fixation friday: fitness and arms

Today's fixation is all about the fitness. Well at least my current obsession with life changing and fitness and arms. I know you're shocked - Kelly? Fitness? Really? What about the cocktails, the oreos, and the fun stuff? Trust me I'm still fixated on those damn oreos (sorry Shana, promise me you won't buy anymore and I'll promise you the same girl!), but I haven't been craving them like I used to. So instead of my usual banter about yummies for yo tummies I'm going to talk about my current fixation that's been a long standing issue for me since I gained a lot of weight. My arms.

Looking back on older pictures of me, I've never truly had muscular arms. They've always been ok, not tight but not too flabby - I never worried about them. Wearing a tank top never hurt my feelings or my ego and when sporting a swimsuit, my arms were the least of my worries - helloooo, I had a belly.

Case 1: Not so bad but no muscle tone - Mid 20's

Me and 2 of my Besties K & A Ocean City, MD 

I think I may have cut my arm out of this picture on purpose but really they are not that big at all! I will also have you note that I have a huge head, I'm well aware of this!

Case #2: Not so bad, but no muscle tone, again Mid 20's

I think I was actually thinner here than the image above.

Oh how I miss that jaw line - it's slowly returning.

Yes everyone, that is me and Salt circa 2004-ish?

Aren't we adorbs?

Since I've started my P90X voyage (sounds so much more fun than a journey to me), my favorite workouts have been the arm workouts. Maybe it's because I know those are the muscles I want to work on the most. Sure my thighs need help, but I've always had strong legs. Being a dancer for most of younger years, I had great muscle tone in my legs, calves and thighs - sure some of that has fallen by the wayside but since I started Xing it that has come back quicker than I thought. My arms are still a work in progress. They are still ready for bingo, although the jiggling is starting to be less and less.

I've always been inspired by strong arms. Seeing them in magazines and movies or on television - I'm always drawn to them. Now when I say strong arms I don't mean I want to get all Chyna on you.

via google • "That's a huge bitch!"

I know you're saying, Kelly that's isn't Chyna aka Joanie Laurer, but I assure you... It is. This is Chyna before plastic surgery. She wanted to give herself a more feminine look and went under the knife. The image above is when she first got on the WWF (now WWE) circut. Trust me, I read her book. I know these things. Seriously, she's scares me and I want to know how many horse elephant steroids homegirl was given to get that huge!

via google

The picture above makes this one a bit more viewable, does it not? But seriously STILL way too much muscle for me. Sorry Chyna, I respect what you do but I do NOT want to look like you! P.S. I hope you went to rehab, after watching the hot mess that you were on VH1's Surreal Life I worried about you. Correct me if I'm wrong wasn't she on like 2 episodes of Dr. Drew's Celebrity Rehab?

That being said about Chyna the same can be said for Carrot Top. But he's a man you say... please, the jury is still out on that one! 'Dude' wears more eyeliner than I do. *officially skeeved*

via google • One Scurry Roided Ginger

All jokes aside these two probably work really hard to get where they are today, but still this is SO not what I mean when I say I want buff arms. What I want is lean, muscular, GIRLIE arms.

Seriously if I had to pick a person I wish was my body double it would hands down be Jessica Biel. When I first saw her in Blade Trinity, I was floored. She was pretty buff but it wasn't completely over the top.

via google • "You got tickets?!?!"

Maybe it's the angle, maybe she just did a ton of push-ups before this shot but she's cut! I have to wonder this because see the next image, still great arms not as cut. I don't think I'd want to be THIS buff, but continue below and we'll finish this discussion. 

via google

I'll be honest I just wanted a good reason to post a picture of Ryan Reynolds on here. *drool* Sure Jessica's arms look great but really Ryan is in the picture, so who's honestly looking at her arms, right?

So the first might still be a little too buff for me how about a happy medium?

Perfectly toned, not too manly sleek arms. AKA MY GOAL!

via google

Or THIS

via google

Those are much better and way more my speed!

Other seriously awesome armed women in Hollywood are...

