A wonderful gathering of treasures, from seasonal French vegetarian recipes, a new drama series I am hooked on, a new French series I cannot wait to introduce you to, two new films that critics are loving that premiere today, books about preventing burnout as well as the paradox of cultivating lasting happiness, and books about and inspired by Jane Austen. Also, a décor sale not to miss if you are updating or decorating your home at the moment as well as a few more sales for clothing finds including a bit of shopping already done for you. All of this plus much more.
 

Books

—The Hustle Cure: A New Approach to Burnout and Productivity for Women by Sophie Cliff

Released on January 7th, Sophie Cliff’s The Hustle Cure specifically speaks to women, encouraging them to prioritize making time for what we actually enjoy. With values-driven activities and mindful self-care tips, learn to embrace flexibility, find flow in your work, and take small, joyful steps toward meaningful achievements.

Cliff suggests “letting go of unrealistic expectations and turn compassion inward. Create a personalized routine aligned with your energy levels, family needs, work demands, your body’s natural cycles, and release expectations that weigh you down to make space for creativity while defining what success really means for you.”

—The Social Paradox: Autonomy, Connection, and Why We Need Both to Find Happiness by William von Hippel

We see endless book titles that include the concept of happiness, but knowing psychologically exactly what humans need to feel happiness whatever it is they actually do or where or how they live is where author William Von Hippel suggests we should begin. In The Social Paradox released next Tuesday, he shares “the key is to understand the interplay between our two most basic psychological needs—for connection and autonomy. Evolution made us dependent on one another for survival, instilling in us a strong need to connect. It also made us seek autonomy, so our ancestors could distinguish themselves within their groups, improving their chances to procreate and gain status.”

In our modern world, these two opposing needs persist, however “the opportunities of today’s world have thrown it out of whack. As von Hippel explains, our modern world no longer demands connection but it provides endless opportunity for autonomy; this lopsidedness lies at the root of many of our most intractable problems. Recognizing this imbalance and working to counter it can drastically change how we make decisions, spend our time, and find happiness”.

British Finds

—Jane Austen’s Bookshelf: A Rare Book Collector’s Quest to Find the Women Writers Who Shaped a Legend by Rebecca Romney

Who influenced and inspired Jane Austen? Jane Austen’s Bookshelf “investigates the disappearance of Austen’s heroes—women writers who were erased from the Western canon—to reveal who they were, what they meant to Austen, and how they were forgotten. Each chapter profiles a different writer including Frances Burney, Ann Radcliffe, Charlotte Lennox, Charlotte Smith, Hannah More, Elizabeth Inchbald, Hester Lynch Thrale Piozzi, and Maria Edgeworth—and recounts the author (Rebecca Romney)’s experience reading them, finding rare copies of their works, and drawing on connections between their words and Austen’s.”

To be released on February 18th

—The Jane Austen Remedy: It is a Truth Universally Acknowledged that a book can change a life by Ruth Wilson

One of the many things that takes place during our monthly conversations in A Cuppa Moments with TOP Tier Members is unexpected discoveries of books, shows, films and other treasures we may not have known about until one of the members shares how much they enjoyed it. Such was the case when a reader recommended her enjoyment of The Jane Austen Remedy, and as Jane Austen is a frequent mention for good reason as of late with her 250th birthday celebration this May, I wanted to bring this memoir to you all.

Written by Ruth Wilson, who “after her sixtieth birthday, took the radical decision to retreat from her conventional married life and live alone while confronting feelings of loss and unhappiness, [she] read between the lines of Austen’s six major novels and she felt herself reclaiming her voice and her sense of self”.

Thank you Laura M. for bringing this book to our attention.

—Paddington in Peru

The light-hearted, playful and lovable bear returns in his latest film. Originally released exclusively in the UK back in November, this weekend it arrives in the states. Paddington in Peru that is, alongside Emily Mortimer and Hugh Bonneville. Take a look at the trailer and enjoy a lovely adventure.

Cookbooks

—Forgotten Skills of Cooking: 700 Recipes Showing You Why the Time-Honoured Ways are the Best by Darina Allen

Less a cookbook, and more a historical exploration, but still very much a cookbook. Does that make sense? Forgotten Skills of Cooking is a new reissuing sharing “revealing the lost art of making creamy butter and yoghurt, keeping a few hens in the garden, home-curing and smoking bacon, and even foraging for food in the wild.

“Rediscover the flavors of all-time favorites such as traditional stuffed roast chicken, figgy toffee pudding, and freshly baked scones with strawberry jam. Darina also offers lots of thrifty tips for using up leftovers in delicious ways.”

