The Lifestyle Edit No. 002

A seasonal round-up of what I’m using, loving, wearing, and thinking about — through the lens of a copywriter and brand strategist who’s endlessly inspired by thoughtful brands, creative living, and the small joys of motherhood and business. *Affiliate links of things I honestly like included.

I had enough positive feedback—and personal enjoyment—writing the first edition of The Lifestyle Edit to choose to continue it, so here’s installment no. 002. :) I added a new tab on my Substack home page so this post series is easy to find moving forward.

Summer felt like such a loooong one this year. Perhaps because it was extra hot, I found out I was pregnant July 1st and didn’t feel all that great, and because long beach days and lounging by the pool aren’t really the activities of the season anymore when you have a toddler.

Not a complaint per se, although I know it sounds like one, but I felt ready to be away from all the water danger zones, and ready to just cozy up in fall sweaters, visit a pumpkin patch or go apple picking, watch football, and start nesting.

We’ve finally started seeing the first signs of fall, and along with it, Nor’Easters and storm surges, but such is this time of year in a coastal town.

A lot has continued to progress and change around Copy Uncorked, although it still feels like I’m moving at a snail’s pace with new developments most days. More on all of that in a forthcoming post.

For now, let’s get into the easy, fun stuff, shall we?

Eating/drinking

Algae Cooking Oil - Derived from algae, actually. Sounds weird … but makes complete sense? It has a naturally high heat point (we’re talking 500+ degrees), a neutral and subtle buttery flavor, and smooth texture. We’ve tried it with things like chicken sausage, veggie burgers, etc. and I’ve loved having it in my pantry to reach for. #gifted

Perelel Synbiotic Greens powder - I love that these greens are pregnancy-safe, taste good, and make it so easy to get in extra greens and gut-healthy probiotics. I simply mix it with a little water using a hand frother on days I need a nutritional boost. #gifted

Sourdough toast with butter, honey drizzle, and cracked sea salt … yum.

Anything in the air fryer!! We’re so late to the game on the air fryer obsession, but like, we finally get it now. These panko breaded, air fryer chicken caesar wraps were so good!

Random, but … do you have a ride-or-die water bottle? My Stanley stays cold for hours but I find it takes so much effort to slurp water from its long straw (even with the Amazon replacement ones)! My brand new Owala, which I loved drinking out of, rusted within 2 weeks. I’m eyeing a BKR but the skinny opening makes me think it would be a pain to clean & dry? They’re also a bit smaller and I do like having an ~40 oz. size to pour an LMNT stick in to sip on all day. Maybe the Brümate one? Or I’ve always loved the look of LARQ. Gah, the struggle! Okay, thanks!!

Wearing

These trousers - They’re a great WFH style because they don’t wrinkle, but look very put together if you want to film some content or run out to the store, and the elastic waistband makes them pregnancy approved, too. I’m loving my navy pair and already eyeing another color — or maybe a satin pair for the holidays. I took a Small regular and the length worked great for me at 5’6”.

Coolway Goal sneakers- I bought and returned like 3 pairs of Adidas that I just wasn’t feeling before ultimately deciding to give Coolway a try — and I’m so glad I did! They took a little bit of time to arrive, but the leather was soft & comfortable right out the box and they just have a more unique, cool-factor that I’m into.

This Pistola shirt dress - I failed to snap a pic, but I wore it this past week for date night with a black western-style boot and statement silver earrings and got multiple compliments. It’s 50% off (and final sale, womp) but feels elevated and easy to style. I got a size S, which was plenty generous, even 5.5 months pregnant. So definitely don’t size up and maybe even size down.

This leather work tote - It’s truly so good. The brand was new to me but I loved Lauren Lane’s whole collection and wanted to give it a try. The leather smells amazing and the grain texture is so pretty. The inside is just minimal enough in terms of pockets/organization and I can just tell it will last an incredibly long time. It feels mature and sophisticated — a definite win.

