So many new books, some not yet available in the states, but I know where you can find them and ship affordably! From how to dress well with ease, how to decorate your home simply and well all the while adhering to sustainable practices, and a new fiction book with a playful plot that received much praise in the UK. And a book I cannot wait to read that speaks to the quality of life we give ourselves when we improve how we think – à la critical thinking! A television series created by Ryan Murphy with a brilliantly impressive female dominant cast, a new teacup & saucer inspired by the one William Morris used to use and is selling fast from a beloved British company, stylish mid-luxury clothing finds definitely worth perusing, and a sale of note with steep savings not to miss – in need of suede boots – how about 50% savings? Yep! It’s true! Plus much more!

Bendite News

—Afternoon Tea at Blissful Spoon

One of my favorite restaurants for brunch and specialty dinners here in Bend has been hosting once-a-week Afternoon Tea with both savory and sweet options during the winter months, and along with your tea, you can add some bubbly as well. The price is quite nice, fewer than $30, and since there is limited seating and only one more event this January – Wednesday the 31st, if you, like me, love the special occasion of going out for Afternoon Tea, you will not be disappointed by their fare and service. I have linked to the EventBrite page where you can reserve your spot.

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Books

—52 Weeks of Wellbeing: A no non-sense guide to a fulfilling work life by Ryan Hopkins

Being released this coming Tuesday, January 30th, 52 Weeks of Wellbeing is “packed full of practical and accessible tips that you can incorporate into your everyday life, leaving you healthier and more fulfilled. Ryan Hopkins has vast experience of offering ground-breaking wellbeing insights and tips to individuals and organizations across the world. This book distills his insights, which are backed by psychological research and inspiring stories of success. From unconventional concepts such as Kintsugi to the power of digital detoxes”, 52 Weeks of Wellbeing might just offer the ideas you are seeking to ensure 2024 is a great year at work.

—How to Be Your Own Best Friend by Mildred Newman and Bernard Berkowitz

We have Nora Ephron to thank for bringing this compact book of wisdom to the masses. With its succinct 96 pages, husband and wife team of psychoanalysts Berkowitz and Newman paired with fellow psychoanalyst Jean Owen and wrote a book published in the 1970s that with the help of Ephron taking it to a big named publisher, Random House, it made it onto the bestseller’s list. Why are we talking about it today? This little, yet mighty “self-help book celebrated its 26th week as a best seller 50 years ago this week.” I am picking up a copy, and perhaps you might want to do so as well.

—One in a Millennial: On Friendship, Feelings, Fangirls and Fitting In by Kate Kennedy

Podcaster and now author Kate Kennedy (learn more about her here) just released a new book this past Tuesday. A book that explores “pop culture, nostalgia, the millennial zeitgeist, and the life lessons learned (for better and for worse) from coming of age as a member of a much-maligned generation”. Listen to her interview about the book here on NPR.

—Think: In Defense of a Thoughtful Life by Svend Brinkmann

While bestselling philosopher and psychologist Svend Brinkmann’s new book may not be available in the states, you can still order it from Blackwells and have it shipped at a very reasonable price. Released earlier this month, Think: In Defense of a Thoughtful Life, responds to “a world where experiencing and achieving as much as possible is the number one preoccupation, [and as a result,] there is little room for reflection. Technology is also making everything easier, eroding the need for us to think at all.

“Of course deep, critical thinking can be difficult, sometimes painful, and it takes time. But it is fundamental to our well-being. Brinkmann argues for a return to the thoughtful life, where we learn to think well, to think deeply, to lose ourselves in reverie and tune in to our inner voice. By spending time in our thoughts and letting them wander freely, we will discover that thinking is one of the most enriching things we can do in life – and one of the most human, too.”

I absolutely cannot wait to read this book.

—Wear It Well: Reclaim your closet and rediscover the joy of getting dressed by Allison Bornstein

Released this past September, personal stylist Allison Bornstein has mastered the art of helping people look and feel good. In Wear It Well, she shares “her philosophy and outlines systems that will bring your style into alignment and create a wardrobe that delights your spirit and reflects your most authentic self.”

