Happy Friday!
Lately, I’ve been seriously romanticizing reading! If you know me, you know I’ve had my nose in a book since I was six years old, but in the past few days I’ve had a recalibrated reverence for my favorite analog pastime. It started when I was reading The Book of Alchemy by Suleika Jaouad on Sunday and I stumbled upon a line that stopped me in my tracks:
“I have long believed that journaling allows you to alchemize isolation into creative solitude. As it happens, reading also enacts that shift.”
Isn’t that divine?
Not long after I read this passage, I received the sweetest note on Instagram in response to a video I shared. A woman asked if I read often—she said my vocabulary gave it away! It made me blush (positive)! A reminder that the stories we read and the ideas we hold don’t stay tucked inside our books; they shape how we move through the world, how we speak, and how we present ourselves.
So consider this your encouragement to treat reading as more than a passive hobby or indulgence! Invest in a Kindle (pre-owned is the chic, sensible move—under $80!). Sign up for your local library (free! charming! endlessly romantic!). And don’t overthink it—this isn’t about War and Peace. Read what delights you, what intrigues you, or start with one of my book reviews for inspiration.
Have an amazing weekend!
xx Lauren
Wearing | Tuckernuck Compression September Pant
Disclosure: I received these as PR—but the enthusiasm is entirely my own. These are the kind of pants that will quickly earn MVP status in your wardrobe, and it’s been a long time since I’ve been this obsessed with a true staple. Polished enough for meetings but comfortable enough for long days, the compression fabric smooths and supports without ever feeling restrictive, and the elastic waistband makes them especially ideal for a changing body—flexible, forgiving, and still beautifully tailored. The 28-inch length works effortlessly with loafers, flats, or a low heel. My ultimate throw-on-and-go pant for days when I want to look pulled together with minimal thought—classic, flattering, endlessly wearable!
Eating | Half Baked Harvest Sesame Teriyaki Chicken
Delicious and deeply comforting. My key to Half Baked Harvest: read the recipe, then distill it down to its simplest form. Let it be inspiration—not an exhausting, superfluous commitment. When approached that way, it never misses.
Reading | A Bit Much by Lyndsay Rush
One of my New Year’s intentions was to read more poetry, and I started strong with this effervescent, relatable anthology. It feels modern, honest, and perfectly bite-sized. Highly recommend following Lyndsay on Instagram—she often shares her poetry there, and it’s just as delightful.
Watching | Traitors
My favorite show is back. Carter and I treat this as true appointment television, and the lineup of stars this season practically guarantees a hit. Cozy, campy, and deliciously dramatic.
Listening | Nobody's Girl by Virgina Giuffre
A necessary preface: this book is dark. It is graphic and emotionally heavy, depicting nearly every form of abuse imaginable. That said, it is remarkably compelling and powerfully told, offering clarity around how someone can become trapped in such horrific circumstances. If you listen, protect your peace and step away when needed. The scope is staggering—implicating seismic names across politics (both sides of the aisle), academia, science, entertainment, and business.
P.S. You can try Spotify Audiobooks+ for 3 months free right now!
Trying | Prolon
As I write this, I’m on my final day of the Prolon 5-Day Fast Mimicking Diet—and candidly, it’s been tougher than I remembered from rounds past. Still, after one of the most indulgent holiday seasons of my life, I feel completely reset. My skin is glowing, my mind feels clear, and I’m naturally craving wholesome, nourishing foods! Worth it—just not a walk in the park.
Champagne | Page Rather Be Reading x BR&B Kindle Case
I adore BR&B, and this collaboration with Page—a small, woman-owned business—could not be cuter or better made. The quality is exceptional, the designs are darling, and I genuinely cackled at the size chart labeling my e-reader as “Baby Ass Kindle.” I love a shop with personality. Yes, it’s a higher price point—but this is the kind of investment that lasts you book after book.
Frites | Green Stripes & Stars Kindle Case
Just ordered for myself! Inspired by SJ Bailey's Kindle Case to find something playful, this one reminds me of a favorite wallpaper pattern. I chose the clear bottom so the pattern perfectly complements my matcha Kindle and added the hand strap (a small splurge). It’s currently 50% off—coming in under $20 after taxes!
STORIES
Workhorses Only: 2025 Favorites. By Marina Cooley
How to Shop the Real Real Like a Pro. By Caroline Volz Godfrey
Louis Vuitton Celebrates 130 Years of Its Signature Monogram. By Roxanne Adamiyatt for Town & Country
YOUR APPOINTMENTS
Your January Appointments. By Lauren Tilashalski (that’s moi!)
Books I Read | December 2025. By Lauren Tilashalski (that’s moi!)
CLOSET
Latest Finds | January 2026
Tuckernuck New Arrivals | January 2026
Sweet Caroline Designs
Run—don’t walk—to Caroline Hernandez’s corner of the internet. She’s the creative force behind Sweet Caroline Designs and mother to the most precious little girls. Her daughters’ Madeline-themed birthday party (truly the stuff of my inner child’s dreams) is what first caught my eye, but it’s the way Caroline moves through life—with such warmth, ease, and taste—that made me stay. Her interiors are simply exquisite, her fashion strikes that elusive balance between elevated and accessible, and she radiates the kind of energy that makes you want to grab a coffee and head out for a long walk together. Sweet as could be, in every sense of the phrase.
