Maybe it’s the promise of layers again. Maybe it’s suede, richer colors and actually being able to put on a jacket without immediately regretting it. Either way, I’ve started keeping a running list of the things catching my eye for the season ahead.

This is not my list of seven things I think everyone needs for fall. You know how I feel about those lists.

Your wardrobe probably doesn’t need an overhaul just because the season is changing.

Instead, these are seven things I’m personally drawn to right now - the pieces I think could make the clothes I already own feel new again, and the ones I can imagine being excited to pull out year after year.

01. A Really Good Colored Knit

Not beige. Not black. Not another grey sweater.

I want color.

A great knit in burgundy, Peridot green, Marigold, or even red instantly makes simple jeans, a dress or a skirt feel more interesting.

This is also where I’d rather spend a little more. A basic neutral sweater can be found almost anywhere. A beautifully made knit in the perfect color is the piece I’m going to be excited to see in my closet every fall.

I’m Eyeing:

02. Something in Chocolate Brown

Chocolate brown isn’t exactly groundbreaking for fall, but I love how rich it feels right now - especially paired with colors we don’t always immediately put with brown.

Think:

Chocolate + navy
Chocolate + pale blue
Chocolate + sage
Chocolate + cream
Chocolate + burgundy

I’m especially looking at chocolate in suede, leather and accessories rather than feeling like I need an entirely brown outfit.

A blazer, belt, bag or shoe is enough.

I’m Eyeing:

03. A Beautiful Wrap

I love something that has absolutely nothing to do with necessity and everything to do with making an outfit better.

Enter: the wrap.

Throw it over a dress. Wear it with jeans and a white shirt. Layer it over a blazer. Toss it over your shoulders for dinner.

I particularly love one with color, fringe, embroidery or an interesting print - something that becomes the outfit rather than simply keeping you warm.

It’s also one of those pieces that only gets better with age.

I’m Eyeing:

Read more

A stylist’s approach to dressing with intention, shopping smarter & finding the pieces you’ll actually love wearing.

Fall is one of my favorite seasons to dress for ( can you tell I am ready for cooler temperatures and having fun with layers again) - not because it means starting over with an entirely new wardrobe, but because it gives us an opportunity to rework what we already own and thoughtfully add a few things that make getting dressed feel exciting again.

My biggest advice before you shop for this season: don’t get too caught up in what is “in” this season.

Trends can be fun. They can give us inspiration and encourage us to try something unexpected. But the goal isn’t to walk away with a wardrobe that looks like everyone else’s. The goal is to find pieces that feel distinctly like you.

01. TRANSITION INTO FALL - DON’T START OVER

When the weather begins to change, you don’t need an entirely new wardrobe.

Instead, think about layers, texture and color.

Take the pieces you’re already wearing and begin introducing fall through:

• A lightweight knit over a summer dress

• Suede or leather accessories

• A beautiful wrap or scarf

• Loafers or flats instead of sandals

• A textured jacket or blazer over a simple skirt or dress

• Deeper colors mixed back with your summer neutrals

One of the easiest styling tricks is simply changing the weight, texture or color of one piece.

A white cotton dress with sandals feels like summer.

The same dress with a chocolate suede belt, ballet flat and lightweight knit over your shoulder suddenly feels like fall.

Shop the Wardrobe Journal

Before deciding you need something new, ask yourself: Can I style what I already own differently?

02. DON’T LET TRENDS DICTATE YOUR CLOSET

Every season we are told there is a new color, silhouette, shoe or jacket we need.

You don’t.

Instead of asking:

“Is this in style?”

Try asking:

“Would I still be excited to wear this three years from now?”

The best wardrobes aren’t made up entirely of classics, nor are they filled with trends. They’re a mix of reliable pieces and the things that give your wardrobe personality.

If a trend feels naturally like you - wear it.

If you’re trying to convince yourself to like it because you’ve seen it everywhere - leave it behind.

Shop LBD Limited Collection

Read more

There are fewer layers, lighter fabrics and often less structure to an outfit. A tank, an easy dress or a white blouse can feel completely different depending on what you add to it. This is when jewelry becomes less of a finishing touch and more of the outfit itself.

And when it comes to jewelry, I tend to believe the more, the better -especially in the summer.

Shop the Edit

Stop Worrying About What Matches

One of the biggest mistakes people make with jewelry is overthinking what is supposed to go together.

The gold does not have to perfectly match. Every stone does not need to be the same color. A vintage piece can sit next to something new. Delicate jewelry can be layered with something heavier and more sculptural.

In fact, that contrast is usually what makes it interesting.

I pay much more attention to the size, scale and shape of the pieces than whether every color or metal matches perfectly ( and yes you can mix metals, too!)

If you are layering necklaces, try varying the lengths so each one has space to be seen. Pair a fine chain with something slightly chunkier. Add a pendant or a vintage charm to break up the repetition.

If every piece is the same length, weight and scale, the jewelry can begin to feel crowded rather than layered.

The goal is not for everything to match. It is for each piece to have its own place.

Shop the Edit

Mix the Textures

The best jewelry combinations often include several different textures.

Think polished gold next to worn-in brass. Pearls mixed with beads. A delicate chain beside a heavier link. Smooth stones paired with something hammered, woven or engraved.

Texture gives a simple summer outfit depth without adding another physical layer of clothing - which is especially helpful when it is far too hot for a jacket or sweater.

