Right, so, that title isn’t exactly to the tune of Madonna’s “Material Girl,” but, let’s just pretend that it was.

Today, I am here to discuss the Spice Girls. Why? Because Amanda wants me to. And I love Amanda, and cave easily to peer pressure.

The Spice Girls were, easily, my first obsession. I had their CDs, posters, stickers, chocolate bars, dolls, stationery and other random things that had nothing really to do with the Girls themselves, but had somehow acquired their stamp of approval. And that was all I needed.

My real vice were the Spice Girls photos. You could buy envelopes containing 5 random pictures of the Spice Girls, to collect. I still have my collection! I have well over 150, which is quite a lot since back then I only got a 2$ allowance every week. So, you can imagine the sacrifice and the saving I had to do!

I also was a Spice Girl. At least, I was with my friends, on the street at night. That sounds odd, but, it’s true. We used to hook up my friend’s boom box (back when they were still called that), and dance and sing choreographed numbers on the road, for our neighbours. Somewhere in my parents’ collection of home movies is a film of my cousins and I playing Spice Girls.

Ever the “Baby Spice,” I was quick to sort an array of baby doll dresses (I was never one to wear pants as I child– I don’t think I wore jeans until the seventh grade!), and I obviously had giant platform shoes. My blond hair was worn in pigtails. I was so cute. It’s something I’ve never fully let go of (although I now opt for a more grown up hairstyle and flats) — I love maintaining a cute image.

Spice Fever spread throughout my house too. My brother also loved them. He also collected pictures, and made guest appearances in my performances as a Backstreet Boy. My dad used to take Scary Spice pencils to work. Because, what other construction worker-type would have a Scary Spice pencil?

The Spice Girls still influence my life today. For example, whenever I go for a walk, I often have to shout “SPICE!!!!” My dog’s name is Spice. And, although we promised my mother that it was after “the spice of life,” we all know she’s purely named after the Spice Girls.

Last summer I was in La Pocatiere, Quebec. The highlight of one weekend was when I went to the local Zellers. And what did I find?! A SPICE GIRLS LUNCHBOX! For ONE DOLLAR. You’d better believe I bought that puppy and it travelled back across the country to my house, and it now resides in a place of honour in my room.

So, yeah, the Girls still influence my life today!!