Happy Friday!

Yesterday, I caught myself happy in the middle of an ordinary day for the first time in a while.

I want to be honest: I have felt immense happiness in these past few weeks, but if I’m truthful with myself, most of it has been engineered. Luxury hotels. Grand purchases. Champagne and late nights. All lovely things, but I recognize now that I was reaching for them, using them as a kind of scaffolding to hold happiness up.

But yesterday, it was just office coffee, a conversation with a colleague about public securities filings — hardly the stuff of poetry — and a small, unbidden smile on my lips. A quiet kind of peace. A steady kind of energy. And then, simply, the thought fluttered into my mind, unprompted and unearned by any grand gesture at all: I am happy.

I’ve been meditating for a year and a half now, and I credit the practice entirely with giving me the presence to notice happiness this gentle — the kind that doesn’t announce itself, that you could easily miss if you weren’t paying attention.

Wishing you all the most normal of joys this weekend, and peace in your own presence.

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 | Few Moda Caara Paloma Linen Pant in Butter

I received so many compliments on these this week. They read casual, but I dressed them up for the office and they held their own beautifully. I love Few Moda as a brand, and this particular shade of butter yellow is just perfect.

Eating | A Peach of a Party Casseroles

I was gifted a few of these casseroles weeks ago and finally dug them out of the freezer. Absolutely delicious — worth every bit of refrigerator real estate. The Chicken & Wild Rice was especially scrumptious!

Reading | Dolly All The Time by Annabel Monaghan

I just cracked open this month's Lauren Letter Book Club pick! Join us in reading along and jump into the discussion.

Watching | Elle

Carter and I popped this Legally Blonde prequel on, and it is truly fizzy, eye-candy fun. There's a fair amount of heavy-handed callbacks (or is it call-forwards, given it's a prequel?) that can make it feel a touch unoriginal at moments — but we've both enjoyed it as easy watching, and it's a genuine joy to see our heroine's reputation for open-mindedness and belief in the best in people spring to life.

Listening | Caamp

This band came on shuffle at work and I fell for it immediately. It feels like sitting around a campfire. My favorites are "By and By" and "26."

Trying | Brow Lami and Stain & Last Lift and Tint

I went to Tanaz at By the Blade to try out my first ever brow lamination and stain & lash lift and tint and instantly felt so put together — today I literally just used a lash curler for an extra boost before walking out the door, nothing more. Excited to report back on how it holds up over time!

Champagne | LoveShackFancy Chessie Blooming Floral Maxi Dress

No one does whimsical, feminine dressing quite like LoveShackFancy!

Frites | American Heiress Maeve Appliqué Chiffon Midi Dress in Marigold Yellow

A brand that’s new to me, and it’s a beautiful one — one self-proclaimed in love with the classic muses of art and culture. This pink-and-yellow piece is stunning, and at under $120, it's a remarkably accessible way into an elevated look.

View & Shop All Here

1. Dorsey Kate Riviere Necklace

2. Maison Louis Marie No. 04 Bois de Balincourt Soy Candle

3. Leset Barb Wide Leg Pant & Crew Cardigan

4. Kule The Nickerson

5. Coco McCall Coco Cutie Cardigan

6. Ray-Ban RB4457D Plastic Pillow Sunglasses

7. English Factory Tan & Brown Swiss Dot Tillie Maxi Dress

8. Sugar Paper Gratitude Journal

9. On Cloudtilt

10. MagSafe Phone Case

Elizabeth White Cook

The founder of Domino Media Group, an Atlanta-based PR and brand strategy firm focused on lifestyle-driven businesses, Elizabeth has now traded agency life for a different kind of hunt: scouring estate sales, online auctions, and the hidden corners of the internet for pieces with real history to them. It is exactly the kind of patient, discerning treasure-hunting I aspire to bring to my own home, and she shares all of it — design inspiration, insider finds, and a genuinely well-trained eye for mixing old with new — with her community on Instagram and in her own weekly 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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Happy Friday!

First, from the very bottom of my heart: thank you. The outpouring of love, messages, and gentle check-ins since we shared our pregnancy loss has been nothing short of overwhelming in the most beautiful way. This community continues to astonish me, and I am so grateful for each and every one of you.

Tomorrow is my birthday, and I’ll be honest — it’s arriving with a few more feelings than usual. Birthdays have a way of doing that, don’t they? Making you sit still long enough to take stock of where you are versus where you thought you’d be. Last year I wrote a piece about 30 lessons I learned before my 30th birthday, and a whole trip around the sun later, I cannot believe how completely apropos these lessons remain — namely this one:

I’m holding onto that one tightly as I head into 31.

A quick housekeeping note: I am taking next Friday off from The Lauren Letter so Carter and I can enjoy the holiday weekend together. (But stay tuned on Instagram — you know I’ll be keeping a very close eye on any potential Travis and Taylor wedding coverage!!!).

Wishing you all a happy and safe 250th Fourth of July!

Until our next correspondence,

xx Lauren

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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Wearing | Lula Kate Genevieve Dress

The compliments did not stop on this gown at a black-tie wedding I attended last weekend! There is something about a polka dot in the summer that just feels so cheerful yet chic. What I love most, though, is how genuinely friendly it is for a changing body: the waist is elasticated, the drop waist silhouette is universally flattering, and that matching scarf? Fizzy doesn’t even begin to cover it. If you’re between sizes, size down.

P.S. This dress was gifted, but all my thoughts are my own!

Eating | The Farmer’s Dog

Well, we aren’t eating it — but Charlie absolutely is, and he is thriving. He had been having some tummy troubles earlier this month, but since transitioning to his personalized plan he has been the happiest, snuggliest version of himself. I am a total convert. If you’ve been curious, you can get 60% off your first box — it’s automatically applied to your cart at checkout when you use my link. Charlie sends his regards (and his request for seconds).

P.S. Charlie’s food was gifted, but all my thoughts are my own!

Reading | June Baby by Shannon Garvey

After an absolutely glorious month spent in Elin Hilderbrand’s capable hands, I am finally turning to The Lauren Letter Book Club’s June selection, and it is such a lovely, meandering beach read. Exactly what summer ordered. My full discussion questions are coming soon, along with the final Book Club story, so if you’ve been reading along, please do chime in! I want to hear every thought.

Watching | Olivia Rodrigo’s "Stupid Song" Music Video

Olivia Rodrigo’s Drop Dead is still — still — possibly my favorite music video I’ve seen in a very long time. But this new one is giving it a serious run for its money. The juxtaposition of ballerinas with bodega cats and city parks is so unexpectedly beautiful, and so quintessentially Olivia — all femininity and grunge tangled together.

Listening | Breakfast in a Nancy Meyers Kitchen

This playlist has become my happy place. I’ve been putting it on while I tidy up, run errands around town, do basically anything that requires me to feel like the protagonist of my own life. It is the auditory equivalent of morning light through curtains.

Trying | Maison Louis Marie No. 4 Candle

My dear friend Ellie gifted this to Carter and me and I am completely, hopelessly obsessed. It smells luxurious and rich!!! My only disappointment — and I mean my only one — is that they don’t make it in a three-wick!

Champagne | FRAME Le Sleek Straight Jeans

FRAME has been on my wish list for what feels like forever, and this cult-favorite cut sits at the very top. I will be transparent with you: I cannot stand a barrel jean. I’m sorry! But this straight leg? It is the modern option that manages to feel both of-the-moment and completely classic.

Frites | Quince Bella Stretch Straight Jeans

Fifty dollars. Fifty dollars. These jeans look like designer, fit like a dream, and at that price point you can invest in a pair that actually fits — which matters especially if you’re in a season of a fluctuating size (no judgment; same). I recently picked them up in Frosted Blue and already have Twilight Blue Fray in my cart. P.S. I’m 5’3” and take the short sizing.

1. Homecourt CeCe Surface Cleaner

2. Neutral Lorna Murray Capri Hat

3. Jimmy Choo Pearl-Detailed Ballerina Shoes

4. Hill House The Charlotte Nap Dress

5. Ruggable Chrysler Border Chambray

6. Blue Stripe Florals Kindle Case

7. J.Crew Boatneck T-Shirt in Striped Heavyweight Cotton

8. Gucci GG1530O Eyeglasses

9. Tuckernuck Amalfi Tile Lace Sconset Dress

10. Jennifer Behr Primavera Maureen Earrings

Hershey & Jill

This week I want to introduce you to Hershey & Jill — the absolute dream team behind @minihersheybark. This darling human and her six-pound Maltipoo are living their most luxurious, well-traveled little life together. There is nothing — nothing — more delightful than watching a tiny dog experience the world’s finest things. During some particularly hard days recently, I have been known to disappear into a Hershey scroll session and emerge significantly more okay.

Happy Friday and Juneteenth!

This week my Mom came to Atlanta!

We shopped, brunched at Le Bon Nosh, snagged a last-minute table at The Chastain (a not-so-small small miracle I am still celebrating!). We got massages at the St. Regis that I am still thinking about — the best I have ever had! We browsed Lucy’s. We binged The Other Bennett Sister way past our bedtime.

I’m almost 31 and I will say it: there is nothing — nothing — like time with your mom!

Until our next correspondence,

xx Lauren

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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Wearing | La Ligne Colby Pant

Let me be direct with you: these are an investment, and unless you are tall-tall, they will need tailoring. That said — oh my lanta, are they worth it. I went with the white satin, and they have already become the piece I reach for when I want to feel immediately elevated without trying too hard.

Eating | Sweet Loren’s Lemon Cookie Dough

I am a lemon loyalist in the warmer months, and this gluten-free cookie dough has been making me very happy. Refreshing, bright, and — I’ll admit — I’ve eaten more than a few straight from the package!

Reading | Summerland by Elin Hilderbrand

I cannot believe I am saying this. I simply cannot. But I think Summerland may be the first Elin Hilderbrand book I give two stars (i.e., I do not recommend reading).