A white tank and cotton skirt may feel basic on their own, but add a stack of bangles, layered necklaces and an interesting earring, and suddenly the outfit feels intentional.

Add Something Vintage

Vintage jewelry brings a quality that is difficult to recreate with something brand new.

It does not have to be valuable or particularly rare. It may be a brooch from your grandmother, an old pendant found while traveling, a charm bracelet, a slightly tarnished cuff or a pair of earrings discovered at an antique store.

These are often the pieces that make an outfit feel personal.

They also keep jewelry from looking too perfect or overly coordinated. A vintage piece adds a little tension next to newer jewelry and makes the entire combination feel collected rather than purchased all at once.

I love the idea that jewelry can hold memories. Clothes change with seasons, sizes and lifestyles, but jewelry can stay with you for decades.

Build Around Scale, Not Color

When mixing jewelry, start by looking at proportion.

If you are wearing a large statement earring, you might keep the necklaces lower and more delicate so the pieces are not all competing around your face.

If your necklaces are the focus, add smaller earrings and then bring more weight to your wrists with cuffs or bracelets.

For rings, I love mixing thin bands with one or two larger styles. The variation keeps a stack from feeling too uniform.

You do not need one statement piece and nothing else. You simply need a little balance between the sizes.

A bold necklace can still work with a stack of bracelets. Large earrings can still be paired with rings and a watch. Just allow a little visual space between the strongest pieces.

The Summer Jewelry Formula

My easiest summer formula is:

A few necklaces at different lengths.

An earring with some personality.

A watch mixed into a bracelet stack.

Several rings that feel collected rather than perfectly coordinated.

This works with almost everything: a swimsuit and cover-up, a linen dress, a matching set, a blouse and skirt or even a simple T-shirt and shorts.

Jewelry is also the easiest thing to pack. It takes up very little room and can make a small vacation wardrobe feel much larger. The same dress can look different every night with a new earring, necklace stack or cuff.

Wear the Pieces You Have Been Saving

Jewelry should not be reserved only for special occasions.

Wear the vintage earrings to lunch. Add the larger necklace to a cotton dress. Stack bracelets with your swimsuit. Wear the beautiful ring with your everyday clothes.

The more often you mix and wear your jewelry, the more natural it begins to feel.

Personal style rarely comes from following a perfect formula. It comes from wearing pieces you love, combining them in your own way and becoming less concerned with whether everything technically “goes.”

This summer, add another necklace. Stack one more bracelet. Mix the metals, bring in something vintage and let the jewelry do the layering for you.

Shop the Edit

LB

“I have so much in my closet, but nothing to wear.”

Usually followed by:

“Nothing goes together.”

“Nothing fits the way I want it to.”

“Nothing feels like me anymore.”

The problem is rarely that you do not own enough clothes. More often, it is that your closet is filled with too many pieces that are no longer working for you.

Things you were influenced to purchase. Pieces bought for a version of your life that does not really exist. Clothes that no longer fit, whether they are too big or too small. Trend-driven purchases that felt exciting for a moment but never quite made sense with the rest of your wardrobe.

When all of those pieces live together, they create noise. And the more visual noise there is in your closet, the harder it becomes to see what you actually have.

Your Closet Should Make Life Easier

Your closet should be one of the few places in your life that doesn’t cause stress.

It should feel clean, organized and easy to navigate. You should be able to walk in, see what you own and understand how the pieces work together.

That does not mean everything needs to be neutral, minimal or perfectly matched. I love color, print and personality. But every piece should have a purpose.

It should fit.

It should suit your current lifestyle.

It should work with other things you already own.

Most importantly, it should make you feel like yourself.

A closet filled with more does not necessarily give you more options. Sometimes it simply gives you more decisions to make.

Start With What No Longer Serves You

The first step is not shopping. It is editing.

Start with the pieces you bought because someone online made them look essential. Maybe they worked beautifully on someone else but have never felt right on you. That does not mean you styled them incorrectly or failed to make them work. They simply may not belong in your wardrobe.

Then look at the pieces that no longer serve your actual lifestyle.

Maybe you used to work in an office every day and now work from home. Maybe you once attended several formal events a year and now need more elevated everyday clothing. Maybe your days are spent moving between work, school drop-off, appointments and dinners, but your wardrobe still reflects a completely different season of life.

Your closet needs to support the life you are living now - not the life you lived five years ago or the imaginary life you were shopping for.

And then there are the clothes that do not fit.

Whether something is too big or too small, it should not be taking up the most valuable space in your closet. Keeping a few meaningful pieces or storing items you genuinely plan to alter is one thing. Facing an entire section of clothing that does not fit every morning is another.

Your closet should not make you feel guilty before the day has even started.

Let me Help You

More Clothes Do Not Create More Outfits

A wardrobe works when the pieces have relationships with one another.

A blouse should work with more than one bottom. A skirt should not require a completely separate set of shoes, undergarments and accessories. A jacket should finish several outfits rather than only work with the exact look you bought it with.

This is why thoughtful wardrobes often feel larger than overcrowded ones.

When you own pieces that fit properly, reflect your style and work together, getting dressed becomes much easier. You begin to see combinations instead of individual items.

Before buying something new, ask yourself:

Does this work with at least three pieces I already own?

Can I wear it in more than one setting?

Would I still want it if I had not seen someone else wearing it?

Does it solve an actual wardrobe need?

Those questions will tell you far more than whether something is trending.

The Pressure to Always Wear Something New

We are living in a time of constant consumption.

