Happy 2026!
The holidays were everything I adore—festive, fizzy, indulgent in the very best way—but if I’m being honest, my social battery is officially blinking red. I’m craving nourishment now: cleaner eating, gentler evenings, and the comfort of a familiar routine easing back into place.
I’m flirting with Dry January (emphasis on flirting), because like most of my resolutions—and opinions—I prefer to keep flexibility within arm’s reach. This week’s letter is an invitation to do just that: savor a few soft, quiet days, return to rhythms that ground you, and begin the year with intention.
Wearing | Theory Wool and Cashmere Blazer Jacket
A forever staple I discovered years ago at TJ Maxx and still reach for constantly. It’s now floating around The Outnet at over 55% off, which feels like fate. Truly my fall-and-winter workhorse—polished for the office, effortless over denim, and endlessly fun to dress up with a brooch when you want a little personality layered in.
Eating | Little Sparrow
We rang in the New Year at this Ford Fry restaurant and were reminded (again) why it remains such a favorite. Cozy, convivial, and reliably delicious—the kind of place that always feels like the right answer.
Reading | How to Solve Your Own Murder
We are firmly still in deep winter, which means I’m still unapologetically committed to cozy mysteries: clever, comforting, and best enjoyed with a blanket nearby.
Watching | Wishbone Kitchen Dinner with Friends: Italian Truffle “Thanksgiving”
It’s been a while since Meredith Hayden released a Dinner with Friends episode, and this one is pure comfort content—sun-drenched, delicious, and exactly what my nervous system ordered.
Listening | Emma Soundtrack
I watched the film on New Year’s Eve and fell in love with the light, twinkly score—now on repeat over Sonos while I tidy, reset, and ease into my morning routine.
Trying | Auditing our Amex Benefits
A very adult appointment, but a satisfying one. The American Express Platinum Card carries a steep annual fee, but we consistently squeeze every ounce of value from it—and it remains my go-to recommendation for friends and family looking to add a prestige rewards card to their wallet.
Champagne | BKR Glass Big Bottle
While I don’t personally own this one (yet), I’ve covered and admired BKR for years—and for good reason. The glass feels elevated, but it’s the thoughtful design details that truly win me over: the option to sip with a straw or convert it to a closed cap, depending on your day and mood.
Frites | Amazon Glass Bottle
I do own and feel like Gwyneth Paltrow whenever I use! At under $15, its an instant luxury without a goop-esque price.
STORIES
Books I Read | December 2025. By Lauren Tilashalski (that’s moi!)
How To Be Organised in 2026. By Anna Newton
12 Excuses to Gather the Girls (One For Every Month of 2026). By The Imperfect Host
How to Romanticise 2026. By Hannah Connolly
YOUR APPOINTMENTS
Your January Appointments. By Lauren Tilashalski (that’s moi!)
Your New Year’s Appointments. By Lauren Tilashalski (that’s moi!)
CLOSET
Latest Finds | January 2026
Tuckernuck New Arrivals | January 2026
Professor Marina Cooley
I’m loving the work of Marina Cooley, whose research and personal experiments around hobbies have made the case for play, curiosity, and trying new things as serious components of a meaningful life. From exploring what happens when you try 17 hobbies in a year to unpacking why intentional pastimes—from pottery to puzzles—can fundamentally change how you live and work, her thinking is rich, empowering, and rooted in joy and balance. Even better? She’s right here in my backyard at Emory!
