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

Sprucing Up Your Space

August 25, 2010 by Melanie | Comments (0)

Take a look around my home and you will see that I am in need of some design help. The nuts and bolts are there, but it could be more polished. We all CRAVE a home that is esthetically pleasing and a true reflection of ourselves.

Sarah Davis from Susan Fredman Design Group offered up the following easy updates that can make a big difference to home or office:

• Her favorite thing to do is find old scraps of really cool fabrics and frame them as art – it gives a really great pop of texture and color. You might find a vintage dress that doesn’t fit or fabric from a  furniture gallery’s sample bin that  you love enough to put it on the wall.
• Adding unique and unexpected throw pillows to the sofa or bedroom is a very fun way to change the look of a space. Sarah likes to find completely non-matching patterns, sizes and textures. The more the merrier; you can have a chest or basket next to the sofa if you need to store them.
• Accessorizing tabletops and walls is the best way to make any room feel special and designed. Whether you can find interesting items from you Grandma’s attic, a thrift shop, or a local supersaver store (Target), incorporate varying sizes, weights, colors and textures.

Life never tasted so sweet

August 24, 2010 by Michele K. | Comments (0)

Recently we were sent a sweet, delectable gift from our dear friends at Jennie and Vera’s Cookies. “Try our cookies,” they said. “Let us know what you think,” they echoed.

Wow. That is all we can say; our mouths are full of delicious treats!Right now, it’s a toss-up between the Chocolate Spice cookie and the Coconut Walnut squares… but we’re feeling pretty good about saying all the cookies are amazing! We are a tough crowd, with two self-described chocoholics and a couple of ‘cookie extraordinares’ among us it takes a pretty sweet treat to impress us. Thank you, Jennie and Vera for your generous gift and enthusiastic talent. These cookies are all winners!

CRAVE Chicago felt so inclined to write this post because we are feeling incredibly inspired by this mother-daughter team. Their energy, brilliant baking capabilities and passion for the business is what makes Jennie and Vera’s a masterpiece… and what will keep them at the top.

Suffering from Skin Damage this Summer? Fight it with these Foods!

August 16, 2010 by Jenny P. | Comments (0)

We all want beautiful skin, especially during the “skin showing” months of summer. So how do we get it without spending a fortune at the Clinique counter? By eating antioxidant rich foods, that’s how. Your skin, just like every other organ in your body, needs antioxidant laden foods to keep it healthy and toxin free. Here are some of the most important foods to eat for beautiful skin. Try to get these delicious foods into your diet as often as possible and I promise you will love the results.

Foods for beautiful skin:

Sunflower seeds, Swiss chard, and almonds- What do they all have in common? Vitamin E! Vitamin E works to protect skin from ultra violet rays and rejuvenate the cells. Sauté swiss chard with garlic and olive oil and top with a mix of toasted almonds and sunflower seeds. Vitamin E never tasted so good!

Cauliflower, walnuts, and cabbage- Did you think wild salmon was the only place to get Omega 3 fatty acids? Well get excited because they are in vegetables too! Omega 3’s are essential in creating beautiful skin for they help maintain cell membranes. It is these membranes that act as barriers for the body, letting water and nutrients in, and keeping toxins out. Make an easy cabbage slaw topped with walnuts then steam cauliflower and serve with a lemon tahini sauce (also packed with Vitamin C). After these two dishes, your skin will be good to go!

Carrots, Kale, and Apricots- Not only are these foods quick and easy to get your hands on, they also serve up a giant does of Vitamin A (aka Beta Carotene). Vitamin A is involved in the repair and growth of body tissues, which is particularly beneficial when dealing with sun damaged skin. Stir-fry carrots and kale with garlic, ginger, and soy sauce for a great side dish. For the apricots, try throwing them on the grill for a great summer dessert!

Bell peppers, broccoli, and strawberries- Loaded with more vitamin C than an orange, these foods work to create collagen in the skin and protect your lovely epidermis from oxidative stress. Best ways to eat them? Grill the peppers and broccoli or eat them raw with hummus. As for strawberries, just pop them in your mouth (or put them in a crisp).

Shitake mushrooms, cod and shrimp- Mushrooms (both shittake and crimini), cod, and shrimp are chock full of selenium, a potent nutrient that promotes skin elasticity and quality. Broil cod with a fresh tomatoes and basil. For the shrimp and mushrooms, toss them into an easy Thai curry. So good!

*This post was written by Jamie Dougherty for the Please feel free to contact Jamie with questions or to share your health, wellness and foodie stories. Email: jamiegd@jamieliving.com Facebook: JAMIE LIVING Twitter:JAMIE LIVING

Great Shops for Back to School!

