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

Vosges Haut Chocolat: Interview with Katrina

February 26, 2010 by Michele | Comments (0)

That’s haut.

Haut-Chocolat, that is, and by haut we mean delicious! Any life experience is instantly made special with an addition of Vosges Haut-Chocolat. Owner/Chocolatier, Katrina Markoff, personally chooses every spice, flower and chocolate that is flown into our Chicago kitchen. Markoff utilizes the original methods of French confectionery artistry which she learned during her training at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris. Having graduated with the Grand Diplôme from Le Cordon Bleu and having worked extensively in France, Spain, Italy, Southeast Asia and Australia her collections of haut-chocolats have great, worldly inspirations. Inspired by her global apprenticeships, Vosges truffles have exotic influences of an “East meets West” theme.

The Vosges Haut-Chocolat mission is to create a luxury chocolate experience rooted in a sensory journey of bringing about awareness to indigenous cultures through the exploration of spices, herbs, roots, flowers, fruits, nuts, chocolate and the obscure. What better way to learn about a culture, person or object than through eating. If we can all embrace the idea of trying something new such as the perplexing oddity of curry and chocolate, we just may come one step closer to bringing peace to the world through chocolate.

Let’s learn more about peace-seeker, Katrina…

People may be surprised to know…
I have my pilot’s license.

What or who inspired you to start your business?
The Nagaland people of India.

How do you spend your free time?
When I have free time, I’ll be riding my horses, planting seeds and going everywhere with my sweet puppies! {Katrina also recently welcomed a new baby into her family, and we’re sure the bundle of joy is keeping her busy!}

Where is your favorite place to go with your girlfriends?
I think it’s great to go for a walk on Devon Street in Chicago, drinking young coconut milk on the street and buying Indian jewelry.

We invite you to join Katrina on her gorgeous (and tasty) blog, Peace, Love + Chocolate.

Mulberry & Me: Interview with Jana

February 19, 2010 by Michele | Comments (2)

Mulberry & Me is the perfect boutique for ladies looking for a great fashion find and a fab friend. Jana Zacek, owner of Mulberry & Me, has created a fun atmosphere for unbelievable shopping. Savvy shoppers find themselves perusing the gorgeously filled racks with a sprinkle in their eye as they soon discover the items in this boutique are great finds at perfect prices! Jana believes there are two essential categories of product. She says “either it’s a beautiful basic that my customer is going to live in or it’s so fabulous and special that you just have to have it. There is no room for an in between.” Let’s learn more about Jana…

People may be surprised to know…
The name of my boutique stems from my time spent living on Mulberry Street in the NoLita neighborhood of New York City, hence the name, Mulberry & Me!

What is your indulgence?
A glass of red wine, a good read, and unwinding in the bathtub.  Preferably all three at the same time!

Where is your favorite place to go with your girlfriends?
My customers ARE my girlfriends and I love to hang out with them in the shop!

Who is your role model or mentor?
My Mom is just THE ultimate.  She had a coffee shop in our neighborhood when I was growing up.  She taught me about running your business with love.  That is the base of everything.

We love Jana.

Though you can’t change the economy, you can change your career

February 15, 2010 by Michele | Comments (0)

Though you can’t change the economy, you can change your career! This is why Girl on Top’s Nicole Williams has partnered with Plan B to bring women of the Chicago area a night of top-level networking not to be missed. Held at the prestigious Hotel Allegro, guests who RSVP will receive a VIP pass to the event which includes:

• Chatting up women in the area you need to have on speed dial
• Free cocktails and desserts
• Complimentary career advice from Nicole Williams

Date February 17, 2010
Location The Hotel Allegro at 171 West Randolph Street in Chicago
Time 6-8pm

To RSVP, send an email to RSVP@nicolewilliams.com with you and your guests’ names.

