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Archive for February, 2010

11 Ways To Be Single on Valentine’s Day

Tuesday, February 9th, 2010

Single, taken, or “it’s complicated”… regardless of your relationship status, Valentine’s Day can frankly be very obnoxious. If you’re with someone, you’re pressured to partake in extravagant displays of lovey-dovey cuteitude against your will. If you’re single, it’s even worse. You’re brutally reminded that those millions of cheesy greeting cards with kissing puppies on the front simply aren’t meant for you. Of course Valentine’s Day isn’t all bad, but it can be tough to go solo on a day when the rest of the world seems madly in love. In an effort to give single gals out there some solace, here’s a smattering of ideas from women (and two men) on what to do on February 14th if you’re single.

  • Get all your single girlfriends together for a fun-filled night of vino and good music… that’s what I’d do. Oh and shopping too (hell make an entire day of it)! -Phaedra, Taken, Los Angles [A Very CRAVE V-Day]
  • Two words: Southern. Comfort. Now you have advice from lady AND gentleman – Corbin, Taken, Washington DC [Best "Drink Your Sorrows Away" V-Day]
  • Celebrate the Chinese New Year! -Jocelyn, Single, Woodinvile [Best V-Day Replacement Holiday]
  • I heard the trick is to not make Valentine’s Day about loving a person you are in a relationship with, but to make it about loving all the people you love. If it isn’t about one person than it can be less disappointing when you spread out the love! – Courtney, Single, Santa Clara [Sweetest V-Day Idea]
  • Remember that it’s easier to be single on Valentine’s Day than stuck in a relationship that’s going nowhere fast. -Mike, Divorced, London [Best V-Day Reality Check]
  • This might be an LA only thing…but going to Disneyland with friends is awesome, as is going to Amoeba Records by yourself. – Natasha, Single, Los Angeles [Most LA V-Day]
  • Offer to babysit for your friends with kids! -Deborah, Taken, Woodinville [Most Charitable V-Day Idea]
  • I loved my single Valentines the best! Having a dinner party (with yummy cocktails) is fun with your single friends, or taking a little trip somewhere- the ocean, a cabin, a movie- with a few friends is wonderful! Just celebrating the people you love is what it’s all about! – Carly, Taken, Camano Island [Best Girlfriends V-Day]
  • If I were single on VDAY I’d go to Vegas for sure. But that’s just me… – Ashley, Taken, Los Angeles [Best V-Day for Ladies on the Prowl]
  • It’s two weeks away…. whose to say you will be single? Also… I hear having a bonfire is great fun… and if things go awry, a fireman comes over to visit – Adrienne, Single, Santa Fe [Hottest V-Day Idea]
  • Valentine’s Day is just another day…I would go to brunch and buy yourself some flowers. – Jess, Taken, San Diego [Best "Celebrate Yourself" V-Day Idea]

So there you have it. Booze, babysitting, brunch or bonfires – whatever you do, you definitely do not need a beau to enjoy your Valentine’s Day this year. Have fun!

Hit the Slopes at Ski Camps for Girlfriends

Monday, February 8th, 2010

The Groundhog said it all – On February 2, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow and doomed the rest of us to six more frigid weeks of winter. Rather than crawl under the covers and hibernate ’til spring, why not make the most of the chilliest time of year and go skiing (or snowboarding) with your girlfriends? Take a look at these women-only snow camps and book your long weekend now!

1. ROXY All Star Snow Camps – Whistler Blackcomb
These 2-day snow camps are all about girls, fun, and hitting the slopes! The women-only camps are taught by highly skilled female skiers and riders and give you the opportunity to make friends with other women in the group. ROXY caters to ladies at any level of skiing and snowboarding, from beginner to expert, and they even throw in some prizes to get you motivated to boost your skills! Check the website for rates and dates.

2. Women’s Edge – Aspen Snowmass
Women’s Edge is a 4-day female-centric experience for intermediate to advanced skiers. You’ll spend time getting to know the women in your group while being instructed by female pros and getting treated to a luncheon, lectures, and chances to ski at nearby mountains with skiers in your same skill level. It’s a fun program with chances to build relationships with like-minded women while having a great time! Check out the website here.

3. Women’s Ski Camps – Snowbird
In Snowbird, Utah, these 3-4 day ski camps offer small group sizes and ample one-on-one coaching with women instructors to make for a truly rewarding experience. Intermediate to expert skiers can be accommodated, and the intimate program comes with an optional Meal & Spa Add On with special perks! To see prices and itineraries, check out the Women’s Ski Camps’ website here.

