January is picking up steam when it comes to worthwhile finds, and this week discover a new French film that looks absolutely delightful, a new French series to take you into the Alps and solve a mystery while you are at it, a new exhibit to visit while in Paris, books to inform you with humor, yet expert-insight, about menopause (and perimenopause), two new novels to keep you on the edge of your seat or incapable of putting down the book, a historical book that has caught my eye about the French female philosopher during enlightenment times who nearly went forgotten, and with regards to home décor, a British ceramist who caters to our French predilections has a new collection available at a favorite retailer here in the states. Also, winter sales continue and quality, yet versatile finds for your capsule wardrobe are shopped. Plus, there’s a new Watson in town. Still much more. Let’s start exploring!

Books

—Dare I Say It?: Everything I Wish I’d Known about Menopause by Naomi Watts

Released this past Tuesday, actor Naomi Watts has written the book she wishes she had had back in her thirties when she first began experiencing symptoms of menopause. Dare I Say It ‘s content has been described as “sitting down over coffee and having an intimate chat with your girlfriend, blending funny and poignant stories from Naomi and her friends with advice from doctors, hormone experts, and nutritionists to take the secrecy and shame out of menopause and aging”. 

“Irreverent, bold, and reassuring, Dare I Say It is the companion every woman needs to embrace the best version of herself as she moves into what can be the most powerful and satisfying period of her life.”

—The Enlightenment’s Most Dangerous Woman: Émilie Du Châtelet and the Making of Modern Philosophy by Andrew Janiak

A book that is highly anticipated in Europe and the UK, brought to my attention by John Sandoe books, The Enlightenment’s Most Dangerous Woman was released on January 16th in the UK, and since it will be some time before it arrives in the states, you can order it now both either from John Sandoe or Blackwells.

“Suppressed for centuries, the ideas of French philosopher Émilie Du Châtelet are ever relevant today… Just as the Enlightenment was gaining momentum throughout Europe, philosopher Émilie Du Châtelet broke through the many barriers facing women at the time and published a major philosophical treatise in French. Within a few short years, she became famous: she was read and debated from Russia to Prussia, from Switzerland to England, from up north in Sweden to down south in Italy. This was not just remarkable because she was a woman, but because of the substance of her contributions. While the men in her milieu like Voltaire and Kant sought disciples to promote their ideas, Du Châtelet promoted intellectual autonomy. She counselled her readers to read the classics, but never to become a follower of another’s ideas. Her proclamation that a true philosopher must remain an independent thinker, rather than a disciple of some supposedly ‘great man’ like Isaac Newton or René Descartes, posed a threat to an emerging consensus in the Enlightenment. And that made her dangerous.”

—Girls on the Rise by Amanda Gorman

After learning about poet Amanda Gorman’s poem “Smoldering Dawn” written and shared to raise support for those affected by the LA wildfires, her hometown being Los Angeles, I learned about her new children’s book paired with illustrations by Loveis Wise. Girls on the Rise, released on January 7th, includes an original poem by the presidential inaugural poet. Celebrating “girls and girlhood in their many forms, all beautiful, not for how they look but for how they look into the face of fear, the book aims to create a rousing rallying cry with its vivid illustrations reminding us how girls have shaped our history while marching boldly into the future”.

Released January 7th

—Momentum: 13 Ways to Unlock Your Potential by Lee Chambers

Being released next Tuesday from “leading psychologist and wellbeing expert, Lee Chambers found success by prioritizing wellbeing and embracing uncertainty. In this book Momentum, he shares his thirteen essential tools to help you unlock your potential. From having a flexible vision and identifying how failure can move us forward, through to loving life’s squiggles and working with empathy, you’ll learn how to redefine success, wake up feeling excited about what you do and find your purpose”. Recognised as a Gender Equality Changemaker by UN Women, Chambers e is one of the UK’s leading voices on male allyship and gender equity. Learn more about him here.

—The Queen of Fives: A Novel by Alex Hay

Released earlier this week, The Queen of Fives is set in Victorian London, and “Quinn le Blanc, London’s most talented con woman, has five days to pull off her most ambitious plot yet: trap a highly eligible duke into marriage and lift a fortune from the richest family in England. Masquerading as the season’s most enviable debutante, Quinn puts on a brilliant act that earns her entrance into the grand drawing rooms and lavish balls of high society—and propels her straight into the inner circle of her target: the charismatic Kendals. Among those she must convince are the handsome bachelor heir, the rebellious younger sister, and the esteemed duchess eager to see her son married. But the deeper she forges into their world, the more Quinn finds herself tangled in a complicated web of love, lies, and loyalty. The Kendals all have secrets of their own, and she may not be the only one playing a game of high deception… “

—The Stolen Queen: A Novel by Fiona Davis

Intertwining two lives more than forty years apart, The Stolen Queen takes place in New York City at the Met Gala, “the party of the year” for the fashion folks, in 1978. “One of the Egyptian art collection’s most valuable artifacts goes missing, and there are signs Hathorkare’s legendary curse might be reawakening. Annie and Charlotte team up to search for the missing antiquity, and a desperate hunch leads the unlikely duo to one place Charlotte swore she’d never return: Egypt. But if they have any hope of finding the artifact, Charlotte will need to confront the demons of her past—which may mean leading them both directly into danger”.

