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

Gear up for Fall with Fashion Network-Seattle

August 27, 2010 by Nina | Comments (0)

‘Tis the season for falling leaves, Pumpkin Spice Lattes and great fashion. Fashion Network Seattle is the spot  to fall head over heels for fashion. Fashion Network Seattle offers  fashion-related content in the Seattle Metro Area. By  promoting  local designers, photographers, models, industry professionals and local boutiques, Seattle is in the know about everything fabulous. Fashion Network Seattle is not all grunt work; they also get to cover local fashion events, produce/host their own events, and create their own content around fashion and beauty. Shalonne Foster is the face of Fashion Network-Seattle. She oversees the creative direction of all editorial and video content and serves as editor for our coverage. Through her love of people and fashion, she has built an amazing network of connections to the professionals in the fashion industry in Seattle over the past year. She sat down with us and gave us an inside scoop into her world of fashion.

What is the inspiration behind Fashion Network Seattle?
Fashion Network-Seattle (originally Seattle Fashion TV) was started after I attended Paris Fashion Week and returned home to realize that there was a lack of a platform for local talent to showcase their work.  The business draws inspiration from companies like: Vogue, modelinia, Nolcha and Showroom NY.

What style advice do you swear by?
Strive for perfection, even if you fall short, you are still doing alright.

What advice do you have for women everywhere?
Do not underestimate the value that you bring to the table.

What can we expect from Fashion Network-Seattle in 2011?
We are striving to make progress in creating and bringing together Seattle’s fashion industry. One of the ways we plan to do this is by creating more content and covering more events (both locally and nationally), which will ultimately mean more exposure for local talent.

What is your favorite accessory?
Shoes!  One can never have too many and they are the perfect way to take risks in your wardrobe.

Where do you like to go with your girlfriends for an after work treat?
Shopping of course- there are so many great options like: Michael Cepress, Lizzy Parker, Sustalux, Baby &Co, Blackbird, Pretty Parlor,The Frock, Red Light, The Shops at the Bravern and of course Nordstrom.

Where/how do you draw inspiration for the topics on your site?
Many of the articles come from questions that I have asked or have been asked. Our team is also very curious, creative and smart so we never stop asking questions and we write to solve them and provide answers, or at least theories and spark conversation. One of our brand pillars is to educate, so we also spend a great deal trying to educate locals on fashion and break down the wall between the fashionistas and the masses.

So instead of picking up this month’s Vogue tune into Fashion Network Seattle for the latest fashion video, articles, editorials and blog entries.

Fall into Fitness!

August 25, 2010 by Arlyn W. | Comments (1)

Fall is just around the corner, its the perfect time to refocus on your health and fitness goals. We CRAVE outdoor activities and the crisp, cool air of the season! We know how hard it can be to stick with fitness and weight loss goals with schedules picking up, it can be easy to be sidetracked from your goals. Don’t wait till New Year’s to reclaim another fitness resolution. Turn to some of Seattle’s best fitness leaders to help design your new routine and reach your optimal level of health!

Sassy Fit
Have you spent hundreds on a personal trainer at the gym? You start off great, but you find yourself rescheduling due to personal schedule interferences. Sassy Fit is your solution! Sassy Fit is a mobile, personal training to help reach busy women reach their fitness goals. Owner Kelly Singer and co-owner, Bri Cooper both have a passion for health and fitness. Every week they, and their highly-trained staff meet with clients to create new routines to avoid workout boredom, and inconsistency. Having a Sassy Fit trainer will keep you on schedule! Starting in September they will also offer indoor boot camp classes as well! Choose from their Sassy Programs today!

Running Evolution
Have you always wanted to develop a running routine, but don’t know where to start? Turn to Running Evolution, created and instructed by Coach Beth. She has personally transformed over a hundred certified couch potatoes to 5K runners! Running Evolution offers group coaching, learn to run clinics, boot camp, to individuals who want to learn to run, as well as classes to get faster with an accessible, structured speed workout. Learn more about the programs and schedules here!

Happy Hour by Marisa
Has weight loss been a relentless battle? Have you continuously tried to beat the battle of the bulge and lost? Marisa Mancke, creator and owner of Happy Hour by Marisa, has designed a program for you! She offers personal training that can be tailored by budget a time restraints, group classes, and cardio striptease. Happy Hour was designed as a fun, stress-free time, an “adult recess”. Working out doesn’t have to be boring! Let Happy Hour by Marisa be a time to discover what you love!

