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

Hound Happiness

April 1, 2011 by jocelyn | Comments (0)

We all love to get away from the hustle and bustle of our daily lives and slip away for some rest and don’t forget pampering.  Now however our favorite four legged companions can do so as well.  The Urban Hound Hotel on Malden St in Boston, aids in a worry free vacation.  Even if you are not getting away at the moment, but do feel like your dog isn’t getting enough exercise while you’re in the office, the Urban Hound offers a great dog walking program.  With different options available and the choice of group or individual walks, your pup will be prancing with happiness.  The same employee at the Urban Hound Hotel will also walk your dog each time, so your dog won’t have to adapt to a new person during every stroll.
If you are just getting a new puppy and still sweating the housebreaking, the Urban Hound Hotel offers puppy kindergarten.  A six-week program that has classes that aid in housebreaking, proper socialization, handling exercises, and preventing bad habits.
To learn more about all these amazing programs and to see the new 8500 square foot hotel that offers the latest in animal care innovations and technologies. Join the Urban Hound Hotel staff on April 1st 2011, for their grand opening champagne toast from 5-8.  If you can’t make it, all weekend they are having tours of the facility from 10-4.

The Savas Sisters’ Studio

February 9, 2011 by Jennifer Saphier Whitman | Comments (0)

When two sisters put their passions together a picture perfect dream can come true.  Savas Studios is owned by the charismatic sister team of Christine Savas, a makeup artist and Stephanie Savas, a photographer. The Savas sisters dream of owning their own studio began in their parent’s basement in Connecticut. Their love and passion for producing photo shoots brought the sisters from Connecticut to the North End.  Their new North End location has afforded this dynamic duo even more opportunities and they recently opened a retail boutique. Their boutique offers the newest trends in women’s clothing, hand made jewelry and original art and photography.

Find out more about the Savas sisters!

How would you describe your business in exactly three adjectives?
Captivating. Ardent. Unique.

What is your indulgence?
Our indulgences are shopping, wine, and fondue.

What do you CRAVE? In business? In life?
We CRAVE success and happiness in our business and in life.

Join the sisters, CRAVE Boston, and the Etc. Clothing Line tonight, Feb. 9th for a fabulous event. Picture Yourself In Spring combines the sisters’ love of photography, fashion, food, and fun.

Ten Tips for Getting the Best Wedding Photos

January 14, 2011 by Leise Jones Smyrl | Comments (0)

“Getting Ready” pictures are fun – but not without makeup on.

The pictures before the actual wedding – when she’s zipping up her dress, he’s straightening his tie, and she’s putting on jewelry – are wonderful memories.  But before everyone’s makeup is on, hair is done and suits are pressed, the pictures can be a little…alarming.  Have your photographer arrive about 30 minutes prior to “go-time” and make sure you look your best when she arrives to capture those last minute details.

Consider taking formal pictures ahead of time.

Many couples still treasure the tradition of not seeing each other before the ceremony.  But if you and your fiancée are flexible, consider taking your formal pictures FIRST – before any tears have been shed, while your hair and makeup are fresh and when you’re not rushed.  Doing formals first is a great icebreaker and ensures that you can enjoy every moment of the cocktail party!

Make sure you carve out time for you and your sweetie to take pictures – alone.

Obligatory formal portraits are a must, but don’t forget to carve out at least 20 minutes for you and your sweetie to be photographed without family hovering in the background.  You can do this during the formal pictures time, or you can step out during the reception.  One way or another, find a quiet place where you can be alone (with your photographer, of course) and where you can let your happiness and love flow.  Those are the sweetest pictures and the ones you will treasure the most.

Allow at least an hour for formal pictures.

You will be frazzled on your wedding day.  You’ll be nervous and stressed and overwhelmed.  So don’t rush the formal pictures.  It will only stress you out more to have to cut them short.  And your photographer needs time – to get the right light, the right background and the right poses.  So plan at least one hour for family pictures; 40 for your family and 20 for you and your new wife/hubby.

Plan out your formal family pictures ahead of time.

