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

Saint-Germain Salon

July 29, 2010 by Taline | Comments (0)

Saint-Germain, one of the most stylish districts in Paris, is also the name of one of Washington DC’s chicest salons. After the success of their first salon, Molécule, Teri Ku and her husband, Franck Rihouey opened Saint-Germain in the heart of the Penn Quarter. Have your hair cut, colored, relaxed, highlighted… this creative duo can do it all. The Parisian flair doesn’t stop with the name, however. An ornate chandelier hanging above a marble reception desk invites one into the salon, where clients are then treated to cappuccinos. The royal treatment continues as clients are led to remote-controlled massage chairs to be washed and the option to watch TV while having their hair cut. You will leave Saint-Germain feeling like you belong at a royal ball at the Chateau de Versailles. Ooh la la!

Saint-Germain
saintgermainsalon.com
439 7th Street NW
Washington DC, 20004
202.824.0444

Baby Boutiques and Mama Marts – Where to find all things KID!

June 9, 2010 by Jessica C. | Comments (0)

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)!!

Insight From Makeup Artist, Sheila Patel

May 21, 2010 by Jennifer L. | Comments (0)

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

Forever Fit & Fabulous!

May 21, 2010 by Taline | Comments (0)

Fitness on the Run
fitnessontherun.net
109 S Alfred St, Alexandria, VA 22314 | 703.299.9333

“We believe fitness is a way of life, not a gym membership” states Fitness on the Run (FOR), Old Town Alexandria’s premier fitness studio. This private gym offers both personal training and group exercise classes, taught by professional trainers who are specialists in the field. The broad range of classes, ranging from 5K Running programs to Boot Camp and Circuit Training, are suitable for all levels. Want to be bikini ready? Try Core and Balls, which utilizes stability and medicine balls. Or, give kickboxing a go, a guaranteed way to increase tone and build muscle. For those who prefer to work one on one, personal training sessions at FOR are specifically designed for each client’s goals. Going to the gym is only a part of creating a healthy lifestyle. Therefore, FOR also provides nutritional advice and counseling.  Fitness on the Run was founded by Adrien Cotton in 2004. She wanted to spread her passion for fitness, and help those who want to improve their lifestyle. Having completed 5 Marine Corp Marathons, numerous 3 to 15 kilometer road races and the Pumpkinman triathlon, she is an inspiration to all who walk through her gym’s door.

The Magnificent, Must-Have MANI – PEDI!

May 19, 2010 by Jessica C. | Comments (2)

There are few things we love more in life than our bi-weekly jaunts to the nail salon. We step through the doors perhaps tired or stressed or frazzled by our day-to-day, and we leave an hour or two later feeling pampered and pretty and poised. We love front tables littered with fashion mags, the sweet smell of lavender mixed with polish wafting through the air, and fantastically frivolous chit-chat with estheticians and fellow manicure mavens. Here are three 100% girly, 100% fabulous mani/pedi spots near you!

The Still Point
At Tori Paide’s holistic, full-service spa, The Still Point, clients are treated like the eco-queens we are! Sitting atop feather-filled cushions with a heated neck wrap, prepare to have your hands and feet seriously pampered! Choose from a variety of mani/pedi options from sugar scrubs to foot masks to enzymatic treatments. And the best part is, these mani/pedis are expectant Mom healthy! All products used are non-toxic, pharmaceutical grade and organic! Check out stillpointmindandbody.com for more info!

THE Pearl Spa
Ultimate bliss and tranquility await at Kassi Buscher’s luxurious THE Pearl Spa. Head on over for a massage, facial, make-up lesson, airbrush tan and ultimate mani/pedi! Their hand and foot menu feature catchy services like THE Cosmopearlitan, THE Pearltini, and THE 007, complete with fancies like crushed pearls caviar hand therapy and marine collagen for an anti-aging punch! See more at thepearlspa.com!

Nail Taxi
When you don’t have time to make it to the spa, Cinnamon Bowser, has the solution! Have the spa come to YOU!! Enjoy a solo mani/pedi in the comfort of your home or office, or call some gal pals, shake up some cocktails and mocktails, and make it a party! Certified Nail Taxi nail techs will help you choose from standard manicures and pedicures, acrylics and extra services like luscious paraffin dips and microdermabrasion for your hands! Head to nailtaxi.com for a complete list of services!

Our CRAVE Beauty Secrets Revealed

May 10, 2010 by Karina | Comments (0)

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

• Try fabric softener for a great leave-in conditioner. Dilute a 1/2 cup with 1 cup of water and for softer, fresher locks.
• For between shampoos: degrease oily hair with witch hazel. Apply to your roots with a cotton ball.
• When hair starts looking dull from too many products, use translucent face powder on the roots and brush through to give hair a subtle shine.

Skin

• To lighten age spots and sun-damaged skin, mix the juice of 1 lemon, 1 lime, 2 tablespoons of honey, and 2 ounces of plain yogurt. Gently massage into each spot weekly for noticeable results.
• For a great body exfoliant, scrub with dried coffee grounds. The caffeine in coffee also helps to stimulate the growth of new skin cells.
• Keep cucumbers for your salads and use raw potato slices to remove dark under-eye circles.

Makeup

• For lips that pop, dab a little bit of red or orange color in the center to make them appear fuller.
• To give your lashes an extra lift, warm an eyelash curler with a blow dryer before using. Lashes will stay curled for longer and this trick doesn’t even require mascara!
• When applying blush or bronzer, you should first know where to apply your glow. Bend over for 30 seconds, then slowly stand up. Where your cheeks are flushed is where you are meant to blush. Apply your blush there for a naturally rosy look.

* please take caution, CRAVE does not guarantee results

Spring Eating for your Healthy Body

April 26, 2010 by Nicole S. | Comments (0)

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.

Fun Ways to Stay Active Outdoors

April 19, 2010 by Jennifer L. | Comments (0)

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?

Eco-CRAVE: More Green Businesses We Love

April 15, 2010 by Sarah Clise | 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.

Celebrate Earth Day April 22

April 12, 2010 by Melisa M. | Comments (0)

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

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