Happy Friday!

Today is my husband Carter’s birthday, and I have spent the better part of the week trying to write about him without descending into cliché — a losing battle, as it turns out!

Carter is, quite simply, the personification of joy. He carries wit in his holster at all times, the kind of quick-draw humor that could go toe-to-toe with Ted Lasso. He is tenacious and soft enough to let you in, sturdy enough to never let you down. To know him is to love him. To be his best friend has been, without exaggeration, the great honor of my life.

We have a full weekend ahead in his honor, and I intend to savor every moment of it!

Until our next correspondence,

xx Lauren

The Lauren Letter will always be free. But if this space has become something you look forward to—a small ritual in your week, a source of inspiration, a reminder to approach life with more intention—you now have the option to support it.

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Wearing | Rhoback Bedford Mockneck

I have officially declared that this is best sweatshirt ever! I will be living in it through late summer, well into fall, and if I'm honest, probably straight through winter and spring as well. It sells out with regularity, so join the waitlist and let the restock come to you! Their collegiate line is equally worth a look, if you're partial to a sportier look.

Eating | The Famous La Scala Salad

This is a recipe Sadie Loving posted a while back, and it is divine in its simplicity. Two notes from my own kitchen trials: insist on a proper stick of salami rather than the deli-counter cold cuts, and go noticeably lighter on the red wine vinegar than instructed.

Reading | British Vogue

Call me a Benedict Arnold, but I have defected from American Vogue in favor of the British edition, and I don't foresee a return. Their art direction is devoted creativity and less commercialized.

Watching | Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20th

Get in the family van! This season assembles a single housewife from nearly every franchise across two decades of Bravo history, and the resulting debate over which city truly put Housewives on the map is reality television at its most gloriously, deliciously delusional.

Listening | Haley Toumaian Price’s Lindsay Clancy Trial Recaps

If you don't have the bandwidth (or, frankly, the peculiar delight I take in watching a cross-examination unfold with real command of the rules of evidence), Haley’s recaps of the Lindsay Clancy trial will hand you the essential takeaways each evening, distilled and digestible.

Trying | Stakt Mat

This was sent to me as pr, in full transparency, but it is such a genuinely lovely piece! It folds down neatly enough to tuck away, and while I remain a devoted studio-workout loyalist, it is perfect for at-home stretching and meditating.

Champagne | Cadets Everyday Poplin Pant

Cadets is one of my favorite under-the-radar labels — technically a childrenswear brand, though its women's offering rivals anything on the main tab. This brown stripe poplin, in particular, would become a workhorse of a fall transitional wardrobe.

Frites | Target Women's Front-Tie Striped Cargo Pants

Don't let "cargo pant" send you running — this is a far more elevated silhouette than the name suggests, and at under $25, it's a no brainer!

View & Shop All Here

1. Tuckernuck Hyacinth House Crimson & Brown Corduroy Trim Liam Chore Jacket

2. Onward Reserve UGA Standing Bulldog Tattersall Classic Fit Quad Woven

3. Onward Reserve UGA Dawgs Vintage Script Scope Printed Performance Polo

4. Tuckernuck Midnight Check Esme Dress

5. Tuckernuck Red Mini Chloe Dress

6. The Clearly Collective The Athens Bulldog Scarf

7. VEJA Volley Leather Silver Pepper Sneakers

8. Quince 100% Organic Cotton Boyfriend Crew Sweater

9. Cadets Everyday Poplin Pant

10. Foster University of Georgia Mahjong Tiles

Molly Burford

Molly is a poet whose work I admire without reservation. She is proof that a feed can still hold room for language and feeling amid the links and marketing. Following her is a small, reliable act of restoring balance to your scroll.

P.S. I promise to always keep The Lauren Letter free as my little exercise of trying to make the world a bit more beautiful. If, in return, you could considering giving this post a “like” or share with a friend, it would just mean the world to me.

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I have been in a funk!

It’s not a unique experience — I’d wager you’ve had one too — but this one has lingered longer than my more typical, occasional few days of meh. So, I am concertedly trying to navigate my way toward the light, without pushing against the cave walls with such force that I bring the whole thing down on myself.

Here is what I’m practicing, broken into the five places a funk tends to impact: your body, your environment, your habits, your mind, and your people.

P.S. None of this is meant to stand in for therapy or professional mental health care. If what you’re feeling is heavier or different than simply feeling “down”, please reach out to a professional. It is the strongest thing you could do.

The Lauren Letter will always be free. But if this space has become something you look forward to—a small ritual in your week, a source of inspiration, a reminder to approach life with more intention—you now have the option to support it.

Join The Patronage

Your Body

• Gentle movement. It’s a cruel cycle: when you feel crummy, the last thing you want to do is move your body. But when you feel crummy is usually exactly when you need to. I’ve taken the pressure off myself to do some intense bootcamp or hour-long regime, and instead I reach for classes that feel restorative — pilates, barre, the occasional walk (bonus points if you can use that time to get outside!).

• Whole foods. I love a McDonald’s french fry as much as the next girl — honestly, probably more than her — but I try to get at least some whole foods into my day, along with blood sugar stabilizers like nuts and spinach.

• Get out of bed. Getting out of out of bed is allowed to be your biggest victory some days. Get up, straighten up the sheets, and fluff the pillows – even if you’re just going to climb back in. the bed.

• Hygiene. Hygiene sounds like the easiest ask on this list, and somehow it can sometimes be the hardest. Get up, shower, brush your teeth, take your medication, change your clothes — even if it’s just into a fresh set of pajamas. On especially the hardest days, tell yourself this is all you have to get done.

• Buy clothes that fit. It is not a coincidence that hard seasons often arrive alongside a changing body. This is the moment to invest in clothes that actually fit — quality, reasonably priced pieces (Quince has become a go-to) that feel good on and don’t cut off your circulation. Cut the tags out, too. Who cares what they say.

• Cut out alcohol. I’m not talking about giggles with girlfriends over a glass of bubbles — that kind of joy is medicinal too! I’m talking about a nightly glass of wine that can creep up into a habit, then a crutch, then a dependence. It’s one of the easiest things to normalize and one of the worst things for your body during a hard season. Even moderate drinking can leave you more anxious the next day — I get horrible “hangxiety” — because of how alcohol disrupts your brain’s chemistry as it wears off. It also interferes with the deep, restorative stages of sleep your body actually needs to recover, which only makes stress and emotional regulation harder the next day. If you do only one thing on this list, do this.

• Sleep. Speaking of sleep — protect it fiercely. Put the phone away an hour before bed, dim the lights, and aim for a consistent eight hours. Sleep is not a luxury during a funk; it’s the foundation everything else is built upon.

Your Environment

• Digital-free morning. I try my very hardest to now have my mornings start without a screen. For the first hour of my morning, I only touch my phone to turn my alarm off and use a mindfulness app. During this time I focus on hygiene, meditation, gratitude journaling, my The Daily Stoic reading, and small tasks around the house, like unloading the dishwasher, while I sip my coffee and listen to classical music. I once heard someone say that you wouldn’t invite a thousand people into your bedroom each morning to shout at you — so why let your phone do basically that?

