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

Meet Scrapbook Mamma

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

Scrapbook Mamma makes custom art quality photo books with personal photos for people who want a unique and creative keepsake.  What sets them apart from other photo book sites, is they do the work for you.  Scrapbook Mamma takes your photos, art work, poems, or anything else you wish and creates one of a kind books that help to honor your memories.

Scrapbook Mamma was recently ranked #13 out of the top 200 mom-run businesses throughout the United States in the 2010 Leading Moms in Business Competition by Startup Nation!  The national ranking was determined by the combination of popular vote and the special recognition of our judges for certain outstanding contestants.  Congratulations, MaryBeth!

How would you describe your business in exactly three adjectives?
Creative, Unique, Memorable

What are your most popular products or services?
Photo books that focus on family events like babies, kids, weddings, reunions, vacations and family history.

People may be surprised to know…
I entered 4 recipes into the Pillsbury bake off this year.

What or who inspired you to start your business?
I have quadruplets and working for someone else was getting difficult.  I needed to be able to spend more time with my daughters and control my destiny.

Who is your role model or mentor?
All the «Momprenuers» who have come before me.  I thought if they could do it, so could I!

What business mistake have you made that you will not repeat?
I invested in some adrvertising without researching the website enough.

How do you spend your free time?
Playing with my girls and my husband.  I also love to cook and enjoy coming up with new recipes.

What is your indulgence?
Anything I do alone feels like an indulgence!

Where is your favorite place to go with your girlfriends?
Historic Norcross is our favorite neighborhood for girls night.  Local restaurants or 45 South Cafe, the wine bar/coffee shop.

Celebration-Worthy Gift Ideas for your Grad

June 18, 2010 by Laura Scholz | Comments (0)

Looking for the perfect gift for your fabulous college or high school graduate?  Well, look no further!  Whether your grad is preparing for college or the real world, CRAVE has tips on this season’s trendiest gifts, from adorable stationary to monogrammed bed sheets.

Limetree:  A Gift Experience
404.633.LIME
Monogrammed Gifts are In!
From towels to bumper stickers, monograms are everywhere!  They are chic, always classy and add an extra oomph to the typical frame, towel or cosmetic case!  Try ordering your graduate’s monogram in a chic color, such as baby blue or electric pink!  If she is going off to college, order the monogram in her new school’s colors!  For all things monogrammable, check out Limetree.

Linvites Online
Lavish Stationary
Stationary is a great way to personalize and express yourself when writing letters home from college or on the new job! Whether monogrammed or adorned in your grad’s college colors, you can’t go wrong with Linvites for your stationary needs!

Crumb Bakery
404.425.9535
@crumbbakery
Luxurious Cupcakes
Cakes are SO last year!  There is nothing better than a divine cupcake where no fork is needed to taste true decadence. Plus, they make the perfect tasty treat for that graduation party.  Our favorites are from Crumb Bakery, which also specializes in authentic French macarons that are almost too pretty to eat!

Scrapbook Mamma
770.448.5522
@QuadMamma
A Scrapbook to Remember
This year’s sentimental gift of choice is a luxurious, personalized crapbook.  Gather your graduate’s favorite photos, and let Scrapbook Mamma do all the hard work.  It’s a gift that will last a lifetime.

770.922.3953

Planning a Fun in the Sun Picnic

May 17, 2010 by Jennifer L. | Comments (0)

Food always seems to taste better when enjoyed outdoors and in the company of great friends and family. So, pack your picnic basket, grab a blanket, bring some companions, and take advantage of the sunny warm weather the spring and summer months have to offer with an al fresco dining experience! Don’t sweat, planning a picnic doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Here are some fun and fuss-free ideas for planning a picnic in the fresh air and sunshine!

