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

La Femme- An Event Hosted by Women for Women!

March 30, 2010 by Arpen T. | Comments (0)

We are proud to support an upcoming event hosted by Diamonds In The City & Operation Style coined, La Femme. On April 17th, 2010, put on your party attire and celebrate the work of fabulous women entrepreneurs in the city! A girls-only event, this night will include delectable hors d’oeuvres, drinks, and a remarkable opportunity for you to connect and be inspired while having a ton of fun! To register for tickets, email info@diamondsinthecity.ca We look forward to seeing you there!

Behind-the-scenes about this event with host, Vedika Solecki, from Diamonds In The City:

Who is this event targeted towards?
It is mostly targeted towards women who use the services provided by the vendors. Additionally, we are targeting local Bloggers and any women looking to connect over a glass of wine!

What can one get out of coming to the event?
You will leave knowing some amazing women in business and you will be sure to find your go-to destinations for a haircut or a hot outfit. You will meet a variety of women in business!

Pertinent Details:

What: La Femme – celebrate the work of fabulous women entrepreneurs in the city!
When: April 17th 6pm,-9pm
Where: Jacqueline Conoir Studio (JC Studio)- 46 West 6th Avenue 
Register: Email info@diamondsinthecity.ca

Add More ~ing To Your Life

March 29, 2010 by Sarah Clise | Comments (0)

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

Best Yoga Studios for Inner Peace and Detox

March 26, 2010 by Kendall Titchener | Comments (1)

As a busy businesswoman, multi-tasking mother or generally an all-around dynamic diva, you’re the type of woman who’s always on her toes. As important as it is to stay on the ball, it’s also essential to invest time and energy back into your own health and overall well-being. CRAVEVancouver has developed a list of some of the city’s BEST Yoga Studios to find inner peace and detox. Because hey, if you don’t have your health, what have you really got? Do you have a go-to destination for Yoga? Be sure to let us know! 

Exhale Studio : Located in Yaletown, Exhale offers yoga, pilates and dance classes for adults. The zen-like environment is soothing, friendly, and highly encourages relaxation. Exhale offers a healthy, comfortable and inspiring atmosphere to wind-down and invest in YOU. Exhale is located at 1083 Cambie St.

Semperviva Yoga: Semperviva is your one-stop-shop for all things yoga. The studios feature ” The largest variety of yoga styles offered in Vancouver, including Hatha, Kundalini, Power Vinyasa, Yin, Yoga Gently and Prenatal.” For all of you yoga gurus out there, you will be highly impressed with Semperviva’s extensive knowledge and variety.

Westcoast Hot Yoga: “Know your mind, know your body, know the universe” Camille Noel, Westcoast Hot Yoga co-owner & 1992 Olympian. Westcoast Hot Yoga offers three types of yoga classes: Hot (40 degrees Celsius to assist in a process of natural detoxification) , Yin ( holding postures for 3 to 5 minutes to access the dense fibrous ligaments, or connective tissue of the joints) and Flow (basic power yoga). Westcoast Hot Yoga has locations in Yaletown and White Rock.

Fashion Sense is a Relative Term

March 24, 2010 by Lynn Edwards | Comments (0)

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!

Do It Yourself Design Inspirations We CRAVE

March 22, 2010 by Lilla | Comments (0)

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:

• From gloomy kitchen to apple green colored charmer
• From boring and granny-like rocking chair to modern rockin’ chic
• From an apartment that belongs in a Golden Girls flashback to a place that Carrie Bradshaw can call home!

Do you have any home DIYs plans for spring?

Feature: Della Optique!

March 19, 2010 by Arpen T. | Comments (0)

Della Optique is known for their excellent staff who provide expert assistance in selection from an extensive collection of unique designer eyewear and sunglasses. Glasses are a fashion accessory and reflect your personality! Owner, Della Chow, hails from a family owned business so it only felt natural to start her own business! Getting new glasses and taking care of your eyes should be a fun expereience and Della’s clients leave thinking, “Eye Love it”!

Tips on choosing eyeglasses that flatter! 

They say the eyes are the windows to your soul. But the truth is your choice of frame reveals so much more about you. Your glasses can transform your entire look. The key to finding the right glasses is to know your face shape. To find out what shape your face is, look at yourself in the mirror and use a lipstick to trace the outline of your face. In general, suitable frames will be opposite in shape to your face shape.

Round shaped face: You will want to choose frames that are wider than they are deep, such as octagonal, which will offset roundness. 

Oval shaped face: You can choose anything from rectangular to almond-shaped frames. They will all look great!

Oblong shaped face: Choose frames that have decorative temples that will add width and make your face appear more balanced.