• Read. I have also fallen back in love with reading over television. There’s something about a novel that asks you to empathize – to live briefly inside someone else’s experience – that pulls you out of your own head in a way that is wholly unique. You also can’t read and doom-scroll at the same time!

• Put on feel-good music. Time to tuck Phoebe Bridgers away. While I stick with classical in the morning, by afternoon and evening I play feel-good, dance-around-your-kitchen music (the With Love, Meghan playlist is a perfect curation for this!).

• Cocoon. Getting out of bed matters, yes, but so does giving yourself permission to retreat — to light the candle, romanticize an ordinary evening in, and pour back into your own mind instead of pouring out. This is a season to trim your social calendar (within reason – more on that later).

Your Habits

• Keep your to-do list short. Focus on non-negotiables only: the work project with a hard deadline, bills, a call to your grandmother on her birthday. The dry cleaning, a closet purge, even the six-month dental cleaning can wait a few weeks. And the emotional cousin of a minimal list is releasing the guilt that comes with it. Also, if you’re the kind of person drawn to a list like this in the first place, your “bare minimum” is likely still more than most people manage on their best day, ladies am I right?

• Watch your spending. I am an emotional spender, so during hard seasons I quite literally delete my saved credit card from my phone and browser. This is not the season for impulse purchases — a new book or a favorite candle, sure, but know your own triggers, and build in the friction that protects you from yourself.

Your Mind

• Download Joy 101/Headspace. I have two mindfulness apps I alternate using each morning: Joy 101 by Hoda Kotb and Headspace. Headspace is perfect for learning how to meditate, breathwork, and tailored courses to certain life events (financial troubles, trying to conceive, body acceptance). Joy 101 features some breathwork and meditation sessions, but it also incorporates into its curriculum life coaching, health and longevity tips, prayer, and even fitness. Both you can complete tailor to your preferences, too!

• Read The Daily Stoic. I have read the daily entry from this book most mornings for almost three years now, and it has taught me how to recklessly accept what is in my control (and, more importantly, what is not). If you don’t like something, stop engaging with it. If you can’t change it, stop fighting it and start accepting it. If you can change it, do something about it instead of complaining. It’s a lifechanging approach, which I don’t say lightly!

• Practice gratitude. A gratitude practice is the fastest way I know to get out of your own head and romanticize your actual life. It doesn’t have to be profound — it can be your dog’s snores, your friendly boss, or the smell of your morning coffee. I have found a journal is the easiest way for me to stay consistent.

• Remember the only way out is through. Name it to yourself, out loud if you can. I’m in a funk. I don’t love how this feels. But I’ve been here before, and it didn’t last forever. Naming it takes so much of its power away. Kind of like Voldemort!

Your People

• Share how you’re feeling. I don’t mean you have to post about it on Instagram or announce it on your team’s Slack channel. But, when a friend asks where you’ve been, or your partner notices you seem a little off, don’t be afraid to say the true thing. Naming it out loud to someone else takes away so much of the monster-under-the-bed feeling that comes with carrying it silently. And, connection is the antidote to isolation.

• Send warmth to others. Especially to the people whose lives look easy from where you’re standing right now. Funks have a way of traveling alongside comparison and, if we’re honest, a little envy. I think often of something borrowed from Brené Brown: when she pictures herself in the lane beside someone else in the pool, instead of comparing strokes, she simply thinks, I hope you have a great swim. You cannot hold both comparison and genuine warmth for someone at the same time. Sending it to the people who seem to be thriving right now doesn’t just soften your own funk — it builds the compassion you’ll carry the next time someone else is having a harder season than you.

Your Only Rule

This isn't about forcing yourself to still show-up as your 100% self, efforting your way through a tough season – that is a recipe for burnout. In the same way, it's not about giving up entirely when things can't be perfect. Instead, focus on showing up in some capacity, however small, every single day.

P.S. I promise to always keep The Lauren Letter free as my little exercise of trying to make the world a bit more beautiful. If, in return, you could considering giving this post a “like” or share with a friend, it would just mean the world to me.

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Every Tuesday, I curate ten things currently on my radar — something I’ve ordered and can’t wait to receive, something I’ve been trying and want to report back on, something my group chat hasn’t stopped talking about, or a fizzy new find I am candidly coveting. Here is last week's edit.

View & Shop All Here

The Lauren Letter will always be free. But if this space has become something you look forward to—a small ritual in your week, a source of inspiration, a reminder to approach life with more intention—you now have the option to support it.

Join The Patronage

1. Tuckernuck Hyacinth House Crimson & Brown Corduroy Trim Liam Chore Jacket — This chore jacket is a fall necessity, and I love how Tuckernuck’s design team paired the firey and bold red tone against a chocolatey corduroy trim. And, as you’ll notice is the theme for this week’s collection, is a great late season gameday layer!

2. Onward Reserve UGA Standing Bulldog Tattersall Classic Fit Quad Woven — Carter loves wearing nods to Georgia football on gameday Fridays, and I feel like this dress shirt is a spirited yet professional option!

3. Onward Reserve UGA Dawgs Vintage Script Scope Printed Performance Polo — Onward Reserve introduced these vintage script designs last season (I believe!), and it is one of my absolute favorite men’s looks.

4. Tuckernuck Midnight Check Esme Dress — An absolute favorite silhouette by Tuckernuck, this dress is great for an elevated gameday look (while still keeping you cool with its sleeveless design for those balmy September games).

5. Tuckernuck Red Mini Chloe Dress — Another classic Tuckernuck silhouette in a cherry red color that is sure to get compliments all around the tailgate.

6. The Clearly Collective The Athens Bulldog Scarf — While this is precious for styling, a dear friend had hers framed and is displayed in her living room as artwork which I am obsessed with.

7. VEJA Volley Leather Silver Pepper Sneakers — Such a fizzy take on a wardrobe staple! Also, I’ve linked the best price by far!

8. Quince 100% Organic Cotton Boyfriend Crew Sweater — I love this sweater variation from Quince (I think I have in four colors!), and this special edition “spritz red” is gorgeous whether you are cheering on the Dawgs or just want both teams to have fun!

9. Cadets Everyday Poplin Pant — I have been eyeing Cadets’ poplin pants for a while now, and the styling options for this bandana print are endless.

10. Foster University of Georgia Mahjong Tiles — One of our favorite activities during fall gamedays is to set up the mahjong table and play throughout the day with games (of lower stakes!) on in the background. And what could beat on an theme, special set!?

+ A quick note: some links in The Tuesday Ten may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you shop through them — at no extra cost to you! I only ever share things I'm genuinely trying or coveting. Your support means everything and keeps The Lauren Letter going.

P.S. I promise to always keep The Lauren Letter free as my little exercise of trying to make the world a bit more beautiful. If, in return, you could considering giving this post a “like” or share with a friend, it would just mean the world to me.

