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CRAVE CRUSH the urban girl's blog to all that you CRAVE
America, It’s Your Birthday!
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!
Get Bikini Ready this Summer
With the summer finally here, women want to look their hottest! And we know the best way to do this is to eat right, go to the finest gyms and wear the right thing while doing both!
Here are some CRAVE-able places that will get you bikini ready in no time:
The Fierce Club (thefierceclub.com)
If you want to make yoga a part of your life, have a strong center, and listen to some killer music while you work and play hard, than The Fierce Club is for you! Their cutting-edge yoga, which is designed to give you a 90-minute gym-strength, cardio and muscle-sculpting workout in just 60 minutes, is fun! It promises to teach you how to move more powerfully and transform your world from the inside out -which seems perfect for New York women.
269 Elizabeth Street
New York, NY 10012
(212) 334-6900
Doce Vida Fitness (docevidafitness.com)
Doce Vida was created with the idea that every woman should feel fabulous about her body – no matter what her size or shape! Their clothes have 12% stretch fabric that wicks away moisture so you can keep your body moving in comfort and style while working on that summer body. They also produce all of their clothing in the U.S. and try to keep their carbon footprint down by using recycled shipping materials, and they donate extra fabric, trims and more from their production to school art programs. Going green while looking stylish is definitely something we CRAVE!
(646) 202-3963
AWS Nutrition (awsnutrition.com)
Amy Shapiro is a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist and exercise enthusiast who believes that nutrition and physical activity play an important role in reaching your best health. At AWS, she encourages the creation of a lifestyle not just simply a diet. Her services include: private counseling, group counseling, grocery store tours and fridge makeovers. We CRAVE healthy living and you should too!
16 West 23rd Street, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10010
(646) 269-8205
Hello, Summer!
How many times a year do we utter the words, “If only there were more hours in the day…”? Well, on the summer solstice, you will get your wish since today, the sun shines longer than any other day of the year. Today of course also marks the official start of summer, and with it, we celebrate all the best things about this much-anticipated season! To welcome the return of flip-flops, barbecue’s, vacations and more, we’ve compiled a list of activities to do in order to take advantage of those extra minutes of sunlight. Grab your friends and family and head out – you won’t want to miss a second of your summer solstice celebration!
A picnic is a simple no-brainer for a summer occasion, but you might decide to get a little creative for the special occasion by coordinating a late-night sunset picnic in your city’s most scenic setting. Bring a playlist of songs with the word “sun” in them to set the right mood.
If you’re an avid outdoors-woman, you’ll want to really maximize your extra minutes of rays! Head out for an evening hike, run, or bike ride and extend it a little longer than usual. You’ll get an extra boost knowing that this is the only night you’ll be able to savor the sunlight during your routine workout.
Spending your solstice doing water activities is an excellent idea if you live near a body of water. Boating, surfing, kayaking, or even just lounging beachside will give you that summer glow you’ve been missing all winter. Plus, watching the sun lower over sparkling waves is a sight that can hardly be beat, and one you’ll want to store in your memory for the next winter.
Say Mother Nature decides to throw you a curveball and sends rain instead of shine, well don’t let that stop you from enjoying the spirit of the day. Curling up with a book and hot tea can be relaxing during a summer rainfall or storm especially if enjoyed from a patio or porch. If the day is more gray gloom than thrilling boom, head to your local arboretum or greenhouse to get your tropical nature fix.
An Interview with Merci New York
Planning a wedding in a city like New York City is hectic. From coming up with floor plans while in a crowded subway train to e-mailing vendors from your smartphone, finding time to perfect it to the tiniest detail is going to be a tough challenge. Known for its fashion and style, a lot of brides strive to keep up with the city’s flair. Thankfully, Jacqueline Weppner created a company called Merci New York that specializes in focusing on the smallest details from perfecting the bride to styling the event that will make you and your wedding unique from all others.
Extra hands and expertise is something we always CRAVE for. Find out why Jacqueline is your go-to gal!
What is your motto, slogan, or theme song?
“Chic and stylish inspiration for the busy city bride.”
What are your most popular products or services?
Quite simply, Merci New York focuses solely on providing chic and stylish details for the busy city bride. We have two very popular services: fashion and event detail styling. We focus on providing our clients with highly stylized “wow factor” details that make their event positively posh and wonderfully memorable.
New York City brides face a tough struggle when planning their weddings; they’re often juggling a demanding career while organizing their big day. They love fashion and have a keen eye for style, but they don’t necessarily have time to translate their chic aesthetic into their wedding day look, or the event details that will make for a memorable affair.
Merci New York jumps in to create these details… We work with a bride to create gorgeous accents worthy of a wedding magazine tear sheet. Whether its a show stopping candy/dessert bar, chicly thoughtful attendant/out of town guest gifts, or fashion styling for the wedding and all the events leading up to it, we marry our client’s style with chic design sensibilities that will have guest swooning.
