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CRAVE CRUSH the urban girl's blog to all that you CRAVE
America, It’s Your Birthday!
Let’s face it, we CRAVE any excuse to get together and throw a party with our best friends. What better reason than for a birthday? Happy Birthday America! Since every birthday should involved presents- why not think of some ways you and your friends can give back to your community to commemorate the occasion? Check in with local organizations who do volunteer work. Maybe you can spend the afternoon helping clean up a park, planting some trees, or participating in a food drive.
After a day of doing something good for your country, you can feel good about having a little fun at night for yourself! Get your friends together, nosh on some festive treats and try to catch a glimpse of your local fireworks show. Here are some recipes to inspire your celebration:
This first recipe is from a chef bloggess we adore, CakeSpy!
Hartford Election Day Cupcakes: This spicecake is light but flavorful; all your friends will love munching on these treats which you can decorate in red, white and blue.
Dry ingredients:
- 8 ounces (1 cup) superfine granulated sugar
- 5 ounces (1 cup) all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon potato starch
- 1⁄8 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg, freshly grated
- Pinch of allspice
- Pinch of salt
- 1⁄8 teaspoon baking soda
Wet ingredients:
- 3 ounces (6 tablespoons) butter, melted
- ¼ cup half-and-half
- 1 tablespoon rum
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 whole eggs
- 1 egg yolk
Old-Fashioned Milk Buttercream
- 1 cup milk
- 2 ounces (¼ cup) all-purpose flour
- 8 ounces (2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 8 ounces (1 cup) superfine granulated sugar
- Pinch of salt
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Sip
While you are savouring some cupcakes, it is likely you will want something to sip as well. Here is a great list we found that lists five different themed cocktails: click. Are you adventurous? You have to try the first drink on the list- it includes jalapeno or Serrano peppers to add a little fire to your night. Prefer something a little sweeter to sip? Strawberry schnapps will be a key (red) ingredient for you. To give any red drinks a patriotic vibe try garnish with blueberries, blackberries or just throw in a blue straw!
Hello, Summer!
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.
Great Graduate Gifts
We all know at least one someone who is soon to reach a coveted educational milestone – GRADUATION! Whether from 8th grade, 12th grade or college, they’ve worked hard, done their homework and made it to the finish line! While they’re hard at work finding the perfect outfit to wear underneath their cap and gown and figuring out how they’re going to celebrate, our job is much harder…what gift do we give? Sure, cash is always nice, but a thoughtful, personal gift means so much more! From the perfect card, most glorious bouquet of flowers and greatest little something, here are a few ideas - and where to get them!!
The Dandelion Patch
While Heidi Kallett’s The Dandelion Patch specializes in fine personalized stationary and paper products, they also stock some fantastic graduate-ready gifts. At one of their two convenient locations (one in Vienna and one in Reston) pick up a Green Science Kit – perfect for that soon-to-be high school student who has science on the brain. They’ll love making a robot or learning all about renewable energy hands-on! For older graduates, head to thedandelionpatch.com to check out Godiva chocolates, Vera Bradley handbags or one of a selection of collegiate dishes from a variety of schools are sure to be a hit. And if you’re hosting a graduation party? Pick up a couple of bright blue shell-shaped platters to serve festive foods on!
Karin’s Florist
Everyone enjoys a gorgeous bouquet of flowers. They’re great to receive and make the home beautiful for days and days! At Karin’s Florist in Vienna, brainchild of Maris Angolia, you’ll find the perfect way-to-go bouquet, filled to bursting with colorful buds and, if you’d like, a congratulations balloon! Looking for something that will last even longer? How about a Luscious Green Garden Basket packed with lush green plants that can be repotted and enjoyed for years to come (see this and so much more at karinsflorist.com)! And they’ve got the perfect thing for the foodie in your group – the All Fruit Basket With Candy – a selection of the freshest seasonal fruit and yummy hard candy – can’t go wrong there!
