Happy Thanksgiving! {Black Friday Deals}

Wishing you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving. I will be taking off to spend it with my family, but wanted to leave you with some great Black Friday & weekend deals to get you started on your holiday shopping...



Rockabella: 6a-7a 50% off, 7a-8a 40% off, 8a-9a 30% off, 9-close 30% off.



Violet's - Customer Appreciation Sale. Doors open at 6a. Details at the store on 11/27 only.



G. Williker's : 10% off all weekend. Regular store hours.



Miss Scarlett: major discounts on Anthropology bedding. 10% off on all other merchandise all day.

80 West: 6a-7a 50% off, 7a-8a 40% off, 8a-9a 30% off 9a-close 20% off.



Reform Pilates: 6a - 8a buy one WE Pilates shirt get the second 1/2 off. 6a - 12p 10% off LuLulemon



Lucia: 20% off all vintage jewelry, Skeem candles, all handbags, Pink Dutchess Footwear, Winter Hats and Sale Clothing.

Aren't we so thankful for our amazing local retailers?

Get you Hair Ready for the Holidays {beauty tips by Maria}

{The beautiful and talented Ann-Marie Flores at her salon on Broadway} {Ann-Marie and her team made the Violet's girls more fabulous for the kick-off party}

American women love their shampoo. We shampoo everyday, sometimes twice a day. Our chic European friends only shampoo once a week {think of all that time saved}! Americans also love a lot of lather. Here's a little known fact... Shampoo doesn't need a high lather content to cleanse properly. It's actually more gentle for our hair and scalp to have a low lather content. American women have a hard time purchasing shampoos that don't lather, therefore, the companies add detergents for us lather-head obsessed Americans.

Let's talk about pH. Proper pH for hair, skin and scalp should be between 4.5 and 5.5 acid balanced. Water is neutral at 7 pH, as is baby shampoo. So are tears. This is why baby's don't cry when they get baby shampoo in their eyes. Works for the little tykes, but not for us because it is not the best for our hair and hair color. Some retail brand shampoos are as high in alkalinity as pH of 9. Ouch! Think cleanser or perm solution. Not what you want to use to keep your hair color from fading. I highly recommend professional salon shampoo and conditioners and products which are acid balanced and won't damage your hair or scalp.

Warning: I'm sure you've noticed your favorite salon brand {Redken or Bumble and Bunble} in CVS alongside the Suave, Pantene and the others? Before you think you've found a deal, here's the skinny. Those salon products are "diverted", or black marketed. Diversion is a billion dollar industry the beauty business is fighting everyday. Those products can be up to two years old, and could have switched hands six times before you purchase it for your use. They are not any less expensive than in the salon, and are not guaranteed. Please, STOP and put it down. Purchasing that product hurts your local salon/stylists/business owner. When visiting your local salon for your haircut or color, ask your stylist for their personal recommendation for your hair type. They will be more than happy to give you consultation for home haircare.

I've known Ann Marie Flores for 15 years. She owns the Ann Marie Flores the Salon on Broadway. Not only is she highly skilled in her craft, she commands perfection from her team. She stocks an abundance amount of Redken products for you to pamper yourself at home with. You will have beautiful, shiny hair just in time for Christmas. I can promise you! For an extra treat - book an appointment for an up-do or a blow out for you next Holiday get-together.

High on my Wish List

Dear Santa,

I've been really, realllllly good this year {well, I've at least really tried}. I've nursed my husband back from a hip replacement, I'm on week # 3 of the flu {3 kids = 3 weeks} and I've only mildly complained, and as a follower of this blog - I've even helped YOU to find the best fashion, gift ideas for everyone from kids, teachers, girlfriends, boyfriends and dogs to beautiful accessories for home or garden in Saratoga Springs {why weigh that sled down too much - buy local}.

While window shopping yesterday, I saw in the window at Hunt, Ltd. an original HERMES KELLY BAG IN CROCODILE! Now, this is every fashionista's dream bag. A classic named after the fashion icon Grace Kelly in the 50's. I had never seen one before - let alone hold one! It had all the details the Kelly bag is known for - the timeless tailored design, the handle, the clasp, and the lock. It was love at first sight. I would use it every day. Take good care of it. So, please Santa - could you please put this under the tree for me on Christmas Day? Something tells me my husband won't like the $10,000 price tag - so you are my only hope.

Much love,
Susie

Pre-shopping Kick Off Party at Mimosa Gallery

{coupon books for everyone!}
{the gorgeous girls from Violet's. Hair and make-up by Ann-Marie Flores (mine too)}

{party goers}

{80 West chats it up with Miss Scarlett}

{the ORIGINAL Miss Scarlett}

{shoppers trying on some of the gorgeous mimosa jewelry - true works of art}

{future blogger and tweeter}

{stylin' Aggie's girls}

{watching the ballet}

{Saratoga City Ballet performs Coffee and Hot Chocolate from their upcoming Nutcracker}

Happy Birthday to ME!

{yummy cupcakes from Putnam Market}

My husband surprised me with long {and needed} weekend trip out of town. He lined up some very gracious and patient friends and my in-laws {it takes a village, people!} to come and care for the girls and the dog while we get-away to celebrate.

