I have been in a funk!

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

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

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

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Your Body

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Your Environment

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

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

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

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

Your Habits

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

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

Your Mind

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

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

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

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

Your People

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

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

Your Only Rule

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

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

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

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

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

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

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WEDDINGS

• PROPOSAL — How to Be Married by Jo Piazza

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

• BRIDESMAIDS — Champagne Bucket, Tea Towel, and Champagne

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

• ENGAGEMENT PARTY — Tiffany or Waterford Champagne Flutes

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

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

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

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

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

BABY

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

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

• NEW PARENTS — Uber Eats Gift Cards

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

• FIRST BIRTHDAY

  • For Mom — Custom Engraved Silhouette jewelry

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

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

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

• GODPARENT — First Bible and Petite Keep

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

COUPLE

• ANNIVERSARY — Case of Wine

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

PARTIES

• HOSTESS — On-Theme Paper Cocktail Napkins

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

    • Mahjong Night

    • Book Club

    • Everyday

• HOLIDAY HOSTESS — NEST New York Holiday Candle

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

EVERYDAY

• BIRTHDAY — Favorite Things Tote or Classic Personalized Tote

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

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

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

• THANK YOU — Thank You Note

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

• TEACHER/COACH — Gift Card

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

• HOUSEWARMING — Tricia Lowenfield Heirloom Plate or Wreath Ribbon

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

• GRADUATION — Personalized Stationery or Laptop Sleeve

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

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

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

FOR ME

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

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

• Ladurée Macaroons

• Chanel Lipstick

• LAKE Pajamas

• Needlepoint Canvas

• Poetry

• Herend Figurine

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

GIFTING

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

• Wrapping Paper

• Gift Bags

• Ribbon

• Gift Tags

  • Family

  • Personal

  • Summer

  • Fall

  • Holiday

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

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The Lauren Letter Beauty Directory is the full accounting: every product I use, every treatment I book, the exact order I apply things in, and precisely how often. It is also, by a wide margin, the most requested piece I’ve ever written!

Two convictions govern everything that follows.

The first is that beauty truly begins within. What you sleep, drink, and carry in your nervous system will always outwork what you apply topically.

The second is that I invest in products with a single goal — waking up and being ready to walk out the door with as little effort as humanly possible. Less is more. Complementary products from a few, tediously selected brands. Simple routines. Maximum effect.

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

Join The Patronage

SKINCARE

This is, without question, my biggest investment space, and also the one with the highest return. The payoff has been significant enough that I now wear face makeup only for special occasions — weddings, big events, the rare night out. What follows isn't just maintenance, either; it's genuinely become a self-care ritual I look forward to, not a chore I'm rushing through before heading out the door or going to bed.

In a rush? Shop all skincare products here.

SPECIAL OCCASIONS

• Microneedling with PRP at Skin Pharm with Chelsie

  • I recommend booking this treatment 3-4 weeks before a special occasion — your skin will look like it has foundation on it naturally!

  • Skin Pharm has locations all across the country, and if you book with this link or mention my name at booking, you’ll get $100 off your first appointment!

QUARTERLY

• 41 units of Botox on my forehead (with focus on eyebrow lift) and crow’s feet at Skin Pharm with Chelsie or Dentique with Dr. Lauren Abes.

  • Skin Pharm has locations all across the country, and if you book with this link or mention my name at booking, you’ll get $100 off your first appointment!

MONTHLY

• 50-Minute Custom Facial with Dermaplaning at FACED

  • FACED has locations all across the Atlanta area, and if you book with this link, you’ll get $50 off your first facial!

BI-WEEKLY

• Dr. Dennis Gross Pro Facial Steamer

  • Use after cleansing and before serums/masks.

WEEKLY

• Oak Essentials Restorative Mask

  • This mask makes my skin literally GLOW.

  • I use this mask at night after the Dr. Dennis Gross Face DRx SpectraLite™ FaceWare Pro 3-Minute LED Mask and before face oils (see below for daily routine order).

EVERY 2-3 DAYS

• La Mer The Renewal Oil Exfoliator

  • I use this exfoliator at night after the La Mer The Calming Lotion Cleanser and before the DRx SpectraLite™ FaceWare Pro 3-Minute LED Mask (see below for daily routine order).

• Oak Essentials Nightly Retinol Serum

  • I use this serum at night after the Oak Essentials Firming Plant Peptide Serum and before the La Mer The Rejuvenating Night Cream (see below for daily routine order).

EVERY DAY

*Note: I let each product sit for one minute of drying between each step. I use this time to multi-task or complete other chores.

*Note: I do skincare after brushing teeth to avoid wiping off product or in case any toothpaste (which can clog pores) got on my skin.

*Note: I use a fresh washcloth every day. After one use, it goes in the hamper.

MORNING

• 1. Ursa Major Essential Face Wipes

  • If I take a shower in the morning, I will use the La Mer The Calming Lotion Cleanser. However, most mornings I do not, so I just swipe one of these across of my face!

  • These are amazing to also keep on hand for daily refreshers (or men/children who may or may not wash their face with a different soap than their body).

  • Keep them in the fridge for a cooling and depuffing effect!

• 2. Behrhaus Fulvic Barrier Biome Mist

• 3. The Skinny Confidential Mint Roller

  • Keep in the fridge for a cooling and depuffing effect!

• + In the fall/winter add La Mer The Revitalizing Hydrating Serum

• 4. Oak Essentials Vitamin C Serum and Oak Essentials Firming Plant Peptide Serum

  • I mix them together before applying!

• 5. Oak Essentials Moisture Rich Emulsion

• 6. Oak Essentials Ritual Oil OR La Mer The Renewal Oil

  • I alternate these oils. I like them both and alternating helps elongate the shelf life!

• 7. La Mer The Broad Spectrum Face Sunscreen SPF 50

• 8. La Mer The Lip Balm

NIGHT

• 1. Honest Beauty Cleansing Makeup Remover Facial Wipe

• 2. La Mer The Calming Lotion Cleanser

• 3. DRx SpectraLite™ FaceWare Pro 3-Minute LED Mask

  • I use the red light and combination light functions.

• 4. La Mer The Concentrate Serum

• 5. Oak Essentials Firming Plant Peptide Serum

• + In the fall/winter add La Mer The Intensive Revitalizing Mask

  • I rub in and then let it sit; I do not wipe off!

• 6. La Mer Rejuvenating Night Cream

• 7. La Mer The Eye Concentrate Cream

• 8. Oak Essentials Ritual Oil OR La Mer The Renewal Oil

  • I alternate these oils. I like them both and alternating helps elongate the shelf life!

• 9. La Mer The Lip Balm

MAKEUP

Less is more, ladies! Self-tan, Botox, and the skincare above have already done the work, leaving a base coat good enough that makeup becomes optional rather than essential. Plus, less products = less decision fatigue. Our heads are busy enough!

In a rush? Shop all makeup products here.

EVERY 6 WEEKS

• Brow Lamination and Stain & Lash Tint and Lift at By the Blade with Tanaz Ukani

  • This is my newest addition to my beauty regimen! I am always looking for ways to make my wakeup to out-the-door routine as quick as possible, and I think this may be my ultimate trick. I loved how natural the results turned out.

EVERY DAY

• 1. MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Painterly

  • I pat this on my eyelids with my finger as a base for eyeliner and to gently brighten my eyes.

• 2. Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof Eyeliner in Espresso

• 3. Chanel Le Recourbe Cils de Chanel Eyelash Curler

  • The absolute best in the biz.

• 4. Chanel Le Volume de Chanel Mascara in Écorces

• 5. Chanel Stylo Sourcils Waterproof Eyebrow Pencil in Blond Tendre

• 6. Chanel Le Gel Sourcils Eyebrow Gel in Brun

• 7. Chanel Le Crayon Lèvres Lip Pencil in Beige Rose

• 8. Chanel Rouge Coco Flash in Move

• 9. Chanel Rouge Coco Hydra Gloss in Bourgeoisie

SPECIAL OCCASION

• 1. Chanel Ultra Le Teint Velvet in BR22

  • I apply with a beauty blender, which I run under the sink then wring out until its only slightly damp to the touch.

  • Word on the street is they are discontinuing this product which is a nightmare! I recently stocked up on 3 bottles of this product just in case.

• 2. MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Painterly

  • I pat this on my eyelids with my finger.

• 3. Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Powder in B20

  • I apply with the beauty blender on my eyelids, chin, temples, corners next to and under my nose, and forehead.

• 4. Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Natural Eyeshadow Palette in Warm

  • I apply with the Louis Vuitton Eye Brush Set

• 5. Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sun-Kissed Powder in Light Coral

  • I apply with the Chanel Precision Powder Brush N°107

• 6. Chanel Poudre Lumière Highlighting Powder in Ivory Gold

  • I apply with the Chanel Precision Powder Brush N°107

• 7. Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof Eyeliner in Espresso

• 8. Chanel Le Recourbe Cils de Chanel Eyelash Curler

• 9. Chanel Le Volume de Chanel Mascara in Écorces

• 10. Chanel Stylo Sourcils Waterproof Eyebrow Pencil in Blond Tendre

• 11. Chanel Le Gel Sourcils Eyebrow Gel in Brun

• 12. Chanel Le Crayon Lèvres Lip Pencil in Beige Rose

• 13. Chanel Rouge Coco Flash in Move

• 14. Chanel Rouge Coco Hydra Gloss in Bourgeoisie

HAIR

I have an admission: I use almost nothing on my hair. Genuinely, insanely little. I cannot stand product build-up, so I’ve all but eliminated it from the routine. I usually get one good post-wash blowout day, a second day touch-up, and then a third slick back bun day.

In a rush? Shop all hair products here.

QUARTERLY

• Highlights at Amaryllis Salon with Stephanie Runyan

  • This is the inspo picture I shared with Stephanie for my color:

    

  • In spring/summer, my natural hair color acts as the lowlight; in fall/winter, we add in lowlights

EVERY 6 WEEKS

• Trim at Amaryllis Salon with Stephanie Runyan

  • I don’t have an inspo photo; I literally just tell her “bob it up!”

EVERY 2-3 DAYS

• Shampoo

  • Right now I am using Champo’s Kapha collection and really enjoy it! It’s the top selling shampoo at Harrods in London.

  • I also like Crown Affair’s The Hydrating Shampoo, Living Proof’s Perfect Hair Day, and Molton Brown’s Purifying Shampoo.

  • I admittedly switch up my shampoo a lot and haven’t found a “holy grail” yet. Accepting suggestions in the comments!

• Conditioner

  • I don’t use it! I feel like this is crazy to admit!

• Crown Affair The Towel

  • After showering, I let my hair sit in this wrap until it is damp but no longer wet (i.e., if I squeeze a section of my hair, little water comes out).

• For wet hair — Dyson Airwrap

  • First, I brush out my hair. I don’t use a detangler as I find almost all conditioning products make my hair lose volume quickly!

  • Then, I use the fast dryer attachment. Here is the most important part: Use the dryer attachment until your hair until it looks dry (but at touch it is still every so slightly wet/damp). This is the key to getting the best blowout with the Airwrap! 90% of issues with Airwrap styling are because your hair is too heavy and wet!

