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

DC Goes Green

March 31, 2010 by Sarah Clise | Comments (0)

Throw a CRAVE-worthy Event

March 31, 2010 by Sarah Clise | Comments (0)

Add More ~ing To Your Life

March 29, 2010 by Sarah Clise | Comments (0)

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

Fashion Sense is a Relative Term

March 24, 2010 by Lynn Edwards | Comments (0)

In honor of the recent Fashion Week hoopla, I thought I’d share my fashion “sense” and I use that term quite loosely. For those of you that have read the CRAVE Crack Up blogs, you’ve quickly come to learn I am “challenged” in many areas of my life that include domestically, home interiorally, culinarily, and more. Fashion is no exception….I have narrowly escaped being featured in the black-boxed face photo in many a fashion magazine.

Every Spring I am inspired to clean out the closet, buy some colorful shoes and skip around looking cute. I pledge to wear a pretty floral print dress just because they look so dang fun on the TV ads but then realize I would actually have to shave my legs.

I adore all the fabulous sunglasses but find myself still sporting the $3.99 pair I bought at the Ritzville AM/PM after a long night. I vowed to never buy expensive eyewear because I was sure I’d lose or break them…these signature shades I picked up near the corn dogs have lasted me five years, naturally!

Each April I travel to Las Vegas for some much needed girl fun. One year I committed myself to having the right “Vegas” shoes, so I splurged. I found just the right pair of smoking hot black strappy pumps. When I got there, I made it from my room to the elevator in the hotel before I had to return to the room for my flip flops. They looked super cute in the pre-func party pics though.

A southern friend once sent me a Spring purse set. By “set” I mean that it looked like one of those Christmas dolls that you open and find 15 more mini-Christmas dolls inside, only this had a matching wallet, sunglass case, etc., it had a million pieces. I had no idea what to do with all of them but they sure were cute. Don’t be surprised that I don’t have a purse “set”…I just recently realized you should have more than one bag for different seasons.

Speaking of seasons, when I lived in the south I was outcast due to my major faux pas of wearing white heels before Easter. Silly me, it had been 80 degrees since New Year’s Eve so I figured white shoes with my cute floral skirt would work. The fashion police literally showed up and locked me in a dressing room at Dillard’s until Easter for that high crime.

You might say I am a “function over form” kind of gal. I am all about comfort and all my jeans have to do is at least accommodate my cell phone and lip gloss.

I do love coats, it’s a strange addiction but I must have a hundred in my closet. Ok, 50% are fleece, but I do dig the outer layer action. Funny thing is I am always so warm, I rarely wear them, not just because most of them would look ridiculous with my floral dress but also because I don’t want to be bothered with carrying one around. I would probably leave it in some coat check somewhere and lose it….like my $3.99 expensive eyewear.

Here’s to putting on a pretty floral dress and skipping around looking cute this Spring!

Pet-Friendly DC

March 24, 2010 by Sarah Clise | Comments (0)

Of course every CRAVE gal loves to be pampered- but what about our four-legged friends? If you want to treat your pets to some seriously wag-worthy experiences, we’re here to share some of our favorite pet-friendly businesses in the area.

Photography by Sara Riddle – sarariddle.com

With possibly the best job in the entire world, Sara takes fun, contemporary, and stylish photos of your favorite furry friends. She’s a pro at capturing the personality of your pet in gorgeous, high-quality pictures that memorialize Fido forever.

Barkley Square Dog Bakery – barkleysquarebakery.com

This bakery/boutique combo will have you and your pooch drooling for more. Owner Kristina Robertson stocks her shop with only the most high quality doggie goods, from Barkley original Bacon Cheddar Bones to Green Market collars to adorable Tuff Scale plush toys.

Dogtopia – dogdaycare.com

Founded by CEO Amy Nichols, this doggie daycare franchise is so good you might want to send your dog on vacation and stay there yourself! From the Happy Pup day spa package to the boutique full of high quality brands, there’s no shortage of ways to pamper your pet.

Paws of Enchantment – pawsofenchantment.com

A holistic pet grooming spa, Paws of Enchantment makes your four-legged friends look and feel their absolute best. Cassandra Kraham, a dog groomer since childhood, offers healthy and therapeutic services, including hypo-allergenic shampoos and green clay “masks.”

Do It Yourself Design Inspirations We CRAVE

March 22, 2010 by Lilla | Comments (0)

Spring is finally just around the corner. We are gearing up to do all our regular spring cleaning tasks – flip mattresses, wash curtains, and finally organize our junk drawers. One of the highlights of spring is rebirth and getting a new lease on life . Well, how about doing the same for your home or an old piece of furniture? Small changes are sure to make a large difference in any home! We love to turn to designspongeonline.com for inspiration and really love the before & after posts. Check out some of our favorite makeovers:

• From gloomy kitchen to apple green colored charmer
• From boring and granny-like rocking chair to modern rockin’ chic
• From an apartment that belongs in a Golden Girls flashback to a place that Carrie Bradshaw can call home!