People may be surprised to know…
I just completed a bridal fashion editorial shoot on top of the iconic Chrysler building. It was the only bridal shoot ever to take place at the historic location! We spent the day on the windy 61st floor mezzanine (where the famous eagle statues look over the skyline). It was exhilarating!
What’s a place that inspires you and why?
Paris. The art, the culture, the lifestyle of its people… Parisians live to enjoy life and then take such pleasure in little, special details. I find that wonderfully inspiring.
In 10 years you want to be…
Continuing to grow Merci New York to new heights, and laughing with my husband about all the silly obstacles I thought would stop me.
How do you relax?
I have a hard time standing still, so ballet and yoga are wonderful ways for me to relax. Then again, so is a nice glass of red wine!
What’s your favorite fashion must-have or must-NOT-have?
A black quilted Chanel bag and a pair of classic Christian Louboutin pumps. I love to mix high/low pieces in my wardrobe and I ADORE a great sale, but those two items just epitomize all things polished and pretty!
What’s a cause you are passionate about and why?
I passionately volunteer my time and effort to charitable organizations which work to better the lives of women and children in New York City. I have served Vice Chair of Public Relations for the New York Junior League, and work as an active New York Cares volunteer. New York City is such a magical place, but there are so many people here who need our help. I think it’s important to give back to the community.
Curious to see how detail changes everything? Check out Jacqueline’s amazing work and allow her to place finishing touches to make your wedding perfect in every way at mercinewyork.com.
Also check out her blog! Visit mercinewyork.blogspot.com.
Daddy’s Day is Almost Here!
Father’s Day is around the corner and every year its the same. We ponder WHAT to get our dear dads for a gift. We all know that whatever we hand them they’ll be thankful for; but we always want to push the envelope! When we are pressed for time and don’t have the effort left to make something extremely sentimental, here is some advice from your friends at CRAVE on what to do that will make him smile.
Try and remember what your dad is passionate about. Is he an outdoors-man? Cook? Tech-savvy? Music lover? With some passion he has in mind its always easier to direct your gift towards a certain theme and come out successful. It will help you avoid spending hours shopping with no clue of what to get as well as guaranteeing that he will appreciate the gift and the thought you put into it.
If still stuck on where to begin with finding a gift, maybe go in a different direction then a simple gift from the store. Does you’re dad love a certain comedian or band? Grab tickets to a concert.
Dad’s love knowing you want to spend time with them, so if time allows, do an activity that involves doing something together. Time spent is more precious than any other gift money could buy!
Remember first and foremost that its your dad’s day! All that matters truly matters is that you make sure to tell him he’s special and you love him.
Branding Basics for Small Business New Book By Maria Ross
Maria Ross, the brains behind marketing and branding firm, Red Slice, has just wrapped up yet another project. This time in the form of a comprehensive guide to effectively branding your business – any small business, on any budget. Branding Basics for Small Business: How to Create an Irresistible Brand on Any Budget will walk you step-by-step through solidifying your core promise, personality and reason for being. We caught up with Maria and asked her a little bit about what inspires her at work and in life! And before we forget, to purchase your copy of Branding Basics go to red-slice.com/branding-basics-book!
When and how did you discover your talent for and love of marketing and strategizing?
I majored in marketing in college, as I’d always had a love for advertising and using communication to evoke emotion. Marketing can be used for so much good in the world: encouraging people to donate time or money, showcasing a worthy cause, inspiring people to be the best they can be. I have always been impressed with a well-turned tagline or a delightful campaign that gives me goosebumps. In the book, I talk about the effect that Nike had on me in the mid-90’s when they launched the “If you let me play” campaign aimed at empowering young girls through athletics. I gained experience across all aspects of marketing over my career and really like the brainstorming and strategy phase the best.
What compelled you to write Branding Basics For Small Business?
I got sick and tired of people undervaluing what a brand could do for them, or thinking that it is just their logo. Brand is so much more than that and when small businesses understand what brand really means – that it is the core promise and value they deliver to customers – they can better connect with customers and drive sales. Brand is expressed not just visually through your logo or colors, but verbally through the messages you use and experientially in how customers (and employees) are treated. I also wrote it because putting together your brand strategy is not rocket science: it just requires answering some key questions and really putting intentional thought into how you present yourself to customers. So I wanted to spread the “brand gospel” to small businesses – many of whom have the nimbleness and passion to create a powerful brand connection with their customers because they are so close to them.
Without giving too much away (we all need to read the book!!), what is the most important step in creating a strong brand strategy?
I would say two of the biggest mistakes business owners make when it comes to brand strategy are not identifying their target audience in crisp detail, and not telling customers what they want to hear. For target audiences, business owners try to go too broad and end up appealing to no one because their message is so bland and generic. But your brand needs to be relevant in order to meaningfully connect. Secondly, many small businesses talk about themselves by saying “This is what we do” versus taking the customer point of view and saying, “Here’s what you get.” Many small businesses don’t see that they are talking about benefits from their own perspective, not the customer’s.
Your book discusses “how to create an irresistible brand on any budget”…will this really work on ANY budget? What is one important step in reaching out to potential clients/customers on a shoe string budget?
