Books about being a grown-up from the professor that taught the constantly over-filled course at Boston College, books about gardening, stress and cookbooks too. A new French series (for us here in the states) starring a favorite French actress and the original French series that sparked a US version. Also, stripes for everyday style, copper for the kitchen and still much more!

Books

—How to Be a Grown Up: The 14 Essential Skills You Didn’t Know You Needed (Until Just Now) by Raffi Grinberg

Much anticipated from the professor who created and taught the ever-oversubscribed college course “Adulting 101,” Raffi Grinberg offers a practical guide to adult life’s greatest mysteries that were never taught in school—but should have been—including how to launch your career, find your purpose (for right now), invest your money, and much more. How to Be a Grown Up will be released on March 25th and inspired by his Boston College course, Grinberg “firmly steers you through the basics of being a grown up using interactive chapters, bite-size nuggets of wisdom, humor, and stories from his twenties, including nearly going broke, having bad credit, disappointing his parents, and much more. As Raffi tells his students, ‘I want you to have a quarter-life crisis now so that you won’t have a mid-life crisis later.'”
 

—How to Menopause: Take Charge of Your Health, Reclaim Your Life, and Feel Even Better than Before by Tamsen Fadal

Another book to help us avoid an unnecessary life crisis, but of a slightly different kind, but none the less just as important, Tamsen Fadal’s new book How to Menopause is “the perimenopause and menopause manual that cuts through the chaos so you can take back control of your body, your confidence, and your life.” Fadal’s book includes “actionable steps and evidence-based tools from a team of 42 experts including neuroscientists, menopause-certified physicians, sex and relationship therapists, sleep doctors, and a variety of lifestyle mentors, and synthesizing research, stories, and strategies to answer all the questions you didn’t know to ask, and bring you into a conversation with millions of other women.”

—Sister Europe: A Novel by Nell Zink

Described as a “poignant novel about the upper echelons of Berlin society, a grand literary celebration, and the after-party that upends the night and carries a group of guests deeper into the city”, Sister Europe by Nell Zink involves a princess, an exclusive gala dinner, a lifetime literary achievement award, a past preferred left behind and potentially unrequited love. Sounds intriguing to me. Look for it to be released on March 25th.

—The Stress Paradox: Why You Need Stress to Live Longer, Healthier, and Happier―An Essential Stress Management Companion with a Mind-Body-Soul Approach by Sharon Horesh Bergquist

Yet another book to be released on the 25th and one I have been curious to read is from Dr. Sharon Bergquist, a pioneering physician and leading stress researcher. In The Stress Paradox, “she explains that our bodies are designed to heal and repair themselves, but we need the right amount and type of stress to rejuvenate at a cellular level.

“Many modern comforts have inadvertently increased our risk of mental and physical illness by causing us to underutilize our inherited response to challenges. Our need for stress is so deeply embedded in our genes that you can’t achieve good health without it! Dr. Bergquist reveals how to optimize five key stressors to maximize mental, emotional, and physical resilience and reap a host of health benefits, from staving off dementia to increasing the years of your life. These simple lifestyle changes can keep your mind sharp, improve your mood, increase energy and metabolism, support a healthy gut, maintain a healthy weight, and decrease your risk of serious diseases like cancer, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and Alzheimer’s.”

British Finds

—Addison Ross Peppermills

I happened to see these modern, yet still similar in size and exactly the same in function to the traditional peppermills while shopping in Brittany last week, and immediately took note of them. They are sturdy, an investment and will be used for as long as you want to cook for the rest of your life. With a wide range of colors, sizes and even styles, if you are looking to add a bit of personality in the kitchen, be sure to check out these British bobbin designs.

—For the Love of Plants: Over 150 Plants to Bring Joy to Your Garden and Your Life by Adam Frost

Gardeners’ World kicked off last week, and one of its co-hosts is releasing a new book. Adam Frost, who I quite adore, especially his love for his cats and his ingenuity, is releasing For the Love of Plants. The book takes you through his own garden, and “Adam explains his why [for each space and planting area], explaining his design and planting choices, drawing on personal feeling and memories as well as years of experience.

“Plant profiles provide inspiration for your own planting dreams, interspersed with practical know-how on plant care and design ideas to help you create flow and moments of pause using pathways, arches, water features, and pots.”

