"O-PIN-ionated": Pinterest Offenders & Airheads | Wedding Photos Edition

I know you shouldn't make fun of people, but it's really hard not to when the Internet gives you endless material. But here at Breakfast at Target, we're making fun of the "pinners" of Pinterest - and let's get real. Pinterest is a representation of what you'd like your life to be if you had all the money/talent/confidence in the world. So this "O-PIN-ionated" Feature is really about making fun of the alter egos of people behind the computer screens. 

In which case: GAME ON.

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I love Pinterest. It's my favorite time-waster that actually leads to productive and creative outcomes in most several a few instances. I use it as my visual search engine. I enjoy the inspiring tips, tricks, and ideas that come along with it. I love getting lost in the sea of pretty outfits and places to travel.

However.

It IS, first and foremost, a social media outlet. "Social" means there are other people. "Other people" people floating around the internet waiting to unleash their unfiltered thoughts. OTHER PEOPLE who further remind you that for all the wonderful, inspiring, beautiful, and creative things you can find on Pinterest... they are not safe from the horror that is the hoard of nincompoops ready to ruin a good thing in a single push of the "Submit" button.

Let us take, for example, the most obnoxious excessive popular use of Pinterest:

WEDDINGS

NOTE: This is cute, but "pinky swears" are NOT legally binding.
You know what are? PRE-NUPS.

I would go off about this topic for DAYS, but let me just say the Pinterest wedding craze only further enhanced my brewing anxiety regarding wedding planning. I love beautiful soirees celebrating special couples - heck, I even love the off-beat, festive nuptials. But I couldn't scroll through my daily Pinterest check without seeing horrid bridesmaid dresses and tulle-laden monstrosities and cheesy ideas that turn romantic nuptials into "My Super Sweet 16" parties. 

UM YEAH, it's cool if you're the betch lucky gal who scores the 3-carat prize. "Oh, hey peasant friends - let me see your rings so I can adequately appreciate the size of MY ring!"

But, as a photographer, I have a REALLY hard time stumbling on wedding boards and finding lists of "wedding photo ideas"... 

You know what really says "True Love"? Displaying the new Mrs.'s dairie-aire against a dirty brick wall in a pile of dead grass.
And you know what really says "Classy?" Cliche Photoshop accent colors. 

I know there are classic and cute photos every bride longs for - secretly, I had several images in my head I prayed made our album (and of course they did because our rock-star photographers did a BANG-up job). But I have major issues when 1) photographers actually go through with/produce really atrocious work, and 2) newly-engaged, starry-eyed brides think they're actually good ideas.

Kudos to this o-PIN-ionated gal who actually noticed the maid of honor accent bit... all I see is a  very heated bride that all her friends are off hanging out without her. Judging her, no-less, while her MOH gets all the attention. This is HER day, you ungrateful ninnies! 

I know photographers are constantly at the mercy of a flooded market and have to get creative to stay competative. 

But sometimes, y'all, people tread that very, VERY fine line...

So glad you're "signing your life away" to what seems to be a quality d-bag.

And IF we're supposed to be more and more skilled with bigger and crazier ideas, you'd at least think we'd be conscious of the small details that can really make a shot, um, awkward:

Good grief, did people have to climb a bean stalk to attend this wedding?
I have to admit, I thoroughly entertained myself with the thought that the mother-son "dance" was actually this lug swishing his helpless mother around to a Celine Dion ballad.

And for all the less-than-lovely photos floating around and the people who wish to recreate them, you think it just possibly couldn't any worse, right? 

From "I Do" to "We Did It"... now THAT's one for the album.
Wait, are they in the woods?
Wait, can you wear coral 'unmentionables' beneath a white dress?

*palm to face*

Well, ladies and gentlemen, I guess when it comes down to it, you can do whatever you want when you're paying oodles of money for friends, family, and even strangers during your "big day."

Because, obviously, there are plenty of people out there just waiting to steal your "brilliant" ideas for their own classy affair.

Happy Pinning!
-C

Pure Barre in Review: 10 Things I've Learned in 100 Classes

Before we begin, I just want to say a resounding "Haaaay!" to our awesome new pals checking out Breakfast at Target! More importantly, a giant hug and high five goes out to all the long-time lovers and friends of B@T. It's cheesier than a 3am pizza, but I really don't think y'all know how cool you are - or that you and waffles will always get me through the rough days. 

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This past Friday, I reached my 100th Pure Barre class. I was a little embarrassed at how excited I got to sign my name on the barre and get my coveted red-and-black socks in all their sticky-bottomed glory. I shouldn't have been. It's actually really, really cool that our Pure Barre studio takes a "time out" to recognize participants for staying dedicated. I thought my interest would wane once hitting the Big 1-0-0, but the truth is I'm excited to rock and lock-in another hundred.

It makes me wonder why we don't take more opportunities to celebrate these kinds of things.

Anyways.

Something else that's been really, really cool is when people message or approach me, asking about Pure Barre because they've read my initial review... AND THEN, they show up in class shortly thereafter or tell me they've tried a class - and they love it. It only made sense to reflect on the last several months and share what I've learned since going to my first class that Halloween night.

