Escape, A *BEACH/SUMMER* Playlist

I love the beach, just about more than any other place, except Disneyland of course. There's something so revitalizing about the ocean; the sound of waves crashing on the beach in rhythmic sets, the feeling of sand between your toes and wind through your hair, the smell of salt in the air. The sun has a way of warming your skin in a manner that makes you feel more alive than you ever have been. I find myself at the beach; I find piece of me I never knew existed or sometimes a piece that I'd forgotten about. It's so cleansing and so absolutely vital to my sanity; if I'm away for too long, I start to go stir-crazy. I just need need it. I can't explain it more than that, it's just something that you either feel and understand or you don't.

There's obviously some essentials I always bring with me- flip flops (obviously), a book, sunglasses, my notebook and a really great beach hat. But maybe the most important thing I bring to the beach is my iPod and an amazing beach mix. It just goes hand in hand with the whole "beach experience", it's part of that cleansing, that rebirth that I feel when I'm there. One of my favorite quotes from JFK is something he said at  a dinner in 1962, "we are tied to the ocean...[and] when we go back to the Sea- whether it is to sail or to watch- we are going from whence we came." That's definitely something I feel, like the ocean and I are interconnected, like somehow I've been birthed from the ocean and when I return, it's like going home. It's like finally being where I belong. The ocean just gets me. Am I a crazy person?

Another favorite of mine. RWE's my homeboy.

Maybe so, but by the slews of songs written about it, I'm starting to think that maybe a lot of people feel that way. Being from California, it's in our blood. But I bet every state or city that sits on the ocean believes that. But the thing that's so great about it is that it's an entirely personal (if not, spiritual) experience. It's a complete rebirth for me, every time I go. 

I have a my own beach. Not in the literal sense (I WISH!), but a spot on a specific beach in Northern California that's just mine. Everything is perfect there; there are no worries, no negative emotions, nothing but me, the sand, the water, and a perfect beach mix. 

[As always, clicking on the title of the Playlist will open it up to listen to for free on Spotify.]

ESCAPE 

1.Pompeii- Bastille
2. Escape (The Pina Colada Song)- Jack Johnson
3. On Top of the World- Imagine Dragons
4. If Not Now, When?- Incubus
5. The Great Escape- Boys Like Girls
6. Hard to Concentrate- Red Hot Chili Peppers
7. Summer Day- Coconut Records
8. Breakdown- Jack Johnson
9. Summer Skin- Death Cab For Cutie
10. Cabin by the Sea- The Dirty Heads
11. Oceans- Coasts
12. San Francisco- The Mowgli's
13. We Won't Go Home- The Colourist
14. Knee Deep- Zac Brown Band/Jimmy Buffet
15. Amsterdam- Imagine Dragons
16.  One Headlight- The Wallflowers
17. City of Blinding Lights- U2
18. Margaritaville- Jimmy Buffet
19. Dosed- Red Hot Chili Peppers
20. Best Day of my Life- American Authors
21. Seaside- The Kooks
22. Peaceful Easy Feeling- The Eagles
23. Strawberry Swing- Coldplay
24. Mudfootball- Jack Johnson
25. Brown Eyed Girl- Van Morrison
26. Keep Your Head Up- Ben Howard
27. Fever Dreams- Dashboard Confessional
28. Road Trippin'- Red Hot Chili Peppers

Hopefully you make it to the beach at least once this summer...I'll be going AS MANY times as possible! :)

My Mom is a Superhero

Growing up, I always knew my parents were superheroes. I was always so proud that they were my parents because it felt like I came from some sort of royal-superhero-heritage.  Not because we had a lot of money or lived in a fancy house, but because they were people who saved other peoples’ lives and protected us from the bad guys.  That, to me, always seemed like the coolest thing in the world.

San Francisco fun!

In celebration of Mother’s Day, I’m going to focus on my Mom and why she’s the greatest. But first of all, a few words about the Mom that taught my Mom how to be a Mom (that’s a lot of Mom word usage!), my Grandma. She is one of my favorite people in the whole world and that seems to be a common theme with the people that knew her. Growing up I was always stoked when we didn’t have school on holiday’s because my mom would take us to meet my Grandparent’s for lunch. It was always my favorite thing to do. I never understood why kids didn’t like hanging out with their Grandparents because mine were SO COOL. My Grandma was the sassiest, sweetest, most charming person I’ve ever known. She would always have the whole room cracking up and told the BEST stories. She was a smart, no-non-sense firecracker, who always reminded me of Lucille Ball. She was the most amazing woman and she raised two of the greatest Mom’s I’ve ever known. I’ve always been so proud of the awesome lineage of strong women in my bloodline.

