Mysterious Attraction- Chapter 11 Part 3

October 10, 2014October 16, 2014michelleleighwrites 1 Comment

So it occurred to me recently, that Mysterious Attraction is over a year old already! My goodness! I never intended this to be so long. But at the same time I didn’t rush it. I let it fall where it needed to. The first part of Chapter 1 was posted on October 4th, 2013. So in honor of this Anniversary I’m throwing out a second segment this week. It’s been a while since I’ve done that. Two in one week! Lucky you! 😉 The way that this story started was far different from where it is ending up. It started off with no name characters and simply just dialogue between two characters. In my head I had a storyline, an idea of what I wanted the story to be. And now it’s taken form and coming together, but we are nearing the end. FINALLY! It’s been a fun journey and I hope you’ve enjoyed. Happy Anniversary Mysterious Attraction, Happy Anniversary Lexie & Carter. Let’s finish this sucker up! Chapter 12 is up next and it’s the last and final chapter. When the story fully finishes I will do a much more in-depth analysis of the whole thing and the journey of writing it. Hope you stick around. 😀

Previously on Mysterious Attraction…

RECAP

***********************************************

The next few months play out like a happy montage.

As the plans to build a fashion empire are put to reality.

Employee after employee from Lexie’s roster join her new adventure. Happy to be away from the dangerous life of crime and surprisingly enough happy to have Lexie as a boss again.

Brice and Carter are painting.

Lexie is doing inventory and talking with a seamstress and a young female assistant.

A young male familiar face walks in with more boxes and Lexie smiles.

Lexie: Thank you Dylan. You’re doing a great job kid.

Dylan smiles and brings the boxes into the stock room.

Roxy walks in with coffees.

Lexie: (taking a cup) Ugh, you are a godsend.

Roxy: Don’t I know it.

Brice and Carter notice.

Carter: Coffee Break?

Brice: Sure.

Brice glances at Roxy.

Carter notices and laughs.

Carter: (whispers to Brice) Watch out for that one.

Brice looks at Carter and smiles.

Roxy hands Carter and Brice each a cup of coffee.

Roxy:(throws Brice a flirty smile) Compliments of Roxy.

Brice: Thanks. I’m Brice.

Roxy: Yes. you. are.

Brice: I’m sorry?

Roxy: No…but you will be.

Roxy smiles and walks away to where Lexie is working on hanging clothes on hangers and racks.

Lexie: (notices) You are relentless. (she shakes her head)

Roxy: Oh please after all the boys we had to suffer through in boarding school; we deserve to play with a few minds. Men think it’s their game… it’s been a women’s game for centuries. It’s a known fact we play them better than they could ever play us.

Lexie: So you plan on ruining that poor man?

Roxy: For every woman out there that’s ever dealt with a douche bag who says they don’t believe in love…and then ends up married with two kids… yes….or simply stays a douche bag hopping from girl to girl breaking hearts…yes.

Lexie: You do realize that not all men are like that, right? Brice certainly isn’t. Don’t break a good man, just to prove a general point.

Roxy: Why… you did?

Lexie: Yea and it was wrong. I was wrong. I got lucky that Carter stayed long enough for me to get out of my own way and get over the fear. But he could have easily walked away. And then where would I be? Brice is a good man Rox, let him…. be.

Roxy: I don’t know if he’s a good man. That’s all hearsay at this point. So I guess that is for you to know and for me to figure out.

Lexie: Ok. Alls I’m saying is don’t give yourself something to regret.

Roxy: I don’t plan to.

Lexie: Ok good.

Roxy: Besides, I’m just gonna make him fall in love with me, that’s all.

Roxy winks and walks away. She turns back around…

Roxy: (whispers) Lover not a fighter.

Lexie shakes her head and laughs

Roxy goes off to where Brice stands painting.

A few minutes later Joe walks in.

Carter notices.

Lexie notices too.

Lexie: Joe. Hey.

Joe: Hey. Am I late?

Lexie: No just in time. You can help the guys paint.

Joe: Sure.

He walks over to Brice and they shake hands, Brice hands him a brush.

Joe: Roxy.

Roxy: Joseph.

Brice: You guys know each other?

Roxy: A little. Joe, Lexie and I have some history.

Joe: We all went to high school together.

Brice: Oh.

Roxy: (rolling her eyes) Ah the glory days.

Joe and Roxy exchange glances.

