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

Absolute Best in Cruise Wear

January 27, 2010 by Melisa M. | Comments (0)

If the glum January weather is dragging you down a little too much, maybe it’s time to get away and bring a little more summer into your life. Did you know that winter is actually the best time of year to go on a cruise because you are more likely to get incredible deals and save loads of money while still escaping to somewhere with plenty of warm weather and sunshine? Now’s the time. If you need some summer clothes and accessories to go with that lovely cruise, check out these stores.

Almost Naked – 479 Queen Street West – almostnaked.ca- 1.877.360.8203

Almost Naked is a specialty retail and online store offering the latest in underwear, swimsuits, fitness, loungewear and accessories for men and women. Their goal is to offer the broadest selection of unique, stylish and previously unknown brands to the Canadian marketplace. They are dedicated to providing you with a shopping experience where you are treated as an individual and to provide attentive service so that they can help you find what fits and makes you feel great. Although Almost Naked sells mostly underwear they also have a cute and unique selection of swimwear. If you’re looking to find swimwear any time of the year, Almost Naked is the place to go.

Girl Friday – 740 Queen Street West – girlfridayclothing.com – 416.364.2511

Avid shoppers have come to rely on Girl Friday to indulge their shopping fantasies. The warm and inviting environment is filled with delectable pieces that are hard to pass up. Girl Friday fans flock to the store for the label’s impeccably fitting dresses, perfect for all occasions. Feminine, but never fussy, Girl Friday dresses flatter a variety of figure types. Clean lines and timeless silhouettes, the Girl Friday look never goes out of style, and Girl Friday pieces become favourite pieces in a fashionable-girl’s wardrobe. Girl Friday has loads of light bright dresses for exploring the deck of the ship or heading out onto the island for dinner.

Pho pa - 698 Queen St West – phopa.ca – 416.979.9444

The same shop we recommended last week for great evening wear is also a good place to find cute colourful tops and casual dresses. Pho pa does not disappoint with its selection of unique finds. This boutique carries Canadian designers who are just establishing themselves so it keeps prices lower than you would expect for most pieces. Pho pa offers a unique concentration of fashion, jewelry and accessories designs. It would be hard to make a fashion mistake here- the concept is smart, well-made basics with subtle twists, edgy and hip. The accessories are fantastic and it’s also a great place to find the perfect belt or a one of a kind piece.

Now you know where to go to prepare yourself, book that ticket already!

We CRAVE Couture!

January 20, 2010 by Melisa M. | Comments (0)

Do you have post-Golden Globe depression because your closet is missing that incredible dress your favorite star walked down the red carpet in? Or do you just wish you could show up to a party with the kind of couture that will undoubtedly turn heads? We’ve gathered a couple of suggestions for where you can shop in Toronto to find that perfect unstoppable dress and the right accessories to compliment it.

Pho pa – 698 Queen St West – phopa.ca – 416.979.9444

Pho pa does not disappoint with its selection of unique finds. This boutique carries Canadian designers who are just establishing themselves so it keeps prices lower than you would expect for most pieces. Pho pa offers a unique concentration of fashion, jewelry and accessories designs. It would be hard to make a fashion mistake here- the concept is smart, well-made basics with subtle twists, edgy and hip. The accessories are fantastic and it’s also a great place to find the perfect belt or a one of a kind piece.

Hush Couture – 98 Forest Hill Road (by appointment only) – hushcouture.ca – 416.505.9126

Co-founders of Hush Couture, Jennifer Koffman and Yael Panet came together with an idea to respond to the emerging needs of women, mothers, socialites, charity event goers, prom queens, and party girls alike who all have one thing in common. They all want to look stylish and cutting edge without spending a fortune. Their collection of current designer dresses are available to lease at an affordable price. You never have to wear the same dress twice. It allows you to expand your wardrobe without taking up valuable real estate in an already cluttered closet. Whether it’s a black tie formal event, a conservative work function, a casual chic party or just a night on the town, they offer their clientele the ideal outfit for any occasion.