There is always a new arrival, a new trend, another sale and another person telling you that something is a must-have. Social media has also created the strange idea that once an outfit has been photographed or posted, it cannot be worn again.

This is something I cannot stand.

The entire point of developing personal style is to find pieces you love enough to wear repeatedly.

Rewearing an outfit is not boring. It is a sign that you bought well.

Some of the most stylish women wear the same silhouettes, accessories and combinations again and again. They understand what works for them, and they are not constantly trying to reinvent themselves for the sake of creating something new.

Let’s Work Together

You can wear the same dress to several events. You can repeat the same blouse on vacation. You can post the same skirt more than once. Change the shoe, add a belt, layer a jacket or wear it exactly the same way because you loved it the first time.

Clothes are meant to be worn - not simply purchased, photographed and replaced.

Less Is Not About Deprivation

A “less is more” wardrobe does not mean you cannot enjoy shopping or add something beautiful to your closet.

It means you are more selective.

It means knowing the difference between appreciating something and needing to own it.

It means choosing pieces that add to your wardrobe instead of competing with everything already in it.

The goal is not to own the smallest number of clothes possible. The goal is to create a wardrobe where the majority of what you own fits, works and gets worn.

A closet should feel inspiring, but it should also feel practical. It should reflect your personality while supporting your real life.

When you remove the excess, you make space to see the pieces you genuinely love - and suddenly, you may realize you had plenty to wear all along!

Just a little wardrobe note to start the week!

~ Lauren ~

This week, I am focusing on the pieces that make summer wardrobes work harder: an easy blouse that can be styled more than one way, dresses and matching sets that require very little thought, and accessories that can completely change the look of what you already own.

The LBD Spotlight: The Emmy Blouse

The Emmy Blouse was designed to answer one of the most common things I hear from clients: “I need more tops.”

Usually, what is missing is not simply another top. It’s a top that feels interesting enough to stand on its own, but versatile enough to wear with the pieces already in your closet.

The Emmy is meant to be lived in. It has enough shape and detail to feel special, but it is still easy, comfortable and unfussy. Wear it tucked into the Lauren Skirt, loosely over denim, with tailored shorts, or open over a tank and swimsuit while traveling.

It is the kind of piece that can go from a daytime lunch to dinner with a simple jewelry change - and that versatility was very intentional.

The Oatmeal feels understated and timeless, while the Green Moss Stripe adds color without being difficult to style. Both were designed to work beyond one season and to build into future LBD collections.

Shop the First Drop

A Stylist’s Approach to Summer Dressing

When the temperature rises, I rely less on complicated layering and more on shape, texture and accessories.

An outfit does not need many pieces to feel styled. It just needs one point of interest.

That may be a beautifully shaped blouse, a printed dress, an unexpected sandal, a sculptural earring or a belt added to a simple matching set. This is especially helpful on vacation, when every piece in your suitcase needs to earn its place.

Before buying something new, ask yourself:

Can I wear this during the day and at night?

Does it work with at least two pairs of shoes I already own?

Can I style it more than one way?

Will I still want to wear it once the trip is over?

The best vacation purchases should become part of your real wardrobe - not remain tucked away until the next beach trip.

Last-Minute Vacation Shopping

Easy Dresses

A great summer dress should do most of the work for you. Look for breathable fabrics, a comfortable shape and enough personality that it does not require much styling.

I tend to gravitate toward dresses that can work with a flat sandal during the day and a small heel or metallic shoe at night. A defined waist, an interesting neckline or a strong print can make even the simplest silhouette feel intentional.

Avoid buying something that only works for one specific dinner. The best vacation dress is one you can wear again with sneakers, a cardigan or a belt once you are home.

Matching Sets

Matching sets are one of my favorite packing tricks because they instantly create three outfits: worn together, the top styled separately and the bottom styled separately.

Choose sets that feel relaxed rather than overly coordinated. Linen, cotton and lightweight textured fabrics are ideal for summer, and slightly oversized shapes tend to feel more modern and comfortable in the heat.

A set can also solve the “what do I wear on the plane?” question. Add a tank underneath, wear the shirt open and bring a lightweight layer for the inevitable freezing airport.

Shop the Collection

Sandals

You rarely need as many shoes as you think.

For most warm-weather trips, I recommend one comfortable daytime sandal, one slightly dressier option and a sneaker only if the itinerary truly requires it.

A metallic sandal is particularly useful because it works almost like a neutral while still making an outfit feel finished. A simple leather slide is equally versatile and can be worn with dresses, sets, denim and swimwear.

Comfort matters. A beautiful sandal that you cannot walk in does not belong in a vacation suitcase.

Accessories

Accessories are where a small suitcase can still feel exciting.

Statement earrings, layered gold jewelry, a woven belt or a colorful evening bag can make the same dress feel completely different. This is also the easiest category to have a little more fun with, because accessories take up very little space and can transform pieces you already own.

My favorite packing formula is simple: bring fewer clothes, but bring enough accessories to give yourself options … and fun colored shoes of course!

Shopbop Hearts

The Takeaway

Last-minute shopping can make it tempting to buy an entirely new vacation wardrobe, but most women need less than they think.

Start with the gaps that actually make getting dressed difficult. Maybe it is a versatile blouse, an easy dinner dress, a matching set or a sandal that works with everything. Then build around what is already in your closet.

The goal is not to pack more. It is to pack pieces that make getting dressed feel easy, polished and still like you.

Happy Tuesday!