Carter walks over to Lexie.

Carter: Why didn’t you tell me you invited him?

Lexie: Because I knew it’d be a fight, and I didn’t care to deal with it. There’s too much to do, we need all the help we can get if we want to be up and running by next week.

Carter: Ok well you could have at least just told me that. So I wouldn’t be blindsided by the fact that my future wives’ ex husband is lurking around…once again.

Lexie: Really? Don’t go there. We’ve moved past all that haven’t we?

Carter: I don’t like us having secrets Lex.

Lexie: Good. Because we don’t have any. Not anymore.

Carter: You sure about that?

Lexie: Yes. I’m sorry. I am. But there’s no reason to feel any certain kind of way. That part of my life that happened with Joe is over, and it was a long time ago. We’ve both moved on.

Carter: Oh I know you have. But has he?

Lexie: I think he has. Joe and I talked through a lot that day of the accident and he was nothing but kind to me and to us. You know that. Just let’s focus on this ok. We’re engaged, we’re having a baby. I think it’s safe to say I’m yours. (she smiles)

Carter: Ok. Good. Because I’m not sharing you.

Lexie: Well you’re gonna have to share me with one other person…(she looks down at her belly)

Carter: (smiles and touches her belly bump) Oh well she’s the only one who gets a free pass.

Lexie leans into him and he accepts her kiss.

Lexie: Love you.

Carter: Love you. (he kisses her again)

Carter nods in the direction of Brice and Roxy.

Roxy is being her charming self and Brice is putty in her hands as he laughs at a story she’s telling. She touches his arm. He smiles. There’s an instant connection.

Lexie: (laughs) Oh gosh.

Carter: How do you girls do it?

Lexie: It’s a gift and a curse. And guys are easy. Pretty gullible.

Carter: Hey I put up a decent fight.

Lexie: Oh, you just keep telling yourself that. (She slaps his cheek in a playful manner…mocking him)

Carter shakes his head and walks back to help paint.

Roxy walks toward them, and passes Carter.

She raises her eyebrows at him and motions her head in Brice’s direction. Giving two a-ok signs. Mouthing the word “Hottie.”

Carter laughs.

Roxy stands near Lexie.

Roxy: Well jealous Carter is sexy, huh?

Lexie: Carter is always sexy.

Roxy: You know who else is sexy, (she smiles and stares at Brice who looks her way.)

Something's happening here...will Roxy let the walls she built in her past run her future, or will she take Lexie and Carter's advice and let Brice in.

Something is happening here…will Roxy let the walls she built in her past run her future, or will she take Lexie and Carter’s advice and let Brice in long enough to see he’s a good guy.

*I take no credit for the images used*

Final Chapter coming up next week!

Catch up on the series from the beginning HERE!

-<3-

Mysterious Attraction- Chapter 11 Part 2

October 6, 2014October 6, 2014michelleleighwrites 1 Comment

Previously on Mysterious Attraction…

RECAP

**************************************************

Carter and Lexie walk into their apartment to find papers, magazines, sketches and plans covering the floor and a hardworking Roxy in the midst of it all.

Lexie: What is all this?

Roxy: Hi! (jumps up) How was prison?

Carter looks at Lexie and cracks a laugh.

Lexie: Better than expected.

Roxy: (folding her arms) Reeves doin’ ok?

Lexie: Yea he was happy to hear he’s getting a granddaughter. Again…what is all this? (laughs stepping over papers to get to the chair in the living room.)

Carter stands and eyes some of the papers.

Roxy: Oh this….glad you asked. This you pregnant bride to be… is your wedding planned in full!

Lexie: You planned our entire wedding in less than 3 hours?

Roxy: Um I do this shit for a living. So yea.

Carter: You’re an event planner?

Roxy: (she shrugs) Convenient huh? I’m so glad my best friend has told you absolutely nothing about her best friend…aka yours truly. (She looks at Lexie.)

Carter: Don’t feel bad Roxy…Lexie has issues sharing with me.

Roxy: Hmmm and yet there’s a baby…ie your baby growing inside of her….sounds like a whole lot of sharing to me.

Lexie: You know what he means Roxy.

Roxy: Oh are you referring to her inability to let people in…and by people I mean manly people. Manly people who want to love and care for her. Oh yea that’s old news when it comes to the Lexie drama, I’m well versed. She’s not so good with the non sexual part of intimacy.

Carter: Nope. Not at all.