I am only a third of the way through, so I’ll reserve final judgment — but this is a noticeable departure from her signature voice: charming, juicy, feathery-light, and warmly coastal. This one is darker than I would prefer from my queen of the beach read. I will report back. In the meantime, I remain a devoted subject of her entire canon and choose to believe this is an outlier.

Watching | The Other Bennett Sister

Downloaded on BritBox — which, by the way, is 99 cents for your first two months through Prime, so there is genuinely no excuse — at the insistence of my Mom and I am in love!

It follows Mary Bennett: the endearingly awkward, bookish, often-overlooked fifth sister from Jane Austen’s world of Pride & Prejudice. It is charming and sweet without being saccharine. If you are an Anglophile, a literature devotee, or simply someone who loves a beautifully crafted period piece, this one is for you.

Listening | Olivia Rodrigo, You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So In Love

She warned us it would be sad in the literal title! But there is something just right about a melancholy album and a rainy Atlanta week — the two met each other perfectly, and I’ve had it on repeat!

Trying | Chanel Les Beiges Health Glow Sun-Kissed Powder

I am, by nature, a minimalist when it comes to makeup. The simpler the routine, the better — which is exactly why I fell immediately in love with the idea of a single powder brushed onto the cheeks for a natural, sun-warmed flush. `

Champagne | Alice & Olivia Lucy Mini Shirt Dress

Featured in this week’s Tuesday Ten, and I had the great fortune of seeing it in person at Neiman Marcus this week. The photos do not do it justice — it is even more darling and detailed in real life!

Frites | Avara Cameron Multi Floral Short Dress

Just barely over $100!!! A similar silhouette to the Alice & Olivia with a floral print, a tie-waist, and portrait buttons that feel like a sweet nod.

1. “Tranquility” by LJ Designs

2. La Mer Rejuvenating Night Cream

3. Loeffler Randall Leonie Crystal Mesh Ballerina Flats

4. Ruggable Orla Tan Rug

5. Alice & Olivia Lucy Belted Mini Shirtdress

6. Gucci Calfskin Floral Print Mini Dionysus Chain Wallet

7. Quince 100% Organic Cotton Boyfriend Crew Sweater in Marled Rose Pink

8. Tuckernuck Washed Indigo Tropical Punch Cotton Scarf

9. Sea NY Multi Dorothy Patchwork T-Shirt Dress

10. J.Crew ‘83 Fleece Sweatshirt with Flag Embroidery

Nan Philip

For the woman building a wardrobe of fewer, better things, Nan Philip is the account. She shops premium and contemporary designers with an East Coast classicism that never feels stiff, and her real-time styling and shopping try-ons make the whole experience feel like browsing with a very chic, very knowledgeable friend.

Happy Friday!

It’s finally June, and with it comes one of my most cherished seasonal rituals: the annual Elin Hilderbrand immersion. I’m already on my third Elin novel of the month. As someone who has never been a devoted summer girl — give me a crisp autumn morning or a cozy January evening over Atlanta humidity any day — I discovered long ago that saving these sun-soaked, salt-aired stories for June and July is the most effective cure I know.

Which brings me to something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately: the power of a small, reliable treat. Finding those little anchors — the things that gently usher you through a harder week or a heavier season — is an art form. I’d genuinely love to know yours.

Until our next correspondence,

xx Lauren

P.S. — I announced June’s Book Club pick, and it felt almost too perfect: it’s June Baby from ’s imprint . Buzzy, beloved, and as a June baby myself, utterly apropos!

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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Wearing | Aerie Alumni Set

It started with the butter yellow, and I simply could not stop there. I ordered every color they offer. This set has become my summer uniform. And the price point? Unbeatable!

Eating | Louis Sherry Truffles

An indulgence — what feels more genuinely luxurious than artisanal chocolate in a beautiful tin? I have turned the ritual of selecting my nightly truffle into something I look forward to with sincerity.

Reading | Elin Hilderbrand Novels

You’ll notice a theme for the next several weeks! So far this June: Silver Girl, Golden Girl, and I am presently deep in the pages of Beautiful Day.

Watching | Love Island USA

Carter and I are fully, completely, unironically obsessed. We are one week in and already pulling each other “for a chat” around the house. It is mindless and joyful and exactly what a summer evening calls for. It is genuinely not too late to join us — pour something cold and catch up this weekend.

Listening | Quiet Days

I’ve been making a conscious effort lately to choose music over background television, especially as I carve out more intentional reading time. Quiet Days is my current go-to — a carefully curated (by moi!) instrumental playlist that creates the most lovely ambient mood without demanding your attention.

Trying | Oura Ring 5

I succumbed! The new Oura 5 is remarkably thinner than previous models and the data it surfaces has been genuinely illuminating. I’m in a season of prioritizing rest and routine, and having something that quietly tracks and reflects that back to me has been a surprisingly meaningful support.

Champagne | Launer Keychain

My very first Launer piece, ordered to celebrate the new car, and I am completely besotted. There is something so satisfying about a genuine luxury house that does the small things as beautifully as the grand ones.

Frites | Personalized Embroidered Keychain

I have been seeing these charming embroidered charms absolutely everywhere — Pinterest, Substack, the feeds of people with excellent taste — and the best kept secret is that you can get a perfectly customized version for under $20. An impeccable little finishing touch for your keys or your bag.

1. Launer Key Chain

2. Aerie Alumni Mockneck Sweatshirt & Shorts

3. Sam Edelman Michaela Jelly Mary Jane Flat

4. Mélisse The Blossom Knot Bag in Vintage Brocade

5. Lake Pima Ruffle Pants Set in Lapis Bicolor Tidal Stripe

6. M.Gemi The Una Ballerina in Pink Nappa

7. J.Crew Rollneck Cardigan with Lobster

8. Roxanne Assoulin Cloud Cylinder Cord Necklace

9. Jenni Kayne Olio Demi Pant + Ivory & Taupe Stripe Chloe Cardigan

10. Oura Ring 5

The Hedges Inn — East Hampton

From the same discerning hoteliers behind The Colony in Palm Beach comes East Hampton’s most charming seasonal escape, set inside a beautifully preserved historic home. Whether you’re actively plotting a trip or simply want your feed to feel like a mood board for the summer you deserve, follow along.

Happy Friday!

This Memorial Day weekend looked a little different from the sun-soaked, pool-side fantasy I’d been curating in my head! It was rainy and slow, but it was relaxing nonethlesss — lots of reading and quiet time at home with the family.

Ironically, before the holiday, I shared something on my Instagram stories that felt a little vulnerable: I have some summertime sadness! Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve had this shadowy feeling creep in around this time of year: where the world is glittering and golden and everyone seems to be thriving, and something in you just . . . doesn’t quite catch the light.

The response was overwhelming. So many of you felt it too!

And here’s the thing I want you to know: you are not imagining it, and you are not alone. Researchers first documented summer-pattern seasonal depression as far back as 1987, when a team at the NIH identified a group of people experiencing recurrent depressive episodes specifically during the summer months — and studies suggest that up to 30% of people begin experiencing seasonal depression symptoms in early spring through summer!

So if you’re out here feeling a little off-key while everyone else seems to be living their best rosé-in-the-sun life: give yourself grace.

Until our next correspondence,

xx Lauren

P.S. I published the very first ever The Lauren Letter Book Club post! Join in the fun by voting for our June selection below — starting this month, one subscriber will win a copy of the Book Club selection each month, too!

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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Wearing | Frank & Eileen Patrick Popover

My favorite throw-and-go of the summer. I have in three different colors!

Eating | Wishbone Kitchen Corn & Tomato Salad

Easy, light, and so fresh — everything a summer salad should be. Just don't forget the fresh basil like me!

Reading | Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser

A completely captivating reimagining of Cinderella told from the "evil" stepmother's point of view — and I tore through it over the course of the long weekend!

Also finished over the holiday: How to Read a Book — a perfectly snackable, multigenerational tale of redemption, human flaws, and the beauty that can be found amidst it all.

Watching | Project Hail Mary

The perfect watch for a friend group, a date night, or a family movie evening. Fair warning: there will be as many tears as there are laughs!

Listening | Florescence, Maisie Peters

Maisie Peters is one of my favorite singer-songwriters alive, and her new album is incredible. Beyond her singles (don’t even get me started on “Audrey Hepburn” — possibly the most beautiful love song written), I’ve had “Old Fashioned,” “Questions,” and “Girl’s Just Flying” on repeat!

Trying | Pura Car

Following an overnight mushroom raviolo situation in my brand-new car that I will not be elaborating on further, I am now trying the Pura Car smart fragrance diffuser. The deciding factor? They carry NEST New York's Grapefruit — my ultimate summer signature scent — as a partner fragrance. It's subtle, it's lovely, and it is the furthest thing from stomach-churning Uber air freshener scent. Sold.

Champagne | Weezie Beach Chair Cover

Monogrammable, impeccably made, and designed specifically for a beach chair — the length is exactly right. Weezie's quality is genuinely unmatched, and this is the piece you buy once and use forever.

Frites | Amazon Beach Chair Cover

Inexpensive, cheerful, and comes with its own little bag — very cute. It's designed to fit both a pool chair and a beach chair, which sounds like a win until you realize that flexibility means it may drag a bit in the sand. Versatile and economical, but not without some compromise.

TIBL*

*Things I’ve Bought Lately

• Frank & Eileen Aspen Set

• Maude Club Alfie Sleeveless Swing Top

• Maeve Gingham Midi Skirt

• AYR The Tate White Oxford

• AYR The Half Day

• AYR The Practice Tee

• Le Ligne Colby Satin Pant

• Donni The Taffeta Drawstring Cargo Pant

• Quince 100% Organic Cotton Striped Crew Sweater

• Quince 100% European Linen High Waisted Shorts

• Quince 100% Organic Cotton Fisherman Boxy Cropped Cardigan

• Castañer Espadrille Wedges

Mae Davis Interiors

Based in the gorgeous Mountain Brook, Alabama, this studio shares glimpses of their luxury projects and installs where not a single detail is missed. It is a true testament to what expertise looks like in practice. Follow for the inspiration. Stay for the eye candy.

