A Classic Summer Look

Blue, White and Yellow by downtownsusiebrown featuring Petit Bateau t shirts

I have always loved navy blue and white together {maybe it goes back to my uniform wearing days?}. So crisp and clean. So Classic. Go French and wear a sailor top {I found a great one at the Gap this week - they have tons of stripes right now}, and skinny jeans {I put dark denim above but white skinny jeans would look amazing as well!}. Or Preppy American - Navy and White Lilly Pulitzer dress {great window at Pink Paddock showing off all their lovely blue and white frocks}, and Jack Rogers {every girl needs a pair of these classic summer sandals found at Stella's or Pink Paddock}. Make the outfit pop with a bright and sunny yellow accessory. This Kate Spade bag is the perfect bag for either outfit. Red lips and red nails and you are ready for the track, polo, the ballet or concert at SPAC, lunch in town, cocktails poolside or wherever your summer plans lead you!

Girlfriends are gifts...

My very good friend, Carolyn, just gave me the above print for our new place in NYC. It is the perfect reminder for me, especially these days. Life {midlife} is NUTS! Marriage, kids, aging parents, getting ready to rent the house for a few weeks of track, setting up the apartment to be our home-away-from-home, worrying about the oil spill, the financial crisis, walking the dog, the heat, new schools for the girls {are they reading enough? are their math skills sharp enough for the competitive nature of NYC? Are they (am I) ready for all of that???}. Plus providing healthy meals, working out, and maintaining a spiritual life is enough to send the most sane person over the edge! I don't even have a full-time job outside the house, and only have 3 kids (I have sisters with as many as 8). So how do we stay sane? By keeping calm and girlfriends. My girlfriends, which include my sisters, are the ones I turn to especially during these times when I am feeling frightened and unsure of myself. They listen. They let me vent, whine, laugh, cry - whatever is needed at that moment. They share a good book, a cup of coffee, a run, or a much needed glass of wine by the end of the day. They make me see the humor and beauty in life and encourage me to take chances. They point out how precious our kids are, how important raising them is even if we may not feel like we are doing it well. So, THANK YOU to all my friends for keeping me calm and allowing me to carry on!

Drive In {the Outfit}

Drive In by downtownsusiebrown featuring Paige Denim jeans


Best to stay with the retro vibe and who does that better than Kate Spade {top} and Tory Burch {sandals - told you I love 'em}. Can't get too dressed up for the drive-in so I chose to wear them with my Paige Denim boyfriends {from Violet's of Saratoga}. A cardi {J.Crew} is a must when the sun goes down. Don't forget the homemade popcorn {I found re-usable containers in the classic popcorn motif at Target}, bug spray and blankets to snuggle in and on!

Let Summer 2010 Begin!

{made it through all the end-of-the-year craziness. Here is my very stylin' tween on her way to her 5th grade moving up party. Middle school here we come!}


{bff's snuggled up to watch...}


{a movie at Malta Drive-In Theater. A retro, yet very fun way to kick off the summer!}


{a very special treat at Ben and Jerry's to celebrate good report cards...}


{a half Vermonster.... Done!}

How have you kicked off your summer?

Loving my....

Tory Burch "Miller" Sandals. Unfortunately, I did not find them downtown Saratoga, but on a recent trip to Las Vegas. I'm a big fan of Tory Burch. Much of her inspiration comes from her {former actress} mother, Reva {which she named her very popular ballet flat after}. She plays tribute to her mom's exceptional style, love of travel and her socialite standing in many of her designs. The catch is... her price points are attainable to those of us who want to buy "designer wear" but at reasonable prices. You get quality and style. I've had my Reva Ballet Flats for... let's see... my youngest was in pre-school... 4 years! And counting. Looks like these Miller sandals will get me through a few summers.

The Real Housewives of Saratoga Celebrate a Birthday and the Return of SATC!

OK - we are more than housewives... Artist, teachers, designers, sales women, lawyers, nurses, and most of all... moms - but hear us roar! We went out to celebrate the return of some old friends.... Samantha, Carrie, Miranda, and Charlotte and the birthday of a very stylish local friend - Janet. The perfect night started at the Wilton Mall {who needs Vegas?}, followed by cosmos {of course} at Tiz Now and some nibblies at Bailey's. we did our best to not let the SATC girls down in the style department - Janet treated herself to a dress from Rent-the Runway, where you can rent a dress for a special occasion and it will only cost you $50.00. One friend referred to it as Janet's "net flix dress" - works about the same way!

Nothing like a night out with the girls!

Richard's Coming Out {Enhancement part 2}

Richard's new look would not have been complete without a visit to Ann Marie Flores' The Salon on Broadway. She took his shabby look and made it sleek and stylish.

Richard with Ann Marie and his "products" by Redken. Ann Marie enlightened Richard in the use of hair products to enhance his new hair style.

Richard greeted his guests in his "before" look {I told you he had a sense of humor}. A quick thank-you smooch for his personal stylist before the new Richard was let OUT OF THE CLOSET!