one of a kind

one of a kind.
here in NYC, there is a popular club called 1OAK – stands for 1 of a kind.
but this story isn’t about a club.
today’s story celebrates an absolute dear friend who is literally … one of a kind. period.
we met very innocently.
rewind 6 years back, I was living in Los Angeles with my sister. Her purse was stolen and therefore, had no keys to our home. I was in Texas for that weekend, so she knocked on our next door neighbor’s in hopes that we had left our rooftop door unlocked and could hop the wall. Thankfully, the neighbor was home and was delighted to help her break into our own place.
Fast froward a month or so later, a friend of mine was in need of a place to crash for a few… I enjoyed having extra bellies to feed and would make a big pot of coffee and bake coffeecake and muffins and we’d open all the windows and sit at the kitchen table and enjoy the morning. One day we noticed our next door neighbor walk by and I introduced myself and invited him to join us.
Little did I know, this was the beginning of a lifetime friendship that would see me through the good times, the bad.. laugh with, dance with, cry with, travel with. Stevie was the sunshine that brightened my days and had me in tears of laughter. His wit is beyond describable. One can only hope to have the opportunity to hear and witness it first hand as it just simply cannot be imitated.
Stevie hated to drive. And I love to drive – so I’d take him to the bank, and take him to pick up his mail and run his errands.. he would hide $20 bills in my car and purse as a token of appreciation – he always found a way to sneak one into hiding while I wasn’t looking. We had a standing date at 3pm sharp at The Coffee Bean at Sunset Plaza(the ORIGINAL location before the landlords hiked up the rent and forced CB down the street – never has been the same since). Sometimes just the 2 of us and sometimes a whole crew of friends. We did everything together.
I brought home The Prince, aka Dolce at the tender age of 3 months and the weight of only one pound… he was the size of my hand and so adorable… Stevie bought him toys and outfits and a Faberge egg bed that he still uses. I tried to explain I wasn’t into dressing up my dog like a Barbie doll, but miraculously another puppy sweater found its way into my home. Stevie is beyond considerate and thoughtful. He wanted to be the first to take Dolce on a proper trip – so the 3 of us packed our bags and went to San Francisco for a weekend!
Today is Stevie’s birthday. And he is out celebrating in Los Angeles with a fun group of friends and I am in New York reminiscing about all of the memories and good times I have shared with this amazing gentleman.
Truly one of a kind.

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The Dust

Yesterday I attended yet another goodbye party. Another friend is moving out of New York City. That makes it 3 now in the last 6 weeks. Three good peeps bit the dust. Usually I am the one packing my bags, boxing up my life and moving out of state, and yet, I am going on 19 months now in this little, super compact island and although I do suffer from the occasional island fever symptoms, I am still here. And loving it. Every time I step foot out of my front door I have no idea where that day might take me, who I might bump into en route and what new and inspiring things, people, and places I might stumble upon throughout the day. However, in the same sentence.. I know me too well and its only a matter of time before the wind blows and the dust settles me somewhere else.

In The Mix: Miami Horror

Melbourne based electro-pop band Miami Horror recently unleashed the official music video for their latest track Moon Theory. If the Marlboro Man went to the moon..

Garden of Sweden

My friend’s mother invited me to come to her farm in upstate New York for a Memorial weekend filled with long leisurely Swedish style lunches and dinners set outside in the picturesque backdrop of lush greenery, fresh farm eggs (both chicken and duck), a vegetable garden that would make Martha Stewart proud, and cases of Rosé wine and black currant cassis made from their own berries.. I was delighted and honored. After all, my last trip to the farm was Memorial weekend 2 years ago and I also helped plant a few of the black currant bushes about 5 years ago with my bare hands, so needless to say this is one farm and family that remains near and dear to my heart.

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dinner al fresco

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strawberries hand picked by moi from the garden

in full bloom

A dear friend of mine took these pictures of the cherry blossom trees in Central Park while they were in full bloom last month. I am in love with the pale pink color and the delicate petals of each flower. I heart springtime in New York.

