Official Business.

As our first official order of business here in Moscow, Shannon and I were invited to a dinner with many other lines at the Metropol Hotel in downtown Moscow. We're told its from the time of the czars, and it is the only 5 start hotel of its age in Russia. The dining room was grand with probably 3 story ceiling height, an old bar in the front and many tables in front of our large banquet table in the back of the room. Anna (the Russian woman who first discovered our line in NYC and invited us over), Shannon and I were the first to arrive, so we sat front and center with Victoria (the founder of the showroom), her father Igor, and his interpretor. What we didn't realize when we sat down was that we were to be the only American's at the table. Not that I'm complaining trust me, just a situation you don't often find yourself in these days. As the other guests slowly filed in our table had three languages going at any given moment. To my right sat a Russia now living in Milano and helping to run a showroom of 30 odd brands, and two Lithuanians, current residents of Moscow, representing a Lithuanian designer. To our left were a french woman and man with their brand, An Italian woman (the other half of the showroom), a Ukranian girl who lives in Brooklyn there representing Bulga (the handbags) and a British pair. Most spoke many languages (leaving Shannon and I feeling like morons), but the french only spoke french, Mr. Shamus only Russian, and us, only English. So every toast had three mouth pieces at once and many different versions of cheers.

We tried many authentic Russian dishes - blinis, salmon, a special chicken salad, Cabbage pickled in beet juice (my favorite, no foolin) and veal in some sort of puff. No matter how much we put on our plates or how little Victoria and her father ate, we were constantly being berrated for not having enough... It was a fantastic night complete with original Russian instruments playing on the balcony with a Russian singer while we chatted away. Didn't feel much like business :). But that was continued yesterday and today. More on that later.
PS. WOOOOO HOOOOOOOO for the Phils!! Shannon and I were so floored to see our city as champs, and only sorry we couldnt watch it in real time. Next year ;).

Moscow days 1 and 2

So we didn't get in till early evening yesterday, by the time we made it through Customs (fill out forms? What forms? Why do the two of us so often feel out of the loop?) and drove into Moscow - they have some serious traffic issues here. Anyway, we made it safe and sounds and walked around and had an early dinner. We stumbled upon what seems to be the Balducci's of Moscow, though I can't even type the name (different set of keys!) or write it phonetically... have no idea. The building is amazing! Look at these chandeliers! Little more history there than at 13th and 8th.
I also have a thing for food labels in other countrys. However -- this was more because what Milk is going in glass bottles unrefrigerated?? Yikes.
Today we cruised around the Red Square and the Kremlin. This church was inside the Kremlin which took us a while to figure out how to get into :). The structures here are incredible and I can not wrap my head around how they were ever built in they years that they were.

Ciao!

We're off! Here are our fancy Russian Visas. Needed even though we're only there a week! Big brother is not messing around about knowing who is milling around their country.

Did everyone see Oprah's new favorite Gadget? The Kindle - which holds an insane number of books/papers/etc on a tiny little computer book--easily downloadable and the books are cheaper! I only mention because I happened to catch it last week, and thought it was pretty cool but not necessary for me... and then I went to pack my carry-on. Am I serious? Its a 10 hr flight and one week -- not 80 hours and 5 weeks. But I just couldn't choose! I'm reading too many things, and always need mags for less concentration. Maybe Ill look into the Kindle :).

Have a great week and I will be trying to blog over there! As a side note - YEY PHILLY! We'll have our fingers crossed that tonight is the LAST game of the World Series as we cruise across the globe. Please cross your fingers for us too!

Phillllsssssssssssss!

Here is two a great weekend for the Phillies on their home turf! Look out Tampa, you don't mess around with Philadelphia!

DM at GUM?!

