A handful of films being highly praised by critics, books of sleuthing, books about England and their history with food and a historical fiction book that will keep you intrigued. Clothing for sleeping stylishly, layering effortlessly, dressing well and saving money on your workout wear. Also, steak knives – discover the French brand you can rely on for quality dining. Plus much more.

Books

—The Author’s Guide to Murder by Beatriz Williams

Being released this coming Tuesday is a mystery novel involving a murder amongst three novelists. Set in the historic Castle Kinloch, a gothic fantasy of grey granite on a remote island in the Highlands of Scotland, when the death of the owner of the castle is discovered, the “prime suspects are Kat de Noir, a slinky erotica writer; Cassie Pringle, a Southern mom of six juggling multiple cozy mystery series; and Emma Endicott, a New England blue blood and author of critically acclaimed historical fiction. The women claim to be best friends writing a book together, but the authors’ stories about how they know Brett Saffron Presley (now deceased) don’t quite line up, and Detective Chief Inspector Euan McIntosh is getting increasingly suspicious”. 

A cozy mystery read indeed.

—Eleanore of Avignon: A Novel by Elizabeth DeLozier

Also being released on Tuesday, a historical novel that takes us back to Provence in 1347. “Eleanore (Elea) Blanchet is a young midwife and herbalist with remarkable skills” so when the Black Plaque hits, her skills are highly sought after and specifically by “disgraced Queen Joanna [who] is coming to Avignon to stand trial for her husband’s murder. She is pregnant and in need of a midwife, a role only Elea can fill.

“The queen’s childbirth approaches as the plague spreads like wildfire, leaving half the city dead in its wake. The people of Avignon grow desperate for a scapegoat and a group of religious heretics launch a witch hunt, one that could cost Elea—an intelligent, talented, unwed woman—everything”.

To be released on Tuesday November 5th.

—The Gardeners’ Plot: A Novel by Deborah J. Benoit 

Yet another book being released this Tuesday, one for cozy mystery lovers who also love to garden. ☺️

“The Gardener’s Plot takes readers to the heart of the Berkshires and introduces amateur sleuth Maggie Walker in Deborah J. Benoit’s Minotaur Books/Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel Award-winning debut”.

British Finds

—The English Table: Our Food Through the Ages by Jill Norman

Released this week in the UK and soon to be released in the states (January 2025), The English Table takes readers through a “journey of the culinary history of England from ancient times to the present day. The book sheds light on the evolution of English cuisine, which essentially was the food of the rich-the poor had to manage as best they could until the twentieth century. Unveiling the secrets hidden in period cookery books, from the earliest known recipe scroll in the fourteenth century to modern classics such as Jane Grigson’s English Food, each chapter is a culinary time capsule. The book features carefully curated recipes from each era and offers a mouth-watering glimpse into the flavors that have shaped English culinary heritage”. A perfect book for the Anglophile and foodie on your holiday list.

And speaking of holiday shopping! TSLL’s annual Holiday Gift Guide for Anglophiles and Francophiles will be shared this Sunday November 3rd!

Décor

—Brass Desktop Note Roll Dispenser

This little contraption caught my eye, and I couldn’t help but share. Simple, yet . A touch (or a lot) of brass to add a stylish touch to a helpful tool.

—John Derian + Target

American designer and eclectic creative John Derian has partnered up again with Target this Thanksgiving season. Sharing a collection of nearly 50 unique items exclusively designed with Derian’s playful touches, explore the entire collection here and discover amazingly low prices on each of the items.

Stoneware Feathered Salad Plates, 4-piece set

Shop the entire collection here.

Films

—Agent of Happiness

A documentary that critics are praising. Agent of Happiness takes viewers to Bhutan the country who invented Gross National Happiness thus, measuring it annually. “Amber is one of the agents who travels door to door to meet people and measure how happy they really are. He is still living with his elderly mother at the age of 40, but is nevertheless a hopeless romantic who dreams of finding love: a happiness agent who is in search of his own happiness. We embark with Amber on a cross-country road trip meeting citizens from all walks of life, reminding us of the fragility and beauty of our own happiness. No matter where we live”. Have a look at the trailer below and find it in theaters beginning today.

