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

Babes On Bikes: Buying Used (Part 2 of 3)

March 30, 2009 by Jessica | Comments (0)

Buying a used bike is a great way to get your dream bike without paying a nightmare price. It’s also a great way to recycle while becoming a green commuter!

A great place to start looking for used bikes is your local Craigslist bikes section. The first thing to consider is the size of the bike you are looking for. You should measure your inseam to match it up with the frame size and stand over height, which is usually listed in centimeters but can also be in inches. Make sure the bike you are interested in is the right size before you go look at it.

Next, make sure the bike appears to be in good condition before you waste your time going out for a test ride. If you are unfamiliar with the qualities of various brands of bikes and bike components, don’t be afraid to ask a friend, coworker or family member who knows! You might even bring your bike buddy along to test ride it with you so you know you’re not getting a lemon. When you go for a test ride, make sure the gears shift smoothly, the brakes stop the bike quickly and the seat and riding position is comfortable for you. Don’t pay for the bike until you’ve tested it out and made 100% sure it’s the right bike for you!

Also, don’t be fooled by the word “vintage.” There are many old bikes in good condition out there, but few truly vintage bikes. Often times this is just a way for sellers to trick uninformed buyers into paying too much for a rusty old rattrap. However, don’t be afraid to buy an older bike that is in good condition.

If you aren’t into online searches, check out a reputable second hand store like 2020 in Seattle or The Peddler Bicycle Shop in Austin.

Click here to read part 1 of this series, posted on March 18, 2009.

Bathing Suits for Any Body

March 30, 2009 by Amanda | Comments (0)

Bathing suit season is just around the corner. Time to shape up, tan up, and “suit” up for Spring and Summer. Clueless on what to wear? Take the stress out of finding the perfect suit with these tips on how to draw attention away from your flaws, while accentuating your assets!

	Small on top If you aren’t as busty as you’d like to be, try this Miracle Bra bikini from Victoria’s Secret. Patterned suits with a push up bra will give the illusion of being a bit more top-heavy.
	Thicker midsection If a less-than-toned tummy is your flaw, then the Barcelona from Miraclesuit is the bathing suit for you. Miraclesuits are designed with with a corset type spandex band that pulls you in to give a leaner look.
	Bigger on the bottom Hips, derrier and thighs can be minimized with this Shirred Two Piece Suit from Shape fx. Skirted bottoms are ultra-feminine and can assist in covering up bulges under your bottom and at the top of your thigh.
	Fuller bust If you are bigger on top, opt for this halter one-piece bathing suit from Amalfi. Halter tops with a built in bra give supreme support while flattering the bust area.

Ask A Woman Seminar Series 2-for-1 Tickets

March 27, 2009 by Amanda | Comments (0)

We are constantly looking for ways to further ourselves and are interested in leading fulfilling, productive lives full of meaning, balance, and positivity. The “Ask a Woman” seminar series coming up in April in Vancouver BC is going to be a fab chance to link up with like-minded ladies who CRAVE inspiration and want to learn motivational strategies to help them achieve goals. This event has life changing potential and is not to be missed.

Ask A Woman Events is offering CRAVE readers an AWEsome 2-for-1 Special Ticket Price at $185 each for the AWE 2-Day Women’s Event and Speaker Series!

Go to askawoman.ca for event details or call 604-742-0453 for tickets and information.

Stepping Out of Line by Nell Merlino

March 27, 2009 by Amanda | Comments (1)

I had fun last week visiting Nell Merlino when she came to Seattle for her book reading of Stepping Out of Line at Elliott Bay books. I am a big fan of Nell’s organization, Make Mine a Million Dollar Business.

Click here to watch this video in a new window.

When activist Nell Merlino decides something needs to change, she throws everything she has into changing it. Whether it is raising the visibility of girls or helping women build their microbusinesses into million-dollar enterprises, her many campaigns have helped women make dreams come true. Now she marshals her life lessons, and those of other gutsy entreprenesses, to help women have it their way. Stepping Out of Line is Merlino’s bold manifesto for women to get what they want in their lives, in the arenas of love or work, or in the world at large. Offering practical nuggets like “Google Is a Girl’s Best Friend” and “How to Gain from Complaining,” she shows women how to imagine a bigger life, find support, and stay the course. With stories of other women who have made big changes—from the woman who started the international campaign to ban land mines, to one who opened luxury spas in airports—she inspires readers to “step out of line,” stop waiting, and remake their lives to fit their wildest visions.

Wedding Wonders: Hair and Make-up (Part 1 of 3)

March 27, 2009 by Jessica | Comments (0)

When it comes to your wedding, the difference is in the details. This three-part series will explore wedding photography, bridal hair and make-up, and catering services.

Megan Bingham is a talented Seattle-based entrepreness who owns a fabulous make-up and beauty company, Offwhite. She recently sat down to dish CRAVE-style, about her business and brides.

