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

Flower Shops we CRAVE

April 30, 2010 by Laura Scholz | Comments (0)

Nothing says spring better than fresh, fabulous flowers.  Whether you are sending them as a gift (hint: Mother’s Day is just around the corner!) or buying some to add a dash of chic to your abode, you can’t go wrong with a bright, beautiful bouquet.  Here are some great spots in Atlanta to purchase those lush flowers and plants you CRAVE.

Foxgloves & Ivy
563 Memorial Dr. SE Suite C
404-892-7272
One of Atlanta’s most beloved floral shops, Foxgloves & Ivy will customize fresh flowers and blooming plants to mirror your unique style and taste.  From their signature residential arrangements to special event decor, you can trust Atlanta’s first “green” florist to provide you with luxe, luscious florals for every occasion.

At the Collective
280 Elizabeth St. Suite B103
770-695-5845
Now that spring has arrived, At the Collective has reopened the garden portion of its eclectic intown store.  Shop for fresh beautiful plants and flowers among jewelry, clothing, stationary, vintage items, artwork and handmade items from local artisans, including items from several of our featured entreprenesses.

Darryl Wiseman Flowers
1830 Piedmont Avenue, Suite H-7
866-476-3848
Darryl Wiseman, known for updating traditional designs with cutting-edge elegance, is a favorite of Atlanta brides, corporations and event planners alike.  From gorgeous custom bouquets to luscious blooming plants and bulbs to signature orchids, his style and selection will satisfy your floral CRAVE-ings.

Petals A Florist
1422 Woodmont Lane NW
404-350-8108
Using only the finest domestic and imported flowers along with unique botanicals, Petals A Florist is known for its lush signature arrangements.  From a simple centerpiece for an intimate dinner party to staging, lighting, arrangements, plant rentals and linens for a gala banquet, Petals is the urban fashionista’s one-stop shop for luxe decor.

Twelve
1000 Piedmont Avenue Suite D
404-541-2357
This hip Midtown spot is known for its ability to execute artistic, modern, one-of-a-kind designs tailored to meet your unique style and need.  With clients ranging from the Georgia Aquarium, the Four Seasons and Hotel Indigo, you can expect nothing less than glamorous arrangements for your next soiree.

Fuji Floral Design
361 17th Street Suite 3
404-881-0363
From delicate wedding creations to exotic couture displays, Fiji Floral Designs provide the ideal presentation for your special event, business or home.  Complete services including professional consultants, custom invitation and thank you card creations and on-site decorating experts are available for your special gathering. Visit them in Atlantic Station next to Twelve Hotel.

Spring Eating for your Healthy Body

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

We are all familiar with the old adage of Spring cleaning, but did you know that it doesn’t just apply to your closet? Spring cleaning is also important for our bodies and very helpful in flushing toxins, losing weight and creating increased energy. The best place to start your spring cleaning is with spring eating! Jamie G. Dougherty, owner and founder of JAMIE|LIVING, Health and Lifestyle Counseling, offers us a fresh approach. Spring foods are light, water-logged, and perfect for cleaning out our systems of excess junk. Some of the most popular spring foods include:

Asparagus: High in potassium and folate which aids the cardiovascular system- Roast with olive, sea salt, and pepper with a splash of balsamic vinegar.

Artichokes: A good source of iron and calcium- Steam and enjoy with your favorite vinaigrette.

Dandelion Greens: Aid in liver cleansing- Blanch, then sauté with garlic, olive oil, and top with currants and pine nuts.

Green garlic: Delicious young garlic plant that has anti-bacterial properties- A perfect addition to eggs or a frittata.

Radishes: Very high a vitamin C. Eat them raw or dip in hummus or your favorite dressing.

The best place to find spring foods it at your local farmer’s market where vendors will have the freshest produce available. Here is a perfect dish to get your started. Who ever thought spring cleaning could taste so good? Enjoy!

1/2 pound asparagus, ends trimmed, cut in 1-inch pieces and blanched for 3 minutes
Sea salt to taste
2 cups brown rice, freshly made or leftover
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs like mint, cilantro, tarragon, marjoram
1/3 cup toasted pumpkin seeds

1. Whisk together the lemon juice, vinegar, salt, mustard and garlic. Whisk in the oil, taste and adjust seasonings.

2. Cut asparagus into 1 inch pieces and place in boiling water for 3 minutes. Drain and set aside.

3. Add asparagus to the rice and toss together with the Dijon dressing.

4. Add the fresh herb and pumpkin seeds and toss all together. Taste, adjust seasonings and serve.　

To reheat leftover rice: Place cold rice in a small pot with ÂĽ-1/2 cup of water (depending on amount of rice). Bring to medium heat and let steam for 4-5 minutes, or until water has evaporated. Remove rice from the heat and mix with your dressing.