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A Mother’s Pearls

Mothers are a gift from above. A mother and child is the most beautiful relationship. Although I am not yet a mother (but God willing hope to have a herd of my own some day) my relationship with my mother is an absolute blessing in my life. She is our angel. Jesus’s care for His mother as He hung on the cross (John 19:36) vividly portrays the importance of the relationship between mother and child.
In honor of Mother’s Day and in honor of celebrating the women in my life who are mothers and a blessing to each of their children’s lives, I asked them to kindly share some pearls of wisdom about motherhood, the beauty of motherhood and the wisdom they learned during motherhood.
I so enjoyed reading all of the pearls from such remarkable women; my mother’s dear friend wisely said, “I love pearls as they go with everything…”
I couldn’t agree more.
Happy Mother’s Day to all of the angels sent from above to care for their children. We love you.

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my mother and I wearing our pearls

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my father’s mother wearing her pearls

* * *

Children are a precious gift from God! James 1:17
Love them unconditionally with all of your heart.
Always put them first, even before yourself.
Be there for them in the sweet times and the tough times.
Sometimes just listen and don’t give your advice, as you want them to never be afraid to talk to you about anything.
Pray for them daily and whenever they cross your mind send up an arrow prayer for them.
Pray for the Lord to never let go of them.
Encourage them to trust in the Lord and never let go of Him.
Children are a lifetime of blessings!

Sherry Burns
mother of 4

* * *

“The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, The place where love resides. The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!” unknown.

Lorraine Ruggles
mother of 3, step mother of 4, grandmother of 12, great grandmother of 2

* * *

Happiness keeps you Sweet.
Trials keep you Strong.
Sorrows keep you Human.
Failures keep you Humble.
Success keeps you Glowing.
But…. being a Mother….
Keeps you Going !!!!

Don’t look at your feet to see if you are doing it right. Just dance !!!
unknown author
Have faith and pursue the unknown end.
Oliver Wendell Holmes

I love that quote. Raising children is always an unknown end, worth every tear drop and smile of the pursuit.

Becky Burns Johnson
mother of 2, grandmother of 1

* * *

The scene is a wedding in Galilee, when Jesus’s mother turns to him and says: “They have no more wine.” Jesus responds with “Dear Woman, why do you involve me?” (Love my kids, but I get this attitude sometimes, too). Turning her atttention to the servants, she says: “Do whatever he tells you.” Although Jesus had never performed a miracle up to this point, his mother understood who he was, inherently. She knew what he was capable of doing. She was certain he had the power to turn the water into a 100-point wine! I believe that as mothers, if we can look at our children and understand who they are, (and not who we want them to be or who we hoped they would be), but seek out their inherent qualities and gifts; we can then begin helping them on their journey to becoming the person God wants them to be! Happy Mother’s Day to all!

Melanie Hughes
mother of 3

* * *

My favorite proverb relating to God, my life & my family:
“Live humbly and walk justly before God, and He shall bless your children because of your life!” (Job 1:1-5).

Fran Thomas
mother of 2, grandmother of 2

* * *

I consider my children a gift from the Lord. He has given me many, many gifts. But besides the gift of His son Jesus, the gift of my children (Melissa, Amanda, Ryan, and Jordan) is the gift that I will always consider His greatest gift to me. Until the birth of my children, I now realize I never knew the depth of true unconditional love on Earth that I was capable of having. Knowing your own mother so well, I know she would agree. There is a tremendous responsibility that also comes with the gift of being a mother. My advice to mothers would be to treasure this responsibility. I once read a book when my children were young called “Children are Wet Cement.” The basis of this book was that children’s lives are easier to influence early rather than later. I know this is true. So my advice to mothers would be to think about the important things you really want to teach your child to prepare him or her to face the battles of life. To me this must be done by teaching them God’s word. Help them memorize verses that teach them that Jesus loves them and that God sent His son for them and is the only way to heaven. Help them read in the Bible that they will never be tested more than they can bear. Also read to them from the Bible that the Lord is their hiding place in times of trouble. God has a plan for their lives. Knowing these verses they will be able to depend on them and call them to their minds as life begins to have problems that a loving mother can no longer fix. As a mother you cannot spare your child from problems, but you can give him the instructions to help handle them. But try not to worry, because your child’s life is really in God’s hands and not yours. Enjoy your gift because being a mother is wonderful!

