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!

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...

You Are What You Wear or in Sylvie's case... EAT!

The cute and adventurous Sylvie, in the childrens book of the same name, won my kids and me over with her whimsical style and daring taste!  The risk-taking little flamingo is tired of being pink {and eating shrimp}.  She wants to try something new {a girl after my own heart}!  A paisley flamingo? Green? Stripped?  That just won't do... So back to eating shrimp and being pink for her, because it's important to love who you are and to take care of your body too. I won't give the end away... But, trust me when I say - this little flamingo will find her own style and stand out {either on one leg or two} in a crowd!

Written and illustrated by the very talented and LOCAL artist Jennifer Sattler.  You may remember another of Jen's childrens books, Bella's Saratoga Summer.  Her new character will steal your heart and Jen's zippy animations will make you want one book to read and another to rip out the pictures and frame.

Meet Jen and get an autographed copy of the book!  Friday, June 12th, 6:30 at Barnes and Noble {Rt. 50}.

Who's the Fairest One of All??? {Giveaway Winner Announced}

  {my little dwarf and her best dwarf friend}

 desney... "love this" 

Congratulations!!!

 E-mail me susan@downtownsusiebrown and I'll get your Gorjana right out to you!  It's better than being kissed by a prince...

Are you looking for a place to wear your beautiful new necklace or want to do something special with Mom?  How about the ballet?  Saratoga City Ballet will present it's Snow White this weekend at Skidmore College's Dance Theater.  Get dressed up, bring the kids, or show your date just how classy you are..  Friday night at 7:00 p.m., Saturday at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. {box office opens 45 minutes prior to show time}.  Make Mom happy by supporting our local kids and the arts this weekend.

A Bright Way to Hit the Slopes!

 

I'll end my week of color with these great children's ski outfits I found at the Alpine Sport Shop. It would be hard to miss the girls zipping down the trails at Willard, West Mountain, or Gore in these adorable bright {and extremely cozy} ensembles. Alpine Sport Shop can outfit you and your family for any winter sport you enjoy. Embracing winter is a must in the North Country, so do it in style and with the latest clothing, gear and accessories that Alpine provides. The family owned business {since 1941!} will not disappoint. Entering the shop you get the feeling you are in a European chalet complete with a roaring fire, popcorn and the very lovable Gilda {their Golden Retriever}. Trust me - it's a shopping experience everyone will enjoy!

Have a powder-ful weekend!

check list {eats & gifts}

Tree up and house decorated, check. Christmas cards out, check. Presents bought and wrapped, check. OK - let's be honest, I have a wreath that won't stay up, a few cards lingering that I need addresses for, and a few last minute gifts to get and wrap. Oh yeah, and a bowl of cookie dough in the fridge - can't check "make cookies for Santa" off the list yet.

 

The girls and I made our favorite cut out cookie dough last night from the Beverly's Best cookbook (the restaurant is located on Phila Street and is one of the best brunch places in town - looove their blueberry pancakes). The dough has to go in the refrigerator for at least an hour before it can be rolled and cut. It got too late last night (still on the to do list - ahhh) to finish, so must check that off this morning. This allowed me some time to browse Etsy on line while the girls slept. I found these locally handmade holiday gift ideas. They are whimsical, unique and they are made by local artist. My gift to you last minute gift seekers that want something a little different.

Ho Ho Ho.....

{Beverly's Best Cook Book at Beverly's 47 Phila Street, Tree Key chain at Etsy by Miesmama, Santa and Mrs. Clause pony tail holders at Etsy by Three Dancing Magpies, and Santa Clause mini gourd ornaments at Etsy by PulpArt}

shop downtown {gift ideas}

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's been a hard year to get into the spirit of gift giving with all the bad news out there. Nothing will put you back in the mood like shopping our great downtown. We are all so proud of our downtown and we should be! We have great shops with quality merchandise and shop owners who are committed to our community. This is a perfect time of year to support them and buy that special gift you've been looking for, say Happy Holidays and let them know we believe in them. They are our DOWNTOWN. Without them Saratoga would not be the town it is. Get an eggnog latte, enjoy the decorations, and go shopping...downtown!

Tie by Vineyard Vines (love their whimsical prints done so right) at Pink Paddock, headbands by Lacoste (perfect for that 'tween girl in your life) at Speck Boutique, tree ornaments by Lilly Pulitzer (perfect for the country club set) at Pink Paddock, gloves at Lucia Boutique (a little edgy yet practical), slippers (on my wish list) at Life is Good, Christmas tree boxers (perfect stocking stuffer for him) at Banana Republic, peace sign necklace (celebrate the 50th anniversary of the symbol) at Silverado, Ruckus game (my whole family loves this game!) at G. Willikers, and thank you notes (because it's the right thing to do) at PaperDolls of Saratoga.

a Christmas classic

{photo by John Sullivan}

The Nutcracker.