1. Pick a Location:

• At the Park: Whether you’re on a grassy spot in the sunlight or under the shade of a tree, a park is the perfect place to gather for a picnic! If you’re feeling guilty about leaving your beloved pooch at home, there are plenty of pet-friendly parks so you can bring Fido along!
• On a Beach: Sun, surf, and sand is the ideal combination for a picnic on the beach! Just make sure you enjoy each element separately to avoid melted, soggy, or grainy grub.
• At a Drive-In Movie: CRAVing a romantic night with your sweetie? Dinner and a movie underneath a blanket of twinkling nighttime stars is a perfect date night combination. Don’t forget to bring popcorn and candy!
• In Your Backyard: Want to enjoy a meal outside but don’t feel like hauling a basket or cooler full of food around? No problem, a picnic in your backyard can be just as fun and probably less stressful if you happen to forget the napkins!
• On a Roof-top Patio: For those of you dwelling in the concrete jungle, many apartment and condo buildings have a roof-top patio for their residents to enjoy. The only difference? Rather than being surrounded by trees, you have adjacent skyscrapers to provide shade.

2. Picnic Menu Items:

We encourage you to be creative, but to also keep things simple with your picnic menu! Remember, you have to schlep these baskets around with limited heating or cooling available, and food poisoning is never included in the recipe for fun. Pack your picnic baskets with these simple palate pleasers, bon appetit!

• Savor: Definitely use your left-overs when you can! Roasted chicken can be used to make a yummy pasta or Caesar salad. You can also make some simple PB&J or turkey sandwiches the night before and refrigerate them until you’re ready to head out. Soft bagels with cream cheese are also a great and effortless menu option. Here are some other easy picnic recipes to consider.
• Sip: Class up your picnic with a bottle of wine to sip while you savor your meal, which is ideal if you’re enjoying a laid-back picnic on your backyard porch. For public parks and beaches, we recommend some bubbly and refreshing sparkling apple cider instead. Lemonade is also the classic beverage of choice for a sunny spring/summer picnic.
• Sweets: You can’t go wrong with brownies and cookies, which are crowd-pleasers for any age. A fresh fruit salad is delicious and nutritious, and also surprisingly portable! We generally don’t recommend packing anything that melts quickly, but if you’re having a backyard picnic you can get away with serving ice cream and popsicles!

3. Picnic Essentials NOT to Forget:

• Sunscreen/sun block: Don’t ruin your outdoor picnic with a painful sunburn, keep yourself sun protected! As the people from the land down under would say, “Slip, Slop, Slap: slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen, and slap on a hat.”
• Insect repellant: A good idea if you’re going to be outdoors long enough for the mosquitoes to come out for their own picnic.
• Big quilt/blanket: If you’re going to be dining on the grass, sit on a big quilt or blanket to protect yourself from ants in your pants, or even worse, in your food!
• Eating utensils: Finger food is always fun, but if you plan on serving something that requires a fork, spoon, or knife, eating with your bare hands will get messy and complicated.
• Plastic bag(s): Be considerate of others and the park in which you are enjoying your picnic and clean up any trash or food waste. Also, if your pooch joined you for your picnic, please pick up behind your pawed pal as well.
• Anti-bacterial hand gel/wipes: Ahh, germs! Need we say more?
• Entertainment: Don’t dine and dash, stay a while! Bring some playing cards, a Frisbee, or play bocce ball while your tummies digest.

Bond with these Activites on Mother’s Day

May 3, 2010 by Aubry | Comments (0)

It’s that time of year – it’s all about mom. You know as well as we do – with a hectic lifestyle, sometimes traditional alternatives have to do the trick (isn’t it the thought that counts?). But with all that mom has done for you, we’re guessing you probably CRAVE some creative mother/daughter bonding activities this Mother’s Day. So take a break from the craziness of the day to bond with the number one woman in your life. Whether you’re a “like- mother-like-daughter duo” or have completely different tastes, you’re sure to find a fabulous way to celebrate your mom in style with our irresistible options! Get ready to make some memories!

