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Summer clothing in the form of dresses and pointelle, and sales! A new French series that is both fun and sleuthy. The return of a fun and sleuthy British dramedy, books about strengthening our social network, making delicious chocolate treats from a favorite American expat living in France, and reminding yourself of your awesomeness. Also, a new film about the art world, a little something for dog parents (and their pups) while they promenade, and still there is more!
Books
—Clarity & Connection by yung pueblo
A couple of years ago, in episode #405, author and life coach yung pueblo (his pen name)’s book was the inspiration. How to Love Better inspired the content, but before he wrote that book, he wrote a trilogy of books that ask each of us to look inward, thus the name of the trilogy is The Inward Trilogy. Clarity and Connection is book #2, and it is a “resource for those invested in the work of personal transformation, building self-awareness, and deepening their connection with others.” Have a look at an excerpt below.
—The Company We Keep: Friendship, Connection, and Redefining What It Means to Grow Together by Alexandre Elle
Maybe you already follow bestselling author Alexandre Elle on Instagram where she shares inspiring life truths and wisdom. Now she has a new book being released next week: The Company We Keep.
The book is “a vulnerable exploration of the friendships that shape us, stretch us, and sometimes wound us . . . Alex invites us not only to celebrate but to examine the relationships in our lives, from the ones that matter most to those we should re-evaluate. She offers hard-won wisdom on:
- Recognizing when people-pleasing and self-silencing have become a pattern.
- Understanding that honesty—while sometimes painful—is a bridge to real intimacy or necessary endings.
- Letting go of the belief that we earn love by shrinking ourselves.
- Honor the sacred friendships that restore and heal us.”
—The Fullness of Time: Marking the Day by Birdsong, Blooms, Shadows, and Stars by Cathy Haynes
When I happened upon this book recently, I became immediately intrigued. With the gardening season in full swing and my and many TSLL readers’ love for Mother Nature, what Cathy Haynes is suggesting is something to ponder.
“Haynes argues that by devoting more attention to the living rhythms of plants, animals, and light, we stand to reap inner riches that can bring us fascination and delight. To discover a new sense of time, she draws on the knowledge of astronomers, botanists, ornithologists, town planners and experts on sundial-making, shepherding, and traditional work songs.
“The Fullness of Time is an alternative history of timekeeping and an invitation to tune into the subtle changes happening around us throughout the day—even in the concrete-and-glass heart of the twenty-first-century city.”
Released on April 21st, 2026
—I Am Enough by Hardie Grant books
Yet another book I stumbled upon, and this time at a bookshop. I immediately began flipping through it and quite appreciated the many different quotes and thoughts to ponder that it shared. Two are below. It is a pocket-sized book and one to offer a quick pick-me-up and an encouragement to sit down and really get lost in your thoughts in a wonderful way.
British Finds
—Death Valley, season 2, BBC One
This was such good news to hear this week! And premiering on the first day of TSLL’s 8th Annual British Week! This Sunday, May 17th, the second season of the dramedy cozy mystery series Death Valley returns! Starring Timothy Spall and Gwyneth Keyworth, the atypical sleuthing duo is at it again in Wales, and it looks like a fun weekly series yet again. Look for it to soon be available on BritBox (likely this summer – I’ll keep you posted here on the T&T post when it does).
Cookbooks
—The Great Book of Chocolate, Revised: The Chocolate Lover’s Guide with More Than 50 Recipes by David Lebovitz
David Lebovitz knows dessert, and his chocolate expertise is a cookbook to have in your kitchen. Newly revised, his bestselling The Great Book of Chocolate has been newly released. Discover fifteen brand new recipes on top of the already fifty rich and decadent recipes for chocolatey cookies, brownies, cakes, truffles, ice cream, and more.
Also newly added is new photography from Paris and San Francisco.
