Two great new British series – each a mystery, but each distinctively different in style. Books to take you through France with food as your guide, summer reading ideas and summer clothing as well that is worth picking up for timeless style and most finds very affordable. A new sports series that looks to be full of humor and inspiration, and still there is more.

Books

—Confessions of a Grammar Queen: A Novel by Eliza Knight

This new novel looks like a fun summer read. Confessions of a Grammar Queen begins with bringing our attention to the fact that “there are no female publishing CEOs in 1960’s New York. And that is exactly what savvy, ambitious Bernadette Swift plans to change.”

“Seeking a base of support, Bernadette joins a feminist women’s book club at the New York Public Library, and soon, she’s inspiring her fellow members to challenge the male gatekeepers and decades of ingrained sexism in their workplaces and pursue their personal and professional dreams.

“And that is precisely what Bernedette does on a daily basis: keeps her eye on the prize―equality for women in the workplace, and a promotion―while fending off the ire of her boss and the sabotaging efforts of a jealous coworker. With the support of her book club buddies and a certain charismatic editor at Lenox & Park who has completely fallen for her, maybe, just maybe, Bernadette will prove able to claim victory for herself and the young women coming after her.”

—Food Person: A Novel by Adam Roberts

Released on May 20th, clashing personalities drive the plot in Food Person. “Isabella Pasternack is a food person. She revels in the beauty of a perfectly cooked egg, she daydreams about her first meal at Chez Panisse, and every inch of her tiny apartment teems with cookbooks, from Prune to Cooking by Hand to Roast Chicken and Other Stories. What Isabella is not, unfortunately, is a gainfully employed person.

“When offered the opportunity to ghostwrite a cookbook for Molly Babcock, the once-beloved television actress now mired in scandal, Isabella warily accepts. Unfortunately, Molly quickly proves herself to be a nightmare collaborator: hungover, flaky, shallow, and—worst of all—indifferent to food. But between Molly’s bizarre late-night texts, goofy confessions, and impromptu road trips, Isabella reluctantly begins to see Molly’s charms.”

—Rich Girl Nation: Taking Charge of Our Financial Futures by Katie Gatti Tassin

Being released on June 10th and on the list of many a bookseller’s for June Picks comes Rich Girl Nation. Written by “Katie Gatti Tassin, personal finance writer and host of the popular podcast The Money with Katie Show, Tassin has built an energized following of smart, ambitious women seeking a deeper understanding of the financial issues that affect them.

“In Rich Girl Nation, Tassin deconstructs the unique challenges women face on their journey to financial freedom, offering context and nuanced guidance on money matters including: 

• Performing a budgetary detox
• Proven salary negotiation strategies that effectively navigate gender bias 
• Investing frameworks that make you the leader of your financial life
• How (and why) to create a prenup
• Preparing and saving for childcare efficiently
• Retiring independently (and in a tax-optimized way)”

I am definitely on board with anything that gives us knowledge of how to attain and maintain our financial freedom. Curious to explore this book.

British Finds

—Art Detectives, AcornTV

I cannot wait to begin watching this new AcornTV series. Premiering on Monday June 9th, if you enjoyed the French series L’Art du Crime, then I think you might quite enjoy Art Detectives. There will be six episodes, each being released on Monday throughout June and July, and stars Stephen Moyer as Dr. Bendor Grosvenor and Nina Singh as detective Jacky Klein. The duo uncover hidden artworks by renowned artists in local museums and country houses across Britain. Have a look at a first scene from the series. (Thank you Stephanie P. for bringing this series to my attention!☺️💛)

—Death Valley, BritBox

Chosen as the Petit Plaisir this week for episode #405, I wanted to bring your attention again to this new BritBox mystery series, Death Valley. Having just debuted last Thursday, the premise is a classic cosy mystery plotline for each episode, BUT with a dose of humor. Timothy Spall stars as a once beloved TV detective and now widower who lives somewhat reclusively in Wales. In the first episode, “When his (Chapel’s) neighbor is murdered, ambitious DS Janie Mallowan who adored John Chapel in his on-screen role as the detective Caesar (Gwyneth Keyworth) enlists his help. Their clashing methods, her focus on procedure and his on motives, are a winning pair. Look for new episodes each Thursday on BritBox, and have a look at the trailer below.

Décor

—Darcia Ruffled Stoneware Vase, green

A unique, yet subtle vase that seems to almost disappear with the green stems leaving the flowers you choose to become all the more the focal point.

Francophile Find

—Amuse Bouche: How to Eat Your Way Around France by Carolyn Boyd

The hardback copy is now available in the states, and soon the paperback will be too (August) as Amuse Bouche quickly became a bestseller in its originally released country of Britain. British food columnist and Francophile’s book Amuse Bouche is your book for summer reading if you long to travel through France.

“Leading expert on French food and culture Carolyn Boyd shares the stories behind the country’s most fascinating foods and ingredients. Spanning every region of France and divided into 200 separate vignettes, each entry blends history and travel, personal anecdote and recipes. Amuse Bouche is a book to be devoured: a beautifully illustrated, joyous celebration of French food, and a charming, practical guide to inspire your own travels – whether you’re a proud Francophile or don’t know your ficelle from your flûte.”

A Sunday Times Best Food & Drink book of 2024

—Royal Limoges Latitudes Bleues Théières, 1.2 litre

This porcelain teapot, made Limoges, France, the porcelain capital, by a company that has been making quality porcelain for tea, dinner and all meal serving needs for centuries, I saw the stripes and I had to share.

