CRAVE CRUSH the urban girl's blog to all that you CRAVE

Het PR Bureau – “Flirting is part of new relationships”

March 11, 2010 by Cristina | Comments (0)

Jacqueline Bosselaar of Het PR Bureau aims to make all relationships relevant. Relationships between organisation and customer, between journalist and director or between brand and consumer. Every relationship speaks for itself. Flirting is part of new relationships and, for adult relationships, trust forms the primary principle!

Het PR Bureau operates in the news industry. They  help positioning brands and organisations in their competitive markets of lifestyle & fashion, FMCG, health care, professional services firms and non-profit. In order to improve their image & fame they develop smart, creative but moreover hands-on PR strategies and activities, making use of their qualitative and extensive network of editors, bloggers, stylists, business friends and celebrities.

How would you describe your business in exactly three adjectives?
Creative, ambitious, real and always tuned for opportunities.

People may be surprised to know
…that my mom is from the tropical island Aruba.

What or who inspired you to start your business?
My positive minded dad who never is afraid of anything, my friend Barbara who managed to acquire one of her first and dream client Gucci, and my business partner Marnix who is successful without taking himself too seriously.

Who is your role model or mentor?
My business coach and sparring partner Marjolijn. I have worked with her from the very moment we started our agency. She is my best business decision ever.

What business mistake have you made that you will not repeat?
Working for a big-name-client who refused working on the basis of an equal relationship.

How do you spend your free time?
Snowboarding, cycling and tennis (all in good weather conditions), traveling and city trips, photography, reading magazines.

What is your indulgence?
Shoes, traveling, and my two months old son.

Where is your favorite place to go with your girlfriends?
De Nieuwe Anita, Café Nassau, De Bakkerswinkel, and… home.

Best of Baby Shower Gifts

March 4, 2010 by Cristina | Comments (0)

Nothing is quite as special as welcoming a new baby into the world. And well it can be easy and fun to shop from the traditional baby registry – many new moms CRAVE a different approach. For this week’s Best of we compiled a list of shops around the area that provide a unique selection of gifts for baby and mom. The Best of Baby Shower Gifts is sure to bring a smile to the face of the new baby – and the new mom of course!

Happyrainydays

Who said rainy days have to be depressive? Check these happy outfits, they will put a smile on your face. Pedaling through the rainy weather, Michelle van der Burgh and Astrid de Groot could just not find the right rainwear which is good, fun AND functional. So they decided to go make it their self. They have a special knowledge of materials and production quality. Its production aims to the highest quality. Check the

Het kleine warenhuis

This shop is filled with own designs and many homemade objects, also antique toys.
Everything in the shop is for sale but also to be ordered in any shape or color you want. The children’s gallery, the boxes, treasure chests, chandeliers with old toys and handmade jewelry can all be adjusted to taste or by agreement, made specifically for the customer. In  Het Kleine Warenhuis you can also find your own creative way. Stefanie Meijs, the owner of the shop, inspires and teaches crafts in workshops. She also hold  birthday parties for children in her shop.

Liv-inn

Liv-inn is for kids and moms, here you can find the nicest garments for babies and children up to 14 years old as well as nice gifts for moms. Every season they sell cheerful, colorful, beautiful clothing, from brands like: Lola Amor, Eager Beaver, Vingino, Mim-Pi, Seven Ones Even, Beebielove, Noppies, Tuuf’s World and Petit Bateau. They also sell beautiful toys for children under 4 years.

Madre Perla

We want wow. Every day and from day one. For girls and boys from the age of 0,  up to European size 128. And we celebrate imagination. We’re not afraid to express ourselves. On the contrary, we dress to express. Check their website!

Shak-shuka

The very own eco boutique filled with stylish organic and eco-friendly goods for baby, child and mama. They are out to dispel the myth that green and sylish are incompatible. Shak shuka aims to prove that eco-friendly goods don’t have to cost the earth. Check their beautiful daily blog, it includes tips on green living, recipes and raising a family organically, all with a sense of humor!

