GEN X GIRLS GROW UP

So, some of us still haven't found what we're looking for...

Who is Generation X?

We are sandwiched between 80 million baby boomers and 78 million Millennials. Born between 1965 and 1980, we have just

46 million members. Small, but mighty!

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AND SURPRISE GIVEAWAYS!

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Gen X Girls Speaks Out in NBC News "THINK"

Jun 5
2 min

Gen X Girls Speaks Out in NBC News "THINK"

Here's my Letter to the Editor in NBC News THINK's newsletter today, June 5, in response to: We were supposed to be over the 1980s by now. Why we're still not. Bryan Reesman: The Decade of Decadence was a time of excess, for sure, but its brash attitudes, bold colors and cultural icons resonate because of the artistic forces it unleashed. What do you THINK? Erin Mantz of Potomac, Maryland, responds: Bryan Reesman got it right in his recent THINK piece — the '80s are having

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Graduation Season: Class of '88 Manifesto

Gen X Girls Grow Up Featured in SeeMe Beauty's "SeeMe SOAR" Spotlight

May 18
1 min

Gen X Girls Grow Up Featured in SeeMe Beauty's "SeeMe SOAR" Spotlight

Did you know there's a skin care product line especially fomulated for '80s girls, by '80s girls? Three women at Procter & Gamble created SeeMe Beauty, and I had the opportunity to chat with the team. Check out our interview, where they spotlight how Gen X Girls Grow Up began and how and why we're growing so fast! I loved talking about the pride of our generation and the things I learned growing up; some of the best advice I ever received from wise women in my life (like my B

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"Brat: An '80s Story" Takes You Back - Andrew McCarthy's Memoir Shows Stardom In A Different Light

May 11
3 min

"Brat: An '80s Story" Takes You Back - Andrew McCarthy's Memoir Shows Stardom In A Different Light

Even as a teen in the ‘80s, watching Andrew McCarthy’s characters - “Blane” in Pretty in Pink, and “Kevin” in St. Elmo’s Fire - I thought: There are a lot of thoughts swirling in that actor’s head. He seemed different than other stars – the thoughtful and sensitive one of the “pack.” I won’t name that pack because he didn’t particularly love that label at the time, but I know you know. Now, I see I was right! Andrew McCarthy is incredibly introspective and impressive. In his

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GENERATION X WILL NOT GO QUIETLY

May 7
3 min

GENERATION X WILL NOT GO QUIETLY

We may have been labeled Slackers or Latchkey Kids, and called too independent and jaded. Growing up in the '70s and '80s, playing outside without a cell phone or care in the world, we never came back happily into our houses at sundown, when our parents expected – but we did come back. We are Generation X. We understood the rules. But I don’t think we understand the rules of being “middle aged” in 2021. Even if we did, we’d rewrite them as we went along. As AARP launches a ca

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new! the gen x girl pink tote is in!

May 1
1 min

new! the gen x girl pink tote is in!

Our fun new Gen X Girl Pink Totes are here, just in time for spring. Treat yourself to one - a pop of '80s color - stylish and sturdy, like Generation X! It holds a good amount of stuff, for an afternoon out or shopping excursion (I recently fit in a dozen bagels, plus typical "purse" stuff). As the pandemic eases and we're on the go more, we need a good bag! Shop here. FREE shipping in May! #genxgirl #generationx #80s

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Are The Gen X Kids Still Alright?

Mar 8
3 min

Are The Gen X Kids Still Alright?

It's been a year, people. When coronavirus became real last March, it cast a spotlight on the strength and resiliency of Generation X. That was great for our generation - well-deserved! Overdue! Articles and news stories celebrated how we were raised in times that set us up for successfully weathering something like a pandemic storm. Experts and bloggers touted our adaptability and independence, and our ability to fill hours upon hours finding something to do. Gen X was the p

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Overlooked Again, Now Aging, Too? Generation X “Girls” in Pandemic Times

Dec 26, 2020
2 min

Overlooked Again, Now Aging, Too? Generation X “Girls” in Pandemic Times

The coronavirus cast a spotlight on the strength and resiliency of Generation X. That is great! Well-deserved. Overdue. Articles and news stories have celebrated our adaptability and independence, and our ability to fill hours upon hours finding something to do. But these quarantined times have been challenging for us in other, sneakier ways. 2020 reminded us that we “middle children” are truly in a period of aging. Midlife is marked by several exclamation points now, as we r

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The ghosts of girlfriends past

Nov 1, 2020
3 min

The ghosts of girlfriends past

Do you have a friend that got away? One, or maybe more, that really mattered – that still matters? You still think about her, especially in 2020, when you have so much time to just…think? Chances are, Gen X Girls do. A 2019 Snap Friendship Report found that friendships, especially those from childhood, have a huge impact on happiness and wellbeing. Now, this year's report finds that 88% of U.S. respondents have lost touch with a close friend, and 71% say they would like to r

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It's "What Ever Happened To...? Wednesday!

Oct 21, 2020
1 min

It's "What Ever Happened To...? Wednesday!