Lauren

July has been full - in the very best way - but I am finally coming up for air and getting back on track with Substack.

This week alone has included helping clients prepare for trips to Italy, Switzerland, and France, helping another client move into her dream house -and what may also be my dream closet - and a weekend filled with swimming and bridal showers.

It is one of those seasons where everything feels exciting and slightly chaotic all at the same time. I have missed sitting down to share what I am wearing, what I am loving, and what has been happening behind the scenes. So, consider this my official return to your inbox.

What I’m Wearing in this Heat

It is officially so hot, and I have been gravitating toward the pieces that make getting dressed feel as easy as possible:

Breezy skirts
Lightweight, feminine, and far more comfortable than anything fitted. Option 1, Option 2, Option 3, Option 4

Matching sets
The easiest shortcut to looking pulled together without having to think too hard. A few favorites - Option 1, Option 2, Option 3, Option 4, Option 5

Simple tanks
Usually paired with a skirt, relaxed trousers, or shorts - and always finished with jewelry. A few favorites - Option 1, Option 2, Option 3

Lots of fun accessories
Bold earrings, layered necklaces, colorful bracelets, and anything that makes a very simple outfit feel intentional.

Minimal makeup
A little prep, tinted moisturizer, mascara, blush, and something on my lips. Done.

Right now, I want my clothes to feel light and uncomplicated - but never boring.

The Pieces on Repeat

Shop my Favorites This Month

Designer’s Note: The Lauren Skirt

One of the most exciting things about this first LBD collection has been watching the pieces find their way into your wardrobes. We are selling through the collection, and I am especially thrilled by how much people are loving the fit of the Lauren Skirt.

Some of the most meaningful feedback has come from women who told me they “aren’t skirt people” - and then tried this one.

Trust me, if there is one piece I was meant to design, it is a skirt.

Shop The Lauren

I have spent years working inside women’s closets, styling different body types, learning what women reach for and, just as importantly, what they avoid. I have also spent years collecting skirts of my own and paying attention to every detail: where the waist should sit, how the fabric should fall, how much shape feels flattering, and how a skirt should move when you walk.

Every part of the Lauren Skirt was considered. I wanted it to feel special without feeling precious, feminine without being overly dressy, and easy enough to wear with everything from a simple tank and sandals to the Emmy Blouse and heels.

Seeing it become a favorite - particularly for women who never thought they would wear a skirt - feels like the greatest compliment.

How I’m Wearing It Now

Style the Lauren Skirt three ways here:

For everyday: A simple t-shirt, flat sandals, and layered jewelry.
For dinner: The Emmy Blouse or this, a beautiful belt, and a low heel.
For later: A lightweight knit, closed toe flat, and a structured jacket as the weather begins to change.

A Few Things I’m Loving

A curated edit of current fashion, beauty, home, travel, or children’s finds.

Shop the Edit

Until Next Week

It feels good to be back. Thank you for continuing to follow along - through the client closets, the travel packing, the everyday outfits, and this new chapter of building LBD.

More soon.

I’m so excited to finally share something I have been quietly working on - the first LBD “Drop”.

Designed with intention, this first drop is a study in timeless dressing: a three-piece capsule created to be worn together or effortlessly apart. Each piece was considered, refined, and made to live in your wardrobe for years.

Rooted in the idea of the modern LBD, these are pieces that move with you - from mornings with your children, to dinners with friends, to evenings out - without requiring a second thought.

This is clothing meant to be lived in.

Elegant, but never precious.
Elevated, but entirely wearable.

Created from the perspective of someone who understands what has been missing: pieces that feel as good in real life as they look. Pieces that feel special, but not untouchable. Pieces at a price point that invites you to wear them often, not save them for someday.

Model wearing the Lauren Skirt - shop it here.

The Beginning of a Wardrobe

This first drop is just the beginning.

LBD is designed to build slowly and intentionally, season by season. Each collection will be created to stand on its own, but also to work back to the pieces that came before it - so your wardrobe becomes more beautiful, more effortless, and more complete over time.

Shop the First Drop

The hope is not to create more just for the sake of more.

The hope is to create pieces with purpose. Pieces that make sense together. Pieces that give you more ways to wear what you already own, while slowly building a collection that feels refined, personal, and lasting.

The Skirt

The skirt is really where this first collection began.

I fell in love with this gold brocade fabric the second I walked into the showroom in New York. It immediately set the tone for the entire first drop -refined, feminine, unexpected, and still incredibly wearable.

Shop the Lauren Skirt

It has that rare quality I’m always looking for: something that feels special without feeling too precious.

The idea was to create a piece that could anchor the collection, but also stand completely on its own. Wear it with one of the blouses, with a simple tee, a sweater, a button-down, or something already hanging in your closet.

It’s a piece designed to work with your wardrobe, not compete with it.

The Blouses

The blouses were created to complement the skirt, but they were never meant to only be worn with it.

Shop the Blouses

There are two colorways: a soft oatmeal and a green stripe.

The oatmeal is understated, easy, and endlessly versatile — the kind of piece you reach for when you want to feel pulled together without trying too hard.

The green stripe brings a little more personality, but still feels timeless. The colors were chosen with intention: soft, flattering, and easy to style back to denim, trousers, skirts, or anything neutral already in your closet.

Both blouses are meant to be worn tucked, untucked, layered, dressed up, or lived in casually. They are the pieces I always wish I could find — simple in concept, but thoughtful in the details.