Verbena Paper & Gifts
Verbena Paper & Gifts is Angela Phelps’ magnificent retreat for those with a love of all things paper – someone on your graduation gift list is sure to love handsome (or chic, pretty and feminine) organizational goodies for their new home office. And for that college grad, embarking on a much deserved trip around Europe or South America? What could be better than a beautiful leather bound journal to record their once-in-a-lifetime adventure? While you’re there grab some fancy, unique stationary – perfect for a personalized congratulations note! verbenapaper.com
Bundles of Cookies
Finally, who doesn’t love a good cookie? At Bundle of Cookies in Bethesda you’ll find a vast array of cookies in fun and festive shapes. Who says the word “arrangement” has to just apply to flowers? Choose a graduation-inspired cookie arrangement for that special someone with a sweet tooth. Or how about the Congrats Star pan cookie – decorated just like a cake…but on a great big COOKIE!! Other fun gift options include delicious s’mores, cute ceramic cookie jars, and mugs filled with yummy hot chocolate mix!! Go to bundlesofcookies.com to see arrangement choices and gifts!
Daddy’s Day is Almost Here!
Father’s Day is around the corner and every year its the same. We ponder WHAT to get our dear dads for a gift. We all know that whatever we hand them they’ll be thankful for; but we always want to push the envelope! When we are pressed for time and don’t have the effort left to make something extremely sentimental, here is some advice from your friends at CRAVE on what to do that will make him smile.
Try and remember what your dad is passionate about. Is he an outdoors-man? Cook? Tech-savvy? Music lover? With some passion he has in mind its always easier to direct your gift towards a certain theme and come out successful. It will help you avoid spending hours shopping with no clue of what to get as well as guaranteeing that he will appreciate the gift and the thought you put into it.
If still stuck on where to begin with finding a gift, maybe go in a different direction then a simple gift from the store. Does you’re dad love a certain comedian or band? Grab tickets to a concert.
Dad’s love knowing you want to spend time with them, so if time allows, do an activity that involves doing something together. Time spent is more precious than any other gift money could buy!
Remember first and foremost that its your dad’s day! All that matters truly matters is that you make sure to tell him he’s special and you love him.
Baby Boutiques and Mama Marts – Where to find all things KID!
Summer is officially HERE! It’s time for family picnics and beach escapes, trips to the zoo and weekends by the coast. Cruise local kid’s shops and outfit your little ones in the latest and greatest! While you’re at it, grab a few things to make your life easier – the perfectly-pocketed diaper bag, anyone? How about attention-grabbing toys to keep tots occupied on long road trips? And if you’re expecting, you don’t have to go far to find fanciful furniture and decor for your new nursery!
Daisy Baby & Kids
shopdaisybaby.com
Daisy Baby & Kids is a one-stop-shop for all your baby and toddler needs! Choose crib, rocker and changing table for baby and high chair, bunk bed and sippy cups for older brothers and sisters. And for you? Keep your pants fitting just right through pregnancy and afterward with the super versatile, super comfy Bellaband! AND, owner Dana Evans figured out how to make your life even easier – Daisy Baby makes house calls, bringing books, color swatches and wood chips to your home to help you design the nicest nursery!
Apple Seed Maternity & Baby Boutique
appleseedboutique.com
In addition to fashion-forward maternity apparel – from hip skinny jeans to office-ready pencil skirts, pretty detailed wrap-tops to bathing suits, Apple Seed Maternity & Baby Boutique carries preciously perfect baby and kid-wear. Flip through Splendid sets, Petit Bateau onesies, C&C dresses and Kumquat hoodies. When you’re done with that, pick up a customizable, modular, multi-terrain Bugaboo cameleon stroller – never has carting around kids been so stylish and easy! Last, but not least, peruse Apple Seed’s sweet selection of kid’s keepsake toys and yummy organic skincare for the whole family by Earth Mama Angel Baby.
