Happy Friday!
We’ve made it to the official start of fall — in my book, at least! I have so many little traditions that come with my favorite season: pumpkin candles, my grandmother’s chicken and wild rice soup, and, for reasons I cannot fully explain, an annual rewatch of Diana: The Musical. Don’t ask. I love little traditions, especially at the change of season, as a way of romanticizing my life, and I wrote about exactly that this week in a story!
I hope you have a wonderful and safe Labor Day weekend, full of romanticizing and maybe even the start of a tradition or two of your own!
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 | Pinterest-Inspired Outfits
I have so many lovely pieces in my wardrobe, but styling them together doesn’t come naturally to me. Rather than (trying not to) buy anything new, I’m turning to Pinterest for inspiration instead. This week’s look was modeled after one of my favorite finds!
Eating | Grandma's Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
My absolute favorite soup in the world, and always our first entry into Soup-tember.
Ingredients
4 tablespoons butter
3 celery ribs, chopped into ½-inch pieces
3–4 carrots, cut into ½-inch pieces
1 head broccoli, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1½ teaspoons finely chopped thyme
Salt
Pepper
¼ cup all-purpose gluten-free flour
1½ cups wild rice
2 quarts (8 cups) chicken stock or low-sodium broth
2 cups water
Old Bay seasoning
Garlic powder
4 cups bite-size pieces of roasted chicken
1 cup heavy cream
Directions In a large saucepan, melt the butter. Add the celery, carrots, onion, garlic, broccoli, thyme, and a generous pinch each of salt and pepper. Cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables just start to soften, about 10 minutes. Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and cook, stirring, until evenly coated and lightly browned, about 3 minutes.
Add the wild rice and gradually stir in the stock and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes.
Stir in the roasted chicken. Continue simmering, stirring occasionally, until the wild rice is tender, 10 to 15 minutes longer. Stir in the cream and season with pepper, Old Bay, and garlic powder to taste. Keep on low, stirring every 30 minutes and alternating covered and uncovered, for 3 to 6 hours.
Reading | The Week
I just subscribed on the recommendation of a friend’s father. It’s a weekly compilation of news, editorials, and other stories pulled from across the political spectrum!
Watching | Untold: Raygun
This documentary is equal parts humorous, fascinating, and compelling — a real portrait of the person behind a meme.
Listening | Love Trapped
This podcast is completely addictive. It dives into the con artist who accused former (and largely despised) Bachelor Clayton Echard of fathering her twins — despite the two never having had sexual intercourse. Every episode is more insane than the last!
Trying | Manucurist
Note: I received these products as PR! I found myself dreading my biweekly manicures — which felt silly, given how expensive they are! So I’ve decided to give my nails a break, and Manucurist’s Active line, which is like makeup for your nails, is the perfect in-between for a more polished look (pun intended).
Champagne | Evereve Tala Track Pant
Dark chocolate-brown track pants are the easiest way to dress for fall while still accommodating summer weather!
Frites | Target Women's Woven High-Rise Gingham Track Pants
Totally on trend this fall, under $50, and finished with a little gingham detail — you know I adore that.
1. J.Crew Luna Pant in Lightweight Corduroy
2. J.Crew Luna Pant in Cotton Poplin
3. Target Woven High-Rise Gingham Track Pants
4. Aritzia The Lodge Pant™ Satin
5. Donni The Silk Taffeta Cargo Pant
6. Chan Luu Dupioni Straight Leg Pant
7. Quince Organic Stretch Corduroy Wide Leg Pants
8. Cadets Everyday Poplin Pant
10. Sezane Martin Crop Trousers
Donald Robertson
One of my absolute favorite artists — pithy, playful, and always perfectly in tune with the zeitgeist. I love seeing what original work he’ll whip up, seemingly in seconds, the moment a cultural moment arrives.
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.
Ooo… big fan of The Week! My kids also love The Week Jr… it’s enough to interest both my 10th grader and my 5th grader.