Shop

A Note on the Collection

This first collection is limited in quantity, which feels right for the way I want to build LBD - slowly, intentionally, and without excess.

My hope is that these pieces become the ones you reach for again and again. The pieces that make getting dressed feel easier. The pieces that feel like you, just a little more refined.

Thank you for being here for the very beginning.

More soon.
LBD is officially coming.

One of the biggest misconceptions I see as a stylist is that women assume they need more clothes…

Most of the time, they need more outfit possibilities.

Questions to ask:

• What pieces do I wear at least once a week?

• What pieces do I own but never reach for?

• What item do I consistently wish I had?

• When I say “I have nothing to wear,” what am I actually missing?

• Am I lacking clothing - or am I lacking styling ideas?

• What category do I keep shopping repeatedly?

Read more

Between wrapping up school, settling into summer routines, planning trips, and somehow already thinking about Father’s Day, the weeks have been moving fast around here.

One thing I’ve noticed lately is that the outfits I reach for most aren’t necessarily built around new clothing. They’re elevated by the small details—an interesting sandal, a woven bag, a vintage-inspired necklace, a belt that changes the entire feel of a dress.

As a stylist, I often find that women think they need more clothes when what they’re actually missing are the finishing touches that help their wardrobe feel complete.

This week’s note is dedicated to those pieces, along with a few favorite purchases from this month and some Father’s Day ideas if you’re still looking.

Shop this Look —Dress, Shoes, Bracelets, Similar Bag

Stylist Note

The Most Overlooked Part of a Summer Wardrobe

When summer arrives, wardrobes naturally become simpler.

Fewer layers. Easier silhouettes. Lightweight fabrics.

Which means accessories have to work a little harder.

A linen dress and sandals can feel perfectly fine. Add a woven bag, a great pair of earrings, and a belt - and suddenly the outfit feels intentional.

Shop the Edit

Before buying another dress this season, consider whether what you’re really missing is:

• A great everyday sandal

• A summer handbag or this

• A statement earring

• A belt that works with dresses

• A lightweight necklace you never take off

• Sunglasses that elevate everything

Often it’s the accessory that creates the outfit.

Shop this Look — Dress, Shoes, Bracelets

Five Accessories I’m Reaching For Most This Summer

Shop the Categories:

• Woven bags - The easiest way to make even the simplest outfit feel seasonal. I love one that works just as well with denim and a white shirt as it does for dinner on vacation.

• Statement earrings

• Everyday gold jewelry - The pieces you put on without thinking and somehow make every outfit look more polished. Summer dressing is often effortless by nature, which is why delicate gold jewelry becomes even more important. A favorite necklace, bracelet, or stack of rings adds just enough refinement to the easiest linen dress or white tee.

• Raffia or leather belts - One of the most underrated accessories in a wardrobe. A belt can completely transform the fit and feel of a piece you already own - giving shape to a dress, adding structure to relaxed separates, or creating a fresh styling moment. Before buying something new, I often challenge clients to see what a great belt can do.

• Summer Sandals - The foundation of nearly every summer outfit. I always recommend investing in a pair that feels versatile, comfortable, and elevated enough to work from everyday errands to dinner out. The right sandal should complement your wardrobe, not compete with it - and ideally, you'll reach for it all season long.

Shop this Edit

Favorite Buys This Month

1. The Best Purchase - these sheets are so cooling and honestly are the first sheets I’ve had that I actually love.

2. The Most Used Purchase - I have worn this knit so many times for client appointments and to dinner. I’ve styled it with skirts and then tucked into denim with a low heel. So cute and effortless!

3. The Unexpected Favorite - Use every night after my shower

4. Worth Every Penny - pricey but will instantly give your wardrobe an update. Style with any color and every piece.

Father’s Day Corner

For the Dad Who Says He Doesn’t Need Anything

A few ideas that feel thoughtful without feeling forced.

• Elevated everyday essentials

• Travel accessories

• Golf

• Grilling favorites

• A sentimental gift

My favorite Father’s Day gifts are usually the practical things someone wouldn’t buy themselves but ends up using every day.

As always, my goal is never to encourage more shopping for the sake of shopping. The best wardrobes are built thoughtfully over time. Sometimes one well-chosen accessory can do more for your closet than five new outfits.

Happy summer shopping,

Lauren 🤍

I’m just back from New Orleans (I’ve linked everything I wore for those asking), and already in the middle of turning around to get both my kids and myself packed for a week at the beach. Not to mention - the whirlwind of summer sales happening right now … it’s safe to say my mind is in a few places at once.

Fun, exciting, slightly chaotic…

Shop the Edit

This week’s edit reflects exactly that - a thoughtful mix of what I’m actually reaching for right now. Pieces I packed and wore on my recent trip, the summer sale essentials, and favorites I’m planning to bring to the beach.

A little inspiration, a little practicality, and hopefully a small shortcut as you navigate this season too.

Style Notes

This week’s selections are built around what summer dressing really looks like - pieces that travel well, layer easily, and work across multiple versions of your day.

You’ll find:

• Everything I wore in New Orleans

• What I’m packing for the beach

• A few standout sale finds worth considering while they last

The goal is always the same: fewer, better pieces that make getting dressed (and packing) feel easier.

What I’m Reaching for Right Now

Right now, I’m prioritizing pieces that can do more than one thing.

Easy sets that can go from daytime to dinner. Sandals that work with everything. Swimwear and cover-ups that feel polished enough to wear beyond the beach. And accessories that make simple outfits feel styled, even when you packed in a hurry.