  • Next, I use the barrel, styling away from my face. I grab a small section (1 inch), let the barrel grab the hair and wrap it up, then hold the Airwrap horizontally against my scalp for 10ish seconds before releasing. Repeat all around your head; don’t touch or brush out the curls until the very end.

• For dry hair, straight — Bondi Boost Infared Bounce Thermal Brush

• For dry hair, curled — CHI Original 1'' Ceramic Hairstyling Iron

  • For a tutorial on how to curl short hair with a flat iron, watch one of my favorite creators, Laura Byrnes, here!

• For a slick back bun —

  • Goody Ouchless Forever Polyband Hair Ties

  • Medium Claw Clips

• Mason Pearson Rake Comb

  • For brushing wet hair or brushing out a blowout.

• Mason Pearson Tail Comb

  • For adding in volume or smoothing down hair for a slick back.

EVERY DAY

• Mason Pearson Popular Hairbrush

  • My Mom bought me this brush when I was a senior in high school, and I am still using the same one! With proper care, it is a worthwhile investment.

BODY

A study in contrasts: half basic hygiene; half the most indulgent, decadent purchases I make all year!

In a rush? Shop all body products here and all fragrance products here.

MONTHLY

• Pedicure at Les Mains

  • I’ve been doing a french manicure or OPI’s The Thrill of Brazil

BI-WEEKLY

• Manicure at Les Mains

  • I’ve been doing a french manicure or OPI’s The Thrill of Brazil

  • I ask for short and rounded.

WEEKLY

• OSEA Salts of the Earth Body Scrub

  • I use in the shower before I apply my weekly self-tan base.

• Lune Bronze Eclipse Self Tanning Mousse

  • I use this once a week; it gives you an almost instant tan so I use as my “base” before reapplying a more gentle glow with Beauty by Earth every few days.

  • I use this mitt to apply.

• Lune Bronze Good Night Face Tanning Serum

  • I use this once a week at the very end of my nighttime skincare routine.

EVERY 2-3 DAYS

• Homecourt Body Butter in Cece

  • This scent is heaven. On days I don’t apply self-tan, I apply body butter after my nightly shower.

• Beauty by Earth Self Tanner Mousse in Medium to Dark

  • On days I don’t apply body butter, I apply self-tan after my nightly shower.

• Beauty by Earth Bronzing Face Tanner Spray in Medium to Dark

  • I spray the face spray all over my face after I’ve finished my nighttime skincare routine.

EVERY DAY

• Homecourt Body Wash in Cece

  • I am not a fan of the container, so I purchase the Body Wash Refill and decant it into my own aesthetically pleasing jar.

• Dove Advanced Care Deodorant

• Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540 Eau de Parfum

  • I keep the Globe Trotter travel bottle in my purse; perfect for on-the-go and daily refreshing!

  • You can purchase travel refills, too.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Everything below is proof that beauty starts within. Poor sleep and unmanaged stress age you faster, hold onto water you don’t want, and dull what skincare works so hard to achieve. But beyond looks and longevity, the real payoff is confidence — which, unlike a serum, can’t be applied topically!

In a rush? Shop all health & wellness products here.

SEMI-ANNUAL

• Teeth Cleaning at Dentique with Dr. Lauren Abes

QUARTERLY

• Relaxation Massage at The Spa at St. Regis

  • I have spent years finding the perfect combination of price point and luxury experience in Atlanta, and I have found it here! The amenities (think a welcome ritual, sauna, steam room, champagne and macarons, tea service, and the most beautifully designed quiet room) are impeccable, and Jarrett is a must-book therapist. You can definitely find treatments in Atlanta for $50ish less, but you will sacrifice the elevated totality, which to me is more than worth it.

WEEKLY

• Theragun

  • I love using it at night on my neck and shoulders and following it with Yoga Balm or my Weighted Heating Pad.

• Jo Malone Lavender & Moonflower Pillow Mist

  • I like to spray as part of my weekly sheet laundering.

• Crest Teeth Whitening Strips

• Weighted Heating Pad

EVERY 2-3 DAYS

• Pure Barre or The Daily Pilates

  • I try to do 3-4 sculpting/classic classes plus a restorative stretching/meditation class each week.

  • I sign up via ClassPass — I love that credits roll over!

  • Sign up for ClassPass with this link and you’ll get 20 bonus credits!

• A quiet night in: reading, needlepointing — preferable no television and phone on do not disturb.

EVERY DAY

ALL DAY

• Oura Ring 5 in Gold

  • I style it with this ring jacket.

• Amazon Kindle

  • I try my best to reach for my Kindle to sneak in some reading when I am tempted to grab my phone and scroll.

  • I style it with this Kindle cover! It goes with the sage green, perfectly.

• SURI 2.0 Toothbrush

  • I HATE having my toothbrush sit out on the counter, and this electric option comes with a UV Charging Case that removes 99.9% of bacteria, re-charges your brush, and allows you to travel or keep tucked away every day without worrying about gunk!

• Phone on Do Not Disturb

  • I spent copious amounts of time customizing my do not disturb settings, and I try to carve out specific periods of my day when I check any alerts to cultivate a less reactive mood.

• Classical Music

  • Incredible for lowering cortisol. As much as I love top hits and podcasts, I try to sprinkle in a few classical sessions each day (especially in the morning).

• TONS OF WATER

  • My husband instilled this great habit: I am constantly drinking water and aim for half my body weight in ounces each day. It truly can fix skin problems, mood, headaches, and more — a true universal, natural salve! And a big ‘ole water jug makes it even easier to get your daily intake done!

MORNING

• Daily Gratitude Journal

• The Daily Stoic

• Joy 101 OR Headspace

  • I alternate these apps! Joy 101 has more holistic life coaching, longevity tips, and mantras, whereas Headspace will provide the basic building blocks of meditation and tailored courses for whatever life is presenting you with.

• Poetry

  • Nothing instantly romanticizes and brings a lyrical note to your day like a bit of morning poetry. I highly recommend Lyndsay Rush or Mary Oliver.

NIGHT

• Yoga Balm

  • Carter rubs on my neck and shoulders each night when we go to bed. It’s instantly relaxing and relieving, but also a sweet connection point for us before turning in for the evening.

• Warby Parker Kimball Glasses

• Nod Pod

  • Part sleep mask, part weighted blanket for your eyes!

• Perelel Vitamins

  • Whether you’re trying to conceive or not, the Perelel Conception Support Pack is a great pre-packaged collection of nutrients for women with possible benefits for hair, nails, energy, or general wellness.

  • I keep them right in my nightstand for easy access, and I find taking them right before bed minimizes any possible nausea that can accompany daily vitamins.

• Tea Forte Chamomile Citron Herbal Tea

  • My favorite nighttime tea — an instant signal to my body it is time to wind down. I use the Fellow Stagg EKG Electric Kettle to brew.

• Maison Louise Marie No. 4 Candle

  • Another instant signal to my body it is time to wind down. We light when we get in bed for the evening.

• 8 Hours of Sleep

  • Of all the beauty tips I can list here, this is probably the most impactful. Sleep significantly impacts hormone levels, including cortisol, and your physical appearance in turn.

  • One hour before bed, I try to put my phone fully away and read to help my body and mind settle in for the night.

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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Your ardent Tuckernuck correspondent, reporting for duty once more!

Tuckernuck’s sale section just got a second markdown: for only 13 hours more, you can get an extra 20% off with code BONUS20. Below you’ll find my curated edit. In other words, I sifted through over 2,500 pieces so that you didn’t have to :)

Want to cut to the chase? My Tuckernuck Sale on Sale picks can all be found here.

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

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My Order

Americana Stripe Sadie Dress ($248 $79.20) — I am heading to a red, white & blue themed bachelorette next weekend, so this was the perfect last-minute snag!

Denim Marsella Dress ($98 $62.40) — I love dark wash denim as we transition from summer to fall, especially here in the south where I will be wearing mini dresses through November!

Taupe Brushed Wool Callahan Shirt Dress ($168 $94.40) — Another fall/winter pick! My favorite Tuckernuck dress silhouette in a heavier fabric and neutral colorway that I can style a million different ways.

Blue Fog Velour Jane Pant ($148 $71.20) — Part 1 of a set! Set dressing is my absolute favorite for work from home days or weekend lounging, and this icy blue velour is a great fabric and color to bring a pop to chilly fall and winter days.

Blue Fog Velour Bennett Pullover ($148 $71.20) — Part 2 of the above set! I sized up twice to have a baggier fit!

Soft Pink Dupioni Megan Dress ($188 $120) — I adore all of Tuckernuck’s dupioni pieces — instantly feminine and dressy — and I am PRAYING this arrives in time for a bridal shower this weekend!

Chocolate Brown Ally Swing Sweatshirt AND Lemongrass Ally Swing Sweatshirt ($128 $56) — I actually went back for these! The chocolate brown perfectly matches my FAVORITE Tuckernuck pants which are also featured on the sale on sale! And, I am a sucker for anything yellow.

My Other Favorites

Soft Pink Cashmere Eloise Cable Knit Sweater ($298 $143.20) — Could this color be any more darling?!

Maison Blue Suede Veronica Maxi Skirt ($298 $158.40) — Another absolute color crush in a fall friendly fabric.

Olive Green Selena Maxi ($168 $107.20) — A favorite Tuckernuck silhouette of mine in a perfect late summer/early fall colorway.

Gold Plisse Carol Bow Mini Dress ($158 $63.20) — I cannot believe the price on this perfect throw-and-go holiday number!

Sky Blue Taffeta Cynthia Bubble Skirt ($228 $136.80) — This would be unbelievably chic styled with a crisp white button down.

please do not hesitate to save for later or pass on entirely if this is not for your heart right now.

After a season of the most effervescent joy, we recently learned our precious time with our baby girl had come to its end.

Here is how we are finding our way through.

+ Carter carried everything. He told the people who needed to know. He made sure I ate. He cared for me in the most tender, messy ways post-surgery. He held me. He watched an embarrassing amount of Housewives and Love Island with me. He quietly took the reins on a baby shower I was meant to host. He met my worst days — the ones I couldn’t get out of bed — with nothing but grace, even while carrying his own immeasurable grief.

+ Our village showed up. Flowers, casseroles, words. My mother flew in and gently helped me remember how to function.

+ I was gentle with myself. Some days, brushing my teeth was the whole of what I could do. I let texts and emails and the obligations of life go unanswered. On good days, I made it to the couch.

+ I stepped away from work. This is precisely why protections like sick leave and the PWFA exist. My colleagues have been extraordinary and human and loving and compassionate.

+ I got a facial. I went to therapy. I took walks with Taylor Swift in my ears. I ate the foods that felt like comfort. I window-shopped at places that feel like home.

+ I checked out thirteen Elin Hilderbrand novels from the library and read them everywhere — in the sun at Chastain, in pre-op, curled into the couch, basically anywhere and always. When grief felt too large to hold, I disappeared into her stories for hours.

+ I stepped away from my phone and social media. I wrote. I needlepointed. I read (see: thirteen Elin Hilderbrand novels). I listened to music, or to strangers' small talk in cafés. I tried to keep the TV off. I let the news pass me by entirely.

+ I bought myself a special pair of Lake pajamas for after surgery.

+ We got away. After my first 24 hours of post-surgery recovery, my parents sent us to our favorite resort for a few days. Some days we sat by the pool. Some days we stayed in bed and ordered room service. We healed in a place that felt tucked away and quiet.

