A new biography about an American fashion designer whose approach challenged Dior and who you may know little about but that is about to change. Novels set in the present and far distant past, a cookbook to provide inspiration for utilizing your pantry through the seasons, the return of a British series full of more crimes to solve and traditions to question, a new British limited series that is receiving wonderful reviews, and a new rom-com that changes up the well-known trope. All of that plus quite a few summer clothing finds and still there is more!

Books

—Claire McCardell: The Designer Who Set Women Free by Elizabeth Evitts Dickinson 

Described as “the most influential fashion designer you’ve never heard of” Claire McCardell’s talents were vast came to women and their clothing, enabling them to look great while also living the life they wanted to live – which was active! Coming into recognition during the time that Christian Dior’s New Look came to prominence, biographer Elizabeth Evitts Dickinson shares in The Designer Who Set Women Free how then young journalist Betty Friedan called McCardell in 1955, “The Gal Who Defied Dior.” Why? “She tossed out corsets in favor of a comfortably elegant look and insisted on pockets, even as male designers didn’t see a need for them. She made zippers easy to reach because a woman ‘may live alone and like it . . .’.

—The Correspondent: A Novel by Virginia Evans

Released this past April and already a national bestseller, Virginia Evan’s The Correspondent is a novel I came across when I popped into our local bookshop earlier this week just to peruse. During my visit, I discovered many titles that caught my eye. Ann Patchett sums up the plot of The Correspondent well when she shared that the novel “is a portrait of a small life expanding. Virginia Evans shows how one woman changes at a point when change had seemed impossible. That change, like this novel, turns out to be a cause for celebration.”

“Sybil Van Antwerp has throughout her life used letters to make sense of the world and her place in it. Most mornings, around half past ten, Sybil sits down to write letters—to her brother, to her best friend, to the president of the university who will not allow her to audit a class she desperately wants to take, to Joan Didion and Larry McMurtry to tell them what she thinks of their latest books, and to one person to whom she writes often yet never sends the letter.

“Sybil expects her world to go on as it always has—a mother, grandmother, wife, divorcee, distinguished lawyer, she has lived a very full life. But when letters from someone in her past force her to examine one of the most painful periods of her life, she realizes that the letter she has been writing over the years needs to be read and that she cannot move forward until she finds it in her heart to offer forgiveness.”

—The Pretender: A Novel by Jo Harkin

Another title discovered while perusing the bookshop is The Pretender. A book I could have put under British Finds because we’re headed back to 1480 England. “John Collan’s greatest anxiety is how to circumvent the village’s devil goat on his way to collect water. But the arrival of a well-dressed stranger from London upends his life forever: John is not John Collan, not the son of Will Collan but Lambert Simnel, the son of the long-deceased Duke of Clarence, and has been hidden in the countryside after a brotherly rift over the crown—and because Richard III has a habit of disappearing his nephews.”

Inspired by true events, but events tucked away in the footnotes of history, it is the true story of the little-known Simnel, who was a figurehead of the 1487 Yorkist rebellion and ended up working as a spy in the court of King Henry VII that sparked the idea for Jo Harkin’s historical piece of fiction, The Pretender.

British Finds

—Grantchester, season 10, PBS Masterpiece

Premiering this Sunday on PBS Masterpiece, season 10 of Grantchester takes us back to seemingly quiet 1950s Cambridgeshire village where police detective Geordie Keating (Robson Green) and the resident vicar (played now by Rishi Nair) are always on the case solving the latest murder, mystery, and mayhem that is afoot.

In season 10, Alphy Kottaram (Nair) has begun to “[find] a home in Grantchester. In Geordie too, he’s found a best friend and his intellectual equal. Love proves more elusive, until a case throws him in the path of a romance. But before he can let anyone else in, he must confront truths about himself. Geordie, meanwhile, wrestles with his expectations for his own son and Cathy takes steps to better her career with the help of Mrs. Chapman.” Have a look at the trailer below.

—Outrageous, BritBox

Premiering next Wednesday on BritBox is Outrageous, a limited series that takes the lives of the real-life Mitford sisters and lets us peak into the many rule breaking moments that made headlines involving betrayal, scandal, heartache and even imprisonment. Set in the 1930s, the six Mitford sisters refused to be limited by society imposed rules and expectations, and because of their defiance, we continue to talk about them today. Have a look at the trailer below and look for a new episode each Wednesday; six episodes are included in the series.

