Winning Edge Style {Opening Day}

Embrace the trends this Opening Day. Ruffles, headbands, a roomy tote {for flip flops and sun screen!}, Gorjana jewelry, and Gladiator pumps. It may not be the typical track outfit - but YOU are not the typical track girl. Strut your stuff and show off that great style. Have a winning day!


Join me on Thursday July 30th {tomorrow!} for Shopping Night with DTSB. You'll find all the trends along with classics to suit your shopping needs. Great stores, great savings, great fun - all for a GREAT CAUSE! 16 stores and spas involved. Over $700 worth of giveaways to be raffled off at Tiznow {must be present to win} at the end of the evening {9:00}! It is a night you won't want to miss! Start at Speck Boutique, 353 Broadway, leave a donation for the backstretch workers {blankets, pillows, or toiletries} and you will receive your ticket to savings! 10, 20, 30% off. Book signings, fashion shows, and spa treatments just for making a small donation and having a night out on the town! Come see how amazing shopping in downtown Saratoga can be!
{only elegible to DTSB punch card holders for one night only}

The Countdown Begins!

{dresses by Milly found at Hunt. Find more great fashion in Saratoga Summer Magazine now at newstands!}

One more day until Opening Day and two more days until Shopping Night! Fun, Fun, Fun!!! Summer has finally begun!

Enjoy the sun and all the festivities the track has to offer. My favorite part? You guessed it - the fashions... People watching. The dresses, hats, guys in seersucker suits, panama hats and much more. Go and take it all in!

You may win or lose at the track tomorrow - but everyone will be a winner Thursday night! Tons of great savings, spa treatments, fashion shows, book signings, GIVEAWAYS and much more from 16 of Saratoga's best shops and spas! Come join the fun. More details tomorrow.... Have a great day!

Make a Bold Statement

Jennifer Fischer necklace found at Lucia. A favorite designer of celebs and the girls from Gossip Girl and Sex in the City.

A great piece from one of my favorite local designers, Shari Silverman Voce. Found at Aggie's.


Add some citrus punch to your summer outfit!

Found at 80 West on Broadway.

Find these great pieces and much more on Shopping Night this Thursday, July 30th from 5-9.

NYRA'S got nothing on me...$650.00 worth of shopping sprees given away at the end of the night - but you have to be in it to win it. Join the fun and bring a donation for B.E.S.T. to Speck Boutique and you will receive your ticket to a fun filled night of shopping, savings, fashion shows, trunk shows, and spa treatments! Shop 'til you drop and then join me at Tiznow {84 Henry Street} for some libations and food specials {make a reservation if you plan on eating - lets not forget it's track season!} where I will announce amazing shopping spree giveaways! Bring your girlfriends, moms, daughters, sisters, husbands, boyfriends {you know they want in on it too} or come alone and see how great shopping in Saratoga can be!!! RSVP today susan@downtownsusiebrown.com.

Take a Walk on the West Side ... {giveaway winner announced}

... and discover Mimosa Gallery and much more. The West Side has had a major revitalization the last few years, trust me, I used to live on Grand Avenue. I have been amazed at what has transpired. My husband and our young family lived in a townhouse at the start of the new millennium until 4 years ago. We were pioneers moving over to the West Side. Having lived in NYC - we were ready for the challenge and were committed to living close to downtown. A townhouse on the West Side was what we could afford. I'm proud of to say we were there when it all began. We left when our family began to grow and needed a yard and more space {but we are still walking distance to downtown}. We often wish we had stayed! We go to dinner at The Local often with the girls and share stories about our first special home where they were just babies. Stopping on Beeckman and walking up and down the street that is now littered with artist galleries, neighborhood pubs, great restaurants and very cool shops makes me very proud! It's our own SoHo {should we call it WeBro?}. A walk on Beeckman Street and you get the feeling that you have stumbled on something very special. Enjoy it this weekend for First Saturday {galleries are open until 9. The neighborhood galleries and restaurants have music and specials all evening} or on Shopping Night, Thursday July 30th. Mimosa Gallery is a participating store and is a shop you won't want to miss. Everything item {art, jewelry, pottery, vases} is unique and many are designed by local artist and designers. Michelle and Michael LaLonde {owners} themselves are artist in their own right. They are designers of handbags which are, like so much on the West Side, one-of-a-kind works of art and should not be missed!

Today's Giveaway winner is....

Sal with the comment ...

"I definitely need to get out of my scrubs and into some new clothes!"

Congratulations!!!

Have a great weekend !!!

There's Those Shopping Bags Again!!! {Giveaway Wednesday Returns}

Updates on DTSB

1.) Shopping bags {above} = giveaways or shopping events {this week we are talking both!}.

