Love, Freedom and Aloneness

Aloneness
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Today I discovered Chandra Mohan Jain, also known as Osho. He was an Indian mystic, guru and spiritual teacher. I've never heard of him before but I accidentally found a quote on pinterest about our capacity to love that got my attention. It is so simple, but at the same time it is really deep and insightful and it made perfect sense to me. This was the excerpt:

“The capacity to be alone is the capacity to love. It may look paradoxical to you, but it's not. It is an existential truth: only those people who are capable of being alone are capable of love, of sharing, of going into the deepest core of another person--without possessing the other, without becoming dependent on the other, without reducing the other to a thing, and without becoming addicted to the other. They allow the other absolute freedom, because they know that if the other leaves, they will be as happy as they are now. Their happiness cannot be taken by the other, because it is not given by the other.” Osho

Aren't we all constantly learning to love? I know I am. The older I get, the more I realize that it is very challenging to love someone, to make them happy and to be happy too. According to Osho, happiness should only come from us and not from the others. Isn't it beautiful to believe that we only depend on ourselves? 

I was so curious that I ordered his book "Love, Freedom and Aloneness" because I feel that sometimes I just need a different perspective on life and how to live it, to keep an open mind and an open heart. 

Hopefully it will be enlightening, I'll let you know what I thought after I read it. 

Your TopCrusher,

Daniela 

"Advice, like youth, probably just wasted on the young"

wasted on the young
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Recently, one of my Marketing teachers advised us to read this essay by the Chicago Tribune's columnist Mary Schmich and I loved it so much I wanted to share this hypothetical speech with you. As you will see, although it is directed for the class of 97, it is still adequate for the way we live today, and it probably still be a hundred years from now. 

"Wear sunscreen.

If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists, whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience. I will dispense this advice now.

Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth. Oh, never mind. You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they've faded. But trust me, in 20 years, you'll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can't grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked. You are not as fat as you imagine.

Don't worry about the future. Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind, the kind that blindside you at 4 p.m. on some idle Tuesday.

Do one thing every day that scares you.

Sing.

Don't be reckless with other people's hearts. Don't put up with people who are reckless with yours.

Floss.

Don't waste your time on jealousy. Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind. The race is long and, in the end, it's only with yourself.

Remember compliments you receive. Forget the insults. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.

Keep your old love letters. Throw away your old bank statements.

Stretch.

Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life. The most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives. Some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don't.

Get plenty of calcium. Be kind to your knees. You'll miss them when they're gone.

Maybe you'll marry, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll have children, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll divorce at 40, maybe you'll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary. Whatever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much, or berate yourself either. Your choices are half chance. So are everybody else's.

Enjoy your body. Use it every way you can. Don't be afraid of it or of what other people think of it. It's the greatest instrument you'll ever own.

Dance, even if you have nowhere to do it but your living room.

Read the directions, even if you don't follow them.

Do not read beauty magazines. They will only make you feel ugly.

Get to know your parents. You never know when they'll be gone for good. Be nice to your siblings. They're your best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.

Understand that friends come and go, but with a precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle, because the older you get, the more you need the people who knew you when you were young.

Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard. Live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft. Travel.

Accept certain inalienable truths: Prices will rise. Politicians will philander. You, too, will get old. And when you do, you'll fantasize that when you were young, prices were reasonable, politicians were noble and children respected their elders.

Respect your elders.

Don't expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund. Maybe you'll have a wealthy spouse. But you never know when either one might run out.

Don't mess too much with your hair or by the time you're 40 it will look 85.

Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia. Dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it's worth.

But trust me on the sunscreen."

Beautiful, right?

Your TopCrusher,

Daniela 

Caitlyn Jenner's story and why all women must love Jon Stewart

Welcome to being a woman
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You know what ladies? Jon Stewart just gets it! Perfectly. 

As we all know Vanity Fair's photos of Caitlyn Jenner, formerly known as Bruce, hit the media this week and they all had something to say. Although in general everyone seems to be accepting her gender transition, Jon Stewart brilliantly saw something that no one else noticed: media and sexism.

"It's really heartening to see that everyone is willing to not only accept Caitlyn Jenner as a woman, but to waste no time in treating her like a woman."

The way Caitlyn looks was everything they were talking about. Should we take a minute to reflect? I did... And that's it, the moment you become a women, you must be defined by your beauty, your boobs and your ass - and that's really sad.

And then, the worst part comes, comparison, or as Jon says "comparative fuckability": 

"Is she hotter than Kris? Does she have a better body  than Kim?" Wtf people? Hey, where's the message that every woman should focus on herself instead of going crazy comparing her body to the ones they see on the runways? Nowhere.

So, thank you Jon for bringing up the important issues here, it's nice to see someone on TV still has a brain.

