Welcome to I Love the 90s: YA Edition!
Maybe you caught yesterday's round-up post on YA set in the 90s -- I did mini-reviews of The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler, Supergirl Mix Tapes by Meagan Brothers, Time Between Us by Tamara Ireland Stone, and Drain You by M. Beth Bloom.
I love looking back to the 90s. I mean, yes, there were some "what were we thinking" moments -- especially in the realm of fashion...
But there were also some pretty great things: TV, music, movies...
Here is some great 90s content, much of it courtesy Jen Ryland Reviews!
A list of YA books set in the 1990s!
A quiz that will tell you: Who were you in the 90s?
Check that out and then give me some 90s nostalgia in the comments.
- What was your fondest memory of the 90s?
- What's your favorite #90sGirlProblem? Not sure what I mean? Check out @90sGirlProblems on Twitter.
- What's your 90s confession -- I can't believe I wore that/listened to that/watched that in the 90s
- If you're too young remember the 90s, tell me what you're sorry you missed!
Oh, geez, thanks for sending me to that Twitter feed...I'll never be productive again! "How rude!" :P I feel as if I'm reliving my childhood with each new tweet I read! I guess I'll confess that I wore my hair crimped to school probably every other day. The days in between, I wore a side pony. :) And I tied up my t-shirt or used those lil clips to pull it to the side and hold it there. And slap bracelets. And high-tops. Oh, I was a fashion disaster. (I'm probably not much better now, but at least my wardrobe doesn't have any neon in it, though my lil sis tells me that's coming back or it did and it's gone again...I don't remember. I'm too old to care now. :P)
ReplyDeleteOMG -- the t-shirt clips. I'd totally forgotten those.
DeleteI think your sister is right - neon is back and also crazy pattered pants, which I wore in the 90s.
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Ok so I just spent like 15 min reading that twitter feed. Thanks for that ;)
ReplyDeleteFondest memory - In pop culture terms, all the amazing tv shows. They don't make them like they used to! 90210, Friends, My So Called Life, Party of Five, ER, Fresh Prince, Felicity,I could keep going on, but I'll stop here.
#90sGrilProblem - Leaving my Lip Smackers in my pants when they go through the dryer. Not being able to invite everyone to my Skate World party.
90's confession - I crimped my hair on a regular basis, side ponytails, huge bangle scrunchies, I did the thing where you had half your bangs down and the other half up in a rainbow looking thing, all held together with a healthy dose of Aqua Net.
Love that Twitter. I go on that or the Ryan Gosling one when I need a laugh.
DeleteYeah, I was a huge hair spray abuser. If you wanted your hair to do all that stuff, the spray was key!
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Fondest memory is probably The Spice Girls and my weakness for their movie-I loved that movie and I'm pretty sure I still have it on tape somewhere, which would be useful if I still had a VCR!
ReplyDeleteI never saw that movie, but their one hit (Wannabe?) was pretty catchy.
DeleteSometime in the 2000s I bought one of my kids a little toy keyboard and Wannabe was programmed into it. That made me laugh to hard.
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I remember going to my boyfriend's prom and blasting Wu-Tang's new album (Wu-tang forever) in the limo. A great start to a great night.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I'm older than you, but I remember Wu Tang!
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URG I'm so mad I left a super long comment and it didn't go through now I got to start over!
ReplyDeleteScrunchies!! I miss those! They were so comfy. I actually used to make my own so they would match all my outfits. I scrolled through lots of the 90s tweets and remember those hideous windbreaker pant suits and I wore one! It was my favorite thing and it was so woofocious! I miss AOL. My friends and I would wreck havoc in chatrooms for like 12 hours a day. And good old prank calling before *69 and caller ID! 90210! I was almost in tears when it ended. I am still made Kelly didn't end up with Brandon. See love triangles were always horrible for me! So many good cheesy shows I miss, Full House, Boy Meets World, Sabrina and the entire TGIF lineup. Also I was obsessed with Saved By The Bell. I met Zach Morris in 6th grade and still have his autograph in protective plastic. Oh man I think I'm going to call my friend later and keep reminiscing. Like I just remembered my nano kitty! I loved that thing! Ahh I feel old!
Sorry about your comment. But I'm glad you retyped it.
DeleteParachute pants and those nylon jogging suits.
I watched EVERY episode of 90210 and I agree -- I wanted Kelly with Brandon!
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Hmm ... I think I fell victim to a few things in the 90s, but I was still pretty young, so it wasn't too terrible! I remember listening to the boy bands, wearing the scrunchies and banana clips, watching ALL THE TV SHOWS! And then there was tie-dye, pants that were WAY too high, and very high bangs. :)
ReplyDeleteTie Dye. And those bangs. I was obsessed with my bangs!
