Today we wanted to introduce you to StyleBlueprint’s friend Cathy Williamson, the woman behind the fashion blog, The Middle Page. Full of fashionable tips and inspiration, Cathy began blogging after being discouraged that most fashion and lifestyle bloggers were in their 20’s. She wanted something just as fun, but perhaps a little more mature. After launching her beautiful site last spring, The Middle Page has also been a place for us to follow her breast cancer journey after the diagnosis she received in June.
Cathy’s life centers around being a mom, a friend, a grandmother (!!!), a wife, a fashion blogger and then, every now and then, we get a dose of reality that she is also the face of breast cancer. We think you’ll agree, she’s an inspiration on many levels:
Cathy:
I am beyond honored that the girls at StyleBlueprint asked me to be a guest blogger today! I love their website, and have learned a lot from reading it. I started my blog, The Middle Page, this past April, because I couldn’t find a fashion blog that was age appropriate for me (being a woman of a certain age). I loved reading blogs from 20 year olds, but couldn’t relate sometimes with their fashion choices. So I thought, “why couldn’t I do this”? Hence, The Middle Page was born.
My fashion sense has changed a bit over the years. In my 20’s, 30’s and some of my 40’s, I totally succumbed to whatever was hip and happening. I felt like I had to have the “latest and greatest,” but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized it’s really about what looks good and appropriate for me. Because of where I was living, I have always dressed very casually. Nashville and Birmingham were fashion forward enough, but really low key. We moved to Dallas almost 3 years ago and it’s a little different here. Dallas has always been a little bit glitzy, but that’s not me. I am such a jeans and t-shirt kind of girl, so I always seem to flip out when I have to dress up. Don’t get me wrong, I love clothes, but luncheon dressing is different in Dallas than in Birmingham!
What I have learned about fashion and age is this, wear what makes you comfortable, but use discretion in the choices. For example, I, being {ahem} a little more mature now, would never wear shorts (except at the beach or lake). My knees do not look like they did in my 30’s! Gravity is a bitch, and I hate it, but shorts are not my friend! That being said, I would wear a shorter skirt or dress, only with tights, because my legs are not bad. I have an eight month old grandbaby, but do I want to look like a grandmother? I think NOT! Just because I am older, doesn’t mean I have to dress that way.
The fashion pictures I am showing today are what I like to wear: a great jacket, fun tops and jeans. If you are like me, and are somewhat of a “Middle Pager,” fashion should still be fun.
The Middle Page started out with what I call “fluffy stuff,” but has moved to some “real life” issues. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in June, had a double mastectomy on July 1, and am 2 chemo treatments away (as of today) from being finished. I have had to deal with losing my locks, rashes, and other side effects that come along with chemo, all while trying to stay fashion forward. It’s a hard job!
I am a very open person and decided that I would share my experience through my blog. I had so many friends emailing, texting, and Facebook messaging me, that I thought the blog was the easiest way to let them know how I was doing. It has become a very cathartic release for me. I know I am so fortunate, and things could be so much worse, but just sharing my few “woes” has been helpful. I just want women to know that it is so very important to get a mammogram, and that if it does happen to you, there are so many women waiting to help you through it.
I have an amazing support system through my family and friends, but also with people I have never met. I have seen first hand how kind people can be. The other great thing about writing a blog during this time is that I have something to distract me from cancer. I don’t want that to be the focus of my life, EVER! I have places to go and people to see when this s**t is over with!
I love this quote by Alicia Keys, “The most important thing to remember is that you can wear all the greatest clothes, and all the greatest shoes, but you’ve got to have a good spirit on the inside. That’s what’s really going to make you look like you’re ready to rock the world.” So, go rock the world!
Cathy
Thank you, Cathy! If you would like to subscribe to Cathy’s blog, and be treated to fashionable photos to inspire your wardrobe choices all while following brave journey through cancer, please visit: www.the-middlepage.com. Cathy’s approachability and sense of humor shine.
One more photo which we love. Check out the t-shirt. We wholeheartedly agree.