What was the inspiration behind starting your business?
I am a stay-at-home mother that needed an outlet for my creativity and previously acquired make-up and hair skills. I was also inspired by the natural beauty that a bride represents as opposed to fashion, tv, print, or theater makeup.

Who are your role models and/or mentors?
My greatest mentor is another makeup artist, Meleah who taught me everything I know. I also look up to Erin Skipley. She is one of the most talented people I have ever taken interest in. I regularly check in on the work she has done and the projects she has been a part of. She is a truly brilliant woman!

Describe your style and approach to wedding make-up.
If my style had a name it would be “sexual intelligence.” I believe in subtle enhancement—making a woman look just a bit more noticeable and a touch more seductive without people knowing that anything has really changed at all.

What is the standard cost of a wedding hair and make-up package and what does it entail?
Standard cost for the bride only is $110 for hair, $65 for makeup, and $70 for the hair and makeup trial. The price for makeup service includes airbrush foundation and false eyelash application. For any additional wedding party members the cost is $65 for hair and $45 for makeup.

Do you work internationally? What are your rates for US and destination wedding services?
Yes, I do work internationally. The cost depends on the client, the destination, and the budget they are working within. I am a very flexible person and mindful of my customers’ financial concerns.

What are your clients most apprehensive about?
Money, placing deposits, talking about pricing, leaving tips…

People would be surprised to know…
That I don’t really like wearing makeup and have never colored my hair—I am low maintenance in that regard. On the other hand, I have an enormous shoe collection and an extensive wardrobe. It’s my feminine trade off!

What is your favorite place to go with your girlfriends?
Seattle’s Vessel, for girl talk and the best cocktails in the US.

Win Two Tickets to “Wishful Drinking” at the Seattle Repertory Theatre

March 26, 2009 by Amanda | Comments (0)

Let Hollywood legend Carrie Fisher take you on a hilarious, shocking and totally true ride through her own Hollywood party… and hangover. With the same unflinching wit that made her book Postcards from the Edge a bestseller, Fisher dishes on her unbelievable life: Debbie Reynolds is her mother, Paul Simon was her husband (for a while), and in between battling addiction and vacationing in various mental institutions, she happened to star in a little film called Star Wars. Fisher’s tale is a tabloid vivant the Los Angeles Times calls a “Beverly Hills yard sale of juicy anecdotes.”

Pertinent Details:
Wishful Drinking
created and performed by Carrie Fisher
directed by Tony Taccone
Bagley Wright Theatre at The Seattle Repertory Theatre
April 2 – May 3, 2009
Click here to read more about the show.

Special CRAVEcrush readers offer:
The first person to send an email to crave [at] craveparty [dot] com wins two tickets to Wishful Drinking! Just be sure to put “Wishful Drinking Tickets” in the subject line.

Photos from SHOP Symposium/09 in Seattle

March 26, 2009 by Amanda | Comments (0)

We had so much fun at Monday’s SHOP Symposium/09 in Seattle! We are looking forward to the upcoming SHOP events in Vancouver (Monday March 30) and Portland (Monday April 6).

Here are some photos from the Seattle event. Click on a photo to enlarge it.

Road Range: Ideas for a Budget Family Getaway

March 25, 2009 by Jessica | Comments (0)

Seeking a low-cost family vacation for spring? A recent Road and Travel magazine article provided some fantastic tips for a budget road trip. We love the idea of roughin’ it on the open road!

Driving vacations allow families to select scenic destinations that are nearby, reducing time spent in transit and fuel costs. In fact, the RV Industry Association says that a family of four can save up to 65 percent on a camping road trip, compared to other vacations, such as taking a cruise or traveling by plane.

“Families that are starved for quality time together don’t have to take a three-week trek,” says Jim Rogers, president and CEO of KOA, Kampgrounds of America, the world’s largest system of family campgrounds. “Parents and grandparents can plan several weekend trips close to home, yet still enjoy an authentic camping experience and save money too.”

The size of the camping travel market in North America may be larger than you think. Private campgrounds accommodate 107 million overnight stays each year, and two-thirds of U.S. campers are RVers, according to KOA’s comprehensive market research.

“People are prioritizing how they spend money,” says Jim Lawrence of the Manchester Beach KOA, located three hours’ drive north of San Francisco. “I’ve noticed an increased interest in families spending time together. If this is your priority and it costs $8 more for fuel this year, you’re still going to take that RV camping trip.”

Despite higher gas prices, RV sales continue to climb on the rising tide of retiring baby boomers and their appetite for active leisure time. There are more than 7 million RVs on the road in North America, and seven out of 10 RV owners surveyed by the RV Industry Association say they plan to use their RVs more this season, compared to last year.

For those families planning to hit the road this year, the camping experts at KOA offer these common-sense tips for saving even more while on a camping vacation:

1. Tune up for the trip
Vehicles that are well-maintained reduce fuel consumption. While you’re on the road, conserve fuel by driving at a steady speed, ensuring that tires are properly inflated and reducing the use of your air conditioner.

