Nothing beats a lunch date downtown with the girls. This week, my cousin is visiting the rest of our family in Troy and North Greenbush. She lives in Portland, Oregon so it is a treat when she is here. When she called to see if I would like to meet for a day in Saratoga I was thrilled!
We met at Congress Park at noon on Wednesday with plans to stroll down Broadway, choose a place for lunch and do some shopping. She arrived with her mother and sister-in-law and they had a few requests. Both my cousin and cousin-in-law are pregnant (me too!). One needed to pee and the other was thirsty and starving. My aunt, the silly one as usual, says "And I need a stiff drink if I'm going to spend the afternoon with you three - you're all knocked up and full of hormones!" The first place to come to mind was Circus Cafe: we got fresh buttery popcorn as soon as we sat down, there is a full bar, restroom of course, and my son loves it there. (Did I mention my 15-month old was with us as well?) We had our drinks - a Mint Julep for my aunt in honor of this weekend's upcoming derby and lemonade for the rest of us - and popcorn within minutes. It was tough to decide on what to order; the lunch menu is huge and everything sounded really good. I went with the grilled chicken sandwich which is a favorite of mine. It is so huge I had plenty left to take home, which I am looking forward to having for lunch today! My cousin had the steak salad which looked absolutely delicious... I may have to try that next time! When it was time for the check, I remembered to get my S.M. token out for 10% off. When our waiter returned he reminded me that we also got free cotton candy with the token - I had completely forgotten so that was a nice surprise!
We strolled up Broadway to try and walk off our lunch, did a bit of window shopping and stopped in a few stores. Downtown was bustling as usual which was not surprising given that is was a beautiful day.
Even though we were still stuffed from lunch, my aunt insisted we stop at The Bread Basket. I had never been, but my aunt had been talking about their cupcakes for months so I was looking forward to it. She was so right - their cupcakes are awesome. I indulged, and got a sampling of few small cupcakes (they come in 2 sizes) to take home. I saved them for after dinner and shared them with my husband. My favorite was the chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. I am not a crazy choco-holic or anything like that, but both their cake and frosting were perfect! I will certainly be back soon... all of their other baked goods looked divine and they also offer a breakfast and lunch menu. Hopefully we can get The Bread Basket on the S.M. token merchant roster soon!
It was a great afternoon - it's always a treat to see out-of-town family, stroll downtown on a beautiful day and eat delicious food. And, using my S.M. token for great discounts and surprises just makes it that much better!
4.30.2009
4.27.2009
When It's Hot and You Want Ice Cream- Remember...
Ben + Jerry's on Phila street takes the s.m. Token!!
Token holders get 10% off of their order. That means you can save money while cooling down with yummy flavors like Pistachio, Cake Batter, and Phish Food. Relax out front on the big glider and then walk over to the Carousel which should be open by mid- May. Don't have a token? visit the token page
Token holders get 10% off of their order. That means you can save money while cooling down with yummy flavors like Pistachio, Cake Batter, and Phish Food. Relax out front on the big glider and then walk over to the Carousel which should be open by mid- May. Don't have a token? visit the token page
4.25.2009
A Night of Pampering
"GREAT event! I had so much fun and felt so cosmopolitan! Thanks for organizing a great night out!"
This past Thursday was our Mom’s Spa Night Out event hosted by Spa Cascada.
Just stepping through the door was immediately soothing – guests were greeted by that undeniable and relaxing spa aroma, gentle sounds of ocean waves and flickering candlelight adorning the graceful Victorian architecture and woodwork. Spa Cascada provided the perfect atmosphere to forget the worries of our days and enjoy an evening out.
We indulged on a tasty array of snacks provided by The Wheatfields. The bruschetta and antipasta were delicious and I personally could not get enough of their famous aged cheddar cheese wheel. I will definitely be checking out their Happy Hour so I can sample more.
I was a bit envious of everyone else enjoying a glass (or two!) of wine, provided by Malta Wine & Liquor. I couldn’t partake because I am pregnant but I did feel pretty fancy sipping sparkling Saratoga water. After all those tasty treats and beverages it was tough but so worth it to squeeze in a scrumptious cookie from Park 19 - for me, the cinnamon roll cookie definitely hit the spot!