To help make formal pictures go smoothly, plan them carefully.  A month before the wedding, sit down with your fiancĂ©e and make a list of every combination of family to be photographed.  For example: “Matt and Sarah with Matt’s parents…Matt with his parents…Matt with his brothers…Sarah with her sisters…Sarah with Aunt Judy…”  Line by line, this will make formal picture time a breeze and you won’t have to make any decisions in the moment.

Dance together!

The first dance, father-daughter dance, and mother-son dance make for tender, loving photographs and work best when the two people are dancing close together.  Remember, we’re going for romantic and sweet here.  Dance cheek to cheek.  Kiss a little.  Look into each other’s eyes.  Laugh.  Hold each other close. Pictures are sweeter and more romantic the closer you are.

Use dinnertime as photo time (but don’t forget to eat!)

It’s common for the mew couple to visit each table during dinner, greet guests and pose for pictures.  This is a great time for your photographer to get group shots of you and your friends.  Make sure your photographer is following you as you make the rounds and you’ll get a photo with nearly every guest.

Front-load photography if possible.

Sometimes, after there’s been an open bar for 5 hours, the end of the night can be a bit…messy. People drink more, your hair comes down, your dress gets dirty.  Once dinner ends and the real party begins, you only need up to 2 hours of “party pictures.” Front-load the important things (cake, traditional dances, toasts) and let your photographer leave before you and your friends get too down and dirty.

Assume that your wedding will run behind schedule – and plan with your photographer accordingly.

Weddings are big productions and are likely to run behind; assume that yours will.  Don’t plan to cut the cake at 9:45 and have the photographer leave at 10.  It’s not gonna happen.  As a rule of thumb, don’t plan anything too close to the end of the night; if you run late you may end up rushing or being forced to sacrifice special pictures.

Try not to pose…too much.

Your photographer is going to get a mix of formal and candid shots, so be just that!  Be formal sometimes and candid a lot of the time.  When you’re on the dance floor, with your friends, laughing at the bar, and dancing with Grandpa, don’t look at the camera.  We want to see the essence of your happiness, so “act natural,” and try ignoring the camera if you can.

Taking Better Pictures – Whether You’re the Photographer or the Subject!

December 22, 2010 by Leise Jones Smyrl | Comments (0)

The holidays are approaching, which means its time to prepare for pictures! The next few weeks presents lots of photo opportunities.  Whether you’re in front of or behind the camera, here are some tips to make sure your holiday pictures come out top notch.

When you’re the photographer

Use the modes on your camera

While they work pretty well in “auto-pilot”, point-and-shoot cameras have a lot more versatility than most people realize.  Every camera offers shooting modes that tell your camera to make adjustments so that the picture comes out right.  Learn them and use them:

• Close up mode (a little flower):  This makes your camera focus on very small things very close up – within 6 inches.
• Portrait mode (a person): This is for taking pictures of people.  Great for indoor and outdoor settings of the kids.
• Landscape mode (a mountain): Use this when you’re taking pictures of far away scenes like the tree on the Boston Common or a snowy hillside.
• Night/Indoor mode (a person with a moon or star, or a party hat): For taking pictures inside or outside at night, or in any low-light situation.

Get high, get low, get the right angle
Most of us are conditioned to take pictures with the camera at our eye level, about 5 1/ feet off the ground.  But kids and pets are small, so squat down and take the picture from THEIR eye level.   Families gathered around the dinner table are large, so stand on a chair and get everyone’s face in the picture.  Use different angles and you’ll be surprised!

Choose a plain background
Holidays can be busy and loud – your pictures don’t have to be. Before you push the shutter button, look at the background.  Are there toys all over the place?  Does the Christmas tree look like its growing out of your husband’s head?  If so, move the shot to a place with a quieter background, or move the clutter.  Plain backgrounds will make your subjects stand out.

Know your flash’s limit
Most on-camera flashes only have a range of about 10 feet, so if you’re far away and in dim lighting, your pictures won’t look great. Is your kid on stage in the school holiday concert? Forget about it – there is no way your flash from 100 feet away is going to light her sweet face.  You might get lucky with a bright external light, but as a general rule for flash photography, stay within 10 feet of the subject.

