fun friday: guilty pleasures
My general life philosophy is “do the things I want to do, and don’t do the things I don’t want to do.” Of course, as an adult, that isn’t always possible. Do I want to pay bills and go to the dentist? Not particularly, but I do those things because I’m a responsible, contributing member of society.
But when I do have a choice, I try not to feel guilty or ashamed for choosing the things that make me happy. But even with that life philosophy, there are certain times where adults are made to feel inferior or immature for their choices. We’re supposed to choose gray instead of hot pink and watch PBS instead of MTV. Often, when we go against those standards, it is labeled as a guilty pleasure.
I don’t love that concept. I believe that almost always, pleasure should never be guilty. Even if it is something that isn’t necessarily the social norm.
That being said, there isn’t really a better way to phrase today’s fun Friday question. “What are the things that make you happy that aren’t really socially accepted for adults?” just doesn’t quite have the same ring to it. So…
What are your guilty pleasures?
Jersey Shore
(source)
I know as a well-educated person, I should despise everything about Jersey Shore, but I actually kind of love it. As idiotic and ridiculous as the cast members can be, I actually think they are genuinely decent human beings and kinda sweet. I find it fascinating that these young people have two very different sides. Old fashioned, caring, family focused. And crazy, out-of-control, and ditzy. They’ll get black-out drunk on a Saturday night, but then all come together on a Sunday afternoon to make dinner together. Plus, I think a few of them genuinely hilarious.
Bright colors
(source)
For the longest time, it feels like bright colors have been reserved for preschool classrooms and sports teams. Once you got past a certain age, you were relegated to the black, charcoal and beige section of Macys. You were supposed to have a black car, black coat, and black shoes. But bright colors make me happy! I love wearing bright and buying bright. Thankfully, it feels like color has made a return to acceptance, but I used to get comments almost daily on how “loud” or “vibrant” my clothes were. I guess it’s become part of my personal brand now because I drive an orange car and have purple hair. 
I have more “guilty pleasures” than this, but there are the two that come to mind right now. Your turn! What are yours?
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I’m Cassie. I’m a Midwestern girl trying to live a healthy life without being too crazy about it. I’m a lover of fresh veggies, bright colors, craft beer, hiking, funky eyeglasses, and really, really dark chocolate.
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Pink and lime green! They’ve been my favorite colors forever!
As fr as TV, my guilty pleasures are: Teen Mom, The Bachelor/Bachelorette, Bachelor Pad and random
I love chick-lit and suuuper cheesy chick flicks. I also love Disney Channel movies (like Sky High and High School Musical and stuff like that). and I love pop music.
Like you, I don’t really subscribe to the idea of feeling guilty about the things I like, but I don’t always advertise these things for social reasons, haha.
We used to watch Disney Channel almost exclusively throughout college. I love Disney Channel original movies.
Pshhhh, bright colors aren’t a guilty pleasure! I think they are totally acceptable in the “grown-up” world – they just mean you’re more fun! And I KNOW what I’m talking about when it comes to guilty pleasures because, like Shauna, High School Musical is my jam (errrr, or really just anything with Zac Efron.) Also Hello Kitty. Also nerdy Japanese video games. Also Twilight. (I don’t count Harry Potter because you should NEVER feel guilty about that!)
Okay I need to stop. This can’t be doing me any favors.
I love you so hard.
And I LOVE High School Musical and Twilight.
Keroppi and Hello Kitty EVERYTHING.
Reality TV, including, but not limited to: Jersey Shore, Real World/Road Rules Challenge, Real Houswives, Top Model, and Celebrity Rehab.
And I play The Sims like it’s my job. Although I’ve limited that since husband and I moved in together 3 years ago. He thinks it’s wierd and teases me endlessly.
I’ve never played the Sims!
The first that comes to mind? Dr Mario. Remember? The Mario version of Tetris? When we got the Wii, I bought Dr Mario immediately.
Hahaaha! I don’t remember Dr. Mario (I’m sure Babyface does). But I <3 Tetris!
Mine are definately owning everything in hot pink, if its offered in hot pink, then i have it in hot pink. plain and simple. this includes clothes, accessories, electronics, appliances, lol. kinda drives my fiancé crazy especially since kitchen aid is has launched hot pink/magenta kitchen appliances, and we’re getting married, which means registering which means….yes, he’s begging me not to register for hot pink toasters or basically anything that stays out on the counter indefinately. LOL. Another thing I love and am often made felt guilty or childish about is….hugging, kissing and cuddling. I’m a super emotional person and when i’m happy or excited or really missed someone i wanna give them a hugeeee hug and big kiss on the cheeks, some people ( close people!!) find it weird. Also, i might be 25 but to me there is nothing more comforting than getting mommy cuddles from my mom. Im such a baby but i love sitting on the couch at her house with her and watching her movies and just being close and her holding her hand, i love my mom so much and just want her around forever. she makes everything always feel like it will be ok.
I so love hot pink, too! And I’ve been coveting that hot pink KitchenAid mixer so much (don’t tell my red mixer).
I guess my main guilty pleasure is reading teen books (i.e. vampire and other world stuff). I eat that stuff up. I also enjoy some of the teen shows like Vampire Diaries, Secret Circle, etc.
I love teen books so much!
I love all things Jersey Shore!! I used to be a firm hater, but after my first episode I was hooked….so hooked, in fact, that I watched the entire first season in.a.day. yup.
And I agree with you on bright colors – there is something so wonderful about them, that you can’t help but feel good when you look at them. In fact, our office is aqua blue and salmon pink LOL. it’s a key west theme, no?
….and I’d have to say that anything involving chocolate ice cream is right up there with my guilty pleasures, along with a pajama-lounging weekend
Ohhhhh pajama weekends are the best!
As a fellow lover of awesomely bright colors, I don’t think this is a guilty pleasure! It’s just a sign of awesomeness
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As for my own guilty pleasures… hmm. How about music from NKOTB, BSB, and N’Sync? I do kind of enjoy cheesy boybands!
LOVE Boy bands! Especially *NSYNC. <3
1. Wearing pajamas all day. I know that, though I’m unemployed, I should get dressed more often… but I LOVE my PJs. They’re just comfy pants and a tank top, but they’re so much cozier than my jeans.
2. Magazines. I used to have a CRAZY number of magazines all over my house, but I finally forced myself to get rid of them and have tried to curb my spending, which includes magazines. I still love the bright, glossy pages, though, and occasionally succumb to the siren call of the newsstand.
3. Pink stuff. Pink laptop, pink cell phone case, pink purses, pink shoes, pink clothes. I <3 pink. And like you, I adore my sparkly red mixer but DAMN do I love that new bright pink one! I'd kill to do a switcheroo.
4. Bravo "reality" shows. All of the Real Housewives (except Atlanta), Top Chef and Top Chef: Just Desserts, Flipping Out, and Most Eligible Dallas. They're so stupid (okay, the cooking ones aren't, but the Housewives certainly are), but I love them.
I’ve never watching ANY of those Bravo shows!
So many guilty pleasures!
Wine.
Basically anything on the CW.
PSL’s
My love for the CW is a little ridiculous.