Merry Christmas!

Thank you Menges & Curtis for your beautiful window and reminder of what this season is really all about.

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas!!!

Christmas in New York

Christmas in New York by downtownsusiebrown featuring Vince

I'll be spending more time in the city in 2010. So I'll need to get my edge back. I'll need to stock up on more black clothes and zippy accessories. So, honey, if your reading {like you should be} - high on my wish list is this Vince sweater {at Aggie's}, Big Buddha Bag {at Violet's} and zippy gloves by Kate Spade to make hailing a cab that much easier - I can't be too serious down there!

Go Shop Downtown For Christmas {Giveaway announced}

Shopping with DTSB Nov 09 by downtownsusiebrown
Finish up your shopping downtown this weekend - you will find amazing and unique gifts for your loved ones! I hope to see you on Broadway, Beekman or Phila!

The winner of this weeks giveaway is....

Michelle her comment was "Can't wait for the next shopping event--soon please! Thanks for all you do for our vibrant downtown, Susie".

Send me an e-mail at susan@downtownsusiebrown.com and I'll get your prize out to you ASAP!

Shopping with DTSB Video {Giveaway Wednesday}

DTSB Shopping in Saratoga from DreamBig Media Group on Vimeo.

Here it is!!! The first {of many} videos! Many thanks to Justin and Adam of DreamBig Media Group for making this happen.

As you saw in the video - the shopping event was a lot of fun and a big success. Saratoga has many fabulous stores to shop in. What a great time of year to take advantage of these stores and their amazing assortments. Go in, tell them DTSB sent you, find that special gift you've been searching for and WILL NOT find at the big box stores.

Today's giveaway? A $50.00 gift certificate to Miss Scarlett! The perfect boutique for any babe or babe of a babe! Great merchandise from clothing {for fashionistas or mini fashionistas}, to jewelry, to home accessories!

Leave a comment here and I will announce the randomly chosen winner on Friday {just in time for week end shopping!}.

Rocking Around the Christmas Tree!

Holiday parties are in full swing. It's a bit bitter sweet this year. The celebrations may not be as elaborate as years past, but the friendships remain. We've endured a lot this year and have learned much about ourselves and our country. The good news is the focus is back on the true meaning of the season, friends, family, and health - so for that we must brave the storms, get dressed up and embrace the merriment of these weeks. My hubby and I had his company party Saturday night and my look was all found downtown from my head to my toes....

Cut and Color : Maria

Eyebrow Design: Spa Cascada

Sunless Glow: Spa City Spa

Dress: 80 West {$30 bought with my Shopping with DTSB coupon at the event - a steal!}

Boyfriend Blazer: Hunt, Ltd

Necklace: by Shari Silverman Voce found at Aggie's

Tights: Violet's

Night out with my husband and friends: priceless!

It's crunch time, so I will have a giveaway on Wednesday to assist you and your check list. It may be just the boost your wallet needs to help you get your shopping done! I will also reveal the video from the last DTSB shopping event. Don't miss it!

Ho Ho Ho.....

Wishes, Champagne, Fashion, Violet's and a Good Cause

Sounds like a perfect night to me! If you are a Violet's fan {like me}, you won't want to miss this night. December 15th from 6p-8p. It's the perfect time of year to make your own wish list and to make others wishes come true. Violet's is hosting a night to make many wishes come true. This is how it will work... You come, make up your own wish list for your own personal Santa. {hopefully there will be lots of pens and paper - something tells me these lists will be loooooooong}. Purchase a glass of champagne to enjoy while you shop {is there anything better?}. The glass of bubbly will have a ticket attached to it for your chance to win a pair of designer jeans {think Paige Denim or Hudson Jeans} along with a fashion consultation with the very knowledgeable Violet's team to be sure you choose the perfect pair for you. The more champagne you buy the better your chances of winning {best leave the car at home}. All proceeds from your consumption and ticket collecting will go to the Make-A-Wish foundation. an amazing foundation that helps make terminally ill kids wishes come true. But, wait! There's more! Violet's is really in the giving mood.... come dressed in your favorite Violet's ensemble, be voted best dressed and win a sneak peak for you and two of your friends to check out Laura's newest baby - Stella's in Spring 2010 before the Grand Opening. You and your BFF's will get first dibs on the most stylin' shoes in town.

Hmmmm.... Now to figure out what to wear???

See you there!

Put a Lid On It

It's official. We've had our first snow fall of the year and the temperatures have gone down into the 30's. Time to bundle up. Last week I was saying it didn't feel much like Christmas because of the warm temperatures , but that all changed this past week end. The snow came just in time to make our tree selection festive and white.

My favorite hat that keeps me nice and toasty warm while at the bus stop, out for walks with Ginger, or strolling downtown is a hat by e-ko logic. I got mine last year at Aggie's. I was happy to see they have them again this year {in great colors} along with scarves and gloves by the same company. It will make a great gift for someone on my shopping list {who doesn't need a hat?}. Best part about it? It's made out of recycled clothing. This hat is 100% recycled cashmere. What that means exactly is that moth eaten cashmere sweater that you love and have worn to death can be reborn as a hat or a glove or a scarf or many of the other amazing designs this Troy based husband and wife team dream up. It's local, it's green and it's cashmere - it's perfect for the next winter storm.

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree...

This is one of the many beautifully decorated Christmas trees the girls and I saw on our recent visit to Manhattan to kick off the Christmas season. We saw the snowflake over 57th Street, the angels at Rockefeller Center {and the tree of course}, the windows at Saks, Barneys, and Bergdorfs. Now we are ready to deck our own halls. Off to Bob's for the tree today and a day of eggnog, carols and a few broken ornaments!

Have a great weekend and Merry Christmas!

For the Tween in Your Life

My daughter turned 11 last week. She is officially a tween. High on her birthday wish list were things like iPhones, laptops, and a flat screen t.v. for her room {gotta' a love a girl who can dream}. No more dolls, bikes, and puppies. Nope, we've moved on to the next level. Thankfully, she is very girly. She also listed hoop earrings {we compromised with small glittery ones from Silverado not the large Jennifer Lopez style ones she envisioned!} and the above necklace. We saw it one day while shopping for a birthday gift for another friend at G. Willikers. It's the coolest piece of jewelry for this age group. It should be. The design by M3 Girl Designs is the brainchild of another tween from Texas. She came up with the idea of recycling bottle caps {very green}, paints cool designs on them and turns them into magnets so they can be interchanged as often as your little tween's mood changes {yes - they offer that many charms}. The choker necklace comes in a few different colors {black, pink or bright blue}, has a small metal pendant that the charms attach to and costs around $8. Charms {also about $8} have all different themes {birthday, peace, love, animals, holiday, etc.}. It's the perfect birthday gift or stocking stuffer for your tween, it won't break the bank and is age appropriate!