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

Indulge In a Local Thailand Spa Escape

November 5, 2010 by Lilla | Comments (0)

Craving a getaway without the pricey flight? Get settled into soothing your day’s stresses away by indulging in one of the many calming services offered at the Sabai Thai Spa. With locations in North Vancouver and Downtown Coal Harbour it’s even easier to treat yourself to the ultimate form of traditional relaxation, because face it ladies- we deserve it! Feel yourself instantly uplifted by the sense of Thai culture and soothing ginger green tea, before pampering yourself with their Tropical Skin Package that we CRAVE.

Beginning with a cleansing scrub with your choice of green apple or coconut exfoliation, this treatment is sure to satisfy your getaway desires! A quick shower with their blueberry body wash provides just the right fruitful kick before heading into the tranquility of an appeasing apricot oil massage that will leave your body feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. To get a better sense of what inspired the woman behind the experience, we had a chance to chat with the lovely entrepreness and Spa queen herself Neata Auttapong. Here’s what she had to say:

Describe your business:
Sabai Thai Spa presents a sense of Thailand in the hustles of everyday urban life! Our dedication to care and compassion to the health and happiness of our clients is the Spa’s main drive, and the variety of traditional techniques gives our clients the exclusive Thai experience.

What inspired you to open Sabai Thai Spa?
Coming from a Thai background, it’s very important to treat our bodies to the utmost forms of relaxation to alleviate all stresses and body tensions we get from everyday life. In Thailand there is at least one spa within every block! The traditions of Thailand are what inspired me to open a spa with the matching atmosphere and services offered back home.

What is one of your favourite services from your Spa Menu?
The traditional Thai Massage, I recommend men and women of all backgrounds to try it. It’s an experience you will never forget!

What is your go-to destination with your girlfriends?
To be honest, and it comes as no surprise, the spa! I love to sit back and relax and for me there is no better way to do this than to take a break from work and indulge in massages and treatments.

As for the CRAVE gals, what’s next on our list? The Full Body Asian Fusion Aromatherapy Massage- part of their Fabulous Fall Packages!

Sabai Thai Spa
thaispa.ca
Coal Harbour
Sabai Thai Spa Downtown Vancouver
(604) 568-6227
571 Cardero St. Vancouver, BC V6G 3L2

North Vancouver
Sabai Thai Spa North Vancouver
(604) 985-8896
987 Marine Drive. North Vancouver, BC V7P 1S4

Fax : 1-800-635-6758
Toll Free : 1-866-985-8896

_______________________________________
*written by Ronak Samadi

Never too Early to Start Moving!

September 15, 2010 by Mina | Comments (1)

We, as little kids, taught ourselves how to roll over, stand up, walk and eventually run.  It just came to us naturally – even though it probably looked and felt awkward at the time.  But did you know that we possess more potential than we often reach?  If we had achieved better movement skills when we were little, our first dance class probably would have been less embarrassing and the first soccer practice a little less painful.  How about saving our kids that same embarrassment?

Let your wee ones try Jump Gymnastics (jumpgymnastics.ca).  It is not a gymnastics class.  It is more of a movement class for kids between 6 months to 8 years old.  At Jump, the expert instructors help the little ones gain flexibility, balance, strength, coordination and agility in their comforting, boutique gym.  Take the kids to the drop-in classes or host their next party there.  You can also watch your loved ones improve in the Parents’ Lounge while connecting with other parents.

Teach your kids to move and get them ready for their future sport of interest!

A Fab Website for Fab Mommies

September 12, 2010 by Mina | Comments (0)

I don’t know much about being a parent but I would imagine it to be one of the most difficult things in life – and of course, most awarding, I bet.  If you are in or about to enter this new stage of being a mommy, make sure to check out urbanmommies.com; your guide to everything there is to know about being a mom.

Urbanmommies.com was born out of love for life, pregnancy and children.  It is more than just a website; it is a community!  There is nothing you will not find here about pregnancy and kids.  It has information on everything from baby names to recipes and from expert advice to shopping for babies.  You will also be able to learn from real mothers through their stories, as well as share your own and connect with them via chatroom.  How fab – Urban Mommies is sure to make your mommy-hood that much more fun and easier!