Zazou

Zazoukids is the Hippest web shop that offers branded children’s fashion, trendy accessories and baby shower gifts. Zazou has the total range, from elegant and simple basics to the newest trends and creative prints, not just the same old same old we’ve been used to seeing in the children’s department. They even have black! Zazou.eu stands for quality Dutch Design kids’ fashion, clothes and accessories that are creative, original, comfy, easy to care for, often produced in a sustainable manner and made of organic cotton. Balancing on the front line of fashion, their clothes exude style, cheekiness and a playful allure, in an array of colours that is always right on target.

Whether “it’s a boy” or a girl – these shops are sure to have a one of a kind gift for baby’s and moms of all styles!

Interview with Constance Hage – I try to give my readers a smile a day

March 3, 2010 by Cristina | Comments (0)

Because we like to share ideas and thoughts with other women, specially about shopping, Constance Hage from Shoppen.blogo.nl & ladygadgets.blogo.nl writes two women blog-magazines: ”I like to keep my online Shopaholicfriends updated about fashion, gadgets, beauty and lots more. My opinions are objective and clear: what you see, is was you get! I try to give my readers a smile a day.”

How would you describe your business in exactly three adjectives?
glamourous, fun, inspiration

What are your most popular products or services?
My articles about Ugg boots/shoes and slippers, still (after a few years) the most populair boots around. I have more than 1.200 comments about Ugg Australia.

People may be surprised to know…
Once I have been given the names ‘Nerdina’ (a female nerd) and ‘Lady Gagadgets’ and I wear these with pride.

What or who inspired you to start your business?
My husband, who asked me 5 years ago ‘what do you miss on the internet for women?’. And my reply was: ‘information about shopping and gadgets for women!’

What business mistake have you made that you will not repeat?
I have had an online shop in 1999 for cosmetics, way to early and nowadays I would never open a shop again (online or offline). I can better write about them

How do you spend your free time?
Shopping, travelling, dining, writing and searching for new stuff.

What is your indulgence?
Shoes and bags: I have my own Imelda Marcos shoecloset and a bag fits always!

Where is your favorite place to go with your girlfriends?
Having a drink or meal in a (trendy) bar, on a terrace or in a restaurant or going to the beach and afterwards have diner together. I also like to shop with my girlfriends in shoppingheaven Shanghai!

CRAVE Buzz Party at Joline Jolink Atelier

February 23, 2010 by Cristina | Comments (1)

Seduced by the wines of Golden Grapes and enchanted by the new spring collection of Joline Jolink the CRAVE entrepreneuresses came in masses to meet each other, meet the CRAVE concept and have fun.

The wines of Golden Grapes from South Africa were a hit for a good reason. Their superb taste accompanied the night, easing the rainy mood and the conversation. Thank you Suzanne Moen for sponsoring the night!

It was a privilege to be in a famous Dutch designer atelier and enjoy her new spring collection: “For women with something to do” – what a great slogan and how in touch with the women present at the party.  We thank you Joline Jolink for your warm welcome in your atelier and for baking your famous tart for us. The participant ladies there also received a goodie bag at the end of the evening with a surprise 25€ off of any purchase till 31 Dec 2010!

We met a lot of successful and gutsy lady entrepreneurs and we connected them with each other. Our ever growing Dutch female community has been enriched with the new ladies present at the CRAVE buzz party and we hope they will also be featured in our CRAVE Guide of Women entrepreneurs you MUST know.

Check out the pictures from the Buzz Party for a closer look!

Juxtaposition: Astrology for people and companies

February 19, 2010 by Cristina | Comments (1)

Faye Cossar, the owner of Juxtaposition, was born and raised in New Zealand. After she finished her studies in England, she came to Amsterdam and she is living and working as an astrologer, business consultant and lecturer.