These are a few examples of resorts that currently offer women-only skiing and snowboarding camps. Check out your favorite mountain’s special deals for girls in advance and start planning next year’s wintry adventures now!

Where Monica Partier Gets Her Groove

Friday, February 5th, 2010

CRAVE chatted with Urban Groove Salon owner Monica Partier. Below, find her picks for her fave spots in the city (besides her own salon, of course).

How would you describe your business in 3 adjectives or less?
Upscale, Sexy, Hip

What are your most popular products or services?
Our most popular services include: Balayage freehand dimensional hair painting, Precision Hair Cuts for both men and women, Eyelash Extensions and our Signature Pedicures.Best selling products include our balancing lip complex, it’s all organic and does miracles on dry lips. Kerastase’s Ciment Thermique, this is for anyone who heat styles their hair it protects and reconstructs all at the same time, and it smells like grapefruits .. very yummy!

What was the inspiration or motivation behind starting your business?
To create a elegant and chic salon in South Austin.

What mistake have you made in your business that you will not repeat?
Lowering my standards to accommodate others.

How do you spend your free time?
Pool side with my children or cooking, reading, designing, and listening to music.

What is your indulgence?
Gourmet Food, Wine and Fashion

Where is your favorite place to go with your girlfriends?
Mandola’s Winery, the scenery reminds me of home and its a wonderful place to have great food, wine and great conversation.

Where is the best place to find gifts?
Flea Markets, there are always eclectic and unique finds.

Where is the best place to buy clothes?
Le Garage Sale, you can get clothes by the best designers at incredible prices.

Who is the best local designer or artist?
Best Artist: William Stidham, I love his rock n roll art, it has a soulfulness to it.
Best designer: Sunny Haralson of Ruby Pearl; her clothes are girl y, flirty and fun.

Visit Urban Groove Salon!
4301 West William Cannon Ste 260
Austin, TX, 78749
UrbanGrooveSalon.com

The Paris Haute Couture Shows

Thursday, February 4th, 2010

The Paris Haute Couture fashion shows are unlike any other fashion experience you have ever had, seen or heard of. True to what couture is, this kind of fashion is definitely one-of-a-kind. Showcasing their spring and summer couture collections, the French designers filled the runways with whimsical, wonderful and weird creations this season. There was bizarre head-wear at Jean Paul Gaultier (shocking, right?), Lady-Gaga-inspired hairdo’s at Chanel, and clothes with a strong space-age feel at Armani Prive.

Like Hilary Alexander, fashion director of The Daily Telegraph in London, says, the couture shows are a “laboratory of dreams”. Made to fit exactly to the wearers specifications, these one-off creations aren’t something you will see another girl at the club wearing – they are far from anything worn in everyday life. True haute couture is art. Its the kind of clothing that makes for a lush, other-worldly Vogue fashion spread. Its usually impractical and at prices that rival a small house or car, its the best kind of fashion fantasy.

This season, Chanel seemed to be channeling the great Lady Gaga with hairdo’s resembling giant bows or ears, but their colorful collection had us drooling from start to finish. Actually, it seemed like everyone was feeling the Lady Gaga vibe on the catwalks this season. The Jean Paul Gaultier headpieces looked like something we might see Ms. Gaga sporting at the next awards show, and a balloon bubble dress from Armani Prive looked like something she might rock down a red carpet any day now. If not Lady Gaga, then the architectural, space-agey dresses from Armani would definitely look fabulous on any future astronaut/fashionista. Finally, the pieces at Stephane Rolland were escapism and futuristic fashion-as-artwork at its best with laser cut Plexiglass forming coils and crenelations on shoulders and pockets.

Across the board, this year’s couture shows were all about pastel colors and Lady Gaga-inspired style. Haute couture may not be made for a trip to the grocery store, or even your next birthday party, but the shows are spectacular and the pieces are a work of art in themselves. Vive la Haute Couture!

* Written by Ashley Breckel

Ladies to Watch: Hometown Olympians

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010

Here at CRAVE we like to tell you about strong smart women doing remarkable things and athletes are no exception. Now that February is finally here, we thought we’d fill you in on some of the local women to lookout for who have earned their way to the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games, beginning Friday, February 12.

