This & That: No. 148

~Book

~Every Woman’s Guide to Romance in Paris by Caroline O’Connell

A reader of the blog recently brought this book to my attention (thank you Lynette!), and I quickly looked it up and put it on my wish list. With specific recommendations for what to do, where to look and how to do it in the City of Light, this is a guide for someone who is simply smitten with Paris and all things French.

~Movie

~The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

Always looking for a feel-good movie, I adored the prequel starring Judi Dench, Maggie Smith and Nev Patel, and now the The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, which premieres today (March 6th), looks just as lovely. With the addition of Richard Gere, the beloved cast returns: Penelope Wilton (Isobel from Downton Abbey, and nearly everyone else you remember and enjoyed. See it in the theater or wait just a bit and savor it in the comfort of your own home, but either way, have a taste by watching the trailer below.

~Paris

~Diana Krall at the L’Olympia Hall

During my last trip to Paris in 2013, I had the opportunity to see Melody Gardot in the iconic L’Olympia Hall. With its intimate feel in the heart of Paris, I thoroughly enjoyed my night with the tunes I came to know and love and the audience and acoustic were even more magnificent. How did I learn of this theater? Diana Krall’s Live in Paris CD. Ever since I have picked up that album, I have vowed I would enjoy her in concert in that very venue, and it just so happens that with her latest album Wallflower, just released earlier this year, she will be on stage for two straight nights – October 14th & 15th. Now I have to figure out how to make it work into my schedule.

~Podcast

~Happier by Gretchen Rubin

Okay, now this is a podcast to tune in to. Best-selling author Gretchen Rubin finally has dipped her toes in to the world of audio with her new podcast Happier. Having debuted at the end of February, she has just two episodes so far, but they are fantastic. Sharing her simple, yet helpful tips on how to go about our everyday and invite even more happiness than we may have imagined, Rubin and her sister, who lives in Los Angeles, offer a wonderful, playful banter that is easy to listen to and well worth your time.

~Shopping

~Everlane Navy Cotton Swing Trench

As spring arrives in mere days, I am looking for lighter layers, and this navy cotton trench looks ideal for a classic neutral to wear with denim, khaki, or a light-weight day dress or who knows what else?

~J.Crew Bonded Cotton Trench Coat

And for a bit dressier approach, this bonded cotton trench, while a bit of an investment, is ideal for dress-up casual events that blur the lines. With its A-line cut, it is feminine and classic.

~recipe for Stacked Eggplant Parmesan~

While I know we lose an hour of sleep this weekend (don’t forget to spring ahead!), I don’t much mind as the weather is absolutely splendid. With a weekend scheduled to stay at home, have coffee with friends, dinner with family, get back to the present with a yoga class and time to continue putting the finishing touches on TSLL Spring Shopping Guide, I am absolutely thrilled for the two days of leisure to arrive. And perhaps one evening a bath as that image above is too hard to resist.

For your reading pleasure a few things you might enjoy:

~Aisling of Tresor Parisien takes readers along with her as she preps for the final week of fashion month in the Paris Fashion Week Survival Kit

~10 Damages Lies & Excuses That Your Mind Loves to Tell You

~When Your Punctuation Says It All

~Veranda magazine shares 11 Signs You Were Meant to Live in Paris

~10 Things Highly Intuitive People Do Differently

~A Black Dress to Take You from the Boardroom to the Ballroom courtesy of Inslee

Images: (2 – Michael Jones photography)

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