Elizabeth Johnson
mother of 4, grandmother of 4

* * *

Whether your children are thirty or three years old the LOVE and adoration never changes… There is absolutely no LOVE like that of a mother and child. Truly a blessing from God.

Janie Moore
mother of 3, grandmother of 2

* * *

My “pearl” of wisdom would be:
As a mother, be mindful and take your time. It all goes by in a blink of an eye…

Candace Nelson
mother of 1

* * *

Start each day with a good morning hug and “You are my sunshine, my only sunshine…”
End each day with “I love you always and forever”

To teach that our spiritual essence is non material, and to have great respect for the incredible and endless gifts of NATURE.

Take a 357 to your television.

Abigail Johnson
mother of 1

* * *

The pearls of motherhood are as vast as those in the ocean, and as tiresome to find.

One in particular, stands out to me now. Given by MY mother… the mother of all mothers. She said once to me… “This too, shall pass”.

And when the nights were dark, Hope of the new dawn existed.
And when tears would flow,
They would enter the streams of comfort.
And from weary weakness, Strength spread it’s wings.
Aloneness, that dismal creature,
Was banished for all eternity.
So, I realized in early motherhood,
how to survive on this advice.
And in later motherhood, how to flourish in it…
For the birth of human life from one being into another…did pass.
The first smile…has passed.
The first word spoken, the first step taken, the first need filled…have all passed.
Fitting in one hand, sitting on one hip, cuddling in my lap…passed.
You blink, and soon, you’ll hear your motherly advice coming from your child.
So, let the words, ‘This too, will pass’, be your anchor in the storms, and the wind in your sails.
Remembering to keep every moment alive with bravery, joy, and gratitude. After all…’This too, will pass’…
Happy, Happy Mother’s Day!

Brooke Burns
mother of 1

* * *

Promise yourself to be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind. Look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true. Think only the best, work only for the best and expect only the best. Forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future. Give so much time to the improvement of your self that you have no time to criticize others. Live in the faith that the whole world is on your side so long as you are true to the best that is in you!
By Christian D. Larson

Jenna Lidell
mother of 1

* * *

Pearls to me are an extension of a woman in so many ways….here are some adjectives:
skin
womb
fluid
soft
luminous
timeless
tender
my first set was given to me by my mother, at age 9. I have them on today.
Happy Mother’s Day

Pade Vavra
mother of 2

* * *

I’ve noticed I’m turning into my mother and before, while I would have shunned this, now I realize, should the full transformation occur, I will only be so lucky.

Jacqueline Toboroff Gross
mother of 1

* * *

No one is all bad or all good. We are all human and at the end of the day, it’s always better to give people the benefit of the doubt.

Whitney Baderian
mother of 1

* * *

A mother’s intuition is the best parenting tool!

Mothers are a magical mixture of laughter and love. Mothers are wise women that prepare us for success and for failure. They encourage us to jump at opportunities and to slow down and take a break. They show us how to live in peace and how to survive the chaos. Mothers are there for us on your best day and on our worst day. Mothers are patient and kind teachers.

Andi Bokosky
mother of 1

* * *

I am not too sure how much wisdom I can share, having been a mother for only 3 years. BUT…
My biggest thing with raising children is that you have to teach them independence. When they fall, however you react is how they react. ie. OH MY GOSH, HONEY, ARE YOU OKAY???!!!! This will automatically scare them and cause tears. sooo unneeded. I always act like I don’t see it and they in turn act like nothing happened. Independence is the biggest thing a parent can teach their child… and to be independent a parent much teach their child how to be confident in themselves. By loving your child unconditionally is how you teach them confidence. A mother’s love is a very powerful tool.

