Book Club Night

The girls got together for a lively discussion, good food and a little vino last night. We read and discussed the Saratoga Reads book last month, so no Potato Peel Pie last night. Nope - it' was good 'ol Southern food! This month the pick was The Help by Kathern Stockett. How does my book group work? Not only do we read the book, but we take in the whole experience both intellectually and gastronomically. The Help is a moving book about racial inequality in 1960's Jackson, Mississippi. Some of the characters I loved, some not so much. It's a page turner that really captures the time and made for a great conversation. Food plays an important role in the book and in our gatherings. That is why we had Hattie's fried chicken {hostess provides the main dish} as the main course, along with a few sides, appetizers, wine, and dessert {provided by the other members - thankfully no chocolate pie!}. We have enjoyed almost 10 years of lots of great reads, heated discussions, and most of all ... friendship.

Winter Weekends ... {gift ideas}

The week end started off great and then it didn't and then it did and then it's over and time to start all over again. Ever have one of those?

My family's weekend started by meeting a bunch of our friends out for dinner. Great friends, good chatter, yummy food {that I didn't have to cook} was on the way.... And then my daughter {who looked very pale} came to sit on my lap and {you guessed it} lost it all over the table. A quick thinking dad grabbed the bread basket {only one roll left} almost quick enough for her make some of it in there. Needless to say - our night ended abruptly.

The rest of the weekend was pretty low key for us. Lazy days with some of us staying in our jammies for most of the day {not mentioning any names here}. Along with the sips of ginger ale, naps on the couch, wii games, the Game of Life, movies, and a fire {lots of coffee a little wine and good dinners made by dad}, I lit one of my favorite candles that I picked up at Antara Home. The candles are by Red Flower. The scent is so pure. I chose Spanish Gardenia. It was winter outside, but regardless of the unpleasant aromas the stomach bug can bring, it was Spring inside our home.

All You Need Is Love & ...

NYC Kitchen/Dining Room by downtownsusiebrown on Polyvore.com

Items in this set:
Cowhide Rug west elm, $369
IKEA Vases & flowers Vases FÄRM Vase, $1.99
Dining Tables, Dining Chairs & Modern Dining Tables west elm, $599
Dining Tables, Dining Chairs & Modern Dining Tables west elm, $199
Ampersand Hook Pillow Modern Chic Home

....family, friends, laughter, stimulating conversation, good food paired with amazing wine, patience while doing homework, a strong cup of joe and good wifi... Thanks to apartment living all of this will have to happen in our NYC kitchen/dining room. Yes, yes it's also part of the living room - more about that later... We started furnishing the new pad with the basics - a table and chairs were high on my husbands list to get done and thanks to West Elm and their amazing designs we found something that worked functionally for him and design wise for me! Carolyn and Laura {two of my dearest friends who both happen to be interior decorators - lucky me!} support my contemporary vision for the apartment. The above is where I'd like to see it go... A little edgy, yet romantic, yet practical. What do you think?

Yo! I'm Back!

Sorry for the lack of post. I have been a bit busy setting up our pied-a-terre in New York! I always thought this would happen later in life. When the girls were older and on their way off to college. But, my husband isn't that patient. Add that to his carpe diem mentality and voila! We are part-time New Yorkers again! Well..... It's not that easy.... His job {mostly} and our desire to share the city with the girls has open up an opportunity we couldn't refuse.

What does this mean to you???

I can share what I'm finding locally in the Spa City and the Big Apple. And of course have fun with it all... Yes, that means shopping events and giveaways!

A few highlights so far? The Tim Burton exhibit at the MOMA was very cool to my tweens who love to draw. Great exhibit showing how his sketches came to life. A walk over the the Brooklyn Bridge - a great way to take in lower Manhattan. Skating at Wollman Rink {forget the crowds at Rockefeller Center}, and this couch I got at Props of Saratoga. I can finally release my inner Mad Men. I'm excited to embrace a contemporary look for the apartment with the help of Props, my interior design friends, and some New York finds. Stay tuned!

Starting 2010 off Slow {Finding Balance}

{Lululemon Yoga Wear found at Reform Pilates}

It was a busy Christmas season. I personally had a lot going on. My hectic schedule continues. DTSB will be off to a slow start while I find the right balance in my life. Husband, kids, spirituality, mom duties, friends, dog, work outs and of course blogging. 2009 was a great year as far as DTSB is concerned. Lots of typing, clicking, uploading, Face Booking, Tweeting, creativity, inspiration, giveaways, and shopping events. DTSB will ease into the new year deliberately yet confidently excited to see what 2010 brings!
Won't you join me???

Merry Christmas!

Thank you Menges & Curtis for your beautiful window and reminder of what this season is really all about.

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas!!!

Christmas in New York

Christmas in New York by downtownsusiebrown featuring Vince

I'll be spending more time in the city in 2010. So I'll need to get my edge back. I'll need to stock up on more black clothes and zippy accessories. So, honey, if your reading {like you should be} - high on my wish list is this Vince sweater {at Aggie's}, Big Buddha Bag {at Violet's} and zippy gloves by Kate Spade to make hailing a cab that much easier - I can't be too serious down there!