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Design*Sponge at Home

September 30, 2011 by Amanda | Comments (0)


Last night, we had the pleasure of meeting Grace Bonney from the design blog Design*Sponge at the Seattle book launch for her new book, Design*Sponge at Home.

On a daily basis, Design*Sponge demonstrates the importance of visual design in all aspects of life. From interior design and flower arrangements to web and packaging design, Grace’s blog has been a guiding light for thousands all over the world. She also has a popular column called Biz Ladies, which addresses just about every topic you can imagine that has to do with running any kind of business!

Design*Sponge at Home, includes 70 home tours, 50 DIY projects, step-by-step DIY basics tutorials, 50 before & after makeovers submitted by readers of Design*Sponge, and essential tips on modern flower arranging, with 20 arrangements.

Throughout the years, Grace has been a huge inspiration for many members of the CRAVE team. Not only is she stylish, thrifty, imaginative and smart, she is humble about her successes and extremely down to earth. Meeting Grace—if only for a minute!—was an absolute dream.

Buy the book on Amazon, or click here for a full list of stores.

Highlights from PICNIC

October 28, 2009 by Amanda | Comments (0)


picnic

Since 2006, PICNIC has been bringing together creative and inspired entrepreneurial minds and takes place annually in Amsterdam. This collaborative event is part conference, part workshop, part networking and connects people across all disciplines. PICNIC provides the platform for forward thinkers to create a meaningful conversation about today’s evolving economy. This year’s major themes focus on new media technologies, establishing a sustainable economy and the close personal relationship between people and their mobile devices.

CRAVE foundress Melody Biringer jet-setted to Amsterdam to attend the festivities and has been sharing her experiences in the blogosphere.

Some of her favorite highlights from the speakers:

  • When the economy is down you need to have a lot more confidence
  • #1 thing, just make/do something cool
  • Keep going, even though things are looking dark
  • Look local, set up satellite locations anywhere
  • Heroes are mentors you can look up to
  • It is not a dog eat dog world. There is enough for everybody to go around, in the end, dogs don’t eat dogs
  • Entrepreneurship is not a job it is a lifestyle that is with you all the time
  • Start things when the market is down, that is when you can build
  • Younger entrepreneurs are thinking a lot more green than older ones
  • Build a green company with a profitably objective so you can keep re-investing in a green initiative
  • Be big, passionate and bright

To read more about Melody’s European escapades and see pictures of the event, check out her full blog at cravingamsterdam.wordpress.com

10 Hot Cocktails for Fall Fetes

October 28, 2009 by Amanda | Comments (0)


falldrinks

When days grow longer and nights cool off, its time to trade tank tops for turtlenecks and mojitos for hot toddies. As entertainment season warms up, we recommend serving these festive beverages exploding with rich flavors.

Recipes links via Fineliving.com

What’s your favorite cold weather cocktail?

Time Saving Solutions: Dry Shampoo

October 28, 2009 by Amanda | Comments (0)


dryshampoo

Who really wants to wash their hair every day? For years I used my mother’s second day hair ‘trick’ of sprinkling baby powder on my crown to absorb excess oil. The technique is fine in a quick pinch but the heavy white residue can leave embarrassing flakes on your clothing and look messy under bright lights.

Thankfully a new generation of dry shampoos exist that enable you to sleep in longer, preserve a blow out or get a mid-day volume lift.

Check out our favs below.

The All Nighter is made with natural plant-based ingredients and natural minerals, gently scented with essence of tangerine (to freshen without being too perfume-y). The All Nighter Styling Powder also contains real silk powder to add manageability to hair, and it imparts a luxurious satiny feel. It’s even available in six shades which is great news for brunettes.

Lulu Organics hair powder is made with white clay, baking soda, USDA Organic corn starch and rice powder, and Oregon Tilth Certified Organic horsetail powder and essential oils. This earth friendly formula is available in four delicious, distinctive scents: Lavender/ Clary Sage, Patchouli/ Amber, Jasmine and Tuberrose.

Klorane Gentle Dry Shampoo is based on softening, protective oat extract, cyclodextrins and natural polysaccharides to clean the hair without washing, as often as required. Your hair regains volume and lightness within minutes. It’s a bit pricey and hard to find in stores, but it’s worth it for the scent, and lack of residue this project leaves.

Ever use a dry shampoo? Dish about it here: