Ladies in Black, Valérie Perrin, Fresh Water for Flowers, and lots more on Monday Musings.
Monday Musings No. 104
Good morning friends! How was your weekend? Were you luck enough to get snow? No, snow here, just lots of rain. We woke up Saturday to go to the horse and hound event and it was too cold and too rainy so we rolled over and went back to sleep.
The rest of the day was spent sorting drawers, paperwork and making a start on the major purge I want to do this winter. I am not sure what precipitated this but one morning I woke up and decided I didn’t need 99% of the things in my closet. Let me preface this by saying I am never going to be a minimalist, I have too many books, coats and “things” that I like but I could certainly do with less of them.
Another goal going forward is a lot less screen time. My screen time goes in waves, it’s up when I am procrastinating and down when I am on top of things I need to tend too. Let’s face it, Instagram is not like it used to be. There are so many sponsored ads and posts that the only time I see someone I follow is by their stories. Not to mention, it’s almost impossible to grow unless you are posting all day long and I have no time for that. Ok rant over.
Tell me, what did you do this weekend? Did you make something delicious? Read a good book or watch a good movie? Whatever you did I would love to hear about it.
Ok, on to +5 Things.
1.READ~
Fresh Water for Flowers
Violette Toussaint is the caretaker at a cemetery in a small town in Bourgogne. Her life is lived to the predictable rhythms of the often funny, always moving confidences that casual mourners, regular visitors, and sundry colleagues share with her. Violette’s routine is disrupted one day by the arrival of Julien Sole—local police chief—who has come to scatter the ashes of his recently deceased mother on the gravesite of a complete stranger. It soon becomes clear that Julien’s inexplicable gesture is intertwined with Violette’s own complicated past.
NEED MORE BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS?
If you have already read this book or missed something I have featured before on the blog check out My Bookshop on Amazon.
2. WATCHED~Ladies in Black
I stumbled upon Ladies in Black and really enjoyed it.
“In the summer of 1959, Lisa, a shy schoolgirl, takes a job in Sydney’s prestigious department store Goode’s. There, her life is changed forever when she meets the “ladies in black.”
3. LINKS: READ+WATCH+LISTEN
A Timeline of Food Trends on the Internet in 2023
I’ve made a lot of sheet pan dinners but never sheet pan salad.
Why ’75 Hard’ Is the Worst New Fitness Trend
The Best Fitness Goals That Aren’t Weight Loss
How to Make Oat Milk—And Why You May Not Want To
10 Garden Trends We’re Saying Goodbye to in 2024
The ‘wealth transfer’ from boomers won’t save Gen X and millennials
The Plastic Chemicals Hiding in Your Food
You have one life. Do you really want to spend it looking at your phone?
The Duolingo effect: How keeping the ‘streak’ is changing people’s behavior
We Tried 100 Jarred Tomato Sauces — These Are 15 of the Best
4. SHOPPING BREAK~FINDS & SALES
A black turtleneck sweater is a winter staple, it is classic and can be worn with jeans, slacks or jeans. Add boots or ballet flats and a bag and you are ready for the day! In the winter I normally go for a dark red nail or burgundy but this outfit needed something pink. Don’t forget to add a spritz of your favorite perfume.
Major sales at J.Crew on cashmere.
Talbots 25% off your purchase.
Boden up to 60% off plus 20%.
5. In Case You Missed It
This weekend I joined Kim and Juliet for weekend meanderings, our first of 2024! I hope that you were able to read the posts. Kim shared an amazing resort in Hawaii, Justin shared her latest book buys and is hosting a giveaway.
THAT’S ALL FOR NOW
I hope that you enjoyed Monday Musings and found something to read, watch or even add to your cart.
What book are you currently reading? Are you binge watching a favorite show or listening to a good podcast? Have you seen any good movies lately?
Have a great day friends, happy New Year to you! Thank you for spending part of it with me.
You can also keep up with me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook. And last but not least, if you like Pinecones & Acorns share it with a friend!
This post contains affiliate links, if you make a purchase I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you
Just finished Hello Beautiful and our book club meets tomorrow to discuss. Enjoyed it! Made a fabulous Chicken Pot pie that we two ate on for 3 days. All Creatures Great and Small has started and we just finished The Crown. Ending was fantastic! Have a good week