Amanda Evora – Figure Skating – Sugar Land, Texas

Even though Amanda Evora now lives in Florida, she grew up in Texas and she has the fight to prove it. Evora discovered her sister’s ice skates as a child and since they fit, decided to give them a try. When she was 18, she left her family’s home in Texas to further her skating career. Now, she is studying business administration at the University of South Florida. Her skating partner is Mark Ladwig. Before 2010, the pair had been consistent but had always finished out of the top three: Evora and Ladwig finished fourth at the 2007 Nationals, fifth at the 2008 Nationals and fourth at the 2009 Nationals. After finishing out of the top three for three years in a row, Amanda Evora and Mark Ladwig broke through when it counted most, earning a spot on the U.S. Olympic Team. We’re cheering for Amanda and her partner and hope she makes it all the way! Info

Katie Uhlaender – Skeleton – McGregor, Texas

Katie Uhlaender began the sport of skeleton in 2003, quickly climbing national rank by winning both the National and Junior National Championships in her first season. Uhlaender made the Winter Olympic Team in 2006 and slid to a sixth place finish in Torino, Italy. Uhlaender loves to ski, snowboard, kite board and craves speed, which is one of the reasons she began skeleton. She “loves the feeling of getting power off the start block.” Though she now lives in Breckenridge, Colorado,she spent eight years of her life in McGregor, where she was the only girl on her school’s baseball team. Go Katie! Info

Helen Upperton – Bobsleigh – University of Texas

After being raised in Calgary, Helen Upperton attended the University of Texas, seeking a bachelor of science in Kinesiology. Although Upperton is on the Canadian National team, she clearly has a soft spot for the longhorn state.  In addition to 5 World Cup podium finishes, Helen stunned the world becoming the first Canadian woman ever to win a gold medal in bobsleigh on the storied St. Moritz track finishing the year ranked second in the FIBT rankings. Upperton’s objective is to hone her skills for Vancouver 2010 with a view to becoming the first Canadian woman to win an Olympic medal in bobsleigh. Helen enjoys being involved in the community. She makes time to give something back by helping to inspire kids through public speaking and the Calgary based Youth Education Through Sport program. Info

Now you know who to root for in Vancouver, go Texans!

Rachel Ray, I’m not…

Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010

I don’t know if any of you are “culinaryily challenged,” but I sure am. I am obsessed with the Food Channel but don’t cook anything I ever see prepared on there. There is something soothing and brain numbing about watching them create, compete, build absurdly shaped cakes, and whip up mystery ingredients I have never heard of.

How about that Rachel Ray gal? She rocks it every night in less than 30 minutes. The big difference is when I go to my pantry or fridge I don’t conveniently have all the spices and sauces placed by the elves so my 30 minute meal turns into a frustrated 80 minute search for cumin, and a trip to the grocery store. (Consequently, I leave the grocery store with everything BUT cumin and swing through the drive-through window before returning home.)

When I do cook I seem to have portion control issues. I grew up in a big family so I assume spaghetti noodles come in “single serving” bags only. Needless to say, I have a lot of leftovers and anyone who reheats spaghetti noodles knows, they aren’t too tasty.

My Mom is an amazing cook and she knows how to put on a party with picture perfect hors d’oeuvres, now SHE could have her own Food Network show. I think I was busy outside shooting hoop when she was whipping up chef lessons. So the pressure to live up to that is huge. She would bring heaping scrumptious cupcakes to my class parties… with every child’s name monogrammed on them. I am lucky if I can pull off a drive by drop off of Oreos for the school Valentines Day party!

My southern Mother-in-Law once tried to help me out by buying me a southern cookbook. Every dang recipe started with “make a rue”…have you ever tried to make a rue? Well, it’s a special little concoction of flour and butter that you have to try not to burn. I never made a single recipe from that book!

I will have to say I have the “sipping” part of this sip/savor category down pat. Never met a cocktail I didn’t like and they seem to be MUCH easier to make. Although I recently tried a signature cocktail recipe and it actually called for pear sorbet…my Coors Light generally does not come with ice cream and- huge surprise- I didn’t have any pear sorbet in my freezer (unlike Rachel) so I skipped the garnish, the vodka tasted fine without it!

If your idea of comfort food is a large bag of Nacho Cheese Doritos and you don’t own a food processor…you are not alone. Rachel rocks…me, not so much!

* a weekly humor post by Lynn Edwards