—Here

Critics are loving the film that reunited the cast and director of the 1994 Oscar-award winning film Forest Gump. Here tells the “generational story about families and the special place they inhabit, sharing in love, loss, laughter, and life”. The film is based on the 2014 graphic novel by Richard McGuire of the same name . . . which was “based on the legendary 1989 comic strip of the same name”. I know, a lot of cycling through, but the movie, if you only start there, is said to be well worth watching. Have a look at the trailer below and look for it in theaters now.

—Martha, Netflix

Released this past Wednesday on Netflix is a documentary about the one and only Martha Stewart. Now 83, Stewart has lived a remarkable life, and this new documentary chronicles it all for viewers. Described as being a film that shares all that we love and don’t love about Martha Stewart, it certainly sounds fascinating to watch. However, it is interesting to note that while Martha Stewart gave permission for the film and clearly gave interviews for the film, handing over much of the resources for the documentarian R.J. Cutler to use, as is shared in this article, she was not entirely happy with the concluding segments. Have a look at the trailer below.

—The Real Pain

Jesse Eisenberg’s new film in which he wrote, stars and directs is receiving high praise, and once you watch just a few clips, I think you will be intrigued enough to watch and find out why. Co-starring alongside Eisenberg is Kieran Culkin who plays Eisenberg’s cousin. They are reunited as adults after their grandmother, a Holocaust survivor, has passed away. Sending them on a trip through Poland to teach and remind them of their familial history, it is Culkin who shines. Take a look at the trailer below and look for the film The Real Pain in theaters today.

Francophile Finds

–Jamie Beck Postcard Box Set

American living in Provence, Jamie Beck’s photography continues to prompt moments of awe whenever I take a look at her Instagram feed. And now you can have a set of postcards with ten different photographs taken by Beck to add to your stationery.

—Jean Dubost Laguiole Olivewood Steak knives, set of 6

One essential piece I am missing in my own kitchen, and perhaps you too are shopping for this, is a quality steak knife set, and internationally known French brand Laguiole is the brand worth purchasing (or gifting). They offer many different styles and handles on their main website, but you can also find their knives at various other retailers as linked above.

~Be sure to stop by this Sunday when TSLL’s Annual Holiday Gift Guide for Francophiles and Anglophiles will be shared!

Shopping

—Frame’s Le Sleek Straight jeans, stargirl wash

A classic dark wash and a timeless straight leg cut that hits right above the ankle. A lovely option for denim in the winter and fall as it raises the ‘dressed up’ quotient and almost acts like a trouser or pant.

—Mango Straight Pajamas Pants in Sky Blue

Classic pajamas at a great price.

—Sweaty Betty, 30% off Fall Essentials sale

Sales are beginning to pop up here and there as the official holiday shopping season is quite short with Thanksgiving falling late, late, late in November. So if you are looking for a few items for your workout wear, be sure to shop Sweaty Betty this weekend.

SHOP THE SALE:

—Veronica Beard Large Dash Bag in Burnished Brown (black also available)

A great mid-size handbag, just large enough to hold your tablet or book. I am keeping my eye on this one.

—Veronica Beard Pruitt Long Sleeve Tee, stripes

One more from Veronica Beard as I immediately saw this tee with its long sleeves and thin stripes and thought it would be a great layering piece under a blazer or down vest this fall.

The autumn golds might be blown away this weekend with the stormy weather, but before our taste of winter came this week, last weekend was a stunner as captured above.

And before I forget! Rabbit, rabbit! Whether you utter that phrase as the first words spoken with a new month’s beginning or not, we don’t always have This & That on the first, so why not sprinkle a little good luck magic on November? ☺️

This past week was full with family staying here at Le Papillon for a couple of days, and enjoying meals together (along with hikes) was on the menu. Between dining out in downtown Bend and making comfort meals as we enjoyed relaxing at the house and simply being together (the pups loved seeing their grandparents), a wonderful time was enjoyed.

