More than 20 items to peruse in this week’s This & That. Oodles, and oodles and endlessly oodles to peruse. From the impressive discounts offered with Black Friday’s arrival – my favorite silk pajamas from La Ligne NYC along with so many other great finds are greatly discounted, Brené Brown’s new book, a jazz album any true jazz love MUST have, the perfect cookbook for soirée appetizer ideas, two new films – one well-known and receiving strong interest as well as review and another receiving strong reviews even though not as high on the radar, two novels set in 20th century Paris, winter gloves and a scarf I cannot wait to scoop up, a book for gardeners as we plan our gardens during the winter and much, much, MUCH more.

Books

—Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience by Brené Brown

Being released this coming Tuesday (November 30th), Brené Brown’s new book “Atlas of the Heart takes [readers] on a journey through eighty-seven of the emotions and experiences that define what it means to be human. As she maps the necessary skills and an actionable framework for meaningful connection, she gives us the language and tools to access a universe of new choices and second chances—a universe where we can share and steward the stories of our bravest and most heartbreaking moments with one another in a way that builds connection.”

—Rationality: What It Is, Why it Seems Scarce, Why It Matters by Steven Pinker

Released this past September, and already a New York Times Bestseller, Rationality “rejects the cynical cliché that humans are simply irrational–cavemen out of time saddled with biases, fallacies, and illusions. After all, we discovered the laws of nature, lengthened and enriched our lives, and set out the benchmarks for rationality itself.  We actually think in ways that are sensible in the low-tech contexts in which we spend most of our lives, but fail to take advantage of the powerful tools of reasoning we’ve discovered over the millennia: logic, critical thinking, probability, correlation and causation, and optimal ways to update beliefs and commit to choices individually and with others. These tools are not a standard part of our education, and have never been presented clearly and entertainingly in a single book–until now.”

Cookbooks

—Arty Parties: An Entertaining Cookbook by Julia Sherman

With more parties and gatherings beginning to take place (I for one cannot wait to host my first dinner party) and Julia Sherman’s new cookbook shares some playful ways to spice up the traditional get-together. “Sherman shows you how to be the architect of your own uniquely memorable bash, whether that means a special breakfast for two, or a ‘choose your own adventure’ meal that’s flexible enough to feed a crowd. Forget the codified markers of good taste—Arty Parties instead reveals that modern gatherings are less about “getting it right” and more about getting your hands dirty, building community, and taking risks in the kitchen and beyond. Featuring colorful food that is confident in its simplicity, Sherman shares easy-to-follow, healthy recipes that value imaginative flavor combinations over complexity: dishes like an avocado-lemongrass panna cotta, saffron tomato soup, coconut rice cakes with smashed avocado and soy-marinated eggs, and roasted broccolini and blood oranges with a creamy pepita sauce.”

Films

—House of Gucci

Just released earlier this week, House of Gucci is a film I look forward to checking out soon. The true stories are often more difficult to believe than fiction, and that is exactly the case in House of Gucci. Have a look at the trailer for the film below starring Lady Gaga and Adam Driver, and read about the events that inspired the film here.

—Humans

Based on a Tony Award winning play, Humans premieres on Showtime today and tells the story involving “three generations of Erik Blake’s family gathering to celebrate Thanksgiving at his daughter’s apartment in Manhattan.” But then “darkness falls and eerie things start to go bump in the night, laying bare their deepest fears – and the love that binds them together.” Take a look at the trailer below.

Francophile Finds

—French Appetizers by Marie Asselin

From the food blogger behind Food Nouveau, Marie Asselin’s cookbook (released in 2019) is the resource to have on hand this holiday season (and well, anytime) to discover delicious French-inspired apéro bites. “Fresh, modern, and versatile French-inspired appetizers and small servings, from basic tapenades and hummus, to savory cakes, quiches, tartlets, mini sandwiches, soups, skewers, and sweet treats are perfect as a prelude to dinner, or even in place of an evening meal. Many recipes include simple formulas to make several versions of a single recipe so that you are only limited by your own taste buds and creativity.”

—The Postmistress of Paris: A Novel by Meg Waite Clayton

Being released this coming Tuesday and written by the bestselling author of The Lost Train, The Postmistress of Paris “revisits the dark early days of the German occupation in France in this haunting novel—a love story and a tale of high-stakes danger and incomparable courage—about a young American heiress who helps artists hunted by the Nazis escape from war-torn Europe.”

—The Queen of Paris: A Novel of Coco Chanel by Pamela Binnings Ewen

The Queen of Paris came recommended to me by a TSLL reader, and on Tuesday it will be available in the states to enjoy. “Vividly imagining the hidden life of Chanel during the four years of Nazi occupation in Paris in the midst of WWII — as discovered in recently unearthed wartime files” — The Queen of Paris will capture your intrigue, and I have a feeling be hard to put down once you begin. I cannot wait to read it.