Released on January 7th

British Finds

—Harlie Brown’s Collection, French-inspired, at AnthroLiving

A new artist has partnered up with Anthropology to share their unique ceramics, and this time it is British ceramicist Harlie Brown. “Harlie Brown Studio creates organically shaped ceramics from their home studio on the Kent coast. Each piece in their collection is made by self-taught founder Harlie using a variety of techniques, such as slab building, coiling, and pinching, before being handpainted by her husband Dan. This hands-on approach allows them to connect deeply with the clay and the way it wants to move, resulting in beautiful dimples and gently formed curves”.

I am quite partial to Le Thè canister 🙂

~SHOP THE COLLECTION:

Décor

–Flower magazine/website

Recently, a member of TSLL community brought to my attention this lovely magazine which I had not known about and am grateful to now be privy to! Flower is a house, garden and lifestyle print and digital magazine and online site full of indoor and outdoor inspiration, how-tos, travel inspiration and everything in between.

Subscribe to Print and/or Digital

—Organic Walnut Mirror (three sizes), Maison Sarah Lavoine

A mirror can be so much more than just a reflection to expand a room or provide a vantage point within which to view ourselves. Why not make the frame beautiful as well? French interior designer Sarah Poniatowski founded her decor and clothing site more than two decades ago, and the unique, slightly modern, yet timeless style is worth exploring.

This particular mirror framed in organic walnut is available in three different sizes if it piques your interest. 

Francophile Finds

—Cassandre, MHzChoice

Set in the gorgeous French Alps town of Annecy (in the Haute-Savoie region), Cassandre is a new series that just dropped on MHzChoice. Having watched three episodes so far (a new episode is released each Tuesday), I am quite enjoying it. Similar to Murder In . . . , but this time with the same cast and location every episode, the setting in this wintery locale becomes a supporting member of the cast with each plot especially in the third episode. Have a look at the ‘first look’ of the series below, and enjoy as I think you will recognize a few of the main cast as they have appeared in other French series you too might be enjoying.

—Louvre Couture

If you will be traveling to Paris any time in the next seven months, purchase your tickets now to see this new exhibit at the Louvre. Louvre Couture will open on January 24th and run through July 21st in Paris.

“In consideration of the Louvre’s encyclopaedic immensity, this exhibition follows a methodological approach geared towards exploring the history of decorative styles, art professions and ornamentation through the galleries of the Department of Decorative Arts, where textiles are omnipresent – though generally in tapestries and other décor items rather than in articles of clothing.

“Over a nearly 9,000-square-metre space, 65 designs are displayed, along with a number of accessories, newly illuminating the close historical dialogue that continues to take place between the world of fashion and the department’s greatest masterpieces, from Byzantium to the Second Empire. Each of these garments and accessories is on special loan from the most iconic fashion houses, both long-standing and recent, in Paris and throughout the world.”

—Soeur Sale, up to 50% off

The French clothing brand is having their seasonal sale and clearing out their inventory of winter and fall items – perfect pieces for layering and adhering to a minimal, loose, yet stylish sartorial approach. I am especially loving this Carla dress (50% off), and a few other finds are below.

—Rose

A new French film being released today and already being compared to recent and beloved films featuring an inspiring woman of a certain age as the lead, Thelma or Driving Madeleine, is Rose. Now at age 78, “Rose has just lost her adored husband. When her grief gives way to a powerful impulse to live, making her realize that she can still redefine herself as a woman, the whole balance of the family is upset.” Have a look at the trailer below and look for the film in theaters beginning today.

—Versailles from the Sky by Thomas Garnier

The palatial palace of Versailles, more well-known than so many other famous locales and destinations in France, and in this new book, it is captured from the sky via the photographic technology of drones. Versailles from the Sky, released earlier this month, is particularly “beautiful when seen from above, and the stunning images in this volume reveal the ingenious geometry of its different spaces, while also offering a panoramic view of the estate in all its immensity. The classical gardens lend themselves well to aerial views: the Grande Perspective, the fountains, the intricate parterres, many of which were plotted out on architectural plans. The wooded groves seem to take on new forms: the Domes, Colonnade, and Obelisk groves resemble watch faces on which the channels that feed the fountains mark out the time; the Chestnut Grove shrouded in snow assumes the shape of a violin; the Grand Canal at sunset becomes a glowing ribbon”.

Perfect for the Francophile’s library or world traveler.

Shopping

—The Boyfriend Shirt by Rochelle Behrens (white available as well)

Classic in style, fit and color. And monogramming is available to give this button-up collared shirt a signature touch.

—Emerson Fry’s Cozy Cotton Cardigan, Ivory

Cotton sweaters are the perfect transition staple pieces for spring and even for summer evenings. And this neutral hued cardigan with tortoise shell-inspired buttons will be a sweater you will reach for as a layering piece again and again.