In the middle of all of that the primary closet was installed, and I have to share how truly enjoyable this process was (which surprised me too!). I look forward to sharing with you my experience later this month, complete with photos and videos. I couldn’t imagine a more desirable experience while working with a contracted company to customize a room in the home. And yep, the closet is back to work and all set up. So tickled with how it turned out. ☺️ Stay tuned for the tour!

And speaking of the benefits of being a TOP Tier Member (exclusive access to all of TSLL’s Home Tours plus much more), another reminder about the TSLL NEWS for 2025:A Heads Up for non-members! TSLL’s TOP Tier Member prices will be going up on January 1st, 2025, but you can lock in the current rate now and forever pay the same rate as long as your membership is active when you sign up in 2024. Learn more about the TOP Tier benefits here. (If you are a current TOP Tier Member, your price is secured right where it is and will not change so long as you keep your membership Active.) The new rates will be: $8.50/mo; $23/qtr; $85/yr.

I hope your week to conclude October has gone well, and you are looking ahead to a weekend and a new month with appreciation of what you have accomplished in the past few weeks. May the weekend bring moments of giggles, loving exchanges and reason to cheer. Below I have gathered up a few articles and one video I think you might enjoy, and until Sunday when the holiday gift guide will be shared, bonne journée.

~Fellow lovers of broccoli, good news! It is quite the super-nutrient dense veggie choice! [NYTimes, gift link]

~Keri Russell, star of The Diplomat, shares her Monday morning routine with the WSJ. [subscription may be required]

~How to enjoy group travel as an introvert [Introvert, Dear]

~If you too are interested in simplifying your life, and diving deeper into mindfulness exploration, Joshua Beck’s online magazine Simplify Magazine’s latest issue is centered around this theme.

~November garden tasks to tend to! [Gardeners’ World]

~The British have their own significant day on the calendar this coming Tuesday – Guy Fawkes Day. It is merely a coincidence that it falls on Tuesday, but every year on November 5th, Bonfire Night as it is often better known, commemorates Fawkes’  foiled attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London in 1605. And even Shakespeare was influenced. [The Collector]

~And Just Like That wrapped up filming season 3 with this parting scene. Now we wait for the editing team to bring the season together. Can’t wait to see where the many storylines will take us.

~Let’s stay in London for a moment and take a tour of this apartment in Royal Albert Hall Mansions that overlooks Hyde Park. (loving the shower ☺️)[Vogue Living]

~Now to France! Learn all about the cheese varietal Comté, the ‘cathedral’ of cheeses. [Taste France]

~Speaking of food, this week I enjoyed quite a bit of time in the kitchen with company staying at Le Papillon for a couple of days, and recently added one more of this small piece of décor to the space. Loving it and highly recommend. Kitchen lamps – a must-do décor idea. [Eater]

~Corduroy pants/trousers are a style ‘do’ this fall and winter as inspired by the French and modeled here by Gwyneth Paltrow (shop the pants she is wearing here) [Who What Wear UK]

~Here in Oregon, everyone receives mail-in ballots, so I voted a couple of weeks ago – mailing my votes in as soon as I could, but for many, that day is still to come. So to conclude on this “weekend-eve” leading up to the US election, the official video of the song sang by Alex Newell for the Broadway play Suffs, “Keep Marching”.

~Explore last week’s This & That: October 25, 2024

Quite a few new and returning series are premiering in the coming week and worthwhile ones at that. Books on baking bread of all kinds and sorts, historical fiction to keep you enthralled as you step back in time to London pre-WWI, a décor book full of inspiration about embracing maximalism and understanding exactly what it is and how it can and should bring calm, a new novel from an internationally praised author perfect for cozying in this autumn, and if you love fashion history, a book you don’t want to miss. Also, fall warmth and style for the closet and many of the finds available at great prices. 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.