The transition between summer and fall begins, where there is sometimes a lag of new releases in nearly all arenas, but not in fashion, most assuredly not, and with more than a few books that I definitely want to bring your attention to that were released these past few months that have not been shared yet here on T & T, we’re exploring a memoir that takes us to Paris and dives deep into pleasure post-pandemic, a book about the science (and yep, benefit!) of solitude, a cultural exploration of Queen Elizabeth II’s likeness as it appeared ubiquitously in endless places during her historically long reign, a book to remind us of the freedoms of American women we would be wise to never take for granted and two French books now available in English that are must-reads and adds to the library. As well a fun comedy series returns to television that always brings joy to August when it premieres. And still, there is more!

Books

—The Movement: How the Women’s Liberation Transformed America, 1963-1973 by Clara Bingham

After having read the review in The Financial Times of Clara Bingham’s new book The Movement, released just this past July 30th, I immediately put it in my shopping cart. As someone who taught Civics and Government to high school seniors for a handful of years, it often surprised and disheartened me to know how little most young women knew about the struggles and eventual triumphs that occurred in the 60s and 70s for women’s rights in America that enabled them to live the life of so many freedoms and assumptive privileges they now have; however, at the same time, it made teaching this course one of my favorite courses as upon concluding the class, many female students, and even male students would extend their appreciation for the new-found awareness. I count myself among them in so far as I appreciate all the more so much of the independence I am able to savor in my life choices primarily because such choices were not afforded or available to women for centuries and most became a freedom not that long ago.

Bingham’s historical research and inclusion of a wide breath of women’s voices from different backgrounds, ethnicities and social economic status, “traces women’s awakening, organizing, and agitating between the years of 1963 and 1973, when a decentralized collection of people and events coalesced to create a spontaneous combustion. From Betty Friedan’s The Feminine Mystique, to the underground abortion network the Janes, to Shirley Chisholm’s presidential campaign and Billie Jean King’s 1973 battle of the sexes, Bingham artfully weaves together the fragments of that explosion person by person, bringing to life the emotions of this personal, cultural, and political revolution. Artists and politicians, athletes and lawyers, Black and white, The Movement brings readers into the rooms where these women insisted on being treated as first class citizens, and in the process, changed the fabric of American life”.

—Solitude: The Science and Power of Being Alone by Netta Weinstein

It will surprise nearly no one when I share that the contents of this book speak to what has been a way of life I love living for so many of the reasons it extols. Of course, I share time and enjoy time with others, but far less than most people, and this is by design. Netta Weinstein’s book Solitude (released in April 2024) speaks to “the science of solitude [that shows] that alone time can be a powerful space used to tap into countless benefits. Translating key research findings into actionable facts and advice, this book shows that alone time can boost well-being. From relaxation and recharging to problem solving and emotion regulation, solitude can benefit personal growth, contentment, creativity, and our relationships with ourselves and others. Learning what makes us better at spending time alone can help us move toward our best possible selves”. All this and more I know to be true which is why one of the grounding and crucial parts of building a life of contentment, as taught in TSLL’s Contentment Masterclass, is learning how to enjoy time in your own company as you discover what is available for you to gain when you do.

British Finds

—Rowen & Wren’s Elbert Footstool in Belgian linen fabric (multiple color options)

An ottoman in the house, a large, sumptuous ottoman, with an English classic tufted top, is a favorite piece in my own living room, and with Rowen & Wren’s new offering in six different Belgian linen fabrics, complete with traditional wood detailed legs, these ottomans are available at a very fair price.

—Q: A Voyage Around the Queen by Craig Brown

To be released this coming week in the UK and in October in the US, if you ever wondered how often and in in what ways the image of Queen Elizabeth II has appeared in public, humorist Craig Brown has compiled oodles of them, and with engaging effect. A Voyage Around the Queen shares the variety of ways “her likeness has been reproduced―in photographs, on stamps, on the notes and coins of thirty different currencies . . . Up until now, the curious tactic employed by biographers of the Queen has been to ignore what is interesting and to concentrate on what is not. Craig Brown, the author of 150 Glimpses of the Beatles and Hello Goodbye Hello, rejects this formula, bringing his kaleidoscopic approach to the most famous―and most guarded― woman on earth, examining the Queen through a succession of interlocking prisms.”

Order it in the US here when it will be released on October 1st.

Films

—Between the Temples

Receiving quite high praising reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, Between the Temples stars Nathan Silver as Jason Schwartzman, a cantor in a crisis of faith who finds his world turned upside down when his grade school music teacher (Carol Kane) re-enters his life as his new adult Bat Mitzvah student”. With humor and genuine heartwarming storytelling, this looks like a wonderfully fun and enjoyable film to watch. Have a look at the trailer below and find it in theaters beginning today.