+ I keep managing symptoms, because my body still believes — and is behaving as though — it is still carrying a viable pregnancy. My hcg levels are still so high that pregnancy tests remain positive and I am still grappling with the debilitating symptoms that have been plaguing me from the start (namely extreme nausea and vomiting). After surgery came long bleeding and pain that arrived in waves, deferred and interruptive.

+ Above all, I try — every single day — to find gratitude. If I’ve learned anything from the last five years of life’s most heartbreaking challenges (my mom’s cancer battle, my husband’s cancer battle, and, now, the loss of our baby girl), it’s that you are never a victim, and that joy is something worth fighting recklessly for.

+ We are still in pain that, at times, feels insurmountable. The other side of this valley is hard to see. So when you see us smiling, laughing, and sharing the light and fizzy and beautifully vapid corners of life — please root for us. We are fighting recklessly for this joy.

We love you more than words could ever hold, baby girl.

Wherever you are, we carry you with us — and we cannot wait to meet you, one day, on the other side of all this.

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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Father’s Day is Sunday, June 21! Whether you’re shopping for the dad who raised you, the one who just became one, or the man who showed up without the title, there’s something here worth giving.

Dad

• Onward Reserve Coastal Seersucker Swim Trunk

  • Carter loves Onward Reserve swim trunks, including these seersucker ones which come in a ton of colors!

• Onward Reserve Waffle House All Star Special Tee

  • Another sure hit with dad.

• Hudson Sutler Hunter Green Waxed Canvas Heritage Commuter Duffel

• Weezie Men’s Signature Robe

• Gucci Men’s Horsebit 1953 Loafer

  • For a very special father, these are lifelong investments he will wear for years to come!

• Tecovas Men’s Ostrich Belt

  • A fun take on a men’s staple.

• Vuroi Ponto Performance Short 7”

  • Carter swears by how soft these shorts are!

• Polo Ralph Lauren Pebbled Leather Shave Kit Pouch

• Sid Mashburn Card Holder Cognac Glazed Alligator

• Smithey No. 12 Skillet

• Sonos Play

  • Perfect additional to a Sonos home suite of easily connectable devices.

• Peter Millar Two-Pack Performance Sock

  • My Dad swears by these socks as his favorite he has ever owned!

Dad-to-Be

• Mabe The Monarch Baby Carrier - Charles Herringbone

  • The iconic baby carrier in a masculine colorway.

• LAKE Men’s Pima Sleep Bundle in Navy Gulf Stripe

  • Perfect for hospital stays and newborn cuddles.

• Weezie Grand Groom Trunk

  • Great for keepsakes for your newborn.

• Ember Mug 2

  • A must-have for on-call fatherhood.

• Lululemon New Parent Backpack 22L

• Framebridge Lacquered Mahogany Octagonal Frame

• Owlet Dream Sock

  • Because what’s a better gift than peace of mind?

• Breville ® Barista Express ® Espresso Machine

• Amazon Kindle Paperwhite 16GB

  • Backlight reading for when your partner is hitting the hay early :)

New Dad

• Caden Lane Matching Swim Set

  • Men’s Swim Trunks

  • Boy’s Swim Trunks

  • Girl’s One Piece

• Bombas Men’s Premium Weight T-Shirt

  • Carter got this tee as PR (yes, Carter!), and he has fallen in love! It’s perfect for throw and go while still feeling polished.

• Stanley 40oz Quencher

• Paige Tate & Co Our Big Book of Sports

• Hatch Restore 3

• Vuori Sunday Performance Jogger

• Bits & Bows Dad & Lad Baseball Caps

  • This is simply too precious!

• Jack Black Skin Saviors Set

  • Because self-care isn’t just for moms!

• Chris Loves Julia Arched First Year Frame

  • Perfect for in the office!

Grandpa

• Mark & Graham Wood Watch Box

• Masterclass Subscription

  • Perfect for the intellectually curious Grandfather with a little more time on his hands!

• Peter Millar Odeon Sneaker

  • Beloved by my Dad, brother, and Carter!

• Old Dogs by Sally Muir

• Coravin System

• L.L. Bean Men’s Organic Cotton Waffle Sweater, Cardigan

• Mark & Graham Gentlemen’s Handkerchiefs

• Mark & Graham Manhattan Leather Wine Chiller

• Oh My Mahjong Heritage Starter Kit

  • His own set for his den!

Father Figure

• Polo Ralph Lauren Home Woodland Pine Candle

• August Morgan Cocktail Napkins

• Match South Playing Card Set with Putting Green Grass

• Salisbury Kentucky Julep Cup

  • Perfectly customizable for your favorite derby-fan father figure.

• Brackish Bear Cufflink & Studs Set

• Mark & Graham Celebration Silver Etched Coasters

• Mark & Graham Silver Memo Tray

  • Free personalization included!

• Mark & Graham Leather Wine Dossier

• Match South Vice Tees

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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For well over a decade years, I drove a Honda CRV my parents bought in the summer of 2014. Cloth seats. A CD player as the primary entertainment system. Utterly, charmingly, reliably unglamorous — and honestly? Perfect for me. I have never been a car person. I will never be a car person. If you hand me a choice between spending money on a car versus something beautiful in my closet or a new stamp in my passport, it is not even a question! Plus, I’ve never met a curb I didn’t want to hit.

But even the most committed non-car-person eventually has to have the conversation with herself, and I realized I would rather have it before my hand was forced.

So here is exactly why I chose the 2026 Volkswagen Atlas 2.0T SE — with a major shoutout to my Dad for flying in to help me finalize the deal!

It’s CUTE. Yes, that’s the first reason.

This was the first filter, it was a completely legitimate filter, and I stand behind it entirely. About a year and a half ago, I started noticing the same car on the road over and over again — thinking that’s really cute, and then leaning forward to squint at the emblem. Atlas. Every. Single. Time! The car kept finding me before I was even actively looking! That is not a coincidence, that is a sign!

It’s (relatively) affordable!

I am a grown-up! I work hard! A meaningful step up from a base Honda felt both appropriate and long overdue. But — and I cannot stress this enough — I am still deeply, fundamentally not a car person, which means I had zero interest in premium gas, luxury-brand maintenance bills, or the general financial lifestyle that comes with a prestige badge. We are also firmly, happily, ideologically anti-lease in this household (during this stage of life, at least). We wanted to put the cash down, own it outright, and redirect our attention to literally anything else for the next ten-plus years. The Atlas made that possible, and I am delighted!

The base models are so elevated for what you pay.

Without jumping an additional $10–20K (which, I’ll be transparent, would have gotten me my dream bucket seats and a power liftgate — for the next decade!), the SE arrives with wood trim and leather seats, a huge digital display, ventilated and heated seats, a heated steering wheel, and genuinely so much more. For what you spend, it overdelivers in the best possible way. The “starting point” here is already so lovely and feels luxurious.

Three rows that actually, comfortably work.

Non-negotiable, and here’s why: we are in the beautiful, hopeful season of growing our family, and I wanted a car that could carry us through that chapter with room to spare. The Atlas seats seven — which was proven on its literal maiden voyage last weekend, when it fit fully grown adult men front to back on a 45-minute drive to a birthday party without a single complaint. The second row reclines! Drop the third row and you have a genuinely impressive amount of cargo space! This is a real car for real life, and it shows. (Quick note: if three rows aren’t on your list, the Tiguan is equally charming and absolutely worth considering.)

My best friend has one!

Genuinely, this deserves to be higher on the list. There is no more credible product review in existence than watching someone you love and trust actually live with something — and she is obsessed with hers. That matters enormously to me!

It’s exceptionally safe.

This one crept up in importance the more I sat with it — and now it might be the thing I feel best about. The 2026 Atlas earned a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, and the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ — the institute’s highest honor — with “Good” ratings across all three crash tests. Beyond the credentials, a close friend was in a major collision in her Volkswagen and walked away completely unscathed. I have thought about that more than once, and it meant something when it came time to decide.

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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Bottle blonde (natural, I insist, though I understand the skepticism). A wardrobe built on classic silhouettes, tailored fits, and clean lines. Never without a bright lip — turns out my Mom was right all along. I live in the American South, where sweet tea is strong and small talk is an art form. I have been told — more than once, with great affection — that I am a lot. Effervescent, I prefer. The kind of woman who will befriend your grandmother at a dinner party and leave with her azalea gardening tips and a standing lunch date. On paper, on Instagram, perhaps even at first glance across a table at a luncheon, I read as a particular type of woman (hint: she watches Fox News and has a proclivity for cherry red).

But, dear reader, I assure you: I am as blue as cerulean.

I voted for Hillary, Joe, and Kamala. I’ve never missed an election. My grandparents — on both sides — have been campaigning for liberal candidates since the sixties. I met Barack Obama in 2004 in Oquawka, Illinois, before he was a household name, and in 2013 I stood in the January cold on the National Mall with my father to watch him be inaugurated for the second time. I have strong feelings about a great many things, and almost none of them would surprise you coming from a card-carrying Democrat from Atlanta, Georgia. So you can imagine — truly, imagine — the pearl-grasping that occurred when think-pieces began to circulate suggesting that dressing head-to-toe in Tuckernuck marks you as a harbinger of American conservatism.

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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Here is what I need you to know about me and Tuckernuck.

I have been wearing it almost exclusively since 2020. I wore pieces from their house line when Carter proposed, and again in our engagement photos. I wore Tuckernuck as a bridesmaid in my brother’s wedding. On first days of new jobs. On vacations that became memories. The afternoon I met my nephew for the first time, I was in Tuckernuck.

I have converted friends and family with the fervor of a true believer. I dispense discount codes like it’s gospel. The annual sample sale is, without exaggeration, my favorite holiday of the year; my Christmas list has evolved into almost exclusively Tuckernuck gift cards, a development my family has accepted with great patience and occasional confusion.

Tuckernucking has become a fully fledged verb in my household. My dad lovingly calls my mom and me the Tuckernuckers when we get particularly deep into a shopping session. This is said with affection. Mostly.

When I first started sharing online as a tastemaker and received my first PR package from Tuckernuck, I knew that I had made it.

The politicization of Tuckernuck arrived over in the midst of the 2024 election season, when a flurry of articles crystallized what many in Washington had apparently decided: Tuckernuck was MAGA’s unofficial outfitter.

From the White House to Fox News, the brand had been worn by Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, Second Lady Usha Vance, and a who’s who of Republican staffers from Capitol Hill and the Trump administration. The Daily Beast reported that its crisp blouses and structured dresses had come to dominate podiums in Trump’s White House and were being bought in bulk by Fox News’ wardrobe department. According to The Washington Post, the Jackie dress was the uniform of the 2024 Republican National Convention.

HuffPost went further, asking whether you might be wearing a MAGA-coded outfit without knowing it. Celebrity stylist Edith Chan weighed in: “Tuckernuck doesn’t promote MAGA ideology directly, but its aesthetic aligns closely with values often associated with modern conservatism — tradition, respectability, family life and understated wealth. In today’s polarized climate, fashion like this becomes read politically, whether the brand intends it or not.” One style commentator offered perhaps the most memorable take: “I love Tuckernuck and actually wear a lot of it — while also recognizing it’s definitely Republican-coded.”

