Happy Friday!
This week I did an exercise on befriending your anxiety. And the image that arrived, almost immediately, was Gidget, the little white Pomeranian from The Secret Life of Pets!
Like Gidget, my anxiety can get worked up over things that, in the light of the next morning, feel almost silly — an email left unanswered a beat too long, a plan not yet confirmed, a version of the future that hasn’t happened (and likely never will!). And just like with my puppy Charlie and Gidget, there is a way through it that isn’t fighting her. A few belly rubs. A few scratches behind the ears. A minute of being told, gently, you’re safe, this isn’t a threat. And she settles.
I don’t think the goal is to silence her — anxiety, after all, is not always the enemy. She’s useful when there’s real danger, or when I’m about to make a decision that betrays what I actually value. That version of Gidget is doing her job. But so much of it is just a dog at the door who needs to be shown, again, that it’s only the UPS driver.
There is power in simply naming the thing. In giving it a face, a leash, a name like Gidget instead of a vague, looming feeling with no edges. Naming turns a shadow into a small, specific creature I can sit beside. And once she has a name, I’ve noticed, she’s mine to care for — not the other way around!
Until our next correspondence,
xx Lauren
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.
Wearing | Hill House The Ellie Nap Dress
Hill House is in the middle of one of their bigger sales of the season, and so many of my longtime favorites are marked down — worth a look if you've been waiting for a sign!
Eating | Koshu Club
(Full transparency: I was hosted for this visit, and I adored every minute of it!)
Koshu Club is the newest project from the team behind Mujo, set just across West Paces Ferry Road from the St. Regis. The menu leans into robatayaki-style grilling alongside sashimi and beautifully composed small plates, with a sake and wine program. The interiors are exquisite and I fawned over the custom Sid Mashburn waiter outfitting. Highly recommend starting with a glass of Crémant de Savoie Brut and the caviar service, followed by the entire host of side dishes (we split an entrée so we could indulge in a little bit of everything!).
Reading | Here’s to Us by Elin Hilderbrand
I have a rule that I only allow myself Hilderbrand between May and August (it’s how I survive my summer seasonal affective disorder), so I'm savoring these final weeks of the season before I have to put her back on the shelf until next summer!
Watching | America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Season 3
Carter and I devoured this one. What made this season different is that it's the first filmed after the show became a sensation — you can feel that shift in the air throughout, especially in the discussions around social media opportunities and the increased competitiveness for spots on the team.
Listening | you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love: piano instrumentals by Minnz Piano
I've been a longtime fan of Minnz's piano arrangements of pop releases, and this collection is one of my favorite yet.
Trying | Homecourt Wool Dryer Balls and Laundry Fragrance Oil
I became a full convert to Homecourt this summer, and this was my first time pairing the wool balls with a few drops of the fragrance oil in the dryer. Exquisite!!!!
Champagne | Jenni Kayne Claude Long-Sleeve Tee
I love this as a take on the classic Parisian Breton stripe — swapping the expected black and white for something softer feels exactly right for the transitional stretch between summer and fall. Jenni Kayne is shorthand for quality, which makes an investment like this feel less like a splurge.
Frites | AE Striped Long Sleeve T-Shirt
A boxier fit, a similar gentle colorway, and all at a fraction of the cost.
1. CHORD Butter Yellow Organic Cotton Stretch Twill
2. Adidas Gazelle Indoor Sneakers
4. Estelle Colored Glass Wine Stemware
5. Celine Shiny Calfskin Mini Triomphe Pollen
6. BAUBLEBAR Joan Semi-Precious Necklace
7. GAP 100% Cotton Rollneck Sweater
9. La Ligne Colby Pant in Butter
Grace Atwood
Grace Atwood is one of my absolute favorite Substack writers. Her voice is full of the most darling quips and the kind of style I find myself bookmarking constantly.
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.