We CRAVE a Fabulous Party!

August 19, 2010 by Nina | Comments (1)

After three hours of CRAVEable cocktails, manicures, massages, cupcakes, delicious food, stylish clothing from our favorite local boutiques and amazing women we are happy to report that the CRAVE Summer party was a huge success! There’s nothing like an Ultimate Girl party after a long day at work and the view from Shilshole Bay Beach Club was unbelievable! Women were cheerfully greeted at the door with smiles and swag bags filled with samples and sweet deals from event sponsors and vendors. Guests then perused the shopping area and eagerly added new purchases to their bags from a variety of vendors including Queen Anne Dispatch, Olivine Atelier, Opal, Clarisonic, Babeland, Calidora, Charme, Foamy Wader, Shoetini, Cracker Jack Contemporary Crafts, Coy, Fabbys Shoes, Sabrina Love Handbags, Dr. Vicki Fidler, Sacha Blue Underwater Photography and more. To add to our shopping addictions, DealPop and Seattle Picks showed us the best deals in town and signed us up for their mailing lists!

Whether guests started with Oasis Salon & Spa and got a free manicure or made their way over to Spa Scotta to get Shellacked, indulged in hair styling and make- up by Swink Style Bar, got airbrushed makeup by Smashing Divas, or got a new faux glow courtesy of Divine Sunless Tanning, guests left feeling refreshed, well-manicured, bronzed, pampered and pretty!

Taste buds were also intrigued with a delicious BBQ chicken dinner served patio side overlooking Shilshole Bay, and for a serious after-dinner sugar rush guests indulged in a delicious dessert bar brimming with New York Cupcakes, Salted Caramels from Fran’s Chocolates and yummy Wink Cupcakes! Girly Girly Wines also hosted a wine tasting bar for guests sipping pleasure! (Our favorite was the Pinot Gris!)

The entire crowd was inspired to kick up their work out routine after demonstrations from Sassy Fit and Happy Hour by Marissa. At one point the entire room was dancing to the music as Marisa demonstrated her signature Strip Tease workout with a group of guests!

The party was a smashing success! Everyone looked fabulous, no one fell down the stairs in their skyscraper high heels, the good vibes were rolling all night and everyone we talked to had a great time! If you attended the event last night, THANKS for coming! And if you weren’t able to make it, we hope to see you there next time!

Pictures of the event will be posted on Brick House Photography’s website by the end of the week! Check them out here.

Divine Bronzed Beautiful Skin!

August 18, 2010 by Arlyn W. | Comments (0)

Now that the sun is beaming down on us and its hotter than ever, we enjoy soaking it up as much as possible! We CRAVE tan, bronzed skin! However, we all know how dangerous long exposure to the sun can be. We listened to the health warnings, and a lot of us then turned to tanning beds. However, we then learned the harmful effects of tanning beds. So how is a girl supposed to keep her tan in the Northwest? Divine Sunless Tanning is a luxe solution to all our skin and health worries.

About Divine Sunless Tanning-
Divine Sunless Tanning is a mobile, spray tanning service. The carefully trained staff ensures clients will get the best, longest lasting color. They determine what works best for your lifestyle! Whether you are you prepping for your wedding day or just want to maintain your Summer glow throughout the year; Divine will completely customize your service.

Luxurious Ingredients-
Not only is your airbrush tan customized for you, Divine Sunless Tanning guarantees the highest quality of ingredients. For every tan they use Eco-Cert and natural solutions with Organic ingredients from Europe since 2008. Your skin gets a vitamin infused treatment while your sunless glow process’s for the ultimate treat!

Pamper you, and your girlfriends-
Treat you and your girlfriends to a Girly Glow party, Bridal Glow, or Divine Girl Fun Night! The result of a Divine tan will be gorgeous, glowing, nourished skin! Let Divine Sunless Tanning be your solution for the safest, sunless alternative! Book your appointment today!

Furrow less, and Furlesse for smoother skin!

August 17, 2010 by Arlyn W. | Comments (0)

Are you looking for a non-invasive, affordable alternative to diminish frown lines? Do you CRAVE smoother, youthful looking skin? Turn to Furlesse patches! Cathy Tousley, founder of Furlesse, explains the inspiration and technology behind the patches. She also delves into exciting endeavors for the new company.

