SO much goodness and oodles of discoveries to share this week, yep, including more Black Friday sales of note. First, a French film that needs to be shared even if it is more than 10 years old as the leading actress won best actress, books sharing ideas for savoring the winter season, a new drama series based on an acclaimed French series, holiday details and décor for art lovers, books for gardeners to savor beauty all year-long, discover how to make delicious bread in all its many forms from a James Beard recognized baker and French candles . . . on sale, one of my favorite brands. Still, so much more.

Books

—Christmas Crimes at the Mysterious Bookshop by Otto Penzler

A compilation of twelve short cozy mystery capers written to fit a specific plot requirement: that they each be set in New York City’s Mysterious Bookshop. Released this past October, Otto Penzler edits each story for “the oldest mystery specialty bookstore in the world, The Mysterious Bookshop, in this 45-year-old tradition of commissioning an original short story as a holiday gift for its customers. Written exclusively for the store and never published elsewhere, the stories were given as a holiday gift to its customers as a thank you for their business, handed out or mailed between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day.

“The prompt for the story requires three elements: that it be set at Christmastime, that it involve a crime of some kind, or the suspicion of one, and that it be set at least partially in the bookstore. And from these loose structural guidelines, diverse tales took flight. The dozen tales included in this volume are among the finest to be produced in this annual tradition, sure to charm any reader looking for a holiday-themed escape”.

If you are looking for short, yet engaging mysteries to snuggle in and read this winter, this might just be what you’re looking for. ☺️

—Hygge: How to Enjoy Life’s Simple Pleasures with the Danish Secrets to Happiness by Rita Hayes

TSLL member Katie E. brought Rita Hayes’ book to my attention upon sharing it recently, and now available in paperback, Hygge: How to Enjoy Life’s Simple Pleasures looks like a wonderful book to read this time of year. Discover “How you can foster better relationships: Foster togetherness, feelings of comfort and safety, trust, intimacy, and connection; How you can lessen the negativity and noise: Increase feelings of self-worth, optimism, mindfulness, self-compassion, and gratitude; and How you can feel safer and calmer: Improve your sleep, regulate your weight, lessen stress, and reduce the need for unhealthy coping mechanisms.”

Explore more about the similarities between Hygge and living simply luxuriously in this podcast episode (#148) shared a couple of years ago.

The Hygge Phenomenon and Living Simply Luxuriously, episode #148

—Slow Seasons: A Creative Guide to Reconnecting with Nature the Celtic Way by Rosie Steer

If you are looking to slow down a bit more, to discover rituals that align with Mother Nature and the seasons, then Rosie Steer’s book that was released last year, Slow Seasons, may just be what you are looking for. “In her late-twenties, feeling utterly overwhelmed by the pace of modern city life, Rosie Steer found solace in the traditions she had been brought up with, influenced by her Scottish roots, that celebrated nature and observed the small steady shifts in the seasons”. Discover oodles of nature-based ideas such as lighting a Yule candle to mark the shortest day of the year, and filling your home with smells of citrus and spice making Festive fudge as a delicious homemade gift.

“By slowing down and paying attention to the ebbs and flows of nature, we can find moments of calm whenever we need them”.

~A Year in Bloom: Flowering Bulbs in Every Season by Lucy Bellamy

Sticking with the theme of the seasons, and as I am delighting in the growth of the two amaryllises in my house at the moment, Lucy Bellamy’s book A Year in Bloom is one to read during the winter months to remind us of all the varietals of bulbs for all seasons available if we only know about them. Well, this book serves to provide just such education ☺️.

Released this past October, the book is “organized into four seasonal chapters, [and while including] familiar flowers such as tulips and daffodils [it also provides information on] less common blooms, including dog’s tooth violets, gladioli, and autumn snowflakes. Gardeners will discover bulbs suited for borders, containers, and grass plantings; bulbs to attract pollinators, for scent, for naturalized plantings; and reliably perennial bulbs that will flower year after year, supporting a sustainable approach”.

—TSLL’s Books, signed copies, 20% off

Find each of TSLL’s three books (paperback and hardback), reduced 20% (no promo code necessary) in TSLL’s Shop now through Monday December 2nd. Learn more about each of the books here.

British Finds

—Barbour Mariah Quilted Trench Coat (two colors), on sale

The high quality of a Barbour quilted coat is something to take note of, and as I have one of their short jackets (and the pups’ winter coats are from Barbour too ☺️), I wanted to bring to your attention the brand’s 30% off Black Friday sale. Shop the entire sale here.

—British Airways, Black Friday Sale on Business Class

If you have plans to visit Europe and would like to fly business class, consider purchasing your tickets during this awesome savings event (even better savings than their fall sale which took place in September), and save $600 off your plane tickets through December 4th.

