No One says Summer like Lilly {Giveaway}

With all this 90+ degree weather it certainly feels like August.  The only thing missing?  Horses, pool parties, and the beach...  We may never have the ocean here in Saratoga Springs but before you know it there will be plenty of ponies and galas galore!  Thanks to the Pink Paddock on Broadway we never feel like the beach is that far away.  This week's giveaway will get you craving for more citrus Palm Beach prints...  A Lilly tee {winner to choose size} in her signiture pink along with Lilly Pulitzer file folders {a girl like you must keep all those invites organized stylishly} is a good start.  Make a comment on this post and I will enter your name into a drawing.  Winner will be randomly chosen and announced on Friday!

 

 Need more reasons to stop by the Pink Paddock?  How about Mother's Day?  Treat yourself or that special mom in your life to a Lilly dress or spend $200 or more on current season Lilly merchandise and you will receive a Lilly "brag book" to fill with cute shots of the kids or grand kiddies {or current hottie}.  Another option... purchase this beautiful Mother's Day bracelet designed by Elizabeth Kissek Design {a former Saratogian mom now living in Cohassett, Mass} and receive a complimentary pink suede EK design logo pouch. 

{Mention that you read this on DTSB to receive these promotions} 

Don't forget to RSVP for Shopping with DTSB on May 13th.

And they're off....

Good Luck!

 

The "Get it Done" Outfit ...

 

The "get it done" day for many of you I'm sure is Saturday.  Drop off the dry cleaning, go to the post office, check out a flea market, paint that old dresser, do a little shopping on Broadway, stop by the Farmer's Market, pay some bills, meet a friend for a cup of coffee, head home for a nap before a night out on the town... Oh, sweet memories!  Enjoy it Singletons, before you know it, it's replaced by Monday (and not nearly as social) or if you're a working Mom it's squeezed in and split up all week long.  Don't get me wrong it's all worth it... But along with all those lovely Saturday outings are baseball games, laundry, soccer games, ballet rehersals, volunteering, birthday parties, diner parties and trips to see Nana and Grandad.  Whew!!  I'm tired just listing it all (and I know I forgot something).  But, one thing none of us has to sacrifice, whether single or married, kids or none is style...  A pretty tee, cool jean bermuda shorts, funky sun glasses, a zippy bag, classic Converse sneakers, hip accessories, and a smart phone (must tweet) is all we need to put the fun back into functional.  Don't hide under baggy sweats and dowdy Crocs.  Embrace your day, look good doing it and "get it done"...

Follow me on Twitter {downtownsb} where I'll send tweets on where to find great items like the ones above downtown.

Have a great week! 

{don't forget Wednesday is Giveaway Day!}

 

 

 

What To Wear with the Giveaway {winner announced!}

 

{dress by Diane Von Furstenberg at Aggie's Boutique on Broadway}

The winner is..... 

CAREWILL comment "So great.  Me wants..." 

Congratulations!!

The perfect dress to go with your giveaway!

Come back next week for another great giveaway.  Don't forget to RSVP for the May 13th Shopping Night {to benefit Franklin Comunnity Center's M.O.M.'s program}.  Shopping, discounts, drinks with friends and more giveaways!!  What more could a girl want? 

Space is limitied...so be sure to get in...email me susan@downtownsusiebrown.com

I've got pull. 

Spring Trend {and a Giveaway}

 I think Wednesday is replacing Friday as my favorite day of the week.  It's hump day and giveaway day.  Leading up to Shopping with Downtown Susie Brown on May 13th {huh! falls on a Wednesday} I will be giving away truly great items from some of the hottest stores in town {how fun were last week's wine glasses from Impressions?  I hope my first winner, Colleen, has enjoyed a little vino in those very Saratoga tumblers}.  How do you win?  Just write a comment on this post and I will enter your name in the drawing.  I'll announce the randomly chosen winner on Firday {another great day}. 

