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Chat Recap: When Life Gives You Lemons, Start a Lemonade Stand

August 26, 2010 by Laura Scholz | Comments (3)

Last night’s CRAVE Chat: When Life Gives You Lemons, Start a Lemonade Stand, was a night full of fun, great conversation, hilarious stories and inspiration.  Incase you were unable to attend, or just want to re-live the evening, here is a recap of the chat with everything from personal antidotes to inspirational Q & A!

How They Started Their Lemonade Stands:

Christy Annis peasforprosperity.com	Christy had an eye opening experience when she got fired from her job last June.  It made her realize she was on the wrong path.  Declaring herself “The Queen of Free Labor,” she helped everyone she knew, all in the hopes of networking and landing a new job.  She came up with the concept for “Peas for Prosperity” in late October of last year and intended the venture as only a seasonal project to help her land a “real” job.”  300 bags later, and Christy official began her reign as Atlanta’s Pea Queen.  She began creating jewelry with peas and later sustainable materials.  She launched her ecofriendly jewelry line, EcoREcreations, in July 2010.  Christy is thankful for her Second Chance in life and is dedicated to helping others who need a Second Chance. Twitter: @peas4luck Facebook page
Patti Davis designismagazine.com anatomyofadinnerparty.com	Patti’s career change began with a trip to the movies.  After seeing Julie and Julia, her husband turned to her and said, “Hey, you should do that.”  And Anatomy of a Dinner Party was born. Through networking, inspiration and selfless help from others, Patti’s blog brought a wealth of exciting opportunities including a job offer as the lifestyles editor of Design Is Magazine.  Patti says you should do something that brightens you everyday. Twitter: @DinnerPartyP Facebook page
Meridith Ford Goldman lifeislemonade.com	After 15 years in journalism, Meridith realized she wanted to reinvent herself.  Developing many relationships over the years helped her realize and accomplish what she really wanted to do, start a cooking and lifestyles blog and take the leap to the OTHER side of fine dining and hospitality.  She is now the Director of Editorial Services for The Reynolds Group, a local marketing and PR firm. Meridith’s biggest piece of advice is to embrace change.  If you can embrace change and not be afraid, you will find that your entire network will support you.  Don’t be afraid to leap–they will catch you if you fall. Twitter: @lifeislemonade Facebook page

Q & A

Question: Everyone is always telling me that I need to start a blog, but I don’t know where to start or what to write.  How did you get your start and inspiration?
Patti- Just be very conversational and write about what you know.
Christy- As long as you have passion about whatever you do [or write], you will get where you want to go.

Question: Do you do any advertising on your blogs?
Patti- I am a part of Amazon Affiliates, but I’m not making any money from it because I don’t put any time into it.  I feel uncomfortable trying to sell to the people reading my blog so I generally stay away from advertising.  Every Friday I do “Fun Find Friday” where I highlight something that is interesting to me.  It is a lot of fun, but I don’t make any money doing it.

Question: How did you get your readership up so much?
Patti- I saw a significant jump after popular blogs linked Anatomy of a Dinner Party to their pages.  It’s really all about networking.  Linking back to other people’s pages is a great way to pay it forward.
Meredith on Networking- Networking is something you absolutely need to do.  People say it can be all about luck and being in the right place at the right time, but by networking you are PUTTING yourself in the right place at the right time.  The more seeds you plant, the more opportunities will grow.

Question: Did you or do you currently have mentors helping you or certain people that inspire you?
Patti- There are so many wonderful people that have helped me over the last year, even a lot of people I don’t know.
Meredith- My mother, sister, teachers and friends have all be so supportive and inspirational to me.  I have always enjoyed sponging off others. One of my biggest inspirations and mentors was an italian bread maker, whom I met when I was a teacher  at Johnson and Whales.  One day he left me in charge of his class, leaving me to teach the students to make croissants, something I had never gone over with him.  I decided to just teach them the way I knew, but was worried it was not the way he made them.  I showed him how I did it when he returned.  After baking and tasting the delicious crossoints he said, “Well, now they know two ways!”
Christy- I’ve never really had a mentor in regards to my business, but I have had key people I’ve worked with who have been very supportive.  Just remember, if you do not have a mentor or if family and friends don’t support you, don’t let it stop you.  In starting my business, I have found a whole new group of friends and family.

Meet Ashley Baber of Ashley Baber Weddings

August 20, 2010 by Laura Scholz | Comments (0)

Ashley Baber Weddings brings a fresh and modern approach to designing, planning and coordinating weddings which has earned Ashley and her team a reputation for excellence in Atlanta beyond. Ashley draws on her extensive experience in corporate event planning, event sales and the bridal retail market to ensure that every facet of your wedding planning process runs smoothly and that your wedding day is perfect!

How would you describe your business in exactly three adjectives?
Fun, Fresh, Modern.

What are your most popular products or services?
We have a variety of wedding planning packages, but we really try to customize our services to meet each individual client’s needs.

