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Girl on Top – Book Tour Hits Your Area!

November 3, 2009 by Lilla | Comments (0)

In Girl on Top, career expert Nicole Williams takes 20 tried-and-true dating rules every CRAVE girl knows (and have probably used) such as “Play Hard to Get” and “Don’t Give Away the Milk for Free”—and shows you how to put them to use when the object of your affection is your job. With her ingenious approach—taking the tactics used to land a man and applying them to your career—you’ll be able to handle any work situation and come out on top. Finally, the advice no one else has been willing to tell you, right at your fingertips!

About the Author:
Nicole Williams, the original Girl on Top, is your tell it-like-it-is big sister who happens to be an expert in all things career. As a best selling author and founder of WORKS by Nicole Williams, she has re-defined the world of work—making it glamorous, relevant, and get this—fun!—to modern women who refuse to settle for a less-than-thrilling career. Get more of her advice at nicolewilliams.com.

Upcoming Tour Dates:

11/04 Santa Clara – 2855 Steven’s Creek Boulevard, Santa Clara
11/06 Seattle – 315 S. Center, Seattle
11/09 Vancouver – 788 Robson St., Vancouver
11/11 Minneapolis – 60 West Broadway, Bloomington
11/13 Chicago – 5 Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg
11/17 Boston – 1245 Worcester Road, Natick
11/18 Boston – 250 Granite St., Braintree
11/20 Cherry Hill – 502 Cherry Hill Mall, Cherry Hill
11/23 Washington DC – 1100 South Hayes St., Arlington
11/25 Toronto

Country Living in the Heart of Seattle

July 20, 2009 by Amanda | Comments (0)

There is something so soothing, so refreshing, about life lived in the country. Riding a horse through a field, gardening on an expanse of land, dipping your toes in a fresh stream—one is given the opportunity to experience the peace of fresh air.

Nestled in the heart of Pioneer Square in downtown Seattle lies a store of this raw nature. After entering through the doors of the Noble Horse Gallery (214 1st Avenue S, Seattle, WA 98124), one does indeed “enter into another world”.

Soothing music plays in the background, aesthetically appealing art lines the walls, and quality clothing & accessories fill the store. Heather, owner of Noble Horse, is a horse lover inspired by the elegant nature of equestrian fashions. She aims to provide the urban woman with “timeless, lady-like” garments. The Noble Horse Gallery will dress you in exquisite jackets, Parisian riding boots, English-made gloves, and leather belts imported from Spain. Heather treats her clients like royalty, encouraging them to a lifestyle of elegance and sophistication.

Take a trip into the peaceful essence of Noble Horse Gallery and walk away with a quality product that you will not find anywhere else in the city of Seattle.

Noble Horse Gallery is a participant in CRAVE summer dreams Party August 19th at Teatro ZinZanni’s Spiegeltent.

Launching a Fashion Label in a Recession?

July 17, 2009 by Amanda | Comments (0)

As a new company with a limited budget, it’s understandable that you’re tempted to pinch pennies at the expense of your brand image. Maybe you’ve been putting off certain branding and marketing expenditures. And it’s no wonder—the recent down-ward economic trend has even established luxury brands feeling the pain. In the meantime, retailers are thinking harder about which lines they’re going to carry, as they only have so much money in their buying budget and want nothing but the most value for their dollar. Some are feeling risk averse and may focus strictly on tried and true brands—ones they know they can sell because of a strong emotional connection with their customer and a strong track record. Where does that leave you? As a new brand, you’ll be scrutinized on a microscopic level. Image is everything in this business. If your branding and packaging efforts so far look relatively unprofessional compared to established brands, buyers at market will doubt the quality of your product. Will the product last? Will people be returning it? Buyers may even doubt your ability to deliver the product. And that makes them less likely to take a risk on you and fax in that order.