Jump start the Spring season with some trendy colored accessories.  Rich berry hues and neon 80's brights will dominate the Spring/Summer season.  How perfect is this soft as butter, raspberry pink leather clutch by Tano {$125 value} to get you started?  Violet's of Saratoga carries a wide variety of bags by Tano.  Laura has graciously donated this beauty for this week's giveaway.  I'm told it's better to give than to receive - but this one's going to be hard to let go of...

Good Luck!

Perfect Accessories for Earth Day

 

Need I say more?  Sassy totes at Speck Boutique on Broadway.

 

Calling all Green Recessionista's!!!  You're going to love this book {and $10 price tag}.  Discounts at many of our local shops, restaurants, spas and farms.  Shop local, support area farms and save money.  Sounds like a good way to spend Earth Day to me!  Found in many of the local stores in town or check out their web site www.locallivingguide.com}

  

 

There is no better accessory than a free cone from the very socially and environmentally conscious ice cream company - Ben and Jerry's!!  We are sooo lucky to have one in town!  Enjoy!!

 

PS:  Don't forget about Giveaway Wednesday tomorrow and to RSVP for my May 13th Shopping Event!!!

Thank You Notes...

 

 

{Vera Wang Stationery found at PaperDolls of Saratoga.  Love this orange print - crisp and clean yet a mod update to classic stationery}

These are high on my to-do list this week.  I have many people to thank for their out pouring of  love and friendship during these last couple of weeks.  Community means more to me now than it ever did.  I wanted to be sure I thanked my on-line or cyber community as well.  I have been deeply moved by your notes of support, sympathy and friendship.  You may not recieve a hand written note, because many of you I only can reach here.  I truly appreciate your loyalty and encouragement during this difficult time.  We are so blessed in the 21st century.   We can be in contact with our local community, our past communities, and our cyber communities with the touch of a few buttons.  I embrace it and thank you for becoming a part of my cyber community. 

Have a great week on and off line!

Drum roll, please... {Giveaway winner anounced!}

{another stay-cation idea... have the kids make a band using items found in the recycle bin.  Cans as drums, water bottles filled with beads as maracas, an old cereal box cut in the middle with some string and a wrapping paper tube made up the guitar!  As much as I would like to take the credit, I can't.  It was the brain child of the girls along with their creative Aunt Patrice}

The winner of this week's Giveaway is..... 

Colleen!!  Your comment "Cool!  Thanks for the opportunity" was randomly chosen.  Please contact me at susan@downtownsusiebrown so I can get these glasses to you pronto!

Have a great weekend and come back next week - more great giveaways to come!

Don't forget to RSVP for my May 13th Shopping event!

Stay-cation continues... {things to do}

Long walks with the girls and Ginger to town and the parks, fish stocking at SPA State Park, and of course the must see {well, for every pre-teen and teenage girl and the lucky chaperone - c'mon you know you sing all her songs and want to see it too!!} movie of Spring Break '09...

Thanks to all who participated in Wednesday's giveaway! I will announce the winner tomorrow!!!

Giveaway Wednesday!!! {leading up to Shopping with DTSB}

Horse season will be here before you know it.  Derby Day, the unofficial kick off to the racing season is in 17 days {but who's counting?}.  These stemless wineglasses from Impressions of Saratoga {$40 value} are a great way to jump start the season!   Can't you just picture you and your girlfriend in the back yard during the witching hour sipping some Sauvignon Blanc from these while the little ones run around?  Happily discussing what Derby Day outfit you'll be wearing to Siro's this year or what great hat you'll get for opening day... Ahhhh.... here's to Spring, warm weather, and Saratoga.........

{To enter to win these unique wine glasses simply make a comment to this post.  Only one entry per person, please.  I will announce the winner on Friday}.  

More giveaways to come... Every Wednesday until my shopping event on May 13th.  