Annie Beecherl O’Grady
mother of 2

* * *

Go with your gut. A mother’s instinct is rarely wrong. Always do what YOU think it right and forget about what everyone else is saying or thinks.
Bedtime always comes. (This one is something Kate Gosselin said once and has helped on a number of seemingly endless days).
This too shall pass. (This one can go either way. Whether a good phase or bad, it will pass so if it’s a good one, savor it, if it’s a bad one, know the end is coming)!
Laugh at yourself often and know that you’re going to make mistakes, everyone does.
From a song, “Let them be little, let them sleep in the middle.” The days may seem long but the years are short so let them be kids and enjoy every minute because before you know it, they’re not babies any more.
There is no such thing as a perfect mom.
It’s ok to say no.
It’s important to make time for yourself.
Don’t judge another, especially another mother.
When you’re a new mom, the best thing you can do is find other moms to surround yourself with. Moms that are like you and supportive. It’s so nice to share stories, get advice and simply commiserate with others that are going through the same things.
Once I became a mom, my relationship with my own mother took on an entirely new level. I understood and appreciated everything she did for me and if my daughter feels an ounce of the gratitude and love that I feel for my mother, then I know I’ve done a good job.
Motherhood is full of worry! You worry when you’re pregnant, you worry when they’re newborns and you worry when you send them to kindergarten. I think I’ll be worried for the rest of my life!
After having my first baby, I didn’t think I could love anything more. Then I had my second and I learned that my heart has an endless capacity to love.
Be there, be present. When you’re with your kids, be there 100%. Forget the laptop, the TV or the phone. Just enjoy the time with them.
Know that parenting is freaking hard! Some days it’s simply the pits! But more often than not, you’ll have a simple moment, something that can seem so insignificant but something that makes it all worthwhile. When my daughter grabs my hand on the walk to school or my son runs full speed at me for a hug, those are the moments when I know that every sacrifice I’ve made was worth it all. There is no greater joy than being a mom.

Leslie Slakoff
mother of 2

* * *

patience and sugar

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I endured another NYC marathon Saturday afternoon that began at I Tre Merli with me spinning platters for the Day & Night brunch and ending 12 hours later at Provocateur trying to delicately balance my laptop bag and glass of Rosé wine. Post brunch we went by the beer garden at The Standard then to Bagatelle for dinner to dine al fresco on their new outdoor patio then back to the beer garden but were disappointed in the lack of music… so then over to Bagatelle again because the music there is always so fun followed by a pop into Griffin to say hello to friends and then across the street to Provocateur to say hello to some other friends.

By the time I got home I could barely feel my legs.

Sunday’s plans were cancelled and for whatever reason my Blackberry went into SOS mode and I was socially off the radar. My day was leisurely spent baking .. even though the apartment felt 100 degrees because the humidity level suddenly sky rocketed and our A/C units are from the stone age .. I cranked up the oven and whipped together Paula Deen’s recipe for pound cake. It sounded yummy with a cup 4 cups of coffee. The rest of the afternoon was spent researching music with my legs elevated in the air and a cup of joe in one hand, laptop in the other and Dolce dying for some cool air .. and the 6pm service at Redeemer Presbyterian was divine. The message was about patience, one of the fruits of the spirit and a fruit that I could use some more of. Lord, bless me with patience.

Paula Deen’s Pound Cake

2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
3 cups sugar
6 large eggs
3 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup heavy cream
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Generously grease and flour a 10-inch bundt pan. Do not preheat the oven. Using an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar together until fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Alternately add flour mixture and heavy cream to butter-sugar mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Stir in flavoring.

Pour batter into prepared pan. Put into a cold oven and set the temperature to 325 degrees F. Bake for 1 hour 15 minutes without opening the oven door. Bake for an additional 15 minutes if necessary. Remove from the oven and cool in pan for 15 minutes. Invert cake onto cake plate.

