Overflowing with finds this week, from unique books – fiction and non, unique television series and series adapted from bestselling books, décor finds to add a subtle but necessary stylish touch to the home, spring and summer dresses for the casual chic look you may be going for, the return of a British caper series in its sophomore season that takes us to a Devon coastal town, two new Parisian art exhibits to put on your itinerary, one new Audrey Hepburn and her love of Paris book to be sure to take a look at and so much more.

Books

—The Art of Running: How to Run Like a Greek by Andrea Marcolongo (translated into English)

Wait! Wait! Even if you, like me, are not a runner, Marcolongo’s new book looks to be an intriguing unique read. The Art of Running: How to Run Like a Greek, being released on April 2nd, came out of Andrea Marcolongo being at a crossroads in her personal and professional life, so she “set out to learn how to run like a Greek. In doing so, she deepened her understanding of the ancient civilization she has spent decades studying and discovered more about herself than she could ever have dreamed . . . Marcolongo shares her erudition and her own journey to understanding that a healthy body is, in more ways than one might guess, a healthy mind.”

—Glorious Exploits: A novel by Ferdia Lennon

Yet another unique book, this one, Glorious Exploits, a novel, set in Sicily “amid the Peloponnesian War, the Syracusans have figured out what to do with the surviving Athenians who had the gall to invade their city: they’ve herded the sorry prisoners of war into a rock quarry and left them to rot. Looking for a way to pass the time, Lampo and Gelon, two unemployed potters with a soft spot for poetry and drink, head down into the quarry to feed the Athenians if, and only if, they can manage a few choice lines from their great playwright Euripides. Before long, the two mates hatch a plan to direct a full-blown production of Medea. After all, you can hate the people but love their art. But as opening night approaches, what started as a lark quickly sets in motion a series of extraordinary events, and our wayward heroes begin to realize that staging a play can be as dangerous as fighting a war, with all sorts of risks to life, limb, and friendship.”

—On Giving Up by Adam Phillips

Released this past Tuesday, in On Giving Up, the acclaimed psychoanalyst Adam Phillips illuminates both the gaps and the connections between the many ways of giving up and helps us to address the central question: What must we give up in order to feel more alive?

—Table for Two: Fictions by Amor Towles

With the premiere of the series based on his wildly bestselling novel A Gentleman in Moscow (more on that further down in today’s post), Amor Towles is releasing a new book, and this one is set in New York City, full of six stories occurring in NYC thorough the 20th century and a novella set in Golden Age Hollywood. Learn more about each here.

—Uptime: A Practical Guide to Personal Productivity and Wellbeing by Laura Mae Martin

As Google’s Executive Productivity Advisor, Laura Mae Martin is sharing in her new book Uptime how to make the “new way of work” work for you, providing actionable steps to optimize your productivity, accomplish more, prevent burnout, and cultivate a harmonious work-life balance. Look for it to be released on April 2nd.

British Finds

—Antique English brass candlesticks, pair, 13% off, Chairish

I regularly light the candles held in the various brass candlesticks I have situated around Le Papillon, and during my latest trip to England, I picked up an antique pair of brass candlesticks similar to these (you can see them below in the pic captured at the end of the evening enjoying a small dinner party with friends). Timeless in their style and touch of elegance, this pair is on sale and in great condition.

—Beyond Paradise, season 2, Britbox

Oh, I am most looking forward to the new season of Beyond Paradise. Returning on April 4th, look for the same cast to be back to their sleuthing in a small Devon coastal town. Have a look at the trailer below and look for eight episodes, one shared each Thursday beginning next week.

—Mary & George, Starz

Now this new series, which premiered in the UK earlier in March (the 5th), premieres here in the states next week, and well, it is full of, well, I will let you take a look at the trailer. While I took note when I saw that Julianne Moore was in the lead, starring as the Countess of Buckingham, it was when I saw that Nicola Walker is cast in the series, that I said, I need to at least let TSLL readers know about it. It may or may not to your liking or interest (I think I might pass), but it is unique in the storyline it shares. What exactly is the series about? “Mary & George is an audacious historical psychodrama about a treacherous mother and son who schemed, seduced and killed to conquer the Court of England and the bed of King James I.” 😯 Take a look at the trailer to see what it is all about.

