From Paris, to the English countryside (twice!), to London, to Tokyo and even northern Italy, the movies and television series shared this week burst with wonderful storylines to enjoy. As well, a new much anticipated Broadway play opens, a new partnership with an up-and-coming interior designer to welcome her impeccably cool, yet timeless taste into your home, and clothing finds from high and low brands worth shopping are on sale. Still there is so much more.

Books

—The Book of Gifts by Lucy Claire Dunbar

If you are looking for a book full of uplifting illustrations, then be sure to pick up British illustrator Lucy Claire Dunbar’s new book (released this past fall), The Book of Gifts. I learned about her work on Instagram (check out her account here), and appreciated her gentleness, creativity and simplicity.

—Food for Thought: Essays and Ruminations by Alton Brown

While it has been a while since I watched the Food Network, when I did, I enjoyed Alton Brown’s science-focused approach as well as curiosity about all things food-related. In his new memoir being released on Tuesday February 4th, Food for Thought, Brown draws on his diverse work background from “cameraman to chef, musician to food scientist, to his work on the Food Network, including creating Good Eats and hosting Iron Chef America and Cutthroat Kitchen, to share exactly what’s on his mind, mixing compelling anecdotes from his personal and professional life with in-depth observations on the culinary world, film, personal style, defining meals of his lifetime, and much more”.

Expect some hilarious, behind-the-scene stories to fill the pages.

—How the World Eats: A Global Food Philosophy by Julian Baggini

Staying on the topic of food for a moment, from the bestselling author of How the World Thinks, philosopher Julian Baggini has a new book exploring the world, and this time what the world eats. “Delving into the best and worst food practices in a huge array of different societies, past and present, Baggini’s exploration takes him from cutting-edge technologies, such as new farming methods, cultured meat, GM and astronaut food, to the ethics and health of ultra processed food and aquaculture, as he takes a forensic look at the effectiveness of our food governance, the difficulties of food wastage and the effects of commodification.” After all, “how we live is shaped by how we eat and we can see this in the vastly different approaches to growing, preparing and eating food around the world.”

—Tartufo: A Novel by Kira Jane Buxton

While still about food, specifically a truffle in Italy, this one is a bit more light-hearted and a novel at that. Tartufo by Kira Jane Buxton involves a colorful set of characters, an Italian village that is nearing its end due to closures, and a truffle discovery made by local truffle hunter Giovanni Scarpazza that could change everything. Released on earlier this week, if you are looking to travel, learn a bit more about food or/and love a playful, and engaging story, this novel is for you.

British Finds

—Amandaland, BBC One

The spinoff from Motherland which Joanna Lumley held the spotlight comes Amandaland. Starring Lucy Punch as Amanda, the new comedy premieres Wednesday February 5th on BBC One. Have a look at the trailer below for a taste of this British humor-full series.

—Death in Paradise, season 14, BritBox

While the holiday episode that introduced the new DCI to viewers premiered back in December, the full 14th season kicked off yesterday on BritBox. Death in Paradise‘s latest season has eight episodes, a new one being released each Thursday night.

—Funny Woman, season 2, PBS Masterpiece

Back in 2023, the premiere season of Funny Woman, starring Gemma Arterton was chosen as a Petit Plaisir (#367 – read why I highly recommend watching this dramedy here), and I am so tickled season two will not be available here in the states. Premiering this Sunday on PBS Masterpiece, there are four episodes. Have a look at the trailer below.

—Miss Austen, BBC One

If you live in the UK or are able to use a VPN, you will be able to watch the highly anticipated new limited series Miss Austen Premiering on BBC One this Sunday (February 2nd) is the first of four episodes. Adapted from the novel of the same name by Gill Hornby, the series follows Jane Austen’s sister Cassandra who after two decades following Jane’s death finds the letters exchanged between the two sisters, and what she decides to do with them even as the world seeks to acquire more information about her well-known sister is the plot of the series. Have a look at the trailer below, and look for this series to come to PBS Masterpiece the first week of May.

Décor

—Heidi Caillier x Joon Loloi

Pacific Northwest interior designer Heidi Caillier just announced her partnership with the rug company Joon Loloi, and in their first collection (33 pieces), you can find all sizes and fabrics of rugs as well as a wide variety of pillows, each aligning with Caillier aesthetic – a bit English classic country home, a bit moody and just slightly modern.

Francophile Finds

—Bistrot Minim’s, Paris

Now this is news of note if you are looking for a bistrot to visit in Paris that is new (so-to-speak) and ideally located in the heart of the city. Minim’s just underwent an extensive renovation and reopened with their new official name Bistrot Minim’s. Classic French bistrot fare, located just steps from Le Place de la Concorde, the revival of Minim’s by “Paris Society continues its mission to reinvent Parisian experiences with boldness and elegance. Guided by Laurent de Gourcuff ’s vision, the group brings this institution back to life, preserving its soul while infusing it with modernity and warmth”.

—Jane Austen a Gâché Ma Vie (Jane Austen Ruined My Life)

Oh my goodness! When I learned of this film, I couldn’t wait to share with you. Released last week in France, this new film was made for TSLL’s community full of Anglophiles and Francophiles.

Jane Austen a Gâché Ma Vie centers around Agathe, who – get this – works in Paris’ famed English bookshop – Shakespeare & Company (many scenes were filmed in the bookshop as you will no doubt recognize when you watch the trailer below).