Amy, from Spa Cascada, did an amazing job sculpting my eyebrows and was even kind enough to provide some skincare advice and cleanser samples. I cannot wait to go back in a couple of weeks to enjoy their Mother’s Day special – a Simplicity Facial, manicure and pedicure for just $125!
The best part of the evening, though, was the time spent with friends both old and new. Thanks to all who attended – we hope you had a wonderful evening. And, if you missed this event, be sure to check out the details of our Mother’s Day event at Genevieve’s coming up on May 7th. We can’t wait for another fun night out with all of our great Saratoga Mamas!
This past Thursday was our Mom’s Spa Night Out event hosted by Spa Cascada.
Just stepping through the door was immediately soothing – guests were greeted by that undeniable and relaxing spa aroma, gentle sounds of ocean waves and flickering candlelight adorning the graceful Victorian architecture and woodwork. Spa Cascada provided the perfect atmosphere to forget the worries of our days and enjoy an evening out.
We indulged on a tasty array of snacks provided by The Wheatfields. The bruschetta and antipasta were delicious and I personally could not get enough of their famous aged cheddar cheese wheel. I will definitely be checking out their Happy Hour so I can sample more.
I was a bit envious of everyone else enjoying a glass (or two!) of wine, provided by Malta Wine & Liquor. I couldn’t partake because I am pregnant but I did feel pretty fancy sipping sparkling Saratoga water. After all those tasty treats and beverages it was tough but so worth it to squeeze in a scrumptious cookie from Park 19 - for me, the cinnamon roll cookie definitely hit the spot!
Amy, from Spa Cascada, did an amazing job sculpting my eyebrows and was even kind enough to provide some skincare advice and cleanser samples. I cannot wait to go back in a couple of weeks to enjoy their Mother’s Day special – a Simplicity Facial, manicure and pedicure for just $125!
The best part of the evening, though, was the time spent with friends both old and new. Thanks to all who attended – we hope you had a wonderful evening. And, if you missed this event, be sure to check out the details of our Mother’s Day event at Genevieve’s coming up on May 7th. We can’t wait for another fun night out with all of our great Saratoga Mamas!
4.21.2009
New Event:: Mother's Day Shopping Night Out at Genevieve's
Mother's Day Night Out At Genevieve's Home + Garden!
Enjoy a night out with
your Saratoga Mama friends while you browse for last minute Mother's Day gifts for all budgets. Pick up something you have been wishing
for as well! 10% off for s.m. Token holders (excludes furniture).
When: Thursday 5.7.09
Time: 7:30 -9pm
Where: Corner of Front + Bath streets. Ballston Spa
Read our
blog post about Genevieve's!
RSVP:
hello AT SaratogaMama
Enjoy a night out with
your Saratoga Mama friends while you browse for last minute Mother's Day gifts for all budgets. Pick up something you have been wishing
for as well! 10% off for s.m. Token holders (excludes furniture).
When: Thursday 5.7.09
Time: 7:30 -9pm
Where: Corner of Front + Bath streets. Ballston Spa
Read our
blog post about Genevieve's!
RSVP:
hello AT SaratogaMama
4.20.2009
Park19 Cookies of Saratoga + Wheatfields + Malta Wine & Liquor
Sometimes we just don't want to cook. Or we just can't. Too much going on, too much coming up. Why not get a healthy gourmet meal for your family of 4 from one of Saratoga's amazing restaurants? The Family Meals to Go from Wheatfields is your solution. 4 meals for $44. Call ahead and they will bring it out to you curb side from their famous Broadway location. View the Family Meals to Go Menu.
We are looking forward to sampling some very delicious treats from Wheatfields this Thursday night at our Spa Event! Local SaratogaMama and proprietress of Wheatfields, Colleen Holmes has generously offered to sponsor the Mama's Night Out and we can't wait to chat with her and all of you who are coming!
