Conclave, Robert Harris, The Champagne Letters and more on Monday Musings.
Monday Musings No. 158
Good morning friends, happy Monday! Did you have a good weekend?
We were in Chicago for the last 5 days for my nieces wedding. The ceremony was very special, in fact when Gabrielle walked down the aisle with her father I started to cry. Not only because my niece looked stunning but because her father has Alzheimer’s and honestly, we do not know how much longer he will remember her.
Aside from the wedding we explored, shopped, ate at our favorite restaurants and spent lots of time with my mom. Life’s milestones are precious and made even more so when you are surrounded by the love of your family and friends.
Today we are heading home and tomorrow we will pick up our pups. Then it is back to work and finishing the renovations.
Do you have the day off? What are your plans?
Ok, on to 5 Things!
1.READ~The Champagne Letters
Reims, France, 1805: Barbe-Nicole Clicquot has just lost her beloved husband but is determined to pursue their dream of creating the premier champagne house in France, now named for her new identity as a widow: Veuve Clicquot. With the Russians poised to invade, competitors fighting for her customers, and the Napoleonic court politics complicating matters she must set herself apart quickly and permanently if she, and her business, are to survive.
In present day Chicago, broken from her divorce, Natalie Taylor runs away to Paris. In a book stall by the Seine, Natalie finds a collection of the Widow Clicquot’s published letters and uses them as inspiration to step out of her comfort zone and create a new, empowered life for herself. But when her Parisian escape takes a shocking and unexpected turn, she’s forced to make a choice. Should she accept her losses and return home, or fight for the future she’s only dreamed about? What would the widow do?
MORE BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS
If you have already read these books or missed something I have featured before on the blog check out My Bookshop on Amazon.
2. Watched~Conclave
Conclave is based on the book by Robert Harris and had me on the edge of my seat. I was raised Catholic and my grandmother’s twin sister was a Notre Dame nun that worked in the Vatican for many years. The election of the pope is something that has always fascinated me.
Have you seen Conclave? What did you think? It won a BAFTA last night.
3. LINKS: READ+WATCH+LISTEN
Dating App Cover-Up: How Tinder, Hinge, and Their Corporate Owner Keep Rape Under Wraps
You’ve Blown a Hole in the Family’: Inside the Murdochs’ Succession Drama
‘No one wants to pay $25 for breakfast’: US restaurants are cracking under inflation
A ‘True Crime’ Documentary Series Has Millions of Views. The Murders Are All AI-Generated.
Orange Juice Makers Are Desperate for a Comeback
If You Ever Stacked Cups In Gym Class, Blame My Dad
Monica Lewinsky: ‘I Managed to Survive Somehow, So It’s Possible’
Tried and True Tips on How to Make New Friends.
4. SHOPPING BREAK~OUTFIT OF THE DAY
Do you have pieces that you gravitate to again an again in your wardrobe? Me too and they are my favorite classic pieces, a white shirt, cashmere cardigan and my favorite jeans. This month I have noticed that jeans and leopard collections are everywhere! So I put together an outfit that includes both.
You could add a touch of leopard to your outfit with a scarf, sweater or bag as well.
5. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT THIS WEEKEND
On Weekend Meanderings I shared Ainsley Durose, Irene My Life, Kreetta Jarvenpaa, how to style white jeans, adventures in Williamsburg and more.
THAT’S ALL FOR NOW
Have a great day friends, thank you for spending part of your day with me I hope that you enjoyed Monday Musings.
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.
Hi Elizabeth,
So nice you were able to attend your nieces wedding. I can imagine how emotional that was for you to see your Uncle hand in hand with your niece. It must have been pretty cold in Chicago. How nice a marriage on or around Valentine’s Day.
Now, back to the world of home stuff to look after.
Hope you are feeling better. Conclave is on my list to watch, maybe this weekend. Fun fact (or maybe boring for some) when Pope John Paul the second came to Melbourne in the 80s, we knew the day he was leaving. My sister and I decided to go to St Patrick’s Cathedral to see if we could see him. I was very daring back then, I went under the barrier, ran towards the Pope and managed to reach him, even though the Victorian police grabbed me and we had his security yelling “Leave her alone, leave her alone” in Italian. The Pope blessed me. My dad was very religious (Catholic) and didn’t want to come as he thought we had no chance of seeing him. He could not believe what had happened when we recounted the story.
That’s awful about the dating app cover-up. And I got a tear in my eye over the guy who is ill walking his daughter down the aisle. It will always be a precious day for her, not just because it’s the day she got married but also because her father was able to fulfill his duty.
Brenda
Thank you Brenda, it was very special for my niece to have her dad walk her down the aisle. Alzheimers is a terrible disease for the entire family.
The dating app is shameful. I cannot believe that in the name of the almighty dollar these companies let this happen.
I hope that you are well. Are you thinking of your garden yet, or is it too soon?
Have a wonderful week!
Enjoyed your meanderings! Love the simple yet comfy outfit. Yet it still looks perfect for any occasion.
I am often reminded of a small yet extremely popular cafe in Santa Fe called Clafoutis. (Claw foo tee)
Two French women own and are the chefs on site. One is the mom, the other is her daughter.
I plan my trip on the hours and days Clafoutis is open. Delicious omelets with smoked salmon. Buttery croissants,and macarons and fresh pastries to go. If you ever find yourself in SF. My favorite is poblano quiche.
Gonna have to stop and immerse myself in one of your book recommendations! Have a great week!
Marcia,
I have been to SF a couple of times but never to Clafoutis. I am making a note for my next visit. Thank you for the tip! I like to go to the Kakawa Chocolate House for their drinking chocolate. They have several blends and one of my favorites is the Marie Antoinette.
I hope that you found a book to enjoy. If not check out “my book shop” on Amazon. I have almost all of the books I have ever recommended on the blog there.
Have a wonderful week!