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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!

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

CALL FOR ACTION: Corporate Social Responsibility

July 20, 2010 by Cristina S. | Comments (4)

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

Classy and Fabulous: Meet piastyle

July 12, 2010 by Nicole S. | Comments (1)

Besides being a high level personal stylist, Pia Jacobsen can now add author to her list of accomplishments. Pia’s style is classic and chic, and she helps her clients create a coordinated wardrobe that reflects their personal tastes with a refined touch. Her new book “pia…me” is Pia’s answer to some of the “questionable choices” made by women she has seen, and is aimed at helping women to develop their own personal style. At CRAVE we respect any woman who isn’t afraid to call it like shes sees it. Read our interview with Pia for an inside fashion scoop. Click here to find Pia’s book!

What are your wardrobe staples?
I’m pretty classic, personally. I have a uniform that is primarily black in the winter, white in the summer. It’s calming to me.

What do you think is the worst fashion trend right now?
I don’t know if it is so much a trend as a mistake. Bra straps, particularly the industrial strength ones are not meant to be seen. Check the rear view, choose the right kind of bra, or have lingerie straps sewn into your clothes. This trend is like a recurring nightmare.

Trends are best when they become ….
Not trendy. When a trend lasts more than a season or two, and becomes part of the fashion vernacular, it means it works, or at least appeals to a lot of women. I don’t believe in investing a lot of money in a trendy item. However, when it has proven itself after a season or two, and it works for you, buy the best quality you can afford.

What is an easy piece of style advice you wish more women would follow?
After you are completely dressed and accessorized, look in the mirror and take one thing off. A little goes a long way.

What was the hardest part about writing your book?
Letting it go.

What do you want your readers to get out of reading “pia….me”?
I want my readers to understand that while it is important to care about how you look, and to put your best foot forward, it is just a means to becoming all you can be. It is infinitely more important to learn to like yourself, to live with confidence, to establish boundaries, to live your dreams and to become self sufficient. As I say in my lectures, “walk the goddess walk”.

As a fashion stylist, how do you separate your personal taste when you are dressing a client?
That is relatively easy, actually. I know my personal taste, and am very confident about it, so I am not swayed easily by trends or other influences. But because I love fashion, I can appreciate a wide variety of looks even though they may not work for me personally. I pay close attention to what my client loves in her existing wardrobe, and what her needs are in terms of travel, events, and lifestyle. Fashion, like art, should conjure up an emotional response. Her clothing should make her feel fabulous, and serve to enhance her experiences. That’s my job.

If you weren’t working in the fashion world you would be_______?
A floral designer. Hopefully, a very avant-garde floral designer living in Paris, or possibly a landscape designer on Capri.

What do you CRAVE?
Nothing material at this point in my life. I CRAVE love, friendship, honesty, Fran’s sea salt caramels, and my body at age 19.

Keep tabs on Pia’s latest fashion updates online:
Website
Blog
Twitter
Facebook

*This publication was sent to the CRAVE company for review.

Snag the Perfect Travel Snacks

July 5, 2010 by Nicole S. | Comments (0)

Summer is finally here which means many people are planning their summer getaway. So after packing the bathing suit and sunscreen, what’s next to go into your bag? That’s right, must have travel foods! Read on for some insight from our wellness guru Jamie Dougherty.

Of course, fantastic food awaits you upon arrival. However, it is not always fun to trust the culinary “delights” along the way. Airplane and airport food? No, thanks! To make sure you don’t get hungry before reaching your final destination, it is important to pack a reusable grocery bag full of edibles that will keep well for at least 24 hours without refrigeration.

Here are the best travel friendly foods that will withstand up to 30 hours of travel. They are all delicious, nutritious, and easy to pack.

1. Dried fruit and nuts- Favorites are peaches, apricots, cherries, dates, prunes, walnuts, almonds, and pecans. Just make sure they are organic and sulfur-free.