Francophile Find

—Clara Reads Proust by Stéphane Carlier (translated by Polly Mackintosh)

I recently learned of these next two books in the most recent issue of Sharon Santoni’s My French Country Home magazine, and immediately wanted to share. A novel, Clara Reads Proust, is translated from its original French, and tells the story of hairdresser Clara who works at Cindy Coiffure, a sleepy French salon. Experiencing an identity crisis, Clara’s relationship is fizzling out, her tanoholic boss Madame Habib worships Jacques Chirac and talks longingly of her days in Paris, and now Madame Lévy-Leroyer wants to go blonde. Clara can’t help but wonder if there’s more to life than this . . . 

“Everything changes when a customer leaves behind the first volume of In Search of Lost Time by Marcel Proust. As Clara reads, she discovers a new world. And slowly but surely, she will work out who she wants to be.”

I cannot wait to read this book, and if you too are looking to read the Proust title that inspires the storyline, and have yet to read it, here it is.

~released this past May, 2024~

—Classic French Recipes by Ginette Black

Oh, appetites, you will be tempted! From the author of Je sais cuisiner, the best-selling home-cooking book in France for over 90 years, Ginette Black’s Classic French Recipes is a new edition of her most beloved and most well-known and recognized classic French recipes. Now with the recipes shared in English, even more of us can learn from the talented food writer.

With newly commissioned photos, as well as two ribbon markers, “more than 170 of the finest French dishes have been selected from her works, such as the iconic Onion Soup Gratin, Dauphinois Potatoes, as well as regional dishes including Beef bourguignon from Bourgogne and Ratatouille from Provence, and iconic staples such as Vol-au-vent, Eggs in meurette sauce, Vichy carrots, Stuffed oysters, Crème brûlée, Pears in wine, and Tarte Tatin.”

This book is definitely one for the cookbook library in our kitchens.

—I’m Mostly Here to Enjoy Myself: One Woman’s Pursuit of Pleasure in Paris by Glynnis MacNicol

While some of us unexpectedly found great joy and respite during the pandemic, understandably, many of us did not, and writer Glynnis MacNicol falls into the latter group. When March 2020 arrived, this 46-year old, unmarried with no children “spent sixteen months alone in her tiny Manhattan apartment. The isolation was punishing. A year without touch . . . When the opportunity to sublet a friend’s apartment in Paris arose, MacNicol jumped on it. Leaving felt less like a risk than a necessity . . . What follows is a decadent, joyful, unexpected journey into one woman’s pursuit of radical enjoyment.

“There is dancing on the Seine; a plethora of gooey cheese; midnight bike rides through empty Paris; handsome men; afternoons wandering through the empty Louvre; nighttime swimming in the ocean off a French island. And yes, plenty of nudity.

“In the spirit of Nora Ephron and Deborah Levy (think Colette . . . if she’d had access to dating apps), I’m Mostly Here to Enjoy Myself is an intimate, insightful, powerful, and endlessly pleasurable memoir of an intensely lived experience whose meaning and insight expand far beyond the personal narrative.” I think this one will be quite the fun read. A copy is en route as I type!

—Pillivuyt Plisse Teapots (large & small sizes)

Such simplicity and delicate beauty. Pillivuyt, an heirloom French porcelain brand, “has been producing fine porcelain in the heart of the Berry region for 200 years, making it home to some of the oldest and most prestigious porcelain brands in France. Pillivuyt represents a tradition of excellence, handed down from generation to generation of master artisans and industrial porcelain makers. Each item is made entirely and uniquely in France, and the company is a beacon for French excellence and expertise around the globe.” Perhaps this brand will be included in a future French Week and what a special giveaway this would be. 🙂 But for now, these teapots! J’adore? Vous aussi?  

Shopping

—Banana Republic The Slim Jean

Fall wardrobe refreshing has begun, and these slim straight leg jeans would be a versatile item and also available at a great price – $110!

—Claridge & King’s Ava Dress in Navy Broad Stripe

Summer is not over yet, and this dress would be a timeless item to wear for many spring and summers to come. Wear the belt to cinch your waist, no belt as seen below or choose your own belt. I appreciate the vertical striped cuff to end the long sleeves which provide a frame and a bit more formality to a very casual dress.

—Elemis Friends & Family Sale, 25% off

My fellow lovers of London skincare brand Elemis, their Friends & Family sale is now on! Use promo code FRIENDS to save 25% off site-wide when you sign up for their newsletter. I regularly use their rose cleansing balm each evening and love how it makes my skin feel while also removing the day’s makeup and dirt – supple, a glow, yet refreshed. I have shopped a few items below, but be sure to explore their entire site to capitalize on the savings.

~SHOP THE SALE:

—Emerson Fry, Ivory Stripe Silk Shirt

Emerson Fry just released this new boyfriend striped shirt (so a bit oversized), and while I cannot tell if the stripes are black or navy (the item’s page doesn’t indicate this detail), to my eye it looks black, but I could be wrong. Either way, I like the subtle drape and the timeless stripes for a fall top to pair with jeans or pants or even a skirt and heels.