Share

P.S. I promise to always keep The Lauren Letter free as my little exercise of trying to make the world a bit more beautiful. If, in return, you could considering giving this post a “like” or share with a friend, it would just mean the world to me.

Share

Happy Friday!

Heading into the true dog days of summer — and as much as I hate wishing time away, I can almost feel the early fall breezes and the background humming of college football if I close my eyes tightly enough.

So what’s going to get me through these last few sweltering weeks? As you’re reading this, I’m on a plane to the North Shore of Chicago to visit my brother and sister-in-law. Turns out the only thing that can bust a hotlanta August is a midwestern late-summer night.

Excited for lake-effect breeze, temperatures not in the 90s, and maybe even some deep dish pizza!

Until our next correspondence,

xx Lauren

The Lauren Letter will always be free. But if this space has become something you look forward to—a small ritual in your week, a source of inspiration, a reminder to approach life with more intention—you now have the option to support it.

Join The Patronage

Wearing | Quince Bella Rigid Straight Jeans

The first jeans I’ve put on in a long time and just felt good in! I ended up buying two more colors, and at a $60 price point, you can do the same and not feel guilty about it. Pro tip: size up, as there’s no stretch.

Eating | Garlic & Herb Rotisserie Chicken Pasta

A doctored-up rotisserie is my go-to for a lazy yet healthy-ish dinner. This recipe was as easy as could be: as the pasta drains, heat up freshly chopped herbs, tomatoes, garlic, squeezed lemon, and a jar of your favorite alfredo sauce. Throw in rotisserie chicken and the pasta, and mix it all together. Feeling devious? Top with freshly grated parm.

Reading | Whistler by Ann Patchett

Just cracked open this month’s The Lauren Letter Book Club selection! I have never seen a book with such high ratings on Goodreads (4.4?!) — so I am tucked in.

Watching | Ted Lasso Season 4

This is my absolute number one comfort show — I’ll never forget watching the first season with Carter in the throes of Bar Exam prep — so I’ll be honest, a revisit made me nervous. But I have to say . . . it’s good! I’m so excited to follow along in this chapter with my favorite optimist.

Listening | “Mini Bar” by Gracie Abrams

I cannot get this song out of my head! It is so catchy and fizzy.

Trying | Giving Myself a God Damn Break (or, a Meditation on Being in Your 30s)

I know this section typically features a sexy new restaurant that serves caviar bumps on a ruffle chip or laundry oil that smells like a Tahitian getaway. But, as I sat down to think about what I am really trying this week, this was the honest truth: I am trying to give myself a god damn break.

I am going to be vulnerable: My weight has been fluctuating like a yo-yo this spring and summer, thanks to hormones that have essentially buckled in to the Coney Island Cyclone for a 24-7 joyride. I recently shared that Carter and I have been suffering from recurrent pregnancy loss, and, from both a physical and emotional standpoint, I logically understand that a human cannot be experiencing this and remain their “normal” self.

Nevertheless, it still pricks to put on favorite smocks that least season glided on and this season pucker. I’m seeing sizes in the cart that I am embarrassed by. I look in the mirror and don’t feel like I recognize myself. But, as self-absorbed as I immediately am, I am still conscientious I am not alone. In fact, I am beginning to posit: Is this just what being in your 30s is?

It’s a fucking lot! We are shimmying up the corporate ladder, because we received our degrees and developed frontal lobes in the era of #girlboss, but we also need to bake sourdough bread from scratch (anyone have a connect for good starter?). We need to return to the office, but we also need to go to a reproductive center for blood draws every day (that will be $7 for parking; no they do not validate). We need to scream into the unsettling void at a government that doesn’t care about our bodies, because you can’t be complicit, but also protect your peace and turn off the news – social security checks won’t be around for us anyways. We chide ourselves as we scroll past beautiful, and skinny, and perfect images while our Oura rings tell us “GO TO SLEEP” (*please read in a Bethenny Frankel voice*). But we need some sort of escape from the reality that our parents are ageing and we have so much more responsibility while not wielding any sort of actual executive power at all. Oh and don’t fucking go to chipotle! You wanted to have a salad so maybe you could feel good about how you look? You literally will die. What are you worried about, you are so young? But also, you need to freeze your eggs you geriatric gremlin.

And I’m just exhausted! I’m fucking exhausted!!! I am exhausted of the way I speak to myself; I can be so mean. I am exhausted of squeezing in and trying to button up and sucking all the way in. I am exhausted of feeling I am not good enough

So, I’ve decided to change the narrative: that being in your 30s means, for the first time in a lifetime, trying to give yourself a god damn break.

Champagne | Gucci Jackie 1961

A white whale for me — such a gorgeous, iconic handbag named after the inimitable Jackie Kennedy Onassis.

Frites | Amazon Shoulder Bag

I got this bag last summer to gap-fill my need for a white purse without being ready to pull the trigger on a designer investment. It has held up so well, and reads so much more expensive than it is. I’m now eyeing the wine color for fall!

View & Shop All Here

1. Hunter Bell Jemma Short and Hayes Top in Cotswold Check Rust

2. Heaven Mayhem Prize Earrings

3. Marc Fisher Dark Brown Zala Heel

4. Gap Cotton-Blend Fringe Shawl Cardigan

5. Tuckernuck Chestnut Taffeta Cynthia Bubble Skirt

6. FRAME The Plaid Mac Coat

7. MacKenzie-Childs Mocha Check 2 Quart Tea Kettle

8. Evereve Piper Bandana Tote

9. Polo Ralph Lauren Corduroy Pleated Shirtdress

10. Tuckernuck Chocolate Faux Suede Button Bitsy Dress

@janie_lately

A friend with the best, brightest taste! Currently splitting her time between New England and Florida, she is a must-follow for the chicest new finds and absolute beautiful visuals from her daily life. She’s also sweet as could be, which doesn’t hurt! :)

P.S. I promise to always keep The Lauren Letter free as my little exercise of trying to make the world a bit more beautiful. If, in return, you could considering giving this post a “like” or share with a friend, it would just mean the world to me.

Share

P.S. I promise to always keep The Lauren Letter free as my little exercise of trying to make the world a bit more beautiful. If, in return, you could considering giving this post a “like” or share with a friend, it would just mean the world to me.

Share

I'm kicking off one of my most requested content categories — travel guides — with the city I know best (and call home!): Atlanta. It's a place where you feel like you’re in the midst of a sweet collection of neighborhoods, all while having access the entertainment, fine dining, and culture that a major metropolitan city has to offer.

If I left off a favorite of yours, tell me — I'm always taking notes!

The Lauren Letter will always be free. But if this space has become something you look forward to—a small ritual in your week, a source of inspiration, a reminder to approach life with more intention—you now have the option to support it.

Join The Patronage

The Atlanta Look

Atlanta women dress with confidence that borders on architecture — think bold color and print! You'll spot local names like Sid & Ann Mashburn and Abbey Glass all over the city, layered in with staples from Veronica Beard, Hunter Bell, and Cara Cara. And pack layers no matter the season: Hotlanta earns its nickname the moment you step outside, but the AC pumping inside everywhere you go runs cold enough to counter it twice over!