Here’s the plot: “Hopelessly clumsy, yet charming and full of contradictions, Agathe finds herself in desperate singlehood. Her dream is to experience love akin to a Jane Austen novel and her ultimate desire is to become a writer. Instead, she spends her days selling books in Paris’s legendary English-language bookshop, Shakespeare and Company. When she receives an invitation to the Jane Austen Writers’ Residency in England, she must confront her insecurities if she is finally to fulfill her ambition of becoming a novelist and put an end to wasting her sentimental life”.

Shopping

—The Everyday Wide-Leg Pant, mid-rise (cotton/tencel), Banana Republic, four colors

Pants to have for mixing up or down and stepping away from jeans for a while are great items in the capsule wardrobe. And these from Banana Republic are available at a great price and three different inseam lengths.

—M.M.Fleurs Pants Sale, 25% off

One more opportunity to find dress pants of all different styles, colors, fabrics and lengths. Use promo code PANTS25 at checkout and save 25% off. Below I have shopped a few styles, but there are many more.

~SHOP THE SALE:

—Netaporter, Extra 15% off sale

I scooped up a trench I had my eye on since last November, having patiently waited to see if the price would continue to drop (and the size I needed remained available). Delightedly, I saved over 60% off the original designer price and have the gray trench I have had on my capsule wardrobe shopping list for nearly two years. I share this because if you know what you need, be sure to shop this sale, as you will save well on high quality brands (if you know the brands that work best for you).

I have included two finds in the shoe section below, but there are endless items in the sale, and don’t forget to use the promo code EXTRA15 to save 15% off the sale price listed as well as Rakuten to save even more with the additional rebate.

~Gianvito Rossi Lindsay 55mm leather sandals, two brown hues available

~Valentino Rock Stud Leather pointed toe flats, off-white/ivory

Television

—Asura, Netflix

This series came to my attention as a show to watch that is going under the radar. Set in Japan, it just premiered on Netflix on January 9th. Asura, set in 1979 Tokyo, involves “four distinct sisters who uncover their ageing father’s affair, causing their happy facades and bottled-up emotions to slowly unravel”. Have a look at the trailer below.

Theatre

—Redwood

I mentioned last year that Tony award winner and singer of the beloved song “Let It Go,m”, Idina Menzel was making her way back to the Broadway stage in a new musical this year, and currently, Redwood is in previews with the officially opening on February 13th. Partially inspired by the woman, Julia Butterfly Hill who back in 1997 climbed up into a redwood and lived in it for more than 700 in order to save it (it worked), the play also “explores the lengths — and heights — one travels to find strength, resilience and healing and tells the story of one woman’s journey into the precious and precarious world of the redwoods. Jesse (Menzel) seems to have it all — a successful career and devoted family — until a life-altering event drives her far from everyone and everything she knows. When she finds herself at the foot of the redwoods in Northern California, a chance encounter and a leap of faith will change her life forever”.

And it is a quote from Idina Menzel about her preparation for this production that will inspire the topic of conversation for our February A Cuppa Moments that will be posted on the blog tomorrow. Learn more about becoming a TOP Tier Member here so that you can join us.

The good news in French class at the moment is that the concept of how to create a gérondif (gerund) came easily, but after six hours of class this week instead of our usual four, I am mentally kaput. 🙃 How did the final week in January unfold for you?

I shared more detail about how things are going for Nelle and I both in Saturday’s Ponderings . . . post and Wednesday’s monthly Smile post, so I won’t repeat myself here, and I encourage you to read Monday’s Motivational post if you are looking for a inspiration about the power of being kind – what it looks like, why it is an exemplification of strength and what it is not.

Over the weekend, Nelle supervised as I made a Tarte Tatin aux Poires (adapted from this recipe that calls for apples – just swap them out), and while we did share it with friends over the weekend, there were a couple servings leftover after the weekend. Worry not, all now has been enjoyed by moi. I enjoyed every bite, and I think you will too ☺️. Dependably delicious, melt-in-your mouth buttery crust and pears that with each bite taste like candy. So good.

Thank you for stopping by today, and I hope the weekend ahead as a new month begins finds you experiencing gratifying moments, reassurance in an area in your life you hold dear, and of course, oodles of everyday moments to savor. Until tomorrow when February’s A Cuppa Moments will be shared with TOP Tier members, bonne journée.

~How to heal a broken heart through Paris—and some of the best bites [Forbes]

~Renée Zellweger is interviewed by Hugh Grant about her upcoming movie, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy [Vogue]

~Ideas for where to eat in Paris’s St. Germain [Hip Paris]

~Evidentially, this is where French women are really shopping [Telegraph, subscription may be required]

~An American approach to Cotswold’s style in Brentwood [Flower magazine]

~A thought provoking article about how we are being distracted about whether we are really distracted or not by technology. [The New Yorker]

~According to therapists, these are five signs you’ve outgrown a friendship [Self]

~Perhaps you remember his performance on the Seine, in the pouring rain during the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympics this summer in Paris? Pianist Alexandre Kantorow’s rise to fame since that moment still hasn’t changed his approach to playing and performing. [NYTimes, gift link]

~Rest easy, those nights you wake up in the middle are nothing to worry about. Six Things we get wrong about sleep [NYTimes, gift link]

~Let’s take a style lesson from Parisian women who know how to style effortlessly our jeans:

~Explore last week’s This & That: January 24, 2025

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!

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