One of the large department stores in the Red Square! Anything is possible right?? Who ever said we needed warm coats - we couldn't agree more. We're already freezing with an NYC October! First stop might be to pick up one of these -

(Ill be sure to get a good shot of Shannon in one for you)

Vogue в русском

That is Russian for "Vogue in Russian." And this is an image from their November issue. There has been a lot of talk about the Russian Vogue editrix, Aliona Doletskaya, lately (my main source - page 6) and her possible take over of the ever present Anna Wintour? Bologna, she says in a recent NY Times article. Even if the mag was introduced 10 years ago during downtrodden times, and their circulation is now up to 200,000 and their ad pages to 340 (US Vogue ad pages were way way down this fall, even lower than other US mags).

We're happy to see fashion is being noticed and studied over there. We also like that this style section article says of Russian fashion, "Yet in Moscow, where Vogue has its offices, tastes are shifting, as reflected by the stepped-up presence of American designers in her magazine. 'The full-on extravagance, the red lipstick, the diamonds, the furs, all that is passé,' she said firmly. “'The Russians are getting far more sophisticated.'”

здравствулте!

That's hello in Russian. Have we told you DM is headed to Moscow on Sunday for business? Who are we? And does anyone have any suggestions??

It's cold in here.

And this is what we look like this afternoon. Hoodies and ponchos hard at work.

Giddy-up.

Dakota Martin is helping to sponsor this event this Saturday - hosted by the Adeona Foundation and benefiting The Cooke House. The Adeona Foundation was founded in part by a friend of ours and it raises money for various organizations with the common theme of helping children. The Cooke Center for Learning , where the proceeds from this specific event will go is the largest private provider of school-based special education services in New York City. You can learn more about both organizations on their sites. Also, if you're interested in attending, you can purchase tickets on their site. Shannon and I look forward to dressing up, especially since we wont be in the US for the real Halloween :(. So join us Saturday for a good time and a good cause! Shannon and I will be there with plenty of polos in hand ;)

You are the best thing!

I know this post is sort of a "thanks captain obvious" with all the reviews out on his new album, but I just downloaded Ray Lamontagne's Gossip in the Grain and all I can say is wow. I have yet to hear a bad note out of his mouth. And the first song is SUCH a great good mood song. Sigh -I'm in love. Definitely snatch this one up!

In other news - sunny and 58 tomorrow! Woohooooooo! Couldn't order better weather!!

Hunt Relived.

Because we can't do it enough times.

Cheap Champagne...

Check!

T- 3 days till the Hunt : ).

Fall Recipes

I've been a baking nut lately - fall does that to me for some reason. Everything baked has been with good purpose, but still, it is a little out of control. Anyway - I gave you one of my favorite summer recipes in June. Here is a new fall favorite from the book - The Art and Soul of Baking by Cindy Mushet.

Pumpkin Walnut bread :
Ingredients -
2 cups (10 oz) unbleached Flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs, at room temp
1/3 cup water
1.5 cups sugar
1 cup (9oz) canned pumpkin puree
1/2 cup neutral flavored vegetable oil (canola)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup (4 oz) chopped toasted walnuts

1. preheat over to 350 degrees and position oven rack in the center. Lightly coat a 9 by 5 inch loaf pan w/melted butter or high heat canola oil spray and line it with a piece of parchment paper that extends 1 inch beyond the edge of both sides of the pan. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, ginger, and salt until thoroughly blended. In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs and water. Add the sugar and blend well. Add the pumpkin puree, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Mix well.
2. Add the pumpkin mixture to the dry ingredients and whisk until smooth. Add the walnuts and stir until they are evenly distributed. Use a spatula to scrape the batter into prepared loaf pan and level the top.
3. Bake for 55 to 65 minutes, until the bread is firm to the touch. and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Transfer to a rack and cool completely. To serve, cut into 1/2 inch thick slices by sawing gently with serrated knife.

YUM!!

