Happy Friday.

and enjoy the weather. xo

Event Recap.

Look how cute our booth looked at AIS! Shannon and I are so used to the trunk show deal that we never take pictures anymore, but our friend Stephanie was sweet enough to do that for us! And the booth looked even better because we displayed our friend's bags -- her line is Kage (we've mentioned before). I may or may not have walked away with that green one in the middle... Hopefully Trinity pictures will follow as well of all those adorable girls in our clothing. As usual they were fantastic hosts and took great care of us even though it was a beautiful day and the start of their spring weekend. Thanks girls!!

Trin!

So I fibbed a little bit when I said to come see us at AIS Thursday, Friday, or Saturday. You can certainly see Dakota Martin all three days, but Shannon and I will only be there Friday and Saturday. Tomorrow we're headed to see some of our favorite girls at Trinity College for a Trunk Show at Ivy. We love the Tri Delt girls who host us, and can't wait to see them!!

On the Road Again.

Dakota Martin is in Philly once again, participating in Agnes Irwin's first ever "Spring Market." Id share more details, but the women had such a lovely online invite that I thought I would just share theirs... If you're on the Mainline come see us Thursday, Friday, Saturday!!

PS - Check this out.

A friend Shannon and I met in St. Barts recently started this website/blog - PS - I made this. I am totally loving the materials and finished product images so far. It seriously seriously brought me back to my crafting days, and made me sad I don't do anything of the sort any more. My poor patient mother would help me through the countless stocking dolls (yup--made from old stockings and pillow stuffing of my mothers. My grandmother still has them all over her room, poor thing - they're a bit frightening), pillows, skirts, bedazzled anythings. I tie-dyed, splatter painted and glue-gunned anything I could get my hands on (had the mini version of my mom's). Truth be told if I wasn't on the waterfront at camp (my true love) skiing, sailing or swimming, you could probably find me at sewing making scrunchies and pillows. Even through college, I made a mini quilt for one friend and a full quilt for another. Granted these project were all very flawed with love, but it just feels great to used your hands and really make something. I guess these days when I use my hands for projects + gifts it generally involves food (and my mother is still patient as ever answering her cell phone to my endless moronic questions), but this site is really moving me to re-expand my mediums. Thoughts some of you might enjoy Erica's talent too!

April Showers

You know what they say... They bring these guys. And Ill take it, because these daffodils are making my apartment smell sooooo good right now. Happy Friday!

Oh hello, Topshop.

Topshop opens Stateside today here in Soho. For those of you unfamiliar, Topshop is a British chain that is a bit reminiscent of H&M. It is an incredibly low priced store with very current trends. Above is a Kate Moss design -- how hot is this dress? It is $250, which is higher than their average price point, but hey -- it is Kate Moss and it is a serious little number. You're not finding a comparable dress for $250 anywhere else.
And clearly Topshop and Dakota Martin think alike -- how great is this Liberty print (again KM) cami?? Bargain basement price of $70 (again, with the KM name attached it is a bit pricier).

And this might be my favorite -- a poplin bomber jacket. Very reminiscent of something any one of my family members would have rocked in the 80s. In fact it might end up in my shopping cart... And only $70.00 for a jacket! Love. I cant even call these three products the tip of the iceberg because like H&M the options are endless and in every department. Check it out online here, or brave Soho, but I think that visit might be a full contact sport for a few weeks.

Snail Mail.

I just love sending things in the mail. There is nothing better than the quiet surprise of a close friend's handwriting in your stack of bills and catalogs, even if it is just to say hi. I think this love was born being a summer camper for 8 years. NOTHING was better than seeing your name on the package list of having your counselor toss envelopes on your bed during rest hour. Some of my very favorite were from my friend over at Linda and Harriett -- always covered in stickers and written in bright markers (shows that some professions are meant to be).

For some reason in the last few weeks Ive been sending a lot of snail mail. This morning I received my most recent shipment of "Fruit of the Month" club, a birthday gift from my friend. This surprise isn't so quiet, but is fantastic. I've sneaky been a little embarrassed by the excitement that this gift has stirred in me, feeling like it s a little of a granny-in-Boca thing to be excited about. The other day I was at a funeral for a woman I adore and her son was speaking. He had us all laughing about the things this woman would do to go out of her way for her sons to reiterate her love for them. He said something along the lines of "despite my subtle hints that Baltimore does in fact have grocery stores, if I mentioned a steak sauce I liked, I was no doubt driving back from my parents house with a case of it." And so this morning when my beautiful pineapples arrived (and no I wasn't wearing black socks and sandals), it clicked why I love this gift that keeps on giving so much. Just as when I pop york peppermint patties and jellybeans to my sister, its just a wordless reminder that this friend cares about me. I know when I send these things that my sister can run into her CVS and grab a york, but this one is from me because I took the time, and I know she loves them, and I want to provide that little joy for her. Sure, I have a Whole Foods a block away, and I can afford Pineapple. But getting it in the mail, as much of an 80 year old as that makes me, shows how well this friend knows me and my fruit obsession. So pop a "hi" in the mail to your grandfather, cousin, best friend, long lost friend. You don't even have to say how much you care about them (though its never a bad idea), they will know. I promise it has a different effect than an email or a facebook message. And did I mention I only write on Linda & Harriett stationary?

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