Faye makes horoscopes for individuals, bridges young astrologers to practice in her Amsterdam School of Astrology and is hired for workshops and lectures. Juxtaposition is a company that uses an old instrument with a new twist to give new insights in business. By combining the body of ancient esoteric wisdom together with the body of new business knowledge, interesting results can be achieved. It’s amazing to hear Faye talk about ‘macro’ society developments and how this can be studied and explained through astrology. All planets and signs have specific structures and characteristics, showing short and larger cycles and all kinds of different energy.

You can make horoscopes for people, companies but also for countries! In the area of her business consultancy Faye is advising on PR, timing, teams, culture but it could also be an advise on what colours or shapes would fit your company. After my two hour talk with this passionate woman, I can see so clearly how her added value on business matters. Because of her versatile studies, experience and background, Faye can look at your business and advise on situations from different angles. In our economy where companies need to start being human, join the conversation, work with the ‘sharing and caring’ principles and brands have ‘fans’ rather than consumers, it’s time for a different kind of consultant!

CRAVE Amsterdam was ‘born’ on the 4th of november 2009. The day our team shook hands and joined forces. Faye has made a horoscope for our concept. CRAVE Amsterdam has the sun in Scorpio. That means passion!  The ruling of Mars in our horoscope also shows ‘communication’ and of course: networking.  Faye was pointing out our strenghts but she could also put her finger on things and situations that we had struggled with. It’s nice to see and know about the relations and energy the different signs have and what it’s like to work with different signs. It has nothing to do with wrong or right. It has everything to do with understanding a bit more what people (or companies) are moved by, what drives us or what stops us. Dear Faye, thank you so much for your insight: Astrology rocks!

Text by: Isrid van Geuns

The Antiques Diva Exclusive European Shopping Tours

February 17, 2010 by Cristina | Comments (0)

How would you like to own your personal luxurious piece of garment  and pay only a small sum for it ? Or  buy a great piece of furniture from Victorian times that will complete your living room with great style ?
Or just spend a fabulous afternoon in Amsterdam, “diva – touring” with your girlfriend and enjoy a nice champaign afterwards? She takes you antique shopping in hidden gardens, alongside countless canals and in quaint, gabled-roof houses.  The Diva opens doors to secret stores open only by appointment & she even takes you inside a private residence where you shop daringly for delicious antiques in a Grand Dames living room!

Toma Haines is one fabulous lady who is guaranteed to make you laugh while shopping for the best antique piece you can find! She has connections with the best Antique Dealers across Amsterdam, Den Hague, Antwerp, Berlin and of course Paris. She designs her life by her motto: “People should walk into your home and know who you are, where you have been, what you feel and what moves you.” Turning her hobby into a career, Toma started her own business - The Antiques Diva™ Exclusive European Shopping Tours.  Taking a clue from Napoleon, she crowned herself, coming up with quite possibly the coolest job title in the world – Chief Executive Diva.   She works with 3 international guides offering 1-day and multi-day “antiques, vintage, home decor and lifestyle shopping tours” in 5 languages and 4 countries – The Netherlands, Belgium, France and Germany.

The Antiques Diva Tours is taking Europe by storm, showing clients favorite European cities, hitting the best antique shops, flea markets, vintage boutiques, lifestyle and home decor stores.  And they’re doing it «Diva Style» with a shopping sack in one hand and a champagne glass in the other!  Diva Tours takes cultural cruising to a new level, letting the destinations reveal themselves through retail.

How would you describe your business in exactly three adjectives?
Vibrant.  Youthful.  Timeless.

What are your most popular products or services?
Mid-tour brainstorming sessions sharing uses for unique finds, offering alternatives, do-it-yourself and repurposing suggestions for living with antiques!

People may be surprised to know…
I love modern abstract art.  The juxtaposition of intense color combined with patina of aged pieces is poetry in 3D.

What or who inspired you to start your business?
My readers: before my business was born, I started writing a blog (www.antiquesdiva.blogspot.com) and from it, readers demanded tours.

