Those Baby Blues.

voltee ♦ May 3, 2012 ♦ 1 Comment

Item: Blouse Color/Fabric: Baby blue, silk Designer: Carol Little Where Purchased: Goodwill Years Owned: Five

One of my favorite feelings in the entire world is the joy of finding genuine vintage clothing, in pristine, perfect condition. And it can’t be on eBay. Although I have found some great pieces there, it’s just not the same thrill as unearthing something old and wonderful in a thrift store.
It’s like being a Fashion Pirate and finding a buried treasure!
This is something that may not be, you know, from the 20’s or anything, but it’s definitely vintage. I think it’s from the 70’s or 80’s, which means that there’s a chance it’s older than I am.
A small chance.
But a chance!
And when I found it, it was pristine and perfect.
Now, not so much…
It might be because I have worn this so very much. It’s just easy and comfortable, and I love to wear it with wide legged jeans on a balmy day.
Or it may be because sometimes, I sweat. And sweat does bad, bad things to aging silk.
Or, it may be the fact that I wore this while snuggling a three-week old infant.
Observe:

That’s my niece Lily as a wee bairn.
We love each other.
Being an Auntie is the best role I’ve played so far in my life. I’m very proud of my awesome Auntie Kerrot status. I get to snuggle, and give gifts, and play, and read stories, and am under no obligation to ever deal with a dire diaper dilemma. It’s pretty awesome!
The hard part is how much I miss.
I’m far away. Even from my closest niece, Ada, I’m still five hours away.
And so, I miss a lot.
But I have gotten to witness many big moments, like my nephew Eli’s possible first word, (glasses, spoken in a hot tub, and still a hot point of debate). And Lily’s first full-blown crawl. And Ada’s first handbag.
Big, magical, moments!
Sometimes, though, I think of how the time goes so quickly, and how they grow so fast, and how very far away I am. And my heart aches.
And then I think of all the wonderful adventures that lie ahead.
We have so very much more to learn and love about each other, and I can’t wait for more!
But perhaps this was a poor choice to wear the first time I held Lily. Although I don’t remember a vomit incident or anything, there is some sort of discoloration on the left shoulder now. She does look awfully drooly in that picture….
I tried to clean it, and it doesn’t seem to budge. There is a little on the other shoulder, too, which makes me think maybe it is a sweat or deodorant thing? The stains are not in the armpits, though. It’s odd. Maybe the fabric is just disintegrating?
Anyway, the day I wore this I honestly didn’t care if it got ruined. I just wanted to hold that baby!
I stand by that, 100%.
However, when the next niece or nephew comes along, I will pack more appropriately.
Like, cotton. The fabric of our lives!