Je suis Charlie

Charlie

Yesterday, three terrorists brutally attacked Charlie Hebdo newspaper in Paris, leaving 12 people dead. These criminals are still hiding behind religion to justify monstrous crimes, spreading terror based on pure evilness. 

As a blogger

As a woman

As someone who believes in God and respects all religions

As a sister and a daughter

As a human being

I deeply condemn this acts of terror and I won't back down on my freedom of speech.

"L'amour est plus fort que la haine" - Love is stronger than hate!

It was a sad day for journalism, for cartoonists and for everyone who believes in freedom of expression. We cannot forget that a pen is also a powerful weapon, let's use it for a peaceful, united world.

Your TopCrusher,

Daniela

Portuguese hot stuff: Cristiano Ronaldo for Sacoor Brothers

CR7

Just in case you haven´t noticed, this blog is entirely written by three Portuguese babes... So, logically, at some point, we would have to bring the Portuguese hotness to the table! 

It's no novelty that the soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo, as known as CR7, is our sports' pride and golden boy. I personally believe that he worked a lot to get to where he is and he certainly deserves the compliments!

Also, because he is a very ambitious and demanding person, he decided that his hotness alone wasn't enough, so he chose the major Russian hottie Irina Shayk to be his girlfriend. *high five*

As he is one of the most valuable players worldwide, everything he touches or represents turns to gold immediately: this is the power of the marketing and advertising brains! He already gave his image to companies like Nike, Tag Heuer, Armani, Clear, Jacob & Co., among many others, including his own brand, CR7. He is a great ambassador for any brand, and those who can buy his face next to their logo should be happy to pay.

Contrary to what's usual, he is not showing his abs on this new campaign for the Portuguese brand Sacoor Brothers, and he looks classy as hell. This is kind of a Mr. Grey thing, but he looks like a boss, and I bet this suit and tie will sell out across their national and international stores.

See, I don't want to be biased, but clearly, my country has some hot stuff.

Your TopCrusher,
Daniela

5 ways to stay healthy this Winter

Cozy
Credits

Hey, let's not start judging ok? Just to be clear, this is not a New Year's resolution post. Nevertheless,

I thought I could give you some suggestions to start a new year with a healthy lifestyle, because, my friends, I'm not sure if you noticed but without health, you can't do much. Let's treat our bodies like they deserve and let the rewards come throughout an awesome year!

Winter is always a tough season, as all we want to do is stay on our couch watching our favourite TV shows, eating cookies with our hot chocolate mug on our side to the rescue! You're guilty, hum? Me too, I already posted about it on a rainy Sunday.

So, here are some tips on how to keep an healthy lifestyle during these difficult times:

1. Watch your hands 

This is the time where we tend to cough and sneeze a lot, so it's easier for viruses and bacteria to spread if we don't wash our hands frequently. This is the best way to stop the bacteria and germs from spreading, so let's keep the 20 second hand wash in mind!

2. Exercise 

No kidding? Just look at it on the bright side: at least you are already getting fit for Summer! You will feel better and have more energy. Most importantly, you will burn calories and prevent gaining those extra pounds from all the comfort eating you have been doing.  

3. Drink a lot of tea

It's equally important to stay hydrated during Winter, so if it's too cold for you to drink the amount of water your body needs, just replace it with tea. It's hot and it will be easier for you to drink it regularly without freezing your brain. 

4. Supplements 

Sometimes, even if you have balanced eating habits, it's just not enough for your body to get all the vitamins it needs. This is a good time to get an expert's opinion on what supplements would help your nutrition during Winter, according to your lifestyle. 

5. Stay cozy

See, it's not all bad! You have earned the right to stay on your couch all day on a rainy weekend, because it's freezing cold outside and this kind of temperatures can cause serious health problems. It's also a good time to catch up with all the sleep you didn't have on the previous months. Sleep deprived people are jeopardizing their immune system, so go ahead, you have an excuse! 

I hope these tips will help you improve your Winter lifestyle and, ultimately, your Winter hotness!

Your TopCrusher,
Daniela

Girl Talk : Casual Cruelty

Recently, I've come across an interview of Lena Dunham (gotta love her truly-madly-deeply) where she was asked to name one thing that she really didn't like and she only said two words: Casual Cruelty. 

All of the sudden, that stroke a chord with me. You know in cartoons where a lightbulb goes of? It was something like that for me, I really thought "that's it" that's the root of all petty problems amongst women: we operate under this directive for far too long, we are "casually cruel" to each other every day: friends, co workers, best friends, mums, daughters, we are all victims of it and we keep doing that to each other.

See also: 8 things about the Portuguese Woman

This must stop. The need to put the other person (women) down because your hair doesn't look nice today, your dress doesn't quite fit, your heels are hurting or you really mess up with your boss this morning,  you don't get the right to be mean because you are insecure about something. 

Suck it up, we are all angry, yep I'm angry a lot, but don't be the bad bitch you feel the need to be. 

You can take it out on someone who is completely unwarned of whats going on an in that moment that sure is gratifying. but then what? You were a horrible person and that comment will sooner or latter cost you something because karma works around the clock and it ins't in a hurry. 