Happy Friday!

Let the record show: I am thirty years old, a married woman, and a licensed member of the Georgia Bar — and I still called my dad to fly in and hold my hand at the dealership!

Cars have never been my obsession. Honestly? I will take a beautiful lamp or a really good shoe over horsepower every single time. But after thirteen years of loving my cloth-interiored, CD-ROM-playing Honda, the writing was on the wall. We started looking — and found our way to Jim Ellis Volkswagen Chamblee, where the experience was so genuinely lovely that I can’t recommend them enough!

The result: a 2026 Volkswagen Atlas, and me, absolutely vibrating with new-car energy and nerves on the drive home! I am wildly spoiled and I know it. I also know I will be accustomed to a life featuring these bells & whistles in about a week and a half.

Curbs, you have been warned!

Until our next correspondence,

xx Lauren

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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Wearing | Donni The Silk Taffeta Cargo Pant

Yes, they are criminally expensive. And yes, I bought them anyway, because they’re that freaking good. I will wear these on repeat all summer, and I am already eyeing the brown gingham for that tricky late-summer-into-fall transitional window. Some purchases are an investment in joy. This is one of them!

P.S. A lot of sizes are out of stock, but add your name to the waitlist — my size became available within 48 hours!

Eating | Whole Foods Family Meal

Did you know in Whole Foods’ prepared foods section, you can snag a family dinner featuring a protein, vegetable, and starch for under $30? Roughly four servings are included, and all you do is pop in the oven at around 375 for 25-35 minutes. So easy, so delicious, and cheaper than Uber Eats!

Reading | What Can Pope Leo Teach Us About Being Good Managers of People?

I’ll admit this one veers inside baseball for my day job — but Jeff Nowak is one of the preeminent voices on FMLA and ADA, and this piece surprised me. Whether you manage a team, work within one, or simply interact with humans on a regular basis (so: everyone), there are genuinely lovely takeaways here.

Watching | Chloe Rose Litras’s Bicester Village Vlog

For my English readers: you are so deeply lucky. Bicester Village — a designer outlet in Oxfordshire carrying Barbour, Aquazzura, Céline, Mulberry, Self-Portrait, Ralph Lauren, Max Mara, Zimmermann, Manolo Blahnik, and so many more, all at a discount — is the kind of thing that I did not know existed outside of a dream. Until I can get myself across the pond, I will be living vicariously through Chloe Rose’s shopping vlogs from there!

Listening | Danny Pellegrino — The Valley Recaps

If you have been watching the last few weeks of The Valley absolutely incensed at the way Danny treats his literal beauty pageant queen of a wife, you need Danny Pellegrino’s recaps in your life immediately. A rallying cry for sanity. A comfort. Danny P’s summary of Mia’s situation last week — “five under 5’5” ” — had me in tears.

Trying | Mister Car Wash Membership

Classic new car behavior. Sixteen dollars for the first month, thirty-two after that, for unlimited washes — and there is a location right on my way home from work! My goal is once a week, minimum. The Atlas will be pristine. I will become a car person yet!!!

Champagne | Ballard Designs Beauclaire Planter

No one does outdoor design like Ballard Designs — and I was genuinely, pleasantly surprised by the sticker price on this one.

Frites | Target × Studio McGee Outdoor Trellis Planter Box

Sixty dollars. An injection of francophile taste into any outdoor space without a single apology to your budget.

TIBL*

*Things I’ve Bought Lately

• Frank & Eileen Aspen Set

• Maude Club Alfie Sleeveless Swing Top

• Maeve Gingham Midi Skirt

• AYR The Tate White Oxford

• AYR The Half Day

• AYR The Practice Tee

• Le Ligne Colby Satin Pant

• Donni The Taffeta Drawstring Cargo Pant

• Quince 100% Organic Cotton Striped Crew Sweater

• Quince 100% European Linen High Waisted Shorts

• Quince 100% Organic Cotton Fisherman Boxy Cropped Cardigan

• Castañer Espadrille Wedges

Autumn Arissa Designs

For the home project that wants to feel lived-in and elevated all at once — Autumn is your person. She gets vendors in quickly, brings real vision to the work, and is, frankly, sunshine to collaborate with. If you are sitting on a project you keep putting off, this is your sign! We are working on a runner install this summer once she returns from maternity leave, and I am so excited!

Happy Friday!

Hello from the desert, where my moisturizer absorbs instantaneously and I have learned more in three days at this work conference than I have in the last three months! I am nerding out to an embarrassing degree and I am not even a little sorry about it.

I also finished Yesteryear this week on my plane ride and I have thoughts. Come find me on The Lauren Letter May Book Club discussion note. We’ll talk.

And to everyone celebrating Mother’s Day this weekend: what a gift. To anyone for whom this particular Sunday asks something harder of you — please be gentle with yourself. Tuck away somewhere soft with a good book and something sweet, and know that gentleness is its own kind of celebration.

Until our next correspondence,

xx Lauren

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

Wearing | The Ultimate Work Conference Uniform

I have cracked the code, and it is, naturally, Tuckernuck. The Liv Cardigan paired with the coordinating Marie Dress is everything a work conference demands: the knit requires exactly zero upkeep, handles the aggressive air conditioning of a hotel ballroom with tremendous grace, and the cardigan shrugs off effortlessly the moment you find yourself at the outdoor happy hour. It reads professionally, but there's a fizz to it — a bit of personality peeking through! I started no fewer than three new conversations this week because someone complimented the outfit. The geometric pattern I wore has sold through, but they carry other beautiful iterations. I do so wish they'd make more of this particular variety!

Eating | Salted Melon Globe Trotter

We have sung the praises of Salted Melon before in this letter, but a new development demands an update: they have a gluten-free wrap situation, and it is not merely fine — it is genuinely excellent. I snagged the Globe Trotter on the way home from the office for dinner this week and it delivered in every possible way. The people over there simply know what they're doing!!!

Reading | The Book of Luke by Lovell Holder

Just cracked it open, and the timing is almost too perfect. Carter and I recently started watching Survivor for the very first time so the universe clearly wanted me to find this book. Lovell Holder's debut follows Luke Griffin, a former reality competition winner who returns to the show years later after his life quietly unravels around him. The premise weaves together dual timelines, dropping just enough breadcrumbs in the present to make the past feel electric. I am only a handful of pages in and already completely charmed by the premise — there is something wonderfully meta about reading a novel about the psychological machinery of reality TV while simultaneously being a brand new Survivor convert who is learning, with great enthusiasm, exactly how that machinery works.

Watching | The Elle Trailer

July 1 cannot arrive fast enough. I will confess to a titch of disappointment that the show is setting up shop in Seattle rather than Elle's rightful California habitat — but I am choosing to hold that lightly. What I cannot hold lightly is my enthusiasm for this particular injection of girl power into my television. Consider me fully booked for that premiere!

Listening | American Cars by Noah Kahan

Noah Kahan confirmed in an interview that this one is about his sister. Which means it is, officially, an eldest daughter anthem!

Trying | Frank & Eileen ReLoved

Did you know Frank & Eileen has a pre-owned arm of their business? I have now learned this firsthand, as I have acquired an Aspen Set in the discontinued gray melange colorway for $185 after taxes. One hundred and eighty five dollars. I will be returning to this corner of the internet with great regularity and I am highly recommending you do the same. The discontinued colorways alone are worth the visit!

Champagne | Frank & Eileen Monterey Rolled Funnel Neck

If you have spent any meaningful time in this letter, you know the clinical nature of my obsession with Frank & Eileen. This rollneck — the Monterey in white with an ice-blue stripe, rendered in 100% pure Italian cotton — has been on my radar, and it deserves to be on yours. It makes you want to be sitting somewhere coastal with a crisp glass of white wine and the collected ease of a woman who has simply figured things out.

Frites | Quince 100% Organic Cotton Striped Crew

The exact same look — same material composition, same stripe, same coastal dreaminess — for under fifty dollars. No rollneck, but otherwise a remarkable dupe that requires no apology. I actually bought her while writing this!!!

TIBL*

*Things I’ve Bought Lately

• Frank & Eileen Aspen Set

• Maude Club Alfie Sleeveless Swing Top

• Maeve Gingham Midi Skirt

• AYR The Tate White Oxford

• AYR The Half Day

• AYR The Practice Tee

• Le Ligne Colby Satin Pant

• Donni The Taffeta Drawstring Cargo Pant

• Quince 100% Organic Cotton Striped Crew Sweater

• Quince 100% European Linen High Waisted Shorts

• Quince 100% Organic Cotton Fisherman Boxy Cropped Cardigan

• Castañer Espadrille Wedges

Rich & Thirsty

True, cheeky, feminine, aesthetic content — an amuse-bouche for your feed.

Happy Friday!

Well, Atlanta has been absolutely drenching us this week, and I have to confess — I am not mad about it. There is something so deeply cozy about a rainy week. The excuse to stay in, the sound of it against the windows while you sleep, the permission to slow down just a little. They do say April showers bring May flowers, and I am choosing to believe that wholeheartedly!

This weekend I am heading to Auburn for my brother-in-law’s graduation — so proud of him! If anyone has shopping recommendations in Auburn, please send them my way immediately. I am always up for discovering a new local spot!

Stay cozy, stay curious, and for the love of all things good, it’s time to get into the sunshine!

Until our next correspondence,

xx Lauren

P.S. Hill House is launching its American Girl doll collection on Monday at 9am EST! This is sure to sell out quick, so set your alarms!