2. Fresh fruit with hard cheese- Apples and oranges work best.

3. Roasted garbanzo beans- Rinse and drain 2 cans of garbanzos. Mix with olive oil and salt and roast at 400 degrees for 30-40 minutes. They are yummy and a great protein source.

4. Tamari sunflower and pumpkin seeds- A perfect snack when you want something fatty and salty. Click here for a yummy, crunchy recipe.

5. Honey tea cookies- Make a whole batch of these and grab one every time you need something sweet. Click here to find out how to make yummy cookies.

6. Cut veggies- Celery, radishes, carrots, and sugar snap peas work well. They also help keep you hydrated on the dry plane.

7. Your favorite chocolate bar- What can I say? Never travel without chocolate. My favorite is the Alter-Eco BlackOut bar. YUM!

8. Crackers- These will keep you way from the baggies of pretzels. The best brands are Ryvita, Dr. Kracker, and Mary’s Gone Crackers.
So this summer, whether you are traveling long distances or just doing a few day trips, be sure to pack these snacks for the journey. I promise they will keep you energized, full, and away from all the junk along the way.

To receive your fill of healthy living tips become a JAMIE|LIVING Facebook Fan or follow her on Twitter! You can also find delicious recipes at http://www.jamieliving.blogspot.com/.

Jamie G. Dougherty is the owner and founder of JAMIE|LIVING, Health and Lifestyle Counseling. She is an AADP certified Holistic Nutrition Counselor with a private and corporate practice that offers assistance nationwide. She is passionate about deliciously healthy food and specializes in helping her clients transform their lives through the power of nutrition and self-care.

*written by Jamie Dougherty for the CRAVE company

Interview with Rachel, owner of ROOFF

June 18, 2010 by Cristina S. | Comments (1)

Rachel van der Ploeg started with a dream written on a piece of paper. Several years later she is conducting a successful production office in Amsterdam.

ROOFF is a full service production office with over 12 years of experience producing photo shoots (commercial, editorial & projects) and film (commercials & videos). They provide you a full service production fit to your request: regarding approach, quality, atmosphere, efficiency and budget! ROOFF can arrange the production from the beginning to the end or just a part of it. Their motto: ” Strong execution makes a strong idea a better idea”. Read her interview below:

How would you describe your business in exactly three adjectives?
Passionate, Punctual, Personal

What are your most popular products or services?
I do not have a most popular service. It is always a package people ask for.

People may be surprised to know…
…that I can’t do all just by myself.

What or who inspired you to start your business?
Myself. I always dreamed about owning my own business. When I was 20 years old, I wrote all my dreams on a small letter. One of them was to own my own business before by the time I was 35. So in the year I turned 35, I started working on my plan and quit my job. 6 months later, that dream came true.

Who is your role model or mentor?
If I really have to pick somebody than it is my mom: she is a very strong woman. Who does the things because she wants to and not because people expect it.

What business mistake have you made that you will not repeat?
That I say ok to every job eventhough my agenda is full.

How do you spend your free time?
Having fun with my boyfriend, the kids, family, friends & my little dog Monster. Shopping, traveling, dining..

What is your indulgence?
My indulgence is spoiling myself. Shopping, a nice walk, a good book, music, good food, etc…..Me time!!!!

Where is your favorite place to go with your girlfriends?
As long as I am with my friends it doesn’t matter where it is.

Interview with Koter&Co

June 4, 2010 by Cristina S. | Comments (0)

Koter & Co
Scheldestraat 55-57, Amsterdam

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. This week we found out about Koter & Co, one of  the nicest children store in Amsterdam!  You will find new brands like Calao and Little Feet but also the more familiar brand Imps & Elfs and Bengh. From crib, stroller or TripTrap for the young kids to a sturdy jeans for the youngsters, at Koter & Co you will find everything you need to make a child happy. This Sunday they have a Summer Sale in store! Be there on 6th of June from 11.00 till 16.00 and Anja and Jacqueline will offer you 40% discount on this Summer Collection and 50% discount on older collections and other nice items. Step inside and find the perfect gift for your small ones! Of course we could not resist asking them what’s their story.

