Two wonderful new documentaries, a new gardening book from a gardener that many TSLL respect and look to for gardening advice through the seasons, books about community and connection, chocolate from France, gorgeous, timeless clothing also from France, clothing to prepare our wardrobe for spring, and sales galore on all sorts of things as a long holiday weekend begins. Still, there is more.

Books

—Three books shared in Outfits of the Month

Three new books were shared this week in Outfits of the Month post that were quite popular with readers. Be sure to check out that post here, as the books shared each month paired with each outfit are never duplicated in a This & That post. More potential books to add to your TBR list!

—Hot Chocolate on Thursday: A Novel by Michiko Aoyama 

Now available in English translation, the novel Hot Chocolate on Thursday seeks to assert that “the small, everyday acts that we do can lead to unexpected encounters, reverberate far beyond our own circle, and ultimately make a difference in the world around us . . . Across a bridge in a quiet neighborhood in Tokyo, a seasonal cherry blossom sits on the river. Nearby is the Marble Cafe, where a woman writes in a notebook and a young waiter prepares her favorite hot drink. Both wonder about each other and about the other lives of the clientele who frequent this charming little cafe behind the trees…”

—Theo of Golden: A Novel by Allen Levi

Released back in October and already a New York Times bestseller, Theo of Golden tells the story of just that, a young man named Theo who lives in the small town of Golden. “His name is Theo. And he asks a lot more questions than he answers. Theo visits the local coffeehouse, where ninety-two pencil portraits hang on the walls, portraits of the people of Golden done by a local artist. He begins purchasing them, one at a time, and putting them back in the hands of their ‘rightful owners.’ With each exchange, a story is told, a friendship born, and a life altered.”

British Finds

—British Gardens by Monty Don and Derry Moore

If you had the opportunity to watch the five-part series on BBC2 hosted by Monty Don last year of the same name, then you know what a treasure this new book British Gardens will be. Being released in the UK this coming week, and next month in the US, discover “historical gardens and public parks, mountains and seascapes, urban gardens and rural nurseries, glasshouses and community plots, each encounter is another link in a larger story of British identity: marks of ingenuity, eccentricity, and adaptation to changing environments. From Northumbria’ s Alnwick Gardens and Beatrix Potter’ s Lake District farmhouse to the rewilded walled garden on the Knepp Estate and the story of Britain’ s first garden gnome, Monty’ s account brings in an astonishing range of British experience.” Illustrated with stunning photography from Monty’ s long-time collaborator Derry Moore, this a book for the gardener and the Anglophile. 

Order directly through Penguin publishing house here for US and UK shoppers.

—Finding Harmony: A King’s Vision, Amazon Prime

Premiering last weekend, Finding Harmony: A King’s Vision is produced by Passion Planet inviting viewers to see a different side of King Charles III, and a behind-the-scenes look at one of his greatest passions, Harmony.  I first have to thank many TSLL readers who emailed or DMed me to share their sincere enjoyment of the film, following having watched it last weekend. Thank you especially to Vickie I. and Lucy. I sat down to watch the film yesterday, and it is a must-watch. I thoroughly enjoyed it; I found it refreshing, uplifting, but also a grave reminder of our responsibility to Mother Earth and humanity as a whole, yet being reminded and inspired throughout the film of all that is possible when we invest in harmony as the King has for decades, bravely and often, while being jeered at. Truly, someone ahead of his time.

While I had heard about the film, I didn’t realize it was so widely available, but yep, it is! Available worldwide, in 240 countries and territories, stream here on Amazon Prime for free. Narrated by Kate Winslet, ambassador for The King’s Foundation, His Majesty’s nature and sustainability charity, filming for the landmark documentary took place across four continents. The film spotlights how The King’s Foundation has influenced sustainable design in more than 175 communities around the world, including Guyana, India , and Afghanistan, implementing the Philosophy of Harmony into projects globally. I look forward to watching it soon. 

Cookbooks

—The Vegan Kitchen by Jean-Christian Jury

Released on February 4th, The Vegan Kitchen “collects 75 of the best recipes from Jean-Christian Jury’s classic compendium Vegan: The Cookbook, highlighting fresh, tasty dishes enjoyed in every corner of the globe. Home cooks will discover creative techniques for transforming vegetables, grains, beans, legumes, and other vegan staple ingredients into exciting, meat-free meals. Chapters on Starters, Salads, Soups, Main Courses, Grains & Beans, Pasta & Noodles, Cakes & Pies, and Desserts reveal the breadth and creativity of vegan cuisine.”

Films

—The Museum of Innocence, Netflix

Premiering today on Netflix, the nine-episode series, The Museum of Innocence is set in 1970s Istanbul. Based on the Nobel Prize-winning author Orhan Pamuk’s iconic novel of the same name, published to great acclaim in 2009. 

