Longer Days.

The good news is we've passed the shortest day of the year! Its all blue skies (almost) from here baby. But since there is always a silver lining I thought Id share an email that was sent to me after my post about liking 08. I'm hoping this friend doesnt mind that I shared this after he/she said he/she wanted to write privately. but it was such a nice thing to read, and I thought everyone else deserved to hear as long as I protected her/his anonymity :). Christmas lights and American flags in lights are great reasons for short days.

"Anyways I wanted to respond to your latest DM post, but didn't want to broadcast it publicly. I walked by the New York Stock Exchange a few nights ago because someone told me it was worth the walk (its a little farther away than my normal subway stop). I was awestruck. There is a beautiful tree, and the NYSE itself is lit up with lights to look like the American Flag. It literally took my breath away- and I stopped, and stared like every other tourist, and even took a picture that is now the background of my cell phone. Its so funny because the last few days I havent been able to stop thinking how blessed I am, and how many GOOD things happened in 2008. I'm glad you are on the same page :)"

Great in 08?

I was at a great dinner in a crowded warm Italian restaurant the other night with some friends and some acquaintances. We got on the topic of the new year, and everyone chimed in that 2008 sucked. Made me sad to think you could be that disheartened by an entire year. I know the state of the world is less than ideal right now as we close out, but I know for me being fulfilled personally gets me through hard times. I opened up my pics on my desktop to inspire something to write because I didn't really know what to address today... And just started pulling pictures chronologically. So here is a random smattering of things that made me happy this year. And there are plenty of holes, and this only takes us through August. I would have kept going but it is taking too much time. Time with family, a new puppy, and friends new and old--traveling, watching DM grow, dinner parties and dancing seem to be where you'll find me smiling most. I'm thankful for the places I saw the friendships I discovered or strengthened, and my family and the pup always. Looking forward to more of it in 09.

And looks like my snow wish is coming true! Enjoy all of your white Christmas parties this weekend!

Winter Wonderland

I was hoping that because of last night I would wake up to this. I didn't, but it was a step in the right direction. Now just a little less wet and a little more sticky please! There is NOTHING like waking up to a snow covered city/town/backyard/street. I'm not sure if it completely stems knowing that at some point it meant waking up in a nice bright warm room excited for a snow day and sledding, or its just that beautiful that what could be better to wake to?!

Sepia love.

I just love this old picture. I just love old pictures in general. I think I could write a blog with the stories I dream up in my head for what was going on at these exact moments. Its amazing the nostalgia that the coloring, or fading or fraying can evoke. Maybe the white cracks that feel like cotton balls, and that smell of photos that have been tucked in to shoe boxes for years on end. I think the holidays make us all nostalgic for something. I was talking with a friend this morning about how perfect Christmas feels when you're a wee one. Its like nothing could be wrong in the world if the house smells like pine, there is a fire in the fireplace, cookies on the table, and gifts under the tree. Every Christmas my sister and I would build a fort in her room and sleep there. We would slide open the big glass doors to the slate patio out back and leave a bunch of carrots on the ground. Then we'd place my mom's famous chocolate chip cookies and a glass of milk on the coffee table. Every year, the predictable joke out of my father's mouth that Santa didn't look like he needed any more cookies and that maybe we should leave him carrots too. But I digress because this is really about the picture. You feel the same sort of innocence in playful smiles like these. They may not be 6 and listening for reindeer on the roof, but I like to think that at this exact moment they felt that innocent and blissful. I have so many pictures like this I can't get enough of. Quick moments of my grandfather kissing my grandmother, or just the two of them laughing together. I would say I am borderline photograph obsessed and can spend countless hours tearing my poor mother's organization apart to look at us running arond in 8os mini running shorts or on our big wheels. So this photograph is my friend's parents. She carries it around in her wallet, and its getting so light the moment has all but faded away. I took it from her a few months back to scan in on my computer so that there would be some copy of it somewhere where you can see these high school sweethearts paling around in the sun. I sent her and her mother a copy and it has sat on my desktop ever since. I like it too much to file away or toss. So here it is. And below is the girl in the photograph in her Dakota Martin poncho ;)

E News!

The Adorable news correspondent Ashlan Gorse who works for E! television recently wore some of Spring '09 on air. We're honored that Ashlan wanted to include us in her wardrobe and can't get over how great she looks in the Lilly top!!

Sun, Sun, Mr Golden Sun,

Wont you please shine down on me?! It has been so ho-hum gray! I was just checking out some "close to season" trends and this dress was an example for the maxi dress trend that lives on (a true love in my life). It is Roberto Cavalli 08, and I think it is just beautiful!! The yellow floral reminded me of sunnier days, so I thought I would share.

Spring in Feb.

February certainly doesn't feel like spring, but it is when we start shipping it to our stores. Seems sort of nuts, but on the other hand I think we're all sick of wool and down by then. Our shockingly white skin may say no, but our fashion sense says free us of layers! I'm looking around at our floor and Shannon has ripped off plastic of many of our FALL '09 samples to start sharing with magazines... I'm not going to share those with you at the moment, but I will share one of our first spring pieces to hit stores... And what we're still bebopping around the city to share with editors. Pre order available on the blake top soon : ).

DM Hearts Trinity.

we love our trinity girls (and boys)! Who so graciously have us back season after season for great trunk shows hosted at Ivy. We are back at it Wednesday from 11 to 3. All the girls are always so sweet to us, and we love chatting it up will they check out the steals we're offering ;). Can't wait for more pics like these. Thanks for hosting and helping girls!!

Our other stop today:

Wish I could get hair and makeup done too before our trip to 4 Times Square :).

Gifting.

Obviously we're all looking to cut back a little this Christmas, so I share this fabulous gift idea for many reasons... For starters I am way behind in this department. I haven't bought one gift yet. Second is these pads are so great -- I use the non-personalized version every day at home and in the office. I'm also so very proud and impressed with all the phenomenal (and of course well deserved) press L & H have gotten lately. This Domino shout out makes me smile too because that is my sister's name! Who ever thought Jennifer Ann Sall - NOLS instructor extraordinaire, based in Lander, WYO would get a Domino Mag shout out?! So for all these reasons, and the fact that I'm having dinner with the founder tomorrow night and we have an appt at Domino tomorrow day -- I thought Id let you all in on this great gift, at such a ridiculously low price!!

Tis the Season!!

This morning at the gym I listened to "All I want for Christmas is you" on my ipod. Twice. In a row. Put me in the best mood and made me so happy that the season is here. Can't wait to watch Love Actually, A Christmas Story, and National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. Can't wait for holiday parties, overcrowded stores, snow (please!!), advent calenders and mistletoe. We are off to DC!! Happy tree lighting New Yorkers!!

Holiday Shopping!

Wednesday Shannon and I are headed to our Nation's capital to join in a 2 day holiday Trunk Show at The Landon School in Bethesda, Maryland. If you live in the area please stop by! Part of the proceeds with benefit this great school for boys.