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CRAVE CRUSH the urban girl's blog to all that you CRAVE
Just for you, Mommies!
If you are a new mommy – congratulations! – you are going to want to hear this. If you are a soon-to-be mommy, you are going to want to pay attention too!
Remember the fab ladies, Nicole and Kim, from Bloom Essentials who give us the cutest designs on our toes and amazing service every time we go in? Well, it turns out that that’s not all they do. They have a great line of their own called Bug & Pickle that caters just to you, the mommies, and of course, your precious ones.
Their products include Baby Butter for those extra dry or irritated spots, Baby Lotion to keep your loved one’s skin well-hydrated, Diaper Gel to get rid of the rashes, Belly Firm – mommies, you are going to love this – to fight those stretch marks and so, so much more!
Get your hands on the goodies and start taking care of you and your loved ones! Make it a daily ritual – talk about a mommy/baby bonding sesh!
An Artsy Party
Why is it that even though your kid’s birthday only happens once a year, it is so difficult to come up with a cool birthday party idea each time? Everything seems to have been done. If that is the bind that you are currently in, how about throwing your precious one a ceramic party at Bella Ceramica Studios this year? The kids can get in touch with their inner creative selves while painting their very own plates, mugs, or whatever else it may be. It is for sure to be a birthday party to be remembered especially with a cool memorabilia to take home at the end – which will remind them of how much fun they had at your kid’s party!
Your child’s birthday is not coming up? That’s okay – make a mother/daughter day out of it or grab your girlfriends and make new plates and memories! Get creative and bring out the artist in you 
Good-bye calories, Hello a new revolutionary Workout
I don’t know about you but I love to satisfy my sweet tooth cravings that I get dangerously often. Of course, with that comes consequences: the unwanted calories. As much as I want to burn off those calories, it’s hard to get motivated to go to the gym to run on the treadmill or the eliptical – it’s simply too boring!
That’s why I was more than delighted when I found out that The Bar Method is finally debuting in Canada! And it gets even better – their first appearance? Right here in VANCOUVER!
So…what exactly is The Bar Method, you may ask. I’ve got the answer for ya. It is an exercise program that will change your life. It combines yoga, Pilates and ballet into an aerobic workout that will keep your heart rate up – thus helping you burn off those calories and fat. It will give you a dancer body with toned muscles and even a better posture in no time! So put your workout clothes on and get ready to sweat your way to the healthier and sexier you!
psssttt…if you pre-sign up for classes now, you get an amazing deal!
Picture Perfect!
It’s an undeniable truth- sometimes our lives get a little too hectic and we forget to recognize the important moments in life. Starting a new job or finishing school, becoming a grandmother or mother-to-be, celebrating an anniversary or a birthday- nearly everyday life gives us something to celebrate! As much as we’d like to capture all these moments, we’ve all gone through the horror of waiting in line at the department store studio and the insane fees at the independent studios- and let’s face it, after all that we are NOT happy photo-ready campers!
Here’s the good news ladies! Bopomo Pictures recognizes these difficulties and offers a photo-studio that’s flexible, stylish, and affordable. Their experienced photographers and consultants work with you at every stage of the shoot and create perfect portraits without leaving your pocket empty! Fun, friendly and chic, this is a place where you can come back to time and time again, worry and worry line free! Work it ladies, and capture those unforgettable moments in picture-perfect, fabulous style!
Fab for real women!
As much as we may wish to look like those stick-skinny models on runway shows, the truth is… we don’t. And to be quite honest, I think it’s a good thing. Only a miniscule percentage of women are actually 00 in size. Instead of wishing to be like them, we should appreciate and be proud of the way we are and that, is the philosophy at Babs Studio Boutique. Rather than making clothes that most people can’t wear, the designers at Babs Studio Boutique cater to real women. They make fabulous pieces for all women of all shapes and sizes. Pay them a little visit in South Granville and you are bound to find something that fits you PERFECTLY. Real sizes for real women – like you and I – at Babs!
Absolutely neccessary: Absolute Spa
Sometimes life does seem to get a little hectic and we are in desperate need of a little get-away – and let’s face it, we all deserve a little vacay! But who can really afford to take a full week and take off to somewhere relaxing? I know it’s not very realistic! Well, don’t worry ladies because your perfect get-away will only take a day or even just a few hours. So, where is this place that I am speaking of? Absolute Spa!
Treat yourselves to mani’s & pedi’s, their specialty massages or better yet, both! There are millions of options and packages to choose from with many locations around town for your convenience. Grab your girlfriends and make a full day out of it! Oh and a bonus: I hear Absolute Spa is a great place for celeb spottings. Maybe you will see your fave celeb crush there 
Let us know if you do!
Get your confidence on!
Ladies, we all know what it feels like to be a little insecure or to second-guess ourselves or to skip out on opportunities because we are scared of being inadequate. We often wonder what the world thinks of us. What we often forget to remember is that the world only sees what we show them. If we are scared, they see a scaredy-cat; if we are sad, they see a Debbie-downer but if we are confident, they see a self-assured woman who is ready to taking on anything!
Of course, it is not so easy to respect ourselves and be optimistic ALL THE TIME! Good news? There’s Suzanne Fetting from Absolute Confidence. As a firm believer in authentic confidence, it is her mission to inspire and empower women and to teach them to love themselves. Her services vary from Personal Confidence Coaching to High Heel Appeal. Whichever service you decide to take on, she will for sure help you discover your inner strength.
Remember ladies, love yourselves because you are unique and beautiful!
Suffering from Skin Damage this Summer? Fight it with these Foods!
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
Back to School Means Back to Business for Moms in Vancouver
For many Vancouver moms, September means back to school but also back to business! How do local business moms shift from a summer of vacations and carting kids off to day camps, to bringing their businesses back into high gear?
Felicia Lee, Business Coach and Vancouver Chapter Director of Enterprising Moms Network, says: “For mom entrepreneurs, the business cycle often works around the school cycle. September is a time to re-look at your business goals, set strategies, and get focused on steps needed to take your business to the next level”
The Vancouver chapter of Enterprising Moms Network, an organization supporting mom entrepreneurs, is hosting a get together at the popular downtown Mink Chocolates on August 25, from 3:30pm to 5:30pm. More than 40 business-minded moms are attending to network and collaborate with each other to start the fall season off on a (sugar) high note.
For more information about the event, visit: http://emnsocial.eventbrite.com. For more information on Enterprising Moms Network, visit http://enterprisingmomsnetwork.com/vancouver.html, or contact Felicia Lee at vancouver@enterprisingmomsnetwork.com or by phone: 778.986.1138.
CRAVE photographer: Candice Albach
What do you love most about photography?
There are so many things to love about photography! Foremost, I love the interaction with people–It’s strange, but it’s not necessarily the actual image that drives me to shoot; it’s generally the process of making an image that I love the most. I get to meet so many interesting people on a totally different level than day to day interaction. I also love the problem solving–No shoot is ever the same.
How do you de-stress?
I play my guitar or paint, eat well and hang out with my girlfriends. I’m also very clear that during my personal time I do not think about my business.