Curated Weekly

Welcome to Friday and a very Happy Valentine’s Day to you today too. I hope you are taking this time to enjoy not just a romantic love for today, but time to enjoy the many loves you have in your life. Whether it be a love of your morning routine, the love of that first sip of coffee in the morning, the love of the slow weekend ahead, the love of snuggling up to a pet, or simply a love for all that makes life charming. Enjoy today with gratitude for all that you have in your life to love, both big and small.

I am very lucky this week in that I work for a bank, so I will have this coming Monday (President’s Day) off of work. I always appreciate these extended weekends, especially in the winter where I can stay home and savor another day of quiet (or go on a solo date if I choose). This past week was a rainy week, and it felt so nice to be able to enjoy the coziness of the rainy days as I made my way through the workweek. I am also appreciating that every day we get a little more daylight to savor as well as the fact that spring for us in the northern hemisphere is right around the corner and while many of us are looking forward to the warmer days ahead, let’s also remember to stay present and appreciate what is here and now. So, cozy up and enjoy being here now in this moment as we peruse another Curated Weekly post.

SHOPPING, BOOKS, MEDIA, ETC.

I found this beautiful cotton-silk sweater polo at Banana Republic and thought the detailing was so elevated with the polo detailing on the collar. Especially nice for those who likes to wear button-up’s under their sweaters for a more refined look, this sweater takes the this step out of the extra layering for the same style.

If you are looking for a beautiful light to add to a bookshelf or any other narrow space, then this marble bookshelf lamp is such a beautiful and interesting lamp to look into.

I recently bought this cropped double breasted blazer from Ann Taylor and it such a great piece that I find myself wearing it every week now to the office. Not only does it look elevated due to its cropped length and therefore providing a tailored look, but the material is so soft that it is also a cozy piece to wear to the office too.

A couple of years ago I bought some faux shagreen boxes from Target to store our chargers and other things in and I love how elevated it made the space look. I was pleased to see that this spring they brought out a set of blue faux shagreen boxes in large and small options. That blue is such a pretty color and if you need some extra boxes for storage, this will provide a very elevated way to do so.

Now that spring is nearly upon us, I always highly recommend these women’s lace-up sneakers from Target every year because not only are they versatile to wear with many outfits, but they are also quite comfortable too. They are a simple chic design and lightweight on the foot while out and about. And at only $14.99 a pair, it’s a budget-friendly purchase too.

A purchase I made recently for the upcoming spring season which mostly has warmer (but sometimes still cool) weather, is this Drapey Rib Long Sleeve Polo Top from Madwell. I got it in this teapot blue color which is just as pretty in person as it is in the photo. This shirt does have a tighter fit, so if you would like it to have a little more room for it to move like I do, size up one more size.

Another polo that I have my eye on currently is this rib sort-sleeve polo shirt. I love the trim detailing as well as its heavier-weight cotton blend with wider rib details and a hint of stretch.

As promised in this past week’s post, Upcoming Books in 2025 to Transport You to France, here is yet another Francophile book to enjoy this spring. Last Twilight in Paris: An Enchanting WWII Historical Mystery of Love and Resilience Set in Paris and Inspired by True Events was recently released on February 4th and looks to be an engaging read. A Parisian department store, a mysterious necklace and a woman’s quest to unlock a decade-old mystery are at the center of this riveting novel of love and survival, from New York Times bestselling author Pam Jenoff.

And if you’re looking for a novel centered around romantic relationships and art, then look no further than this new release, This Is a Love Story: A Novel. An homage to New York City, to romance, and even to loss, This Is a Love Story tenderly and suspensefully captures deep truths about life and marriage in radiant prose. It is about love that endures despite what life throws at us, or perhaps even because of it.

A book that I recently purchased and am starting to read and enjoy is Slowing: Discover Wonder, Beauty, and Creativity through Slow Living. It’s an inviting guide to reclaiming your time and discovering the wondrous pleasures of slow living. If you liked Wintering, Enchantment, Saving Time, and How to Do Nothing, then you will love this book as well. Slowing is a balm for the stresses of modern life and a rousing call to experience the beauty and joy of slow living.

And I know many of you are excited to get back out into the garden soon as Spring is just right around the corner, so look into Zen in the Garden: The Japanese Art of Peaceful Gardening to get you looking forward to the days spent in the sun tending your plants. A sweet book where the author ruminates on rising early to walk barefoot on the grass each morning, to afternoons and evenings spent sipping tea in her gazebo or watching fireflies as she recalls her childhood in Japan, in Zen in the Garden Sakamoto shares observations from a life spent in contemplation―and cultivation―of nature.

A show that I have been watching and really enjoying recently is Rick Stein’s Secret France. You can stream it on Pluto and Amazon Prime. The show centers on Rick as he travels from Dieppe in the very north of France, winding his way down to Cassis in the south – always on the lookout for exciting new recipes and produce to cook with (or drink). Rick says: “I owe my love of food and restaurants to early trips to Brittany. A cold clear breeze in April with a smell of seaweed on it, a first plateau de fruits de Mer – cockles, clams, mussels and oysters -all somehow repeating that fragrant coldness. The produce was exquisite, and the memory stays with me.”

The series includes the most comforting of French dishes like coq au Riesling, poached lobster risotto, duck cottage pie and cheese galore – including a fab part of episode two where Rick sits down to an eight-course cheese menu.

And it is finally here! Today is the premier for Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy. I will be tuning in this weekend to be sure to enjoy another chapter of this charming tale that is Bridget Jones and all of her fun adventures.

I am always in love with the chic coziness of Parisian apartments and this Modern French Family Cozy Apartment with a Garden gave me so much inspiration for my own home decor.

articles of interest

Joan Collins will take on the role of Wallis Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor, in an upcoming biopic, currently titled the The Bitter End. Filming on the movie will begin in May 2025, and take place in London and Paris and I am already very much looking forward to seeing this and am also hoping it will be a theatrical release.

Wendy from Chic Dogs and Magnolia Dreams has a great post on her blog for How to Thrift for Home Decor which was such a fun read and inspired me to visit my own local thrift shop recently.

And because we are not quite out of the winter season yet, here are some Winter Skin Secrets: French Beauty Rituals for Cold Weather to keep your skin in good shape until the warmer weather comes around.

I am a hobby enthusiast as I myself have many hobbies I do such as this blog, coloring, puzzles, reading and baking to name a few. If you are looking for yet another reason to find a hobby, then read 6 Hobbies That’ll Make You Happier, According to Psychologists and find one that speaks to you personally.

It’s not just the French that I look to for interior inspiration. The British also has so many design elements that I love and this Victorian home in London is enhanced with artful features and structural changes. had so many beautiful designs that I found inspiring. With an uplifting, contemporary mix of color and pattern that has brought literary agent Madeleine Milburn’s Victorian home to life, this home is full of all the British charm that you would expect.

And if you’re looking to get in a few more winter inspired recipes before spring, then here are F ive Cozy Wintertime Recipes to try.

And if you were looking for more Francophile books to love, then check out Five books about Paris from Rebecca Skye.