Oak Essentials everything (per usual) - This lotion + this gentle exfoliator have both become part of my routine. I feel like the lotion keeps my skin hydrated for longer, rather than just needing more and more of the product. IMAGINE! And I hadn’t been exfoliating my face previously but can now tell I was definitely missing out on the benefits of that step! #gifted

Coveting

Anything on this Fall ‘25 Wish List / Favorites List. There are some really ambitious items on there (hi, Aureum’s new Vittoria bag) and apparently I need like 10 pairs of espresso suede shoes and infinite cashmere sweaters, but a girl can dream.

It’s a work in progress with some items I’ve chipped away at adding to my wardrobe. Striving for quality and longevity over here.

I’m also eyeing the new Lux Unfiltered perfume (can’t tell if it’ll be too strong/warming). Or maybe just a Salt & Stone body mist in my fave scent, but a new fragrance is on the list! Being pregnant makes me extra picky and the search that much harder. Taking recs here, too!

Watching

My glued-to-Netflix-at-night phase has mostly ended … thank goodness.

But I did make it through:

The Recruit on Netflix - Loved it so much (although the ending was far-fetched and laughable) and was so sad it ended after 2 seasons. It had me hooked! I had to do a deep dive on Reddit after for communal, moral support.

Love is Blind Season 9, so far - A new episode drops Wednesday and I’m like gimmmeeee. This season has been an interesting one, for sure.

Otherwise, I’m enjoying:

NFL Football - I’m in the thick of Fantasy Football with a group of girlfriends and have been keeping a pulse on my team and all the various match-ups. So many injuries this season!!

Reading

Patina Modern - I always read my ‘coffee table books’ cover-to-cover and this HomeGoods purchase was no different. The title stood out to me as I was working on this interior designer’s messaging + copy. They share a love of things with patina so it was great inspiration while writing.

I Just Wish I Had a Bigger Kitchen - I linked this one in my last post, too, but it’s worth the double mention. It made me cry, laugh, feel encouraged … all the things. It’s honest, vulnerable, and touches on so many negative trains of thought that are far too easy to go down.

M is for Mama - If you need encouragement on the long, hard, challenging days of motherhood, this mama of 10 will give it to you!

Celebrating

In September, we celebrated my birthday, my husband’s birthday, my dad’s birthday, and enjoyed a family vacay in Ocean Isle Beach, NC.

Then, earlier this month, we found out we’re having a baby BOY 🩵 and most certainly celebrated that, too.

I have so much to do before his arrival in mid-Feb but am trying to take it all one day at a time.

Listening to / Featured on

• The Name Drop Podcast with Molly Baker, founder of Indie Consulting, in NYC. We chatted about how personal growth, creative strategy, and AI intersect in the world of copywriting; with lots of practical takeaways.

  

• Taking Five Podcast hosted by Luz Perez Brown of Willow & Jax. I was honored to be asked to be part of this limited series. We talk about how becoming a mom reshaped my vision of success, and why giving yourself permission to pivot is sometimes the smartest business move you can make.

  • I’m thinking about expanding even further on this interview within a paid Substack post with the full episode. Let me know if that’s something you’d be interested in!

Working on

Finally moving into my office space and having fuller work days in here! There are still a few things my contractor needs to finish up, and I need to decide on a storage cabinet or two, but it’s coming together!

Otherwise, this past month was all about wrapping up various client projects, and negotiating new contracts/projects for the remainder of 2025 / prior to my February maternity leave.

I’m also working on a fully revamped business plan for 2026. I had a night of seriously getting in the *zone* this past Monday and it felt good. I woke up the next morning, tired of course, but still so inspired, that I printed out all my notes from the night before and put together a binder of it all.

There’s lots to pace myself through but I’m looking forward to having new things to share with you as I do!

Okayyy, that was a big one.

Since it’ll be here before we know it, I’m thinking the next installment needs to be holiday / gift guide-focused, yeah? Speaking of, I saw this small business is closing (wah!) but offering 30-50% off the whole site. So many items would make for really special, unique gifts!

Thanks for being here & reading, as always.

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Kaitlyn Parker is an East Coast–based copywriter, lifestyle writer, and founder of Copy Uncorked®. Equal parts strategist and storyteller, she helps brands clarify their message while also writing about life, motherhood, and building a multi-faceted creative business. Connect via Instagram, shop her picks, or inquire here.