Kitchen

—Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast Iron Braiser with Glass Lid, 2 1/4-Qt, on sale (many colors)

Perhaps a perfect gift for a graduate? And with it on sale, now save big as you choose their favorite color. An item they will have for a lifetime and versatile for so many different cooking needs.

Shopping

—Banana Republic Factory, everything 50% off

Significant savings is available now at BR Factory. I have been wearing a few of their cotton tanks layered underneath blazers and now worn simply on their own with linen shorts or pants. The prices are quite nice for purchasing a couple of your favorite styles.

Linen-blend utility shift dress, stripes (solids available)

Tie-Waist Midi Shirtdress, many more colors and stripes

—SHOP THE SALE:

—Banks Linen High Rise Wide Leg Pant, navy stripe

Speaking of linen pants, I have two for you this week. If you want to add a touch of personality, this classic navy and white stripe will elongate the leg and make you look quite chic while also keeping you très comfortable in the summer heat.

—Lauren Ralph Lauren wide leg linen pants, navy

Now these linen pants are in my closet, and I have been wearing them to the market and now during my garden weekend in Portland. Super light-weight and easy to pair with anything. The price is quite nice too. There is a button and zipper closure as well as the drawstring, so you still feel pulled together. I may have to purchase a second pair just to make sure I always have one at-the-ready. ☺️

—Reformation Lucia Tote Bag

A subtle touch of extra finishing style on a classic summer tote.

—Sézane Raquel Dress, terracotta (other colors available)

A beautiful summer dress available in a variety of prints as well as solids. I have this style in beige and it fits very comfortably with a sturdy fabric – nothing lightweight here. A nice spring and early autumn dress.

—Soludos’ Smoking Flat Espadrille, cafè taupe

And a summer shoe to have handy for any casual occasion. From a company who knows how to make an espadrille and prices that are not that bad either. ☺️

Television

—Stick, AppleTV

A new series on Apple starring Owen Wilson and Marc Maron, Stick‘s first season has 10 episodes and premiered just this past Wednesday. Wilson stars as “a long washed up professional golfer [who] turns towards a rising young star in the game to turn things around.” Have a look at the trailer for a fun, yet definitely summer with a dose of inspiration series.

Summer’s ideal moment has arrived here in Bend, Oregon – 70-degree days, calm skies, and cool nights. Drinking it up I am. ☺️

To celebrate summer’s perfect moment, Nelle and I took to the river for our first of the season SUP (stand up paddle board) outing, and she took to the water like the pro that Norman modeled and taught her to be🐾❤️.

And then into the garden, with the roses now beginning to bloom, and the wisteria too, each morning offers something new to discover with the days warming up.

Every evening this week I have been sitting down to watch a tennis match in Paris at Roland Garros (from Carlos to Boisson, Gauff and others), and just seeing the city’s skyline and hearing the French language energizes me while also soothing my being and brings a smile to my face.

This week on the blog has been a full one as we kicked off the new month with an A Cuppa Moments, and I look forward to sitting down and responding to each member early next week that I haven’t already, as I had a short week in the office due to a ‘garden weekend’ that kicked off on Thursday with my mom in Portland. If you’re reading this on Friday, I am likely happily wandering about in a nursery or visiting a garden ☺️. Also, a new podcast episode talking about how to heal ourselves and what that looks like – it all begins with love and a new book – How to Love Better – inspired episode #405.

This week’s Monday Motivational post was a favorite of readers as the post explored How Simple is a Superpower, and I have to say, more and more embracing simplicity proves to be worth the boundary setting and letting go of what once was thought had to be done. I hope you enjoy this post if you haven’t already and let it encourage you to honor your inner compass.

Thank you for stopping by today. I hope your first week of June brought a gift or two to savor, and of course many everyday moments to savor as well. I have gathered up some articles and one video I think you might like (especially the video!), and until Monday, bonne journée.

~Now that summer is knocking at our door, perhaps it is time to reassess how to find a healthier balance – 12 short rules for not burning out [What Work Should Be]

~11 Things to do in Paris this June [Frenchly]

~While we’re in Paris, let’s take a tour – a Haussmannian mansion with its own garden [Architectural Digest – subscription may be required]

~A garden to tour in London – a homeowner’s cottage garden. Hard to believe it was possible, but it is! And it is stunning. [Gardens Illustrated]

~7 quintessential French accessories for timeless style. Definitely on board with #2. [The Parisian Touch]

~Saving this post – the best coastal walks in the UK [CNTraveller]

~Coffee reasons, a reason to cheer! A new long-term study reveals some awesome health benefits for women who drank caffeine consistently. [NYTimes, gift link]

~New Zealand’s former Primer Minister is definitely speaking the language of living simply luxuriously in her new book – A Different Kind of Power: A Memoir – leading with kindness. [NYTimes, gift link]

~September 12th. I both want it to arrive and dread it as well as I don’t want to say goodbye to this amazing fictitious family that at this points feels real. Have a look at the recently released trailer below of Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale.

~Explore last week’s This & That: May 30, 2025

A fun and sleuthy French series returns and takes us to Marseille, books about décor and how to create the sanctuary that nourishes you, cookbooks that take us to the Mediterranean, explore the concept of art in our life, how to heal and thrive, as well as a charming tour of England. Plus, sales continue on clothes and décor, and a new documentary about the woman who is considered the best comic writer of England. Still there is more.

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