Jennifer Aniston (love her, forever Team Aniston over here)

via google • perfect arms and great legs - jealous? yes I am!

via google

This is totally off topic but it's by far my favorite stretch of all time

Cobbler Pose done by Miss Aniston - thank you very much!

Kelly Ripa - Super adorable! And so damn fit!

via google • seriously she must workout non-stop!

via google • I want to feel comfortable wearing this going to market

(wow that was really Southern of me.. "Going to market, ya'll! Let me get my buggy!"

NO OFFENSE TO MY SOUTHERN GIRLS HERE - YOU KNOW I LOVE YOU!

It's just funny when I say such southern things!)

Last but NEVER least my super mega ultra girl crush

Olivia Munn

via google • she makes me laugh, a lot!

The one thing most of these women have in common is that they work hard to look this good. I'm not sure about Olivia's workout routine but I'm pretty sure that Jessica, Kelly and Jennifer all bust their butts to look as great as they do. And I'm pretty sure that routine requires butt busting every. single. day! 

I know I personally won't be able to slack if I want my arms or body to look like these women. In all honesty I KNOW I will never look like Kelly Ripa, I am just not built to look like her. Petite is not a word I use to describe myself, ever! That being said, if I could get my body close to say Kim Kardashian's (minus the ass) then I'd be excited! - so long as my arms resemble Jessica Biel's I'll be stoked.

via bing • I'll gladly take her curves w/ Jessica's Arms, thank you!

What is the one problem area you obsess about?

That being said -  I want no negativity here people. I will not tolerate you beating yourself up because you don't look like these women - I refuse to do this to myself or let you do it to yourself. Sure my arms are flabby, and I hated them for years, and still slightly do but I'm working to make that a thing of the past. And I'm working on a mind set that allows me to do that! Seriously, I'm wearing a sleeveless shirt today, I haven't worn stuff like this in years! (Minus my last vacation a few weeks ago) I owe it all to my workouts and the ability to know I'm making progress. I'm not where I want to be yet,  but I'm well on my way. 

I want you to take this fixation and turn it into something you want to realistically work on bettering, not crying about every day. Ladies, Gents - I've been there. Do you know how many nights I've seriously contemplated canceling plans because I hated my outfit and how it clung to my gut? I can't even remember, I've lost count. It doesn't happen over night but here I am 1 month and 3 weeks into my P90X program - and I'm sporting a shirt with no sleeves, I'm wearing a swim suit to go kayaking again - under clothing of course, but it's a start. I'm making progress and you can to.

Remember for every one thing you dislike about yourself there are always a million more things to love about you. And what we don't like in ourselves isn't always something that our friends, family or loved ones even notice about us, they focus on what makes them love us, and we really need to do the same.

Don't let your own hang ups effect how you live your life, the only effect they should have is one to make you want to grow and change those to be the best version of yourself always. This goes for physical beauty and inner beauty! 

That my friends is my fixation and public service announcement for the day! Be kind to each other and love youself!!! oxox

gettin' fresh: strawberries

As promised I'm going to post some more garden fresh (or at least farmer's market/grocery store fresh produce) recipes for you all. I thought about making this a fixation friday post because honestly I'm totally obsessed with this recipe right now. So much so in fact I've eaten this side for lunch for two weeks straight, every day that we are home (and/or have the ingredients).

This obsession started last year while at a local Cafe eating lunch. They have their signature Red, White and Blue salad. It's amazing. At first I thought I was just obsessed with the dressing - it's a sticky, sweet, poppy seed mixture and goes so well with the salad, and to be honest when soaked up with what's left of your BBQ sandwich (or any Cafe sandwich) is equally as tasty!

Fairly Realistic Photo of the Salad in Question

via google

The cafe's salad is similar to this one here, minus the red onions although I like that idea, a lot. I'm newly in love with raw red onions, which is shocking it's taken me over 30 years to be into onions at all.  After my cafe salad obsession escalated, I started to make my own variation of this at home, a) to save money and b) to make it more P90X diet friendly. So here goes...