And then, as if this press cycle weren't enough, The White Lotus Season 3 entered the chat. Last season’s beloved breakout character, Victoria Ratliff — Parker Posey's Southern, delusional, lorazepam-loving, thoroughly affluent matriarch — was a full-blown cultural moment. And costume designer Alex Bovaird confirmed that Posey was particularly inspired by Tuckernuck's "beachy, preppy" aesthetic in building Victoria's wardrobe. Victoria, who famously does not know she is in Thailand. Victoria, who calls it "Taiwan." Victoria, who agrees to visit a monastery only to sabotage her daughter's spiritual awakening.

With friends like these.

The founders, for their part, have been admirably composed throughout all of this.

When Washingtonian asked co-founder Jocelyn Gailliot directly about Tuckernuck’s reputation among Republican staffers, she laughed it off: “Everyone wants to make everything political these days. First of all, we’re very popular amongst both parties, and we have a lot of clients on both aisles. For us, it’s always been the mission of ‘Let’s inspire a fun, full life.’ That’s something that everyone can be excited about.”

Co-founder September Votta added that the brand had always resisted being bucketed: “From the beginning, we’ve always said that people have wanted to bucket us — as a New England brand or an East Coast brand — but we always wanted to be attainable and approachable for the whole country and not just a small subset of it.”

Like a sartorial Dolly Parton, Tuckernuck floats, beloved, above the political fray.

The whole situation calls to mind one of the most famous lines in the history of commercialism, particularly in the modern day landscape where consumers not only desire product but political ethos from their provisioners: Michael Jordan’s long-attributed refusal to endorse a Democratic Senate candidate in his home state of North Carolina, explained by the quiet logic that “Republicans buy sneakers, too.”

But here is where it gets particularly delicious: privately, two of the three founders are registered Democrats who have donated repeatedly to Democratic candidates, according to Federal Election Commission records. Democrats, it turns out, not only buy Jackie dresses, too — they are the ones who designed it.

Fashion is inherently political — that much is undeniable. The clothes we choose communicate something about who we are, or who we wish to be seen as, or what world we want to live in. But the politicization around Tuckernuck has always felt reductive to me, because when I look at what this brand actually is — not who it has been dressed on, but what it stands for in its bones — I see something that strikes me as deeply, emphatically progressive in the most positive, non-partisan connotation of the word.

Consider: Tuckernuck is female-founded, by three women who built a nine-figure brand from a Georgetown garage. Rather than watch talented women leave the workforce because it was too hard to leave their children behind, they built a culture where children were welcome — not tolerated, but expected. They offer a minimum of four months of maternity leave, and provide up to $20,000 per child for daycare for employees who work in their building, with an on-site childcare center so that parents and children can commute together and reunite at five o’clock.

The brand is committed to size inclusivity and quality fabrics — the kind of construction that lasts, that gets handed down, that isn’t disposable. It’s a lifestyle brand in the truest sense: travel, culture, design, even a book club. It champions other brands worth your dollars, functioning as an arbiter of taste in a crowded market. When I see Tuckernuck carries something, I know it has earned its place.

The clothes themselves are for your spontaneous, busy, effervescent life — easily packable, always a statement even in a classic silhouette, as comfortable building a capsule wardrobe as making a single spectacular entrance. From day to office to footwear to accessories to home to formalwear, the world Tuckernuck imagines is full and joyful and, yes, a little fizzy.

I cannot wait to make my pilgrimage to the Upper East Side storefront and the Georgetown mecca — especially the new flagship, a corner lot with floor-to-ceiling windows on either side, in the heart of D.C. where they always wanted to be. I will continue to fill my closet with Callahan dresses and refresh the new release page every morning like the woman of faith that I am.

And one thing I can say with absolute certainty: I cannot wait to wear Tuckernuck the next time I head to the polls. Regardless of who you’re voting for, I genuinely think you should, too.

Postscript

Here are my favorite Tuckernuck staples that are sure to garner bipartisan support!

Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 10! While these gifts are a great starting point for the moms, moms-to-be, and mother figures in your life, the most common request I hear is booking her a pampering appointment (think massage, facial, nails) — not a gift card; just book it for her!!!

Mom

• Party Prep Print by Shannon Woodford

  • My signature collaboration with fine artist Shannon Woodford — an absolute breathtaking homage to the woman who brings everything together, whether it be a summer soireee or dinnertime every night.

  • Use code LAUREN10 for 10% off!

• Stubbs & Wootton Slippers Fleurs Flax Linen Slippers

• LAKE Pima Long Sleeve Bundle in English Rose Stripe

• Monogram Stationary Set

• Alex Mill The Perfect Weekday Tote

  • A cult classic; go with her classic monogram or a fun “MOM” moniker.

• Weezie Women’s Long Signature Robe

• Famille Rose Champagne Bucket

• La Mer The Moisturizing Soft Cream Duet

  • A tremendous value!

• Small Wonders: A Field Guide to Life’s Quiet Joys by Jennifer Shoop

• Golden Rabbit Nesting Bowls in Taupe Swirl

  • What a gorgeous way to elevate meal prepping!

• Heirloom Monogram Pillowcase

• Oh My Mahjong Solara Starter Kit

• Saint Laurent Uptown Pouch in Grain De Poudre Embossed Leather

  • One of my all time favorite luxury pieces; I use mine every single day and it is perfect to transfer necessities from bag to bag.

• Addison Ross Chinoiserie Frame

  • You can add in a photo for them to print and deliver in the frame!

• Diptyque Roses Candle

Mom-to-Be

• Hill House The Ellie Nap Dress

  • The perfect silhouette that will carry her from prenatal to postpartum.

• Mina Baie Emmy Vegan Full

  • My best friend has this chic diaper bag that also can be worn as a backpack (by your partner!!!!).

• The Bumpsuit

• LAKE Pima Maternity Long-Long Set in Parisian Green

• LAKE Pima Robe in Parisian Green

• Chappy Wrap Springtime Stripe Lightweight Blanket

  • So many options to match your nursery design!

• Stanley The Quencher H2.0 Flowstate™ Tumbler

  • Don’t let it leave your side! Hydration is an expectant Mom’s friend.

• Amazon Kindle

  • Compact, portable, and perfect for those final days at home and the early newborn days as well!

• Heirloom ‘From the Nursery’ Personalized Rocking Horse Stationery

• Oak Essentials The Routine

  • My latest skincare obsession; will make the mom-to-be in your life glow somehow even more and all products are pregnancy safe.

New Mom

• Poems of Parenting by Loryn Brantz

  • One of my absolute favorite gifts for new moms!

• Ginori 1735 Oriente Italiano Mug in Porpora

  • To make her necessary morning caffeine feel like a little luxury.

• Piyama Penelope Set

  • Comfortable enough for days at home, polished enough to wear out for an errand.

• MME.Mink The Gigi Basket

  • Push present alert!

• Dorsey Kate Rivière Necklace

  • Push present alert!

• Behrhaus Fulvic Acid Barrier Biome Mist

  • One of my favorite new products of the season; an instant boost of hydration and soothing.

• Lenora Vandy Cotton Short Sleeve Pajamas

  • Comes in pink and blue trim!

• Target Mother’s Day Striped Ruffle Pouch 2pc Set

• Paul Arnhold Glass Seafoam Green Transparent Spotted Carafe

  • To quench her thirst without having to even get up from bed.

• Sugar Paper Baby Book

• La Mer The Lip Balm

  • My holy grail lip balm!

• Oak Essentials Aromatherapy Bath Set

Grandma

• Lingua Franca Sweater

  • Can do the initials, a favorite saying, or her grandma name!

• Vana Chupp Studio Classic Silhouette Charm Bracelet

• Tricia Lowenfield Large Custom Platter in Family and Flowers

  • Tricia can fully customize colors, background, and family!

• Wedgewood Magnolia Blossom Frame

• Frank & Eileen Effie Long-Sleeve Funnel Neck Capelet

• Ginori 1735 Oriente Italiano Round Box with Cover

  • A place to store her jewels when playing with munchkins!

• Custom Silhouette Intaglio — option a and option b

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

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There is a particular kind of email I have trained myself to delete without opening or a post I scroll past when it trickles down on my feed. You know the one. The subject line promises something — Ten Things You Need This Season, My Favorite Links, A Few Products I Love — and by the time you’ve scrolled past the eighth affiliate link, you’ve forgotten why you ever subscribed. It is content in the truest, most clinical sense of the word: It is designed to make the sale. You are designed to consume accordingly.

I know this, because I have sent versions of it.

When I started the Lauren Letter, that was not my intention. But, it happened slowly, in the way that well-intentioned things can tend to drift.

I had been watching — really indexing — what was working for other people. The Instagram accounts with the numbers, the Substacks with the paid tiers, the creators who had figured out how to make this a livelihood. And I started copying the architecture of it without ever really examining whether it was mine. The recurring segments. The link roundups. The gentle funnel toward something purchasable. The aesthetics of productivity dressed up as personality.

I told myself it was strategic. That you have to grow an audience before you get to write however you want. That revenue doesn’t materialize from poetry and personal essays alone, and if I wanted this to be real — genuinely, sustainably real — I needed to play the game a little. Learn the form. Do what the people with 100k followers were doing and trust that the writing could live inside it somewhere.

The problem is that it couldn’t. Or at least, it wasn’t. I was copy-pasting an approach that was never built for what I actually am, and the seams were showing — mostly to me, but I suspect to you too.

So I’ve been reflecting critically. And what I found, if I’m honest, is that the parts of this I love — the parts I think you love, too — have nothing to do with roundups or listicles or the performance helpfulness. My soul sits with language. With curation. With storytelling.

So let me do what I should have done at the beginning. Let me properly introduce myself.

I believe the world is remarkably beautiful. I fight for that belief every single day — for the romance in it, for the joy, for the refusal to let the ordinary stay ordinary. That is not an aesthetic affectation. It is a conviction.

My mission with the Lauren Letter, if we’re being formal about it, is to romanticize life through storytelling, wit, and design.

I write for a specific kind of woman, and I think you know if you’re her. She is curious and cultured. She romanticizes her everyday — a corner café, a well-chosen candle, the pleasure of a long lunch that becomes dinner. She reads. She has taste without being precious about it. She wants champagne and fries. She’ll ask her friends if they should just do a bottle. She is a professional, a founder, a creative — someone who values taste over trends and wants to feel, above all, genuinely herself. Elevated, not sold to. More romantic about her life, not more optimized within it. She wants someone to see her inner life and name it beautifully.

That is what I am here to do. That has always been what I am here to do.

Here’s what stays, and what it means:

The Lauren Letter remains the anchor — my weekly correspondence that holds everything together. Witty, warm, a little editorial, occasionally irreverent.

Love Notes are my poetry, prose, and percolations. It is the most vulnerable thing I will do here, and equally the most thrilling. No utility. No directive. No reason to exist except that the language demanded it and I had the courage to let it out. This is the writing I was made for — lyrical, unhurried, intimate.

Book Club is beginning! One book a month, a proper review, and questions worth sitting with. I cannot wait for us to read together, treating the comments section as our literary salon.

And then there are the Stories — the longer essays, pop culture and lifestyle reflections, and travel guides. These arrive when they arrive. I will not manufacture them on a schedule, nor use them as a trojan horse for affiliate linking, and I think that’s precisely what makes them worth reading when they do!

