Fantastic Francophile and British finds this week – in the form of a new tv series, new cozy mystery series and kitchen items. Also, books about honoring and being yourself in everyday life and how it deepens the quality, a fun novel about the history of cheesecake – I didn’t know there as so much I didn’t know behind such a beautiful confection! Clothing finds, sales and timeless classics and still much more!

Books

—The Aviator and the Showman: Amelia Earhart, George Putnam, and the Marriage that Made an American Icon by Laura Gwen Shapiro

I had the opportunity to read an excerpt of the new biography about Amelia Earhart and her husband George Putnam, and I found it more than fascinating. It reveals a picture of successful marketing that has painted a story we continue to tell. A story that while containing some truth, also contains a lot of ‘showmanship’ primarily on the part of Putnam, and his reasons for doing so. You can read that excerpt which is titled “Amelia Earhart’s Reckless Final Nights” here.

—Becoming Yourself: Teachings on the Zen Way of Life by Shunryu Suzuki 

The author behind the bestselling Zen Mind, Beginners’ Mind, Shunryu Suzuki now has another book to look forward to. Becoming Yourself “speaks directly to the newest beginners while also serving as a touchstone and a continual source of inspiration for even the most experienced practitioners and Zen teachers . . . Becoming yourself is not meant to be understood as an idea; it is meant to be tried out as a way of being. It is “Just to sit,” a practice of wholeheartedly being as you are, moment after moment, no matter what is happening. It is a practice of deeply connecting with how it feels to be alive in your surroundings, whether on a meditation cushion or not, and stepping forward from that connection.” I look forward very much to reading it. It to be released on July 15th.

—Being an Oak: Life as a Tree by Laurent Tillon 

Released back in June and already an international bestseller, in Being an Oak, biodiversity expert Laurent Tillon’s “narrates the story of the tree he calls Quercus. Evoking the richness which is all around us, he reveals that Quercus is embedded in a network of ever-shifting relationships, from close alliances between plants and animals to battles between insects, birds and fungi.”

—Cheesecake: A Novel by Mark Kurlansky 

Set in 1970s New York City, Cheesecake centers around the history of the first recipe known for the famed and loved New York Cheesecake. “Cato the Elder, a Roman born in 234 BCE, is credited with the earliest written recipe ever found. No cream cheese, no graham cracker crust, somehow savory and sweet, the recipe is enigmatic-and suddenly, it’s all anyone on West 86th Street can talk about.”

All I imagine is the joy and lack of discipline Rachel in FRIENDS had when the cheesecakes played a role in that particular episode. Do you know which one I am talking about? I can picture the scenes now! 🙂

But back to the plot of this novel. “The Katsikases, a Greek cheesemaking family who immigrated to open a restaurant in New York, added Cato’s pastry to their menu as a ploy to attract ‘upscale’ diners. After a glowing write-up in the Times, the recipe becomes a neighborhood fixation-and the Katsikases’ patriarch, Art, buys up as much of the block’s real estate as he can. As the portentous pastry appears in the lives of the old-school residents Art is pricing out of their apartments, a sidewalk view of West 86th Street emerges: A high-profile family planning a high-pressure bat mitzvah, a painter’s muse with a terrible secret, an eccentric art collector plotting revenge. Sometimes laced with green M&Ms, sometimes with sage, sometimes with spite, Cato’s cheesecake heralds change as West 86th Street is transformed for good.”

Sounds like a delicious novel to enjoy, and we will be able to so starting this coming Tuesday.

—Life and Art: Essays by Richard Russo

From the Pulitzer Prize winning writer Richard Russo, a book of essays that is coming highly praised from reviewers. Life and Art are the twin subjects found in the 12 essays.

“In ‘The Lives of Others,’ he reflects on the implacable fact that writers use people, insisting that what matters, in the end, is how and for what purpose. How do you bridge the gap between what you know and what you don’t, and sometimes can’t, know? Why tell a story in the first place? What we don’t understand, Russo opines, is in fact the very thing that beckons to us. In ‘Stiff Neck,’ he writes of the exasperating fault lines exposed within his own family as his wife’s sister and her husband—proudly unvaccinated—develop COVID. In ‘Triage,’ he details with heartbreaking vividness the terror of seeing his seven-year-old grandson in critical condition. And in ‘Ghosts,’ he revisits Gloversville, the town that gave rise to the now-legendary fictional town of North Bath, and confronts the specter of its richly populated past and its ghostly present.

British Finds

—The Antique Hunter’s Murder at the Castle, book #3 by C.L. Miller

I wanted to take a moment to give you all a heads up about the latest addition to the cozy mystery series that was chosen as a Petit Plaisir in episode #404 (read my review of the series here) – The Antique Hunters by C.L. Miller.