Pink & Brown, Organic & Trendy Children’s Boutique
pinkandbrownboutique.com
Are you looking for a children’s boutique overflowing with 100% organic furniture and cute kid’s clothes that capture the natural beauty and innocence of childhood? Well, look no further! Pink & Brown carries everything the enviro-conscious baby-Mama team needs! Find bright retro-print diaper bags, primary colored, slip-free bottle covers, and hippie print baby slings. Pick up Packin’ SMART snack stackables and old-fashioned wooden toy trains. And complete your nursery with a streamline and modern crib…that conveniently converts to toddler’s first bed! ALSO, Pink & Brown offers 10% off to Moms expecting twins (when purchasing multiples of the same item)!!
Branding Basics for Small Business New Book By Maria Ross
Maria Ross, the brains behind marketing and branding firm, Red Slice, has just wrapped up yet another project. This time in the form of a comprehensive guide to effectively branding your business – any small business, on any budget. Branding Basics for Small Business: How to Create an Irresistible Brand on Any Budget will walk you step-by-step through solidifying your core promise, personality and reason for being. We caught up with Maria and asked her a little bit about what inspires her at work and in life! And before we forget, to purchase your copy of Branding Basics go to red-slice.com/branding-basics-book!
When and how did you discover your talent for and love of marketing and strategizing?
I majored in marketing in college, as I’d always had a love for advertising and using communication to evoke emotion. Marketing can be used for so much good in the world: encouraging people to donate time or money, showcasing a worthy cause, inspiring people to be the best they can be. I have always been impressed with a well-turned tagline or a delightful campaign that gives me goosebumps. In the book, I talk about the effect that Nike had on me in the mid-90’s when they launched the “If you let me play” campaign aimed at empowering young girls through athletics. I gained experience across all aspects of marketing over my career and really like the brainstorming and strategy phase the best.
What compelled you to write Branding Basics For Small Business?
I got sick and tired of people undervaluing what a brand could do for them, or thinking that it is just their logo. Brand is so much more than that and when small businesses understand what brand really means – that it is the core promise and value they deliver to customers – they can better connect with customers and drive sales. Brand is expressed not just visually through your logo or colors, but verbally through the messages you use and experientially in how customers (and employees) are treated. I also wrote it because putting together your brand strategy is not rocket science: it just requires answering some key questions and really putting intentional thought into how you present yourself to customers. So I wanted to spread the “brand gospel” to small businesses – many of whom have the nimbleness and passion to create a powerful brand connection with their customers because they are so close to them.
Without giving too much away (we all need to read the book!!), what is the most important step in creating a strong brand strategy?
I would say two of the biggest mistakes business owners make when it comes to brand strategy are not identifying their target audience in crisp detail, and not telling customers what they want to hear. For target audiences, business owners try to go too broad and end up appealing to no one because their message is so bland and generic. But your brand needs to be relevant in order to meaningfully connect. Secondly, many small businesses talk about themselves by saying “This is what we do” versus taking the customer point of view and saying, “Here’s what you get.” Many small businesses don’t see that they are talking about benefits from their own perspective, not the customer’s.
Your book discusses “how to create an irresistible brand on any budget”…will this really work on ANY budget? What is one important step in reaching out to potential clients/customers on a shoe string budget?
An effective brand is not measured by how much money you have to spend. Every company out there wishes they had more money! I’ve executed against brand strategies with $1000 and $12,000,000. The point is that, by using the process in the book, you can create a strong brand strategy that you then can execute efficiently with whatever budget you have. When you have less budget, it’s even more important to go after the right things or be more creative and a brand strategy helps you do that. Your activities align towards one clear target. Many businesses end up wasting money because they perform “random acts of marketing” that don’t get them anywhere. With a clear brand strategy, you actually save time, money and headache on only investing in the right things that get you ahead.
What is your favorite part about what you do? What keeps you going and gets your juices flowing at work?