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 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.

Go on Girl, Light Your Fire: The Fire Starter Sessions

April 23, 2010 by Nicole S. | Comments (0)

Danielle LaPorte is all about keepin’ it real. She believes in telling it like it is, and is an avid believer in feminine power. Her latest project, “The Fire Starter Sessions” is an e-book for entreprenesses that comes with video and worksheets to help you get the most out of each sizzling session. The root of Danielle’s theory- which every woman can appreciate– is that our actions are driven by desired feelings. What other remarkable wisdom does she have to offer? We asked her a few questions to gain some insight on what really drives her and why her new book is so rockin’.

Once you let Danielle get you jazzed about your own inspiration, you lucky CRAVE ladies can pre-order a copy of the “Fire Starter Sessions” right now! Just click here.

You give people inspiring advice about following their passions in life, what sparked your own “ah-ha” moment?

It was more of a series of soul-sucking moments and gigs than an “a-ha” moment. But it all added up to creative sovereignty. My voice, my time, my way of being of service.

What makes the “Fire Starter Sessions” distinct from other programs for entrepreneurs?

It’s about rocking your revenue streams and doing meaningful things in the world. It’s as much about self-realization as it is about hard core strategy.
Each chapter is it’s own “Fire Starter Session” that includes: e-book components, video inspiration or interviews, and worksheets. Some of the sessions are: True Strengths & The Metrics of Ease; Branding: Clarifying the Diamond of You; Products & Services: Making Stuff That Feels Good to Make; Money: More is More, Enough is Plenty; Web Design & SEO: Your Virtual Real-Estate…Whether you’re in the early idea phase or a rut, it’s about lighting a fire under your…aspirations.

Summarize your teachings into a motto for how you/to live your life.

Your truth is worth it.

Would you give the same advice to a female business owner as you would give to a male?

Yes. But a woman is more likely to take it.

How would you describe your number one strength?

Deep listening. I also build a mean campfire and write bad poetry – which I consider an endearing strength.

Why do you believe it is that so many people do not choose their career path based on their true passions?

Profoundly wanting to belong. That will never change. On top of that deep driving psychology, we pile on social “norms” like dress codes and executive titles, salary structures, everything the goddamn Jonses are doing, and the popularity contest that is social media itself, and well, it’s the makings of an identity crisis.
If can you tune out the noise of “how-to” and “10 steps” and “proven tactics” you will be able to hear your own spidey senses: genuine, sincere, with great reflexes, and it will tell you that you are the expert on you — and you know what lights your fire.

What has been your most rewarding experience with a client?

One of my favorite results of working with any client is helping them decide what they’re going to STOP doing. It makes me giddy. It often goes like this: I’m going to STOP…being the administrator. Worrying so much. Under-selling myself. Checking Twitter obsessively. Feeling the pressure to be so successful. I’m going to stop using my cousin as my web-designer.

It’s freeing for everyone. And freedom is the best part of being an entrepreneur.

Still want more? Order your very own copy of the complete “Fire Starter Sessions” by clicking here. You can also learn more about all of Danielle’s endeavors on her website, whitehottruth.com.

To Create or Not to Create?

April 19, 2010 by Lynn Edwards | Comments (0)

Have you ever been asked, “Are you a creative person?” I have and I always answer “no” because I can’t even print my name straight. To me, “creative” people are my friends in girl scouts that turned the colored pipe-cleaners into a ride at Disneyland, or my friend who paints scenery so amazing you want to jump into the picture.

The idea of “arts & crafts” give me hives; I have always viewed myself as creatively challenged (at least that’s what my second grade teacher called it when she saw the drawing of my house and asked if it was my dog). My Mom and sisters are amazingly gifted, my Mom can look at a lamp shade and think, “That would make an amazing centerpiece for the Cinco de Mayo party,” and it does. My little sister is an architect and shapes the Denver skyline with her genius. My oldest sister busted out four blank canvases recently and whipped up living room art that could be displayed at The Met. I can speak in public no problem, play through on a golf course full of men easy, but put a blank canvas in front of me and I am paralyzed with fear, let alone four.