Summer dressing should feel effortless - these are the pieces helping me get there.

The Edit

Below are this week’s curated picks, including everything I’m packing, recent favorites from New Orleans, and the sale finds I think are actually worth your attention.

Shop the Edit

As always, these are pieces chosen with real life in mind - things to wear, pack, and enjoy all season long.

XX, LB

Between balancing teacher appreciation weeks at two different schools, planning summer schedules, and somehow managing everyone else’s trips before even thinking about my own, this month has felt especially full. The mental load of this season is real.

Which is exactly why sitting down to pull together this week’s edit felt like a bit of a reset. Not to mention I finally found a desk for myself that fits in my closet out of reach of the kiddos!

A small break from the chaos - and a chance to focus on a few things I’m genuinely excited about: favorites I’m packing for an upcoming beach trip, recent home purchases that are making everyday spaces feel more considered, a few practical (and fun) kid finds, and some summer beauty staples I’ve been reaching for lately.

It’s a little bit of everything, but all things making this season feel just a bit easier, more polished, and more enjoyable.

Style Notes

This week’s edit is less about one specific category and more about the pieces quietly shaping summer behind the scenes.

You’ll find:

• Beach trip favorites I’m packing and planning around.

• Recent house purchases that have elevated everyday spaces

• Kid finds that are practical, useful, and genuinely worth sharing

• Summer beauty staples I’ve been reaching for on repeat

Sometimes the best edits are the ones that reflect real life - not just what we’re wearing, but how we’re living.

What I’m Loving Right Now

A few things currently making life feel easier (or prettier):

• Travel pieces that simplify packing

• Small home updates that make everyday routines feel more thoughtful

• Kid essentials that are both functional and well-designed

• Summer beauty that feels effortless and low-maintenance

Nothing overly complicated - just thoughtful things I’m genuinely glad to have.

The Edit

Below are the pieces I saved this week - a mix of summer favorites, practical finds, and a few small luxuries for the season ahead.

Shop the edit

As always, these are pieces chosen for real life-things that make the everyday feel a little lighter, more beautiful, and easier to enjoy.

XX, LB

Because a good gift doesn’t need to be complicated or overly planned - just well chosen!

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Style Notes

When I’m thinking about Mother’s Day, I always come back to pieces that feel both beautiful and useful.

Things she’ll (or on a personal note, I) reach for regularly. Items that elevate the everyday rather than sit on a shelf. The kind of gifts that feel personal without being overly specific.

This week, I focused on:

• Everyday luxuries - small upgrades that feel indulgent but practical.

• Wearable staples - pieces that integrate easily into her wardrobe.

• Thoughtful details - items that feel intentional, even if purchased last minute.

The goal is simple: gifts that feel like you really thought about her, even if you decided this week.

What I’d Gift (and Honestly, Want Myself)

The best gifts are often the ones you’d choose for yourself.

Right now, that looks like:

• A beautiful caftan she’ll wear all season

• A chic robe for lazy mornings and evenings

• An update lingerie bag for traveling bag that is useful but wouldn’t be purchased on her own.

• An updated perfume for spring / summer

Nothing overly precious - just pieces that make her feel like herself, but slightly more elevated.

If You’re Truly Last-Minute

A few ideas that still feel thoughtful, even now:

• Choose something classic and timeless rather than trendy

• Focus on quality over quantity

• Pair a physical gift with a handwritten note

• When in doubt, a great accessory always works

And remember - how it’s given often matters just as much as what it is.

The Edit

Below are the pieces I saved this week - Mother’s Day ideas that feel easy, elevated, and worth giving (or keeping).

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XX, LB

All of that said, I’m especially excited about this week’s edit. It’s a thoughtful mix pulled from my own recent purchases, pieces clients have been loving, and a few standout men’s finds.

Shop the Women's

Style Notes

This week’s edit is a reflection of what’s actually being worn, purchased, and requested right now.

There’s a clear shift happening - lighter layers, more ease, and pieces that can move between everyday life and upcoming plans without feeling overthought. I focused on items that feel current but still grounded in longevity.

You’ll find:

• Wear-now staples that make getting dressed easier

• Client-approved pieces that are already proving their value

• Thoughtful additions that refresh a wardrobe without overhauling it

The goal, as always, is to highlight pieces that integrate seamlessly - the kind you reach for without having to think twice.

What I’d Actually Wear This Week

If I were building outfits from this edit, I’d keep things simple and intentional:

• Relaxed denim, a crisp shirt, and a great sandal

• An easy dress with a minimal flat and one strong accessory

• Tailored trousers, a lightweight knit, and a flat to finish

It’s less about complexity right now and more about refinement - letting fewer, better pieces do the work.

A few fun ways to style —

From My Closet (and My Clients’)

A mix of what I’ve personally purchased recently and what clients have been consistently reaching for.

These are the pieces that have already proven themselves - versatile, wearable, and worth the investment.

For Him …

A few men’s pieces that feel especially strong right now — simple, well-cut, and easy to wear. Lots of fun vacation pieces as well!

Think elevated basics that make everyday dressing feel more pulled together without trying too hard.

Men's Edit

The Wishlist Edit

Below are the pieces I saved this week — a mix of personal favorites, client-backed staples, and thoughtful additions for the season ahead.

Wishlist

As always, these are pieces chosen with intention - things that work in real life, evolve with your wardrobe, and make getting dressed feel a little more effortless.