And finally, The Lauren Warrant.

A royal warrant is granted when a supplier has met the standard of a household of taste and discernment. The Lauren Warrant is my version. It is reserved for pieces that carry the full weight of my taste and authority, and it will appear rarely, because rarity is the point. When something genuinely meets my standard — for beauty, for craft, for ethos — it receives it.

This is a smaller table, set more carefully. I think you’ll find you prefer it.

With so much love, as always,

Lauren xx

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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April always feels like a true turning point—the world softens, the light lingers a little longer, and everything begins again without asking for too much in return. Opening the windows. Blooms popping through. “Can we sit on the patio, please?”

Here’s a list of simple, seasonal reminders to carry you through the month, one charming moment at a time.

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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Your April Appointments

1). You simply must buy yourself tulips.

2). Take your morning coffee outside on a particularly soft day—no phone, just birdsong and air that still feels new.

3). Turn on a spring playlist and let it float through the home. Try something classical; it’s a salve for your cortisol levels.

4). Knock out birthday cards for every April baby on your calendar—early, intentional, and handwritten!

• I loved A.A. Ford’s take on this practice.

5). Bake something lemony!

6). Wear an all white ensemble. It’s so crisp; so Nancy Meyers.

7). Spend an afternoon dilly-dallying—bookstore, then gift shop, and a specialty food market as your grand finale. A special, fizzy drink must accompany.

• If in Atlanta, may I recommend Virginia Highland Books; Lucy’s; and Gather’d Market?

8). Try a new way to move your body. Something that feels playful, preferably.

9). Clean out your handbag! Begin again with only what you actually need. Utilize pouches to cut down on clutter.

10). Apply body oil, then lotion. While doing this, have your pajamas heating in the dryer.

11). Buy something blue. Or yellow. Or both.

12). Keep one morning sacred—no phone until 9am.

13). Reflect on the goals you set for Q1. Celebrate yourself for what you achieved. Pick one measurable thing you can adjust for Q2.

14). Take yourself out for coffee and people watch—an underrated hobby.

15). Eat what’s in season! Let nature set the menu.

16). Consider a pair of clogs—equal parts charm and practicality!

17). Get a facial to slough off (what a scrumptious phrase) winter skin remnants.

• If in Atlanta, may I recommend FACED Facial Studio?

18). Keep nails simple, clean, and neutrally polished.

19). Notice the blooms in your neighborhood—and look up what they are.

20). Turn on The Masters Naturescape while you putter or read. There’s truly nothing like Augusta in April.

21). Open the windows while you tidy your kitchen. Let the air move through as you clean. This feeling and smell is true divinity.

22). Drive with the windows down if you haven’t yet this year, even for the shortest errand.

23). Buy good French butter. It will change everything.

24). Bring a canvas tote to the farmers market. Fill it up!

25). Choose one weekend day with absolutely zero plans. See what life invites in when you give it space to do so.

26). Order your 2026 Mahjong Card!!!

27). Read a crumpled, well-loved paperback. Something that’s been carried before you and has stains from tea, lotion, and the outdoors.

28). It’s time for a new phone background—something that sparks a small moment of delight each time you reach for it.

29). Plan a “girl dinner” with a friend it’s been too long since you’ve seen—fries, a simple salad, champagne.

• If you’re in Atlanta, may I recommend Brasserie Margot’s Margot Girl Dinner?

30). Ask yourself, every single day: “What’s the best thing that could happen?”

A few seasons ago, Frank & Eileen sent me their Carmel Travel Set along with the Eileen Relaxed Button-Up Shirt in their Famous Denim. And the moment I put the pieces on, I was a goner.

The pieces felt considered and truly crafted in a way that is increasingly rare in a white-labeled world. I was immediately struck by the substance and design of the fabric—the weight, the drape, the feeling of luxury behind it. I immediately stood a little taller and felt instantly put together, all while wearing some of the most comfortable pieces that were joining my closet.

Despite its distinctly Irish name—borrowed from the founder’s grandparents—Frank & Eileen is California-born, with its identity anchored in Italian craftsmanship. The result is a compelling balance: relaxed, West Coast ease underpinned by European precision and heritage-quality textiles.

I will say what many of you are likely thinking: the price point gives pause. It certainly did for me. A shirt, a cardigan, a travel set—these are not typically investment purchases.

But what becomes immediately apparent when you open your parcel is that these are not fleeting additions. The fabrication is exceptional, the silhouettes are thoughtfully engineered, and the pieces integrate into your wardrobe with remarkable fluency. They are the garments you instinctively reach for, day after day, because they consistently deliver—on comfort, on fit, on polish.

What I find particularly compelling is Frank & Eileen’s commitment to refining core silhouettes rather than endlessly reinventing them. The same perfectly cut shirt or cardigan appears in a spectrum of hues—designed to be layered, interchanged, and worn in rotation without friction. It transforms getting dressed into something intuitive rather than deliberative.

So, if you are considering a spring wardrobe reset or basics resfresh, I would begin here.

These are not trend-driven purchases. They are the pieces that accompany you through the full spectrum of your days—your busiest mornings, your unhurried lunches, your travels, your time at home.

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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Lauren’s Typical Sizing Guide

Tops: M

Pants/Dresses: 6

Denim: 28

Height: 5’3”

Body Type: Curvy

What I Added for Spring

The Mary Dress (M) — Famous Denim, Tattered Wash
An immediate staple. Effortless yet composed, with just enough structure to feel intentional. It is the sort of piece that requires very little styling yet always reads as complete. For now, I’ll wear it with sandals and a sweater draped over my shoulders; later, it will transition seamlessly into cooler months with boots.

Jackie Cardigan (L) + Kennedy Skirt (M) — British Royal Navy, Lemon Yellow, White
This pairing captures everything I want from spring dressing: ease, movement, and versatility. The Jackier Cardigan offers a tailored sensibility without rigidity, while the Kennedy Skirt lends a fluid, feminine counterpoint. Owning them in multiple colorways allows for effortless variation without overthinking.

Patrick Vintage Jersey (M) — White, British Royal Navy, Navy French Stripe
If you are new to the brand, this is where I would begin. These are elevated essentials in their most refined form—exceptionally soft, impeccably cut, and endlessly versatile. They underpin everything else.

Galway Denim (28, 26”) — 1986 Wash
Denim with integrity. Structured enough to maintain its shape, yet softened by a lived-in sensibility that makes it immediately wearable and activity friendly. It strikes that elusive balance between polish and ease.

Patty Vintage Jersey (M) — White, British Royal Navy, Navy French Stripe
Another foundational layer in a short-sleeve modality. Absolutely indispensable in their simplicity.

My Wish List

Once you begin building within the world of Frank & Eileen, your perspective shifts from acquisition to curation.

I find myself drawn to additional travel sets—unrivaled for long weekends—as well as more Eileen Relaxed Button-Ups in crisp whites and softened neutrals. I am increasingly falling for their Lemon Yellow and Dive Blue colorways (a dream of buttery brightness when paired together), but also at my core gravitate to a restrained palette: navy, white, stone. Oh, and my first pair of Galway Denim will not be my last. In sum, pieces that harmonize rather than compete, that layer with intention and ease.

When I started The Lauren Letter, it was never about building a business. It was about creating a space—one that felt beautiful, grounded, and always romanticized.

That has not changed.
And it won’t.

The Lauren Letter will always be free.
No paywalls. No gated posts. No “premium” version of what has always been shared openly.

Subscribe now

Because at its core, this space exists to make the everyday feel more thoughtful, more elevated, and, in its own small way, more magic-filled—and I don’t believe that should sit behind a barrier.

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.

If you feel so inclined, you can now support The Lauren Letter through:

• Monthly

• Annual

• The Patronage, a customizable annual gift, from which 10% of proceeds will be donated to the Malala Fund, supporting girls’ access to education globally.

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Become a Patron

There is no expectation here—only an invitation:

To support, if you’d like.
To simply keep reading, if you’d rather.

Either way, I am so glad you’re here.

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

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This past few weeks of shopping have been a study in balance — pieces that feel polished but not precious, comfortable but not careless. The kind of acquisitions that slip seamlessly into real life: travel days, quick dinners, mornings that start slow and end somewhere unexpectedly chic.

Included in this Report:

• An structured but comfortable set that will keep up with the longest of travel days

• A holy grail sneaker

• An under $25 bright and springy candle

And now — the receipts:

Alex Mill Coco Sport Set

This is what I want to wear every time I run an errand or board a plane.

Comfortable, yes — but crisp. The structure keeps it from veering into loungewear territory, while the ease makes it ideal for long travel days or slow Sundays. It’s that elusive middle ground: you look pulled together, but you feel like you’re in pajamas.

Already eyeing it in red and grey.

Alex Mill Taylor Sweater

What narcotics are in Alex Mill designs? Truly. They are addictive!

This sweater is the perfect weight — that magical cashmere-cotton blend that feels substantial but breathable. The high neck folds over effortlessly (no fussing required), and the structure gives it just enough polish to carry an outfit.

Veronica Beard Valentina Sneakers

The height is perfect, the slip-on design makes them wildly practical and fun, and somehow they still read elevated — not gym-adjacent. I’ve already ordered another color, which is my personal gold standard of endorsement.

J.Crew Étienne Oversized Shirt

I’m deep in a monogramming phase — every small detail feels like an opportunity. This oxford was no exception!

I ordered a small petite to get that boxy, borrowed feel without drowning in fabric, and it was exactly right. Crisp, lightweight, endlessly versatile.

Cadets Rollneck Sweater

Lightweight cotton, airy but still cozy — it makes me think of breezy coastal evenings, a glass of crisp white wine, and just enough salt in the air to justify staying out a little longer.

Few Moda Rosa Satin Shorts (Gifted)

These are the definition of elevated casual — that rare piece that feels indulgent but still wearable. Pair with an oversized sweater and a ballet flat, and suddenly you have a full moment with minimal effort.

Varley Annika Playsuit

I am already obsessed with Varley, and this playsuit only deepened the attachment.

Cinched at the waist for just enough femininity, but otherwise the definition of throw-and-go. It makes me want to do a cartwheel!

Quince Grapefruit Candle

The scent is luxurious, bright, and quickly fills the entire home — no hovering required. My only complaint: it doesn’t come in a three-wick (yet), which I would purchase immediately!

Oak Essentials Restorative Face Mask (Gifted)

I am notoriously selective with skincare PR — I rarely stray from my tried-and-true. But Oak Essentials (by Jenni Kayne, a name synonymous with quality) felt like an exception worth making. And, unsurprisingly, it delivered.

After just 10 minutes, my skin looks visibly quenched, brighter, and more even. It’s one of those products where you see the result immediately.

On my first day of law school, I had a very specific picture in my mind of what the next three years would look like: memorizing statutes, studying the elements of crimes, and quizzing myself on legislative updates.

In short, I assumed I would be learning the law.

Boy, was I surprised.

That first lecture ended up being memorable for more than one reason—most notably because I met my husband just a few seats away—but also because our professors quickly disabused us of our expectations.

They told us something that felt almost unsettling at the time:
Learning how to actually be a lawyer comes much, much later.

How to represent a client.
How to deliver a compelling closing argument.
How to negotiate a deal.