"D2BD's Paired Down Version of 

the Red, White and Blue Salad"

via google • looks more like mine but with spinach 

and not "forest floor greens"

Ingredients

• Ripe Strawberries (approx. 3-4 large/salad serving)
• Ripe Blueberries (approx. 1-2 handfuls/salad serving)
• 1-2 cups of your favorite salad greens (recipe will work well with mixed greens or even just simple romaine lettuce, spinach or whatever the darker the better
• OPTIONAL ADDITIONS: Chopped walnuts or almonds, crumbled bleu or feta cheeses, red onions and honestly even bacon would taste dreamy on this salad. I don't add these at home but the salad at the cafe has walnuts (ok by me) and bleu cheese crumbles (which I try to request not be added because frankly, bleu cheese makes me gag!).
• DRESSING: Vinaigrette of choice. The one I've found that works amazing is pictured below. I wish I knew the recipe for the sweet poppy seed dressing but honestly I know it's not good for me so the less I know the better off I am.

Directions

1. Chop up strawberries to desired size, place salad greens on plate, sprinkle on the strawberries and handful(s) of blueberries - add desired toppings and dressing.
2. ENJOY!

{note: when I am preparing this for my p90x diet I measure everything, the notes above are more relaxed and casual for anyone making it at home. I can only have one serving of fruit a day and I choose to have it at lunch currently because I'm OBSESSED with this salad - and I always, always measure the dressing and take the calories into consideration. See I told you diet talk was boring!}

NOM, NOM, SLURPPP, NOM!

Brianna's Home Style Blush Wine Dressing • via google

This stuff is AMAZING! It's a Blush Wine Vinaigrette and is SO SO good on the strawberries. This is the first dressing I've tried from this line but I really want to try more. According to the website they make all of the varieties in small batches in order not to compromise taste and quality. Word of caution, use this dressing sparingly. Two tablespoons is the serving size which is more than enough for your salad but it's delicious and would be easy to get carried away with it. Yes, it IS a vinaigrette and low in fat but it does have a 120 calorie count per serving so if you're counting calories you might want to stick with a lighter choice. I've been thinking about trying a Raspberry Vinaigrette with this salad since I've seen a few more lighter options in the market.

MORE GREAT CHOICES FROM BRIANNA'S FINE SALAD DRESSINGS

These all look great and I love the "no fail" proof design. The featured fruit or veggie on the label is what the dressing tastes best on or with. I really want to try the poppy dressing that goes well with peaches. I think grilling some stone fruit and drizzling a little of that one it would be DELICIOUS!

I hope if you guys make this salad and enjoy it you'll let me know. Any great salads you have and want to toss my way I would love to hear it. Feel free to contact me via email and let me know! I'm all ears and waiting with a hungry belly!

what have we been up to?

Happy Monday everyone! Please don't mistake my use of "!" to mean that I'm chipper and ready to rock n' roll. I'm quite the opposite. After an already busy weekend of birthday get togethers, music festival actives and good times, Mike and I kayaked yesterday from 12 noon - 6:00 p.m.  To say we are worn out is a huge understatement. I figured since I've been a little M.I.A. since returning from vacation, I'd show you, what we've been up to...

Creek Floating 7-25-2010

See the spec of a yellow kayak up there - yeah, that's me!

Pictures taking by our friend M.W. - thanks dude!

Don't let the deep water fool you,

the creek was very low yesterday - lots of boot scootin'!

*makes for a great ab workout

We took a few breaks in nice shaded areas like this along the way.

Nothing is nicer than sipping a cold beer, and chilling on the creek

(butt in the water up to your shoulders)

Hot doesn't even begin to describe the weather on Sunday.

Float Break - Yes, that's me again in the bright yellow kayak

aka Lemon - and yes my feet are hanging out.

I was trying to get an even color on my legs. And no, I wasn't successful!

Float Break Continued...

Yes that's me (washing my hands), Mike and our friend S who just moved 

back to Alabama from Colorado - we were discussing AC/DC in concert in this image.

So peaceful - that is Mike in the shadows, S is the red kayak.

Me and our friend D on our way to float under "Ghost Bridge"

You may remember D as the vampire tour guide

 from my New Orleans Halloween Adventure.