Peach Berserk – 507 Queen St West – peachberserk.com – 416.504.1711

Peach Berserk is a totally unique and vibrant shop that creates and sells slik-screened dresses. The flare, color and prints of these dresses provide a statement so bold you’ll picture them on edgy leading ladies as they strut the red carpet. You can even take silk-screening classes so you can learn to master the art yourself. When you are in Toronto be sure to visit their amazing Store/Studio. You can even get a gorgeous custom made Peach Berserk dress for your special event as long as you order a minimum of 5 days in advance of your event. They can make something just for you!

Made You Look – 1338 Queen St West – madeyoulook.ca – 416-463-2136

Made You Look is Toronto’s hub for contemporary, innovative, unique, creative, one-of-a-kind, local, handcrafted jewellery. Their Queen West Stores showcase the work of over 100 local Toronto Jewellery Designers, with a huge range of original jewellery to choose from. There are 20 self-employed designers who manufacture on-site in their large studio, which makes for a unique retail shopping experience.

We hope this helps you find your long lost personality statement. After all, you don’t need an occasion to be the best (and certainly most shiny) version of yourself.

Witness the Fitness – Tips for the New Year

January 13, 2010 by Melisa M. | Comments (0)

Getting fit can be one of the most challenging tasks you face because it affects every other choice you make each day. Do I take the elevator or the stairs? Do I choose the cookie or the apple? Not only does it take constant will power, it also requires knowledge of your body and what is good for it. Here are a few tips from personal trainers in the Toronto area who are helping women every day to get to the shape they’d like to be.

Davelle Morrison and Funk Roberts, personal trainers from Fit Firm ‘n Fab: Fitness, Nutrition and Wellness for Women have some great tips to offer you to stay in shape.

1. Work some aerobic exercise into your life, it will reduce your risk for cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease is the world’s largest killer, claiming 17.1 million lives a year. It involves the heart or blood vessels, affecting the lungs, the brain, the kidneys or other parts of the body. If you gradually work up to a cardiovascular session every other day that lasts 20-30 minutes, you will achieve the maximum benefits. Your session should include a five minute warm up and cool down, therefore, prior to exercise, the body can adjust slowly from rest to exercise and after your body can gradually recover.

2. Meditating for at least 10 minutes in the morning can help to reduce stress levels. What she recommends that you do to fight stress in your life is to find a quiet place in your home, sit cross legged on a pillow with your hands on your knees, palms facing upward with your index finger and thumb touching, close your eyes and inhale and exhale. It’s an ancient practice called meditation and its’ really quite simple. You don’t need a special course or a special place, just yourself. You already possess all the tools that you need.

3. Get 7-8 hours of sleep every night. It can help you to lose weight. According to Women’s Health, people who slept at least 7 hours a night were less likely to put on weight than those who didn’t. Sleep loss has been shown to affect the secretion of cortisol, a hormone that regulates appetite. People who do not get enough sleep may feel hungry throughout the day and crave sugary foods during the afternoon. How can you enjoy a better night’s sleep? Add a yoga class into your workout routine. Yoga’s soothing poses and breathing will help give you a good night’s sleep.

Kaleena, a Toronto area personal trainer, says that Yoga will also improve strength, flexibility, balance and coordination and the more you improve the better you can get into poses and learn about the way your body works and moves. But you don’t always have time in your day to work around a class schedule at the gym. Kaleena has some useful advice for home Yoga.

1. Practice!: If you are serious about strengthening your yoga routine it’s essential that you practice for at least 20 minutes two to three times a week. This is primarily important for muscle memory and retaining achieved flexibility. It’s important to build momentum with any exercise routine.

