With more than twenty finds this week, discover books to take you traveling from Paris to Vienna to London as well as Hollywood and New England, new television series to make you laugh, to build up the tension in the ER, and the latest series from Mindy Kaling inspired by true stories. Plus a new French film that sweeps us back to the French Revolution and Versailles, clothing for spring with peeks into the new collections beginning to be released and still, much more.

Books

—Aerin Lauder: Living with Flowers

Being released on Tuesday, February 25th, Aerin Lauder’s new book, Living with Flowers shares “creative ideas for designing arrangements—from embracing the simple elegance of a neutral palette or incorporating a whimsical mix of color, to enhancing your holiday décor with seasonal blooms”.

“Lauder also takes readers through her homes, showing how she brings the garden indoors through her decor. Elegant floral wallpaper in the dining room feels sophisticated and timeless, floral drapes in the bedroom are traditional and luxurious, while her contemporary floral-patterned tabletop collections add effortless, yet modern florals to her entertaining.”

—Bright Circles: Five Remarkable Women in the Age of Transcendentalism by Randall Fuller

I learned about this new book in last weekend’s NY Times’ Book Review, and I immediately put it on my TBR (to be read) list. As someone who as long appreciated the Transcendentalist movement here in the states that was inspired by the Romantic era in England, not a mention was made of these women, or any woman at all! But of course, they were there! Finally, Bright Circles, written by Randall Full, introducing us to “the lives of Mary Moody Emerson, Elizabeth Palmer Peabody, Sophia Peabody Hawthorne, Lydia Jackson Emerson, and Margaret Fuller as they developed crucial ideas about the self, nature, and feeling even as they pushed their male counterparts to consider the rights of enslaved people of color and women”.

—The Café with No Name: A Novel by Robert Seethaler

Already an international bestseller, Robert Seethaler’s novel is now available in the states (or will be on February 25th). Translated from German (Austrian-German) into English, The Café with No Name is set in 1960s Vienna and centers around Robert Simon, a man in his 30s who has a dream, and when a café in the Austrian capitol becomes available, he seizes his chance. “Robert refurbishes the café and, rewarding him for his efforts and search of a congenial place to gather, talk, read, or just sit and be, customers arrive, bringing their stories of passions, friendships, abandonments, and bereavements. Some are in search of company, others long for love, or just a place where they can feel understood. As the city is transformed, Robert’s café becomes at once a place of refuge and one from which to observe, mourn, and rejoice.”

—The Other March Sisters by Linda Epstein, Ally Malinenko, and Liz Parker

Fans of Louise May Alcott’s Little Women, this is a book for you. While Jo March’s story is at the forefront of the well-known and beloved American classic, now the other sisters, Beth, Meg and Amy’s stories are told. Readers will get to know what the other three sisters were up to while Jo was away in New York. “Purposefully leaving Jo off the page, authors Liz Parker, Ally Malinenko, and Linda Epstein draw inspiration from Alcott’s real-life sisters, giving the other March women room to reveal themselves through conversations, private correspondence, and intimate moments—coming alive in ways that might surprise even daring, unconventional Jo.”

To be released on February 25th

—The Talent: A Novel by Daniel D’Addario

It is awards season as we know it with the SAG awards airing on Netflix this Sunday, the BAFTAs last Sunday and the Oscars next Sunday, March 2nd, and so many other award shows I don’t know them all! 🙂 And a new novel speaks to and pokes fun at the rivalries, the drama and everything that might just happen behind the glitz and the glam. “The Talent peels back the layers of women who are in the business of being perceived. And while they work to push their careers forward and maintain the public’s goodwill, all five [of the women portrayed in the novel] are forced to confront truths about themselves that they would rather ignore: Could Adria and Jenny have been a team all these years, rather than bitter enemies? Is it their responsibility to offer a lifeline to poor Bitty, who is clearly teetering on the edge? Should Contessa and Davina dim their own rising stars to make those around them more comfortable? What do women in the spotlight owe each other, and themselves?” The book will be released this coming Tuesday.

British Find

—Emma Bridgewater’s Triple Bands 1/2 pint mug

This handpainted tea and coffee mugs are signature British designs, and when I saw this simple, yet distinctive three-stripe mug, I thought you might like it as well.

—Next’s Light Natural Wood Bobbin Full Length Mirror

The bobbin décor detail found on various British furniture items is something that always catches my eye, so when I saw this mirror in the latest issue of House & Garden UK (@$200), I wanted to share.