Waiting to board the cruise ship in San Diego

 And my Mom is the best. And she really is a superhero. I mean, she saves little premature babies’ lives, for heaven sake! You don’t get more angel-like than that. She is the most compassionate person and has always put other peoples’ happiness before her own.  She’s smart, beautiful, strong, loving, and FUN. She taught me that you have to work hard, but you always have to play hard too! 

Maroon 5 concert madness

She loves to go to concerts with us and is always down for a good time. We've gone to see Coldplay, The Killers, The Eagles, Maroon 5, AFI and Greenday. She loves to spend time with her kids!

Us goofing off...as always! :)

Mom got a fake tattoo for her 50th birthday!

 She’s a complete delight to be around. I prefer to hang out with her than most people. She’s always been a best friend to me, a confidant, and a cheerleader. Not only did she continually fix my broken body from all the soccer injuries but she has continually fixed my broken heart as well.

Ensenada, Mexico

One of my most cherished memories is from high school, maybe sophomore year or sometime around there, when I experienced my first real heart break. She had picked me up from school and known instantly that something was wrong. I told her all everything through embracing sobs on the way home and she just listened to me and didn’t make me feel silly for probably being over dramatic. When we got home I went right upstairs to my room and cried myself to sleep. She let me have my space and I appreciated that so much. But even more, when I work up there were bluish/purple flowers on my nightstand and a card that said something about the rain only lasting so long before the sun comes out. I was so touched by it, this simple act of love that’s he probably doesn’t even remember that she did has stayed with me for 10 years. It’s a memory I will always treasure.

Being "Pirate Wenches" in L.A.

My mom is also the most hysterical person I’ve ever met. I laugh more with her than anyone else. She likes to make people happy and she loves to goof off. That’s one of my favorite things about her. She doesn’t take herself too seriously and she’s showed me how laughter is the best medicine there is. I see so much of my beloved Grandma in her, which I am so grateful for because even though she’s gone, I still have parts of her in my mom.

Riding Splash Mountain even though it's about to rain!

She’s also the most fun person to be around. My parents made a point to take us every couple years to Disneyland ever since, well, before I was born. Those Disneyland trips are some of my most prized memories because it was all about having fun with each other. And my mom made sure we grew up loving roller coasters, she’d take us on all of them. She was always the one with her arms up, screaming at the top of her lungs and would take us on them over and over again. She’s a wild one, my mom. In the best possible way. 

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

There isn’t anything she wouldn’t do for her kids or grandkids. I know she loves me and if I needed her, wherever I was, she’d move hell and high water to get to me, to help me. There’s no doubt about that. As a kid, there's nothing more important than that. She's always been on my side, always fighting in my corner and backing me up. She has always done everything she could to make my dreams come true.  She's fiercely loyal, and in a Mom, there's not anything better than that. I'll always be grateful for those things.  

Atop the Space Needle, Seattle, Washington

Whether it’s our Saturday girl’s dinners, vacations, shopping, or just hanging out, I always love and look forward to the time we spend together. And that will never change. She’ll always be the one I want by my side, the one I call when I’m heart broken or stressed or in need of a pick-me-up. She’ll always be the one I laugh the hardest with and the one who’s cheering for me at the top of her lungs. And even better, the one who always sees the best version of me, past the flaws and faults, and makes me want to live up to that person. She's the Mom I want to be, the Grandma I want for my kids, and the Grandma I want to become, just like her Mom.      

Thoughts of a Stressed Out-Super Busy-Slightly Crazy 20-Something Year Old Girl.

We're busy, and you know what, we work really hard! But sometimes we work too hard and sometimes we have WAAAY too much on our plates! Am I right or am I right?! As the semester rapidly comes to a close, I get more and more burnt out. I'm sure I'm not alone in this. Working full time during the day is okay but going to school full time at night as well is just exhausting! I'm sure you'll relate to these thoughts, which may or may not have actually ran through my mind this last week. Okay, Okay, yes they did...I'm not fooling anybody... Welcome to my inner dialogue!

