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CRAVE CRUSH the urban girl's blog to all that you CRAVE
One Boutique: Two Amazing Events
Mark your calendars ladies! Not one, but TWO amazing events are coming our way! On October 29th and 30th, the fabulous LYNNSteven boutique will be joining forces with Oliver & Lilly’s, Kiss & Makeup, Eden Boutique and Violet Boutique for an out of the world, epic warehouse sale. I know, it sounds too good to be true! This rare event only lasts for two days, so grab your girlfriends and make your way downtown to snatch up some fabulous new items (we know we will!)
Learn more about the event  here!
And there’s more! Once again, LYNNSteven will be partnering up with BeautyMark, Vancouver’s premier beauty boutique, for the 2010 Fall/Winter Gastown Shop Hop! Never heard of the Gastown Shop Hop? Gastown’s creme de la creme will be opening their doors late on November 4th from 5pm to 9pm for an evening of awesome deals.
Drop by LYNNSteven and enjoy some irresistible cupcakes from Dolce Delights, mini makeovers by BeautyMark and 20% off fall 2010 merchandise! Whether you’re getting some early Christmas shopping done or just in dire need of some retail therapy, this event is the place to be! Can’t wait to see you all there!
Learn more about 2010 Fall/Winter Gastown Shop Hop here!
ubizo- A sustainable business event!
CRAVE is excited to be supporting this amazing event! Join us at ubizo- a business development think-tank for sustainable businesses and green business leaders. Taking place on Tuesday, November 2nd, 2010 at the Heritage Hall (3102 Main Street), one-of-a-kind event for sustainable businesses will provide participants with opportunities to work with mentors and peers on business problems & create new strategies for growth in a small group round-table format. It also includes a delicious networking lunch. Walk away with:
- Valuable connections with both high-level mentors changemakerstoolbox.com/ubizo/mentor and business leaders
- Practical strategies, opportunities and clear action steps
- Inspiration to make an even bigger difference with your business
- Buzzing enthusiasm from the contagious energy and collective wisdom
To register & learn more: changemakerstoolbox.com/ubizo
Twitter:Â @ubizovancouver
Our experience at a Sexual Savant Salon!
Last month, the CRAVE Team had an opportunity to experience our first “Sexual Savant Salon” hosted by the beautiful Kim Anami from Bodacious Coaching. We ventured out to one of our city’s local gems, Tart Boutique. Tucked away in Granville Island, Tart Boutique is the playhouse to sultry lingerie & sex toys – ultimately allowing us to unleash our inner seductress! Surrounded by beautiful tones of emerald red and immersed in a romantic atmosphere, we were invited to sip on a glass of wine while tasting delectable chocolate which Kim said had a magical power to it.. it was an ayurvedic aphrodisiac! Now, we had never been to a sexual salon before so this terminology appeared to be so foreign to us- Kim says that “The Sexual Savant Salons are a series of hedonistic and informative evenings presented by experts well-versed in the sensual arts. These postmodern salons are a version of the 19th century demimonde that offered a sexually permissive, intellectually adventurous haven from mainstream life.” Kim’s conversation focused on the “Art of Pleasuring a Man”- Imagine a place where inhibitions are left at the door and you can speak freely and ask your most burning questions! This IS exactly what you will receive. Kim gave us some tips on how to really tickle a male’s fancy if you know what we mean and we walked away from the salon learning more then we could have ever imagined! Kim’s knowledge about sex and willingness to share this information makes her THE ultimate know-it-all about everything and anything related to the bedroom-
Interested in learning about the art of pleasuring a man?
Seduction and what makes men tick – emotionally and physically. Fellatio, deep throat and manual techniques and tutelage for bringing him to his knees. How to fall in love with oral sex, access the male G-Spot and harness your fantasies for greater satisfaction. What every lover of men needs to know. Be sure to check out Kim in action!
Friday October 15th, 7 – 9pm. $50- (plus hst) includes aperitifs, aphrodisiac truffles, organic wine and 20% discount on purchases that evening. Click here for more information
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? Â Everything seems to have been done. Â 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? Â The kids can get in touch with their inner creative selves while painting their very own plates, mugs, or whatever else it may be. Â 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? Â That’s okay – make a mother/daughter day out of it or grab your girlfriends and make new plates and memories! Â Get creative and bring out the artist in you 
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.