XX,

LB

If you’ve been reading along for a while, you know how much I care about pieces that feel effortless but considered — the kind you don’t have to think twice about, that just work.

This is my version of that.

Pre Order Now

I’m launching my first collection - a small, intentional release of three pieces designed to be worn together or entirely on their own. A shirt (in two colorways) and a skirt, created to take you from day to night with ease.

Pre Order Now

I kept the quantities limited on purpose. I wanted this first drop to feel personal - close, in a way that’s true to how I’ve always shared style here.

Pre-orders are now open.

Shop the Collection Here

Thank you for being here, for trusting my perspective, and for being part of this with me from the beginning. It really does mean everything.

xx
Lauren

Sorry for the delay !!

This week’s edit feels especially timely - a mix of Easter weekend dressing and thoughtfully selected pieces from the Shopbop sale.

With plans, gatherings, and the shift into true spring, I’ve been thinking about outfits that feel polished but still easy. Pieces that work for a holiday weekend, but also fold seamlessly into your everyday wardrobe after. And with the sale, it’s an opportunity to invest in those staples you’ll wear on repeat - just a bit more intentionally.

Shop the Edit

What’s Actually Worth Buying From the Sale

Not everything in a sale is worth it — and this is where a little restraint goes a long way.

When I’m shopping something like the Shopbop sale, I’m not looking for more. I’m looking for the pieces that feel like they would have made sense at full price - the ones you’ll reach for repeatedly, not just because they were marked down.

Right now, that looks like:

1. Elevated Basics You Already Wear

This is where the best value always is.

Think refined denim, simple knits, classic tees, and easy dresses (wear with a blazer if needed)- the foundation of your wardrobe, just upgraded. These are the pieces that get worn weekly, so getting them on sale is where it actually makes sense. Trends this season are leaning heavily into these polished essentials, making them even more relevant right now.

2. Shoes That Carry You Through the Season

A good sale is the time to invest in shoes you’ll wear constantly.

Minimal sandals, woven flats, and simple heels are everywhere right now - and they instantly update everything you already own. Even switching from a loafer to a sandal can completely shift an outfit. Shopbop’s sale is especially strong in this category, with everything from everyday flats to statement heels marked down.

Here are a few examples that fit that “wear on repeat” category:

• Loeffler Randall Triana Strappy Mid Heel — a clean, neutral heel that works day to night.

• Loeffler Randall Leonie Soft Ballet Flats — texture that elevates even the simplest outfit.

3. Pieces That Signal Spring (Without Being Trendy)

The sweet spot is items that feel seasonal but still timeless.

Soft dresses, lightweight layers, and anything with a bit of movement - pieces you can wear now and continue into summer. Think less “occasion-only,” more “effortless but pulled together.”

4. Accessories That Do the Work

If your wardrobe leans neutral (which most well-edited ones do), accessories are where a sale really pays off.

Bags, belts, and sunglasses that add contrast or texture — the “third piece” that makes an outfit feel styled.

• Brinker + Eliza Ophelia Earrings

The Rule I Always Come Back To

If you wouldn’t have wanted it at full price, you probably won’t wear it just because it’s on sale.

The best sale purchases are the ones that quietly integrate into your wardrobe — the pieces that make everything else you own feel a little more considered.

Shop the Edit

XX,

LB

Layers disappear, fabrics soften, and suddenly it’s the shoes that do most of the work.

This week’s edit is centered around that shift - the pairs that signal spring and summer without requiring a full wardrobe overhaul. Because often, the easiest way to refresh what you already own is simply changing what’s on your feet.

A different sandal with your usual denim. A woven flat instead of a loafer. A barely-there heel that makes everything feel a little more intentional. A brighter sandal to add that spring color pop.

Small change, completely different outfit.

Shop the Full Edit

The Notes

Shoes are often the most transformative piece in a wardrobe.

They ground an outfit, set the tone, and can instantly make something feel more relaxed or more refined. This week, I focused on styles that do exactly that - versatile, wearable, and able to carry you through multiple versions of your day.

You’ll find:

• Everyday flats and sandals that feel polished but effortless.

• Elevated minimal heels that work for dinners, events, and everything in between.

• Texture-driven styles (woven, leather, soft neutrals) that add interest without overpowering or feeling heavy.

The goal is always the same: fewer pairs, better options - shoes that work across outfits, not just with one.

Style Detail I’m Loving

Right now, I’m reaching for simple outfits and letting the shoe lead. For me a fun colored shoe makes me happy and gives me that fun pep in my step.

Relaxed denim and a white shirt with a great sandal. An easy dress paired with a minimal heel. Even athleisure feels more considered with a fun unexpected sneaker.

It’s the quickest way to feel styled without overthinking it.

3 Pairs I’d Build Outfits Around This Week

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It’s the addition of what I like to call the third piece.

Most outfits start with two basics - a top and a bottom, or a dress and a shoe. Functional, but often slightly unfinished. The third piece is what shifts the outfit from getting dressed to being styled.

It doesn’t have to be dramatic. In fact, the most effective third pieces are often subtle: a belt that defines the waist, a scarf that adds movement, or a handbag that introduces color or texture.

Why the Third Piece Matters

Without it, outfits can feel flat or incomplete - even when the individual pieces are beautiful.

The third piece creates:

• Visual interest

• Dimension

• Intentionality

It signals that the outfit was considered, not just assembled.