Those are things you learn after you pass the bar and begin practicing.

What law school is really designed to do is something else entirely:
It teaches you how to think.

Over three years of school—and then half a decade in practice—my brain was completely rewired. What surprised me most, though, is how transferable those lessons are.

When I stepped away from the all-consuming intensity of Big Law and moved in-house—creating space for relationships, hobbies, and simply living—I began to notice just how often those same lessons were shaping the way I move through the world.

So today, I’m sharing a few of them—lessons you can borrow without ever being cold-called in front of sixty of your classmates.

1. Listen Twice As Much As You Talk

Clients rarely present their situation like a carefully constructed PR package. The real issue is often buried somewhere between the facts they emphasize and the details they nearly skip over.

So, a good lawyer learns to listen—fully, patiently, and without rushing to respond.

The same is true in life. If you let people finish their sentences, they will tell you basically everything you need to know.

In a world that rewards quick takes, the ability to truly listen is an advantage.

2. Don’t Let Emotions Cloud Judgment

Law trains you quickly: feelings are not evidence.

That doesn’t make emotions irrelevant—they often explain why something is happening—but in legal analysis, decisions must be grounded in what actually occurred, bow how intensely someone feels about it.

This has been invaluable in my personal life.

Is my husband attacking me as a human being with no regard for all I do for our household?
Or is he simply offering a (perhaps unsolicited) opinion on how to load the dishwasher?

Taking a beat to ask, what actually happened here? has saved me from more unnecessary spirals than I can count.

3. Get Names Right. And Use Honorifics.

In my earliest days as a summer associate, I misspelled a very intimidating senior partner’s name in an email and he called me down to his office for a “chat”. I was absolutely terrified as he laid out my trespasses from across his giant mahogany desk, convinced I had lost my job at my dream firm before it was even offered. And while, upon reflection, this performance was a tad dramatic, I learned quickly.

This extends beyond remembering names. It means also using proper honorifics—Judge, Professor, Doctor. Titles exist for a reason, and acknowledging them signals professionalism and care. I will never forget a law professor who chided my cohort anytime one of us referred to a supreme court justice by last name alone. I can still hear his Appleton, Wisconsin accent commanding the room—”That’s JUSTICE Blackmun”. It’s why I still refer to my friend, pure barre client, and dentist who I am very much on a first name basis with as Doctor Lauren and my sister-in-law’s father as Doctor Jeff and a former colleague who joined my firm after time on the bench as Chief Justice.

It’s not about vanity; it is about attention. People notice when you make the effort. It tells them you’re detail-oriented, prepared, and respectful of the room you’re in.

In everyday life, the same rule applies. Remember names. Use them. Double-check them. The small effort communicates far more than you might think.

(But, for what it’s worth, you can call me really anything!).

4. “I Don’t Know” Is Never the Final Answer

In law, “I don’t know” is never the final answer. The correct response is “let me find out.”

The law (and life!) is far too vast for anyone to hold entirely in their head. What matters more is your willingness to investigate, learn, and return with an informed insight.

Adopting this mindset turns uncertainty from a dead end into a starting point. Instead of feeling defeated by not knowing something, you become curious and resourceful. And, for what it’s worth, curiosity is a powerful predictor of success, often surpassing raw intelligence, because it drives continuous learning, engagement, and adaptability.

5. Be Unimpeachable With Your Word

Your reputation is one of the most valuable assets you possess.

If you say you’ll do something, you do it. If you promise a deadline, you meet it. If you say you’ll follow up, you follow up. And, if life understandably happens, you communicate accordingly and as soon as practicable.

It sounds simple, but reliability compounds over time. People quickly learn who they can trust and who they cannot.

Being known as someone whose word can be relied upon builds trust in friendships, family, and everyday interactions. It doesn’t require grand gestures—just consistent follow-through and small promises kept.

6. Sunlight Is the Best Disinfectant

One of my favorite jurist quotes comes from US Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis: “Sunlight is the best disinfectant.”

The most pragmatic lesson that I’ve learned in my nearly decade of studying the law is that transparency solves problems far more effectively than secrecy.

Misunderstandings often grow when information is incomplete or hidden. When expectations aren’t communicated clearly, people tend to fill in the blanks with assumptions—usually unhelpful ones.

Bringing clarity to a situation early almost always makes things easier. Honest conversations, clear expectations, and straightforward communication tend to prevent small issues from becoming larger ones.

In both legal disputes and everyday life, sunlight tends to resolve problems faster than shadows ever will.

7. Nothing is Black and White

Learning to sit comfortably with nuance is one of the most valuable skills law school teaches. It encourages you to examine issues from multiple perspectives and remain open to information that challenges your initial (or even built-over-time) assumptions.

Inviting curiosity into your own tightly grasped beliefs invites compassion, neuroplasticity, and, most importantly, peace with divergence in worldviews from friends, family members, and strangers online.

8. Efficiency Is a Skill

In Big Law, your life is measured in six-minute increments. Your value and success is boiled down to how many of those little .1s of billable hours you tallied by the end of the year.

Add in constant deadlines and ruthless priorities, and you learn quickly that not everything deserves equal attention.

Efficiency, in this sense, isn’t about rushing. It’s about understanding what truly deserves your energy, what does not, and the decisiveness to act accordingly upon that analysis.

That skill becomes just as valuable in everyday life, where the ability to focus on what matters most often determines whether a week feels productive or overwhelming. This requires careful examination of your assumptions as to what truly is a priority (e.g., financial health, physical movement, quality time with your family) and what you have mistakenly labeled as non-negotiable (e.g., your third volunteer committee meeting of the week, showing face at a networking happy hour).

9. Don’t Tell Yourself “No”

One of the biggest mistakes I see—professionally and personally—is self-rejection.

In negotiations, assumptions about what the other side will say are often wrong. Offers you think are too ambitious sometimes land. Opportunities materialize at the eleventh hour (I love a good courthouse-steps settlement).

The key is simply allowing the conversation to happen and having the courage to put yourself out there.

In life, this translates to a simple but powerful rule: don’t preemptively reject your own ideas, ambitions, or opportunities.

The world will tell you no plenty of times. Don’t do it for them.

10. You Can Challenge a System While Still Working Within It

Let me say it clearly: you don’t always need to burn something down to improve it. Sometimes the most effective change comes from understanding a system deeply—and then working within it to make it better.

Law is essentially a structured way to push back. The system exists, but it also contains mechanisms to question it. Learning how to navigate rules while advocating for change is a surprisingly powerful life skill.

It’s a lesson that has made me both more pragmatic and more hopeful in my entire worldview. Acceptance of this will also promote sustained advocacy and prevent burnout when entrenched structures inevitably fall short of your ideals.

11. Presence Matters

Before you say a word, people are already forming an impression.

In a courtroom, judges and juries notice everything: posture, tone of voice, eye contact, confidence. Even before someone speaks, their presence communicates something about how seriously they take the moment. There’s a reason these memes are hilarious:

Standing tall, looking polished, and meeting someone’s gaze isn’t about performance—it’s about signaling that you respect the moment and believe in what you’re saying.

12. Details Are Never “Small”

I have worked on cases that have been in litigation for over a decade . . . because of a comma.

A comma.

Tiny details—wording, timing, punctuation—can change outcomes entirely.

And that lesson extends far beyond contracts.

A well-lived life is often the sum of small attentions:
the sunlight hitting your desk in the morning,
remembering your friend’s mother is awaiting biopsy results,
wearing the bracelet your grandmother gave you.

Nothing is small when it is paid attention to.

13. No One Gets to Define You But You

During my second year of practice, I worked briefly for a partner whose behavior was, without exaggeration, some of the most cruel, vile, and unprofessional I have ever encountered (or even heard of).

It became so untenable that my husband insisted I take a leave of absence for my health. My therapist and multiple senior mentors agreed.

After I returned from my five-day hiatus, a firm leader called me into their office.

They told me my experience wasn’t legally actionable (I never alleged that it was)—and then added, with casual cruelty, that perhaps I simply wasn’t built to be a litigator.

I was crushed.

At that point in my life, my identity was deeply tied to being good at this. I had sacrificed vacations, cancelled countless social obligations, worked through my honeymoon, taken calls during wedding dress fittings, ignored my failing physical and mental health, and billed hours from hospital waiting rooms while my mom underwent chemotherapy.

To be told I “wasn’t built for it” felt like an unraveling.

But then I did what law had trained me to do: I interrogated the narrative.

I looked at the evidence, like any good litigator does. Strong reviews. Meaningful wins. Creative strategy. Positive feedback. Resilience under pressure.

The facts didn’t support the conclusion. I was, and am to this day, a patently great litigator.

Nevertheless, this confrontation led to me to begin a revaluation of who I was and, more importantly, who I wanted to be.

I intentionally shifted my career toward balance and alignment. I invested in my health, my relationships, and creative pursuits. I disentangled my worth from my output. I fell in love with myself.

And I stopped accepting other people’s conclusions about who I was.

In litigation, every case comes with competing stories—each side presenting a version of events they hope the decision-maker will believe. A good lawyer learns quickly that the loudest narrative isn’t always the truest one.

Throughout life, people will project their assumptions onto you: who you should be, what you’re capable of, what lane you belong in. Some of those narratives are subtle, others quite direct.

The key is learning to be critical about which messages you accept as fact.

You are allowed to question the stories others tell about you. In fact, you should. Because ultimately, the only person who gets to define who you are is you.

2024 nearly broke me.

Twelve weddings. Each with a rehearsal dinner, welcome drinks, or some festive fête that demanded a second formal outfit. Then came the black-tie holiday parties. The cocktail receptions. The charity soirees.

And the final straw?

A gala in March 2025 that Carter casually informed me about eight days in advance.

Eight. Days.

Now, I love an excuse for a fabulous dress as much as the next girl. I adore the hunt for something special—a standout gown, a punchy color, a dramatic sleeve for an event you’ve been anticipating for months. But by the end of that jam-packed year I was experiencing what can only be described as formalwear fatigue.

So I finally did what I should have done years ago: I invested in my no-brainer, go-to black formal dress.

The one that lives quietly in the back of my closet but is always ready for duty.

And most importantly—it’s not trendy! This dress isn’t about fashion fireworks. It’s about reliability. It’s tasteful. It’s elegant. It’s appropriate almost everywhere.

There is something so incredibly grounding about knowing that in your closet at all times is a beautiful, flattering black dress ready for whatever invitation lands on your doorstep. No panic. No frantic online ordering. No overnight shipping.

Below are a few of my favorite styles that perfectly fit the brief.

In a rush? Shop all my selections here.

P.S. The Lauren Letter Stories are 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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Hill House Home — The Tulle Ellie Nap Dress

This is my personal formal black dress! She’s 50% off right now, to boot! P.S. You need to wear with a slip; I recommend this one.

Hill House Home — The Lace Ellie Nap Dress

P.S. You need to wear with a slip; I recommend this one.

Tuckernuck — Black Dupioni Esme Dress

P.S. You can get 20% off with code YOUROCK.

Tuckernuck — Black Soleil Gown

P.S. You can get 20% off with code YOUROCK.

Tuckernuck — Black Tie Front Bow Bea Maxi Dress

P.S. You can get 20% off with code YOUROCK.

Tuckernuck — Black Dupioni Clea Dress

P.S. You can get 20% off with code YOUROCK.

