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Startup Weekend Amsterdam

August 27, 2010 by Cristina S. | Comments (0)

So, you have heard of Startup Weekend, but what’s it all about?

Startup Weekend is coming to Amsterdam on 24-26th of September. Mark your calendars because this is no ordinary event. It’s where like-minded entrepreneurs gather for a weekend of company creation. In 54 hours, you take an initial idea from the Friday night pitches through to a mind spinning startup company on the Sunday night.

Sounds intense? It is!

Just don’t think it’s just developers. Its marketing maestros, design gurus, business development wizards, legal geniuses, and the specialist of startups – the jack of all trades coming together as one unit, creating a harmony that can only be envied by the corporate world.

From there? Well, it’s all up to you. Startup Weekend can only help you start your dream. It’s up to you to live it out.

CRAVE decided to partner with Startup Weekend in Amsterdam because we believe in local talents and passionate people that CRAVE inspiring and fresh ideas.

We are giving away one ticket to a lucky winner that helps us spread the word.

• Join them on Facebook and ‘Like’ the Startup Weekend Amsterdam page
  
  
• Follow Startup Weekend  Amsterdam on Twitter and ReTweet: “Enter the @swamsterdam #Giveaway (Ends 1 Sept) and win a ticket to Startup Weekend Amsterdam http://amsterdam.startupweekend.org”

If you don’t win the ticket but really like to participate, head over to the ticket section HERE to find out for yourself what it’s all about!

Suffering from Skin Damage this Summer? Fight it with these Foods!

August 16, 2010 by Jenny P. | Comments (0)

We all want beautiful skin, especially during the “skin showing” months of summer. So how do we get it without spending a fortune at the Clinique counter? By eating antioxidant rich foods, that’s how. Your skin, just like every other organ in your body, needs antioxidant laden foods to keep it healthy and toxin free. Here are some of the most important foods to eat for beautiful skin. Try to get these delicious foods into your diet as often as possible and I promise you will love the results.

Foods for beautiful skin:

Sunflower seeds, Swiss chard, and almonds- What do they all have in common? Vitamin E! Vitamin E works to protect skin from ultra violet rays and rejuvenate the cells. Sauté swiss chard with garlic and olive oil and top with a mix of toasted almonds and sunflower seeds. Vitamin E never tasted so good!

Cauliflower, walnuts, and cabbage- Did you think wild salmon was the only place to get Omega 3 fatty acids? Well get excited because they are in vegetables too! Omega 3’s are essential in creating beautiful skin for they help maintain cell membranes. It is these membranes that act as barriers for the body, letting water and nutrients in, and keeping toxins out. Make an easy cabbage slaw topped with walnuts then steam cauliflower and serve with a lemon tahini sauce (also packed with Vitamin C). After these two dishes, your skin will be good to go!

Carrots, Kale, and Apricots- Not only are these foods quick and easy to get your hands on, they also serve up a giant does of Vitamin A (aka Beta Carotene). Vitamin A is involved in the repair and growth of body tissues, which is particularly beneficial when dealing with sun damaged skin. Stir-fry carrots and kale with garlic, ginger, and soy sauce for a great side dish. For the apricots, try throwing them on the grill for a great summer dessert!

Bell peppers, broccoli, and strawberries- Loaded with more vitamin C than an orange, these foods work to create collagen in the skin and protect your lovely epidermis from oxidative stress. Best ways to eat them? Grill the peppers and broccoli or eat them raw with hummus. As for strawberries, just pop them in your mouth (or put them in a crisp).

Shitake mushrooms, cod and shrimp- Mushrooms (both shittake and crimini), cod, and shrimp are chock full of selenium, a potent nutrient that promotes skin elasticity and quality. Broil cod with a fresh tomatoes and basil. For the shrimp and mushrooms, toss them into an easy Thai curry. So good!

