A book about a beloved bookshop in Scotland, shoes and boots for both women and men, many books that come highly praised by book critics for cooks, for cozy mystery enthusiasts, fiction and a newly translated Italian novel worth checking out. Gardeners! The return just in time of a beloved series, and a rom-com/love story film that has slipped under the radar starring Sally Field as the mother to The Big Bang Theory‘s Jim Parsons. Plus a designer sale not to miss, British cookbook author Amelia Freer’s new book, a beautiful linen-covered journal made in England just in time to start fresh for the new year, and much more.

Books

—Molly & The Captain by Anthony Quinn

Highly reviewed in The Financial Times, Anthony Quinn’s novel Molly & The Captain centers around a painting created by “a celebrated artist of the Georgian era who paints his two young daughters at the family home in Bath. The portrait, known as ‘Molly & the Captain’, becomes instantly famous, its fate destined to echo down the centuries, touching many lives . . . Through the prism of a single painting it examines the mysteries of creativity, and the ambiguous nature of success. What weighs more, loyalty to one’s talent or loyalty to one’s blood? Does self-sacrifice ennoble the soul or degrade it? And what does it mean to speak of the past when its hold on the present is inescapable?”

—The Seamstress of Sardinia: A Novel by Bianca Pitzorno

—Why We Meditate: The Science and Practice of Clarity and Compassion by Daniel Goleman and  Tsoknyi Rinpoche 

Being released on December 6th, Why We Meditate blends “Eastern tradition with Western science helping readers embrace and understand meditation as never before . . . With accessible and eye-opening advice based on groundbreaking neuroscience, this guidebook helps you not only break free from negative patterns of thought and behavior but radically embrace your very being.”

—Your Table is Ready: Tales of a New York City Maître D’ by Michael Cecchi-Azzolina

“From a career maître d’hotel who manned the front of the room in New York City’s hottest and most in-demand restaurants, Michael Cecchi-Azzolina’s phone number was passed around among those who wanted to curry favor, during the decades when restaurants replaced clubs and theater as, well, theater in the most visible, vibrant city in the world.” This books looks to be quite fascinating.

British Find

—Gardeners’ World Winter Special Episodes, BritBox, BBC2

Oh, how I am glad these four holiday episodes will be available beginning this Friday and each subsequent Friday on BBC2 and BritBox. With entirely new segments captured throughout the year, along with a few winter how-tos, join the team at Gardeners’ World as they step back into the garden even if we can’t do so right at the this moment in our own. 🙂 Watch the trailer below for a peek of what to expect.

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—Murder After Christmas (British Library Crime Classic) by Rupert Latimer

In the WSJ’s list of books to read in 2022, shared this past weekend, British writer Rupert Latimer’s Murder After Christmas was recommended. The author’s name is a pseudonym, so no one seems to know who wrote it (originally published in 1944), but the mystery shared between the covers (as well, I suppose, who the author might be) continues to enthrall readers.

—The Organised Cook: The Life-changing Way to Save Time, Shop Smarter and Eat More Healthily by Amelia Freer

Look for cookbook author and nutritionist Amelia Freer’s new book to be released on December 8th in the UK, and the title says it all.

—Remainders of the Day: A Bookshop Diary by Shaun Bythell

—Seasons, handcrafted Linen journals (more colors)

With the new year quickly approaching, and my current journal nearly full, I am shopping around for a new one, and when I learned of the linen-covered journals from Seasons, complete with gold-framing corners, I took note. Handcrafted in England and available in multiple colors, they have other journals and stationery as well, but for fewer than $40, the linen journals are calling my name.

Cookbooks

—Cooking: Simply & Well, for One or Many by Jeremy Lee

Coming highly recommended from The Financial Times in their Books of 2022 is British chef Jeremy Lee’s new book Cooking: Simply & Well, for One or Many. Winning praise from Nigella Lawson and Stanley Tucci, Lee’s cookbook keeps at its focus – “Good food honed from great ingredients . . . There are sections on the usefulness and frugality of breadcrumbs, black olive crumbs to serve with everything; impromptu puddings like peaches in wine with bay leaves or plum compote with ricotta and hazelnuts; pea dishes galore; superb versions of classics like chocolate St Emilion and pommes Anna; big dishes to serve a few such as marinated chicken with roast pumpkin salad; and essentials like a wild garlic purée.” Okay, I am intrigued and my appetite is most curious.

