Tuesday Tunes: John Parr’s “St. Elmo’s Fire (Man in Motion)”

Editor’s Note: Song lyrics denoted in bold italics.

I’m a true child of the ’80s! I was a wee kid during its heyday, so I can only imagine what it was like to be an adult during this time. Was it as splendid as John Hughes and Huey Lewis make it out to be? Did people spontaneously just start dancing in the middle of the street a la the Thriller video? I’m not sure, but I do know one thing for sure: The music was — and still is! — gosh darn inspiring. And one song in particular always makes me feel like I can win a gold medal in the Olympics…

John Parr’s “St. Elmo’s Fire (Man in Motion)”
From St. Elmo’s Fire: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Nevermind the fact that this song served as the theme song in the Brat Pack movie of the same name (Andrew McCarthy, anyone??), but it’s a song that screams of triumph, of champions, of growing up and taking on the world. That last point is something that I think people are all too quick to dismiss when talking about any Brat Pack movie. They criticize it for being too frivolous and not nearly deep enough. What? Are you kidding me? These movies are GOLD, and anyone who can’t appreciate this must not be a true movie aficionado. I dare say that the inherent value in all the Brat Pack movies is summed up in this one song!

Growin’ up, you don’t see the writing on the wall
Passin’ by, movin’ straight ahead, you knew it all
But maybe sometime if you feel the pain
You’ll find you’re all alone, everything has changed

Who doesn’t think they have it all figured out when they’re young and innocent? The world is your oyster and you have this sense that nothing bad will ever happen to you. After all, how could it? You’re invincible. It’s funny because even though I was going through all these scary and uncertain medical things, I felt the exact same way growing up. You’re not the least bit afraid to take chances or take risks. You live for wild and crazy adventures, having little — if any — regard for the consequences of your actions.


Play the game, you know you can’t quit until it’s won
Soldier on, only you can do what must be done
You know in some way you’re a lot like me
You’re just a prisoner and you’re tryin’ to break free

When I grew up, though, everything seemed to changed. It was one of those unexpected and shocking changes that sneaks up on you and knocks you over. Life wasn’t coming so easily anymore, it seemed. Everything, every choice, every decision — it was now so complicated. I’d finally realized what everyone adult meant when they said nothing is ever black and white. Honestly, it was enough to keep you down if you weren’t careful.

I can see the new horizon underneath the blazin’ sky
I’ll be where the eagle’s flying higher and higher
Gonna be your man in motion, all I need is a pair of wheels
Take me where my future’s lyin’, St. Elmo’s fire

I often wish that the journey to find that middle ground could be on a nice pretty path lined with birds and flowers. But, sadly, it’s not. It’s an ever-evolving path made up of twists and turns — so many that you sometimes feel like you might faint from the dizziness. Until one day, you come upon that glorious middle ground and find your adult sense of confidence. True, it might not be the same type of carefree confidence you had as a teen, but it’s a new kind of belief in yourself, nonetheless. A more mature confidence, if you will.

You now know that you probably won’t ever have everything all figured out and that’s OK. It’s no longer something to be fear or avoided at all costs. It’s, well, at the risk of not sounding completely cheesy, a new fire that burns deep in your soul. You’ve been waiting for this day, and now this day has finally arrived. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got an Olympic event to train for… xoxo

These Lisa Frank Tarot Cards Will Give You Serious Nostalgia

I just couldn’t resist posting about these AMAZING throwback tarot cards today! Children of the ’90s will surely remember bright colors and fanciful illustrations of one Lisa Frank — you probably even saw her work every day on your school supplies or sticker collection. If you wanted to be hip, Lisa Frank had you covered.

Well, thanks to Ariel Hart, an artist from the West Coast, we can ALL relive our childhoods and maybe even get a peek into our futures with her set of tarot cards! Yes, you heard that right — tarot cards. I’m just imagining the possibilities here, aren’t you? How awesome are these, friends? xoxo

P.S. This week’s Tuesday Tunes is coming up! :)

[Via Refinery29]

Must-Watch: History of Fashion In Two Minutes


Talk about a crash course: This two-minute video takes you on a fashion journey, as one woman models 100 years of U.S. trends from the 1910s to the 2010s, highlighting all the trends and OMG! moments that defined each decade. Jazz Age ensembles! Jackie O. dresses! 1970s jumpsuits! Big ’80s hair!

What a trip, right? What’s your favorite fashion decade, friends?

P.S. Remember the awesome video about iconic beauty trends through the years? :)

Tuesday Tunes: The Eagles’ “Peaceful Easy Feeling”

Editor’s Note: Song lyrics denoted in bold italics.

Like millions of music fans around the world, I was saddened to hear of Glenn Frey’s death over the weekend. the Eagles front man made his mark in music history and touched souls everywhere with a sound that stretched well beyond his ’70s California country-rock roots.

But no one, at least to me, loved the Eagles more than my father.

The Eagles’ “Peaceful Easy Feeling“
From Eagles

The backstory: Aside from the Beach Boys, the Eagles were my father’s favorite group of all time. Sure, part of the reason was because he came of age during the band’s heyday, but even more than that, something tells me my father could really feel the words Glenn and Co. were singing. One of his favorite CDs in his collection is the Eagles Greatest Hits, and I can remember coming to his office after school and hearing the familiar notes of “Hotel California” or “Take It Easy” as I got off the elevator. There he’d be, sitting at his work bench, hunched over the latest gadget that needed fixing. It was almost like he’d be in a trance, the music providing the soundtrack to his workday activities.

‘Cause I got a peaceful easy feeling
And I know you won’t let me down
‘Cause I’m already standing on the ground

So now, every time I hear a song by the Eagles, I immediately picture my father meticulously and patiently working at that work bench. In fact, when my father died, I could feel a lot of my security go with him, He was such a calming presence and you couldn’t help but relax the moment he stepped in the room. And now, as live goes and moves undeniably faster, I’m craving that sense of tranquility more than ever before. We’re all looking for someone to not “let us down,” aren’t we? Someone who always knows just want to say to make everything magically better.

Because these stories the Eagles told? They weren’t just the stories of a fantastical life out in the deserts of California. They’re all our stories. They’re the stories of our lives — of the struggles, the joys and the triumphs. And also, of the comfort and the calmness — the same comfort and calmness my father brought to my life for so many years. So thank you, Mr. Frey. Thank you indeed. xoxo

9 Fun Fashion Patches

Speaking of the ’80s, remember the good old days when people would adorn their jean jackets with flashy patches? They’d wear their personality on their sleeve — literally! — in the form of these cute fashion statements.


These Are Things is full of awesome patch possibilities, don’t you think? I’m already thinking the “Born To Be Mild” and “Night Owl” patch need to have a prominent place in my life, like, NOW!! Which is your favorite, friends? xoxo