Who is your role model or mentor?
In Paris I lived near Yves St Laurent and window-peeked into his apartment, studying masterly combined styles and periods.

How do you spend your free time?
Antique shopping!  I’m fortunate that my favorite pastime and business happen to involve me doing the same thing!

What is your indulgence?
Champagne on a Tuesday afternoon for no reason at all.

Where is your favorite place to go with your girlfriends?
Paris for Girlfriend Getaways! We shop, we antique, we wine and dine and take tea at the Ritz.

Mention CRAVE while booking her reservation and get 10% off!! Reservations by email: toma@antiquesdiva.com

Recap: CRAVE Amsterdam Buzz Party

February 13, 2010 by Cristina | Comments (0)

Through blistering wind and snow flurries, the wonderful women of Amsterdam came out in droves to see what this CRAVE thing was all about!

Held at Friday Next by Athalie Stegeman, our brave CRAVE ambassador, the Buzz Party was a celebration of the some of the finest entreprenesses in the city, accompanied by delicious fresh prosecco, compliments of Friday Next and sweet treats home baked by our very own CRAVE girl Cristina Stoian.

Friday Next is a refreshing concept store for interior design and lifestyle, combining retail with professional services with the sales of accessories, coffee & lunch. A unique mix of furniture, fashion and food. A much appreciated experience by other CRAVE members who were present at the party.

Designing and manufacturing business women met to share ideas on business growth through cooperation, on visibility and expanding their sales-points. Communications, online media expertise and personally guided shopping touring led to new content, co-creation and possible CRAVE set up for Rotterdam & The Hague area.

We’ve met:

Turid Nilsen from Savonnerie

Toni Borsattino from The Coaching Coalition

Deirdre Budd from Dream-Angus

Daniella Rubinovitz from Atelier Werkplaats Molenpad

Faye Cossar from Juxtaposition

Toma Haines from The Antiques Diva

Melanie Hill from Aupairanywhere

Marijke Krabbenbos from Ideacompany

Monique Rubin from Examiner.com

Paulien de Vries and Esther Blaffert from Friday Next

Sandra Pilkes from Out at Home

Darla van de Riet from RietConsulting

Carina van der Kloet from Carina Personal Styling

Hilda Riesebos from Vilt & Wonen

Melanie van Kooten-Morton from Writeminds

Jeanette Westerveld from Stout

Zelda Hall from Zelda Hall M.A.

Nienke Mieke from Meeks Pictures

Irena Marmelstein from Visagist

Team Netherlands: Women to Watch

February 10, 2010 by Cristina | Comments (0)

Here at CRAVE we like to tell you about strong smart women doing remarkable things and athletes are no exception. Now that February is finally here, we thought we’d fill you in on some of the local women to lookout for who have earned their way to the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games, beginning Friday, February 12.

Not surprising, speed skating is very well represented in the olympics by the Dutch sportswomen.

Margot Boer is a Dutch speed skater. She is specialised in riding the 500 m, 1000 m and 1500 m. After spending a few years at local teams in the Zuid-Holland area Margot Boer was seen as one of the Netherlands main future talents and was offered a contract at the KNSB Youth Development Team for the 2006-07 speed skating season. In the years before she already participated in several World Cup meetings. Her first success in her new team was winning a gold medal on the 500 m at the 2007 KNSB Dutch Single Distance Championships. You can follow her updates on Twitter.

Annette Gerritsen specialises in riding the 500 m and 1000 m. She is the current Dutch Junior record holder in the 500 m (38.57) and her personal best (1.16.14) used to be the World Junior record. She also holds the World Junior record with her Dutch team mates in the team pursuit (3.12.37). Wish her luck on twitter!

