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

Find your Winning Red (or White) at The Wine Bottega in Boston

April 30, 2010 by Aubry | Comments (0)

For Kerri Platt of The Wine Bottega in Boston, wine is a way of life!  With a selection from “the coolest, craziest, happiest winemakers on the planet,” Kerri and crew bring you a tasty and unique range of wines from all over the globe!  Whether you’re a sucker for wine from Spain, Germany or Austria, red or white, The Wine Bottega is sure to have something you’ll CRAVE. If you aren’t sure what you are after, don’t worry!  Kerri and her staff are always happy to share their expertise.  Now that’s something to raise a glass to!  Learn more about Kerri below and head on over to The Wine Bottega today!

How would you describe your business in exactly three adjectives?
Unexpected, Intelligent, Adventurous

People may be surprised to know…
I heart box wine.

Who is your role model or mentor?
Julia Child, she wasn’t afraid to be herself and was so full of life!

Where is your favorite place to go with your girlfriends?
Chinatown! I moved there a year ago and still discovering amazing places.

What do you CRAVE? In business? In life?
Change, friendship, sincerity, bringing a little slice of happiness to others whenever I can, and more wine of course.

For more information on The Wine Bottega visit thewinebottega.com or head over in person at 341 Hanover Street.

Put a Spring in you Step with these Fresh Salads!

April 28, 2010 by Aubry | Comments (0)

It’s spring and everything is green! With the entire world fresh and flowering, it’s time to add a few sprigs of spring to your own life. When you CRAVE a little bit of greenery, we’ve got just the places for you. Check out these Boston area salad spots – they’ll always keep you munching and coming back!

Channel Cafe - channel-cafe.com

When it’s time to change your channel – slow down, take a break and nourish your body, this cool cafe has just what you need – “local, good, real food!”  Ana Crowley delivers only the freshest ingredients to Bostonians at her cozy cafe.  We CRAVE the Sweet Pear and Apple Salad with Gorgonzola dressing and the Roasted Butternut Squash Salad with pistachio crumbs.  Head on over to Channel Cafe to find the perfect salad for you!

UpStairs on the Square – upstairsonthesquare.com

Join Mary-Catherine and Deborah as they share their impeccable taste and love for only the finest recipes at UpStairs on the Square.  With selections for the meat-lovers and vegetarians alike, this duo sure knows how to dine in style with a Monday Club Bar, Soiree Dining Room and Afternoon Tea menus.  We can’t stop thinking about the Siena Farm’s Mesclun Greens with a “Sliver of Green Garlic & Local Goat Cheese Tartlet” and the Citrus Salad with “Boston Bibb Lettuce, Pink Navel Oranges & Pistachio Vinaigrette.”  We’re getting hungry just thinking about it!

Bin 26 Enoteca – bin26.com

Azita Bina-Seibel and her brother, Babak Bina are masters of freshness and flavor at their Beacon Hill Italian restaurant, Bin 26 Enoteca.  With a wide selection of wine and delectable dishes, the fun is in choosing as much as eating!  We totally CRAVE the Mixed Green Salad with Crispy Parmesan and the Baby Spinach Salad with Grilled Chicken, Nicoise Olives and Cherry Tomatoes.  What’s not to love?  Fresh, flavorful and good for you too!  You’ll always be in good hands at Bin 26 Enoteca.

Spring Eating for your Healthy Body

April 26, 2010 by Nicole S. | Comments (0)

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.

Go on Girl, Light Your Fire: The Fire Starter Sessions

April 23, 2010 by Nicole S. | Comments (0)

Danielle LaPorte is all about keepin’ it real. She believes in telling it like it is, and is an avid believer in feminine power. Her latest project, “The Fire Starter Sessions” is an e-book for entreprenesses that comes with video and worksheets to help you get the most out of each sizzling session. The root of Danielle’s theory- which every woman can appreciate– is that our actions are driven by desired feelings. What other remarkable wisdom does she have to offer? We asked her a few questions to gain some insight on what really drives her and why her new book is so rockin’.