Rediscover Family Recipes
What better way to celebrate the women in your family than with a day dedicated to the culinary queens that have graced your family over the years? We all have recipes stashed away in a drawer in the kitchen that we always talk about with family members during holiday time. How many times have you reminisced about Grandma Marie’s outrageous chicken Marsala or Aunt Susan’s legendary lemon meringue? It’s time to pull out those recipes and cook them up with mom! Be sure to recopy those recipes that are written on paper that is little worse for wear, organize them and swap memories as you savor your hard work. So, if CRAVE something spicy or sweet and want to share special memories of the wonderful women that have paved your way, get cooking with mom. Who knows, you might even make some mother-daughter recipes of your own!

Other ideas for the the crafty mother-daughter duo:

- Organize family photos in scrapbooks or photo albums.
- Transfer old family tapes to DVD.
- Take an art class together.

Mother-Daughter Massage
What better way to say goodbye to stress and pamper the number one woman in your life than with a mother-daughter massage and spa treatment? Sometimes, the unspoken shared moments in life mean the most. With a little time to meditate, make muscles melt and mend your bodies, you and mom will be bonding in no time. Take some time together to choose your lineup of indulgences for the day. Whether you and mom CRAVE some hot stone therapy, aromatherapy or holistic skin care, your Mother’s Day Spa date is sure to be one to remember!

Other options for mothers and daughters looking to chill:

- Take a yoga class together.
- Safely score some rays of sunshine at the beach.
- Pack a picnic lunch and your suits. Find the perfect place to swim, enjoy the water and indulge in some homemade picnic classics!

Generational Clothing Swap:
Admit it – you have always wanted to raid mom’s closet (maybe you already have!) for some of those classy vintage outfits she has saved over the years. She’s probably had her eye on some of yours! Now is your chance to share style secrets that span a few more decades. Spend the days discussing style and sharing trends that have come in and out of both your lives. You might find some similarities you would never suspect – styles always seem to come back! After you swap chic secrets, you might even want to have a generational fashion show. Whatever decade you and mom each CRAVE when it comes to style, the creative possibilities are endless when you put your heads together in the name of fashion!

Alternatives for moms and daughters with fashion in their blood:

- Get out there for some retail therapy, but here’s the catch – pick outfits for each other. You could be pleasantly surprised, or you might be laughing the entire time you’re in the dressing room!
- Score mother-daughter style makeover consultations.
- Go on a fashionable date – check CRAVE and other local listings for fashion shows and other styling events in your city.

No matter what you CRAVE and how you choose to celebrate mom, enjoy your time together. Happy Mother’s Day from all of us at CRAVE.

A Peek at Posh Tots Events

March 13, 2010 by Laura Scholz | Comments (0)

Posh Tots Events, owned by featured entrepreness Jennifer Shields, is Atlanta’s premiere full-service event-planning company specializing in unique theme parties for children and mommies-to-be.  Whether your little one wants to be posh and pampered or party like a princess, Posh Tots will ensure that your next event is unforgettable.

Jennifer recently worked with Bert’s Big Adventure, a non-profit organization founded by local radio personality Bert Weiss that provides a five day journey to Walt Disney World® for children with a chronic and/or terminal illness and their families, on its send-off party.  We thought it would be a great time to highlight this savvy evangelista of all things posh.

What are your most popular products and services?
Our most popular themes are the Pamper Me Posh Spa Parties and our Princess Tea Parties.

What or who inspired you to start your business?
Planning my son Austin’s “All Star Baseball” themed birthday was the original inspiration for Posh Tots Events.

What business mistake have you made that you will not repeat?
Winning the client at all costs. Sometimes it just makes sense to say no.

How do you spend your free time?
What little free time I do have I like to spend with my husband, Tim, checking out new restaurants or exploring Atlanta with our two munchkins.

Where is your favorite place to go with your girlfriends?
I love Red Sky in Marietta. They have a great bar and make a fabulous pomegranate martini.

Best Spots for Indoor Fitness in Atlanta

December 18, 2009 by Inna | Comments (0)

There are many reasons why people, women especially, gain an average of 7-12lbs during the holiday season. The weather is frightful, you’re stressed, overscheduled, and the focal point of most gatherings is centered around food. We throw principles like portion control, and healthy recipe alternatives out the window, then come new years day we look in the mirror and wonder what happened. Well this year is going to be different! We’ve compiled a list of the best indoor fitness facilities in Atlanta that will keep you looking your best so come new years you will feel confident, powerful, and beautiful!