About Nicole Career expert and best selling author Nicole Williams is re-defining the world of work—making it glamorous, entertaining and relevant to modern women. Nicole founded WORKS by Nicole Williams in 2006 with the vision of building the first media and content company focused on career development specifically for the highly dynamic and powerful market of young professional women. Her website, Nicolewilliams.com, is the go-to destination site for modern working women.

Nicole is the author of two bestselling books; Wildly Sophisticated: A Bold New Attitude for Career Success (2004) and Earn What You’re Worth (2005), published by Penguin Group Inc. Her latest book Girl on Top, for which she partnered with The Limited on a successful nationwide experiential event tour, was published in Fall 2009.

Harmony Mind Body Fitness: Interview with Laura

February 12, 2010 by Michele | Comments (0)

Harmony Mind Body Fitness, located in the heart of Lincoln Park, offers private, duet and group sessions in Pilates, GYROTONIC®, and GYROKINESIS®. All of these forms of exercise and bodywork are changing the way that people workout, as they find that intelligent, fun exercise does actually exist. Harmony offers clients, from the novice to the athlete, a chance to find a more meaningful connection between their mind and body as they move. The exercises are based on those of yoga, dance, tai chi, and swimming, and when you mesh those ideas together, they become a wonderfully connected series of movements that reap many benefits. You may feel taller, leaner, stronger, but most remarkably, more alive when you leave a session. Just ponder some of the principles of Pilates: concentration, control, center, fluidity, precision, breath, imagination and intuition. Our goal at Harmony is to give each client a fun, safe, effective workout – changing the body one session at a time. Let’s meet the owner of Harmony, Laura…

What are your most popular products or services?
Private Pilates sessions with our staff of certified instructors. Individual attention is key in understanding the fundamentals of Pilates.

People may be surprised to know…
Anyone can do Pilates!  We know how to modify exercises to make them beneficial for every body.

What or who inspired you to start your business?
I wanted to find a way to balance my creative side with my business-minded side.  Teaching regularly, training instructors, and maintaining a close relationship with clients have allowed me to find a perfect balance.

Follow Harmony Mind Body Fitness on Twitter

Harmony Mind Body Fitness will be one of eight fitness options during the upcoming Bloom and Tone CRAVEparty!

Adele Dallas Orr Pret a Porter Boutique: Interview with Adele

February 5, 2010 by Michele | Comments (0)

Adele Dallas Orr designs her unique colorful fashion collection with classy and fabulous in mind.  Her boutique carries classy separates and fabulous fashion jewelry that reflect her love of color, exotic prints and silky textures. Her travels to South Africa, Europe and Asia have influenced the stylish clothes and designs that are fresh, uncomplicated and modern. The versatile pieces are accessorized with her exquisite jewelry that are made of fresh water pearls, and semi-precious stones. Adele’s stylish, timeless clothing and accessories have a European fair for women of all ages and are ideal for women in Chicago. The Adele Dallas Orr boutique invites women to redefine their own style by adding unique pieces that are comfortable and will make a definite statement.  Wearable art bracelets and necklaces, hand painted silk scarves and sequined cocktail purses are among the ready-to-wear glamorous fashions that are made in the USA.

The concept of starting with one piece and building a practical wardrobe is what Adele Dallas Orr is all about. “Sometimes the tiniest thing can make the biggest statement,” says Adele.  A wearable art silk skirt, scarf or jacket are examples of the stylish, but practical items that this European styled boutique offers while allowing women to go from the office to a dinner affair with ease and at an accessible price.  Adele’s collection has been sold in Cape Town, Johannesburg, London and now Chicago.

Adele says, “Just because we’re in a recession doesn’t mean a woman can’t be classy and fabulous! I’ll will make sure of that!” Let’s learn more about Adele…

What are your most popular products or services?
Our most popular products are our reversible silk jackets,our ruffle silk coats, wearable art silk skirts and scarves.  Our statement jewelry made of faceted black onyx and fresh water pearls are among the most popular pieces… I believe because they are classic timeless pieces.

