Each month, I share a few things that have been meaningful lately - from recipes, books, films and artists. This journal is a quiet celebration of shared meals and meaningful dialogue. A sacred, delicate practice of connection through food and art.

Recipes

Tomates Farcies (Baked stuffed tomatos)
A dish to celebrate tomato season: heirloom tomatoes filled with a blend of pork, sausage, and fresh herbs, served on a bed of rice. Download recipe here.

Clafoutis aux Cerises (Cherry clafoutis)
A simple dessert offering a delicate sweetness. Fresh cherries are baked in a soft, creamy batter, then topped with a dusting of powdered sugar. Download recipe here.

Books

The Planter Of Modern Life by Stephen Heyman (2020)
A biography of Louis Bromfield. An insightful read of his journey from a novelist during the Great Depression who turned into a radical farmer. The book traces his path from Paris salons to Ohio. Through his farming practices, he became one of the earliest voices in what we now call the organic food movement. I was introduced to this book in April of 2021 by my friend Aaron, who left it behind for me. A special thank you for introducing me to this read.

The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas by Gertrude Stein (1933)
The book is written from the perspective of her partner, Alice B. Toklas, but it’s really about Stein herself. It speaks on her community, her art, and the rooms she kept filled with both. She was both an art collector and novelist. She experimented with literature with her style of sentence structure, repetition and varied perspectives. Follow this strong individualist style, she was a supporter in avant-garde artists between World Wars I and II. This book explores the relationship between Stein and other notable artist such as Picasso, Matisse, Fitzgerald and Hemingway.

Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis by Barbara Leaming (2014)
I picked this up unexpectedly. It is a book written with the intent of honesty rather than show. It gives an inside story of Jackie’s personal life. Starting from her upbringing, to becoming First Lady, and how her life continued to unfold after JFK’s tragic passing. You get a personal look at how she navigated with PTSD and international fame, while balancing political and societal pressure. This book is carefully and powerfully written, although it’s honesty can feel like an invasion of privacy at times.

Films

Paris, Texas by Wim Wenders (1984)
An emotional story about a man trying to reconnect with his family after disappearing for several years. The film is slow and atmospheric, with beautiful desert landscapes and a soundtrack that fits perfectly. It’s about distance, memory, and healing.

Persona by Ingmar Bergman (1966)
A psychological drama. This film focuses on a nurse and an actress who retreat to a quiet seaside house. As time passes, the boundaries between them begin to blur. It’s minimal, intense, and has become one of Bergman’s most talked-about works for how it explores identity and silence.

Cléo from 5 to 7 by Agnès Varda (1962)
The film follows a singer named Cléo as she waits two hours for the results of a medical test. Set in Paris, it captures the feeling of uncertainty and how time moves when you’re anxious. It’s a thoughtful look at beauty, fear, and what it means to be seen.

Artists

Pierre Bonnard : Poster Artist (3 October 1867 - 23 January 1947)
I visited the L’art est dans la rue exhibition at Musée d’Orsay. Which focused on the illustrated poster boom in 19th-century Paris. Bonnard stood out to me, his work feels both romantic and everyday.

Niki De Saint Phalle : Sculptor, painter, filmmaker, and author of colorful hand-illustrated books (October 29, 1930 - May 21, 2002)
I recently visited her current show at the Bourse de Commerce, her work gave me the impression of protest and celebration at the same time. Her work is playful with her use of color and forms. There’s a boldness in the scale which she creates, it’s easy to feel like there’s something more beneath the color.

Staying In Curation

I’m excited to announce the Staying In curation, each month there will be a handful of vintage items available to shop at jessieflamming.com. Each item is sourced from reputable sellers in France and vintage markets in Paris. My hope is to encourage you to explore and create within your own individual space. To express yourself and share it with others. This month is centred on naturalism and artisanship. Bringing you hand carved bowls, oversized candle sticks and a rare Philippe Starck ashtray from 1997. You can shop the June Staying In curation here.