7 hygge essentials.

It’s going to be cold, cold, cold this weekend.  Which means you’ll probably find me parked next to our fireplace, cup of cocoa in hand with a good book, it’s going to be a very hygge weekend.   If you follow me on instagram, you know I’ve been reading this book, and loving every page of it.  In truth, I am loving the whole hygge movement and embracing it with my whole heart.  It reminds me of every single thing I love most about Europe and all the things I wanted to bring home and incorporate into our every day life when we got back.    If you are reading this thinking, “what the heck is hygge?” (pronounced hooga). I suggest popping over to this post I wrote last year, as it explains it a little more.

In a nutshell, it’s the danish art of coziness, contentment and well-being.  Good friends, yummy treats, cozy blankets, candles, a fire in the fireplace… I could go on and on, but I’m sure you get the picture.  Danes are some of the happiest people on earth and many of them attribute this feeling of joy and well being to hygge.  I think we could all get a little more of that in our day/life.

So today I want to share 7 hygge essentials to help you on your way to living your coziest most content life.

Candles.  Candles are like the #1 hygge item.  Burning candles is a huge part of danish life, and I love having one burning in my house.  That flickering light is just so, well hygge.  I just discovered the coolest candle brand called Homesick.  They are a nostalgic candle brand and they create soy candles in the most amazing scents to remind you of home, a memory, somewhere you’ve traveled.  They have state scents, city scents, scents for countries (I’m ordering the France candle asap), and they even have a candle called books. (think I might need to grab one of those as well…)

Books.  Is there anything that gives you a greater sense of well-being than curling up under a cozy blanket with a good book?  It is one of my favorite things to do, and another essential hygge item.  Some of my old and new favorites: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (of course), Jane Eyre or Pride and Prejudice (if you’ve got a penchant for classics), anything by Kate Morton (especially if you love British books), The little Paris Bookshop, Victoria,  The little book of Hygge (of course!), the Magnolia Story, The Goose Girl or Enna Burning, I could go on and on!

Throw blankets.  We literally have cozy throw blankets all over our house, because I want my family to always feel like they can curl up anywhere and get cozy.  I love this one, it comes in a bunch of pretty colors and it is so insanely soft you will never want to take it off!

Cozy sweaters and socks.  This is the time of year for all the chunky cozy sweaters and socks.  Think sherpa lined, super soft, live-in-them-all-winter-pieces.  Here are a few of my favorites.

Cocoa, tea or coffee. (if you drink coffee.  I don’t, so I’ll stick to cocoa).  I’m quite the hot cocoa connoisseur, and I love a good cup of dark chocolate hot cocoa.  The last couple years I’ve gotten really into herb teas as well.  This peach tea is my all-time fave.  Add a splash of half and half and it’s heaven in a cup.

Nature inside.  Part of hygge is experiencing nature or bringing it inside.  I like to have at least faux plants around my house to give it that fresh green feel.  One of my goals this year is to add a real plant inside (and keep it alive!) big dreams over here, I know, baby steps people.  Here are some great faux options if you’ve got a bit of a black thumb like me.  My friend Lauren swears by this Fiddle Leaf fig and its only $58. (I’m ordering one for my house.)

Yummy treats. Those Danes love their treats, and treating yourself, giving yourself a break from all healthy eating is also a part of Hygge.  I can get behind that idea!  I believe everything in moderation, so having a yummy treat on the weekend while you hygge it up, go for it.  Try out my pretzel bites, cinnamon rolls, or Cheese danish recipes this weekend.  Or if you’re in the mood for something savory, here’s my tortilla soup recipe!  They are all great hygge options and so, so good!