
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.
Whether it’s just a hint of blush on our cheeks, a swab of lipgloss to our puckers, or a brush of mascara to our batting eyelashes, we all want to look and feel our best! However, with the plethora of make-up options out there, finding the right products can be quite overwhelming…what color foundation to use, what eyeshadows look best on a brown-eyed beauty, liquid eyeliner or pencil??? This is where renowned make-up artist, Sheila Patel comes into the picture. With a trained eye, a steady and skilled hand, she applies the right mixture of shadows and powders…Voila! You have your own customized look. Here is her expert advice and a video featuring the “Artist at Work”, enjoy!
What was the inspiration or motivation behind starting your business?
My sister in law, Xuan Thu Pham encouraged me to get back to doing something that I have excelled in in the past and all the credit goes to her for my getting back in.
What mistake have you made in your business that you will not repeat?
Overscheduling. Earlier on in my career when I just started out, there was a time when I was working continuously from one makeup client to another in a single day. Because I worked with more clients than I could manage in one day, I felt that I did not put in the effort and time that each client deserved. I wanted to give the focus and attention to each person, but with time against me, I was not able to do that. From that experience on, I never did that again. Each customer is special to me and I’ll only work on a client at a time – that is my philosophy.
What is your favorite make-up brand?
I like different makeup brands for different reasons. I use MAC, Shu Uemura, Glauca Rossi, NARS, Makeup Forever, Ben Nye, and Kryolan. In fact, I have so many different brands in my professional makeup toolbox that I can’t name all the brands I enjoy using. Each brand is uniquely used for different purposes and events such as TV or weddings. As an everyday favorite makeup brand, I like Bobbi Brown.
What defines the Bollywood style? Do you think it would cross-over to the U.S.?
I’m glad you asked me this question because so many people have different notions of what the “Bollywood style” is and what it really means. Coming from Mumbai and having worked with Bollywood and MTV – I see the different perceptions of how people view Bollywood. What defines the Bollywood style has more to do with what you see on a film set: the movie scenes, dance scenes, and the ensemble of women who dress up in extravagant attire along with the extravagant makeup to go with it. Bollywood is about glamour, visual performance artistry, and telling a story.
This is why a Bollywood style is not suitable for everyday looks. If you’ve ever seen a wedding scene from a Bollywood film, you’ll notice the rich colors, embroideries, and magnificent jewelry that the women are wearing. Also notice their makeup – it’s created and done up to be very dramatic. When you wear such beautiful clothes, your face is competing with it and pales in comparison to what you’re wearing. That’s why it has to look very dramatic.
I think it the Bollywood look can absolutely cross over to the U.S. if it’s in the wedding space. However, with everyday looks, it might be too much, especially without the costumes. But if you’re up for that look for yourself, why not?
What is your favorite make-up look for spring/summer?
I have this secret passion for the orange and yellow color theme. If it’s done well, it can really work for you. Case in point: you can use a yellow eyeshadow
and apply it over your eyelids. Then use an orange eyeshadow to contour the lids as well as the edges. Next, you can define your eyes with black eyeliner and mascara – and voila. Most people think they can’t use these colors, but you can!
What is the most common make-up mistakes you see people make?
Mismatched foundation has to be the topper on the list. This is the most common mistake I’d like to see people stop making. Coming from an Asian country, there is an obsession to have fair skin. People try to correct that by using light foundation. The end result? Your skin will end up looking grey. Also, some people tend to incorrectly use bronzers or foundation that’s too dark for them, which are really too orange for one’s face. This looks hideous.
A good indicator of using the proper foundation for yourself is to reference it in natural sunlight. Typically, when you buy it in the mall under fluorescent lighting, it’s easy to make the mistake of buying the wrong color for your skintone. What you can do is apply a small amount from the tester on your skin – step outside and see if it matches your skin. Just be true to your skin tone and be proud of your natural beauty.
Visit Sheila Patel at:
Website: sheilapatelsf.com
Blog: bit.ly/MakingFaces
Twitter: bit.ly/cZvamc
Facebook: bit.ly/cKLfS7
YouTube: bit.ly/91hB9F

As fabulous as every CRAVE woman is, we all could benefit from a session of beauty secret-swapping. Long days and long nights hopping from place to amazing place can take its toll on even the most impeccably gorgeous glower. To gain insight on how the girl-about-town stays looking her best, we’ve asked our resident staff at CRAVE what types of tricks were up their sleeves. And unlike other kinds of secrets, we don’t feel guilty for sharing these at all!