I love when I work with a client and see the light go on in their eyes, when they “get” what brand really means and how to apply it. They seem more confident, they are able to clearly cite their elevator pitch. They say things like, “That’s exactly what I want my company to represent! It’s perfect!” Being able to help people deconstruct their brand story and then show them a perfect way to visually or verbally represent it is just amazing.
What is your favorite thing to do when you are NOT working?
I love to write: I write wine and food articles for some online publications. I also love to eat great food with friends, drink wine, hike, read, act in community theatre, watch indie films (I’ve been to Sundance about 5 years in a row!) and go for walks with my husband and our awesome Black Lab mix, Eddie, who we adopted two years ago.
Branding Basics Book Now Available! June 2010 from Maria Ross
It’s World Cup Time!
Ladies! The World Cup is on this week, so why not throw a fabulous party to celebrate! Soccer is the most popular sport in the world and throwing a party will be just another fun reason to sit around the TV with the gals and drool over men in jerseys.
So what are the three key items necessary for throwing a great party? Friends, food, and some fun drinks. With those elements you’re bound to have fun.
First, lets start off with friends. Invite your best gal pals over (probably 8 to 10 ladies) and ask them to previously pick a team to cheer for. Then suggest they wear the colors of their team to the party. It will add a small hint of competition to the group and keep your ladies having fun screaming for their men during the game.
Second, it may be a soccer party but the snacks don’t have to be the typical game food of chicken wings and burgers. For your ladies, whip up a batch of cupcakes or if in a time crunch grab some from your local grocer and decorate them with the colors of the teams playing. As for the other snacks, everything needs to be decent at room temperature, since once the game starts the attention will be focused more on the TV. Perhaps some bruschetta and caprese salad would be yummy finger food that will leave your guests happy and satisfied. If feeling too crunched for time on the snacky goods, ask your gals to each bring something small and yummy with them when they come. It will help relieve some of the stress and you know then you’ll have plenty of food to go around.
Third, but just as important are those drinks! Decide to make some of your favorite cocktails or bubbly that will keep the girls having fun throughout the game. Perhaps a drink that includes the colors of the teams! Drinks are always fun but no one wants to bust their budget on buying alcohol that not everyone will like, so let your girlfriends know you will be providing some drinks, but suggest they bring more if they have a specific or picky preference.
So no more excuses and procrastinating! You now have all you need for a successful party! All that’s left is letting the gals know and start getting caught up on your knowledge of the teams and the gorgeous men playing. Games start June 11th so get your head in the game and get your party started!
Simply Stylish Soles
SimplySoles
Summer is here. It’s time to embrace the gorgeous weather. Why not update your wardrobe with some new sandals? Having recently moved to Georgetown, SimplySoles carries top designers such as Tory Burch, Tibi, Frye, Delman, Taryn Rose, Castaner, and Chie Mihara, and is here for all your shoe needs. Though based in DC, SimplySole has a catalog and an on-line store, and ships around the world Kassie Rempel’s passion for shoes led her to open SimplySoles, recognizing that there was a shortage of stylish, chic accessories and shoe stores in the DC area. She has been featured in numerous magazines such as the Amex Trend Book 2009, FW, Shape Magazine, the Washington Post, and People Magazine. Furthermore, Rempel has been named one of the top five emerging entrepreneurs by Entrepreneur magazine, one of the 2008 Women Who Mean Business in the Washington Business Journal, and was shown on the cover of the Fortune Small Business magazine. She designs her own sassy and luxurious shoe line, lilybee, which she sells exclusively. Shopping at SimplySoles also helps the community- Rempel is working with a non-profit organization to help women transition from homeless shelters, jail, or drug rehabilitation programs. If you donate shoes to the recycling program, SimplySoles will discount 10% off your purchase.
SimplySoles is located at The Shops at Georgetown Park, 3222 M Street NW across from Anthropologie.
Store Hours: Monday-Saturday 10-8 and Sunday 12-6; Phone: 800-909- 3679 or 202-232-0072; simplysoles.com