This petite bouquet of posies (aka violets) sits next to where I often sit (and find myself currently) when the afternoon has arrived, and a pot of tea has been poured. Something simple, from the garden, nothing fancy, but very special. I think in many ways that is what gardening, and so much of what I have learned has been from British gardeners, has taught me. And whether I am pottering, sitting down for tea or watching the latest episode of Death Valley that has brought a chuckle, as I engage in each of these activities, I considered myself fortunate to know so many other folks like yourself who enjoy welcoming British-inspired ideas into their everydays and doing so with intention and revelry in their own way.

Each of us may call home in very different parts of the world, live in large or small communities, have space for a small garden or maybe a balcony for a handful of pots, but a hot cuppa we can all sip and savor, and from that starting point, anything is possible. Part of why I enjoy our annual themed celebrations is because each of these cultures explored – British and French – awakens a part of me, and I venture to say, awakens something within you as well, that wasn’t given, but instead of chosen. And when you learned about it, stumbled upon it, however you realized what you did, something brightened in your day, or at least in that moment.

When we feel buoyed, that sense of a brighter day, more seems possible, more ideas are seen, and that is all good energy that has the potential to elevate our daily life. Whether by making more courageous choices because we are rested and were able to set aside time and do something relaxing, or maybe we just gain clarity, and that is the most important part of making decisions that best suit our life journey moving forward.

With all of that said, TSLL’s Anglophile community, as this year’s annual event has demonstrated, is alive and lively, full of curiosity and a willingness to live a life that brings you to life. A few conversations I want to bring your attention to in the Comments’ Section in posts shared this week:

• If you are looking for a wide selection of books on Home Décor or Garden Inspiration and How-tos, be sure to read The 3rd Giveaway post as each entrant chose their book, and the variety of titles prompted even me to take note of titles I am now curious to read and didn’t previously know about. Thank you to all who entered and shared sincerely what captured your interest.
• If you are looking for even more aspects of the British culture to delight in and potentially welcome into your next trip, be sure to read or listen to episode #426. Thank you to those who shared, many Bof whom where British members of our community, many other specific places to go, see and do to further delight in all that Britain has to offer its guests and residents.
• And if you are looking for a delightful TSLL community humor and connection of members who know how to engage with each other while having fun and being kind, be sure to read the thread in this post – 40 British Exports (Pantry Items Too!) I Savor in My Everydays – that begins with Comment #13 Karen H. who innocently begins a truly wonderful sharing of all things pickles, and then the puns begin. Rona! I love the humor of this group. Thank you for all that was shared. And thank you Lucy for giving us the content for the inside joke (for new members – all is explained in the thread so we can all be in on the joke).

A Head’s Up! If becoming part of TSLL community has been something you have been pondering being a part of,, whether to engage as you will see below in the introduction to the winners as well as above, or simply to read the content that keeps you returning, peruse the many comments that are shared and enjoy dependable, consistent quality content whenever it best fits your schedule, consider becoming a TOP Tier Member before August 1st as that is the date when all membership prices will increase. Lock in the current rates, and they are yours for a lifetime with an Active membership (includes pausing). Learn more about all of the benefits here.

Okay, now for what you stopped by to discover!

To the giveaway winners! 

If you see your name below, please follow these instructions:

• Email me (Shannon) at giveaway@thesimplyluxuriouslife.com
• Email me no later than MONDAY May 25th at Noon (Pacific). If I do not hear from you at this time, the giveaway will be sent to the next randomly drawn entrant.
• In your email, include the following information:
  • Full Name
  • Shipping Address and any other necessary information to ensure a safe and accurate delivery of your parcel to your home; 
  • If necessary – confirm your selection (and its availability) for your giveaway – i.e., size, color, book selection, etc.

Now to reveal the winners! And a chance to get to know a little bit about each one of them, so that you can feel more connected with the people who gather here at TSLL year-round.

The Giveaway Winners!

The 1st Giveaway: A Commonplace Book from Starsmead Bookbinding

• Comment #106: Julia C.!
  • Julia has been a long-time member since our community officially began in September 2020, and get this! Her first comment was made more than nine years ago! Thank you, Julia, for regularly engaging and sharing!
  • Julia lives in Illinois, has traveled to Paris, has beautiful memories of visiting the City of Light with her daughter, and is deeply engaged with her local community, having helped resettle refugees from other countries in her community.
  • Her comments are filled with enthusiasm, curiosity, kindness, and joy of life. Thank you for all that you have shared over the years Julia and congratulations!

