September was the month I'd been waiting for since last autumn: Elin Hilderbrand’s sequel to The Academy finally arrived, and it was worth every day of the countdown. Around it, I read a caper about four women who never quite retired from crime, and then fell headlong into a series that has deliciously taken over my nightstand.

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Rules for Aging and Larceny by Julia London — ★★★★
Billed as Ocean's Eleven meets The Golden Girls, and it lives up to the promise. Four women in their seventies, one last heist, and a friendship worth more than the take. I have a weakness for a good caper, and this one had just enough fizz and female loyalty to keep me happily along for the ride!

The Thoroughbreds by Elin Hilderbrand — ★★★★★
My most anticipated novel of the year, and it arrived exactly as I’d hoped! This was also The Lauren Letter’s September Book Club selection! Hilderbrand trades Nantucket shoreline for the ivy and old money of a boarding school, and it’s even better than I hoped for!

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, Vols. 1–4 by Beth Brower — ★★★★★
I'm halfway through the series as it stands, with volume nine due in February, and thoroughly taken with the cozy, quirky, and romantic world of St. Crispian’s, London. Emma's voice is sharp, funny, and entirely her own. These are the books I'd prescribe for an autumn afternoon with a pot of tea. I won't bury the lead: expect October's reading roundup to feature the back half of the series!

October Book Club: The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion Vol. 1-8 by Beth Brower

For October, we’re doing something a little different and reading an entire series! Picture Bridget Jones meets Jane Austen: it’s 1883, and the witty, headstrong Emma M. Lion has returned to her London neighborhood of St. Crispian’s, only to have her plans for a charmed, studious life derailed by a meddling cousin, a formidable aunt, and a cast of delightfully odd neighbors — all recorded in her decidedly unfiltered journals.

Don’t let the size of the series fool you — these journals span 100–250 pages each on average. You will fly.

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.

This week’s curation is a favorite color combo that works all year long: Chartreuse & Cornflower.

View & Shop All Here

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1. DONNI. The Silk Taffeta Cargo Pant in Cloud — These are an investment, no doubt, but while often duplicated, their quality can never be imitated, and this cloud color can truly work all year long if styled properly.

2. BURU Belted Wrap Collared Trench Coat — Such a magnificent injection of color to any look and its weight permits fall layering in even the hottest southern climates.

3. Quince Brushed Cashmere Oversized Crewneck Sweater — Top of my wish-list for winter! I adore the brushed cashmere look, and this icy/denim blue is a color crush for me.

4. Whistles Wool Seam Detail Crewneck Sweater — The perfect length for styling, and 25% off right now with Bloomingdale’s Friends & Family sale!

5. Estée Lauder: A Beautiful Life — A coffee table book more akin to a work of art, I love how you can style this familial album with or without the decorative display box.

6. Matouk Wave 6” Round Cocktail Napkins — Fizzy linens to accompany even fizzier libations! Also 25% off right now with Bloomingdale’s Friends & Family sale!

7. Ginori 1735 Oriente Italiano Mug in Pervinca — I dream of the day I take my morning coffee in a Ginori coffee mug. This cornflower colorway is a lovely option to percolate on (pun intended!).

8. Trina Turk Roselle Dress — Need a bridge for formal events this fall when the weather reads more like the dog days of summer? This is your dress!

9. Tory Burch Romy Nubuck Bucket Bag — I have been admiring bucket bags all season long, and Tory Burch offers so many lovely selections in various sizes, fabrics, colorways, and even prints!

10. Tory Burch Bunny Knot Satin Mary Jane Ballerina Flats — Vibrant and vivacious, while still oh so appropriate for the office. Plus, earn a $50 gift card with every $200 you spend with code SEPTGC.

+ 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.

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My Rating: ★★★★★

We are back at Tiffin, darlings! My Nantucket summer reading tradition may have ended in August, but Elin Hilderbrand has returned on my bookshelf with a perfect gift: a crisp New England autumn, a senior class with everything to lose, and all the rich-people-behaving-badly magic I adore, just a few hundred miles inland.

One note: The Thoroughbreds can technically stand alone, but you'll get much more out of it having read The Academy first, since so many threads from the first book get resolved here. 

Reader beware — spoilers are ahead!

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The Book

It’s senior year — “sixth form,” in Tiffin-speak — which means college applications, valedictorian math, and last hurrahs. Charley Hicks is no longer the wide-eyed new girl; she’s running the school paper, half of Tiffin’s most-watched couple, and locked in a razor-thin race for the top of the class. But she and East can’t seem to agree on anything lately. Dub and Hakeem, the football-field best friends, are suddenly on the outs, and no one will say why. There’s a new girl, Pippa Sacks, stirring the pot. With Honey Vandermeid gone, a new college counselor steps in. And, of course, there’s the question we’ve all been waiting on since the last page of The Academy: what was in Cinnamon Peters’s final email?

Book Club Discussions

• Chef Haz’s themed dinner nights: which one would you show up for first!? For me, it was the Corner Store inspired menu, without question, given how buzzy the NYC eatery is with celebrities like Taylor Swift! Honestly, Chef Haz’s dinners were the coziest thread in the whole book — I’d enroll at Tiffin for the dining hall alone.

• Head of School Audre Robinson survives her financial scandal relatively unscathed — did she get off too easily, or did she earn her redemption?

  The attorney in me wants to say she got off far too easy — this was gross financial negligence by a fiduciary! But the reader in me was rooting for her the whole time. I think she earned it, but I wish the fall out had been more complex and less the feeling of a tied-up-in-a-bow afterthought.

• Was Mav a dedicated counselor, or did he cross a line (namely with Charley)?

  Both, and that’s what makes him so interesting. His heart was in the right place — he clearly wanted these kids to win — but there’s a reason boundaries exist, especially between adults and students. I read him as a good counselor who got too close, and that’s a line that matters even when the intentions are pure.

• Do you think Charley and East actually make it, or are they more “great while it lasted? Great while it lasted, and I mean that as the highest compliment. Some loves are meant to carry you through a season of your life, not the whole thing. They’ll always be each other’s senior-year story, but I don’t see East succeeding at the collegiate level if he is really just going through the motions for anyone other than fully himself.

• If Hilderbrand and Cunningham wrote a spinoff following just one character, whose story do you want to read next — and why? Chef Haz!!! Give me a behind-the-scenes look at the kitchen, the menus, the faculty gossip overheard over the pass. It would be part food memoir, part boarding-school exposé, and I would preorder it immediately.

• Were you satisfied with how Cinnamon’s final email played out, or did it leave you wanting more closure (or more chaos)? Satisfied — but I’m greedy, so I wanted more chaos! After a whole book of anticipation, I was hoping for a bigger explosion.

Want to participate in the book club discussion? It’s never too late! Keep the conversation going in the comments!

If You Liked The Thoroughbreds, May I Recommend:

Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson

If you finished The Thoroughbreds and aren’t ready to leave the quad, this is your next stop. Truly Devious is set at Ellingham Academy, a remote and wildly eccentric Vermont boarding school where, back in 1936, the founder’s wife and daughter were kidnapped in one of the most infamous unsolved crimes of the century. Enter a true-crime-obsessed new student who arrives determined to crack the case — until history starts repeating itself. Think of it as The Thoroughbreds’ darker, moodier cousin — and the perfect pivot into spooky season. Bonus: it’s a series, so you can binge.

