Hiatus!

Not tryin to brag -- but this is where Shannon and I are headed in the AM. You might remember the polo picture on the cover of our website for a while... Well the beautiful girl in that photo is getting married this weekend on St. Bart's and Shannon and I are lucky enough to be included on the guest list. We were also lucky enough to contribute the bridesmaid dresses! So while I apologize for our hiatus until Tuesday, I can't wait to share photos from the weekend. See you all on the other side ;).

Annapolis Again!

Shannon and I are two thirds the way through Coterie at the moment and will wrap things up today. It is definitely a sign of the times when our cookie plate isn't emptied everyday by passers by, and there is no line for the icky bathroom even with one stall broken, but despite the times the show has proven positive for us. It has started the ball rolling in a few different areas that we hope will snowball into greater things. More importantly for you consumers though, (especially in the DC/Baltimore area) is that Dakota Martin is returning to the now bi-annual Annapolis warehouse sale -- This will be Dakota Martin's 3rd time participating in this show and it is always a great one. There are a number of fantastic vendors and AMAZING discounts. If you're anywhere close go! We promise you won't be disappointed.

Oscar Winners.

And I don't mean little statues. I mean dresses. And winners plural is stretching it, I must say I was disappointed. Very disappointed. Above we have Natalie Portman. Her fantastic bubblegum pink/almost purple strapless dress with a lot of bodice detailing (not sure who it is) is fresh and fun, and she looks clean and beautiful. Her hair pulled off her gorgeous face is perfection. But I have to be honest, on better red carpet years, even this might have been a little lost in the shuffle. Instead it is cream of the crop.

However, I think my real winner is one that I am sure no fashion focused show will be talking about. She is our Robin Roberts, Host of GMA. For starters, this orange is stunning on her. The cut looks fantastic on her very in shape bod (look at those arms!), and is a gorgeous cut in it's own right. As someone who finished chemo and radiation less than two months ago she looks healthy, strong and happy. Her hair is far more striking at this length (and I rarely, I mean rarely defend shorter hair on women) than before her treatment began. And without going off on too much of a tangent, I commend her for picking such a simple classic shape and fabric (very similar to this jcrew dress) when SO many red carpet hosts seem to be drawn to very prom-dress/Miss-America-gone-wrong numbers. Good work Robin. YOU get the DM golden hanger award!

Fashion Week.

Fashion week has been in motion, but I've only scratched the surface of fashion shows that have happened. Here are two looks [from style.com] I like - both 3.1 Philip Lim, usually a favorite of mine. I think the fabric on the mini above is just beautiful, and I think my unhealthy obsession with long dresses swayed my choice below. Check out more at style.com .

Suno

So this is a pretty unoriginal post, seeing as DailycandyNY is featuring this company today, but I just liked their product so much I had to share too. These are garments made by a new company - Suno. The founder has spent years researching/buying/creating fabric in Kenya, and brought it back to NYC to create these great pieces. I really really enjoy them. And you can check out more on their site or purchase them at opening ceremonies . Kudos kids! I want one! I want one!

The Stephanie!

I'm trying to motivate myself to put our second round of spring up on the web... So I thought sharing our best seller for delivery #2 would help me. Meet the Stephanie Dress :).

The Gap

Once upon a time (or a pink sparkly dress) I hated The Gap. I was too young to count to 100 but old enough to think those window displays in Suburban Square screamed attack of the nerds.

A few short years later, and I loved the Gap. I even asked, "Mommy, did the Gap change or did I?" Still a favorite line of my parents, and while I don't remember the answer, I do believe in hindsight it was I.

In recent years though the Gap feel off the fashion wagon. They went from being a cheaper option to a bad option, with poorly chosen hues, boring cuts, and misplaced cheap looking detail (sorry guys!). So the last year or so that Patrick Robinson has been at the helm I have loved seeing the changes. On my flight back from LA, I even ripped out a magazine page with great gap bags, jeans, and vests. Could it be? In the midst of our financial woes we can add the gap back into our feelgoodaboutyourself shopping rounds? I hope so. I've been meaning to get to a store and see for myself. And that says a lot, because I haven't been meaning to get to a gap in about ten years... Can't wait to try some of it on!

[photo courtesy of nymag.com]

Because some things never go out of style.

And I'm thinking beyond a classic trench or LBD.

I once asked a friend who doesn't pay much attention to fashion if she remembers what she wears at special events or even just nights when something significant happens to her, expected or not. She looked at me like I had ten heads. I of course do. And probably the less significant nights too. I asked because it occurred to me I partially mark events in my mind by my outfit, and that this may not be the norm. Turns out I was right. And as we got ready to go out this weekend in LA--wide belts, headbands and platforms, or got our nails done in "Lincoln Park After Dark," how much fashions can change, and we can grow, and yet some friendships stay the same. We've gone from middle-schoolers to lawyers and dentists, long blond ponytails to short brunette bobs. When I met some of these girls I was wearing mickey mouse suspenders, braces, or hippie patch pants. We've moved coasts and cities, gotten married, disposed of boyfriends and more.

Whether in navy wool kilts or jumpers though, the same stories are as funny as when they happened. We will still belt every song from the top of our lungs (sorry Greg) and we will still pick on each other relentlessly. Good to know that no matter how many years go by or what happens in our lives, or whether I'm wearing pink nail polish or black, someone has my back and will share a laugh. Here's to the next time we get together (hopefully a more complete group) and whatever zany thing we will be wearing then.

Here We Come...

Team DM and Company are off to LAla land for the weekend! Have a great one, better blogging next week... I swear.

Top Secret

Here is a little snippet of something top secret we've been working on. We'll be able to share more soon!

Newman Can Sort It All Out,

The sky is falling to the point where even something as regular as the USPS is looking to shorten their week. Leave it to the New York Post to think of bringing in Newman as an expert. Just like Seinfeld, Newman made me laugh at the absurdity of being worried about one less day of bills :). Genius.

THE fine people of your New York Post have come to me to find the solution to our national dilemma regarding the proposed cutback of mail service to five days a week.
This, of course, makes eminent sense, because as Newman, I was known as one of America's premier ersatz mail carriers. (I guess John Ratzenberger was unavailable.)
Nevertheless. I digress. What would Newman do? That is what we all ask ourselves on an almost daily basis.
Well, first I think it's important to understand that Newman never delivered the mail on six consecutive days in his life.
The cost in footwear alone would have been enormous.
He would be firmly against the five-day week, which would be an increase in his schedule that would seem draconian.
"Must I brave the elements continually just so that geriatrics can get their precious coupons? I think not!" he would say.
So as not to startle the populace with this change in service, Newman would have advocated his own contribution to the shortened week: "Roll Your Own Day Off."
One day a week, the mail carrier could rest his or her weary legs, acquaint himself with his family, stamp collect or go to a Renaissance Faire for a joint of mutton. But why announce it? People love surprises! After all, that's what the mail is all about: the thrill of opening your box and finding out if it's a bill, a jury summons or an ad for a nifty new adjustable bed.
If there's something in the box every day, you lose your edge.
In conclusion, the mail carriers of this country are fine, upstanding people who work hard for a bureaucracy that rivals Stalinist Russia. They would love to be able to shop on a day when the stores are open.
Besides, any company that goes broke year after year, as the USPS supposedly has, should have closed long ago. Be thankful for its survival. And if you don't like it, write your congressman. Just hope Newman isn't delivering the letter.
Wayne Knight played Newman, a US Postal Service letter carrier, on the sitcom "Seinfeld" from 1992 to 1998.o the point where