Guilty Pleasure Friday: Jazzercise Edition

Now, I understand that you may be saying, "Ariane, how can exercise be a guilty pleasure?" & I would answer, "Dear Reader, it is because I am the only girl in the studio under 40 years old." & if I'm being really honest, I'll say, "And because we shimmy, and sashay, and tilt out pelvises." Jazzercise has a reputation of leg warmers and banana clipped perms and bad 80s music. Now, why would I want to put my name on that?

Oh, only because it's awesome! It's the only exercise program that I actually like. It is so much fun to dance around for an hour, as opposed to spending that time watching the clock tick down on a treadmill. I am so addicted that I went to two classes yesterday {and now I am so sore that I'm bed-bound}. They even play Weezer. 

I think I'm in love.

Guilty Pleasure Friday: Hilary Duff Edition

This guilty pleasure goes back a long time. A certain friend of mine (who shall remain unnamed) and I used to lay out in my pool and try to count all the episodes of Lizzie McGuire that we had seen. Were we the Disney Channel's target audience? Probably not. Did that stop us from obsessing over their pre-adolescent geared show? Definitely not.

We can probably all say with some certainty that Hilary Duff's career is not awesome. She has really only ever been in fluffy stuff playing kind of the same character (although she is playing Bonnie in an upcoming remake of Bonnie and Clyde- sign me up!). She tried the singing thing and, while that "Why Not?" song was rather catchy, it didn't really take off. So, why, why do I like her so freakin' much? In the words of Mighty Burns: "Because she seems so NICE, and she was like a cute chubby faced girl on Lizzie McGuire then got a weird horse face when she dropped a bunch of weight, and now she has leveled out and is super pretty." I think that probably just about sums it up.

Anyway, I am watching the episodes of Gossip Girl in which she guest stars, and it's all I can do to stop myself from crawling into my TV set and putting her in my pocket. I would feel a lot better if you would admit your secret love for Raven Simone.

Guilty Pleasure Friday: Cheesy Popcorn Edition

I am a very picky eater. I eat a rotation of maybe eight foods on a regular basis, and I'm much more of a snacker than someone who plans, cooks, and eats meals. My main food group is cheesy popcorn. It's the perfect combination of carbs and cheese, and it is delish. Full disclosure: I eat this daily...sometimes twice.

Here is what you need to do:

1. Buy a box of reduced-fat mini popcorn bags (the "reduced-fat" and "mini" are key to not being a heifer)
2. Buy a huge bag of whatever shredded cheese you love (I love extra-extra-extra-cut-my-tongue sharp cheddar)
3. Microwave the bag of popcorn (my Trader Joe's popcorn takes 2 minutes 10 seconds)
4. Dump half the bag in a small-ish microwave-safe bowl, being careful of kernels (which are like little roadside bombs in your salty treat)
5. Sprinkle a generous handful of cheese on top
6. Layer the rest of the popcorn over the cheese
7. Sprinkle an even more generous handful of cheese on top of that
8. Microwave the whole bowl for 44 seconds

I have just given you the recipe for high-grade crack. Remember, food is not love.

Guilty Pleasure Fridays: 13 Going On 30 Edition

This 2004 comedy has all the makings of a terrible chick flick: the 80's, weird magical wishing dust, another supporting role by Judy Greer...and yet...

Maybe it's because I'm a Ruffaholic (seriously, I will watch anything with Mark Ruffalo in it) or maybe it's because I too was awkward as sin at 13 (that bra stuffing scene? a page from my diary at 13), maybe my love is associated with my fantasy of working at a magazine. I just can't quite put my finger on why this is my favorite guilty pleasure movie.

My favorite scene is right after Jenna's gotten ready to go to the big magazine party and she's in the elevator with her 13 year-old neighbor. The girl compliments Jenna on her dress and her answer is so exactly thirteen that I want to high five the writers- "That's because I have these amazing boobs to fill it out!"

I guess what I'm saying is that it's Friday and I already visited a museum AND watched a critically acclaimed movie this week, so after work I'm going to pick me up some Razzles and watch 13 Going on 30 (for the 30th time).

Guilty Pleasure Fridays: Bachelorette Edition

Am I the only one who can't stand this season's Bachelorette? Ali was the worst pick EVER. Also, who are these schmuck contestants? The only good one was Craig M., and she kicked him off last week! Where will the patented ABC-reality-show drama come from now? Huh, Ali, huh?! There were maybe six cute guys out of the original twenty-five and most of these men live with their mothers. Also, what kind of an occupation is an outdoorsman? (It is possible that I am overusing the italics.) I think this season would have been SO much better with Tenley as the bachelorette. I seriously cannot get over how slim the pickin's are this season. The only thing worse than sitting through this show is missing the first hour of it like I did last week.

Hey, a girl's gotta have a guilty pleasure or two!