Addictions can be good... and bad.

by Carmen Cruz


The technology can be a dangerous thing.
Lately, I've been completely addicted to a few sites and apps.

#1) Etsy ~ I love to shop. I do. And last year I discovered this website where artisans of all sorts can post their creative and handmade items for sale. Now while you can find some amazing, cool or truly unique items, you can also come across some serious crap that makes you think... WTF!!!!  That's no longer Esty, it's Regretsy. Boys, tons of cool stuff on there for you too! Things can get a bit pricey, but there are definitely some deals to be had as well. I'm thinking of buying these.... (someone, please tell me to stop. I'm begging you. GAD!).

 







So if you're into the 'Handmade Revolution' like me, I'll see you at Make it Van!, which is happening November 24rth - 27th at the Croatian Cultural Centre. Imagine Etsy style vendors all squished into one room. Good times. Bring your wallet. For realsies.


#2) Instagram ~ This is a wicked iphone app that I use on almost a daily basis. This app can help turn even the crappiest photographer into... a LESS crappy photographer. If you have the app, find me on there and friend me n'kay? I'm under Carmen Cruz. Here are a few of my pics (made MUCH prettier thanks to Instagram).













#3) There's a Spanish website I've discovered where you can watch fairly new movies (anything that's now featured on Shaw's VOD) as well as TV shows, FOR FREE!!!! Yes, the site is in Spanish, but all the English programs remain in English, with Spanish subtitles that can easily removed with the click of a button. The best part of this site is that you don't have to download the movies, you stream them instead. It's brilliant. You can basically kiss your spare time goodbye. If you're interested in finding out more about this site, email me (carmen@carmencruz.ca). I WAS going to post the site here, but I'm scared that doing so might get it shut down. Lame, I know, but I'm a bit paranoid. Big brother is watching...


Besos,

CC.

A Flashback To The 80's/90's. AAAHHHHH!!!!

by Carmen Cruz


Hola!!!!

So I was lucky enough to spend some time with my sister/nephews on Salt Spring Island. Whenever I sit down with Val, after the boys have gone to bed, we always start chatting about the past. 'Hey Val, remember when you convinced me to pay you $1 for an earthworm?'.. OR 'Hey Carmen, remember when we entered that break dance competition?'... and the list goes on and on.

So Val and I put together a list of cool things that we remember from our childhood, and I'd like to share it with you. Hopefully, you're amused, appalled and above all, have a good laugh! Please feel free to send me any and all suggestions for my list.
Enjoy!

Back to the 80's/90's

TV Shows & Movies:

Small Wonder .... and look at her now!!! ;D
Zoobilee Zoo! (It scared the crap out of me, and yet I couldn't stop watching)
ALF
Diff'rent Strokes
Silver spoons
The Facts Of Life
Saved By The Bell
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Just The 10 Of Us
Perfect Strangers (According to my sister, I was in love with cousin Balki. I don't remember this...)
The Cosby Show
The Raccoons
Teddy Ruxpin
Fraggle Rock
The Smurfs! (and toooo many cartoons to name. I watched cartoons until...umm... I was much older. I might STILL watch some cartoons, and I'm ok with that ;)

The Goonies
Back to the Future
Gremlins
The Lost Boys
Sixteen Candles
The Breakfast Club
Ferris Buellers Day Off
Say Anything
Pretty in Pink
Reservoir Dogs
Jurassic Park (Scared the CRAP out of me. I scare easily.)
Edward Scissorhands
Boyz 'N The Hood
Pulp Fiction (Started my obsession with Quentin Tarantino Movies)
......Oh man..... I could be here ALL NIGHT!!!!

Gizmo's & Gadgets & Games:

Some of our favourites are listed on this website:
The rubix cube
Pacman/Pacwoman - Play here!
Duck hunt/ Super Mario Brothers/ Tetris (I actually managed to finish this one...on my hand held gameboy. NERD!!!!)
Donkey Kong (and Jr.)/ Q-bert/ Space Invaders/ Zelda... and soooo many more. Check out this site. Sweeeeet!
The GIANT Zach Morris cell phone


Clothing & Style:
MC Hammer Pants (Yeah, I wouldn't touch those)
Hypercolor t shirts (You can still find these on eBay. Joy?)
Shoulder Pads (WHY???)
Girls - Putting your hair up in a ponytail and shaving the bottom half of the back of your head. BOTH mys sister & I did this (Oh the SHAME!!!)
Bright pink lipstick and frost blue eyeshadow
Lee press on nails
Wearing your jeans backwards a la Kriss Kross
Wearing a dress with Doc Martens
Overalls
Giant Hoop earrings
Wearing your bra outside with a jacket over or wearing a mesh/see thru shirt (The latter is for the gents. **shudder**
2 words for ya: Neon and Spandex. YIKES!!!!!
'The Peacock'
Feathered Hair
Jelly shoes/sandals/ bracelets


Sayings:
  • NOT!
  • Grody
  • Gag me with a spoon
  • No duh
  • Wicked
  • Gotta motor
  • That's my name , don't wear it out
  • Where's the beef?
  • You hoser!
  • Psyche!

Songs:

Take On Me - Aha (I had the BIGGEST crush on the lead singer... and Patrick Swayze, Corey Haim and Joe McIntyre) ~ Not gonna lie, still think Joey is H-O-T!!!~
Tainted Love - Soft Cell
Everybody Wants To Rule The World - Tears For Fears
I Think We're Alone Now - Tiffany
Never Tear Us Apart - INXS (Filmed in Prague ~ Praha~ one of the most beautiful cities I've ever been to)
Right Stuff - New Kids On The Block

Waterfalls - TLC
Nothing Compares To You - Sinead O'Connor
Jeremy - Pearl Jam
Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now) - C+C Music Factory
No Diggity - BLACKstreet
Even Better Than The Real Thing - U2 (Dear GAD I love this band!!!)
Sabotage - Beastie Boys
Killing Me Softly - The Fugees
Fade Out - Radiohead

Seriously??? I could be here all night. I'm stopping now.
ENJOY!!!!

Besos,

CC.