Book, after book, and in a variety of different genres and even languages! I have found two French books – one a novel, the other a true story – and they both will delight in different ways. A film to inspire, another to inform, but perhaps they each do both. 🙂 Clothing finds for stylish (and cozy) sleeping, and discover how to bring classic British interior design into any size of home. Also, David Suchet is back and this time taking viewers on a train trip retracing the tour of the woman who gave him the role of a lifetime. All of this, plus a peek into my time in France so far.

Books

—Eddie Winston is Looking for Love: A Novel by Marianne Cronin

I came across this novel while popping into a local bookshop in Bend, and became intrigued by the plot upon reading the back cover. Perhaps you will be as well: “Eddie Winston is 90 years old. He has lived and he has loved, but he has never been kissed.

“A true gentleman and incurable romantic, Eddie spends his days volunteering at a charity shop, where he sorts through the donations of the living and the dead, preserving letters and tokens of love along the way. And it is here that he meets Bella, a troubled young woman who, at 24 years old, has just lost the love of her life.

“When Bella learns that Eddie is yet to have his first kiss, she resolves to help Eddie Winston finally find love, sparking an adventure that will take them to unexpected places and, they hope, bring Eddie Winston to the moment he has waited for all his life.”

—Home in Bloom: Lessons for Creating Floral Beauty in Every Room by Ariella Chezar

Released on Tuesday, Home in Bloom celebrates “the seamless integration of architecture, light, and natural landscapes into Ariella Chezar’s floral designs. Organized into chapters that celebrate every room in the home—Welcome, Nourish, Celebrate, Pause, and Wilding—Home in Bloom takes us on a journey through spaces filled with incredible blooms that spark color and light. The arrangements in each chapter are accompanied by detailed captions that inspire us to walk outside and bring the wilds of nature into our own spaces”. 

—How to Love Better: The Path to Deeper Connection Through Growth, Kindness and Compassion by Yong Pueblo

Being released this coming Tuesday, in How to Love Better, Yung Pueblo “examines all aspects of relationships, from the rose-colored early days when you may be hesitant to show your full self, to the challenges that can arise without clear communication, to dealing with heartbreak and healing as you close a chapter of your life. The power of looking inward remains at the core of Yung Pueblo’s teachings. Ego and attachment can become barriers in a relationship, so the more self-aware you become, the more you can support both your partner and yourself.”

Shared in the book:
• How to build harmony in a relationship
• How to see each other’s perspective
• How to find the right partner
• How to heal from heartbreak
• How to overcome attachment
• How to form commitments
• How to argue

—Kate & Frida: A Novel of Friendship, Food and Books by Kim Fay

Also being released on March 11th, Kate & Frida centers around food, friendship and books. “Twentysomething Frida Rodriguez arrives in Paris in 1991, relishing the city’s butter-soaked cuisine and seeking her future as a war correspondent. But then she writes to a bookshop in Seattle, and receives more than just the book she requests. A friendship begins that will redefine the person she wants to become.

“Seattle bookseller Kate Fair is transformed by Frida’s free spirit, spurred to believe in herself as a writer, to kiss her handsome coworker, and to find beauty even in loss. Through the most tumultuous years of their young lives—personally and globally—Kate and Frida sustain and nourish each other as they learn the necessity of embracing joy, especially through our darkest hours.”

From the author who wrote Love & Saffron.

—The Purpose Code: How to unlock meaning, maximize happiness, and leave a lasting legacy by Jordan Grumet

In a new book released this past January Jordan Grumet suggests that “finding happiness has never been about creating big audacious goals that we may or may not be able to achieve. True contentment comes from filling our lives with enriching activities that lead to connection and, ultimately, legacy.” In The Purpose Code, “Chart a course for you to reach happiness through understanding the deep human truths behind the concepts of Meaning and Purpose (including life review therapy and simple ways of healing generational trauma); Equip you with a practical and proven framework for unlocking your real purpose, and show you the life-changingly enjoyable way to climb to goals, regardless of your situation in life; Arm you to differentiate between the two types of purpose when finding life purpose (and show you the hidden reasons why one is always more fulfilling than the other); and Set you on the way to building a genuinely lasting impact long after you’re gone.”

—Your Unconscious is Showing: Take Control of Your Life with the 12 Steps of Consciousness by Dr. Courtney Tracy

Dr. Courtney Tracy, known as “the Truth Doctor” challenges the commonly accepted notion for healing ourselves that is encourages us to explore your subconscious mind, heal your trauma, fit into your society, and happiness will follow, right”. In Your Unconscious Is Showing, she “disrupts this outdated narrative through digestible scientific research, shockingly honest personal stories, and compassionate-yet-direct advice. Feeling out of control and helpless isn’t a flaw but a universal truth of our existence. Instead of trying to change how we work as human beings (spoiler alert: you can’t,) we need to embrace and make peace with our unconscious, making it work for and alongside us instead of against”.

Look for Your Unconscious is Speaking to be released this coming Tuesday.

