When my friend, Jessica, asked me if I wanted to participate in a Hygge home tour I said, “Sign me up!”. After all, cozy is a MUST in our home. I have joined together with a group of gals in a blog hop, so be sure to make a stop by their cozy homes as well, you’ll find links to them all at the bottom of the post.
Welcome to any new friends, I’m so excited you have jumped over and am delighted to invite you into my cozy living room. As always, products used will be linked at the end.
Hygge, (pronounced hue-guh not hoo-gah) is the Danish word used when acknowledging a cozy atmosphere or moment while alone or with friends.
Instant Cozy
A dear friend, who texts me often when seasons change or post holiday, recently asked me how I transition after Christmas. My first response was layer your throw blankets, and add more pillows. In this post I will demonstrate how quickly you can create the ultimate hygge experience simply by layering.
Of course texture and twinkly lights don’t hurt either. I gathered together a mixture of faux fur and wool throws and pillows for a cozy seating area. Paired with woven baskets, candle light, and rice lights, I’m already feeling the vibe, how about you. We had the most beautiful snowfall this particular morning, so the hygge philosophy came natural.
This cozy spot literally made me want to instantly pop a squat and browse my favorite catalogs. I still love flipping through magazines and ear marking pages even though the internet can be instant gratification.
One Step Further
Since my hubby works away from home (almost 4 hours away) I work hard at making him feel extra welcomed when he returns home each week. He’s a romantic guy, so I knew I could capture him hook, line, and sinker this past weekend 😉 I stepped it up a notch and searched Pinterest for the ultimate hot chocolate recipe. Let me tell you, it didn’t disappoint! The girls and I did a trial run as I was creating this post. I’ll post the recipe a little later 😉
Mhmm, yep those are toasted marshmallows, and they were to the scrumptious state in under 2 minutes. I figure enticing the hubby with an ooey gooey s’mores hot chocolate may result in take out dinner, and he happily obliged. Maybe it was the cookies…. none the less I succeeded. Anytime I don’t have to clean up a dirty kitchen this wife/momma is happy!
Not gonna lie, this whole scene screams mushy 😀 Valentine’s Day is closer than you think. Drink up some of these tips to create your own hygge experience, I promise good results 😉
Even though our fireplace is no longer functioning, twinkly lights provide a cozy ambiance without creating too much heat, lol!! Sigh… I miss when it worked, but I’m totally ok with it this way. How many of you noticed I switched out the stacked logs and moss? What can I say, I like to change things, and there was a whole lot of nasty cobwebs goin on…
S’mores Hot Chocolate (serves 2)
Ingredients:
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup marshmallows
- graham cracker crumbs
- 2 tbsp. sugar
- 1 pinch salt
- 1/4 cup cocoa
- 1/4 tsp non-bitter stevia
- 2 tbsp. chocolate syrup
Instructions:
- Pre-heat oven to low broil and move oven rack to the second from the top (high enough up to broil your marshmallows). Place baking sheet on rack.
- Heat milk and water in saucepan over medium heat until warmed through – about 5 minutes. Be careful not to overheat or scald.
- Add cocoa powder, chocolate syrup, sugar, stevia and salt. Whisk vigorously until thoroughly combined.
- Meanwhile, take a few marshmallows and rub them around the top of your mugs so the graham crackers will stick. Then, dip mug in graham cracker crumbs until well lined. You could also add some graham cracker crumbs to the bottom of your mug for extra graham flavor.
- Pour in hot cocoa and top with 1/4 cup marshmallows each. Carefully set mugs on the baking sheet in the oven and broil marshmallows until browned, watching carefully as to not let them burn.
- Carefully remove from the oven with an oven mit (they should cool quickly for handling). Top with a drizzle of chocolate syrup and extra graham cracker crumbs for serving (optional).
Cozy Reading Nook
This was so much fun, I figured I might as well snuggle up our reading nook too. School and normal routine resumed, and that means homework. Maybe it won’t seem so terrible if the homework spot is extra cozy…. worth a try 😉
Same elements and textures moved to another spot and it’s instant cozy all over again <3
Thanks so much for your visit, now go get cozy!! Creating a hygge atmosphere is easier than it sounds. I hope you enjoy the hot chocolate recipe, and of course let me know if you have any questions <3
Be Sure To Check Out These Hygge Tours
Jessica | Honey n Hydrangea
Dara | Hood Creek Log Cabin
Nina & Cecilia | Nina & Cecilia
Lisa | Shine Your Light
Beth | 1111 Light Lane
Martha | Simple Cozy Charm
Yuni | Love Your Abode
Kristin | White Arrows Home
Kellie | Gratefully VIntage
*********Instagram Story Giveaway Winner*********
Joanna – @joannasellshomes
Winner chosen using Random.org
Author and photos – Martha Knake
Chief Editor – Emily Schunke
Wondering if you knitted the chunky throw? Such a cozy sight to behold!
Your home is indeed cozy and charming! I love all of the soft textures and the lights. And I am going to have to switch from Swiss miss to this recipe!
This is gorgeous. Your textures look so soft and warm but that hot chocolate. DELISH!!! Thank you so much for the recipe. You captured hygge beautifully with the twinkle lights.
Thanks so much for inviting me along on this tour, it’s definitely a favorite of mine!
This is all so gorgeous!! i Love your reading nook and can’t wait to try your hot chocolate recipe!! Delicious!! I am so inspired!
I so hope you try the recipe! Loved doing this tour with you!
Martha! You have nailed Hygge!! Your home is so beautiful and cozy! I loved your post and I can’t wait to try your hot chocolate recipe. It looks so delicious! It was so fun to do this blog hop with you Martha!
I feel the same about your home Kellie! Adore you friend!
Your home could not be cozier Martha! That chunky throw is amazing, I need one! Love the string lights too, so pretty! Your husband is a lucky guy coming home to all of that!
Awe thanks so very much Lisa!!
Wow Martha – just gorgeous! Love all of your pics and now I can’t wait to try that smores hot chocolate recipe – it looks amazing! So glad we could blog hop together! xo, Beth
It’s been so fun! I do hope you make the recipe… so easy and to die for!
Great post Martha! Your pictures are so clear and beautiful!
Thank you soo much Ingrid, it was such a fun post!
Holy cow does that hot chocolate look good!! Martha, you totally captured Hygge in your home and it exudes cozy to the max!! Love it all my friend!
Two things! !) Totally agree that ear-marking pages in magazines is such a nostalgic pastime — will always remind me of hanging out with you and mom in the kitchen growing up while your girls were little! 2) Boy do I feel the pressure (let’s call it inspiration!?) to step it up a notch tonight when my hubby returns from a week of travel!! <3
Ahhh.. I remember that well too, and it warms my heart. I love to think up ways to welcome him home (sometimes) not always of course. We have been doing this for so many years… I try to keep it out of the mundane…. ya know?