Thursday, July 11, 2013

25 things *this* Mormon girl loves.

Recently, my friend Hunter (well, I guess he's a friend -- we went to the same junior high and we're on each other's Facebook, even though we haven't actually spoken in a decade or more) published this article on BuzzFeed entitled, "25 Things Mormon Girls Love."

I have a tendency to spend waaaaay too much time on BuzzFeed so naturally, I read this article. Well, technically, it's more like a list with pictures, but that's what the kids are into these days. So anyway, I looked at this and got a good chuckle out of it, found myself saying "SO true!" to most of the items and then going on with the rest of my day.

In the meantime, it picked up a lot of speed and went viral. Today, I've seen it shared five or six times by female Facebook friends. The tone of the accompanying captions is a little condescending, I've noticed. For example, "I only like #3 and #8. Glad to be different for once!" As if liking these things is bad just because they're enjoyed by many people in a particular group (in this case, "Mormon girls").

I see the list as nothing more than a hyperbolic stereotype. It ends up being funny because we all know it's a gross exaggeration, but it's true in part. Yes, a lot of Mormon girls happen to like blogging, diet Coke and lacy undershirts. And it's OK to like those things, too, if you want to. No need to disassociate yourself with the mainstream, because then you're just a hipster and we all know hipster = mainstream anyway.

In the interest of full disclosure, I've made my own list of "25 Stereotypical Things I (A Mormon Girl) Love." Lots of other people love these things, too. Holla back if you're one of 'em!

P.S. - the starred items were also on Hunter's list.

1. Disney. HOW did this not make the BuzzFeed list? I've yet to meet a Mormon girl who doesn't love singing along to Disney songs, going to Disneyland and quoting "Aladdin" to the end of her days.

I would KILL to be a Disney princess.

2. IKEA. Cute, functional stuff for cheap? Makes me feel so modern but also frugal. And we Mormon girls love frugality! IKEA comprises practically half my house. Not gonna lie.

Let's play "Name All the Things from IKEA in This Picture!"

3. Hobby Lobby. When I've had a long day with the kids, I sometimes steal away to this magical place (part-boutique, part-craft store). And by sometimes, I mean once a week.

4. Donuts. Cupcakes are great and all, but a donut is like fried cake with frosting on top. Fried > baked every time.

Bosa Donuts, via

5. Smoothies. So yummy, so nutritious. The appearance of health-mindedness minus the kale. What's not to love?

6. Bubble necklaces. For example:


7. Maxi skirts. Again ... photographic evidence:

Bonus points for the horizontal stripes!

8. Baby names*. I'm not even pregnant but I still like to think of what I might name any future spawn I might create. "Not too crazy, not too popular" is my motto.

9. Big hair. I like big hair and I cannot lie.


10. Pedicures. Because paying little Vietnamese ladies to rub your feet and maintain your toe nails is totally worth it, even if they gossip about you in their native tongue the entire time.

11. Blogging*. Yep, I blog. And I mostly love it. And lots of other Mormon girls do, too. Whatevs.

12. Taking pictures with my DSLR*. This was kind of on Hunter's list -- I don't have a photography business, but I do loooove taking pictures with my fancy Nikon. It just makes my kids (and me) look extra adorable.


13. Wedges. Sexy height without the discomfort of a stiletto. Beware the risk of turning your ankle.

Wedges on dirt is a legitimate hazard.

14. Vintage stuff. As long as it doesn't stink and basically looks new. So ... maybe I don't actually like vintage stuff.

15. Vaycay.

'Nuff said.

16. Cute handwriting*. I like it because I don't have it and I wish I did. I sometimes covet other people's handwriting. I should probably repent for that.

17. Top 40 Hits. More specifically, singing them at the top of my lungs while driving. "We can leaaaaaarn to love agaiiiiiiiin!" I'm easily as good as P!nk.

