The Coco look on the Cote d'Azure {Giveaway Winner Announced!}

 The must have black bikini, big dark shades, red toes, and a tan complete the summer Chanel look on the beach, at the lake, or pool side.  I highly recommend a tan {from a can} before you head out and try on suits {after our long winter and all this rain this week it will wipe away your pale skin and make this process a little less painful}.  Your first stop should be the new store in town. The Clothes Line.  I tried on a slew of suits and ended up with the above by Robin Piccone {loooove it}.  They also carry DKNY, Sophia, Sunsets, La Blanca, and many more. Even you D cuppers will have much to choose from in one and two peice styles.  They are here to serve all shapes and sizes {we're talkin' stylin suits not frumperamas}. 

It's summer {I swear}...  Get a {safe} tan, your toes painted bright red, some cool shades {I found the above Marc Jacobs at ICU Optical on Broadway - tons of designer selections!}, and treat yourself to a new suit... Get there by Sunday and save 25%!!  

This week's giveaway winner is.....   

 Laurie... "This is so beautiful!  I'm new the area and new to the site... LOVE IT!"

{email me at susan@downtownsusiebrown with your address and I will get this right out to you!}

Looking for something to do this weekend and would like to check out some real couture?  The Saratoga Springs History Museum has "200 years of Fashion in Saratoga Springs" on display.  You can see a real Chanel piece and many other gorgeous frocks.  

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star... {Giveaway Wednesday}

 

Leave a comment. Make a wish.  You could be the lucky winner of this week's giveaway.  Twinkle-Studio reworks vintage jewelry that would make Coco very happy.  This beauty is a combination of a vintage choker {black matte beads} and vintage baubles including a former clip on earring adorned with crystals, pearls, rhinestones, silver leaves, and faceted black beads {dangling charm}.  Wear it with you LBD, dress up your jeans and crisp white tee, or it would look charming with wide pants and a ruffle blouse...  Add some history and fun to your summer wardrobe!

How to win...? Make a comment on this post and I will enter your name in a drawing.  The winner will be randomly chosen and announced on Friday  It's that easy. 

Good Luck!

Coco's Influence

 
 

No one has had an impact on the fashion industry more than Coco Chanel.  She invented the LBD {Little Black Dress} back in 1926.  It endures the test of time and remains to be the go to item in every girl's closet for those "I have nothing to wear!!!" crisis moments.  No longer a symbol of mourning and death - Coco took the color black, paired it with a sheath dress, and made it chic, sophisticated, and timeless. 

Black and gold are very hot this season.  Nothing says summer more than cute peep toe flats, and a great straw hat.  During these rough economic times we all rely on the classics to look and feel sexy and stylish.  Track season is quickly approaching.  Although we may not all be able to go out and buy the latest trends, we may want to invest in a few key items to go with the LBD. 

The Classic Chanel Formula:

One LBD + Beverly Feldman Praline Peep Toe Shoes from 80 West + Grace Designs "Bold" Straw Hat from Violet's {in natural and black} + layered on vintage jewelry = Making Coco very proud. 

Come back tomorrow for your chance to win a great vintage jewelry piece to wear with your LBD!!!

Giveaway Wednesday is Back!   

 

Memorial Day

I thought of doing a post on all the sales happening in town this week end, or a fun post on bathing suits, sunscreen, cute hats, and pedicures {there will be plenty to come!}, because this week end is the unofficial start of summer.  But, as I enjoyed the beautiful summer day and while I waited on the porch with Ginger for the girls to get off the bus the flag caught my eye.  We must remember the true meaning of this holiday weekend as we go to the pools, or picnics, or parks.  We are blessed to be Americans and to be free.  We must remember the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for that freedom.  People like my father and uncle who fought in World War Two and many who are  fighting today in Iraq and Afghanistan.  My prayer this Memorial Day is that those wars end quickly and those brave souls are reunited with their families to enjoy all the pleasures summer has to offer! 

Have a great week end!  Lots to come in the weeks ahead...  A tribute to Coco Chanel {how to get her look in Saratoga} and another enhancement to be unveiled!

Trash to Treasure

I have had the pleasure of getting to know Sara of Twinkle-Studio the last couple of months.  She has an amazing talent for transforming vintage jewelry into hip modern pieces.  Sara shops the local flee markets and consignment shops looking for treasures.  She also has a few classy ladies of a certain age who share their precious loot with her.  They trust she will treat their gems with care and convert them into baubles that will be stylishly appreciated today.  She does not disappoint.  Although Sara does not have a store front she does have an Etsy shop.  Etsy is "your place to buy and sell all things handmade".  Etsy provides a place for artist, designers and all those talented crafty people out there to express themselves and sell their masterpieces.  They also promote shoppers to buy local and help you find local sellers.  I have been proud to have Sara be a part of my first two events and look foreward to working with her more in the future.  Sooo, if you are searching for an unique graduation gift, a cool cocktail ring, or wondering where to find those hip feather clips and headbands you see all the celebrities wearing on the red carpet?  Check out Twinkle-Studio and your hunt is over!