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i loved watching bel air prince " le prince de bel air" tv comedy also 21 jumpstreet^^
ReplyDeleteDid you see the 21 Jump Street Movie. If you've seen the show, you'll love the movie!
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not sure from the excerpt i saw i don't think the film has the same mentality than the serie ( the film is more comedy)
DeleteI was pretty young back then but the first thing that comes to my mind when you say 90s is Friends!God!I absolutely LOVED it,still do!& Titanic!& music vise I love Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls & Backstreet Boys-so catchy!
ReplyDelete& Scrunchies! *cringe* definitely don't miss THAT!
Friends was huge.
DeleteI still love Iris!
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I was born in 1990, lol! So I don't know, the music is the only thing I really enjoyed. The Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears and N*sync were my favorites and still are.
ReplyDeleteAw, you're a baby!
DeleteBut that 90s music was pretty funny. I find the old MTV videos of some of the songs that they do on Glee and my kids crack up laughing.
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OMG!! Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Family Matters, (Dude,he was hot as Stephan) Full House!! Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch, NKOTB (I know they were mostly 80's, but Step by Step was 1990), Aliyah, Salt N' Pepa - Shoop (I so did that at Karaoke with friends)!
ReplyDeleteUmm let's see 90's girl problems, not being able to watch my favorite VHS anymore because I have rewound and watched it too many times and the tape is worn out!
LOL -- Step by Step was one of the MTV videos I show my kids. Hilarious. They know some of the lyrics.
DeleteAnd, yeah, those VHS tapes were a pain. Remember "Be Kind, Rewind?"
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I don't remember much of the 90's - I was more a product of the 80's....which let me just say was even MORE embarrassing. lol
ReplyDeleteI definitely remember the 80s too. We're lucky -- we got to experience both!
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Aaah I miss the 1990s! I was a kid at that time and these were really funny years! When I think about them the first things that come to my mind are TV shows like Family Matters (still laughing with "Did I do that?") and Full House. Of course there is also Friends, which is my favorite sitcom ever but I began to watch it in the 2000s so maybe I'll talk about it if you do a I Love the 2000s Edition :D
ReplyDeleteAnd about #90sGirlProblem I'd say "Why can't I play Snake on my phone?"!
Friends is a great show. I still watch it once in a while!
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ER has to be my favorite.
ReplyDeleteLOVED ER -- at least for the first couple seasons. I watched it religiously!
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I was too young to really remember much of it, but *now* I'm able to watch all the great shows going on then. ;) Currently I'm addicted to Freaks and Geeks which technically takes place in the 80s...but it's still pretty awesome. Oh but I do remember watching all my favorite movies on VHS!
ReplyDeletehttp://much-ado-about-books.blogspot.com
Freaks and Geeks is SO good -- everyone who started out on that show is famous now.
DeleteI know, I remember finally getting rid of all my VHS tapes :)
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He wants to be my lover, but he doesn't want to get with my friends.
ReplyDeleteLOVE that song! And, you know, it is a real problem when your friends don't like the person you fall in love with!
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Let's see, I was in my twenties during most of the 90's so my best memories are all 'bar related':) I went to a lot of music shows during that decade, Lollapalooza (when it was till a touring show!) , and took some great road trips with friends. The 90s was going out every night of the week, and still having the energy to wake up the next day, go to school and to work and then do it all over again:)
ReplyDeleteI was totally into grunge, the music and the fashion. I had the standard flannel as well black high top Converses and Docs but also sported thigh high tights and Mary Janes as per Cher from Clueless (do you remember THAT look? How my friends and I pulled it off is beyond me.)
Fun topic, Jen!
I was also in my 20s for the 90s, but I guess since I was still in grad school, I remember it all. No bars for me -- I was busy studying!
DeleteClueless -- a classic. And it's a Jane Austen retelling, so what could be better? But yeah, those thigh high stockings with the mini were hard to pull off in real life.
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The embarrassing stuff I used to listen to during that decade...
ReplyDeleteN'sync, BSB, Spice Girls *cringe*, NKOTB *cringes more*....
I loved the boy bands!!!!
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I loved the 90's! I was in high school and living it up. Love love love the music, the old school rap, the alternative scene, everything. I look back though and I think OMG, who let me wear that. LMAO I had this horrible vest that I swear looks like a couch was murdered to make. Blech! Loved the television shows, just really loved it all. LOL
ReplyDeleteVests were huge. And high waisted jeans. And those sheer shirts with a bra underneath. Yikes.
