A Hard Goodbye

By Jennie

Style Lush was created over three years ago by a group of bloggers who simply wanted to share their stylish tastes with a bigger blogging community. Those tastes have varied over the years, from cute shoes to the best gift recommendations to travel tips to make-up to everything else. (Hey, even lingerie!) Nothing was off-limits. I told the writers that if it was something they loved, someone else might love it too.

We launched in October of 2009 and, oh, it was so much fun to see the page views roll in that first day. I was giddy! (I still remember one of our first posts. It was this one, about stretching the value of your flower bouquets.) People were clicking and refreshing and reading and, really, the giddiness hasn't worn off that people still click and refresh and read.

What started as a little idea became a real, big thing, and that's cool no matter how you slice it.

Over the years, we've kept and gained readers and without you (yes, you! reading this right now!), there would be no need to talk shoes or make-up or whatever else has shown up in this space. We wrote because you read. We are so grateful for you, there are no adequate words for the gratitude.

It's with that gratitude that I must share the sad news that Style Lush is closing its metaphorical doors for the indefinite future. Our last day of new posts will be February 1st (next Friday) and while our archives will live for the foreseeable future (please visit and search often; it will bring us a lot of comfort to know we might continue to serve you in some small way), our days of bringing you pretty new finds are ending.

Unfortunately, the site has just become bigger than the time I have to run it, and I can't manage it in the way it deserves. The ideas are plenty, but the time is short, and my offline life calls me to give it more attention. It's a good life, it really deserves to be heard.

I've been part of the blogging community for almost six years and the gifts it has given me are countless and deep and beautiful. Nothing more so than this site (and its sister site, Food Lush), and the sites' writers and readers. Thank you for reading, commenting, and supporting us over the years. Those words feels so small, so tiny, in comparison to how I feel, but thank you all the same. Thank you.

I do ask that you continue to support the writers, as they start new online adventures. They are gifted and talented and funny and just absolutely worth getting to know better, if you don't know them already. You can find them here: Elizabeth, Leah, Christina, Jess, Manda, Emily, Beth, Elisabeth, Sara, A'Dell, Meredith, Janet, Rebecca, Hillary, Megan, Tara, Jen, Jenny, and Tara.

Again, there will be new posts up next week (and a few of those posts will be a fun look back at the past three years) so please stop in during our last full week.

After that, please accept our most heartfelt and grateful goodbye.

(If you know me aside from the Lush sites, I have written another goodye on my personal blog.)

Comments

[HereWeGoAJen]

I will miss these sites, but I hope they will come back someday.

Thank you, Jennie. I have loved writing here.

[Sara]

It has been an enormous pleasure to write for Style Lush for these past few years and I am so grateful to our readers for coming back day after day. I'll miss this space!

[Maria A]

So sorry to hear you are leaving. I looked forward to reading your blog everyday. Your information was very helpful to me, I really valued your recommendations. I wish you the best.

[Steph]

I wrote this big, thing on the post on your personal blog about how this is the best decision for you, and as much as I will miss this, I respect it. Then, I thought of Elizabeth's holiday gift guide. Nooooooooo!
How much can we bribe her with to do them on her blog?
(I say this in jest of corse!)

[J]

Sad news :( I really liked this blog!

[kayemgi]

This is so sad to hear. This is truly one of my favorite websites on all of the internet. You ladies have helped me discover the perfect address book, moisturizer, bathing suit, many many pieces of jewelry, new music, baby stuff...the list goes on! Where will I go to find such a lovely group of women whose taste I trust? Thank you for being around as long as you have, you all will be sorely missed. I wish you all the best!

[Kari]

:( Sad to hear this. Style Lush has been a daily "stop" for me, it'll be a hard habit to break.

[Colleen]

So sad to hear the news. I followed a link on Maggie Cheung's blog to you a few years ago and have read you daily ever since. I know read some of your contributors regularly too.
Thanks for all your hard work. Style Lush will be missed.

[Carrisa]

I will miss it. But I understand. At least there's still The Blathering. Which I hope to attend again some day.

[Rebecca]

While I understand te decision, I am so sad to hear this. I stop by daily (who am I kidding, several times a day)! Thanks for your years if hard work on these sites.

[Mrankin]

This is sad news for both Style Lush, and Food Lush readers. I read both sites every week, and enjoyed almost every post. Take pride in the great community of contributors and readers! Hopefully you are in the position to bring it back one day, but I understand why it is necessary for you to change your blogging demands! Thanks for the great recommendations. :)

[Mandorama]

Bummed! But guilty of blog abandonment myself. The balancing act is exhausting. Good for you for making it more tolerable. Much thanks for fun content and best wishes for the future!

[Lydia]

Aww this is so sad! Thank you for all the hard work. I've really loved Style Lush and will miss it for sure.

[K]

I will miss this space (and foodlush) but understand. I'll keep up with you on your personal blog and hope these sites are able to come back eventually. I've learned so much about my own style (and scored some lovely deals) from this site!

[Heather]

I'm still sad...I got so many great ideas and inspiration, and will miss that. But I wish more than the best to every single writer. I look forward to your future endeavors!

[Kerri]

Sad! I've had so many awesome recommendations from the writers of this blog! But I understand and wish you well.

[Jess M.]

I owe half of my wardrobe and makeup recommendations to Style Lush. I have been a reader for years and am so sad to see it close. Thank you, Jennie, for sharing all of these wonderful writers with us, I have found so many great women to follow through the Lush blogs. xo

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