Happy Week End!!! {Giveaway Winner Announced}

I leave you this week with some shots from Balet Flowers and Design {how brilliant are those peonies?  I just can't get enough}.  I've been a big fan of Balet for some time. Suzanne and her team have a great love for horticulture and it shows. Their bouquets at the Farmers Market are gorgeous and their greenhouse {5041 Nelson Ave Ext, Malta NY} has a bounty of beautiful blooms awaiting your next landscaping project!  Their enthusiasm is contagious {even for a novice like me}.  They are knowledgeable, friendly and helpful - they truly want the best for you and your garden.  Treat yourself to trip out of the rain and into a floral oasis.

Happy Father's Day to all you Dad's out there {a special one to Peter - who is a wonderful father and husband}.  Have a great weekend.  The sun will come out again soon {I hope!}.

This week's giveaway winner is....

Peg

 "I adore the lost art of correspondence!" 

Congratulations!

 

Adirondack Dad {Father's Day Gift Ideas #3}

Life is Good for this outdoors lovin' guy.  Comfort and function is high on this guys list.  He likes the softest tee's, the more worn in the shorts the better and he refuses to wear big boy shoes on the week end.  Nope, it's all about being on the lake, in a tent,  getting his hands dirty in the garden, or just lounging in the back yard for this guy.  Embrace his casual style with a new tee from the Gap or Life Is Good on Broadway - they have so many fun tee's, hats, sweatshirts and much more great gear with snappy sayings on them.  Of course I love the one's that play with words and phrases like "All Those Who Wander Are Not Lost".  Jake's simple message of optimism will lift your spirit and Dad's.   New Reef flip flops from Saratoga Shoe Depot and he's good to go.  Looking for a special gift for this dad?  How about a sporty watch by Swiss Army found at N Fox Jewelers.  Now he's comfy and stylin' {just don't tell him}!

Retro Dad... {Giveaway Wednesday!}

 

He lived it - you love it.  You just can't get enough of Mad Men, mod graphics, or Kate Spade.  Well, this is your lucky day!  Bring your Father's Day gift into Paper Dolls of Saratoga, pick some very cool wrapping paper and the girls from PD will give your dad's gift a very retro look.  They will wrap it up to resemble what he wore in the 60's or 70's {as seen above}.  They might be able to do the 80's but that Gordon Gekko look is not very popular today given the state of the economy... 

Today's giveaway?  A kate spade {no one says retro better than kate} all occasion gift card set {above}.  Need a birthday card?  Your covered.  An interesting thank-you for that fab dinner party you attended last week end?  It's there.  Auntie Jane is under the weather?  You have a kitchy card that will lift her spirits.

Leave a comment on this post and you will be entered to win a gift for yourself this week!!!  You deserve it.  You've been a good daughter and/or wife - right???  Winner announced on Friday! 

Gourmet Dad {Father's Day Gift Ideas #2}

He likes to cook, you like picnics.  He cooks, you take the kids for the day while he is the master of his universe, or at least the kitchen.  He cooks, you clean {again}.  It's Father's Day.  Don't pull a Kate Gosselin {I'm nothing like her!} - let him have his fun.  Supply him with a Putnam Market gift card to get the hard-to find gourmet cheeses, olive oils, balsamic vinegars, meats, pastas, WINE, and so much more...  Then get him a great cooking tool {Le Creusent pots} or one of these very cool picnic essentials by Gourmet Getaway {wine carrier} or Picnic Time {picnic basket} from Compliments to the Chef {it is picnic season and you are due for an updated picnic tote - you'll - I mean - he'll love it!}.  Add some tickets to a SPAC event {he loves the ballet - right?} and you'll have another picnic to look forward to.  A Vineyard Vines seersucker button down along with some crisp new shorts from The Pink Paddock will give him that polished summer look you feel in love with.  Sounds like a win-win gift to me... 