Have any questions or simply want to vent?  Remember, Urban Mommies is only a click away!

Just for you, Mommies!

August 31, 2010 by Mina | Comments (0)

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!

Back to School Means Back to Business for Moms in Vancouver

August 13, 2010 by Crystal | Comments (0)

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

July 14, 2010 by Arpen T. | Comments (2)

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!

July 12, 2010 by Arpen T. | Comments (1)

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

Planning a Fun in the Sun Picnic

May 17, 2010 by Jennifer L. | Comments (0)

Food always seems to taste better when enjoyed outdoors and in the company of great friends and family. So, pack your picnic basket, grab a blanket, bring some companions, and take advantage of the sunny warm weather the spring and summer months have to offer with an al fresco dining experience! Don’t sweat, planning a picnic doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Here are some fun and fuss-free ideas for planning a picnic in the fresh air and sunshine!

1. Pick a Location:

• At the Park: Whether you’re on a grassy spot in the sunlight or under the shade of a tree, a park is the perfect place to gather for a picnic! If you’re feeling guilty about leaving your beloved pooch at home, there are plenty of pet-friendly parks so you can bring Fido along!
• On a Beach: Sun, surf, and sand is the ideal combination for a picnic on the beach! Just make sure you enjoy each element separately to avoid melted, soggy, or grainy grub.
• At a Drive-In Movie: CRAVing a romantic night with your sweetie? Dinner and a movie underneath a blanket of twinkling nighttime stars is a perfect date night combination. Don’t forget to bring popcorn and candy!
• In Your Backyard: Want to enjoy a meal outside but don’t feel like hauling a basket or cooler full of food around? No problem, a picnic in your backyard can be just as fun and probably less stressful if you happen to forget the napkins!
• On a Roof-top Patio: For those of you dwelling in the concrete jungle, many apartment and condo buildings have a roof-top patio for their residents to enjoy. The only difference? Rather than being surrounded by trees, you have adjacent skyscrapers to provide shade.

2. Picnic Menu Items:

We encourage you to be creative, but to also keep things simple with your picnic menu! Remember, you have to schlep these baskets around with limited heating or cooling available, and food poisoning is never included in the recipe for fun. Pack your picnic baskets with these simple palate pleasers, bon appetit!

• Savor: Definitely use your left-overs when you can! Roasted chicken can be used to make a yummy pasta or Caesar salad. You can also make some simple PB&J or turkey sandwiches the night before and refrigerate them until you’re ready to head out. Soft bagels with cream cheese are also a great and effortless menu option. Here are some other easy picnic recipes to consider.
• Sip: Class up your picnic with a bottle of wine to sip while you savor your meal, which is ideal if you’re enjoying a laid-back picnic on your backyard porch. For public parks and beaches, we recommend some bubbly and refreshing sparkling apple cider instead. Lemonade is also the classic beverage of choice for a sunny spring/summer picnic.
• Sweets: You can’t go wrong with brownies and cookies, which are crowd-pleasers for any age. A fresh fruit salad is delicious and nutritious, and also surprisingly portable! We generally don’t recommend packing anything that melts quickly, but if you’re having a backyard picnic you can get away with serving ice cream and popsicles!

3. Picnic Essentials NOT to Forget:

• Sunscreen/sun block: Don’t ruin your outdoor picnic with a painful sunburn, keep yourself sun protected! As the people from the land down under would say, “Slip, Slop, Slap: slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen, and slap on a hat.”
• Insect repellant: A good idea if you’re going to be outdoors long enough for the mosquitoes to come out for their own picnic.
• Big quilt/blanket: If you’re going to be dining on the grass, sit on a big quilt or blanket to protect yourself from ants in your pants, or even worse, in your food!
• Eating utensils: Finger food is always fun, but if you plan on serving something that requires a fork, spoon, or knife, eating with your bare hands will get messy and complicated.
• Plastic bag(s): Be considerate of others and the park in which you are enjoying your picnic and clean up any trash or food waste. Also, if your pooch joined you for your picnic, please pick up behind your pawed pal as well.
• Anti-bacterial hand gel/wipes: Ahh, germs! Need we say more?
• Entertainment: Don’t dine and dash, stay a while! Bring some playing cards, a Frisbee, or play bocce ball while your tummies digest.