British Finds

—How to Grow a Garden: Find a Plant for Every Place by Frances Tophill

Gardeners, new books a plenty are being released in Britain as the spring season nears, and one is for children, but also adults. One of the co-hosts of Gardeners’ World, Frances Tophill’s new book How to Grow A Garden, partnered with illustrator Charlotte Ager to “explore everywhere from the vegetable garden to a tropical glass house, and discover the wildlife living in our hedgerows. Learn about more than one hundred kinds of plant, and get your hands in the soil with 28 seasonal growing and nature activities”. Released earlier this week, for the illustrations alone and then paired with helpful garden knowledge, this is a lovely book to have in the library.

—Perfect English: Small & Beautiful by Ros Byam Shaw

Another book being released next week is one to find inspiration for small spaces where you want to welcome British interior style into the décor. Describing Classic English style as comfortable, timeless, and informal. Ros Beam Shaw asks the question, “but it can also be seen as rather grand—most appropriate for rambling rectories, manor houses, and country house hotels. This book sets out to show that Perfect English style can be scaled down to work in a home of any age, size or shape.

“Shaw visits 12 pint-sized homes that are perfect examples of this ever-popular look, including a terraced townhouse in Ludlow, a gardener’s cottage in Kent, a tiny London flat, and a perfect Cotswolds country cottage. At a time when sustainability and environmental concerns are at the top of the agenda, Perfect English style prioritises reuse, recycling, and upcycling, and happily accommodates objects that are worn, faded, and mended. As the inviting, characterful, and compact homes that fill these pages demonstrate, Perfect English Small and Beautiful reveals how to downscale with perfect English panache.”

—Travels with Agatha Christie & Sir David Suchet, BritBox

Available to enjoy beginning tomorrow, Travels with Agatha Christie, hosted by Sir David Suchet, includes five episodes that follows Suchet as he retraces Christie’s 1922 world tour. Have a look at the trailer below.

Film

—Misbehaviour, BritBox

I just began watching this film before leaving Bend, and look forward to finishing it when I return. It was originally released in 2020 and is now available on Britbox for American viewers. “Based on true events, feminist activists from the Women’s Liberation Movement disrupt the Miss World beauty pageant being held in London in 1970.” Have a look at the trailer below.

Francophile Finds

—L’Appartement du Dessous: un roman by Florence Herrlemann

Originally released in 2023, L’appartement du Dessous (The Apartment Below), is set in a small Parisian building in the Marais where Hectorine, 103, has lived for ages. “One day she sees the apartment above taken over by a new neighbor. To welcome Sarah, the old lady leaves a letter on her doorstep. This missive will be followed by many others, gradually retracing an incredible journey through the 20th century, between the Cabourg of Research, the Berlin of the Third Reich and post-war Paris.

“But why all these letters? ‘One day, you will know,’ promises the centenarian to Sarah who gets caught up in the game, intrigued by this invisible neighbor whose confidences reveal the sting of a painful secret . . . “

A novel that comes highly praised, and yep, is only written in French. But if you know French, it will be a novel to savor. Written in epistolary form (letters),

—The Mystery Guest: A True Story by Grégoire Bouillier

Another French book, but now translated into English, The Mystery Guest, and it looks like a lovely read of a true story that happened to the author, Grégoire Bouillier. Set in 1990, “Grégoire Bouillier had no way of knowing that the caller was the woman who had left him, without warning, five years before. And he couldn’t have guessed why she was calling: not to say she was sorry, not to explain why she’d vanished from his life, but to invite him to a party. A birthday party. For a woman he’d never met.”

Enjoy this short (only 104 pages), yet engaging book.

—The New French Look by Laura Li

Released last year, enjoy 170 photos sharing how while “trends come and go, French interiors, old or new, never go out of style. The New French Look is spirited and fresh, layered but never fussy, effortless yet always chic. It confidently uses elements of color and pattern to create an elegant atmosphere, but with a new contemporary edge. Referencing history, it offers a respectful nod to the past without ever looking stale and stuffy.”

Shopping

—J.Crew’s new Linen Shop

If you are looking to add a few staple linen items to your summer wardrobe, J.Crew has them at great prices. I have shopped a few pieces below, but be sure to peruse their entire Linen Shop.

Harbor Linen Pant (five colors, one print; three different lengths – petite, regular and tall)

—Shop More Linen:

—L’Agence Inez Silk Short Pajamas Set (two colors available)

While putting together the Spring Shopping Guide, I came across these pajamas and wanted to share. Classic, high quality and perfect for spring and summer travel packing.

—Sleepy Jones’s Marina Pajamas Set in navy Breton stripe

Since I am in France at the moment, the Breton style is speaking to me, and these navy and white stripe pajamas from Sleepy Jones would be a lovely pair to have. I have owned a pair from this company before and the cotton is lightweight and feels so nice on the skin.

—Staud’s Mercato leather-trimmed faux raffia tote, 45% off

Fantastic savings on this classic summer tote.