Once you let Danielle get you jazzed about your own inspiration, you lucky CRAVE ladies can pre-order a copy of the “Fire Starter Sessions” right now! Just click here.

You give people inspiring advice about following their passions in life, what sparked your own “ah-ha” moment?

It was more of a series of soul-sucking moments and gigs than an “a-ha” moment. But it all added up to creative sovereignty. My voice, my time, my way of being of service.

What makes the “Fire Starter Sessions” distinct from other programs for entrepreneurs?

It’s about rocking your revenue streams and doing meaningful things in the world. It’s as much about self-realization as it is about hard core strategy.
Each chapter is it’s own “Fire Starter Session” that includes: e-book components, video inspiration or interviews, and worksheets. Some of the sessions are: True Strengths & The Metrics of Ease; Branding: Clarifying the Diamond of You; Products & Services: Making Stuff That Feels Good to Make; Money: More is More, Enough is Plenty; Web Design & SEO: Your Virtual Real-Estate…Whether you’re in the early idea phase or a rut, it’s about lighting a fire under your…aspirations.

Summarize your teachings into a motto for how you/to live your life.

Your truth is worth it.

Would you give the same advice to a female business owner as you would give to a male?

Yes. But a woman is more likely to take it.

How would you describe your number one strength?

Deep listening. I also build a mean campfire and write bad poetry – which I consider an endearing strength.

Why do you believe it is that so many people do not choose their career path based on their true passions?

Profoundly wanting to belong. That will never change. On top of that deep driving psychology, we pile on social “norms” like dress codes and executive titles, salary structures, everything the goddamn Jonses are doing, and the popularity contest that is social media itself, and well, it’s the makings of an identity crisis.
If can you tune out the noise of “how-to” and “10 steps” and “proven tactics” you will be able to hear your own spidey senses: genuine, sincere, with great reflexes, and it will tell you that you are the expert on you — and you know what lights your fire.

What has been your most rewarding experience with a client?

One of my favorite results of working with any client is helping them decide what they’re going to STOP doing. It makes me giddy. It often goes like this: I’m going to STOP…being the administrator. Worrying so much. Under-selling myself. Checking Twitter obsessively. Feeling the pressure to be so successful. I’m going to stop using my cousin as my web-designer.

It’s freeing for everyone. And freedom is the best part of being an entrepreneur.

Still want more? Order your very own copy of the complete “Fire Starter Sessions” by clicking here. You can also learn more about all of Danielle’s endeavors on her website, whitehottruth.com.

Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth with Harvard Street Boutique!

April 23, 2010 by Aubry | Comments (0)

Have a sweet tooth this spring?  Then head to your computer and check out Harvard Sweet Boutique (harvardsweetboutique.com), where you’re sure to find something sugary you CRAVE.  Susan George and crew create confections from scratch – so everything is guaranteed fresh!  The goodies aren’t the only thing that’s sweet.  The Harvard Sweet Boutique knows the perfect presentation is paramount, with whimsical packaging that is as much art as the tasty morsels inside!  When Susan and crew say they have “Sweets for All Occasions,” you better believe it.  What student wouldn’t CRAVE “The Royal Brownie Treatment” in one of Harvard Sweet’s College Care Packages? What Nantucket fiesta would be complete without a polka-dot packaged Crab Bake centerpiece? Right now we CRAVE the “Take Me Out to the Ballgame Tower” in the Kevin Youkilis Hits for Kids Collections – it’s sure to be a grand slam in any little or big baseball lovers life!  Head online and find the sweetest seduction for you!  In the meantime, learn more about Susan – confection connoisseur!

How would you describe your business in exactly three adjectives?
Whimsical, Unique, Gourmet

What are your most popular products or services?
Our cookie and brownie assortments are most popular because you can sample some of each!

What or who inspired you to start your business?
My goal was to create a HIGH QUALITY, handcrafted unique gift that provided an alternative to flowers.