The novel begins in 1975, “a perfect spring in Istanbul. Kemal and Sibel, children of two prominent families, are about to become engaged. But when Kemal encounters Füsun, a beautiful shopgirl and a distant relation, he becomes enthralled. And once they violate the code of virginity, a rift begins to open between Kemal and the world of the Westernized Istanbul bourgeoisie. In his pursuit of Füsun over the next eight years, Kemal becomes a compulsive collector of objects that chronicle his lovelorn progress—amassing a museum that is both a map of a society and of his heart.” Have a look at the trailer below.

—Queen of Chess

Critics are praising the new documentary profiling chess phenom Judit Polgár. Now available on Netflix, Chess Queen gives viewers an intimate look into the battles against “skepticism, sexism, and champion Garry Kasparov to claim her place among the game’s all-time greats in this documentary.” Have a look at the trailer below. 

—Wuthering Heights

Premiering today and available only in theaters is another adaptation of Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights, the tension-fueled romance between Catherine and Heathcliff, and this time, in the hands of Academy Award and BAFTA-winning filmmaker Emerald Fennell (she both directed and wrote the screenplay). Knowing that Fennell was the director behind Saltburn and Promising Young Woman and was also the actress who played the role of Camilla Parker Bowles in the final season of The Crown, especially given the first two items on her resumé/CV, audiences are in for a unique interpretation based on what some critics have heavily criticized. To begin with, notice that the title itself is in quotation marks. This is not just a stylish graphic choice; it intentionally gives Fennell authorship of this adaptation because, as readers of Brontë’s novel will quickly ascertain, this film only adheres, and quite literally at that, to the first half of the novel. 

Having read the novel many years ago and still remembering how tension-riddled the plot is, I probably won’t watch this adaptation; however, each adaptation reflects the zeitgeist from which it springs, so I should watch it to better understand what captures viewers’ attention today. However, I know myself too well and will likely try to catch up by watching previous adaptations. Per a recommendation from a TSLL reader, Binoche and Fiennes’ version (1992) is likely more my style. Have a look at the trailer below.

Francophile Find

—Art Capital, Paris

If you will be in Paris this weekend, be sure to visit the Grand Palais and explore the more than “3,000 artists, four iconic fairs, and one promise!” Opening today to the public and running through Sunday February 15^th, the exhibition allows visitors to meet those who shape today’s art.

Make a day of it and “talk with the artists, discovering their sources of inspiration, understanding their approach or simply sharing a moment around their work gives a deeply human and authentic dimension to the visit.” Oh my, if I was in Paris, I would most certainly be in attendance. To everyone attending, have an amazing time. 

—Alain Ducasse’s Valentine’s Day Chocolates

Ohhhh, I know Valentine’s Day is one day away, and placing an order for this special chocolate treat from French chocolatier Alain Ducasse now means it won’t arrive in time, but a belated Valentine’s Day gift is a delicious idea too. 

This box of 12 truffles looks absolutely divine. 

“These small milk hearts have been filled with a praliné so irresistible that one bite is never enough. It all starts with hazelnuts from Italy (sent by our preferred producers with whom we’ve been working from the start). They are roasted and covered with cooked sugar to obtain caramelized blocks. These blocks are then ground to make a praliné paste, to which cocoa butter is added for consistency, and Madagascar vanilla beans for subtle, comforting notes.”

Maybe I’ll order a box for myself 😉 (and uep, they do ship to the States, and since the shipping is quite steep, why not buy a few boxes and make the shipping worth it? :))

—Eric Bompard’s Bare-shoulder dress

Made of 66% cashmere, 28 % silk, and 6% elastane, this timeless dress is one to take note of for the winter capsule. Whether you like the length or would prefer to have it shortened to become a midi, what I love about this is that the shoulder isn’t ‘off-the-shoulder’ but rather only hints at it. Add a beautiful silk scarf tied in a classic French knot, a pair of heeled boots or pumps, and a stunning look of timelessness is created. 

Shopping

—Boden’s Emilia Cotton Crew T-shirt

—Bombas’s 20% off

I regularly wear socks for my outdoor activities, and that means they get great wear and tear. I can honestly say, that once I began wearing Bombas socks, it takes many years before I have to replace them. They last, and with each purchase, you do good. Bombas was a sponsor of The Simple Sophisticate podcast for a long time, and I am proud to have had their support. I keep returning to Bombas when I need more socks, which isn’t often due to their high quality, but I know I will find what I need when I need it. Use promo code COMFORT20 at checkout.

—Cole Haan’s Bomber Style Jacket in navy

With spring just around the corner, this navy Bomber Style jacket caught my eye as being a perfect, versatile, yet stylish outerwear choice. “Hitting at the hip (20.5” in length) with a structured shell that holds its shape without feeling stiff, the jacket has a self-ribbed hem and cuffs keep the silhouette clean, while the unlined interior makes it easy to layer when temperatures shift.”

