"June is the pearl of summer, shining with warmth and joy." — L.M. Montgomery
I have always featured the color white in my June images. The end of another school year feels like a fresh start, a clean slate.
READ:
Letters From Paris by Juliet Blackwell — “After surviving the accident that took her mother’s life, Claire Broussard has worked hard to escape her small Louisiana hometown. But these days she feels something is lacking. Abruptly leaving her lucrative job in Chicago, Claire returns home to care for her ailing grandmother. There, she unearths a beautiful piece of artwork that her great-grandfather sent home from Paris after World War II. At her grandmother’s urging, Claire travels to Paris to track down the century-old mask-making atelier where the object, known only as L’Inconnue—or The Unknown Woman—was created. Under the watchful eye of a surly mask-maker, Claire discovers a cache of letters that offers insight into the life of the Belle Epoque woman immortalized in the work of art. As Claire explores the unknown woman’s tragic fate, she begins to unravel deeply buried secrets in her own life” (Goodreads).
A Fashionably French Murder by Colleen Cambridge — “American expat Tabitha Knight has found a new life in postwar Paris, along with a delightful friend in aspiring chef Julia Child. If there’s one art the French have mastered as well as fine cuisine, it’s haute couture. Fashion is returning to the forefront in Paris, as the somber hues of wartime are replaced by vibrant colors and ultra-feminine silhouettes, influenced by Christian Dior’s New Look. Tabitha and Julia join a friend for a private showing at an exclusive fashion atelier, Maison Lannet. The event goes well, but when Tabitha returns later that evening to search for a lost glove, she finds the lights still on—and the couturier dead, strangled by a length of lace. The shop manager suspects that a jealous rival—perhaps Dior himself—committed the crime. Tabitha dismisses that idea, but when another body is found, it’s apparent that someone is targeting employees of Maison Lannet” (Goodreads).
WATCHED:
FIFA World Cup - We are watching team USA, Norway (love the rowing fans), and of course, France. Les bleus have been my favorite team since I was in Paris when they won the World Cup at home in 1998.
Ted Lasso (AppleTV) —This is our third time through the series, but we are in “football is life” mode chez L-H this summer. I love the characters, the dialogue, the music, and especially, the optimism. We are eager to watch the fourth season which begins on August 5th,
Why’d They Wear That? (YouTube) — “A fun, fast-paced fashion talk show where Clinton Kelly and Stacy London break down the most unforgettable outfits in pop culture. With humor, honesty, and insider expertise, they celebrate great looks, question questionable ones, and reveal the stories behind what people wear.”
LISTENED TO:
A lot of Apple playlists while driving. I started a Summer playlist that is definitely a work in progress. Any song suggestions?
June Mini Playlist:
White (Mayrain)
Tea for Two (Oscar Peterson Trio)
Under the Sea and Kiss the Girl (The Little Mermaid Soundtrack)
June Days (Serene Station)
A Sprinkle of Happiness (Asa Palette Café)
La Vie en Couleur (Jazzy Croissant)
Theme from A Summer Place (Percy Faith & His Orchestra)
Pearly Shells (Iwao Ymaguchi)
ENJOYED:
Paris Planning in Wausau — Suprisingly Wausau is quite a nice town. We had a lovely cocktail at the Velveteen Plum, strolled through the night market, shopped at the French-inspired Object, and dined at the Back When Café. We stayed at the beautiful Stewart Inn. Best of all, we planned itineraries and made reservations for the next trip to Paris in October.
Cool weather in June — I love temps in the sixties and seventies, but the last two days of the month were really hot and humid. I hope this heat doesn’t continue.