Tuckernuck — Black Feather Jamie Dress

P.S. You can get 20% off with code YOUROCK.

Few Moda — o.p.t Elowen Dress

Sam Edelman — Women’s Novalee Mixed-Media Strapless Dress

Under $100!

Show Me Your MuMu — Dalia Maxi Dress

Show Me Your MuMu — Tinsley Tube Dress

I’m admittedly the personification add to cart —but I’m equally quick to print a return label. If an item makes getting dressed easier, improves a daily routine, or helps me romanticize the everyday, it stays. If it doesn’t? Well, let’s just say the UPS clerk is on our holiday card list.

So here’s this year’s roundup: the purchases that truly delivered — along with the ones that were sent right back!

*denotes that I have recieved PR from this brand within the past year.

The Best Purchases

Closet Staples

• Sue Sartor Flounce Dress – My favorite dress I purchased in the past five years. There’s a reason I picked this piece to wear on our Homeworthy episode! Instantly flattering, feminine, and flirty.

• Tuckernuck Cashmere* – As I like to say, clinically obsessed. I now have three pieces from Tuckernuck’s Cashmere collection, and it is an instant elevation and investment staple. Plus I love the monogramming option for a little luxurious wink!

  • P.S. Use code “YOUROCK” for 20% off Tuckernuck’s Cashmere collection!

• Frank & Eileen Eileen Relaxed Button-Up Shirt* – While all their pieces are absolutely exquisite, I can say with my full chest that this button-up is the absolute best in the business. Everytime I throw it on I feel like the main character in a Nancy Meyers film.

• Quince Mongolian Cashmere Oversized Boyfriend Cardigan Sweater* – I now have this piece in two colors, and they are a go to grab for cozy, elevated dressing.

• Quince 100% Organic Cotton Fisherman Boxy Cropped Cardigan* – Another go to for pairing over a set for barre or for the perfect styling with denim.

  • Sizing Note: Take your usual size! I love how the small fits on me. I tried to size up to a large for a slouchy look, but it just turned out frumpy.

• Aritzia Effortless Pant – After searching for the perfect work trouser, I discovered this pant and immediately purchased in five colors. When something works, commit!

  • Sizing Note: I sized up twice in these. A single size up would work with a thin blouse or slim button down, but I wanted the option to tuck-in a sweater or thicker top. The short length is perfect on me (I am 5’3”).

• Citizens of Humanity Lyra Wide Leg Crop Raw Hem Jeans – I was intimidated by wide leg jeans for so long, but these are insanely flattering and drive wild amounts of compliments (both for their look and how slimming they are). The entire collection is now on my wishlist!

• Perfect Day Crew Sweater from Nell MV – I severely underestimated the breeze when strolling Martha’s Vineyard in late May 2025, which led me to one of my absolute favorite finds! After popping into the cutest store, Nell MV, I quickly snagged this lightweight cashmere as a salve for chilly summer nights, and I find myself reaching for it constantly. The layer comes in so many colors, and I cannot wait to collect them all!

  • Sizing Note: This sweater is designed to be boxy, so take your usual size for the oh-so-slightly oversized (but not slouchy) fit.

  • P.S. It also comes in cotton for under $100!

• J.Crew 1988 Rollneck Sweater in Heather Sky – I don’t need to wax poetic about the icon that is the J.Crew 1988 Rollneck Sweater (although I could)! But. This. Color. It’s the most scrumptious, icy blue that carries you through summer nights with a breeze to winter mornings by the fire.

  • Sizing Note: I took a large for a “just stole from my husband” extra-oversized look.

• Alex Mill Sport Set – My new travel, work-from-home, and errand-running go to. Soft yet structured; casual yet chic. I purchased about a month ago, and I’ve already worn five times.

  • Sizing Note: I took a medium in the bottoms and a large in the top to accommodate curves!

• Veronica Beard Valentina Sneakers – I LOVE THESE SNEAKERS. AND THEY’RE SLIP ON! AND THEY MAKE ME FEEL SO STYLISH! And they just feel and look so well made. I have the navy pair, which is so different from my typical taupe/white neutral shoes, but I will quickly invest in their other colorways as well.

• Amazon Brown Stripe Dress – A rare Amazon winner! I wore this on vacation at Round Hill Resort, and it got so much love. It’s wildly flattering, and the price is unbeatable. The best part? It’s under $20!

• LAKE Pajamas* – I’ve been exclusively wearing LAKE pajamas to bed since 2022, and I will never stray! I purchased a few new sets this year to expand my rotation and improve longevity in all my pairs. I especially adore the Long Sleeve Bundles, which give you pants and short options!

• Lorna Murray Island Ravello Hat – The perfectly packable hat. Inspired by Kathy Hilton, this accessory is one of my favorite statement pieces for summertime. And the grosgrain ribbon makes it feel fabulous enough to carry me from the pool to posher settings.

• UGG Scuffette II Slippers – After longer than I’d like to admit, I finally invested in a new pair of UGG slippers. I wear these around the home every single day, officially bringing my cost per wear to mere pennies, and I’ve never found a substitute worth my dollar.

Beauty & Hair

• Crown Affair The Towel* – Immediately takes hair from sopping to damp, yet is gentle enough to not damage your locks.

• Crown Affair The Dry Shampoo* – Non-aerosol, not prone to that “build-up” feeling, and the kabuki brush allows you to really control where the product goes!

• Teleties Flat Hair Clip – Absolute perfection for barre/pilates mat work!

• Beauty by Earth Self Tanner – An absolute fool-proof self-tan that looks like a natural vacation glow. Plus, it’s clean ingredients! I swear by the mousse and facial spray, and, even though I’m naturally pale (read: vampiristic), the medium-dark shade is perfect!

• La Mer The Intensive Revitalizing Mask* – My nightime moisutrizer! My dry as scales skin absolutely drinks this up, and I wake up with a glowing, hydrated barrier. Although a higher price point, a tiny bit goes such a long way.

• Diptyque Philosykos Body Wash – The Ritz-Carlton Lake Oconee featured this body wash in their guest rooms, and I was immediately enchanted. The scent is soothing and transports me every time I use it, and, unlike some perfumed, higher-end body washes, this one suds up spectacularly.

Interiors

• Ruggable Kairos Ivory & Blue Rug* – One of my most requested links on Instagram! The perfect neutral rug for a traditional home, and the price is absolutely unbeatable.

• Amazon Oushak Rug – Another rug that made the list! And a rare Amazon find, no less, that punched up our dining room immediately. The cost for quality is fantastic, and I love that it is offered in so many different colorways.

• Pooky Lighting Lampshades – Updating our lampshades from manufacturer-grade, generic white to more playful patterns and silhouettes has made such a difference. It’s an instant injection of charm without having to break the bank. My favorite selections can almost exclusively be found at Pooky!

Little Luxuries

• Nespresso by De’Longhi Vertuo Next Premium Coffee and Espresso Machine in Creamy White with Gold Accents – I am a Nespresso loyalists (my husband calls it “fluffy coffee”). Carter got me this darling new machine for Christmas, and I just swoon at the gold accents. If something is going to live on our countertop, it needs to be beautiful!

• Kindle – After losing my Paperwhite at the Drake Chicago, I tried to power through without an e-reader for a few months. And it was horrible! I splurged on the even smaller, classic model and keep it on me at all times! It fits perfectly in my YSL clutch I move from tote to tote and is ideal for travel.

• Theo of Golden by Allen Levi – I am notorious in my book club for being a cheap reader. With a library card that gives me access to all the books I could ever want, physical or digital, and no room for a true library in our townhome, I have a hard time justifying the spend. But I am so glad I invested in owning this book which I know I will read over and over again.

• Morningside Mahjong Travel Mahjong Set* – You cannot beat the quality of this travel set for the price. For under $200, you get a canvas case that fits all pieces, a travel sized mat, beautiful tiles, racks, and an acrylic storage box. Perfect for vacations, patio days, and playing on the couch or in bed!

  • Use code LAUREN15 for 15% off orders of $100+!

• Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540 Travel Spray Set – While I purchased this full set back in 2023, I purchase a new set of refills every single year, so it technically makes the list! This scent is iconic for a reason, and everytime I put on even a spritz I recieve compliments galore. I keep this chic, gold carrying case in my everyday clutch which is perfect for travel or a quick touch up. And believe me; the refills last forever.

• Amazon Clothing Rack – Originally purchased to sift through PR deliveries, I have now integreated this under $30 workhorse into my weekly planning by setting out my styled outfits in advance. The bottom rack for shoes and accessories is not to be overlooked!

The Worst Purchases

Amazon Experiments

• Amazon Battery-Powered Sconces – I wanted to save a buck (classic) and avoid electrical hardwiring (scary) when I opted for these battery powered sconces. Unfortunately, they looked just like their price: cheap. Plus, the bulbs were not a flattering light and lost juice quickly. We eventually ponied up to install the Ballard sconces of my dreams, and I am so happy with the result.

• Amazon Dress Pants – While searching for the perfect dress pant, I decided to conduct a comparative analysis between the aforementioned Aritzia Effortless Pant and Amazon dupes. I quickly found out you get what you pay for, when my new trousers delivered via prime had snags, a faulty zipper, and smelled of plastic.

• Amazon Lounge Sets – Yet again, the lesson is pay now or pay later. I spent beaucoup-s of money on cheap, polyster sets from Amazon this past year only to finally concede to investing in a few very select Varley, Frank & Eileen, and Alex Mill outfits. Whereas the Amazon sets felt worn, puckered, and itchy after one wear, I find myself reaching for my investments time and time again (and they hold up through the wears and washes!). It was this trade-off that began my critical analysis of thinking about shopping through the lense of price-per-wear versus initial cost.

Fashion Fails

• Barrel Jeans – Absoloutely not. And that’s all I have to say about that.

• Tuckernuck Meg Skirt* – An extremely rare Tuckernuck fail! If you have any bottom-half curves, this skirt is not the best option for you.

• CRZ Yoga Square Neck Bra – While I loved it on my first wear, the moment I placed in the wash, it entirely fell apart. I normally don’t mind CRZ Yoga as a budget athletic wear option, but lately I have felt that the quality has diminished (or perhaps I’ve just gained higher expectations for my peices???).

• Old Navy Square-Neck Linen-Blend Mini Dress – Sometimes I can absolutely hit the jackpot with an Old Navy find (see my latest workout set). I had similar hopes for this darling summer dress last June, but it was unlined, unflattering, and felt just as cheap as its price.

Things I Thought I Needed

• Kindle Unlimited – I signed up for a free trial, but promptly cancelled before my card was charged. While plenty of people I know adore their membership, I didn’t find the selections compelling, and, given my avid library usage, for $12 a month, I would rather purchase one buzy book that I am giddy to read as opposed to having access to a collection of “fine” selections.

• Clean Skin Club Clean Towels – While the concept is great (a new, fresh, single use cloth for your face every day), I found it somewhat wasteful and less gentle on my skin than my typical freshly laundered, soft face cloths I use every night (one use then it goes to the hamper!).

• Salt and Stone Aluminum Free Deodorant – I became convinced aluminum deoderant would give me cancer. After trying this product, I became more convinced I would take my chances with poisonous antipersperant over being the smelly girl. Note: Major health organizations state there is no conclusive scientific evidence that aluminum in deodorant or antiperspirant causes cancer.