We pretty much live and breathe the Nutcracker from September to December thanks to my little aspiring ballerinas. The music is played repeatedly, the dances are practiced until perfection and the story is told and retold many times during this season and it never gets old. Saratoga City Ballet's Nutcracker will be performed this weekend at Skidmore College. Friday night at 7:00 p.m., Saturday at 2:00p.m. and 7:00 p.m., Sunday at 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m {box office 448-5049}. I took my oldest daughter to this performance when she was 4 years old and that is when she (and I) fell in love with ballet. She enrolled at Saratoga City Ballet 6 years ago. The school is professionally run by the very dedicated Julie Gedalecia and Eve Whelchel. Their passion for dance and excellence is seen in the show. The costumes are gorgeous, the set is magical and the dances are brilliant.

Take a child for the first time or see it again for the first time!

Kicking off the Christmas Season with a French Flair ...

Crepes and pomme frites after church at Ravenous 21 Phila Street.

Anticipating Santa's arrival.
Give him your wish list on Wednesday December 3rd, 7:00 p.m. when he arrives at his home on Broadway (directly across from Caroline Street).

G. Willikers window.
In keeping with my euro day - this store never disappoints. Wooden toys, games, dolls, puzzles from Europe, train sets, trucks, stuffed animals, beautiful dolls and accessories, animal figures, tea sets, jewelry boxes (can you tell I have girls), model cars, animal figurines and much much more. If you are looking for a shopping experience that will leave you feeling like you are giving a unique high quality gift as well as a toy that will last a life time - it's worth a stop here for your little ones.

After strolling Broadway enjoying the real first snow fall of the season and the Christmas decorations, I treated my daughter (and myself) to a hot drink and an irresistible french pastry at Mrs. London's 464 Broadway. A taste (a delicious one at that) of Paris on Broadway.

Cafe et chocolat chaud.

Joyeux Noel!

Black Friday Deals Downtown ...

PaperDolls of Saratoga 80 Henry Street: 20% off all week end if you tell them DownTownSusieBrown sent you!

80 West 80 West Circular: Open 9 am to 6 pm. 15% off jewelry, 20% off shoes and bags, 30% off clothing and 40% off sale items.

Violet's of Saratoga 482 Broadway: 50% off on items in the store from 6 am to 7 am, 40% off from 7 am to 8 am, 30% off from 8 am to 9 am, 20% off from 9 am on.

G. Willikers: 10% off all week end

Down Street Market Place (Aggie's, Lucia, Pomega, etc) 454 Broadway: sales going on all weekend.

Speck Boutique 353 Broadway: 30% off from 8 am to 9 am, 20% off from 9 am to close. Additional secret savings of up to 50% in the store!

Mimosa Gallery 70c Beekman Street: 20% off all week end.

Have fun getting into the spirit of the season!

A Fun Fall Day in Saratoga.... Priceless...

Apple Picking at Saratoga Apple: $5.00 for a small bag, Rt 29 Schuylerville

Finding the perfect pumpkin at Sunnyside Gardens: $0.45 per pound, 345 Church Street, Saratoga Springs

Take a walk back in time and check out the lobby of the Adelphi Hotel: $0, 365 Broadway, Saratoga Springs.
Unless you want to spend a night - but you better book soon! They close for the season on Saturday, October 18, 2008.

On the road again......

Long weekends, leaf peeping, away games, and the holidays are coming our way. How many DVD's can your kids really watch on that 4+ hour drive to Nana's house? I just survived a looooooong road trip to South Bend (yes, the Irish won and the weather was perfect) with the help of these great boredom busting activities that I picked up at G. Williker's Toy Store on Broadway. My kids loved the auto bingo (reusable, they slide the red clear plastic over various sights like cows, trucks, traffic lights, you get the idea), Time Flies (all sorts of word games, tic-tac-toe, and hangman - best part is it comes with 2 dry erase pens so you can erase and do it again on the way home!) To improve fine motor skills the cool Wikki Stix (comes in a rainbow of colors and can be molded into stick people, letters or flowers or whatever your budding artist dreams up). I had a lot of fun with ALEX bracelet maker (makes a single friendship bracelet -- think Girl Scout Camp) - this one was a bit too advanced for my 6 yr. old. Best part - they were all $15.00 and under!