How to Live A Hygge Life

Coming from a Swedish background, when the term “hygge” (pronounced hoo-guh) started gaining popularity, I knew exactly what it meant, because I’ve been exposed to it my whole life. It’s always been the way my grandparents lived. Every time we’d visit, candles were lit, warm blankets draped just about every chair, music was playing, there was (and still is) always time for fika, and it was simply a cozy, relaxing time.

The actual translation of the Danish term is “coziness of the soul”, and that’s exactly how I feel when I make time for these practices. It’s all about allowing yourself to enjoy the moment, whether that be a quiet moment by yourself, having a conversation by the fire with the ones you love, or cooking a meal that you truly appreciate. Now that we’re fully immersed into fall, here’s how I live a hygge life:

Light it up

Put your favourite candles on, turn all other lights off. If you really want to be traditional Scandinavian, candlesticks are where it’s at. A fireplace helps create that cozy feeling too! Once you dim your atmosphere, you’ll feel an immediate difference in your mood.

Make time to read

The more time you give yourself to read, the more quiet time you have to yourself. Reading a book that you’re interested in is so good for the soul - it can inspire, teach, motivate, and can even provide a small escape from your everyday life. And being a part of a group with similar hobbies (like a book club, for example) makes you a lot happier, too.

Simplify your life, your way

If things around you are stressing you out, simplify your space. Declutter and remove the things (and people) from your life that aren’t bringing you joy or value. Your life is too short for extra stress, drama or anxiety. Coming from someone who has a pretty chaotic life, believe it or not, I actually have little to no anxiety. I believe that has a lot to do with the cozy home I’ve made for myself, my incredible support system around me, and putting the things I value most above all (to be blunt, I don’t put up with bullsh** or people that don’t value my time).

Fill your home with sentiment

There’s nothing I love more than incorporating vintage heirlooms and special thrifted pieces throughout my home, because every time I look at them, I’m reminded how much life each piece has lived, and how much life there still is left to live! Some of my favourite pieces in my home are thrifted or passed down from generations and generations of Swedish heritage.

Cook your meals with care

Slowly gather your ingredients, grab a glass of wine, put some music on, and just enjoy the process of preparing your next meal. Taking your time is a key ingredient here, even as you eat.

Share your home

In saying that, sharing a meal with someone is even better. And inviting people into your home to enjoy the home you’ve made for yourself is almost if not as satisfying as enjoying it on your own! If you’ve followed the steps above, people will feel immediately welcome, and you’re sure to have a good time. Keep the convos positive to build more on your relationships. Togetherness is important; it’s not a time to discuss issues or gossip. Incorporate monthly get togethers with friends like a book club. Mine meets every month, taking turns to host dinner parties. It really is the best!

Make time for Fika

The Swedes love fika, and I obviously do too - I grew up with it after all! Fika is a Swedish term that stands for “coffee break”. Usually taking place in the late afternoon, or even after dinner (which is why I have no problem drinking coffee at any hour of the day), it’s a time to sit down, take a breather, treat yourself to some delicious coffee with cookies or treats, and just indulge for a second. The rest of your day can wait. And yes, this is yet another mood booster.

Prioritize self care

The best way to practice hygge is if there’s no technology involved. Spend a day without your phone, laptop or TV, and see how you feel. What will you do with your time? Perhaps you’ll exercise, meditate, cook a meal, or draw a bath. Whatever it is, be present, and make time for real self care. It’s all about relaxation.

Show gratitude

Whether it’s writing a few things in your journal everyday, or taking a moment to close your eyes and realize how great you really have it, focus on the now, and be grateful that you’re still standing. Nobody’s life is easy, so remember to get out of yourself every once in a while, be grateful for your health, and be appreciative of all the love around you. It honestly makes me emotional thinking about how much love is in my life! Remember, this might be as good as it gets. Appreciate it.

Slow down

In a nutshell, just slow it down a notch. Trust me, if anyone knows what going 9182829 miles a minute feels like, I do... (what do you mean 4 dates in one weekend isn’t normal?), but just slow it down. Take a moment to breathe, and appreciate the little things, like the glimpses of sunshine that magically show up. Nothing great happens if you’re run down and exhausted.

