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

Best Bachelorette Gifts

July 7, 2010 by Pansy | Comments (0)

The bride is a vision of beauty, romance and joy.   The next chapter of her life and all the expectations that come with it lies happily before her. But, understandably, brides are a delicate breed.  She has the biggest To-Do list she has ever faced in her life!  As a friend of a bride, the perfect gift can make all the difference.   I recently looked around Austin to see what gifts might make the bride feel even more special and loved at this exciting time in her life.

Women know that lovely lingerie can change your life and a visit to Underwear was truly inspiring.  To keep our bride rested, there are silk sleep masks embroidered with “Kiss the Bride” that are delicate but practical.  The French line, Hui, is a creamy lace fabric guaranteed to make you feel elegant.  Stella McCartney has some enticing boudoir pieces and Mary Green has some lovely “something blue” silk panties.  These items are perfect gifts for brides!  Go by Underwear, 916 W. 12th Street. shop-underwear.com

When you walk into Milk + Honey, you instantly relax.  The setting is peaceful and it smells wonderful.  A great gift to ward off any bridezella tendecies is the Milk + Honey Retreat.  This consists of a 60 minute massage with aromotherapy, a 60 minute facial and the lux pedicure/manicure.  The bride gets to visit all 3 areas of the spa and leaves renewed and relaxed.  Bridezella be gone!  Milk + Honey, 204 Colorado Street, milkandhoneyspa.com

Paper Place is an inspiring place to browse for brides.  They have a great selection of picture frames.  Why not frame photos from the different showers and parties as gifts?  And since writing thank you notes becomes a part-time bride for any bride, check out their selection of notecards.  You can also order postcards announcing their new address. Paper Place is at 4001 N. Lamar.  paperplaceaustin.invitations.com

The PJ Shop features women’s loungewear as well as jewelry and clothing.  How perfect to give the bride a new robe to relax in after her latest round of parties!  I love the Plum Pretty Sugar Silk Road Sweet Robe.  So feminine and silky.  Their slippers are so attractive too. Check them out at thepjshop.com

Back Home Furniture is full of unique details for the home.  They have some very chic sofa pillows that would make great gifts for the new home.  Also, their throws come in unusual colors. Walk around and get ideas.  Getting a gift not on their wish list can be a fun surprise when you know the bride and groom’s taste.  backhomefurniture.com

When the bride and groom return from their honeymoon, wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a week’s worth of meals lined up for them? Vicki Commiso, Personal Chef and Catering, customizes the menu and delivers it!  How lovely to come home to Lemon Chicken Piccata served over whole wheat noodles, Asparagus with Tomato confit and a green salad with citrus vignette.  They can eat on their new dishes with all their new tableware while being inspired about what to cook starting the next week!  Vicki Commisso, 512-744-5991.

Insight from Makeup Artist, Sheila Patel

May 21, 2010 by Jennifer L. | Comments (0)

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

What was the inspiration or motivation behind starting your business?

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

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

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

What is your favorite make-up brand?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Visit Sheila Patel at:

Website: sheilapatelsf.com

Blog: bit.ly/MakingFaces

Twitter: bit.ly/cZvamc

Facebook: bit.ly/cKLfS7

YouTube: bit.ly/91hB9F

Putting Your Best Foot (and Hand) Forward

May 19, 2010 by Karina | Comments (0)

Remember being little and having your friends over for a girly slumber party? There would be popcorn and music, of course, and usually messy manicures and pedicures with colors like Fire Engine Red and Rosy Posy Pink. Now, even though we’re all grown up, we still CRAVE the simple thrill of having our hands and feet tended to – except we’ve learned to leave the painting and prettying to our trusty esthetician pals. Here are three Austin salons that are proof of how this fun activity has gone from little girl leisure to pure lady luxe.

Pure Nail
http://www.purenaturalnails.com/
2110 S Lamar Blvd
If strong chemicals and abrasive smells are not part of your ideal pampering session, Pure Nail is the environmentally-friendly salon for you. The salon uses only formaldehyde free products and polishes for mani-pedi’s that will have you looking and feeling fresh. How’s that for eco-chic?