Heart-shaped face: Rimless or light-coloured frames that are wider at the bottom than the top can help balance the shape.

Diamond-shaped face: You can play with your high cheekbones by choosing decorative and cat’s eye frames. For a less dramatic look, an oval or rimless frame will show your high cheekbones as well.

Square shaped face: You tend to have wide chin and cheekbones. Choosing oval or round frames will offset the strong features.

Following these guidelines should give you a pretty good idea of how to choose your eyeglasses. Eyeglasses are such a fashion piece nowadays, that there are frame stylists just like clothing stylists who maybe best to help you if you can’t decide.

Best Cocktail Lounges to Visit with Gal Pals

March 17, 2010 by Kendall Titchener | Comments (1)

An important part of living the Sex & the City Lifestyle is reconnecting over cocktails with the girls. At CRAVE Vancouver, we have compiled a list of our fav’ cocktail lounges. Whether you prefer hip and vibrant, or classic and low key, we’ve got the inside scoop on where to enjoy the best cocktails that Vancouver has to offer. 

Bao Bei: Located in Chinatown, this venue serves up superior cocktails following classic recipes – all made with quality ingredients. The Bao Bei must-have cocktail? A piña colada, that combines fresh pineapple, coconut reduction, aged rum and lime juice.

Chambar: This Vancouver favourite delivers fabulously mixed, creative cocktails that pair perfectly with the Belgian dishes in this restaurant. We suggest the Vesper Lynn Martini or the Blue Fig Martini

The Diamond: This swanky Gastown venue really delivers. The carefully crafted drink menu is separated into categories like “boozy” and “refreshing,” contributing to the Diamond’s funky, fun atmosphere. There is an interactive aspect to the Diamond too – the Gastown establishment is now offering courses for aspiring bartenders and amateurs alike keen to master mixology.

Do you have a great recommendation for us? If so, please share!

CRAVE up your St. Patrick’s Day

March 16, 2010 by Jade S. | Comments (0)

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.” SlĂ inte

Feature: LYNNSteven Boutique

March 15, 2010 by Arpen T. | Comments (0)

Recently we had a chance to visit Gastown’s newest and hottest gem, LYNNSteven Boutique. Fashionistas, listen up! Long-time Crave supporter and superstar, Nicole Dennis Durnin, has created a one-stop destination for all your fashion needs! We look forward to hosting our monthly Crave Chat at LYNNSteven in March 2010!

What do you love most about opening up your own business?

The pride I feel everyday when I open the door to the boutique and knowing that I made my dream a reality. It may have taken a lot of blood, sweat and tears but I couldn’t be prouder.

What is your best selling line and why?

Right now the best selling line is LINE, a knitwear company based out of Toronto. The quality of the knits and the huge array of styles, there is a piece for everyone, young & old.

What is your favorite spa in town?

Not much time to be hitting the spa’s lately but I love going to Spruce Body Lab. A little infrared sauna and microdermabrasion, which I find the most relaxing thing in the world, strange, I know.

What advice would you give future entrepreneurs?

Trust your instincts, they are usually right. Stick to your vision, don’t let other people tell you what is right for your business. Ask for help when you need it, especially at the beginning.  Don’t be afraid to say “no”. Tell everyone that you are starting a business, you just never know who may be able to help you out. Finally, get to know other entrepreneurs, they are in the same boat as you and it is great to listen to their experiences.

Best Places to Find Baby Shower Gifts

March 12, 2010 by Kendall Titchener | Comments (0)

Have you left your baby shower gift to the last minute? Are you fresh out of cute, thoughtful ideas about how to spoil that Mom-to-be? Don’t fret – CRAVE Vancouver has created a list of the best, most adorable places to make the ideal baby shower purchase. We’ll have you whining for more.

Chick Pea : This European-style boutique has a wide selection of natural baby products, locally made clothing, whimsical story books. The items in Chick Pea are unique, wholesome, and completely lovable.

Hipbaby : From furniture, to art work, to clothing, Hipbaby has everything the modern baby could ever dream of – and more. Who says babies can’t have style too?

Mally Bibs : Specializing in the original leather baby bibs, Nicole Garza of Mally Bibs got it right when she created these ultra-durable (and ultra-cute) baby bibs.

Moboleez : “The idea? Design a hat just for the breastfeeding baby, with a tiny little head and great big brim that gives mom a little privacy and shields baby from distracting lights or noise.” These modern bonnets combine style, innovation and practicality!

Stonz Wear : Stonz creates innovative, versatile and fashionable infant/toddler apparel. Stonz offers durable, wind/water resistant booties, linerz, hatz and mitz – they are the perfect accessory for the west coast baby!

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