MAMA SPONSOR: JOLYNE OF ROWDY RODDY VINTAGE

Mama Jolyne of Rowdy Roddy Vintage (online store AND shop in Glasgow) is a friend and fellow vintage hourder with a gorgeous GORGEOUS one year old, Roddy. She is a fellow Scorpio and tattooed Mama with a wicked laugh and an exquisite taste in Whisky.

NAME: Jolyne Colburn           

OCCUPATION: Mother, Vintage Hoarder, Husband Wrangler, Graphic Designer

WHAT DID YOUR LIFE CONSIST OF BEFORE YOU BECAME A MAMA?

Oh wow… Those were the days! I’m glad that I sowed my wild oats in my twenties. I don’t think I could have done it in my thirties! I’m tired! All I can say is that I had FUN. Worked hard (corporate America!) and played hard. Right before Roddy came to join the family, I was traveling a lot and I would meet up with my husband’s band in different places. It was a blast, but it all came to a halt when I attempted to go on the tour bus 8 weeks pregnant. Early pregnancy (couldn’t tell anyone) + long coach rides + everyone’s food = NEVER AGAIN. I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy! It was 2 weeks long and I didn’t see a single gig I was so sick. Hotel bed for me! All the solo traveling I did was fun though, I saw the world, and now I can show Roddy. It’s a whole new adventure with just slightly more packing involved.

HAS BECOMING A MOTHER MADE YOU A BETTER PERSON?

Yes. Absolutely. It is a true test of will. First of all, I moved away from all my family and close friends to be with my husband at 7 months pregnant. Then having an infant when my husband was on the road and I was in a country I didn’t know well was tough. But I did it, and it made me humble. It made me stronger. And now I have shown myself that I can accomplish things that I never dreamed of. For instance, opening a business while very occasionally single parenting a teething child!

ASIDE FROM CONCEALER, WHAT CANT YOU LIVE WITHOUT NOW YOU HAVE A CHILD?

COFFEE! Cups and cups of coffee. It is a must in the mornings.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE A FIRST TIME MUM?

Breathe. Enjoy your baby at that very moment. If you feel overwhelmed and stressed about your baby crying or acting up, breathe. Cuddle. Oh how I wish I could go back to the moments when Roddy was little and just cuddle his tiny body. He is so big now! It hit me recently that he is growing at a rapid rate and I should have appreciated those moments in the beginning when it was hard, more. I should have relaxed more. It’s not easy when you’re a new mum to do that. And I wish someone had told to just breathe and relax, because these moments will be gone. So I am saying this now. Breathe…. Relax…. Enjoy those tiny tears because they will be CRAWLING, WALKING, TALKING, with much bigger tears before you know it.

HOW HAS YOUR WARDROBE CHANGED SINCE HAVING A BABY?

Ahhh! I don’t like this question. Well, I still cant fit in to my old clothes, which drives me insane since I shipped it all from California. I think I may have to give up my night time wine and hit the gym! Haha! So I am refusing to buy anything new, unless I have to, so when I do, it’s usually black and something that I could wear at any size.  Keyword, flowy.

Oh and Wellies! I have never owned a pair of rain boots until I moved to Scotland. Now I have 2 pairs! What happened to me?! I used to ONLY wear high heels. Post pregnancy feet & Scottish cobblestones. That is all I can say.

CAKE OR BISCUITS?

Burritos! I have always been drawn more to savoury than sweet. But if I had to pick, it would be Mini Black & Whites from my favourite jailbird, Martha Stewart. In one of her magazines she had a recipe for them and they are amazing. A perfect combo of cake and cookie! I mean biscuit!

WHAT OR WHO INSPIRES YOU?

My parents. They are the hardest working people I know. Still to this day. Between both owning their own successful businesses to traveling the world. They always inspire me.

DO YOU HAVE ANY SECRETS OR TIPS TO MAKING MOTHERHOOD THAT BIT EASIER?

The whole breathe business from before…. and to just get on with it. It’s hard. It really is, having a newborn and losing your daily routines. Especially when you're a first time mum. You can’t read a magazine or watch a movie on the plane anymore, you can’t keep your clothes clean, and sometimes taking a shower is the last priority because your already running late and you still have bottles to sterilize. But just get on with it…. Laugh it off. If you stress, then everything gets harder.

Let it go, and just play with your child. Get dirty. Travel. Sing. Dance. Be sillier then you have ever been. And when they laugh at you it makes you happier than you have ever been in your entire life.

You can follow Rowdy Roddy Vintage on Facebook and Twitter.