is a better compliment to Trader Joe's wine?). And the second is Alana and I with a sneak peak at next spring, which she wore for the night. Thanks to everyone who came, it was wonderful as usual, to see you and we love each of you so very much! What would we do without you?!

Happy Birthday Liz Libre : )

Dakota Martin wants to wish a very happy birthday to one of its dearest friends Mrs. Elizabeth Libre. She is the ever talented designer of her own stationary/invitation line - Linda & Harriet (http://www.lindaandharriett.com/) and a constant source of ideas/dialogue for us here at DM. This picture may be a few years old now, but who can resist such a happy smile, and Philadelphia pride. Happy birthday, we love you Liz!

**Keep your eye out for her family namesake blazer this fall - the Coulson!

Happy Monday!

"It wasn't that Fred Astaire did things that no one else could or can... but it was the ease in each step, the seemingly effortless grace that carried him... That's what I admire. As one who stumbles over my own heart and mind every day, I am amazed and filled with admiration for those Astaire like qualities that dance all around me. I admire those who wake each morning and find a reason to smile, and then give you theirs for no reason at all."

An excerpt from I Am Amazed by Jodi Hills. An office warming gift from Jennifer Platow.

Neon City

Look at all these Neons pop! Shannon and I cant get enough of this throw back to the eighties that has been all over the streets – hence recent scarf top colors – bubblegum and cobalt reversible, yellow and emerald, navy and red (these guys are almost sold out, and while that combo doesn’t sound neon they’re both the neon version of themselves) and orange and peach (peach is toned down but that orange is pure). Fit right in with all these hip chicks spotted around the streets in yours… And as it is such a small world – I found this page flipping through the August Elle Magazine last night and immediately thought of our scarves. I brought it in to show Shannon this morning, and as I’m scanning the page more closely (I was so thrilled to see the bright colors I didn’t even look at the individual people) there at the bottom of the page is Miss K-Fai Steele! A fellow Bates grad and a fellow Studio Art major! We even went on our freshman year orientation trip together – canoeing down the Saco River, and she showed us all how to make a camel shadow in the sand. K-Fai certainly has the right idea with her neons :) -- and its a "global trend" folks.

SALE

Dakota Martin is having a BLOW OUT SALE! We are making room for Fall 2007 inventory - COMING SOON - August 1st!
Merchandise is up to 70% off. We even have our beloved Patty and Ports polos on sale for an end of the summer treat!
Shop now at www.dakotamartin.com
Cheers!

I can’t help it (my apologies) that a lot of my posts are about color. It’s what I notice. Rothko is hands down one of my favorite painters in the world. I have loved his work since I was introduced to it at least 8 years ago and am still not sure that I can fully articulate why. There is something about his application of the oils and the groupings of colors that creates an indescribable experience for me. Even better is that in person they are massive and the feeling is heightened. I saw my first Rothko abroad in College in Italy. I saw my second this past weekend (shown here!) at the SFmoma. I highly recommend that anyone who doesn’t know him, takes a look at his work, and anyone that can see one in person does so. Cheers!

Coco Chanel

"A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous."
-- Coco Chanel

4th of July

Back from Vail! Another trip to the mountains (cannot seem to stay away). I went up to the Vail Shoot Out for the 4th of July. Watched a couple lacrosse games in the 100 degree temperature - don't let the mountains fool you - it was hot! Pictured here is the bridge that takes you into Vail village. Flags lined the bridge and the streets were crowded with patriotic patrons. Flowers were in full bloom everywhere and the Vail village looked absolutely beautiful for the 4th. That is all for now... I hope you all had a happy 4th of July!

It’s amazing how much we react, both knowingly and unknowingly, to color and the different shades and combinations of it out there. Some of us stop and notice these things during every day moments and allow ourselves to appreciate these found or happenstance pairings, while others pass over them as insignificant. While Shannon is in Colorado for the holiday I am in Northern California with my younger sister and father. My attention to my senses is heightened being in a new environment. While I love New York City, it’s a wonderful change to smell shrubs and bay, and to notice the color of morning glories against their vines or plums squashed on the sidewalk. While it sounds cliché I take these things with me and I incorporate them in my life and in our line. One of my absolute favorite colors has always been red wine. I love seeing it spilled on different fabrics and the remnants of it in glasses. Today we visited Frog’s Leap Vineyard in Napa Valley. In the structure that housed the barrels of fermenting red wine were hundreds of Oak vessels where the wine has seeped through and stained the manila color. I was very taken with the colors of these two things and the silver stripes running through, and I wanted to share them with you (and of course Michael and Kathryn - with a lovely pink Ports Polo).

Aspen

In Aspen for a little get away weekend. Corbin pictured here hanging out in Wagner Park wearing his DM navy polo. We enjoyed a nice weekend hanging out by the pool at the St. Regis and walking around town. Nothing like a little wining and dining around Aspen!