However, I have learned that “creativity” takes many forms and all of us have some creative gift to offer the world. It’s not really a question to create, but rather a question of whether you will allow yourself to let your creativity flow through you into the world. I have always had a burning desire to make pottery; I would be so Demi Moore in Ghost, but I’m too afraid I wouldn’t even be able to make a cereal bowl. Fear is what stumps our creativity, there’s nothing scarier than putting your creativity out in the world and having a teacher say, “Is that your puppy?”

Creativity is a funny thing! I find myself most creative in the shower or the bathroom…what’s with that? Superman had a phone booth, I have the ladies lounge. At board meetings, I run to the bathroom and always come back with the break through solution to our challenge. My friends now know that when I come back from the restroom and say, “Guess what I was thinking”, they strap in for something amazing. When I have a problem to figure out, I take a shower. There’s something about that water flowing over my brain that interrupts the normal chatter and makes way for a creative breakthrough. I’ve gone through many laptops trying to write this column in the shower!

I have three books in the works, one for business, a funny one with my life stories, and of course a great fiction with a “hoochie” heroine who has a fling with the UPS man. I read a quote recently that I loved, it said, “Good girls want to have fun, bad girls make sure they do!” The leading lady in my novel is one of those bad chicks.

Spring is an amazing time of creation, look around, that dirt pile you’ve been passing along your drive now has a rainbow of colors bursting out of it. The birds are chiming in and adding their song to the season. My neighbor kids drew a cute picture on my car hood in the pollen dust. It’s time to wake up your creative juices and let them fly. Don’t miss a chance to show the world what’s growing under your dirt pile, take a nice long shower and come out and CREATE!

We’re CRAVE-ing Oana Hogrefe Photography

April 19, 2010 by Laura Scholz | Comments (0)

Oana Hogrefe Photography is an on-location studio specializing in boutique newborn, children and family portraiture. Their goal is to uncover and showcase the special joy and beauty in your life. They create unique artwork for your home and keepsakes to cherish through generations.

Oana Hogrefe, owner of Oana Hogrefe Photography was recently featured in  The Local Dash in a new series called {Fascinating Women}, which highlights passionate women that are making a difference, touching people’s lives and reshaping the culture of our community. Congratulations Oana! Click HERE to read the interview.

We also sat down with Oana, who took many of the photos featured in the first CRAVEatlanta guide, to talk about her business.

How would you describe your business in exactly three adjectives?
Joyful. Exceptional. Genuine.

What are your most popular products or services?
Framed multi-image storyboards, photo books and gallery wrapped canvases.

People may be surprised to know…
I chose to leave a career in upper-level software development management to pursue my passion for photography.

What or who inspired you to start your business?
The desire to help others count their blessings by capturing the timeless beauty I see in all people and relationships.

Who is your role model or mentor?
My parents encouraged me to see the wonder all around me. My children keep that spirit fresh for me everyday.

What business mistake have you made that you will not repeat?
Not offering in-person ordering sessions until this year: they have made the selection process much more enjoyable and easier for my clients.

What is your indulgence?
European chocolate and occasionally sleeping in.

Fun Ways to Stay Active Outdoors

April 19, 2010 by Jennifer L. | Comments (0)

We know that it can be more difficult to stay active and motivated during the dreary winter months, but the long winter days are now behind us and we can finally emerge off the couch from hibernation, watching Sex in the City reruns. Spring has arrived to grant us a long awaited reprieve from winter! The days are growing longer and the sun is more radiant in the sky. As dynamic and motivated women, we, here at CRAVE, enjoy exercising our minds as much as our bodies. Here are some activities for fun in the sun!

Kick a Ball
For those seeking a sport with a competitive edge, kickball is making its way out of the school playgrounds and into competitive leagues. It’s a great alternative to soccer and softball, while still encompassing softball’s similar rules of play. It’s a fun sport to casually play with your gal pals, or if you’re looking to get more involved with your community while having fun, join a league!

Other fun outdoor competitive group activities:
• Badminton
• Capture the Flag
• Ultimate Frisbee
• Beach Volleyball

Strike a Pose
If you’ve had a long day at work stuck sitting behind a desk, yoga is a great form of both mental and physical exercise and is shown to reduce stress! Whether you’re a novice or a budding yogi, yoga offers a wide range of poses for all levels of practice, from a beginner’s Adho Mukha Svanasana (“Downward-Facing Dog”) to an advanced Kapotasana (“King Pigeon Pose”). Now that the warm spring weather is upon us, try practicing yoga outdoors on your porch, at the park, or the beach. The combination of the warmth from the sun and fresh air is both serene and absolutely invigorating!