—Evereve’s Catie Ribbed Polo Top

Made of 91% cotton and 9% spandex, this classic polo brings a touch of classic, yet signature style, either in stripes or contrasting cuffs and collar. I can see this top being perfect for layering under a jacket or blazer, while also easily able to stand alone paired with a sharp pair of trousers. 

Shop either option here – Solid or Stripes.

—Lauren Ralph Lauren Polka-Dot Belted Crepe dress

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The first daffodils found in the grocery store this week came home, and what a burst of sunshine they brought to the house. As I spy my own daffodils emerging from the soil, in a few more weeks’ time we may have our own blooms in the garden here at Le Papillon. Wahoo!

And happy almost Valentine’s Day! Having the middle of February fall on a long-weekend feels quite cozy to me. However you are choosing to enjoy it, may there be oodles of love, definitely some nibbles of delicious chocolate, and time to do as you most enjoy with those you love (that includes time in your own company 😊 whilst with your pups and feline companions as well, most definitely!). 

I want to thank everyone for your cheer and enthusiasm with the reveal of Savoring the Sojourn, TSLL’s 4^th book. As I have said repeatedly, I cannot wait for September to arrive so that you can begin to enjoy it – view the detailed reveal post, complete with the trailer, inspiration, and focus of the book, and more here. Between now and then, I will be recording the audio version so that all four formats will be available (for the first time ever, as I am usually trying to catch up with completing the audio version) on the release date – one of the handful of reasons why September was chosen for the book’s release (the most important reason has to do with the content’s focus 😊).

Now to Valentine’s weekend! And until Sunday, bonne journée.

~If you are in Paris for Valentine’s Day weekend, here is an extensive list of cakes to share that look like pieces of art. Gorgeous and almost so-much-so, it would be hard to enjoy them for dessert which is why we take photos 😉 [Do It in Paris]

~Home Tour of the Week: This former vicarage in Bath is restored to marry touches of modernity with cozy, inviting traditional style.Loving all of the vintage details, including the door in the kitchen. [House and Garden UK]

~If you love and use Nuxe products (this body cream is my go-to and has been for years – I keep it stocked, purchasing a few jars at a time when they go on sale), they are having a site-wide 20% off Valentine’s Day sale. Shop it here.

~10 French handbag companies to know, and one that is not included on the list, but that I love and use daily is Bleu de Chauffe – their navy postman’s crossbody bag has been my daily go-to since 2022 [Harper’s Bazaar UK]

~If you happen to be living in an area that is experiencing a dry winter as we are in Bend, don’t forget to water some of your plants! Gardeners’ World reminds us of how much and when. I have been doing this periodically with my two new trees planted this past autumn. 

~As someone who tends to eat dinner early, and I mean early – 5pm, I continue to stick to this non-traditional time because I sleep much better. What to eat and when to get a better sleep. [Financial Times]

~Use promo code LOVE20 to save 20% off site-wide on your favorite French food and kitchen products from The French Farm.

~Speaking of food, as someone who frequently enjoys her meals, as evidenced by the stains on my shirts and many trips to the dry cleaners, having a Tide To-Go pen in my purse or nearby is a must-do, and it made the list of Wirecutter’s Best Stain Removers. Have a look here.

~However you can in winter, get outside. This article explains how it is vital for our mental health and well-being. [Gardeners’ World]

~HipParis shares the perfect solo afternoon in Paris. 

~Make your own chocolate-covered, strawberry Swiss roll for Valentine’s Day. [Delish]

~Discover two timelessly charming (and romantic) restaurants in Paris. [France Today]

~A big thank you to TSLL reader Sue for sharing these peeks into season 2 of Bookish! It looks like wonderful new characters and a new cast will be included in this already-in-production new season. Cannot wait for it to premiere later this year. (Learn more about why this new British mystery series was chosen as a Petit Plaisir for episode #419). [Radio Times]

~Did you know? Already placed on the Eiffel Tour are 72 men’s names who Gustave Eiffel wished to honor for their contributions in science. But not one woman’s name was included. Now, that is about to change. Paris is set to honor 72 pioneering women scientists on the Eiffel Tower while still honoring Eiffel’s will, adding their names above the original 72 men already inscribed. The idea came in 2021 from Benjamin Rigaud, a tour guide and president of the Défis Sorbonne association. Have a listen to the process here in the video below. 

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~Explore last week’s edition of This & That: February 6th

~Please note: TSLL is supported by you, readers who take the time to stop by (merci!), peruse, and sometimes welcome into your life the mentioned and recommended finds. Affiliate links are present in this post and may earn commissions for TSLL when you make a purchase. View TSLL’s full Privacy Policy here.