*This post was written by Jamie Dougherty for the Please feel free to contact Jamie with questions or to share your health, wellness and foodie stories. Email: jamiegd@jamieliving.com Facebook: JAMIE LIVING Twitter:JAMIE LIVING

Girls Retweet

August 3, 2010 by Lynn Edwards | Comments (0)

In this crazy wired-world, we all need to get away, unplug, recharge but man it’s tough to make that happen! Good thing we have those friends that make us make it a priority, they do all the planning and we just have to show up (easier said than done). Getting ready to get away is so much work, but when you get there…it’s way worth it!

I was lucky enough to be invited to a girls’ retweet recently and the goal was to get away and spend some focused time on projects that were never getting done for one reason or 50 other reasons. We went to a beach house and upon arrival realized our fancy phones didn’t have service. After a collective high-pitched horror scream heard around the world, we settled into the idea of enjoying the next 4 days being off the grid, getting things done (we had wi-fi at least whew) and connecting the old-fashioned way.

It was a rough detox, complete with shakes, the DT’s and blank stares at our phones just freaking over what was going on in the wired-world without us…OMG what WOULD we be missing?!

We quickly filled that void with chocolate, red wine and walks on the beach. We found our shoulders sinking back down from our ears (with the help of the massage therapist we brought with us) and the swelling in our thumbs going down. We were so happy to let our 10,000 words a day flow as opposed to being corralled to 140 characters in a text or tweet.

Of course the walks on the beach were still captured on our fancy phones for posting later to prove how much fun we had. It made me think of that age old questions, “If a tree falls in the woods and no one is there to hear it does it make a noise?” I wondered, “If we walk on the beach and have fun, but don’t take a pic and post it to Facebook did we actually have fun?”

Disconnecting was a challenge, we have all become so dependent on that mobile phone crack. But what a fabulous experience…we slept in, we created amazing things (yes on our laptops), we sat by a fire pit and told stories and made s’mores. We belly laughed, we talked about boys (some 4 yrs. old and some 40), we breathed in the fresh salt air and we ate…holy cow we ate and it was great! And not a #4 from the drive-thru window but homemade grandma recipes of chicken verde and snack bars…like the good old days!

Let’s be clear…I have a foot firmly planted in both camps. I love me some texting but I also love making memories in person (a dying art). I love the tools that allow you to be connected 24/7, heck Facebook allows me to attend my high school reunion, daily, without having to buy a cocktail dress or loss 20 lbs. But I worry that my kids couldn’t keep track of their shoes from day to day but they haven’t misplaced their phones in five years. Are they so wired and dependent that they won’t know how to play capture the flag without that tech appendage?

I challenge all of you to go rogue…try it, disconnect and in that space you may realize how great it is to really connect, maybe even at a fabulous girls retweet!

Bloggers To Watch Out For: Fashionistas

August 2, 2010 by Jenny P. | Comments (0)

From runway show recaps to laid-back street looks, the world of fashion blogging is a vibrant virtual scene. It’s not necessarily about the newest, hottest, or spendiest trend — it’s about the textiles, color palettes and silhouettes that make us feel gorgeous.

For a jolt of wardrobe inspiration to pull you through the dog days of summer, bookmark Jazzi McGilbert, Sally McGraw and “Miss” James Kicinski. While their personal styles may diverge, their message is the same: get dressed, and get going!

Jazzi McGilbert of JazziMcG.com

Thrift store scenester? Or haute couture hound? Jazzi McGilbert (aka Jazzi McG) confidently struts straight down the center of the spectrum. Her blog traipses through the world of high fashion, throws the spotlight on intimate “intern confessionals” and shares a few DIY treasures (Alexander Wang sock garters, anyone?). As Jazzi puts it, her mission is to “let everyone know that the fashion industry can be tackled without a trust fund”. Can I get an amen, sister?

Sally McGraw of Already Pretty
Can one personal stylist change the way women view their bodies, and themselves? Sally McGraw thinks so. The lovely McGraw elevates her passion for chic clothing with an outspoken commitment to body acceptance. Blog posts like “What IS Flattering?” provide commonsense insights into topics that have frustrated shoppers since the dawn of time. And her weekly contests and giveaways — which range from cotton scarves to summer frocks to hefty gift cards — are not to be missed.