—Bookish, season 1, U&Alibi

Oh goodness! I cannot WAIT to watch this new series, and while it won’t be in the US just yet, as Bookish premieres in the UK on July 16th, PBS has acquired the rights to air it, and will do so in the coming 2025/26 season. I will be sure to alert you to when it becomes available in the states.

Bookish is a new series set in 1946 London, from the same creator as the Sherlock series. Gabriel Book (Mark Gatiss) is the proprietor of an antiquarian bookshop and relies on his vast collection to unravel baffling cases. He nurtures a group of lovable yet troubled individuals, providing informal protection and guidance. Have a look at the trailer below, and those of you in the UK, I cannot wait to hear what you think of it!

—Murder in the Scottish Highlands by Dee MacDonald

Another cozy mystery series of note that just began back in August 2024 and already has three books is the Ally McKinley Mystery series from Dee MacDonald, set entirely in Scotland.

“For recently retired Ally McKinley, the tiny village of Locharran is the perfect place to open the guesthouse of her dreams in a lovingly restored old Scottish malthouse. Before long she is making friends with the locals, including Hamish Sinclair, the earl who owns the nearby castle. But things take an unexpected turn when her first paying guest, American tourist Wilbur Carrington, is found sprawled across her cobblestoned courtyard with a dagger in his back…”

Décor

—Hastshilp’s Poppy Rattan Waste Paper Bin or plant pot, small

Having a beautiful, somewhat camouflaged, waste bin is worth the price if somewhat reasonable. And this one looks like it would work nicely.

—LoveÉcru’s Stainless Steel French Press, double layer insulation, on sale

If you love coffee, and are looking for a high quality stainless steel design French press, this is one to check out. And for one more day (Friday), it is on sale, but whenever you shop it, you can save 25% as well when you sign up for their newsletter.

—Wood Framed Wall Art of Lemons & Pitcher, Pepper + Vetiver

Always looking for beautiful still-life art, I came across this one, and as it is under $120, I wanted to share it with you. For the size and quality, the price is quite nice.

Francophile Finds

—Emile Henry 9″ Pie Dish, on sale

A big thank you to Rona, long-time reader and member of TSLL, for bringing to my attention a lovely sale on French ceramic brand Emile Henry’s pie dishes. All colors are reduced, each uniquely so, but all significantly so.

—L’ecole du Chocolat, from Le Cordon Bleu

For all you French pastry chefs out there, a cookbook for your library to entice with all the more reason to sign up for a pastry class at Le Cordon Bleu! While yes, written entirely in French, it does include 210 color photos for all of the recipes as well. Learn how to make chocolat liégeois, muffins, merveilleux, religieuses, macarons, rochers croustillants, vacherin glacé, mille feuille, bûche, along with basic skills for making ganache, tempering chocolate, molding bonbons, and creating those beautiful shavings for decoration to place on top of your edible artistic creations.

—Le Quatorze Juillet (aka Bastille Day in the states)

On Monday, Le Quatorze Juillet celebrations will take place around France and in many Francophone countries and Francophile homes around the world. How will you be celebrating? Most definitely here at Le Papillon, we will be making something French, watching the current stage of Le Tour de France, and no doubt making a toast or two in celebration and gratitude for all that the French culture has brought into my life. May you have a wonderful day celebrating in your own way as well.

~Here is a post and podcast episode full of ideas for celebrating this special day on the calendar for Francophiles.

—The Club: Where American Women Artists Found Refuge in Belle Époque Paris by Jennifer Dasal

This new book looks fantastic, and as I am always intrigued to learn about history and American and French history at that, author and podcaster Jennifer Dasal does just that when we writes about “the never-before-told story of a female-only Residence known as The American Girls’ Club in Paris, the philanthropists who created it, and the artists it housed. These women forged connections in the arts and letters with luminaries like Auguste Rodin and Gertrude Stein or became activists through their relationships with the likes of Emmeline Pankhurst. But just as importantly, these women’s lives revealed the power of the Club itself, and the way that having a safe home for single women of ambition allowed them to grow as teachers, artists, suffragists, and people.”

Listen to Jennifer’s podcast ArtCurious here.

Shopping

—Madewell’s Curved Hem Pull-On 100% linen shorts & matching top

—Mango’s Summer Sale

Mango’s sale continues, and there are quite a few nice items available and at wonderfully low prices too. One item that caught my eye was this linen trench coat, 52% off.