Please share with the reader’s what inspired the creation of Furlesse?
I’ve been fascinated by various methods people have used to reduce their frown lines with such household products as Scotch tape. I’ve thought throughout the years how great it would be to have something fitted for the forehead area and be intended for the skin.

It is such a great alternative to an invasive surgery, can you further explain the technology & benefits behind Furlesse?
Our simple-to-use, no-needle solution to relaxing frown lines between the eyes is latex-free and hypoallergenic. The transparent patch was designed to fit any forehead, be applied easily and removed in seconds without irritation. The patches are an affordable, more natural and obvious solution for those looking to diminish fine frown lines.

What was the first retail location? And where can customers find tShe Furlesse patches besides online?
Our first large retailer is soon to be Amazon. We are also available at various independent beauty retailers and spas.

Do you have any future expansions or exciting events for your company in the near future?
Being a very new company, we’re so happy to be apart of the CRAVE Summer Party. We’ve also had a presence at the last Girl Power Hour event and with more to come.

What are you looking forward to the most at the CRAVE Summer Party?
I’m so excited to get the word out about my new product. I love using Furlesse and I know others will too. It’s so nice to wake up to smoother more refreshed skin!

Learn more about Furlesse pathches here!

Indulge and Unwind with Girly Girl Wine

August 16, 2010 by Nina | Comments (1)

There is nothing better then a midweek wine soiree with your girlfriends where you can unwind from the stresses of the world and indulge in a delicious glass of wine. Girly Girl Wines had exactly this in mind when designing their brand. Girly Girl Wines is looking to create a lifestyle that can compliment a woman’s daily life. The best part? Girly Girl will also donate a portion of it proceeds to fund breast cancer research, a cause which hits home to millions of women.

Karen Ward, Director of Operations at Girly Girl Wines has been immersed in the world of wine for years. She has grown up in the wine industry and has worked for a winery for over 7 years. She drew inspiration from her past and realized that the wine industry was missing a huge target; messaging to women. Girly Girl Wines changes the wine game by inventing a wine brand women can incorporate into their lifestyles and their time with their friends. Girly Girl Wines spotlights four wines; Chloe, Kayla, Mia, and Ferrah. Chloe is the sweet girl next door, Kayla is always up for an adventure, Mia loves the lap of luxury and Ferrah is the sporty spice of the group. Can you guess which name corresponds to which wine?  We had a chance to sit down with Karen and pick her brain about these awarding wining vinos.

Can you talk to us a little bit about your passion for wine? My family has been involved with in the wine industry since 1987. I came to work for Washington Wine and Beverage company in 2001 after I graduated from college. I’ve been with WWBC for almost 10 years now and I can’t imagine working outside of the industry. I love people, the events, and of course, the wine.

What are your most popular/best selling products? Our best selling product is our Girly Girl Pinot Gris. It’s a great bottle of award winning wine and is great for the summer months to sip on with your girl friends.

Who is your role model/mentor? My role model…most people would think this is cheesy, but my role model/mentor is my Father. He’s been the driving force behind my ability to achieve the goals and dreams I have set forth for myself. He has always given me the motivation and drive to be successful and I couldn’t be more thankful to him for being that driving force in my career.

How do you come up with inspiration for the cool vision/flavors of Girly Girl Wines? I met a lady by the name of Laurie, who actually hand paints the girls that I have on my bottles on wine glasses. I thought that it would be a great idea to actually have a wine brand called Girly Girl Wines with her images to pair up with her wine glasses. I did a full business plan for the brand and ended up winning the 2008 Seattle University Business Plan Competition and convinced my Board of Directors that this brand can go places. This brand is based off women spending their time with the girl friends. As a woman who enjoys drinking a nice glass of wine, I still spend a lot of time at the grocery store trying to figure out what wine I’m going to buy because everything just seems to blend together. My intention with Girly Girl is to make a fun brand women can relate to, with award winning wines while benefiting women causes.

What can we expect from Girly Girl Wines in the upcoming year? We’ll be continuing to make award winning wines, donating a portion of our proceeds to women’s cancer research and by this time next year will hopefully be in major retail stores through out Washington and Oregon. We haven’t decided yet, but there may even be a new addition to our line of girls for the 2010 harvest.