We are so excited about Park19 Cookies. They will be sponsoring the Spa Event Mama's Night Out this Thursday so everyone who comes will get to have a bite of their delicious creations. Chocolate Chip Cookies with Pretzels? Um? Yum!!! Visit their site and send cookie gifts around the country, or to your own front door!
Haven't booked your Spa Ticket? You will be missing out on pampering by Spa Cascada on Broadway, Food by the Wheatfields, and Cookies by Park19! Book It
We are also excited to have Malta Wine & Liquor as a sponsor for the Spa Event. They have given us a few bottles of wine to share with you! Malta Wine & Liquor is in the Kendall Way shopping plaza next to Price Chopper at Rt 67 + 9!
4.18.2009
Support A Local Charity With International Reach
Lizzie Sorensen's (co-founder of SaratogaMama) daughter Ruby was born with a hemangioma. Her family is fortunate that her hemangioma naturally regressed on its own and now at almost 5 years old it is nothing but a faint pink patch near her mouth. However some children are not that lucky and their birthmarks interfere with their eyesight, eating, and daily lives, or become part of a larger illness. We can help them. And we can do it with our gently used and fashionable handbags! There are already some great bags to bid on. Handbags by Kate Spade, Treesje, and Coach.
The Vascular Birthmark Foundation is a locally based charity with International reach. The mission is to educate families and assist those in need of treatment who have vascular birthmarks such as Hemangiomas, Port Wine Stains and Sturge-Weber Syndrome. Vascular Birthmarks can be life threatening and nearly impossible to treat. This takes a lot of money and there are only a handful of talented doctors and surgeons world-wide who can help. With your donation and or purchase during this fun event, you can help sponsor a family so that they can meet with these top doctors in person and step toward treatment!
You can help to “Sponsor A Family” so that they can attend the VBF annual medical conference and receive a treatment plan. Donate a new or gently used high-end, vintage, or designer handbag or bid on one at www.birthmark.org. Both ways help!
Tell your family, friends, or colleagues that they can help too by donating or bidding on a handbag.
GET A HANDBAG + HELP
DONATE A HANDBAG FOR OTHERS TO BID ON HERE
Did you know.....
One in ten children are born with a vascular birthmark, or 400,000, each year in the United States (based on the 2003 census). Of these infants, 1 in 10, or 40,000 are born with a vascular birthmark that will require the opinion of a medical specialist. There are two categories of vascular birthmarks: hemangiomas, which are the most common tumor of infancy, and vascular malformations. These two categories, while related, are very different. It is very important to know the difference because the treatment is different depending on the lesion type. Read more about the organization here.
The Vascular Birthmark Foundation is a locally based charity with International reach. The mission is to educate families and assist those in need of treatment who have vascular birthmarks such as Hemangiomas, Port Wine Stains and Sturge-Weber Syndrome. Vascular Birthmarks can be life threatening and nearly impossible to treat. This takes a lot of money and there are only a handful of talented doctors and surgeons world-wide who can help. With your donation and or purchase during this fun event, you can help sponsor a family so that they can meet with these top doctors in person and step toward treatment!
You can help to “Sponsor A Family” so that they can attend the VBF annual medical conference and receive a treatment plan. Donate a new or gently used high-end, vintage, or designer handbag or bid on one at www.birthmark.org. Both ways help!
Tell your family, friends, or colleagues that they can help too by donating or bidding on a handbag.
GET A HANDBAG + HELP
DONATE A HANDBAG FOR OTHERS TO BID ON HERE
Did you know.....
One in ten children are born with a vascular birthmark, or 400,000, each year in the United States (based on the 2003 census). Of these infants, 1 in 10, or 40,000 are born with a vascular birthmark that will require the opinion of a medical specialist. There are two categories of vascular birthmarks: hemangiomas, which are the most common tumor of infancy, and vascular malformations. These two categories, while related, are very different. It is very important to know the difference because the treatment is different depending on the lesion type. Read more about the organization here.
4.17.2009
For the Mother Who Has Everything
If you are stumped on what to get your mom, sister, friend who is a mom, mother-in-law for Mother's Day- just stop into Genevieve's in Ballston Spa, NY. Even if the mother on your mind has "everything" you will still be able to find something, even if it is a little something, that she will enjoy. A collectable like a white dish, a throw pillow, an ornament, a tiny white bird with glass cloche.... I could go on all day.
