March • 2010 • CRAVE New York City • Connect. Inspire. Succeed.

Archive for March, 2010

Best in Bridal Blogs

Wednesday, March 31st, 2010

The hottest trend in the wedding business is the blogging boom? Brides everywhere have turned to the blog-o-sphere to get the very latest on event tips and trends in the event and wedding world. Read up on the wedding bloggers that we CRAVE at this moment. With stunning real wedding pictures, tips and tricks on pulling off your big day, and the best in eco-friendly events, these bloggers have so much to offer!

Iris Fields (irisfields.com/blog)

Iris Fields is an eco-friendly and green event planning firm that strives to bring the best in green events to party go-ers everywhere. Their blog features the best green products–currently showcasing the 9 best green makeup products. They also provide book recommendations, organic cocktail recipes, and other tips and trends in the green world. Looking to plan a completely eco-friendly event, this is definitely a blog you should check out.

Tammy Golson Events (tammygolsonevents.blogspot.com)

Owner of the full-service boutique event planning firm, Tammy Golson Events, Tammy combines her Midwestern values and experience to bring warmth, sincerity, and style to your events. Her blog gives expert advice from selecting the right venue for your event to tips on maintaining a successful blog to picking the perfect floral arrangement. In addition to her tips and advice on planning your wedding or next event she also regularly feature the most beautiful and inspiring photos from a variety of events.

Bridalease (bridalease101.blogspot.com)

Though not a wedding planner, Lisa Barr knows her stuff. Hanging to the slogan, “Taking the stress out of wedding planning with your bridal fairy-godmother,” Lisa gives readers insite on the hottest trends, and the best tips to successfully pull off your bid day. Just as Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother was there to guide, advise and give the hard truth, Lisa has established a blog worthy reading that does the same for you wedding planning fairy tale!

Tags: Blog, Bloggers, Blogging, Bridalease, event planning, Iris Fields, Tammy Golson, wedding planning
Posted in Details | 4 Comments »

Add More ~ing To Your Life

Monday, March 29th, 2010

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

Tags: Add More ~ing To Your Life, Gabrielle Bernstein
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Interview with Jo Laurie Design

Friday, March 26th, 2010

Jo Laurie, an international phenomenon and President of Jo Laurie Design, took the United States by storm with her exceptional talents in interior design. Traveling to and from four continents, Jo attributes her amazing insights to the influences of different cultures and incorporates them throughout her work. She not only finds the time to accommodate her international clients but also finds down-time to enjoy the simple things in life!

Her sophisticated and amazing talents are what we absolutely CRAVE, bringing new innovations to the table. Find out more about Jo and get inspired!

What is your motto, slogan, or theme song?
Don’t look back in life with too many regrets..this is not a dress rehearsal!

How would you describe your business in exactly three adjectives?
Innovative, Bespoke, Cosmopolitan.

What are your most popular products or services?
For hospitality & commercial projects – concept origination, then implementation on all levels of interior architecture down to the website and logo, if required. Residential – we turn you vision into a reality on time and on budget!

What or who inspired you to start your business?
Seeing my mothers generation not have the financial resources to escape bad relationships. Plus I love what I do–making a living from being creative. What a blessing!

If you weren’t running this business, what would your life look like?
Money no object–Winters in Australia, NYC Spring & Fall , Summers in Europe… painting.

Describe your perfect last meal.
Part of a great day in Paris March 13th, yummy desserts and a glass of champagne in the Hotel de Crillon, after lunch at Costes.

What’s a cause you are passionate about and why?
Women’s reproductive rights. Had I not been born in the west, I could have been barefoot with ten children and no education. I think we forget how incredibly lucky we are, and what we owe to previous generations.

Check out Jo’s website and some of her work at jolauriedesign.com!

Tags: interior design, international, interview, Jo Laurie Design
Posted in Details, Interviews | 3 Comments »

Best Places for Doggy Dates!

Wednesday, March 24th, 2010

Taking your pup with you for a bite to eat?

With outdoor seating, dog-themed decor, and delectable healthy treats, what better way to spend time and show your love to “man’s best friend”–here are some of the hot spots we CRAVE for our doggy dates:

Café Nijasol (cafenijasol.com)

With an outdoor patio and cozy atmosphere, Mylene Martinez has created a CRAVE-worthy (and pet-friendly) café at Café Nijasol in East Williamsburg. It’s the perfect place to stop by when you’re looking to satisfy a small appetite, surf the net on their Wi-Fi connection, ignite a conversation with neighborhood people, or enjoy a peaceful brunch with your favorite four-legged friend on a beautiful day. Their menu satisfies all tastes. It is open seven days a week and is a delightful choice for a weekend brunch and fine-tasting organic wine.

