Reentry.
A status update for old internet friends and a jumping off point for new ones.
It’s been five years since I sat down with my laptop and opened a “new post” window. Can I even just show up uninvited like this?
Where I Was
This sort of thing used to be my life, but the older version of it. In 2009, right after my wedding, I started a blog called The Life Styled where I would share everything from styling tips, shopping picks, and outfits to cocktail recipes and workout routines. Alongside my career as a stylist, I kept my blog up [somewhat] consistently until 2020, when everything went to hell in a hand basket. That year, we sold our house in California, packed up our whole life with a 4 year-old and a 1 year-old in tow, and said goodbye to LA. We were following a career opportunity for Ian but were also ready for a smaller city with a slower pace and easier lifestyle.
We landed in Portland mid-pandemic and sort of ended up never looking back. Not because we didn’t love our life in LA. That was such a special time. It was where we built a family, bought our first home, and grew our careers. Whether I was working with my wonderful clients to build their closets, styling TV wardrobe, or sharing my fashion favorites online, I really loved those twelve years. Then, when I got to Portland, something just felt weird about keeping up my “online presence” mid-pandemic while I tried to build a life in a new city I was totally unfamiliar with. So, I have been much quieter since we left. Today, the world is still on fire, but somehow we are managing to still exist, I guess.
Where I Am
Portland feels like home, and I no longer feel the need to hold back from sharing bits of myself online again. I know that’s not revolutionary, but it feels like a big moment for me. Like hey, I have finally settled enough into this chapter of my life that I’m no longer just in observer mode. I’m ready to be visible again, and I have things to share. They aren’t important things by any means, but they are things that will hopefully bring us some fun and empowerment while everything else feels heavy.
So much has changed, both in my life, and in the world of online sharing. I wasn’t sure I could ever go back to any kind of content creation again. I missed the days when we would just do a pretty photo shoot, write a post, and put our best foot forward. Now, apparently we are supposed to be simultaneously unedited and nonchalant and expertly polished (I have to be a videographer now?). We don’t want filters, but we do want short films with Oscar worthy editing and special effects. I’m not sure I can really handle what content creation is these days, but I’ve decided it doesn’t matter. I just miss this side of my life, and I’m ready to dive back in. So far, I think I’m going to like Substack. It feels like a cozier, slower, quieter place to connect on the things we love. But don’t go looking for me on TikTok… yet.
What Now
So what is my life now? First, I’m in full mom mode with my two active daughters, Sailor (10) and Hazel (6) in Northeast Portland. 70% of my time is spent doing some sort of dropoff or pickup at soccer/gymnastics/basketball/swimming/tennis/Girl Scouts (it’s cookie time), hosting a million playdates and sleepovers, and volunteering with their school or activities. The other 30% is spent doing an array of things I absolutely love… playing tennis, welding permanent bracelets in my SE studio (the side hustle I started in 2020 when I couldn’t style clients or shoots), boxing, working on further settling into my 1926 colonial home, and hanging out with friends.
Five years into my life in Portland, 2025 was the year I went through a bit of a career zoom-in. I felt the need to take a long hard look at what I’ve been doing and where I’m going next. I considered a few potential drastic pivots. Girl, I even visited law schools and signed up to take the LSAT but ultimately decided to abort that mission. Then, for the first time in awhile I felt a super strong pull back to my roots. I have done some styling since moving to Portland. A few clients and photoshoots here and there. And each time, I have stepped right back in feeling like no time has passed, and I’m still that person. I love it. It looks different now, but I still totally love it. I spent the rest of the year in marination mode, making plans and envisioning what’s next for The Life Styled Catherine. I don’t want to go hard. Portland isn’t the kind of place where we feel the need to do that, which I love. Instead, I want to lean into what makes me happy and let that drive me.
For now, I’m starting this Substack as a jumping off point to to go back to the things I loved most about my days as a stylist and blogger. Geeking out together over fashion, sharing the ways it enhances my own life and hopefully give you some ideas on how it can enhance yours too. My style has changed in many ways since the PNW move and progressing further into my 40’s/motherhood, and I’m excited to share about that. Goodbye prairie dresses in sunset tones, hello techy rain-friendly sporty looks, and the re-welcoming of black and saturated colors.
There’s LOTS to discuss, and I hope you’ll continue to check in from time to time.
xx
Catherine
I’ve missed you! Glad you’re back to writing.
So excited for this!!!