Cookbooks

—The Yearlong Pantry: Bright, Bold Vegetarian Recipes to Transform Everyday Staples by Erin Alderson

The third cookbook from Erin Alderson, The Yearlong Pantry, released last October, “is a vegetarian guide to grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. Ingredient breakdowns with new cooking techniques and recipes, this cookbook is a reference to help refresh and add new flourishes for those dependable pantry staples.
 
“Learn which grains to fry, pop, or leave to the rice cooker, how to turn different nuts into butters, creams, or salad crunchies, and which beans stand up well in hearty sauces or pureed dips. Chapters, organized by ingredient, start with basic background, buying, storage, and cooking lessons with charts, then dive into recipes to showcase the yearlong pantry with seasonal vegetable swaps. Think Grilled Peaches with Hot-Honey Hazelnut Vinaigrette, Carrot Soup with Chile-Fried Spelt, and Charred Chimichurri Ayocote Beans over Whipped Ricotta.”

Films

—Materialists

While yes, a rom-com, this is not your typical rom-com. The trailer below speaks to the trope we have come to know and love, (and I must say, don’t have enough of as of late!), and then presents a nuisance and perhaps, yes, I would say most definitely, more mindful approach that is happily welcomed. Dakota Johnson stars alongside Pedro Pascal and Chris Evans in Materialists. Have a look at the trailer below and look for it to begin premiering in theaters today.

Décor

—Alford Brown Woven Rattan Decorative Tray, Crate & Barrel

I saw this tray and I thought it would be the perfect catch-all tray for mail or keys – anything we walk through the door with and don’t want to lose track of. With its quite significant size – 24″ in length, it can fill a space on a console well without needed too much else to accompany it. Maybe a vase of flowers or a piece of art or lamp. Voila! Functional and stylish.

—The White Company Sale, up to 50% off

A sale to explore from home décor and clothing. This glass pitcher caught my eye – timeless and easily used as a vase as well.

Shopping

—Acqua di Parma Art de la Table tea set

For all of the TSLL readers who live in Europe, someone please add this treasure to your home and everyday life. As it is not available to ship to the states, as soon as I saw it recently (for the life of me, I cannot remember where at the moment), it made me smile. Just imagine, waking up, pouring tea into these teacups and beginning the day. Happiness in a teacup. Molto bello !

—Bruno Visconti Vegan Leather Notebooks (lined), four colors

Earlier this week I stopped by a local art shop to pick up sealing wax for my stationery, and saw these quality notebooks. Blank, lined and full of oodles of pages. The leather is sturdy, yet wonderfully supple, and the price, not bad at all for the high quality – $32. If you are looking for a journal that you will keep once filled, this would be one you know will last and store well. Available in four different colors.

—COS Striped Shortsleeved Shirt Dress, light blue

Summer style is needed, and this shirt dress with the versatility to drape like a shift or accessorized with a belt to add a waist looks perfect to include in the summer wardrobe. And the price is very nice as well.

—Manebi Soft Suede Slingback Wedge Espadrilles, three colors

Espadrilles (wedge) without a tie or a strap around the entirety of the ankle. When I saw Manebi’s style with the slingback, I saved it. I love it. Maybe you do as well. ☺️

—Maray Pintuck Camisole, Veronica Beard, two colors available

For layering, a simple camisole with a touch of texture. Under a linen blazer or a cardigan or cotton sweater, easy to transition into early fall and wear again in late spring.

—Rouje Ginetta dress or Gloria skirt

There was something about this fabric that just spoke to me, and depending upon your style and wardrobe needs, it is available in a dress or a skirt. Loving the midi length.

—Staud Laura Linen Dress, three different print choices

Earlier this week, in the monthly Outfits post (five outfits were styled – a book is paired with each as well! bien sûr ☺️ 📚), linen was a core material for nearly each of the outfits, so this dress would have been a great sixth outfit to share. I just found it yesterday, so am sharing it with you today. ☺️

Teapot of the Week!

—Mud’s Round Teapot 2-cup, four colors

Quality teapots are used at least three times a day here at Le Papillon, and one brand that will dependably not drip is Australian’s Mud handmade teapots. I have one of them, a slightly different style than the round one seen here, and I love it. A strainer is included inside the teapot, so you can enjoy your favorite loose leaf tea.