Giveaway Wednesday will return next Wednesday when I will be giving away one of Twinkle-Studio's treasures!   

Sassy Downtown Shoppers...

Here are a few more shots from the shopping night. I'm still riding high from the successful night and wanted to share a few more pictures with you. A friend and local artist, Deborah Neary, was kind enough to take my camera and take a few candids for me. Enjoy!

OH, What a Night! {Shopping with DTSB}

I'm tired, girls...  You wore me out!  It was a great night!!!  I have so many people to thank!  First of all, PaperDolls for putting together an amazing coupon book filled with savings from the best stores Saratoga Springs has to offer.  If you need stationery or any type of paper product {invitations, wrapping paper, pens, scrap booking supplies, etc} PaperDolls is your place.  All the stores: Aggie's, 80 West, Violet's, Compliments to the Chef, Lucia, Pangea, Speck, Frivolous, Impressions, Dawgdom, Twinkle-Studio, PaperDolls, Saratoga Saddlery, Spa Cascada, Saratoga Beads, Shari Voce Jewelry Designs, Beverly Tracy Home Design, Ever After, and Sanctuary Spa for offering great deals and providing amazing giveaways!!  Thank you, Cantina for serving delicious food and {maybe too many?} margarita's!  We have stocked Franklin Community Center's pantry with tons of baby essentials and raised money too!  See, doesn't it feel good to support our local  non profits and brick and mortars?  We were all winners last night!

Whew....  I need some more coffee.....  Have a great week end and come back next week for more DTSB!!! 

Sneak Peak to Shopping Night...

 

Beautiful stationery, the latest trends, the classiest classics, funky jewelry, unique items for your home and kitchen, cool bags, the latest toys for kids, make-up tips, the best dog products on the market, shoes {indulge your inner Carrie Bradshaw - a few of the stores now carry a nice selection of sandals, pumps and flats}, quality time with your favorite friends {it's so much more fun to shop with friends and it is for a good cause}, drinks, good food and GIVEAWAYS!!!

To recap how the event will flow...  First stop is PaperDolls of Saratoga, 80 Henry Street.  Drop off your donation for Franklin Community Center's M.O.M. program {diapers, wipes, formula, any essential baby staple suitable for a food pantry} and Sarah Keefe or I will give you your passport to savings {good only for May 13th, 2009} at some of the best shops Saratoga Springs has to offer.  For you serious shoppers, empty nesters, and singletons... Kick off is at 6 bells.  No need to leave work early to miss rush hour traffic, hurry the kiddies off the field or into bed because the stores will stay open until 9:00 p.m.  But, you do need enough time to shop, hit at least 6 out of the 18 stores, and get your punch card punched at each of your 6 stores in order to be eligible for GIVEAWAYS at the end of the evening...  Yes, Friends, I have more amazing giveaways to share with you.  You must be at Cantina, 430 Broadway by 9:15 {grab a drink and some food - you are going to need to re-fuel after all that shopping} when I will start announcing the first winner of the giveaway drawings.  Think spa treatments, summer dresses, funky totes, sassy panties, interior room re-design by a local and very talented interior designer, and much, much more!

Let the shopping begin!

I am DOWNTOWN Susie Brown ...

 

 

 And a Saratogian.  I was interviewed for the "Who, What, When, Where, Why?" by our local paper, The Saratogian, today.  Many thanks to Paul Post for taking time out to interview me and get the word out in print about my shopping night on May 13th.  During these rough economic times it's important to support our brick and mortars as well as our non-profits.  That's just what next Wednesday, May 13th will do.  Looking forward to seeing many of you next week!

Some crucial details left out of the article... 

Top: Violet's

Skirt: Aggie's

Earrings: Twinkle Studio

Gold Cuff: Lucia

Hair by Maria

{Participating stores: Aggie's, 80 West, Violet's, Speck, Dawgdom, Lucia, Saratoga Saddlery, Spa Cascada, Paper Dolls, Pink Paddock, Compliments to the Chef, Impressions of Saratoga, Twinkle-Studio, Frivolous, Pangea, G.Williker's, and Ever After...}

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.

What do Claire Danes, Felicity Huffman, Debra Messing, Rachael Ray and YOU have in Common? {Giveaway Wednesday}

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All own and wear beautiful pieces of Gorjana Jewelry.  You could join this exclusive club too.  Speck Boutique carries this delicate and very feminine jewelry line.  This 3 hammered disk necklace {18k gold plated} will look amazing against your tan neck this summer.  Can't you just picture it now... You sipping a mojito on the patio at Hattie's when you bump into our own RR.  "Love your Gorjana, Rachel" ...  "No, No, I love yours!" {says Rachael}.   So cool, so confident, so in the know....