October Book Club: The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, Vol. 1–8 by Beth Brower

For October, we're doing something a little different and reading an entire series! Picture Bridget Jones meets Jane Austen: it's 1883, and the witty, headstrong Emma M. Lion has returned to her London neighborhood of St. Crispian's, only to have her plans for a charmed, studious life derailed by a meddling cousin, a formidable aunt, and a cast of delightfully odd neighbors — all recorded in her decidedly unfiltered journals.

Don't let the size of the series fool you — these journals span 100–250 pages each on average. You will fly.

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!

After a dreamy weekend in Charleston with The Charleston Place, followed by a full week of work and social happenings, I am officially running on an empty tank. But I have a few reinvigorating updates to carry us into the weekend!

Today, I am having a truly life-changing procedure, and I cannot wait to share so much more about it with you. And by the time you’re reading this, Taylor Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore will be out in the world. I’ll be sharing all of my thoughts over on Instagram, so come find me there.

Things will be a little quieter from me this weekend, but I hope you have a darling time savoring the first chills of fall.

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 | The Scarlett Nap Dress Carnaby Scarf Navy

I snagged this at the Hill House storefront in Charleston. The fabric is lightweight and wicking, which makes it lovely for these faux-fall days when the mornings are crisp but the afternoons haven’t quite gotten the memo.

Eating | Buffalo White Chicken Chili

A friend shared this recipe with me, and it was an instant hit. It’s so easy (I used the crockpot option), and that little hint of buffalo makes it feel special without any extra effort.

Reading | The Unselected Journals of Emma Lion

I mentioned earlier this month that I’m deep in the Emma Lion series, and it is so, so cozy. Think Bridget Jones meets Pride & Prejudice. I simply adore it, and I’m already on volume five!

Watching | Chad Powers

This has been a great watch with Carter. It’s absolutely silly, but such a good time, and the perfect low-effort, laugh-out-loud pick for a cozy night in.

Listening | Swan Song: Diana, My Sister by Charles Spencer

Nearly thirty years after Princess Diana’s passing, her brother has released this memoir about their life together. I’m taking it with a grain of salt (“recollections may vary”, after all), but I love hearing such a personal perspective on her story.

Trying | The Charleston Place

I partnered with The Charleston Place for an absolutely scrumptious weekend stay. You can find all the divine details in my travel diary!

Champagne | Chanel Black Patent Leather Flats

I just inherited a gently pre-owned pair from a dear friend who sadly outgrew them. Her loss is my win! Chanel flats are such a classic investment, and I’ve had wonderful luck shopping pre-owned.

Frites | M.Gemi Rosa Flat

This is a high-quality lookalike to the iconic Chanel silhouette. It comes in at a far more approachable price without sacrificing any of the craftsmanship.

View & Shop All Here

1. Quince Mongolian Cashmere Oversized Boyfriend Cardigan Sweater

2. Quince Australian Merino Wool Collared Cardigan

3. Quince 100% Organic Cotton Oversized Boyfriend Cardigan

4. Quince Italian Leather Block Heel Boots

5. Quince Italian Leather Tall Western Boots

6. Quince Bella Rigid Straight Jeans

7. Quince 100% Organic Cotton Boyfriend Crew Sweater

8. Quince Organic Cotton Relaxed Oxford Shirt

9. Quince Lab Grown Diamond Tennis Bracelet

10. Quince 14K Gold Natural Diamond Five Stone Band

London Diehl

London is a Dallas-based creator who shares all things beautiful, from her home to her wardrobe. I especially adore her cozy morning routine content. It’s the perfect little dose of calm to start the 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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Few people know this, but in another life, I worked as an independent contractor for a luxury wedding planner in Charleston!

I’ll never forget my first wedding weekend in town, where I was tasked with couriering the most decadent welcome amenities to guests at The Charleston Place. Stepping into their lobby, with its grand staircase and glittering chandelier, I remember feeling pure awe. It was formal and elegant, and quintessential, classic southern elegance. In other words, it was one of my earliest brushes with true luxury hospitality.

So you can imagine my unbridled delight when their team reached out to host me for a girls’ weekend in the Holy City!

The Charleston Place today is, at its soul, the icon I first encountered over a decade ago, all while transforming into a full-scale resort. It is in the middle of a multiyear transformation totaling more than $150 million, and while the bones are the same (it sits where King, Market, and Meeting Streets meet in the historic district), it is reinvigorated in both its aesthetic and the team’s palpable spirit of service.

Put on a robe and pour some bubbles as you tuck in below to the diary of our weekend!

P.S. A note of transparency, as always: this stay, along with our dining and activities, was gifted by the team at The Charleston Place. All musings are entirely my own! Endless thanks to the The Charleston Place team for their impeccable hospitality — as ever.

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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Getting There

Charleston is beautifully easy travel wise. From Charleston International Airport, it’s about a 25-minute ride to the hotel’s front door on Meeting Street. You can land at ten and be holding a latte by half past!

Friday

10:00 AM | Wheels down in Charleston, and a quick zip downtown.

10:30 AM | Arrival at The Charleston Place. Before anything else, I went to the darling coffee cart on property for a cup of coffee and a gluten-free chocolate muffin, which I found genuinely delicious and not merely delicious for gluten-free!

11:00 AM | An early check-in, a gift never taken for granted. The rooms are exquisitely appointed and felt almost designed with me in mind: French, light, airy, and washed in soft blues. I unpacked slowly and pinched myself more than once.

12:00 PM | Up to the pool. The hotel has reimagined its fourth floor as a retreat devoted to wellbeing, anchored by a light-filled rooftop pool, a garden bar, and redesigned locker rooms. The locker rooms deserve special mention, because they feel less like a hotel amenity and more like the most luxurious spa you’ve ever set foot in. The pool piazza has an indoor-outdoor design, with a saltwater pool beneath a retractable glass roof, so it can be used all year. Outside, the lounging patio was serene, with the Ravenel Bridge floating in the distance. The attendants were sublime and anticipated every need before I’d thought of it. Throughout the day, they pass through with small pleasures like breakfast pastries, chilled towels, seasonal fruit, and after-sun care, and in the evening there’s a signature cocktail and mocktail. I settled in with my book and a cocktail and let the afternoon take its time.

1:00 PM | Lunch at Perch, the brand-new rooftop garden bar, only steps from the pool. The menu is light, bright, and seasonal, with crudo, stone fruit salads, and grilled local produce next to classics like lobster rolls and caprese. I ordered a green juice and the green goddess salad. It was fresh, savory, and exactly what a Charleston afternoon called for.

2:00 PM | Back to my chaise for more reading!

4:00 PM | My best friend, Riley, touched down and was on her way. I went up to shower and made a Nespresso in the room while I waited for her arrival!