2.) Shopping night details. Thursday July 30th , 5-9. Bring donations {pillows, blankets or toiletry items} for B.E.S.T. to Speck {353 Broadway} to receive your punch card {and ticket to savings at Saratoga's finest stores}. Visit 10 stores and get you card punched to be eligible for raffle prizes at the end of the evening! Return your completed punch card to PaperDolls {80 Henry Street} by 9pm and head next door to Tiznow for food and drink specials along with fabulous drawings {must be present to win}. RSVP {space is limited} susan@downtownsusiebrown.com.

3.) Subscriptions {scroll down lower left to sign up} and DTSB will be sent directly to your email address. Why miss out on a cool giveaways, the latest fashion trend in town and where to find it, or another fabulous GNO? Sign up now.

Let's get to it... Today's giveaway is a mini-shopping spree to get you track ready and armed with more shopping power for next Thursday! The shopping spree giveaway is a $50.00 value. It includes a $20.00 gift card to Violet's {find the perfect dress}, a $20.00 gift certificate to Spa Cascada {you really have no excuse for those eyebrows now}, and a $10.00 gift certificate to PaperDolls {plan your track party and send only the best invites}.

Leave a comment here to enter to win. Winner will be announced on Friday!

Are we having fun yet?

The Suitcase Packing Challenge...

4 days away and only one airline regulated carry-on suitcase allowed. Can you do it? After all the makeup, toiletries, hair essentials, shoes and enough outfits to take you from the pool {or lake or beach} to the track {well, it is that time of year} and then to dinner. YES YOU CAN! My packing essentials are dark denim jeans, a cotton wrap, ballet flats, one pair of heels, a stylin' scarf, shorts, a great fitting tee {love Vince}, a bathing suit, and a dress. The dress is the key piece. It should be able to be dressed up or down, must be in a current cut and style and can't wrinkle. The solution? The above dress by Perfect Pouch Wear. Allison and Susan the founders of In The Clutch who designed these dresses are women on the go who didn't want to sacrifice style for their busy lifestyle. Not only are these dresses easy to pack, they can be folded into a small pouch that will fit in your purse! Perfect for weekend get-aways or for a quick change after a work out and before a date!

{check them out for yourselves on July 30th. Speck will host an In The Clutch trunk show during the shopping event to benefit B.E.S.T!}

July 30th Shopping Night to benefit B.E.S.T.

As a Saratogian, I love the track. I love the buzz that takes over our town for 6 weeks. I love the pageantry. I love getting dressed up and wearing a hat, opening day, betting my favorite exacta numbers {even if they don't always win}, cheering on the ponies and the people watching! The styles from the picnic area to the club house never disappoint. Thanks to the backstretch workers, my day at the track is filled with thoroughbreds who are well trained, beautifully groomed, and well taken care of. They are the backbone of the track. On July 30th I am asking shoppers who will participate in the shopping event to donate slightly used or new bedding {blankets and pillows} or toiletries {shampoo, soap, toothpaste, shaving cream, etc} for B.E.S.T. Shoppers bring a donation to Speck Boutique, 353 Broadway, starting at 5:00 p.m. and you will receive a DTSB punch card. The card is your ticket to savings {for that night only} at some of the best establishments Saratoga has to offer. It will be a fun-filled evening of shopping, dining, spa treatments, drinks and giveaways. Come out and enjoy all our beautiful downtown has to offer and show you care about the people who take care of the horses!

R.S.V.P. today at susan@downtownsusiebrown.com.

Come Celebrate My New Look {Save The Date}

Yes, folks, DownTownSusieBrown has been enhanced! Thanks to the very talented Elisa Sheehan of Lis Designs my site was transformed in a make-over of it's own {see - we all have room for improvement} and I want to celebrate with another shopping night. Last time was such a success and left everyone wanting more... Here is your chance! Come be a part of the Saratoga buzz. Grab your girlfriend, wife, mother, daughter, whomever for a very special night in our gorgeous downtown. Find that stylish track outfit you've been wanting to buy, or get that special gift for him, her or that special pooch in your life. Their will be plenty of stores to shop in. Specials running for that night only, trunk shows and SHOPPING SPREE giveaways at the end of the evening. Plus it will benefit a very worthy cause. The date???

THURSDAY JULY 30 FROM 5-9

More details to follow next week.

Have a great weekend!

{can't wait to RSVP ? Leave a comment here or e-mail me at susan@downtownsusiebrown.com . Don't forget to sign up for my email subscription so you don't miss any of the details - lower left side of blog!}

Summer Camps

3 Kids = 3 different camps..

Ballet, gymnastics and horse back riding.  They may be all girls, but they are all have their own personalities and interests.  Like all good parents we embrace their passions even if that means we turn into a glorified cab service!   