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"I’m torn between wanting to play with my Beanie Babies and preserving their value by keeping them in protective cases." Taken from @90sGirlProblems, this is SO accurate. I was obsessed with beanie babies as a kid. I still have them all.
ReplyDeleteAlso boy bands and girl groups were one of the best things to come from this decade!
I agree -- great music.
DeleteLove it that you still have your Beanies!
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I love 90's music & mixtapes. TLC, Jodeci, Boyz II Men, Shai, Mary J. Blige, Kriss Kross, Dr. Dre, Easy E, Snoop Dog, SWV, Brandy, Monica, I could probably go on and on... Don't miss my fasion sense, wore a lot of baggy sagging jeans, dark lipliner, permed hair, how embarrasing =) Also, loved the shows, Friends, Fresh Prince of Bel Air, My So Called Life, Full House to name just some.
ReplyDeleteAhhhh -- the dark lipliner. That took a while to go away, but thank goodness -- not a good look!!!
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My fondest 90s memory is going on a vacation to Cuba by myself! What an adventure!!
ReplyDeleteMy 90s confession? Hmmmm, I loved wearing black Spandex pants with the big oversize sweaters. Come to think of it, isn't Spandex now back IN? LOL!
Thanks for the giveaway!
I also wore a lot of black spandex with the oversize tees and sweaters on top. And, yes, I think some of these looks are coming back: neon, patterned pants, even the spandex! Everything old is new again!
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Wow this brings back so many memories! Saved by the Bell, FRIENDS, Home Improvement (was I the only one in love with JTT?), Dawson's Creek, Buffy the Vampire Slayer... TV in the 90s was awesome :)
ReplyDelete90s fashion-- not so awesome. Side ponytails, crazy pants, big tshirts tied up on one side, Keds (had a pair in every color... ick!), blue eye shadow... oh yes, I rocked all of these horrid styles :)
TV was awesome. I still remember a Buffy episode where Buffy tells someone (Angel?) not to go all Dawson. I laughed so hard!
DeleteYes, I tied and clipped up my t-shirts. I wore the Keds...
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I was born in 1992 and I would have loved to catch up on some shows and movies :)
ReplyDeleteYou still can!
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One of my favorite things of the 90's was all of the fun dances. There was the running man, the Roger rabbit, kid n' play, the cabbage patch, the Humpty Dance, etc. I remember practicing with my sister and my friends thinking we all looked so cool and having so much fun!
ReplyDeleteAw, that's cute. I remember the Macarena -- but not any of the others. I need to go on YouTube and check those out!
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Well this is 'totally' bringing back some memories!
ReplyDeleteMemorable moment from the 90's: AT my now husbands prom it rained one of the worst storms in Dallas history and we got stuck on the side of the road and our limo leaked. By the time we got to prom my dyed shoes no longer matched my dress and my hair had fallen some trying to walk inside. Good thing was every other girl had the same problem. Do they even dye shoes now?
Confessions: I wore really big bangs, we're talking I could be recognized several cars over by the size of my bangs. The sad thing is I barely needed hairspray by the time I finally stopped wearing them my hair was so trained. It took forever to train them not to go up!
I loved all the shows mentioned but 90210, Party of 5, and ER were probably my favorite. I think I cried with the series finales.
Totally!
DeleteOh, great prom story. I remember my hair "falling." It was so upsetting!
Party of Five -- I forgot about that one..
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I'm too young to remembre anything from the 90's, but I think that life was more funnier then
ReplyDeleteWell, it was different. And one day we'll be laughing about the 2010s, I'm sure!
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Oh, the crazy 90s!
ReplyDeleteI had the big bang hair like Donna in 90210 - OMG! Yup, I was a faithful 90210 follower.
I also remember the leggings with the lace on the ankles and the huge dress shirts!
Cool post!
Leanne
I was trying to explain to my kids how crucial the bangs were. I mean, I spent a long time teasing and combing and spraying them....
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One of my favorite memories, (1990), was going to a NKOTB concert. I wanted to marry Jordan! LOL
ReplyDeleteFashion--scrunchy socks and hyper-color tshirts
Yes, I remember the socks that you pushed down and those crazy pattered shirts....
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Since I was born in '93, I have a limited memory of the '90s, but my favorite memory is of watching all of the TV shows. They just don't make them like they used to.
ReplyDeleteYou must think everyone looks so funny!
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I remember I used to do those big bang hairstyles in middle school. A lot of hairspray. Also, was a big fan of Hanson. Not so much anymore. LOL
ReplyDelete- Beckie
MMMBop was huge! And yeah, we all ruined the ozone layer with all that aerosol hair spray..