We all had an amazing time - only half of our crew that started the float with us decided to go the remaining part of the way. (We took the extra long run). They got out before the weather turned, which was smart for them but made for a nice cool off for us. The long float down the creek, complete with hot, hot heat, sunshine, thunder rolls and sprinkles of rain was worth it - we got a great workout and had a ball with old friends we haven't seen in forever.

Even though Mike and I felt a bit like worn out zombies once we arrived home, we decided to clean ourselves up, eat dinner and head to our favorite bar in town for some drinks and festival music. In our town this week we are celebrating W.C. Handy - the Father of the Blues. 

WC Handy via Google

W.C. was born and raised in our hometown and every year at this time the entire town and surrounding areas put on great shows with jazz music, blues music and other forms of expression. We didn't stay out late since it was a school night and it's a good thing. It took every ounce of energy I had to wake-up this morning!!! I'm still not fully awake even after coffee. We also enjoyed listening to some music on Saturday night from Mike's brother and his girlfriend's apartment downtown. We had a busy but chill weekend and it was awesome.

This is our second weekend in a row since we've been home from vacation that we have gone kayaking on Sunday. Our weekends have been jammed packed and it hasn't left me much time to sit down and formulate a great blog about my vacation. I promise I will get to it but it will probably be in small bits and broken up pieces, aka various blog posts.

For now I'm going to work on painting open eyes on my eye lids in order to make it through the rest of my day.

I hope you all enjoyed your weekends! What did you do?

monday minute

So I've been reading Ian's blog The Daily Dose of Reality for sometime now and I've always wanted to participate in his weekly Monday Minute. I say always wanted to because until now I couldn't get my act together on a Monday morning to make this shizz happen. That is until today. It's 4:55 pm in the great state of Alabama and I have five minutes left before I rush home and try to get P90X-ified and do other odds n' ends around the house (read: possibly give the dog a bath before dinner/after dinner or sometime before I pass out tonight).

So here goes - my first ever, and hopefully not my last Monday Minute - thank you Ian for doing this every week I always enjoy everyone's answers!

What's your real name?
Kelly, how do you do?

Have you ever fabricated a story or anything on your blog? 
Nope, I'm 100% me. I might get overly dramatic or try to paint a more vivid picture of the actual event but all the stories are true. I might be full of shizz but I'm not going to lie to you to make friends.


When in the car do you listen to the radio/CDs/iPod/etc?
Most of the time whatever CD is in the disc changer in the back. Often times there is a war between Weezer and Pearl Jam. Both are my boyfriend and my own personal favorites (me weezer, him the jam). We both love them but each has a higher scale of wanting to listen to said CD's vs. the other. I do like to channel surf with the radio though I fear it's the only way I'll remain hip - if I leave myself to my ipod and CDs only I'll be stuck in circa 94 or earlier for life.

Describe the 'sexiest' item of clothing that you own
This is tough one but I guess I'll go with any outfit that makes my boyfriend or best friends grab my girls, wilma n' betty aka my boobs.

Would you be willing to breastfeed your friend's three year old child?
Kids have teeth by age three right? Then I'd have to go with NO way!

fixation friday: margarita machines

First I will start off by saying I know that I'm supposed to be doing some type of recap about my vacation, I know this! And I promise I will get to that soon. I've been so busy at work and at home that I haven't had a chance to relax all week, unless you could my 90 minute YogaX session last night. So in the meantime I thought I'd talk about something that would make all this stress a whole lot easier. So sit back and enjoy.

Today's fixation is all about Margarita Machines! I know you've all seen them, usually they are marketed by the mecca that is Margaritaville. Side note, if you have never tried Margaritaville tequila I suggest you buy a bottle and hook yourself up a margarita to die for! I really love that stuff. Hey Cathy, maybe this could be your next taste tester? But I'm not here to talk about booze, well not completely anyway.

via google • I'm a silver tequila kind of girl

This stuff is the cat's pajamas I.M.O.

Back to business. Speaking of business - usually my days are a ton of fun at my job, lots of laughs and fun times, others it takes all I have to make it through 'til 5:00 pm. On those days I am often running a mile a minute and I'm stressed to the point of breaking. Repeatedly I've requested that we set up a fund for an office margarita machine. We have a coffee maker, why not one of these?

