Prêt-à-blogger

Everyone and their mom has a blog nowadays, but Bella Q, the local style blogger behind The Citizen Rosebud (www.thecitizenrosebud.com) and Street Style Sacramento (www.streetstylesacramento.com), is more devoted than most. Committed to posting three times a week, she shares her own creatively thrifted outfits, news about local events and photos of stylish Sacramentans. She recently started a Sacramento Fashion Bloggers group and also sells vintage and remade clothes at www.etsy.com/shop/citizenrosebud.

How did you end up in Sacramento?

It’s by default my hometown—I’ve lived here longer than I’ve lived anywhere else, and at this count, it’s probably been 20 years. I’m originally from Woodland. The more I get away from Sacramento, the more I realize I’m a Sacramento girl.

What do you like about the city?

Ultimately, it’s the people. The soil here grows great food, but it also grows incredible characters.

Why did you start blogging?

Two years ago I started this style blog, but honestly, I think I did one post and then forgot about it. Exactly a year ago this November, I made a commitment to post three times a week to have a consistent blog. Since then I’ve become obsessed with blogging. I have no other topic of conversation.

What’s the appeal?

The community. It’s basically a democratic magazine for me. I’m specifically into street style. It’s more style than fashion, because I’m really not interested in the big stuff; it’s more of what the people are doing. So it’s probably the most democratic revolution to hit the fashion industry since, like, the printing press. I feel like I’m accidentally part of it, but I feel like it’s really revolutionized the industry. Fashion will not be the same in five years because of blogging.

Describe your style.

I like to think that it’s sort of vintage, but I’m always trying to do a fresh twist. But it’s a little Grey Gardens. Someone compared me to Grey Gardens, and I don’t know if it was meant as a compliment, but I definitely take it as one.

What do you hope to accomplish with your blog?

I sell vintage clothes and remade clothes, so it really was going to be a marketing tool for that. And I realized my passions have so little to do with me promoting my own business, but more about promoting community. And that’s exactly what I get out of blogging. I literally have friends now from all over the world that I actually consider friends and would be stoked if they would come to Sacramento and I could show this town to them. And because of this I’m also being part of a blogging community here locally. I feel like it’s going to revolutionize Sacramento style. My goal is to put Sacramento style on the map.

What do you think is unique about Sacramento style?

It’s a sleeper style. The good point and bad point of Sacramento style is that we can take someone else’s trend and outrun it; we can outdo it. We outdid rockabilly, we outdid punk, we can outdo twee, we can outdo the granny chic. This is actually a strong gift, and it’s actually a very diverse and distinct culture, cultures mingling here in Sacramento. It gives me chills. Maybe it’s because there’s nothing to do and we’re bored, but I am amazed by the amount of culture.

Is there such a thing as “good” and “bad” style?

Yes, in my opinion, but I also acknowledge it’s relative. For me, when I’m taking photos of people on the street, it’s obviously going to be a lot of my aesthetic. But I realize I’m also there to document. If I feel like it’s a trend, or if I feel like it’s a distinctive expression, I’ll do it. But in my opinion, there’s good and bad. A lot of people think I dress a little crazy, and a lot of people really like it, so it’s a very relative term. I would say bad fashion is clothes that are made out of sweatshops. I guess for me, at this point, bad fashion would be unethical fashion, and good fashion is people who do what they can to be as sustainable as they can.

Where are your favorite places to shop in Sacramento?

Thrift stores. Thrift Town is major on the list. This ’n’ That [Thrift & Gift] is great. SSPCA Thrift Store I have a big crush on, because I can spend hours in their vintage room. I’m definitely a supporter of Fringe and Cuffs. I love Krazy Mary’s and Sugar Shack. But pretty much thrift stores, and Target. I think if I’m wearing something brand new, it came from Target.

Do you have a day job?

I’m a cook. I’m an organic cook. I used to focus on vegetarian and organic, but right now I’m preparing meat.

Is blogging always going to be a hobby, or do you want to pursue a career out of it?

Blogging has been a great outlet, but basically it started out as a marketing arm for making things and selling, and so I hope in five years that is what I’m doing for a living. If promoting my local community is part of making a living, I’m definitely interested in that, too.