Urban Groove Salon
urbangroovesalon.com
4301 W William Cannon Dr
This South Austin salon is everything its name describes, with a setting so modernly sleek, you may find yourself opting for daring turquoise toes or neon nails! The spot is full-service, so after soaking in the luxurious hand spas you can complete your rejuvenation with a facial, brow-shaping, cut, or color.

milk + honey spa
milkandhoneyspa.com
204 Colorado St
milk + honey understands the hectic life of an urban gal, which is why they offer shorter “buff + go” mani’s and pedi’s to give you a quick shine in between meetings. But if you’re looking for the full treatment, there is also the lux version which includes a soak, exfoliant, a warm wrap in essential oils, and a massage.

Our CRAVE Beauty Secrets Revealed

May 10, 2010 by Karina | Comments (0)

As fabulous as every CRAVE woman is, we all could benefit from a session of beauty secret-swapping. Long days and long nights hopping from place to amazing place can take its toll on even the most impeccably gorgeous glower. To gain insight on how the girl-about-town stays looking her best, we’ve asked our resident staff at CRAVE what types of tricks were up their sleeves. And unlike other kinds of secrets, we don’t feel guilty for sharing these at all!

Hair

• Try fabric softener for a great leave-in conditioner. Dilute a 1/2 cup with 1 cup of water and for softer, fresher locks.
• For between shampoos: degrease oily hair with witch hazel. Apply to your roots with a cotton ball.
• When hair starts looking dull from too many products, use translucent face powder on the roots and brush through to give hair a subtle shine.

Skin

• To lighten age spots and sun-damaged skin, mix the juice of 1 lemon, 1 lime, 2 tablespoons of honey, and 2 ounces of plain yogurt. Gently massage into each spot weekly for noticeable results.
• For a great body exfoliant, scrub with dried coffee grounds. The caffeine in coffee also helps to stimulate the growth of new skin cells.
• Keep cucumbers for your salads and use raw potato slices to remove dark under-eye circles.

Makeup

• For lips that pop, dab a little bit of red or orange color in the center to make them appear fuller.
• To give your lashes an extra lift, warm an eyelash curler with a blow dryer before using. Lashes will stay curled for longer and this trick doesn’t even require mascara!
• When applying blush or bronzer, you should first know where to apply your glow. Bend over for 30 seconds, then slowly stand up. Where your cheeks are flushed is where you are meant to blush. Apply your blush there for a naturally rosy look.

* please take caution, CRAVE does not guarantee results

Q&A with Laura Lee Kozusko of reForm Pilates

April 30, 2010 by Karina | Comments (0)

Every spring, like clockwork, the same patterns seem to unfold. Flowers start to blossom, trees regain their leaves, temperatures rise, and people flock to their gyms in anticipation of warmer weather and fewer clothes. But sometimes, those overcrowded gyms pumping obnoxious pop songs feel less like motivation and more like punishment. That’s why we CRAVE the calming environment at reForm Pilates, where you can be sure the training you receive is both personalized and rejuvenating. And since this Saturday is Free Pilates Day in Austin, there has never been a better time to get started at the studio! reForm Pilates will be offering six different classes, free of charge. We talked with owner Laura Lee Kozusko to hear her Austin city favorites, and her tips on being an entrepreness:

How would you describe your business in 3 adjectives or less?

Peaceful, Welcoming and Uplifting.

What might people be surprised to know?

Whether you are an avid athlete or a total couch potato, everyone starts at the same place when beginning Pilates.

What was the inspiration or motivation behind starting your business?

Pilates completely changed my life in a good way and I wanted to bring that to other people as well.

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

Everyday is a learning experience & mistakes are part of the growth process. I’m not sure I’ve made any HUGE ones, but lots of little mistakes along the way.

How do you spend your free time?

Playing with my daughters.

What is your indulgence?

Caffeine, chocolate, wine and cheese.

Save the Date!
Free Pilates Day
Saturday, May 1; first class starting at 10 AM
Contact for reservations or for more info:
(phone) 512-236-9595
(email) contact@reformpilates.net

reForm Pilates
3110 Windsor Rd. Ste. A

Spring Eating for your Healthy Body

April 26, 2010 by Nicole S. | Comments (1)

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.

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?

