Darker Floral

I think I probably have this dress in several different versions, but I just can't resist a cute dress at 75% off. Actually, my mom treated me to this dress when we went shopping together a few weeks ago. Our trips to Belk at Phipps Plaza, with a stop at Starbucks for Chai tea lattes, are becoming something of a ritual with us.

Dress: French Connection Gardini Fit and Flare Dress (no longer available)

Sandals: Stuart Weitzman Soundtrack High Heel Sandals

I'm surprised I look at all bright-eyed today, since I did not get a good night's sleep last night. It's my own fault for watching The Fall, a show I just started viewing on Netflix, right before bed. It's about a serial killer who stalks professional young women in their early 30s -- and then murders them -- and about the lead detective hunting him down. Gillian Anderson from The X-Files plays the detective, and since it's a British series, each season is only a handful of episodes. I have two left in the first season, so of course you know what I'll be doing tonight. You'll also recognize Archie Panjabi, Kalinda from The Good Wife, playing a pathologist.

The show rattled me so much I must have gotten up about five times to check to make sure there was no one in the house. I also had to put on The Princess Bride to distract me as I was trying to fall asleep. I'm almost done reading Cary Elwes's book on the making of the movie: As You Wish. It's a fun little read, and since I have it in hard copy (instead of on my Kindle), I've been keeping it next to my bed to read when I'm sleepy... but not quite ready to close my eyes.

My Favorite 80s and 90s Movies Currently on Netflix

Like the rest of the country, I am a big fan of Netflix. Having so many TV shows and movies at my fingertips, instantly available for my viewing pleasure, has been wonderful. I watch Netflix almost every morning when I'm on the treadmill, and I frequently have some classic movie on in the background if I'm home and doing other things, like working on my computer or washing dishes.

As I business person, I am also in awe of how the company completely changed its business model and is now more successful because of it. Let me tell you, this kind of turnaround is rare. (I definitely need to read the Harvard Business Review write-up on Netflix. If you've gotten your MBA, you are well aware of these case studies!)

Girls Just Want to Have Fun (1985) with Sarah Jessica Parker and Lee Montgomery

I recently talked with some of the younger staff members in my office, and it was so funny to me that they had never seen movies like Can't Buy Me Love or Girls Just Want to Have Fun - movies that were staples in my childhood and teen years. Many of these movies are now available to watch on Netflix streaming, and I recently made one such staff member, who was home sick, watch Can't Buy Me Love. Surprise, surprise... She loved it. That experience has inspired me to create this list of my favorite 1980s and 1990s movies currently on Netflix.

Can't Buy Me Love (1987) with Patrick Dempsey and Amanda Peterson

As you know, Netflix often changes its roster, so watch now before they're no longer available for streaming. This list is also comprised of movies that I consider favorites/classics. To me, that means I can watch them multiple times without wanting to scream. Movies that win Best Picture, or are highly critically acclaimed, are most likely not on this list.

*Movies listed in alphabetical order.

1980s:

1. Baby Boom
2. Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure
3. The Burbs
4. Can’t Buy Me Love
5. Coming to America
6. Dirty Dancing
7. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
8. Footloose
9. Girls Just Want to Have Fun
10. Grease 2
11. Heathers
12. Mr. Mom
13. Planes, Trains and Automobiles
14. Stand By Me
15. Teen Witch
16. The Terminator
17. Terms of Endearment
18. Three Fugitives
19. Top Gun
20. Who Framed Roger Rabbit
21. Witness

1990s:

1. The Big Lebowski
2. Chasing Amy
3. Clueless
4. Forrest Gump
5. Ghost
6. Hook
7. Jerry Maguire
8. Muriel’s Wedding
9. My Best Friend’s Wedding
10. Scream
11. Shakespeare in Love
12. The Sixth Sense
13. Sleepless in Seattle
14. Sliding Doors
15. Soapdish
16. Strictly Ballroom
17. While You Were Sleeping