Cookbooks

—Drink Your Garden: Recipes, Stories and Tips from the Simple Goodness Cocktail Farm by Belinda Kelly and Venise Cunningham 

With the garden seasoning beginning, it’s time to discover what we can grow in our gardens to enjoy in our meals, and yep, our drinks too! In Drink Your Garden, sisters Belinda Kelly and Denise Cunningham who run a business together – Simple Goodness Farm that embraces nostalgia, nature, and a back-to-basics way of living – they “share how to capture the intense, pure flavors of a season and naturally preserve them, and offers basic instructions for gardening everything drink-worthy from simple windowsill herbs to vegetables and flowers.” 

—Coastal Harvest: Fish – Forage – Feast by Taku Kondo

And since I was just savoring all of the delicious seafood in Brittany, this cookbook spoke to me loudly. 🙂 Coastal Harvest: Fish – Forage – Feast, being released on Tuesday, comes from adventurer Taku Kondo as he takes you on an exploration of waterways and coastal forests to connect with nature and find ingredients sourced from the great outdoors. 

“Enjoy some of the most popular dishes from Taku’s YouTube channel, Outdoor Chef Life, as well as recipes that he’s developed over years of experience. Each recipe has been thoughtfully curated to bring out the best flavors of your harvest. If you’re not catching your own food, follow his expert recommendations on sourcing the freshest and most sustainable seafood.”

Décor/Kitchen

—Copper Colander

One of the many things I enjoyed doing during my trip in France was visiting brocante markets, and at one I found a copper colander for only €15. It is a small one, which is what I needed for cleaning my berries when I pick just enough for two small tarts, but I immediately knew it was coming home with me when I saw it. Both beautiful and functional, being able to hang it as well ensures you see it and use it, which also means it frees up space in the cupboards.

Francophile Finds

—HPI (HIP) Highly Potential Intellectual, Hulu

This past fall I shared that a new series here in the US starring Kaitlin Olson was inspired and directly adapted from a French and Belgium series of a similar name. HPI (translated HIP), Highly Potential Intellectual is a hoot, and if you are enjoying the US version, you will quite enjoy the original. It definitely is more ‘French’ (and I am not just referring to the language 🙃), but I think that is why I love it all the more. Hulu now offers the first season, and if you watch the trailer of it below, you will see direct similarities to the adaption.

I had the opportunity to watch four episodes of it on the plane yesterday and loved it. 🙂

—IBELIV totes

One of my first stops in Paris when I returned last week was to walk over the river Seine on Port Neuf to Samaritaine. This grand and trés luxurious department store is a treat just to be inside (I will be showing more photos in Tuesday’s Travel Diaries here on the blog), and while I was perusing around, I saw totes from the French brand IBELIV and wanted to introduce you to the brand if you didn’t already know about them. Here is the Sac Trapeze en Raphia.

—Le Goût du Crime, France TV

Guess what! I know many of you enjoy the series Candice Renoir, and now the lead actress is in a new series which is currently running its second season in France. Le Goût du Crime centers around what Celia Bois has come to be known for in her series – solving crimes, but this time, throwing in the fact that she is a YouTube food star. 🙂 Have a look at the trailer below and look for it on France TV.

—Lumière, L’Aventure Continue

A new documentary being released in France this week is one that details in historic video footage originally introduced 130 years ago by the Lumière brothers in France. With the restoration of more than 120 previously unseen Lumière shots, “the film offers us an unspoiled view of the world at the beginning of the century and a stimulating journey to the origins of a cinema that knows no end.” Have a look at the trailer below.

Shopping

—COS sunglasses

The sun is coming out and the days are getting longer. It is time to grab our sunnies, and these are quite affordable ones with absolute style from COS.

—Emerson Fry’s Go-To Navy Stripe Tank Top

Stripes will forever be a predilection here on TSLL, and when I find a Breton item worth adding to your capsule wardrobe, I want to share. One item I packed and wore more than once on my trip was the layering piece of striped tanks similar to this one. Worn under blazers, worn under coats, they are a neutral, timeless and always en vogue.

—The White Company’s Slash Neck Striped Dropped Sleeve Jersey Top

One more, and this one a bit more suited for spring weather. The dropped dolman sleeve is perfect for anyone, like myself, who has broad shoulders as it helps to create a more proportional and balance, and the wide neckline is often more comfortable.