Hair
Skin
Makeup
* please take caution, CRAVE does not guarantee results

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.

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?
Earth Day is a day designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth’s environment, held on April 22. It is celebrated in many countries and has been receiving added attention in current years with the newfound popularity of going green and our increased consciousness of how we are harming the planet. As active motivated women, we, here at CRAVE, think Earth day is a wonderful chance to help women discover new ways to help our earth and conserve it for generations to come. The Nature Conservancy has some wonderful tips to do just that, pertaining to activities a lot of women deal with in their everyday lives.
Use reusable totes
You can help save oceans when you use reusable shopping bags instead of plastic bags. Sure, it’s a small step — but it can make a big difference in the health of our oceans. Unfortunately, 90 percent of the debris that washes up from our oceans are man-made and shouldn’t be there. Most of it has – unfortunately – come to be expected: derelict fishing equipment, disposable plastic bottles, plastic bags, cigarette butts, bits of unidentifiable plastic, Styrofoam. To help encourage others, share where you take reusable bags or where you’ve found your favorite tote.
Eat food
Just like you, conservationists, fishermen, chefs and consumers are working together to find new ways of living off our oceans and waters while keeping nature healthy. In a day and age when many of us “harvest” most of our meals by filling a grocery cart or skimming a menu, it can be easy to overlook nature’s role in putting food on our tables. This is especially true when it comes to seafood. For centuries, the oceans’ bounty seemed inexhaustible. Now, as scientists unravel the intricate relationships between fish and the vast lands below the water’s surface, we’re gaining a clearer picture of how humans have altered our oceans’ ability to provide for us. The Conservancy is tackling the problems by working with communities to restore degraded habitats and rebuild depleted fisheries. But sustainability also depends on how fish are brought to market. A service called FishPhone is Blue Ocean’s sustainable seafood text messaging service that instantly puts sustainable seafood information at your fingertips. To find out about your seafood choice, text 30644 with the message FISH and the name of the fish in question. They’ll text you back with their assessment and better alternatives to fish with significant environmental concerns.
Green your gardening
Even while you’re gardening in your very own backyard, you can make a big difference in the health of the ocean. Fertilizers and other chemicals used in conventional gardening are washed into watersheds and eventually to sea, where they can harm coral reefs and other marine life. To help cut back on pollution, go native! Native plants require much less water and fertilizer than non-native plants do. Make your own compost! Composting kitchen scraps is a great way to create (free!) all-natural fertilizer. Set your mower to a cutting height of 2”-3” — which will eliminate undesirable weedy plants. Don’t rake your clippings; leave them behind as fertilizer. You can even try square-foot gardening. This method uses 90% less water and 95% fewer seeds than a traditional backyard garden and requires no chemicals!
You can find all the details on these tips and plenty more at earthday.nature.org
Everyone had a great time on March 28th as 120 ladies from all around Chicagoland gathered for a day of beauty and wellness for the Bloom and Tone CRAVEparty!
We were joined by Glossed and Found, lululemon athletica, Vitamin Water, S Factor, The Spa on Oak, Starfruit, Votre Vu, MD Skincare, Sandy Sfikas, Smashbox, Reflections, Harmony Mind Body Fitness, Blakely FIT, Infuse Yoga Spa, LifeStyle Physical Therapy & Balance Center and The Dailey Method for six hours of toning muscles, smiling faces and abounding energy!
“This event was planned for the woman that is trying to find the perfect fitness regimen for her body type. With Spring right around the corner, we all want to feel and look amazing; this event was poised to help each woman accomplish these goals,” says Michele Kravetz, CRAVE Chicago Coordinator.
The Bloom and Tone CRAVEparty was a fresh beauty and wellness event hosted by CRAVE Chicago and sponsored by Beauty on Call, Glossed and Found, lululemon athletica and Vitamin Water. This vibrant day of rejuvenation took place on March 28th (1-6PM) at Architectural Artifacts (4325 N. Ravenswood, in Chicago). A CRAVEparty is an exclusive, glam-gal gathering for fun, entertainment, networking, personal pampering, relaxin’ and feelinʼ good.
Photography by DeAwna McGinley-Cherney… thank you!

In her debut book, Add More ~ing To Your Life, motivational speaker and life coach Gabrielle Bernstein takes readers on a fun and fulfilling journey to happiness in 30 days. She promotes writing, meditation, and movement as ways to combat ego and release romantic illusions. For every goal in her book, she lays out an Equation with multiple steps packed with reflection and perspective. Some of her unique blues-blasting concepts include compiling a Compassion List, creating a Personal-Shift Statement, and ceasing to Future Trip. By the end of the book she’s created an arsenal of happiness-promoting exercises to conquer negative thinking and create personal change. Read on to learn more about this gifted guru and what she craves.