Getting There

Fly into Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) — the world’s busiest airport, so connections are easy from nearly anywhere. Buckhead and Midtown run about 25-30 minutes by car with normal traffic, longer during rush hour. While public transport on MARTA is available (and great for heading to Mercedes-Benz Stadium or State Farm Arena), the city is generally not walkable, so plan on renting a car or utilizing rideshare!

Where to Stay

• The St. Regis Atlanta — Buckhead’s crown jewel, with a piazza pool that feels lifted from a Mediterranean villa. Featuring my favorite spa in the city, a Michelin-starred restaurant, a moody little bar, and proper afternoon tea, all under one roof.

• Four Seasons Atlanta — Midtown’s polished escape, home to the feminine, decadent Bar Margot and Brasserie Margot. Steps from the buzz, while feeling a world away from it.

• Forth Hotel — Part social club, part fitness club, part hotel, all in Old Fourth Ward — with some of the best skyline views in the city!

• Loews Atlanta — A dependable, well-located Midtown choice.

• AC Hotel Atlanta Midtown — My parents’ pick when they’re after something more economical without sacrificing location.

Where to Eat

Coffee & Breakfast

• Waffle House — The Atlanta classic!

• THE CHASTAIN — Start with a walk around Chastain park, followed by a pastry (I love their gluten-free chive biscuit), a coffee, and a seat by the Adirondack fire pits.

• PERC Coffee — A Virginia-Highland fixture with excellent crafted coffee drinks and quick bites.

• Le Bon Nosh — For an elevated start to your morning in one of Atlanta’s most beautifully appointed dining spaces.

• BRASH Coffee Roasters — A charming stop near the Atlanta History Center, perfect for pairing culture with a good cappuccino.

Lunch

• Alon’s — A French-style market with grab-and-go sandwiches, salads, and sides.

• Brasserie Margot — For the most decadent girls’ brunch, or a boozy late-afternoon lunch that melts into dinner.

• Henri’s — A Buckhead staple for sandwiches, though I’d argue the shortbread cookies are the real headline!

• Yeppa & Co. — Buckhead Village’s best patio for an Aperol spritz and convivial conversation.

• Superica — My favorite Mexican in the city, with locations sprinkled everywhere!

Dinner

• Le Bilboquet — My favorite, full stop. Sneak onto the patio, order the cajun chicken and a glass of bubbles, and let the people-watching do the rest.

• Bones — The classic that stands above Atlanta’s very crowded field of excellent steakhouses.

• Little Sparrow — Ford Fry’s French venture. The food is wonderful, but it’s the personal, detailed service that keeps pulling us back.

• Murphy’s — Elevated-yet-easy eats in the heart of Virginia-Highland with a drink and wine list to match; you’ll feel like a regular by dessert.

• Yebo Beach Haus — Tucked into Andrews Square, South African fare built for a group and a good time — do not skip the frozen espresso martini!

Where to Sip

• The St. Regis Bar — Cozy and dark inside, buzzy and bright on the patio; my forever go-to for catching up with girlfriends or easing into dinner.

• Bar Blanc — Little Sparrow’s chic, slightly moodier sister bar.

• The Garden Room — A girlfriends’ favorite — like wandering into the most glamorous greenhouse imaginable, cocktail in hand!

• Le Colonial — The menu is lovely, but the bar tucked in back is the real destination; the lychee martini is non-negotiable.

• Bar Margot — Midtown, glamorous, and an elevated craft cocktail hub.

Where to Shop

Women

• Monkee’s of Peachtree Battle — Located within a go-to shopping center stop, I can always depend on finding at least one unplanned purchase within Monkee’s curated selections.

• Poppy’s of Atlanta — Andrews Square’s boldest, brightest edit.

• W.Port — A beautifully, tightly curated boutique.

• Tootsies — Where to find the latest from favorite luxury designers and event dressing.

• La Librairie — A hidden gem tucked inside the Interiors Market antique storefront, with consignment pieces from houses like Chanel. Perfect for treasure-hunting!

Men

• Onward Reserve — Founded in Athens, Georgia, and a men’s go-to for everything from casual wear to sport coats and accessories.

• Miller Collective — Andrews Square’s curated edit of men’s casual staples like Johnnie-O, plus home goods worth a detour.

• Sid Mashburn — Atlanta’s own designer for sharp men’s essentials.

• The London Trading Company — Elevated British outdoor leisurewear collection from the likes of Barbour and Purdey.

• Peter Millar — A menswear favorite, with a full storefront at Avalon.

Children

• Baby Braithwaite — Heirloom-quality baby gifts and clothing.

• Little Buckhead Blue — A darling Beaufort Bonnet signature store.

• W.Port Little — The mini version of the next-door grown-up favorite.

• The Children’s Shop — An Atlanta institution.

• Emilia George — Your destination for cult-favorite children’s goods.

Home & Gifts

• Lucy’s Market — A true emporium of the best gifts, seasonal home décor, and gourmet market finds.

• Weezie — The loveliest monogrammed linens, towels, and home accessories.

• Means Carney Home — A beautifully edited shop for home goods, art, and gifting.

• Gregg Irby Gallery — A premier contemporary fine art gallery where you can discover the work of both established and emerging artists.

• Boxwoods — Classic charm for the garden and home.

What to See

• Buckhead Village District — My favorite shopping and dining hub in the city!

• High Museum of Art — Atlanta’s home for fine art, and worth a slow, unhurried wander.

• SCAD Museum of Fashion & Film — Rotating exhibits with real intrigue, including past showcases on André Leon Talley and Dior.

• National Center for Civil and Human Rights — Just beside the World of Coca-Cola and Georgia Aquarium sits an essential, moving viewing in the city that helped lead the movement.

• Atlanta Botanical Garden — The installations are stunning year-round, but Cocktails in the Garden turns a warm evening into a true event.

Excursions

• The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee — Only ninety minutes away, this escape is like summer camp for adults!

• Barnsley Resort — An hour into North Georgia for farm-to-table dining, outdoor recreation, and the most comfortable hospitality.

• Athens, Georgia — While most will say The Classic City is best taken in on a gameday, the music, dining, and shopping is worth the drive any time of year!

• Avalon — Just outside the city proper, the luxury shopping and dining make the short drive more than worth it for the outing.

• North Georgia Wineries — Book a bus and take in the views (and a few glasses!).

P.S. I promise to always keep The Lauren Letter free as my little exercise of trying to make the world a bit more beautiful. If, in return, you could considering giving this post a “like” or share with a friend, it would just mean the world to me.

Share

Every Tuesday, I curate ten things currently on my radar — something I’ve ordered and can’t wait to receive, something I’ve been trying and want to report back on, something my group chat hasn’t stopped talking about, or a fizzy new find I am candidly coveting. Here is last week's edit.