—TOD’s leather slingback sandals

An investment, but cost-per-wear wise, a pair of sandals you will wear for years and not think about the price when you see how effortlessly chic your ensembles becomes upon pairing with your ensembles dependably year after year after year.

Television

—Becoming Katharine Graham, AmazonPrime

I cannot wait to watch this documentary of the woman who broke with traditional norms in the 60s and 70s in numerous ways. Having read her autobiography years ago and thoroughly enjoying this film (Meryl Streep stars as Graham) which tells the story of how she saved The Washington Post and stood up to a President, Becoming Katharine Graham is a film to watch. Have a look at the trailer below and watch it now on Amazon Prime.

Paris brought the sunshine this week, so I have been finding time to spend equally as much time outside being an explorer as I have been stepping into some long-dreamed-to-visit destinations.

In just one morning alone, I enjoyed a two-mile walk around and through one of ‘the lungs’ of Paris, dined for breakfast at a favorite locals’ brasserie in lesser visited arrondissement, and savored more Impressionist art created by two of my favorite artists in a tucked away museum few tourists seem to visit compared to those in the heart of the city (and most definitely would love if they did!).

I will share all of these details in Tuesday’s (March 11th) first Travel Diary post, but just to give a hint, I have included a photo from my morning walk above, and one of the paintings in the first room you walk through at the museum mentioned (below). I have been taking ample photos and videos and cannot wait to share with you all. (Be sure to explore becoming a TOP Tier Member so you can enjoy these special travel posts.) Also, you can enjoy “Un Moment en France” each day on Instagram, a short video capturing a moment that made me smile and was most definitely savored during my time traveling.

How has March begun for you? Hopefully, you are seeing (and feeling) tastes of what spring will be, and that project or activity you have been working on is beginning to take shape evermore. This past week on the blog has been full, beginning with TSLL’s Annual Spring Shopping Guide as well as the monthly A Cuppa Moments and then a Monday Motivational post to remind us all of what is always within us waiting to be awoken and improve the quality of our everydays. Also, a new podcast episode sharing the annual Life Lessons learned during the past year. Thank you for stopping by today, and below are a handful of articles and one video I thought you might enjoy. Until Tuesday, bonne journée !

~This IG Reel brought a smile to my day. Thank you Sarah H. for sharing it with me. A cuppa tea shared really can prompt such wonderful connections.

~In Paris earlier this week to kick off fashion week, the Louvre hosted what is the first of what might just become an annual celebration, the Grand Dîner du Louvre, and the backdrop for the ‘red carpet’ is one of a kind. [NYTimes, gift link] View even more images of the guests here, posed inside the Louvre.

~So very grateful to Readers’ House in London for including a profile piece of TSLL and its journey to become what it is today.

~Renee Zellweger shares a lovely response when asked about being single and not having children. [Vogue France]

~Looking forward to visiting at least one of these in the next week — The best beaches in France from Normandy to Marseille (32!) [CNTraveler]

~Are you a bibliophile and a Francophile? Looking for a location to just snuggle up and read whilst surrounded by books in Paris? Save this list – The best literary cafés you want to pay a visit in Paris [Sortir Paris]

~The benefits of dining alone, something I savored during my first couple of days in Paris before meeting up with friends later in the week. [Food & Wine]

~One of the best ways to immediately settle into a new time zone while traveling is to step into a deliciously cozy and well-made bed. Such a luxury is a treat to have at home as well. Discover the secrets of the art of making a bed from British interior designers. [House & Garden UK]

~Breakfast in Paris is getting more popular and that includes brunches as well. [Food & Wine]

~This is a lovely detailed article on a special place in Paris often forgotten about by tourists (Nelle is standing on this article in the photo shared with episode #399). [WSJ, subscription required]

~Thank you to TSLL reader Cindi for sharing this travel list of tips and ideas from someone who has been traveling for more than 50 years.

~Here is something that TSLL readers have known for quite some time! Thank you to a TSLL reader for sharing this article with me – How little luxuries can make a big difference in our mental health [Very Well Mind]

~This English cottage has subtle surprises throughout while being soothing and relaxed. I especially love the upholstered headboard and bolster in the primary bedroom and the bathrooms use of wallpaper. [Domino]

~This week’s video is a bit different, but hopefully you too will note how full it is of beauty to savor: Cate Blanchett reads the letter that Helen Keller wrote to the New York Symphony back in 1924 upon hearing, in her own way, Beethoven’s 9th Symphony.

~Explore last week’s This & That: February 28, 2025

Hugh Bonneville is back in a new limited series, oodles of books on a variety of areas of social and health sciences from navigating uncertainty, improving our memory, digital well-being and taming an overthinking mind. As well, a new book has been released in a favorite French mystery series, and a brand new adaptation of an Agatha Christie mystery hits the small screens in Britain. Regarding films, a lovely new dramedy is flying under the radar that brings American and British actors together, and I’ve done some shopping for you as we look ahead to spring before TSLL’s annual Spring Shopping Guide is released this weekend. Still, there is 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.