Gettin’ “Hygge” With It…

cashmere v-neck sweater

I see the word “hygge” making the rounds a lot these days. It’s a Danish word that roughly means “getting cozy,” and the concept of hygge is something I’m finding comforting right now. (And yes, I’m aware it’s pronounced “hoo-guh,” but I’m still letting my bad pun stand.)

Though I didn’t plan it that way, I got caught up in a lot of projects around the house (will share more details soon) and barely went out this week. After all of last year’s travel and the bustle of the holidays, the quiet and focused time at home has felt like a needed break.

So what’s comforting? A lightweight cashmere sweater. I recently purchased the sweater above to replace an older one (different brand) that pilled like crazy and was just a little too heavy. There are other colors besides black. It’s really hard to find a v-neck that doesn’t have a band around the bottom.

Old Faithful - the Chemex drop coffeemaker

Starting the morning with a really good cup of coffee. I’ve been using a French press for a couple of years now, but find the brew isn’t always consistent, and it’s kind of a pain. When I began drinking coffee as a teenager back in the Stone Age, drip was considered the ne plus ultra of coffee-making. Our neighbor had a Chemex, and I always admired the simple, beautiful Scandinavian design, as well as the great brew. I’ve switched over to this system (referred to as “pour over” by the Serious Coffee People) and have been very pleased with it. (The trick is to pour hot water through the empty filter first and then discard, which gets rid of the paper filter taste.)

 

Floral Hydrating Toner

A little extra hydration. I received a sample of this one from Tata Harper a while back, and though I’ve never been a big believer in toners, loved it enough to purchase a bottle. It’s all natural, and very soothing, especially in dry winter air. I spray it on after cleansing and before my serum and/or moisturizer.

 

Coco and Byron, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels

And these guys. Can’t imagine living in a house without a dog or two.

What makes you feel cozy?

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30 Comments

  1. Really comfy slippers are important. Nothing too fancy. Cushioney terrycloth or cotton fleece is fine. Then my camel cashmere robe with the burgundy piping–which I made. A fire, candles, fresh coffee and two CATS! And a book, usually about France.

  2. Lighting is my cozy thing. I’ve had 4 lamps that weren’t working repaired and have been on a rearranging jag to get warm light in all the right places in my home. I still haven’t mastered light bulbs do I’ve got a sack full of bulbs that put off different colors of light. I’m too important to be cast in unflattering lighting!

  3. Mmmm, cashmere is so nice. I just wrote about how we’re not very hygge around here. Despite the cold snap, people still flock to the café terraces. That’s the kind of winter I can stand.

  4. Several needed items for ultimate Hygge-osity ( made up that word mash myself) – my soft velour lounging ensemble , which some catalogs call a velour sweatsuit. But no low rider pants or tight fit, it’s a wide legged pant with a tunic. Then comes my husband, a good book and a fire in the fire place. Two dogs at our side complete the cozy scene. Bonus points if it’s snowing or sleeting and we have no place to go.

  5. Hi Susan, Have you checked out ‘Maison Cashmere’, really great styles and excellent prices…BTW enjoy your blog, whether it be fashion, home or abroad. Enjoy your cold weather while I am roasting in a heatwave in Queensland, Australia….Cheers for now…Merrilyn

  6. My sweet Cavie is essential to getting cozy. A beautiful faux fur throw is a great way to introduce a little “hygge” into your surroundings.

  7. Oh your adorable dogs! Isn’t it interesting that the fashion world has caught on that not everyone desires skintight clothes and four inch heels? And that they’ve therefore blessed the way many women have dressed forever? Anyway, my comfort is also cashmere but it is also a necessity in this very cold climate. I can easily wear it most of the year, one way or another. I also find putting on sunscreen and lipgloss, nothing else, hyggelicious.

  8. Great post! I am looking for a cashmere sweater. Do you ever find them itchy? I can’t wear wool anymore for that reason. Thank you.