View & Shop All Here

The Lauren Letter will always be free. But if this space has become something you look forward to—a small ritual in your week, a source of inspiration, a reminder to approach life with more intention—you now have the option to support it.

Join The Patronage

1. Hunter Bell Jemma Short and Hayes Top in Cotswold Check Rust — Truly the perfect color, fabric, and fit for transitional season dressing (when we all know it will be 80s in Georgia well into October).

2. Heaven Mayhem Prize Earrings — There is something so deliciously 80s about these statement earrings, and the chocolate brown is perfect for tying any look into an autumnal one.

3. Marc Fisher Dark Brown Zala Heel — The Zala heel is one of my forever holy grail products (I always joke I could run a marathon in them!). I am eyeing this suede take!

4. Gap Cotton-Blend Fringe Shawl Cardigan — Whatever Zac Posen is doing at Gap is working! This piece pulls classic Ralph Lauren western Americana, but at a totally accessible price point.

5. Tuckernuck Chestnut Taffeta Cynthia Bubble Skirt — My favorite brand? With a design in my favorite fabric? In a dreamy fall colorway? It’s a no brainer.

6. FRAME The Plaid Mac Coat — This piece is already autumnal perfection, and then you find out it’s SEVENTY-FIVE PERCENT OFF!!!!

7. MacKenzie-Childs Mocha Check 2 Quart Tea Kettle — My favorite MacKenzie-Childs pattern, this tea kettle is like jewelry for your stovetop.

8. Evereve Piper Bandana Tote — There’s nothing I love more than a quilted schlepper.

9. Polo Ralph Lauren Corduroy Pleated Shirtdress — This feels so back-to-school in a way that’s appropriate for a 31-year old woman who hasn’t been in a classroom for six years.

10. Tuckernuck Chocolate Faux Suede Button Bitsy Dress — Wear as a throw-and-go on sneaky hot southern fall days, or pair with a tissue turtleneck underneath to extend its wear all season long!

+ A quick note: some links in The Tuesday Ten may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you shop through them — at no extra cost to you! I only ever share things I'm genuinely trying or coveting. Your support means everything and keeps The Lauren Letter going.

P.S. I promise to always keep The Lauren Letter free as my little exercise of trying to make the world a bit more beautiful. If, in return, you could considering giving this post a “like” or share with a friend, it would just mean the world to me.

Share

P.S. I promise to always keep The Lauren Letter free as my little exercise of trying to make the world a bit more beautiful. If, in return, you could considering giving this post a “like” or share with a friend, it would just mean the world to me.

Share

P.S. I promise to always keep The Lauren Letter free as my little exercise of trying to make the world a bit more beautiful. If, in return, you could considering giving this post a “like” or share with a friend, it would just mean the world to me.

Share

This was, admittedly, a quieter month for me reading-wise!

Elin Hilderbrand’s Nantucket novels remain a seasonal rite in my house — permitted only between May and August, as a little treat to get me through unbearable Atlanta summers — and this month I allowed myself two, bookending The Lauren Letter Book Club selection.

The Lauren Letter will always be free. But if this space has become something you look forward to—a small ritual in your week, a source of inspiration, a reminder to approach life with more intention—you now have the option to support it.

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A Summer Affair by Elin Hilderbrand — ★★★☆☆
I’ll say it plainly: I struggled to connect with these characters, which is unusual for me and Elin. I typically relish her rich-people-behaving-badly plots — it’s half the appeal! But the decision-making here felt harder to root for than usual. For comparison, put this up against 28 Summers, which I adored top to bottom, also built around infidelity. Same(ish) premise, very different landing for me.

Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan — ★★★★☆
This month’s The Lauren Letter Book Club pick! I don’t typically reach for romance tropes, but this Rhode Island tale won me over completely — charming from the first chapter and impossible not to root for. Full review (and discussion questions) up on The Lauren Letter now!

The Castaways by Elin Hilderbrand — ★★★★★
A friend group, a couple lost, and every remaining member carrying their own secret — told through shifting perspectives that make the grief feel fuller and more complicated with each chapter. What I loved most was how this book introduces so many pillar characters that are woven through the rest of Elin’s Nantucket world.

August Book Club: Whistler by Ann Patchett

August’s selection for The Lauren Letter Book Club has taken over book culture entirely (Obama is reading it, for heaven’s sake!): Whistler by Ann Patchett.

Her tenth novel follows a woman in her fifties who has a chance reunion at the Met with the stepfather she hasn’t seen in decades, and the two revisit the accident that once bonded — and separated — them. Gentle, literary, and already being called one of the best books of the year!

P.S. The hardcover is 50% off right now!

P.S. I promise to always keep The Lauren Letter free as my little exercise of trying to make the world a bit more beautiful. If, in return, you could considering giving this post a “like” or share with a friend, it would just mean the world to me.

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Happy Friday!

This week I did an exercise on befriending your anxiety. And the image that arrived, almost immediately, was Gidget, the little white Pomeranian from The Secret Life of Pets!

Like Gidget, my anxiety can get worked up over things that, in the light of the next morning, feel almost silly — an email left unanswered a beat too long, a plan not yet confirmed, a version of the future that hasn’t happened (and likely never will!). And just like with my puppy Charlie and Gidget, there is a way through it that isn’t fighting her. A few belly rubs. A few scratches behind the ears. A minute of being told, gently, you’re safe, this isn’t a threat. And she settles.

I don’t think the goal is to silence her — anxiety, after all, is not always the enemy. She’s useful when there’s real danger, or when I’m about to make a decision that betrays what I actually value. That version of Gidget is doing her job. But so much of it is just a dog at the door who needs to be shown, again, that it’s only the UPS driver.

There is power in simply naming the thing. In giving it a face, a leash, a name like Gidget instead of a vague, looming feeling with no edges. Naming turns a shadow into a small, specific creature I can sit beside. And once she has a name, I’ve noticed, she’s mine to care for — not the other way around!

Until our next correspondence,

xx Lauren

The Lauren Letter will always be free. But if this space has become something you look forward to—a small ritual in your week, a source of inspiration, a reminder to approach life with more intention—you now have the option to support it.

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Wearing | Hill House The Ellie Nap Dress

Hill House is in the middle of one of their bigger sales of the season, and so many of my longtime favorites are marked down — worth a look if you've been waiting for a sign!

Eating | Koshu Club

(Full transparency: I was hosted for this visit, and I adored every minute of it!)

Koshu Club is the newest project from the team behind Mujo, set just across West Paces Ferry Road from the St. Regis. The menu leans into robatayaki-style grilling alongside sashimi and beautifully composed small plates, with a sake and wine program. The interiors are exquisite and I fawned over the custom Sid Mashburn waiter outfitting. Highly recommend starting with a glass of Crémant de Savoie Brut and the caviar service, followed by the entire host of side dishes (we split an entrée so we could indulge in a little bit of everything!).

Reading | Here’s to Us by Elin Hilderbrand

I have a rule that I only allow myself Hilderbrand between May and August (it’s how I survive my summer seasonal affective disorder), so I'm savoring these final weeks of the season before I have to put her back on the shelf until next summer!