Paddle Around
Kayaking is a great water sport that really works out the upper body and gets you fabulously toned arms and shoulders! There are six different classifications of kayaking, ranging from the extreme whitewater gut-wrenching rapids (a thrill-seekers dream) to leisurely touring/general recreation. If you don’t feel like tackling on a kayak by yourself, many are built to hold up to three people. So gather some girlfriends and paddle around the lake while enjoying the beautiful nautical scenery.

Other fun outdoor water activities:
• Canoeing
• Paddle-boating
• Swimming

Hide & Seek
Do you CRAVE adventure? We do too! That’s where the sport of Geocaching comes in. Geocaching is a high-tech outdoor sport of treasuring hunting using a GPS device, clues and references to landmarks embedded in riddles or stories. The basic idea is to hide and seek hidden objects in containers (geocaches) and then share your experiences in the logbook and online. There are many variations of geocaches for all levels of adventure seekers. For those who really want a challenge, we hear there is a geocache hidden in Antartica. Happy hunting!

Sprint into Spring
Do you ever get bored with workouts at the gym and feel like a hamster in a wheel on the treadmill? We do! Spring is the start of running season, so lace up those sneakers and head outdoors for a jog. The great thing about running outdoors is you can change your route to keep things interesting. There are also tons of races during running season, ranging from a quick 5K to a full marathon, and many of these races support fundraising for charities. Did we mention that you also get cute t-shirts to show off to your friends?

Spring Festival Guide

April 16, 2010 by Laura Scholz | Comments (0)

Spring is in the air!  And you know what that means–festival season in Atlanta!  So grab your flip flops and your best girlfriends to hit some of our favorites!

Atlanta Film Festival
April 15-23, 2010
Love going to the movies?  Don’t miss the Atlanta Film Festival, one of a few elite festivals whose participants are eligible for Academy Awards in the Best Live Action Narrative Short and Best Animated Short categories.  This year’s festival will be hosted by the Landmark Midtown Art Cinema and with tickets starting at just $8, there’s no excuse not to catch this year’s surprise hit!

Atlanta Dogwood Festival
April 16-18, 2010
Spring has officially sprung, and we all know what that means: the Atlanta Dogwood Festival is back!  The dogwoods will be in full bloom, and thousands of Atlantans will descend on Piedmont Park for live music, art, food and more.  Don’t miss the nationally renowned-juried Fine Artist Market that includes sculpture, paintings, pottery, jewelry, photography and much more.  Then escape the heat in the newly renovated and air-conditioned Greystone event space, where Friends of the Dogwood Pavilion will provide samples from the city’s hottest restaurants and a sampling of cold beverages for just $25!

Inman Park Spring Festival and Tour of Homes
April 24-25, 2010

It doesn’t get more festive than the Inman Park Spring Festival and Tour of Homes, Atlanta’s most exuberant and eclectic spring event.  Enjoy live music, tour everything from turn-of-the-century Victorian homes and Craftsman bungalows to original contemporary designs and lofts, hit the juried Artists’ Market and then settle in to watch the city’s quirkiest and most colorful Parade, led by the Inman Park Butterfly followed by floats, bands, art cars, politicians, drill teams, Kelly’s Seed and Feed Marching Abominable Band, clowns, jugglers, and many more.

Sweet Auburn Springfest 2010
May 7-9, 2010
The Sweet Auburn Springfest is held in the historic Sweet Auburn neighborhood, birthplace of Martin Luther King, Jr. Festivities included an artist market, a business and technology expo, the South’s largest outdoor health and fitness fair,  a film and literary fest and more!  Don’t miss live music on eight different stages.

Atlanta Jazz Festival
May 29-30, 2010
The 33rd Annual Atlanta Jazz Festival is regarded as one of the Country’s largest FREE jazz festivals!  It is an annual musical showcase celebrating both jazz legends and up-and-coming jazz stars. This year’s two-day festival will take place over Memorial Day weekend in Piedmont Park and with headliners like Jason Marsalis, Kathleen Bertrand and Spyro Gyro, this year’s festival will not disappoint.

Celebrate Earth Day April 22

April 12, 2010 by Melisa M. | Comments (0)

Earth Day is a day designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth’s environment, held on April 22. It is celebrated in many countries and has been receiving added attention in current years with the newfound popularity of going green and our increased consciousness of how we are harming the planet. As active motivated women, we, here at CRAVE, think Earth day is a wonderful chance to help women discover new ways to help our earth and conserve it for generations to come. The Nature Conservancy has some wonderful tips to do just that, pertaining to activities a lot of women deal with in their everyday lives.