You know the rules... Leave a comment and this lovely could be yours {or your mom's}.  Winner will be announced on Friday.  One comment each.  Good Luck!

One week and counting until Shopping with Downtown Susie Brown. 

RSVP susan@downtownsusiebrown.com. 

It's filling up!!!

 

 

This One Goes Out to all the New Mom's this Mother's Day...

 This Mother's Day you deserve an outfit that will make you feel pretty while you're newly formed family takes you out to brunch or an early dinner {can't miss that 7:00 bedtime}.  Being a mom and feeling pretty doesn't mean you have to sacrifice trends or comfort.  This dress is perfect for you sleep deprived, chasing-after-toddlers mommies who still want to appear like they still have time to shop.  That is why I am here....

Maxi Dresses galore found at 80 West, Aggie's and Violet's on Broadway, Straw Hat is from the Gap, the dainty necklace and earrings are from Lucia Boutique,  BB Becker inspirational quotation ring {this one for a mother/daughter}, and these adorable sandals by Poetic License at Speck Boutique. 

Do not forget tomorrow is Giveaway Day!!!  And you will not be disappointed.  It is an one-size-fits-all favorite of celebrities!!!

What Would Your 3 Be?

 

Which three stores would you miss the most if it had to close its doors?  This grass roots organization, the 3/50 Project, is asking us to think about which three independently owned stores mean the most to each of us and then to stop in, say hello, and let them know you appreciate what they are doing.  Show them we are thankful for their dedication to our town, to quality and service, and to keeping a "main street" alive and well in our community.  They can't do it on their own.  They need our support.  The tourists that come in aren't enough.  The horses, healing springs, and beautiful surroundings are just the beginning to what Saratoga Springs is really all about.  The boutiques, restaurants, and merchants are the backbone to the community.  The statistic that got me was..."For every $100 spent in locally owned independent stores, $68 returns to the community throught taxes, payroll, and other expenditures.  If you spend that in a national chain only $43 stays here.  Spend it online and nothing stays here."  The 3/50 project asks us to support our local brick and mortars by spending $50 a month at one of our locally owned establishments or break it up between three.  This jesture will make sure that our downtown stays strong and signals to the merchants that they have our support.  Our national economy will recover one small business at a time...

Shopping with Downtown Susie Brown on May 13th is the perfect opportunity to get started.  Grab some friends and meet us at PaperDolls of Saratoga where the event kicks off at 6:00 p.m..  Make a donation to Franklin Community Center's M.O.M.'s program {diaper's wipes, baby food, formula, etc} and you will receive a coupon book filled with great savings at downtown locally owned stores.  The shopping ends at 9:00, but the fun is just getting started!  We will meet at Cantina on Broadway for food and drink specials and GIVEAWAY drawings!!!  Mark your calendars and RSVP... susan@downtownsusiebrown.com.  Please contact me if you need any more information.

Have a great week!

 

 

Derby Day... Siro's, Drinks, and a Winner! {giveaway announced}

The Outfit:         

{Tunic from 80 West Boutique - now open on Broadway}

The Cocktail:

Champagne Sangria {Recipe courtesy of FoodNetwork.com by Giada Laurentiis} 

• 
   1 (750-ml) bottle Prosecco or French Champagne, chilled
  
• 1/2 cup orange juice
  
• 2 cups Mint Simple Syrup, recipe follows
  
• 1 lemon, zested and thinly sliced
  
• 1 lime, zested and thinly sliced
  
• 1/2 cup sliced strawberries
  
• 5 fresh mint sprigs
  
• Crushed ice

Directions

In a large pitcher, combine the Prosecco, orange juice, Mint Simple Syrup, lemon zest, and lime zest. Add the sliced strawberries, lemon slices, lime slices, and mint sprigs.

Fill glasses with crushed ice and pour the sangria over the top. Serve immediately.

Mint Simple Syrup:

• 2 cups sugar
  
• 2 cups water
  
• 1 cup packed fresh mint leaves

In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, water, and mint over medium heat. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved. Remove the pan from the heat and allow the syrup to cool for 20 minutes. Strain before using.

Yield: 2 1/2 cups

{There's no better way to celebrate a winner than with a little champagne.  A friend recommended this recipe to me knowing how much I love champagne and sangria.  The mint is a refreshing and summery twist.  A nice alternative to the traditional Mint Julip on Derby Day - don't you think??} 

The Winner:

Laura

"Pink is Perfect!" 

Cheers!!! 

Don't forget to RSVP {susan@downtownsusiebrown.com} for Shopping with DTSB on

May 13th.

Have a great week end and see you next week for more, fashion, fun and giveaways!