Francophiles, discover quite a few finds, from books, to shows to food in this week’s T & T, as well as the return of an award winning series with two stellar actors guiding the storyline. Gardeners, I have found some quality tools that will ensure enjoyment as you potter away, and so many books from achieving success, getting to know the life of someone who knew great success, and essays from a teacher about the power of the written word, its prose and poetry, on our lives and conversations. Also a favorite New Zealand cast is back with a new season along with a collaboration with a famous British fashion designer creating pieces at affordable prices and capsule wardrobe finds to keep you in style and always feeling your best. Still, there is more. 🙂

Books

—Just the Good Stuff: No BS Secrets to Success (no matter what life throws at you) by Jim VandeHei

You may recognize Jim VandeHei’s name as he cofounded Politico and Axios, and it is just this journey to his own success that counselors in school did not foresee or imagine possible that brings him to his new book’s content being released next Tuesday April 30th. Just the Good Stuff is “delivered in his hallmark no-word-wasted style, VandeHei offers essential, no-BS guidance on how to handle everything from finding a calling to building a team to navigating the realities of a changing workplace, showing us that no matter how inauspicious our beginnings, no matter how far down the ladder we begin, no matter what kind of challenges we face, a fulfilling life is within our reach.”

—Reading Lessons: The books we read at school, the conversations they spark and why they matter by Carol Atherton

Most definitely for all you English teachers out there, lovers of the written word and anyone who loves books, English teacher Carol Atherton’s book of essays released earlier in April in the UK has been described as a love letter to reading and the many ways literature can make us, and our lives, better. “Each chapter of Reading Lessons invites us to take a fresh look at these novels, plays and poems, revealing how they have shaped our beliefs, our values, and how we interact as a society. As she recalls her own development as a teacher, Atherton emphasizes the vital, undervalued role a teacher plays, illustrates how essential reading is for developing our empathy and makes a passionate case for the enduring power of literature.”

—The Rulebreaker: The Life and Times of Barbara Walters by Susan Page

When pioneer for women in journalism, Barbara Walters died just over a year ago on December 30, 2022, I must admit, it caught my emotions up and gave me pause because she was someone who broke the rules (that needed to be broken) and paved the way for many more behind her to have a more successful go at it in the field of journalism. Her biography, The Rulebreaker, released this past Tuesday, involves “150 interviews conducted by Susan Page and extensive archival research to discover that Walters was driven to keep herself and her family afloat after her mercurial and famous impresario father attempted suicide. But she never lost the fear of an impending catastrophe, which is what led her to ask for things no woman had ever asked for before, to ignore the rules of misogynistic culture, to outcompete her most ferocious competitors, and to protect her complicated marriages and love life from scrutiny.”

British Finds

—Brokenwood Mysteries, Season 10, AcornTV

I began watching Brokenwood Mysteries a couple of years ago, and found myself quite enjoying the cast as well as the setting. Filmed in New Zealand in the greater Auckland region, specifically in the North Island (the small country town’s name is fictitious for the series), there are quite a few similarities to Midsomer Murders, but the two series are also distinctly their own. Lead by Neill Rea who stars in the lead role of Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Shepherd while Fern Sutherland plays Detective Constable Kristin Sims, the cast and pairing is incredibly likable and grounded as they follow where the twists and turns of each mystery lead them. So I was tickled to hear AcornTV would be premiering season 10 on Monday April 29th.

Décor

—Roanne Side Table Hazelnut, One King’s Lane

A side table that could fit in with traditional English décor and has a little bit of a lip which is something I discovered at Rita Konig’s North Farm in County Durham is wonderful to have.

Francophile Finds

—Death of a Master Chef, A Brittany mystery (book #9) by Jean-Luc Bannelac

Slip away to the northwest region of France and not only solve a mystery, but learn about the culture, the food, the sea and its influence on life and routines in Jean-Luc Bannelac’s Brittany mystery series. I have read the first five in this series and need to keep going because I do enjoy the main character Commissaire Georges Dupin as well as his partner (in life) as well as the new cast of characters that are introduced with each story. And this time, in the latest book Death of a Master Chef, we step into the kitchen which is certain to be a delicious exploration of the Brittany traditional fare. Look for the book to be released on April 30th.