Cookbooks

—Pretty Delicious: Simple, Modern Mediterranean, Served with Style: A Cookbook by Alia Elkaffas and Radwa Elkaffas

Explore beautiful and delicious mediterranean fare in this new cookbook being released on February 25th. Pretty Delicious comes from two sisters born and raised in the Midwest to parents originally from Egypt. Alia and Radwa Elkaffas “created their Food Dolls platform to answer the question of how to put an exciting and healthful meal on the table without spending hours in the kitchen. And that’s what Pretty Delicious is all about: flavor-packed, Mediterranean-inspired, and super simple recipes, all dolled up and plated with style.”

Films

—Millers in Marriage

Opening today in theaters is a star-packed new film, Millers in Marriage. “A tale of three middle-aged married couples coming to grips with universal questions about marriage and fidelity, professional success and failure, and the challenge of finding a second act.” Critics aren’t crazy about it, but it might be a film to prompt much conversation. Have a look at the trailer below.

Francophile Find

—Le Déluge

Having opened in December in France, look for this new film that “follows the last days of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette before they were executed” to be in theaters soon here in the states (or maybe on that plane trip to France). Déluge stars Guillaume Canet as Louis XVI and Mélanie Laurent as Marie Antoinette, and the title, (The Flood in English), comes from the famous phrase “après moi, le déluge,” attributed to Louis XV, King of France. “He is said to have uttered it toward the end of his reign, referring to the chaos that would follow his death. The phrase reflects a fatalistic attitude toward the challenges that would befall France, such as those that culminated in the French Revolution during the reign of his successor, Louis XVI.”

Have a look at the trailer below.

—Last Twilight in Paris: : A Novel by Pam Jenoff

Released earlier this month, Last Twilight in Paris begins in London in 1953 and then journeys to Paris as Louise “is still adjusting to her postwar role as a housewife when she discovers a necklace in a box at a secondhand shop. The box is marked with the name of a department store in Paris, and she is certain she has seen the necklace before, when she worked with the Red Cross in Nazi-occupied Europe —and that it holds the key to the mysterious death of her friend Franny during the war.” 

Shopping

—Cuyana Oversized Celestia Bag, three colors

Perhaps my mind is a bit on travel preparations at the moment, but Cuyana’s oversized tote looks an ideal size for that simple carry-on tote that is comfortable, large enough, yet still streamlined.

—M.M. LaFleur’s Angel Elegant Dress, sharkskin (black also available)

The spring collections are now being revealed, and in M.M. LaFleur’s latest, this dress in grey (or sharkskin, your pick! ;)), caught my attention. I have one of this brand’s dresses, and it has been happily worn for seven years and counting. Well-made, comfortable and having flattering lengths for work and life, if this style speaks to you, it is a capsule wardrobe item that will last and be worn for years.

Pair under a short jacket, cardigan or blazer. And then come spring or summer, wear it on its own!

—Soeur’s Serena Cap

Soon the stocking caps will be packed away and warmer temps will arrive. Then the need will be to protect our eyes and visage from the sun, so why not do so in style while we take our daily walks? 🙂 I am loving the denim fabric version.

—Veronica Beard Tabby Midi Dress, khaki & black available

A flattering v-neck, midi-length hem and subtle, statement buttons, Veronica Beard’s spring collection has begun being released and this Tabby dress immediately caught my eye.

—The White Company, Striped Jersey Bardot Top

A classic Breton top with a slightly different neckline than is traditional.

—The White Company’s Linen Oversized Shirt, blue/white stripe

One more from The White Company as we look ahead to spring and summer.

Television

—Berlin ER, AppleTV+

While intense, this new series from AppleTV+, set in, as the title suggests, Berlin, Germany, does look to be one to hold viewers’ attention. “After her private life falls apart, a young doctor [Haley Louise Jones] seeking a fresh start takes over the emergency room in Berlin’s busiest hospital; battling staff resistance and a run-down system, she must unite her team to save lives”. Have a look at the trailer below and look for the show to premiere on February 26th with eight episodes, one dropping each week.

—Running Point, Netflix

Mindy Kaling has a new series, and it takes real-life inspiration from the life of Jeanie Buss, the owner of the LA Lakers. Running Point, starring Kate Hudson as a “reformed party girl who must prove herself as a businesswoman when she’s unexpectedly put in charge of her family’s pro basketball team”. Premiering next Thursday on Netflix, ten episodes will be available. Have a look at the trailer below.