Bond with these Activites on Mother’s Day

May 3, 2010 by Aubry | Comments (0)

It’s that time of year – it’s all about mom. You know as well as we do – with a hectic lifestyle, sometimes traditional alternatives have to do the trick (isn’t it the thought that counts?). But with all that mom has done for you, we’re guessing you probably CRAVE some creative mother/daughter bonding activities this Mother’s Day. So take a break from the craziness of the day to bond with the number one woman in your life. Whether you’re a “like- mother-like-daughter duo” or have completely different tastes, you’re sure to find a fabulous way to celebrate your mom in style with our irresistible options! Get ready to make some memories!

Rediscover Family Recipes
What better way to celebrate the women in your family than with a day dedicated to the culinary queens that have graced your family over the years? We all have recipes stashed away in a drawer in the kitchen that we always talk about with family members during holiday time. How many times have you reminisced about Grandma Marie’s outrageous chicken Marsala or Aunt Susan’s legendary lemon meringue? It’s time to pull out those recipes and cook them up with mom! Be sure to recopy those recipes that are written on paper that is little worse for wear, organize them and swap memories as you savor your hard work. So, if CRAVE something spicy or sweet and want to share special memories of the wonderful women that have paved your way, get cooking with mom. Who knows, you might even make some mother-daughter recipes of your own!

Other ideas for the the crafty mother-daughter duo:

- Organize family photos in scrapbooks or photo albums.
- Transfer old family tapes to DVD.
- Take an art class together.

Mother-Daughter Massage
What better way to say goodbye to stress and pamper the number one woman in your life than with a mother-daughter massage and spa treatment? Sometimes, the unspoken shared moments in life mean the most. With a little time to meditate, make muscles melt and mend your bodies, you and mom will be bonding in no time. Take some time together to choose your lineup of indulgences for the day. Whether you and mom CRAVE some hot stone therapy, aromatherapy or holistic skin care, your Mother’s Day Spa date is sure to be one to remember!

Other options for mothers and daughters looking to chill:

- Take a yoga class together.
- Safely score some rays of sunshine at the beach.
- Pack a picnic lunch and your suits. Find the perfect place to swim, enjoy the water and indulge in some homemade picnic classics!

Generational Clothing Swap:
Admit it – you have always wanted to raid mom’s closet (maybe you already have!) for some of those classy vintage outfits she has saved over the years. She’s probably had her eye on some of yours! Now is your chance to share style secrets that span a few more decades. Spend the days discussing style and sharing trends that have come in and out of both your lives. You might find some similarities you would never suspect – styles always seem to come back! After you swap chic secrets, you might even want to have a generational fashion show. Whatever decade you and mom each CRAVE when it comes to style, the creative possibilities are endless when you put your heads together in the name of fashion!

Alternatives for moms and daughters with fashion in their blood:

- Get out there for some retail therapy, but here’s the catch – pick outfits for each other. You could be pleasantly surprised, or you might be laughing the entire time you’re in the dressing room!
- Score mother-daughter style makeover consultations.
- Go on a fashionable date – check CRAVE and other local listings for fashion shows and other styling events in your city.

No matter what you CRAVE and how you choose to celebrate mom, enjoy your time together. Happy Mother’s Day from all of us at CRAVE.

Portobello West Sunday the 25th

April 17, 2010 by Lilla | Comments (0)

Find your style at Portobello West market, the last Sunday of the month. Meet over 110 local artists and designers and shop for one-of-a-kind fashion and art in one of Vancouver’s most impressive indoor venues. Created in 2006 and inspired by the famous artisan markets of Europe, Portobello West brings together Vancouver’s talented artists and designers in an eclectic and often surprising mix 10 months of the year.

Come down and meet the designers, hear their stories and take home truly original garments, inventive and inspired accessories, unique and sublime jewelry or works of art that speak to you and who you are.

See you April 25th, 2010.
Rocky Mountaineer Station (1755 Cottrell Street). $2 admission (Children 12 and under free), free parking.
portobellowest.com