Where is your favorite place to go with your girlfriends?
Any place where we can comfortably hang out and have good food, a glass of wine, and a lot of laughs.

What do you CRAVE? In business? In life?
Happiness for my family and my friends.

Get Your Passport to Style with In Full Force

April 22, 2010 by Aubry | Comments (2)

What: Passport to Style
Who: In Full Force (IFF)
Where: Cambridgeside Galleria, 100 CambridgeSide Place, Cambridge
When: April 29, 5-8pm

More information: Passport to Style

Get your style sense on the road with IFF’s “Passport to Style.”  The team at IFF sure knows how to put on a sizzling show.  We already CRAVE the “Fashion in Bloom” preview of the chicest styles for the spring and summer with Lydia Santangelo of TESstylist.  With your $20 donation, you’ll score a VIP opportunity to “shop, sip & save” with cocktails, discounts at your favorite, fabulous Boston area retailers as well as a sweet bag of swag with glamorous goods.  Get your passport ready – you may be headed somewhere exotic if you score one of the event’s tantalizing travel prizes.

So head down to Cambridgeside Galleria in full force with the girls.  It’s sure to be an entertaining evening of “fashion, beauty, friends and philanthropy.”  We can’t think of a better combination – Doing good, looking good and feeling good with your friends.  Now that sounds like a night on the town!

Score Spring Fashions From These Blissful Boutiques

April 21, 2010 by Aubry | Comments (1)

It’s time to step out of hibernation and score some of the hottest trends in the process.  Whether it’s a cute new suit you’re after, a to-die-for dress or a classy clutch, you’re sure to find something to satisfy your style at these these Boston area boutiques.  Read on for some of the looks we CRAVE.  We promise,  these gorgeous trends are bound to put a spring in your step!

Cibeline - cibelinesariano.com

Cibeline Sariano is a world traveler with worldly design experience and world-class style.  She shares her vision with Bostonians at her Beacon Hill boutique.  We’re totally in love with her Lexington Reversible Wrap Dresses for spring.  Snag one in your shade of choice and you’ll be living in it long after spring and summer simmer away.  Step into Cibeline’s shop and her dreams will soon become yours.  Be sure to check out Cibeline’s second annual “Fashionably Late” Fashion Show at the Liberty Hotel on Thursday, May 13th to see and score spring’s sweetest styles!

Crush - shopcrushboutique.com

Okay, we admit it.  We have a crush on Laura and Rebecca of Crush Boutique in Beacon Hill.  Whether you’re after the perfect spring jacket, jewelry or handbags, these girls knows just what is takes to secure a sizzling ensemble.  We’re flocking to the Parker Cami Dress in Ditsy Floral and the Fornash Flower Earrings in blue.  With plenty of accessories to choose from, you can never go wrong when you’ve got Crush.  So head on over today and start crushing on the hottest spring styles of your choice!

J. Mode - jmodefashions.com

Get in the spring style mode with J. Mode Fashions in Salem.  Janet Barsanti and her crew are sure to set you up with the styles you CRAVE.  Whether you’re a casual chic kind of gal or a lover of luxury and jamming jewelry, J. Mode has got you covered.  We can’t stop thinking about all the possibilities from Trina Turk, Nicole Miller and Susan Monaco.  Be sure to sign up for J. Mode’s mailing list to receive a 25% coupon for the month of April!  Like the style, the fashionable activity is always current at J. Mode.  You’re sure to be pleased with what you see from this gem of a boutique in the mirror and out and about in the community.

To Create or Not to Create?

April 19, 2010 by Lynn Edwards | Comments (0)

Have you ever been asked, “Are you a creative person?” I have and I always answer “no” because I can’t even print my name straight. To me, “creative” people are my friends in girl scouts that turned the colored pipe-cleaners into a ride at Disneyland, or my friend who paints scenery so amazing you want to jump into the picture.