Do you have any home DIYs plans for spring?

Blog Bombshells

March 17, 2010 by Sarah Clise | Comments (0)

Blogs are like coffee shops – there are so many to choose from, but once you’ve found a hidden gem, you keep going back for more! It may surprise readers to know that Washington DC is a mecca for awesome female bloggers of all types. Read on to learn about three very different blog bombshells whose posts we crave!

Kate Michaels of K Street Kate
kstreetkate.net

Local blogger Kate Michaels has quite the glamorous resume. Miss DC in 2006 and current co-host of The District Dish, she gives readers the scoop on her favorite local events and style as K Street Kate. She spices up her posts with YouTube pictures and pics with DC celebs like painter Justin Giunta (he’s designed jewelry for Tory Burch!).

Sacha Cohen of Going Green DC
goinggreendc.net

New, improved, and greener than your mama’s DC – that’s the tagline of Sacha Cohen’s (founder of grassfed media) fun, info-packed, and eco-friendly blog. From restaurants to non-profits to boutiques to spas, she’s created a compendium of knowledge for the oh-so-green DC community. Posts include interviews with vibrant local green business owners, eco-friendly recipes, and fabulous farmers market finds.

Danielle Freedman of District Weddings
districtweddings.com

Without a doubt, District Weddings is your go-to-guide for EVERYTHING wedding in DC. Blog editor Danielle Freedman covers fashion, venues, invitations, cakes, and so much more that you would never think of if she hadn’t thought of it for you! Don’t miss the stunning pictures of “Real Weddings” that depict the unique and beautiful paths that others of taken down the aisle.

CRAVE up your St. Patrick’s Day

March 16, 2010 by Jade S. | Comments (0)

St. Patrick’s Day is tomorrow and whether you are of Irish heritage or not, it is a great excuse to dress up in green, drink Guinness and eat corned beef and cabbage. In case the traditional Irish feast isn’t your thing we have come up with a few cool ways that you can celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with your girlfriends. So grab your green, your “Kiss Me I’m Irish” sticker and a few gal pals and celebrate with us! Erin Go Bragh!

Coordinate a cocktail party with you gal pals using this fabulous party guide from Girlfriend Celebrations. Get cocktail creative with green drinks that aren’t beer. Pair these with fabulous green snacks and appetizers. Finish off the Irish ambiance by playing Celtic music in the background. As a fun party activity everyone can plant individual clovers and each guest can take home a pot to remind them of their fabulous friends.

Not into food and games? Coordinate a gift exchange with girlfriends and require that everyone purchase something that is authentically Irish. Set a spending limit so everyone gets something fun.

This year the holiday is celebrated on a Wednesday so if you aren’t in to going out and partying hard consider spending a night in watching movies. Use food coloring to dye your popcorn green and pop in a Irish “chick-flick” like PS I Love You, Tristan and Isolde , or Leap Year. All St. Patrick’s Day rules still apply so make sure your PJ’s are green!

If you want to go all out and spend the night on the town check out this fabulous St. Patrick’s Day event guide and find out what fun St. Patty’s festivities are happening in your area.

We wish you the “luck o’ the Irish” this year as you celebrate with friends. And no matter where or how you celebrate remember the old Irish adage “Before you call for one for the road be sure you know the road.” SlĂ inte

The Spas CRAVE DC Loves

March 15, 2010 by Sarah Clise | Comments (0)

Sometimes we get it in our heads that we’re simply too busy to block out some time and really relax. Indulging in a rich dessert or aromatic bubble bath after work is about as far as we go. Well we’re craving a new level of inner peace, tranquility, and relaxation. If you feel the same way but don’t know where to go to find your bliss, we’ve scouted out the best spas in town for rejuvenating your body and mind.

Tranquil Space – tranquilspace.com
1632 17th St. NW, Washington DC, 20009

More than just an amazing yoga studio, founder Kimberly Wilson’s Tranquil Space has a new, heavenly spa menu to satisfy the most voracious luxury-seeker’s appetite. Ranging from craniosacral therapy (a light touch energy treatment that loosens up the connective tissue around muscles and organs) to honey face treatments (a soothing experience that includes green tea anti-oxidants, warm towels, and a face massage) to prenatal Thai yoga bodywork (designed to promote flexability and relaxation while easing some of pregnancy’s discomforts), the huge variety of spa services are sure to put you in state of pure serenity.