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I really liked the shows then and I had alot of bands I liked then that I don't like anymore, like NSYNC, Spice Girls, and The Backstreet Boys.
ReplyDeleteSoem of those songs are still pretty fun -- I went and watched some of the videos. The Step by Step one by NKOTB is pretty hilarious! All that dancing in sync makes me laugh!
Deletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ay6GjmiJTPM
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I miss the Grunge music!!!! Seriously...ever since I was a wee little tyke, it's been my favorite. I need more!!!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I should have known you were cool like that. I was listening to the boy bands and discovered the grunge bangs later on...
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Ahh, the 90's :) Loved the 90's! Nirvana and when MTV actually played music Videos. NSYNC and the Backstreet Boys, Erkyle :) and Full House. Loved America's Funniest Video's. The thing I wore in the 90's that still makes me squirm when I see pics, is the grunge style and the big double socks.
ReplyDeleteLOL -- I forgot about the sock layering!
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I miss all the tv shows!
ReplyDeleteThe TV was great. Loved Friends, ER, Seinfeld....
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Okay, yes, I DID listen to Backstreet boys. And spice girls. But please don't hold it against me
ReplyDeleteI was more of an *NSYNC fan, I won't lie...
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Oh the '90s... I kinda miss you, but still, the 21st century is pretty epic itself.
ReplyDeleteI mostly miss the music that was once extremely popular. Music minus synthesizer.
The music was really fun!
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I'm too young to remember the 90's, but I love watching all the TV shows from it :) I watch Saved by The Bell and Full House whenever it's on.
ReplyDeleteSaved by the Bell is pretty funny. And I always watched Full House too...
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Ha! Yes, I remember the 90s. I can't believe I wore faded jeans with the ends rolled, Abercrombie and Fitch, and scrunchies. I listened to boy bands, even saw Backstreet Boys in concert. I had a huge crush on Gavin Rossdale, Ethan Hawke, and the Party of Five boys. I watched Friends and General Hospital. My biggest annoyance was trying to record a song from the radio onto a blank tape. I hated when Freaks and Geeks and My So-Calle Life were cancelled. But I also think the 90s were great and I have lots of really good memories from those years. Thanks for the giveaway!!
ReplyDeleteThose cassette tapes were a pain!
DeleteI loved My So Called Life and ordered it on Netflix recently and my kids thought it was boring and the voiceover was irritating and that Angela was weird and self-obsessed. *sob*
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I remember being devastated that my mom wouldn't buy me a Jansport backpack, realizing I didn't look good in a baby doll dress, wanting to be either Winona Ryder or Parker Posey, waiting patiently by the radio with my fingers ready to tape my favorite song, Jonathan Brandis...
ReplyDeleteOh, those babydoll dresses. And you'd layer camisoles under them and wear them with clunky shoes....
DeleteReality Bites is possibly my favorite 90s movie. Or Clueless.
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Yes. The highlight of my teenage existence was finding a pair of used Doc Marten Mary Janes at the thrift store for $5. I thought I had died and gone to Courtney Love heaven. Speaking of the devil, I also wore a lot of slips around that time, including once to a country club Thanksgiving dinner. For Shame.
DeleteI loved watching Family Matters. Urkel was always hilarious.
ReplyDeleteFamily Matters was really funny. The TV shows were great!
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Ok I am sorry but "U Can't touch this" was my song! I even make my kids listen to music from the 90's and my 4 year old runs around singing"Can't touch this nanananana". I definitely loved the music but mostly in the 90's I was a teenager and it didn't seem so hectic like it is now. Granted, I wouldn't trade this in but it was nicer for the slower times. Wow! I sound like my mom now ...lol
ReplyDeleteOh and of course can't forget about New Kids on the Block! I had the NKOTB dolls and all the videos!
Completely agree! Those Hammer Pants were a little out-there, but U Can't Touch This is one of the best dance songs ever. My kids know it too!
DeleteAw, do you still have the NKOTB dolls???
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I think my mom might still have them in the attic but I haven't seen them in a very long time.
DeleteLet me just say I love all of your posts and your fun Friday giveaways! Thank you!
Oh and one more thing: Full House! Loved Full House and I still watch it today with my kids! And best movie: Sandlot! I had such a crush on Benny (still do a little-don't judge me)
ReplyDeleteFull House was a great show! I don't think I ever saw Sandlot, but I never judge a crush -- why not???
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Favorite memory besides being born? All the great classic shows like All That and Sister Sister on TV instead of the stuff they have for little kids now. The Lizze McGuire show, now that was a good show.
ReplyDeleteThere was some great TV in the 90s!