Condition Kettleball Gym (gymcondition.com) – If you have no time to spare this holiday season this is the perfect place to go to get an all in one workout; strength training, flexibility, and cardio. Get in, get out, get it done! Kettleball training is world-renowned for being efficient and effective, allowing you to burn between 600-900 calories in 45min.

Body Awareness Studio (bodyawarenessstudio.com) – In Atlanta since 1993, this studio offers the best of traditional and therapeutic pilates, a great way to melt the holiday stress away by experiencing an “intelligent, thoughtful, whole-body approach to fitness!” The studio features many different fitness systems including Pre-Pilates, GYROTONIC®, Meridian Stretching, Energy Medicine, Qi Gong, Breath Empowerment, 9 Breath Method, Food Healing, and Natural Rhythms.

In Town Pilates Atlanta (intownpilatesatlanta.com) – Whether you like to stick to the basics of are an exercise enthusiast this studio has something just for you. Their services include classically based programs, such as Mat and Tower, as well the original Pilates/Sculpt, Pilates Boot Camp and Tower Stretch.

West Coast Workout by Tammy Stokes (westcoastworkout.com) – Want to feel like a star? Tammy brings the best of Hollywood training to Atlanta! Her 7 signature workouts are functional full body exercises that include heart rate elevation to stimulate your metabolism. You will see extraordinary results in both the way you look and feel! Tammy’s mission is to get you to “live your healthiest life possible,” so whether your 25 or 69 get up and go check out what possibilities are in store for you this holiday season!

Cafe Physique (cafephysique.com) – Even if you’re in a food coma or just too cold to leave the house you no longer have an excuse not to stay in shape. Cafe Physique will send a personal trainer out to your home when it’s most convinent for you!!! No more excuses or procrastinating, specializing in studio and in-home personal training, wellness coaching, private yoga & pilates, and customized healthy nutrition services you have access to the best at your fingertips.

Susie Shina (befitenough.com) – Join Susie and her Fit for Biz Challenge this holiday season! Susie develops programs for mom-entrepreneurs and women alike who want to be fit enough to tackle life and have a great time doing it! Check out her website and see what she has in store for you.

There you have it, there’s something that will fit your lifestyle and personal goals. Don’t forget that staying active isn’t the only key, don’t overexert yourself, relax a little, and don’t forget about portion control. Happy Holidays!

Best Novelty and Gift Shops

December 16, 2009 by Inna | Comments (0)

Making the list, checking it twice… do you still have a couple more stockings to stuff, or do you still need to pick up a white elephant gift for your corporate party? Here a few places where you’ll be able to find the perfect gift!

2 Posh Dames (2poshdames.com) – Let your inner diva shine! Here you will find exquisite gifts. These one-of-a-kind pieces are bound to make anyone feel like divine!

At the Collective (atthecollective.com) – Come here to find unique pieces while supporting local artists, craftspeople, and entrepreneurs!

Atlanta Consignment Stores (atlantaconsignmentstores.com) – Find great presents without breaking the bank. Cashmere, crystal, and jewels visit one of the many stores and get exactly what you need.

Back by Popular Demand (bbpdconsignment.com) – 5000 square feet and 350 new pieces arriving daily this consignment store is a one stop haven for your gift giving needs.

ecoEmporium (theecoemporium.com) – Who said you cant be “green” and fashionable. Come here to find earth friendly, organic, and non-toxic products with a stylish touch.

Finders Keepers Boutique (fkconsign.com) – Around since 1984 and now a whopping 8500 square feet between the three stores, Finders Keepers sorts through the junk so that you don’t have to.

Gifted! Artist Market & Gift Boutique (giftedmarket.com) – If your looking for a fun shopping experience stop by this store and discover a unique collection of gifts, jewlery, home decor, clothing, garden art and more. This collection of artists and vedors will get your creative juices flowing and help you come up pick the best gifts.

