The MNY Spotlight

Meet Kaitlin Vilasuso, Founder of That Cozy Life and The Code Red Foundation

Kaitlin Vilasuso, founder of That Cozy Life and The Code Red Foundation
Introduce yourself!

Hi! I’m Kaitlin Vilasuso, founder of That Cozy Life and The Code Red Foundation, podcast host, part-time actress and (my favorite role!) momma to my sweet girls, Riley (8) and Everly (5).  

Kaitlin Vilasuso, founder of That Cozy Life and The Code Red Foundation

Kaitlin Vilasuso wears the Juliette Mini Dress in Vintage Coral 

What characteristics (cultural, personality etc) make you unique? 
I grew up watching my mom do commercials and did my first one at 8 years old, starting my career path at a very young age. There have been so many twists and turns along the way, eventually leading to me having the privilege of wearing the many hats I do now, but my favorite aspect of acting - meaningful human connection

- has been a constant in my journey and drives everything I do.

What motivated you to create That Cozy Life
When I moved to LA after college (Go Gators!), I never anticipated that just three years later, I’d be married to my high school TV crush and expecting our first child together. (Ha! There’s no doubt that God’s plan is always better than our own! ;)

When Riley was born, jumping into the role of ‘mom’ took me out of the acting game for quite some time. That adjustment was initially really tough, but in time I realized that I was being given the opportunity to evaluate my other passions- perhaps for the first time. Because I had been acting since such a young age, I assumed that that is what I’d always ‘do,’ but as a new mom, it became very clear that I found joy in so many other things! ‘That Cozy Life’ became the space where I could share that part of my journey and connect with others in a meaningful and positive way.

What cause or causes are you passionate about?

I am wildly passionate about the safety of our youth, particularly in our schools! This passion stems from my brother and my father creating a documentary based on the tragic Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, FL - just miles away from the high school my brothers and I went to. They set out to find the solutions as to why senseless tragedies like the one at MSD continue to happen and how we can put an end to them. 

As I played the ‘supportive sister’ role to my brother as he was directing the film, I found myself sharing my perspective as a mom with school age kids more and more often. This led to me jumping on board as a producer, sharing my own experiences in the documentary, and then, eventually, creating a 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation  dedicated to creating bi-partisan solutions that we can all get behind for the common good of our kids. So often, unfortunately, these movements become politicized and create division, but at the Code Red Foundation, we are committed to changing that narrative. I am beyond excited to see what we can all do when we come together! (For more info, visit coderedyotn.org)

Kaitlin Vilasuso, founder of That Cozy Life and The Code Red Foundation

Follow along @kaitlinvilasuso and @coderedfoundation

What is the most rewarding aspect about what you do?

Hands down, the most rewarding part of what I do is connecting with other moms and young women in a truly meaningful way. The vulnerability in sharing personal stories and trying to ‘keep it real’ can, at times, feel very uncomfortable. Each time I get a message saying that something I shared positively impacted someone else's life or made them feel less alone, though, it is more than worth it. 

What is inspiring you at the moment?

My girls! Always! They are the inspiration behind everything I do. My husband, Jordi, and I have also been feeling inspired to create something special together.. more on that soon! 

Why is it important to you to empower women?

We are all in this together! As women, we wear so many hats. Regardless of our superhero status (because there is no doubt we are totally superheroes), we all struggle at times. Having other women to turn to for support in those times has been truly life changing for me and I would love nothing more than to pay that forward- tenfold!

What draws you to the Mestiza brand?

The timeless elegance of each piece is truly special and such a beautiful reflection of Louisa and Alessandra’s mission. When my little Riley asks if I will ‘keep’ my Mestiza pieces for her, I know they will stand the test of time. So special! 

Kaitlin Vilasuso, founder of That Cozy Life and The Code Red Foundation
Where are you wearing your Mestiza piece? How are you styling it?

The Juliette Mini knows no bounds! I absolutely love the versatility of this piece. Paired with a beautiful metallic heel and a simple clutch, it is red carpet ready! Paired with a leather jacket and pumps, it’s date-night perfection. Toss on a jean jacket and some Converse and you have the perfect casual brunch outfit. The obsession is real! ;)

What advice would you give to a young person looking to follow in your footsteps?

You don’t have to have it all ‘figured out!’ Explore things that bring you joy and then trust the journey and the process. As long as you are putting one foot in front of the other and trying your best each day, it will not only work out, but it will work out better than you could have ever planned.

Kaitlin Vilasuso, founder of That Cozy Life and The Code Red Foundation

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