“Miss” James Kicinski of Bleubird Vintage
Chic baby mama. Vinyl record collector. Frilly knicker designer. Miss James is a retro inspiration — and a drop-dead gorgeous one, at that. In addition to writing about her latest Etsy obsessions and selling dreamy vintage-inspired collections through her online shop, James also blogs over at N.E.E.T. magazine. Best of luck as she stylishly feathers the nest for her new baby (due in July). What a busy little bird!

*This post was written by Alexandra Franzen for the CRAVE company:

ALEXANDRA FRANZEN is a writer + editor + organization freak. She designs rockstar resumes, leads personal branding jam sessions, writes marketing copy and teaches wallflowers how to hustle like a gangsta’. You can find her blogging up a storm at Unicorns for Socialism and tweeting away @alex_franzen.

Vintage for the little ones – bieq

July 30, 2010 by Cristina S. | Comments (0)

It’s vintage for little ones ! Angelique Roelofsen started bieq a few years ago. Her passion for handcrafts made this Dutch brand succeed. It evokes nostalgia and shows care and attention. Her brand sells completely hand-knitted items, everything made of pure merino wool. Merino garments are light weight, breath well and are non-irritant to the skin. Those are all important qualities, especially for toddlers and babies. Specialized in baby hats, they also sell a wide range of mittens, clothing and beautiful baby-blankets.

How would you describe your business in exactly three adjectives?
cherish, stylish, pure

What are your most popular products or services?
wide range of hand-knitted hats, mittens and the newly designed baby-blankets.

People may be surprised to know…
that really nothing is produced by machines, but everything is hand-knitted !

What or who inspired you to start your business?
my passion for handcraft and design.

Who is your role model or mentor?
not one particular person, but I see there is market for my business and my passion is really satisfied by bieq,  so I keep on going !

What business mistake have you made that you will not repeat?
not to just trust anyone and also read the fine prints..

How do you spend your free time?
with my family (boyfriend Steven and our two children Seb (11) & Puck (8)) and friends.

What is your indulgence?
have a drink with friends, gardening, jogging and …working on bieq

Where is your favorite place to go with your girlfriends?
doesn’t matter as long as I am with friends. Of course, a nice location, sunshine and some bubbles always makes it even better !

Keep tabs on Angelique’s latest creations online:
Website
Twitter
Facebook

Birthday Musings

July 28, 2010 by Lynn Edwards | Comments (0)

Happy Birthdays!

Summer brings fun in the sun, tan lines and a ton of birthdays. I’m pretty sure it’s due to the cold fall weather nine months earlier. It gets chilly, folks curl up and the next summer you’re hiring clowns and ordering birthday cakes.

I just celebrated a “mid-forty” (yeah let’s go with that) milestone and it got me thinking about birthdays. I’ve decided to embrace my age. I’m one year closer to owning my stuff and embracing the wisdom that comes with knowing who you are and who you’re not -like coming to terms with the fact that the last time I was a size 6 was when I was 6 and I’ll never see that number on a clothes tag again. I was inspired when I read this passage recently, ”take kindly the counsel of your years” then realized it was from an online dating site guy who was looking to date women 22-26 years old.

You know that cool Martina McBride song that says, “every laugh line on your face made you who you are today” Well, I have no idea what was so frickin’ funny over the years but I must have had a great time somewhere along the way cause I have the roadmap on my face to prove it!

When you celebrate your 10th birthday you love that Mexican place where you get to wear that huge sombrero, there is all that clapping just for you, and then they light the ice cream on fire. When you turn 36 at that same Mexican place you just want the singing to cease so strangers will stop staring.

My oldest son turned 18 recently. A huge milestone, right? I mean come on, the kid had made it to adulthood, that in itself warranted a fireworks display in both our honors. He was about as excited for his special day as he was his 1st birthday…giving me a blank stare as if to say ”what’s all the hype about woman”? He wore a crazy hat in his 1st birthday picture, now he’s sporting a cap & gown…he still dresses funny in birthday pictures. I was looking forward to MY present. After all, the kid was still breathing even after I had lost him, poisoned him, and made him wear shoes that were 2 sizes too small for a year. What do I win to celebrate that “we” made it 18 yrs?!

