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Interview with Milena of Milena’s Boutique

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

We CRAVE candles. We love chocolate scented candles, think floral scented candles are fabulous, and lust after sugary candles. Milena Popovich, owner of Milena’s Boutique  loves candles too, but wanted to make candles that are not only yummy, but healthy and eco-friendly. This fabulous entrepreness crafts handmade candles which are made of 100% kosher vegetable soy, non-toxic, non-carcinogenic and are biodegradable. The candles go beyond just smelling fantastic; for additional pampering, the vegetable soy can be dabbed on rough areas of the skin as a moisturizer. The luxe items in this boutique feature 200 scents of candles as well as luxe spa products. Let’s thank Milena for creating a candle that is entirely good for you as we talk with her about her boutique.

Tell us about why you decided to create an eco friendly candle.

First and foremost, I am a vegan for health reasons. Thus, I was very concerned about of our environment long before the eco and green awareness. I love candles so I decided to make an eco, one of a kind candle. All of the scents were created in my own private laboratory in Los Angeles, California: a labor of love.

Who do you design these candles for?

I don’t design candles for any special clientele; however, my candles have a special appeal to everyone. Some notable celebrities such as: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Maria Shriver, Jane Fonda, Danny Glover, Alicia Keys, and  The Pussycat Dolls continue to buy candles at my store.

People may be surprised to know


People may be surprised to know that each of my candles is handmade and individually packaged. The candles are made from the finest quality ingredients, and, my candles are the number #1 selling candle at Melina’s Boutique in Japan.

What is your favorite scent you have created?

While working I am constantly thinking of how I can make my customers happy by creating new fragrances for them to enjoy. Since I have created so many scents, I guess I can say that all of the scents are my favorites.

What is your indulgence?

In terms of indulgence, it’s taking time and care in creating the perfect candle for all to enjoy. I crave to be healthy in life, successful in business, and to create the best scented candle in the world.

Find Milena’s Boutique

323.655.9999
8302 W. 3rd Street
Los Angeles, CA 90048

Floral Art: Interview with Jennifer McGarigle

March 19, 2010 by Megan S. | Comments (0)

CRAVE knows that the beauty of floral arrangements can enhance any room. A gift of a custom designed floral arrangement is enough to make any girl feel like a goddess. At Floral Art, located in the heart of Venice, owner Jennifer McGarigle has created a lush flower emporium offering floral arrangements, store installations, event décor, and home furnishings. We love the chic Floral Art signature vases that are paired with each custom designed arrangement. Come celebrate the power of flower as we talk to Jennifer!

What makes a beautiful home?
Flowers!  

What is the most memorable floral arrangement you have received?
A huge bouquet of Sweet Peas my mother picked from the garden, when I was ten.

People may be surprised to know

Flowers don’t have to be limited to a vase.

What do you think about when you are designing?
The natural shape, color, and innate style of individual flowers and how these characteristics translate to furniture.  I like to think of the inherit, graceful stems of a calla lily, for example, and how their natural shape lends themselves to the vertical design of a bench.

What is your indulgence?
Chairs: I have a fetish for them the way most women do for shoes. When I see one with a specific personality and charm, I can’t resist.

What do you CRAVE in business and in life?
To make beautiful things, work with people I enjoy, travel, and to eat good food.

Find Floral Art

310.392.1633
1338 Abbot Kinney Blvd
Venice California 90291

Interview with Rachel Winokur of eTTa designs

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

We love decorating and shopping, which means that being an interior designer would be a fabulous job! Interior Designer Rachel Winokur, owner of interior design boutique eTTa designs does this and more. Her firm showed us how eco-friendly design could fit any budget and style for both commercial and residential projects like the eco-friendly nail salon, Mani Pedi Cutie they recently planned. We spoke with Rachel and learned about incorporating eco-friendly design as much as possible to help preserve our beautiful environment. Read on for her perspective, and click here to check out her website!

What makes a beautiful home?

For me, a beautiful home means more than just beautiful aesthetics.  It means a home that’s inviting, comfortable, relaxing, balanced and functional with stunning design elements, both visually and to the touch.

In what ways do you practice living green? Why is living green important to you?

I promote living green with my clients by first looking for eco-friendly and sustainable design solutions as long as it satisfies the client’s needs like look/feel, function, budget, and timeframe.  I also live green myself whether it’s recycling, minimizing electricity, reducing water usage, re-purposing furnishings I already own vs. replacing, multi-functional items (like a sofa console that’s also a desk), printing my business cards on recycled paper with non-toxic ink, or speaking to groups educating them about ‘green’ design.  Living green especially makes sense since my middle name is Carson, and thus named after Rachel Carson, the Naturalist and author of Silent Spring, which essentially started the environmental movement!

What is your indulgence?

I love beautiful and sumptuous fabrics and could be drawn to them by color, texture and pattern.  A great way to inexpensively indulge in fabrics is to add lots of toss pillows on a bed or sofa since most toss pillows only require about a yard to make
.or even less if you use a plain fabric on the back side!

What has been your most fulfilling project?

I just completed decorating a room pro bono at a new family shelter in LA for Upward Bound House.  It feels so good to be part of a solution to eradicate homelessness and to provide a shelter that not only will be safe, but also beautiful, inviting, comfortable and special.  In addition, it was accomplished by the collaboration of at least 50 vendors and individuals who donated their product, talents, and time to decorating this room. 

What do you CRAVE? In business? In life?

I crave dining at Gjelina in Venice, chai with soy, dark chocolate, fresh organic produce from local farms, the beach and ocean (I love to sail and surf!), skiing, beautiful fabrics, fresh flowers and plants, and enjoying time connecting with friends and family in a properly appointed space topped off with candles, proper lighting, scents, and music through a good sound system.

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.

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.

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.