—Murder In . . . , season 12 (and 13 and 14!), MhzChoice

This! Francophiles we are in for a treat with this news! Why? Because MHzChoice announced that beginning April 30th and for every Tuesday for the rest of the year (yep, all the way to December 2024), there will be a new episode of Murder In . . .. With the premiere of season 12 next week, and as that season concludes, they will just keep the seasons coming moving on to the 13th and then 14th. The revolving cast and locations looks to be quite a treat. Have a glimpse below and enjoy both the capers and the chemistry in each episode.

—Le Sud: Recipes from Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur by Rebekah Peppler

I have in my kitchen library and thoroughly have enjoyed cooking from her last cookbook À Table: Recipes for Cooking and Eating the French Way, so when I learned of her new cookbook, released just this past Tuesday, I know it will be worth adding to the library. From “James Beard Book Award finalist Rebekah Peppler: The definitive guide to the food, drink, and lifestyle of southeastern Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, featuring recipes that reflect the Provençal table from a modern perspective . . . described as more than just a cookbook, Peppler also includes alongside the recipes and photography fun, informative sidebars that reflect this perspective of eating and drinking in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur as well as an inspiring, approachable guide to the south of France. Sidebars elevate a reader’s knowledge of southeastern French cooking and eating, from the wines of the region to after-dinner drinking to the (modern) Provençal cheese plate.”

This looks like a book to not only pick up for cooking delicious food, but to savor for its exploration of the south of France and perhaps inspire your next trip.

—Niçoise: Market-Inspired Cooking From France’s Sunniest City by Rosa Jackson

Another cookbook released this month bringing southern French cuisine to the forefront is Rosa Jackson’s Niçoise: Market-inspired cooking from France’s Sunniest City. Along with 100 photographs, Jackson draws “on the city’s rich food traditions gathering over 100 recipes by season. Gliding through open air markets, tiny bakeries, and generations-old restaurants, she conjures a region and its cuisine as only a local can. Pull up a seat at the Niçoise table, a unique and captivating side of French food.” Oh my goodness. When is my next trip to France? When is yours? Hopefully soon!

Garden

—Christopher Lloyd Great Dixter Planting Spade, Gardenheir

Springtime is gardening time and having the best tools makes it all the more enjoyable. I poked around a bit on Gardenheir founding some treasures and wanted to share some finds if you are looking to make sure you have the trinity of hand tools as was shared in detail in April’s Gardening post here.

—The Trinity of Hand Tools, Sneeboer x Gardenheir

Shopping

—Cuyana’s Relaxed Blazer (three colors – black, camel, cream)

Okay, I think Cuyana has designed something that will actually be oversized (and therefore long enough for those of us tall in stature, thus long arms! ;)), and stylish. Well-made but affordable for a quality item, their Relaxed Blazers (the three here are made of a viscose and wool blend) and then the two below are made of linen – the navy is on my wishlist as I need a large navy blazer and having an extra camel one is never a bad idea. I would wear it constantly.

—Cuyana Linen Relaxed Blazer (navy and ecru)

—Victoria Beckham x Mango collaboration

British designer Victoria Beckham has partnered up with Mango to bring stylish, modern items at a more affordable price point. While her pieces in the collection all have a slight ‘edge’, I have shopped a handful of items that spoke to me and could definitely be incorporated into a timeless capsule wardrobe, all with a touch of signature.

~SHOP THE COLLECTION:

Television

—Hacks, Season 3, Max

On Thursday May 2nd Deborah Vance, played by Jean Smart, returns with Hannah Einbinder starring as her assistant Ava Daniels in Hacks. A series that had a wildly successful second season earning 17 nominations at the 2022 Emmys, including Outstanding Comedy Series and Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for Smart, an award she won.

Have a look at the trailer below and enjoy two episodes on its premiere with a new episode dropping each Thursday through May 30th.

—A Man in Full, Netflix

A new limited series that premieres on Thursday May 2nd stars Jeff Daniels as a real estate mogul Charlie Croker in A Man in Full who “faces bankruptcy, political and business interests collide, as he defends his empire from those attempting to capitalize on his fall from grace”. Diane Lane stars alongside Daniels playing his wife, and the series is created by David E. Kelley and directed by Regina King and Thomas Schlamme based on Tom Wolfe’s novel of the same name. Look for six episodes to be included in the series. Have a look at the trailer below.

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A tulip that defies all the rules of being a tulip is this delicate beauty, Lady Jane. Year after year for four years now, she returns and brings more of her friends with her. It delights me and my neighbors to no end as they pass by and I potter about, and clearly Nelle as well.

