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| Secondhand Rose, 1989: Bella, age 22, still loving her secondhand stripes. |
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.
Where were you in the 1990s? How did that fin de siècle decade impact + color you?
Smokin' hot pics! Love the 90s forever. Still friends with most :)
ReplyDeleteU 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
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.
ReplyDeleteMy '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!
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
ReplyDeleteTotally 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.
ReplyDeleteX x
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
ReplyDeleteOh 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
ReplyDeleteThese were amazing pictures & I swear you look no different...very beautiful!! Loved the 80's and 90's too :) x
ReplyDeleteYou'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.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking 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
I agree with Patti, you are such a beauty, then and now.
ReplyDeleteI *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
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!
ReplyDeleteHappy 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
ReplyDeleteReally cool seeing your pictures. You look great. Happy Birthday Bella!
ReplyDeleteDear 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. :)
ReplyDeleteIn 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!!!
You gorgeous chica! You were born with that swanky smile!! <3
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday once again!
P.S.: LOVE the suspenders & bandeau look! :)
It seems you have just always been adorable and cute! I love the photo with the bicycle. I love the bicycle!
ReplyDeleteWell 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
Such great photos, Bella, you seem really happy and carefree. Being surrounded with a group of great friends is special, isn't it? xxx
ReplyDeleteHappy 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!
ReplyDelete-Karen
www.MrsLookingGood.com
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
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Bella of the 90's loved these flashbacks! Happy 49th you gorgeous girl!
ReplyDeleteI am still friends with one person from college but that's it.
Xxxxoooo
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!
ReplyDeleteOh 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.
ReplyDeleteGreetje
These photos are so much fun!
ReplyDeleteYou are ADORBS! I wish I was as cute as you in the 90s.
ReplyDeleteSheesh, don't I feel young?! I was only 4 when you were 22!! You look exactly the same chica!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful then! Beautiful now! Some things never change. Thanks for hosting Secondhand First.
ReplyDeleteHappy belated birthday! You were just as beautiful back then. Love those photos. xxx
ReplyDeleteOh, man, SO 90s! I wore so many of those looks too! Thank you for the link-up!
ReplyDeleteSo 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
ReplyDeleteI 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.
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