"What Ever Happened To...?" is a new weekly look at some of our favorite people from our Gen X growing up years. This week: Kristy McNichol and the cast of the television program "Family." Who DIDN'T love Kristy McNichol in "Family" and "Little Darlings?" I remember watching "Family" with my mom, so I was surprised to read the show ran from 1976 - 1979. I was awfully young (six to nine)!) to be watching that, I think. Alcholism, adoption. Oh well. We were Generation X, though

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Please Tell Me There’s Still a “Mischief Night”

Oct 12, 2020
4 min

Please Tell Me There’s Still a “Mischief Night”

It’s been hard to hold on to the traditions and times of our GenX childhoods. Case in point: Halloween. And, let’s face it – the Generation X version of Halloween disappeared long before COVID hit. We may want to blame the pandemic as we pine away for the 70's and 80's, but I noticed they were gone years ago. Most kids today have never even heard of “Mischief Night.” In 1982 in Chicago’s West Rogers Park neighborhood, all 12-year olds I knew – including me, as well as younger

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I'd like to have a few words with "courtney" - the #80's American Girl

Sep 17, 2020
2 min

I'd like to have a few words with "courtney" - the #80's American Girl

Dear Courtney, 1986 WAS a great year! Leg warmers kept us cozy. Playing games like PAC-MAN was fun, and an easy distraction from the real world. We were all about surrounding ourselves with bright and upbeat colors - everything from our clothes to our bedroom walls - hot pinks, sky blues and purples - reflecting a happy and hopeful time. Like you, we had bold and bright ideas - about upcoming Saturday nights at the roller rink or parties. About the future - maybe marriage, ki

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biography's "i want my mtv" - review & random thoughts

Sep 9, 2020
2 min

biography's "i want my mtv" - review & random thoughts

I was excited to watch Biography's "I Want My MTV" show on A&E last night, knowing it would revisit the original MTV VJs. It did not disappoint, and offered a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at how the whole MTV concept, name, logo, business, struggle and success evolved. Here are five things I took away: 1. First, I’m proud of my #GenX self for figuring out how to find a way/channel/streaming service/something to actually watch the program. An hour before, I was Googling

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#Genx "back to school" memories

How #GenX Are you?

Sep 7, 2020
1 min

How #GenX Are you?

How #GenX are you? Give yourself 1 point for each "yes" you did growing up: * Saw at least three John Hughes movies. * Passed a note to a friend between or during classes. * Wore leg warmers or a Flashdance sweatshirt. * Made a cassette tape. * Knew the lyrics to at least three Madonna songs. * Had a poster of Rob Lowe, Matt Dillon, or Ralph Macchio. * Read a Tiger Beat magazine. * Read at least three Judy Blume books. * Learned about growing up from Judy Blume books. * Drove

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if you missed our august 27 "facebook live"

Aug 28, 2020
1 min

if you missed our august 27 "facebook live"

You can view it on Facebook here! We had such fun talking about Rob Lowe, Playa Bowls and tipping, Trapper Keepers and "back to school," the original MTV VJs, Peloton, drinking Truly Hard Seltzer and White Claw like a #GenZ-er, and more. #GenerationX #GenX #80s #Eighties #RobLowe #PlayaBowls #WhiteClaw #Truly #MTV

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gen x moms dropping kids at college

Aug 25, 2020
1 min

gen x moms dropping kids at college

My heart goes out to all the Gen X moms out there, like me, who dropped, or are about to drop, their kid at college this week! Sophomore year may be a little bit easier, but it still stings. Still, my son's happiness about being there outweighs my sadness. I left a little piece of my heart in Madison, Wisconsin yesterday. How does the time go so fast? I still see that toddler... #GenerationX #GenX

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Gen X Girls "Facebook Live" Aug. 27

Aug 24, 2020
1 min

Gen X Girls "Facebook Live" Aug. 27

Show your GenX spirit! Join us at 8pm ET this Thursday, August 27, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/GenXBlog! Join me, Erin Wechsler Mantz and my show co-host Julia Sherwin as we talk about the latest buzz worthy topics in pop culture, reminisce about life growing up as #GenerationX in the #80s and early #90s and more! We'll talk about tipping; Blockbuster memories; Rob Lowe; if the new #DirtyDancing movie has to happen, what should it be like; #GenZ (which includes o

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Q&A With "Stuck in the '80s"

Aug 11, 2020
4 min

Q&A With "Stuck in the '80s"

What was it like to set sail on The 80s Cruise? I virtually “sat down” with Stuck in the ’80s podcast co-host Steve Spears to find out. He and Brad Williams have a podcast devoted to our favorite decade’s movies, music and pop culture. Read on to hear how they celebrated their 500th episode on The 80s Cruise! Erin: Your podcast just celebrated 15 years! What do you hope it’s accomplishing? Steve: It's really amazing that we've made it to 15 years. I honestly never expected th

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Wait - What? Gen X, Please Take This Millennial Food Chart test!

Aug 2, 2020
1 min

Wait - What? Gen X, Please Take This Millennial Food Chart test!

Thank goodness I only scored a 3. I am definitely Gen X. Growing up in the 70s/80s, didn't we just grab a Lender's bagel out of the freezer, or a Hostess Ding Dong from the pantry? If you can stop laughing long enough to finish this, let me know your score. #GenerationX #GenX #Millennial #80s #Eighties

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