Television

—The Buccaneers, season 2, AppleTV+

The young American women who had been sent over to England in the 1870s to secure husbands and titles are now ensconced in British society. Season 2 of The Buccaneers finds these Americans navigating their new roles as influential figures. Have a look at the trailer below and enjoy the eight episodes that will premiere on June 18th, with a new episode being released each week.

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The peonies at Adelman’s peony farm enveloped Nelle last week when we visited, and I couldn’t get enough of these Sarah Bernhardt beauties. The season may be coming to close in the Willamette Valley, but savor them we did during our garden weekend in the valley with my mom.

I look forward to sharing a detailed garden post on Monday (the regular monthly posting) where I will share the regular items – tasks & contemplations, books, and photos from the garden here at Le Papillon – as well as a tour of a new-to-me garden that is right in the middle of old Portland along the Willamette that is full of beauty. You can take a peek on my gardening IG account here.

With this entire week to just be at home, much progress was made on the two projects I cannot wait to bring to you all. First, the Introduction to French Cooking for Everyday Deliciousness is about to begin being filmed after sharing a peek at the syllabus this past weekend on IG. Look for even more detailed information later this month and be sure that you are signed up for TSLL’s free newsletter – Online Courses & Book News so you don’t miss out on any of the information about the release date & time, free gift for the first 20 to sign up and more.

The second project of course is TSLL’s 4th book. We are deep into edits and right on track for its 2026 release, and while I will be pausing work on the book through July and August to launch the cooking course, I cannot wait to step back into the book polishing come September and put it into hold-in-your-hand form. Soon! Soon! ☺️

Now to the weekend! I hope you had a wonderful week and are now looking ahead to a few days to perhaps celebrate Father’s Day, cheer the conclusion of another school year or anything that tickles your fancy and makes you want to celebrate. My dad and brother stopped by earlier this week, so we celebrated Father’s Day then with a special dinner enjoyed outside in the bird garden, so this weekend, the garden beckons, maybe a paddle, but most definitely reading will be tucked in there each day as the book I am reading I look forward to talking about in July’s A Cuppa Moments because I am thoroughly enjoying. Be sure to stop by for the monthly Ponderings . . . post tomorrow. And if you haven’t already become a TOP Tier Member, this summer is a great time to do so with the benefits made available for 20% savings on the soon-to-be-released cooking course and a very full and extra special French Week as we are celebrating the 10th Annual event.

Below I have gathered up a few articles and one video I think you might enjoy, and until tomorrow, bonne journée !

~A helpful article for guiding our shopping decisions when it comes to decorating a room – How to shop on the high street, according to interior designers [House & Garden UK]

~Perhaps you read about this past week as well – the original Birkin, owned by and muse for the bag – Jane Birkin, is going up for sale. Learn about the history of the genesis and why Jane Birkin’s bag is uniquely different than the ones made today. Blogger This Is Not My Age has written a detailed post about this event and her meeting with Birkin back in 2010.

~7 Items Interior Designers Always Search for at Flea Markets—and 3 They Leave Behind [Real Simple]

~Foodies who will be visiting Paris! All the New Michelin-Star Restaurants in Paris & Culinary Trends for 2025 [Michelin]

~Three delicious foods & drink that will help you live longer – tea is one! [Real Simple]

~A simple habit that makes you happier and strengthens your memory [O magazine]

~9 (of soooo many more) of the best things about summer in France [The Local]

~56 Bee-friendly plants to consider adding to your garden, and a note to say, on Monday the monthly garden post will be shared and it will be FULL! [Gardens Illustrated]

~Home tour of the week! – Let’s go to North London and tour this Victorian Townhouse – modern meets traditional quiet luxury [Vogue Living]

~If you are going to be visiting Provence this summer – Paul Cézanne is being celebrated in a multitude of ways – and one is a reopening of his family home! [France Today]

~Speaking of Provence, if you have a rental car, this guide is a wonderful resource for taking a driving tour through the Luberon villages. Having had a chance to stay in this region for two weeks a few years ago – it is a delight and even if you don’t have a ‘guide’ you will find your way and discover amazing treasures to forever remember. [Perfectly Provence]

~West Wing fans . . . I think you are going to want to tune for Season 3 of The Diplomat. And with how season 2 concluded, the new season couldn’t come soon enough. Here is the trailer. Look for it this fall. I will be sure to include it in the This & That the week it premieres. 🙂

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~Explore last week’s This & That: June 6, 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.