As a new label just going to market for the first time, how do you convince retail buyers that you are a strong investment? Aside from having a killer line, you need certain sales and marketing tools that are expected when doing business in the fashion world, and your branding, packaging, marketing, and sales efforts have to look as professional, pulled-together, and as crave-worthy as the big boys. And, yes, you can even get it done on a budget. Find consultants who are as passionate about launching your brand as you are. Extra credit? Show retailers that you are committed to helping them sell their line by providing them with sales tools to help them get their customers passionate about your brand. Many fabulous brands have been launched in a down-turn. With a little creativity and a lot of hard work, you’ll be unstoppable. I wish you the best of luck and smashing success!

Giannina Granata Silverman is a branding expert focusing on consumer products in the fashion, health and beauty, food, and entertainment markets. For more brand image advice geared toward start-up fashion businesses, please check out her blog.

Want to hear more? Join us this Sunday for our monthly Coffee Chat our speakers will be Giannina Granata Silverman and Juliet Sander, the topic is: Make it Happen: Strategies for Launching and Growing a Fabulous Fashion, Beauty, Lifestyle or Retail Business. Click here to learn more.

Yaletown Summer Shopathon

July 15, 2009 by Amanda | Comments (0)

Head down to Yaletown, Vancouver BC, for a day of fabulous shopping! Gather your besties and join us for six hours of summer fashions, wicked discounts and specials from over 40 stores, awesome prizes, cool cocktails and drinks, and of course, free swag, just like the celebs.

Where: Yaletown, Vancouver BC
When: Friday, July 17th, 3pm-9pm
Admission: Free, please rsvp yaletown@thestylespy.com

Beyond the Boa: Seattle’s Largest Bachelorette Party

June 2, 2009 by Amanda | Comments (0)

Make history by being a part of Beyond the Boa: Seattle’s Largest Bachelorette Party. And it’s not just any bachelorette party, it’s the new definition of a bachelorette party – where it’s all about creating memories with your girls that you’ll cherish forever, not memories that you won’t remember. CRAVE is excited to be part of this fun girlfirend event, make sure to find us at the event!

Sponsored by A Grand Wedding.com and the Alexis Hotel, your $20 ticket ($25 at the door) includes cocktails, appetizers, mini-spa treatments, private suite tours, psychic readings by chocolate, two DJs and dance floors and a fabulous Swag Bag; plus the chance to win designer purses, one-of-a-kind jewelry, private photo shoots, exclusive spa packages, and once in a lifetime experiences with your girls.

Bid on high-end items in the silent auction (benefiting Brides Against Breast Cancer) or try your luck in the raffle; or shop for celebrity style clutches, scarves, sunglasses and snag some professional beauty products or last-minute wedding items. With over $200 of free products and services right when you walk in the door, ditch Happy Hour for three blissful hours at A Grand Wedding’s Beyond the Boa.

Pertinent Details:
When: Thursday, June 4th, 6-9pm
Where: Alexis Hotel
Tickets: click here

PDXtravaganza – CRAVE Portland Book Launch Party

May 15, 2009 by Amanda | Comments (0)

Our crush is growing… the CRAVE Portland book launch was a blast! DJ Anjali energized the crowd, as did the delicious treats from DRY Soda, Truffle, Mother’s Bistro, Dream Dinners, and Bliss. Relish Design’s sleek space and gorgeous wares reminded us that the addition of one stellar accessory can drastically affect a room (and your mood). View some of the photos below, and check out the rest here.

Click here to learn where you can buy the book.

Sneak Peek – CRAVE Portland Book

May 8, 2009 by Amanda | Comments (0)

Join CRAVE and on May 11th at Relish to celebrate the launch of CRAVE Portland The Urban Girl’s Manifesto. Sip DRY Soda and nosh on treats from: Truffle, Mother’s Bistro, Dream Dinners, and Bliss Cupcakes. Be the first to check out the book!

Event Details
Where: Relish Design
When: Monday, May 11th 7-9pm
Click here to RSVP.

Here is a sneak peek from her interview with Krista Colvin from Organize in Style, one of the many amazing gals featured in the book:

How would you describe your business in 3 adjectives or less?
Functional. Fabulous. Sassy.