Get closer
A lot of times, you should be within 10 feet anyway, so get closer!  Photographing your kid on Santa’s lap?  Why do you need to get the chair, the floor and the bored-looking elves? Crop in so that the picture is of Santa and little Tommy – all of those other details are just noise and often not necessary.

Be bossy!
Take a cue from the pros: when you have the camera, you’re the boss.  When most people get in front of the camera they freeze and smile blankly.  So make the picture.  Arrange people, tell them where to stand, tell them what to do with their hands, tell them to keep their eyes open. Your friends will appreciate your direction, and you’ll appreciate it when the picture looks right.

When you’re the subject

Turn your head and/or body slightly to one side
Nothing makes you look flatter and wider than being photographed straight on, so just angle a little bit.  Either turn your shoulders or your face so you’re at a 45-degree angle to the camera.  Slight turns will give you curves in the right places, make you look thinner and ensure that your nose is neither too flat nor too pointy.

Know which is your “better side” – and stick to it!
The photographer doesn’t know from which side you look best – only you do.  We all have strong opinions about how we look the best, so know from which direction you prefer to be photographed and remember to pose yourself accordingly.

Keep your eyes open
Closed eyes ruin a picture, and if there is a flash going off, it’s awfully hard to keep them open all the time.  But you must!  When you’re being photographed, force yourself to keep your eyes open until you’re sure the shot is done.

Just get in the picture
With the exception of professional models, few people like having their picture taken.  But it’s the holidays!  So stop complaining and just get in the picture.  In time you will only smile at the memories.  Also if you’re always taking the pictures, have someone else shoot for a little while. Get. In. The. Picture.  We all want to see your beautiful face!

Who Do You Buy With?

August 6, 2010 by Jennifer Saphier Whitman | Comments (0)

I CRAVE deals, trying new places, and sharing my finds with friends.  BuyWithMe lets me discover and share it all!

BuyWithMe is a community buying website that fills you in and lets you try new  restaurants, spas, salons, and events by offering a new huge discount each day.  The deals typically save you between 50% and 90% off your meal, shopping purchase, or event ticket.   CRAVE Boston favorites such as Harvard Sweet Boutique, Kickass Cupcakes,  Moxie, Rouge Cosmetics, Velvet Fly, Habit, and In-jean-ius have already been featured.  Today’s deal features CRAVE Boston business Coven.  You can purchase $40 worth of dine-in food, drinks, and sweets for only $20 or $20 of take-out food, drinks, and sweets from their specialty market for only $10!

As an entrepreneur myself, I’m fasinated by new business concepts.  I have been a fan of BuyWithMe for sometime and have purchased more than a few of their deals.  I was intrigued, had some questions, and had to learn more!

How did it all begin?

BuyWithMe was founded in May 2009 by Boston-based entrepreneur, Andrew Moss.   Since then we’ve expanded quickly and now have over 60 staff nationwide.  We plan to be in 20 cities by the end of the year. Our CEO as of April 2010 is Cheryl Rosner, formally President of TicketsNow and Expedia Corporate Travel and recently named “25 Most Influential People in Travel” by Business Travel News.

What are some of BuyWithMe’s unique features?

We are working on new features all the time.  We make it very easy for our members to share deals with their friends through social networks (FB = BuyWithMeBoston Twitter = @BuyWithMeBos).  We have also added a refer a friend feature.  Referring friends is a great way to get a $10 credit in your account.   We love feedback and encourage Crave readers to tell us what merchants they’d like to see featured on BuyWithMe.

What benefit do you offer the businesses that you partner with?

We work with the top local merchants in every city we are in and we’re always looking for the hottest places and experiences to feature on our site.  Merchants love working with us because we connect them with a lot of new customers in a short time period.  They also benefit from repeat customers, referrlas, and new media buzz.

Are there any fantastic new deals coming our way that you can tell us about?

Keep your eyes peeled for a deal featuring  CRAVE Boston Business JMode!

How do I sign up?

To purchase today’s deal featuring Coven and take a look at what other deals BuyWithMe is offering check out our website.  To make sure you never miss a deal sign-up for Buy With Me’s daily email.