173 Montrose Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11206
(718) 599-1612

Barking Dog Luncheonette

As dog lovers, we feel you can’t really go wrong with dog-themed décor and bathrooms labeled “Hydrants!” This delicious diner/restaurant (we’re not really sure) is the perfect place to enjoy a brunch date with “man’s best friend.” As the weather warms up here in New York, enjoy sitting outside with your furry friend and digging into a hearty breakfast or a tasty wrap. With the reasonable prices found on their menu, this will surely be a place you’ll want to frequent for your doggy dates!

1453 York Ave (between 77th and 78th St.)
New York, NY 10021
(212) 861-3600

1678 3rd Ave (corner of 94th St.)
New York, NY 10128
(212) 831-1800

150 E 34th St.
New York, NY 10016
(212) 871-3900

Buttercup’s Pawtisserie (buttercupspaw.com)

If you’re looking for something special for pup, then look no further than Buttercup’s Pawtisserie. Buttercup’s is a “gourmutt” dog bakery specializing not only in cute puppy puns, but also in freshly baked and all natural healthy dog treats. The storefront/boutique is sure to draw in any dog lover, and the treats look delightfully delicious, but paws off, they’re for the dogs only! With a passion for pups, and the cutest of treats, Buttercup’s Pawtisserie is a place we CRAVE to take our precious pooches!

63 Fifth Ave. (St. Marks Place)
Brooklyn, NY 11217
(718) 399-2228

Tags: Barking Dog Luncheonette, Buttercup's Pawitsserie, Cafe Nijasol, dog, pet-friendly
Posted in Pets, Sip / Savor | No Comments »

Fashion Sense is a Relative Term

Wednesday, March 24th, 2010

In honor of the recent Fashion Week hoopla, I thought I’d share my fashion “sense” and I use that term quite loosely. For those of you that have read the CRAVE Crack Up blogs, you’ve quickly come to learn I am “challenged” in many areas of my life that include domestically, home interiorally, culinarily, and more. Fashion is no exception….I have narrowly escaped being featured in the black-boxed face photo in many a fashion magazine.

Every Spring I am inspired to clean out the closet, buy some colorful shoes and skip around looking cute. I pledge to wear a pretty floral print dress just because they look so dang fun on the TV ads but then realize I would actually have to shave my legs.

I adore all the fabulous sunglasses but find myself still sporting the $3.99 pair I bought at the Ritzville AM/PM after a long night. I vowed to never buy expensive eyewear because I was sure I’d lose or break them…these signature shades I picked up near the corn dogs have lasted me five years, naturally!

Each April I travel to Las Vegas for some much needed girl fun. One year I committed myself to having the right “Vegas” shoes, so I splurged. I found just the right pair of smoking hot black strappy pumps. When I got there, I made it from my room to the elevator in the hotel before I had to return to the room for my flip flops. They looked super cute in the pre-func party pics though.

A southern friend once sent me a Spring purse set. By “set” I mean that it looked like one of those Christmas dolls that you open and find 15 more mini-Christmas dolls inside, only this had a matching wallet, sunglass case, etc., it had a million pieces. I had no idea what to do with all of them but they sure were cute. Don’t be surprised that I don’t have a purse “set”…I just recently realized you should have more than one bag for different seasons.

Speaking of seasons, when I lived in the south I was outcast due to my major faux pas of wearing white heels before Easter. Silly me, it had been 80 degrees since New Year’s Eve so I figured white shoes with my cute floral skirt would work. The fashion police literally showed up and locked me in a dressing room at Dillard’s until Easter for that high crime.

You might say I am a “function over form” kind of gal. I am all about comfort and all my jeans have to do is at least accommodate my cell phone and lip gloss.

I do love coats, it’s a strange addiction but I must have a hundred in my closet. Ok, 50% are fleece, but I do dig the outer layer action. Funny thing is I am always so warm, I rarely wear them, not just because most of them would look ridiculous with my floral dress but also because I don’t want to be bothered with carrying one around. I would probably leave it in some coat check somewhere and lose it….like my $3.99 expensive eyewear.

Here’s to putting on a pretty floral dress and skipping around looking cute this Spring!

Posted in Crack-Up | No Comments »

Do It Yourself Design Inspirations We CRAVE

Monday, March 22nd, 2010

Spring is finally just around the corner. We are gearing up to do all our regular spring cleaning tasks – flip mattresses, wash curtains, and finally organize our junk drawers. One of the highlights of spring is rebirth and getting a new lease on life . Well, how about doing the same for your home or an old piece of furniture? Small changes are sure to make a large difference in any home! We love to turn to designspongeonline.com for inspiration and really love the before & after posts. Check out some of our favorite makeovers:

Do you have any home DIYs plans for spring?