The Pearl Spa – thepearlspa.com
821 Key Highway, Baltimore, MD, 21230

The ultimate combination of ritz and relaxation, this 6,000 square foot spa in the Ritz Carlton Residences at the Inner Harbor of Baltimore offers extravagant amenities you never even knew you wanted (until now that is!). Try the tropical-themed Rainforest Restoration treatment featuring a hot guava and coconut wrap or the Italian-inspired Tuscany treatment with special wine therapy to get a taste of what THE pearl is all about. Each treatment room has customizable music settings, so bring your iPod and rock out to whatever tunes relax you the most.

Indulge Mobile Spa – indulgemobilespa.info
Phone: 1.800.289.5850

Fulfilling every luxury-lover’s ultimate fantasy, Indulge Mobile Spa is a spa that comes to you! The epitome of convenient comfort, the spa is an eco-friendly establishment that offers environmentally conscious (and completely luxurious) nail treatments, massage therapies, and facials. Clients simply pick a Spa Party Package, invite some friends (the minimum is 4 people per event), and let the pampering begin! The Lily package is a winner, including a 30-minute facial, 30-minute massage, and a spa manicure and pedicure.

Celebrating Women’s History Month

March 8, 2010 by Melisa M. | Comments (0)

Did you know that March is Women’s History Month? Women’s History Month can be traced back to 1911 when the first International Women’s Day was celebrated. But it didn’t become a month long celebration until 1987. The popularity of women’s history celebrations continues to spread as more people are becoming aware of the contributions of women and girls. A President’s Commission on the Celebration of Women in History in America recently sponsored hearings in many parts of the country. The Women’s Progress Commission will soon conduct hearings to promote interest in preserving areas that are relevant in American women’s history. Some of the groups promoting this interest are state historical societies, women’s organizations, and groups such as the Girl Scouts of the USA. CRAVE would like to celebrate Women’s History month by selecting five women who have made a positive impact in the last ten years.

Hillary Clinton
During the last decade, she was First Lady, Senator, serious presidential candidate of a major political party, and Secretary of State, First former First Lady to hold major elective office, January 2001 (Senator from New York); first woman candidate for U.S. president to almost win a nomination from a major political party (declared candidacy January 2007, conceded June 2008) and first former First Lady to serve in the cabinet, in her capacity of U.S. Secretary of State, confirmed January 2009. All of this after her presidential husband cheated on her for the whole world to see. Need I say more?

Oprah Winfrey
Oprah was the first black billionaire, as reported by Forbes in April 2004. Although she is not in politics or changing laws, her power and conviction is known the world over. She has used her power again and again to shed light on good causes on everything from women who are sold into slavery to animal cruelty. Her latest endeavor is getting people to stop talking and texting on the phone while driving. She puts massive amounts of money into charitable causes and her show is now approaching an unbelievable 25 year run. In 2009 she announced that the The Oprah Winfrey Show will end in 2011. It’s hard to find a woman who doesn’t know who she is.

Melinda Gates
Melinda Gates is the co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which is the largest transparently operated private foundation in the world. The foundation is “driven by the interests and passions of the Gates family.” The primary aims of the foundation are, globally, to enhance healthcare and reduce extreme poverty, and in America, to expand educational opportunities and access to information technology. The foundation, based in Seattle, Washington, has an endowment of US$35.1 billion as of October 1, 2008. The scale of the foundation and the way it seeks to apply business techniques to giving makes it one of the leaders in the philanthrocapitalism revolution in global philanthropy. In 2007 its founders were ranked as the second most generous philanthropists in America. Bill and Melinda were also named Time magazine’s Persons of the Year in December 2005.

Michelle Obama
Because Michelle is the first African American first lady and the first wife of an African American President, she has an influence and gets attention that prior first ladies may not have received. Michelle represents the loving, working mother who came from difficult circumstances, had the opportunity to attend an Ivy League school, and achieve great things in the causes that she’s taken on as a lawyer, and now, as a first lady. Even her fashion sense is turning heads because she tends to wear little known designers, giving them well-deserved attention, instead of going for the more typical pricier names that everyone would expect. When Michelle decided to grow a vegetable garden outside the White-House, all of a sudden it was all the rage. Right now she is taking on reducing childhood obesity and encouraging children to have a healthy active lifestyle.

Ellen DeGeneres
Though it is easy to argue that Ellen doesn’t have half the achievements under her belt as any of the rest of these women do, her talk show and her name have become so synonymous with positivity and acceptance, it seems that laughter really is the best medicine. Besides being widely adored and accepted as an openly gay woman, Ellen and her talk show have won the daytime Emmy for Best Talk Show and talk show host 4 years in a row and the show averages about 3.0 million viewers per episode, according to daytime television ratings, which makes it one of the highest-viewed daytime shows. The refreshing style of her humor and the unyielding extent of her kindness make her a stand out woman of the last decade.

Information from wikipedia.com.

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