I give you exhibit A

via www.margaritavillecargo.com 

The Fiji Frozen Concoction Maker

Yes sir, I'd like three please!

Tell me that my days of creativity wouldn't be enhanced by this machine and all it's delicious frozen delights! I will always tell anyone, I'm way more creative (or think I am) when I've had a few cocktails in me. My creative brain loves rum, simple as that. I'm also a bit more focused, or at least I was that time I polished off a bottle of wine while scrubbing my bathroom grout with a tooth brush and cleaner. I never once complained about the task, it came out beautiful and actually took my time doing it.

I've often joked about getting a machine for the office, often as in at least one a week. I truly believe my co-worker and I that share an office would not only feel less stressed but also feel great about grinding up fresh fruit in the mix and making our own healthy Skinny Margaritas. See I'm all about a healthier lifestyle since I've been working out. I've changed I tell you!!! *wink*

How many of you are with me on this? Ok so you might not agree that having an office margarita machine is a good idea but how about at home?

I give you the mother of all frozen concoction makers... The Tahiti Frozen Concoction Maker!

via www.margaritavillecargo.com 

Seriously, if I had this $500.00+ piece of frozen awesomeness at home I'd never go to another bar again! This thing is fracking amazing!!! I would build a pool just to use this next to it. You best bet that when I get married one of these (maybe not this one in particular) will be on my registry. I've always wanted a super awesome frozen drink maker. Come to think of it I bet this would make amazing protein shakes as well. 

What's your favorite frozen drink?

looks like we made it.

In just over 12 hours we have made the trip back from hot and sticky Maryland to hot and sticky Alabama. I have so much to write about and I'd love to start now but it's 9:53 pm central time, but my body and mind are still on Eastern time. Add to that the fact that I'm being covered in love from my cat, Angus and can't really see what I'm typing currently because he's all up in my grill I will have to finish this tomorrow.

Seriously, would you be able to tell this guy no? Dawww I love him! He missed his momma so much.

Angus the Rock Kitty

aka Handsome Pants & Other fine Nicknames

Enjoying one of our many front porch happy hours.**

And yes, I did make those pillows, nifty right?

I hope you all had a great week! I'll be back soon with the recap of the great vacation and all that goes with it!

** Allyson - now you don't have to feel alone here is photographic evidence that we put our cat on a leash and parade him on our front porch for all the neighbors to see.

fixation friday: cucumbers

Fixation Friday is here - I bet you're all a bit shocked since I hadn't said if I was going to be posting anything while I was away. Well if you're reading this or any of my other posts from this week it's due to the magic of scheduled posting. I didn't think I'd have time to do this before I left town, but I did. Hopefully you've been entertained. If not, get off my back I'm on vacation damn it! *wink* {Let's hope the scheduled posting works or I'll be reposting this later}.

Today's fixation is CUCUMBERS. I love these suckers. Cool, green, yummy, healthy and tasty! Which honesty is an odd statement for me to make. For years as a kid I thought cucumbers were gross, slimy and vile. My mom used to try to slip them into salads and I would always gag. It's odd that a child would eat red cabbage raw by the fist full but not touch cucumbers or tomatoes don't you think? But that was me, lil miss spoiled pants. Honestly, I was spoiled but when it came to food my mother wasn't running a diner, I got what I got and I ate it or I starved - simple as that.

What turned me around and turned me on to cucumbers you ask? Well I'm glad you did, I'll tell you. It was as simple as a Buy 3 Get one Free deal at Victoria's Secret. While there I fell head over heels for a scent called Tranquil Breezes.

via google

I was obsessed with this scent. There is no telling how many bottles of it I went through before Victoria's Secret discontinued it. {BASTARDS!} I was so disappointed. Nothing since has filled the void left from this cucumber melon goodness. Cucumber Melon at Bath and Body Works is more melon, more sweet, The Breeze was more Cucumber and possibly jasmine. Just for the hell of it I did a search for this to see if I could find a smell that might be similar online and found nothing. What I did find were different listings on Ebay for this product for $80.00+!!!! Originally I think this scent was max $20.00 at the store back in the 90's. They are selling lotion for this price as well on ebay. Sure I'm desperate to find this scent again but honestly this stuff they are selling is from the 90's people - lotion has a shelf life, as does body spray or perfume. I'm pretty sure that 20 years is way past the "sell by date".

