The first tattoo

Freedom
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I recently did my first tattoo and it was a very interesting experience for me. There is a feeling of freedom, of doing something to your body, like embellishing it, that I really enjoyed. Of course, there are always very distinct opinions about tattoos: there are those who love them, who would cover their bodies with ink (it will depend on the courage), and there are those who would never even get a needle close to their bodies.

Well, people are entitled to have an opinion, as long as they don’t judge anyone because they have ink on their body. In Portugal, some of these conceptions about people with tattoos being rebels or outlaws or something worse is slowly disappearing. I believe that having a tattoo won’t undermine your chances of getting the job, or of looking like the nice polite person you are, but this will certainly depend on the eyes – and mentality - of the other person evaluating you.

The thing that got me thinking was my concern with the fact that my tattoo would have to be done somewhere where it might be seen, but not too much. I waited 10 years to do it, and when I finally decided, I was still thinking that it could be a mistake. Yeah… I’m obviously the most rebellious person ever!

Anyway, I don’t have any regrets until today. Because it is very small, it didn't hurt either, I was having a perfectly normal and pleasant conversation while I was tattooed. But my advice is: do something that you see yourself enjoying in ten or twenty years. Start with something small, like an experiment, and then move on to the big one!

Your TopCrusher,

Daniela 

Monday inspiration

We all need a push to re-start the week.
We leave you with our sugesttion to shake off the Monday blues.
Give yourself a two minutes break, make a cup of coffee and enjoy!

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Remember the last one!

Have a great Monday, TopCrushers.

Your Top Crusher,

Alex

Dirty Diane

I'm like Vogue.

Every month or so, I find someone that makes me freak out over her coolness.

This time, I have found Diane Kruger.

Oh lord! Have you seen the way Diane Kruger pulls off wearing the coolest combinations ever? She's one of the few that can wear Channel and a sailor cap and still look cool enough to get girls and boys attention. She is such a class act that she has, indeed, a fashion following.

Diane Kruger was born on July 15th, like the cool people are
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Despite what you may think there's no army of hairdressers or stylists to decide what she is wearing or to make sure her face doesn't fall off. No, she does it like the rest of us, simple peasants, she dresses herself. And maybe that's the key to her coolness. Kruger has a voice, an identity and it shows.

"I think woman dress for other woman, let's be honest", Diane Kruger says it bluntly. The German star said recently in a interview to mytheresa.com that when she started off she relied on a stylist :"As my confidence grew, I started to dress my self because they all look the same and I didn't want to look like everybody else".And that's was her best decision, because Diane has an unique and refreshing sense of fashion. 

Diane Kruger is 37 and a cool child at heart.

Your TopCrusher,
Alex

Is Photoshop killing us softly?

"Kiling us softly" is a very interesting video about the effects of Photoshop and advertising images on our confidence and, ultimately, on the society we live in. But why do women keep buying the idea that they will achieve this absolutely unreal and flawless appearance? The truth is nobody is that perfect.

Demi's "too perfect" cover
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Let's face it:

Like they say, we're just setting ourselves for failure. We're losing "time, energy and money" trying to reach something that is not going to happen... Sorry ladies! 

I also loved the fact that they quote the supermodel Cindy Crawford who said "I wish I looked like Cindy Crawford". 

Well, this just says it all, doesn't it?

Your TopCrusher,

Daniela

Kit Harington for Jimmy Choo: Jon Snow knows everything!

Kit for Jimmy Choo
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Jimmy Choo chose Game of Thrones' Kit Harington to be the face of their new men's collection and this was the outcome. What do you think? Still cool and relaxed - this was the attitude they were looking for - but in a preppy way. In short words: it's not "beyond the wall" suitable wardrobe material.

If you have a crush on Kit like we do, take a look at this full video and enjoy the British actor without an armor for a change!

Your TopCrusher,
Daniela

Walt Disney, the content marketer!

It is weird, right? That awkward combination, those two don’t go together! 

Disney is a magical place, a place of bubbles, sunshine and princesses. The thought that your childhood might be linked to the marketing machine where dreams come to die is almost unbearable,right?

Wrong. Grow up.

Walt Disney was a genius content marketer and all that he had was a mouse in a boat and a catchy tune and he set sail. Literally. From then on, Disney greatest hits have followed a formula (yes, I am crushing your dreams, I know) that you can apply to your day to day life dealing with copys and social media managers (those guys just nag all the time).

Walt Disney, the content marketer!
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Walt's formula for great content:

The story is king. Nothing new here, right? Yeah, but Walt did it every time! In an age where no one talked about content marketing, he somehow pulled it off: Walt made you relate to the story no matter who the character was: a rat, a cat or a...a... baby lion king (oh no, here come the tears)!

1) A theme behind every story. No, not a moral, a theme. Think, marketers!  The advantages of creating stories that aim to reach everybody the same way it's ridiculous. Why don't you star off with a niche target. There you may find the opportunity to define your brand, to set the tone and hit home.

2) You can't have all the Good, without having a little Bad. That's right: Villains. A great Villain is the one who does it job, sets the scene so the hero can come in and save the day. As a content marketer you cant' just talk about how "good, great and god's gift to us" your company is. You have to define the problem and see what solutions may be provided, otherwise you're limited in your efforts.

3) That's right, you don't matter. Your serving a greater good, like Walt, you have to know what it is that people like and you have to build it for them. The content you produce needs to match specific trends for the the different mediums, like short form content is taking over Facebook or Twitter, as well as stories filled up with brand's personality.

Ultimately, Walt Disney legacy was to tell great stories, will yours?

Your TopCrusher,
Alex

Things we should believe and never forget

Believe
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Well, this is one of those posts some of you might find very cheesy and irrelevant. I don’t. 

There are certain things we will only understand because we have experienced them. If you are initiating something in your life - new graduation, new job, new relationship, new whatever - this is for you. And aren't we all starting something new every day? 

So, these are the things I think everyone should believe and keep in mind:

You are capable!

How many of us have a problem even before we start something? It’s like the root of evil, this feeling that we just aren’t enough to do this job, or to date that person, or whatever. We live in constant fear of failing and this just kills our confidence! Look at you, bring yourself together and then fight for it! Of course you can fail, but that’s a risk you have to take in order to succeed!

You are accountable!

This is the hard part. If you’re a dreamer, things will never get done anyway. If you’re a go-getter, things will take shape. What comes after that - success or failure – is your responsibility. Everything is easy breezy when people are complementing you and saying how well you went so, no need for advice there. It’s when things go wrong that you will show your true colors. Deal with your mistakes and faults with honesty and integrity. Maybe that’s the reason why you will get a second chance.

You are worth it!

When something goes well, than you just have to believe you deserve it. Don’t let anyone take credit for your hard work. Don’t be that guy in the corner of the room, hearing someone else speaking about your tasks, goals and achievements like they actually helped you! Stand up and defend your own accomplishments.

After all, the point here is we should believe in ourselves. The chances are that, at first, no one else will.

Your TopCrusher,

Daniela