Renate Groenewold (3000 meter) is a Dutch long track speed skater and road bicycle racer. Groenewold has won several Dutch Championships. In 1999, 2002 and 2003 she won the Dutch allround championship. On the European Allround Championships she has won various medals. In 2005 she won the silver medal which was her best result at the European Allround Championships. In 2001 she also came in third in the overall ranking on the World Allround Championships, which she won in 2004. She won the silver medal on the 3000 m in 2002 at the Olympic Wintergames. Renate joined twitter not too long ago. Encourage her to twit!

Thijsje Oenema (500 meter) is a Dutch speedskater in “short-track sprinter”. Oenema skates for the VPZ-skating team and is a member for skating club S.T.D. Sint Nicolaasga. Her breaktrough was during the 2009 KNSB Dutch Single Distance Championships, winning the bronze medal at the 500m. With this 3rd place she qualified for the first time for the World Cups. Oenema also showed that season that she is also very strong at the 100m. In 2006 and 2007 she was already the dutch champion at this distance. In the same season she took the tittle at the dutch championships supersprint managing to qualify for the Olympics in Vancouver. Of course, she has a twitter account.

Laurine van Riessen had a brake through in the 2006/2007 season with fourth place in the Sprint and NK half spot on the Junior Innsbruck, even while she was a 1000 meter world record holder for juniors. At the beginning of the 2008/09 season, she went to the NK distance of qualifying for the 2009 World 500 meter races at the fifth place. On December 7, 2008 she won in Changchun (China) in the 1000 meter (with a new track record of 1.17,25) win its first-WB . In the final standings ended in the 1500 meter van Riessen third. Van Riessen has managed to qualify for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, what they will do at three distances: the 500 meter, the 1000 meters and 1500 meters.

Diane Valkenburg is a speed skater who is specialised in middle distances. She represented her country at the 2007 Winter Universiade held in Turin where she won the gold medal at the team pursuit. On November 1st, 2008, she won the fifth spot on the 3000 meter during the 2009 NK Distances World Cup.

Jorien Voorhuis is a Dutch skater for the team VPZ. Her favorite distances are the 1500 and 3000 meters. Her international breakthrough was in 2003 for the World Junior Championships in Kushiro (Japan). She won 2nd place in the 1500 meter. The following year she was 8th. At the NK-round in 2006 in Utrecht, she won the bronze medal. From there on she had a number of victories including Gold medal in Assen (2005) and Groeningen(2006) and of course managing to qualify for this year’s Winter Olympic Games.

Elma de Vries is a Dutch marathon speed skater and inline speed skater. De Vries was three years old when she started riding on skates on a small creek near her home, but first became part of a club in artistic gymnastics and athletics before becoming a member at a speed skating club in Noordenveld in 1991. In 1996 she was asked to represent the national youth squad of her regional team and eventually represented the Netherlands at five Junior European Championships.  In two years time as a member of Jong Oranje she appeared on two Junior World Championships. The next two years in the KNSB team she was part of the talent raising squad for starting seniors, while in inline skating she represented the Netherlands in the 2002, 2004 and 2005 European Championships, as well as the 2004 and 2005 World Championships, riding for the Maple Team. Currently she is part of the professional marathon speed skating team DSB.

Ireen Wüst is a Dutch long track allround speed skater. At the age of 19, 2006, Wüst won the gold medal in the Winter Olympic Games 3000-meter event. She is the youngest Dutch Olympic champion in Winter Games history. Wüst debuted at the 2004 KNSB Dutch Single Distance Championships in November 2003, she won the silver medal in the world junior championships in Roseville, Minnesota, USA. With a 3rd place at the 2005 KNSB Dutch Allround Championships she qualified for her first international senior tournamen, the 2005 European Championships in Heerenveen. There she ended 4th and secured herself a sport in the Dutch team for the 2005 World Allround Championships in Moscow, Russia. With a 5th place she made a promising debut at the highest international level. She then became World Junior Champion in Seinäjoki, Finland.

Nicolien Sauerbreij is the Dutch representative in snowboard this year at the Winter Olympycs. Sauerbreij has competed several world cups with more success, achieving several podium positions, including first placings in 2002, 2003, and 2008.