The idea of “arts & crafts” give me hives; I have always viewed myself as creatively challenged (at least that’s what my second grade teacher called it when she saw the drawing of my house and asked if it was my dog). My Mom and sisters are amazingly gifted, my Mom can look at a lamp shade and think, “That would make an amazing centerpiece for the Cinco de Mayo party,” and it does. My little sister is an architect and shapes the Denver skyline with her genius. My oldest sister busted out four blank canvases recently and whipped up living room art that could be displayed at The Met. I can speak in public no problem, play through on a golf course full of men easy, but put a blank canvas in front of me and I am paralyzed with fear, let alone four.

However, I have learned that “creativity” takes many forms and all of us have some creative gift to offer the world. It’s not really a question to create, but rather a question of whether you will allow yourself to let your creativity flow through you into the world. I have always had a burning desire to make pottery; I would be so Demi Moore in Ghost, but I’m too afraid I wouldn’t even be able to make a cereal bowl. Fear is what stumps our creativity, there’s nothing scarier than putting your creativity out in the world and having a teacher say, “Is that your puppy?”

Creativity is a funny thing! I find myself most creative in the shower or the bathroom…what’s with that? Superman had a phone booth, I have the ladies lounge. At board meetings, I run to the bathroom and always come back with the break through solution to our challenge. My friends now know that when I come back from the restroom and say, “Guess what I was thinking”, they strap in for something amazing. When I have a problem to figure out, I take a shower. There’s something about that water flowing over my brain that interrupts the normal chatter and makes way for a creative breakthrough. I’ve gone through many laptops trying to write this column in the shower!

I have three books in the works, one for business, a funny one with my life stories, and of course a great fiction with a “hoochie” heroine who has a fling with the UPS man. I read a quote recently that I loved, it said, “Good girls want to have fun, bad girls make sure they do!” The leading lady in my novel is one of those bad chicks.

Spring is an amazing time of creation, look around, that dirt pile you’ve been passing along your drive now has a rainbow of colors bursting out of it. The birds are chiming in and adding their song to the season. My neighbor kids drew a cute picture on my car hood in the pollen dust. It’s time to wake up your creative juices and let them fly. Don’t miss a chance to show the world what’s growing under your dirt pile, take a nice long shower and come out and CREATE!

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?

Share Your Sass with lolagraceEVENTS

April 17, 2010 by Aubry | Comments (0)

Rachael Gross of lolagraceEVENTS is a boutique event planner with sass and style that’s her very own.  While many others plan weddings for brides who have been dreaming of their special days for decades, Gross, who goes by her alter-ego, lolagrace, loves working with the “non-traditional” “anti-bride” who is “looking to throw a party, not a bouquet!”  Gross bring her creative spirit and focus on fun to night life planning events as well.

On April 18 at noon, be sure to check out the lolagraceEVENTS wannabeLOLITA casting call in the basement of Sanctuary, located at 189 State Street.  If you know how to work hard and play hard, have what it takes to strut your stuff, love to share your sassy but classy personality with the world and CRAVE the spotlight – share your shine – you might just be one of the ten LOLITAS in the lolagraceEVENTS fashion performance team.  For more on the brains and spunk behind Rachael, lolagrace herself, read on!

How would you describe your business in exactly three adjectives?
Fearless. Reliable. Creative.

What are your most popular products or services?
Nightlife Entertainment that integrates fashion, music, and philanthropy – The lolagraceLOLITAS! And of course, wedding planning for the Anti-Bride!

People may be surprised to know…
lolagrace is my alter-ego…

What or who inspired you to start your business?
My Nana – she accidentally taught me to stop dreaming and to start doing. So, I am doing.

Who is your role model or mentor?
I’m inspired, motivated, and grounded by many different people in my life!

How do you spend your free time?
Work is play and play is work.  If I’m able to break away from either of those two, I spend time snuggling with my two beautiful nephews!

What is your indulgence?
Denim. Gourmet Pizza. Spa Services.

Where is your favorite place to go with your girlfriends?
Avila, Stoddards, & Alibi!

What do you CRAVE? In business? In life?
The opportunity to entertain – in business & in life!

For more on lolagraceEVENTS visit lolagraceevents.com.

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