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

Interview with Jaimi Brooks from Fiore Beauty

February 26, 2010 by Megan S. | Comments (0)


We have found the ultimate luxury! Fiore Beauty is a luxury mobile beauty service that brings the ultimate boutique spa experience to you, wherever you are. Owner Jaimi Brooks has a team of talented professionals who create a relaxed, friendly atmosphere to indulge you! You can choose from services like a high quality massage, hair styling, manicures, pedicures, and makeup services in the privacy and comfort of your home, hotel, or office. You can indulge in a lavish spa getaway without leaving home! Fiore Beauty is featured in our upcoming CRAVE LA – The Urban Girl’s Manifesto, let’s take a sneak peek at what Jaimi had to say about what she CRAVES.

What makes your clients at Fiore Beauty happiest?
Looking gorgeous and having so much fun doing it! And we really listen to what each client wants.

How would you describe your business in exactly three adjectives?
Beauty. Service. Luxury.

People may be surprised to know-
The “Fiore” in Fiore Beauty is my grandmother’s maiden name and it means flower in Italian.

Where is your favorite place to go with your girlfriends?
The amazing thing about girlfriends is that it doesn’t matter where you go, it’s mostly about the talking but if I have to choose I pick The Beverly Hills Hotel for a in-town girls trip. It’s glamorous, relaxing, and close to all the fun stuff LA has to offer.

What do you CRAVE? In business? In life?
Time at home. Bakery treats. Burning Mandarins at Katsuya. Sex in the City reruns. Growth. Organization. Challenges. Family time.

Peek into the CRAVE Closet

February 25, 2010 by Sarah Clise | Comments (1)


Our very own Melody Biringer had her closet raided! MyCloset.com, a website dedicated to airing people’s dirty laundry (literally), recently featured the CRAVEcompany founder in its scintillating Celebrity Closets installment. Among the hangers and hampers, a myriad of wardrobe gems were unearthed from all over the world. Woolen leg-warmers from Amsterdam, Ilse Jacobsen rain boots from Seattle, a bold purple dress from Vancouver, BC… how can that much cuteness exist in one closet? Lucky for us, Melody divulged a few of her shopping secrets and we can all check out her fashion favorites for ourselves. Below check out some of her most-cherished boutiques.

Moscow (moscowdesign.nl)
Runstraat 8, 1111 AA, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Horseshoe (horseshoeseattle.com)
5344 Ballard Avenue Northwest Seattle, WA 98107

Lambs Ear (lambsearshoes.com)
3516 Fremont Place No.inesgloves.com Seattle, WA 98103

Ines Gloves (inesgloves.com)
Oudezijds Achterburgwal 132 1012 DV Amsterdam, Netherlands

JC Studio (jcstudio.ca)
46 West 6th Avenue Vancouver, BC V5Y 1K1

sonja | clothes to live in (sonjatacoma.com)
2701 N 21st St, Tacoma, WA 98406

Switch Shoes (switch-shoes.com)
7871 Southwest Capitol Highway, Portland, OR 97219

For a truly in depth look into the world of women-owned boutiques, check out the CRAVEguide for a city near you. These books are brimming with local women you need to know, whether you want to satisfy a craving for your closet, appetite, business, or piece of mind.

Tips to Jump Start Your Spring Cleaning

February 24, 2010 by Nicole S. | Comments (0)


March is right around the corner, and it’s about this time when New Year’s goals and resolutions fall by the way side as the reality and craziness of the year crank into full swing. With March approaching this also means spring is coming and it’s time for spring cleaning, rearranging and reorganization. At this point in the year it might be handy to have some tips and tricks to help you reorganize for the spring keep you organized in the coming months. So for this week’s “best of” we bring to you the Best of Organization Tips – from a couple of LA’s pro organizers. We hope you walk away with skills to help you achieve functional organization and improve efficiency and “butt-kicking” ability!

dClutterfly

Owner Tracy McCubbin  knows it is easy to get overwhelmed by the clutter in our home or offfice. She has set out on a mission to help you see through your chaos and maintain a more organized environment. She sent us these great tips to jump start your spring cleaning:

-Before you start attacking your closet, know where you plan to donate and give the stuff you don’t want to.  It makes it easier to part with something if you know where it’s going. 

-Just because you paid a lot of money for something doesn’t mean it’s worth keeping.  If you’ve had an article of clothing, pair of shoe, purse for two years and haven’t worn them then chances are you aren’t going to. Accept that it was a mistake and let it go.

-Shoes don’t go from uncomfortable to comfortable.  If they hurt when you bought them, they are going to continue to hurt!

-Keep clothes for the life you live and not the life you think you live.  Everything in your closet should make you happy, not make you feel bad about yourself.  Embrace your style and get rid of the clothes that don’t work.

Want more from tips from Tracy? Click here.

