A novel centered around Impressionist artists, another novel set in Oxford when it first began to admit women, a book to provide inspiration for home decorating to nourish all of your senses, a play in London receiving high praise, a film for lovers of nature and gardening, décor and antique finds for Francophiles, clothing for timeless style that transitions well from summer to autumn and still much more.

~This week the This & That is shared one day earlier due to filming the cooking course as the podcast is not being aired during the month of July and there was no new post this Wednesday. Enjoy T & T Thursday this week only, but rest assured, it will return to its regular Friday posting beginning next week. I do hope you enjoy the post!

Books

—Cocoon: Creating Home with Heart by Ali Heath

What comes to mind when the term cocoon is mentioned? For me, it is one of comfort and nourishment needed in order to grow, evolve and realize strengths we may not have known we have. For interior stylist and designer Ali Heath, as she shares in her third book Cocoon (out on July 22nd), “cocooning is not about isolation or shutting down and does not have to mean going off-grid – it is simply about tuning back into our emotions, creativity and curiosity to satisfy our need for shelter, comfort and wonder.”

I want to thank TSLL reader Rona for bringing this new release to my attention as Cocoon speaks to so much of what we talk about when we approach curating our individual sanctuary. As Heath points out, her approach to decorating “is so much more than just a look or style – it’s about taking a holistic approach that draws upon all our senses, not just the visual, and connects us more meaningfully to ourselves and our surroundings. In the past creating a sanctuary was about the decoration of a few key rooms, now it is about how the home as a whole makes us feel.”

~Be sure to check out Ali’s Substack – For the Curious – here.

—Doing Good Better: Effective Altruism and a Radical New Way to Make a Difference by William MacAskill

While released back in 2015, I came across this title on Blackwell’s as a book they continue to recommend, and because sometimes while we may want to help, we just don’t know exactly how to do so in a way that helps others effectively.

At the core of William MacAskill’s philosophy in Doing Good Better are five key questions that help guide our altruistic decisions: How many people benefit, and by how much? Is this the most effective thing I can do? Is this area neglected? What would have happened otherwise? What are the chances of success, and how good would success be?

“By applying these questions to real-life scenarios, MacAskill shows how many of our assumptions about doing good are misguided. For instance, he argues measuring overhead costs is an inaccurate gauge of a charity’s effectiveness; and, it generally doesn’t make sense for individuals to donate to disaster relief.

“MacAskill urges us to think differently, set aside biases, and use evidence and careful reasoning rather than act on impulse. When we do this—when we apply the head and the heart to each of our altruistic endeavors—we find that each of us has the power to do an astonishing amount of good.”

—The Eights: A Novel by Joanna Miller

Learning about this new novel (released earlier this year) in a list of recommendations in The New York Times, I took note of it as it is set in Oxford, 1920. “For the first time in its one-thousand-year history, Oxford University officially admits female students. Burning with dreams of equality, four young women move into neighboring rooms in Corridor 8. Beatrice, Dora, Marianne, and Otto—collectively known as The Eights—come from all walks of life, each driven by their own motives, each holding tight to their secrets, and are thrown into an unlikely, unshakable friendship.” Right out of the gate, this novel looks fascinating.

—Empire of the Elite: Inside Condé Nast, the Media Dynasty That Reshaped America by Michael M. Grynbaum

Released this past Tuesday, a book that pokes into and behind the scenes of one of the most powerful publishing empires – Condé Nast. Written by a New York Times media correspondent, Michael M. Grynbaum shares in Empire of the Elite the history of the home of Vogue, Vanity Fair, The New Yorker, and more, focusing on its glitzy heyday from the 1980s through the 2000s.

—Fulvia: The Woman Who Broke All the Rules in Ancient Rome by Jane Draycott

A step waaaay back into history, Roman times, 80 BC – 40 BC. The life of Fulvia is brought to a contemporary audience by Jane Draycott in Fulvia. “While born into wealth, privilege, and prestige, Fulvia was not a saint, an empress, or a queen, but during the years leading up to the fall of the Roman Republic, Fulvia was moving in the most powerful social circles, and by her death in 40 BCE she had amassed a degree of political and military power unprecedented for a woman.”

British Finds

—Dare to Be Wild

I want to thank long-time reader and membership of TSLL community Lilia S. for bringing this film to my attention. What a delightful bio-pic about an Irish gardener who I must admit, I didn’t know much about. In Dare to Be Wild, released in 2018, the film is a romantic adventure story, inspired by real life Mary Reynolds, “a young landscape designer determined to preserve wild nature. Betrayed in the cutthroat world of Dublin celebrity society, Mary has little hope and no prospects, but has one earth-changing idea. But how does a penniless unknown dare compete in the Olympics of Gardening where Prince Charles is a rival?” Have a look at the trailer below, and find it on Amazon Prime for streaming.

—Nye, National Theatre, London

If you will be in London this month or early August (it concludes on August 16th), a new play that is receiving across-the-board praise is Nye. Starring Michael Sheen, the play tells the story of the genesis of the National Health System.

“From campaigning at the coalfield to leading the battle to create the NHS, Aneurin ‘Nye’ Bevan is often referred to as the politician with greatest influence on our country without ever being Prime Minister. Confronted with death, Nye’s deepest memories lead him on a mind-bending journey back through his life, from childhood to mining underground, Parliament and fights with Churchill in an epic Welsh fantasia.”