Cookbooks

—The Cookbook of All Time: Recipes, Stories, and Cooking Advice from a Neighborhood Restaurant byAshley Bernee Wells and  Tyler Jeremy Wells 

Being released next Tuesday, The Cookbook of All Time is the first from Tyler and Ashley Wells, the husband-and-wife duo behind Los Angeles’ bustling, sought-after restaurant All Time. “A collection of 50 recipes for simple, market-driven food alongside some very earnest and hilarious story-telling, explore the contents of the cookbook below and discover classics and seasonal delicious treats as well as a bevy of knowledge on how to up your game in the kitchen.”

Décor

—Blossom Tissue Box, blue/white, 25% off

Details do matter, and while we may need a tissue box in various spots about the home, why not dress them up a bit? And with this one reduced 25% I wanted to share, as someone who is a fan of blue and white (other styles are available).

Francophile Finds

—Audrey Hepburn in Paris by Meghan Friedlander and Luca Dotti

Released on February 13th, Audrey Hepburn in Paris reveals the special connection between Audrey Hepburn and Paris. In Audrey Hepburn in Paris, Meghan Friedlander, curator of the fan site Rare Audrey Hepburn, and Audrey’s son Luca Dotti “offer a unique look at the legendary actress’s life and love affair with the City of Light . . . Each chapter focuses on a different aspect of Paris that made it so precious to Audrey, from famous films, chic couture, fabled photoshoots, and elegant events to the quieter moments with family and friends rarely seen by the public, including her friendship with her close companion and go-to designer Hubert de Givenchy . . . discover the 200 full-color and black-and-white photographs, packed with tender, funny, and glamorous personal stories told by Audrey and those who knew her best.”

—Nuxe Easter Sale, 25% off

If you too use any of Nuxe’s skincare products, this is a sale to take advantage of. I stocked up during their Black Friday sale back in November, but now am needing to order a few more of my favorite body lotion that I do, as I have shared before, notice a subtle difference in my skin’s elasticity with regular use. While not all items are 25% off, and they do call the sale for face items, they did include this body lotion in the sale. Wahoo! The 25% is applied already, so you will know which items are on sale.

—Paris 1874, Inventer l’impressionnisme

Two new exhibits are now open at the Musée d’Orsay, and both are centered around the Impressionists. The more traditional of the two opened on March 26th and runs through 14 Juliette. The Paris 1874, Invented l’impressionisme exhibit includes “a selection of works that featured in the 1874 impressionist exhibition and is put into perspective with paintings and sculptures displayed at the official Salon the same year. This unprecedented confrontation will help recreate the visual shock caused by the works exhibited by the impressionists, as well as nuance it by unexpected parallels and overlaps between the first impressionist exhibition and the Salon.”

Having learned quite a bit about this first exhibit put on by the artists that described themselves as Impressionists while reading Monet’s biography The Restless Vision, it is a testament to believing in what you are doing and forging ahead regardless of public opinion at the time. Have a look at a peek of the exhibit shared below in the trailer.

—Un Soir avec les Impressionists, Paris 1874, Musée d’Orsay

The second exhibit, opening in parallel with the one mentioned above, is a virtual reality experience taking you into an evening with the Impressionists as they attend the Salon where their work is on display. Having just opened in Paris on March 26th, this one runs a few weeks longer, concluding on August 11th. Have a look at this immersive experience in virtual reality.

—Vintage French Brass Lamp with hand-painted shade

Garden

—David Austin Roses, apricot border sale

Fellow gardeners who are adding to their borders or rose gardens, this is a sale to take advantage of, and had I known, I would have waited as I ordered one of two of the varietals listed below this past fall that will be arriving next week. Three apricot favorites – Lady of Shallot (seen below in my garden last year), Roald Dahl and The Lark Ascending are reduced 15% through April 8th.

Shopping

—Faherty’s Chambray Midi Shirtdress, blue tide wash

A simple, comfortable dress for summer.

—Faherty Laguna Linen Midi Dress (two stripe colors)

And one more from Faherty whose linen items I love as they offer quality linen that provides coverage, yet durability. Be sure to check out the back on this one. If you don’t want to use a belt, the waist is cinched subtly for you already.

—Wave Bucket, Summer of Sun hat (on sale)

A fun hat if yellow is calling you!