When I was 40 I threw myself a big bash with live band and all….I couldn’t believe I had made it that far…and on the way home from the party I bought a huge jar of anti-wrinkle cream.

Let’s hear it for office birthday parties- there’s all that healthy stuff in the break room but on birthday day you bee-line to the conference room and you’re like “happy special day, Dave whatever your last name is from accounting”, thanks for being born, now let’s eat some chocolate cake.

Birthdays are milestones in your life. They are cause for reflection and anticipation. I personally will pour myself a stiff drink, cheers myself and kindly celebrate “the counsel of my years”!

The Girl’s Guide to Beer

July 26, 2010 by Nicole S. | Comments (0)

On a sweltering summer day at the ballpark or a friend’s BBQ, nothing is more refreshing than an ice-cold brew. This summer ditch that prissy pink cocktail and back away from the Budweiser. With a little beer savvy you can discover some great brews that will satisfy your taste buds and impress even the guys.

There are 4 main ingredients in beer: grain, yeast, water and hops, but the creativity when it comes to brewing is endless. There are beers with fruit, smoked beers, beer made with chocolate and even beer brewed with bacon. Navigating your way through the numerous types and styles of beer can be daunting, but here are some helpful hints about the most popular styles that can help you choose a winner for your next potluck or outdoor summer event. Who said beer had to be just for the boys? Go ahead, embrace that summer night CRAVING.

India Pale Ale (IPA): This beer has a light pale to golden color. Its crisp bitter flavor is attributed to the high hops and alcohol content which helped preserve the beer during the long journey across the ocean when British brewers began to export to India.
Try: Lagunitas IPA, Lagunitas Brewing Co, Petaluma, CA, 5.7% Alcohol by Volume (ABV)
Drink with: Spicy foods like a Thai Yellow Vegetable Curry

Hefeweizen: Perfect for summer, this German style wheat beer is distinguished by fruity notes, cloudy appearance and high carbonation. This beer is usually served with a slice of lemon and its bright flavor is often accented by citrus, banana, clove or nutmeg flavors.
Try: Widmer Hefeweizen, Widmer Brothers Brewing, Portland, OR, 4.7% ABV
Drink with: Classic German food such as chicken sausage topped with brown mustard or a salad tossed with candied pecans and feta.

Stout: Familiar to many because of the popularity of Guinness, Stouts have a heavy body and are very dark in color. This beer has a high alcohol content and is often characterized by caramel, coffee, chocolate or even oatmeal flavors.
Try: Chocolate Stout, Rouge Brewery, Portland OR, 6.3% ABV
Eat with: This beer could be a meal in itself, but pairs nicely with desserts like tiramisu.

Pilsner: This all American beer represents nearly 90% of the major beer brands sold in the U.S. Pilsner is golden in color and tends to have a light, clean, drinkable flavor sometimes compared to toast or fresh bread.
Try: Prima Pils, Victory Brewing Company, Downington, PA, 5.3% ABV
Eat with: All American foods like hearty chili or a grilled burger and fries

Brews to CRAVE this summer
Sierra Nevada Summerfest
New Belgium Skinny Dip
Anderson Valley Brewing Co., Summer Solstice Cerveza Crema

This is by no means a complete list of all the styles out there so experiment, go to a brew festival this summer, and discover which styles and breweries make you CRAVE more. For a fun new adventure, why not grab your beer drinking gal pals and do a brewery tour? Try this for a fun weekend or birthday activity. For more information on beer and the female movers and shakers in the beer industry, check out the Pink Boots Society at pinkbootssociety.org.

*written by Alyssa Goldberg for the CRAVE company. Alyssa is a lover of all things to do with food and travel- check out her blog, WorldSavour by clicking here.

CALL FOR ACTION: Corporate Social Responsibility

July 20, 2010 by Cristina S. | Comments (5)

This week the “CSR Netherlands index” passed the milestone of 1000 proudly affiliated companies.This growth demonstrates that CSR is on the rise. Some entrepreneurs are taking ethical and social reasons, others are more of a commercially-built society. The second group is currently the largest, but there is still so much more to gain!