Party Planning Perfection

July 9, 2010 by Suzanne N. | Comments (0)

Achieved Maid-of-Honor status? Congrats! Now its time to plan the perfect bachelorette party! Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered! Check out our favorite Boston bachelorette party and gift ideas!

Party Favors Party Favors in Brookline is your one-stop destination for all party supplies. Whether you are party planning a lovely bridal shower or a wild bachelorette party, they have everything you’ll need for a festive celebration. Let their cake catalog spark your imagination and order the custom cake of your dreams, with flavors and fillings and flowers galore!

Orange Nail Studio Every CRAVE gal loves to be pampered… especially one trying to do it all while planning a wedding! Give your busy bride the gift of relaxation! Even better, join her! Get side-by-side mani/pedis at Orange Nail Studio in Beverly. In a hurry? Get the express manicure. Ready to rejuvenate? Try the orange passion manicure!

Sweet and Nasty Looking to add a little spice to your night on the town? Stop by Sweet and Nasty for creatively shaped sweets and cakes plus laugh-out-loud games and accessories. Priced as little as 69 cents for a delicious, funny treat, you can afford to get one for everybody!

Good Wife Host a private shopping and styling Good Wife party in the comfort of your home and enjoy exclusive access to Good Wife apparel, a juicy questionnaire about life, love, and being a Good Wife, a specialty drink list, and fab swag bags! Your bride-to-be will love the fun and casual Good Wife and Good Wife To Be tanks, yoga pants, and accessories!

Upstairs on the Square Hosting a lovely ladies outing? Have your soiree at afternoon tea at Upstairs on the Square! CRAVEing something a little stronger than tea? Enjoy a delicious tasting menu with wine pairings in the Soiree Dining Room.

Still CRAVEing inspiration? Check out Bride-Buzz.com for everything Bride-to-Be!

Hello, Summer!

June 21, 2010 by Karina | Comments (0)

How many times a year do we utter the words, “If only there were more hours in the day…”? Well, on the summer solstice, you will get your wish since today, the sun shines longer than any other day of the year. Today of course also marks the official start of summer, and with it, we celebrate all the best things about this much-anticipated season! To welcome the return of flip-flops, barbecue’s, vacations and more, we’ve compiled a list of activities to do in order to take advantage of those extra minutes of sunlight. Grab your friends and family and head out – you won’t want to miss a second of your summer solstice celebration!

A picnic is a simple no-brainer for a summer occasion, but you might decide to get a little creative for the special occasion by coordinating a late-night sunset picnic in your city’s most scenic setting. Bring a playlist of songs with the word “sun” in them to set the right mood.

If you’re an avid outdoors-woman, you’ll want to really maximize your extra minutes of rays! Head out for an evening hike, run, or bike ride and extend it a little longer than usual. You’ll get an extra boost knowing that this is the only night you’ll be able to savor the sunlight during your routine workout.

Spending your solstice doing water activities is an excellent idea if you live near a body of water. Boating, surfing, kayaking, or even just lounging beachside will give you that summer glow you’ve been missing all winter. Plus, watching the sun lower over sparkling waves is a sight that can hardly be beat, and one you’ll want to store in your memory for the next winter.

Say Mother Nature decides to throw you a curveball and sends rain instead of shine, well don’t let that stop you from enjoying the spirit of the day. Curling up with a book and hot tea can be relaxing during a summer rainfall or storm especially if enjoyed from a patio or porch. If the day is more gray gloom than thrilling boom, head to your local arboretum or greenhouse to get your tropical nature fix.

Sweet Summer Accessories

May 26, 2010 by Aubry | Comments (1)

Summer is just around the corner, and you know what that means!  Time to snag some sweet shades, a hat for the heat or any other accessories that suit your summer fancy.  You may even score that cute sundress you can’t get off your mind at one of these secret spots!  Check out these Boston-area locales for your summer style hunt.  You’ll be in the sand, out on the lake or at your Memorial Day BBQ in the fashion you CRAVE! What better way to kick off summer?