Her approach: “Use the viral Three-Word Method to discover and define your personal style. Curate your closet with the AB Closet-Editing System, eliminating items that don’t fit or work for your lifestyle to build a safe and inspiring space that is filled with only clothes that bring you joy, confidence, and empowerment. Create new, sustainable looks by shopping your closet and mixing and matching with the Nine Universal Pieces.”

—Your Space Made Simple: Interior Design that is approachable, affordable and sustainable by Ariel Magidson

Released last April, Your Space, Made Simple, written by the founder of Ariel Arts, a Bay Area-interior design studio on a mission to make sustainable and affordable design accessible for everyone, Ariel Magidson, “is an interior design guide for anyone who dreams of a well-designed home but doesn’t know where to begin. If you feel stuck when you go shopping for home decor, or confused about how to arrange furniture, this book will give you the inspiration and tools you need to curate a space that fits you and your family’s lifestyle and needs in no time. Whether you just moved into a new home or have wanted to redecorate for years, this book will help you find eye-catching and sustainable design solutions that won’t break the bank.”

British Finds

—Double Dot Large Teacup, William Morris-inspired, Emma Bridgewater

As an ardent fan of designer and founder of the Arts & Crafts movement William Morris, when I saw Emma Bridgewater’s new teacup & saucer, the Double Dot Large Teacup & Saucer, “inspired by the coffee cup always used for William Morris’s coffee when he went to visit Edward and Georgina Burne-Jones in Fulham”, I had to save it and wanted to share. Yet again, it is the thumb rest that seals the deal for me. A must-have on teacups.

These are selling fast and there is limited supply, so if you love it, treat yourself. 🙂

—Kensal Dress, Multicolour, crepe satin, The Fold London

This dress is beautifully cut. I adore the draping at the neckline, the intentioned waist, but the not too much snugness. If these colors flatter you, this will be a dress to wear for years to come. It is a statement, but it still is timeless. Simple accessories – a solid color belt, gold earrings or bracelet, and your favorite boots or pumps, such a fun way to dress up for winter.

—Mrs. Quinn’s Rise to Fame by Olivia Ford

Finally available in the states, Olivia Ford’s novel Mrs. Quinn’s Rise to Fame was longlisted for the 2021 Women’s Prize Trust’s Discoveries Prize in Britain, and while once a story producer in television following her schooling at the Faber Academy where she wrote the beginnings of Mrs Quinn’s Rise to Fame, her novel, draws inspiration from potential contestants that rise (hehe) to national fame on British Bake-Off. Have a look at the plot here and preorder it now as it will be released on January 30th.

Films/Limited Series

—Masters of the Air, AppleTV+

Being released today on AppleTV+, a 9-part limited series produced by Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman, Masters of the Air tells the story of the airmen who took flight during World War II in the 100th Bomb group and were met with both success and tragedy. Have a look at the trailer below.

Francophile Finds

—Between Meals: An appetite for Paris by A.J. Liebling

—Les Soldes, Winter 2024

I almost forgot! But if you are going to be in France between now and February 6th, be sure to take advantage of this semi-annual savings event! Learn more about what and why it takes place in the link above.

—Sézane Carlotta Blouse (four colors)

A subtle, yet lovely blouse to have on hand for a variety of occasions – layer, where on its own, but either way, look timeless and elegant.

—Souer, with a new store now in London

In the most recent weekend edition of The Financial Times, there was a profile piece on the French clothing brand Souer, founded in 2007 by yep, two sisters. Having included pieces from the brand here on the blog over the past couple of years (I am drawn to their handbags), they continue to grow and expand. As the article spotlights, this is a mid-luxury brand that designs quality clothing and is ideal for fans of Phoebe Philo who don’t want to pay her luxury prices. And now there is a brick and mortar shop in London, thus the article in the FT.

I have shopped a few items below, but be sure to keep them on your radar. Definitely a modern brand with generous cuts, but it’s all about how you style the pieces, and when you know the items are well-made, you know they will be with you for a good long time.

