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

Where to Find Hot Spring Fashions

April 22, 2010 by Sarah C. | Comments (0)

Time to start packing up the parkas and stocking up on short-sleeves and skirts. Spring is here, ushering in a new wave of hot styles, bright colors, and sassy prints. Make sure that you don’t wind up a walking fashion-don’t this season and check out clothes we crave from these lovable local boutiques.

Lettie Gooch
1517 U Street, NW DC
202-332-4242
lettiegooch.com

Named after the owner’s grandmother, Lettie Gooch’s style embodies the fashion-forward, spunky, and strong persona of its namesake. Stocked with the newest trends from hot designers all over the world, the boutique often throws fun shopping events. This season their jewel-tone trenches are all the rage!

Fornash
The Shops at Georgetown Park
3222 M St., NW, Second Level – Suite W-229
202-338-0774
fornash.com

Brainchild of local designer, Stephanie Fornash Kennedy, Fornash has expanded its inventory since it debuted as a custom handbag shop in 2002. Now you can head the Georgetown boutique and find a stunning array of clothing, accessories, jewelry, and more to add glamor and glitz to your spring wardrobe.

Saya Originals
sayaoriginals.com

Punch up any spring outfit with sleek, sexy Indonesian handbags and accessories from Saya Originals. The beautiful snakeskin designs come in an array of colors and styles, from deep purple to charcoal, tan, and fire engine red, and you be able to keep your hands of the exquisite texture.

Eco-CRAVE: More Green Businesses We Love

April 15, 2010 by Sarah C. | Comments (3)

Back in the day, recycling was about as green as you could get. These days, going green has branched out into every aspect of life and is gaining momentum around the world. More than just a celebrity trend, it’s been adopted by individuals, businesses, and even neighborhoods. Continuing CRAVE’s ongoing support of going green and to celebrate Earth Day, here are some more of our favorite local eco-friendly businesses.

Eco-Coach – eco-coach.com
If you want to go green but don’t know where to start, Eco-Coach is here to save the day! Founder Anca Novacovici uses her passion for sustainability and environmental awareness to help individuals and businesses fuse eco-friendly practices into how they operate on a daily basis. Her consultancy services include green home renovations, LEED review, and ongoing green coaching.

Eco-Green Living – eco-greenliving.com
Eco-Green Living literally offers the building blocks to a greener life. From design, to construction, to living, the products in the warehouse and shop have you covered. Husband and wife owners, Keith and Donna Ware have made sure to stock up on anything you could possibly want to add some environmental friendliness to your home or office, whether it’s paint, lighting, insulation, counter tops, and even organic mattresses.

Green-a-Porter – greenaporter.com
It’s amazing what two women who love shopping can do when struck with a little bit of green fever. Local ladies Amy and Adriana created a network of boutiques dedicated to protecting the environment, and they throw fun shopping events at the boutiques to raise environmental awareness. They’ve created a community of eco-conscious shoppers who support local businesses and raise for money for charity too. Shopping anyone?

Herban Lifestyle – herbanlifestyle.com
Treat your body to some all-natural love with Mary Kearn’s fragrant array of handmade massage oils, salves, scrubs, soaps, and more. Organic, Fair-Trade, ethically-crafted ingredients make each product something that will make you feel good in more ways than one. The high-quality of the products themselves will give your body a boost, and the knowledge that you’re supporting green living can give your conscience a lift too!

Caffeine + Community = Coffee Shops We CRAVE

April 9, 2010 by Sarah C. | Comments (0)

Double espresso, tall drip, short non-fat vanilla latte, mocha with extra whip – whatever you need to keep you bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, we understand the craving. We also understand the love people have for independent, local coffee shops- they give you and the community a buzz that big chain stores simply can’t provide. So, in honor of the caffeine we crave and the wonderful places that provide it, we’re showing some love to our favorite local coffee shops.

Baked and Wired – bakedandwired.com
Organic milk from Trickling Springs Creamery in Pennsylvania and coffee from Counter Culture Coffee, roasted in North Carolina, give Baked and Wired coffee drinks a homey, feel-good vibe. The shop prides itself on quality products made with fair and sustainable practices. Did we mention everything is completely delicious?

M.E. Swing Coffee Roasters – swingcoffee.com
A DC-favorite since 1916, M.E. Swing has moved all over the neighborhood before landing at its current location on G Street. For decades, DC caffeine aficionados have flocked to this family-owned institution to breathe in the intoxicating smell of fresh-roasted coffee, drink in the history, and of course enjoy a refreshing cup of Joe!

St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub – stelmoscoffeepub.com
A self-proclaimed community gathering place, St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub definitely exudes a pub atmosphere. Replacing pint glasses with mugs, it’s a place where locals enjoy art, music, and board games. Book exchanges and knitting clubs are common occurrences, as are neighborhood canines. This dog-friendly coffee shop serves up a variety of coffees, notably the St. Elmo’s House Blend, a rich Fair Trend blend of Central and South American beans.

