Happy Week End!!! {Giveaway Winner Announced}

I leave you this week with some shots from Balet Flowers and Design {how brilliant are those peonies?  I just can't get enough}.  I've been a big fan of Balet for some time. Suzanne and her team have a great love for horticulture and it shows. Their bouquets at the Farmers Market are gorgeous and their greenhouse {5041 Nelson Ave Ext, Malta NY} has a bounty of beautiful blooms awaiting your next landscaping project!  Their enthusiasm is contagious {even for a novice like me}.  They are knowledgeable, friendly and helpful - they truly want the best for you and your garden.  Treat yourself to trip out of the rain and into a floral oasis.

Happy Father's Day to all you Dad's out there {a special one to Peter - who is a wonderful father and husband}.  Have a great weekend.  The sun will come out again soon {I hope!}.

This week's giveaway winner is....

Peg

 "I adore the lost art of correspondence!" 

Congratulations!

 

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.  

Wearing 'O the Green {St. Patrick's Day}

Accessorize your Irish Knit sweater with this cheeky ring. It's pretty, it's green, and you can wear it into spring! {Speck Boutique,353 Broadway}.

How pretty is this green silk tone-on-tone dress from Lily Bridal Boutique {6 Franklin Square}? Brides-to-be could embrace their Irish heritage and have their "girls" wear these. Add an Irish lace veil for the bride and you have a theme...

The perfect dish for your Corned Beef an Cabbage.  {Le Creuset Dutch Oven available at Compliments of the Chef, 488 Broadway}. 

Signs of Spring...

 1.) Birds ... OK they're on plates, but aren't they so pretty? Sure to brighten your mood and the colors will soften the table. I love that blue... Our feathered friends are popular now. You'll see them everywhere. Eventually even in the sky!!! {Shoe Depot on Broadway}

2.) Sandals. I saw them in the window at Speck. Yes, they carry shoes now. And at $22.00 you can work a trend and your inner gladiator without breaking the bank. {Speck Boutique on Broadway}.

Think Pink ... {valentine's day gift ideas}

{a mod ice cream scooper at Compliments of the Chef on Broadway makes scooping ice cream cool}

{pretty and delicate handmade earrings from LaFeyette Jewelry on Beekman Street. Perfect for the romantic}

{classy and fun rain boots, polos, hoodies and rugbies at Saratoga Saddlery on Broadway for the preps and horse lovers - spring is around the corner!}

Pasta Dinner Night {party decorating on a budget}

 First of all I apologize for the lack of post this week. A nasty cold {no "sick days" for mothers}, plus being the decorating coordinator for my kids' school Pasta Dinner Night fund raiser took up much of my energy. I want the best for my kids and their school {don't we all}, so I was up to the challenge of decorating Lake Avenue Elementary's cafeteria to accommodate 336 people for one of the schools biggest fund raisers of the year on a verrrry limited budget {YES I CAN}. Thanks to the many blogs I read, Martha Stewart.com, and some of our very generous local florist I was able to transform the cafeteria to a trattoria! Here is how I did it...

{Our school is becoming more "green". In an attempt to stay with that theme I choose to stick with paper and recyclable items to decorate the tables with}

{the tables were covered in white paper -thanks to the art teacher, the runner is black and white wrapping paper, red paper place mats donated by Putnam Market, silverware donated by Allerdice rental, cups donated by Hannaford, the flowers that were donated by Dehns, Hidden Gardens and Price Chopper were placed in mason jars and soup cans tied with a zippy red ribbon, donated crayons from Lake Ave. parents were put on the table to keep our little "artist" busy while the food was being served}

{my friend Carolyn took our tired curtains and made them into these cute cafe curtains with hardly any effort - a true genius! Some items from home polished off one of the window beds and made a nice focal point}

{ready to serve!}

Much appreciation to all our sponsors, parents, and Dr. Messier who made this night a true success!

Grazie!

Home for the Holidays {home}

Thank you Tiffany for sending me your JOYful scene. I love all the silver and white - very elegant. I'm also loving Sarah's Winter Wonderland mantle with the big friendly Frosty in the middle surrounded by a bunch of fun little critters. Simple, yet, fun and playful. I appreciate you both sharing your creative holiday decor from your homes.

May you all enjoy your homes and those who enter them during this joyful season.

Merry Christmas!

While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:6-7.

late night Inspirations

Isn't that when we moms do our best work? The day is done, the kids are snuggled in bed finally asleep dreaming of their Christmas to come (in less then 2 weeks - ahhh!). It's time to take a deep breath and look at the ever growing to do list. This time of year it seems endless. But, Christmas will come whether you hung all the ornaments, sent all the cards, made the cookies, or bought all the gifts. Well, my to do list is horribly overwhelming - but last night I did something I enjoy and that I hope my kids will always remember. I decorated the house (well, only the inside, we still have to hang the wreaths and do the outside lights). The kids did the tree over the weekend and had fun drinking eggnog, dressing like elves and discovering their ornaments from past years. I did my fussing over the dining room, mantel, and stairway. I thought I would share it with you in the hopes that some of you might send me your holiday decorating masterpieces. Why not share them? It only last a short time and we could all use a little inspiration!

{email me at susan@downtownsusiebrown.com}

The Finished Product!

I hope you are inspired ...

Have a great week end preparing for next weeks feast!
For more ideas check out www.eddieross.com

More inspiration for the Thanksgiving Table ...

Love these sweet birds from the Saratoga Shoe Depot. I plan on using them all through the Christmas season. Saratoga Shoe Depot, 385 Broadway; $5.95.

These twig pumpkins and pear that I got last year will add texture. They play well with my new plates, especially the bowls that have a bird nest look to them. Accents at Allerdice Division and Walworth Streets.

These polished but slightly worn acorns will go well with the sophisticated rustic table setting I have in mind. Saratoga Shoe Depot, 385 Broadway; $11.95.

Bring a little of the outdoors inside! These pumpkins will replace flowers and bring "life" to the table.

Thanksgiving Table Inspirations ...

I made the short and pretty trip out to Schuyler Pond 727 Route 29 East. I love the drive. The view of the Vermont Green Mountains is breathtaking. Ending my short trip at Schuyler Pond is such a treat. I can't help but be inspired by all their beautiful and eclectic items. They have everything from outdoor accessories, fine soaps and candles, gorgeous table top items, exquisite bedding and pillows, unique furniture and home accessories, and much more. I went looking for some inspiration for the Thanksgiving table. They did not disappoint.

I found these beautiful plates, bowls, and coffee cups by Jeremie at Schuyler Pond. I'm loving the robins egg blue. I have been all year! The color along with the rustic twig details really spoke to me and I knew would work well in my dining room. Don't you think this blue with the pop of orange (thanks to pumpkins), classic white linens and polished silver will give this years table a more unexpected, but sophisticated look? I'm going to try it and see!
Stay tuned...

Halloween is scary, but I think this week has it beat.

Creepy? Makes your skin crawl? Sounds like Wall Street and Capitol Hill. (spider is from Hidden Gardens on Maple Ave, small $15, large $40)

Is it me, or do these little guys have the same expression on their faces many had after the dow dropped 777 points on Monday?
(ghost candles from Shoe Depot on Broadway, small $5.95, large $6.95)

I think we will all need a mummi-tini on Friday.
(martini glass from Shoe Depot on Broadway, $24.00)