Television

—The Studio, AppleTV+

Being released on Wednesday March 26th, the new comedy series starring Seth Rogan whose character is hired as a new studio head who then takes us behind the scenes of the endless decisions and power such a position holds. The driving theme is the question of whether both art and business co-exist. Something I regularly ponder when I see the movies in the theater house on any given week. Have a look at the trailer below.

Hello on this first full day of spring, and oh la la, bonjour to the warmth in sunshine in Paris gave a preview of the beauty to come! On Wednesday by mid-afternoon the temperatures in the city had reached 62 degrees! And I couldn’t help but chuckle because my neighbor had just sent me a photo of the three or so inches of snow that had freshly fallen in Bend. As a gardener I am grateful for the moisture and set against the beautiful blue sky, the photo was gorgeous. No doubt Nelle romped about in it and was happy for one last play in Mother Nature’s winter decoration. 

Whatever the weather as we take a step into the new spring season, I am grateful for both, and whatever I return to when I arrive back home in Bend will be a treat because after just over two weeks in France, and a wonderful time it was indeed, I look forward to being back at Le Papillon with Nelle and pottering around the garden and the neighborhood seeing everyday life go about its way. 

I hope this past week went well for you, and now we head into the weekend. As it is that time of year when school’s break for the spring holidays, perhaps you are about to set out on a vacation, and if so, Monday’s Motivational post is one to take a look at. And even if you are not traveling, this post speaks to how our travels, and how we feel while we are traveling are a reflection of our state of contentment. Something I too have journeyed through and now can see how indeed, it is the traveler along our life journey (each of us) that chooses whether or not we wish to cultivate a life that is deeply enriching every day of our lives. It really is possible, but we must choose to learn how to do so. Not only will our everyday life benefit, but our travels will as well. 

And this week, there was also a new podcast episode, episode #400, which continued the series, now in its ninth segment, sharing What I Learned in French Class, So Far . . . .

I want to thank you for stopping by today, and while I am taking the weekend to settle back in and let my jetlag subside as much as possible, you can check out quite a few “Un Moments en France” on my IG account.  Regular posting will resume on Tuesday with the second part of my Travel Diary postings which will be a full one, and then the Friday This & That to conclude the month. 

Below are a few links I thought you might enjoy, and until Tuesday, may you discover something new that brings a smile, enjoy a deep night of restful sleep that upon waking up leaves makes you excited to begin the day, and may you experience many everyday moments to savor. Bonne journée. 

~Journey into a boulangerie, a frequent stop throughout my travels – The art of French bread [Taste France]

~Grateful for this interview opportunity by an online site dedicated to spotlighting artists, independent entrepreneurs and creatives. Canvas Rebel asked questions about how TSLL began and my primary hope and goal for what I do and why I focus on contentment. Have a read here.

~Perhaps setting goals when spring begins is a better idea than New Years. [The Good Trade]

~The best cookware brands to add to your kitchen [Vogue Living]

~If spring’s arrival means organizing and cleaning out, Gretchen Rubin has a few simple organizational ideas.

~Five of Paris’ prettiest secret streets [HIP Paris]

~Mary Berry is turning 90 soon, and she shares how she will celebrate, as well as talks about how much she loves spring’s arrival [Vogue UK]

~Just in case you didn’t hear the good news, there will be a season 4 of Ted Lasso! [Apple News]

~If you too enjoy traveling solo and that includes visiting Paris in your own company just as I do, then read this post – 5 perfect solo self-care itineraries for Paris [Frenchly]

~The cheapest nicest hotels in Paris [CNTraveler]

~Let me preface this soon-to-premiere-Netflix-series, by recommending that you go watch the original film that inspired it. Produced, directed by and starring Alan Alda, the film Four Seasons is brilliant. I absolutely love it, and with the cast that they have for the new version, I think it might be just fine, and even brilliant that they turned it into a series. We’re still a couple of months away, but Four Seasons looks to be a hoot. While we wait, stream the original.

~Explore last week’s This & That: March 14, 2025

More than 20 finds in this week’s posting, and oodles of both Francophile and Anglophiles treasures. 🙂 A new television series from the one and only Shonda Rhimes, a novel inspired by actual events that took place in Paris in 1895, Monty Don returns and that means spring and gardening can commence at full throttle, Cate Blanchett stars in a new espionage film, a new British series that looks to be a hoot, clothing for spring and summer that will keep you cool, stylish and timeless, and still there is just so much more!

~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.