Habit – www.habitshop.com

This stylish shop in South Boston offers everything you could ever want – and more!  With a wide variety of fashions from the designers you CRAVE, including Any Colour You Like, Scrapbook and Haven, you’re sure to find the summer style that screams YOU and won’t break the piggy bank. Owners Pamela Santorelli and Leila Moore are dedicated to bringing you the best in style at an affordable price.  Right now, we CRAVE Big Buddha bags – perfect for all your beach needs!  Head on over to South Boston and make this cute shop a Habit.

Nomad – www.nomadcambridge.com

Vintage and tribal prints are in!  For a cultural and colorful experience that will leave you with awesome accessories for the summer, head on over to Nomad, located in Cambridge’s Porter Square.  Cute shoes, colorful totes and playful jewelry – whatever you’re after and whatever you’re style, Nomad has you covered and adorned with only the best.  We CRAVE Melissa shoes and a BBDakota strapless dress – what could be better for a day at the beach?  Don’t let us decide for you, conjure your “urban nomad” and head over to Porter Square today!

Moxie – www.moxieboston.com

Do you have Moxie?  No, we’re not talking about Maine’s finest carbonated beverage.  We’re talking about the store and the fine, fearless, feminine attitude that comes with it!  Spice up your wardrobe with some with accessories from Moxie, which boasts locations in Beacon Hill and Wellesley.  Weather you’re after the cutest headbands of the season, sunglasses or clutches, Owner Karen Fabbri and Manager Kristen Caldon of Moxie have your back with their “fashion-forward” selection.  We CRAVE any pair of shoes from this sweet boutique – you can’t beat the spirited collection at Moxie.

Party Planning Prowess

April 8, 2010 by Suzanne N. | Comments (1)

Hosting a fabulous party is always fun and rewarding! However, with so many details, planning them can be tough – but somebody’s gotta do it! So if you need a little behind-the-scenes magic for your next fabulous fete, call one of our favorite event planners!

Saphier Events Saphier Events entertaining experts are ready to plan your next event! Jennifer Saphier’s imaginative streak is a mile wide and her accommodating attitude is every client’s dream! Her innovative décor ideas and out of the box solutions truly set her apart. Paying as much attention to the client’s needs as she does to the finest event detail, she ensures that the planning process is as fun and exciting as the event itself. Saphier Events creates stunning weddings, interactive corporate meetings, brand-infused grand openings and more! Saphier Events will make your next event sparkle and shine.

Endless Eleganza Events Endless Eleganza is here to make your special day stress free. Whether it is a wedding, a corporate event, anniversary party or charity event, planning can be stressful. Endless Eleganza is here to take away the stress and just leave the fun to you. They are extremely detail oriented and will make sure that your event is both aesthetically pleasing and filled with wonderful memories!

Creative Events Creative Events is a comprehensive, full-service event design firm. Whether you’re hosting an event for an intimate group of 25 or one for 5,000, they approach each program with a fresh and thoughtful outlook. Their inclusive services range from theme design, concept development, floral design, lighting, entertainment, audio-visual, event publicity, logistics and staffing. They provide infinite options and fabulous results!

Hands of Time

February 12, 2010 by Suzanne N. | Comments (0)

You are a savvy urban gal trying to do it all – but unfortunately there are only 24 hours in a day! For those of us striving to accomplish ever-growing to-do lists, Carolyn Kraut founded Hands of Time, a personal concierge company providing almost every kind of service to busy people and businesses in Boston. As your concierge, Hands of Time can manage all your personal, household and business needs, giving you more time to focus on what you enjoy! Their services range from Personal Shopping and Event Planning to Pet Sitting, Travel, and Home Management, plus an array of everyday tasks and special requests. Carolyn’s goal is to help you make the best use of your time, so sit back, relax and let Hands of Time do the heavy lifting for you!

Continue reading to learn more about this savvy businesswoman who will be featured in our upcoming CRAVE Boston Guide!

How would you describe your business in exactly three adjectives?
Organized, Energetic, Creative

People may be surprised to know…
That we will take on any task as long as it’s ethical and legal.

What are your most popular products or services?
Our services are so diverse, but it’s the everyday tasks that keep our homes and lives humming that are requested the most. These include pet care, gift shopping and arranging for home repairs.

How do you spend your free time?
Reading, taking pictures, going to museums, and checking out local events.

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