Television

—A Gentleman in Moscow, Showtime

Based on Amor Towles’ international best selling novel released in 2016, of the same name, this new tv series premieres today on Showtime starring Ewan McGregor as Count Alexander Rostov. “When, in 1922, he is deemed an unrepentant aristocrat by a Bolshevik tribunal, the count is sentenced to house arrest in the Metropol, a grand hotel across the street from the Kremlin. Rostov, an indomitable man of erudition and wit, has never worked a day in his life, and must now live in an attic room while some of the most tumultuous decades in Russian history are unfolding outside the hotel’s doors. Unexpectedly, his reduced circumstances provide him a doorway into a much larger world of emotional discovery.” Have a look at the trailer below. Reviews have been very strong with Rotten Tomatoes giving it 92% so far, and with McGregor in the lead, I have a feeling the book’s adaptation is in very good hands.

—We Were the Lucky Ones, Hulu

Now airing on Hulu, based on the bestselling novel released in 2017 by Georgia Hunter of the same name, We Were the Lucky Ones is the true story of one Jewish family separated at the start of WWII. The series follows them across continents as they do everything in their power to survive, and to reunite. “We Were the Lucky Ones demonstrates how in the face of the twentieth century’s darkest moment, the human spirit can endure and even thrive. The series is a tribute to the triumph of hope and love against all odds.” Have a look at the trailer below and watch a new episode each Thursday.

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Winter is hanging on by its fingernails here in Bend as the wind and cold are upon us and the snow blows through the neighborhood as I type, BUT this is a typical Spring Break event in Oregon, and in no time at all, we will be savoring warmer weather. However, as evidenced to the determination of spring to arrive whatever the weather, these yellow hyacinths in my garden are bringing the sunshine at the moment, and brought a smile to my day yesterday. Keep blooming beauties!

This weekend is Easter, and however (or if) you might be celebrating this holiday, wishing you a wonderful and joyous occasion and/or weekend. You will find me out in the garden moving plants around, putting new roses in the garden that will be arriving and finishing the aeration to my lawn. With one good day of rain this week, all of a sudden, the perennials and spring bulbs stretched from the earth in ginormous bounds and the grass is becoming greener in the blink of an eye. Before we know it, the blossoms on the trees will unfurl and be on display, and I cannot wait.

Speaking of gardening, just a gentle reminder that beginning on Monday April 1st, I will be posting about the once a year opportunity to preorder your Thomas Smith Trugs (handmade in England), so if you are interested in bringing one (or more) of these beauties into your repertoire, be sure to stop by before April 7th. All of the details of what is available to order and how to do so (pricing too), will be included in this post. And also arriving on Monday is the monthly A Cuppa Moments where I will show you three of the four styles in-person so you can get a good feel as to their size (remember, all readers – non-members and members can order the Trugs, and TOP Tier members will receive 10% off their order).

Now to the weekend! Below are a handful of articles, and one trailer that just made me chuckle, and wanted to share. Wishing you a festive and very spring (or fall) weekend of enjoyment and may you have oodles of everyday moments to savor. Until Monday, bonne journée !

~Set your calendars for Summer 2025 as the third and likely final Downton Abbey film will be in theaters! Learn more here.

~Ready, Set Garçon ! Paris waiters race in a contest that has returned after a ten year absence. [NYTimes, gift link]

~The classics remain on the menu in Paris and for good reason. [Eater]

~Why do we age? Scientists are figuring more out for a deeper understanding. [NYTimes, gift link]

~Paris gets about the business of cleaning itself up for the Olympics [NYTimes]

~I will be up to this in the garden tomorrow! A wonderful way to save money and add healthy plants you love in multiples – How to Divide Plants [Gardeners’ World]

~11 things Londoners want you to know before you visit [CN Traveller]

~An article to save! The 13 best Airbnbs in Paris (2024) [CN Traveller]

~A snug (or two or three) is a must at Le Papillon (here, here and here – sharing 8 tips for styling your own snug), so I am already sold, but this article is full of inspiration on making a case for the return of the snug [House & Garden UK]

~Now, I had to share the trailer to this film because if you, like me, were curious about why Emily Blunt and Ryan Gosling had the segment on the Oscars about stunt doubles, well, here’s the answer . . . The Fall Guy comes to theaters on May 3rd, and while I am not a person who typically watches an action film, this one I will likely go and see because along with Blunt and Gosling, Hannah Waddingham is also cast, and it just looks fun, doesn’t take itself seriously and I have a feeling will be a very good time. Somewhat like Sandra Bullock’s The Lost City. Have a look.

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~Explore last week’s This & That: March 22, 2024:

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