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

Add More ~ing To Your Life

March 29, 2010 by Sarah Clise | Comments (0)

In her debut book, Add More ~ing To Your Life, motivational speaker and life coach Gabrielle Bernstein takes readers on a fun and fulfilling journey to happiness in 30 days. She promotes writing, meditation, and movement as ways to combat ego and release romantic illusions. For every goal in her book, she lays out an Equation with multiple steps packed with reflection and perspective. Some of her unique blues-blasting concepts include compiling a Compassion List, creating a Personal-Shift Statement, and ceasing to Future Trip. By the end of the book she’s created an arsenal of happiness-promoting exercises to conquer negative thinking and create personal change. Read on to learn more about this gifted guru and what she craves.

What is your motto, slogan, or theme song?
Expect Miracles

What’s the best advice you’ve been given?
The best advice I was ever given was from my mother when she told me that meditation would guide me to serenity.

In a past life you were…
A preacher in South America.

How do you get ready to write?
I clean my desk. Then I meditate. Following my meditation I write an outline. I’m a mess without an outline. I turn off my phone and I unplug the Internet. Then I start writing.

What’s a place that inspires you and why?
The place where I’m most inspired is in Abadiania Brazil. I travel to Abadiania, the home of psychic surgeon and spiritual healer John of God. When I am in Brazil with John of God and his team of mediums I feel my strongest sense of inspiration.

What makes you feel most CRAVE – able?
My authenticity. What you see is what you get.

What’s a cause you are passionate about and why?
I feel deeply connected to helping people overcome addiction and more specifically the issue of teenage suicide due to prescription drugs. I am a recovering drug addict and I am very transparent about my sobriety in order to help others recover. I plan to write a book on overcoming addiction in all areas of life.

What makes you laugh so hard you cry?
So many things. I don’t know where to begin…

In 10 years you want to be…
In 10 years I plan to be known as the messenger for happiness for the next generation. I will have a television show and several published books. I will be a mother and dwell in New York City and in a warm weather climate.

Describe yourself in 5 words.
I am spirited, loquacious, alive, connected, love

* This publication was sent to the CRAVEcompany for review

Find Inner Peace in Austin

March 11, 2010 by Melisa M. | Comments (0)

We all have moments… days…weeks… where we get so stressed out we can’t wind down again. Here at CRAVE we are firm believers that every woman needs a place they can go and completely relax and get away from the stress of everyday life. That is why we’ve compiled this list of great places in Austin to find a little inner peace.

Breath & Body Yoga
4800 Burnet Road Suite 440
(512) 374-1021
http://www.breathandbodyyoga.com/

Breath and Body Yoga is Austin’s only contemporary yoga studio which breaks the mold of the traditional yoga practice. From the architectural design by award winning Dick Clark to the dynamic teaching styles of Baron Baptiste and Shiva Rea, Breath and Body Yoga integrates contemporary design, Power Vinyasa Yoga, Prana Vinyasa and Anusara Yoga. They invite you to discover your breath, your body and your yoga practice. Get ready for the practice of a lifetime. Breath & Body offers Group Classes, Private Sessions, Corporate Yoga, Online Classes, Workshops and Bootcamps.

Milk + Honey Spas
204 Colorado Street and 12700 Hill Country Blvd.
512.236.1115
http://www.milkandhoneyspa.com/

milk + honey spas, named Austin’s top day spa by the Austin Chronicle, offer a full range of spa treatments including massages, facials, body treatments, and natural nail therapy in a modern, yet relaxed atmosphere. milk+ honey strives to create a truly relaxing environment where you are pampered and unhurried, it provides treatments using natural and organic ingredients to assist in natural healing processes, and it engages all of your senses where you interact with music and art in addition to the touch of your treatment. The staff is passionate about your relaxation and healing. Some of their special treatments include seasonal packages, skin analysis events and trunk shows, and their customer loyalty program offers exclusive rewards. 

Reform Pilates
3110 Windsor Rd. Ste. A
(512) 236-9595
http://reformpilates.net/index.html

Reform Pilates offers one-on-one training as well as a variety of group class options in a private, exclusive studio environment. They have highly trained and certified instructors that come from a variety of Pilates backgrounds. This gives them the advantage of meeting the needs of all students. They believe highly in continuing education for instructors as well as working with each other on a regular basis to ensure they are meeting the goals of clients every day. Reform also offers many different types of massage including: Sports/Deep Tissue, Neuromuscular, A.R.T. (Active Release Technique), Orthopedic and Pregnancy Massage.

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