People may be surprised to know…
Adele’s collection been featured at the London Pret a Porter fashion trade show and has been sold around the world in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Spain, London and now Chicago.

What or who inspired you to start your business?
My love of fashion and travel and the will to work for myself inspired me to open my business.  I also perceived a niche in the market to design elegant European styled clothes for women of all ages at an accessible price.

Who is your role model or mentor?
My role model is Coco Chanel who believed that women should be two things… «Classy and Fabulous» I always design with these wise words in mind.

Love, Lulu Mae – Interview with Agnes

January 29, 2010 by Michele | Comments (0)

When you’re one of seven sisters, you learn how to be unique and create a style all your own. Love, Lulu Mae designer Agnes B. Miles understood this from the get-go and, as an adult, created Love, Lulu Mae in order to assist savvy ladies accomplish the goal of always feeling special & having a unique look! From stylish clips to more elaborate headbands and bridal creations, Love, Lulu Mae joins fine femininity and fierce fashion for the modern woman. Agnes is inspired by the elegant styles of the women of the 1930’s/1940’s, of whom Agnes models every piece she creates and most pieces are one-of-a-kind.

Love, Lulu Mae is gaining recognition worldwide as celebrities such as Sarah Jessica Parker, Paris Hilton, Gwen Stefani and Drew Barrymore have become fans! Love, Lulu Mae was invited to participate in the 2009 “Emmy Awards”, “Latin Grammy Awards” and “Christmas In Hollywood” and these delectable head-pieces can be viewed in the 2009 December issue of Latin American VOGUE as well as the 2009 “Lily of France” advertisements seen in Vanity Fair, People and InStyle Magazines! Let’s congratulate and learn more about Love, Lulu Mae founder Agnes…

What are your most popular products or services?
Most popular product includes “The Viva La Frida” headband, composed of various textured flowers in assorted colors.

People may be surprised to know…
People would be surprised to know that I majored in Musical Theatre Performance.

What or who inspired you to start your business?
Friends and family inspired me to start my own business. Most notably, my grandmother Gigi.

How do you spend your free time?
In my free time I take my two Boston Terriers on a walk with my husband. As well as taking mini-getaways with them too!

What is your indulgence?
I absolutely love Vosges Chocolates. They are my favorite indulgence!

Meet Agnes at Love, Lulu Mae’s next appearance during Indie Wed on January 30th!

Follow Love, Lulu Mae on Twitter

Beauty on Call and Glossed & Found: Interview with Stacey

January 22, 2010 by Michele | Comments (1)

Stacey Roney is the girl to know. After spending five minutes with her you’ll realize if you want to feel hip, look amazing and be a part of everything that is going on in and around the city, you need to add Stacey to your rolodex. Stacey broke away from the typical corporate day when she began Beauty on Call, a freelance company offering on-location beauty & spa services. Beauty on Call is every girl’s dream source to magnificent make-up, spa parties and seminars.

Once you’re beautified, it’s time to make use of lookin’ good! Stacey developed Glossed & Found as a beauty, fashion and lifestyle blog {and vlog} that can’t be missed! Glossed & Found offers insight into spectacular events, exclusive celebrity interviews and spotlights on emerging Chicago designers. The Glossed & Found weekly e-newsletter is one of our favorites!

Let’s learn more about Stacey, founder of these two amazing companies…

People may be surprised to know…
Although I am considered a beauty expert in the industry, I am the worst makeup artist!  I am great at finding and managing top artists and have extensive product knowledge, but you don’t want me doing your makeup!

What or who inspired you to start your business?
I was previously a cosmetic buyer for Nordstrom and saw a void in the industry, so I started the first staffing agency in the country focused on beauty.

What business mistake have you made that you will not repeat?
Trying to do everything myself!  I’ve since hired amazing people who help handle the day to day responsiblities so that I can focus on the bigger picture.