Shopping

—Veronica Beard Sale

A sale with steep savings. I have shopped a handful of items for you, but be sure to peruse the entire sale site here.

~SHOP THE SALE:

~click through with the left-and-right side arrows to view each included item.

Television

—Capote vs. The Swans, FX

Here is the impressive cast: Naomi Watts as Barbara “Babe” Paley, Diane Lane as Slim Keith, Chloë Sevigny as C.Z. Guest, Calista Flockhar as Lee Radziwill, Demi Moore as Ann “Bang-Bang” Woodward, and Molly Ringwald as Joanne Carson. Who are the Swans you may be wondering? The new series, the second in Ryan Murphy’s Feud series, is based on the bestselling book Capote’s Women: A True Story of Love, Betrayal, and a Swan Song for an Era by Laurence Leamer released in 2021. And the swans are the coterie of society’s most elite women – rich, glamorous socialites who defined a bygone era of high society New York that writer Truman Capote (played by Tom Hollander) surrounded himself with”. Have a look at the trailer below and look for it to premiere on FX on Wednesday January 31st with eight episodes, one released each week.

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The last weekend of January and it does feel has though the month as zoomed along.

However, I have done my best to punctuate more weekday evenings with moments to be still, savor, sip and read a good book, such as French designer Vanessa Seward’s chronology of what constitutes a Gentlewoman (only available in French, but if you too are learning the language, a wonderful book to read as it isn’t dense in content and with context clues, you can figure it out far more easily than you might imagine) or a light-hearted episode of Father Brown (the second episode of the new season (11) welcomes Sister Boniface! A fun guest appearance to watch it is!).

I hope your week has gone well, and you are, if your town or locale endured the frigid temperatures, now beginning to defrost and see signs of spring perhaps poking through as my daffodils seem determined to say hello. 🙂

Be sure to stop by tomorrow for the detailed kitchen tour post, and in February look for a detailed tour of the fireplace that was completely remodeled during the kitchen and bathroom redos over the past couple of years, but I have been waiting for one small, yet significant detail, and finally they arrived earlier this month. Explore becoming a TOP Tier Member so you can enjoy these tours and the detailed sourcing as well as Before & After pics that will be shared.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend ahead full of slowing down, snuggling in and oodles of everyday moments to savor. Until tomorrow, bonne journée.

~The well-known tutu worn by SJP in the intro credits of Sex and the City just sold for auction and made quite a nice return on investment. Did you know that Patricia Fields paid $5 for it after finding it in a bin at a New York Garment District shop? Yep! [NPR]

~Events and Ideas for what to do in Paris in February [HipParis]

~How to use colour in your home when you are a minimalist [House & Garden UK]

~With a new year comes new trend phrases, and while ‘Bookshelf Wealth’ may be the latest, as the article suggests, books on display will never be a trend because they are never going to go out of style. [Veranda]

~An overlooked region in France not to miss for charm and sans crowds [Travel + Leisure]

~Air France will soon be offering direct flights for those who live in this SW city! [Afar]

~Haute Couture collections dominated Paris this week in Paris, and Christian Dior’s Spring-Summer 2024 styles are as classic as they are stunning. Maybe my rewatching of Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris swayed my draw to this fashion house, but no, these midi length dresses and feminine lines are quintessential Dior. Have a look.

~Paris and Olympic prices, what to expect [NYTimes]

~All the details about the upcoming Chelsea Flower Show 2024 [Gardens Illustrated]

~As someone who loves my bird cafés as they bring much delight year-round, here is an article worth reading – How to attract birds to your garden [Gardeners’ World]

~How long does it really take to form a habit? [Scientific American]

~How to style jeans like French women [Who What Wear UK]

~Sharon Santoni, founder and all-around inspiring human being when it comes to expert on the French culture is getting back to blogging this year with a new regular themed posting – “The Thing About . . . “. Have a look at her first post.

~And a video to remind us to prioritize fun – Why Having Fun is the Secret to a Healthier Life

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~Explore last week’s This & That: January 19, 2024

~~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.