Television

—Watson, CBS

Yep, Sherlock Holmes’ Watson but with a modern twist. A new series premiering on CBS/Paramount+ this coming Sunday, the 26th stars Morris Chestnut as Dr. John Watson, “who’s back to practicing medicine and running a clinic for rare disorders. But Watson’s past isn’t done with him yet—he and Moriarty are about to dive into the next chapter of the story that’s fascinated fans for over a century”. Have a look at the trailer below.

Surprise

—Banana Republic Factory, 50% off everything

A sale not to miss if you are looking to scoop up some layering basics, or items for dependable mixing and matching support pieces. I purchased a few layering tanks as they were only $12-$18. Cannot turn my back on that. And perhaps there is an item that is the same for your wardrobe as well. Have a look at a few of the items I selected below, but be sure to shop the entire site, as everything is reduced 50%.

~Shop the Sale:

Daffodils. Yep! I couldn’t believe it when I saw them either, but sure enough available they were in the grocery market, so I didn’t hesitate to bring a handful home to add some sunshine indoors.

The week began with the delivery of our long-needed new refrigerator which made me all the more appreciative of how life elevating being able to keep your food cold is! (such a simple, but oh so wonderful thing to be able to do and have) Look for a post next month sharing inspiration on how to organize your fridge for healthy eating, enjoyable cooking and ease of finding what you need when you open the door. Rest assured, we will not be ‘styling’ the fridge, but it will look neat and organizational items will be shared to help you keep your fresh market-find produce looking (and tasting!) its best for a long time.

Work continues on #tsll4thbook, French 204 rolls along as well, and that has been January’s schedule along with our regular routines which have been dependably nourishing. How has January been unfolding for you? For me, with taxes now submitted I feel as though I can relax and then fully focus on the new year ahead, and this year getting ever more eager to hop on the plane to France this spring as see members of TSLL. 🙂

This week’s Monday Motivational post prompted much enjoyment, inspiration and conversation from readers, so be sure to check out Trusting the Journey that Brings You to Life, and on Wednesday the monthly Outfits of the Month (3) was posted full of winter essentials paired with consigned luxury finds to complete the looks (and yep, there are three more books – not mentioned in a T & T) that are worth checking out as well. 🙂 Tomorrow, the monthly Ponderings . . . post will be shared, so be sure to explore becoming a TOP Tier Member if you are not already as this regular posting that began back in 2019 (here’s the first one) is a more intimate This & That post.

Thank you for stopping by today and sharing time here on TSLL. May this weekend and the new week ahead bring you good news, serendipitous moments that lift your heart and oodles of everyday moments to drink up and savor. Until tomorrow when the monthly Ponderings . . . post will be shared, bonne journée.

~Well, now this looks deliciously cozy and decadent – Dark Chocolate Ganache and Almond Butter Cookie Slab [House & Garden UK]

~British interior designer Rita Konig’s interview on The Business of Home podcast in which she shares what her clients really want and talks about opening up a store in America.

~A wonderful poem to ponder regarding how we spend our days in between the two seemingly most remembered years of our life journey. [Positive Prescription]

~Love the signature and subtly quirky, yet perfect touches given to their 18th century cottage in the seaside town of Deal, England [House & Garden UK]

~Now to Paris for a tour of a small apartment that maximizes the space with thoughtful design touches. [H & G UK]

~Staying in France, Decluttering à la Français: The French Art of Minimal Living [My French Country Home]

~Made this savory tart recipe from Nigel Slater earlier this week and what a delicious, filling meal perfect for cold evenings – A Potato, Cheddar and Rosemary Tart/Pie [The Guardian]

~Vogue Editor’s Guide to Packing from Chloe Malle on the Women Who Travel podcast. (their advice to pack a collapsible duffle – preferably one with wheels – is a must-do in my experience)

~Okay Impressionist art lovers, here is a quiz for you. I took it last week, did okay, but also slapped my forehead a few times. 🙂 [NYTimes, gift link]

~Jenny Lyons’s Real-Talk Fashion Advice shared with Harper’s Bazaar.

~Another tour worth taking a look at. A townhouse in London with low ceilings that just works so beautifully. [Domino]

~An article to ponder about savoring what is already here and now instead of pursuing [Tiny Buddha]

~One more podcast episode to enjoy. This one from BBC’s Gardener’s World – Beat Stress and Boost Brain Power using Plants.

~And if you are missing Sgt Cawood (aka Sarah Lancashire ;)) and the fan-favorite British show Happy Valley, a bit of a laugh as she stars in Yorkshire Tea’s advert.

~Explore last week’s This & That: January 17, 2025

January is such an interesting month when it comes to new releases, which makes it all the more eclectic when it comes to what is gathered for our weekly This & That. Case in point, we have books about tidying up without stressing ourselves out, debunking limiting (and often misguided) myths about women and aging, and feeding ourselves well along with caring for the planet. Two new cookbooks full of delicious recipes that also improve the quality of everyday routine and health, a new play premiering in London with two leads many of us know and love, clothing for timeless style, some of it on sale, and all of it versatile and stylish, as well as the return of a television series that wrapped up its first season more than four years ago. Still, there is 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.