HeyJaredWords With Layla
I'm a food writer + author sharing mini essays on words, recommendations for memorable Books, Bites + Beverages, plus memoir updates + links to published articles.
- Indexed issues, last 90 days
- 8
- Latest publication
- Sep 21, 2026
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- Earliest in this view
- Jul 11, 2026
Latest issues
Navigating A Season of Transition (opens the original)
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Hello lovely readers! How are things going where you are? There’s a big storm on the horizon here, and I hope that the rains will nourish the soil and wash away the last of the summer humidity. We are eagerly awaiting fall here, to relish crisp morning walks, hikes and drives to admire the fall foliage, warming spices in cider to sip and cozy bakes to enjoy. As always, thanks for being here!<a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!golX!,f_auto,q_
Clearing Your Mind (opens the original)
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Hello lovely readers! How are you today? So happy to see a few more subscribers join (there are over 500 of you!)—welcome! I’m on the mend after several days of stomach issues and general malaise, which reminded me about Remedying the Summer Complaint. Right now feels like a period of transition, though apart from witnessing the shifting of the seasons from summer to fall, I’m not sure what my own transition looks like vis-à-vis creative pursuits. I keep reminding myself to stay patient, that th
Staying Golden (opens the original)
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Hello lovely readers! How is everybody? I had hoped to share a long form newsletter today, but this essay wanted to stand alone. If you’re curious about what I’ve been writing outside of this newsletter, I have a few new pieces for the James Beard Foundation blog. I loved interviewing Top Chef season 23 winner Rhoda Magbitang and hearing about her childhood in the Philippines and wild Top Chef ride; learning about the <a href="http
Waiting to Hurry (opens the original)
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Hello lovely readers! How are you today? It’s back-to-school season around here, and we are stepping (sometimes stumbling!) into new routines. It is definitely a period of transition, where Ava is up early to have breakfast and pack her lunch, while still enjoying after-school dips in the pool and end-of-summer activities. I’m embracing the longer, hotter days as much as I can, but part of me craves the coolness that fall brings, and with it, prime porch reading and writing sessions. As always,
Adding Sprinkles (opens the original)
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Hello lovely readers! How is everyone doing? I’ve just returned from back-to-back vacations, first a long weekend in NYC with my daughter, Ava, then a short family stay at The Homestead in Bath County, Virginia. I’ve so enjoyed having summer hours and (kind of) embracing a lack of structure, but as Ava prepares to start fifth grade (!), I am happily anticipating the return of routines, too. I hope that you’re finding moments of ease in your days, whether that means routines or not, and that you’
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