Based on the hugely popular courses at Darina Allen’s Ballymaloe Cookery School, based in Ireland. Learn more about it here.

Décor

—One King’s Lane, Presidential Sale site-wide

Decorating my guest bedroom is still most definitely on mind, even if a little bit delayed, and so sales like this one catch my attention as I am looking for an inexpensive, yet well-made upholstered bed frame that I can swap out the upholstery for my own. With that said, a few definitely caught my eye and the savings were quite nice.

Whether you are looking for large or small items, this is a great sale to check out. I have shopped a few items below to start your perusing.

SHOP THE SALE:

Films

—One Night in Tokyo

Receiving high praise from critics (8.8/10), One Night in Tokyo is just as it sounds, but a romantic storyline to no doubt make you fall in love with Tokyo if nothing else. One character arrives in the city to meet his expat American girlfriend, only to have her break up with him upon arrival. Booking a quick return flight, he has 24-hours before he departs, and during that time he experiences “an unexpected night through the streets of Tokyo with a stranger who is an acquaintance of his friend. Two people completely unknown to each other drift through the city questioning the meaning of life and love”. Have a look at the trailer below and find it in theaters beginning today.

—Universal Language

Certainly less traditional, Universal Language has been receiving praise across the board from critics. The consensus on Rotten Tomatoes: “Bridging two nations with a clever and surreal conceit, Universal Language is a culture clash comedy brimming with wisdom.” Filmed in Winnipeg and Montreal (so you will hear quite a bit of French along with Farsi), the film is Canada’s entry for International Film at the Oscars this year. Have a look at the trailer below.

Francophile Finds

—Bohème Cooking: French Vegetarian Recipes by Carrie Solomon

For some reason, I thought I had shared this cookbook with you already as it was released last spring, but it doesn’t seem that I have, so I must catch up!  Carrie Solomon first moved to France 20 years ago and over that time gradually saw the French cuisine begin to shift or become more plentiful with vegetarian approaches to offerings. “Soon Carrie was experimenting with vegetarian French dishes, both classic less traditional, in her tiny Parisian kitchen. From an easygoing, bohème lifestyle in France, Carrie’s flair for cooking unique vegetarian dishes emerged.            

“In Bohème Cooking, she takes you on a journey to capture that little piece of Paris, Nice, and beyond in your own kitchen. This is vegetarian cooking that reflects the modern, unfussy garden-forward French cuisine that Carrie has grown to love.”

A must-have for marrying the seasonal fare French approach to cuisine with a vegetarian menu.

—Made in France, tv series, FranceTV

I cannot wait to begin watching this new television series starring Candice Renoir’s Cécile Bois. Made in France premiered just this past January in France and is now available on the streaming service for Francophiles FranceTV. Centered around the life crisis that erupts in Rita (Cécile Bois)’s life when she discovers her husband is having an affair, but not with just anyone, a woman who appears to be the opposite of Rita – Olympe, 12 years Rita’s junior, a senior executive at Valières, a major French luxury leather goods brand. Let the drama begin and with Bois at the helm, it will be comedic and hilarious as well as dramatic no doubt. Have a peek at the series below, and enjoy six episodes when you tune in to the first season.

—Sézane Mara Basket, natural raffia embroidery

This isn’t just any raffia basket because the detailing makes it a treasure and will no doubt prompt you to take it to more than just the farmers’ market.

Shopping

—Brooklinen, 20% off site-wide

Looking for a refresh with your bed linens, bathroom towels or adding a cozy robe? Well, enjoy some savings when you do. 🙂 I have shopped many of the linen sheet options, along with a linen shower curtain, and a few other finds below.

~SHOP THE SALE:

—Dôen Hepburn Dot skirt

As soon as I saw this midi skirt with adjustable slit (buttons), I saved it and wanted to share. Classic navy, petite polka dots, à la Audrey Hepburn style. A wonderful timeless separate item to pair with all sorts of tops and shoes.

—Everlane Oxford Short-Sleeve Shirt Dress, more colors

Spring will be here before we know it, and having that simple, yet fresh new dress is a great idea to begin the new season in style (look for TSLL’s Spring Shopping Guide on March 1st by the way). Wrap this one with a belt or let it hang loosely, either way, effortless chic.

—Mango, Valentine’s Day Sale

Mango is having a vast savings events, and all you have to do is use promo code 15OFF. I have shopped a few items below, but be sure to peruse the entire site.