1. I can’t get out of bed, it’s too early. No one will ever know I didn’t shower, right?

2. My hair doesn’t NEED to be washed, I can go another day, I’ll just use some dry shampoo.

3. I don't think I smell bad…maybe I’ll just spray some perfume on, just in case.

4. Ugh, when did I shave my legs last?! Okay, well I guess pants it is.

5. OMG it’s so hot outside…I mean really, how much stubble could anyone actually see if I just roll my pant legs up to be capri’s?

6. I’m feeling self conscious about my legs now...maybe just stay out of the sunlight to make sure no one notices…

7. What do you MEAN we have a test on Monday? But I’ve already made plans to sleep the WHOLE weekend!

8. Ugh. I should be doing homework right now but really, this late, how much would I actually remember of what I did? Best to just give my mind a break and watch Revenge instead.

9. Holy crap! It’s what time? I’ve got to get to bed, but I still haven’t washed my hair…it will be okay, right? That’s what dry shampoo is MADE for.

10. Okay, I’m running late and you can definitely tell my hair is dirty. I guess 4 days of dry shampoo eventually adds up…Oh, I know! Slicked back pony! A la Jennifer Lopez!

11. ….Nope, it still just looks dirty….

12. OH! I can add a headband... or maybe a hairscarf…yes! This will definitely work!

13. When did those dark circle take up residence underneath my eyes!? OMG I look like a freaking zombie.

14. So…tired…If I’m looking at my computer screen and have my hands positioned on the key board just right, I could totally take a nap without anyone ever knowing it!

15. Vending machine food for dinner…but I’ve been eating so healthy lately! HA HA JUST KIDDING! Cheetos it is!!

16. Annnnnd maybe a Snickers. It has peanuts which are protein and it will help me stay up through this 3 hour lecture…

17. …Oh man...I think I’m slipping into a food coma…better go get a Redbull..sugar free though, you know, so it’s a little better.

18. Umm..when was the last time I showered? What is the day today?? Tuesday? Okay, okay, so it’s not that bad.

19. WAIT, WHAT DO YOU MEAN IT’S WEDNESDAY?!

20. The first thing I doing when I get home is taking a shower. Even if it’s late, it doesn’t matter. I’m walking through the door and directly into the bathroom.

21. I’m so glad to be home! SO TIRED! I need a drink of water. Oh, wasn’t there some ice cream in the freezer? YES!! Okay, I’ll just eat some of this and turn the TV on for just a minute, just while I eat this small cup of ice cream.

22. OOOH! They have Downton Abbey ON DEMAND. I don’t even remember the pilot…and since I’ve already seen it, I totally won’t be tempted to keep watching, so I can turn it off when I’m done!

23. Did I already finish my ice cream? OMG Matthew is SO HOT! Well, I might as well finish this episode.

24. I should really be doing SOMETHING while I sit here..I guess I could finally redo my nails, you can only rock the chipped polish for so long…

25. Oh no, oh no, it’s midnight? I’ve got to hop into the SHOWER!!

26. I think I’m going to fall asleep standing up…must…wash…hair…

27. So I don’t REALLY need to shave, right?

28. Wow, I feel so GOOD! I love curling up in bed after a shower! I feel so CLEAN!

29. Crap! Did I do that homework assignment? No…But it’s not that many points right, I can totally make it up…yeah, I definitely can...so I’ll just go to sleep now.

30. I AM SOOOOOO TIRED, WHY CAN’T I FALL ASLEEP!?!?!?!

31. Listen brain, you will go to sleep now. Now. NOW. N-O-W!!!!!

32. Oh my gosh, what time is it?! Did I sleep in?? Where’s my phone, why didn’t my alarm go off?? Oh my gosh, I’m going to be so late!!!

33. Oh, it’s only 5:30? I can go back to sleep! …where was I??

34. What is that sound? OMG make it stop!!!

35. OH CRAP, that’s my alarm! 

36. I thought I took off my eye makeup last night...well I'll put foundation and blush on and then I'll totally look pulled together.