New series alert! Every six weeks or so, I’ll be sharing a little wardrobe roundup: Things I’ve Been Wearing. Not trend reports, not shopping pressure—just the pieces that are actually earning their keep in my closet right now! The outfits I reach for on repeat, the staples that do the heavy lifting again and again, and the occasional new find that makes me feel like I’ve cracked a code!

Think of this as a peek into my real rotation—how I’m styling things, what’s proving surprisingly versatile, and what’s worth adding to your own closet if you’re in the mood for something new.

In this edition, you’ll see:

• A new favorite lounge piece that feels polished enough to leave the house in

• A classic sweater silhouette

• My new go-to matching set (pricey, but worth the investment)

• And an absolute steal of a spring dress—under $35!

• And more! Including sizing insights!

In a rush? Shop all the pieces here.

P.S. The Lauren Letter Stories are 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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Lauren’s Typical Sizing Guide

Tops: M

Pants/Dresses: 6

Denim: 28

Shoes: 7-7.5

Height: 5’3”

Body Type: Curvy

• Max Mara Belted Cashmere Cardigan — XL for a roomier fit/styling over thicker fabrics

• Amazon Lounge Set — L for more room through seat

• Varley Annika Playsuit — L for more room through seat and bust. Cinched waist keeps it flattering and tailored while comfortable for curves.

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• Quince 100% Cotton Striped Crew Sweater — M for slightly roomier fit without being “oversized”

• Guest In Residence Wild Rag — One size

• Lingua Franca Crewneck — L for non-fitted look.

• J.Crew 1988 Rollneck Sweater — L for oversized, “just stole from my husband” look.

• Hill House Scarlett Midi Nap Dress — M! Take your true size (if between sizes and have a curvy chest, go with your larger size).

• Alex Mill Coco Sport Cardigan — L (I recommend sizing up once, twice if you have a curvy chest).

• Alex Mill CoCo Sport Pant — M (take your true size; if between sizes and have curvy hips or seat, go with your larger size).

• Veronica Beard Valentina Sneaker — 7.5 (take your true size; if between sizes, size down. I wish I had done a 7, but these still work!).

• Spanx Air Essentials Half Zip Sweatshirt — XL (SIZE UP 2-3 times! An XL fit like my “true” size).

• Spanx Air Essentials Slim Straight Pant — MP (take your true size; if between sizes and have curvy hips or seat, go with your larger size).

• Tuckernuck Cotton Americana Sweater — L for an oversized fit.

• LAKE Pima Long Sleeve Bundle — L for a comfortable, roomy fit (LAKE is 100% pima cotton and will shrink a bit if you throw in the dryer. I recommend sizing up at least once!).

• Target Smocked A-Line Dress — M! Take your true size (if between sizes and have a curvy chest, go with your larger size).

• Frank & Eileen Carmel Set — M for a tailored look! Take your true size (if between sizes and have a curvy chest or seat, go with your larger size).

This post is created in partnership with Spoonflower. As always, all opinions, commentary, and strong feelings about creating a charming home are entirely my own.

I love the modern renaissance of wallpaper.

It makes a room feel like a jewel box — intentional, layered, and transportive. Especially in a traditional home where trim, millwork, and saturated paint colors deserve something equally thoughtful to play against.

But, for years, Carter put his foot down: “Too expensive.” “It’s just a fad.” “What happens when we sell?”

So, as a compromise, we decided to wallpaper the dining room and our primary bedroom! :)

Why We Partnered with Spoonflower

Spoonflower has tens of thousands of designs available in multiple formats — including peel & stick, which is what we used.

For a true forever home, I would likely opt for traditional paste wallpaper. But for our current townhome — which has an expiration date as our family one day hopefully grows — peel & stick was the perfect compromise. If we ever decide it impacts resale value? It removes cleanly.

What I especially loved about ordering from Spoonflower:

• Hefty sample sizes (non-negotiable when trying to determine scale and repeat)

• Coordinating fabric options (dangerous information for someone who romanticizes matching drapery or upholstery)

• An intuitive filtering system for sifting through the library of selections — I narrowed by:

  • Colors: neutrals, greens, blues

  • Style: their “preppy” collection

Pro tip: If your Pinterest algorithm is well trained, search “Spoonflower wallpaper” there. It’s shockingly effective at pulling tailored selections.

We ultimately chose patterns that complemented our trim paint — Sherwin-Williams Gray Screen.

For our dining room, we selected NT Soft Blue Pallavi by Danika Herrick:

For our primary bedroom, we selected Leafy Trellis in French Blue on White Copy by Danika Herrick:

Here are some others we nearly selected:

From top left clockwise: Soft Blue and Greens on White Emma Stripe by Danika Herrick; Large Soft Blue on White Charlie Stripe by Danika Herrick; Graham Blue Stars by Heights Design Studio; Custom Butterscotch Green and Dusty Blue on Cream Elsie’s Garden by Danika Herrick

Tools You Actually Need

• Spoonflower’s wallpaper calculation tool (+ 10% extra for safety)

• Extra-large smoother

• Hobby Knife

• Scissors

• A truly giant ladder (you need to get up in there – I used an 8 foot)

• Comfy clothes – this is physical work. Here’s what I wore over my install days:

Day 1; Day 2; Days 3 + 4

• Patience!!!

The Steps (Peel & Stick Install Overview)

Based on Spoonflower’s installation guide and our real-life experience, here’s the order of operations:

1. Measure (Twice. Actually Thrice.)

Measure full wall height and width – use the tallest wall height for all.
Do not subtract windows or doors.

Patterns require continuity, and panel alignment is everything. Order based on total wall space, not negative space.

2. Order Your Paper

Use Spoonflower’s calculator.
Add 10% extra for pattern matching, mistakes, and emotional security.

3. Prep the Walls

• Clean surface thoroughly

• Ensure walls are fully dry

• Smooth out debris

• If freshly painted, allow adequate cure time

Light texture is workable, but heavily textured walls or certain paint finishes can increase bubble risk (We learned the hard way. Le sigh.).

4. Start at the Top

• Use a level or plumb line to create a straight vertical starting point

• Peel back just the top portion of the backing

• Align carefully and press into place

Do not remove the entire backing at once!!!

5. Smooth As You Go

• Work from top to bottom

• Use your smoother tool to push air outward

• Move slowly

• Peel more backing gradually

If bubbles appear, gently lift and reapply. Peel & stick is forgiving.

6. Pattern Match Carefully

Align each panel before fully committing pressure.

Lattice proved easier than expected, despite my fear it would be chaotic given how imperative it was that the panels aligned. The more organic vine pattern? Surprisingly harder to keep on repeat!

7. Trim Excess

Use a sharp hobby knife along ceiling and baseboards for a clean finish.

Tips I Learned the Hard Way

• TAKE BREAKS. I installed two panels at a time and then would take a break. Yes, it extended the work to 30 minute spurts over 4 days, but the physical and mental resets are critical to a job well done with attention to detail.

• Corners are the biggest pain in the neck.

• You will have to revisit panels to smooth bubbles — especially with textured walls or flat paint finish.

• Choose wallpaper with a base tone complementary to your wall color. It disguises minor misalignments. :)

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The Verdict

Dining Room

Primary Bedroom

I do not intend to make DIY a habit of mine, but, let me say in the words of Elle Woods: “We did it!”

Is it perfect? No. But it is an instant injection of charm, and character, and genuine, heart-fluttering beauty into our home. And, above all, I had some fun along the way as I surprised myself with a new skill! As cliché as a 90s rom-com heroine finding herself as she paints the walls with splatter overalls, staring wistfully at the possibilities before her (metaphorically and design-ly) is, I had a ball transforming our space as I danced and sang along to Maisie Peters and cranked through audiobook memoirs. I also am so proud of myself for trying an activity completely out of my comfort zone.

If money is no object, or if you are someone who will break into a hot sweat even just imagining your mother-in-law inspecting a slightly imperfect corner, hire your professional installer and sip something sparkling while she works her magic. But if you’d rather allocate that budget elsewhere or can live with tiny human evidence of effort, it is absolutely doable with research, patience, and a tall enough ladder (I cannot emphasize this one enough!).

One week in, the peel & stick is holding beautifully. We did have to revisit a few bubbles (flat paint finish has been our foil), but overall it’s a low-impact, removable option that’s ideal for renters or non-forever homes.

Our dining room now feels layered and intimate. Our bedroom feels like a jewel box. And perhaps the most unexpected endorsement of all? Carter — former anti-wallpaper lobbyist — went to be the first night grinning, saying he felt like he was “sleeping inside a Christmas present.”

Which begs the question: Which room should I do next?

March is the month we tighten systems, retire what carried us through winter, and set a clean place for the coming weeks. We’re not overhauling our lives; we’re polishing them. Put these on your calendar like you would therapy or a board meeting — because tending to your life is both.

Your March Appointments

1). Retire winter coats to storage (after thanking them for their service!).

2). Buy tulips every Monday this month.

3). Buy a bright, effervescent candle.

4). Try on every piece of clothing you own as you swap out your Fall/Winter wardrobe for Spring/Summer. It’s cumbersome, but the best way to audit.

5). Afteward, drop off your culled out selections at Goodwill.

6). Reorganize your car’s center console and restock it with necessities!

7). Clean out your refrigerator (check expiration dates) and wipe down the shelves.

8). Order a buzzy new book in hard copy (Kindle is practical, but there’s nothing like cracking a spine).

9). Make a light, spring dinner dish with lemon, parmesan, peas, and risotto.

• Carter’s on a protein kick, so I will probably also add in some rotisserie chicken!

10). Wash your makeup brushes!!!

11). Start teeth whitening once a week.

12). Upgrade your everyday schlepper. Bonus points for a fun, ironic monogramming.

13). Review all your subscriptions and cancel two.

14). Then audit all your other auto-pay bills. Knowledge is power!

15). Review your annual goals progress from Q1, and decide what has been working and how you can adjust your sales for Q2.

16). Plan one no-spend weekend.

17). Order new stationery and select a signature pen.

18). Let a spring playlist float through your home as you tidy up.

19). Create a Sunday reset ritual.

• May I recommend starting with Your Sunday Appointments?

20). Invest in a cute new rain jacket for spring showers! If you’re feeling crazy, galoshes too!

21). Refresh your everyday tablescape with a new vase, florals (faux is fantastic!), and candle holders.

22). Order (or better yet, thrift!) a piece of your favorite vintage collection. Think Waterford Crystal, Wedgewood, Famille Rose.

23). Hire a couch cleaner! Results are instantly gratifying and somewhat concerning.

24). Deep clean your dishwasher and washing machine (yes the washers need washing).

25). Create a “What I’m Not Buying This Spring” list.

26). Create a gift closet, featuring a signature surcee to have on hand and darling details for affixing.

27). Get your car detailed (or at least an interior clean at your local car wash).

28). Replace your washcloths.

• And if you don’t alrady use a new washcloth everyday for your face, this is the time to start!

29). Clean out your nightstand and repack using organizer blocks. Don’t forget the dark chocolate!

30). Create an “Oh Shit Kit” ("OSK”) for your purse.

31). Review your credit card perks and make sure you’re not leaving any money on the table!