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birthdays

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a day to indulge in something decadent for breakfast … homemade cinnamon rolls

a day filled with phone calls, text messages, facebook messages, emails and a few written birthday cards from close friends and family

a day to shake my tail feathers in honor of celebrating me

a day to count my blessings

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Spring

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Spring fills the air with the fragrance of joy.
Unknown

cowboy honor

stronger than “a pinky swear”.

stronger than “cross my heart”.

stronger than “i promise” and “i swear”.

stronger than “you have my word”.

when you tell someone “cowboy honor” there is no turning back.

a very wise cowgirl once told me, there is no breaking cowboy honor, unless one is willing to get on their horse and head south til the horse drops.. then you just keep on walkin..
and never come back. cowboy honor is code.

not your Standard brunch

Sunday, February 28: first time to brunch at The Standard Grill.. service was not the best, but the food was absolutely delicious and the ambiance is light and airy.. perhaps this is my new favorite brunch spot …

Sunday, March 7: impromptu brunch at The Standard Grill with my sister. I was already in the neighborhood so I killed time at the bar people watching and sipping on a pitcher of coffee. Met the manager. Admired a few well dressed diners and tried to ignore the obvious LA transplants dining in house with sunglasses on. Not a fan.

Sunday, March 14: mother’s in town visiting.. brunch at The Standard Grill was a must. The manager welcomed me back and sent over a round of berry bellinis. So sweet.

Saturday, March 20: six college girlfriends were in town for a fun girls trip and their only mission for the day was to brunch NY style. We started off at The Standard Grill. Along with half of NY. The first official spring weekend, the 72 degree weather had the locals and out-of-towners out in full swing before noon. Sidewalk dining was in abundance. The manager gifted us with a crystal vase suitable for a cornucopia of fruit to adorn a kitchen table, instead it was filled with a champagne, orange liqueur, grapefruit and lavender concoction with a handful of 24 inch red straws. Amazing. What a dear!

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Next stop, was the Day & Night brunch party at Revel for the Koch’s birthday celebration. Sparklers and balloons galore. We mingled and jingled and celebrated life and birthdays and friendship for the remainder of the day. I managed to drag them on a mini field trip to Bagatelle and the newly re-opened for the season Beer Garden. Eventually everyone parted ways and bid adieu.

Spotlight: Derek and Daniel Koch

Double Double your refreshment!!

My first apartment in New York City was a darling place in the West Village. And the only reason I went above 14th Street was to shop at Bergdorf’s (as us Texas gals love anything related to Neiman’s) and to dine at Le Bilboquet… and not because the food was anything extraordinary… but because the guys that worked there were precious.

I met Daniel Koch one night out on the town and I didn’t realize he has an identical twin brother so the next day I was having lunch at Bilboquet and (what I thought was) Daniel walks over so I said, “Hey!” and he kindly replies, “No, I’m Derek, you probably think I’m Daniel.” Oh. My mother is a twin. I heart twins.

The Koch twins (last name pronounced COOK, by the way) are two of the coolest, most outgoing and friendliest guys in this city … and darling … Oh, and they just so happen to throw some of the most famous brunch parties, called Day & Night. Dubbed “Studio 54″ by Zagat their Day & Night brunch party at Merkato 55 during the Fall/Winter 2008-09 was infamous.

At the moment, the Koch brothers host Saturday afternoons at Revel and Sunday afternoons at Cipriani Downtown and will be doing back to back brunch celebrations this weekend March 20 & 21 for their birthday!!!!!!

In addition to their brunch parties, they have quite a few irons in the fire, including two NYC restaurants in the near future.. one in Meatpacking and one in Tribeca.. these are two brothers I adore spending time with and can hardly wait to see where the future takes them. It is with great pleasure that I invite you to spend a few minutes getting to know the coolest twins that I know and the hosts of some of my favorite NYC moments, Derek and Daniel Koch.

