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CRAVE BlogThe CRAVE DC team is hard at work wrapping up the 1st edition of the CRAVE DC Guide: the urban girl’s manifesto! To ease the wait check out this cute video featuring some of the amazing women owned businesses in the book! Also we are hoping to see you at our Pre-Launch Happy Hour Party – August 10th! ( click here for more info).
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Archive for the ‘Events’ Category
CRAVE DC Book – Sneak Peek
Wednesday, August 4th, 2010World Cup Celebration: Indulge in Global Treats
Thursday, July 8th, 2010
For weeks we have been huddled around the television, sometimes at ungodly hours of the morning, to watch beautiful men from around the world kick around a soccer ball and compete for the coveted World Cup. Whether you have followed the sport for years or just recently discovered what terms like “off-sides” or “stoppage time” mean, it is truly amazing how soccer can bring entire nations together for a common goal.
America’s run has ended, but there are some amazing teams that have risen to the top of the competition! Gather your friends together and indulge in these fun recipes perfect for a summer barbecue or potluck that are inspired by the stand out teams of the 2010 World Cup!
Chimichurri Steak- Uruguay/ Argentina
Chimichurri is a sauce from South America and is served in countries like Uruguay and Argentina over steak and chicken.
Ingredients:
1 cup packed fresh flat leaf parsley
¼ cup packed fresh cilantro
½ cup olive oil
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
2 garlic cloves peeled
¾ teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
a pinch of salt and pepper
a squeeze of lemon juice
Preparation:
- Mix all ingredients in a food processor and serve over steak, chicken or fish.
Party Sangria- Spain
Ingredients:
1 bottle of red wine
1 lemon cut into wedges
1 orange cut into wedges
1 lime cut into wedges
1 apple diced
1 cup raspberries or strawberries
1 small can of diced pineapples with juice
2 tbsp of sugar
4 cups ginger ale or lemon lime soda
2 shots gin or triple sec
Preparation:
- Pour wine into a large pitcher and squeeze the juice from the lemon, oranges and lime into the wine.
- Toss in the fruit wedges and add pineapple, apples sugar and gin.
- Chill overnight.
- Add ginger ale or soda, berries and ice just before serving.
Potato Salad- Germany
Ingredients:
2 pounds red potatoes
¼ lb bacon cut into small pieces
½ medium onion chopped
1/3 cup cider vinegar
¼ cup water
1 tbsp sugar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp mustard
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Preparation:
- Place potatoes in saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil over high heat and reduce to simmer, uncovered for 20-30 minutes or until potatoes are fork tender. Drain. Let potatoes cool. Peel potatoes and cut into ¼ inch pieces.
- Cook bacon in skillet over medium heat until crisp and set aside.
- Cook onion in bacon drippings until tender.
- Combine vinegar, water, sugar, salt and mustard in a large bowl. Toss in potatoes and bacon and mix until well coated.
- Garnish with parsley and serve warm.
Oliebollen (Apple Fritters)- Netherlands
Ingredients
2 tbsp sugar
2 pkg yeast
4 cups sugar
5 eggs
2 cups scalded milk
½ cup butter softened
10 cups flour
1 ½ tsp salt
3 diced Granny Smith apples
1 cup raisins pinch of cinnamon
canola oil for frying
Preparation:
- Dissolve 2 tbsp sugar in 1 cup warm water. Sprinkle yeast on top. Let stand while preparing dough.
- In a large mixing bowl beat eggs, add scalded milk, 1 ½ cups warm water, yeast mixture and butter and beat well. Add flower, 1 cup sugar and salt. Mix well. Add diced apple.
- Let dough rise in a warm place until it has doubled in size.
- In a separate bowl mix 3 cups sugar, and cinnamon to taste.
- Fill a fryer pot with 3-4 inches of canola oil. Heat to 375 degrees and scoop spoonfuls of down into the oil. Turn to ensure even browning.
- Drain on paper towels. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar mixture and serve warm.
*written by Alyssa Goldberg for the CRAVE company. Alyssa is a lover of all things to do with food and travel- check out her blog, WorldSavour by clicking here.