—Suits, LA, NBC

A spin-off of the original drama series set in New York City is now shifting to LA. Suits, LA premieres this Sunday February 23rd on NBC, and there are ten episodes in the series. I must confess, I quite enjoyed the original, so it will be hard to reset with the new cast and setting, but it looks like they have some great cameos sprinkled throughout, so I might give it a look. Have a peek at the trailer below.

Happy Friday. And already we are turning the corner into the final week of February. Stopping into Trader Joe’s this week and seeing the daffodils available for the first time of the season made me realize we are closer to spring than it may seem. Indeed this week it really did begin to feel like spring, and I even saw quite a few alliums beginning to rise from the earth on the south side of the house.

A few daffodils here in the Boot & Basket room.

Picking up fresh blooms for Le Papillon helped to lift the mood, and the surprise early arrival of my first issue of House & Garden UK magazine (in the past I have just enjoyed it online, but the print edition is full of even more treasures) made for a comforting regular work week at home. And today, as I type, we are experiencing beautiful warmth from the sun.

Be sure to stop by tomorrow when the promised post of my new fridge and how to organize it for ease of use and healthy eating will be shared. While I have written many posts over the years about eating well, cooking with ease and sharing tours of the kitchen, the fridge has never been part of them, and so in this upcoming post you will discover tips & ideas for keeping your fresh food ripe longer, as well as hand-shopped finds for functional and stylish organization to prevent clutter. Also, I will share why I chose the brand of fridge I did (hint, I now have an all-international kitchen appliance party going on at Le Papillon from the French stove, the German dishwasher and now the [European country] fridge! The latter a brand I have welcomed into my home before and highly recommend for its mid-luxury prices and dependable design and function).

A full week on the blog these past seven days, kicking off with the monthly Ponderings . . . post for TOP Tier members, a Monday Motivational post to deepen our appreciation and awareness of how many luxuries we actually have in our life at this very moment, and a new podcast episode (#398) inspired by a wonderful new book released from Mel Robbins (along with a film I absolutely loved chosen as the Petit Plaisir that think you will too if you haven’t watched it already – it’s over 10 years old).

Sending you love, support and strength as we navigate forward, and may you have personal projects and pastimes that nourish your being, a book to lose all track of time reading this weekend, and many wonderful everyday moments to savor. Thank you for stopping by today,and until tomorrow, bonne journée.

~How to grow hellebores, the hardy and cold weather flower [House & Garden UK]

~A wonderful afternoon goûter (and quite simple to make), something I actually learned about here in Bend as a favorite bakery actually sells them each afternoon for students to enjoy on their way home from school, inspired by the French! David Lebovitz’s Choquettes.

~When you’re ready for more: how to access your inner wanderer [Tiny Buddha]

~42 exciting things to do in London according to CN Traveler.

~A sneak peak at season 4 of Bridgerton. [Shondaland]

~If you are looking for a grand display of snowdrops in the English countryside, read this article find out where to go! [Gardens Illustrated]

~Did the latest Bridget Jones’ film showcasing Hampstead Heath catch your interest about this neighborhood in London too? Learn more about it here. [Country Life]

~This was a thought-provoking article pondering why people don’t dress up to go out anymore. I for one, love to dress up, so that will never stop, and I suspect it is the same for most of TSLL’s community, but the article offers some intriguing changes, for the better, that we may see in coming years. 🙂 [NYTimes, gift link]

~A wonderful article full of suggestions of when to visit Paris and which dates to be aware of that prompt prices to increase. [CN Traveler]

~While you’re in Paris, a list of the best Bistro dishes according to top French chefs. [Frenchly]

~Everything that is changing in France in March [The Local, subscription required]

~One thing that changed in January and for the better, is the ease of public transportation! Read Lonely Planet’s helpful article on getting around Paris.

~And one more for your next Paris visit, the best 44 restaurants in Paris right now. [CN Traveler]

~One Londoner shares how she has realized she is now a Parisian – the 10 signs [Hip Paris]

~Take a tour of the set of Bridget Jones’ Made About the Boy. There are so many décor details of note that made me smile, a Roberts’ radio in the kitchen window, Nina Campbell’s wallpaper in Bridget’s bedroom, and the ladybug painted on the children’s bedroom floor, along with so much more. [Architectural Digest]

~Explore last week’s This & That: February 14, 2025

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.

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