Owner Christi Kerls-Tacy has something for every one and the price points are unbelievably refreshing. I have to restrain myself from visiting too often. Mostly because I just want to curl up on the Shabby Chic-like sofa in front of the fire and stay there all day.
I envy her style, grace, and decor skills and want to be her. Shopping there is addictive and it's a good thing she takes the s.m. Token- so you can shop there and save 10% (excluding furniture).
If you haven't been- drive down Front St and check it out. Corner of Front and Bath.
Saratoga's Cutest Baby Contest Winners Announced!
See who was voted the area's Cutest Baby!
Once again the 6th Annual Cutest Baby Contest, sponsored by Image Photo & Events, Saratoga.com and Saratoga Today Newspaper, has a great turn out with over 1300 votes!
The babies and toddlers entered were all adorable, making the decision tough for voters. Each baby paid an entry fee of $24.95, which included a photo session, proof sheet and 8x10 entry photo.
Read the rest at Saratoga.com
Once again the 6th Annual Cutest Baby Contest, sponsored by Image Photo & Events, Saratoga.com and Saratoga Today Newspaper, has a great turn out with over 1300 votes!
The babies and toddlers entered were all adorable, making the decision tough for voters. Each baby paid an entry fee of $24.95, which included a photo session, proof sheet and 8x10 entry photo.
Read the rest at Saratoga.com
4.16.2009
Last Tango at Violet's- Goodbye Muffin Top
VIOLETS: 482 Broadway Saratoga Springs, NY
It's not that I want to accept my muffin top, but I am a busy mama and I don't always have "work on your muffin top" in the forefront of my mind. Sure I would love to do 500 crunches a day and never eat anything white, but puh-lease.
So instead I rely on great fashion advice (even when it comes to undergarments) from Laura Farrar, owner of Violet's of Saratoga on Broadway.
She has a line of AMAZING cami's that not only help to suck in and smooth, they are long. This is unique. Many hit right at the waist and you spend the day tugging at them while they just keep bunching up. The camisoles at Violet's by Last Tango are seamless and she carries them in black and ivory (possibly in more colors, but I own black and ivory). The price point is really nice - under $40.
She suggests wearing them under tunics, over jeans and pulling them right down under your bum so that they stay put all day and you have one less thing to tug at. Your hands are probably busy enough tugging at your children!
PSSST..
Violet's accepts the s.m. Token! Do you have one? You will save 10% on every purchase when you show your token in person at checkout.
Spa Cascada Event - Countdown to RSVP!
If you have purchased your Spa Night ticket- thank you!
We have extended the deadline to April 20th- but if you are "thinking about it" please grab your spot at the link below so that we can make this event happen.
Also, please tell your friends.
s.m. Token holders get 10% off of this event ticket price, and if you don't have one, your purchase of a token gets you a ticket for 50% off!
We are so excited for Spa Night!! All of the Saratoga Mama's deserve this special treat!
Check it out below and be sure to secure your spot. For this event all tickets will need to be purchased in advance so that we can plan for the evening.
Also- great news Pizza Lovers! D'Andrea's Pizza on Caroline st. now accepts the s.m. Token! Token holders get 10% off- see site for details and if you don't have your token you are missing out!
Stay tuned for more fun meet up info and spring events.
GO HERE TO PURCHASE TICKET
EVENT INFO:
SPA CASCADA {487 BROADWAY} THURSDAY APRIL 23, 2009 FROM 7-9PM
Join Saratoga Mama for a night of drinks, snacks, and pampering! Each guest will receive one of the following services: brow design, skin analysis, or polish change.
In addition Spa owner and aesthetician Amy Snider will present springs make up trends and each guest will receive complimentary spring color makeup trend card.
Tickets $10
OR- only $5 with the purchase of an s.m. Token- carry yours about town to receive exclusive discounts at popular restaurants, spas, and shops! $20 for the token and $5 for the ticket. Just a couple uses of your token around town pays for itself and it never expires!