Join CRAVE at Crème de la Crème Baby
CountDown Events is proud to present the first annual Crème de la Crème Baby, an exclusive event for discerning parents, showcasing the most luxurious products and services for little ones and their marvelous mommie. Presented by the producers of the most opulent event of the year, Crème de la Crème Baby is an equally lavish affair, with a focus on mommies-to-be, new moms and their beautiful bundles of joy! Vancouver’s top purveyors for all things baby who have been hand-selected based on their demonstrated passion and excellence will be exhibiting the very best the industry has to officer in a chic yet family-friendly atmosphere!
Crème de la Crème baby will be held this upcoming Saturday July 17th, 2010 at the Roundhouse Community Centre, in the heart of Yaletown Vancouver. The show hours will run from 11am-4pm. Dora and Diego will be making a guest appearance from 12pm-3pm! CRAVE looks forward to supporting this event and we are excited to snap pics with Dora and Diego! Stay tuned!
We are excited to announce that we are giving away tickets to our CRAVE Readers! If you would like a chance to “win” a ticket for the event, please post a comment on “What is the best part about being a mommie?”? You will be notified via email by Friday July 16th at 5pm if you have won!
The Urban Girl’s Manifesto is back!
Attention to all the chic, savvy and stylish women in Vancouver! We at CRAVE Vancouver are proud to announce that the newest edition of our Vancouver guidebook will be hitting shelves soon (Fall 2010 to be exact). For those of you who don’t know, CRAVE Vancouver is much more than a guidebook. CRAVE Vancouver, also known as “The Urban Girl’s Manifesto”, is a savvy one of a kind lifestyle guide devoted entirely to the most prominent local businesses, owned by women. Punctuated with descriptive text and photos full of colorful energy and stylish spark, reading CRAVE is like opening a door to your very own party and fashion show. With only the best of the best and nothing less, the third edition of the CRAVE Vancouver guidebook promises to exceed and go “to infinity and beyond” your expectations! We can’t wait (really we can’t!)  to announce the newest additions to the 3rd edition of our Vancouver guide:
- CRAVE guides are officially going green! All of our books are now locally printed, FSC certified and printed with soy ink on elemental chlorine-free paper with 10% recycled material.
- A brand new “Intellegensia” section will be added. This section includes business-to-business service providers such as Marketing Consultants, Public Relations Specialists, Lawyers, Graphic Designers and much more!
- Two words: CRAVE Savings. Now, each guidebook will come fully equipped with an entire page of exclusive discount offers from various businesses featured in the guidebook (who doesn’t crave to save?!)
With such great additions to the guidebook we can barely contain our excitement. And now that you’ve had a little sneak peek on what’s to come, we hope you’re just as excited as us here at CRAVE Vancouver. Remember, the CRAVE guide is always on the hunt for chic, stylish and inspirational women in business. If you or someone you know fits the bill, please don’t hesitate to contact us at arpen@craveparty.com
World Cup Celebration: Indulge in Global Treats
For weeks we have been huddled around the television, sometimes at ungodly hours of the morning, to watch beautiful men from around the world kick around a soccer ball and compete for the coveted World Cup. Whether you have followed the sport for years or just recently discovered what terms like “off-sides” or “stoppage time” mean, it is truly amazing how soccer can bring entire nations together for a common goal.
America’s run has ended, but there are some amazing teams that have risen to the top of the competition! Gather your friends together and indulge in these fun recipes perfect for a summer barbecue or potluck that are inspired by the stand out teams of the 2010 World Cup!
Chimichurri Steak- Uruguay/ Argentina
Chimichurri is a sauce from South America and is served in countries like Uruguay and Argentina over steak and chicken.
Ingredients:
1 cup packed fresh flat leaf parsley
ÂĽ cup packed fresh cilantro
½ cup olive oil
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
2 garlic cloves peeled
Âľ teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
a pinch of salt and pepper
a squeeze of lemon juice
Preparation:
- Mix all ingredients in a food processor and serve over steak, chicken or fish.
Party Sangria- Spain
Ingredients:
1 bottle of red wine
1 lemon cut into wedges
1 orange cut into wedges
1 lime cut into wedges
1 apple diced
1 cup raspberries or strawberries
1 small can of diced pineapples with juice
2 tbsp of sugar
4 cups ginger ale or lemon lime soda
2 shots gin or triple sec
Preparation:
- Pour wine into a large pitcher and squeeze the juice from the lemon, oranges and lime into the wine.
- Toss in the fruit wedges and add pineapple, apples sugar and gin.
- Chill overnight.
- Add ginger ale or soda, berries and ice just before serving.
