Book Friday: Bella Grace Issue 32

I’ve been away for nearly a week, plonked very usefully over a weekend so it didn’t take too much time away from work. It’s funny the lengths, as a self-employed firm, that you go to to maximise holiday time. We always used to go away over August Bank Holiday, so that a 5 day break from the office was really only 4 days holiday used … Continue reading Book Friday: Bella Grace Issue 32

Frugge? Frygge? Frugal Hygge for the summer.

Hyge is a pretty frugal way of life anyway… any philosophy that places maximum emphasis on cosy, home-based, home-made and small group entertainment is not going to be one that costs masses. No expensive meals out in fancy restaurants, no need to spend on imported hothouse flowers, no big and cavernous houses. Hygge is all about the small, the intimate, the personal. In a world … Continue reading Frugge? Frygge? Frugal Hygge for the summer.

Book Friday: The Tucci Table by Stanley Tucci and Felicity Blunt

Wednesday was Not A Good Day in my house. My car broke down, just as I was setting off to visit my parents, and instead of taking Mum out for a pot of tea and (perhaps) a slice of lemon drizzle cake, I spent a wet afternoon waiting for the AA to recue me and then, in fear it might conk out again, driving my … Continue reading Book Friday: The Tucci Table by Stanley Tucci and Felicity Blunt

Attention: Mindful Christmas Day 15

December’s posts this year all share the theme of Mindful Christmas. There’ll be short posts each day encouraging us to pause and look at our celebrations in a more measured, mindful way. Every day has a concept heavily tied in to Christmas, and the plan is to look at them individually, examine what role they play in our own Christmas and, if we decide we … Continue reading Attention: Mindful Christmas Day 15

Minimalism and Simplicity: Mindful Christmas Day 11

December’s posts this year all share the theme of Mindful Christmas. There’ll be short posts each day encouraging us to pause and look at our celebrations in a more measured, mindful way. Every day has a concept heavily tied in to Christmas, and the plan is to look at them individually, examine what role they play in our own Christmas and, if we decide we … Continue reading Minimalism and Simplicity: Mindful Christmas Day 11

How Much Does Hygge Cost?

Spoiler: The answer is nothing. When I first started writing about hygge and happiness five years ago this week the newspapers were filled with articles on hygge and how to hygge, very often listing items that you needed to buy to achieve the full hygge lifestyle. I wrote about how that wasn’t necessary in my post, How to hygge when there’s too much month left … Continue reading How Much Does Hygge Cost?

When Everyday Smells Like Your Cosiest Coffee Shop: September Small Things Day 7

I settled down today at the office on the hottest day we’ve had for a while. Not a day sensibly for lighting a candle, and yet I did. I like having a candle in the office, especially on dark and dreek days. It adds a touch of cosiness, of warmth and homeliness. More often than not it’s a scented candle. This summer was a St … Continue reading When Everyday Smells Like Your Cosiest Coffee Shop: September Small Things Day 7