2. Listen/Read: Whether you learn yoga from a DVD, book or online it’s helpful to constantly review your material. Even basic poses such as the warrior or strength exercises like the squat need constant form reviews to be perfect. If you practice yoga to a DVD listen to instructions carefully, as the most subtle movement or placement in yoga can make a world of difference. Practicing on your own requires more in depth research and persistence to make the most of your sessions. She also finds it to be extremely helpful to watch videos online from yoga blogs, YouTube and podcasts.

3. Hire a home yoga teacher: It’s a great idea to hire a yoga instructor periodically. A teacher will help to correct form and to make sure you are on the right track. She would recommend seeking extra help every other month or so. About a week before your session, start to write down any questions or concerns that come to mind during your practice to make the most out of a professionally trained yoga teacher.

We hope this leaves you with the inspiration you need to getting on the path of good health in 2010.

New Year’s Resolution – Eat Healthy

January 9, 2010 by Carlie S. | Comments (0)

Each year many of us, make the resolution to eat healthier so we can live a longer, more energetic and less physically problematic life but it can be a struggle to break bad habits. To get some tips on how to win this battle we’ve turned to two experts - Rivi from Rivi’s Guilt Free Cookies and Dr. Stephanie, Chiropractor and Acupuncturist. Read their advice on how to turn your snack habit into a positive experience for your body.

Advice from Rivi
When it comes to snacking, the common weak point in any woman’s day, there are a lot of facts that can help you improve your habits. When you’re looking for a snack, choose the one that will satisfy your taste buds. Snacking must be a delicious experience otherwise you will continue to search for alternatives. At the same time though, one should keep in mind that by cutting down on the FAT in snacking you will reduce your calorie intake. One gram of fat equals nine calories, while one gram of protein or carbohydrates only equals four calories! So, in summation, keep the fat for your protein, your snack can do without the added fat!

Advice from Dr. Stephanie
You should have 2 good snacks through the day. As we keep adding food to our bodies, our highly intelligent system reads this as : Yay! Food a-plenty! Burn off excess energy stores! When we don’t eat – the body shackles down as if all the crops and rivers have dried up, basically holds onto fat like you would not believe.   It is pretty much impossible to starve yourself and lose fat simultaneously. We want to avoid at all costs becoming the skinny-fat body type. Snacks should also be sufficient enough to hold us over till our next meal. This is the fabulous part. For moderately active women, this should run somewhere in the 200-300 calorie range.

When you are budget concious and you need a healthy cheap, not to mention quick, snack – peanut butter is your best bet.  They are high in good fats that are heart healthy, make your skin, hair and nails look gorge, and are rich in niacin, folate, magnesium, and vitamin E. Pair with a fruit like green apple (the best snack imo), or with some honey on a slice of whole grain or kamut toast.

New Year’s Resolution – Reinvent Yourself

January 8, 2010 by Carlie S. | Comments (2)

With the New Year comes new beginnings, fresh starts, and a new you! For those of you looking to step it up a notch with your style, here are three things that will help you shine for years to come:

1. Learn what colours compliment you: Whether you have a professional colour analysis done with a style coach like myself, or try and find out on your own, knowing what colours compliment your skin tone is vital for chic style! Hold different shades and variations of colours up to your face. Colours that compliment you will brighten your eyes and teeth, smooth out your skin colouring, give you a healthy glow, and actually lift the look of your face! You’ll have an instant, “wow” factor. These colours can not only be used for clothing, but will also give you knowledge of your best makeup and hair colouring too – a huge time and money saver!

2. Own your body type: Enough of comparing ourselves to models and celebrities in the magazines (who are airbrushed anyway) – it’s time to love ourselves! Own your body type and style it in a way that compliments it (you can always have a style coach help you if you need it). You’ll look and feel fabulous! Most women say they look 10lbs lighter when I show them how to dress for their body, which will not only affect the way you carry yourself, but will have a ripple effect in all other areas of your life as well. Ask yourself what letter your body looks like, i.e. A, V, H, X, O, and then find garments that look the same way to compliment you.