Track Dad {Father's Day Gift Ideas #1}

All Spa City dad's look forward to Opening Day {July 29th} and spending some time at the track...  Make sure he's ready with all the essentials for a winning day!  A subscription to the Daily Racing Form and a nice pen will make sure he's more informed when he does his handicapping {let's face it enny meeny miny mo can only go so far}.  A cool linen shirt from Banana Republic and a dapper straw hat by Scala found at La Sartoria on Broadway will make him look like he's heading to the winners circle instead of hanging out on the rail {nothing wrong with that}.  A few cigars from James & Sons Tobacconists and a cooler filled with a 6 pack of his favorite beverage and some snacks from Putnam Market will ensure a good time whether he wins or loses {although he's a sure-thing in your eyes}.  This is the perfect gift for your track loving dad!

{the inspiration for this board?  My own dad who loved the track and a good cigar}

The Grand Finale & Track Ready... {Giveaway Announced}

I love the wrap dress.  Erin went out of her comfort zone with this dress and has had amazing results!  She looks sexy and confident!  The wrap style plays up her girly figure in a very sophisticated way.  Spanx and Fashion Tape is a girl's best kept secret for keeping things where they need to be.

I wanted to play up the color because it's all about color this season {especially orange and bright yellow}.  I used the same blue peep toe wedges from the shop your closet post to play up the blue in the dress, but added an orange clutch, chunky necklace and fun flower cocktail ring to add pop!  Take risks and have fun with color - it isn't always about matching.

{Dress from Frivolous, Necklace and clutch from 80 West, Spanx and Fashion Tape can be found at Frivolous}

In Erin's Words....

"Thank you so much Susan!  Who knew shopping could be so much fun!  I love how we went through my closet first and decided which things work for me and then got rid of things that did not.  And then to the shopping!  I can truthfully say I did not expect to find much downtown to fit me .... but Susan knows what she is doing.  It was great to shop with Susan because she knows the stores and store owners so well.  These people are great!  So helpful and not scary at all!!!  

 

 I love all my new clothes ~ they are so comfortable and mix with all my clothes I already own.  When we were going through my closet Susan was surprised at the clothes and accessories I already had but never wear...Susan then asked me, "What are you waiting for?"  Well, I am not waiting any longer.  I have been stepping it up and wearing my cool jewelry and hats. Why not?    I have a great life and now I can look good while I am enjoying it!

 

Thanks to Maria for my great hair, I love it!  Much appreciation to Amy and Mary at Spa Cascada..  I love my make up and brows! Thanks to all who came to my big reveal and donated so generously to the Franklin Community Center food pantry".

 

Erin and her husband Mike, through their party raised $900.00 and donated two boxes full of much needed non-perishable food items to Franklin Community Center. Erin is truly beautiful inside and out!

 

A special thanks to Kim Purdy for taking all the pictures!!!

 

The winner of this week's giveaway and the start of an enhancement of their own is...

 

Rebecca..

Her comment was... "My daughter Alice {referring to my grey roots} said "Mom - it looks like someone dropped a powdered doughnut on your head"!

 

Enjoy SaratogaArtsFest this week end!! 

 See you next week when we will celebrate DAD! 

In a Pinch? Shop your Closet!!! {Enhancement Week #2}

Pictures by Kim Purdy

We all have those moments when we feel like we have NOTHING to wear. This is when having the wardrobe staples comes in very handy.  We took these classic khaki trousers that Erin already had in her closet and paired it with a black wrap blouse that Erin has had, but never wore.  The blouse is the perfect silhouette for Erin.  The wrap style works well because the v-neck adds length to Erin and flatters her bust.  The top hits her right at the hip line and shows off her waist.  The wide leg trouser adds balance to the whole silhouette giving it a classic and polished look.  We made it Erin's own by adding funky jewelry.  The chunky coral necklace and fun blue peep toe shoes adds just enough color to make it appropriate for any summer event!

{Coral necklace from 80 West}