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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Wearing | Mersea Sunny Sailor Pajama Set + Molly Bed Coat

Can we please, please bring back the bed coat? I am putting my foot down and making it my personal mission. This set is so elevated and lovely — the kind of thing that makes you feel decadently pulled together even when you're entirely at home. These pieces are from MERSEA's collection in partnership with Selma Blair, whom I adore, and the collaboration shows. Every detail feels considered. Highly, highly recommend!

Eating | Cheesy Chicken Casserole

Look. I am lazy. The rain makes me want nothing more than comfort food and the least amount of effort. This casserole delivered on both counts. I asked AI to turn this recipe into a crockpot-friendly take — it took me not even ten minutes to get everything into the dish, and then I just let it do its work.

Reading | Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke

Our very first Lauren Letter Book Club pick, and I am obsessed. I genuinely cannot remember the last time I felt this completely infatuated with a book. It has been so buzzy, and I know we are going to have so much to talk about. Head to my Substack note (below!) and leave your thoughts, questions, and musings — I want to hear everything.

Watching | Real Housewives of Rhode Island

I will be honest — I had my doubts. I braced myself for a copy-and-paste of New Jersey and prepared to be unimpressed. I was so wrong. So wrong. RHORI is fantastic, and I truly believe we are living in a Bravo renaissance. What a time to be alive!

Listening | The Queen and Her Presidents by Susan Page

With all the beautiful coverage of the King and Queen’s visit to the U.S. this week, I have had this audiobook on deck. It chronicles Queen Elizabeth II’s relationships with all thirteen American presidents she met during her reign — and the standout fact that will stop you in your tracks: she is the only person in history that all thirteen of those presidents had all met.

Trying | Listing on The RealReal

I have a handful of luxury handbags languishing in my closet — loud logos, not really my style anymore, some of them untouched for years. I finally listed them on The RealReal and it has been such a low-lift, easy process. I am genuinely excited to clear the space and make room for investments that actually align with where my style is these days. Highly recommend if you’re sitting on pieces that deserve a second life!

Champagne | Business and Pleasure Co. The Waterhouse Sofa

A dear friend recently outfitted her gorgeous backyard pool area with pieces from Business and Pleasure Co., and I became an instant, devoted fan. This sofa in particular — the Waterhouse — is simply dreamy. Put it on your back patio and suddenly every afternoon feels like Palm Beach.

Frites | Ebern Designs 4-Person Premium Patio Wicker Sectional Seating Group

An incredibly elevated look for an unbelievable price point. The lattice detailing is spectacular — it looks like it could have walked straight off the floor of a luxury home showroom. Outdoor entertaining season is upon us, and this is how you do it without the heart-stopping price tag.

Emily Ley

Emily Ley is the founder and CEO of Simplified, a premium brand of planners and organizational tools. She also runs one of the top Substacks in the United States, writing about womanhood, work, ambition, home, and the beautiful mess in between — for women who refuse to shrink in a world that expects them to do it all.

She is the kind of woman who builds something meaningful, writes about it honestly, and brings her community along for every chapter. Follow her. You will not regret it!

Happy Friday!

Earlier this week, I shared reflections on how I started sharing online because I wanted a place for taste, for design, for making this life a little softer, and I am coming back to that with a full heart this week. And I hope that’s exactly what you came for!

Also — I cannot believe next week is May. How? Someone explain! In the meantime, Carter is out of town Saturday and I have the house entirely to myself, which means I am fully open to show recommendations!!!

Until our next correspondence,

xx Lauren

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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Wearing | Lisi Lerch Catherine - Clover Stone Stud Earring - 18k Gold Plated-Darby Clark Collection

I have been dreaming of the perfect floral diamond stud for years —until I encountered a $28,000 pair at Croghan's and quietly filed it away out of pure shock. So imagine my absolute delight when I found the perfect version for $78. Do I love the idea of one day transforming this exact design with real diamonds? Yes. Does this pair feel like fine jewelry to me right now? Also yes!

Eating | Ice Cream & Sprinkles

I am 30 years old, I have complete free will, and I realized this week that I can simply have a scoop of ice cream with sprinkles at night if I want to. That is all. That is the whole update. It has been very good!

Reading | The Rachel Incident by Caroline O'Donoghue

I shared that I started reading this book on Instagram stories and the positive response was enormous! Caroline O’Donoghue’s novel follows Rachel, a bookshop-working college student in Cork who forms an electric friendship with James just as the 2008 recession is making everything feel precarious. When Rachel falls for her married professor, all four of their lives tangle together in ways that are funny, aching, and very hard to put down. Adoring it so far!

Watching | Olivia Rodrigo’s "Drop Dead" Music Video

Cute, frilly, and makes me want to twirl around my room after a first date! I truly think this is the best new song of the year, and the best thing she has ever made. The music video imagery — dancing through Versailles in ruffles and bows — is everything. Her album cover is a direct homage to Fragonard’s 1767 Rococo painting The Swing, and if that is the era we are entering, I am so ready. I cannot wait for You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love!

Listening | Noah Kahan “The Great Divide”

I am eagerly anticipating its release as I write this! I watched the documentary on Netflix following Noah Kahan preparing to play Fenway and it was spectacular — he is just so authentic and endearing. If the singles so far are any indication, the full album is going to be something special!

Trying | Oak Essentials Skin Care

I am not leaving my La Mer, let the record show! But I have become a full Oak Essentials convert. Founded by the founder of Jenni Kayne, this line is by no means inexpensive — but the value is real, and it has been wonderful for extending the life of my La Mer products. A genuinely incredible find and the results are incredible!!!

I use in this order:

• The Restorative Mask (2x per week)

• The Firming Plant Peptide Serum

• The Daily Vitamin C Serum (morning only)

• The Nightly Retinol Serum (night only)

• The Ritual Oil

• The Moisture Rich Balm

Champagne | Agua Bendita Swimsuit

Agua Bendita is simply a dream brand — so feminine, so floral, so entirely whimsical. Their dresses are staples for me, but their swimwear is a complete home run. If you want the most romantic beach look possible, this is it!

Frites | Target Floral Print Suit — Under $50

For the same dreamy, romantic beach energy without the splurge: this Target suit for under $50 (plus a matching sarong!) truly cannot be beaten.

Danika Herrick

Danika Herrick is a Boston-based surface pattern designer whose work I can only describe as what happens when Palm Beach and New England get hitched and have a Chinoiserie baby — her words, and they are perfect! Her fabric and wallpaper feels simultaneously traditional and completely alive: block print florals, ticking stripes, bold chinoiserie, all of it layered and deeply livable. Her designs are woven throughout our home, and I cannot imagine it without them!

Happy Friday!

As I teased a couple of weeks ago, I took some time away with my mom for a stay at Miraval — and I am not sure I have the words to do it justice quite yet, though I tried! I published my full guide, and I cannot wait for you to read it. I also am publishing daily vlogs!

What I will say here is this: I left with a renewed passion and clarity. I was reminded — loudly and undeniably — of how imperative creative writing and storytelling are to my soul. I have some truly exciting ideas percolating (at least, they are exciting to me!), and I cannot wait to formally introduce them to you all in the coming weeks.

For now — thank you for being here, for reading, and for waiting. I hope your weekend ahead is full of fizz and brightness and the kind of slow, easy relaxation that you so earned.

Until our next correspondence,

xx Lauren

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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Wearing | LoveShackFancy

I will be candid with you: I had, perhaps unfairly, convinced myself that I had aged out of LoveShackFancy. Then their PR catalogue landed in my inbox, and I was genuinely beyond impressed. The selections felt elevated, romantic, and thoroughly 30-something friendly — the brand has grown up right alongside those of us who fell in love with it first!

Eating | Something & Nothing Yuzu Premium Soda

Light, crisp, and unexpected — this has become my new little ritual at the end of the day! If you are looking for something that feels a touch more considered than sparkling water but a touch less than a cocktail, this is your answer.

Reading | The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

Truly not something I would have ever plucked from a shelf on my own — the description alone would have sent me right past it. But when that many trusted friends look you square in the eye and say you must, you must! And I am so glad I listened. It is cozy and loving and true in a way that is difficult to articulate but easy to feel.

Watching | The Valley

The Valley is back and I am glued. I haven’t noticed a tremendous amount of buzz surrounding this installment, which genuinely surprises me — every character, every storyline, I find it completely addictive.

Listening | Breakfast in a Nancy Meyers Kitchen

Perfect for springtime twiddling around the house. Possibly perfect for all occasions, really. If there is a more aspirational way to soundtrack a Saturday morning, I have not found it.

Trying | Luna Bronze Total Eclipse Tanning Mousse

I was sent this as PR and, while I have only used it the once so far, I am genuinely impressed! The application is even, the result is instant, and somehow it manages to look like you have just returned from a week somewhere tropical! Very much continuing to report back on this one.

Champagne | Arizona Essentials EVA Sandals

It is a butter yellow summer, and these are the darling slip-on to see you through every pool day and long, meandering afternoon. Effortless, sweet, and exactly right for the season.

Frites | Target Neida Sandals

The same look for less — and truly, a summer statement sandal is a wonderful place to save. Treat yourself to the color, spare the splurge.

Jennifer Shoop, Founder of Magpie

Jennifer Shoop’s writing is simply enchanting — charming and precise and full of warmth. Her new book, Small Wonders, has already found its place on my nightstand and, I suspect, in my heart for quite some time. Follow along for gentle musings and the most delightful cheeky poetry. She is a genuine treasure.

Happy Friday!

It’s April!

This week’s inspiration comes from a piece of wellness advice that’s been repeated so often it almost loses its meaning: don’t check your phone first thing in the morning.

But when it was repackaged with a brand new bow for me this week, it landed differently—you wouldn’t let thousands of people walk into your bedroom at 5am, all talking over each other, demanding your attention. So why do we allow it through our devices?

It wasn’t until I decided to flirt with this practice that I realized what an ingrained reflex that instant reach and scroll bas become. So, on Thursday morning, I challenged myself to go just 10 minutes without checking notifications (I do use my phone as an alarm, so there’s no avoiding that part). Somehow, that 10 minutes turned into 40 . . . and then another 50 as I moved through my morning and into my barre class.