How would you describe your business in exactly three adjectives?
Stylish, young and practical

What are your most popular products or services?
Popular products are our clothing collections from basics to party dresses. Along comes accessories for your child and even furniture

People may be surprised to know…
That most of our clothing brands are affiliated to Made-By, a company that stands for no sweat shops, no child labor and honest materials

What or who inspired you to start your business?
Our children have!

Who is your role model or mentor?
We have each other as role model!

What business mistake have you made that you will not repeat?
A too quick expansion drive

How do you spend your free time?
Sailing, dancing, being with friends and our loved ones

Where is your favorite place to go with your girlfriends?
The beach, and talk about the facts of life, with a good bottle of champagne

You can also follow their updates on Twitter and Facebook.

Dangerous Foods Hiding in Your Pantry

May 24, 2010 by Nicole S. | Comments (0)

Do you CRAVE a healthier lifestyle? We asked one of our favorite wellness gurus, Jamie Dougherty, for some simple ways to improve your diet by cleaning out the “dangerous” foods hiding in your pantry. Here is what Jamie had to say about those last few items in your kitchen standing between you and your healthiest self.

When people begin to eat better, the food in their refrigerator changes. More fruits, fresh vegetables, organic, pasture raised diary and meat. However there is one place that is always the last vestige of unhealthy food…the pantry! Pantries are the final frontier of “hazardous for your health” foods. Pantry food must be shelf stable, meaning food items are pumped full of chemicals and preservatives to make them last longer. Processed foods are also loaded with sugar, low quality oils and genetically modified fillers that can damage our bodies.

Luckily there are a number of tasty alternatives to replace the unhealthier models. Here are a few easy pantry raiding swap-outs to get started.

Top 5 pantry foods to replace

Bread crumbs

OUT - The packaged stuff. Full of hydrogenated oils, sugar, and anti-caking agents.
IN - Make your own crumbs. Take unused stale bread, put in a food processor with sea salt, and then toast in a slow oven. Keep them in the freezer or in the pantry in a sealed container.

Broth

OUT - Bouillon cubes, powder or canned stock. Full of sugar, low quality salt, MSG, and genetically modified ingredients.
IN – Homemade or organic boxed stock (Pacific Naturals Vegetable Stock is very good).

Cooking Oils, Fats & Sprays

OUT –Aerosol oils (PAM) and vegetable shortenings. Dump the corn, peanut, vegetable, soybean, safflower oils, margarine, and Crisco.
IN - High quality extra virgin olive oil, extra virgin coconut oil, sesame oil, flaxseed & hemp oils, ghee/clarified butter, organic butter.

Salad Dressing and Sauces

OUT - Bottled dressings, marinades, sugary BBQ sauce, ketchup, soy sauce.
IN – fruit sweetened ketchup and BBQ sauce (check out Organicville), tamari/shoyu, and homemade dressings. Use good oils, balsamic/red wine vinegar, ginger/sesame oil/tamari, tahini with lemon.

Vanilla

OUT - Imitation vanilla: loaded with corn syrup and added sugars.
IN – Real vanilla extract and vanilla beans. They’re expensive, but totally worth it!

To receive your fill of healthy living tips become a JAMIE|LIVING Facebook Fan or follow her on Twitter! You can also find delicious recipes at www.jamieliving.blogspot.com.

Jamie G. Dougherty is the owner and founder of JAMIE|LIVING, Health and Lifestyle Counseling. She is an AADP certified Holistic Nutrition Counselor with a private and corporate practice that offers assistance nationwide. She is passionate about deliciously healthy food and specializes in helping her clients transform their lives through the power of nutrition and self-care.

