Coziness abounds in this week’s This & That with three scarves at great prices, books in a variety of genres to snuggle in and read – a cozy mystery set in England, a non-fiction sharing of life on a Norwegian island set amongst the eider ducks with unexpected life lessons to learn, and a book to find inspiration for decorating a home that gives as much comfort and nourishment as we need. As well, Nancy Meyer’s daughter Hallie has a new film premiering this weekend that is definitely worth watching, and a new film centered around art and forgiveness. And of course, sweaters and wool coats and pants to step into fall with style and warmth. And still, there is more! 

Books

—Good Energy: The Surprising Connection Between Metabolism and Limitless Health by Casey Means, MD

Released back in May, Dr. Casey Means explains in Good Energy, a groundbreaking book, that “nearly every health problem we face can be explained by how well the cells in our body create and use energy. To live free from frustrating symptoms and life-threatening disease, we need our cells to be optimally powered so that they can create ‘good energy,’ the essential fuel that impacts every aspect of our physical and mental wellbeing . . . Weaving together cutting-edge research and personal stories, as well as groundbreaking data from the health technology company Dr. Means founded, Good Energy offers an essential four-week plan and explains: Steps to navigate the medical system to get what you need for optimal health; The five biomarkers that determine your risk for a deadly disease; How to use inexpensive tools and technology to “see inside your body” and take action; Why dietary philosophies are designed to confuse us, and six lifelong food principles you can implement whether you’re carnivore or vegan; The crucial links between sleep, circadian rhythm, and metabolism; A new framework for exercise focused on building simple movement into everyday activities; and how cold and heat exposure helps build our body’s resilience”.

—Home Therapy: Interior Design for Increasing Happiness, Boosting Confidence, and Creating Calm by Anita Yokota

I came across Home Therapy at a home interior boutique in Walla Walla this past weekend and was intrigued by the concepts shared. Looking through the book, the principles and ideas appear worthwhile and with the intention of creating calm, boosting confidence and increasing enjoyment in our homes, why not give them a try? I have a feeling many of us have incorporated quite a few of these ideas already and thus can attest to the benefit each brings into our daily lives.

—The Place of Tides by James Rebanks

From bestselling author James Rebanks comes his next book, The Place of Tides which takes readers to a remote Norwegian island that has much to teach him.

The book begins with James Rebanks’ meeting an older woman on a remote island in Norway. “She lived and worked alone on a tiny rocky outcrop, caring for wild Eider ducks and gathering their down. Hers was a centuries-old trade that had once made men and women rich, but had long been in decline. Still, somehow, she seemed to be hanging on.

“Back at home, Rebanks couldn’t stop thinking about the woman on the rocks. She was fierce and otherworldly – and yet strangely familiar. Years passed. Then, one day, he wrote her a letter, asking if he could return. Bring work clothes, she replied, and good boots, and come quickly: her health was failing. And so he travelled to the edge of the Arctic to witness her last season on the island.” What follows is a book for gardeners, for nature-lovers, for travelers and for those seeking to know the history of the land that gives us so much. “Slowly, Rebanks begins to understand that this woman and her world are not what he had previously thought. What began as a journey of escape becomes an extraordinary lesson in self-knowledge and forgiveness”.

Released this past Tuesday in the UK and will be released in June 2025 in the US. Blackwells will deliver to the US today – learn more here.

British Finds

—Murder Takes the Stage (a Phyllida Bright mystery) by Colleen Cambridge

One of the many new British cosy mystery series I have enjoyed over the past handful of years is Colleen Cambridge’s Phyllida Bright’s tales, and now book four, Murder Takes the Stage comes available this Tuesday October 22nd.

Set in London this time, “when a man named Archibald Allston is found dead in an armchair onstage at the Adelphi Theater, first impressions are that he died of natural causes. But the very next day, the unlucky actor playing Benvolio at the Belmont Theater is found with his head bashed in. And when a third victim turns up, this time with double-C initials, the fatal pattern is impossible to ignore”. But rest assured Phyllida is up to the task! My copy is preordered and I look forward to reading it on the next rainy evening that arrives in Bend. 🙂

—Whitstable Pearl, season 3, AcornTV

I began watching this English drama/mystery series set in Kent a few years after it premiered, and immediately zoomed through the first two seasons when I did. The third season of Whitstable Pearl took some time to be released on AcornTV, but it will finally arrive this next week on the 21st.

Set in the harbour of Whitstable, Pearl is the lead character who is a single mom of a grown son (you will recognize him as the lead in Harry Wild, Rohan Nedd) who is “pursuing her lifelong dream of starting a private detective agency”. Working alongside the new cop in town DCI Mike McGuire, the duo have an on-again/off-again working relationship, but as you will see, they care about each other’s well-being sincerely. I think you will enjoy this series. I know I have and look forward to its return. Have a look at the trailer for the new season below.

Cookbooks

—Crumbs by Ben Mims

For lovers of international fare. If you are curious about desserts and sweet nibbles from around the globe, this is the cookbook to welcome into your library. Released in the UK just yesterday, you can purchase it to ship to the states from Blackwells.