Anyripoff, through wearing this scent for so long I started to enjoy the smell of cucumbers and eventually in high school decided to give them a try. Oh what a glorious day - the OBSESSION STARTS!

via google

mmmmmm cucumbers

I love them! I always get excited when I go to Zaxby's for lunch and they actually have cucumbers in their Grilled Chicken House Zalads. Yes that's right Zalads, aren't they clever? Needless to say their Zalads are not really healthy once you add in the fried onion straws, cheese and side of Texas Toast but damn they are tasty. {If I were to eat one now I'd nix the items listed before and just eat the veggies and tasty chicken and CUCUMBERSSSS!}.

Mike doesn't like cucumbers, he doesn't like pickles, me I love them both! Thank goodness cucumbers are on the p90x menu or I'd be sunk!

I wanted to start something new that was actually a suggestion from Allyson @ Magnolias & Mimosas. I think it's a great idea and I will start by saying to her thank you, love! ox

Allyson suggested: As for the veggies, maybe you can post what you end up doing with them? I am in need of some yummy summer recipes that don't include mayonnaise (as much as I love those). AND...can you believe it...right when we move out of our house, we got huge bunches of grapes on our grapevine!! Oh well. Maybe the new owners will love them, too!

The more I thought about this the more I loved the idea! So I thought for my Fixation Friday all about Cucumbers I'd share with you my favorite summer cucumber salad recipe complete with a new graphic.

This recipe is from Martha Stewart. I can't take the credit but I can say this, it's delicious and mixing in some tomatoes would be amazing as well! Martha you are amazing. Enjoy!

via Martha Stewart

Her's looks so much prettier than mine!

Quick Cucumber and Red-Onion Pickled Salad

1 large red onion, peeled and very thinly sliced

2 large cucumbers, peeled if waxed, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices

Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

3 tablespoons rice-wine vinegar (or more to taste)

1/4 cup loosely packed fresh dill, picked from thick stems, or more to taste

Directions:

1. Place sliced onion and cucumbers in a serving bowl. Season with salt and pepper, and sprinkle with rice-wine vinegar. Toss to combine, and transfer to refrigerator to chill, about 30 minutes.
2. Just before serving, scatter dill over salad and toss well. (I don't do this step but it would be delicious).

trendy girl.

I'm not what you would call a trendy or even fashionable girl. Or at least in the past I wasn't. I'm trying to work my way into being a bit more in tune when it comes to new fashion. That being said like an old hippie you'll probably never make me give up my boot cut or bell bottomed jeans. I do enjoy the skinnies but there's something so freeing to me about boot cut and or bell bottomed/flare pants.

While at American Eagle last week I was in search of some shorts to wear on vacation. I'm at an odd spot with my weight loss right now. I only have 2 pairs of shorts that fit me OK (meaning not too tight or not too lose). I don't usually like denim shorts - they ride up, they're hot and sometimes uncomfortable unless they have been washed to be soft and half the time they look horrible on me. That being said I went into the store with an open mind and grabbed all different kinds of shorts, capri pants and even a skirt or two and went back into the dressing room hoping a few would fit. (Note: The skirts fit but I'll be honest when I say this, my thighs aren't tiny and right now rub factor is uncomfortable so a skirt in 90-100+ weather walking outdoors = un-com-fort-able!)

The first pair had booty written all over them. As in, call me Daisy, Daisy Duke. These were WAY too short for me to ever feel comfortable in and way to constrictive - I thought denim was supposed to be comfortable. I love me some Daisy, but Daisy I am not. It took all I had not to sing the great 90's Hit Daisy Dukes by the 69 Boyz while changing in the dressing room. Man I loved that song! "Come on babyyyyy, kick them daisiessssssss"

via google

Hey Ya'll! I idolized the Dukes more than Daisy growing up.