Cookbooks

—For the Love of Food: Recipes for Life’s Delicious Moments by Paul Ainsworth

Already a Sunday Times best seller as it was released in the UK this past July, “Paul Ainsworth has spent a lifetime working in Michelin-starred kitchens – from Restaurant Gordon Ramsay in London to his own restaurant No6 in Cornwall. Working with quality produce and alongside the UK’s best chefs, he’s learnt that seriously good food and comforting classics are key to a truly flavourful life”. Purchase it now from Blackwells (and save $5), or preorder from Amazon and it will be delivered on January 28th in the new year.

—Very Good Bread: The Science of Dough and the Art of Making Bread at Home by Melissa Weller

I think I might just pick up this cookbook for the recipe shown below. These Black Truffle Fantails (below) look as beautiful as they are no doubt delicious and melt-in-your-mouth. Released on November 5th, “acclaimed baker and James Beard Award nominee, provides a master class on making perfect breads at home—from sourdough loaves and baguettes to bagels, pitas, tortillas, and pizzas” in her cookbook Very Good Bread.

Films

—Beatles ’64

Available beginning today to watch on Disney+, Beatles ’64 from producer Martin Scorsese documents “The Beatles’ arrival beginning on February 7, 1964, when they landed in New York City to unprecedented excitement and hysteria. “From the instant they landed at Kennedy Airport, met by thousands of fans, Beatlemania swept New York and the entire country. Their thrilling debut performance on The Ed Sullivan Show captivated more than 73 million viewers, the most watched television event of its time. Beatles ’64 presents the spectacle, but also tells a more intimate behind the scenes story, capturing the camaraderie of John, Paul, George, and Ringo as they experienced unimaginable fame”.

“The film includes rare footage filmed by pioneering documentarians Albert and David Maysles, beautifully restored in 4K by Park Road Post in New Zealand. The live performances from The Beatles’ first American concert at the Washington, DC Coliseum and their Ed Sullivan appearances were demixed by WingNut Films and remixed by Giles Martin. Spotlighting this singular cultural moment and its continued resonance today, the music and footage are augmented by newly filmed interviews with Paul and Ringo, as well as fans whose lives were transformed by The Beatles”.


Have a look at the trailer below.

Francophile Finds

—Bastide candles & other scents, 40% off site-wide

Now is the time when I stock up my candle cupboard. And while I don’t buy too many, remaining within my budget, I always pick up a few from Baside. Made in Provence, it is their Miel de Lavande scent that always gets put in my shopping cart, but they have other scents as well worth exploring such as Ambre Soire. The discount is applied at checkout and is a sale they don’t have but once a year.

Enjoy welcoming a bit of France into your everyday.

—Certified Copy

I scoured the archives of TSLL to see if I had ever recommended this award-winning French film, and to my chagrin, I had not! Certified Copy looks a treat to watch to marry our shared love for France, for Britain and for Italy (as I know some TSLL readers even live there!), as the film is set in Tuscany. Juliette Binoche stars and won the best actress award for this role when the film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2010. Starring alongside British actor William Shimell, the plot centers around these two who happen to meet while Shimell’s character is promoting his latest book in Tuscany. He meets a French woman (Binoche) who leads him to the village of Lucignano. While there, a chance question reveals something deeper.

Have a look at the trailer below and enjoy whenever you find a couple of hours to sit down and watch. 😌

Shopping

—Boden

While earlier this week I shared a detailed post on all of the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales not to miss on brands TSLL trusts and recommends, I neglected to include this one, and it is one to note. Use promo code S3Z8 and save 40% off site-wide at Boden. I have done some shopping for you below.

Chunky Fair Isle scarf

~SHOP THE SALE:

—The Courtaud Museum Christmas Shop

If you would like to add a touch of the art world to your holiday whether in your tree’s decor or your holiday cards, then be sure to shop London’s The Courtaud Museum and Art Institute’s Christmas shop. Founded by art collectors and philanthropists in the 1930s, Courtaud is an internationally-renowned centre for the teaching, research of art history and a major public gallery”.

Discover booklets of cards with well-known and loved prints of Monet, Pissarro and VanGogh (see below), calendars as well as ornaments.

—La Ligne NYC’s “Only Sale of the Year”, up to 50% off

While not everything is on sale, there is quite a bit (especially summer items) that are, and at a great price. I explored much of the sale, and found a handful of items of note. Discount automatically applied.

~SHOP THE SALE:

—Pour Les Femmes, up to 70% off site-wide

I was tickled to see this sale taking place as it is rare for Pour Les Femmes to have such a sale, and one of this significant of savings. At first it will appear nothing is discounted, but as I quickly discovered, the discount is applied at checkout once any item is in your cart (it will not appear on the shopping page, but rest assured, the discount will be applied).

I have been wearing their Angel Long Robe (natural) for nearly a year now and love it (far left image). In fact, wore it today 😌. The angel fabric washes and holds up well, and the quality is still as it was when I purchased it after many days of use.

Television

—The Agency, Showtime/Paramount Plus

An espionage drama that takes viewers into the stress and psychology of working in a spy agency, part of the reason I wanted to bring this show to your attention is because it is based on a critically acclaimed French series, Le Bureau des Légendes (English title The Bureau) that aired on Canal+ between 2015-2020. Co-produced by George Clooney, The Agency stars Michael Fassbender. In a six episode arc, viewers “follow a world of even deeper intrigue and subterfuge, with characters fighting their own battles as they grapple with existential threats to the nation and the world”.