5:00 PM | One of life’s greatest pleasures is getting ready with your girlfriend in matching robes. We danced, we did our makeup, and then came the surprise: The Charleston Place sent up the loveliest welcome amenity, a bottle of Veuve Clicquot with an assortment of decadent treats. We had planned on pre-dinner cocktails out, but we skipped them. We stayed in our rooms instead, sipped champagne, and marveled that this was real life.

7:30 PM | Across the bridge to Mount Pleasant and its Old Village, a storybook little pocket of town where The Notebook was filmed. Dinner was at The Post House Inn with friends from town: oysters, burgers, and impeccable craft cocktails around a lively table.

10:30 PM | A nightcap back at the hotel in Thoroughbred Club. I always try to take it easy on the first night. Reverie, as usual, had other plans.

Saturday

10:00 AM | We woke after the dreamiest sleep and went down for brunch at The Palmetto Café, which is conveniently tucked just off the lobby. It is light and airy, overlooking the interior courtyard, and the tables are set with beautiful china (I always turn pieces underneath to check the designer!). We had mimosas and wholesome bites to fortify us for what came next.

10:30 AM – 1:30 PM | Shopping!!! Charleston has endless things to do, but on a quick girls’ escape there is only one correct answer, and we had a serious case of the shoppies.

The highlight of the morning was Goldbug Collection, a Charleston jewelry and gift brand designed by sisters who are fourth-generation members of the family behind Croghan’s Jewel Box. Croghan’s is a Charleston institution, and it has just emerged from its own beautiful facelift, so a visit to both makes a lovely pairing. At 308A King Street, Goldbug’s interiors are deliciously designed. I especially fawned over the wallpaper, which matches the jewelry pouches exactly. It’s the kind of detail that tells you everything you need to know about a brand. They offer engraving on site and custom work, including silhouettes of little ones and pets! I left with a new wishbone necklace, an order for a custom pendant, and we both selected very special gifts for people we adore. With so many gorgeous pieces, I still can’t believe I managed to choose!

2:00 PM | A graceful pause in our spending for Afternoon Tea at Thoroughbred Club. The lounge is sophisticated and English-inspired, and the tea is traditional with a Southern accent: a tiered spread of sweet and savory bites paired with tea and champagne.

4:00 PM | Back to work!!! Beyond Goldbug and Croghan’s, these are my favorite stops on King Street:

• Sézane, right inside The Charleston Place

• Julia Amory

• Juliska

• Estelle Colored Glass

• La Ligne

• Hill House, which has the most darling coffee and sweets shop inside, Nell’s

• Beau & Ro

• LAKE (a Lauren Warrant alum, naturally)

I’ve also heard wonderful things about Nette and Sister Shop. For the luxury houses, Louis Vuitton and Gucci are connected directly to the hotel, so you’re a few steps from a very dangerous afternoon.

6:00 PM | Back to our room to freshen up and spread our purchases across the bed like trophies.

7:00 PM | Dinner at Chef Daniel Humm x The Charleston Place, which was the unrivaled highlight of our weekend.

For the uninitiated, Humm is the Swiss-born chef behind Eleven Madison Park, which became number one on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2017. For his Charleston chapter, he and his team took over the hotel’s former Charleston Grill space for a yearlong residency. They reimagined the room with new wood floors, elegant floral arrangements, and custom plates by Eleven Madison Park’s ceramicist, Jono Pandolfi. The cooking interprets Humm’s world-class vision through Charleston’s own ingredients and traditions, alongside some of his signature dishes.

The food and the libations were extravagant and undeniable. For me, though, the real pièce de résistance was the service. The team was elevated but never stuffy, and warm, playful, and a little bit magical, which is the rarest combination in fine dining. (In a nod to some of my own content, we squealed when a server set down our cocktails and added, “Oh, and f*ck an Airbnb!”) We finished with espresso martinis served in ceramic versions of the classic “We Are Happy to Serve You” Anthora coffee cup, a wink to Humm’s New York roots and the perfect final note.

Please note: the residency closes September 27, so if you can get a reservation before then, do not hesitate!!!!

10:00 PM | Back upstairs, back into the matching robes. We ordered a bottle of wine and giggled late into the night in our cloud of a bed.

Sunday

10:00 AM | We slept in (gloriously) and ordered room service. We ate breakfast in bed and went back over the whole magical weekend one more time.

12:00 PM | Time to say goodbye, and we were absolutely gutted. The team sent us off as warmly as they had welcomed us, and we promised we’d be back soon.

Final Thoughts

A weekend in this city is never quite enough. When I return, I’ll spend more time on Sullivan’s Island, my favorite corner of Charleston, and I’ll wander the Battery to admire its historic architecture.

I also can’t wait to come back once The Charleston Place Spa reopens after its renovation. The rest of the property is so exquisite that I know this space will be something special.

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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Tuckernuck’s Friends & Family sale is live for two more days, and there are so many amazing selections remaining, especially those that are already discounted! Double up your savings by shopping my picks below!

As a reminder, use code FAMILY for 15% off $250; 20% off $500+

In a rush? Shop all my Tuckernuck Friends & Family Sale on Sale 2026 Selections 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

• La Double J Portrait Cardigan

  • I CANNOT BELEIVE THIS DISCOUNT. INSANE.

• Veronica Beard Valentina Sneakers

  • The Lauren Warrant holder herself! This is the absolute time to snag.

• Barbour Kirby Jacket

  • I truly cannot believe Barbour is on sale! This jacket for this price is highway robbery!

• Tuckernuck Esme Dress

  • The easiest, most comfortable event dress in a perfect winter gold.

• Tuckernuck Sofia Shirt

  • One of my favorite Tuckernuck silhouettes in a ganache suede.

• Tuckernuck Cynthia Bubble Skirt

  • This chestnut color is scrumptious!

• Tuckernuck Cocoa Dot Set

  • So darling and vintage feeling!

• Tuckernuck Cotton Cliff Crewneck

  • 100% cotton that looks just like a far more expensive designer.

• Tuckernuck Buckle Nina Flats

  • This chocolate is so perfect for fall.

• Tuckernuck Ives Wrap Wool Coat

  • A beautiful alternative to a stark black peacoat.

• Tuckernuck Velour Bennett Pullover

  • I adore the comeback of velour!

• Tuckernuck Ally Swing Sweatshirt

  • Perfect for fall fitness classes. I own and love!

Shop all my sale on sale selections here!

Shop all my Tuckernuck Friends & Family Sale 2026 Selections here!

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

Tuckernuck’s surprise Friends & Family sale is HERE! A few important notes:

• The sale appears to only apply to Tuckernuck “house” labels, and includes some exclusions (like my coveted Diana Blazer and certain new collection pieces . . . le sigh).

• Use code FAMILY for 15% off $250; 20% off $500+

My favorite selections are featured below in the following categories: Tuckernuck Staples; Cashmere (one of my favorite Tuckernuck lines); Fall Fashions; and Accessories & Shoes. Happy shopping!

In a rush? Shop all my Tuckernuck Friends & Family Sale 2026 Selections 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

Tuckernuck Staples

1. Callahan Shirt Dress - Denim

2. White Parker Classic Tee

   • My favorite tee of ALL time.

3. White Oxford Adair Boyfriend Shirt

   • My favorite button down of ALL time.