Glory Haus (gloryhaus.com) – This faith based home-decor company offers your art that is inspirational, adorable, and useful! From tiles, frames, decorative boards, and Christmas decorations give a gift that will bring joy all year around.

Nichola (nicholaonline.com) -  Here you will find a unique collection of jewelry and gifts inspired by 40′s and 50′s vintage styles. These styles fuse vintage with a trendy, classic, bohemian twist.

Thank You Season is here – Find the Best Cards in Atlanta

December 9, 2009 by Inna | Comments (0)

November is a time for umbrellas, turkeys, pumpkin pie and of course thanks! With Thanksgiving around the corner start thinking about who you want to give thanks to. Here are some great places you can pick up a card to show your appreciation, why not even make your own! And, THANK YOU for supporting CRAVE and all the savvy women entrepreneurs out there!

Avie Designs (aviedesigns.com) – Find an Eco friendly paper product to fit all your stationary needs. The team here can even create a personalized card for you.

Linvites Design Studio and Boutique (linvites.com) -  Find an array of options from Linvites original designs, custom design your own, or go with one of the great greeting card lines they carry.

Verdepaperie.com – This online store places an emphasis on creative design and the environment.

Young Blood Gallery and Boutique (youngbloodgallery.com) – This is a center for emerging artists and Do-It-Yourself crafters. You’re bound to find a one of the kind thank you card here or the supplies to create your own masterpiece!

Paper Affair – Fine Stationary (Paperaffair.com) – With 20years of experience, 6 retail stores in Atlanta, and over 100 representatives ready to assist you, finding a thank you card will be easier than saying TURKEY!

Cooking is Bringing You Down – Check Out These Fab Restaurants

November 25, 2009 by Inna | Comments (0)

Thanksgiving is about giving thanks and being surrounded by the people that mean most in your life. This year why not take your family for a one of a kind Thanksgiving experience at one of these Atlanta favorites less spend time slaving over the oven and more time reconnecting.

• Blue Willow Inn
  Come experience Southern hospitality at it’s finest. Located in the heart of the historic district of Social Circle, this traditional thanksgiving dinner will have you thanking your lucky stars! “We designed the Inn as a way to transport our visitors back to simpler time and this authentic replication will allow us to experience the holiday as it was originally intended.”
• The Colonnade
  An Atlanta favorite for over 80 years. This family owned restaurant will offer up the best Thanksgiving has to offer so make sure you reserve today for space is limited.
• The Old Bulloch House in Warm Springs
  Looking for a more homey experience come to this dainty little 1893 cottage and enjoy home-cooked meals just like those cooked in the past!
• Copeland’s
  With three locations and nation wide shipping they have been serving up delicious cajun fried turkeys for over ten years now!

Black Friday Steals and Deals – Atlanta

November 23, 2009 by Inna | Comments (0)

Black Friday marks the beginning of the holiday shopping season. This year, instead of struggling your way through the hordes at big retail stores, go to places that will give you special attention and prices! We’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite businesses that will be having sales and even featuring discounts especially for CRAVE readers. Happy holidays!

At the Collective Located in Inman Park 280 Elizabeth Street, Suite B103 atthecollective.com The first 50 buyers will be offered a choice of artwork from a fabulous grab bag. Come early to get the best pick from Hand Made and Fair Trade items from contributing artists and Sally B’s Skin Yummies.

Beauty by Alethea Tuxedo Atrium 3833 Roswell Rd., Suite 116 beautybyalethea.com Will be offering $50 off of your first Radio Frequency Body Contouring/Cellulite Treatment as well as off of their Famous Refresh Laser Facial. Gift Certificates are $100 for a $150 value!

Felted Heart 405 Sinclair Ave. NE feltedheart.com 10% discount at the Beehive Co-Op on any Felted heart items when you mention CRAVE.

