issue 8 // volume 43 life & style // no. ‘Wi

The resurgence of the instant photo

> Quick snap, but is it worth the cash?

Brittney MacDonald
Life & Style Editor

 

’m not sure if many of you have noticed,

but trends seem to be cyclical. Right
now we're at an awkward time when
fads from the ’gos have all the sudden
started popping up in fashion and popular
culture—Power Rangers, clear backpacks,
blue lipstick. It’s all very 1991. It seems
that as we progress, we also tend to fall
back on things that worked for us in
the past, and this is especially true of
the recent boom in mobile printing.

It seems that everywhere you
look, photo or camera companies are
attempting to cash in on the mobile
market by producing a portable printer
that will work with your phone to make
a physical copy of your favourite photos.
They’re basically trying to create a
resurgence of the Polaroid fad of the
’70-’gos. It is a good move on their part;
I mean, what else are companies like
Polaroid and Kodak going to do to stay
relevant outside of the professional
photography circuit. In order to capitalize
on revenue, they need a product that
they can offer to the masses—but almost
everyone just takes photos on their phone.
A digital camera is a thing of the past,
unless you vlog or are planning a big trip.
It is certainly not a day to day accessory.
The question then becomes, are

these portable printers something we
need? Not need as in one needs shoes or
one needs food—but something that is

actually worth the effort and money to go
out and buy. As someone who does own
a Polaroid Zip, which is a small mobile
printer that syncs to your phone, I am
conflicted. On one hand, I do enjoy the
printer, but on the other hand, I won it
on Instagram, so I didn’t have to shell out
the $130-179 it costs, and I have yet to use
up the paper it came with, so I haven't
had to pay $50 for a pack of refills. Had
the situation been different, I probably
wouldn't have bought this, because I
have a hard time justifying paying so
much for something so frivolous—but
now that I do have one, and I’ve used
it, I can definitely see the appeal.

I enjoy being able to look at actual
photos, and giving physical photos
to friends and loved ones. There’s
something really special and sincere
about that, compared to just emailing a
file or sending a link to someone. Not to
mention that I have abused its power in
the way of decorating everyday objects
with photos of my cat, my favourite video
game characters, and disgustingly-sweet
vacation photos of me and my beau.
The nostalgia and the fun that these
camera companies are trying to capitalize
on is definitely there, but whether or
not you feel it’s worth the expense is a
decision that should be made personally.
For me, I only saw the appeal after I
owned one for myself, and that might
be the case for you as well. So maybe
hold off until they go down in price, or
hang on to that receipt—just in case!

Rainy day cocktails

> Something for everyone this Vancouver spring

Brittney MacDonald
Life & Style Editor

 

h the weather outside is frightful—
but at least it’s not snowing! Congrats
everyone, you've made it to that special,
quintessentially West Coast time of
year where we experience torrential
downpours on a near constant basis.
Spring is just around the corner, and
with that comes listening to the rain

Dew drop

ORM ae lccommeosanlpynate

2 shots of vanilla-
flavoured vodka, a
few drops of orange

 

Photo by Brittney MacDonald

pitter-pat against the window as you sit Rolling Thunder

curled up with a tasty beverage. To help

you enjoy these stormy evenings, I’ve put

together a list of rain-inspired cocktails.
Hopefully at least one of

these little recipes will make your

rainy day a little bit brighter!

extract, and 1 shot of
blue curacao. Shake and
OMY oMDO UB bt DUS TOTMSA Loin
Garnish with cherries
OSM RIIeer Tet Lon

Now, normally I’m not really one for beer
cocktails, but when the night’s dark and full
of terrors, sometimes it’s best to just roll
with it. Here’s my take ona Black Velvet.
Fill a champagne flute half way with cold
sparkling white wine, then float a chocolate
lager or a chocolate stout on top of the wine.

 

Serve it without mixing, and without ice.

The Cloudburst

Feeling very Canadian? Well, enjoy my take on the Raymond
Massey—a cocktail staple in Ontario. Now, the normal version
requires ginger simple syrup and champagne, but that is
expensive and complicated, so were going to Home Depot it
and cut a few corners. Rima glass with lemon juice, then dip

it insugar. Combine 15 shots of rye with a couple cubes of
emma semi mare scm ads mssnetc oul eve MeluysAlneyimnnty pic
syrup. Stir, and garnish with a sense of Canadian pride.

 

SS