Lexie: Hello standing right here.

Roxy: Yea and…what’s your point?

Lexie: (laughs in mock shock) Hey, I’ve been getting better…Carter knows a lot more about me then he used to.

Carter: She has gotten better.

Roxy: I believe it. Hence the fact that you’re actually engaged and having a baby. P.S. sick job on stealing a married man away from his wife Lex. Now that’s even more ballsy then that time I helped our hot young T.A. cheat on his wife.

Carter looks at Lexie.

Lexie: She’s joking.

Roxy: Am I? (she raises her eyebrows)

Carter: Is she?

Lexie: Yes.

Roxy laughs.

Lexie: So…what’s our wedding look like?

Roxy: Well…I have everything laid out and ready to go, it’s just a matter of a few calls. But I need you to answer one very important question. Do you want to get married before…or after the baby is born?

Lexie and Carter look at each other.

Lexie: What do you think?

Carter: I honestly don’t mind either way. Whichever you’re more comfortable with.

Roxy: Hmmm, you’ve trained him well.

Carter gives her a look and laughs.

Lexie laughs.

Lexie: I’m thinking after may be better, right? I mean I know it’s not exactly how it’s supposed to be done…but like we said we’re anything but conventional.

Roxy: What she really means is she doesn’t want to have swollen ankles and the waddle of a penguin on her wedding day… or night.

Lexie: Yea that too.

Carter: (laughs) You do realize that doesn’t matter to me right. I think you look beautiful.

Roxy: Oh gag me with a spoon. Where did you get this guy, Lex? He’s too cute for his own good. (laughs) No but seriously you’re adorable. Stay that way. She deserves it. He’s definitely a giant step up from that Joe character. (She whispers)

Carter laughs.

Lexie: (covers her face) Oh god.

Roxy: So after the baby is born? Do we all agree?

Carter and Lexie nod and smiles at each other.

Roxy: Ok so we have a few months then. Which gives me plenty of time to pull this wedding off in spectacular fashion. Take a look at everything and let me know what you both think?

Lexie: Um no I’m good. I trust you.

Carter looks at Lexie in shock.

Carter: Aren’t women usually really picky and specific about their wedding day?

Lexie: Yea well you forget I’m not exactly your typical woman.

Carter: Ha you can say that again.

Lexie hits Carter in the arm.

Roxy: Hey are you serious? Because you know I tend to get a little carried away with weddings. You sure you don’t wanna take a quick glance?

Lexie: Nope apart from my wedding dress…which I can design myself…I completely leave this wedding in your hands. I know you know me well. I trust you.

Roxy: Ok. This is gonna be fun (places her hands on her hips and nods excitedly smiling brightly).

Lexie: Besides as long as I get to marry you, I don’t care where, when or how it happens. (hugs Carter).

Carter: Same here. (he kisses her)

Roxy: Oh boy. You guys make me want to barf. It’s a gorgeous thing. I’m happy for you both. (she winks at Lexie).

Lexie smiles still hugging Carter.

Carter: In the meantime, while Roxy takes care of our wedding…maybe we can go forth with our plans for the fashion line…the space we want is finally free, I put a bid in this morning, and looks like we got it.

Lexie: Are you serious?

Carter: Yup.

Lexie: Oh my god that’s amazing! Why didn’t you tell me?

Carter: I wanted to make sure we got it, before getting your hopes up for no reason. But we got it. So hope all you want….this is happening. (he smiles).

Lexie: So now we can pull all the inventory from the old store in and then I can send out the rest of my designs to the seamstresses to fill the rest of the shelves.

Carter: Already done.

Lexie: Well you move fast.

Carter: I wanna make this happen for you. I know it’s your dream.

Lexie: Just one of them.

Carter smiles.

Roxy makes a gagging noise from her wedding planning space on the floor. She smiles and winks at them.

Lexie: Oh that reminds me…I have to give the staff a call…I think Brice may have reached out recently. I missed a call from him the other day. I really hope he takes my offer to come work for us.

Carter: I’m sure he will. I mean with your dad wanting to take the wrap for everything, his one condition was that we all get out. Brice and Joe aren’t looking to get back into the mob business.

Lexie: Yea.

Roxy: Hey…who’s this Brice character you keep talking about? Is he hot?

Lexie: I don’t really know how to answer that question.

She looks at Carter.