CSR – Corporate Social Responsibility – involves all business actions taken to focus on economic performance (profit) while respecting the social side (people) within the ecological constraints (planet): the triple-P approach.

It is about finding a balance between people, planet and profit. Often it appears that this balance leads to better results for both the company and society and therefore we call it sustainability.

Within CRAVE we have many women who are engaging their business in a sustainable manner and we would love to inspire you and all the readers with these sustainable businesses.

We like to encourage companies to investigate their options and opportunities in finding their balance between ethics and commerce.

To feel socially responsible and act upon, it is a mindset whereby female entrepreneurs prove very active and we are proud to present many inspiring examples among the CRAVE Amsterdam listing.

CALL FOR ACTION:

We like to add an sustainable sign to each CRAVE member who is engaging in CSR. Therefore we would like you to reply to us with a YES we are sustainable and preferably a brief motivation as to what you do in terms of sustainability.

All CRAVE members who reply will get the sustainable sign in their CRAVE Amsterdam spread. The CRAVE company is working on a sustainable listing on the website, if it’s ready we’ll inform you about it so that you can add your businessin the sustainable business index too.

As we are now in the middle of the design process for the CRAVE Amsterdam book we are looking forward to your prompt replies!

On behalf of the CRAVE Amsterdam team,

I am looking forward to your replies!

Featuring new talents in leather design – Sanne Gils

July 19, 2010 by Cristina S. | Comments (0)

We love meeting women that make their passion a successful business out of it. Just recently we meet one of Amsterdam’s new talents in leather design, Sanne Gils, owner of Sanne Gils Bags & Accessories. Her designs are handmade in small quantities, which means that each bag is unique. The starting point of her designs is the material, the leather. The leather is carefully selected according to suppleness, colour and structure. One of her unique ideas we liked the most was her “pump ups”. She creates custom chique covers for your shoes and bags so you can achieve different looks for different occasions to go with your wardrobe.

Sanne Gils Bags & Accessories can be found at www.sannegils.nl and several shops in The Netherlands.

How would you describe your business in exactly three adjectives?
Stylish. Daring. Colourful.

What are your most popular products or services?
The most popular products are the bags, ‘pump ups’. ‘Pump ups’ are covers for your pumps or boots. You can give your pump another look every time

People may be surprised to know…
All the designs have their own name, like: Thula, Juffs or Flo

What or who inspired you to start your business?
I was inspired by all kind of little stores in town who sell their on personal designs

Who is your role model or mentor?
Other people who make beautiful designs and run their own business

What business mistake have you made that you will not repeat?
I learned to always pick up the phone, because you can miss great opportunities by not doing so.

How do you spend your free time?
When I have free time, I spend it in company of good friends. I like to cook and make nice dinners for them.

What is your indulgence?
I like to give every woman a beautiful bag and make her feel wonderful!

Where is your favorite place to go with your girlfriends?
A good restaurant, a nice evening and some good Italian food

Connections Galore!

July 14, 2010 by Jenny P. | Comments (1)

When running a business (or just running your life), you are constantly making new connections. Whether you are heading up an event, composing a website or publicizing your blog- you are building up your network of people you need to know. We are constantly CRAVEing assistance from professionals that can give us good advice and help us grow. We have scoured the Amsterdam area and found some women owned businesses that will do the trick!

CoBuro
Coordinated and organized, these event planners will have any event requests you have covered. From organizing events to developing products CoBuro is effective, efficient, creative, and flexible. They believe in getting to know their clients and move towards truly knowing them in order to better serve them.

Toute Media
Specializing as an independent PR and media consultant, Fabienne de Vries is ready to help business professions create the best business possible. With her company Toute Media she offers presentation services for business events but also empowers other people with presentation skills individually through coaching personal performance.

So PR
Here is a public relations office that will get your business not only on its feet, but moving and growing! So PR claim to take PR and marketing to a whole new and higher level. They don’t just market a brand; they develop an all around philosophy and strategy in a remarkable way.

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