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First thing you do in the morning…
Daniel: look at my blackberry
Derek: brew coffee

Dress code…
Daniel: weekend is formal, weekday is urban casual
Derek: cotton, custom and leather (accessories)

Have yall always wanted to work together and build something together…
Daniel: yes, business is founded on loyalty so it’s easy with family

How did you get to where you are today…
Daniel: hardwork

Who do you admire in the hospitality and entertainment industry…
Daniel: Andre Balazs in the hospitality industry and Lady Gaga in the entertainment industry
Derek: the partners of Dual Groupe, Iron Chef Morimoto, Jean Gorges Vongerichten, Strategic Group, Ian Schrager, James Cameron, Ron Howard, JJ Abrams, Martin Scorsese

Favorite color…
Daniel: purple
Derek: navy blue

What are you currently reading…
Daniel: hospitality marketing book
Derek: The Wall Street Journal, too busy for books at the moment

Signature scent…
Daniel: Creed
Derek: Jean Paul Gaultier

What inspires you…
Daniel: music
Derek: everyday life in NYC – you don’t need to leave this city for inspiration. Also, some of my dreams inspire me

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Dream guests at a dinner party…
Daniel: Tiesto, Ian Schrager, Mick Jagger, John Lennon
Derek: Steve Jobs, Meryl Streep, Clint Eastwood, Steve Perry, Albert Einstein

Three things always in your refrigerator…
Daniel: OJ, Hidden Valley ranch, Pepsi
Derek: mayo, Hidden Valley ranch, Pepsi

Favorite local spot in the city…
Daniel: it was The Grand Saloon but now that’s closed. Now it’s Ryan’s Irish Pub
Derek: The White Horse

Top 3 favorite hotels…
Daniel: W Miami, Mandarin Oriental NY, Byblos
Derek: Gramercy Park Hotel, Plaza Anthenee Paris, Chateau Marmont

Favorite place to holiday…
Daniel: back home
Derek: back home

What do you pack…
Daniel: laptop, a few vintage t-shirts, my favorite Pumas and G Star jeans
Derek: chuck taylors

Signature drink…
Daniel: Rose wine
Derek: vodka cranberry

Top 3 favorite restaurants…
Daniel: Bilboquet, Cips Downtown, Cafe Habana
Derek: Bilboquet

You wish you were spending more time in…
Derek: the Bahamas

Whats currently on your Ipod…
Daniel: house and electro rock
Derek: I don’t have an Ipod but I like house and electro rock

What do you put on your hot dog…
Daniel: relish and onions
Derek: ketchup, mustard and chopped onions

Friends visit you in New York for 24 hours, where do you take them…
Daniel: one of our parties
Derek: dinner, nightclub and a late night diner

Do you own any sports jerseys…
Daniel: Ohio State University
Derek: Ohio State University

If you could go anywhere in the world with 4 of your best friends for 4 days…
Daniel: Mykonos
Derek: St Tropez

Coffee or tea…
Derek: espresso

You won’t leave home without…
Daniel: blackberry and back up battery
Derek: my phone

Starbucks order…
Daniel: grande caramel macchiato
Derek: double shot cans (two a day)

Preferred method of communication…
Daniel: email
Derek: email

Greatest party you’ve ever been to…
Daniel: WMC 2007 David Guetta
Derek: Jamboree in the Hills 2005

Favorite quote…
Daniel: “All happiness depends on a leisurely breakfast” John Gunther
Derek: “Be true to your work, your word, and your friend.” Henry David Thoreau

How do you spend your day of rest…
Daniel: turn off my blackberry
Derek: I sit on the couch and watch ID for 12 hours straight

Where is home…
Daniel: Martin’s Ferry, Ohio

3 things you are grateful for…
Daniel: family, friends, food
Derek: chicken wings, my mom and dad, my girlfriend

Daniel, what is something that others may not know about you…
I was originally suppose to be a girl

Derek, what is something that others may not know about you…
I bite on my…

Daniel, what is something that others may not know about Derek…
he is older

Derek, what is something that others may not know about Daniel…
he has a hole in one of his teeth

What’s next for Day & Night…
Daniel: worldwide
Derek: D&N worldwide

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