4. Tan Striped Vesty Long Sleeve Crewneck

5. Chocolate Brown 28 Inch Compression September Pant

Cashmere

1. Cashmere Riley Cardigan

2. Cashmere Boyfriend Bodie Crewneck

3. Cashmere Charley Cardigan

Fall Fashions

1. Houndstooth Leo Blazer

2. Crimson & Brown Corduroy Trim Liam Chore Jacket

3. Highland Plaid Royal Shirt Dress

4. Brown Gingham Cotton Mabel Maxi Dress

5. Ganache Vegan Suede Brynn Skirt

6. Winetasting Chloe Dress

7. Wine Leather Veronica Skirt

   

8. Plum Cotton Colette Cardigan

9. Moss Organza Mini Delaney Dress

10. Black Wildflower Embroidered Dupioni Rebecca Dress

11. Herringbone Velvet Trim Patton Coat

12. Winetasting Crepe Callahan Shirt Dress

13. White Satin Brianna Bow Blouse

14. Metallic Velvet Burnout Samantha Dress

Accessories & Shoes

1. Gold French Twist Mini Hoop Earrings

2. Brown Floral Medium Silk Scarf

3. Wheat Bandana Silk Cashmere Blend Large Scarf

4. Brown Western Buckle Belt

5. Metallic Taupe Leather Nina Flats

6. Chocolate Suede Nina Flats

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

Tuckernuck’s surprise Friends & Family sale starts tomorrow, September 22, but, if you’re VIP status, you can access now! A few important notes:

• The sale appears to only apply to Tuckernuck “house” labels, and includes some exclusions (like my coveted Diana Blazer and certain new collection pieces . . . le sigh).

• Use code FAMILY for 15% off $250; 20% off $500+

My favorite selections are featured below in the following categories: Tuckernuck Staples; Cashmere (one of my favorite Tuckernuck lines); Fall Fashions; and Accessories & Shoes. Happy shopping!

In a rush? Shop all my Tuckernuck Friends & Family Sale 2026 Selections 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

Tuckernuck Staples

1. Callahan Shirt Dress - Denim

2. White Parker Classic Tee

   • My favorite tee of ALL time.

3. White Oxford Adair Boyfriend Shirt

   • My favorite button down of ALL time.

4. Tan Striped Vesty Long Sleeve Crewneck

5. Chocolate Brown 28 Inch Compression September Pant

Cashmere

1. Cashmere Riley Cardigan

2. Cashmere Boyfriend Bodie Crewneck

3. Cashmere Charley Cardigan

Fall Fashions

1. Houndstooth Leo Blazer

2. Crimson & Brown Corduroy Trim Liam Chore Jacket

3. Highland Plaid Royal Shirt Dress

4. Brown Gingham Cotton Mabel Maxi Dress

5. Ganache Vegan Suede Brynn Skirt

6. Winetasting Chloe Dress

7. Wine Leather Veronica Skirt

   

8. Plum Cotton Colette Cardigan

9. Moss Organza Mini Delaney Dress

10. Black Wildflower Embroidered Dupioni Rebecca Dress

11. Herringbone Velvet Trim Patton Coat

12. Winetasting Crepe Callahan Shirt Dress

13. White Satin Brianna Bow Blouse

14. Metallic Velvet Burnout Samantha Dress

Accessories & Shoes

1. Gold French Twist Mini Hoop Earrings

2. Brown Floral Medium Silk Scarf

3. Wheat Bandana Silk Cashmere Blend Large Scarf

4. Brown Western Buckle Belt

5. Metallic Taupe Leather Nina Flats

6. Chocolate Suede Nina Flats

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!

Even though I’m 31 and have been out of school for six years now, I am still thrilled by return-to-school season! I miss school supply shopping, but I still feel like every September I’m on the precipice of the best part of my year!

Plus, I have so many exciting projects in the hopper — I’m traveling to an exciting, iconic partner this weekend, and I have some upcoming personal developments that I am really, really thrilled to proceed forward with. Be sure to follow along on Instagram for more regular updates, but of course, you will always find me here on Fridays with an update :)

Until our next correspondence,

xx Lauren

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Wearing | J.Crew Factory Fall Finds

I did a major haul from J.Crew Factory over the Labor Day sale, and it has been wonderful — mind you, it almost rivals the J.Crew premiere label in my opinion!

What I purchased:

• Field Jacket

• Plaid Dress

• Herringbone Schoolboy Blazer

• Cotton Striped Wide-Hem Sweater

Eating | Walkers Gluten Free Pure Butter Shortbread Cookies

I just ordered these, and despite having no pumpkin to them, they are my favorite fall treat — I think because I used to snack on them while watching new seasons of The Crown, which historically released in Novemer-ish. So delicious, especially when paired with lemon curd.

Reading | Beach Reads & Bubbly Fall Reading Guide

My favorite book-fluencer has published her Fall Reading Guide, and it's full of titles I either stand by wholeheartedly (it features Emma M. Lion, which I've been absolutely devouring!) or immediately added to my want-to-read list. The first one? Receipts from the Bookshop by , based off her popular substack .

Club Bubbly by Beach Reads & Bubbly

The BR&B Guide to Fall Reading: Vol. 2

Welcome to the 2026 edition of my fall reading guide! Autumn is made for tucking in with a book, and boy do I have the book for you. And by “the book,” I mean lists upon lists of seasonal books that …

Read more

15 days ago · 111 likes · 284 comments · Katie of Beach Reads & Bubbly and Elizabeth Czapski

Watching | Everything!!!!

We are SO back. I love this season of television, and we are truly in a golden era: Ted Lasso, RHOSLC, RHONY, Traitors, DWTS, and football!!!! An embarrassment of riches!!!!

Listening | The New Basement Tapes

I discovered this supergroup, featuring names like Marcus Mumford and Elvis Costello, who took lyrics never recorded by Bob Dylan and produced this album. My favorite track has to be "Kansas City."

Trying | Theraface Depuffing Wand

I was completely influenced by my audience to pull the trigger on this long-coveted buy, and I am so glad I did! I'm amazed by this product's chilling and warming capabilities, and I know I'll be using this for travel. Their YouTube page has great suggested routines for sculpting, depuffing, glowing, and tension relief using both temperature features, including contrast therapy. I love the cooling in the morning, but I think my absolute favorite is the warming feature — I've been doing it in bed and it completely relaxes me (even though it's supposedly most effective prior to putting on your skincare, and it can be used in the morning for the same purpose!). I also purchased the Oak Essentials Balancing Mist, which I've been dying to try, as a base on my skin before using it.

Champagne | Veronica Beard Blake Brocade Coat

This coat reminds me of my grandma's old luggage (immensely positive!), and the removable faux fur collar allows this investment to carry you through fall to winter and winter to spring! Plus, there are a selection of collars you can mix and match from!

Frites | Farm Rio Flower Jacquard Lapel Trench Coat

While I wouldn't normally consider a nearly $400 jacket a "frites" selection, it's a fraction of the cost of lookalikes and comes from a brand whose quality I trust implicitly. Plus, what precious scallop detailing!