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The 2nd Giveaway: A Journal or Planner from Papersmiths

• Comment #97: MBlood (Margaret)!
  • Margaret has been a TOP Tier member since September 2020 and commenting since 2019!
  • She lives in New Jersey, and one of my favorite comments that she shared was prompted by a post I shared back in 2019 about the lesson I learned from a Hot Air Balloon. She herself has worked at the largest hot air balloon festival in NJ and sailed above the treetops to witness the sunrise (how cool would that be!). Read her comment here on the post. Thank you Margaret for sharing the very hands-on lesson you learned via these magnificent creations that carry us into the air to broaden our perspectives on the world.
  • Also! Margaret is a marathon runner! And an inspiring one at that! As she shared in her comment after listening to episode #358 with Fashion Director of The Times Anna Murphy, “keeping yourself young from the inside out is key for everyone”. Be sure to visit that post and read her comment. I am holding her as inspiration for my fitness goals.

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The 3rd Giveaway: A British Home Décor or Garden Book of Choice

• Comment #92: PeggyP!
  • Peggy has been an ongoing member, active for the past six years since September 2020, and living in Maryland, she just recently welcomed a new family member into their home – a pup named Blossom. ☺️🐾❤️
  • Peggy’s determination to live well, as exhibited through her words in her comments over the years, whether embracing the Year of Yes, being intentional about embracing changes that she had her sights set on in 2023, or making time for herself during the hustle and bustle of schedules and holidays, leaves no doubt in my mind that she has a life she loves living. And it came about through conscious choices and courage. Bravo Peggy!
  • She has chosen Monty Don’s British Gardens book to provide inspiration for her own garden, turning it into her special outdoor place of respite and inspiration.

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The 4th Giveaway (open to all weekly newsletter subscribers): A $25 gift certificate to shop at British Essentials

• Email #7: Loretta Galligan!
  • Loretta has been part of TSLL community since 2023 and is an enrollee in TSLL’s courses, exploring French Cooking and strengthening Contentment.
  • From Massachusetts, Loretta has shared beautiful memories of her family’s holidays in past comments, including items brought home from trips and creative activities that make these annual events all the more special.
  • Congratulations Loretta!

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The Grand Giveaway: A Fortnum & Mason Hamper of British Treats!

• Comment #13: Karen Doak!
  • Karen has been a TOP Tier Member beginning in 2021, and is currently enrolled in the Contentment Masterclass.
  • She calls Pennsylvania home and has been a regular contributor to A Cuppa Moments over the years. In one of her comments, she even let us in on a favorite place she enjoys visiting for dinner when she is in Paris, having studied abroad while in college (it’s in the 6th! and I will let you visit the post where her comment is found here). The advice her brother gave her that prompted her to take this opportunity of travel and exploration are words she still appreciates to this day (thank you for the reminder Karen 😌). The quote you shared in that conversation in June 2022’s A Cuppa Moments was one I appreciated deeply and found great truth in (read her comment here).
  • Congratulations on winning the Grand Giveaway! And thank you for all that you have shared in your comments over the years. I have enjoyed going back through all that you have shared. You have been very generous with your wisdom, love of life and lessons learned.

Congratulations to everyone! And to the winners, please do share photos of your giveaways when they arrive or how you are using them in your everyday life. Email the photo to me or post on social media and tag @thesimplyluxuriouslife, and then I will share them in an upcoming A Cuppa Moments with members if sent my way. Always excited to see how members enjoy using their gifts. ☺️

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If you find your name above, please contact me as soon as possible with the following information requested (shared above) so I can swiftly start the shipping process and ensure you receive your gift as soon as possible to begin savoring ☺️.

This coming week, I will be shipping and/or tending to each giveaway to hopefully have them all en route to the winners by the end of May.

Thank you to everyone who entered, introduced themselves a bit more, shared what they loved, fondly remembered, dreamed about or discovered and brought more enjoyment to your days.

If you are still catching up on all of the content shared during this year’s British Week – the 8th Annual – you can find all of the posts here. With 16 posts, you have oodles to explore, enjoy and discover!

And now it is time to look ahead to next year’s Annual British Week, the 8th Annual TSLL British Week, which is always the third full week in May, and next year will fall on May 16—23, 2027. 

Catch up on all British Week content created and shared over the past eight years on the designated page here on the blog. And as always, look for British-inspired content every week throughout the year either on the weekly This & That post or on the blog and podcast. Thank you again for making this annual celebration a very special occasion. Cheerio!