Garden

—Eat What You Grow: How to have an undemanding edible garden that is both beautiful and productive by Alys Fowler

Now is the time to plan, ponder and imagine what next year’s garden may be. “Alys shows you how to create a rich, biodiverse garden that feeds not only you, but supports a wide range of pollinators, bees and butterflies, as well as other wildlife. From perennial vegetables that come back year after year, to easy-to-grow delights, she has selected plants that hold their own in both the garden and on the plate. And tells you how to raise these plants, guiding you through the process of feeding your soil, saving seed and taking cuttings to increase your supplies.”

Music

–Giant Steps by Coltrane

Fellow jazz lovers, if you don’t already have John Coltrane’s most popular album Giant Steps, hustle à tout de suite to add it to your music library. I was late to the party on this one, but oh my am I loving it. Have a listen to the title track below.

Shopping + Black Friday Sales

—Bloomist White Walnut Plum Vase (more designs)

—Coach Leather Knit Cuff Mixed Gloves (black also available)

—Coach Wool Sweater Dress, Ivory

—DVF Astrid Midi Wrap Dress in Cashmere & Wool, Navy (20% off)

—Alta chunky knit scarf, La Ligne NYC Sale

~Bonne Soirée Silk Pajamas (I love mine and just slept in them last night!), on sale!

—Paravel Cabana Tote (many colors)

A timeless tote for any time of the year (and one of Oprah’s Favorite Things).

—Permanent Collection Original Egg Spoon

—Theory Double-Face Wool-Cashmere Clairence Jacket (25% off), more colors

—Black Friday Deals & Sales

• J.Crew, save 40% off site-wide with promo code SHOPEARLY
• La Ligne NYC, over 50% off select items
• Madewell, 30% off your order with promo OHJOY
• Net-a-Porter, 15% off site-wide with promo code BLACKFRIDAY (thru Nov. 29)
• Nordstrom, save up to 50%
• Theory, 25% off almost everything

Theory

Madewell

La Ligne NYC

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Happy Friday. ?

After a day of feasting here in the states, the final Friday of November arrives, and with it an awareness that the winter holidays are indeed upon us. This weekend I will begin making garland with my mother as I am making a quick trip to see my parents, and look forward to taking walks with Norman and catching up with a good friend. The holiday cooking episode will go live on the blog tomorrow with a simple, yet deeply holiday spice of a flavor. Be sure to check it out. ?

I hope your week, whether you were traveling, staying home, working or anything in between, went well, and you are looking ahead to a weekend to savor. Thank you for everyone who checked out the Beaujolais video whether here on the blog or on Instagram this week. Your kind words and confirmation about the message of what living simply luxuriously is all about and how it aligns with the French culture brought a smile and I appreciate your time shared to take a look. I felt incredibly fortunate to have that opportunity, and it was a treat to share it with you this week.

If you haven’t already checked out TSLL’s Holiday Gift Guide, I have included it again at the bottom of this post (or you can click here). Before we know it another month will conclude, but before it does, I hope these final days of November bring you much love, peace and reasons to be grateful. I am deeply grateful for your choosing to stop by and continue to visit TSLL blog. Wishing you a lovely Friday, and until tomorrow bonne journée. Below are links, articles and two videos you might enjoy for weekend perusal.

~Two Julia Child favorites for Thanksgiving (they might surprise you!) [The Washington Post]

~Don’t forget to remember the good accidents that have happened in your life [Seth Godin]

~A French Holiday Gift Guide from HipParis

~Simple Living Holiday Activities [A Considered Life]

~For bibliophiles, The New York Times release their annual 100 Notable Books list

~29 ways to decorate with plants and foliage for Christmas [House & Garden UK]

~8 little wake-up calls you need to receive before it’s too late [Marc & Angel]

~5 principles for a better post-pandemic you [WSJ]

~Covid, the holidays and celebrating – The experts weigh in [NYTIMES]

~Slip away to the South of France and tour this newly renovated country house (the bathroom caught my eye, surprise, surprise ?) [Remodelista]

~Speaking of France, lets stay there for a while and discover the many ways to use the classic Savon de Marseilles cubes of soap [Frenchly]

~The joy of dining along – ‘Table for one? Yes, please.” [The Guardian]

~The ritual of table setting: It’s historical significance and cultural importance [House & Garden UK]

~Another lovely home to tour, designed by Rita Konig for a client in Manhattan – modern and minimal, but with Konig’s expertise. Be sure to check it out. [House & Garden UK]

~The importance of a Healthy and Balanced Diet for Energy [Life Hack]

~Coming in January! After much anticipation! Julian Fellowes is bringing a new series to HBO – The Gilded Age. Check out the trailer below.

~But Julian Fellowes is not done yet with Downton Abbey and now we have a premiere date for the second movie AND Francophiles get just as excited as Anglophiles as the film will take viewers to France!!!! – Set your calendars for March 18th.

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