Carter: Oh what…because of me…like you haven’t thought about it before? You were around him everyday for years, even before I came along.

Roxy: Yea, I mean little do you know, Brice could have been Lexie’s sex pet and conquest long before you.

Carter: Oh god, please don’t go there, there’s an image forming in my mind…it’s not a good one.

Lexie: Roxy! Oh my god. No Carter. Brice and I were always professional. Brice is a very respectful guy. He just did his job and kept to himself. But I guess he is…somewhat…attractive.

Carter: Oh really?

Roxy: Ha! I knew it…how attractive are we talking?

Lexie pulls her cell phone out and shows her a picture of him.

Roxy: Holy Grail! Wow I would not mind, destroying him for all future relationships. (stares at the picture.)

Carter: Do you both have some kind of hand book you follow, (he says looking from Lexie to Roxy and back at Lexie.)

Lexie: We’re a lot alike.

Carter: I can tell. By the way…why do you have a picture of Brice on your phone?

Lexie: It’s from the company’s database, our list of employees; the roster, everyone’s on it.

Carter: Oh… I thought you’d deleted that by now.

Lexie: I just kept it so I could reach out to everyone. They were all hard workers that just got stuck in a bad way. They could be better off working at the store, earning an honest living.

Roxy: Oh you mean your legit fashion store, and not the front you put up to house your organized crime.

Lexie: Exactly.

Roxy: Ah. Yes it all makes sense to me now. And um I will be stopping by several times a day, on account of the fact that I’m hot and Brice needs to become infatuated with me enough for me to reel him into my lair.

Carter: Well considering you’re a lot like Lexie, one look should be enough.

Roxy: Is that all it took?

Carter and Lexie exchange glances.

Roxy: (noticing) Guess so. (purses her lips and raises her eyebrows).

Carter: Seriously though do Brice a favor, go easy on him. That poor guy, has no idea what he’s in for. Hell I had a warning from Lexie’s favorite bartender (he gives Lexie a glance) and I still had no clue what I was walking into.

Roxy: Oh no worries. I’m a lover, not a fighter.

Lexie: (laughs) He’s a good one Rox…. Brice. When you get him. Which we all know you will. Don’t be stubborn like me. Let him in.

Roxy: Oh I plan to. (she smirks)

Carter: Innuendo number…

Roxy: 15 to 20 baby, (she winks).

They all laugh.

-<3-

Mysterious Attraction- Chapter 11

October 3, 2014October 2, 2014michelleleighwrites 1 Comment

Previously on Mysterious Attraction…

RECAP

******************************************************************************

*New Character Alert*

Roxy– Lexie’s Sassy Best Friend

2 months later…

Carter screams from the living room.

Carter: Lexie babe we gotta get going!

Lexie rushes out her belly bump a significant size.

Lexie: I’m coming I’m coming! God this baby likes to hangout on my bladder… I have to pee every 20 minutes.

Carter: (laughs) You’re so cute.

Lexie smiles.

Carter: Come on, (he grabs her hand as they rush to the door.)

Lexie: Hi, by the way. (She leans up toward him for a kiss)

Carter: Hi. (He kisses her back)

Lexie opens the door to find a very funky, very spirited familiar face.

Lexie: ROXY!

Roxy: (screams) Hello gorgeous!

Lexie: Oh my god! (she hugs her) What are you doing here?

Roxy: You didn’t think that I’d actually not come and check on you after all the craziness you’ve been through did you? Besides like I’d let you plan a wedding and have a baby without me.

Lexie: Oh, I’m so glad you’re here! (she hugs her tightly again.) I’ve missed you.

Roxy: Missed you more. So this is the stud that finally got Lexie to settle down, huh?

Carter: Hi. Carter, nice to meet you. (he offers his hand.)

Roxy looks at Lexie and smirks.

Roxy: Sexy and polite. (She shakes his hand.) Well you struck gold. (She says to Lexie, giving her a sly grin.)

Lexie: Yea. I kinda like him. (She smiles and nudges Carter.)

Carter blushes.

Roxy: Sorry I’m Roxy. Lexie and I go way back. We went to boarding school together. Yes I knew she turned into a mob princess/boss. I am also aware that she isn’t one anymore. But as I’m sure you know mob or no mob doesn’t really lessen the love you can have for her. (Carter and Lexie smile)Yes I’ve been gone forEVER. Because I have trouble staying in one place for too long, I’m kind of a nomad. But Lexie has kept me posted. I know all about your little affair and also that you’re pretty good in the sack. (she raises her eyebrows)

Carter looks at Lexie.