Finders Keepers fkconsign.com All 3 stores are having a sale: Visit site for locations Boutique: 30% off the entire store Fashions: 40% off all jackets and blazers and coats Furnishings: 25% off all holiday decor and decorations In addition if you are wearing all black, you get an additional 5% off your total purchase!

Indigo Bath and Body indigobathandbody.com Free gift and free shipping for the first 100 customers who enter CRAVE in their shopping cart.

JaLa Designs LLC jala-designs.com Free shipping until December 16th (using UPS Ground and discounted at checkout) Extended return policy (returns up until Jan. 15th) Please use link above.

Karmic Kookies karmickookies.com 10% off all orders on Black Friday.

CLAMIK Beautique Castleberry Hill 238 Walker St. @ Fair St. Unit#3 lamik-beauty.com 20% off makeup and facial care products & eyelash services the entire day when they mention CRAVE.

Mama Bath & Body loveyourmama.com Store will be closed thanksgiving weekend but check out their great online special! Free shipping on purchases over $50, and 15% off purchases over $100.

Meringue 1393 N Highland Ave NE meringueboutique.net 25% off the whole store (excluding already marked down merchandise)!

Mickey Lynn Designs mickeylynndesigns.com On the website or in store, promo code CRAVE will take $10 off their purchase.

Miss Pickles Press misspicklespress.com Good for 10% off any custom stationery order ordered on Black Friday. The discount code will be CRAVE.

Nichola nicholaonline.com 5% discount on orders placed through our website on Black Friday only.

Oana Hogrefe Photography shutterview.com Make your money go 50% further on Black Friday! Buy a photography gift certificate, for you or as a gift, and get 50% more than what you pay. for. For example, get $300 worth of photography for only $200! Available in any amount. These are redeemable towards any sessions or products and expire May 31st 2010. Contact Oana at oana@shutterview.com and mention the passcode “crave black”, and the dollar amount you would like to purchase.

Pashmere 4600 West Village Place Suite 3001, Smryna, Ga 30080 pashmereboutique.com Opens early From 9am-1pm everything will be 40% off and all ready marked down items will be 70% off. From 1-4pm everything will be 30% off and all ready marked down items will be 70% off. From 4-7:30 everything 20% all ready marked down items will be 70% off.

Proud Working Mommy proudworkingmommy.com 15% off on Black Friday.

Scrapbook Mamma scrapbookmamma.com 10% discount on any size Custom Photo book to anyone who mentions CRAVE and a FREE Slideshow of the photos used in their photo book. >Additionally will be offering a 20% discount on the 2nd ,3rd or 4th copy of the same book.

Stylish Consignments 5514 Lawrenceville Hwy Suite E Lilburn, GA 30047 stylishconsignments.com Will be offering our “BREAKFAST, BOWS, & BLACK 8 BALLS” promo for Black Friday. Why Wait until Black Friday? Save all week at Stylish Consignments! EVERYTHING IS ON SALE!Save 10-75% Off Nov 24th-27th On Name Brands including Ann Taylor, INC, Ellen Tracy, bebe, Guess, Chico’s, Banana Republic, Adrianna Papell, Jones New York and More! Ladies Juniors-Curvatious! Enjoy Free Breakfast, Bows, and Black 8 Balls Tuesday thru Friday Only. Let the Black Ball Determine your Extra Luck! Come Eat, Be Merry, And Save at Stylish Consignments.

Sunny’s Hair and Wigs 2295 Peachtree Road NE sunnyshair.com Friday Nov 27th from 12pm-7pm, the Atlanta store will feature a 10% off any purchase when mentioning CRAVE at checkout. Online they will offer a Black Monday special for CRAVE readers. When you enter Crave10 at checkout you will receive 10% off all orders plus a free CRAVE goodie sample bag of our favorite holiday products! This offer is valid until Dec. 1st.

West Coast Workout 175 Mt Vernon Hwy NW, Sandy Springs, GA westcoastworkout.com Will be giving a 10% discount on any fitness class package for those who mention CRAVE.

Also check out @craveatlanta for more deals look for #cravedeals

* the CRAVE company is not responsible for any changes and variations with these discounts and deals

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