You can watch the full video below:

Nailed it, right?

Your TopCrusher,

Daniela

Shades of Cool

del rey
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The question to be asked is... Can Lana Del Rey get any cooler? I really can't see a way. I fell in love with this 29 year old singer and song writer when I first heard Video Games *It's you, it's you, it's all for you, I tell you all the time, Heaven is a place on earth with you* !

Unique and authentic, Lana is the personification of the american beauty. According to Vogue's article, Is the World Ready to Stop Judging Lana Del Rey?, "the world seems to have finally caught on. She now has the room to invent and reinvent herself, to romanticize whatever sad suffering she pleases, and to make lush and cinematic her odd love affair with desperation and aloneness—all without the love-hate whiplash of her early days. Not only her person but also her music stands alone. Lana Del Rey is her own genre." Yes people, stop judging, start listening. 

To deepen my love for her music, there was Blue Jeans, *I will love you until the end of times, I would wait a million years*, and then, when you realize sometimes things are darker than you expected, she explained love and lost with Born to Die.

Now I'm listening to Ultraviolence, her third studio album, and I'm still loving it. She has her own thing, and I won't get bored easily. This is my suggestion for your sunny Sunday:

Your TopCrusher,

Daniela 

Top 5 items to wear to a music festival

Silly season is back. Coachella opened this season and dictated a series of fashionable looks. Europe is about to get into those summertime vibes and what can it be more summer than a music festival? 

Portugal,  the rest of Europe and even the other side of the Atlantic is about to be taken over by a series of alternative, pop, rock music concerts. 

It's time for girls everywhere start freaking out about what to wear. Easy, girls. 

We got your back and we got year of experience on some failed outfits worn to music festivals : 

*decides to wear pants * oh it almost 100º degrees

*decides to wear shorts * oh there's a plague of lochausts eveywhere

*decides to wear a dress * oh! arrives home with a gum stuck to the underwear

So okay, we give a list of a the Top 5 items you should wear to a music festival. But, remember that all in all the aim is to be comfortable, have fun and...well...get drunk and don't need to worry about a boob falling out or something.

1)  Headbands: Maybe it's just me who always believe that she lived the 60's but where there is sun, music and people you got to wear a flower crown in your head. The smaller the better so it doesn't way you down and you can party along all night.

2. Crop Top: believe me that's one item that comes for all shapes and sizes. Nevermind that, the item is hot, trendy, and wear it right and could be amazing. Style with a short, baggy pants, ripped jeans, a skort or a skirt and don't forget your confidence at home you are going to need it to rock it. 

3. Closed Shoes wheter it's vans our your favorite camel boot. They come in all shapes and sizes and are the most comfortable shoes to wear at a concert. Remember there's always dirt in the air in those summer concerts so your feet will be guarded from that and better...it will prevent you for getting your foot smashed by some big boned guy in the row in front of you.

4. Checkerd shirt: Think again if you thought it had gone out of style. It's back, wear it around your waist its perfect as a blanket for each time you'd want to seat and it's perfect for that day to night transition where it might get chilly...all you need to do is to put it on and voilá. 

5. Shorts: When comfort meets glam you have the summer shorts.Take your favorite pair of jean that doesn't quite seem to fit and personalize them. Wear them in all shapes and sizes but remember the tighter the better (no not because of your butt) but because you wouldnt want to go around flashing people.

Your Topcrusher

Alex, the  Rock Legend

Huarache Lights

Have you heard about Hot Chip?

They're a British electronic music band and they have been around since 2000. Hot Chip have recently released their sixth album, Why Make Sense? and I'm obsessed with the first single  -"Huarache Lights" -, which is in loop mode at the moment.

Honestly, this genre of music is not my favorite but this song is kind of cool, kind of deep, perfect to hear when you want to step aside from what's happening around you: I put my headphones on and the world is out.

Here it is, my soundtrack for this week:

Hope you enjoy it!

Your TopCrusher,
Daniela 

Porto: forever being cool

You can feel it everywhere: the more and more cosmopolitan city that Porto has become in the last few years and how things started to be more appealing and more beautifully European.

The alternative and lovely spaces you can find in the city, especially downtown, turns Porto into a trendy, modern and interesting place at the same time. Like the right place to be and to be seen.

Rua Miguel Bombarda is a great example of that. Contemporary art galleries, vintage stores, restaurants, cozy and sweet coffee bars, are now calling for the generations that want their city always beating for something new and special.

Porto is getting a new look too and the city always wants to improve artistic movements. The art throughout the streets is a powerful way to keep them alive. Porto always has the perfect vision to give something to see for free.

The street art wall at Rua Miguel Bombarda was one of the many events that we couldn't resist.

Just passing by this is what you can see:

The streets are alive
(Pictures taken by me)

Porto is such a cool city and it definitely became alive with great colours.
Those colours are in our hearts! 