And with that, you’re well on your way to living a hygge life. If you try any of these tips, let me know in the comments or on Instagram! I’d love to see how you hygge.

xo

Linnea

Swedish Decor Inspo

This post is a loooong time coming, but I’ve been reflecting a lot on my time in Sweden as of late, and being there for a week was exactly what I needed to kick my butt into gear and GET INSPIRED. I felt like a kid in a candy store everywhere I went - it’s like I was meant to be there in that moment, meant to be inspired, and meant to be Swedish. I love absolutely everything about the Swedish culture (the food, the lifestyle, the traditions, the people, the country itself), but one of my most favourite things of all is the insane Swedish eye for design. Scandinavian design still is and always will be timeless. I have a Swedish design magazine from 2010, and every single page is still relevant, because Scandinavian style is forever. It’s probably my favourite design style of all, and there was oh-so-much of it in Stockholm - even in the homes of my relatives and friends from Dalarna, as seen in some of the photos from my trip below.

Store after store and space after space, I would find myself ooh-ing and ahh-ing at everything I saw. They really know what they’re doing over there. So, in time for the new year, I thought I’d share a round-up of my favourite Scandinavian-inspired spaces from the trip. Who knows, maybe it will inspire you to incorporate more Scandinavian style into your home! Get ready for some serious decor goals.

I hope you’re as inspired as I am to incorporate more vintage decor and Scandinavian style in my space, and mahbe even get started on tackling my big home improvement goals this year! 

xo

Linnea

How to Set a Christmas Table

As my very first Christmas Eve that I’ll be hosting in this apartment, I wanted to make sure my Christmas tablescape was extra special, to ensure everyone has a good time, and they ENJOY Christmas as much as possible. Ironically, I used to hate when my mom asked me to “set the table” for dinner, but I LOVE the sh*t out of table setting now! It’s also important to note that I don’t have a dining table - or a dining area, to be honest. So how did I pull off this Christmas tablescape? Well, I improvised, that’s how! I kept my theme very simple - earthy, Scandinavian decor, with a few touches of rustic, cabin vibes to keep it warm and cozy. And I’m not one to spend big bucks on things I’m only going to use a few times a year, but I’m here to tell you that if you follow these simple tips, you’ll have a perfectly laid out table setting in no time (even if you don’t actually have a real “dining” area).

1. Folding furniture is your best friend

Yes, I said it! Folding. Furniture. Welcome to the world of condo living at its finest. I use folding furniture for ALL of my dinner parties. I have a big folding table that I keep in my storage locker, and I have 4 folding chairs from Ikea that I keep in my storage box on my patio. Once I put the table cloth over the table, and some faux fur or blankets over the chairs, you’d never even know it’s plastic underneath. If I have extra guests, I add the extra stools and seats I have around my home year-round!

2. Layer, layer, layer

A well laid table has tons of depth and different textures going on at once. I always make sure to set the table with either a round placemat or a charger, to act as the foundation for everyone’s place setting. Chargers can set the tone and mood of your tablescape, and make your dinnerware look completely different! I also layered some fresh rosemary wreaths for a pop of colour and a fresh holiday touch to the overall look.

3. Mix and match

Let’s be real - unless you’re Jillian Harris (who I used to work for - miss you mucho Jilly!) or a prop stylist, no one has matching dinnerware, glassware or serveware for the exact amount of people you’re hosting - especially if it’s a large dinner. The beauty in setting a table is that it doesn’t have to match! Playing with different heights in glassware, and mixing flatware and dinnerware all adds to a unique table setting for each guest.

4. Add warmth with texture

Think linen tablecloths, wooden chargers, twine, pine cones, or anything with a cozy texture to add some warmth to set the scene. I didn’t add much colour, so I needed to add warmth with hints of wood, creams, greenery and twine.

5. Light it up

It wouldn’t be a Scandinavian Christmas dinner without candlesticks! Growing up, my Farmor always had real candles lit all around her home, even though she has a crazy cat that likes to show off and dance around all the flames lol. So I’ve always been a big fan of candles, because they remind me of Sweden, and Christmas in general! You better believe I stacked my table with as many candles as possible. It also helps to have a cozy playlist going in the background that puts everyone at ease.

And that’s pretty much it! You’re well on your way to hosting a Christmas dinner that your loved ones are SURE to enjoy! Happy holidays, all!

xo

Linnea