Insight from Makeup Artist, Sheila Patel

May 22, 2010 by Jennifer L. | Comments (0)

Whether it’s just a hint of blush on our cheeks, a swab of lipgloss to our puckers, or a brush of mascara to our batting eyelashes, we all want to look and feel our best! However, with the plethora of make-up options out there, finding the right products can be quite overwhelming…what color foundation to use, what eyeshadows look best on a brown-eyed beauty, liquid eyeliner or pencil??? This is where renowned make-up artist, Sheila Patel comes into the picture. With a trained eye, a steady and skilled hand, she applies the right mixture of shadows and powders…Voila! You have your own customized look. Here is her expert advice and a video featuring the “Artist at Work”, enjoy!

What was the inspiration or motivation behind starting your business?

My sister in law, Xuan Thu Pham encouraged me to get back to doing something that I have excelled in in the past and all the credit goes to her for my getting back in.

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

Overscheduling. Earlier on in my career when I just started out, there was a time when I was working continuously from one makeup client to another in a single day. Because I worked with more clients than I could manage in one day, I felt that I did not put in the effort and time that each client deserved. I wanted to give the focus and attention to each person, but with time against me, I was not able to do that. From that experience on, I never did that again. Each customer is special to me and I’ll only work on a client at a time – that is my philosophy.

What is your favorite make-up brand?

I like different makeup brands for different reasons. I use MAC, Shu Uemura, Glauca Rossi, NARS, Makeup Forever, Ben Nye, and Kryolan. In fact, I have so many different brands in my professional makeup toolbox that I can’t name all the brands I enjoy using. Each brand is uniquely used for different purposes and events such as TV or weddings. As an everyday favorite makeup brand, I like Bobbi Brown.

What defines the Bollywood style? Do you think it would cross-over to the U.S.?

I’m glad you asked me this question because so many people have different notions of what the “Bollywood style” is and what it really means. Coming from Mumbai and having worked with Bollywood and MTV – I see the different perceptions of how people view Bollywood. What defines the Bollywood style has more to do with what you see on a film set: the movie scenes, dance scenes, and the ensemble of women who dress up in extravagant attire along with the extravagant makeup to go with it. Bollywood is about glamour, visual performance artistry, and telling a story.

This is why a Bollywood style is not suitable for everyday looks. If you’ve ever seen a wedding scene from a Bollywood film, you’ll notice the rich colors, embroideries, and magnificent jewelry that the women are wearing. Also notice their makeup – it’s created and done up to be very dramatic. When you wear such beautiful clothes, your face is competing with it and pales in comparison to what you’re wearing. That’s why it has to look very dramatic.

I think it the Bollywood look can absolutely cross over to the U.S. if it’s in the wedding space. However, with everyday looks, it might be too much, especially without the costumes. But if you’re up for that look for yourself, why not?

What is your favorite make-up look for spring/summer?

I have this secret passion for the orange and yellow color theme. If it’s done well, it can really work for you. Case in point: you can use a yellow eyeshadow

and apply it over your eyelids. Then use an orange eyeshadow to contour the lids as well as the edges. Next, you can define your eyes with black eyeliner and mascara – and voila. Most people think they can’t use these colors, but you can!

What is the most common make-up mistakes you see people make?

Mismatched foundation has to be the topper on the list. This is the most common mistake I’d like to see people stop making. Coming from an Asian country, there is an obsession to have fair skin. People try to correct that by using light foundation. The end result? Your skin will end up looking grey. Also, some people tend to incorrectly use bronzers or foundation that’s too dark for them, which are really too orange for one’s face. This looks hideous.

A good indicator of using the proper foundation for yourself is to reference it in natural sunlight. Typically, when you buy it in the mall under fluorescent lighting, it’s easy to make the mistake of buying the wrong color for your skintone. What you can do is apply a small amount from the tester on your skin – step outside and see if it matches your skin. Just be true to your skin tone and be proud of your natural beauty.

Visit Sheila Patel at:

Website: sheilapatelsf.com

Blog: bit.ly/MakingFaces

Twitter: bit.ly/cZvamc

Facebook: bit.ly/cKLfS7

YouTube: bit.ly/91hB9F

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