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i'm too young so i never knew the 90's but the things i wished i've seen would be all the tv shows and the crazy fashion.
ReplyDeleteWell, the TV shows you can still watch on DVD A lot of the fashion was skippable. Though neon is back!
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I loved Hanson and Spice Girls..aww good times!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway!
They were good times!
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The 90s were epic! I have to admit that I still absolutely love 90s music. My sister and I have an addiction, so much so that I made a CD mix of 90s songs - and it wouldn't fit on just 1 CD! It ended up being more like 4..... LOL Good times!
ReplyDeleteThen you might love the Supergirl Mixtape book. The main character's friend is always making her tapes.
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LOL - Okay, here's my 90's confession ...
ReplyDeleteI was (and still AM) a HUGE Back Street Boys fangirl! Oh my gawd, I think I can still remember/sing almost all their songs by heart lol
Mary DeBorde M.A.D.
Those boy bands were a lot of fun!
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I was born in '97 so yeah, I don't remember much when I was one or two. :D But even though the fashion back then was goofy, it was still fun! And people were less judgmental about the clothes you wore. I wish today's society could be like that instead of every single person wearing pretty much the same thing just because it's 'cool.'
ReplyDeleteI remember less of an emphasis on designer stuff and more quirky, vintage style stuff like the flannel and the baby doll dresses. But maybe that's just what I was wearing LOL. I found an old BH 90210 where Kelly is wearing a big-shouldered brick red blazer with a tiny black skirt and tights and I had that exact outfit. I thought I looked fabulous!
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Beanie babies and inflatable furniture was the best part of the 90's. Our boybands were better then too!
ReplyDeleteAh, those Beanie Babies. I had my kids looking up the value of some of my old junk on eBay and most of the Beanies are worthless now :(
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Eeeeee!!! Jen, this post makes me sooooo happy! I was 12 in 1990, so I was very into the pop culture and that twitter feed has sort of made my life. . I loved 90s television! Friends, 90210, Saved by the Bell, Sabrina! And Clueless is still one of my favorite movies ever!!! Ohhhh, the music. I was all about the grunge/alternative. Pearl Jam, STP, and Nirvana. I still remember watching MTV (remember when they did crazy things like play music?) and just staring at Kurt Cobain. Then crying and in shock when he died.
ReplyDeleteOh the nostalgia is killing me!! I think I'm going to go watch my DVD of Nirvana Unplugged.
Clueless is such a great movie!!! I didn't discover that cool, alternative 90s music until later. Have fun watching your DVD :)
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I was pretty young back then- like seriously young- but I remember being a huge fan of Thunder Cats. Yes, its a boy's show, but I loved it so much! :P And of course, I watched Friends a few years afterwrds- loved it, watched the entire series twice! I still make references to that show with my friend- I just did yesterday! :)
ReplyDeleteFriends was just the classic 90s show.I still catch an episode on cable once in a while!
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I was born on 1992 so I was pretty much a toddler that time, but my earliest memory of 90's was that I dance to every Spice Girls and Backstreet Boys song.
ReplyDeleteAnother Backstreet Boys fan!
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My fondest memories would have to be leaving behind the 80's hair & fashion. I'm sorry, but it was so bad. Apart from the overalls, the 90's fashion wise was a tad tamer. My hair at least.
ReplyDeleteYes, I am guilty of some BAD 80s fashion myself. All the evidence is gone, or at least most of it!
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I think my favourite thing from the 90's was... dawson's creek. Did anybody else love that? Especially pacey :)
ReplyDeleteLoved Pacey!! I found Dawson's character a little irritating...
DeleteWhoops -- you are number 53
DeleteThanks so much for the giveaway! Love this:)
ReplyDeleteIt was a fun post to write!
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Since I was born in '89, I was too young to appreciate the early 90s grunge-type music then, but I definitely loved my BSB and Spice Girls in the late 90s. For me the greatest memories are all of the TV shows I used to watch. Sure, there was TGIF, but a lot of what I loved were ridiculous Canadian shows airing on YTV. Most of them aren't that well known, though I'm sure a lot of people have seen Are You Afraid of the Dark, which used to scare me so badly. Mostly, I remember scrunchies and neon windbreakers. Also, I definitely owned a walkman and then a discman. Oh, and definitely all the best Disney movies that came out in the 90s. Great time to be a kid. I can also remember REALLY hating my brother playing Beastie Boys and Limp Bizkit.
ReplyDeleteI wish I had seen the Canadian shows. I love those scenes in How I Met Your Mother that show Robin's secret past as a Canadian child pop star in the 90s. So hilarious!!!
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