Southern Hospitality

Last night I was moseying down Bond Street after dinner at Supper and a friend and I happened upon an open store at about 10:15 pm. Certainly not crazy for NYC, but a bit out of the norm. So we popped on in to learn they had just (we're talking literally just) opened and this was their first Manhattan location. The line is called Billy Reid and the store is absolutely beautiful. Billy and his partner (who we met) had built out the store themselves. It reminded me of the Flagship Ralph Lauren meets Freeman's, but better. Everything used in the build out was reclaimed. Gorgeous quirky mirrors high and low, chandeliers with personality BEAUTIFUL hardwood floors, and lots of small oriental rugs. My two favorite things were the stairs--which used wood from something like 8 staircases, so each was its own color, and they were very grand. The second was the downstairs ceiling -- made up of old doors that had a square pattern inset into them. The clothes are gorgeous too of course, and right up the DM alley. They are very southern, and very preppy but totally with a unique twist. I knew I had been on their site before and realized this morning it was because the girl who reps Liberty of London fabric had told to me to check them out. The sales girls and partner were as sweet as can be, and said they're always there to hang out - for a glass of bourbon or a plate of Grits. So next time you're in the East Village head to Bond between Broadway and Lafayette and say hi to our new friends at Billy Reid. You'll be happy you did!

I mean...

I'm almost embarrassed to admit how much I like these. But while we're on the topic of new interesting products, I used to be VERY anti dog clothing. And then slowly some things have snuck to my good side. First was the horse blanket dog coats. I chalked this up to being nostalgic because I grew up with horses. Seeing that type of silver buckle and nylon belly strap reminded me of being in a freezing stall, or having Midget on the cross-ties (no, we did not name her and wow, I have not said that word in a long time) and using a lot of effort to throw the blanket across her back. So until yesterday I thought I stood strong in my anti-stance. And then these appeared before me. I'm OBSESSED. I'm trying to tell myself they are a waste of money. They are so Dakota Martin though :). If Teacake were allowed into the Hunt (rude) he would need one. Still never going to be okay with little yappers in bedazzled sweatshirts. I promise.

Cook for the Cure & Pass the Plate Please!

I saw this concept a month or so ago in one of my many cooking magazines and have been stalking the kitchenaid website ever since for this plate. I think its such a great concept, and an innovative way to keep the message and fundraising going. The idea here is that you buy a plate for $25, and you register it with Kitchenaid. Next, you cook something to serve on the plate, and pass it along to a loved one, a neighbor, a colleague. The new owner records the donation on the register and repeats. Every time the plate is passed, and it is acknowledged online, Kitchenaid donates $5.00 to Susan G. Komen. I've been a baking fiend lately, so I can't wait to get my flour covered paws on one of these.. Or maybe multiple, and start a few plates on their merry ways - perfect during holiday season when no one wants to show up at a party empty handed!

Looking Forward

With fall officially here (down vest on today- REALLY looking forward to hats!) it's easier to think about next fall. I'll let you in on a little secret - Shannon and I (and the rest of the design world) subscribe to trend forecasting. It can come in the form of presentations, mailings or websites. This helps me to know what trends are on the horizon so that we can mold them or interpret them to be Dakota Martin. When I first learned about this while working at Kenneth Cole it seemed silly and very arbitrary to me. But the more I learned about it the more legitimate it seemed. There is a ton of research done looking at current trends, current affairs, and the global mood that help determine what's in and what's out. So I've been perusing the site we subscribe to today to let some of it sink in. This image was in a collection of images used to present the color "oil green" Love the color (the water behind her), love the image!

Kage

Shannon and I went to a trunk show the other night for Kage handbags. We both walked away with purchases which was not necessarily the plan! But who can resist these?? We love Kristin and love her line! Check it out.

La Bonne Vie

All these Paris Spring 09 Shows posted on style.com have reminded me that I brought in a recent issue of Gourmet for the blog a while back. This Paris Collector's edition has gotten a bit beat up thanks to Teacake and my in-office catch games, but the Photography is beautiful just the same. How much does this make you want to jet on over and sit in a cafe sipping coffee or stroll through the Tullieries?