getting cozy

there's something to be said for feeling cozy.  cozy brings happiness, calm, and comfort.  everything seems better with coziness in our life.  

in sweden, getting cozy is a winter sport.  it has to be with the darkness that engulfs the country and the cold that comes too early.

the first couple of weeks in our apartment were anything but cozy.  it's still empty except for some basic rental furniture that stefan's workplace has provided us.  let's just say it is far from cozy.  however, with the arrival of some of our stuff we put on an air freight and with a few new purchases, our apartment is slowly cozy-ing up!

now, for getting cozy, i have one of two swede tricks up my sleeve: 

1. a happy (new!) rug (plus others that arrived on the air freight) for softness underfoot.

2. candles, alot of them, strewn about the house.  a pretty candle holder helps too. i also brought this one, locally made in vancouver, with me.  their railtown candle with tobacco, amber and black pepper smells divine. 

3. blankets (arrived in the air freight!) to wrap oneself in.  and even better when snuggled on the sofa with a cup of tea and kinfolk to read (i found a shop here that sells my favourite magazines!).

4. decorating for the holiday season early.  i picked up this cute gnome (the swede's santa) at a xmas market.  alongside a couple of my favourite things, it makes for a sweet vignette.

5. glögg, a swedish mulled wine served warm (simmering with raisins and almonds is optional). 

i hope these days are cozy for you too.