The '90s called
And I picked up on the first ring
I want my MTV!
They say history repeats itself, that trends are cyclical. And as we’ve seen over the last few years, the ‘90s have fully re-entered the chat(room). Some of it is so welcome. Some of it is far less so. Some of it feels like a wild full circle moment. Always ahead of the curve, I’m taking my own walk down memory lane, largely inspired by Top Hits playlists from the late ‘90s and early ‘00s on Spotify. Come along.
Something in me healed when I hit play on Savage Garden’s (above; that’s me in the lime green) “Truly, Madly, Deeply” and Mariah Carey’s “Honey.” When I was old enough to have ‘semi-formal dances’ at school, there was no song more potent than K-Ci & JoJo’s “All My Life.” Growing up in the dance studio, I watched all the bigger kids choreograph dance after dance to Des’ree’s “You Gotta Be” and I can’t tell you how badly I wanted to be.
Where were you when you heard “The Boy is Mine” for the first time? Then came “Genie in a Bottle” and “Unbreak My Heart” and I was a goner. Let’s continue on, somewhat chronologically, to the early ‘00s. Blink 182, anyone?! The boys in high school loved ‘em, so I did too. (That also went for Reel Big Fish in grade school. Did I get his attention? I love ska!) I hit play on “Lady Marmalade” in the car the other night and could sing along not just to every word, but with every vocal trill. How many times did I watch the music video for “Your Body is a Wonderland”?
Moving right along, what movies have you or would you rewatch? Clueless and Center Stage both hold up, FYI. A friend suggested I watch Parenthood, which I’d never seen, and omg it’s so fucking funny. Is Cruel Intentions next or is it going to be Cry Baby or The Big Lebowski? Truly, Gen Z could never. You know that Never Been Kissed is a masterpiece. Swingers and Reservoir Dogs!? All day long. I’m scared to rewatch Ace Ventura even though I loved it way back when. And I’d argue that The Big Night has only gotten better with age. Perhaps the greatest movie of the 90s, though, is Speed. No further questions.
What I wouldn’t give to play Oregon Trail on a massive old computer again. After, of course, learning to type with Mavis Beacon. In my D.A.R.E. t-shirt. Unless, of course, I had to stay home sick from school and watch “The Price is Right” and “Jerry Springer”.
For us elder Millennials, seeing chokers and claw clips and handkerchief tops and low-rise jeans is simultaneously wonderful and horrifying. Specifically, it’s horrifying to learn that Gen Z calls the ‘90s the “late 1900s”. (I can’t handle the truth!)
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Links ‘n things:
If you were still looking for proof that ChatGPT is the new frontier... (I don’t follow this person, but look how wild this is.)
The fifth graders at my son’s school gave short speeches during a presentation for Black History Month in which one quoted Gwendolyn Brooks: “Live not for the-end-of-the-song. Live in the along.” And I thought that was a really lovely reminder.
One of the most beautiful reads, sent to me by a friend. I can’t stop thinking about it.
A sweet and romantic Twitter thread, of all things.
If you didn’t already know, hi, this is me.
I may be completely done with all this insanely chilly weather, but this sounds delicious and I will be making it before the sun returns.
Currently booking: a honeymoon in Paris, girls’ trip to LA, and a birthday weekend in Oaxaca for new travel clients! Where can I send you?!
I have full-body jumped onto the Pedro Pascal bandwagon and you should, too.
File under things I wanted to hate, but can’t: Skims. The bodysuits are so sexy, the bras are so good. I’m a believer, unfortunately.
Angelenos, some useful intel for making it through this whole winter thing.
A fried egg hack that everyone should be using, if you’re not already.
Signing off to remind you that Mentos are fresh and full of life.
xoxo,
Nicole
Those photos! Love love them. Good memories of the late 1900’s❤️