Use reusable totes

You can help save oceans when you use reusable shopping bags instead of plastic bags. Sure, it’s a small step — but it can make a big difference in the health of our oceans. Unfortunately, 90 percent of the debris that washes up from our oceans are man-made and shouldn’t be there. Most of it has – unfortunately – come to be expected: derelict fishing equipment, disposable plastic bottles, plastic bags, cigarette butts, bits of unidentifiable plastic, Styrofoam. To help encourage others, share where you take reusable bags or where you’ve found your favorite tote.

Eat food

Just like you, conservationists, fishermen, chefs and consumers are working together to find new ways of living off our oceans and waters while keeping nature healthy. In a day and age when many of us “harvest” most of our meals by filling a grocery cart or skimming a menu, it can be easy to overlook nature’s role in putting food on our tables. This is especially true when it comes to seafood. For centuries, the oceans’ bounty seemed inexhaustible. Now, as scientists unravel the intricate relationships between fish and the vast lands below the water’s surface, we’re gaining a clearer picture of how humans have altered our oceans’ ability to provide for us. The Conservancy is tackling the problems by working with communities to restore degraded habitats and rebuild depleted fisheries. But sustainability also depends on how fish are brought to market. A service called FishPhone is Blue Ocean’s sustainable seafood text messaging service that instantly puts sustainable seafood information at your fingertips. To find out about your seafood choice, text 30644 with the message FISH and the name of the fish in question. They’ll text you back with their assessment and better alternatives to fish with significant environmental concerns.

Green your gardening

Even while you’re gardening in your very own backyard, you can make a big difference in the health of the ocean. Fertilizers and other chemicals used in conventional gardening are washed into watersheds and eventually to sea, where they can harm coral reefs and other marine life. To help cut back on pollution, go native! Native plants require much less water and fertilizer than non-native plants do. Make your own compost! Composting kitchen scraps is a great way to create (free!) all-natural fertilizer. Set your mower to a cutting height of 2”-3” — which will eliminate undesirable weedy plants. Don’t rake your clippings; leave them behind as fertilizer. You can even try square-foot gardening. This method uses 90% less water and 95% fewer seeds than a traditional backyard garden and requires no chemicals!

You can find all the details on these tips and plenty more at earthday.nature.org

CRAVE-ing a Caffeine Fix? Atlanta’s Best Coffee & Tea

April 7, 2010 by Laura Scholz | Comments (0)

Whether you are looking for an afternoon boost, your daily cup of joe or a soothing cup of tea, Atlanta offers a little something for everyone. From the trendiest coffee houses, to the coziest tea room, these tea and coffee shops will not disapoint. So go ahead–relax, sip and savor.

Octane Coffee Bar & Lounge
Recently named one of Bon Appetit Magazine’s top ten boutique coffee shops in the country, this popular West Midtown indie coffeehouse and lounge is a hot work/play spot for Georgia Tech students and intown hipsters alike.  The coffee is strong and rich, and regulars swear by the three-country house blend, made with beans from Sumatra, Kenya, and Ethiopia.  In addition to serving up great coffee and some of the city’s best grilled cheese (a CRAVE staff favorite!), Octane also hosts live music, art openings, DJs and more.

Zen Tea
If some good old fashion relaxation is what you are CRAVE-ing, visit the Zen Tea Bar and Meditation room located in the historic Chamblee Antique Row. Along with tea knowledge and tea tastings, they also offer Meditation, Yoga, Tai Chi, Reiki, special entertainment and events. They serve over 100 different teas from around the world, so they are sure to have something for everyone, even the pickiest of tea drinkers. They even regularly host “Zen Inspired” classes. Check out their website weekly classes and explore your zen side!

San Francisco Coffee Roasting
Long-time local favorite, San Francisco Coffee Roasting, roasts all of its coffee on site, creating a unique java experience. Whether you prefer the smoothly floral Bourbon Santos from Brazil or the six-beaned San Francisco espresso, this coffeehouse is the place to order a cuppa joe brewed from beans grown in the Americas, Indonesia and the Pacific basin. The Atlanta-based San Francisco Coffee Roasting has three locations, in Virginia-Highland, Poncey Highland and Candler Park.

Holly Cottage Tearoom
If you like to enjoy your tea in true tea party fashion, the Holly Cottage Tearoom is for you! They are committed to combining the very best of an authentic experience with the graciousness and charm of the American South. Join them for lunch or afternoon tea in their 1860′s tearoom. They have an extensive specialty tea menu, and children’s tea party packages catering to both little girls and their moms!