—J.Crew Denim Utility Dress

One dress I have been wearing frequently this August is Veronica Beard’s denim midi dress which resembles the two below very closely. However, these two – this one from J.Crew, and then just below from Madewell, are available at far nicer prices, so I wanted to bring them to your attention.

I pair my dress with 1″ brown sandals, and when I am out at the market for example, a simple Panama hat. The denim has a bit of heft to keep you warm if the temps are moderate, but also is cool at the same time as it isn’t tight. A classic casual piece to dress up the everyday.

—Madewell Denim Western Midi Shirt dress in Laselle Wash

A bit longer than the dress above, hitting below the knee, so akin to a midi-length, this dress doesn’t come with a belt, so you will want to wrap with something, but when you find the right belt, and even roll the sleeves if you prefer, this is an everyday dress to take you into fall.

And I have shopped some belts for you below!

—Zimmermann leather belt, 70% off

A brilliant chestnut brown and matte brass buckle, cinch your waist with a subtle statement.

—Zimmermann Twisted Leather belt, 50% off

One more from the same brand, and still at a great savings for leather.

—Veronica Beard, Monique Silk Button-Down Shirt in Ivory (and blue stripe)

I have been on the hunt for a quality ivory silk shirt, and as I have had great success with Veronica Beard’s clothing, this blouse caught my eye in their new collection. Again, the cuffed sleeves, opaque fabric, pair with really just about anything, and a simple, delicate necklace and you are set. Available in the blue and white stripe seen below as well.

Television

—Only Murders in the Building, season 4, Hulu

Premiering next Tuesday, August 27th on Hulu is the fourth season of a dramedy that continues to get recognition at the Emmys and for good reason. The main cast has great chemistry and is a hoot to watch, and with each passing season they add more and more cameos from beloved stars – old and new. Have a look at the trailer and enjoy the new season with Steve Martin, Selena Gomes and Martin Short.

The winding down of summer with its still warm days, but slightly cooler temps, the schedules are about to pick up, but for many of us haven’t quite yet, and so we linger with delight. At least that is what and how I hope you are able to savor this time of year.

These past three days, having taken them off from being in the office full time (I popped in and out to finish up French Week and create the trailer for the cooking show which will be shared next week) provided an opportunity to see where my mind would go and what ideas would pop up, and oh, what fun it was. And yep, one afternoon found me visiting a local bookshop (shown above). I couldn’t help myself! Picking up a used book that has been a favorite for years, but I hadn’t added it to my library, I also discovered an author writing retro capers akin to Agatha Christie but set in the Golden Ages of NYC, published decades ago and only now brought back to our attention. I will let you know how it goes.

From pottering about in the garden, beginning to set my sails for new décor projects and contemplating exactly which trees to replace the two aspens that didn’t make it this year as now is the ideal time to plant new trees in the garden!, the three days flew by and I am grateful to have been able to spend them here in Bend, a town I feel so fortunate to call my hometown.

And now to the weekend we go! I hope you had a wonderful week and are looking ahead to the space and time to do what both needs to be done to help you feel most prepared for the coming start to fall, as well as what you want to do to savor the last moments of summer.

Below are a few articles and one video to explore, and until Monday, bonne journée !

~If you are looking for a simple recipe full of satiating savory flavor, and have courgettes available, give this one a try. I made this Roasted Zucchini and Shrimp w/Zaatar Yogurt earlier this week and found it easy and quite delicious. [NYCooking]

~10 words to reconsider saying at all [Hack Spirit]

~How getting an allotment changed one writer’s relationship with food [The Guardian]

~How to pick the perfect French wine for your tastes [Taste France]

~Yoga improves mental cognition and may have other health benefits beyond the physical as well. [Washington Post]

~I cannot wait for my next trip and to hopefully leave from Portland’s newly remodeled terminal! It looks gorgeous from all of the video and photos I have seen. Just opening last Wednesday, here are some glimpses inside, and rest assured, they definitely made sure to keep the iconic carpet (if you have flown into or out of PDX, you know what I am talking about!). [Afar]

~20 Seasonal salad recipes from Provence [Perfectly Provence]

~Part One of Season 4 of Emily in Paris: The fashion was fun, the storylines full of drama – some light-hearted, others serious, and with some outings to well-known places and events in the city and outside of Paris. This video tour gives context to how the set designers make it look Parisian and when it actually is on the ground in a Paris locale. Enjoy the tour!

~Explore last week’s This & That: August 16, 2024 – French-inspired!

Many French clothing brand finds to help accentuate your fall capsule wardrobe, a new art exhibit about Paris and sport, books about the French culture – novels and history as well as cookbooks just to name a few of the genres, cooking supplies made in France, a tote to take with you to the market that will no doubt make people smile, the oldest French tea company and they ship internationally! As well as a few finds that aren’t French-inspired but fit in perfectly due to being centered around what is often celebrated and treasured by the French. And of course, there is much more. ?

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