What are you looking forward to most about the CRAVE Summer party? I’m looking forward to meeting new people and making some great connections in the business world. There’s nothing better than meeting new people you have something in common with while trying to help each other out in the working world. This is my first CRAVE Summer party, but I think it will be a blast and I hope to make some new friends through this event.

Come meet Karen at the upcoming Girls Who Wine Spray Tan Party or check them out here.

Suffering from Skin Damage this Summer? Fight it with these Foods!

August 16, 2010 by Jenny P. | Comments (0)

We all want beautiful skin, especially during the “skin showing” months of summer. So how do we get it without spending a fortune at the Clinique counter? By eating antioxidant rich foods, that’s how. Your skin, just like every other organ in your body, needs antioxidant laden foods to keep it healthy and toxin free. Here are some of the most important foods to eat for beautiful skin. Try to get these delicious foods into your diet as often as possible and I promise you will love the results.

Foods for beautiful skin:

Sunflower seeds, Swiss chard, and almonds- What do they all have in common? Vitamin E! Vitamin E works to protect skin from ultra violet rays and rejuvenate the cells. Sauté swiss chard with garlic and olive oil and top with a mix of toasted almonds and sunflower seeds. Vitamin E never tasted so good!

Cauliflower, walnuts, and cabbage- Did you think wild salmon was the only place to get Omega 3 fatty acids? Well get excited because they are in vegetables too! Omega 3’s are essential in creating beautiful skin for they help maintain cell membranes. It is these membranes that act as barriers for the body, letting water and nutrients in, and keeping toxins out. Make an easy cabbage slaw topped with walnuts then steam cauliflower and serve with a lemon tahini sauce (also packed with Vitamin C). After these two dishes, your skin will be good to go!

Carrots, Kale, and Apricots- Not only are these foods quick and easy to get your hands on, they also serve up a giant does of Vitamin A (aka Beta Carotene). Vitamin A is involved in the repair and growth of body tissues, which is particularly beneficial when dealing with sun damaged skin. Stir-fry carrots and kale with garlic, ginger, and soy sauce for a great side dish. For the apricots, try throwing them on the grill for a great summer dessert!

Bell peppers, broccoli, and strawberries- Loaded with more vitamin C than an orange, these foods work to create collagen in the skin and protect your lovely epidermis from oxidative stress. Best ways to eat them? Grill the peppers and broccoli or eat them raw with hummus. As for strawberries, just pop them in your mouth (or put them in a crisp).

Shitake mushrooms, cod and shrimp- Mushrooms (both shittake and crimini), cod, and shrimp are chock full of selenium, a potent nutrient that promotes skin elasticity and quality. Broil cod with a fresh tomatoes and basil. For the shrimp and mushrooms, toss them into an easy Thai curry. So good!

*This post was written by Jamie Dougherty for the Please feel free to contact Jamie with questions or to share your health, wellness and foodie stories. Email: jamiegd@jamieliving.com Facebook: JAMIE LIVING Twitter:JAMIE LIVING

Stop workout boredom & Get Sassy!

August 15, 2010 by Arlyn W. | Comments (0)

Are you feeling like a hamster on a wheel while doing your cardio? Are you ready to re-design your fitness routine? Que Sassy Fit! Co-owner Bri Cooper recently sat down with CRAVE to share her passion for health & fitness, and explains how her drive for healthy living at a young age sparked her career path. Bri also shares how she and the Sassy team help busy women all around the city reach their optimal levels of health.

What sparked your love of health & fitness?
I grew up as a gymnast, so having an active lifestyle was instilled in me at a very young age. It wasn’t until college where I realized I needed to find something new as an adult that I could stay consistent with.Variety is what I love most about fitness, it keeps me entertained and on my toes, so mixing strength training and yoga into my triathlon training keeps my spark going!

How did you get started with Sassy Fit?
Kelly Singer (Founder of Sassy Fit) initially hired me on as a trainer in 2008 in an exciting time as the company was seeing strong growth. Over the next several months I had the opportunity to work closely with Kelly and was convinced I wanted to become more involved with the company. We both saw a partnership as an opportunity for further growth and I became co-owner in January 2010.