18. Pattern-mixing. I feel so rebellious when I bravely pair a stripe with a floral.

Even my pillows are pattern-mixed!

19. Target*. It's just so pretty, organized and relatively-affordable!

20. Froyo*. 'Cuz it's good, but ... I actually like ice cream better.

21. Girls' Camp*. I always think I'm going to hate it because nature and I don't get along, but you get a bunch of girls together in the woods to cry about how much they love each other and it's bound to be a good time.


22. Pinterest (except when it's ridiculous -- I have a board for that)*.

23. The Hunger Games. What Mormon girl isn't trying to figure out how to work Everdeen, Mellark or Primrose into her baby name line-up? And I'm one of them, bee-tee-dubs.

Bawl your eyes out. NOW. via

24. Sushi. You already know that.

25. Taking selfies. And I'm REALLY good at it.

18 comments:

  1. You're the cutest Mormon girl in the land!

    The list was fun. I think a lot of things make sense for all women (maybe just western/American). For instance: wedges are smart. I speak from experience having had foot surgery in Feb, my feet + high heels aren't the greatest idea. I also love taking photos with my DSLR.

    The big hair thing cracks me up. I remember learning what "Utah hair" was and cracking up. You look great with it big like that!

    I think one thing I might add is the MLM... DoTerra, Melaluca... I can always leave it to my sweet LDS girlfriends to fill me in on the newest product I MUST have. For the record, I do like essential oils :)

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    1. Aw shucks. Thanks, Katie!

      Oh yes, the MLMs! And Jamberry Nails, Mary Kay, Pampered Chef ... the MLM concept works really well in Mormon circles due to the built-in network of wards.

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  2. Bwahaha! I should make a list of 25 things THIS Mormon girl loves on my blog. I am with you on IKEA, Target, and taking selfies!

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    Replies
    1. DO IT! Why didn't I make this a link-up? That would have been fun.

      Delete
  3. Um, I'm in LOVE with your "big hair" and very, very jealous. Mine can never be big ENOUGH! Also, I loved most of the things on the original list... and PROUD OF IT! Haha ;)

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    1. You go, girl! :)I've always been so jealous of your hair, Ms. Chelsey. Hence why I colored mine red!

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  4. I like your list better! (Megan Lavin)

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  5. I love you!! What an awesome idea! I loled

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  6. You are too cute! And while I am a convert I am 18 out of 25, I must catch on fast haha. Also funny you know Hunter, we were friends in high school. Small world. Loved your list!

    Sydney @ www.foreverdreamphotography.com

    (Yeah I fall into the photography catagory hahaha)

    ReplyDelete
  7. You are too cute! And while I am a convert I am 18 out of 25, I must catch on fast haha. Also funny you know Hunter, we were friends in high school. Small world. Loved your list!

    Sydney @ www.foreverdreamphotography.com

    (Yeah I fall into the photography catagory hahaha)

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  8. This is absolutely hilarious. I agree with everything on both lists.

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  9. Love this!! haha. You're so awesome, and cute! You totally should make a link up. I'd do it amd link to you!

    I haven't seen the original list but I'm pretty sure I'm probably stereotypical. HA! Well... not on cute handwriting. Is that really on the list? I shoulda been a doctor cause my handwriting is TERRIBLE!

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  10. You're so right! I mean, Ikea? How could they forget? And that last picture just takes the cake. Love it. :)

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  11. Just stumbled upon your adorable blog and I am so happy I did! I love this post! How hilarious was that buzzfeed?

    xo your newest follower

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  12. Haha i love this and definitely say next to a girl at a party who scrolled thru that article to verbally prove she was different from it. 26) We like to be unique. ....also, that selfie is best. hahah

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  13. I find number 10 really shallow and offensive towards Asians. We don't like being stereotyped or put down along with the rest of the non-white races (african american, latino, muslim, etc.) It's the 2010's; it's time for all of that crap to stop.

    ReplyDelete

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