Lexie: What- I’m sorry, she’s my best friend. Girls talk.

Roxy: They certainly do. (she smirks eyeballing Carter seductively)

Carter laughs uncomfortably.

Lexie: By the way if you think she’s blunt, you haven’t seen anything yet. I will make you uncomfortable at least 15 to 20 times before the day is done. I have no filter.

Carter: Well at least you’re up front about it, right?

Roxy: You have been warned.

Carter: (laughs) Well this should be fun.

Roxy: (smirks) You have no idea.

Carter looks at Lexie nervously.

Lexie and Roxy start cracking up.

Roxy: Don’t worry, I’m not into the whole stealing your best friend’s boyfriend…or fiancé in your case, bit. I’m totally above that.

Carter: Ah ok, so you were just screwing with me.

Roxy: Get used to it buddy. I plan to stick around for a while.

Carter: (nods) Well any friend of Lexie’s is a friend of the family.

Roxy: Ha, be careful what you wish for, (sticks her tongue out like a 5 year old and laughs.) So…where are we off to this lovely morning?

Lexie: We are going to the doctors for a 5 month check up on this little nugget.

Roxy: Oh goody. Baby news. You look fabulous by the way! Doesn’t she look fabulous?

Carter: She does. (lexie smiles at him)

Roxy: I bet your sex life is still going strong!

Carter is rendered speechless.

Lexie: (laughs) Rox-I think you’re making my future husband uncomfortable.

Roxy: Oh shucks. We’re all adults. (she winks) So…Can I tag along for the baby news?

Lexie: Did you actually just ask permission?

Roxy: Ah, I’m trying to instill some grown up aspects into my already childish life.

Carter laughs.

Lexie: I see. Of course you can join. It’d be amazing to have you be apart of this.

Roxy: Well then…let’s get going shall we…and on the way we can discuss a date for your wedding.

Roxy prances off toward the elevator.

Lexie and Carter exchange glances.

Lexie: (whispers) I’m sorry.

Carter shakes his head and brushes it off.

Carter: No it’s ok. She seems really great. I’m happy she’s here for you. You deserve to have some more estrogen around here. We could definitely use it considering you’ve been surrounded by nervous men your entire pregnancy. (laughs) Speaking of…have you spoken to your dad lately?

Lexie: No. But I’ll check in once we have some baby news, it’ll give him something to be happy about.

Carter nods.

Roxy: (screams from down the hall) Hey you two let’s go…that baby’s not getting any younger.

Lexie and Carter come home from the doctors appointment, Roxy in tote.

Lexie: Hey…I think I should go see my dad instead of just calling.

Carter: Lexie, babe I don’t think that’s such a good idea. I mean you’re 5 months pregnant. You shouldn’t be in a place like that.

Roxy: Yea I have to agree with the stud over here.

Lexie: Look you guys I get it. But it’s one visit and I’ll make it quick. I just…I need to see him. He needs to see for himself that I’m ok.

Carter: And you’re sure that this is what you wanna do?

Lexie: Yes.

Carter: Ok then, I’ll drive.

Lexie: (smiles) Thank you.

Lexie grabs her purse and looks at Roxy.

Lexie: Hey Rox, you coming?

Roxy: Um…no I think I’ll stay.

Lexie: You’re welcome to come.

Roxy: I know. But it’s not my place. I’ll be here when you get back, I’ll be wedding brainstorming, (she smiles).

Lexie: I think you’re growing up Roxy.

Roxy: (fake sighs) It has to happen sometime, right?

Lexie: You’re still the craziest chick I know.

Roxy: Damn proud of it. (nodding, matter of factly)

Lexie: We’ll be back.

Roxy: I’ll be here.

Lexie sits at a table in a room, Carter sits beside her, an empty chair sits in front of them.

A guard brings out a handcuffed Reeves.

Reeves sees Lexie and smiles.

Lexie: (standing up) Hi Daddy.

Reeves sees her baby bump.

Reeves: Princess look at you. You look beautiful, you’re glowing.

The guard uncuffs Reeves and he hugs Lexie.

Reeves: Carter.

Carter: How you doin’ Reeves? (they shake hands).

Reeves: I think we can all agree I’ve been better.

They all laugh slightly and take their seats.