What is your motto, slogan, or theme song?
Expect Miracles
What’s the best advice you’ve been given?
The best advice I was ever given was from my mother when she told me that meditation would guide me to serenity.
In a past life you were…
A preacher in South America.
How do you get ready to write?
I clean my desk. Then I meditate. Following my meditation I write an outline. I’m a mess without an outline. I turn off my phone and I unplug the Internet. Then I start writing.
What’s a place that inspires you and why?
The place where I’m most inspired is in Abadiania Brazil. I travel to Abadiania, the home of psychic surgeon and spiritual healer John of God. When I am in Brazil with John of God and his team of mediums I feel my strongest sense of inspiration.
What makes you feel most CRAVE – able?
My authenticity. What you see is what you get.
What’s a cause you are passionate about and why?
I feel deeply connected to helping people overcome addiction and more specifically the issue of teenage suicide due to prescription drugs. I am a recovering drug addict and I am very transparent about my sobriety in order to help others recover. I plan to write a book on overcoming addiction in all areas of life.
What makes you laugh so hard you cry?
So many things. I don’t know where to begin…
In 10 years you want to be…
In 10 years I plan to be known as the messenger for happiness for the next generation. I will have a television show and several published books. I will be a mother and dwell in New York City and in a warm weather climate.
Describe yourself in 5 words.
I am spirited, loquacious, alive, connected, love
* This publication was sent to the CRAVEcompany for review
Sure, you’ve been hearing about the upcoming Bloom and Tone CRAVEparty, but you may be asking yourself “What will this be like? What can I expect?” Turns out, you can expect A LOT! Get ready for the best CRAVEparty to-date, and one that will go in the record books!
Tighten and Tone
Sign-up to try four 30-minute unique and fresh fitness regimens! You get to choose your four favorite fitness classes out of six fun and fabulous options!
Relax and Indulge
Each fitness class will spaced by free-time sessions for you to indulge in mini-spa services, shop in lululemon athletica’s pop-up store, engage with and learn from a nutritionist, pep-up your wardrobe with a style coach, try delicious and healthy snacks, relax in the CRAVE Cooldown Lounge and more to completely refresh and exhilarate yourself this Spring!
Some of the fun, fabulous activities during the Bloom and Tone CRAVEparty include:
Clearly, you don’t want to miss this! Register for the Bloom and Tone CRAVEparty for only $25 here.
Day-of Tips:
The Dailey Method is a unique combination of ballet barre work, core conditioning, stretching, and orthopedic exercises. This challenging one-hour class effectively strengthens, tones and lengthens the entire body. Â Light weights are utilized to define the upper body while mat and ballet barre work target the thighs, seat and abdominals. Â After each muscle group is worked, through high repetition using a small range of motion, it is alternately stretched to lengthen the muscles. The Dailey Method in Chicago’s Bucktown neighborhood offers these one-hour classes and a bit more… owner, Tami Conway. Immediately upon meeting Tami, she makes you feel like family. This is absolutely important when you’re signing up for a fitness class! How many of us dread heading to the gym and find excuses not to go? Each and every one of us has done this at some point! Knowing Tami, however, opens up a new feeling toward being fit. Because of the relationship she forms with every client, the experience at The Dailey Method in Bucktown is like taking a trip to a dear friend’s home. We should mention her staff implores the same friendly attitude. Let’s learn more about Tami, and her positively contagious vibe…
How would you describe your business in exactly three adjectives?
effective, addicting, and empowering
People may be surprised to know…
That this workout is for EVERYONE! Â It is amazing workout for all different ability levels, sexes, shapes, and sizes, and the best part is everyone sees the results.
How do you spend your free time?
Quality family time with my husband Brett, daughter Quinn, and our dog Baxter. Our family walks are my favorite!
Who is your role model or mentor?
My role model is Jill Dailey McIntosh, the creator of The Dailey Method. Â She has taught me everything that is worth knowing in my business.
What is your indulgence?
Wine. Â I love having a glass of wine at dinner with my husband, catching up with girl friends at someone’s house, or for no reason at all.
Join the fun with The Dailey Method on Facebook and Twitter
***The Dailey Method is one of the six classes offered at this month’s Bloom and Tone CRAVEparty!
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