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A Gal’s Guide to Gift Giving

July 7, 2010 by Suzanne N. | Comments (4)

At CRAVE, we love a good party! And with wedding season upon us, there are sure to be many! From the engagement party to the bridal shower, the bachelorette party to the reception, there is a lot of gift giving (and fun!) involved! So what’s a girl to do? From the most creative, to the most budget conscious, here are some of the best wedding gift ideas in Chicago!

Beauty on Call Every girl loves to be pampered, especially a gal trying to balance a career, a social life, and wedding planning – talk about doing it all!  With so much on her plate, she is sure to appreciate any gift that allows her to slow down and indulge. The ultimate gift for your busy bride? An at home spa service by Beauty on Call! This is one-size-fits-all-brides gift will leave your bachelorette invigorated and ready to take on her “To Do” list.

Pure Romance by Kimberly Achieved Maid of Honor status? Congrats! Now its time to plan the perfect bachelorette party. Don’t sweat it, we’ve got you covered! Host a Pure Romance bachelorette party (for free!) and have Kimberly come to your home with her premier line of relationship aids and bedroom accessories.  She has something for everyone, from the demure romantic, to the gal who is up for anything. Get ready for a night of laughs that is sure to leave your bride blushing!

Aniko Salon and Spa Help your bride relax and rejuvenate before her big day (or after a fun night out) with a revitalizing Aniko Salon and Spa facial. Choose from a wide variety of calming and corrective skin treatments that will leave your bride glowing. Plus, all facials include a hand, arm, foot and shoulder massage! We’re always CRAVEing a good two-for-one deal!

G Boutique For fun bachelorette party accessories (think creatively shaped ice cubes and shot glasses) entertaining games (Romance Roulette) and, of course, lots of beautiful lingerie (from corsets to boy shorts, they have it all), look no further than G Boutique. Searching for a fun gift alternative to the same old Of The Month Clubs? Check out G Boutique’s Panty of the Month!

Still CRAVEing some more gift inspiration? For more ideas – or just because it’s a fun and fabulous site! – check out Bride-Buzz.com.

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.

Grad Season is Here!

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

Its graduation season! Graduates from college, high school, and graduate school are about to throw their grad caps up in the air and start a new era of their life! Which means, time to start snatching up flowers, cards and grad gifts. We have scoured Chicago and have found some places we CRAVE to buy what we need for our graduates this year.

For the perfect flower arrangement for your grad…
Dilly Lily offers floral pieces that are colorful, trendy, or classic; it just depends on what you are looking for and your personal style. Their talented staff desire to exceed your expectations and love accommodate your wishes for the arrangement. They offer delightful flowers that offer unique and beautiful arrangements that will stand out from the rest. To see more information click here.

Where to get great stationary for this year’s graduates…
Elizabeth Grace offers some of Chicago’s premier paperie. She is known for her impeccable taste and design savvy with personalized service to all customers. Another plus, her store also includes an assortment of delicate and beautiful gifts that could be perfect for your grad. To find out more about their fabulous services click here.

Best gift to give your grads thats quick and easy yet still personal…
Name Your Design is a company offering a line of personalized wall art that would be perfect for your grad. They offer simple designs that can be directed towards any personal style. They will be a gift that will not be forgotten! To see for yourself everything they offer here.

Planning Your Special Day

March 31, 2010 by Suzanne N. | Comments (0)

Weddings are fun, memorable and romantic, but with so many details involved in making a wedding uniquely suited for you and your fiancé, planning them can be tough – but somebody’s gotta do it! So if you need a little behind-the-scenes magic for your memorable evening, call one of our favorite wedding planners!

Joyce Westin Dunne Weddings Since 1989 , the weddings of Joyce Westin Dunne have set a new standard in elegant perfection. She entered the wedding consultant business from a successful career in the fashion industry. This experience provides Joyce with a unique perspective and a collection of talented vendors. She has close working relationships with Chicago’s finest venues and private clubs, including The University Club, The Chicago Club, The Drake Hotel, The Ritz-Carlton and Lake Forest Academy. Joyce’s wedding planning expertise has been featured in Modern Bride, The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, and the Chicago Sun Times. Joyce has produced wedding ranging in size from intimate gatherings to large formal affairs of 600. She partners with her brides through every step of the planning process, maintaining close contact through meetings, phone, fax and email. With an understated, elegant style, she helps create truly remarkable weeding experiences.

Engaging Events by Ali From a small cocktail reception to a lavish black-tie dance, Engaging Events plans beautifully orchestrated weddings. Ali’s organization skills, negotiation savvy, and appreciation for the “art” of customer service have been invaluable in working with vendors, staying within a budget, and creating beautiful, flawless events for clients. Ali is a certified Professional Bridal Consultant™ with the Association of Bridal Consultants. Ali has been quoted in Chicago Tribune, Chicago Magazine, The Chicago Sun-Times, Cosmopolitan Magazine, Modern Bride Chicago and Chicago Social Brides. She has also appeared on the Channel 7 and Channel 2 newscasts in Chicago and was recently featured in Chicago’s “Daily Candy” as one of the top wedding vendors in Chicago. For Ali, no occasion is too large or too small; she treats each event with care, respect, professionalism, and conscientious commitment to excellence.