37. Okay, this isn't working...I'll just put eyeliner on over the old stuff and smudge it a little and it will look like it's meant to be rocker-chic. Yeah, yeah I'll do that.

38. Okay, That did not go like it was supposed to and I'm running late!! I'll just wear glasses instead on contacts and then no one will notice!

39. WHY IS THERE SERIOUSLY SO MUCH TRAFFIC!?!? GAH!!!!! Now I understand why there's so many violent crimes in New York City!!

40. Did I brush my teeth??? 

At this point I don't even want to leave the house...

And the thing I'm MOST excited for is the prospect of sleeping! Which I never seem to get enough of these days.

Oh well, T-3 1/3 weeks and counting!!!

*My Confessions as a Shopaholic*

I'm not the type of addict that is continually buying anything and everything, but I do have certain vices and I do behave like an addict when I'm ready for my fix. I'm a sporadic addict. This isn't a real thing, in fact, an addiction is an addiction, mine just seems to come in waves. The truth is, just like Diet Coke, chocolate, and sports, I'm addicted to shopping. The first steps are of course realization and acknowledgement. I know it's hit me before, but this time it really hit me.  

I was engaging in a little Spring cleaning (and by little, I mean a complete purging of all the crap that has accumulated in my room over the last semester) and it became very clear to me as I was noticing a trend: a closet full of clothes, bottles and bottles of perfume, a vanity full of makeup, a pile of shoes in front of my shoe stands because there are too many to fit, stacks of books in front of the book shelf because there are too many of THOSE to fit, columns and columns of CD cases, and tons and TONS of movies/tv seasons. When did this happen? When did I become addicted to shopping? 

 
I immediately thought of Confessions of a Shopaholic, the book series by Sophie Kinsella and the movie starring Isla Fisher, and I realized I felt just like she did. Rebecca Bloomwood has to be one of the most relatable characters, ever.

 "Retail therapy" is not a new idea, I mean come on, how many times have we heard women use this term? (I'm not excluding that guys can't be shopaholics, but I'm sticking to the gals for this one) Is there merit behind the feeling that you get when you spend money? What happens in our brain that makes us feel that way? Does it have emotional ramifications? These are questions that first popped into my head. I know, I know, but as a psych major, I can't help it. Psychology is my life, you guys. 

I realized that I had been making excuses for a while. I need those sandals because I don't have any that color! I need them. I also need ones in black and I'll take those red strappy ones too. I realized that sometimes I wanted to shop, but not because I wanted anything specific, but because I wanted to spend money. It didn't matter what it was on, I had money and by golly, I wanted to spend it! I also realized that it was the feeling I got when I shopped that I liked so much, okay and the actual stuff too, but I really enjoyed the feeling of spending money! 

It seems like when you have extra money and you're not used to it, you just feel the need to SPEND IT. I'm actually a saver, but I didn't used to be-I was always over-spending and racking up debt. But for the last couple years, I've been an excellent saver and budget-er. But lately those good habits and good behaviors have gone out the window. I tried to keep walking, tried to ignore the sale signs and the enticing new clothes and purses and shoes...but to no avail. I went into a straight spending frenzy. And a beast came out.

I know I'm not alone. I know there are many women out there who feel the same way about shopping as I do and who suffer from the need to do it, just like me. But I LIKE to do it. I might feel guilty after I spend money on myself because I could've saved even more that month, but I NEVER regret the products that money buys! I think of Carrie Bradshaw when she says:

 The truth is that I love all these things! I love shoes, purses, clothes, perfume, music and movies. I LOVE how they make me feel and I feel like they're apart of ME! Shopping makes me HAPPY. At first, I couldn't explain it. It made me feel so materialistic and shallow. Until I started doing research into the psychology behind it... Turns out there's physiological reasons WHY shopping makes feel so good!

In an article written by Dan Tynan and published in Women's Health magazine in 2008, he suggests that it's actually good for your mental and physical health. "It releases mood-lifting endorphins, boosts your immune system, keeps your brain nimble and even fulfills basic social needs." Physiologically, it actually releases these feel-good chemicals into your blood, which then sends signals (neurotransmitters) to your brain that tells you that you're happy. Nancy Irwin, a Doctor of Psychology, suggests that those endorphins can significantly boost your mood. No wonder it's an addicting habit, it's hard NOT to feel the urge to shop when your brain knows it's going to deliver those feelings.