And the difference? Immediate! How you start your day truly does set the tone. I felt calmer, more focused, and—most noticeably—less reactive all day long.

I’m excited to keep building on this practice and (hopefully) make it a new normal. If you’re feeling similarly pulled in a hundred directions before your feet even hit the floor, consider this your encouragement: start small. Even 60 seconds counts.

Until our next correspondence,

xx Lauren

P.S. The Lauren Letter is on hiatus next week as I’m heading off on my annual trip with my mom—this year, a wellness-style retreat. I’ll be largely offline (a true test of everything I just wrote!), but I cannot wait to share everything when I’m back.

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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Wearing | Frank & Eileen

I added several beautiful staples for spring and summer and did a full breakdown for your reading pleasure.

My standout favorite? The Lemon Yellow Jackie Cardigan paired with the Kennedy Skirt—equal parts polished and effortless, and wildly flattering.

Eating | Margot’s Girl Dinner

Brasserie Margot at the Four Seasons Atlanta invited me along with one of my closest friends (it’s been far too long since we’ve caught up) to try their new “Margot’s Girl Dinner.”

Think: your best friend, a Caesar salad, four oysters, unlimited house fries, and two martinis—for $70.

You had me at unlimited fries!!!!

Reading | The 21 Best New Books to Read This April

I find myself between books as I write this, deciding what to bring for my vacation stack—but this list has me so excited for April’s releases.

If you’re also in a “what’s next?” reading mood, it’s well worth a browse.

Watching | Rooster

I am loving the new HBO Sunday drama-dy, starring Steve Carell and Ted Lasso’s Phil Dunster.

Charming, witty, and set against the backdrop of East Coast academia—it’s an easy, engaging, cinematic watch.

Listening | Olivia Dean Radio

A friend had this playlist on by the pool last weekend, and every song that followed felt like a new favorite.

Jazzy, bright, and gentle, just like spring arriving.

Trying | Molton Brown Shampoo

I’ve long loved Molton Brown for their body washes and lotions (they even hold a royal warrant), so when I saw they had a shampoo and conditioner, I was curious.

Only a couple of uses in, but my hair already feels bouncier, hydrated, and incredibly clean.

Champagne | Oh My Mahjong Aqua Jong Pool Mat

Personally tested this week and can wholeheartedly recommend.

A chic, playful addition to any pool day—just don’t forget to laminate your cards!

Frites | Oak Mt. Mahj Watermahj Pool Mat

An under-$200 option available in a variety of colors—perfect if you’re looking for something playful and giftable.

Limited batches—so if you love it, don’t wait!

STORIES

• How to Make Your Weekdays Feel Like Weekends. By Paige Kershaw

• Books I Read | March 2026. By Lauren Tilashalski (that’s moi!)

• Introducing: The Patronage. By Lauren Tilashalski (that’s moi!)

• How to Become a Voracious Reader. By Lauren Tilashalski (that’s moi!)

• 13 Lessons I Learned as a Lawyer That I Use Every Day. By Lauren Tilashalski (that’s moi!)

• The One Piece Every Woman Needs in Her Closet. By Lauren Tilashalski (that’s moi!)

YOUR APPOINTMENTS

• Your April Appointments. By Lauren Tilashalski (that’s moi!)

CLOSET

• Latest Finds | April 2026

• Tuckernuck New Arrivals | April 2026

• Latest Finds | March 2026

• Tuckernuck New Arrivals | March 2026

• A Frank & Eileen Spring Refresh

• My Favorite Tuckernuck Staples

• Receipt Report Vol. II

• Things I’ve Been Wearing | March 6, 2026

Samantha Varvel

Dreamy in every sense—Samantha’s photography, interiors, hosting, and overall lifestyle.

She’s officially influenced me to add her camera equipment to my (ever-growing) wish list, and her aesthetic—elegant, feminine, clean yet vibrant—feels like such a beautiful addition to my daily scroll.

Happy Friday!

On Sunday, as I pinned away, I watched Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris—and found myself completely head over heels.

It’s the kind of film that reminds you that fashion, at its best, is not about status. It’s about craftsmanship. Devotion. The quiet, almost irrational pull toward something beautiful simply because it is.

There’s a moment in the Dior salon—soft light, rustling silk, a collective breath held—that feels like pure magic. Not because of who is in the room, but because of what has been created within it.

And what stayed with me most wasn’t just the beauty—it was her. Mrs. Harris, showing up exactly as she is. Not polished, not pre-approved, not “belonging” in the conventional sense. And yet, entirely deserving of being there.

A small but meaningful reminder: You do not have to be perfectly packaged to participate in beautiful spaces.

Whether it’s a couture salon, a restaurant that feels just slightly too chic, or even the quiet intimidation of an Hermès boutique—you are allowed to appreciate beautiful things for their construction, their history, their artistry. That appreciation alone grants you entry.

No one gets to decide otherwise.

Here’s to a weekend of beautiful things, open windows, and letting ourselves step a little more fully into the spaces that call to us.

Until our next correspondence,

xx Lauren

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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Wearing | Varley Short Sets

The perfect answer to summer “sweats” that still feel polished.

I love that you can mix and match across colorways—there’s something so luxurious about having a wardrobe that works with itself. The Ivory Marl colorway in particular feels classic, elevated, and endlessly wearable.

Eating | Gather'd Market

I popped into this Buckhead market this week and immediately thought: this feels like a Nancy Meyers kitchen come to life!

It’s the kind of place that makes everyday meals feel just slightly more cinematic—beautifully prepared ingredients that require very little effort but deliver fully on comfort and charm.

Highly, highly recommend the maple glazed carrots.

Reading | A Death in Diamonds by S.J. Bennett

The fourth installment in this clever series where the Queen quietly operates as the ultimate investigator—moving people and information like chess pieces behind the scenes.

If you love a cozy British mystery and anything even remotely royal-adjacent (a niche I happily occupy), this is such a satisfying, low-stakes escape.

Watching | Company Retreat

If you loved Jury Duty, this sequel carries that same spirit—equal parts charming and painfully cringe.

What makes it work is the heart. There’s a real commitment to protecting the “hero” of the story, which keeps it from tipping into anything mean-spirited. Still, be prepared to watch through your fingers, squealing out loud.

Listening | Steve Carell on Good Hang

This was comfort food for the sou!

As someone who has loved The Office and Parks and Recreation since they originally aired, it’s the kind of nostalgic, easy listening that makes you want to linger longer.

Trying | SURI Electric Toothbrush

I’ve been using this for a few weeks now and it officially has my version of a Royal Warrant (the Lauren Warrant? Let’s chew on that).

The design is beautifully minimal (of course), but what really sold me is the UV case—it tucks everything away in a way that feels both clean and visually calm.

And somehow, despite previously using a very professional (read: very expensive) toothbrush . . .my teeth have never felt cleaner!

Champagne | Gucci Cat Eye Sunglasses

The full Old Hollywood moment! A sharp, sculpted cat-eye that feels pulled straight from the dressing table of Marilyn Monroe—equal parts glamour and mischief.

Frites | J.Crew Bungalow Cat-Eye Sunglasses

Effortless, reliable, and always the right choice. These are the pair you throw in your tote, wear on a morning coffee run, or keep on all afternoon without thinking twice.

STORIES

• How to Add Charm to Your Curb Appeal. By

• You Already Know Everyone’s Birthday. By A.A. Ford

• 10 Tiny Details That Make You Look Like You Have a Stylist. By JenKnowsBest

• Introducing: The Patronage. By Lauren Tilashalski (that’s moi!)

• How to Become a Voracious Reader. By Lauren Tilashalski (that’s moi!)

• 13 Lessons I Learned as a Lawyer That I Use Every Day. By Lauren Tilashalski (that’s moi!)

• The One Piece Every Woman Needs in Her Closet. By Lauren Tilashalski (that’s moi!)

• My Best & Worst Buys of the Past Year. By Lauren Tilashalski (that’s moi!)

• Books I Read | February 2026. By Lauren Tilashalski (that’s moi!)

YOUR APPOINTMENTS

• Your March Appointments. By Lauren Tilashalski (that’s moi!)

CLOSET

• Latest Finds | March 2026

• Tuckernuck New Arrivals | March 2026

• The Receipt Report Vol. II

• Things I’ve Been Wearing | March 6, 2026

• My Favorite Tuckernuck Staples

Alexander Widener

Alexander is the kind of follow that recalibrates your understanding of what a home can feel like.

After leaving corporate life in New York, he opened an interiors shop in coastal Maine—and everything about his world reflects that shift. His spaces are warm, layered, and deeply lived-in, yet never accidental. Every object feels chosen, considered, and placed with design.

What I love most is that he brings you along in the process. There’s an educational quality to his content—why something works, how to mix periods, what makes a piece worth bringing home—but it never feels didactic. Just deeply comforting.

Equal parts inspiration and invitation to slow down, collect thoughtfully, and create a home that tells a story.

Happy Friday!

Carter is in Vegas for a Bachelor Party this weekend—which means, quite simply, the world is mine!

And while I love a shared life, there is something so decadent about a solo stretch of days. No plans to coordinate, no schedule to sync. Just me, trashy television, and protein-free meals galore!

This weekend looks like:

• Breaking in my new laptop at a neighborhood coffee shop;

• Devouring a delish hardcover I am enamored with;

• Soaking up spring sunshine on patios with girlfriends;

• Cooking my first pasta primavera of the season while sipping white wine and watching It’s Complicated; and

• Letting music play while I toggle between productivity and pure, indulgent lingering.

It’s the kind of weekend that reminds me how much joy lives in the in-between—when nothing is particularly momentous, but everything feels celebratory.

Until our next correspondence,

xx Lauren

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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Wearing | Alex Mill Taylor Cardigan

After falling hard for the Coco Sport Cardigan, I had to try another one of Alex Mill’s quiet cult classics—and this one absolutely lives up to the hype.