Lexie: Daddy, I’m so sorry I haven’t been to see you. Or called…

Reeves: Lexie don’t apologize. You have a life to live. And I am so happy that you get to do that. I wouldn’t expect or want you to be doing anything but being happy and living the life you always wanted to. I’m actually grateful you haven’t stopped by…this is no place for a woman of your condition. But I’m not going to pretend like I’m not thrilled to see you. (he smiles)

Lexie: Condition? Really? Daddy I’m pregnant, not disabled.

Reeves: She’s still as stubborn as ever? (He says to Carter.)

Carter: Oh absolutely…worse even.

Lexie looks from one man to the next.

Lexie: Excuse me. I am not stubborn, I am a strong independent women.

Carter: I can’t deny that.

Reeves: You remind me so much of your mother sometimes, it’s crazy.

Lexie: Daddy- (she grabs his hand) You shouldn’t be in here.

Reeves: Yes I should. I killed a man. I’ve killed many. I’m in here for a reason.

Lexie: But Skully deserved it. After terrorizing our family for years. I mean what were you supposed to do, once again let him get away with it.

Reeves: Look, Princess I got a pretty good deal. Considering all I’ve done, 10 years isn’t too bad.

Lexie: (tears up) But my daughter needs her grandpa.

Reeves: And she’ll have him, I’m not going anywhere not for a while, (laughs)…wait did you just say daughter?

Lexie nods happily still crying with newly added emotion.

Reeves: It’s a girl?

Lexie smiles and nods again.

Reeves: (hugs her again) Oh honey.

Reeves: Congratulations, (he says to both of them.)You are gonna be a fantastic mother. (pulls away looking at Lexie.)

Lexie: Well I learned from one of the best.

Reeves: She’d be so proud of you, princess.

Lexie smiles.

Reeves: And you…(to Carter) get your shout gun ready, (he whispers).

Carter laughs

Reeves: Maybe now you’ll understand where us fathers come from, we just try to protect our daughters.

Carter: I know. Hopefully I’ll make a good one. Lord knows biology isn’t on my side.

Reeves: Ah, Skully may have biologically been your father, but he wasn’t your dad. It takes a special person to be a dad.

Lexie: Yea. John’s your dad, Carter. He taught you all you ever need to know.

Reeves: Yea something tells me your mom made the right decision in not telling you about Skully. Women have a way of always being right, so learn that now buddy.

Carter and Lexie exchange glances and laugh.

Reeves: You’ll be a better dad, then both Skully and myself. And when you get a little crazy and you feel like you don’t think you know what the hell you’re doing…you’ll have this one (nods toward Lexie) to help you realize you’re doing alright.

Lexie smiles.

Reeves: So…I see the ring, guess it finally happened…when’s the wedding?

Lexie and Carter look at each other.

-<3-

Barbie’s Evolution turns into a Revolution

March 12, 2014March 12, 2014michelleleighwrites Leave a comment

Always happy to open a new Barbie! (this one was “Slumber Party Barbie”)

I was the little girl who loved her Barbies.

I had dozens of them.

I would sit and play for hours,

dreaming up story lines for my favorites and making them find their princes and live in their big beautiful house, happily ever after.

I had the house, the plane, the cars (a yellow buggie which was rad!) even a pool….I had all the fun gadgets and accessories!

While many girls were most likely more partial to blonde bombshell “Barbie,”

I was more pron to playing with the “Teresa” Barbie.

She was my favorite Barbie, and even though she was a “Teresa” I named her “Mandy” and played with her ALL the time.

To me the “Teresa” dolls were the fierce fun brunette who I felt looked more like me (dark hair tanner complexion)…

That, and my mom’s name is Theresa, which I thought was pretty cool, lol.

I also loved her outfit, because there were tons of ways to wear it!

“Teresa” was the more ethnic Latina inspired Barbie, she was always my favorite.

It was a sad day when I packed away all my Barbies.

It’s funny you never think the day is going to come as a young girl just playing and dreaming.

But for me it came a little later then most…

honestly I probably played with Barbies til I was like 11 or 12… (no shame).

Granted I had two little younger cousins that were still playing with them, so they were my convenient excuse.

For us, playing with Barbies…was a bonding experience between cousins.

For the most part we would end up just dressing them up and doing their hair and then getting bored and putting them away.

It was when that started to happen that I think I realized it was time to say goodbye.

