Happy Friday!
Between the Tuckernuck sample sale (my personal Super Bowl, Olympics, and birthday rolled into one), and enough cultural drama to power a group chat for months — Taylor, Karamo, Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, the Beckhams — I have been activated.
The sale, specifically, is the equivalent of handing me an oversized pup cup and telling me to go nuts. I try to be measured. I try to be strategic. And yet . . . here we are, absolutely undone from the sugar high. Tabs open. Cart curated. Heart racing. You understand.
Now, as winter storms sweep through the country, I’m leaning into a different posture as we enter the weekend: nesting. Charged devices. Comfort meals that require stirring. A heart-warming book you don’t want to put down. May I also recommend a heated blanket that doesn’t leave your lap?
Wherever this Friday finds you, I wish you a safe and snuggly weekend ahead (with some well-deserved relishing over your sample sale steals)!
xx Lauren
Wearing | Aritzia Effortless Pant
I have been on a mission for a truly tailored pant. Something more substantial than the Amazon pair that carried me loyally but, let’s be honest, was never going to win any longevity awards.
Enter: the Aritzia Effortless Pant.
These are beautifully made, and the mid-range price point makes sense once you try them on. They look polished without trying too hard, which is exactly my uniform sweet spot. As I mentioned in my article on romanticizing systems, when I find a workhorse, I commit. Yes, I am acquiring multiple colors!
Sizing note: I sized up twice.
My true size? Absolutely not.
One size up? Technically fit, but heaven forbid I wanted to tuck in anything thicker than a cotton blouse.
Two sizes up? Perfection. Tailored, but breathable. Chic, but capable of eating lunch.
Eating | Best Chili Ever
This is not hyperbole.
Perfect for a Sunday simmer while the wind does dramatic things outside and you pretend you are in a Nancy Meyers kitchen.
Ingredients
1 Tbsp olive oil
2 lbs lean ground beef
1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, finely minced
2 (14.5 oz) cans diced tomatoes with green chilies
3 (8 oz) cans tomato sauce
1/2 cup beef broth
2 Tbsp chili powder
2 1/2 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp paprika
2 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp granulated sugar
1/2 tsp ground coriander
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 (15 oz) can dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15 oz) can light red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
Shredded cheddar cheese, for serving
Instructions
Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat.
Add onion and sauté 3 minutes, then add garlic and cook 30 seconds more. Transfer to a 6–7 quart slow cooker.
Return skillet to medium-high heat, add beef, and cook until browned. Drain most of the fat (leave about 2 Tbsp if you like a little extra flavor — I do). Add beef to slow cooker.
Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, broth, chili powder, cumin, paprika, cocoa powder, sugar, coriander, salt, and pepper.
Cover and cook on low for 5–6 hours.
Stir in beans during the last hour.
Serve warm with shredded cheddar (and, in my opinion, a bunch of Fritos).
It freezes beautifully. You’re welcome.
Reading | Loved One by Aisha Muharrar
A debut novel by Aisha Muharrar (a former writer on Hacks, The Good Place, and Parks & Recreation), told across years and memory. It’s a tender meditation on grief, friendship, and the strange ways love lingers. Beautifully written. Quietly devastating. And I'm only 100 pages in!
Watching | People We Meet on Vacation
Carter and I both giggled A TON, which feels like the highest marital endorsement!
I’m slightly sad I didn’t read the book first — you know I usually insist on that order — but it was charming, romantic, and easy in a way that felt perfect for a cozy night in or while throwing together a late brunch at home.
Listening | Dianaworld by Edward White
An unflinching unpacking of Diana the human and a thoughtful dismantling of Princess Diana the mythology.
If you’re interested in media, narrative-building, or how we collectively create icons, it’s fascinating. Equal parts cultural analysis and character study.
Trying | Cann Social Tonics
If you’ve been following along on Instagram, you know I’ve been experimenting with THC beverages during dry(ish) January. A full review is coming soon, but for now: Cann is one of my favorites.
Their flavorless drops are ideal for social settings — no CBD, so you feel light and buzzy without being overly subdued.
And the Lemon Lavender tonic? Truly exceptional. It tastes DELICIOUS. And, feeling wise, it will “take the edge off” without tipping into anything heavy.
Next on my list to try is the Grapefruit Rosemary!
Champagne | Tuckernuck Woodbine Green Riley Cashmere Cardigan
I am in a full blow Tuckernuck Cashmere era.
I’ve ordered the Riley Cardigan in Woodbine Green, as well as the Bodie Boyfriend Crewneck in Ice Blue, and let me tell you — the quality is divine. Soft but structured. Classic without feeling matronly.
And the monogramming options? A precious, heirloom-level detail that feels very “future me pulls this from her closet in 20 years and smiles.” It’s polished, it’s personal, it’s peak Tuckernuck.
Frites | Amazon Women Lightweight Cardigan
On the other end of the spectrum: the perfectly slouchy, toss-on-and-go Amazon cardigan for under $30.
This is your casual counterpart. Softer shape and easy drape!
STORIES
Tuckernuck Sample Sale: My Picks!. By Lauren Tilashalski (that’s moi!)
Tuckernuck Sample Sale: Buys I Came Back For and Hidden Gems (AKA All Sizes Left)!. By Lauren Tilashalski (that’s moi!)
Tuckernuck Sample Sale: Day 2!. By Lauren Tilashalski (that’s moi!)
Romanticizing Systems. By Lauren Tilashalski (that’s moi!)
How to Be a Great Conversationalist. By Bella Dane
YOUR APPOINTMENTS
Your January Appointments. By Lauren Tilashalski (that’s moi!)
CLOSET
Latest Finds | January 2026
Tuckernuck New Arrivals | January 2026
Liz Woods
In a week where the pop culture gods chose chaos, there is exactly one woman I trust to narrate it for me: Liz Woods.
Liz does not simply post stories. Liz reports. She will have you up to speed before your group chat even knows there’s news to discuss. This is a woman who was still posting in real time during her labor. If that’s not journalistic integrity, I don’t know what is!
Despite the 100k+ following, her page somehow feels like the chicest, funniest yet intimate corner of the internet. The inside jokes? Elite. The levity? Perfectly calibrated. The story responses Liz shares? Practically a members-only club where everyone is in on the bit.
She makes staying informed feel like a sport — in a good way. Highly recommend adding her to your daily scroll rotation. Your stories bar will thank you.