  9. This is the second time I have read the term “hygge” in two days, so definitely a thing! Getting cosy requires pajama or lounge pants, my favorite hoodie, my adorable Shichon, a glass of wine and a good book. Love your blog 🙂

  10. Cozy in grey Virginia is substituting my work clothes with an outrageously inexpensive ensemble of knit pants, cotton long sleeve top, fleece hoodie, thick socks, and my two uber adorable cream colorpoint Exotic Shorthair cats (which traveled to Virginia from California 5 years ago!).

  11. Love your blog. I learn so much about new stuff here. Never knew about the coffee maker or Hygge until today. Thank you so much and please never stop sharing..

  12. We left up the twinkle lights around the bannister after Christmas was done- so cozy feeling! And our dogs too love to snuggle up with me and fleece blanket.

  13. I’ve used nothing but French presses for almost twenty years, but I do love Chemex coffee, too. The carafe is so graceful-looking.

    Cosy for us is being on the couch with something hot to drink, a blanket, and reading books or watching something goofy on television. The key is doing it with my husband.

    1. Got a French Press for Christmas from my husband. Little intimidated, any pointers on making a good cup of coffee in a French Press?

      1. Experiment with the amount of coffee you use to suit your taste. We have an “8-cup” size (it makes two big mugs) and I put in four coffee scoops of coffee because we like it strong. Make sure your water is boiling, and set a timer for four to five minutes. When your timer goes off, you can put the top with the filter on and push. You might put it on a pan or cookie sheet the first few times you use it, in case you get a little spilly putting on the top (ask me how I know). If you meet resistance when you push down the plunger, back it off just a little and go again. I also find that if you stir the coffee before you put the filter on, it’s easier to push. This is how I make it; you’ll figure out your own ritual really quickly, and others may be horrified by my technique. For coffee, when I was young and had no money, I could put Yuban in my press and get a nice cup; today we use Seattle’s Best #4 for daily use and occasionally splurge on something special. Good luck with your press! I hope you enjoy it.

  14. Fleece jacket over a long sleeve tee (no bra!), Lularoe lounge leggings, an electric heating pad on my always cold feet, and most importantly, purring cats on my lap and my hubby by my side.

  15. First cup of coffee in very early morning, purring cats by my side, reading newspaper and favorite blog posts. Aaah . . . a lovely bit of hyyge to start the day.

  16. Afternoon fika (it’s a Swedish thing) of coffee and biscotti — with my beloved husband and doing The New York Times crossword puzzle together. We NEVER give up! Bliss. 😉

  17. Cuddling with my Golden Retriever and Long-Haired Dachshund while reading, sleeping in a Hanna Andersson flannel nightgown on fresh flannel (5 not 6 oz) sheets, watching snow falling or deep on the ground, and the gratefulness borne of having shelter in the storm, Leslie

  18. My husband is Danish so we have been Hygge’ing for years at our house. In Denmark, a lot of cafes will have warm blankets to use. My Hygge is my favorite chair, fresh coffee, a cat in my lap, dog at my feet and the Sunday New York Times. Perfection!

  19. Perfection, indeed! (Only with me, it is a Dachshund in my lap, a Golden Retriever at my feet. Wish I could add a cat.) My grandparents were Danish, Swedish and Norwegian, and they must have instilled Hygge, as well as a love of snow, in me, as I have a very strong inclination to get cozy and make others cozy. I wish I could ask them if Hygge (or its Swedish or Norwegian equivalent) was a theme in their lives.

  20. First, love your pups! Our two dogs are cuddlebugs, which is very hygge. The biggest hygge detail
    for me are candles. I am burning six right now as we watch the football playoffs. Plus two Luminaria battery operated candles. A couple of faux fur throws and a glass of red wine complete the mood!

  21. loose leaf tea in my favorite mug, gray clouds, a warn cat in my lap, piano music, incense, cashmere socks, warm fresh bread, wood decor, down comforter, light rain.

  22. Hi Susan,
    I enjoy your blog. About the filter taste– we use a cotton washable filter and its great and also more environmentally friendly! Just wash it with non-scented soap & line dry!

    Thank you for sharing.

    Cara in S. FL