Your TopCrusher,

Dúnia

I'd Rather Be at Coachella...

California. Music. Arts. 

When the sun sets over the Coachella Valley. The view from the ferris wheel. The good vibes and the cool fashion trends.

The Cochella Valley Music and Arts Festival is definitely on my bucket list. What about yours Crushers?

I'd rather be at Coachella...
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Your TopCrusher,

Dúnia 

Second Chances

Past and future
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Let's talk about second chances.

Should we give one?

Do we deserve one?

Are both sides up to the challenge?

Well, wouldn't it be nice if we knew all the answers in advance! 

I've been thinking a lot about second chances lately. Although everyone seems to have an opinion, it's very difficult to evaluate these kind of things... On one hand, no one wants to waste their time - and their precious feelings - on someone who hasn't worked out in the past, no matter what the reason was, and this is something that crosses our mind instantly: why?

Why am I even thinking about this? Am I this stupid, really? Why still on my mind? Again, we can't know these things for sure unless we give them a try. Hours, minutes, days, years go by, and still, this is where you are. Should we take that as a sign? 

Precisely my point... And on the other hand of the negative side everyone has thought: even when you are giving a first chance, aren't you taking a big risk too? I mean, honestly, how many first chances haven't worked out for you? If we analyse this clearly we're always taking risks no matter what. I realize each case is different but if something makes you happy, I believe that should be enough to make you, at least, consider the risk. Why struggle against something that is giving you a reason to smile? The past experiences should be right where they belong: far, far away. Take your lesson, learn from it, and move on.

Again, the drama of second chances. 

From my point of view, I guess everyone deserves one: do you have the courage to give a second chance... or to seize the one you are given? You don't want to look back regretting an opportunity you didn't give or one you didn't enjoy because you weren't brave enough. 

The answers are right where they belong too: the future. 

Your TopCrusher,

Daniela

Summer Cravings

“And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.” 

F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

Summer cravings for the sun lovers!

Your TopCrusher,

Daniela

10 reasons why it is awesome to be a woman

Today it is March 8th, the International Women's Day. We have fought hard to be free, to be able to express our opinions, to be taken seriously, to be equal, and we still have a long way to go. Because I am a woman and I believe I am blessed to be one, here are the reasons why being a woman is truly and absolutely awesome:

Fierce
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1. Gentleness. Yes, we are gentle, we are soft, we smell good and we like pretty shiny things. I'm proud to be feminine.
2. Power. Is there a great woman behind every great man? I believe that it might be the opposite. 
3. Taste. We are sweet, we are the sugar spoon in a world full of sour. 
4. Flirt. If you can flirt, you can do pretty much everything and convince everyone. 
5. Children. I haven't figured this one out yet, but my mom tells me we have the fantastic ability to give birth to a human being, so I will believe her. 
6. Beauty. I love the way we embellish the room when we arrive. We add value to the common places. 
7. Free stuff. Paying for my own drinks? I would, but since everyone is offering...
8. Short skirts, high heels. Come on, do I really have to explain this one? Looking in the mirror and loving what you see is such a good feeling.. Every woman deserves that!
9. Other women. Our mothers, our grandmothers, our friends, our sisters: we have to love and appreciate each other. 
10. Society. I believe that society is treating woman better nowadays. Our fight for equality isn't over, but we have to admit that we have conquered a lot, so this day is a great opportunity to sit back and enjoy the outcome. 

Happy Women's Day!

Your TopCrusher,

Daniela 

Soundtrack of the week: NAO

NAO: So Good
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NAO is a 24 year old singer and producer from London taking her first steps as a solo artist. I found her unexpectedly on iTunes and I really love the atmosphere of NAO's songs.

The Extended Play (EP), SO GOOD, spread across the internet to fast and "so good" to be true. The EP is also available on Soundcloud, where you can find more songs of this strong artist, like Good Girl, Adore You and Take Control of You.

I'm hearing NAO's songs on repeat. What about you Crushers?

Just give her a try and relax!

Your TopCrusher,
Dúnia

5 things we have to face about Mr. Grey

Jamie
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Yep, we’re also talking about it. 

After reading the 50 shades of Grey trilogy, I would never resist seeing the movie, so I went to the premiere day in Portugal and I have to say my expectations were very low at that point. 

First, there was the fact that E. L. James is not actually a good writer and we all know that, she repeats herself so much that it hurt my brain at some point while reading the third book, but well, her ideas were.. hum.. very creative, I had no other choice but to keep reading. 

Then, there was the criticism and paranoia about the casting choices. Just keep calm people, Jamie Dornan would save the day. Everyone was acting like this was going to be the movie of the century and that was making me crazy. 