This is why the same jeans and sweater can look completely different on two people. One added that extra layer of styling.

The Easiest Third Pieces to Start With

1. The Belt

The most underrated styling tool.

A great belt can:

• Define shape in relaxed silhouettes

• Break up monochrome outfits

• Instantly elevate denim and dresses

Even a simple outfit - jeans, tee, loafers - feels styled the moment you add one.

2. The Scarf

One of the most versatile accessories in a wardrobe.

Think:

• Loosely tied at the neck

• Draped over the shoulders or shoulder

It adds movement, softness, and often an introduces an unexpected color.

3. A Pop of Color (Bag or Shoe)

Color is often easiest to introduce through accessories.

Read more

A saturated knit. A bright flat. A bag that does all the talking.

Color has a way of changing not just an outfit, but your mood. And right now, it feels like the easiest way to bring a sense of newness into what I am already wearing.

This edit leans into that - pieces that add interest, contrast, and a bit of personality, without losing the sense of polish we’re always after.

Shop the Edit

The Notes

Color doesn’t have to feel complicated. The key is approaching it the same way you would a neutral wardrobe - thoughtfully and with balance.

This week, I focused on:

• Color as a focal point: Letting one piece stand out while the rest stays grounded.

• Easy color blocking: Pairing two intentional shades - or blue and green (this skirt) or orange and purple (like with this dress).

• Wearable brightness: Tones that feel elevated rather than overly trend-driven.

The goal is not to wear more - just to introduce something unexpected.

Style Detail I’m Loving

Right now, I’m drawn to a fun pant and a sleeveless or short sleeve knit with a fun wrap or statement necklace. Usually not a pant girl, but loving these styles!

• LOOK ONE: Me & Em Pant with this button down and this wrap (with triangle in back)

• LOOK TWO: These Le Veste Pants (size up a size or two!!) Tuckernuck knit (code YOUROCK) and these shoes.

It keeps everything feeling clean, but far from boring.

Below are the pieces I saved this week - a mix of bright staples, thoughtful pops of color, and items that make even the simplest outfits feel more alive.

Shop the Full Edit

XX

The pieces that lighten up your closet after heavier layers. A crisp shirt that works with denim again. A simple dress you can throw on without thinking. Accessories that shift an outfit from winter to something that feels brighter and easier.

This week’s edit focuses on those kinds of staples - timeless pieces that quietly signal a new season without chasing trends.

You’ll also notice a handful of more accessible finds mixed in. I’m always drawn to investment pieces, but I also love discovering affordable updates that deliver the same polish and versatility. The goal is always the same: pieces that work hard in your wardrobe and make getting dressed feel effortless.

Because often it’s not about buying more - it’s about adding the right few things that bring everything you already own back to life.

Shop the Edit

Style Detail I’m Loving - Colorblocking!

Spring is always when I start simplifying outfits again. Fewer layers, better basics, and one thoughtful accessory that pulls everything together.

Right now that looks like a flowy midi skirt, an easy knit or button-down, and a great piece to layer over your shoulder or shoe to finish the look.

Simple, but intentional.

3 Outfits I’d Wear This Week

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I’ve been thinking about beauty and wellness not as separate categories, but as part of getting dressed. The early morning workout before the house wakes up. The protein in my coffee (Ballerina Farm every morning - so good!). The exfoliant that makes skin glow. The bag that holds it all and still feels chic on the way out the door.

Looking polished starts long before the outfit.

This week’s finds reflect that - thoughtful beauty staples, elevated wellness upgrades, and the kind of everyday luxuries that make routine feel intentional rather than rushed. Pieces that support energy, glow, and ease - while still aligning with a wardrobe built on longevity.

Shop the Edit

In this Edit you’ll find:

• Beauty that enhances, not masks

• Wellness additions that are simple but impactful

• Elevated essentials that move seamlessly from gym bag to carry-on

*All my tried and trues - no gate keeping

Now, let’s get into this week’s edit.

Below are this week’s beauty and wellness finds — pieces I’d personally use, pack, and repurchase.

Beauty Ritual I’m Loving

With two kids and a busy work schedule, I have been really trying to prioritze my mornings - before the kids wake up. Once they are up … there is no time for mom!

Right now, that looks like:

• Moving my body before the house wakes up (even if it’s short) - typically 6am pilates but recently Ive been going on a long walk with bala bands on my ankles and wrists (just being honest!). This is one of my favorite t-shirts for both activities.

• Adding protein to my coffee so I’m not chasing energy later - thought this was silly at first, but honestly it’s so good. Finally, purchased a ceramic coffee mug with a lid, so I am not spilling my coffee everywhere. Can’t get behind the tumblers for hot coffee.

• Prioritizing skin prep over heavy makeup - every morning I use this exfoliating polish and it has been a game changer for my skin. Usually follow this with a moisturizer, sunscreen and then I set my foundation with this spray (listened to the founder on a podcast and am obsessed!) for added hydration! I also love winding down with these eye patches.

• Make up - I have become pretty minimal in this department - foundation, mist, cover up (around my eyes & nose), bronzer & blush, eye shadow, mascara, eye brow pencil & gel, and lip liner / gloss.

• To wind down we listen to music and I always light candles.

The shift has been subtle but noticeable. More steady energy. More natural glow. A reminder that refinement often comes from subtraction - not addition.

Below are this week’s beauty and wellness finds - pieces I’d personally use, pack, and repurchase.

Shop the Edit

XX,

LB