Tags: before and after, design sponge online, diy, furniture, spring, spring makeover
Posted in Abode | No Comments »

An Interview with Poppies and Posies

Friday, March 19th, 2010

Poppies and Posies is not your typical flower boutique. Co-founders, Juliet Totten and Sierra Yaun, not only know how to make amazing assortments of floral arrangements but also how to incorporate their talents with event design. To top it off, these gals are not afraid to be hands on when it comes to making sure each and every event is seen at its best. Naturally, working together also serves as inspiration to perform, create, and ultimately achieve their greatest work!

Get to know more about Juliet and Sierra, and see why we definitely CRAVE not only their talent, but also their awesome senses of humor!

How would you describe your business in exactly three adjectives?

Juliet: Challenging, really fulfilling, and awesome!

Sierra: Stylish, vintage, and unique.

What’s the best advice you’ve been given?

Juliet: Squeeze the toothpaste from the bottom of the tube not the middle.

Sierra: You can manifest anything you want for yourself.

What or who inspired you to start your business?

Juliet: It’s fulfilling to be able to apply all of the ideas in my head into something tangible that people appreciate. It really propelled me to channel that energy into a company.

Sierra: My mom… she’s an entrepreneur and I grew up working in her store.

In 10 years you want to be…

We both want be mommies with a flower shop.

How do you relax?

Juliet: I really love to read

Sierra: Yoga, gym

Where is your favorite place to go with your girlfriends?

Park picnics are the best!

What makes you feel most CRAVE – able?

We’re willing to push the envelope and try new things! We like to keep it fresh.

Check out all of Juliet and Sierra’s wonderful creations at poppiesandposiesevents.com!

Tags: design, flowers, interview, Poppies and Posies
Posted in Details, Interviews | No Comments »

NYC Bloggers We CRAVE

Wednesday, March 17th, 2010

Do you absolutely CRAVE blogs like we do? Since you’re reading this one, we’re going to go with yes! Check out the most CRAVE-able bloggers that we’ve found posting up content about fashion, style, food, and so many other exciting happenings in this city we love so much. What are your favorite blogs that you’re following? Keep us posted so we can add them to our blogroll!

What I Wore (whatiwore.tumblr.com)

What I Wore is the fashion and personal style blog of Jessica Schroeder. Each day, Jessica photographs her outfits and posts the when-where-what-why that accompanies each look. Among her other features are behind the scenes sneak peeks from thrift store adventures, runways and blogger meet-ups, do it yourself step by step projects, super sale notices and beautiful photography.

We absolutely CRAVE Jessica’s quirky writing, relatablility to today’s woman, and her killer style! Also, we are so excited for Jessica and What I Wore celebrating their second blogging birthday.

You have to love Jessica’s take on style and fashion. “I truly believe that the clothes we wear can affect our moods as well as the impressions we give of ourselves to others. Looking your best doesn’t need to cost a lot of money – just a little imagination.”

Bobbin Talk (bobbintalk.com)

Aneta Genova is an accessories designer, a writer and a fashion instructor at Parsons The New School for Design in NYC and the Academy of Art University online. She was born and raised in Bulgaria in a family involved in fashion and creativity, and always wanted to be a designer. She has worked for companies such as Marc Jacobs, Polo Jeans and Ralph Lauren, and freelanced for multiple design houses. She now has her own luxury leather goods company, based on the concept “fashion for technology.”

Her newest venture is the fashion blog Bobbin Talk, and we totally CRAVE it! Aneta gives us her insight on the biggest fashion trends of the season, video interviews, and controversies that are hitting the blogosphere. So much to offer and so much to follow, keep up with the latest on Bobbin Talk.

STYLEMOM (stylemom.com)

Not only do we CRAVE Nichelle Pace and her blog, but we also love her self-proclaimed title of “Chief Fashionista.” STYLEMOM is the ultimate woman’s guide that helps women achieve a balance between her style self and her mommy self, ensuring that moms have the tools and insight to translate the sometimes obscure runway fashions and lifestyle trends into tangible chic and useful information that is relevant to a moms’ lives and stylish women as a whole.

Are you a mom? A fashionista? Someone in desperate need of style advice for your lifestyle? This is most definitely a blog that you will want to check out!

Looking for others to check out?

If you’re looking for a tasty lunch spot to hit up on your lunch break, check out Midtown Lunch (midtownlunch.com).

Share in your love of all things food related when reading A Full Belly (afullbelly.com).

And if you’re just looking for something to make you smile or make you think, check out the simple notes that have been posted on Post Secret (postsecret.blogspot.com).