It strikes that elusive balance of soft and comfortable, but with just enough structure. And the colors. So many colors!

Eating | Creamy Lemon Sauce Pasta Primavera

My unofficial kickoff to spring cooking.

This is one of my favorite “girl dinners”—simple, bright, and just indulgent enough. I’ll be making it this weekend with a crisp white wine in hand and It’s Complicated playing in the background (arguably one of the most aspirational kitchen movies of all time).

Reading | Q: A Voyage Around the Queen

A sprawling collection of stories, historical context, and anecdotes about my number one idol. It’s lengthy, and chock full of winks.

Watching | Scrubs

Carter and I started following the reboot, which inevitably led us back to the original—and now it’s our go-to comfort watch.

It’s witty, nostalgic, and somehow the perfect background companion to everything from cooking to late-night scrolling.

Listening | I Wish I Had a Bigger Kitchen

I listened to this on audiobook this week, and I have thoughts.

Yes—she’s speaking from a place of privilege. Yes—the problems are, objectively, “upper echelon.” But it’s also refreshingly honest, authentic, and nevertheless relatable.

Trying | Indyx

Watch this space!

I’m in the final stages of cataloguing my entire closet on Indyx, and I already feel the shift. I can’t wait to share more—because this might become one of the most useful tools in my entire routine.

P.S. Use code laurentilashalski to receive $10 off at sign up!

Champagne | LAFCO Tomato Season Signature Candle

One of the partners at Carter’s firm handed this to me—no label, no context—and told me to smell it. I was instantly transported to an Italian kitchen garden at golden hour. Tomato vines, warm air, something faintly herbaceous. It’s rich, unexpected, and completely addictive.

Frites | Quince Bergamot Basil Candle

Another fresh-cut scent at a fraction of the price point. I love Quince’s Grapefruit candle, so I have high hopes for this selection.

STORIES

• 13 Lessons I Learned as a Lawyer That I Use Every Day. By Lauren Tilashalski (that’s moi!)

• The One Piece Every Woman Needs in Her Closet. By Lauren Tilashalski (that’s moi!)

• My Best & Worst Buys of the Past Year. By Lauren Tilashalski (that’s moi!)

• Books I Read | February 2026. By Lauren Tilashalski (that’s moi!)

YOUR APPOINTMENTS

• Your March Appointments. By Lauren Tilashalski (that’s moi!)

CLOSET

• Latest Finds | March 2026

• Tuckernuck New Arrivals | March 2026

• The Receipt Report Vol. II

• Things I’ve Been Wearing | March 6, 2026

• My Favorite Tuckernuck Staples

KH Illustrate

If you’re looking for that one detail that instantly elevates an event from lovely to unforgettable—Kathryn Heard is it.

Kathryn is a classically trained artist with a background in fashion design, and it shows in every line she draws. Her work feels refined, intentional, and deeply personal—less “party favor,” more keepsake you’ll actually frame.

While she takes custom illustration commissions (and does them beautifully), where she truly shines is live events. Watching her work is part of the magic—guests gathered, waiting, then leaving with a bespoke piece that feels entirely their own. And yes, she travels!

Happy Friday!

Daylight savings time absolutely hit me like a bus this week. I am operating in a fugue state and my internal rythmns have lost their beat. But if grogginess is the admission price for spring days officially arriving, I suppose I’ll pay it. The light lingering past dinner! The possibility of patios! The slow return of color to the world!

And most importantly: I finally wore an outfit I have been daydreaming about since this time last year. The last pieces arrived courtesy of the Tuckernuck Sample Sale earlier this year, and there is nothing like finally assembling the exact outfit that’s been living in your head for twelve months.

I hope you have a weekend full of sartorial springtime inspiration, perhaps a nap, and, of course, red-carpet gazing come the Academy Awards Sunday!

Until our next correspondence,

xx Lauren

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

Wearing | Cadets Rollneck

A darling colorway that somehow manages to feel both crisp and cozy. It’s the perfect lightweight knit for spring and summer evenings when the air still has a little bite.

My recommendation: size up for a slightly slouchy look. You’ll love it on your next sunset cruise.

Eating | Yebo Patio

Patio season is officially here, which means the Yebo patio has re-entered my nearly weekly orbit.

There are few better ways to spend a spring afternoon than lingering over lunch outdoors with some of your best friends. Try a frozen espresso martini (or two!) if you dare.

Reading | Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage

My book club just selected this buzzy book which every bookfluencer and celebrity reader seems to be raving about lately. I’ve been told the affluence described within is absolutely mesmorizing. I cannot wait to share more thoughts in my March reading roundup!

More thoughts once I’ve read it.

Watching | Ladies of London: The New Reign

I’ve returned to the Ladies of London reboot, which is utterly campy and boozy.

It’s missing some of the razor-sharp sophistication of the original run (we miss you, Caroline Stanbury), but I’m committed to giving it a shot.

The London scenescape alone is worth watching, and I find it oddly compelling that there’s a male lead in the ensemble this time around.

Listening | “American Girls,” Harry Styles

I gave the album my first listen through this week, and my clear favorite is “American Girls”. It’s breezy, hummable, and feels perfect for driving with the windows cracked open now that the weather is finally cooperating.

Trying | Book of the Month

I fell for a highly targeted ad, which I respect!

I used to love Book of the Month but unsubscribed a few years ago during a personal crusade to reduce my recurring charges. Then a very appealing deal came across my screen and I was sucked back in! As I try to intentionally expand my physical library, I’m excited to have the ritual of choosing a book from a carefully curated (and affordable) lineup again. This month I chose a novel with an intriguing premise: Cinderella, but from the redemptive perspective of the evil stepmother.

And guess what? You can join for just $5 too!

Champagne | Dr. Dennis Gross DRx SpectraLite™ FaceWare Pro LED Mask

I use this once a day for it’s three-minute treatment cycle while applying self-tanner or tidying my office, and I truly do notice a difference in brightness and overall skin health.

As with most skincare devices, consistency is the entire game.

Frites | Amazon Red Light Therapy Cover

This one has 191+ reviews, 72% of which are five stars, and it’s a compelling cost-effective alternative at $50.

It’s a bit more inconvenient—you have to lie underneath it—but it offers a wide range of programming options and allows you to treat both your face and neck simultaneously.

STORIES

• My Best & Worst Buys of the Past Year. By Lauren Tilashalski (that’s moi!)

• The Jewel Box Effect: DIY Wallpaper Install. By Lauren Tilashalski (that’s moi!)

• Books I Read | February 2026. By Lauren Tilashalski (that’s moi!)

• An Uncomfortable Emotion That’s Worth Feeling: Boredom Is Inextricable From a Meaningful Life. By Isabel Fattal for The Atlantic

• Barre Is Political Actually. By @barrewithadrienne

YOUR APPOINTMENTS

• Your March Appointments. By Lauren Tilashalski (that’s moi!)

CLOSET

• Latest Finds | March 2026

• Tuckernuck New Arrivals | March 2026

• My Favorite Tuckernuck Stamples

• Receipt Report Vol. I

• Things I’ve Been Wearing | March 6, 2026

Claire Couv Smith

I started following Claire because I love her day-in-the-life vlogs with her darling newborn daughter, but stayed for her absolutely exquisite, ultra-feminine taste.

Her newest Homeworthy episode featuring their cottage-style home is a dream. Every single detail feels thoughtful and collected. An ode to character, collection, and history—and clearly inspired by my dream hotel: The Ritz Paris.

Also: I now believe I need green Wedgwood lamps!!!

Happy Friday!

This week’s letter is coming to you after a much-needed trip to visit one of my best friends and her sweet baby. There is something deeply restorative about a few days spent with someone who knew you before the full swing of adulthood—and now watching her step into motherhood with grace, humor, and a beautiful, smiley four-month-old in tow!

And in a twist that feels almost paradoxically luxurious, knowing me: I have no travel plans for the next six weeks. A rare treat! I’m looking forward to a stretch of ordinary days—work, walks in Atlanta spring, cooking dinner at home, and the quiet satisfaction of putting our little routines back in place.

Naturally, this lull has also triggered the annual spring cleaning impulse. This weekend I’m beginning the ritual of swapping the closet from fall/winter to spring/summer. I’m also flirting with a slightly over-the-top organizational project: photographing and Indyx-ing my entire wardrobe so I can digitally catalog everything I own, à la Cher Horowitz (use code LAURENTILASHALSKI for $10 off a premium membership!).

Meanwhile, you may have seen that this week I finally revealed our home’s transformation into a bit of a jewel box thanks to Spoonflower wallpaper. Carter famously proclaimed on Homeworthy that wallpaper would never be in our future.

And in that moment, I quietly decided: wallpaper it is!

I’m happy to report two things:

1. We absolutely love it.

2. Yes, I installed it myself.

Carter, for the record, went to bed the first night saying it felt like he was sleeping inside a Christmas present—which may be the highest praise wallpaper has ever received!!!

Until our next correspondence,

xx Lauren

Wearing | Target Gingham Dress

Spotted this under $35 gem and immediately ordered it. The real miracle, however, was Target Circle 360: I signed up for the two-week free trial and the dress appeared two hours later on my doorstep.

A gingham dress delivered found and delivered between my afternoon calls is the sort of modern luxury I can support.

Eating | Salted Melon Buckhead

I’m actually writing this week’s letter from their patio!

While I ordered a Miss Melon smoothie and coffee, I spent most of the time staring longingly at the sandwiches, salads, and bowls coming out of the kitchen. Everything looks bright, fresh, and just indulgent enough to feel like lunch is a virtuous errand.

Reading | Royal Spin by Omid Scobie and Robin Benway

I just started this novel and I’m already hooked. Written by royal reporter Omid Scobie, it dives into the fascinating machinery behind modern royal coverage.