People may be surprised to know…
I have a degree in Kinesiology and Applied Physiology with a minor in Philosophy.

What or who inspired you to start your business?
I saw there was a niche in my industry that I had an immense desire to fulfill.

Who is your role model or mentor?
I am fortunate to know a lot of the «best of the best» in my industry and they are always encouraging and supportive.

What business mistake have you made that you will not repeat?
Being overly trusting…

How do you spend your free time?
Hanging out with my wonderful husband and our three pugs. My husband and I love to try new restaurants.

What is your indulgence?
Fine dining, the spa and traveling.

Where is your favorite place to go with your girlfriends?
Dinner and Drinks! The location always varies, but we love to cut loose, catch up and laugh!

Kate’s Club Cabaret

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

Join Kate’s Club in their premier fundraiser August 20, 2010 at Lucky 7th Cabaret.  Now in its seventh year, this annual event will benefit Kate’s Club, a non-profit dedicated to empowering children and teens facing life after the death of a parent or sibling.  The 2010 Cabaret features a brand new casino lounge, gourmet bites and cocktails, live raffles, live music and many more surprises to CRAVE. Hosted by The Bert Show’s Bert Weiss and Good Day Atlanta’s Suchita Vadlamani, this year’s event will be the biggest one yet.

Returning to the fabulous W Atlanta Downtown, the 2010 Cabaret will have a little something for everyone.  The gamblers will be sure to enjoy the AirTran Airways Jet Setter Casino Experience where you’ll be able to test your hand with lady luck at craps, roulette, black jack or texas hold ‘em. Not a gambler?  No problem!  The Cabaret’s renowned silent auction will be featuring must-have items such as an in‐studio experience with The Bert Show, round‐trip business class airfare provided by AirTran Airways and a weekend zipping around Atlanta in a Porsche Panamara.

For more information or to purchase tickets ($100 for general admission, $150 for the VIP experience), please visit www.katesclub.org.

About Kate’s Club: Kate’s Club’s purpose is to provide grieving children and their families with an environment where they can re-engage in life and turn a potentially debilitating loss into a growth opportunity.  By creating friendships with kids and young adults that share the experience, Kate’s Club guides children through their grief journey in a comfortable, safe and uplifting setting.

Our Favorite Summer Concert Venues

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

While summer’s almost over, there’s still time to participate in one of Atlanta’s best summer traditions: the outdoor concert.  There is nothing better than relaxing on a hot summers night while enjoying live music under the stars, cool beverage in hand.  We have put together a list of our favorite venues–both traditional and unconventional–for you to soak up all the outdoor tunes you CRAVE.  Most venues run shows through October, so you have plenty of time to get outside and enjoy!

Chastain Park Amphitheater
4469 Stella Drive
404-733-4900
@ChastainParkAmp
The Amphitheater at Chastain Park, nestled in a tree-lined residential area, creates the ultimate venue for summer concerts.  The distinguished setting is more tradition than venue, and the eclectic line-up of top performers guarantees musical memories.  So go ahead, pack your picnic basket, gather your friends and immerse yourself in the Chastain Park experience.

Verizon Wireless Amphitheater at Encore Park
2200 Encore Parkway
404-733-5010
@VZWAmphitheatre
As one of Atlanta’s newest concert venues, The Verizon Wireless Amphitheater provides a unique setting for both music lovers and first-time concertgoers.  It’s beautiful park-like atmosphere allows you to enjoy music under the trees, with a number of large heritage trees, plants, and flowers all native to the park.  In addition to many concerts, shows and events, the amphitheater also serves as the summer home of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.

Unplugged in the Park at Park Tavern
500 10th Street NE
404-249-0001
@ParkTavern
Atlanta’s longest running FREE summer concert series is back.  In it’s 8th consecutive season, Unplugged in the Park is the place to be all summer long.  Set in Piedmont Park and Park Tavern every Sunday with all of the magnificent Midtown Atlanta Skyline, Unplugged in the Park has grown to be one of the best and most respected summer music series in the Southeast.

Concerts in the Garden at Atlanta Botanical Gardens
1345 Piedmont Avenue NE
404-591-1539
@AtlBotanical
Where better to enjoy a concert than surrounded by beautiful flowers and wildlife?  Recognized as the “Best Outdoor Concert Series” by Atlanta Magazine, Concerts in the Garden is a must do this summer.  Music fills the Midtown air this summer during Atlanta’s most intimate outdoor music event.  Garden members using Ticketmaster event receive a 10% discount!

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

We’re CRAVE-ing Meringue

August 6, 2010 by Laura Scholz | Comments (0)

This summer we are CRAVE-ing Meringue, the sassy and sweet boutique located in Virginia Highland that carries eclectic clothing and gifts sure to please any fashionista!

Known for their sweet sense of style mixed with old-fashion flair, Meringue  owners Jordan Chadwell and Nicole Raithel pride themselves on carrying up and coming designers into the marketplace. Meringue is designed with a mix of both quirky and antique inspiration in mind, and one can tell from their lavish 1920′s French doors  to the iron garden tables in  this chic boutique.