Watching | America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Season 3

Carter and I devoured this one. What made this season different is that it's the first filmed after the show became a sensation — you can feel that shift in the air throughout, especially in the discussions around social media opportunities and the increased competitiveness for spots on the team.

Listening | you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love: piano instrumentals by Minnz Piano

I've been a longtime fan of Minnz's piano arrangements of pop releases, and this collection is one of my favorite yet.

Trying | Homecourt Wool Dryer Balls and Laundry Fragrance Oil

I became a full convert to Homecourt this summer, and this was my first time pairing the wool balls with a few drops of the fragrance oil in the dryer. Exquisite!!!!

Champagne | Jenni Kayne Claude Long-Sleeve Tee

I love this as a take on the classic Parisian Breton stripe — swapping the expected black and white for something softer feels exactly right for the transitional stretch between summer and fall. Jenni Kayne is shorthand for quality, which makes an investment like this feel less like a splurge.

Frites | AE Striped Long Sleeve T-Shirt

A boxier fit, a similar gentle colorway, and all at a fraction of the cost.

View & Shop All Here

1. CHORD Butter Yellow Organic Cotton Stretch Twill

2. Adidas Gazelle Indoor Sneakers

3. LESET The Margo Tee

4. Estelle Colored Glass Wine Stemware

5. Celine Shiny Calfskin Mini Triomphe Pollen

6. BAUBLEBAR Joan Semi-Precious Necklace

7. GAP 100% Cotton Rollneck Sweater

8. Weezie House Coat

9. La Ligne Colby Pant in Butter

10. Herend Champagne Bucket

Grace Atwood

is one of my absolute favorite Substack writers. Her voice is full of the most darling quips and the kind of style I find myself bookmarking constantly.

P.S. I promise to always keep The Lauren Letter free as my little exercise of trying to make the world a bit more beautiful. If, in return, you could considering giving this post a “like” or share with a friend, it would just mean the world to me.

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My Rating: ★★★★☆

I am not typically romance reader! I roll my eyes at most tropes on principle. And yet, I am sitting here, four stars deep, having genuinely surprised myself with how much I adored Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan!

Reader beware — spoilers are ahead!

The Lauren Letter will always be free. But if this space has become something you look forward to—a small ritual in your week, a source of inspiration, a reminder to approach life with more intention—you now have the option to support it.

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The Book

Dolly Brick is thirty-nine, a single mom to her thirteen-year-old son Gus, and has spent her whole life being the one who fixes things — for her family, for Gus, for herself. Her own mother left when Dolly was twelve. Gus’s father left not long after he arrived. So when Dolly moves back to her hometown of Whitfield, Rhode Island for the summer to help keep her dad and brother afloat, self-sufficiency isn’t a personality trait — it’s survival.

Enter Stewart Whitfield: the golden-boy heir to the wealthy family the entire town is named after, who Dolly finds stranded with a flat tire on the same day he’s coming off a very public, very humiliating breakup. Ever the fixer, she helps him. He, in turn, offers her a deal — pretend to be his girlfriend for the summer, in front of his family and the society pages, and he’ll cover the money she desperately needs to fix her dad’s roof.

What starts as a transaction does exactly what you’d expect it to do: public dinners turn into sunset boat rides, the pretense turns into something real, and Dolly — who has never let herself rely on a single soul — has to decide whether she’s willing to let that change.

Book Club Discussions

• I keep coming back to the fact that Dolly’s mom and Autumn — two hugely influential characters — never once appear in person in the book. I’ll admit I was itching for an actual confrontation with both of them. But I think that’s exactly the point: the book was never interested in them as characters in their own right. It was interested in what their absence built in everyone left behind.

• That question feeds into a bigger one for me — has Dolly actually learned to let herself be taken care of by the end of the summer, or has she just found a partner who shares the load? I think it’s a fine distinction, but a real one. Dolly never shirks a single responsibility at any point in this book. What she gains isn’t relief from the weight — it’s someone who can help her keep the plates spinning.

• Stewart, meanwhile, carries the burden of being heir presumptive to his family’s expectations, and I found myself less sympathetic to his version of it than to Dolly’s — he placed a lot of that burden on himself, where a lot of hers was circumstance thrust upon her without her consent. Stewart reminds me of the old line about how people in therapy so often end up there to talk about the people who won’t go to therapy themselves. :)

• Then there’s the Gus of it all. Dolly tells him the relationship is pretend from the start, and I go back and forth on whether that was the right call, or whether she should have shielded him from the arrangement entirely. I have to imagine a single mother and her only child develop a bond where the lines blur more than they would in a traditional nuclear family, out of both necessity and emotional intimacy. That said, I think this particular arrangement could be genuinely confusing for even a teenager to parse — and I wonder if it risks sending a thirteen-year-old boy the wrong signal that a woman’s time (and attention) can simply be bought.

Want to participate in the book club discussion? It’s never too late! Keep the conversation going in the July Book Club Note below.

On Being a Reluctant Romance Reader

As I noted, I am not typically a romance reader and often roll my eyes at classic tropes, such as the fake-dating premise. I hate that I can see the mechanics and I know where it’s going.

But somewhere in the sails off the Rhode Island coast, I stopped resisting. I think it’s because Monaghan never asks the trope to do the emotional work by itself — Dolly’s exhaustion, her hard-won self-sufficiency, the specific ache of having been the fixer since she was twelve years old, all of that is doing the real lifting underneath the fun premise. The trope is the delivery mechanism, not the substance.

If You Liked Dolly All the Time, May I Recommend:

The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren

If what won you over was watching a fake arrangement between two guarded, competent people turn real — with a wealthy family, a bit of high-society pressure, and genuine warmth running underneath all of it — this is your next stop!

August Book Club: Whistler by Ann Patchett

August’s selection for The Lauren Letter Book Club has taken over book culture entirely (Obama is reading it, for heaven’s sake!): Whistler by Ann Patchett.

Her tenth novel follows a woman in her fifties who has a chance reunion at the Met with the stepfather she hasn’t seen in decades, and the two revisit the accident that once bonded — and separated — them. Gentle, literary, and already being called one of the best books of the year!

P.S. The hardcover is 50% off right now!

P.S. I promise to always keep The Lauren Letter free as my little exercise of trying to make the world a bit more beautiful. If, in return, you could considering giving this post a “like” or share with a friend, it would just mean the world to me.

Share

P.S. I promise to always keep The Lauren Letter free as my little exercise of trying to make the world a bit more beautiful. If, in return, you could considering giving this post a “like” or share with a friend, it would just mean the world to me.

Share

P.S. I promise to always keep The Lauren Letter free as my little exercise of trying to make the world a bit more beautiful. If, in return, you could considering giving this post a “like” or share with a friend, it would just mean the world to me.

Share

P.S. I promise to always keep The Lauren Letter free as my little exercise of trying to make the world a bit more beautiful. If, in return, you could considering giving this post a “like” or share with a friend, it would just mean the world to me.

