THE CITIZEN INDEX

Friday, May 30, 2014

SECONDHAND FIRST ™: The 90s, the First Time


Secondhand Rose, 1989: Bella, age 22, still loving her secondhand stripes.
The style: thrift store chic.
The decade: the 1990s. 

And,  I was there. The FIRST time.

WARNING: The following is a major FASHION FLASHBACK-  attached with memories and proof of having survived the late '80s, and early 1990s. 

The place: Sacramento, California, smack dab in the middle of a roughed up patch of paradise we called Midtown. I lived and breathed up this universe; my friends were fierce, friendly and creative sorts, many of whom, I'm lucky to re-connect with via Facebook (thanks, Facebook!) which is where I got these photos.

We rode our bikes everywhere. Hit every yard sale, garage sale and thrift shop on the way. We sipped pints in pub/dives/coffee shops named Blue Ribbon, Malarkey's, the Weatherstone; drinking like fishes, laughing like hyenas. There were some very good times, with some very amazing and special people.







I always felt my girlfriends were the prettiest girls on the planet. And I tended to surround myself with the most clever and handsomest of men. Creative, cool and interesting, even to this day, I've yet to match the adventures of that decade. In fact, some of my all-time favorite people are folks I met + hung with in the 1990s,  so bless 'em.

Those were good times with good peeps. A special thanks to T. Aidan for sharing the photos, and for all the lovelies in my life, past, present and future who boost me with their spoken love and confidence. 

Where were you in the 1990s? How did that fin de siècle decade impact + color you? 





29 comments:

Becky said...

Smokin' hot pics! Love the 90s forever. Still friends with most :)
U in that striped shirt with the jeans is everything!! I used to be obsessed with the long sleeve striped men's shirts from The Gap. I've always wished I'd hung onto them... Stolen from skater boyfriends <3

Val said...

You're so damn adorable! You actually look just the same now, bella Bella. You had style in bucketsfull. I feel like I'm still learning how to have style.

My '90s were completely split - half in Seattle with cool friends, half in the north of England trying to learn a new culture, new work, how to be a wife and stepmom. Crazy!

Anonymous said...

I agree with Val: you're adorable now and were then too. Those overalls and stripes: love! What wonderful photos. I hardly have any from the 90s. I was painfully thin and making my way through two degrees at university, - to call me a bit of a lost soul would be an understatement. I hardly keep in touch with my uni pals. I'm nostalgic for the clothing, but for little else. Xo

Please may I? said...

Totally agree with both Val and jKelly you look amazing and adorable both then and now. Looks like you guys had a great time. The 90's saw me meet the love of my life, get married and have my youngest daughter as well as change my job. It was definitely a busy time for me.

X x

Sara Kristiina said...

Wow! Thank you for sharing your photos from the 90s, sooo coool! You are so gorgeous :) Well, I was just a toddler in the 90s, so no much memories from that decade :D

Unknown said...

Oh Bella! I love these pictures!! You look exactly like what I would have imagined! The first picture looks like it could be an album cover! The nineties for me was a pretty frumpy time....NOT a favorite time in my life. You are aging beautifully and it shows most on your face....you still have that fabulous one of a kind smile! Hugs to you girly! Serene

The Dainty Dolls House said...

These were amazing pictures & I swear you look no different...very beautiful!! Loved the 80's and 90's too :) x

Patti said...

You're such a beauty, then and now! Wonderful pictures, and I see the joy in your face. The 90's were good for me too: met Sandy, went to grad school, made memories.

Speaking of which, big hugs and love to you for conspiring with Sandy to make my birthday unforgettable. I had been eyeing that bracelet for months! Soooo gorgeous. xoxox

Suzanne said...

I agree with Patti, you are such a beauty, then and now.

I *think* it's you're birthday for some reason so I'm sending a big birthday hug and good wishes. May every day feel like a day from the 90's : )

bisous
Suzanne

Laurie said...