Watch the trailer below. The Agency premieres tonight on Showtime.

The snow took my breath away earlier this week when after an early morning work session I promised the pups we’d head up to the mountain (it takes just 20 minutes – we are very fortunate) for a quick cross-country loop or two before returning back down to town to step back into the office (view two short IG Highlight videos here under the Highlight section of Pup Walks – I will be sharing full videos this Sunday on December’s A Cuppa Moments).

Thanksgiving continues to be my favorite holiday week and weekend. As I spoke with my yoga instructor earlier this week, it is the most ‘yoga’ focused of all the ‘federal/bank’ holidays in that the ‘gifts’ are of gratitude and coming together in a loving way of appreciation without expectation. And so we gather in our unique and eclectic ways, each choosing to do so as we prefer – some in grand groupings and others not celebrating at all as it isn’t their custom. Either way, the expression of gratitude comes more readily to the surface with nearly every person you meet this week, and that is a wonderful energy to put out into the world and carry with us throughout the rest of the year.

I will admit, I do struggle to find the balance or be at peace with the craze of shopping that takes place during this week coupled with the intention of Thanksgiving. I cannot dismiss the savings available as it does help the budget to pick up the holiday gifts and needed items during this one week event, but knowing how to approach it thoughtfully without excess is important, so I have attempted to share a post that would be of a some help.

Shared earlier this week: Explore and discover how I navigate shopping the MANY Sales – Black Friday thru Cyber Monday, TSLL’s favorite and trusted brands.

If you celebrated Thanksgiving yesterday, I hope you have a most memorable time, and may the leftovers you either brought home or have in your fridge after making and sharing the meal at your place be even more delicious today and into the weekend.

If you are a TOP Tier Member, be sure to stop by on Sunday as December’s A Cuppa Moments will be shared (and we will be touching base on a challenge we set for ourselves back in September! along with all of the other regular content shared). Until then, may you have delightful coincidences, moments of stillness that take your breath away, and of course, many everyday moments to savor. Bonne journée and happy holidays.

~Thank you Krys, a long-time member of TSLL for bringing this unique sale to my attention so I could share here on the blog – The Savoy hotel in London is having a live auction of their furniture and art and you can peruse here. Bidding begins in December. [Tatler]

~The Notre Dame cathedral officially opens up on December 7th and My French Country Home has all the details to know!

~If you too enjoy David Sedaris’ knack for story-telling, here is his most recent article in The New Yorker, “The Long Way Home After a Cancelled Flight”.

~I cannot help it, this continues to ring true for me, time and time again – Why Introverts are happier with fewer friends. [Introvert, Dear]

~NPR just shared their long list of books they loved in 2024.

~The list of best books of 2024 that I look forward to was just included in this past Weekend Edition of The Financial Times, and in fact, was reminded that I need to pick up this book at my local bookshop this Saturday as I have a feeling I will like it quite it bit and maybe you will too.

~Why you should always find room in your [remodeling/redecorating] budget for art. [House & Garden UK]

~An über luxurious train trip around the English countryside – “Travellers will select their itinerary from four epic routes: via Cornwall, The Lake District, Northumberland or Wales. Each journey will span three nights”. Belmond’s The Britannic Explorer will begin making trips in July 2025 and a finer sleep train I dare say there has ever been. Take a tour inside here. [CNTraveler]

~Ten phrases to welcome into your regular, everyday vocabulary. [Hack Spirit]

~How to create a home you will love forever, according to Bunny Williams [Veranda]

~Ideas and inspiration for planning a ‘fairy tale’ trip to Scotland [Travel + Leisure]

~10 of the most fun Christmas traditions in France [subscription required – The Local]

~Ready to chuckle? For a dose of humor as the holiday season begins, a short film (6 minutes) about a family ‘reuniting’ at Christmas. Be sure to watch through part of the credits as well for some light-hearted giggles with Dick VanDyke and Valerie Harper.

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

Goodness, is there an abundance of finds this week with fantastic Francophile finds — the return of a French series that takes us to the sunshine, pick up a new book that takes you throughout the country of France through its cheeses which reveal more about la Belle République than may have been previously understood by travelers and learn about French actress and Academy Award winner Isabelle Huppert’s new film and a new cookbook for cooking for one the French way. We didn’t forget about the Anglophiles — a book for anyone who loves popping into a traditional pub and where to find them all over Britain, Prue Leith simplifies things in the kitchen, and another cookbook that was just released shares real-life strategies to feed yourself when you just don’t want to do much, as well, Black Friday sales have already begun and they are quite steep in savings this year – clothing and home decor brands are shared. A long-anticipated new film is released that will leave you inspired to broaden your perspective on a variety of accepted ‘truths’. And if you are trying to get creative, yet ensure delicious pairings with cheese, yep a book for you as well, plus so much more to discover.

~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.