What is the greatest advantage of the mobile personal training as opposed to personal training at a gym?
We live in a fast paced society, which can make it challenging to devote time to ourselves and our health. Having a designated trainer who comes to your home on your schedule can be priceless (not to mention it doesn’t require a gym membership fee, the pain of having to transport yourself to and from your gym or packing a Mary-Poppins-style-bag full of your essentials to get ready for the day.) It’s convenient, and you can’t not show up, because we come to you

What are some of the greatest fitness mistakes you see people make?
Not changing up their routine, and being inconsistent.  A Sassy Fit trainer takes care of both these obstacles by creating customized workouts each month to challenge you in new ways, and knocking on your door each week to keep you on schedule.

What lifestyle changes do clients need to make in order to attain their fitness goals?
Exactly that, to understand that it’s a lifestyle, not a crash diet, or a temporary solution. Fueling your body with nutritious foods and plenty of water, exercising on a regular basis and getting a healthy amount of sleep each night are the simple keys to success. Ready. Set. GO!

Are there any up & coming Sassy Fit events your would like to share with CRAVE readers?
We also offer boot camp classes which will be moving back indoors at our Sassy Fit studio in September. Each class offers a mix of strength training with cardio for a full body sculpting session. We understand the female body and we design our boot camps to challenge each woman individually for maximum results.

We have several fun events planned for this fall and winter.  Stay up to date with the latest happenings here!

Add a Little Spice with Babeland

August 14, 2010 by Nina | Comments (0)

Every woman deserves to indulge while feeling sexy and passionate. Claire Cavanah and Rachel Venning couldn’t agree more. The two ladies  opened the first Babeland store in 1993 in response to the lack of women-friendly sex shops in Seattle. Babeland provides  high quality goodies for women who want to explore their sexuality. The store prides itself on not only providing a pleasant place to shop and top quality products but information and encouragement for women. Word got out quick about the fabulous nature of Babeland. The store’s popularity with both women and men has led to three more stores in New York, plus a thriving and educational website. Babeland even offers regional private parties and workshops for bachelorettes, birthdays or general inquires. Add a little spice to your life and checkout Babeland. We’re excited to have them at the CRAVE Summer Party Wednesday!

Seattle’s secrets revealed

August 13, 2010 by Arlyn W. | Comments (0)

Are you looking for the inside scoop on Seattle’s best kept secrets-boutiques, restaurants, and events? Seattlepicks.com is your source for the cities hidden gems. Seattle Picks is a free, subscription-driven weekly publication, sent out every Friday via email and then updated on their homepage. Dana Peterson, Managing editor for Seattle Picks shares with CRAVE the process of how selecting the most fabulous companies unfold.

Can you tell me about your background as an editor? How did you get started in the industry?
I began my career in media as a television newscast producer. Since I moved to Seattle in 2002, I have worked at almost every television station in the city. As a producer it was my job to decide what stories would appear in the newscast, including reporter stories. While in TV, I honed my skills in creative writing and story selection—two key components in my new job with Seattle Picks. I joined Seattle Picks as managing editor in July of this year and I am loving every minute of it! I get excited to share with our readers the amazing local businesses, products, and events we find each week.

What is the greatest advantage for an online publication as versus a weekly newspaper?
The greatest advantage Seattle Picks has as an online publication is that the information we share with our readers is always right at their finger tips. We have an amazing archive system so our readers can look up products or businesses they read about months or even years ago in a matter of seconds—something a newspaper can’t do.

What do you look for in contributing writers? Is there a specific writing style you look for?
Funny, flirty, and in the know when it comes to what’s going on in fashion in and out of Seattle—those are the main qualities we look for in our writers. We want our readers to feel like they are hearing the inside scoop from their best friend when they read our issues.

I noticed this week you are featuring “Seattle Picks Summer Essentials” how do you develop themes per week? Is it a collaborative team effort?
We base our theme issues around excellent shopping opportunities. Summer is a fantastic time to find great deals so that is why we did our Summer Essentials Guide. We also do special issues around the holidays, Mother’s Day, and Valentine’s Day.

How do you select the companies to feature?
It’s pretty simple—we have to love them. Our readers count on us to bring them the best of the best when it comes to local businesses, products, and events, and that is exactly what we do.

What are you looking forward to the most about the CRAVE Summer Party?
The shopping! Don’t get me wrong, I can’t wait to catch up with some old friends and of course make new ones, but my first love is all the products. The CRAVE Summer Party is the perfect place to scope out all those must-have treasures from the local companies we love.

Checkout the other publications in the City Pick’s family here!

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