Operation Organization

Owner Katrina Cameron is dedicated to creating positive change in your life, and helping you organize your residential or commercial space. Some of the useful tips from her website include:

-Choose materials that will match your space

-If possible, purchase containers to be on display, in the same color scheme as your current furnishings or accent hardware.

-Color-coordinate when possible, especially when it comes to  your closet.  A closet organized by color will help you save time when deciding what to wear.

-Less is more: The less stuff out in the open you can see, the better.

-Take the time to decorate every room in the house, they all could use a little TLC.

Want more tips from Katrina? Click here.

Home is Wherever You Hang Your Hat

February 23, 2010 by Lynn Edwards | Comments (0)



For those of you who have read my Rachel Ray blog you know I’m culinarily challenged, but love those food shows. I’m equally as inept at home design & décor but I love me some Design on a Dime (although I don’t actual DO either). I love the word “home.” I grew up in a small rambler with seven people, one bathroom and no dishwasher, but it was home. My Dad still lives there and it’s amazing how it feels sleeping in that house. It’s awesome when we all go home with our families, the bathroom line is just a little longer now with 23 people. After college I became a vagabond and lived all over the world, followed by 18 years as an army spouse. The Army has this cute little sign that says “Home is where the Army sends you.”

Needless to say, my “home” has been a stinky room the size of a closet, a grass hut in the middle of a rice paddy, an apartment on the 75th floor, a condo near a strip mall, a large sprawling tudor style, and approximately 5000 hotel rooms. I love all that cool stuff you get for your home when you get married but I made a critical mistake and had a really small wedding. Turns out I received three place settings of my formal china. When we’d have another couple over the fourth person had to eat off a plastic power ranger plate. I’m so home décor challenged I have lived for months with no pictures on the wall, have gone 20+ years without buying window treatments and I don’t have more than two bath towels the same color. When people ask me what “theme” I have decorated my homes I answer with a mid-modern century “pot pourri”.

As a joke one year my friends bought me an entire set of holiday plates. I now have salt & pepper shakers with snowmen on them…so stinking cool! I think chicks that wear hats are fashion forward stars, those with holiday-themed china are domestic goddesses….now I’m one. There are some staples I love that seem to make a house a luxurious home…a million pillows on your bed & lots of thread count sheets, a system to organize your plastic wear & lids, real flowers on your kitchen island, and that’s living. Oh, and whoever invented that electric fire place switch needs a raise…big time! I love huge tubs but have spent little time in them. The time I did spend was usually jockeying around to get comfortable around all those hot wheels in there with me. I did build a water feature on my deck once. I loved it, yeah for Lowe’s. I looked like a landscape architect genius just by putting part A into part B and firing up the hose. It was great to fall asleep to but it made me have to get up and pee all night long.

Oprah says make your home an oasis…take a look around and think about what you can do to make your house a little more “homey”…even if it’s just a $2 apple pie scented candle.

Put a Spring in Your Step with these Hot Colors

February 22, 2010 by Madeline C. | Comments (0)



When we think of spring we think of pastels and floral prints, but those just seem a little too passé and boring. What will you be wearing this spring to spice up your wardrobe? Here are some of the color trends that you won’t want to miss out on. Pick up a few bright accessories that are both trendy and timeless.

Turquoise – We’re pretty sure this is on EVERYONE’S hot-list, along with other aqua-colored hues. This vibrant color turns every outfit up a notch, making you just exude that cool confident aura that will make you the center of attention. Splurge on a Jamie Joseph brightly colored stone ring. We love this Sea Blue Chalcedony Ring for a beautiful eye-catcher.

Light Pink – More specifically, champagnes and corals are two “light pinks” that won’t have you gagging on pastel and cotton candy. Champagne is the closest you can get to a nice neutral color while adding a little pop! And for coral, try some of Cara Lyndon’s hairpins, we recommend Coral Wheel . Whether your hair color is light or dark, this feminine flair will turn heads.

Yellow – In every shade and size. Add a dash here or there or a big bright bag to have everyone around you smiling. Evoking sunshine and happiness, everyone could stand to integrate this cheerful color into their wardrobe or even their home. Try a bright throw pillow to add to your living room, we like the yellow Gloria pillow from Henry Road. The great thing about throw pillows is, when spring is over, you can just throw them back into the closet until spring comes again!

CRAVE LA Best of Women Owned Businesses Tour

February 19, 2010 by Nicole J. | Comments (0)


This past weekend CRAVE, along with a small but mighty group of local bloggers, writers, and friends, took to the streets of LA for a fun filled day of shopping and discovery.  We joined forces with Chevy’s Best of Tours to create the CRAVE LA Best of Women Owned Businesses Tour and traveled to four amazing businesses soon to be featured in the upcoming CRAVE LA guidebook. After brief hellos and an introduction to the day, we hopped in to our chauffeur-driven car of choice and got on the road. The sleek and sexy collection of Chevys included a Camaro, an Equinox (our personal favorite, well, after the red hot Camaro), a Malibu, and an Avalanche, all complete with On Star concierge service to help us navigate through the crowded streets.