America, It’s Your Birthday!
Monday, June 28th, 2010
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!
The Stiletto Stampede
Saturday, May 22nd, 2010Stand back, the “Stiletto Stampede” has begun. The Sex & the City 2 movie premieres in theaters throughout the Washington, DC area starting May 27. However the frenzy that we experienced two years ago when we last left Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda and Samantha is already reaching its peak. The much anticipated movie sequel to the popular HBO television series is the reason for the ULTIMATE Girl’s Night Out, where we get together with our girlfriends and revisit the lives of our favorite characters.We made our list of upcoming Sex & the City events that we’ve heard about. Each event has its own flavor – fun, sassy, sophisticated, and bold. For those of your hosting a private bash with your closest girlfriends, we’ve listed some local, SATC-themed sips & treats just for you.
The line outside of the City Shop Girl Event
First up, City Shop Girl held a look-alike/act-alike contest and fabulous movie-themed event at the Bar Dupont. 400 City Shop Girl readers sipped on signature cocktails fashioned after each SATC character, while the first Sex & the City movie played in the background. There was even a special cocktail, the Tribeca, a MOËT champagne cocktail topped with a gold ball — and for the first 70 who ordered it, the champagne flute had a free ticket to see the Sex & The City movie cleverly tucked underneath the glass. It was fun and nice event to get everyone excited for the upcoming movie. The night wasn’t complete without the Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda and Samantha mini cupcakes provided by Hello Cupcake treat-filled goodie bags and some fantastic prizes overflowing with some lovely delights that any chic girl & a few of her close friends would love. Prizes including everything from “staycations” at the Hotel Dupont to private master classes with a professional makeup artist to exclusive shopping parties.
We had a great time. Check out City Shop Girl’s Blog to get the scoop and take a look at some of our pics from her event at Bar Dupont.
A girl's got to have cupcakes - The Samantha Cupcake by Hello Cupcake
"Charlotte", "Carrie" and "Samantha"
The Tribeca Cocktail w/ the golden MOET bubble & free SATC movie ticket City Shop Girl SATC Party
- SATC Goodie Bags & Fab Prizes
Saturday, May 22 – 6pm – 10pm
- Sex & The City II – All That Glitters Soiree at Recess Lounge. Event hosted by Anji Corley of WPGC . Be Glam’d Bar (Advance Tickets $25), Gourmet Hors d’oeuvres, Cosmos or Flirtinis.
Contact: Cataanda J 269-217-7973 269-217-7973 or Aida 301-455-6277 301-455-6277 for information
Tuesday, May 25 – 6pm-8pm
- URBAN CHIC hosting stylish Chic in the City at all of their locations, Annapolis, Baltimore, Bethesda and Georgetown.
Wednesday, May 26 – 6:30pm
- FRESH of Georgetown along with several of Washington area’s fashionistas, bloggers and philanthropists hosting – Get Carried Away: Exclusive Sex and the City 2 Pre-Screening on Wednesday, May 26, 2010 starting at 6:30p. Part of the event proceeds will support Labels for Love.
- DC Fashionista Group is hosting a fashionista meet-up at the Carriage House located at 1327 Naylor Court NW, Washington, DC (entrance is behind 918 O St, NW) and then heading to Regal Gallery Chinatown to view the Sex & The City movie @ 10:10pm. You should pre-purchase your movie tickets.
- Blogalicious DC-Sex & The City II Movie Night kicks off @ Zengo at 5:00pm on Thursday, May 27 for Happy Hour and then 7pm show at Regal Gallery Place Stadium 14 to see the movie. Tickets for the 7:00pm showing must be pre-purchased.
Friday, May 28 - 10:30am -2:00pm
- Success in the City, one of the Washington Area’s premiere networking groups for professional women, is hosting a the movie and a luxe after party at the Bloomingdales in Tyson’s Corner with mimosas, makeovers, great raffle prizes (raffle tickets are $5 each) Register soon, it’s a hot ticket. The movie event is SOLD OUT, but there are still tickets available for the Bloomies in the City AFTER PARTY!