The best part? These apply whether you've gone to 10 classes, 100, or are considering your first. :)

Pure Barre: 10 Things I've Learned in 100 Classes

1: Dress the part.
A t-shirt and shorts are not recommended. The work-out has you moving in all different positions - so you'll need a little more security and coverage (leggings to at least below your knee are great). Likewise, a lot of the movements are so small and controlled; neither you nor the instructor will really know what's going on if you're wearing your boyfriend's XL Hanes crew-neck (I've seen it) or baggy borderline-PJ pants (Becky's seen it).

And DO. NOT. forget your sticky socks. All it takes is one time with "no-socks girl" in front of you to appreciate them.

2: Pure Barre goers aren't all lululemon snobs.
There are a lot of snide and sarcastic "reviews" out there that portray Pure Barre as this army of  superficial, lululemon-crazed glamazons. Listen, I've taught and taken a variety of formats, from kick-boxing to Body Pump to yoga -- there will always be those girls who show up looking like they got lost on their way to rap video try-out. Yes, you will see a lot of luon. And who cares. I'd rather see a barre full of fully-clothed gals busting their "ledge" in cute workout gear than a floor of weight-lifting meat-heads in tiny man tanks.

3: Being early is being on time.
Being in the studio 10-15min early (if you can help it, I know some can't) really makes a difference. It gets you in the mindset so you're ready to go the second the music is cued, and it allows you time to connect with other participants. Oh, and of course claim your sweet spot on the floor (you know you have one).

Forget glass slippers.
Pure Barre 100 Club socks are for real.
No Prince Charming required.

4: Bring high quality H2O.
The studio gets warm FAST - and you will sweat. Your experience will vastly improve with your trusty hydration device by your side.

5: Listen to the instructor. And don't get freaked out when they adjust you.
Pure Barre is deceptive with it's small, controlled movements. You may be focusing on one muscle group, but you need total body awareness to maximize the effect. The instructor isn't calling out random suggestions - they have a responsibility to the class to lead a safe, effective, and challenging workout. Sometimes, maybe, their words don't translate or maybe you're shaking so hard your brain is rattling around in your noggin to hear properly. Your instructor may take matters into her own hands - literally - and adjust you to correct form. This is a good thing. It's never to call out mistakes or make you feel stupid.

6: PB bods aren't built in a day.
For a girl who normally eats her leftovers half-way cooked because she's too impatient to wait, Pure Barre has really helped with my focus and patience. It takes a little while to get a hang of the moves and see dramatic results (I "crossed the threshold" right at about my 1st month). But you will see vast improvements week-to-week; I'm definitely more motivated by the promise of strong, steady improvement than quick, artificial results. Aim for 3-4 classes a week for best results.

7: Getting bored? Find new ways to challenge yourself.
Once you have gotten the hang of things, it's up to you to "take it up a notch" (PB lingo right there). Find one thing you can challenge yourself with every class: Stay in plank the entire 90 seconds, keep your weights up the whole set, promise you won't make any weird faces during thigh work, etc. Once you've exhausted (pun intended!) that challenge, move on to another move or muscle group. You'll never run out of things you can improve upon.

8: Make Pure Barre pals. Be nice to the new kids.
Nothing is more awkward than sitting in a quiet studio knowing full well the impending torture about to happen and staring at the carpet until the music cues. Some folks need to get in the zone - and they'll make it obvious - but take two seconds to introduce yourself to the person next to you. I've met some really great people in my classes. Our 6 AM crew, especially, is great about checking in with each other and keeping the motivation moving forward. When I reached my 100th class, it was really cool to be among fabulous gals whom I've shook and sweat alongside for the last several months.

If you see a new face looking lost and wide-eyed in anticipation (I can usually spot the new girl by her white gym socks), offer to help get their equipment and share a few tips about what to expect. Remember you, too, had to work your way to the Pure Barre cool table. Not only do you get out what you put in workout-wise, but karma will swirl around some pretty cool ways.

9: Give you and the studio some space.
Pure Barre is designed to be safe to do daily; but after a few weeks of going - literally - 5-6x's a week, I found myself in a bath of epsom salt and my own tears. I was sore. I should've been better about alternating with yoga or running or simply taking a solid rest day. Just like any form of exercise, you need to be in-tuned with your body. And if your body is craving a morning to sleep in an extra hour or a relaxing evening with a glass of wine in hand, it's okay (especially if you earned it). And your time at the barre should be YOUR time - never punishment for a night or weekend of unhealthy choices.

10: Get over not having personal space.
Pure Barre is great because it's an intimate studio space without the hyper-macho frills of a big gym. But when you pack in 25 warm bodies moving all around, you'll need to accomodate (this is where #8 comes in particularly handy). In a weird way, being so close together will motivate you to not get left behind. If everyone else is shaking like a sweaty, neon-spandex covered leaf, you'll go for it, too.

"The higher the heels, the thinner the thighs."
Does that work double-time for us tall people?

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Goodness knows there are more - but we'll save the "100 Things in 100 Classes" for another post. This is where you all come in: What have you learned? Are you on your journey to 100? 200? Beyond?

If anything, I'm grateful to Pure Barre for not only giving me a killer workout with proven results, but I've truly loved connecting with the PB community far and wide... and I'm hoping it doesn't stop here.

Happy LBT-ing!
-C

May you, too, one day have the confidence to #LTB in public.