Thank God for our amazing downtown.  I was able to get them outfitted in two stops.

Stop One: Saratoga Dance for all the ballet needs and a new gymnastic leotard and stretch pants.  They are knowledgeable, friendly and extremely helpful. 

Stop Two: Saratoga Saddlery helped me get my youngest outfitted for the stables and for riding.  They have beginner level boots, cute jodhpurs, and helmets {oh yeah, it's not about the outfit} that will keep her safe{r}.

Off I go....  Duty calls...

Browns Weekend Buzz...

Feature Presentation: NYC Ballet performing Americana, Saturday July 11th at 8:00 {support the arts while having a good time.  It's a win-win}. 

Dress: by Milly at Hunt, Ltd {style name - Summer Gala Dress - how perfect}.

Bling: David Yurman ring at Frank Adams Jewelers, gold leaf earrings at Lucia Boutique {wear your own fireworks}.

Lawn essentials: a ticket, champagne and chairs {cheers!}

Don't leave home without 'em: Flip flops for showing off YOUR dance moves {I'll show you, Peter Martin!} and a wagon {for when you've proved your point}.

Enjoy the Sun!!!  Have a great weekend! 

 

Gala Week!

Busy week.  Girls are back home {yipeee - missed them so!}, family visiting {love sharing our town with our loved ones even if it keeps me from blogging!}, working on an exciting project, and it's Gala Week!  The New York City Ballet opened last night {another yippeee!} and The Gala is Saturday.  Thanks to my creative and witty friend, Molly,  she makes the ballet gala stress-free for many of us.  Find a dress {I'm here to help!}, get the nails done, line up the sitter, make an hors d'oeuvres or dessert to share, make sure my significant other is sufficiently suited {in my case - don't forget the cane!} and off we go to what is always a memorable {especially if you keep the cocktails to a minimum} night. If it's your first time experiencing the ballet gala on the great SPAC lawn... Here are some tips from my friend and a gala picnic pro... "Buy performance tickets after confirming forecast.  Bring some rolling device for transport.  Prepare for conditions, high heels get stuck in the mud, bugs bite and glass breaks.  Blankets are nice on the slope to watch the ballet and chairs help ease tired toes".  And a few disclaimers {she is a lawyer}... "Satisfaction Almost Guaranteed.  Not responsible for lost or misplaced items including significant others.  Injuries incurred on the dance floor or elsewhere are due to an act of God and are signs that it may be time to switch drinks or dance floors..."  This is an event that cannot be missed in Saratoga.  It appeals to everyone and you will see everything {best of all - the amazing NYC Ballet}.  Ballet, friends, good food and drink, fireworks, and dancing for the common folks - not just the ballerinas - in 3 different tents.  Grab your picnic blanket, a bottle of champagne, put on that LBD and kick off the summer season SARATOGA STYLE! 

 

Happy 4th of July!!!

Downtown is the place to be on the 4th.  Lots of activities planned in Congress Park and all around town.  The All-American BBQ and Dessert festival will be going on all through town - stop by the Visitor's Center for ballot information {so American - you can vote for your favorite}.  Rock out to REO Speedwagon, Styx and 38 Special at SPAC or spend it at home with family and friends.  A must for all ages are the Fireworks at Congress Park at dark.  Express your your independence and  celebrate your way!

While the Kids are Away, the Parents will Play!

Out on a Monday night!  How strange, how unexpected, how FUN!  The kids are away visiting their NH cousins so my husband and I have some flexibility this week.  We jumped into our week free of parental duties by a enjoying a summer night downtown.  Our first stop on a nice summer evening is the Saratoga City Tavern.  Known for it's 5 floors of diverse musical entertainment - the fifth floor is the place to be in the summer.  The roof top bar over looks the city and is the perfect place to enjoy a beverage as the sun sets.

Our next stop?  The Wine Bar.  We are truly fortunate to have this establishment in our town.  The quality, service and impeccable food rivals any 4 star NYC restaurant.  Having spent a fair time in NYC and our love of travel has allowed us to eat in many fine restaurants.  The Wine Bar's food and wine list delivers the taste and experience you would expect to get in a major metropolitan city.  We sat outside, drank some very good wine {I had a glass of white Italian - my husband a White Burgundy}, I had the scallops {delicious} and my husband had the tenderloin {highly recommend} and enjoyed an evening with the man I love in the city I love! 

Happy Birthday, Peter! 

The Staycation Continues....

{Giveaway Wednesday to return in 2 Weeks!}