Beautiful Bella, then and now! The 90's had me starting and finishing my teaching career and moving to the West Coast. I wish I had discovered the wonders of Second-hand First style then. Those were some lean years! Oh well, better late than never. Thanks for being your-ever inspiring self!

Jill said...

Happy Birthday dear Bella! LOVE THIS POST! You brought back the 90s to me in a memorable way! Oh girl, do I remember these fashions. I wish I'd been as daring as you in wearing some of these ensembles. You look amazing and gorgeous. You still do! XO, Jill

JTWisdom said...

Really cool seeing your pictures. You look great. Happy Birthday Bella!

Natalia Lialina said...

Dear lovely beautiful Bella! I know it;s your birthday some time end of the month, yes? Happy Birthday, my dear! You are a GORGEOUS woman - fun, beautiful, creative, energetic, warm! Just a dream! I love your 90s photos, such a treat. I would probably be a bit intimidated if I met you then, being a good Soviet girl. :)

In 90s, which I loved, despite the fact it was some hard times in my country, I lived in Russia and studied at the university. I studied languages and literature (English was NOT one of the languages I studied - I am self taught here, so forgive my my silly mistakes). I LOOOOVED those times, still remember them with great fondness. Great friendships, falling in love mostly unrequired), books, museums, theaters, music... everything! By the graduation I felt like I had wings to fly. I still have them which is partly the result of those amazing years.

PS I live in NE Tacoma which is not far from you at all. We plan to move even closer. I think we should meet some time this Summer, yes? Let's have a glass of wine together. Good plan? :)

Happy birthday, even if it's a bit late, you are such a talent and INSPIRATION, dear dear Bella! All the best to you!!!

Anupriya DG said...

You gorgeous chica! You were born with that swanky smile!! <3
Happy Birthday once again!

P.S.: LOVE the suspenders & bandeau look! :)

Shawna McComber said...

It seems you have just always been adorable and cute! I love the photo with the bicycle. I love the bicycle!

Well I did my best with a 90s look and linked up. I spent most of the 90s just being a mum and not thinking too much about my clothes or even being aware of what was in style.
xo

Curtise said...

Such great photos, Bella, you seem really happy and carefree. Being surrounded with a group of great friends is special, isn't it? xxx

Unknown said...

Happy Happy Birthday!! So wonderful to reminisce the days! I see some touches of Madonna in your photos. I hope you get to celebrate your birthday with loved ones and friends!

-Karen
www.MrsLookingGood.com

thorne garnet said...

haha,what fun! I beat you to it, I spent the 70's in Sacto! Alhambra Thrift, that creepy Esquire Theater the Purple Heart thrift way the hell out by Sac State. And let's not forget Galatica 2000 that had "punk rock" shows

Krista said...

Beautiful Bella of the 90's loved these flashbacks! Happy 49th you gorgeous girl!

I am still friends with one person from college but that's it.
Xxxxoooo

lasophia said...

So what's the name of the potion you drank because you look exactly the same. In your next post can you recreate the pool table photo? HOT!

No Fear of Fashion said...

Oh gosh what fun photos!! You rebel you. I can see the fun you had from these pictures. You were there, you have had this. Treasured memories.
Greetje

Sasha Maria said...

These photos are so much fun!

Stephanie Loudmouth said...

You are ADORBS! I wish I was as cute as you in the 90s.

Hollie Black-Ramsey said...

Sheesh, don't I feel young?! I was only 4 when you were 22!! You look exactly the same chica!

The Style Crone said...

Beautiful then! Beautiful now! Some things never change. Thanks for hosting Secondhand First.

Vix said...

Happy belated birthday! You were just as beautiful back then. Love those photos. xxx

Sheila said...

Oh, man, SO 90s! I wore so many of those looks too! Thank you for the link-up!

Kezzie said...

So cool! I think button down dresses will always make me think f the good old 90's!!! How we loved them! LOVED your photos- so fun and cool!x

Forest City Fashionista said...

I love the photo of you on the pool table - you were, and are, a sassy, smokin' dame. I don't really remember what I was wearing in the 90's - I was in my 30's and it was a stressful, strange decade for me.