Momma Told Me: I Have A Confession: I Heart Justin Timberlake! #JT2020

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I Have A Confession: I Heart Justin Timberlake! #JT2020

Justin Timberlake
Momma Told Me: A little obsession is healthy for a young girl.

I'll never forget the first CD Player, and CD, I ever owned. It was Christmas Eve of 1997, and my dear grandmother had selected the top of the line 'portable' boombox, cassette, CD player with a little help from the department store salesclerks. She had also consulted them for an age, and gender, appropriate title to include; my first CD. At the time I was helplessly hooked on my Edited copy of Alanis Morrisette's Jagged Little Pill, which I'd tote around in my cassette Walkman, completely detached from the world. There was some disagreement about the appropriateness of this musical selection, among my extended family members, yet, at 11, I remember being quite bewildered at the concept of a 'boy band.' The following year, everything would change for me, as Momma introduced me to Tiger Beat, and reminisced about her days as a swooning tween. Yes, it seems not much has changed, from Timberlake to Bieber, the world loves crooning heartthrob's named Justin, and I am no exception.
In order to properly confess my affection for Mr. Timberlake, we'd have to take a closer look at the events that followed that fateful Christmas Eve. Perhaps you are of the same generation, and fell between the two 'boyband' factions as well? Grandma had given me the Backstreet Boys first, US Released, self titled album. As most young male singers of the time, the Backstreet Boys has made it big in the Pop community overseas, in Europe. Apparently they were much more keen to trends than us Americans, who only caught on as the band was preparing it's second national album. Even for the 90's these young teenage boys looked a bit odd, each of the band's 'characters' (because, really, that's what these young men were), was wildly over-portrayed. There was your typical bad boy, the goofball, the 'heartthrob) , the quiet one, and the member that always seemed to fade into obscurity. I entertained the Backstreet Boys phase for about 10 months, and then *N Sync hit the US and it was all over for me. I was in love. I was full on hormones raging, pre-teen girl. I was certain I would be Justin Timberlake's wife.
Pin The Tie
Is it really hard to understand how a young girl, recently bumped up into high school at the age of 12, and entirely awkward and out of her element, might submerse herself in the glamor and romance of crooning pop stars? While Momma and I had, at one time, collected POGS and Beanie Babies, she was not fully supporting my spiral into a JT addiction. Of course, Justin Timberlake was not an act back then, *N Sync was; and that was exactly whom I went to see for my very first concert, back when P!nk was an unknown artist opening for them with Sisqo. Are we taking a walk down memory lane yet? But I had more than their albums, imports, and posters. I spend every penny of allowance and birthday money on my Justin and *N Sync obsession. My room was lined wall to wall with shelves backed with cutout magazine articles, carefully organized dedicated band member binders, and every piece of merchandise I could come across in store and online. Some of my more obscure collection pieces include a $100 Save The White Tiger *N Sync Plush Tiger, branded lip balm, gummi snacks, and Valentine's, promotional banners and advertising from a fast food chain promotion, and (of course) bedding. This might have made my teenage years a bit awkward, but I somehow managed to find and make a lifelong best friend, who was just as obsessed with the band, and JT, as I.
The 20/20 Experience
Near the end of my high school experience, 2002, mind you I was an early 16 years of age, it became clear that Mr. Timberlake was going to soon branch out from the band mates he had worked so closely with for 5 years.The Summer before my Senior year there were whispers of the band's hiatus and Justin's new solo project, Justified. My best friend, Emmaly, and I could hardly contain our excitement, to see the newly polished, more adult Justin Timberlake, in his solo debut. We'd, personally, thought he was the true star the entire time, and that was the year I dressed up as Mr. Timberlake for Halloween. Looking back, it wasn't the coolest social move, but something I still hold fond memories of today. I'd hand made a jersey replica of the one JT had worn to a Basketball Charity event (in baby blue of course), dyed a curly wig his trademark golden blonde hue, and sequined a copy of his trademark JT bling, complete with mock stage mic headset. If I could, for the life of me find the photos, I would share them; unfortunately the 14 boxes (no exaggeration) of JT and *N Sync memorabilia in my garage have proved quite overwhelming.
20/20
When Justin Timberlake burst onto the solo scene it was far from a letdown in my mind and circles. The dances of my Senior year were marked by repeat requests for Cry Me A River and Rock Your Body. Justin had emerged as a solo artist with a much more soulful, slightly hip-hop, persona and a whole new generation of swooning fans was born. That was also the year those golden locks went away, and that chiseled jaw became just a little more pronounced.While I'm sure some of my close friends today act a little mortified that I still hold the flame high with Timberlake love, I recently threw a party in honor of the forthcoming The 20/20 Experience release, and it became clear I was not the only JT lover. Whether Justin's music is a guilty pleasure you howl along to in the car, during traffic on your way to work, or an open obsession like mine, you will not want to miss the album dropping March 18, 2013. The first, and only reason you should need to go pre-order this CD NOW is it's exclusive 1-week only launch price of just $7 at WalMart locations nationwide.
That's 10 sparkling new, ultra sexy, smooth tracks from Justin Timberlake, for a mere $7. That's the cost of a sandwich and chips, and a complete steal in my opinion. Amazon already has the album listed at their 'pre-sale' price of $9.99; you won't find the exclusive $7 price anywhere but WalMart. Whether you're a lifetime Justin Timberlake fan, or a closet crooner, you'll definitely want to check out the 2 already released tracks, the lead single "Suit & Tie" and my personal favorite, love song, "Mirrors." While "Suit & Tie" features a vocal appearance by Jay-Z, and is marked with some classic JT grunge and grind lyrics, this more complex track is hard to get out of your head. I was happy to hear Justin mellow it down, when hosting Saturday Night Live, for the 5th time, this past weekend, with his forthcoming single, "Mirrors". As you might expect this, still up-tempo, ballad proclaims that all too familiar love experience of feeling as though your partner is indeed your other half, the reflection you see in the mirror. During our #JT2020 launch party we had a fun time guessing the story behind more obscurely named tracks such as "Spaceship Coupe" and "Strawberry Bubblegum."
You may be surprised to learn that we had an even mix of men and women turn out; many of the males expressing a genuine interest in learning more about Justin's recent work. The entire bash was themed to JT and the new album, with a handmade 'Pin the Tie on The Suit' board, Suit and Tie Cookies, Justin's favorite foods (cereal and pasta), "Strawberry Bubblegum" and "Blue Ocean Floor" Pebble treats, and plenty of Justin films and music, including my personal favorite In Time (2010). We even dared to break out my handmade, yes, handmade, *N Sync and JT trivia game, complete with hand cat character markers, including Justin's beloved Pug. We had such a wonderful time reminiscing about our own Justin Timberlake memories, sharing our favorite songs, and gushing over the release of The 20/20 Experience, on March, 18, 2013!

