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Feature Presentation: NYC Ballet performing Americana, Saturday July 11th at 8:00 {support the arts while having a good time.  It's a win-win}. 

Dress: by Milly at Hunt, Ltd {style name - Summer Gala Dress - how perfect}.

Bling: David Yurman ring at Frank Adams Jewelers, gold leaf earrings at Lucia Boutique {wear your own fireworks}.

Lawn essentials: a ticket, champagne and chairs {cheers!}

Don't leave home without 'em: Flip flops for showing off YOUR dance moves {I'll show you, Peter Martin!} and a wagon {for when you've proved your point}.

Enjoy the Sun!!!  Have a great weekend! 

Busy week.  Girls are back home {yipeee - missed them so!}, family visiting {love sharing our town with our loved ones even if it keeps me from blogging!}, working on an exciting project, and it's Gala Week!  The New York City Ballet opened last night {another yippeee!} and The Gala is Saturday.  Thanks to my creative and witty friend, Molly,  she makes the ballet gala stress-free for many of us.  Find a dress {I'm here to help!}, get the nails done, line up the sitter, make an hors d'oeuvres or dessert to share, make sure my significant other is sufficiently suited {in my case - don't forget the cane!} and off we go to what is always a memorable {especially if you keep the cocktails to a minimum} night. If it's your first time experiencing the ballet gala on the great SPAC lawn... Here are some tips from my friend and a gala picnic pro... "Buy performance tickets after confirming forecast.  Bring some rolling device for transport.  Prepare for conditions, high heels get stuck in the mud, bugs bite and glass breaks.  Blankets are nice on the slope to watch the ballet and chairs help ease tired toes".  And a few disclaimers {she is a lawyer}... "Satisfaction Almost Guaranteed.  Not responsible for lost or misplaced items including significant others.  Injuries incurred on the dance floor or elsewhere are due to an act of God and are signs that it may be time to switch drinks or dance floors..."  This is an event that cannot be missed in Saratoga.  It appeals to everyone and you will see everything {best of all - the amazing NYC Ballet}.  Ballet, friends, good food and drink, fireworks, and dancing for the common folks - not just the ballerinas - in 3 different tents.  Grab your picnic blanket, a bottle of champagne, put on that LBD and kick off the summer season SARATOGA STYLE! 

{Before - coffee at Saratoga Coffee Traders to talk strategy}

Mother, wife, Saratogian, all around do-gooder.  Great laugh.  Loves to hang with her family and friends.  Enjoys the simple pleasures of life - BBQ's, watching her boys play baseball, Blue Moon, walks through town, gardening, her husband's quirky sense of humor, but best of all...  embraces change.

{the unveiling party - picture by Kim Purdy}

We shopped her closet and downtown.  We consulted Amy Snider at Spa Cascada and Maria {my favorite hair stylist} for make up, brow, skin care and hair suggestions.  Did we find a look to match her lifestyle and personality?  Come back all week and you be the judge...

The cute and adventurous Sylvie, in the childrens book of the same name, won my kids and me over with her whimsical style and daring taste!  The risk-taking little flamingo is tired of being pink {and eating shrimp}.  She wants to try something new {a girl after my own heart}!  A paisley flamingo? Green? Stripped?  That just won't do... So back to eating shrimp and being pink for her, because it's important to love who you are and to take care of your body too. I won't give the end away... But, trust me when I say - this little flamingo will find her own style and stand out {either on one leg or two} in a crowd!

Written and illustrated by the very talented and LOCAL artist Jennifer Sattler.  You may remember another of Jen's childrens books, Bella's Saratoga Summer.  Her new character will steal your heart and Jen's zippy animations will make you want one book to read and another to rip out the pictures and frame.

Meet Jen and get an autographed copy of the book!  Friday, June 12th, 6:30 at Barnes and Noble {Rt. 50}.

The adorable and fashionable owner of 80 West, Barbara Macina, wearing one of the many great dresses she carries at the store now located at 510 Broadway.

  I'm a huge fan of Barbara's baubles.  A great way for you recessionistas to liven up your summer wardrobe.  Look cool and current in last year's dress when you add these trendy and affordable accessories.  Your secret is safe with me...

 Oh, did I mention she has hats?  For the track, pool, or street.  The ever stylin' Tiffany in one of my favorites.  Love the classic plaid on the cowboy style.  Giddy up!!!

How cute is this dress?  Clearly this 80 West fan knows how to wear it and the shoes were perfect.  Yes, 80 West has shoes too!!!

What's you favorite fashion term?  Guests had fun filling a wall with words that describe their favorite fashion term or expression.  Savvy, Sophisticated, Stylish...hmmmm those sound familiar.. {the beautiful interior design of the new location was done by Beverly Tracy Home Design - oh so Elle Decor}.

Much luck, Barbara in your new location!!! 

A gift to all DTSB readers... Mention this post and Barbara will give you 20% off your next purchase at 80 West! 

Now that's a good way to start the week...

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!

 Big fans of the Pink Paddock on their way to deliver baby wipes to PaperDolls of Saratoga in exchange for a coupon book filled with savings at the Pink Paddock, Ever After, Impressions of Saratoga and many more amazing shops...

80 West, Frivolous, Speck, Violet's... Now where should we go???

So much to choose from!

Beth {one of the stylin' owners of Aggie's}

Scarf tying lesson

Jewelry by Shari Voce

Perfectly fitting and gorgeous dress by Diane Von Furstenberg on the luminous Amy!

Ride horses or just want to look like you do?  Saratoga Saddlery is the place for you!

Off to Cantina for a margarita and some food...  Can't wait to see who will win all those fabulous giveaways!!!

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!!! 

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!

 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...}

  {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.