February 13, 2026
From a girl who just realized it's Friday the 13th! Spooky (but cute, because Valentine's?!).
Happy Friday!
I’ve been a touch under the weather this week, which means I’ve never been more grateful for a low-key holiday weekend. Our Valentine’s plans this year lean into exactly that rhythm: a couples massage at a ritzy hotel in town and a Sunday lunch date to follow — decadent without derailing the entire weekend.
Perhaps because my energy has been limited, I’ve been newly intrigued by the idea of the lunch date generally. In a culture that insists date nights are the gold standard of marital effort — late reservations, heavy meals, expensive wine, racing home to change after long office days, juggling social calendars — it can start to feel like performance rather than pleasure. And if you’re drinking? Add Ubers and next-day fog. (We don’t even have children and it still feels like logistical gymnastics!!!!)
I first heard the concept from Katie of Beach Reads and Bubbly, and Carter and I have started flirting with it ourselves: slipping out midday for a soup and salad, sipping on a mocktail, sunlight streaming in instead of candlelight. You return home energized instead of exhausted. It feels civilized. Sustainable. Lightly European!
And of course, this season is just as fitting for dating yourself. If you need ideas, revisit Your Appointments for Dating Yourself— because romance does not require a plus-one!
However you’re celebrating, may it feel light, unforced, and entirely yours.
Happy Valentine’s!
Wearing | Tuckernuck Cashmere
I fear this has become a true addiction. I now own three colors and am exercising tremendous restraint not to add a fourth. The weight is perfect, the cut feels polished but unfussy, and the monogramming options? Fatal. There is something about seeing your initials stitched into cashmere that makes even a Tuesday feel dignified.
Eating | Stuffed Peppers
A quiet heroine of the weekly meal rotation. Delicious, healthy, endlessly customizable, and they store and reheat like a dream. I love a dish that tastes just as good on Thursday as it did on Monday — systems, but make it savory.
Reading | The Bullet That Missed
I just started book three in the Thursday Murder Club series and already feel that familiar delight settling in. There is something so comforting about returning to characters you adore — all clever, dry, faintly mischievous. It’s the literary equivalent of slipping back into your favorite armchair.
Watching | Shrinking (Season 3)
Carter and I treasure this show. It threads the needle perfectly — making you laugh and feel deeply in the same episode, sometimes in the same scene. Heartfelt without being saccharine. Funny without being flippant. We finish every episode wanting to hug someone (usually each other!).
Listening | Griff
She popped up on shuffle as I was curating a Galentine's playlist and immediately earned a repeat. “Vertigo” and “Tears for Fun” have been on steady rotation.
Trying | Hill House Atlanta
I had the most fun exploring the new storefront with my friend Diva. It truly is extra special to shop in real life — to feel fabrics, try silhouettes, and have that tactile, girlish experience of discovery. Here are the gowns that stole my heart:
Champagne | Naadam Cashmere Set
I am absolutely obsessed with this (candidly gifted) set. The weight is impeccable — lightweight without losing coziness — and it will transition beautifully across seasons. It’s the sort of piece you reach for on travel days, work-from-home mornings, and casual dinners alike. Effortless luxury.
Frites | Quince Cashmere Set
I haven’t personally tried this exact set, but I have consistently loved every Quince piece I own, especially their cashmere. The price point for the quality feels almost suspicious in the best way. A lovely entry into the world of elevated loungewear without the full splurge.
STORIES
The Wedding Registry Must-Haves I Still Stand By (Five Years Later). By Lauren Tilashalski (that’s moi!)
The Lauren Letter Valentine’s Day Gift Guide. By Lauren Tilashalski (that’s moi!)
A Tastemaker’s Unlikely Guide to THC. By Lauren Tilashalski (that’s moi!)
Give This Guy a Gold Medal in Having the Audacity. By Julia Reinstein for The Cut
Everything We Know About The White Lotus Season 4. By Emily Burack for Town & Country
Birthday Trends Set to Take Over in 2026. By The Imperfect Host
YOUR APPOINTMENTS
Your February Appointments. By Lauren Tilashalski (that’s moi!)
Your Appointments for a Date With Yourself. By Lauren Tilashalski (that’s moi!)
CLOSET
Latest Finds | February 2026
Tuckernuck New Arrivals | February 2026
Third Eye Insights
If you’re intrigued by branding, marketing psychology, and sharp little case studies that make you see the world differently, this account is a thrill. I adore when their posts land on my feed. Whether you work in this space professionally or simply want to be more mindful about how you’re being targeted as a consumer, it’s worth the follow.
