The hazy days of late summer are here. I’m ready for the steady routine of Virgo season, but still holding on to my walks by the lake in shorts and a tee. As September starts to pull things into place, August is still sprawled out on the patio chairs. This time of year always makes me a little restless—but in a good way. Full of ideas, fresh starts, and the desire to begin again.
This Collection has some of that energy: a great new work bag, starting a tiny book club, and a few things I’m already filing away for fall. First up, I’ve been loving this song by Sophie May:
Those of us who aren’t going back to formal studies in September still get to pick up a few back-to-school basics!
I finally caved and got the beloved J. Crew Cotton Rollneck Sweater—mostly because I saw this gorgeous navy/brown stripe and knew it would sell fast. It’s 100% cotton and highly rated by all the fashion girlies I trust, so I have no doubt it will become a favourite.
I also needed a work bag for my commute to the studio on Fridays, so I picked up this lovely Canvas + Leather Tote from Arket. Another good-quality, 100% cotton piece with genuine leather details. I’ve used it a couple times now, and it can seriously hold everything I need (and then some): water bottle, lunch, laptop, notebook, novel(s), pencil case, phone, extra sweater—you name it.
Lauren’s List Vol. 35
This French snack might just be my new favourite thing.
Obsessed with these spiral coasters.
This Swedish cottage for sale melts my heart.
Le Studio is offering a free ‘back-to-school’ pilates program starting Monday! I think I’m going to check it out.
Uffizi Galleries’ $57 million revamp.
Why women are drowning themselves in fabric.
This stained glass window.
The woman behind the cheeky journals of Emma M. Lion.
Would love to stock up on a bunch of Yves socks for autumn.
Recent Reads
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë (1847).
You can only read something for the first time once—those were the thoughts going through my mind as I savoured this beloved classic. I’ve been finding my way into more classics lately, and there is something about these old English houses, windswept landscapes, and complicated social worlds that I’m really enjoying. So British! But of course, it was Jane herself who made this one special. She is fiercely independent and entirely unwilling to disappear into someone else’s idea of the life she should have. I didn’t love every page (there were a few chapters I could have happily hurried along), but I couldn’t stop thinking about how impressive it was that Brontë wrote this entire novel by hand, and likely at times by candlelight. I’m in awe. I also quite enjoyed learning about the influence this novel had on Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier—how fun to recognize some of Thornfield in Manderley. A gothic delight!Strangers by Belle Burden (2026).
I've been listening to this memoir on my lunch break walks by the lake. It follows the sudden end of Burden’s twenty-year marriage during Covid. It’s candid, vulnerable, and honest, although I haven’t quite connected with it in the way I expected to. I still have the final two chapters to go, so I’m really hoping it will land with a little more meaning.
I’ve been on a little bundt kick lately. This lemon yogurt cake translates perfectly into six mini bundts and has really good ingredients like almond flour, olive oil, and eggs.
A friend and I decided to start a two-woman book club! I’m truly so happy—I’ve been craving this for ages. We’re both very selective about which books we want to spend our time reading, so we’re alternating who chooses and picking from each other’s Goodreads TBR lists. Kind of genius, right!?
Art I’ve Been Loving
Battling the Storm by Tom O’Dell (2026) — wood and fabric.
I hope you’ve had a lovely week.
Thank you so much for being here. I never take it for granted that you spend a little part of your day with me. Enjoy your weekend and as always, I’d love to hear from you! Tell me…
Be honest: do you like pumpkin spice?
I like pumpkin spice. I do not love pumpkin spice. 🫣