Film

—Spoiler Alert

A film that has not debuted at any film festivals as of yet, Spoiler Alert is a rom-com/love story that will perhaps melt your heart this holiday season. However, do note, it is not a holiday film, but a reminder of love, how it asks us to be vulnerable, brave and that it forever goes on. Jim Parsons and Bill Aldridge star in the love story of their characters, how they met, their wedding and life’s ups and downs. Based on the memoir Spoiler Alert: The Hero Dies: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Other Four-Letter Words by Michael Ausiello, have a look at the trailer below (Parsons stars as Ausiello)

Shopping

—Cos, Men’s Zip-Up Leather Ankle Boots, Black

—Loeffler Randall Goldy Safari Tall Boot (four colors)

—Maison Margiela tan replica leather and suede sneakers, 50% off

—Ghōud Suede lo-top Sneakers (many different color combinations), 15% off

Speaking of sneakers, a handful of high and medium-to-higher-end brands make sneakers that are quite the trend on Paris streets. Pair with wide-leg trousers and well, you might just fit right in amongst the locals (or at least the shopping locals) in Paris.

—Moda Operandi Designer Sale

If there is a designer you love, be sure to check out this sale, as the prices are not to miss. I have shopped more than a handful of items below, but there are many more finds to discover.

–Polo Ralph Lauren Cable-Knit Cashmere Tech gloves (three colors)

A must-have if you walk and talk, walk and text, walk and email. You get the idea. 🙂

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Well, hello December. One more month in this year of 2022, and I am ready to savor every day. Beginning with savoring this Christmas Stollen. As I shared in yesterday’s A Cuppa Moments w/Shannon video, making this German recipe each Christmas has now become a tradition at Le Papillon, and a delicious one at that. I show you how to make it in this cooking video. This year as you will notice above in the pic, I placed the dough in a French bread/cake pan and it helped to keep the structure a bit better as mine tend to go far too flat while baking. 🙂 So, a small tweak to the original recipe. If I could share a slice of this marzipan filled delicious bread I would. Oh my, it is hard to stop at one slice!

The second quarter of my French language classes began yesterday, and I have to admit, it was so nice to be back in the classroom, exploring and deepening my understanding of this beautiful language. I am still continuing my way through the basics, but my fundamental understanding of the construction of the language grammatically is strengthening, and that is what I was hoping would happen.

Snow has been arriving in Bend off and on all week, so most definitely our trek to the mountain to find our tree for the house this weekend will be a wintery wonderland one. Excited for this outing I am! The Dr. Seuss just came out in me, but oh my goodness I am excited (and I have a feeling the pups will be too when they realize what we will be up to). Needless to say, this weekend will be filled with holiday decorating and truly kicking off the Christmas season at Le Papillon and I am ready for it.

This week on the blog has been a fully one, so be sure to explore your weekly newsletter email if you subscribe (if you don’t, it’s free and arrives each Friday sharing the posts for the week – sign up here). An exclusive discount is available to TSLL readers (15% for all readers, and 20% for TOP Tier readers) who are looking for a leather wallet or handbag from France from small business Brontibay Paris (see the above pics capturing one of my favorites they sent me – I will be using this retro-inspired leather wallet for my Travel Wallet as a passport fits inside beautifully.) I wrote a detail post on this wonderfully talented duo and shared even more details in December’s A Cuppa Moments. Also, a reader favorite monthly post was shared on Wednesday, 12 Things That Made Me Smile This Month, and Monday’s Motivational post was all about how love actually is all around us each day and each moment.

Happy Friday. The first Friday of the month has arrived, and perhaps I should have begun with this beautifully welcomed phrase because the weekend awaits and I hope you have a wonderful couple of days to do what you are looking forward to whether that is holiday related or just rest and rejuvenated related. 🙂 Thank you for choosing to stop by today. Below are articles, posts and one trailer that has been long anticipated, I thought you might enjoy. Until Monday, bonne journée.

~It’s official the French baguette now has world Heritage status as given by UNESCO [Le Monde, English edition]

~Step into the garden with Monty Don and his December newsletter

~Speaking of gardeners, The English Garden shares 37 Christmas presents for gardeners.

~How to decorate your Christmas tree like the British royal family [Britain magazine]

~A tremendous thank you to UK reader Sue for sharing this list of Best Christmas hotels in the UK for 2022 – the first one sets the luxurious tone quite well! [Red]

~An introduction to Paris jazz (and where to find it) [The Earful Tower]

~Elif Batuman’s first novel was short-listed for a Pulitzer, and her second is receiving just as much praise. Here is a new interview she gave to The Paris Review, “Does it Have to Be This Way?”

~What this writer has learned after living five years in Paris. Beginning at the top of the list, she is spot on! [HipParis]

~A highly respected garden designer, Philippe DuBreuil talks French Garden Design and Sharon Santoni shares the ideas he has for her garden that she might be implementing soon! [My French Country Home]

~David Bowie on Creativity and his advice to Artists [Marginalia]

~Short, simple and true! Daily practices for living to 90 or 100 [CNBC]

~And the trailer has officially been released by Netflix for the docuseries Harry & Meghan. Look for it to premiere later this month (a date has yet to be shared).

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~Explore last week’s This & That: November 25, 2022

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