"Sweatin' to the Oldies"

   Recently, a friend of mine posted on Facebook that he had turned over a new leaf and started an exercise regiment that revolved around the classic Richard Simmon's, "Sweatin' to the Oldies," program.  At first, I was delighted to hear I was not the only individual on Facebook old enough to remember this workout.  However, after careful consideration I began to feel like, "Wait a minute, are those of us in our mid-thirties supposed to be working out?"  Could it be true the people who tell me they go to the gym are actually, going to the gym?  I thought that was just a code phrase for, "I'm leaving, I'm tired of this conversation," or, "There is this bar I hang out at.  It's called The Gym." Seriously though, I'm starting to suspect people I know are working out and I've got to tell you I find it unsettling.

   Of course, this occurs to me as I tear into another tub of french onion dip followed by a couple of slices of pizza.  As I chew, I rationalize that I'm not an athletic individual.  "Sporty spice," I ain't. It's arty spice who lives here.  Keeping that in mind, I realize most of my friends are of the creative persuasion.  I seem to remember several of them mentioning gym memberships to me in passing.   Now, I can't be sure of this because again at the time I thought they were telling me something about their cousin Jim.  Uh...my bad.

   Seeing my friend's post on Facebook actually got me thinking about working out.  Which then got me reminiscing about the wonderfully kitschy, "Sweatin' to the Oldies," tapes.  Ultimately this ended with me wondering if I could pull off wearing a sweat band on my forehead.  OK joking aside, this line of thought ended with me considering the word, "Oldie."  I began to wonder what items in my closet would be considered my, "Oldies."  You see at this point I had completely lost interest with the topic of exercise and had moved on to study how it could relate to fashion.  How could I incorporate exercise into my style blog?  I decided that I too would join the, "Sweatin' to the Oldies," program. So I grabbed one of my oldest and well loved articles of clothing and took these pictures.  The scarf I'm wearing in the above photographs is one that I purchased back in college on spring break in Winnipeg, Canada.  Who goes to Winnipeg on spring break, you ask?  Fargo kids, I answer.  

   Anyway, I acquired this scarf and at the time it was a major staple in my wardrobe.  I came across it the other day and despite the rather warm temperatures decided to feature it in the blog.  I reasoned it was a huge contributor to the style of my younger self and deserved to be credited.  So instead of going to the gym for a youthful appearance, I am opting to spend this unseasonably warm spring, "Sweatin' to the Oldies," in style.  

-r.

Sweater:  Free People  http://www.freepeople.com/

Skirt:  Ann Taylor

Boots:  Ugg

Purse:  Michael Kors 

Scarf:  Purchased in Winnipeg, Canada.

Ring:  Purchased at a craft fair.

Sunglasses:  Versace