Our first stop was Calleen Cordero on Beverly Blvd.  This chic boutique is filled with a carefully crafted selection of the most beautiful shoes, belts, bags, and accessories you’ve ever seen. Just as much about comfort and function as it is about high fashion, Calleen is out to “prove that hand crafted luxury can be made in the U.S.A”. All of the products are handmade right here in her North Hollywood Factory by the 45 artisans she employs.

Next we traveled across town to Santa Monica where we visited STUDIO BEAUTYMIX at Fred Segal.  The ultimate stop for beauty lovers worldwide, Studio Beautymix is truly a feast for the eyes.  Long time store manager Rosie walked us through the lavish 250 lines of makeup, fragrance, bath and body products, and accessories in the store.  She shared founder Robin Coe-Hutshing’s story and showed us some of her favorite products like their signature Memoire Liquide fragrances and brand new line Soft Corp before letting everyone loose for some power shopping!

Up next was The Drybar in Brentwood.  LA’s first blowout only salon opened their doors just one day before we visited and is already buzzing with press.  While we sipped champagne, owner Allie Webb took a few minutes to share her story.  We love the selection of fun blowouts offered like the sleek, smooth Manhattan, or the messy and beachy Mai Tai.  We adore the beautiful, bright, and modern décor too and know where we’re coming the next time we need a “big night out” ‘do.

After a full day of shopping and beautifying, we headed back across town towards Silverlake for our fourth and final destination; Valerie Confections.  A perfect ending to an indulgent day, and a very timely stop for the day before Valentine’s Day! Valerie Gordon greeted us with a huge tray of scrumptious chocolate treats all handmade on site.  Our personal favorite was their signature Almond Fleur De Sel Toffee.  Need we say more?

As we said our goodbyes, each guest went home with a very generous pile of goodies from all of the stores we visited as well as a few treats from some other special CRAVE ladies and Chevy.  Thank you to all who participated on what we think was an incredible and fun day.  We loved getting to know each and every one of you and made some great memories along the way. Lastly, we want to send a very special thank you to those strong and inspiring women for sharing their stories with us. Hat’s off to you for following your dreams. We love what you have accomplished!

Want to know what the tour was really like first-hand? Check out these short video clips from some of our favorite bloggers to see what they liked best about the tour!



Interview with Michelle Turnbull of David Family Wines

February 19, 2010 by Megan S. | Comments (1)


Is your glass half full? If you are sitting in the afternoon sun, sippin’ a glass of fabulous wine from David Family Wines, then the answer is yes! We CRAVE the premium local flavors from Santa Lucia and Napa Valley. Owner Michelle Turnbull creates boutique wines for you to sip and savor during a spirited evening with the girls. Check out this fun interview with Michelle and look out for CRAVE LA – The Urban Girl’s Manifesto in Summer 2010 where David Family wines is featured.

People may be surprised to know:
That I did this on my own. There’s no family history here. I’m creating and building it as I go.

Who is your role model or mentor?
Just last week I was in New York getting out of a cab with all my luggage. 10 or 15 minutes later the cab driver came back to my building to find me and return my laptop bag that was left in his cab. A simple act of kindness like that can be rare today. I’m fully appreciative of his honesty and willingness to drive back to return it. In that instance he was a terrific role model for how we should act everyday in even the smallest of ways.

There’s no one person I could single out and name. There are many people in my life and even some I’ve met just briefly (like the cab driver) who have done things that impress me. I take away life lessons from all those experiences.

Where is your favorite place to go for wine?
Home. Wine always tastes better with family and friends.

Tell us about your “Every Bottle Counts” program:

We believe that wine should be a complete sensory experience. Why not enjoy a glass of wine with your family at home and know that you’re helping someone else achieve their dream to one day do the very same thing in their own home? So, we forged a great partnership with Habitat for Humanity to just that! Proceeds from every bottle of David Family wine benefit Habitat. Consumers can type in the number printed on their bottle of wine at davidfamily.com and learn more about the family they’re helping to build a home for. Also a percentage of our company profit, product and employee time is donated to Habitat each year.

Tell me about your favorite bottle of wine you sell.
The black label editions. We only produce 100 bottles a year that have the black leather label. These bottles are for special friends, collectors, and customers of David Family. I have such pride when we put these together. For some people we customize the leather with their names and to see how special that bottle becomes to them is truly rewarding and fulfilling.