A paper published by researchers from Brunel University in the UK found that shopping is linked with an increase in activity in the part of your brain linked with pleasure and positivity (left prefrontal cortex), as well as increased levels of dopamine, the neurotransmitter that's released when we experience joy or gratification. And in a study done by Stanford, Carnegie Mellon, and MIT, when shoppers saw pictures of something that they wanted to buy, dopamine flooded into the brain's reward center (nucleus accumbens). So there are real biological processes going on here! I'm not gonna lie, that made me feel so much better. 

Not that it makes being a shopaholic okay, it just helps me to understand what is going on in my brain when I'm doing it. The stimulation of endorphins and dopamine into your system makes you feel good, it boosts your mood and provides that "high" that most of us look for when we feel blue. Some find it running, others find it shopping. It CAN be a good thing, but if we let it get out of hand, it can be a very awful thing. 

 
You see, when you realize how much you've actually spent, those little endorphins and dopamine monsters are nowhere to be found. So while it felt great walking out of the store, bags in tow, it doesn't always last. But Becky Bloomwood was onto something when she tells Luke Brandon that the "world gets better" when we shop, because it really, really does. At least, it feels that way. And sometimes that's all we have. That's it. Those 60 minutes of shopping bliss we experience before we head back into the harsh and cruel world. Life doesn't always (or almost never!) go according to our plans, things happen or don't happen, we lose jobs, people, and opportunities. Our hearts break and because life has to go on, we have to struggle to quickly put ourselves back together, because we have jobs and school and things to do! We can't stop time to slowly and gently fit the puzzle pieces back together, we have to pick them up and fashion it together on the run! 

So while shopping isn't the greatest bad habit, it's definitely not the worst of them. Sometimes after I beat myself up about it, I just remind myself that it could be worse. I'm not making excuses. I am working on it and getting better, but sometimes we're so CRITICAL of ourselves, we have to give ourselves a break! And instead of saying "NO SHOPPING AT ALL", I've created a budget that has all my bills paid, money into savings, and then the rest is for play. Because while I may be a recovering Shopaholic, I can't quite cold turkey. 

Plus, you've gotta have a little bit of fun, RIGHT?!

References:
www.womenshealthmag.com/life/benefits-of-shopping

Buy the Shopaholic series here:
www.sophiekinsella.co.uk/books/shopaholicseries/

*Best of Spring* Picks

Spring is all about a rebirth- not just the plants and weather, but feeling (and sometimes looking!) alive again. Out with the old, in with the new. That's why "Spring cleaning" is what it is, there's just something about the sun shining (but not scorching!), the blue skies and flowers beginning to bloom...you know what I mean? Well Spring also brings a shift in our wardrobe, as hoodies and boots get packed away and we transition into shorts and sandals. It's a lovely feeling isn't it? I also do the same with my makeup, it's time to move from those dark eye shadows and lipsticks and into something more spring-y. (I can make up my own words if I want to!) So here are some easy ways to go from drab to fab!

Best Perfume: Lancome, La Vie Est Belle

Spring is the best time to shift into a new perfume because the weather starts to warm up. Heat activates the perfume on your skin, so something that is already strong and spicy can become overpowering. It's a good idea to have a softer, lighter fragrance in your arsenal. Last spring I was obsessed with Miss Dior Cheri (which I still love!) but I just bought La Vie Est Belle last month and I absolutely adore it!! It's sweet but not "candy sweet", and lightly floral-it's beautifully feminine. Lancome describes it as using "the first ever iris gourmand.  The juice is made with the most precious natural ingredients, a modern interpretation of an oriental fragrance with a twist of gourmand. It entwines the elegance of iris with the strength of Patchouli and the sweetness of a gourmand blend; for an incredible scent with depth and complexity." It really is! Try it out!

Best Shadow Pallet: Too Faced, Romantic Eye

I absolutely LOVE these colors! The top left color ("Soulmate") is one of the most beautiful and unique base colors out there, because it's a wonderful iridescent shade that blends and transforms ANY shadow color you have! It's stunning! My favorites on this pallet are the middle "Cut the Cake" and "First Dance" (which is actually a dark purple though it doesn't look like it!) I use "Soulmate" as a base, "Cut the Cake" on the lid, and blend "First Dance" into the crease and lower lash line. It's beautifully spring-esque! 