Crumbs is “organized geographically and is chock-full of old-world and modern classics, and intriguing local recipes from more than 100 countries. Each begins with a fascinating origin story, followed by clear, step-by-step instructions and notes on regional variations.

“Whether enjoyed at breakfast, with afternoon tea, on holidays, or as a late-night snack, cookies are a universally beloved treat. In Crumbs, food writer, recipe developer, and self-confessed baking obsessive Ben Mims takes home cooks on a delicious tour across countries and cultures, presenting a sweet and satisfying guide to crumbly, crunchy, chewy desserts – from Snickerdoodles, Date-Filled Maamoul, and Almond Macaroons to Cardamom Biscuits, Italian Waffle Cookies, and Okinawan Brown Sugar Shortbread.”

Film

—Exhibiting Forgiveness

Being released today is a film critics have been applauding. Exhibiting Forgiveness centers around Tarrell played by André Holland (from the award winning film Moonlight) “who is an admired American painter living with his wife, singer Aisha (Audra Day), and their young son, Jermaine. Tarrell’s artwork excavates beauty from the anguish of his youth, keeping past wounds at bay. His path to success is derailed by an unexpected visit from his estranged father, La’Ron (Jelks), a conscience-stricken man desperate to reconcile. 

“Tarrell’s mother, Joyce (Ellis-Taylor) a pious woman with a profound and joyful spirituality, hopes that Tarrell can open his heart to forgiveness, giving them all another chance at being a family.” Have a look at the trailer below.  

—Goodrich

Written and directed by Hallie Meyers-Shyer (Nancy Meyers’ daughter), a film that looks to be quite an enjoyable storyline to watch – Goodrich. Starring Michael Keaton and Mila Kunis, Keaton stars as an “art dealer whose life gets upended when his younger wife leaves him and enters a 90-day rehab program while also threatening divorce. Andy takes charge of their 9-year-old twins, thrusting him into the world of modern parenthood for which he is deeply unprepared. With his career falling by the wayside, he soon leans on his pregnant daughter (Kunis) for support, ultimately becoming the father she never had”. Have a look at the trailer below and look for it in theaters beginning today.

Francophile Find

—Mostly in French: Recipes from a Kitchen in Provence by Makenna Held

The much known Provencal home of Julia and Paul Child is now a cooking school, and it is run by author and cooking instructor Makenna Held. La Pitchoune provides the background and the inspiration for Held’s cookbook to be released next year titled Mostly French: Recipes from a French Kitchen, and preordering sounds like a delicious idea. Sharing “150 recipes that pay homage to the serenity of Southern France, dishes such as Roasted Chicken with Lemon and Sumac, Caprese with Peaches and Strawberries, and Lavender Salted Caramels, among dozens of others that lean into France and ease, channel the best of French cooking: simple ingredients, technique, and balanced flavors”.

Coming in April 2025

—Rue de Verneuil Prince Beige Tote, XL

The totes from French brand Rue de Verneuil continue to catch my eye. Available in a variety of sizes, it is their tweed totes that keep drawing me back to their shop, and I hope someday to welcome one into my travel routine. Perhaps you love them as well? If this classic style speaks to you with a touch of modernity in their thick straps for sturdy transport, be sure to stop by their shop as many new designs have been released.

Shopping

—& Other Stories Oversized Collared Sweater, cotton, ivory (on sale, less than $100)

A cotton sweater is a nice alternative for warmth when it isn’t all that cold out, but it is still autumn, so you know you technically want to wear a sweater but don’t want to become too hot. Having two of &Other Stories dresses in my closet of this exact fabric, I can share confidently that it does feel good on the skin, provides coverage, but isn’t too heavy at all. And this style is on sale for $79.

—Madewell’s Slouchy Straight Pants in Stripe

A little bit of slouch, worn so intentionally, can look quite nice, and these pants with a pinstripe would be a way to give this style a try as the price is quite nice as well.

—Reiss Eliza Wool-Cashmere Roll-Neck Jumper (many colors)

Available in a soft blush hue, pair with the pants above, and you are set for autumn’s chilly days and doing so in style as well.

~Reiss Wool-Cashmere checked Scarf

The wool and cashmere scarf season is upon us, and with a classic checked style, you can pair it with nearly any outwear you might have and rest assured to stay warm and timeless.

—Reiss Wool Cashmere Fringed Scarf in Cream or Camel

We’re just getting started with the scarves on today’s post, and these two immediately caught my eye for their neutral hues and texture. I don’t know which I would choose, but at their low price, perhaps both would be doable.

—Tuckernuck x India Hicks Leopard Scarf

While most definitely a neutral, leopard isn’t afraid to stand in the spotlight, and with India Hicks’ new collection with Tuckernuck, this scarf is priced quite nicely.

—Vince Classic Wool-Blend Straight Coat (four colors available)

A classic style in a classic hue. I love everything about this coat, so long as the shoulders fit, and with Vince, their sizing is usually very reliable and standard to expectations.

