I’m Already at the Mall Again

I was sent a neon backpack filled with 90’s throwback goodies from Bulletin, the cutest shop I’ve never been in (it’s in New York! I am going NEXT MONTH AND I CAN’T WAIT!!!) They sent so many things that took me back, and it inspired me to shoot some photos the way I used to back then– very little planning, just grabbing the things that were around me and standing in light. ✨

You know what’s funny? I came of age in the 90’s and I somehow didn’t latch on to the neons and the bright prints– I think I was too young. What I remember about the 90’s were smelly flannels and dandruff and rum raisin lipstick that got all over my teeth because I didn’t have braces yet and everything was out of alignment.

I really wanted to look like Drew Barrymore. If I were to choose an aesthetic icon NOW for myself that harkened to the 90’s, it would be Parker Posey in Party Girl. It’s really fun to see what people choose as their iconography to define a time period.

Bulletin has a new store in New York, a mini-mall, and it’s a pop-up so you’ll wanna grab your friend and go if you’re out there, like ASAP. When I was a teen, my best friend Albert would pick me up in his black Mustang and we’d drive 45 minutes to the nearest mall in Hanford, Ca., go the the music store (I picked up used Liz Phair– I still yearn for her silver skirt in the “Supernova” video, used That Dog., used Smashing Pumpkins because I seriously thought I was going to marry Billy Corgan–omg CAN YOU EVEN!!!). Then we’d go back home and I’d work on zine stuff while he dyed his hair with Manic Panic. This is really taking me back. I like the memories I can choose, not necessarily remember. I think that’s why I like this backpack and the concept of the mini mall so much.

Also I just have to let you know: stickers and fluffy pens forever. 💖