Best Lip Gloss: MAC, Power Supply

This isn't as dark as it seems, but it has some gold in it that gives warmth to your face without washing you out, since most of us don't have our tans quite yet. It's PERFECT for Spring!  

 Best Blush: Tarte Cheek Stain, Tipsy

All of Tarte's cream cheek stains are amazing AND they can be used as lip or eye tint. This actually goes on light, so it's not the color of the bottle at all, don't worry! It's a sheer coral that's a very natural flush and leaves skin glowing, in a healthy I-just-got-some-Vit-D kind of way! But they're amazingly scented (Tipsy has a sweet orange scent) and they're buildable, so you can either have a little flush or a more pronounced look, it's up to you!

Best Nail Polish: Purple:  OPI, Ate Berries in the Canaries

One of my all time favorites! Plus it looks good on any skin tone! I'm actually wearing it on my nails right now! (See above)

Best Nail Polish: Blue: China Glaze, For Audrey

An homage to Audrey Hepburn and Breakfast at Tiffany's, this "Tiffany blue" is beautiful on fingers or toes. This looks good both when I'm still white in the spring and also when I'm tan in the summer, so you'll get a lot of use out of it. It's on my toes as we speak! :) This color is so fun, but also really decadent (and mature!) because of the branding it implies. We can't all afford Tiffany's, but we sure can strut our stuff in their signature color! 

 Best Skin Protection: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunblock, SPF 70

We're starting to get out in the sun, soaking up those amazing Vit D rays and enjoy the lovely spring weather, so we should start protecting our skin too! Using sunscreen on a regular basis helps our skin keep it's youthfulness (bye bye wrinkles!) as well as helping to protect against skin cancer. A lot of times we don't think about it when it's not hot outside, I know I need to be a lot better about it, but start adding this to your daily routine and you'll thank yourself later. I like the spray because A) I don't have to get it all of my hands to put it on and B) it's fast, easy and convenient, so now there's no more excuses! :) Whether you're exercising, sun bathing, gardening, at a baseball game or whatever, spray down first and enjoy the lovely weather!

 
Enjoy your Spring everyone!

 

Reasons 90's Kids had the BEST Childhood

I had a great childhood. I know most people think that their childhood was the best, but mine really was. As a 90's kid, we had the BEST everything; the best cartoons, music and we actually played OUTSIDE until it was dark (and sometimes even after that!). I've been thinking about all my favorite things about my childhood and thought I'd share with all the other 90's kids out there!

1.  Saved By the Bell

  Who didn't want to date Zack Morris and be Kelly Kapowski?? (Or vice versa) WHO!?

2.  Will Smith and the Fresh Prince of Bel-Aire

 Not only did it have the best theme song in the history of television, but ANYONE who's a real 90's kid can sing this by heart at the drop of a hat! My favorite Fresh Prince moments were:

The "Tonto" dance:

And the earthquake episode..."Stuck in a basement sittin' on a tricycle, girl gettin' on my nerves..."

3. Words or phrases like: "sick", "tight", "da bomb", "---- thinks they're all that and a bag of chips!", "whatever", "as if!", and "dope".

4. Scrunchies!!!

How else would your high pony look totally awesome!?

5. Pogs!

 "Wanna trade??"

6. Overall Shorts

Hello, they were both utilitarian and stylish! "She could be a farmer in those clothes!!" Which brings me to the next one...

7. Clueless

 It practically defined an era! Some of the best representation of life in the 90's. And who didn't want Cher's closet??

8. Are You Afraid of the Dark?

 Pretty sure this show is what got me addicted to scary movies/stories at such a young age! I'm also fairly certain that it's where my fear of clowns stems from. "Submitted for the approval of the Midnight Society..." all the stories were told by kids meeting up once a week around a bonfire in the woods...HOW COOL IS THAT!? I always wanted to be a member of the Midnight Society! Though we did this sort of thing at sleepovers (and never actually SLEPT!) but it wasn't the same.

9. Goosebumps

Man, our parents sure weren't afraid to let us be scared out of our minds! I loved Goosebumps! And I'm pretty sure I read them all!