View & Shop All Here

1. Quince Mongolian Cashmere Oversized Boyfriend Cardigan Sweater

2. Quince Australian Merino Wool Collared Cardigan

3. Quince 100% Organic Cotton Oversized Boyfriend Cardigan

4. Quince Italian Leather Block Heel Boots

5. Quince Italian Leather Tall Western Boots

6. Quince Bella Rigid Straight Jeans

7. Quince 100% Organic Cotton Boyfriend Crew Sweater

8. Quince Organic Cotton Relaxed Oxford Shirt

9. Quince Lab Grown Diamond Tennis Bracelet

10. Quince 14K Gold Natural Diamond Five Stone Band

Two Broke Chicks

I found these two on my Instagram discovery page, and they have the most fun, snackable roundups from the week's news across business, pop culture, self-improvement, and human interest. I love seeing their posts crop up in my feed and through their substack !

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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The Lauren Warrant is my editorial seal of approval — a series dedicated to the brands, makers, and pieces that have earned not just a place in my closet, but a permanent residence in my life. Think of it as my take on the UK Royal Warrant of Appointment: a recognition bestowed not because something is new, or trending, or sent to me in a very pretty box, but because it has proved itself, season after season, in the living of an actual life.

The fourth Lauren Warrant goes to the Veronica Beard Valentina Sneaker.

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Their Story

Veronica Beard was built on a very simple, very smart bet. Sisters-in-law Veronica Miele Beard (by way of Wall Street) and Veronica Swanson Beard (by way of the fashion industry) launched the label together in 2010 with one idea: give women a uniform that is anything but boring.

That idea started as a rack of Dickey Jackets and has since grown into a full lifestyle brand — ready-to-wear, denim, handbags, and shoes — all built around the same philosophy: cool, classic, a little unexpected, and engineered for a woman who does not have time to overthink what she's wearing.

The Valentina Sneaker undoubtably adopts this ethos. It's become one of the brand's signature, best-selling styles, and it's easy to see why: a padded collar, a cushioned midsole with just enough lift, a rubber outsole for grip, and contrast detailing at the toe cap and heel. The interlocking-V appears as a darling accent rather than a gauche logo. It's sporty and polished simultaneously, lightweight, and curates a look that is far more considered than lace-up footwear can usually achieve.

How I Found It

I first noticed this shoe on the feet of various women in my life who I think of as genuinely chic, which is the ultimate testament of style and function! I was even more so impressed by their demographics: Valentinas were sported by women spanning over three decades in age, and in a menagerie of settings to boot: charitable board meetings, street music festivals, and the office.

I resisted for a long time — $295 is a hefty number for a sneaker. But, I finally caved in February on the navy suede pair, and it was one of those rarefied purchases where expectations were more than surpassed. I ordered a second color before the first pair had even left the box!

Why I Love It So Much

They are, without exaggeration, some of the most comfortable shoes I own. That built-in lift does something for your whole posture — elevating, no pun intended, but also just genuinely flattering with everything from jeans to a dress.

The part that actually sold me, though, I didn't clock until they arrived: they slip on!!! No laces to fuss with, no five minutes lost bending down in a rush while you’re juggling your purse, a gym bag, and morning coffee. You step in and you're out the door.

They also come in so many fashionable colorways, plus shearling-lined versions that are perfection for fall and winter. The newest iteration? A slightly more athletic "sport" build for anyone who wants a touch more edge. I cannot wait to add these variants to my collection!

My Veronica Beard Valentina Sneaker Favorites

My curation of favorite Veronica Beard Valentina Sneakers!

P.S. Sizing wise, I usually am a size 7-7.5, but I find the 7.5s far more comfortable!

1. Valentina Sneaker in Ecru — The classic, original recipe. These were the pair I immediately ordered after receiving my (now discontinued) navy suede pair!

2. Valentina Sneaker in Chestnut Multi — The suede and houndstooth are so autumnal! On my wish-list!

3. Valentina Ziger Sneaker — How immensely FUN are these!? Animal print is a neutral, too, right?

4. Valentina Shearling Sneaker in Espresso — These are a must for my fall/winter closet! I love this rich chocolatey color so much.

5. Valentina Sport Sneaker in Ocean and Pinot Noir — I am extremely intrigued by this new design, featuring nylon panels!

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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There's a lot of discourse about the ethics of the ultra-rich (fair), with criticism often accompanied by aghast decrees: "I couldn't spend all that money even if I tried!"

But here's the thing: I genuinely in my heart of hearts believe I could.

I LOVE spending money. It's one of my favorite things to do.

I love buying clothes. I love buying shoes. I love buying presents and trips and books and little treats and dinners and cocktails and donations and all of it. I have a 13-part action plan in place for the day I win the lottery. I am not a natural saver — there are simply too many fun things to buy or do. And lest us not pretend that money isn’t an intensely emotional, intensely personal thing on top of all of that, too!

I also in almost equal parts adore self ~improvement~ and *actualization* and #notworkinguntiliam100, which led me to, in my adulthood, try to get recklessly honest and responsible regarding my financial personality.

Over the years, I have developed the following practices to deal with my financial proclivities, and my entire relationship with money falls into one of three buckets: how I save, how I spend, and how we share it as a couple.

A disclaimer before we begin: I am not a financial planner. I have never once deprived myself of anything. If you have specific questions — especially about investments, which always carries risk and where returns can be volatile — please talk to an actual financial advisor.

Saving!

• Automate it before you see it. The first person who gets paid is your future self! Beyond our 401(k)s and HSAs, we route a set amount from every paycheck automatically into savings and investments — money we never factor into our usable income. It's for future-vacation self, future-forever-home self, future-sending-kids-to-college self. When you don't see it, you don't touch it. If it's sitting in checking, I will try to spend it!

• Max out your 401(k) — at minimum, get the full match. Compounding rewards small changes made early, and it’s especially sweet pre-tax. Here's the math on a retirement account’s 6% conservative return if you max out the full $24,500 annual contribution limit:

  

  and that's before your employer's match contribution, which you AT MINIMUM need to maximize! Every five-year delay costs roughly $700K–$1M by 65 — the gap between starting at 25 versus 30 alone is nearly $1M, almost predicated entirely on lost compounding time, not lost contributions from your bank account.

  

• Pretend bonuses don't exist. We both earn a non-trivial amount of our income through bonuses, equity, and profit-sharing, but we never budget for it in our financial planning and never account for it in our day-to-day spending. When it lands, it's a lovely way to fund a vacation or hit a savings goal early — never something to rely on!

• Build an emergency fund, full stop. If you take one thing from this list, let it be the 401(k) match. The second thing is this: our entire relationship to money changed overnight after Carter's cancer diagnosis in 2023 — we went from a two-income household with no major expenses beyond rent to one income hemorrhaging money on not only medical bills but the associated expenses that come with a loved one being sick (don't even get me started on $40-a-night hospital parking). Conservative advice is three months of expenses in an easily accessible high-yield savings account. Given our risk tolerance, we prefer closer to six.

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Spending!