August 4, 2010 by Jenny P. | Comments (0)

The season for back-to-school shopping is here! It’s the time for gathering new pencils, erasers and most importantly new clothes for your ever-growing kiddies. Here in Chicago we’ve found some great, unique shops and boutiques that will have your kids entering this school year with complete confidence.

Peek-A-Boutique
When looking for a unique new wardrobe for your children, Peek-A-Boutique has exactly what you need! Each item is hand selected by owner Stacy Weitzman, many of which are made by local artists. This kid gear will have your little ones entering their first years of school looking their best!

Randoons Wearables and Whatnots
Randoons is a hip clothing, accessory, and gift boutique bringing city style to the ‘burbs. A couture cafĂ©, inspired by all things sweet and funky. Offering contemporary jeans and unique t-shirts, its a place where kids will find something to fit their own personal style.

Stellar26
For your older kids going back to school, this clothing boutique is perfect for everything they need. Combining with designers like Quiksilver, Free People, O’Neill, and Element; these styles are cool and fun with a splash of urban edge, Stellar26 is a simple, cool, laid back place to shop; perfect for your kids checklist for back-to-school clothes.

Girls Retweet

August 3, 2010 by Lynn Edwards | Comments (0)

In this crazy wired-world, we all need to get away, unplug, recharge but man it’s tough to make that happen! Good thing we have those friends that make us make it a priority, they do all the planning and we just have to show up (easier said than done). Getting ready to get away is so much work, but when you get there
it’s way worth it!

I was lucky enough to be invited to a girls’ retweet recently and the goal was to get away and spend some focused time on projects that were never getting done for one reason or 50 other reasons. We went to a beach house and upon arrival realized our fancy phones didn’t have service. After a collective high-pitched horror scream heard around the world, we settled into the idea of enjoying the next 4 days being off the grid, getting things done (we had wi-fi at least whew) and connecting the old-fashioned way.

It was a rough detox, complete with shakes, the DT’s and blank stares at our phones just freaking over what was going on in the wired-world without us
OMG what WOULD we be missing?!

We quickly filled that void with chocolate, red wine and walks on the beach. We found our shoulders sinking back down from our ears (with the help of the massage therapist we brought with us) and the swelling in our thumbs going down. We were so happy to let our 10,000 words a day flow as opposed to being corralled to 140 characters in a text or tweet.

Of course the walks on the beach were still captured on our fancy phones for posting later to prove how much fun we had. It made me think of that age old questions, “If a tree falls in the woods and no one is there to hear it does it make a noise?” I wondered, “If we walk on the beach and have fun, but don’t take a pic and post it to Facebook did we actually have fun?”

Disconnecting was a challenge, we have all become so dependent on that mobile phone crack. But what a fabulous experience
we slept in, we created amazing things (yes on our laptops), we sat by a fire pit and told stories and made s’mores. We belly laughed, we talked about boys (some 4 yrs. old and some 40), we breathed in the fresh salt air and we ate
holy cow we ate and it was great! And not a #4 from the drive-thru window but homemade grandma recipes of chicken verde and snack bars
like the good old days!

Let’s be clear
I have a foot firmly planted in both camps. I love me some texting but I also love making memories in person (a dying art). I love the tools that allow you to be connected 24/7, heck Facebook allows me to attend my high school reunion, daily, without having to buy a cocktail dress or loss 20 lbs. But I worry that my kids couldn’t keep track of their shoes from day to day but they haven’t misplaced their phones in five years. Are they so wired and dependent that they won’t know how to play capture the flag without that tech appendage?

I challenge all of you to go rogue
try it, disconnect and in that space you may realize how great it is to really connect, maybe even at a fabulous girls retweet!

Bloggers To Watch Out For: Fashionistas

August 2, 2010 by Jenny P. | Comments (1)

From runway show recaps to laid-back street looks, the world of fashion blogging is a vibrant virtual scene. It’s not necessarily about the newest, hottest, or spendiest trend — it’s about the textiles, color palettes and silhouettes that make us feel gorgeous.

For a jolt of wardrobe inspiration to pull you through the dog days of summer, bookmark Jazzi McGilbert, Sally McGraw and “Miss” James Kicinski. While their personal styles may diverge, their message is the same: get dressed, and get going!

Jazzi McGilbert of JazziMcG.com

Thrift store scenester? Or haute couture hound? Jazzi McGilbert (aka Jazzi McG) confidently struts straight down the center of the spectrum. Her blog traipses through the world of high fashion, throws the spotlight on intimate “intern confessionals” and shares a few DIY treasures (Alexander Wang sock garters, anyone?). As Jazzi puts it, her mission is to “let everyone know that the fashion industry can be tackled without a trust fund”. Can I get an amen, sister?