Tags: A Full Belly, Blog, Bloggers, Blogging, Bobbin Talk, fashion, food, Midtown Lunch, Post Secret, Style, STYLEMOM, What I Wore
Posted in Adorn, Connect, Details, Enhance, Moms, Style | 3 Comments »

CRAVE up your St. Patrick’s Day

Tuesday, March 16th, 2010

St. Patrick’s Day is tomorrow and whether you are of Irish heritage or not, it is a great excuse to dress up in green, drink Guinness and eat corned beef and cabbage. In case the traditional Irish feast isn’t your thing we have come up with a few cool ways that you can celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with your girlfriends. So grab your green, your “Kiss Me I’m Irish” sticker and a few gal pals and celebrate with us! Erin Go Bragh!

Coordinate a cocktail party with you gal pals using this fabulous party guide from Girlfriend Celebrations. Get cocktail creative with green drinks that aren’t beer. Pair these with fabulous green snacks and appetizers. Finish off the Irish ambiance by playing Celtic music in the background. As a fun party activity everyone can plant individual clovers and each guest can take home a pot to remind them of their fabulous friends.

Not into food and games? Coordinate a gift exchange with girlfriends and require that everyone purchase something that is authentically Irish. Set a spending limit so everyone gets something fun.

This year the holiday is celebrated on a Wednesday so if you aren’t in to going out and partying hard consider spending a night in watching movies. Use food coloring to dye your popcorn green and pop in a Irish “chick-flick” like PS I Love You, Tristan and Isolde , or Leap Year. All St. Patrick’s Day rules still apply so make sure your PJ’s are green!

If you want to go all out and spend the night on the town check out this fabulous St. Patrick’s Day event guide and find out what fun St. Patty’s festivities are happening in your area.

We wish you the “luck o’ the Irish” this year as you celebrate with friends. And no matter where or how you celebrate remember the old Irish adage “Before you call for one for the road be sure you know the road.” Slàinte

Tags: beer, drinking, girlfriends, green, party, St. Patrick's Day
Posted in Connect | No Comments »

An Interview With Margaritte Malfey of La Palapa

Friday, March 12th, 2010

The passion that Margaritte Malfey exudes is absolutely inspiring! With a love and dedication to the restaurant business and providing customers not only with the freshest ingredients and the most delectable food, she is committed to offering an all around exceptional dining experience. This past week, CRAVE NYC’s 2nd Buzz Party was held at La Palapa, and we had the opportunity to sip on the most amazing cocktails and devour delicious food. With another great turn out of our most CRAVE-worthy women, we were thrilled that La Palapa was so generous to share in this experience and excitement with us. Check out the pictures and see what you missed!

New York City CRAVE Buzz Party at La Palapa

Learn more about La Palapa and what drives the Margaritte, a woman that we most definitely CRAVE!

What is your motto, slogan, or theme song?

I believe it would be “10, 5, 1st, Last”
I am a very service oriented person and believe that this is passed on to our employees…
At 10 feet make eye contact, at 5 feet acknowledge the guest, be the first to speak and the last to speak. I say this all the time, even to someone that has been with us for ten years. I will say “what is 10, 5, 1st ,Last?” Carlos always rolls his eyes and smiles!

What’s the best advice you’ve been given?

When choosing a partner , do not choose a reflection or mirror image of yourself, choose the opposite. With that, all things are possible.

What’s a place that inspires you and why?

I’m inspired by a place called Isla Mujeres in Mexico. It is a beautiful island in the Yucatan between Cancun and Cozamel. There is a seaside restaurant called Picos that truly inspires me with their home cooking and fresh seafood dishes. The ocean there is calm on one side and wild on the other side. There is also so much history about this place. There is even a turtle farm where turtles lay eggs. (I guess I like this place!)

What’s a cause you are passionate about and why?

I am very passionate about children. I have two children and everyday they make me laugh and I enjoy their friends. I along with two others have done two benefits for The Children’s Home in Nepal. We have raised funds that go directly to the homes, and this has helped them greatly. People do not know much about Nepal, but it is one of the poorest countries in the world. Nepal is a special place for me. I would like to start a non-profit one day for this cause, I hope that I will be able to accomplish that.

In 10 years you want to be…

In ten years, I want to own at least 5 more restaurants!

What or who inspired you to start your business?

I inspired myself to start my own business it has always been my dream. I worked my first restaurant job in Junior High School and after so many years I realized that I could make this happen, it just took me some time to figure out how, but I did it! I still have the journal that I wrote in 15 years ago with my goals and I am happy to say that I have accomplished many!

How do you spend your free time?

I spend all of my free time with my partner, my children, two dogs and a cat!

What is your indulgence?

My indulgence would be food…I love all types and all kinds……eating it, learning about it, cooking it!!!

Visit La Palapa at their 2 restaurant locations!

77 St. Marks Place (East Village) or 359 Sixth Avenue (West Village)

Visit them on the web at lapalapa.com!

Tags: food, inspiration, interview, La Palapa, Mexican, passion, restaurant
Posted in Interviews, Sip / Savor | No Comments »