our icon, our absence

Everyday Lil started out as a tongue-in-cheek approach to baby fashions, and we never expected any followers, save one. Every day when I would pick out Lil's little outfit I would wonder what her Granmary would say about our style choices. Lil's Granmary set her sights on many things, raising children, educating the masses, fighting conservatism and ignorance, and putting together a fabulous yet affordable wardrobe.

in Phoenix, 1990

She had her priorities in order. First, raise the kids, so by the time they're grown you have enough closet space for your growing wardrobe. Second, educate. Not only is education an important and rewarding field to dedicate your life to, it also provides ample opportunities to show off your wardrobe, and inspire wayward, fashion-stunted teens to better their appearances (and as an extra bonus, not a day will pass without a compliment). All arguments made against conservatism and ignorance are much more powerful in a well accessorized outfit– perhaps a pressed white blouse, fitted jacket, pencil pants and skimmer flats. Many an opponent faltered before her, and she always had the last word followed by a glass of Finger Lakes Pinot (noir or blanc, depending on the mood). Andrew Breitbart has no idea what's waiting for him in the afterlife, but to be sure Granmary's gonna school him. Along the way her wardrobe grew, spanning a few decades and a number of sizes. Retirement allotted just enough time to purge, reorganize, and change out all the cheap plastic hangers for those nice velvety ones. The closet in my old bedroom was reserved for her old work clothes, and the double closet and two dressers in her room contained everything fun and frivolous, as well as all things practical and functional. By combining form and function with her bold confidence, Granmary's coup de grace was her style.

Granmary's last visit to Santa Cruz, April 2011

Besides remembering Granmary, my ramblings do have a point. Everyday Lil was created for Granmary. I didn't need any other readers, or any fans. I only cared about sharing my beautiful girl with my mother, showing her Lil's insanely cute wardrobe, capturing every beautiful expression for her enjoyment, and hers alone. The fact that anyone else bothers to read this blog is probably a testament to the pride and joy Granmary got from my daily posts. So when she left us, it hardly seemed worthwhile to keep going. The only person left who I wanted to share it with was a future version of Lil, as a document of her first year of life. I never got a baby book, so I fashioned Everyday Lil into a sort of chronicle for her to enjoy when she grows up. For a time it didn't make a difference whether or not anyone else read this blog, so I began to post less frequently. There were other mitigating factors, but the truth is that I lost the motivation.

all dolled up for Valentine's Day

I'm thinking stylishness skips a generation. I never liked getting dressed the way my mother did. I only wanted clothes that were comfortable. With pockets. I could spend my whole life in a cotton maxi dress, a hoodie, and flip-flops. It's still to early to tell if Lil enjoys her prettier things, but she does seem fascinated by shoes and accessories. And she's not afraid to be herself no matter what she's wearing. If there's crawling and climbing to do, a few layers of tulle will not get in her way. Of course, it would be much easier to get a decent picture of Lil if she did sit still, and maybe we'd have a little more Lil and a little less editorial this week.

keeping busy in the new place

Spring is coming. The sun is warm, crocuses are blooming, and we've moved to a new apartment in a new part of Brooklyn– Kensington is just south of Prospect Park, a mix of cultures and alarmingly free of hipsters. Lil is by far the most stylish toddler on the block, and I think she knows it. There's a whole pile of new outfits just waiting for her (and for me to put them on hangers). So stay tuned, dear Lil readers, our goal for March is one post per week. Maybe two.