The second pair were some tight denim capri pants. Usually I don't like capris - they cut me off in the wrong places and they just make me feel like I look strange. Unless they are loose or free flowing like yoga pants I want nothing to do with them. These were not attractive, not to mention if I sat down my ass would hang out for days. Why do companies keep insisting on going so low with the rise? I made a mental note after this session of trying on pants that I would go to Gap and try on their mid rise jeans when I was ready to purchase some more.

After two more failed attempts I tried on a pair that while they fit me well, and were down 2 sizes from what I have been wearing recently (thank you p90x!) They still didn't look right on me in the legs, no matter how excited the tag size made me they weren't the right fit for me.

The second to last pair I tried on were cute. A bit fitted but they had a cute shape to them, and they made my butt look nice. A bit too low rise still but I could work with it if I wanted to. I sat and looked at myself in the mirror and started to feel a bit of deja vu. Where had I seen these before?

via ae.com

When you unroll the legs they are a bit frayed at the bottom... these fall right at your knee when rolled up and I started to imagine myself wearing ballet flats with these and flip flops or even heels for a night out. But why did I get the sneaking suspicion I'd worn these before? Hmmmmm?

It was a long time ago... circa big bangs, awkward smiles with tin cover teeth, New Kids on the Block were hip on the radio and homegirl was sporting Tretorn sneakers with red plaid accents... and then it hit me... I HAD been in these before - all girls at that age had, because most of us were obsessed with a girl named Baby.

via google

*gag* Love me some Swayze not some Dirty Dancing

Even though I wasn't really into this movie I had tons of best friends were utterly obsessed with Johnny and Baby's love story. Quite frankly the movie drove me insane, it still does, {Sorry Patrick, God rest your soul}. That being said,  I loved Baby's jean shorts and her style, just not her whiney ways *eye roll x 1000*. I can't recall a girl at our school that didn't wear these jean shorts, most of which were homemade, I know mine were. And yes, I rocked them with white keds as well, sans laces.

The retro vibe these shorts I tried on, gave me the warm fuzzies and then I quickly scolded myself for calling my youth "RETRO" - it's too early for that!!! Just like it's too freaking early for me to be hearing Motley Crüe or Bon Jovi on the classic rock stations!

I opted out of the Baby-esque denim jeans. They were adorable but in all regards, too low in the back. Maybe once I've worked out more I'll snag a pair at the end of the season. I decided instead to go the safe route and grab two pairs of cargo like shorts in green and gray. They fell in the same spot above the knee, Bermuda shorts if you will but were much less heavy and would be comfortable for all the cookouts and site seeing I plan on doing this week while in Maryland.

So I ask you ladies and gents....

How many of you were easily led to follow idols in movies when you were younger? Other than Baby the only other person I can remember idolizing their style in a movie was Sarah Jessica Parker. I was obsessed with the movie Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, literally I watched this until my eyes bugged out of my head. I wore my hair in a headband as often as I could and puffed it up just. like. her.  Guess it isn't any stretch that I adore her still to this day as Carrie and just about any other character she plays. She's an icon. 

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She made me want to go to Catholic School and dance on D-TV all night long!

I also sweated Kelly and Lisa's hair hardcore on Saved By the Bell. They always had the perfect poofs. I seriously wanted Lisa's hair so bad back in those days! I permed it and fried it with an iron and coated it in so much Rave Hairspray I am probably personally responsible for the hole in the o-zone layer! Jessie's, not so much. I can't tell you how many times I had to do the PALM FORCE FIELD over my bangs walking to the bus stop to prevent the wind from blowing my do, which was a huge don't, over.

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It was nice walking down memory lane in the dressing room for a change - usually I'm walking down "KILL ME NOW" lane, hating every outfit I try on. So thanks AE for the memories. And also, thank you for the extra 30% Off the already marked down clearance price - way to help a girl out! 

I hope you all are enjoying your week! I'm still on vacation but thought I'd drop in to say HI! I hope to have some great stories to tell when I get back. Including one about me meeting up with my two childhood best friends for drinks. I haven't seen these girls in 15+ years and we've known each other since we were 3 years old!