Stay-cation... {things to do}

We are home this week.  The girls are off from school, so its a great time to embrace our town.  Saratoga is known for it's horses, so we took a drive around Saratoga Lake and over to the horse farms to see the newly born foals.  It's absolutely beautiful.  To see these amazing creatures and their thoroughbred moms with the green rolling hills {I even noticed a few bushes bright yellow with forsythia!} is a good reminder of what Spring is all about - new life.  It's worth the drive over.  It's free, it's gorgeous, and you all take a mental vacation...  Pack the kids in the car and take a drive... You can thank me later... 

Save the Date {Shopping with DTSB}

Girls Night Out by downtownsusiebrown on Polyvore.com

What? A night out shopping with Downtown Susie Brown and your girlfriends, sisters, mother, mother-in-law, daughters, whoever - even your dog can come!

Why? Spring is here and so are fabulous new items to choose from. Support your community and have fun doing it. Plus one night only discounts and giveaways, giveaways, giveaways from some of my favorite places!

How? Bring a donation to PaperDolls {80 henry Street} for Franklin Community Center's new M.O.M.'s {Methods of Motherhood} program which provides services for pregnant and parenting teenagers in Saratoga County {remember - May is the month to honor Mother's!}. Their services include parenting classes on all sorts of topics from breastfeeding, infant safety, CPR, to budgeting. They also provide the girls diapers, formula, baby food, etc. All the essentials a mother needs for a baby and to get them started on the right track. What mom can't use a little support??? So, bring a donation of diapers, wipes, formula, cash, you get the drift and that is your ticket in {please no bags of used clothes - think food pantry and baby essentials}. PaperDolls will then give you a coupon book filled with coupons from participating stores {PaperDolls, Aggie's, Violet's, 80 West, Lucia, Dawgdom, Speck, Compliments to the Chef, Impressions, and I'm just getting started}. Then you shop, shop, shop until you are ready to drop! And once you are.... Meet us for cocktail and food specials at Cantina {432 Broadway} where we will announce the winners of the giveaways. We're talking Spa packages, jewelry, handbags, gift certificates and a few more. How do you win? Leading up to the event I will be posting a giveaway once a week until the event {Wednesday}. Leave a comment and I will enter your name in a randomly selected drawing which will be announced here on Friday of each week - so even out-of-towners have a chance to win. Another opportunity.... The night of the event you will be given a punch card. The more stores you visit and punches you receive the better chance you get at the first place giveaway. There will be a first, second and third place giveaway - because you can't help it if you fall in love with a store and need to try on a few things! Everyone will have a chance to win.

R.S.V.P. by May 11, 2009 susan@downtownsusiebrown.com . Name and number in your group. Space is limited.

Community

That is what it's all about.  That is what this blog is all about.  That is what life is all about.  I lost my brother last week.  My home town was the location of the most recent violent and senseless act.  What will help my family, my brother's family, my home town and me heal?  Community.  It's about supporting each other, loving each other and caring for each other.  Even though I talk about where to shop, where to eat, unique gift ideas - that is not what is at the heart of this blog.  It's about giving back to the place I am proud to live and be a part of.  It's about supporting our community and embracing those who make it what it is.  A place where we can sit outside and have coffee or a meal and see our neighbors walking down Broadway, Beekman, or Phila.  It's a place where you know and trust the store owners and can feel good about what you purchase from them.  It's a place where we can gather and be together in a time of crisis - whether it's on Broadway, in Congress Park, SPA State Park or in one of our many beautiful faith communities.  This is how I know it's OK to keep going with this blog.  I love fashion, good food and beautiful things.  Things don't last.  They change from season to season or year to year.  People matter, faith matters.  That is what is important to me.  So if I can help my community or people visitng with my frivolous knowledge - so be it.  I will continue to do it, because this is what I know and what I enjoy.   

In Memory of my beloved brother, Kevin J. Taugher {September 16, 1953 - March 30, 2009}