An effective brand is not measured by how much money you have to spend. Every company out there wishes they had more money! I’ve executed against brand strategies with $1000 and $12,000,000. The point is that, by using the process in the book, you can create a strong brand strategy that you then can execute efficiently with whatever budget you have. When you have less budget, it’s even more important to go after the right things or be more creative and a brand strategy helps you do that. Your activities align towards one clear target. Many businesses end up wasting money because they perform “random acts of marketing” that don’t get them anywhere. With a clear brand strategy, you actually save time, money and headache on only investing in the right things that get you ahead.
What is your favorite part about what you do? What keeps you going and gets your juices flowing at work?
I love when I work with a client and see the light go on in their eyes, when they “get” what brand really means and how to apply it. They seem more confident, they are able to clearly cite their elevator pitch. They say things like, “That’s exactly what I want my company to represent! It’s perfect!” Being able to help people deconstruct their brand story and then show them a perfect way to visually or verbally represent it is just amazing.
What is your favorite thing to do when you are NOT working?
I love to write: I write wine and food articles for some online publications. I also love to eat great food with friends, drink wine, hike, read, act in community theatre, watch indie films (I’ve been to Sundance about 5 years in a row!) and go for walks with my husband and our awesome Black Lab mix, Eddie, who we adopted two years ago.
Branding Basics Book Now Available! June 2010 from Maria Ross
It’s World Cup Time!
Ladies! The World Cup is on this week, so why not throw a fabulous party to celebrate! Soccer is the most popular sport in the world and throwing a party will be just another fun reason to sit around the TV with the gals and drool over men in jerseys.
So what are the three key items necessary for throwing a great party? Friends, food, and some fun drinks. With those elements you’re bound to have fun.
First, lets start off with friends. Invite your best gal pals over (probably 8 to 10 ladies) and ask them to previously pick a team to cheer for. Then suggest they wear the colors of their team to the party. It will add a small hint of competition to the group and keep your ladies having fun screaming for their men during the game.
Second, it may be a soccer party but the snacks don’t have to be the typical game food of chicken wings and burgers. For your ladies, whip up a batch of cupcakes or if in a time crunch grab some from your local grocer and decorate them with the colors of the teams playing. As for the other snacks, everything needs to be decent at room temperature, since once the game starts the attention will be focused more on the TV. Perhaps some bruschetta and caprese salad would be yummy finger food that will leave your guests happy and satisfied. If feeling too crunched for time on the snacky goods, ask your gals to each bring something small and yummy with them when they come. It will help relieve some of the stress and you know then you’ll have plenty of food to go around.
Third, but just as important are those drinks! Decide to make some of your favorite cocktails or bubbly that will keep the girls having fun throughout the game. Perhaps a drink that includes the colors of the teams! Drinks are always fun but no one wants to bust their budget on buying alcohol that not everyone will like, so let your girlfriends know you will be providing some drinks, but suggest they bring more if they have a specific or picky preference.
So no more excuses and procrastinating! You now have all you need for a successful party! All that’s left is letting the gals know and start getting caught up on your knowledge of the teams and the gorgeous men playing. Games start June 11th so get your head in the game and get your party started!
NYC Shoe Shops to Please Your Feet
Summer is almost here, and nothing screams summer more than letting your toes out to see the sunshine in the perfect pair of new sandals. Sandals can be rough on your feet, especially in New York City, so finding a great pair is imperative. Check out some of the places we CRAVE when shopping for cute shoes. They not only have incredibly stylish shoes to don your feet with, but they are affordable and offer great service!
MooShoes, Inc. (mooshoes.com)
Founded in 2001 by sisters and New York natives, MooShoes, Inc. is a vegan-owned business that sells an assortment of cruelty-free footwear, bags, t-shirts, wallets, books and other accessories. MooShoes offers its services through an online store as well as in its lovely retail store in New York City Lower East Side, and is the first cruelty-free store of its kind in NYC.
Don’t think that because these shoes are vegan that they aren’t cute and comfortable, these girls don’t sacrifice style when supporting a cause. Slip into some super cute and cruelty-free footwear that not only make your feet happy, but makes you smile for doing something good.
78 Orchard Street
New York, NY 10002
212.254.6512
Tip Top Shoes (tiptopshoes.com)
Since 1940, Tip Top Shoes has been dedicated to comfort and fashion forward footwear. Through four generations, this family business has continuously strived to find new and exciting styles from around the world. They have been chosen Full Line Independent Retailer of the Year by Footwear Plus and have been chosen as one of the most influential shoe retailers in the country by Footwear News. They have been featured in a variety of articles in magazines such as Forbes Magazine, Lucky, and New York Magazine. Whether it’s the latest trendy, technical shoe or the most basic footwear, you will always find your size, style and receive exceptional service.
Why do we CRAVE them? They carry the brands that we already know and love, but they understand the importance of quality customer service. At Tip Top Shoes, we feel like we’re family.
155 W 72nd St
New York, NY
1-800-WALKING