Potato Salad- Germany
Ingredients:
2 pounds red potatoes
ÂĽ lb bacon cut into small pieces
½ medium onion chopped
1/3 cup cider vinegar
ÂĽ cup water
1 tbsp sugar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp mustard
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Preparation:
- Place potatoes in saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil over high heat and reduce to simmer, uncovered for 20-30 minutes or until potatoes are fork tender. Drain. Let potatoes cool. Peel potatoes and cut into ÂĽ inch pieces.
- Cook bacon in skillet over medium heat until crisp and set aside.
- Cook onion in bacon drippings until tender.
- Combine vinegar, water, sugar, salt and mustard in a large bowl. Toss in potatoes and bacon and mix until well coated.
- Garnish with parsley and serve warm.
Oliebollen (Apple Fritters)- Netherlands
Ingredients
2 tbsp sugar
2 pkg yeast
4 cups sugar
5 eggs
2 cups scalded milk
½ cup butter softened
10 cups flour
1 ½ tsp salt
3 diced Granny Smith apples
1 cup raisins pinch of cinnamon
canola oil for frying
Preparation:
- Dissolve 2 tbsp sugar in 1 cup warm water. Sprinkle yeast on top. Let stand while preparing dough.
- In a large mixing bowl beat eggs, add scalded milk, 1 ½ cups warm water, yeast mixture and butter and beat well. Add flower, 1 cup sugar and salt. Mix well. Add diced apple.
- Let dough rise in a warm place until it has doubled in size.
- In a separate bowl mix 3 cups sugar, and cinnamon to taste.
- Fill a fryer pot with 3-4 inches of canola oil. Heat to 375 degrees and scoop spoonfuls of down into the oil. Turn to ensure even browning.
- Drain on paper towels. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar mixture and serve warm.
*written by Alyssa Goldberg for the CRAVE company. Alyssa is a lover of all things to do with food and travel- check out her blog, WorldSavour by clicking here.
Q&A with Brenda Phillips of First Services Hospitality
First Services Hospitality was established in 1979 in response to a demand for quality event staffing for private and corporate events. Since then, they have expanded and grown to a multi-layered specialized business, providing expert catering and event services to the hospitality industry. Proprietor Brenda Phillips has built her career perfecting her expertise in the field while forming long lasting relationships with clientele from across the hospitality spectrum. Here, we chat with Brenda about her company and the perks of being an entrepreness!
What is unique about your company?
First Services Hospitality is unique because our owner/manager has worked in Vancouver for over 20 years in senior positions from Catering & Banquet Manager, Restaurant Manager, General Manager Food & Beverage Services, Director of Food & Beverage and Hotel General Manager. During this time has worked in a variety of venues (restaurants, hotels, universities, venues and casino operations) in the Hospitality industry. Brenda Phillips really does understand the challenges of staffing events properly, having well prepared and presented food, having properly trained staff and working with owners of hotels and restaurants. With all this experience she is able to provide first hand help in ensuring that proper checklists are completed to a customers satisfaction.
What do you enjoy most about being a business owner?
Being in control of my own destiny. Helping staff, customers and colleagues on a more one-on-one and not getting lost in the corporate world and being a figure head without being seen. It is common to see me at events, prepping in the kitchen, leading training programs or working closely with owners in their operations.
What advice do you have for women who would like to open up their own business?
Follow your dream and turn your passion or hobby into your career. It is much easier to have a career as an owner in something that you love to do. Do your homework and be accountable to your customers and do your best always.
First Services Hospitality
2000 Panorama Drive,
Port Moody, BC
778 988 9440
firstserviceshospitality.com/
Hot Summer Nights Event at LYNNSteven Boutique!
Ladies, listen up! Gastown’s jewel, LYNNSteven Boutique, is hosting a fab party this upcoming Wednesday and you don’t want to miss out! Shop with an exclusive 20% discount at LYNNSteven while enjoying champagne cocktails & appetizers and mini makeovers by BeautyMark!
BeautyMark ,Vancouver’s premier beauty boutique, is thrilled to partner with LYNNsteven for the Hot Summer Nights event on June 9th from 5:30pm – 8:30 pm. To find out the latest & greatest beauty brands, events and exclusive offerings, subscribe to their newsletter before June 9th and you’ll be automatically entered to win a $50 BeautyMark gift card! Just send an email to info@beautymark.ca with LYNNsteven as the subject and you will be entered!
To find out more about Gastown’s hottest fashion boutique, subscribe to their newsletter before June 9th and you’ll be automatically entered to win a $200 LYNNsteven gift card!  Just send an email to events@lynnsteven.com with BeautyMark as the subject and you will be entered to win!
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