Sally McGraw of Already Pretty
Can one personal stylist change the way women view their bodies, and themselves? Sally McGraw thinks so. The lovely McGraw elevates her passion for chic clothing with an outspoken commitment to body acceptance. Blog posts like “What IS Flattering?” provide commonsense insights into topics that have frustrated shoppers since the dawn of time. And her weekly contests and giveaways — which range from cotton scarves to summer frocks to hefty gift cards — are not to be missed.

“Miss” James Kicinski of Bleubird Vintage
Chic baby mama. Vinyl record collector. Frilly knicker designer. Miss James is a retro inspiration — and a drop-dead gorgeous one, at that. In addition to writing about her latest Etsy obsessions and selling dreamy vintage-inspired collections through her online shop, James also blogs over at N.E.E.T. magazine. Best of luck as she stylishly feathers the nest for her new baby (due in July). What a busy little bird!

*This post was written by Alexandra Franzen for the CRAVE company:

ALEXANDRA FRANZEN is a writer + editor + organization freak. She designs rockstar resumes, leads personal branding jam sessions, writes marketing copy and teaches wallflowers how to hustle like a gangsta’. You can find her blogging up a storm at Unicorns for Socialism and tweeting away @alex_franzen.

Birthday Musings

July 28, 2010 by Lynn Edwards | Comments (0)

Happy Birthdays!

Summer brings fun in the sun, tan lines and a ton of birthdays. I’m pretty sure it’s due to the cold fall weather nine months earlier. It gets chilly, folks curl up and the next summer you’re hiring clowns and ordering birthday cakes.

I just celebrated a “mid-forty” (yeah let’s go with that) milestone and it got me thinking about birthdays. I’ve decided to embrace my age. I’m one year closer to owning my stuff and embracing the wisdom that comes with knowing who you are and who you’re not -like coming to terms with the fact that the last time I was a size 6 was when I was 6 and I’ll never see that number on a clothes tag again. I was inspired when I read this passage recently, ”take kindly the counsel of your years” then realized it was from an online dating site guy who was looking to date women 22-26 years old.

You know that cool Martina McBride song that says, “every laugh line on your face made you who you are today” Well, I have no idea what was so frickin’ funny over the years but I must have had a great time somewhere along the way cause I have the roadmap on my face to prove it!

When you celebrate your 10th birthday you love that Mexican place where you get to wear that huge sombrero, there is all that clapping just for you, and then they light the ice cream on fire. When you turn 36 at that same Mexican place you just want the singing to cease so strangers will stop staring.

My oldest son turned 18 recently. A huge milestone, right? I mean come on, the kid had made it to adulthood, that in itself warranted a fireworks display in both our honors. He was about as excited for his special day as he was his 1st birthday
giving me a blank stare as if to say ”what’s all the hype about woman”? He wore a crazy hat in his 1st birthday picture, now he’s sporting a cap & gown
he still dresses funny in birthday pictures. I was looking forward to MY present. After all, the kid was still breathing even after I had lost him, poisoned him, and made him wear shoes that were 2 sizes too small for a year. What do I win to celebrate that “we” made it 18 yrs?!

When I was 40 I threw myself a big bash with live band and all
.I couldn’t believe I had made it that far
and on the way home from the party I bought a huge jar of anti-wrinkle cream.

Let’s hear it for office birthday parties- there’s all that healthy stuff in the break room but on birthday day you bee-line to the conference room and you’re like “happy special day, Dave whatever your last name is from accounting”, thanks for being born, now let’s eat some chocolate cake.

Birthdays are milestones in your life. They are cause for reflection and anticipation. I personally will pour myself a stiff drink, cheers myself and kindly celebrate “the counsel of my years”!

Girls Night Out!

July 28, 2010 by Jenny P. | Comments (0)

All of us need a night once in a while to strap on some high heels and hit the town with the girlfriends. And what a better city to do it in then our sweet city of Chicago! From fabulous places for food to great places for drinks afterwards, we’ve found places we CRAVE to go for a fabulous time with the gals.

Honey
Make sure to try this oh-so-CRAVEable restaurant on your next girls night out. Elizabeth Janus started this full-service restaurant that has a very bright and modern feel. You”ll find bakery treats made from scratch by talented in-house bakers, fair-trade organic coffee roasted locally and entrees made from the freshest ingredients, all local and organic whenever possible.

The Meatloaf Bakery
To give your girls night out started in a fun and creative way try this savory and delicious place. Its not a place that serves just ordinary meatloaf! This one-of-a-kind shop started by Cynthia Kallile features ready-to-go meatloaf cupcakes, meatloaf pastries, and exclusive bite-size Loafies. The eight scrumptious recipes will be a unique and special dinner for you and your friends.