Anyway, although nowadays all book stores are filled with this kind of spicy novels, we have to admit 50 Shades brought something new to the table. Nevertheless, these are the things that I had to face while watching the movie:

1. He’s sexy as hell. Casting drama no more: It's not the first time I compliment him here. Jamie is the perfect Mr. Grey. 

2. Dakota is not that bad either. If you read the books, you already knew that she wasn't supposed to be awesome. Get over it. 

3. No pain, no gain? I really think that it is only sexy and thrilling because it's fictional. If a guy asked me to sign that kind of contract, I would probably run, fast. Also, the idea that someone has to be in complete control of my life is not something very appealing. I'm very attached to my freedom of will and speech, thanks. 

4. Is this Twilight? Yes, it is. Instead of vampires, you have sex toys, that's it. 

5. Good soundtrack. I've been listening to this one by The Weeknd:

Later babies!

Your TopCrusher,
Daniela

Love never goes out of style

Hi babies,

You know what? Let's stop the Valentine's day haters... From my point of view, any excuse to love is a good excuse! If you are in a relationship, today is a good day to get freaky! *insert Marvin Gaye's let's get it on* 

If you are single, show some love for your family, for your friends, for your pets, whatever, just show your love for the people and things you appreciate! Most of all, love yourself! Here's some Valentine's inspiration:

Also, here's my newest pop addiction and my soundtrack for today:

Just admit it... love never goes out of style!

Your TopCrusher,
Daniela

Big Hero 6: The Sweetest Thing!

You know, having a little brother is one of the best things in life, and I'm speaking from my own experience. Mine recently told me to watch Big Hero 6 because he knows I'm a sucker for animated movies, and I simply adored it.

Big Hero 6 comes from the same Walt Disney team that worked behind "Frozen" and "Wreck-It Ralph"... Judging from my opinion, what a team it must be!

Baymax, the fatty clumsy robot, is purely the sweetest robotic character I've met and Hiro is just a genius kid struggling with the tragic death of his elder brother, Tadashi. They develop a very special bond during their adventurous search for justice in the city of San Fransokyo and they end up being best friends for life. Don't you just love a happy ending?

Newsflash: I cried. Like.. a lot. More than I'm happy to admit. 

But seriously, it's a beautiful story about family, friendship, love and lost, and you should go watch it right now! 

Your TopCrusher,
Daniela

The Theory of Everything

Eddie
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I completely fell in love with Eddie Redmayne while watching The Theory of Everything, Stephen Hawking's biopic that turns out to be such a beautiful and truthful love story. He proved that he is a great actor, who certainly was up to the challenge of playing a very difficult character.

Eddie looks so sweet and so nerdy at the same time, he made me believe that I would actually fall in love with him too if I met him at that time. It's interesting to see the other perspective, while his body and his health were completely degrading after he was given only two years to live, and his wife, played by the gorgeous actress Felicity Jones, was always by his side, making sure that his talent and geniality had the chance to be noticed - and she was successful.

This movie made me think about the persistence that we need to go through life without losing our hope and will to live, not only because we're here - so we have to endure this anyway - but  because we want to make a difference, we want to stand out and shine while we are alive in this world, always pushing our own boundaries to be better. I have to say that it was really inspiring. 

After the movie, only one question remains, and I don't think we will ever know the answer. Where does time go? Wouldn't you like to know?

Your TopCrusher,
Daniela

Rebel Heart Baby!

Pop Queen
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Once a rebel, always a rebel. When is Madonna going to stop being awesome? I preview the answer to this question is "never ever". The 56 year old unapologetic singer slash Pop Queen recently released six songs from her new album, Rebel Heart, and I found myself, once again, in love with her.

I've already had the pleasure to see The MDNA Tour in Portugal, which was the first and last time I saw Madonna in the flesh and it was one of the best live concerts I've ever seen. I'm 100% sure that, if she returns with a new tour, I'll be there again jumping around and dancing like a crazy person that just doesn't care! *crossing fingers*

Rebel Heart  featured co-producers like Diplo, Avicii or Kanye West, and after twelve unfinished songs were leaked, Madonna decided to present us with six official tracks: Living for Love, Devil Pray, Ghosttown, Unapologetic Bitch, Illuminati and Bitch I’m Madonna.

According to The New York Times, the six-song preview of “Rebel Heart” features Madonna’s better side: as a savvy pop ear and musical team leader, and as a lyricist who sometimes ponders sin along with romance and fame.

I completely agree that these songs perfectly fit Madonna's style, it's like she finally returned to her impeccable pop roots and has decided to teach everyone how to do it properly. This is the song I've been listening in loop mode, and my favourite one so far:

"It might sound like I'm an unapologetic bitch,

but sometimes you know I gotta call it like it is"

Wise wise words from The Queen! *dancefloor hit for 2015*

Your TopCrusher,
Daniela

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