Décor
—Zara Home’s Embossed Ceramic Toothbrush Tumbler
I don’t know about you, but when we can store the utilitarian items in our homes beautifully, ah, that is a very good thing. Case in point with storing our toothbrushes on the counter. While I would be putting my toothbrush physically in the tumbler (unlike the photo that is laying it atop it ;)), I think this very inexpensive piece of décor is a great idea.
Dog Parents
—The Foggy Dog’s Lake Blue Stripe Waste Bag Holder
If you love stripes as much as I do, this is a simple touch to your daily walks to add your love of nautical.
Films
First premiereing at the SXSW Film Festival & TV Festival in 2025, Forge is now premiering in select theaters beginning today. The story centers around “the Zhang siblings who are known as one of the best – if not the best – art forgery duo in Miami. Coco (Andie Ju) uses her artistic skills to recreate uncanny forgeries – not replicas of prestigious paintings while her brother Raymond (Brandon Soo Hoo) handles all the business as they scam unsuspecting art aficionados. As much as they want their underground art market to grow, they are still strapped for cash – until they meet overprivileged and disgraced millennial millionaire heir Holden Beaumont (Edmund Donovan).
“Coco and Raymond agree to work with Holden, who guarantees a huge payout. The siblings use this opportunity to help fix their financial woes, but when the unrelenting FBI art crimes agent Emily Lee (Kelly Marie Tran) catches word of a mysterious string of art forgeries, she stops at nothing to find the forgers.”
Have a look at the trailer below.
Francophile Finds
—A Garden Tour of France by Stéphane Marie
Lovers of gardens, Francophiles as well as travelers, this is your book to help you plan your next trip to France. Released in March, A Garden Tour of France “brings together twenty-seven stunning gardens spanning ten French regions, selected both for their originality and the richness of their flora. Stéphane Marie’s accounts of the design history and creation of each garden are accompanied by detailed sections on the plants, flowers, and trees that make them unique. Visitors are welcome at each of these gardens, and the chapters are completed with practical information and tips on how to plan your visit.”
—The Joie Journal: A Guided Journal for a More Joyful Life by Ajiri Aki
Also released in March, The Joie Journal is a tool to bring us to focus on just that – what brings us joy. Parisian author Ajiri Aki’s journal utilitizes what the French know about joie, or joy. “It is not a feeling but something you cultivate. In fact, Aki reminds us that joy can be found anywhere—you only need to seek it out. Much like a gratitude or mindfulness practice, pursuing joy can put you in a calmer, happier state of mind, by helping you focus on the little things that make you happy in the moment.
“Choose one of the twenty-five challenges, make a plan to follow through, and then use the prompts to reflect on the joy that activity brought you.” Sounds like a wonderful dovetail of a tool to living a simply luxurious life.
—Simon Coleman, MHzChoice
I am absolutely loving this new French series. Just premiering last week on MHzChoice, but a couple of years ago in France, if you have been watching Alice Nevers, you will recognize the lead in Simon Coleman. “Jean-Michel Tinivelli stars as a cop whose life is upended when he’s suddenly tasked with raising his late sister’s three kids.” Set in the beautiful city of Aix en Provence, this dramedy involves one crime to solve for Coleman in each episode, while also juggling the task of being an uncle-turned-parent to three young kids. Thankfully, they all adore their uncle, but that doesn’t mean that hiccups won’t happen. If you are looking for a good balance of fun and sleuthing, this is your new French series to watch. Two episodes drop each week, and there are a total of six episodes in this first season. Enjoy!
Shopping
—ba&sh Straight Cut Pants, Cista Brown
A good pant that is still casual, yet streamlined for style – a wonderful, versatile piece to have on hand in spring and autumn, and even summer on cool nights and mornings. This is just such a pant.
—Eric Javits’ Brickell Tote Raffia Bag with Leather Trim, on sale
A sizable tote with two sets of handles for comfort. And it’s available on a nice reduction as well.
—Madewell Sale, 20% off site-wide
So long as you are shopping through their app, beginning today through Sunday, save 20% off site-wide! Happy shopping!