Vosges Haut Chocolat: Interview with Katrina

February 26, 2010 by Michele K. | Comments (2)

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 DiplĂ´me 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.

Beauty on Call and Glossed & Found: Interview with Stacey

January 22, 2010 by Michele K. | 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!

A Bright Star has Gone Dim

January 11, 2010 by Michele K. | 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.

Novelty Nouveau: Best of Chicago Area Novelty Shops

December 9, 2009 by Lindsey | Comments (1)

As the holiday season approaches, gift giving adds a bit of extra stress to all of our lives. What’s a good gift for ____? How much money should I spend? Is a gift-card too impersonal? You get the idea. Instead of just grabbing any old thing from a department store, why not try shopping at some of Chicago’s coolest novelty shops? The variety of items offered at these local gems, will not only make shopping easier, but guarantees a uniquely fabulous gift! Here are some of CRAVE’s favorites.

Bramble Know any outdoor enthusiasts or nature-motif lovers? If so, stop by Oak Park’s Bramble for an eclectic mix of nature-inspired gifts and home goods. This treasure trove features everything from French table linens and Japanese ceramic tiles to wearable accessories like scarves and jewelry. It’s the perfect place to buy someone (or yourself) something to bring the garden indoors.

Fly Bird For all things quirky and kitsch, head on out to Fly Bird, Oak Park’s most modern gift shop. From the humorous Ugly Dolls to soy Skeem Candles (the gorgeous holder can be re-used as a drinking glass after the candle has burned out), everything in the this gift shop is meant to peak your curiosities and leave you smiling.

Olive Owl Organics Need something for your eco-friendly friend? Olive Owl in Oak Park offers special natural and organic items that are unique to their store! These products are handmade personally for you and include body care, face scrubs, soaps, lip balms and more! Plan for an extended visit as you’ll also find plenty of home decor, pet goodies, baby items and totes to droll over as well!

Randoons Wearables and Whatnots Get your city style in the burbs! Located in Winnetka, Randoons is a couture cafe inspired by all things both sweet & funky. A walk throughout the cafe will find you admiring everything from fab jeans to luscious soaps, a true treat! There truly is a special gift around every corner…

Last chance to get tickets to tomorrow’s Winter Wonderland CRAVEparty

December 8, 2009 by Michele K. | Comments (0)

CRAVE Chicago Winter Wonderland Shopping Party

December 2, 2009 by Michele K. | Comments (4)

Indulge Your “Holiday Cravings” This Season With
CRAVE ChicagoĘĽs Winter Wonderland Shopping Party

CRAVE Chicago Announces the “Winter Wonderland CRAVEparty”: A Shopping Event Supporting Local Female-owned Businesses and Offering Irresistible Goods and Exciting Entertainment.

CRAVE Chicago announces the “Winter Wonderland CRAVEparty” – a holiday shopping party made up of local female-owned boutiques, designers, and businesses in Chicago, taking place on December 9th (7-10pm) at the fabulous, historic Stan Mansion (2408 North Kedzie). A CRAVEparty is an exclusive, festive, glam-gal gathering for fun, entertainment, personal pampering, sippinĘĽ and noshinĘĽ on great food.

Hosted by Nancy Loo and Felicia Joy, amplified by fresh tunes via Toast & Jam DJs and enhanced with amazing raffles throughout the night, the Winter Wonderland CRAVEparty will offer Chicagolandʼs ladies and gents (those who dare) the perfect opportunity to enjoy themselves before the hectic holiday season and complete their holiday shopping list in one evening & location.  “Winter Wonderland” will offer stylish vendor booths brimming with Chicagoʼs very own in the latest and greatest clothing, jewelry, handbags, girly gifts, delicious treats, fun items for you pets, home decor and so much more – not to mention a fashion show, mini-manicures by Aniko Salon & Spa and enchanting dance performances!

“2009 has been an incredible and exhilarating year for CRAVE Chicago: marking the debut of the CRAVE Chicago guide and my influence on the company. Iʼm thrilled to be working with some of the top local female- owned businesses of Chicago, while creating an unforgettable experience for consumers. The Winter Wonderland CRAVEparty is certainly the big-bang event of the season and marks the end of a marvelous year for CRAVE Chicago. That said, stay tuned to learn about our exciting line-up of events for 2010,” says Michele Kravetz, CRAVE Chicago Coordinator.

Tickets are available for $35 at thecravecompany.com/chicago and will not be sold at the door. First 300 tickets purchased will receive two X-Rated Fusion Liqueur cocktail tickets and a complimentary goody bag brimming with fabulousness! All ticket holders are invited to join us for an after-party at JBar, where we will be treated to a complimentary cocktail and music by KeysnKrates!

Stay tuned to our website for more information and a complete list of participants.

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