Stripe Print Midi-dress

~SHOP THE SALE:

Television

—Doc, Fox

I stumbled upon this new drama series while searching through Hulu, and before I knew it, I had watched the first five episodes. Clearly, I enjoyed it. Molly Parker stars as the super smart (and initially no-nonsense as well as blunt) Dr. Amy Lawrence, and as the trailer below shares, the series begins with her single-car accident that brings about a traumtic brain injury, erasing the past eight years of her memory. Even more interesting, this new series is actually based on a true story of the events that occurred to Italian doctor Pierdante Piccioni, and Italy made a series titled Doc – Nelle tue mani, from which this new American series is based. Look for new episodes every Tuesday as it just premiered in January.

Freezing temperatures may have arrived this week (yikes, down to 2 Fahrenheit), but now we’re out of the deep freeze and Valentine’s Day’s arrival is warming us all up rather nicely. Which is a roundabout way of wishing you a love-filled Valentine’s holiday. 🙂

This past week found me celebrating the culmination of a years-long goal being met – completing through all of the 200 levels in French language class. Wahoo! And now to really focus on finalizing preparations for the upcoming trip to France in March (be sure to explore becoming a TOP Tier Member as the Travel Diaries series will continue as the primary postings shared while I travel, but only exclusively to these members). Also, this week, Monday’s motivational post was a favorite amongst readers as it shared 13 Ideas for Accompanying the Sunrise and Beginning the Day Well. This weekend, look for February’s Ponderings . . . post, and next weekend I am excited to finally be able to share my post detailing how to organize your refrigerator for ease and good eating (I had hoped to post that this weekend, but am waiting on one more item to arrive that is nearly here, but not yet. Thank you for your patience :))!

May Valentine’s Day find you realizing how loved you are and how much love you have to give in so many simple, yet sincere ways throughout the everyday. Nelle is my Valentine this year, with Norman in my heart as he always is, and watching Bridget Jones’ latest film will be must-watch viewing this weekend, along with cozying in and dreaming of France. Not a bad way to spend the weekend in my opinion especially as a new book arrived that I am whizzing through and absolutely enjoying (shared in last week’s This & That).

Thank you for stopping by today, and below are a few more articles and one video I thought you might enjoy. Until tomorrow, bonne journée !

~Did you catch the soon-to-be released Francophile book in this week’s Style Inspiration post – Packing for Paris? It looks like a great one from Elaine Sciolino, and The Earful Tower has an interview with the author about her new book (it will be released in the states in April).

~The luxury and timeless choice to have a bathtub in the bathroom. [Elle Decor]

~Fellow gardeners! What to plan in February! So many of you are getting outside with February’s arrival and beginning to potter and soon we will too! In the blink of an eye the weather warms up here in Bend, and I cannot wait to step into the new gardening season when it does! [Gardeners’ World]

~A podcast interview with Nigel Slater on Homing In, a lovely, long intimate interview with the writer who cooks as he shares how his London Georgian home plays a significant role in his contentment.

~It is an absolute ‘yes!’ for me when it comes to bringing back the dressing table into the bedroom. Rita Konig shows us how to welcome it back in her own primary suite in her London apartment. [House & Garden UK]

~Fashion month began last week, and New York City kicked it all off. Have a look at the Street Style captured by Phil Oh. [Vogue]

~Grief and travel’s medicine – one writer shares how travel helped bring her back to life with her trip to Paris [CN Traveler]

~A French bistrot in Paris (located just next to Shakespeare & Company) for bibliophiles. [Sortir à Paris]

~Before we head to Paris, taking better breaks at work will definitely be helpful. [Harvard Business Review]

~Since Jane Austen has been regularly included as of late in T&T posts, here is an article sharing oodles of ways England is celebrating Jane Austen’s 250th birthday. [Afar]

~The Ritz in London just received its second Michelin Star. [Country Life]

~Back to Paris! 12 romantic restaurants and bars for the perfect date [Frenchly]

~And a film that will arrive this spring, one to remind us that both humans and four-legged companions grieve. A heart-warming film of how we help each other heal, The Friend, starring Naomi Watts and Bill Murray.

~Explore last week’s This & That: February 7, 2025

Books for all different interests – cooking, historical, emotion mastery, societal constructs, sleuthing, and novels to prompt thought about one’s life journey. As well, a new French film that stars a favorite comedic actress in a bit of a dark comedy. Also, Bridget is back! And a favorite drama series from the past returns, sort of, and perhaps even more riveting in its purpose than the original ever was. Also, a new French cookbook from a beloved GBBO baker and clothes to cozy up in as well as layer for stylish peace of mind. Plus, much more!

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