—Pepper + Vetiver Embossed Drinking Glasses, set of 4
Looking for a vintage-looking set of water glasses or the perfect glass for lemonade this summer? Use Pepper + Vetiver’s welcome promo code (sign up for their newsletter) and enjoy a nice bit of savings off the regular $98 price.
If cool-undertone green is your color, this is your dress for the summer. Have a cardigan or cotton jacket at the ready for a chilly wind, and this dress is a beautiful piece to add to the summer wardrobe.
—Reiss Linen Tie-Waist Tailored Midi Dress in Neutral
Part of the reason I am sharing these two dresses is because of the new Signature Style post – Part Cinq – that was shared this week. We focused on dresses and how to ensure you buy the ones that flatter your figure. This halter neckline is striking on just about everyone, and the linen makes it a wise choice to last for years to come.
—Veronica Beard’s Leonora Pointelle Tank Top in Ecru
And as a separate for summer, perfect for layering or wearing on its own whether with shorts or a shirt or pants, this ecru will work well with so many different separates.
During this past week, a few things came together, others fell apart (but will soon be fixed), and all the while Nelle accompanied me and made it all the more enjoyable and bearable.
Most notably was our visit to Schreiner’s Iris Farm (the photo above captures one of the MANY gorgeous irises). Next week, during the monthly Gardening post, I will also include a tour (video and photos) of our visit. It was mesmerizing, inspiring, and enchanting. The rain fell, then stopped, and the sun shone, and left the garden kissed with raindrops.
And this weekend, we kick off the 8th Annual British Week! Yep! On Sunday and running for an entire week, we will be celebrating all things British. Two new posts on each day of the week, and five giveaways exclusively for TOP Tier Members will be shared. Be sure to explore joining TSLL community as this is a very special week of the year, and what a great time to step into conversation with fellow Anglophiles. ☺️🇬🇧❤️ And if you would prefer a Guest Pass so you can enjoy the week without a recurring payment, you can do that too for just $11. Sign up on this page as well (scroll to the very bottom.)
Now, I am going to rest up for a few hours before diving back onto the computer to start the festivities! Have a wonderful weekend and bonne journée !
~Something we explored in episode #421 – The Creative Cure – which was inspired by a fantastic new book gains further support with a new study found that engaging regularly in the arts and cultural events slows the pace of biological aging [The Guardian]
~Have you read this financial advice book that was published in 2009 with great success? The author has a new book for couples coming out, and gave an interview to read with the NYTimes last week. I appreciate his perspective about how shame has far too long been associated with money. [gift link]
~All of the finalists for the Best Croissant in Paris [Frenchly]
~The importance of cooking for yourself as written about by Nigella Lawson [The Financial Times, gift link]
~Wanting to garden, but don’t know how or where to start with the space you have? Read this – How an hour with a garden designer helped me to transform my outdoor space [House & Garden UK]
~My sweet tooth told me to share this with you – Smitten Kitchen‘s Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake Bars. Yum!
~Lovers of train travel and traveling through Europe – discover the golden-era glamour and see epic scenery on the most beautiful summer train trips on the European Continent and the UK. [CN Traveler[
~I am all in on this idea – the book crawl! [Real Simple]
~Did you hear? Tina Fey is taking the success of the adapted The Four Seasons series that premiered last year and has created a second season! All her own, this should be a fun one, and I am now interested to see how they will continue forward with each character’s story. Have a look at the trailer below, and I will be sure to alert you when it premieres.
~Explore last week’s edition of This & That, May 8th
A cookbook full of flavorful, seasonally delicious desserts, novels to hold our attention, a new memoir from a favorite cook who cooked in the smallest kitchen in Paris with great success, and clothing sales not to miss. One such sale is from one of my favorite French brands, and then there is sprinkled treasures found for sipping a cuppa, pottering in the garden, and 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 the mentioned and recommended finds. Affiliate links are present in this post and may earn commissions for TSLL when you make a purchase. View TSLL’s full Privacy Policy here.
