Tradition.

Its almost the holidays and therefore its almost time for every tradition aunt sally, uncle jim, grandma smith and cousin suzy ever started. Whether it is where you trim your tree, who cuts the turkey, the order you give gifts in (birth? alphabetical?), or the trip your family takes to escape all of these things, the time has come. Some you look forward to, some you dread, and some you don't even recognize as traditions. I know I have so many, new and old, I look forward to each year. I love making desserts for thanksgiving at my aunts and christmas at my house, listening to the nut cracker, going to the Christmas eve service with the Combs, and running to my mother's house christmas morning from my dad's.

In light of the onslaught that is about occur Shannon and I wanted to share a non-holiday tradition that we have held close to our hearts for 11 years now, that will be continued this evening. Since the beginning of high school our group of friends has been very close knit. We are as vicious as we are thoughtful, and we make fun of one-an-other as quickly as we wipe away eachother's tears. Somewhere along fall of our freshman year of high school (1996) we began purchasing and wearing candy necklaces to every event we attended. Semi formal, casual, in a basement, or at a venue the 9,10,11 of us has our necks wrapped in sugar. Im not sure that any of us know exactly why or how it started but we love it just the same. And so 11 years later and older we're not tired of it or too mature. We may be lawyers, in PR, attending dental school, or working in finance, but nothing says a good night to us like a rainbow chocker (and trust me, Shannon and I do not take the repercussions of being seen in anything chocker related lightly). Tonight as some of us decend on a Manhattan Thursday night in celebration of Jodi's birthday, youll know us by the loud laughter and our matching necklaces, one sweet tradition.

If

print by Betsy Walton

This poem by Rudyard Kipling are some of the truest words ever written, and they transcend time, location, situation. I have had a few stories shared with me this week where the teller was mistreated. Dealing with being treated unfairly usually brings me back to these words

If you can keep your head when all about you

Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,

But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,

Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,

Or being hated, don't give way to hating,

And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;

If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;

If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster

And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken

Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,

Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,

And stoop and build 'em up with wornout tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings

And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,

And lose, and start again at your beginnings

And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew

To serve your turn long after they are gone,

And so hold on when there is nothing in you

Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!'

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,

Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch,

If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,

If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute

With sixty seconds' worth of distance run -

Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,

And - which is more - you'll be a Man my son!

Perfect Piece for Any Age.

We love a look that works for anyone. Whether you live in New York, Minnesota, Maine, or LA, whether youre enjoying High School or retirement. The Charlie Poncho seems to fit the bill. We designed it only with our love of plaid, preppy, and Mary Tyler Moore in mind, but now that we have seen it on so many different people, and the fact that it is one size fits all, we love it all the more. Here it is on my grandmother - Eleanor Gravdahl (looking quite stunning I might add - she is a former contestant and winner of Miss Indian Lake - maybe Ill dig up those pictures for another blog) at her home (my favorite place on earth) in Jamestown, Rhode Island, and on my sister Kathryn Montana Sall, outside Philadelphia, PA. Unfortunately we dont yet have a picture of it on my mother, or you'd get the full effect of its fabulousness on three generations (rest assured she has a Charlie and wears it often).

NYC Marathon

Yesterday was the NYC Marathon and I know Lizzy already blogged about my birthday - thank you! :) BUT I just could not wait to write about how amazed I am by Lizzy and Jenny running yesterday. We all gathered on the UES to watch Lizzy and Jenny run past us at mile 17 and they both looked great! We anxiously awaited as thousands of people ran past us. Everyone was cheering for everyone! I just love when strangers in the city all pull together to help others out.




Some runners were dressed in full costumes. I especially like the Paddington bear runner! How did he/she run 26 miles in that costume - I wonder!?!


As Lizzy and Jenny approached us - we were not sure if we should cheer, take pictures, or cry - the whole day was an amazing experience! I almost missed this picture because I was freaking out so much!

Congratulations Lizzy and Jenny - I could not be more proud!

Happy Birthday to Miss Shannon Casey!

Dakota Martin has a birthday to celebrate! 26 years ago today, Miss Shannon Michelle Casey was brought into this world. And what a fabulous job she's done lighting it up since. We're making today senior skip day and playing instead of working, so you wont find us in the office (for much of the day anyway). It may be Monday, but if you have the chance, raise your glass to an amazing friend, sister, daughter and business partner. Love you Shan. xo

back east...

Well here I am on my first day back in NYC after seven years living in Colorado and Los Angeles. Initially, my east coast upbringing made me eager to take on the new challenges of living outside the tristate region. I soon realized that however brilliant the picturesque Colorado mountains and the sunny beaches of Los Angeles seemed, their still was a sullen feeling of unfulfillment. The daydreams I conjured up for the better part of a decade were comprised of beautiful faces and stunning smiles--not the postcard skyline of the greatest city around. While most people are attracted to allure of "the industry" and beautiful weather of Southern California, Los Angeles seemingly attracts both the most talented creative types in the world and the worst cultural sponges imaginable. It is important for all of you out there to know that Dakota Martin embodies the freedom and excitement in which a successful entrepreneurial firm has the unique quality of fulfilling. Every skirt, polo, or mailer (my first job was printing labels today) embodies their true passion and will only continue to drive them to continued successes. It is incredible to see where the rubber meets the road and how two distinctly different spirits can deploy their skills with such fervor and eloquence. I'm uneasy with anticipation as we all wait and see the final cuts on the spring line....but with much assurance, it should be the biggest hit yet. Until we speak again...
gmd

I heart New York

as much as I hate it really. I think most people here have a love hate relationship with this tiny island. When Ive been away hiking, want to go apple picking, or have a legitimate back yard barbecue I think I could leave this crowded concrete and never look back. More often than not however, I have moments where I can't help but smile (all by myself) at things that remind me of why I love living here. By the time I have my second cup of coffee Ive usually had at least 3 conversations with strangers. Before the sun comes up I've walked by groups still out from the night before, predominantly stiletto clad cross dressers. And by the time I get off the subway Ive listened to conversations, watched interactions between couples, and analyzed outfits. If you could look in my head you'd see a running news ticker of everything going on around me. This morning I watched a man on all fours, on busy 8th Avenue, filling blocks of the side walk with "God is Great" and I walked by a man shaving a non-existent beard with a disposable razor as he walked hurriedly down the street. There is nothing like the visual stimulation you get here. People ask Shannon and I where we get our inspiration from, while we always include a piece of us (home) in our work, it shocks me that anyone who walks these streets everyday would ask where a creative New Yorker gets inspiration from. Its all in front of your face.

So today I found myself smiling again at the Javits center in a chaos filled line with no English speakers. I thought Id hop over there from the office and beat out all the other runners needing to pick up their chips and bibs for Sunday's marathon. Instead, I found myself among hundreds of foreigners of ALL shapes and sizes lining up within an hour of the ING NYC Marathon expo opening . We shuffled through for registration and I just smiled as I watched groups, individuals, couples, mother/daughter pairs, take picture after picture of the front lobby of the Javits center. Some must have traveled from half way around the world to participate in this weekends event and they cant get enough, even if for that moment it was an austere characterless box. I love people, and I love interacting with new people everyday. I have a feeling this will be a big weekend of that. I will be reminded time and time again of why I love New York, and I am thankful for that.