Share

Happy Friday!

This week on Instagram, I shared a complete breakthrough I had while listening to one of the sessions on my Joy 101 app. I won’t bore you with the full recount here, but you can watch my full summary here!

It’s shaping up to be a slow, soft-focus weekend. Tonight, movies with friends to see The Odyssey. Saturday morning is reserved for a bit of home organization (long overdue). And then Saturday night, dinner with a dear friend to celebrate the life of her mom. I am so looking forward to asking her stories about her mother — what she would make of this year’s life events and pop culture nonsense, what she’d say, what she’d think — and, more than anything, to simply pouring into my friend and giving her the space to celebrate her mom’s memory exactly as she needs to.

Wishing you all a weekend full of good luck, good company, and a good drink if you can find it!

Until our next correspondence,

xx Lauren

P.S. Today is the final day of LAKE’s summer sale! Shop my favorite picks here.

The Lauren Letter will always be free. But if this space has become something you look forward to—a small ritual in your week, a source of inspiration, a reminder to approach life with more intention—you now have the option to support it.

Join The Patronage

Wearing | Puff Sleeve Babydoll Dress

It's very short and very thin, but, at this price, it's the perfect throw-and-go cover-up — a touch more polished than an oversized tee, without requiring a single additional brain cell.

Eating | Starbucks Iced Peach Green Tea Lemonade

My office building has a Starbucks in the lobby, and this has become my go-to mid-afternoon little treat. Perfectly sweet, perfectly refreshing!

Reading | The Castaways by Elin Hilderbrand

Following a friend group in the wake of the untimely, accidental death of two of their own, this is quintessential Hilderbrand — drama, complicated relationships, and, of course, food descriptions so vivid you'll find yourself salivating mid-page. It also properly introduces Police Chief Ed Kapenash, who threads his way through nearly all of Elin's Nantucket novels.

Watching | The Righteous Gemstones

Carter and I just started this HBO series and are in absolute hysterics. It follows a wildly dysfunctional family of televangelists as they navigate power, money, and each other's worst impulses — crass, satirical, and endlessly entertaining. Not for the faint of heart, but exactly what we needed on the couch this week.

Listening | The Great Divide Tour Setlist

I cannot believe we're seeing Noah Kahan live in just a few days! This setlist will be on repeat all weekend long as I prepare to sing my heart out at Truist Park.

Trying | Homecourt Nourishing Body Butter in Cece

I am clinically obsessed with every Cece-scented piece from Courteney Cox's home line, so naturally I had to venture into their body products. I picked up the Nourishing Body Butter, and it is so luxurious — I love how the scent now lingers on my robe long after.

Champagne | Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540 Eau de Parfum

My go-to fragrance, kept in both a regular bottle and a travel size at all times. It's pricy — admittedly my most expensive beauty investment, and one that feels a little overindulgent at times — but oh my goodness, is it good. I am complimented everywhere I go, including, memorably, the McDonald's drive-thru.

Frites | Homecourt Body Mist in Cece

A body mist you can build and refresh throughout the day in a similarly luxurious scent at a steal of a price point. Pro tip: build this upon the body butter for a longer-lasting fragrance.

View & Shop All Here

1. CHORD Butter Yellow Organic Cotton Stretch Twill

2. Adidas Gazelle Indoor Sneakers

3. LESET The Margo Tee

4. Estelle Colored Glass Wine Stemware

5. Celine Shiny Calfskin Mini Triomphe Pollen

6. BAUBLEBAR Joan Semi-Precious Necklace

7. GAP 100% Cotton Rollneck Sweater

8. Weezie House Coat

9. La Ligne Colby Pant in Butter

10. Herend Champagne Bucket

@Mippapiddleton

@mippapiddleton (aka SJ!) is a sweet online creator — and friend — who shares all about new motherhood, life in Texas, and the most romanticized travel journals you’ll ever scroll through. She recently went to the UK, and her coverage is dreamy.

P.S. I promise to always keep The Lauren Letter free as my little exercise of trying to make the world a bit more beautiful. If, in return, you could considering giving this post a “like” or share with a friend, it would just mean the world to me.

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From the time I went to my very first playdate, my mother instilled one rule in me: you do not show up empty-handed. It wasn’t about the price tag — it was about the thoughtfulness, the meaning, the small signal that you were thinking of someone before you ever walked through their door.

Of course, I love nothing more than a gift completely tailored to a person — something that could only ever be for them. But life is full of occasions that call for something a little more universal, and over the years I’ve built a closet (quite literally) of go-tos: gifts I keep on hand, gifts that are a simple click away, and gifts I trust so completely I needed to share them with you!

In a rush? Shop all the Gifts I Love To Give here.

The Lauren Letter will always be free. But if this space has become something you look forward to—a small ritual in your week, a source of inspiration, a reminder to approach life with more intention—you now have the option to support it.

Join The Patronage

WEDDINGS

• PROPOSAL — How to Be Married by Jo Piazza

  • This is, without exaggeration, my favorite gift to give or recommend to anyone who has just gotten engaged. It's a memoir of a newly married journalist diagnosed with muscular dystrophy in her first year of marriage, who sets off across the world studying how other cultures approach the institution as she navigates her own new chapter. Funny, moving, and perfectly apt for a bride-to-be.

• BRIDESMAIDS — Champagne Bucket, Tea Towel, and Champagne

  • Little box-filling trinkets are sneakily expensive and so often get tossed. Jewelry, meanwhile, is deeply personal — hard to get right for a whole party of women. This trio feels elevated and celebratory and is a fit for all.

• ENGAGEMENT PARTY — Tiffany or Waterford Champagne Flutes

  • The Tiffany flutes arrive in a large, bright blue box — such a fun, unmistakable statement! The Waterford set set is just as exquisite, though — it’s the one we have! My favorite part of this gift, though, is that it doubles as a toasting set for the wedding itself, so you become a special thread through the whole celebration and beyond. Carter and I still use our wedding flutes on the most special occasions — anniversaries, Valentine's Day, milestones worth marking.

• BRIDAL SHOWER — Stay on the registry, but bring the feminine fun!

  • This soiree is the setting for a girly gift. Look for colorful stemware, delicate hosting linens, or — my personal favorite recent addition to modern registries — mahjong accoutrements.

• WEDDING — Stay on the registry, but focus on longevity!

  • I love to select a Le Creuset Signature Braiser or Dutch Oven — ours gets used weekly, without fail — or a personalized champagne bucket or champagne bowl. It feels far more elevated and fun to give than kitchen shears, but it’s every bit as practical, and it becomes a centerpiece for their hosting for years to come.

BABY

• BABY SHOWER — Stay on registry, but make it personalized!

  • Selections for a baby are incredibly personal, especially where technology or gear is concerned, so stick with the parents-to-be’s selections. When I do want to add something of my own, I look for a baby blanket or tummy time mat I can personalize.