Tastes of Vino
This wine shop, wine bar, and bistro offers a unique, inexpensive wine and food concept. It has a stylish and fun atmosphere that is great for gathering with friends and socializing. Tastes of Vino not only has delicious food but fabulous wine. With three different locations all located a mere 30 minutes from downtown Chicago, its dining thats fun and convenient!

The Girl’s Guide to Beer

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

On a sweltering summer day at the ballpark or a friend’s BBQ, nothing is more refreshing than an ice-cold brew. This summer ditch that prissy pink cocktail and back away from the Budweiser. With a little beer savvy you can discover some great brews that will satisfy your taste buds and impress even the guys.

There are 4 main ingredients in beer: grain, yeast, water and hops, but the creativity when it comes to brewing is endless. There are beers with fruit, smoked beers, beer made with chocolate and even beer brewed with bacon. Navigating your way through the numerous types and styles of beer can be daunting, but here are some helpful hints about the most popular styles that can help you choose a winner for your next potluck or outdoor summer event. Who said beer had to be just for the boys? Go ahead, embrace that summer night CRAVING.

India Pale Ale (IPA): This beer has a light pale to golden color. Its crisp bitter flavor is attributed to the high hops and alcohol content which helped preserve the beer during the long journey across the ocean when British brewers began to export to India.
Try: Lagunitas IPA, Lagunitas Brewing Co, Petaluma, CA, 5.7% Alcohol by Volume (ABV)
Drink with: Spicy foods like a Thai Yellow Vegetable Curry

Hefeweizen: Perfect for summer, this German style wheat beer is distinguished by fruity notes, cloudy appearance and high carbonation. This beer is usually served with a slice of lemon and its bright flavor is often accented by citrus, banana, clove or nutmeg flavors.
Try: Widmer Hefeweizen, Widmer Brothers Brewing, Portland, OR, 4.7% ABV
Drink with: Classic German food such as chicken sausage topped with brown mustard or a salad tossed with candied pecans and feta.

Stout: Familiar to many because of the popularity of Guinness, Stouts have a heavy body and are very dark in color. This beer has a high alcohol content and is often characterized by caramel, coffee, chocolate or even oatmeal flavors.
Try: Chocolate Stout, Rouge Brewery, Portland OR, 6.3% ABV
Eat with: This beer could be a meal in itself, but pairs nicely with desserts like tiramisu.

Pilsner: This all American beer represents nearly 90% of the major beer brands sold in the U.S. Pilsner is golden in color and tends to have a light, clean, drinkable flavor sometimes compared to toast or fresh bread.
Try: Prima Pils, Victory Brewing Company, Downington, PA, 5.3% ABV
Eat with: All American foods like hearty chili or a grilled burger and fries

Brews to CRAVE this summer
Sierra Nevada Summerfest
New Belgium Skinny Dip
Anderson Valley Brewing Co., Summer Solstice Cerveza Crema

This is by no means a complete list of all the styles out there so experiment, go to a brew festival this summer, and discover which styles and breweries make you CRAVE more. For a fun new adventure, why not grab your beer drinking gal pals and do a brewery tour? Try this for a fun weekend or birthday activity. For more information on beer and the female movers and shakers in the beer industry, check out the Pink Boots Society at pinkbootssociety.org.

*written by Alyssa Goldberg for the CRAVE company. Alyssa is a lover of all things to do with food and travel- check out her blog, WorldSavour by clicking here.

Have Great Help While Shopping!

July 21, 2010 by Jenny P. | Comments (0)

Let’s face it we all have had those days when we roll out of bed and find nothing in our closets to wear. Its always helpful then, to have some guidance as to what stores to shop at and some stylist advice. We at CRAVE know these days well, and have decided to scour Chicago in search of some women who can help us!

You Just Shop
Started by Nancy Harris, You Just Shop is Chicago’s premier limo-driven, custom shopping excursion company. Its designed to deliver you and your friends to the doorsteps of the city’s best boutiques. They have scoured Chicago to find hidden gems so your outing will feel like a treasure hunt. Its an excursion that would be fun to go on with the gal pals, and find some really great shopping spots hidden in our city!

Le Dress
When trying to find the right outfit for an evening out, we sometimes throw in the towel because we try on too many things that don’t fit right. At Le Dress, they offer customers special services to help with this problem. From complimentary wardrobe stying to an in-house seamstress and stylist kit-to-go; these women have wonderful services available in order for you to find the perfect dress for your body. To find out more about them click here.

Next Page »