How would you describe your business in exactly three adjectives?

Welcoming, Stylish and Eclectic

What are your most popular products or services?

Sanctuary pants and shorts, Bobi basics, Quicksilver for Women, and Jbrand denim. And look out for several new lines including, AG Jeans and Joie, coming this Fall!

People may be surprised to know…

Meringue’s owners are 28 and 29 year’s old, both with 6 month old babies less than a day a part, and only met 2 years ago while working together at a Washington, DC boutique.

What or who inspired you to start your business?

Each other!

Who is your role model or mentor?

Other small businesses in our neighborhood

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

Ordering too much merchandise. Truly the hardest part of retail is getting your inventory just right.

How do you spend your free time?

Between our babies, husband’s and the store…we have no free time!

What is your indulgence?

We both have a major sweet tooth…hence the name, Meringue!

Where is your favorite place to go with your girlfriends?

Sipping margaritas poolside!

We’re CRAVE-ing a Girl’s Night Out

August 6, 2010 by Laura Scholz | Comments (0)

A fabulous night out with your girls is the perfect treat to cure all of your weekday woes. We have just the answer to cure all the fun you are CRAVE-ing. So get together your best group of girlfriends, clear your weekend plans and follow this simple guide to have an ultra-chic and indulgent night out on the town in Atlanta.

W Atlanta – Downtown
45 Ivan Allen Jr. Boulevard
(404) 582-5800
Start the weekend off right by reserving a room and checking into the W Hotel in downtown Atlanta. Take the afternoon to pamper yourselves by the WET Outdoor Pool or go for full on special treatment with a massage at the Bliss Spa. After getting ready for your night on the town, head downstairs to the Drinkshop for a pre-dinner treat where ice drink cometh-bottles arrive frozen in a solid block and cool cubes in your drink are chipped from the tip of a 300-pound ‘berg. But don’t get too comfortable, there is still more stops to make before the “Girl’s Night Out” is complete.

Social Restaurant & Wine Bar
12 West Peachtree Place
(404) 525-2246
Located less than half a mile from The W Atlanta, Social is comprised of two sprawling floors of scintillating Euro-Mediterranean flavors. Adorned with A 25 foot marble bar, communal tables and an elegant split level dining room that overlooks the trees below on West Peachtree place, Social is the perfect atmosphere for a chic dinner with the girls before you really hit the town. Start off with an Artisan Cheese Plate for the table as you peruse the extensive food and drink menu. Sip on your favorite cocktail and don’t be afraid to splurge on a decadent entree, its your night out!

HALO
817 West Peachtree St NW
(404)-962-7333
After enjoying a decadent dinner, hit Peachtree Street and explore the sights as you head less than a mile down the road to HALO. Regarded as one of the premier nightlife destinations in Atlanta, HALO has a modern-speakeasy feel where guests arrive at a nondescript steel door entrance located on 6th street, beneath the historic Biltmore Hotel. Hit one of HALO’s two bars and sip on one of their signature drinks prepared by the most experience mixologists. Open until 3am this is the perfect place to sit and chat or get up, move around, and have the great time you are CRAVE-ing.

As the night comes to an end, you and your girls can take the after-party back to the W Atlanta for a true night away from home. Sleep in late, then grab brunch at BLT Steak as you relive all the fun from the best girl’s night out in the great city of Atlanta.

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.

We’re CRAVE-ing LAMIK Beauty

August 1, 2010 by Laura Scholz | Comments (0)

LAMIK Beauty is the 1st Eco-Chic makeup line, featuring all natural ingredients, eco-friendly packaging, and a glamorous appeal. The LAMIK Boutique, known for celebrity sightings, is settled in the eclectic Castleberry Hill District, where the showroom boasts services like lashes, makeovers, committing women to an easy 3-step facial care regimen, and buying makeup with guidance from LAMIK Beauty Experts.

Special thanks to LAMIK Beauty for sponsoring the swag bags at last weekend’s Spark & Hustle Conference!

How would you describe your business in exactly three adjectives?
Natural, Glamorous, Green

What are your most popular products or services?
Products: Lipgloss, The Celebrity Brow Kit, True Mineral Powders
Services: Lash Enhancement, Luxe Makeup Party with Girlfriends, Detox your Makeup Bag

People may be surprised to know…
I was a classical pianist growing up and wish I never stopped.

What or who inspired you to start your business?
Women’s health, wanting to break the stereotypes of beauty, and a dream.

Who is your role model or mentor?
Too many fabulous ladies to name just one!

What business mistake have you made that you will not repeat?
Not reading my mail.

How do you spend your free time?
Thinking about what work I could be doing during this time, Spending time with my nephews and nieces

What is your indulgence?
Cupcakes, conversation, boutique shopping, and buying my pooch too many clothes.

Where is your favorite place to go with your girlfriends?
On spontaneous trips to any city, we always throw a good time together at the last minute!