What is your indulgence?
Taking a nap.  With 3 kids under 3, it doesn’t happen very often.  Come to think of it, it never happens!

We are excited to announce Beauty on Call and Glossed & Found are partnering with CRAVE on our Beauty & Wellness event in April 2010!

Bellybum Boutique: Interview with Ellen

January 15, 2010 by Michele | Comments (1)

New moms {and moms-to-be} are rejoicing across Chicagoland! If they’ve discovered Bellybum Boutique, that is. Bellybum Boutique is one of the newest and freshest additions to Chicago’s ‘green baby scene.’ A unique celebration of mamma bellies and baby butts, Bellybum carries designer maternal transition and nursing wear, cloth diapers, organic children’s wear, baby gear, gifts and accessories. More importantly, it is a support center dedicated to providing families with healthy lifestyle options, expert pre and postnatal advice and parenting education & resources. We at CRAVE also dig Bellybum’s enviable calendar of events which includes everything from toddler dance sessions to childbirth classes to potty training, and everything in between! It takes an extremely savvy business lady & mom to develop a unique boutique like this and we’d love to introduce you to one of our favorite entreprenesses, the owner of Bellybum Boutique, Ellen Sternweiler:

How would you describe your business in exactly three adjectives?
Green, Stylish, Nurturing

What are your most popular products or services?
Designer women’s transition, nursing and children’s wear; cloth diapers, eco-friendly baby gear and accessories; parenting resources, support and classes.

People may be surprised to know…
My degree is in Fine Arts and my favorite past job was working in the scene shop at Steppenwolf Theatre.

Where is your favorite place to go with your girlfriends?
Anywhere we can be together! Though any place with great sushi and martinis is always a good choice.

Follow Bellybum Boutique on Twitter

A Bright Star has Gone Dim

January 11, 2010 by Michele | Comments (1)

It is with deep sadness and such shock that I bring you this news tonight…

Last week we lost a treasured member of the CRAVE Chicago community. Meghan Hormann, owner of Backbeat Music Instruction, passed away on January 7, 2010 after a month-long battle for her life. I would like to share with you some thoughts regarding Meghan and the amazing work she believed in… Meghan and I met on Facebook and become fast friends. Her shining personality and radiant warmth added a smile to anyone’s face that knew or met her. The passion she held for her work and bringing music into the lives of every soul was touching and real; Meghan was amazing.

I had the pleasure of spending time with Meghan most recently at the Winter Wonderland CRAVEparty on 12/9 where she had a booth, coordinated a performance with two associates and donated gorgeous glass ornaments for the goody bags. All evening, despite the chilly air, Meghan had a huge smile on her face and a spring in her step.

We are extremely sad to have lost such a bright star in our entrepreneurial community.

Harmony Haus: Interview with Nichole

January 8, 2010 by Michele | Comments (0)

A new year and a new you, right? Of course! But if you’re like me, it’s the ‘new you’ part that’s hard to set into motion. I look for other things to make anew. Like my home decor! That said, I’m not a billionaire and I can’t go spending thousands of dollars on new furniture at my every whim. That’s why we at CRAVE love Harmony Haus. Harmony Haus specializes in environmentally conscious painting services with the utmost attention given to efficiency and minimizing waste in all aspects of business. Nichole Lovett, owner of Harmony Haus, arrives in a superwoman cape {by way of bicycle} and whips your home into a refreshed, beautiful splendor with her unmatched painting skills. We love including Nichole in the unique grouping of CRAVE featured entreprenesses, and after you get to know her you’ll see why…

How would you describe your business in exactly three adjectives?
scintillating, efficient, restorative

People may be surprised to know…
that I commute by bike and trailer with all materials in tow to the majority of job sites.  People are often amazed that I do nearly all of the work myself.

What or who inspired you to start your business?
Oddly enough, when I was unable to obtain a job painting for another company after deciding to change careers, I decided to make it happen for myself.

Now that’s creating your own Harmony!

Next Page »