• NEW PARENTS — Uber Eats Gift Cards

  • For the love of god — do not show up with a casserole unless you're leaving it on the doorstep and texting once you're long gone. New parents don't need a visitor; they need dinner solved.

• FIRST BIRTHDAY

  • For Mom — Custom Engraved Silhouette jewelry

    • Goldbug Collection offers engraving on a variety of its pieces, but I am partial to this necklace!

  • For Baby — College Fund Contribution or a Family & Friends Board Book

    • Babies often have more toys than they know what to do with (and generally prefer boxes), so a tuck away earning interest is my go-to gift. That being said, a board book with family and friends names and faces is perfect for early speaking and recognition!

• GODPARENT — First Bible and Petite Keep

  • This is especially meaningful if the family is religious and the child will grow up with memories tied to their faith and education.

COUPLE

• ANNIVERSARY — Case of Wine

  • Carter and I started this on our wedding day, and it's become one of my favorite traditions: we alternate gifting each other a case of wine that reflects the past year — a bottle from somewhere we traveled, a blend we fell in love with, a name that captures what the last twelve months represented. We write the year on the bottles and tuck it away for the nights and moments that call for something special.

PARTIES

• HOSTESS — On-Theme Paper Cocktail Napkins

  • Easy, grab-and-go, and so fun to have on hand — for you and them!

    • Mahjong Night

    • Book Club

    • Everyday

• HOLIDAY HOSTESS — NEST New York Holiday Candle

  • This is by far my favorite holiday scent! There is usually a great sale in late fall, so I take that opportunity to restock for our home and the gift closet!

EVERYDAY

• BIRTHDAY — Favorite Things Tote or Classic Personalized Tote

  • You can never have too many. Add a funny inside joke or a phrase that’s just theirs, and stuff it with their favorite candy, a bottle of wine, or whatever small joys feel true to them.

• GET WELL SOON/HARD TIMES — Uber Eats Gift Cards or Flowers

  • Uber Eats is genuinely helpful — one less thing for them to think about. That said, when I’ve received a special arrangement during a hard season, it felt like a visible, beautiful talisman of love and support.

• THANK YOU — Thank You Note

  • A truly heartfelt note makes all the difference — no more is needed!

• TEACHER/COACH — Gift Card

  • They have enough personalized mugs, truly. One of my closest friends is a teacher, and trust me on this one: a gift card is exactly what they want.

• HOUSEWARMING — Tricia Lowenfield Heirloom Plate or Wreath Ribbon

  • Tricia Lowenfield platters are a gorgeous heirloom in the making, and a personalized wreath ribbon is a lovely, endlessly customizable option for every season and occasion.

• GRADUATION — Personalized Stationery or Laptop Sleeve

  • A stationery suite is such a nice nod to the start of adult life — especially embossed with a newly minted title or degree. And while briefcases and work bags are deeply personal, a monogrammed laptop sleeve is a thoughtful in-between: protective, convenient, and genuinely useful.

• THE PERSON WHO HAS EVERYTHING — LAKE Pajamas or Addison Ross Picture Frame

  • You can never have too many nice pajamas — and don’t stress about ordering forgiving sizing, since who doesn’t want a little extra room? A luxury picture frame from Addison Ross is also perfect someone who has everything: it becomes a true family heirloom, and the quality is unmistakable. You can add a photo to be printed and shipped in the frame, too!

FOR ME

Sometimes you have to be the one to celebrate you! Whether for a milestone, a small win, or when your heart just needs a little lift, here are the things I reach for.

P.S. Don’t forget to select “gift” at checkout and write yourself a cute little note!

• Ladurée Macaroons

• Chanel Lipstick

• LAKE Pajamas

• Needlepoint Canvas

• Poetry

• Herend Figurine

  • Perfect for memorializing birthdays, holidays, and other special moments!

GIFTING

As much as a great gift matters, so does the wrapping! Keeping a small suite of themed gift tags on hand, alongside a simple set of wrapping paper, bags, and tissue, keeps the whole process easy.

• Wrapping Paper

• Gift Bags

• Ribbon

• Gift Tags

  • Family

  • Personal

  • Summer

  • Fall

  • Holiday

P.S. I promise to always keep The Lauren Letter free as my little exercise of trying to make the world a bit more beautiful. If, in return, you could considering giving this post a “like” or share with a friend, it would just mean the world to me.

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Every Tuesday, I curate ten things currently on my radar — something I’ve ordered and can’t wait to receive, something I’ve been trying and want to report back on, something my group chat hasn’t stopped talking about, or a fizzy new find I am candidly coveting. Here is last week's edit.

View & Shop All Here

The Lauren Letter will always be free. But if this space has become something you look forward to—a small ritual in your week, a source of inspiration, a reminder to approach life with more intention—you now have the option to support it.

Join The Patronage

1. CHORD Butter Yellow Organic Cotton Stretch Twill — I have been the target of ads for Mary Orton’s CHORD luxury baseball caps, and the feedback from my audience has been that these hats really are that good. I am thinking of investing in this darling yellow to give it my first test!

2. Adidas Gazelle Indoor Sneakers — I adore a statement sneaker, and these classic kicks in sunshine yellow are darling!

3. LESET The Margo Tee — This tee is VIRAL amongst so many stylish women I follow, and the seasonal butter colorway makes me melt!

4. Estelle Colored Glass Wine Stemware — I was gifted a mixed color collection of Estelle glasses a few years back for my birthday, but I do find myself always gravitating toward my yellow option!

5. Celine Shiny Calfskin Mini Triomphe Pollen — A Fashionphile find is always a fantastic find! And at this price point for a designer bag, you can feel good financially about your buy, too!

6. BAUBLEBAR Joan Semi-Precious Necklace — Chunky, colorful necklaces are such a fun statement to make any look instantly playful.

7. GAP 100% Cotton Rollneck Sweater — I have been coveting a similar look made by a premium designer for over $300, so when I saw this look alike for less than 1/3 of the price, I swooped in!

8. Weezie House Coat — Because (i) I want to be a woman who has a house coat; and (ii) how HAPPY would throwing this yellow on every day make you!

9. La Ligne Colby Pant in Butter — I have in white, but obviously I am jonesing for this yellow! How sweet would this look paired with the GAP 100% Cotton Rollneck Sweater?

10. Herend Champagne Bucket — I love my Herend collection, and I saw this champagne bucket figurine at the shops at Sea Island this weekend and instantly fell in love. Carter, take note!!!

+ A quick note: some links in The Tuesday Ten may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you shop through them — at no extra cost to you! I only ever share things I'm genuinely trying or coveting. Your support means everything and keeps The Lauren Letter going.

P.S. I promise to always keep The Lauren Letter free as my little exercise of trying to make the world a bit more beautiful. If, in return, you could considering giving this post a “like” or share with a friend, it would just mean the world to me.

Share

P.S. I promise to always keep The Lauren Letter free as my little exercise of trying to make the world a bit more beautiful. If, in return, you could considering giving this post a “like” or share with a friend, it would just mean the world to me.

Share