Even though my Barbie days are behind me (until I have my own daughter, or until my goddaughter starts to gain an interest…or until the next time my other little cousins drag me into their rooms to play) I still have to get a glimpse of the Barbie aisle anytime I’m in a Toy store. Call it nostalgia, but I find it interesting to see how Barbies have changed and what the latest accessories are.

Which brings me to my main point.

Barbie…although beloved…could use a bit of a reality check.

After all Barbie isn’t normal…she’s too perfect…

Her body, her clothes, her makeup…too perfect.

In a way it lends fuel to the body image beast that has plagued girls from early on.

It’s hard for me to understand that though…

I mean growing up, I never looked to Barbie as a body image role model too much.

I never looked at her and thought hey I wish I was stick thin.

Ok maybe when they came out with the Barbie with the rubber belly and belly shirts and belly ring aka “Jewel Girl.”

Seriously though…rubber belly haha I swear the things they come up with…evolution I tell ya!

I was kinda like…oh I wish my stomach was flatter, cuz her outfit is AWESOME! (and she had on purple lipstick and lip liner…how cool is that! lol.)

“Midge” & Baby ❤

But I guess that proves my point, I’ve just put a hole in my own declaration.

Young girls are impressionable and although I wouldn’t plague body image issues solely on Barbie and her unrealistic proportions, I also think Barbie could afford to tone down the sexuality just a bit. It is a child’s toy. They shouldn’t be sexualizing things at such a young age. Instead Barbie should serve as an inspiration to girls, to be themselves, to be whatever they dream to be…I mean that’s why Barbie has so many careers. That’s why she’s a doctor, a teacher, a singer, a ballerina, a basketball player, a gymnast, a mom! I’ll never forget when I got the pregnant Barbie, it was pretty cool! She basically had a magnetic belly bump that you would put the little baby in!

A few months ago I remember seeing Demi Lovato (the curvy

Demi Lovato Feb. 2014

and beautiful girl she is!) tweet these…

I remember thinking this is so amazing.

It’s just a beautiful concept to inspire young girls to be themselves, to not strive to be stick thin, or to conform to media standards of beauty (which if you ask me is made up of photo shopped women who don’t even really look like that.)

And now it seems Barbie is getting a new look…welcome the latest Barbie-related campaign…”Average Barbie” where “Average is beautiful.”

“Average Barbie” was derived from the mind of artist Nickolay Lamm…in which he’s now labeled this new and improved version of Barbie after himself calling this version Lammily. The Lammily line of dolls is said to be in production soon.

Barbie’s New Girl in town is quite the improvement…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfQu8pq0kok

I love how simplistic this doll’s look is, she wears less makeup and has a fuller figure. I feel like looking at her I know her. I feel like I can walk down the street and see someone who looks like her. Her proportions are based off of an actual human body type, which is something that should really be praised. I just recently found out about this campaign, I had seen Demi’s tweets about it a while ago but I didn’t think that it was being put into production so soon. As I saw the current update news on twitter, I decided to really get into it and do my research. Like I said Barbies are close to my heart. But I have to say I’m kind of surprised and saddened by the negative reactions this campaign is getting. Many bloggers and news websites are claiming this doll is still fake. I understand that it may not be the perfect improvement as it gears more to an athletic characterization, but I think a fuller figured doll is at least a step in the right direction. I mean if anything she’s promoting exercise, and a healthier life style. I don’t understand what’s so bad about that. There’s room for evolution. And with evolution comes revolution. And a chance for change.

So as Barbie continues to evolve, and her shape changes as it’s changed several times before to fit the times, the more willingness for change the more room there is to revolutionize the toys your daughters play with. There is a definite anti-[perfect] body image revolution upon us in this generation and this Lammily line of dolls is a way to help change the narrow minds of media constraints.

For more on Lammily visit:

https://www.lammily.com/average-is-beautiful

Barbie’s Evolution is turning into a Revolution for all future generations.

Because the more we speak up about these issues the more will get done.

And the more that gets done, the better the minds of future generations of daughters.

It all starts with diversity and acceptance in all shapes and sizes.

Change for the better.

Can’t wait to make a purchase, because I support this campaign, it’s way more realistic then the dolls I grew up playing with! Be apart of the movement and understand that “Average (as in your everyday ordinary girl) is beautiful.”

*I take no credit for any of the images*

-<3-

Michelle Leigh Writes

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