Be sure to peruse all of the colors as four are available.

Now let the weekend begin and the leaves gently fall to blanket the park floors. I have been reveling in autumn walks this week. This photo was captured one morning while strolling around Mirror Pond and as seen here, many others along with their pups were enjoying the beauty as well.

From ruby to gold, to pumpkin orange, the leaves were in all of the shades we look forward to, so before a big wind storm comes, I am doing all that I can to get outside and walk about the fallen foliage, pups in tow of course. 🙂

This week on the blog has been a busy one, so if you don’t already subscribe to the free weekly newsletter that lists all of the posts of the week, be sure to view this page that shares all of the most recent posts. Already episode #390 is a TOP 100 post (discover my skincare routine at 45 that is simplicity and result-focused), yesterday an additional Style Inspiration post was shared shopping more than 30 trench coats available at varying price-points, and on Monday, the weekly Petites Pensées Lundi post inspired much discussion amongst readers. As well, the cooking show aired a new episode – the classic French vegetable dish — Tian de Légumes Provençal — which reminds me that if you love Reese’s peanut butter cups as much as I do, you cannot miss tomorrow’s cooking show episode which is the final episode in season 7 – a treat that will appear as fancy as it is simple to make.

And before I sign off, if you are a TOP Tier Member, don’t forget that tomorrow is when sign-ups will open for the first in-person gathering in Paris for dinner at a Michelin starred restaurant. Just thinking about this occasion causes much exhilaration and anticipation for the opportunity to return to France.

As the weekend approaches, I am so happy to be able to stay at home, and likely will find myself in the garden planting out the tulip and iris bulbs and rhizomes. As well as lifting the dahlia tubers. Being able to simply potter about is something I am greatly looking forward to, and then being able to come back inside where it is warm, nestle in next to the fire to read a book or watch the latest episode of a favorite show, well, that just sounds absolutely ideal. I hope you too are looking ahead to a weekend of simple luxuries to savor. Thank you as ever for stopping by today, and until tomorrow, bonne journée. 🙂

~20 of the Best Cafés in Paris: From Classic to Modern [Frenchly]

~For French language learners, if you’ve been curious about what exactly the different French certifications are and what each tests consists of, here is a very clear article to read [Frenchly]

~While in London, if you are looking for a memorable stay and absolutely beyond-expectations Afternoon Tea, treat yourself and go to Claridge’s. Our Easter Champagne Tea a couple of years ago was magnificent, and based on this review of the stay, it might be my next choice for where to make accommodations when I return to the city. [Travel + Leisure]

~This looks like a scrumptious autumn recipe – roasted carrots with lentils and yogurt [Smitten Kitchen]

~Lesley Manville gave a great interview with the BBC’s Woman’s Hour talking about women in film and much more.

~Travel writer Paul Theroux shares yet another benefit of travel: it extends the length of our life, or at least it feels as though it does [CN Travel]

~A tour of a newly remodeled home in Long Island that is the home of one, but designed to entertain many. Oh! And the owner is a bibliophile! A welcoming home with oodles of inspiration. [NYTimes, gift link]

~If you will be visiting Portland, Oregon, here is a list of the 25 best restaurants worth dining at [NYTimes, gift link]

~David Lebovitz shares how to find flea markets (brocantes) in France – country-wide.

~A creatively designed home in London to hide what isn’t wanted to be seen and spotlight was is. Beautiful color choices. [Domino]

~Would you take a walk or run without technology? Zen Habits shares what happens when you do.

~British interior design Ben Pentreath recently wrote a wonderful column about how his purchase of a beautiful Scottish estate nestled against the shores of the Atlantic was as surprising to himself as it was anyone. [Financial Times] Take a look at his latest décor book here – An English Vision

~Take this tour of a gorgeous historical Parisian Art Nouveau apartment decorated by design lover Octavian Popa. Be ready to be awed. [Vogue Living]

~A film to look forward to as we near award season. Take a look at the trailer below for The Six Triple Eight starring Kerry Washington that will premiere on December 20th. I will be sure to include it in a future This & That on the day of its release.

~Explore last week’s This & That: October 11, 2024

We’ve got a full post this week with so many premieres of films and series (new and returning) that your leisure time will be more than easy enough to fill with quality viewing. From Cate Blanchett’s new dramatic thriller, to a romantic getaway starring Laura Dern, a British caper with an all-star cast, a fun mystery series returns for more twists and turns and a tear-jerker full of laughs and good-times as well. And now to the books – oh my goodness! Food enjoyed by Stanley Tucci for a year – count me in as most curious, Julia Child’s kitchen, discover how to step out of the happiness trap that just doesn’t lead you where you want to go, a cookbook that helps you put it all together whatever your ‘all’ is, and even more titles you will want to discover. Also, fall clothing is shared from sweaters to boots and everything in between (a Parisian jewelry brand to know). Yep, and still there is more. 

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