• Make your default a debit card, not a credit card. Controversial and unpopular, I know! Maxing out points is extremely tempting. For context, Carter and I do have two credit cards (an American Express Platinum and an American Express Delta SkyMiles® Platinum, chosen deliberately and maximized to the extreme (a post for another day). But, for a natural born spender (positive!), credit cards can quickly become dangerous (scary!). So, daily expenses go on debit: money in, money out, essentially cash with the convenience of a card. Credit cards are reserved for large purchases we want covered by dispute protection, travel, or specific benefit categories — and the rule is you pay it off immediately. No balance sits, not even until the statement!

• Log every single dollar. I keep a manual budget. It genuinely doesn’t change anything about our bills or savings, since all of that runs on autopilot — it’s entirely about the discomfort of tracking. A $50-minimum Uber Eats order for two people, once you factor in fees and tips, feels a lot less appealing when you have to type it into a spreadsheet four times over with a little shame on Monday morning. It keeps us honest, and the tracker I use also breaks down the percentage of spending going into each category (groceries, streaming subscriptions, etc.), which is its own reality check.

• Stop buying random shit on Amazon. When I left Big Law for a more specialized firm with better work-life balance, I took nearly a 50% pay cut. But the biggest lifestyle adjustment wasn't where we lived or traveled — it was cutting the mindless, miscellaneous spending on things I didn't need. Amazon is the main offender, but this applies to any category. Wait 24 hours. Better yet, wait a week. If you still want it by then, it’s aligned with your values; not just an impulsive attempt at a dopamine hit.

  • Pro tip! Keep a private running wish-list on myregistry.com. It helps me “put a pin” in coveted pieces until I have fulfilled my self-imposed waiting period. This also comes in handy when people ask what you want for birthdays/holidays!

• Think about this meme constantly.

  

  The first time I saw this image I pulled out my calculator because I truly could not fathom this as reality. It ruined my day to discover it is true. Think critically about your $27.40 — it adds up fast.

• Stop treating sales as permission slips. It's easy to get swept up in the dopamine of a good discount, especially one dressed up with urgency. But I've learned I'm often more excited by the price than the piece itself — and that's how you end up with a closet or home full of things you don't actually love. Go in with a list. I know the Tuckernuck silhouettes I want before the Sample Sale starts. I know what I'm hunting for at an estate sale — an etched hurricane lamp, silver frames, Wedgwood — before I walk in. Urgency is not your friend!

• Get off the hot girl hamster wheel. There's a great episode of The Money with Katie Show on this — Katie Gatti Tassin's whole thesis is that women are conditioned to believe spending thousands of dollars a year on upkeep isn't just normal, it's required. Inspired by her reporting, I have experimented opting out of pieces of it. I went darker with my hair color specifically so I can stretch the time between salon appointments. I cycle through manicure-and-pedicure phases — the second it starts feeling like a task instead of a treat, I take at least a two-month hiatus. And, to be clear, I will never give up Botox or splurge-worthy skincare — this isn't about deprivation or becoming ugly (only half kidding)! It's about two things: being mindful, and refusing to accept that something is "normal" just because everyone else is doing it.

• Spend on experiences over things. I regret material purchases about half the time and wind up in the purgatory of returns. I almost never regret an experience, especially one shared with Carter or the people I love. That said, I’d rather take fewer, more luxurious trips a year over travel every month, which may require staying in an Airbnb and cooking meals in the rental kitchen. Mileage may vary for you (literally)! What matters is to know your values and spend in line with them!

• Practice a little malicious compliance with medical bills. Pay them, and pay them on time — but take the payment plan if there's no interest accruing (not to be confused with medical financing that may have a 0% interest introductory period). It's the one thing we don't pay off immediately. Mostly because, after everything we've seen, it feels like a small act of financial resistance that costs us nothing!!! Hospitals and providers will work with you, and sometimes even offer discounts, so don’t be afraid to call and ask!

Sharing!

• Combine your finances (almost entirely* — see below). One of the best pieces of advice I ever received about money and partnership: think in terms of household income, not individual buckets. Our contributions as the higher earner have waxed and waned over the years, as have our responsibilities at home — combining income recognizes what we each bring to the family, regardless of whose name is on the paycheck.

• Make sure you both actually have access. Trust is part of it; practicality is the other part. When Carter had cancer, we discovered one of our "joint" savings accounts didn't actually include me — and the only way to fix it required an in-person branch visit during business hours, which is nearly impossible when your husband is immunocompromised and every spare hour is spent working to keep the household afloat. Access matters. Check it before you need it.

• *Keep some "funny money." Carter and I each get a set amount of independent cash every month, agreed upon together, to spend on whatever we want outside of shared expenses: dinners with friends, shopping, gifts, personal savings. There's something genuinely important about having independence within a partnership — the freedom to spend $300 on skincare, or an eye-watering amount on Pokémon cards, without a side-eye from your spouse. Pick a number generous enough for real autonomy, but below the threshold where a purchase should become a family conversation. We both technically have access to each other's funny money for emergencies, but we don't check it.

• Talk about money as "we." Every conversation about money should run through "we" — "we" did great saving this month, "we" were over budget on champagne, etc. It's a small shift, and most of the time it’s truly just semantics, but it reframes money as a shared project instead of a scoreboard. You're a team. Speak like one.

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.

This week’s curation is fall staple selections from one of my favorite economical retailers: Quince.

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.

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1. Quince Mongolian Cashmere Oversized Boyfriend Cardigan Sweater — My top, all-time favorite piece from Quince. The quality for the price is unparalleled, and it is the perfect autumn/winter layering piece.

2. Quince Australian Merino Wool Collared Cardigan — I recently ordered this and I am anxiously awaiting its arrival! It looks like the perfect “wrap yourself up like a character from Big Little Lies” sweater.

3. Quince 100% Organic Cotton Oversized Boyfriend Cardigan — I have the cropped version of this cardigan, and I invested recently in the full length size for fall lounging!

4. Quince Italian Leather Block Heel Boots — On my autumnal wishlist! I love the look of a chunky boot for autumn casual wear.

5. Quince Italian Leather Tall Western Boots — I have these in black and they are perfect for a sloane ranger look, paired with tucked in denim and an oversized blazer.

6. Quince Bella Rigid Straight Jeans — A recent discover and my absolute new favorite go-to denim. I love that they offer in short, regular, and tall sizing, too!

7. Quince 100% Organic Cotton Boyfriend Crew Sweater — An absolute favorite! It’s slouchy enough for a comfortable look, but the length is perfect for a tailored look with denim or trousers.

8. Quince Organic Cotton Relaxed Oxford Shirt — This is the top that La Fete uses for their beloved gameday and favorite things shirts, and it’s the perfect weight and construction for a slightly oversized (but never sloppy) throw-and-go top.

9. Quince Lab Grown Diamond Tennis Bracelet — My husband gave me this for my 30th birthday, and it’s such a staple piece to have in your collection.

10. Quince 14K Gold Natural Diamond Five Stone Band — My fifth wedding anniversary is coming up, and a five-stone band feels apropos, no?!

+ 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

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.

This week’s curation is all about my favorite dark neutral: navy!

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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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1. Tuckernuck Navy Diana Blazer — Just snagged for myself and I am obsessed! I am glad I read the reviews and went up a size, as it is a titch tight through the shoulders and arms. I also am so glad I did the personalized monogram on the cuff! Such a chic touch.

