Blogs from the heart. The Citizen Rosebud.

This is my first time featuring a blog. I felt like a great blog to start with is one of my favorite reads The Citizen Rosebud.

The Citizen Rosebud is written by Bella who lives in sunny Sacramento, California. She has a bold, fun, and unique style. While she doesn't like to follow the constraints of trends, she is most definitely stylish. Her blog focuses on buying secondhand items, supporting your local economy, striving for sustainability, and shopping in ethical ways.

(post: beautiful like crazy)

It is no surprise when she has something to say people listen. Whether she is talking about her personal style, or her favorite 40+ bloggers, it is always engaging. Bella stays very connected to her readers through comments, twitter, and facebook. She has built a great sense of community with her blog, and you don't feel like just another face in the crowd.

Bella doesn't stop there, and is pursuing a few other adventures. You can find her updating her hometown street style blog Street Style SACRAMENTO. Her latest project? Her collective "underground boutique" the Citizens of Rosebud where curated vintage meets clever hand-mades. Starting April 2011, there will be weekly trunk shows at the Lindsay Rickman studio and can also be available by appointment. You can find her etsy shop: http://citizenroesbud.etsy.com, where she is hoping to go live by May 1st. You can contact her directly at Bella@thecitizenrosebud.com.

She was kind enough to answer a few questions for me. Cause I'm nosy like that.

Why did you start blogging?

I started blogging years ago on an eco-friendly blog I called the Blue Penny. I wrote about eco-friendly products and cooking. At the time I wanted to open in urban organic vegetarian cafe with much of the food grown on the grounds. Which sounds pretty common now, but at the time was pretty unique.

What are your favorite things about blogging?

Well, I'm a poet, so I LOVE writing. I love crafting posts using strong visuals (my photographs) and my original prose. But, I think the most pleasant surprise has been discovering the deep community that comes with blogging- of meeting and making friends who share my interests!

 (post: how to use butt ugly)

Why do you think having your own unique personal style is important?

WE all have our own unique style, whether or not we express it. I believe in allowing ourselves to EXPRESS our unique style we get to tap into our creativity, and share with the world our view on things. I like the diversity, and the variety of personal style. Homogeny, point blank, bores me.

What color or print combination have you been loving lately? 

Well, my go-to is bold black and white prints, but lately I've been craving solid colors.

When did you start shopping second hand? 

I've been a second-hand shopper my whole life. As a kid, my grandma would take us to thrift stores. I wore second hand and hand-made clothes my whole life, except my sophomore year in college when I was all about the mall. It didn't last long, however, I quickly got tired of dressing like everyone else.

 (post: triple denim double stripes)

What advice do you have for someone new to shopping second hand?

My advice? Jump right in! I'd pick the super clean stores first, like Thrift Town, Goodwill, Salvation Army. It takes some getting used to going through some down-and-out places. Also: don't forget to hit yard sales and garage sales. You'll get your best bargains there!

Do you have any second hand pieces with a story behind them?

Yeah. I do. I live in an apartment complex where all the neighbors are friendly and we all know each other. One of my neighbors, a sweet heart named Lori told a lady who lives down the block about my venture- me selling vintage clothes. Well this little old lady, a doll named Rosemary gives Lori vintage items to give to me...to sell. But they are so lovely, and it's so sweet, I usually end of keeping them. My favorite is an early 50's black cardigan with the most amazing embroidery of a poppy. I wore it in an outfit post called "Creeping Virginia"

  (post: creeping virgina)

I hope you guys love her blog as much as I do!

With all my heart,
<3 Vanessa