Sunday, May 23 – Sunday, May 30
- Several Georgetown businesses are celebrating the Sex & The City movie with Style in the City May 23 – 30. You can win complimentary movie tickets, VIP gift bags, bubbly and more.
Doing your own thing w/ your girlfriends? Satisfy your sweet tooth with the Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte or Samantha cupcakes created by one of our featured CRAVE DC women-owned businesses, Hello Cupcake. We got a taste of them @ City Shop Girl’s event the other night and they are scrumptious. The special cupcakes, available for a limited-time only from May 17-31, will rotate daily. In conjunction, customers can vote on their favorite flavor in the online Facebook SATC Cupcake Competition.
Hello Cupcake's Sex & The City Cupcakes
Carrie – Cosmopolitan: Lime/triple sec cake with cranberry lime frosting, pink sugar sprinkles, and an edible fondant stiletto decoration
Charlotte – Vanilla Rose: Rose scented vanilla cake with rose and vanilla bean buttercream, topped with a crystallized rose petal
Miranda – Chocolate Cabernet: Chocolate Cabernet cake with chocolate Cabernet ganache glaze and an edible fondant martini glass decoration
Samantha – Manhattan: Sweet vermouth-soaked chocolate cake with bourbon vanilla bean buttercream and a maraschino cherry
How to Plan Your Perfect Summer Party with LA Glam
Thursday, May 20th, 2010 
Planning a party can be loads of fun but let’s be totally honest…planning and attending the same party can be tough. That’s why CRAVE asked Christina Murphy, who runs LA Glam Events with her partner Erin Preuss to give us a few pointers. The good news is that with a little planning and creative magic you can host a party everyone (including you) will love!
With the summer party season about to get into full swing starting on Memorial Day Weekend it’s a perfect time to treat your friends to a love-everything-about-summer party that will set the standard for everyone else. (And no, it doesn’t require boatloads of cash or a swank Hampton’s seaside soirees.)
4 easy ways to make your Memorial Day BBQ better than everyone else’s…
1) Invites: Evites are ok, Paperless Post is so cool (but pricey) and so why stick to the norm. A trip to the 99 Cents store will yield a plethora of fun and funky ideas. It’s much less expensive than you would think to send unusual invites and it’s a great way to make your party stand out from the rest. Mix and match and let your imagination run wild. It’s half the fun.
2) Food: it’s sort of crucial to a good party. Nothing is more delicious and easy than good old fashion burgers on the grill and burgers don’t have to boring. Add an array of interesting self-serve toppings like sautéed mushrooms, arugula, bacon, avocado, etc to create a gourmet burger bar. You can even ask people to write down their custom burger, name it and take pictures for your own Burger Hall of Fame.
3) Cocktails: a trip to your local farmers market will start your inner mixologist juices flowing. Take all the favs (fresh squeezed OJ, grapefruit, lemon and lime) throw in some new twists (muddle berries, pineapple or watermelon) and some smoothie-like purees (cantaloupe, honeydew, banana and mango).Use some basic alcohols and set it all out for people to create their own signature cocktail. People love experimenting and the bonus is for the people who are going adult-beverage free they can make a killer virgin version of the same thing.
4) Décor: for some seriously-talented-crafty types décor is a hallmark of their parties. For me, with limited time, décor needs to be simple and accessible. My favorite budget friendly décor item is cotton quilt fabrics. These fabrics are your new, super crafty best friend. You can make awesome mix and match table overlays (most standard fabrics aren’t wide enough for a full table linen) but they make cute overlays either over whatever linens already have or over plain white sheets hemmed to fit your table. Mix patterns and colors to create a really festive look.
The good news is all these projects are relatively easy and don’t require a bunch of time or money. Just give yourself a week to work on your décor projects in the evening and prep your food and juices the morning of your event and you will be able to party-hardy with all your pals!
DC Goes Green
Wednesday, March 31st, 2010
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
Wednesday, March 31st, 2010
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!