Best Places to Find Baby Shower Gifts

February 17, 2010 by Nicole S. | Comments (2)


 

For those of us that have not reached the point of motherhood, it can still be fun to pretend for a bit and purchase some super cute baby clothes and accessories!  Go ahead and indulge your maternal instincts and pick out something for one of your friends who is a mommy-to-be! Don’t have a baby shower on your calendar?  Anything that comes in a size that can fit a newborn is bound to be adorable so you are bound to find something you cannot resist- you can save it for a future shower or, who knows, maybe one of your own! We found the spots you must check out for the ultimate in baby glamour.

Jenny Bec’s

Jenny Bec’s is filled with super cute finds for your new tot to wear, as well as toys to play with and baby-safe bubble bath! We love the tiny camouflage socks for newborns and the hooded bath towel to wrap up your water baby. For those that don’t shy away from frills, you will adore the tiny tutu and headband set! Click.

The Little Seed

The Little Seed’s co-founders Soleil Moon Frye and Paige Goldberg Tolmach set out to create a store and website “where parents had the option to purchase stylish organic and eco products exclusively”. In addition to their fabulous products, The Little Seed shopping experience includes an arts and crafts area for little ones and educational seminars for parents! Pick up a brightly colored onesie and organic teether for the new baby and some safe and eco-friendly finger paint for big brother or sister. Click.

Poppy Store

Jenny Belushi and Heather Whitney’s Poppy Store is the perfect destination to spoil a new bundle of love. The luxe knit baby booties are delicate and adorable, and who doesn’t live for itty bitty newborn shoes? The Glamour Shoes in gold or silver are perfect for little ladies while the Infant Supergas (“a tiny version of the classic Italian sneakers”) is great for little boys! Click.

Right Bank Babies

Owner Ellen Uzarowicz named this shop is based on the Right Bank of the Seine River in Paris, the fashion district. It’s no surprise then that the patterned onsies and printed jumpers from Right Bank Babies are some of the most precious baby-wear we have ever laid eyes. Any little man will be dashing in a green plaid wool blazer, and we CRAVE the reversible umbrella skirt for girls. Click.

A New Twist on the Theme Song

February 15, 2010 by Jade S. | Comments (0)



A Theme Song. Normally when you think of a theme song you think of the first 30 seconds of a TV Show or news broadcast. That annoying thirty second melody that plays over and over in our heads days after we have watched the show. But this week we take a new look at the theme song. We asked around on Twitter and Facebook and came up with a fabulous list of songs people consider their “theme songs” for life.

These are songs that lifts you up and makes you feel good. Songs that starts a fire and keeps you going. Songs that you dance around in your bedroom listening to while you sing into your hair brush. These are the songs that define us. Everyone has one hidden some where inside of them. It might be your phone ring or the song that plays in your headphones while you work out or before a big meeting – whenever you use it and however it makes you feel we thank you all for sharing your themes.

Here is a complete list of the suggested theme songs:

For your listening pleasure go to the complete playlist on the blip.fm page titled CRAVEThemeSongs.

And next time you need a pick me up or inspiration, crank up one of these tunes and sing out – you might be surprised just how good it makes you feel!

Interview with Laura Jay of Broken English Jewelry

February 12, 2010 by Megan S. | Comments (0)


Valentine’s Day: a day we here at CRAVE think is perfect to pamper yourself. What a better excuse to spend the day browsing boutiques and lunching with your girlfriends! While you’re out shopping, take a peek at Broken English Jewelry. This gorgeous boutique owned by Laura Jay is where each piece of jewelry calls out to your inner glam goddess! Here you can indulge and buy yourself both stunning vintage pieces and elegant modern designs. Let’s get shopping after we check out this short interview with Laura.

What makes a great piece of jewelry?
What makes a great piece of jewelry all depends on the person who falls in love with it. Each piece appeals to different people for different reasons. I look for pieces that are bold and unique, vintage, and worn in. I like the story behind each piece; that’s what makes it special to me.

Tell us about your style?
My style is a little bit tomboy with a “Little House on the Prairie” thing going on. I’m kind of like the love child between Pocahontas, Marianne Faithful, and Jane Birkin.

People may be surprised to know-
People may be surprised to know that I grew up in a tiny little town called Springdale at the mouth of Zion National Park. I am a small town country girl at heart.

Who has inspired you?
I would have to say that my Mom and Dad are the reason that I started Broken English. They have always been my biggest fans and encouraged me to follow my dreams. I love them for that.

What is your indulgence?
Chocolate and good wine.

What is your favorite piece of jewelry?
My favorite piece of jewelry is an antique red agate cuff that I scored off a Navajo woman by the side of the road when I was 15 in Arizona. I wear that piece all the time.

What do you CRAVE?
It’s all about the journey. I CRAVE in life to be constantly evolving as a person and get to the place where I feel satisfied, but in business I never want to be satisfied I want to continue to out do myself and break the mold.

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