As a bonus: our heroine’s name is Lauren, which always earns a few extra points from me. :)

Watching | Love Story

Who isn’t?

Yes, I’m aware of the critiques—the melodrama, the acting choices, the occasional heavy-handed writing. But anything that offers a glimpse into the closest thing America has to a royal family will always have my attention.

Listening | Prizefighter by Mumford & Sons

Marcus Mumford’s voice remains completely spellbinding, and the collaborations on this album are absurdly good (Chris Stapleton opens the album!).

Favorites so far:
• Here
• Rubber Band Man
• Icarus

Trying | Glamsquad

While visiting my friend, I booked two at-home blowouts for her through Glamsquad. If you’re looking for a gift for a new mother who already has casseroles coming out of her ears, this is it. A little indulgence, zero logistics, and all without leaving the house!

Be sure to use code LAURENT for $20 off your first service!

Note: Glamsquad gifted me our services, but the raving review is all my own!

Champagne | MacBook Air (13-Inch)

I’ve officially begun shopping for a proper laptop for content creation. Currently, I use my husband’s retired Asus for my side-hustle work, which—while functional—feels a bit like writing a novel on a calculator.

The MacBook Air seems to be the favorite among designers and creators, and I love the idea of having a machine that can handle both writing and visual content gracefully.

Frites | MacBook Neo

Apple also just announced the MacBook Neo, available for pre-order now with a March 11 release.

At $499 for students and $599 for everyone else, it’s an unusually accessible entry point into the Apple ecosystem.

My brother—our family’s resident computer nerd technology savant—is currently conducting a full technological audit on what makes the most sense for me. But I’m thrilled that Apple is at least experimenting with a more affordable option.

STORIES

• The Jewel Box Effect: DIY Wallpaper Install. By Lauren Tilashalski (that’s moi!)

• Books I Read | February 2026. By Lauren Tilashalski (that’s moi!)

• Which Way Do You Dress — Preppy or Sloane? Early Spring Edition. By Muffy Aldrich

• Notes On: How to Romanticise March. By Hannah Connolly

• What It Actually Takes to Run a Broadway Show Every Night. By The Wall Street Journal

• Fifth Avenue Fight Club. By William D. Cohan for Town & Country

YOUR APPOINTMENTS

• Your March Appointments. By Lauren Tilashalski (that’s moi!)

CLOSET

• Latest Finds | March 2026

• Tuckernuck New Arrivals | March 2026

• My Favorite Tuckernuck Stamples

• Receipt Report Vol. I

Priss & Vinegar

If you enjoy a sharp, stylish voice on the internet, allow me to introduce you to Heather Davey Fusco. Like myself, Heather is a former Big Law attorney and is now a writer and tastemaker based in Nashville. She is witty, tasteful, and curates quality over slinging quantity. If you enjoy beautiful things with levity, she is a must follow!

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 consider giving this post a “like” or share with a friend, it would just mean the world to me. xx Lauren

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Happy Friday!

A line stopped me cold this week while reading the third installment of The Thursday Murder Club series:

And here’s the twist: it’s said by the villain!!! Even the antagonist understands this particular brand of wisdom.

It is so easy — especially online — to slide into comparison mode. To believe you must be sharper, thinner, more styled, more clever, more on-trend. To feel scarcity nibbling at your ankles. There is always someone with better lighting, a better haircut, and, oh, by the way, they’ve finished a DIY kitchen renovation in the time it took you to read this.

But the people in your real life? They do not need a tastemaker. They need a good friend.

They need someone bright. Someone kind. Someone steady.

The algorithm rewards spectacle. Real life rewards softness.

A reminder for you. It sure has been for me.

Wearing | Alex Hill Sport Set

Absolutely obsessed.

I took a medium in the bottoms and a large in the top for that perfect draped-but-not-drowning fit. The material is the holy grail: soft enough to feel cozy, structured enough to survive a long travel day without looking like you’ve surrendered.

Yes, it is pricey. But this is the kind of set you wear on repeat — airport, errands, quick lunch, couch. Cost per wear will justify you.

I am already plotting additional colors.

Eating | Casseroles Atlanta

A dangerously convenient discovery right by the Pure Barre studio where I teach and take.

We grabbed a handful of easy bake-and-go options for the week, and let me tell you — nothing makes you feel more “I have my life together” than pulling a fully assembled casserole from the fridge at 6:12 p.m.

Zero chopping. Zero moral fatigue. Absolute deliciousness.

Reading | Everything I Know About Love

I adore Dolly Alderton’s fiction, and I have been languishing on the Libby waitlist for approximately one century for this essay collection.

It finally arrived.

Her writing feels like voice notes from your most self-aware friend — funny, tender, recklessly human. I’m rationing it like a dessert.

Watching | Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model

Oh. My.

This documentary catapulted me directly back to the early aughts — and as bad as I remembered it being . . . it was worse.

What struck me most was Tyra Banks’ absolute masterclass in deflection and denial. A true case study. Equal parts fascinating and horrifying.

It’s a reminder that cultural moments we once accepted without blinking deserve a second look.

Listening | Michelle Obama on The Housewives

On this episode of IMO by Higher Ground, Mrs. Obama and her brother Craig answer listener questions — and at one point she impersonates Teresa Giudice flipping the table.

There is something deeply healing about Michelle Obama discussing Real Housewives lore. It felt like worlds colliding in the best possible way — I wonder what Teresa would have to say about “When they go low, we go high?”.

Trying | French Exhale by Good Spirits

As you know, I recently embarked on a (very unlikely) THC journey. And while I’ve found favorites there, I’ve also fallen in love with CBD-forward drinks that offer that same exhale feeling — minus the THC. French Exhale is chic sophistication and fizz in a can, and it is my new favorite way to unwind at night. Pour it into a coupe for an extra dash of decadence.

Champagne | Veronica Beard Valentina Sneaker

They slide on! They give you lift!! They are polished without trying too hard!!! I want them in every color and may not stop until I do.

Frites | Lauren Ralph Lauren Dani Perforated Suede Sneakers

A similar navy moment at nearly half the price.

If you want the vibe without the splurge, this is your girl. Clean, classic, wearable with everything from denim to travel sets.

STORIES

• The Receipt Report Vol. I. By Lauren Tilashalski

• A Tastemaker’s Unlikely Guide to THC. By Lauren Tilashalski

• The Wedding Registry Must-Haves I Still Stand By (Five Years Later). By Lauren Tilashalski

• Our Heirloom Wedding Album. By Lauren Tilashalski

• How to Say Everything Except “I’m Sorry” By Tyra Banks. By Ilana Frost for Betches Media

• Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor Arrested. By Elizabeth Holmes

• The Power and Value of an Elevated Home Culture. By E. Morgan

• I Washed My Face With La Croix For an Entire Week and OMG. By Very Good Light

YOUR APPOINTMENTS

• Your February Appointments. By Lauren Tilashalski

• Your Appointments for a Date With Yourself. By Lauren Tilashalski

CLOSET

• Latest Finds | February 2026

• Tuckernuck New Arrivals | February 2026

• LAKE Annual Sale

• Lululemon Light Ivory

Classic Chie

I found Chie on TikTok earlier this week and immediately followed. We’ve quickly become online friends cut from the same cloth!

She is precious, and highlights tailored, deeply classic style. Bonus points because she shares my grandmother-coded hobbies: mahjong, needlepoint, slow fashion, polished silhouettes!

A must follow if you love Tuckernuck, East Coast living, and the little luxuries in life.

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. xx Lauren

Subscribe now

Happy Friday!

I’ve been a touch under the weather this week, which means I’ve never been more grateful for a low-key holiday weekend. Our Valentine’s plans this year lean into exactly that rhythm: a couples massage at a ritzy hotel in town and a Sunday lunch date to follow — decadent without derailing the entire weekend.

Perhaps because my energy has been limited, I’ve been newly intrigued by the idea of the lunch date generally. In a culture that insists date nights are the gold standard of marital effort — late reservations, heavy meals, expensive wine, racing home to change after long office days, juggling social calendars — it can start to feel like performance rather than pleasure. And if you’re drinking? Add Ubers and next-day fog. (We don’t even have children and it still feels like logistical gymnastics!!!!)

I first heard the concept from Katie of Beach Reads and Bubbly, and Carter and I have started flirting with it ourselves: slipping out midday for a soup and salad, sipping on a mocktail, sunlight streaming in instead of candlelight. You return home energized instead of exhausted. It feels civilized. Sustainable. Lightly European!

And of course, this season is just as fitting for dating yourself. If you need ideas, revisit Your Appointments for Dating Yourself— because romance does not require a plus-one!

However you’re celebrating, may it feel light, unforced, and entirely yours.

Happy Valentine’s!

Wearing | Tuckernuck Cashmere

I fear this has become a true addiction. I now own three colors and am exercising tremendous restraint not to add a fourth. The weight is perfect, the cut feels polished but unfussy, and the monogramming options? Fatal. There is something about seeing your initials stitched into cashmere that makes even a Tuesday feel dignified.

Eating | Stuffed Peppers

A quiet heroine of the weekly meal rotation. Delicious, healthy, endlessly customizable, and they store and reheat like a dream. I love a dish that tastes just as good on Thursday as it did on Monday — systems, but make it savory.

Reading | The Bullet That Missed

I just started book three in the Thursday Murder Club series and already feel that familiar delight settling in. There is something so comforting about returning to characters you adore — all clever, dry, faintly mischievous. It’s the literary equivalent of slipping back into your favorite armchair.

Watching | Shrinking (Season 3)

Carter and I treasure this show. It threads the needle perfectly — making you laugh and feel deeply in the same episode, sometimes in the same scene. Heartfelt without being saccharine. Funny without being flippant. We finish every episode wanting to hug someone (usually each other!).

Listening | Griff

She popped up on shuffle as I was curating a Galentine's playlist and immediately earned a repeat. “Vertigo” and “Tears for Fun” have been on steady rotation.