What are the most popular or best selling products or services?
Speaking engagements, The Organize in Style Consultation, and The Shebang VIP membership.

People may be surprised to know…
I’m a piler. I’m equal right brain/left brain, and I’ve been known to lock my keys in the car now and then.

What was the inspiration or motivation behind starting your business?
I got antsy being a stay at home mom and turned my ‘domestic diva’ leave from teaching high school into a business helping women keep it together at home and in the office.

Who is your role model or mentor?
Erma Bombeck sprinkled with a little Martha glitter.

How do you spend your free time?
If I’m not at the park with the kidlets, I’m connecting with old friends or drinking coffee with girls.

What is your indulgence?
Coffee, a pair of sassy shoes, and reading a book with my toes in the sand.

CRAVE Portland Book Launch Party May 11th

May 6, 2009 by Amanda | Comments (2)

Join CRAVE and DJ Anjali on May 11th at Relish to celebrate the launch of CRAVE Portland The Urban Girl’s Manifesto. Nosh on treats from: Truffle, Mother’s Bistro, Dream Dinners and Bliss. Be the first to check out the book!

Event Details
Where: Relish Design
When: Monday, May 11th 7-9pm
Click here to RSVP.

About DJ Anjali
With a name like Gitanjali (song offering) you’d think she was born to play records… Made in India, born in Oregon & raised like a gypsy, Anjali (www.anjaliandthekid.com) is a Portland original. Well known as a dancefloor instigator she is equally confident throwing down grime, hiphop & ragga/dancehall. We asked Anjali a few questions to get to know her better:

People may be surprised to know….
That I used to listen to a lot of heavy metal!

What is your passion?
Traveling the world to collect records & bringing them home to dance to…

How did you get into djing?
The incredible kid & I worked together at powell’s. I’d seen him & other boy dj’s at house parties & thought that I could do a better job! So I brazenly asked him if he’d show me how which he did at what became my first gig (a house party). He quickly showed me the set up, went to the bathroom & when he returned everyone was dancing!

Join Seattle’s Fashion Community to Benefit Forgotten Children

April 28, 2009 by Amanda | Comments (0)

Fashion Art Compassion Event (FACE) 2009 presents their second annual charity fashion event in conjunction with Barney’s New York to benefit Sunflower Children. Showcasing designer fashions for Spring/Summer 2009, it will also feature wine tasting hosted by Young’s Columbia, and both a silent and live auction with special emphasis on the art and fashion communities. 100 percent of the net proceeds from the event will benefit the Sunflower Children’s Foundation. Silent Auction items include: Genuine Buddy Scooter, Beauty Portrait Package, An ultimate wine lovers package 2 in Napa Valley, Private dining for 12 at French Bistro Crémant and many more (check it out here).

When: April, 30 2009 at 6:30pm- 10:30pm.
Where: Herban Feast at SoDo Park, 3200 1st Avenue South, Seattle, WA 98134.
Admission: includes hors d’oeuvres, wine tasting, live and silent auction and fashion show. To purchase tickets, visit www.faceseattle.com.

Pull-Quotes from SHOP/09

April 10, 2009 by Amanda | Comments (0)

By beckyblueeyes

We are trying to compress all of the advice we collected from SHOP/09, held last week at the Portland Center for Performing Arts. There is so much! We decided to pull just a few of our favorite quotes from the day:

“Time is your most valuable resource. Guard it carefully.” ~Jackie Babicky, Small Business Advisory Council

“Don’t sell your product. Sell your story.” ~Jen Scott, Maxwell PR

“Stop having sales.” ~Sarah Shaoul, Black Wagon

“You already have an inherent hook, if you’re LOCAL. That’s as good as a gift basket. That’s your in.” ~Laura Gunderson, The Oregonian

“Your brand is bigger than your business!” ~unknown, speaking to Wicked Quick Founder Tarran Pitschka

“I love Twitter. It makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside.” ~Dina Nishioka, Provenance Hotels

“Re-tweeting is a nice way to acknowledge someone else’s tweet. It’s classy and generous.” ~Kent Lewis, Anvil Media

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