What Daughter Says: I don't think I'll ever grow out of my Justin Timberlake love!






I am a member of the Collective Bias®  Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias®  and #JT2020  #cbias #SocialFabric

21 comments:

  1. Absolutely adore all of the party decorations!

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  2. I'll be honest. I never listened to NSYNC when I was growing up. I discovered them a few years ago, and my daughter and I like some of their music. My daughter loves all of it!

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  3. I am dating myself here, but my first personal music player was a Sony Walkman. Yes, the old style cassette player. It produced the best sound possible at the time and I LOVED it! You could really hear the different instruments and quality of music through the headphones, which you didn't benefit from when listening to vinyl. My favorite band at the time was Alabama. I still have the cassettes and they still work, believe it or not!

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  4. Love all the decorations and I enjoy listening to Justin Timberlake, too.
    He is multi-talented.

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  5. Okay, now THAT'S a party I would have loved to attend! HEHE ^.^

    It's funny you should go into the history because I, too, remember way back when the boy bands inherited the earth-There were several to choose from and you were a fan of one and only one.

    It was unheard of to love them all *gasps*

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  6. I am SO jealous of that party! I love love love JT and am SO glad he's baaaack!

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  7. Hey! I don't blame ya one bit! He can sing, dance and looks AMAZING! I HEART HIM TOO! :)

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  8. Great party decorations. My crush when I was younger was Mark Walberg from New Kids on the Block talk about a trip down memory lane. I have always liked N'Sync also and was so glad when Justin went on his own. He is so handsome. Thanks for sharing this.

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  9. Hi Jenna. I just watched him on SNL last Saturday and I love the new music!! He was very popular with my son & his friends when he first started out (boy band days) but I didn't pay much attention. What a multi-talent he is! So attractive and suave now and yet so down to earth and never a bad thing said about him. Love the no drama, wish others would learn from him. I think he's so funny and love it when he's on SNL.

    Love the party you put together. Everything was so perfect! Bet y'all had fun. Thanks for entering the new giveaway. More are coming up this week.

    Hugs…Tracy @ Cotton Pickin Cute

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  10. Your party rocks my world! I love the pin the bow tie game, and your snacks were super creative and cute. I also appreciate the fact that you write well. Thank you. :)

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  11. Looks like you all had a great time and I definitely award you number one JT fan!

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  12. Looks like you had a great time! I like Justin Timberlake also.

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  13. I don't think I have ever listened to the music - glad you had a good time

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  14. Fun party. Don't know his music. I'm of the Beatles era.

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  15. What a neat party...your decorations are the bomb! I never paid much attention to JT when he was younger but I got a great kick when he did the Beyonce skit on SNL...cracked me up. I think he has grown into a fine artist and enjoy his music now.

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  16. Oh man - looks like you had an awesome party! Great job girl!

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  17. Cute decorations & snacks. I do have to say though that I have never been a boy-band fan. Not NKOTB, NSYNC, BSB, none of them :( There have been a couple of JT's individual songs that I did enjoy though.

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  18. I adore JT also. He has really come into his own as a man and as a performer. I don't think of him as a kid any more.

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  19. So cool! I love everything you have and the decorations and the snack and..... wow! you are amazing

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  20. you are quite talented and everything looked so cute....now only if he would of knocked on your door!!!!!!!!!!!!

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