Author Archives: Amy Ruiz

Movie Review: Star Trek Into Darkness

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I am not now nor have I ever been, a Trekkie. However, I’m pretty sure I’ll watch anything J. J. Abrams makes. Damn can that guy (and his people) tell a story.

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Movie Candy

Also, the acting is great. I mean I love everyone in this cast, even the bad guys. Was that Robo Cop? While I thoroughly enjoy Simon Pegg as Scotty, Bones will always be my favorite character in this new set of movies. Although John Cho’s Sulu comes in a close second because he’s kick ass.

This movie, like the last, has the right mix of action, comedy, and storytelling. (Kaaaaaaahhnnnn!). I loved how it started “in medias res”. Seconds into the flick and I’m on the edge of my seat.

Not to spoil anything for anyone, but at one point, I thought, “Why is there a Jedi in this movie?” Apparently, he’s a Sith.

While I haven’t yet seen Iron Man 3 (I will), this movie is a great way to kick of the summer block buster season.

Road Trip Chronicles: Minnesota to North Dakota

Road Trip Chronicles: Minnesota to North Dakota

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The urge to travel is in my blood. My pioneer ancestors crosses the plains. My conquistador ancestors settled California. I can’t help it. It’s in my genes, this urge to explore. This weekend Paul & I traveled to North Dakota … Continue reading →

What Stirs You? Create a Match.com Summer Singles Event and Win!

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Match_logoA year ago, Match.com did something interesting to expand the world of online dating.  They took things offline with their Match.com’s Stir, offline singles events for Match.com members. In just one year…Match has hosted 2,850 events – broken down, that’s 14 events each day, 75 events a week, 320 events per month! Match has collaborated with over 1,200 venues and partners, including House of Blues, Banana Republic, Sur la Table and Warrior Dash, along with local gems in each city. Match is throwing singles events in over 80 cities across America – including events in Anchorage and Honolulu! Over 225,000 singles have attended a Stir event to date.

As we all know, online dating doesn’t really occur online.  The real magic happens offline.  Online dating is an efficient way to meet new people in real life.  Stir is Match.com’s answer to offline events, offering a wide range of activities to Match.com members around the country ranging from large-scale happy hours at popular venues, to more intimate events like tequila tastings and DJ lessons.

In celebration of the Stir anniversary, Match.com is offering the opportunity for singles to create their own Stir event, and if their event is chosen, to work with Match Stir event planners to bring it to life!

Visit Match.com’s “What Stirs You?” Contest Page, now through Tuesday May 28th, 2013 and tell Match.com what you think would make for the perfect singles event to be entered to win. Entries will be judged based on quality, creativity, uniqueness and geographical relevance.

The selected winner will have their idea re-created by the Match.com Stir Events team in their city, and will receive an invitation to attend the event along with ten of their singles friends – all at no charge! In addition, the winner will also receive a free six-month Match.com subscription.

 

Full Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Match.com

Please explain yourself, Minnesota

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FireworksToday we were shopping for groceries when Paul noticed this display of fireworks in the middle of the store.  Yes, I said FIREWORKS. At first when I was looking at them, I had my California sensibilities in mind.  I thought they were mostly those harmless party popper and those little loud snap-it/pop-it white things.

Upon further inspection, I realized these are the fireworks my family uses in the street on the 4th of July for their own mini show.  I won’t even go into the inappropriate names for fireworks.  I mean just look at the one on the left…really?  Really?

More Fireworks

fireworks

In fact, there are a couple of items that I believe are illegal in California, which is interesting if you look at the name. I think they are pretty much bottle rockets.

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Here’s where I get confused.  You have a large amount of gun powder for sale in a grocery store, but I can’t pick up a bottle of Chardonnay in the same store?  Please explain to this newly minted Midwesterner why this situation exists. I just can’t wrap my head around it.

Granted in California the use of fireworks is determined on a county by county basis. Sacramento County allows it while Solano County does not.  Why one forbids it while another does not is beyond me.  It would seem to me idiots in Sacramento County are just as capable of setting things on fire as those in Solano.

But, another question comes to my mind…why are these out now?  I don’t remember seeing them last week.  Do you folks use fireworks on Memorial Day?  Should I expect to see fireworks in the grocery stores all summer long?

It’s funny to think of the differences between the states.  We are all in the same country, but there are subtle differences that make each state feel like it’s own little country sometimes.

Paul tells me that in South Dakota (our neighbor to the west) fireworks are sold year round.  Wondering what their alcohol laws are like, I search the internet for it…apparently, they have little restrictions.  There is no real correlation between alcohol laws and firework laws at least not from a logical standpoint.  I just think it’s an interesting juxtaposition.  Both items can wreak havoc if improperly used, but that’s probably where their similarities end.

Still…it just seems more socially acceptable to have alcohol in a grocery store than fireworks, but maybe that’s just the Californian in me.

Beauty Product Storage: How do you organize it?

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Since I’mbeauty products, storage, organization still settling into my new place, one of the challenges I face has to do with my beauty products.  About a year and a half ago, I bought this organizer at Target.  It was great for splitting up my numerous products. Plus it was easy to carry from one room to another since I wasn’t living in my own place.  I had to figure out a way to consolidate and still have access to the stuff that made me pretty…or at least feel pretty.

foundation, eye serum, sunblock

The first layer is moisturizer and foundation. Yes, I love Olay products.  My mom uses them, which is why I tried them.  They always smelled so good.  Now, I use them because they work and don’t irritate my skin.  I’ve tried other products, but always end up going back to Olay.

The 2nd layer is supposed to be my everyday makeup, but as you can probably see (or not) a few fun/night on the town type make up items have made their way up a layer.

fun makeup

The 3rd layer is supposed to be the glittery, glam makeup that I only wear on special occasions or because it’s Friday night. Sephora and NARS are my favorite brands.  NARS because the color in the container is true to what ends up on my face and Sephora for the same reasons, but mostly because it’s significantly cheaper than NARS.

As I was taking these pictures, I realize that I need to purge this stuff…as well as just generally clean the silly thing.  While I do like this method of organization, the snaps on this plastic tackle box are starting to wear, so I’m going to have to start looking for an alternative soon.