3.Let who you are shine: Everyone has their own signature style – a combination of their personality, body type, lifestyle and fashions. Do what works for you! Although trends are fabulous, remember: fashion is a business (and a big one at that). Not all the trends will work for you, and you may not like them all anyway. Start simple with altering your style and take classic pieces that you can dress up with fun accessories, i.e. scarves, bold necklaces, cocktail rings, chic pumps or colourful flats. Take an afternoon and mix and match pieces in your wardrobe that you wouldn’t normally put together to create stylish new outfits. Again, an image consultant like myself can always help you if you need extra help. Shopping without the price tag!

The bottom line: work what you have with confidence, flair, fun and optimism – the rest will follow!

Content provided by Christie Ressel, Image Consultant and style coach – Personal Power Image Consulting™©
personalpowerimage.com, @ChristieRessel, facebook.com/PersonalPowerImageConsulting

New Year’s Resolution – Get Active

January 3, 2010 by Carlie S. | Comments (0)

The New Year is here and now is the time to begin our New Year’s Resolutions. If getting in shape was the chosen resolution this year we have come up with a few ideas to get your body moving!

For ladies with a busy schedule, it is important to make fitness fun by trying new things. Resolve to do the research to find fitness options that are out of the box, daring and exciting so that you keep coming back for the fun of it while letting your fitness goals be a side benefit. We thought we would help with a little research of our own to get you thinking outside the box. Why not give one of these a try…

Latin Dancing with the Travelling Teacher
People always tell their partner they would love to learn how to dance but they never get around to it. Now is the time to do it because the Travelling Teacher, Jessica, has two Latin dance classes for beginners starting Tuesday January 12th and Friday February 19th in the Beaches. If you’re flying solo they also have a new Dance based fitness class that’s drop-in on Mondays at 7:30pm for only $10 a class. Classes are held at Fitness Works for Women and MSC Fitness in East Toronto. Find out more at www.travellingteacher.com.

Pole Dancing with Aradia Fitness
Grab a pole and start dancing! Pole dancing classes with Aradia Fitness in Eglinton get you feeling fit and sexy. All Aradia Classes include a warm up, sensual floor work designed to build strength and flexibility and pole work broken down into easy to follow steps. A little nervous? Try a teaser classes on Today or Wednesday for just $15 by mentioning CRAVE to save $10. Find out more here.

Sexy Bootcamp with Diva Girl Fitness
Get ready to work it, diva style! In this one-hour jam-packed class, you will conduct various cardio & conditioning exercises to help you get back into shape. You will work on drills and combos to help you tone your sweet spots: abs, legs and butt, and do lots of cardio for a full body workout. You will also fuse dance and aerobics, to make the class fun and sexy, in this bootcamp styled class. Classes are held at Fitness One in downtown Toronto starting January 20th. Book today at www.divagirlfitness.com.

Rock n’ Relax at Iyashi Bedrock Spa

January 2, 2010 by Carlie S. | Comments (1)

After a busy holiday season it’s time to move away from rock n’ roll and try rock n’ relax. The first of its kind in North America, Toronto’s Iyashi Bedrock Spa offers the latest form of relaxation spa treatments, Ganbanyoku (rock bathing), using black silica stones imported from Japan.

Originating from Thailand, Ganbanyoku – or rock bathing – uses a special stone to heat your body from the inside out. These black silica stones are unique in that they naturally release far infrared rays and negative ions to help the body perspire and “detoxify”.

The benefits of Ganbanyoku are plentiful, including improved metabolism and weight control, beautification/anti-aging, sickness prevention, detoxification and holistic effects to your health. It relieves stress and leaves the entire body warm and relaxed.

Spa treatments are 60 or 90 minutes long and are pure bliss. The spa also holds yoga classes three times a week for those looking for a more active meditation.

Visit the Spa in Uptown Toronto at 2662 Yonge Street (upstairs).
iyashibedrockspa.com | 416-488-ROCK (7625)