Summertime Publishing – Interview with Jo Parfitt

February 5, 2010 by Cristina | Comments (0)

How would you feel if: you could present your friends, family and potential clients with a copy of your published book? You had a stack of books beside you to sell whenever you gave a workshop or speech? Money appeared in your bank account for books sold online – without you having to lift a finger, pack a Jiffy bag or go to the post office? The media contacted you regularly to ask you to comment on specific issues – because they’d read your book? You could finally cross ‘write a book’ off your To Do list? Are you beginning to feel excited? Let us introduce you Jo Parfitt from Summertime Publishing, your personal writing coach.

Jo Parfitt is the author of 26 non-fiction books, a journalist, editor, writer’s mentor, speaker and teacher. She specialises in helping expatriates and entrepreneurs to plan, write, edit and publish their books. Her programs are inspiring and empowering, are available live and online and focus on books, articles and life story. Her motto is ’sharing what I know to help others to grow’.

How would you describe your business in exactly three adjectives?
Inspiring, informative, empowering

What are your most popular products or services?
Writer’s Mentoring Service from brainwave to bookshelf
Write Your Life Stories program
Career in Your Suitcase, Release the Book Within and Find Your Passion books

People may be surprised to know…
That my first book idea, a cookbook, called French Tarts, was accepted by the first publisher I approached. I was 22, had not been published before could not cook.

What or who inspired you to start your business?
The magazine I had been editing folded. I was at a networking event and when someone asked me what I did the words ‘I help people write books’ fell out of my mouth. It was my instinctive answer.

Who is your role model or mentor?
Robin Pascoe, the Canadian author of six books, who runs www.expatexpert.com and Expatriate Press, from Vancouver, Canada.

What business mistake have you made that you will not repeat?
To try to do everything I could, just because I could. This meant I had no niche, my brand was too disparate and people found it hard to give me referrals.

How do you spend your free time?
Travelling, cooking and sharing food with friends, enjoying nature and art and bellydancing.

What is your indulgence?
A facial once a month from an esthetician who uses YonKa products. Julie Jones of www.essencetherapeutics.nl, you are the best!

Where is your favorite place to go with your girlfriends?
A Connecting Women meeting www.connectingwomen.nl in The Hague for networking but to lunch and a gallery for sheer indulgence

Follow Jo on twitter for free tips about writing.

Interview with Spier Roos: “Preferably a little bit different”

February 1, 2010 by Cristina | Comments (0)

LieverAnders (‘preferably a little bit different’) is an online marketing agency, with a distinct focus on social media. LieverAnders develops effective online marketing concepts, advises on what social media could do for your brand and helps implementing the chosen strategy. LieverAnders has a great track record, with lots of expertise and an overwhelming network of internet professionals.

How would you describe your business in exactly three adjectives?

Vibrant. Innovative. Challenging

What are your most popular products or services?

Strategical online media advise, interactive consultancy and workshops

People may be surprised to know…

All brands are able to create a buzz with little means.

What or who inspired you to start your business?

My business associate, Nathalie van der Ploeg, and I just knew we wanted to start a business someday together. We have so many inspiring ideas, it is just meant to be! Besides, we both come from entrepreneurial backgrounds, so for us it is quite normal to start our own business.

Who is your role model or mentor?

People like Annemarie van Gaal, Tony Hsieh, Eckhart Wintzen and Richard Branson inspire me every day.

What business mistake have you made that you will not repeat?

I made plenty! All meaningful and worthwhile.

How do you spend your free time?

I love to spend as much time as possible with my darling 3,5 year old daughter. She makes me tick and inspires me with new insights. Of course I also love to go out and have dinner with lots of friends, with lots of food and delicious wine.

What is your indulgence?

The idea of having a great concept at the tip of my tongue… And chocolate.

Where is your favorite place to go with your girlfriends?

I don’t care where it is, as long as there is a big table where we can sit, drink lots of tea and chat.

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