DC Goes Green

March 31, 2010 by Sarah C. | Comments (0)

Of all the colors in the rainbow, green is the one that’s caught CRAVE’s attention. It seems that DC has been swept up in a wave of environmental responsibility, and businesses everywhere are making the effort to go green! Considering CRAVE itself has recently gone green, we’ve decided to celebrate the local green businesses we love!

Naturally Chic Events - naturallychicevents.com

Be green and have fun at the same time! Using environmentally safe products and eco-friendly services, this duo of local women will help you plan a party with a minimal impact on the environment and a maximal fun factor! Make sure to check out their Naturally Chic Boutique, brimming with products like biodegradable (and cute!) bamboo plates and beeswax pillar candles in nature-inspired shades like moss, pumpkin, and eggplant.

Nusta Spa - nustaspa.com

The first and only spa accepted into the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) pilot program for commercial interiors, Nusta Spa is as green as it gets. From the building’s design, to the product brands, to the way the products are packaged, when customers enter the spa they get a completely eco-friendly experience. Don’t miss the ultra-relaxing Hydrating Mud Wrap followed by a rainforest shower.

Restaurant Nora - noras.com

The first certified organic restaurant in the country, Restaurant Nora has been frequented by presidents and prides itself on sustainable, sensational dishes. Since 1999, over 95% of Nora Pouillon’s food has come from certified organic growers demonstrating that eco-friendly dining not only benefits the environment but it will have your taste buds begging for more. Warm up with the Broccoli & Parmesan Soup with carmelized onion, pinenuts, and crispy kale.

Throw a CRAVE-worthy Event

March 31, 2010 by Sarah C. | Comments (0)

Have you dreamed of throwing the bash of the year, the one that everyone’s talking about months later in a good way? Do you have a baby shower, corporate event, anniversary celebration, birthday party, or wedding in the works that needs to be amazing and unforgettable? If so, you could probably use some help. Here are CRAVE’s suggestions for DC-area event planners who will help you plan the party of your dreams.

Ritzy Bee Events – ritzybee.com
Owner and event designer Maria Cooke has over a decade of experience in her field. Along with social occasions like holiday celebrations and baby showers, Maria helps plan elegant weddings from beginning to end. Three different levels of wedding planning packages, as well as a la carte services, allow Ritzy Bee couples to make the most of their big day in the best way for them. Regardless of the type of event Ritzy Bee helps you design, it’s bound to be sweet, beautiful, charming and of course fun.

BRAVO! – aboutbravo.com
Make a splash with your event with BRAVO!’s help. Nancy Shaffer, Karen Bridges, and their team work closely with clients to design successful and budget-conscious events. They’ll assist with every aspect, including theme planning, online event support, and menu design. Corporate, nonprofit, and social events are all part of their extensive planning repertoire. They have experience planning events all over North America and even in Europe!

Add More ~ing To Your Life

March 29, 2010 by Sarah C. | 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

Pet-Friendly DC

March 24, 2010 by Sarah C. | 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.”

Blog Bombshells

March 17, 2010 by Sarah C. | 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.

The Spas CRAVE DC Loves

March 15, 2010 by Sarah C. | 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.

DC’s Happiest Hour

March 5, 2010 by Sarah C. | Comments (1)

Every CRAVE gal has moments like this – when her feet kill from painfully gorgeous heels, her head hurts from incompetent employees, and her tummy growls from skipping lunch yet again. I think the Partridge Family said it best when they belted out these famously cheesy lyrics, “Come on, get happy!”  Grab your girlfriends and  head to happy hour to rid your mind of the day’s woes with cheap grub and cocktails!

Poste - (postebrasserie.com)
555 – 8th Street

French favorite Poste Modern Brasserie (in Penn Quarter) recently received a makeover! Celebrate their fabulous renovation with $5 Happy Hour Mon. -Fri., 4 – 7 pm and sip a much-deserved glass of wine while munching on sinfully delicious Pomme Frites & Truffle Frites. Happy Hour or not, Poste boasts exquisite cuisine that is market fresh and eco-friendly.

The Reserve - (reserveonl.com)
426 L Street

Striking a balance between sophisticated tapas bar and fun late night lounge, The Reserve’s hardwood floors and finished brick walls definitely create a certain ambiance. One look at their tapas menu (including Sweet Potato Puree with Grilled Scallops and Garlic Butter Sauce) and the Happy Hour menu (Tues. -Fri., 5 – 8 pm) with $5 wine and beer will leave you feeling anything but reserved!

Sette Osteria - (setteosteria.com)
1666 Connecticut Avenue

Who doesn’t love Italian good? At Sette Osteria’s daily Happy Hour from 4:30 – 7 pm you can’t go wrong. With choices like $3.75 Budlights, $7 Pizza Margheritas, and $5 mixed drinks, you’ll be itching to sidle up to the bar and get comfortable. This authentic Italian gem specializes in Neapolitan cuisine and has a wood-burning pizza oven to boot!

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