2. Manolo Blahnik Maysale Suede Flats — I adore this silhouette and have been eyeing navy flats for a long time now!

3. Hill House The Scarlett Nap Dress in Navy Tonal Seersucker — My favorite Hill House dress style in the most beautiful navy stripe pattern. Perfect for faux fall!

4. Tory Burch T Monogram Romy Bucket Bag — I feel like Tory Burch is so back! How darling is this bucket bag with navy and caramel leather detailing?!

5. Rhone Mirage Anorak in Navy — I just ordered this pullover in a different colorway, but I am obsessed with this navy and think it will have to be my next color!

6. J.Crew 1988 Rollneck^™ Sweater in Cotton — The original and the best. I double size up for the perfectly oversized, stolen-from-your-dad’s-closet look.

7. J.Crew Factory Gingham Button-Up Shirt — Is it just me, or has J.Crew Factory been even better than J.Crew these days!? This gingham button-up is absolutely perfect for fall styling.

8. J.Crew Factory Field Jacket — See note above re J.Crew Factory being on absolute fire. This jacket looks like it should cost four times as much as it does!

9. MERSEA Modern Travel Wrap in Slate Blue — This is one of my absolute favorite pieces from a favorite brand! So perfect for throw and go layering while traveling or formal styling!

10. Jo Malone London Night Collection Lavender & Moonflower Pillow Mist — One of my favorite nightly rituals is a spritz of this fragrance on my pillow. It signals to my nervous system it is time to rest and restore. Such a little luxury!

+ 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.

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Happy Friday!

We’ve made it to the official start of fall — in my book, at least! I have so many little traditions that come with my favorite season: pumpkin candles, my grandmother’s chicken and wild rice soup, and, for reasons I cannot fully explain, an annual rewatch of Diana: The Musical. Don’t ask. I love little traditions, especially at the change of season, as a way of romanticizing my life, and I wrote about exactly that this week in a story!

I hope you have a wonderful and safe Labor Day weekend, full of romanticizing and maybe even the start of a tradition or two of your own!

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 | Pinterest-Inspired Outfits

I have so many lovely pieces in my wardrobe, but styling them together doesn’t come naturally to me. Rather than (trying not to) buy anything new, I’m turning to Pinterest for inspiration instead. This week’s look was modeled after one of my favorite finds!

Eating | Grandma's Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

My absolute favorite soup in the world, and always our first entry into Soup-tember.

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons butter

• 3 celery ribs, chopped into ½-inch pieces

• 3–4 carrots, cut into ½-inch pieces

• 1 head broccoli, chopped

• 1 medium onion, chopped

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 1½ teaspoons finely chopped thyme

• Salt

• Pepper

• ¼ cup all-purpose gluten-free flour

• 1½ cups wild rice

• 2 quarts (8 cups) chicken stock or low-sodium broth

• 2 cups water

• Old Bay seasoning

• Garlic powder

• 4 cups bite-size pieces of roasted chicken

• 1 cup heavy cream

Directions In a large saucepan, melt the butter. Add the celery, carrots, onion, garlic, broccoli, thyme, and a generous pinch each of salt and pepper. Cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables just start to soften, about 10 minutes. Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and cook, stirring, until evenly coated and lightly browned, about 3 minutes.

Add the wild rice and gradually stir in the stock and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes.

Stir in the roasted chicken. Continue simmering, stirring occasionally, until the wild rice is tender, 10 to 15 minutes longer. Stir in the cream and season with pepper, Old Bay, and garlic powder to taste. Keep on low, stirring every 30 minutes and alternating covered and uncovered, for 3 to 6 hours.

Reading | The Week

I just subscribed on the recommendation of a friend’s father. It’s a weekly compilation of news, editorials, and other stories pulled from across the political spectrum!

Watching | Untold: Raygun

This documentary is equal parts humorous, fascinating, and compelling — a real portrait of the person behind a meme.

Listening | Love Trapped

This podcast is completely addictive. It dives into the con artist who accused former (and largely despised) Bachelor Clayton Echard of fathering her twins — despite the two never having had sexual intercourse. Every episode is more insane than the last!

Trying | Manucurist

Note: I received these products as PR! I found myself dreading my biweekly manicures — which felt silly, given how expensive they are! So I’ve decided to give my nails a break, and Manucurist’s Active line, which is like makeup for your nails, is the perfect in-between for a more polished look (pun intended).

Champagne | Evereve Tala Track Pant

Dark chocolate-brown track pants are the easiest way to dress for fall while still accommodating summer weather!

Frites | Target Women's Woven High-Rise Gingham Track Pants

Totally on trend this fall, under $50, and finished with a little gingham detail — you know I adore that.

View & Shop All Here

1. J.Crew Luna Pant in Lightweight Corduroy

2. J.Crew Luna Pant in Cotton Poplin

3. Target Woven High-Rise Gingham Track Pants

4. Aritzia The Lodge Pant™ Satin

5. Donni The Silk Taffeta Cargo Pant

6. Chan Luu Dupioni Straight Leg Pant

7. Quince Organic Stretch Corduroy Wide Leg Pants

8. Cadets Everyday Poplin Pant

9. Aritzia Archway Satin Pant

10. Sezane Martin Crop Trousers

Donald Robertson

One of my absolute favorite artists — pithy, playful, and always perfectly in tune with the zeitgeist. I love seeing what original work he’ll whip up, seemingly in seconds, the moment a cultural moment arrives.

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 am a firm believer you need to romanticize your own life; no one is going to do it for you.

And, the easiest way to do that is to create little traditions with yourself.

@laurentilashalskii love making my own traditions, even if they’re just with myself. one of my favorites is if i am in nyc, i am getting a glass of champs at bergdorfs! #bergdorfs @Bergdorf Goodman

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Traditions: Yes! You Can Literally Just Make Them Up!

I think a lot of women floating around quarter- to mid-life, like myself, might initially hear the word “tradition” and jump to images of dusty sacraments they are beholden to at Thanksgiving or Christmas, usually at the directive of a elder matriarch or patriarch.

Another common logical fallacy I have fallen trap to time and time again is the belief we must wait to inherit the rituals culture has already scripted around a husband, a family, a house with a name on the gate.

However, I posit that creating your own traditions now is the single most important thing you can do to romanticize your life. And yes! You can literally just make them up! You don’t need anyone’s permission, but, if you are still looking for some external validation, just know you have mine! (and maybe consider teasing that out further with your therapist!).

Creating traditions is completely indifferent to your circumstances. You need not wait for the white picket fence, the husband, the 2.5 children, the promotion, or the right balance in your bank account. All that is required is a fixed point on the calendar and your will to decide it means something.

Just like burning the good candles or eating on your fine china, you do not — and should not — have to wait for an amorphous “someday” to come. You can design your own small, self-authored rites today.

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 Recipe

I’ve built enough of these now to notice a formula. If you’re looking to start your own, these four checkpoints will help you as you ideate:

1. Time-related, or seasonal. Anchor it to something on the calendar — a season, a month, a specific event/occurrence, a holiday, a birthday, an anniversary. The date is what turns an activity into a tradition; it’s what makes it return instead of just happening once.