I'll be back next week for more shopping and blogging! In the meantime check out these other local bloggers for your daily blogging fix... Beverly Tracy Home Design, Twinkle-Studio, and Deliciously Determined.

Blog {and Shop} on!

Thank you!

Feeling a bit exhausted after the shopping event this past week end and the weeks of planning it took to pull it all together! Thank you to all of you who came out and shopped in support of Saratoga City Ballet's Scholarship Fund. It was a beautiful day to be out downtown, shopping, seeing friends, trying out new stores and spas and supporting our local community. Please look for a full recap later this week in both photos and video of the entire event.

A special thanks to all the participating stores, spas and restaurants: Aggie's, Beverly's, Circus Cafe, Compliments to the Chef, Dawgdom, Flores the Salon, Frivolous, G. Willikers, Gaffney's, Hunt, Ltd, Impressions, Lucia, Mimosa Gallery, Miss Scarlett, New Leaf, Pangea, PaperDolls, Pink Paddock, Props, Putnam Market, Putnam Wine, Reform Pilates, Rockabella, Saratoga Coffee Traders, Sloppy Kisses, TizNow, Violets, and 80 West!

I"m off to catch up around the house and take care of a sick child {thank God not H1N1}.

Don't forget to come see Saratoga City Ballet's Nutcracker the week end of December 18, 19, and 20. You won't be disappointed. No Christmas season is complete without the Nutcracker! For ticket information click here. Public sale tickets available Nov 21st.

Game Plan {Map it Out}

View Shopping with Downtown Susie Brown in a larger map

{play around with the map to see all the stores participating and what they offer inside}

While the boys are watching "the game" or the Breeders Cup, we need to have a game plan of our own. So map it out! Decide where your 12 places will be ahead of time. It's been a long week of H1N1, elections, work, kids, school, and just life in general. Time for some good-'ol escapism. Art, dance, fashion, community support, good food, cocktails, laughs, and friends. Come out and remember just how good life can be and celebrate our killer shopping town. Plus, it's all for a good cause. Join me Friday night at Mimosa Gallery for the kick-off party to see what you can shop for on Saturday, take in some art, and see a little ballet. Can't do a two - nighter? That's OK - you can still shop and join the fun on Saturday. Pick up your coupon book Saturday at Aggie's Boutique or Mimosa Gallery then spend a glorious day in the Spa town. DON'T MISS the GIVEAWAY party at Tiznow. Drop off your validated punch card at PaperDolls, 80 Henry Street then go next door to TIZNOW for a huge GIVEAWAY PARTY!!! I will begin raffling of prizes that include handbags, sweaters, goodie bags, jewelry, AND MORE SHOPPING SPREES! Hunt, Ltd will be offering a $500.00 SHOPPING SPREE! I have a total of $2000.00 worth of prizes - but you have to be in it to win it!

Come out and play!!!

What will YOU be shopping for this Saturday???

Jeans, sweaters, a dress, a jacket, jewelry, unique gifts, something special for your kids, your dog, your home, or YOU?!?! Whatever you will be shopping for on Saturday - you will not be disappointed. Only the best of the best to choose from! Even if you don't shop and just visit (at least 12 of the participating stores) and get your coupon book validated by each store you visit - you will still have a chance at AMAZING GIVEAWAYS at the end of the day at Tiz Now!! I will be giving away $1300.00 worth of merchandise PLUS A $500 SHOPPING SPREE at Hunt, Ltd., spa treatments and gift certificates to some of Saratoga's best restaurants! All this for a $25.00 donation to Saratoga City Ballet's Scholarship Fund. Pick up your coupon book on Friday at the kick off party or Saturday at either Aggie's boutique, 454 Broadway or mimosa gallery, 70 Beekman street! Click here to get all the details and reserve your spot!


Tah Dah... Here is the list of participating stores, spas and restaurants...

Aggie's, Beverly's, Circus Cafe, Clothes Line, Compliments to the Chef, Dawgdom, Flores Art Gallery and Salon, Frivolous, G. Willikers, Gaffneys, Hunt Ltd., Impressions of Saratoga, Lucia, Mimosa Gallery, Miss Scarlett, New Leaf, Pangea, PaperDolls of Saratoga, Pink Paddock, Props, Putnam Market , Putnam Wine, Reform Pilates, Rockabella, Saratoga Coffee Traders, Sloppy Kisses, Tiz Now, Violets, and 80 West.

All Souls Day

{botanical photography by Heaven Scent}

Today is All Souls Day. It couldn't come at a more perfect time. A time when I need to remember those who were taken too young and too soon. I hope and trust they are in peace. To be a friend and a sister to those left behind.

I share a poem with you today by Mary Oliver.

When Roses Speak, I Pay Attention

"As long as we are able to be extravagant we will be hugely and damply extravagant. Then we will drop foil by foil to the ground. This is our unalterable task, and we do it joyfully."

And they went on.

"Listen, the heart-shackles are not, as you think,

death, illness, pain,

unrequited hope, not loneliness,

but lassitude, rue, vainglory, fear, anxiety,

selfishness."

Their fragrance all the while rising from their blind bodies, make me

spin with joy.