A handful of books to provide inspiration and ideas for beginning the year well whether you are looking to reinvent, slow down or spark creative ideas in whatever field of work you spend your work week. A new travel accessory that is stylish and highly functional, a new cross-over French/British mystery tv series set in Canada that includes a favorite actress from a long-running British series, a new cookbook from a Francophile chef and still much more.

 Read the above This & That here. 

With a new year, many new books to offer inspiration and insight, a new gardening series from Monty Don, the return of a favorite British sleuthing series, a great sale from a trusted casual American clothing company (I love their linen fabric items), a new-to-me French series that involves sleuthing with a dose of comedy and everyday life hiccups, a favorite Victorian P.I. returns standing fully on her own two feet and I think better for it, and still so much more.

Read the above This & That here. 

January is such an interesting month when it comes to new releases, which makes it all the more eclectic when it comes to what is gathered for our weekly This & That. Case in point, we have books about tidying up without stressing ourselves out, debunking limiting (and often misguided) myths about women and aging, and feeding ourselves well along with caring for the planet. Two new cookbooks full of delicious recipes that also improve the quality of everyday routine and health, a new play premiering in London with two leads many of us know and love, clothing for timeless style, some of it on sale, and all of it versatile and stylish, as well as the return of a television series that wrapped up its first season more than four years ago. Still, there is more!

January is picking up steam when it comes to worthwhile finds, and this week discover a new French film that looks absolutely delightful, a new French series to take you into the Alps and solve a mystery while you are at it, a new exhibit to visit while in Paris, books to inform you with humor, yet expert-insight, about menopause (and perimenopause), two new novels to keep you on the edge of your seat or incapable of putting down the book, a historical book that has caught my eye about the French female philosopher during enlightenment times who nearly went forgotten, and with regards to home décor, a British ceramist who caters to our French predilections has a new collection available at a favorite retailer here in the states. Also, winter sales continue and quality, yet versatile finds for your capsule wardrobe are shopped. Plus, there’s a new Watson in town. Still much more. Let’s start exploring!

From Paris, to the English countryside (twice!), to London, to Tokyo and even northern Italy, the movies and television series shared this week burst with wonderful storylines to enjoy. As well, a new much anticipated Broadway play opens, a new partnership with an up-and-coming interior designer to welcome her impeccably cool, yet timeless taste into your home, and clothing finds from high and low brands worth shopping are on sale. Still there is so much more.

• 1 Year Ago: Why Your Past Does Not Predict Your Future (the latter of which has every potentiality of becoming what you dream)
   
• 5 Years Ago: Let's Choose a Contented Life, Rather than to Pursue Happiness in 2020
   
• 10 Years Ago: Why Not . . . Be a Romantic? episode #19