Happy Friday!
Happy Halloween weekend — the spookiest few days of the year have officially arrived!
It finally, finally feels like fall. November is when autumn in Atlanta truly finds its pocket: crisp mornings, golden afternoons, leaves doing their slow little shimmy off the branches.
That said, if you’ve known me for more than ten seconds, it will come as no surprise that the moment the clock strikes Sunday, November 1, the pumpkins are retiring and the garland is coming out.
I have some really exciting, beautiful, and (I hope) genuinely helpful holiday content waiting in the wings, and I can hardly contain myself! Until then, I hope your weekend is overflowing with treats, a few delightful tricks, and plenty of spooky fun.
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 | Marc Fisher Lanie Boots
A fall staple that’s been in my wardrobe for years. They pair with everything from denim to midi skirts and carry me through the season.
Eating | Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread
Monday turned into a full festive baking day, and this recipe was the star of the show. I swapped the flour for a 1:1 gluten-free blend, and it still rose sky-high. Warm with coffee, sneaked as an afternoon slice, or as a midnight treat, it's delicious at every hour this time of year.
Reading | The New Kindle Launches
Reading about reading — how meta can we get? Kindle just unveiled a new suite of e-readers alongside a rebrand of Kindle Unlimited, now called Kindle+. The newest Kindle is the most pocket-sized one yet, and they've introduced their own Bluetooth page-turn remote.
Watching | Hocus Pocus Live in Concert
I'm playing clairvoyant here, since I haven't actually seen it yet. But tonight I'm heading to the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra with friends to watch Hocus Pocus with a live orchestra! We did the same thing with this couple for The Holiday last Christmas, and I adore this little tradition we're creating. Sanderson sisters with strings? I'm certain it will be magic!
Listening | “Tom & Jerry” by John Mayer
At Bravo Fan Fest last weekend, the first quarter of Andy Cohen's Ask Andy panel was all John Mayer: his headlining run at the Sphere and his new release, “Tom & Jerry”. Naturally, I had to give it a listen, and I'm absolutely hooked!
Trying | Ecobee Smart Thermostat
If you follow along on Instagram, you know Christmas came early for Carter and me this year, in the form of a brand-new AC unit. Le sigh. While I would have much preferred a Birkin at that price, we will enjoy the beautifully conditioned air all season long. With the install, we finally joined the 21st century and upgraded to Ecobee thermostats. My favorite feature is the scheduling, which lets you plan heating and cooling adjustments for the entire day ahead of time, so the house is always exactly as cozy as you want it.
Champagne | Loeffler Randall Ophelia Floral Intarsia Bonnet
Loeffler Randall is forever setting the tone for whimsical accessorizing, and their bonnet moment is no exception. This one, in brown with a floral intarsia, is pure storybook charm. I fear I simply need one before I set off on a Christmas market river cruise through Europe this December!
Frites | Fiona Fair Isle Balabonnet
All the cozy Fair Isle charm, for $100 less. Your ears (and your wallet) will thank you!
Mandy Kellogg Rye
If you love the holidays as much as I do, consider this your invitation to fall into Mandy Kellogg Rye’s world. Mandy is the Atlanta-based founder of Waiting on Martha, a treasure trove of tightly curated pieces from brands like Juliska, Vietri, Dash & Albert, Pinecone Hill, and Jellycat, and her eye has caught the attention of Vogue, Town & Country, House Beautiful, and Southern Living.
Her feed is my go-to for tablescapes, gifting, and holiday décor inspiration, so with Christmas season beginning in mere days (in my house, at least), there’s no better time to follow along!
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.