—Frank & Eileen’s Monterey Rolled Funnel Neck Sweater, in stripes and pure Italian cotton Pointelle (many colors)

While not on sale, these cotton sweaters are perfect for summer evenings or mornings when there is a chill or nip in the air. They breathe nicely and are made with high quality fabric. I am saving this one and look forward to purchasing one this autumn as it will be a timeless piece worn for years.

—Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale

Yep, the annual sale will officially open to everyone tomorrow, and some shoppers already have access. This month’s Style Inspiration post was all about finding the good deals on worthwhile items, so be sure to shop TSLL’s post sharing My 100 Favorite Finds from the Sale. The sale wraps up on August 3rd.

—Reiss Sale, up to 60% off

Another sale of note, and hand-picked items shopped with TSLL readers in mind – Reiss’s summer sale, with savings up to 60$ off.

~SHOP THE SALE:

Television

—Renaissance: The Blood and the Beauty, PBS

Premiering just this past week is a documentary that takes us back to Italy during the time of the Renaissance. Renaissance: The Blood and the Beauty originally premiering in the UK back in December, and now we here in the states have the opportunity to enjoy this three episode limited series, with a new episode released each week. “Rival artists Michelangelo, Leonardo, and Raphael compete amidst war to create timeless masterpieces, crafting beauty from chaos.” Have a look at the trailer below.

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The Boscabel rose has begun to bloom for the first time here at Le Papillon, and as I shared in this IG post, its blooming revealed a truth and thus same reminder when it comes to living well of the rose referenced in Monday’s Motivational post which focused on how a dream is realized.

Mornings and evenings in the garden provide much beauty to savor at the moment, and even the afternoons, beginning just yesterday are quite nice as well as the heat has abated for the moment. Overall, we really have had a mild summer here in Bend, so I am savoring each day all the more.

Filming continues on the Intro to French Cooking Show with three more episodes filmed this past week, and all the way from France, the free gifts has arrived! You can see glimpses of each in the IG Highlights on both @thesimplyluxuriouslife and @tsllcookingshow.

Soon the cherries will need to be harvested, but until they do, I think this weekend will just be for pottering, deadheading and enjoying being outside in the garden. I hope you are having a wonderful summer so far. I want to thank you for stopping by today. I have been enjoying hearing from so many of you lately, whether directly via email about your trips and travels in France, via IG and everyday life that you are savoring or receiving heads up about finds you have discovered and want to share with TSLL community. Thank you for your thoughtfulness and delight in TSLL community and sharing all that it has inspired in your own life.

Below I have a few articles and one video to share, many French-inspired as I find myself becoming all the more inclined to dive into Francophile savorings at the moment with the 10th Annual French Week just around the corner ☺️🇫🇷❤️. Have a most lovely weekend filled with everyday moments to savor, and until tomorrow when the monthly Ponderings . . . post will be shared with TOP Tier Members, bonne journée !

~Home tour of the week: A Chelsea cottage, petite, yet full of the English country feel [House & Garden UK]

~Favorite read of the week, and perfect for anyone who finds themselves stretching into new possibilities but just aren’t there yet – When You Outgrow Where You Are. [Tiny Buddha]

~Thank you to long-time reader and member of TSLL’s community Anne for sharing this article about Bread and a scandal that surrounded it in a small village in France [Lickedspoon]

~5 Science-backed ways to move past being a perfectionist [ Life Hack]

~Understanding anything is part of no longer letting it be in the driver’s seat: The science behind doomscrolling (and how to make better decisions). I look forward to reading this author’s new book, from which this article is excerpted. [NYTimes, gift link]

~The 38 Best restaurants in Paris according to Eater

~The best hotels in the south of France according to CondeNastTraveller

~And while you are there, How to spend 3 Days in the South of France [CNTraveller]

~TSA just announced that you can keep your shoes on during the security checkpoint! [Afar]

~One more for the south of France – 20 Best Places to visit according to a local [Travel + Leisure]

~The microphone flipped this week as I was invited to be a guest on the podcast Classic & Curious. We talked about the backstory of TSLL, knowing when it was time to retire from teaching and step fully into writing and our chat also included some fun Q&A about favorites – meals, travel, clothing and more. I want to thank again host Anne Kokoskies, who is a listener of The Simple Sophisticate as well, and living her own simply luxurious life in Boston for having me on her show.

~If you are new to watching Le Tour de France, something I enjoy watching each July as a way to travel vicariously around France, then this short video is the one to watch, From France 24 English, they explain it all. And a historic moment happened on Wednesday earlier this week with a cyclist winning for the first time, these three jerseys at one time – Tadej Pogačar won the yellow, the polka dot and the green jersey, something that has never been done before because the time trial sections of the race were never included in the sprint category until this year. Go Tadej!

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~Explore last week’s This & That: July 4, 2025

~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.