Email hello@saratogamama.com to make your reservation and receive payment instructions. RSVP's should be paid in full by 4/20 so that we can let the Spa know for staffing the party.
We are sorry but we cannot accommodate RSVP refunds unless we cancel the event. We look forward to seeing you there- you deserve a Spa Treat!
SPONSORS::
Wheatfields
Park19 Cookies
We have extended the deadline to April 20th- but if you are "thinking about it" please grab your spot at the link below so that we can make this event happen.
Also, please tell your friends.
s.m. Token holders get 10% off of this event ticket price, and if you don't have one, your purchase of a token gets you a ticket for 50% off!
We are so excited for Spa Night!! All of the Saratoga Mama's deserve this special treat!
Check it out below and be sure to secure your spot. For this event all tickets will need to be purchased in advance so that we can plan for the evening.
Also- great news Pizza Lovers! D'Andrea's Pizza on Caroline st. now accepts the s.m. Token! Token holders get 10% off- see site for details and if you don't have your token you are missing out!
Stay tuned for more fun meet up info and spring events.
GO HERE TO PURCHASE TICKET
EVENT INFO:
SPA CASCADA {487 BROADWAY} THURSDAY APRIL 23, 2009 FROM 7-9PM
Join Saratoga Mama for a night of drinks, snacks, and pampering! Each guest will receive one of the following services: brow design, skin analysis, or polish change.
In addition Spa owner and aesthetician Amy Snider will present springs make up trends and each guest will receive complimentary spring color makeup trend card.
Tickets $10
OR- only $5 with the purchase of an s.m. Token- carry yours about town to receive exclusive discounts at popular restaurants, spas, and shops! $20 for the token and $5 for the ticket. Just a couple uses of your token around town pays for itself and it never expires!
Email hello@saratogamama.com to make your reservation and receive payment instructions. RSVP's should be paid in full by 4/20 so that we can let the Spa know for staffing the party.
We are sorry but we cannot accommodate RSVP refunds unless we cancel the event. We look forward to seeing you there- you deserve a Spa Treat!
SPONSORS::
Wheatfields
Park19 Cookies
New Mama Meet-Ups Listed
The Mama Meet-ups have been a hit! We think that is may have to do with our no pressure approach. Sure events such as walks etc can be fun, but sometimes mom needs to just sit for a bit.
Mama Meet-ups are a chance for the kids to play in a safe environment while moms get a break. That means bring your coffee, bring your chat, and we all meet up to watch the kids play at a playground or indoor play place. For free. This gives moms a chance to catch up without worrying about lugging a stroller, or baby carrier to the event, and you can come and go as you please.
A new popular meet-up will likely be the "witching hour" events. The time between 3:30 or 4 pm and when dinner is ready or "Daddy" gets home is torturous. The kids are tired, they are cranky, and we are here to help! These events will be bi-weekly (or more if you like) at a park. Starting around 3:30pm- whenever. We can't wait!
We also have morning meet ups added to the calendar, and SaratogMama founders Lizzie and Elizabeth will most likely bring their bagged lunches so we encourage you to do the same!
As always, write us with any ideas/suggestions. hello AT SaratogaMama.com
NEW EVENTS POSTED AT THE SITE
Mama Meet-ups are a chance for the kids to play in a safe environment while moms get a break. That means bring your coffee, bring your chat, and we all meet up to watch the kids play at a playground or indoor play place. For free. This gives moms a chance to catch up without worrying about lugging a stroller, or baby carrier to the event, and you can come and go as you please.
A new popular meet-up will likely be the "witching hour" events. The time between 3:30 or 4 pm and when dinner is ready or "Daddy" gets home is torturous. The kids are tired, they are cranky, and we are here to help! These events will be bi-weekly (or more if you like) at a park. Starting around 3:30pm- whenever. We can't wait!
We also have morning meet ups added to the calendar, and SaratogMama founders Lizzie and Elizabeth will most likely bring their bagged lunches so we encourage you to do the same!
As always, write us with any ideas/suggestions. hello AT SaratogaMama.com
NEW EVENTS POSTED AT THE SITE
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