Trying | Hill House Atlanta

I had the most fun exploring the new storefront with my friend Diva. It truly is extra special to shop in real life — to feel fabrics, try silhouettes, and have that tactile, girlish experience of discovery. Here are the gowns that stole my heart:

• The Ellie Maxi Nap Dress in Green Stripe

• The Louisa Nap Dress in Navy Trellis

• The Scarlett Nap Dress in Chili Red Textured Clip Dot

Champagne | Naadam Cashmere Set

I am absolutely obsessed with this (candidly gifted) set. The weight is impeccable — lightweight without losing coziness — and it will transition beautifully across seasons. It’s the sort of piece you reach for on travel days, work-from-home mornings, and casual dinners alike. Effortless luxury.

Frites | Quince Cashmere Set

I haven’t personally tried this exact set, but I have consistently loved every Quince piece I own, especially their cashmere. The price point for the quality feels almost suspicious in the best way. A lovely entry into the world of elevated loungewear without the full splurge.

STORIES

• The Wedding Registry Must-Haves I Still Stand By (Five Years Later). By Lauren Tilashalski (that’s moi!)

• The Lauren Letter Valentine’s Day Gift Guide. By Lauren Tilashalski (that’s moi!)

• A Tastemaker’s Unlikely Guide to THC. By Lauren Tilashalski (that’s moi!)

• Give This Guy a Gold Medal in Having the Audacity. By Julia Reinstein for The Cut

• Everything We Know About The White Lotus Season 4. By Emily Burack for Town & Country

• Birthday Trends Set to Take Over in 2026. By The Imperfect Host

YOUR APPOINTMENTS

• Your February Appointments. By Lauren Tilashalski (that’s moi!)

• Your Appointments for a Date With Yourself. By Lauren Tilashalski (that’s moi!)

CLOSET

• Latest Finds | February 2026

• Tuckernuck New Arrivals | February 2026

Third Eye Insights

If you’re intrigued by branding, marketing psychology, and sharp little case studies that make you see the world differently, this account is a thrill. I adore when their posts land on my feed. Whether you work in this space professionally or simply want to be more mindful about how you’re being targeted as a consumer, it’s worth the follow.

Subscribe now

Happy Friday!

This week, I am writing to you as someone who absolutely did not wake up on Monday feeling like a paragon of discipline and drive.

There are seasons — and sometimes just random Tuesdays — when I feel wildly unproductive. I move through the day doing what is required, but without that fizz I so love to romanticize.

And in the past, I would have responded to that feeling with force. More lists. More pressure. More self-scolding. Surely the solution to feeling uninspired is to simply try harder?

Apparently not.

This week, while listening to my Joy 101 app, I heard something that stopped me in my tracks. Cheria Young shared a simple reframing: when you need a boost, dedicate your day to someone.

To a parent or parental figure who sacrificed so you could have choices they didn’t.
To a friend walking through something heavy.
To a role model whose discipline you admire.
Or — and this one undid me — to your former self. The version of you who once prayed, schemed, journaled, and hoped to be exactly where you are right now.

All they wanted was this place.

There is something incredibly clarifying about shifting the focus outward. About deciding, “Today, I will show up well not because I feel like it, but because it honors someone.”

I tried it. I dedicated a workday to my younger self — the one who would have been thrilled to know where we landed. And suddenly the emails felt less tedious. The workout less optional. The small disciplines less negotiable. Not because I became a productivity machine, but because I remembered that I am living inside someone’s answered prayer.

If you’ve been feeling a little flat, a little stalled, a little “what is the point of any of this,” consider borrowing this trick. Dedicate the day. Let it be in someone’s honor. Sometimes motivation doesn’t come from squeezing yourself harder; sometimes it comes from remembering who you’re doing it for.

Wearing | J.Crew 1988 Rollneck Sweater

I sized up — actually, sized 2x up — for that perfectly slouchy, breezy, “I borrowed this from my husband and simply never gave it back” effect. There is something about an oversized rollneck that feels both East Coast academic and slightly insouciant. Paired with slim trousers or denim, it reads intentional rather than accidental. We love a calculated nonchalance.

Eating | Buck’s Daniel Island

Last weekend I visited a friend on Daniel Island in Charleston and we popped into this fine food purveyor and deli for a quick bite. Every sandwich could be made gluten-free (a dream if you’re GF-adjacent or fully committed), the ingredients were impeccable, and the owner could not have been more welcoming. He sent me off with two complimentary sweet treats!

Reading | How to Age Disgracefully by Clare Pooley

Clare Pooley is one of my absolute favorite authors, and I finally got off the Libby waitlist for this (relatively) new release. Multiple narrators, set in Britain, sharp humor threaded through genuine heart — it’s my exact sweet spot. The characters are delightfully imperfect and gloriously defiant in that very British way that makes rebellion feel polite.

Watching | Winter Olympics Documentaries

Miracle: The Boys of ‘80 – A new documentary from producers Max Gershberg and Jacob Rogal revisiting the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” U.S. hockey team. The never-before-seen 16mm footage alone makes it worth the watch. It’s nostalgic, patriotic, and deeply cinematic!

Glitter & Gold: Ice Dancing – From the creators of Simone Biles Rising, this follows top ice dancing teams — including Madison Chock & Evan Bates and Piper Gilles & Paul Poirier — as they chase gold. I have never related more to Madi risking it all for a fashion moment. I will be watching that skirt with baited breath!

Listening | The Great Divide by Noah Kahan

I love Noah Kahan, and a mid-winter single release feels so Stick Season of him. I am already counting down to the album and tour, but for now this song is on repeat — equal parts achey and expansive.

Trying | THC Drinks

Technically, I’ve been trying these for the last five weeks (who am I?). I did a full review of my improbable yet orderly descent into THC mocktails, featuring fourteen different options, and I’m officially converted — particularly as a gentle alternative to a glass of wine or nighttime wind down.

Champagne | NEST Grapefruit

My ultimate favorite candle for spring and summer. It is crisp, clean, and luxurious — like a sunlit kitchen with freshly sliced citrus on the counter. If I could bottle “effortless hostess,” it would smell exactly like this.

Frites | Quince Grapefruit

A best friend ordered this under $25 candle and immediately texted me: “divine.” A potentially more price-point friendly way to achieve the same bright, happy citrus vibe. I love a high-low moment, especially when the nose can’t tell the difference.

STORIES

• The Lauren Letter Valentine’s Day Gift Guide. By Lauren Tilashalski (that’s moi!)

• A Tastemaker’s Unlikely Guide to THC. By Lauren Tilashalski (that’s moi!)

• Tuckernuck’s Founders on Style, Politics, and Childcare. By Sylvie McNamara for The Washingtonian

• What the Happiest Country Gets Right About Work. By Professor Marina Cooley

• Looking Rich Has Never Been Easier. Feeling Rich Has Never Been Harder. By Hanna Horvath

• Super Bowl Snacks. By Meredith Hayden of Wishbone Kitchen

YOUR APPOINTMENTS

• Your February Appointments. By Lauren Tilashalski (that’s moi!)

• Your Appointments for a Date With Yourself. By Lauren Tilashalski (that’s moi!)

CLOSET

• Latest Finds | February 2026

• Tuckernuck New Arrivals | February 2026

Nicola Bathie McLaughlin

If ultra-feminine elegance were a person, it might very well be Nicola. Her home is nothing short of exquisite — layered, romantic, and collected in that way that feels deeply personal yet impeccably elevated.

And then there’s the dual-residence detail: the U.S. and Britain. As a committed anglophile, this fills my heart with endless content candy. Think London polish meets Southern charm, with heirloom-worthy jewels sprinkled throughout.

Subscribe now

Happy Friday!

This past weekend, bustled up indoors from the winter storms, I found myself wrapped in some of the most soul-stirring comfort content: Theo of Golden and Les Misérables. Two very different worlds. Two very tender reminders. And both circling the same exquisite truth: to love another person is to see the face of God.

There is something about stories of redemption, loyalty, sacrifice — the quiet, stubborn choice to love anyway — that steadies me when the real world feels sharp around the edges. In both narratives, love is not naïve. It is costly. It is inconvenient. It asks something of you. And yet, it is the only force that ultimately redeems.

This week carried its own heaviness. You may have felt it too — the low hum of headlines, the collective fatigue, the temptation to harden just a little. When that happens, I try to turn my attention deliberately toward the good that still pulses through humanity. The small mercies. The unseen sacrifices. The neighbor who shows up. The friend who checks in. The stranger who chooses gentleness over indifference.

If awe is a practice (and I believe it is), so is generosity of spirit.

So today, consider this your nudge: look for the good. Name it. Thank it. And where you can, become it. Extend the kindness. Offer the softer response. Let your love be sturdy and active and unembarrassed.

In a world that can feel cynical, choosing to love — deliberately, expansively — is its own quiet act of defiance.

Wearing | Mongolian Cashmere Oversized Boyfriend Cardigan Sweater

This cardigan is a full-fledged pillar of my wardrobe at this point. I am, quite transparently, collecting the colors like they are infinity stones. At this rate, I will achieve sartorial omnipotence via knitwear.

Eating | Van Leeuwen

True decadence with just the slightest crunch. It’s creamy with that caramelized honeycomb crackle folded throughout. It tastes like something you’d order at a tiny European café and then immediately try to recreate at home (you won’t; just buy the pint).

Reading | The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

I just finished this novel, told exclusively through letters. No traditional narration — just correspondence unfolding over the course of decades. The characters are deeply flawed, occasionally maddening, yet so very human that I felt emotionally tethered to them by the end. There is something intimate about reading someone else’s letters — it made me want to bring pen to paper myself!

Watching | Bridgerton (Season 4)

I am watching as I pen this letter, and the costuming alone deserves its own award category. Absolute visual confection. The colors, the tailoring, the absurdly romantic lighting — pure eye candy. It’s escapist in the most sumptuous way, and frankly, I am not above being swept away by it!