2. Feasible for repetition. It has to survive contact with an actual, busy life. If it requires enormous effort, a specific person’s schedule, or a windfall, it will die by year three. Design it so future-you can actually pull it off.

3. Not so feasible you end up doing it daily. This isn’t supposed to be a habit. A tradition needs enough scarcity to stay special — you want to enjoy the anticipation of feeling it coming. *Note, I have one exception to this rule below!

4. Speaks to your values. This is the non-negotiable ingredient. If it doesn’t connect to something you actually care about — beauty, faith, story, nostalgia, generosity, family, whatever it is for you — it’s just a task with a euphemistic name.

What Some of Mine Look Like

A few from my own running list, for a sense of scale — some are luxurious, some are absurdly quirky, but all count:

• The little tradition that started it all: a solo lunch at Bergdorf’s, even if just for 30 minutes, with a glass of champagne and dessert, every time I’m in New York City.

• Carter and I exchange our first Christmas ornament of the season on Thanksgiving day. We usually pick out something representative of the past year for each other, and it’s the perfect grand welcome to the holiday season.

• Every year on my birthday, I select a new Herend figurine for my collection.

• I also watch the film About Time every year during my birthday week.

• Elin Hilderbrand’s Nantucket books are exclusively reserved for May-August reading. Each summer my first crack of a Hilderbrand spine feels magical!

• Speaking of books, once I finish a title, I place a customized bookplate inside its front cover.

• Probably my most random but one of my most beloved: On the first Saturday that truly feels like fall, I watch the campy and honestly absurd Diana: The Musical.

• If Carter and I are somewhere where a couple has just gotten engaged, we send them over a bottle of champagne!

• On hard, disappointing, or just “off” days, I read poetry out loud (to myself, to Charlie, to Carter).

• Every September, we host “Soup-tember” in our kitchen! Each week, one of us makes a new soup recipe, but we always start with my Grandma Barb’s chicken and wild rice.

• Instead of anniversary gifts, Carter and I take turns selecting a case of wine for our collection that represents the year we had.

• Around New Year, I make a vision board on my Pinterest! I set aside a quiet afternoon and sip a special, fizzy drink with a Jane Austen film-adaptation playing in the background as a I pin and manifest away.

• And, probably my simplest one but the most impactful (and my exception to the non-daily rule!): every morning, I start my day by writing in my gratitude journal — three things I am grateful for, and why, to be specific. The true secret to romanticizing your life is finding gratitude within every single crevice of it, no matter how seemingly inconsequential or mundane.

None of these required a different life than the one I have right now. That’s the point — I didn’t wait to deserve them!

Now It’s Your Turn

Pick a date already fixed on your calendar — a season change, a birthday, a holiday you already mark. Attach one small, specific, values-driven ritual to it. Do it once on purpose. Do it again, on purpose. And there — you have a little tradition with yourself! Plus, it’s already romantic, because you’re the one who decided it mattered.

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.

This week is all about pants I’m wearing, buying, or itching for this fall!

View & Shop All Here

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1. J.Crew Luna Pant in Lightweight Corduroy — I just ordered these in the hickory ash and pale ibis colors! They seem like the most perfect fall transition bottom. And I adore brands that offer petite sizing and save me on the tailoring!

2. J.Crew Luna Pant in Cotton Poplin — Also a recent order! I went with smoked walnut and worn teak. How easy will autumnal dressing be with these and a crisp button down?

3. Target Woven High-Rise Gingham Track Pants — I cannot believe the price of these that look like $300+ designer duds! Plus, you know I just adore a gingham nod.

4. Aritzia The Lodge Pant™ Satin — Another recent buy for me! I went with metropolis beige and cacao nib brown. I have been on the search for a silky-satin pant that doesn’t immediately turn to a wrinkly mess the moment they’re on, and my research shows this could be the magic pair!

5. Donni The Silk Taffeta Cargo Pant — These are the priciest pair on my list, but I can speak from first-hand experience that they are that good. I adore my pair in pistachio green, but, for this fall, I am coveting creme polka dot.

6. Chan Luu Dupioni Straight Leg Pant — Another elevated pair from a prestige brand that I’ve been dying to try. I just love the paper-bag waist and back bow detailing!

7. Quince Organic Stretch Corduroy Wide Leg Pants — It’s no surprise to those who have been around here a while that I adore Quince, particular their denim and pants. There are so many gorgeous fall jewel-tones available in this silhouette; I don’t know where to even start!

8. Cadets Everyday Poplin Pant — Cadets is a hidden favorite for womenswear for me! I think their bendel brown and bandana brown colorways would be perfect for those fall days that feel alarmingly still like summer.

9. Aritzia Archway Satin Pant — How darling and romantic is the lace cuff detailing? I just wish it came in even more colors!

10. Sezane Martin Crop Trousers — My Pinterest is flooded with stylish women wearing these trousers every single fall, and I am thinking this may be the first season I pull the trigger for myself!

+ 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.

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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 book this month got five stars, which either means I had excellent taste in August or extremely low standards! I’m going with the former. A Nantucket farewell, a Patchett masterclass, a poetry collection I hadn’t opened since Senior Speech Team, and an American Girl book that made me interrogate my entire childhood — here’s what I read:

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

Here’s to Us by Elin Hilderbrand — ★★★★★
The final Elin Nantucket read of my summer, and it closed the season exactly as it should have: classic Hilderbrand, which is to say rich people behaving badly in the most beautifully rendered way possible. A fitting goodbye to the tradition until next May!

The Queen and Her Presidents by Susan Page — ★★★★★
A U.S.-centric deep dive into Queen Elizabeth II’s relationships with the American presidents she outlasted — full of the kind of specific, delicious nuggets that make nonfiction feel like gossip you’re allowed to have!

Whistler by Ann Patchett — ★★★★★
This month’s The Lauren Letter Book Club selection, and true Patchett literary artistry from the first page. Quiet, exacting, and beautifully nostalgic.

God Went to Beauty School by Cynthia Rylant — ★★★★★
A book of poetry I built my High School Senior Speech Team program around years ago, revisited now with fresh eyes. Absolute fits of laughter and tears, sometimes within the same poem — Rylant’s prose still holds every bit of its power.

An American Girl by Amanda FitzSimmons — ★★★★★
Officially released on October 13, but I got my hands on an advance copy and could not put it down! A fair, at times critical look at the American Girl brand that never loses sight of the nostalgia and warmth that made us all love it in the first place. I finished it and immediately started texting every friend I have asking which American Girl they were! (I am a Samantha).

September Book Club: The Thoroughbreds by Elin Hilderbrand and Shelby Cunningham

September’s pick is book two in the mother-daughter duo’s Academy series, following the sixth-formers (i.e., high school seniors) of Tiffin Academy back for one more heady, secret-filled year — the It Couple on the rocks, a rift no one will explain, and a whole new crop of drama nipping at the heels of the last book’s cliffhangers!

It officially releases September 15, but you can pre-order your copy now so it’s waiting for you on day one. And — chills!!!! — I somehow got my hands on an advanced reader copy, so I am about to dig in early. How lucky am I!

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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