Everywhere you look these days, people are writing, talking, and obsessing about hygge. I've even seen beautifully colored "hygge" hair on Pinterest. Recently I checked out several books about hygge from my local library, and my daughter bought me the book pictured, above. Of all the books on hygge I've read, it's my favorite.
Pronounced "hoo-ga," hygge is a Danish word that isn't that easy to translate. According to The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking, hygge is "about an atmosphere and an experience, rather than about things. It is about being with the people we love. A feeling of home." He also says that it can mean "cozy togetherness" and the author's favorite "cocoa by candlelight." Doesn't that sound lovely? Cocoa by candlelight? Sign. Me. Up!
The Little Book of Hygge is organized into several helpful chapters. My favorites are: Light, Food and Drink, Clothing, and Hygge Tour of Copenhagen. I really want to visit Copenhagen now just for the Library Bar in the Plaza Hotel.
Although hygge is not about things, there certainly are a few items mentioned in the book that contribute to it. Here are a few items that I'm pinning to my Pinterest Hygge Board.
The Sarah Lund sweater from the TV Show The Killing is hard to find due to its overwhelming popularity.
Doesn't it look cozy?
It is made by the company Gudrun & Gudrun.
My daughter makes the best hot chocolate. You can stand a spoon up in it! You can find the recipe HERE.
The Danes love their sweets! Flødeboller, or chocolate domes stuffed with a cream or marshmallow filling, is very popular in Denmark. You can find how to make it HERE. By the way, I am obsessed with "Seitan is My Motor" Blog.
The Little Book of Hygge has a whole chapter on lighting and the importance of burning candles. How about these cider-scented candles from Terrain? They would be lovely fireside, wouldn't they!
Here is the aforementioned Library Bar in the Plaza Hotel, Copenhagen.
Are you feeling the hygge yet? Have you read any books on hygge? I do think the Danes have cornered the market on happiness and coziness. I'm already implementing some of the elements of hygge I learned from The Little Book of Hygge in our home. I'm planning ahead for the Christmas season because I love the chapter on my favorite holiday.
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
I loved this post!!! Perfect for fall. I was a nanny to three Danish boys and truly learned so much from their mother Inga. I too would love to go to Denmark.
ReplyDeleteI have been reading about hygge, but don't know much about it except it's creating comfort in your life, and I'm all for that! Also anything chocolate! Danish things have always been so elegant in their simplicity~ Your blog looks great!!
ReplyDeleteJenna
This works keep popping up all over the web! Love the candle in the enamel cup - and the scent sound great for fall!
ReplyDeleteI am all about hygge. It should be my middle name. I think that I gained 5 lbs. from looking at your pics. Enjoy your weekend.
ReplyDeleteEarlier this year, January or February, I did a post about hygge -- it was one of my words of the year (action is the other)and I've been doing my best to live the hygge life this year -- and always for that matter. It's a wonderful concept and has never seemed more important to implement than in today's topsy turvy world where wrapping up in a soft blanket with cozy slippers and hot chocolate seems like a safe place to be!
ReplyDeleteFun. And I want that sweater.
ReplyDeleteCarla
You would absolute love Denmark (and Sweden and Norway). I was ready to pack up and move there -- one slight problem -- I can't speak the language! We only spent one day in Copenhagen, part of it in Tivoli Gardens, but it is a feast for the senses. We walked for miles and miles, had lunch in a beautiful little cafe, and had some wine in a beautiful bar/restaurant in the Gardens in the late afternoon. It was like a triple decker greenhouse engulfed in plants! I also discovered that they loved BB King! Who knew? The only "disappointment" was The Little Mermaid. She is very small, and you need a good zoom lens to get a good look since she sits out in the water!
ReplyDeleteI've read a bit about hygge. I've just ordered the book to add to my knowledge. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteyes! I loved this post so much! it really made me feel good, looking at the decadent everything made my day.
ReplyDeletethank you for stopping by and thank you for this post.
I just love books like this. They are fun to read. I just put it on hold at my library. Thanks for sharing it with us!
ReplyDelete