I'm not taking the moral high ground here, hey I've done it more times that I can remember but hey, you need to stop this. I'm not saying spread the peace and love among women lets all join hand in prays no! no bullshit, just cut it out mean spirited current comments such as this:

"hey, that skirt looks really good on you! it disguises your huge hips, honestly"

"Stop it! You need to grow up and stop being so whinny really, just being honest here"

"Oh common we both know you never be able to pull it off in that situation, to be honest"

Oh it's cool to be honest!But misguided anger it's not! And I'm not saying that you have to smile and be polite and happy all the goddam time. God, I'm not always happy, I'm not always smiling in fact I frown a lot, A LOT! and...I'm not fuking polite all the time. 

The message here is be better. Do not take down other girls on their looks, on their behavior, on their intelligence, just....be better than that.

And so on. Many of you will think that I'm just being sensitive, other will relate, and others...will turn away without acknowledging they have done it but they will know it, every women recognises the moment where she has taken it too far. 

Because, if you all have felt that sting you don't see coming...wouldn't we know that it really really hurts?

Your TopCrusher,
Alex

The Interview: threats, hackers, margaritas and a huge laugh

I watched The Interview this week and I have to tell you it was one of the best comedies I saw this year. As you might have heard, this movie caused quite a stir due to its polemic content. This is a comedy starring James Franco and Seth Rogen, a celebrity interviewer and his producer for the tabloid TV show "Skylark Tonight".

At some point, they discover that the North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un is a fan of their show and consequently they have the opportunity to interview him. When they are traveling to Pyongyang they are contacted by the CIA and convinced to "take him out"... Not to dinner and not on a date, if you know what I mean... 

This is a controversial movie, for obvious reasons and it was the target of some serious backlash from the North Korean government. According to the a Time's article the North Korean government has promised a “merciless” retaliation against the United States if The Interview was released, calling the film an “act of war.”

After the government threats, there were the hackers. According to The Guardian,  Sony Pictures has cancelled the Christmas release of the film at the centre of a hacking scandal after terrorist threats to cinemagoers and a decision by major movie theatre groups to cancel screenings in the US. The movie is now available online and on selected theaters.

I know that all of us have different opinions on what is good or bad humor, acceptable or unacceptable, and it's unquestionable that this movie is  risky, but it is so ridiculously funny that you have to look at it not as an affront to a country but as a stupid, yet interesting, way to stop taking ourselves so seriously. I would be the first one to laugh at our politics in Portugal if something like The Interview was done about them, I can guarantee.

Seth and James are close to perfect, I already thought they were two funny guys, but now I like them even more for being able to go ahead with such a risky movie. Finishing with my favourite movie quote: "They hate us, cuz' they ain't us!" *insert Katy Perry plastic bag song*

Honestly, thanks for the laugh, I recommend!

Your TopCrusher,
Daniela

Aries Horoscope for 2015

Fate is on my hands
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I’m one of those people who just believes pretty much everything. Ghosts, spirits, astrology, numerology, you name it, I buy it. I’m not exactly a fanatic, but every New Year, I have this tendency to read my horoscope to see how my year is going to be and it’s kind of reassuring for some reason I can’t explain. It’s like we need something to tell us “it’s going to be OK, you will survive this shit”.

This year, I decided to play things differently. I was thinking, why don’t I tell myself how 2015 will be? I got power too, I’m a pretty magic girl, if you know what I mean! So, I decided to use my sparkle to define my year, without uncertainty or fear. Here it goes:

Aries - Horoscope for 2015

Health

You are super strong as always. Contrary to what’s been happening since you are old enough to run, this year, you’re going to the gym on a weekly basis. Because of this, something called “muscle” is going to magically appear on your body. When that happens, don’t worry, although it is completely unknown to you, it’s a great thing to have. *insert Rocky’s soundtrack here*

Work

Things at the office won’t be stressful as usual. You will have a lot to do because you like to feel occupied but not so much you’re going crazy. Your team is going to be nice and smooth and you won’t have to deal with any office drama in 2015. You’re going to keep feeling good about what you do and people around you will recognize that.

P.s. - If, for some reason, things don’t go as described previously, there’s no need to freak out, just play the lottery and everything is going to be fine.

Love

There is really no better way to describe this more perfectly: you are going to be deeply and utterly in love with yourself. You are going to look in the mirror and see everything you achieved, all the obstacles you overcame, and you are going to be proud of yourself. You heart is going to be full of joy, and when you look around in times of need, the people who already love you, will always be there for you. 2015 is going to be awesome.

*magic horoscope mode out*

This is how it is going to be, I’m so certain I could bet all my money on it, my fate is on my hands. I discovered my sparkle and I have a good feeling about it!

Just let me know if you want me to work my magic for you too! *I do it for free*

Your TopCrusher,
Daniela

The fall of Jamie Dornan

Jamie and Gillian
Credits

Talk about 50 shades of crazy! Jamie Dornan is showing his true colours way before the blockbuster 50 shades of Grey hits the theatres and The Fall is my new favourite obsession! 

By the way, I deeply believe that if I was a super hero my power would be finding excellent TV shows with more than one season to watch precisely when I have to study for my finals. Yup, that would be it!

Boring stuff apart, The Fall is a BBC crime drama set in Northern Ireland and our beloved Jamie Dornan plays the serial killer with a job, a wife, two lovely kids, and a very twisted mind. 

Gillian Anderson is actually pretty cool as well! She plays a kick ass detective who is afraid of nothing, not even of making out with the hottest Irish detective on the team. Go Gillian!

Nevertheless, Jamie steals the spotlight with his dark, shadowy soul, and monstrous actions. Anyway, if I have to be completely honest, I seriously hope he gets away with it. 

Oh-em-gee, just look at him,  he's such a perfect psycho!

Your TopCrusher,

Daniela