2. Kiss the cook
Plan to cook many of your own meals rather than always dining at restaurants. Not only does this strategy save money, but it also allows children to participate. Use this as an opportunity to come up with some creative campfire recipes that are fun for all.

3. Pack the pet
One in three campers takes a pet, according to KOA’s research. Most campgrounds welcome four-legged friends and even offer designated “dog walk” areas. Pets are part of the family, and bringing them along saves on boarding costs. Keep your pet’s safety in mind while on the road, and be sure not to leave pets unattended or inside hot vehicles.

4. Take a hike
Rather than pay for costly entertainment, stop at a state park or national monument. Ask the experts to recommend a day hike that matches your interests and fitness level. Get your entertainment and your exercise!

5. Rent an RV
This is an excellent suggestion for those who don’t own RVs but may enjoy this method of travel. Many of North America’s resort areas are accessible by RV and can be enjoyed at a lesser per-night cost.

Ever rented an RV with your family? Dish details here!

Four-legged Frenzy: Our Fav Boutique Pet Shops

March 23, 2009 by Jessica | Comments (2)

Share your bed with your pooch? Splurge on pet extravagances like massages and manicures? Not afraid to wear a sweater that matches your K-9’s? It is ok to be pet obsessed! We go to great lengths to ensure our pets’ happiness, and love to spoil them rotten. Here is a sampling of some of the most exciting spots we have found so far:

Since 1988, Mud Bay Natural Dog and Cat Foods has been helping people choose healthy foods, supplements, and supplies for their dogs and cats. They carry over 500 unique formulas of dog and cat food.

From kibble to cashmere, Bow Wow Meow in San Francisco combines the product selection of a pet food store with that of a pet boutique. Pet grooming is available seven days a week, and they always strive to keep both pets and pet guardians comfortable. They offer training classes, vaccine clinics, teeth cleaning, and adoption fairs.

For pets with discriminating taste, Austin’s Dogadillo has a wide assortment of food bowls, chic pet carriers, toys, training products and more. Dogadillo’s monthly “Yappy Hour” offers wine and appetizers, treat samples, in-store specials, raffle prizes, and guest experts to answer pet related questions.

Barker and Meowsky is a Chicago-based ‘paw firm’ that offers the latest styles in pet couture. They carry a huge selection of exclusive dog apparel, beds, collars, harnesses, leads, cat furniture and pet carriers, and can help you find the perfect product to match your personal style or even your home’s décor.

Portland’s Furever Pets strives to treat you and your furry friends like family. They believe you and your pets deserve the best so they carry only premium pet foods and treats, fun toys, stylish pet apparel, and unique accessories. You’ll be thrilled with the products they carry and the personalized service they offer.

What is your favorite pet splurge?

6 Ways to Save Money and Time on Design and Branding

March 23, 2009 by Amanda | Comments (1)

1. Identify your brand attributes
These are words that describe your company and the most important traits you want to communicate. Having an initial brainstorm of your attributes prepared provides valuable direction to the visual process.

2. Think about who you are speaking to and why
As you execute your brand through various applications, you will have different goals for each target audience. This is especially true with promotional pieces and advertising, but is also important when thinking about your website, and how different audiences will navigate through your content. So before you can effectively communicate with your audience, it will be critical to understand who they are and what they care about.

3. Find examples
Start the design process by showing the designer other things you love. This can be in the form of other websites, logos, brochures, books, wallpaper samples, textures, colors and even clothing. These items should capture the aesthetic essence or tone of the piece you are trying to create.

4. Do your own research
From a design perspective, doing your own image research can be a huge time-saver. Using stock image sites to search for images, rather than the internet, is far more productive because what you find on stock sites is actually usable (and things residing on other people’s sites often are not.) Most stock image sites have both photos and illustrations available to search through using key words, and most offer a “lightbox” feature where you can save all the images you want to share with your designer. (Examples: www.istockphoto.com, www.veer.com, www.dreamstime.com, www.gettyimages.com) Doing your own research on your competition, your market, your industry, etc. can also be a big time- and money-saver.

5. Build your site in a Content Management System
A Content Management System (CMS) gives you the ability to update the majority of your web content yourself, without hiring a programmer each and every time you want to make a change. Because most blogging platforms are also a CMS, this will also give you the ability to integrate a blog into your site and manage that as well.

6. Know your rights
Some designers state that they retain the rights to your final files, making it nearly impossible for you to use other designers in the future or create future designs based on their initial work. Find someone who gives you the rights to all of your files and the ability to get those files if you need them. This is also important when negotiating rights with commissioned photographers or purchasing stock images—always make sure that you won’t be paying each time you use an image.

This guest post was contributed by branding expert and design whiz Bridget Gailey of bg|creative.

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