Décor

—“The Thinkers” Bookends, antique

Always keeping my eyes on the look-out for bookends because I have more books than I do bookshelves and so end up stacking them everywhere, I wanted to share a pair that is affordable (comparably to other antiques that are priced in the thousands), a classic and harkens the memory back to Paris and the Musée Rodin.

Made in 1928, “this pair of gold metal bookends is cast in the style of Auguste Rodin’s famous sculpture ‘The Thinker’ that sits in the gardens of the Rodin Museum in Paris. Rich patina shows the age of the bookends.”

—Zara Home’s Tableware with contrast rim

Francophile Finds

—French Scroll Shelf, Anthropologie

A simple touch of France to the interior of a sanctuary. Place a vase, a small bust, or any other beloved item on this scroll shelf in that small nook where you just don’t know how to adorn. But now you do!

—The Lost Masterpiece: A Novel by B. A. Shapiro

Released in June, The Lost Masterpiece is set in the late 19th century in Paris. “Centering on the anguished Impressionist artist Berthe Morisot—the one woman in their midst who never got her due—and the story of Morisot’s great-great-great-great granddaughter, Tamara Rubin, who has inherited Édouard Manet’s Party on the Seine, a painting that completely upends her life, with this inheritance, she discovers a long-hidden family history replete with unanswered questions: How had it been stolen by the Nazis? How had the painting managed to survive three disasters that destroyed every other artwork around it? And most of all, why had she never known about her ancestor, Berthe Morisot? As the painting begins to metamorphose into darker and more terrifying versions of itself, Tamara’s ordinary life is thrown into turmoil. What wounds and resentments plagued Morisot, and to what lengths will her spirit go for revenge?”

Garden

—Serena & Lily Bistro Dining Table, three colors

This bistro table immediately caught my eye when I came across it because it has a classic style, is sturdy, but isn’t absurdly expensive.

Shopping

—Banana Republic Cotton Poplin Tunic (navy & white stripe), on sale

Banana Republic is having a lovely sale at the moment, and I spied this top that could easily carry us into autumn and then be worn again with effortless style in spring.

—Filomena dress, 100% cotton (two colors)

Another dress to transition well from summer into early autumn, the Filomena. A classic style, mid-length, long-sleeves that could be rolled up as desired, and a flattering collared v-neck, complete with a wrap waist. Also loving that there are pockets.

—Polo Ralph Lauren Leather Trim Canvas Tote, navy and brown available

Another classic that will be with you for years. Ralph Lauren also offers different sizes in this composition of tote (canvas and leather), click here to explore the larger – zipped topped tote.

—Zimmermann’s Cutout Metallic Stretch Knit Top, 70% off

Providing a touch of sparkle and knitted warmth, but not too much of either – perfect for a summer evening paired with linen pants or shorts. Layer with a jacket as necessary.

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The kitchen has been my homebase as of late with oodles of delicious moments being enjoyed and a flurry of hours filming. Thankfully Nelle is very patient, and of course, nibbles are shared with her. Have a peek at the egg lesson where one of the items we’ll be teaching in this lesson is soufflés! (learn more about the Intro to French Cooking course here)

Earlier in the week, a celebration of living in Bend for 10 years occurred (along with also cheering Le Quatorze Juillet!) and as a way to mark this occasion, a special sale on TOP Tier memberships welcomed ten new members at a permanently low price! So tickled for you each to be part of TSLL international community, and as I shared with new member, but long-time TSLL reader and subscriber to the newsletter Ginger, the last time this price was available was nearly four years ago, and if you were a newsletter subscriber (daily, weekly or monthly), you had the chance to save for a lifetime! If you haven’t already signed up for one of these newsletters (all free!), be sure to so here, so you don’t miss out on future surprise sales.

Thank you for stopping by today and may the upcoming few of days find you discovering something that brightens your day, being on the receiving end of a kind gesture, and of course, savoring oodles of everyday moments. Enjoy below a few articles and one video that will be sure to delight. Bonne journée !

~Home tour of the week: slip away to the coast of Cornwall for a gentle refreshed family home with soothing neutral hues that express a quiet confidence in style. [House & Garden UK]

~This Nigel Slater recipe for a mascarpone tart with a crisp biscuity base has my number and maybe yours as well! [The Observer]

~A helpful reminder of how we actually build confidence – the confidence paradox [Positive Prescription]

~Architectural Digest gives a tour of Carrie Bradshaw’s new Gramercy Park home (subscription may be required)

~A thoughtful post on how getting dressed and what we choose to wear can be a love letter to ourselves [Tiny Buddha]

~Three cities near Paris that are worth visiting for more than just a day. [National Geographic]

~This hotel in Provence was just named the best in France and it’s located in a quiet village [Travel + Leisure]

~The article that gave me much to ponder this week, especially as a teacher of literature for so many years, When Novels Mattered [NYTimes, gift link]

~And what a treat this week’s video was to find, watch and now share with you. I do hope you enjoy as you step inside the Antwerp train station in Belgium.

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~Explore last week’s This & That: July 11, 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.