10. Rollerblades

With matching helmet, knee and elbow pads...obviously.

11. Lisa Frank EVERYTHING!!

12. Everything could be settled with Rock, Paper, Scissors.

13. Saying things like "Psych!" or "bomb diggity!" or  "if you love it so much than why don't you marry it!?"

14. Boy Bands

I was a "BSB" girl, hard core. Brian Littrell 4 Ever!!

15. And they had the BEST music videos...

Everybody, yeah, rock your body!

16. Speaking of which, MTV was still MUSIC TELEVISION.


17. 90210

18. Also, I've always had the biggest crush on Dylan McKay/Luke Perry

I'm practically certain they're the same person.

19. And also, my very first crush, Zack Morris

Swoon! 

20. Oregon Trail

Getting so EXCITED to play this at school! Did anyone EVER make it the whole way??

21. Playing board games was actually still considered FUN. 

(My favorite all time board game)

22. 90's Heart Throbs...

23. Your movies looked like this:

And you actually "taped" stuff off TV onto these...actually, I still say "Can you tape that for me?" all the time! Old habits die hard!

24.You know exactly what this is:

25. We had the BEST cartoons! And we got up every Saturday morning to watching them!

26. Butterfly hair clips

 27.  Full House

Uncle Jesse was the hottest Uncle in the history of TV! And Uncle Joey the funniest! "Cut it out!!"

28. Tomagatchi & Nano pets!

 Which you took everywhere because you HAD to feed them or they'd DIE!!

29. Family Matters...or more famously, the show with  Steve Urkle.

And then your mind was blown when he grew up to be this...

30. Playing "cootie catcher" in class

 31. Skorts

You guys, they were skirts AND shorts!

32. Power Rangers

I always wanted to be the Pink Ranger. The only time I EVER liked pink growing up.

33. Playing MASH helped you figure out life's real questions.

Mansion, Jeep, Paris, and 3 kids...

34. Trolls

What's not to love??

35. War Heads.

And the *CHALLANGES* that come with them!

36. Girl bands & "Girl Power!!"

37. Hula hoops were a regular pass time on the girls' side of the recess lot.

38. Double Dare!

39.  American Gladiators.

 And yes, we always "played this" when my parents weren't home! That's what you get when there are 5 kids! ;)

Doesn't this look like a blast!?

40. Beanie Babies

I have all of these pictured except the caterpillar. If you bend or pull off my tags, I will seriously HURT YOU. 

41. Polly Pocket

 42. 3 hour long Monopoly sessions

43. Words/phrases like: "trippin", "Aiiight", "Boo-yeah!", "chillin", "Yo!", "My Bad!", "dissed and dismissed!", "bounce", "mad props", "sweet", "wiggin", "ill", "Score!", "Hecka", " 'sup?", "I know you are but what am I?", "I'm rubber and you're glue...", 

44. Jellies.

45. Lip Smackers

46. Mood Rings

47. Mall Madness

Charge it!! Maybe that's why our generation has debt issues...

48. Mr. Sketch Scented Markers

Is there any other way to color? 

49. Pretty Pretty Princess

I never knew how this game actually worked, I just know you got jewelry, and that's really all that matters.

50. Caboodles.

51. Where in the World is Carmen San Diego?

No really, where is she?? Did anyone ever find her?

52. Plastic chokers and Ying/Yang

What girl didn't own both of these!?
 
53. Gushers

What EVERY kid wanted to find in their lunchbox!

54. The Macarena was the greatest dance, ever.

55. Milky pens

For writing notes to your friends' in your "notebooks", obviously.

56. Skip It!

Yeah, you seriously just whip that things around attached to your ankle and jump over it. And it's awesome.

57. Boy Meets World & Home Improvement

58. Bill Bye the Science Guy

The ONLY reason you actually learned anything in science class...

59. Melissa Joan Heart TV shows

60. Really...just actually EVERYTHING about it...

Being a 90's kids was the greatest! You could still walk to the store or go places alone with out your parents freaking out or being worried. The world was a different place then, and I have to say, I miss it. I miss playing "ghosts in the graveyard" outside until it was pitch black, I miss all the good kid shows and the awesome music. I miss being free! Well, here's to all you 90's kids out there, we sure knew how to live!