I hope this week has treated you well, and you are looking ahead to some time to rest, play and savor more flexible dancing with the minutes and hours of your day.

Here at Le Papillon, the weekend found me outside in the garden, and then during the week, I stepped inside and celebrated with some goofy dance moves in the house when the final curriculum notes were completed for the last lesson of the Contentment Masterclass! Wahoo! I cannot wait to bring this course to you. After years of exploration, learning, applying and then figuring out how to bring it to you so that you too can deepen your contentment, this a personal, one-on-one course (as much as video courses can be), and soon it will be available. A

All eight lessons (which is broken down into 60 mini lessons) for 15 hours of viewable content are complete – edited, produced and with corresponding curriculum notes to be printed or uploaded, however, you best enjoy or explore new information. Needless to say, it was a big day for us here earlier this week, and now to finalize the trailer that I look forward to sharing with you later in May during British Week. Stay tuned!

Because of that, if I haven’t responded yet to your email or comment, I want to apologize for the delay. Thank you to everyone who stopped by and commented on last week’s This & That, as well as this week’s What Made Me Smile post. And if you haven’t read Monday’s Motivational post, you are in for inspiration that will take the burden of defaults we may have thought we couldn’t relinquish off of our shoulders and eliminate so much stress and energy drain that need not be ours any longer.

Now to this weekend.

Each year when May nears, I eagerly anticipate sitting down with a full pot of tea, pouring it into my Union Jack Emma Bridgewater mug and partaking in a ritual that has been happening now for six years: finalizing the editorial posting schedule of the upcoming Annual British Week. Already having compiled the content I want to share months ago, so much of which will be from my recent trip to England in October, now is the time I pinpoint what will be shared, what the giveaways for certain will be and all of the delicious, fun and festive details sprinkled throughout the week. Needless to say, I am excited, just as I am each year, for our annual celebration of all things British, and I cannot wait to share all that is in store with you.

And speaking of Britain, all day yesterday (so, as I am typing today’s post), it rained and drizzled, then rained a bit more followed by constant drizzle and I soaked up every minute. Yes, a pluviophile at heart I am. I hope you are enjoying the weather wherever you are and soaking it up as well. Thank you for stopping by today and below are a handful or so of posts and articles I thought you might enjoy. Wishing you a wonderful weekend full of raindrops on noses or warmth on your back (whichever you prefer) as you get about doing what you most enjoy, followed by deeply sweet nights of sleep. Until Monday, bonne journée.

~Favorite read of the week: Want to Remember More? Make More Mistakes [WSJ]

~One of the two houses that Rita Konig will showcase the progress to completion in her new advanced interior design course with Create Academy is Deborah Needleman’s Hudson Valley home in New York, and you’ve got to take this tour. Her home (and garden) has been a 15 year journey of decorating, slowly, with Konig’s guidance, and steadily the two created a sanctuary full of inspiration. I will be beginning Rita’s course soon. Have you signed up? There is a limited time discount being offered right now for 20% off. [House & Garden UK] (discover what I learned in Rita Konig’s first course offered through Create Academy in this detailed post)

~To focus on one think, much like a monk, how and why to consider doing so [Zen Habits]

~Food for ponderous thinking about why we might give more attention and energy to fixing other people’s problems rather than our own [Seth Godin]

~Aside from exploring the content here on TSLL :), The Atlantic shares How to be less busy and more happy.

~Reclaim your time: conquer the four major time wasters [LifeHack]

~9 Best walks to take you through Paris [Fodors]

~Each year NYTimes shares a significant section dedicated to advice from the creative sector in their culture section of the T magazine and here is this year’s offering: How do you become an artist? [gift link]

~9 traits of successful people [Ideapod]

~This last Sunday in Oakham, England, a new statue of Queen Elizabeth was revealed, and it includes her corgis. Love this. [NYTimes, gift link]

~Thoughts about how to dress with more sophistication or, ‘to look more grown up’ [NYTimes]

~30 small habits that lead to a more peaceful life [LifeHack]

~17 small front garden ideas for every budget [House & Garden UK]

~And taking you back more than a few years to one of the classic moments of Bake-Off blunders with Joanna Lumley. Have a look and rest assured, baking errors are definitely something to laugh about. 🙂

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~Explore last week’s This & That: April 19, 2024:

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