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!

Rocking Around the Christmas Tree!

Holiday parties are in full swing. It's a bit bitter sweet this year. The celebrations may not be as elaborate as years past, but the friendships remain. We've endured a lot this year and have learned much about ourselves and our country. The good news is the focus is back on the true meaning of the season, friends, family, and health - so for that we must brave the storms, get dressed up and embrace the merriment of these weeks. My hubby and I had his company party Saturday night and my look was all found downtown from my head to my toes....

Cut and Color : Maria

Eyebrow Design: Spa Cascada

Sunless Glow: Spa City Spa

Dress: 80 West {$30 bought with my Shopping with DTSB coupon at the event - a steal!}

Boyfriend Blazer: Hunt, Ltd

Necklace: by Shari Silverman Voce found at Aggie's

Tights: Violet's

Night out with my husband and friends: priceless!

It's crunch time, so I will have a giveaway on Wednesday to assist you and your check list. It may be just the boost your wallet needs to help you get your shopping done! I will also reveal the video from the last DTSB shopping event. Don't miss it!

Ho Ho Ho.....

Wishes, Champagne, Fashion, Violet's and a Good Cause

Sounds like a perfect night to me! If you are a Violet's fan {like me}, you won't want to miss this night. December 15th from 6p-8p. It's the perfect time of year to make your own wish list and to make others wishes come true. Violet's is hosting a night to make many wishes come true. This is how it will work... You come, make up your own wish list for your own personal Santa. {hopefully there will be lots of pens and paper - something tells me these lists will be loooooooong}. Purchase a glass of champagne to enjoy while you shop {is there anything better?}. The glass of bubbly will have a ticket attached to it for your chance to win a pair of designer jeans {think Paige Denim or Hudson Jeans} along with a fashion consultation with the very knowledgeable Violet's team to be sure you choose the perfect pair for you. The more champagne you buy the better your chances of winning {best leave the car at home}. All proceeds from your consumption and ticket collecting will go to the Make-A-Wish foundation. an amazing foundation that helps make terminally ill kids wishes come true. But, wait! There's more! Violet's is really in the giving mood.... come dressed in your favorite Violet's ensemble, be voted best dressed and win a sneak peak for you and two of your friends to check out Laura's newest baby - Stella's in Spring 2010 before the Grand Opening. You and your BFF's will get first dibs on the most stylin' shoes in town.

Hmmmm.... Now to figure out what to wear???

See you there!

For the Tween in Your Life

My daughter turned 11 last week. She is officially a tween. High on her birthday wish list were things like iPhones, laptops, and a flat screen t.v. for her room {gotta' a love a girl who can dream}. No more dolls, bikes, and puppies. Nope, we've moved on to the next level. Thankfully, she is very girly. She also listed hoop earrings {we compromised with small glittery ones from Silverado not the large Jennifer Lopez style ones she envisioned!} and the above necklace. We saw it one day while shopping for a birthday gift for another friend at G. Willikers. It's the coolest piece of jewelry for this age group. It should be. The design by M3 Girl Designs is the brainchild of another tween from Texas. She came up with the idea of recycling bottle caps {very green}, paints cool designs on them and turns them into magnets so they can be interchanged as often as your little tween's mood changes {yes - they offer that many charms}. The choker necklace comes in a few different colors {black, pink or bright blue}, has a small metal pendant that the charms attach to and costs around $8. Charms {also about $8} have all different themes {birthday, peace, love, animals, holiday, etc.}. It's the perfect birthday gift or stocking stuffer for your tween, it won't break the bank and is age appropriate!

Get you Hair Ready for the Holidays {beauty tips by Maria}

{The beautiful and talented Ann-Marie Flores at her salon on Broadway} {Ann-Marie and her team made the Violet's girls more fabulous for the kick-off party}

American women love their shampoo. We shampoo everyday, sometimes twice a day. Our chic European friends only shampoo once a week {think of all that time saved}! Americans also love a lot of lather. Here's a little known fact... Shampoo doesn't need a high lather content to cleanse properly. It's actually more gentle for our hair and scalp to have a low lather content. American women have a hard time purchasing shampoos that don't lather, therefore, the companies add detergents for us lather-head obsessed Americans.

Let's talk about pH. Proper pH for hair, skin and scalp should be between 4.5 and 5.5 acid balanced. Water is neutral at 7 pH, as is baby shampoo. So are tears. This is why baby's don't cry when they get baby shampoo in their eyes. Works for the little tykes, but not for us because it is not the best for our hair and hair color. Some retail brand shampoos are as high in alkalinity as pH of 9. Ouch! Think cleanser or perm solution. Not what you want to use to keep your hair color from fading. I highly recommend professional salon shampoo and conditioners and products which are acid balanced and won't damage your hair or scalp.

Warning: I'm sure you've noticed your favorite salon brand {Redken or Bumble and Bunble} in CVS alongside the Suave, Pantene and the others? Before you think you've found a deal, here's the skinny. Those salon products are "diverted", or black marketed. Diversion is a billion dollar industry the beauty business is fighting everyday. Those products can be up to two years old, and could have switched hands six times before you purchase it for your use. They are not any less expensive than in the salon, and are not guaranteed. Please, STOP and put it down. Purchasing that product hurts your local salon/stylists/business owner. When visiting your local salon for your haircut or color, ask your stylist for their personal recommendation for your hair type. They will be more than happy to give you consultation for home haircare.

I've known Ann Marie Flores for 15 years. She owns the Ann Marie Flores the Salon on Broadway. Not only is she highly skilled in her craft, she commands perfection from her team. She stocks an abundance amount of Redken products for you to pamper yourself at home with. You will have beautiful, shiny hair just in time for Christmas. I can promise you! For an extra treat - book an appointment for an up-do or a blow out for you next Holiday get-together.