9 Tips for a No-Stress November

November is such a beautiful and exciting entryway into cozy season. With delicious feasts, twinkle lights, warm fires, sledding and gift giving on the horizon, there’s so much to look forward to! But November can also become overwhelming, fast.

I know many people, myself included, find themselves spiraling at the thought of how much gets packed into just a few short months!

Here are 9 ideas to help you get through November (and the holidays) with more peace, less stress, and much more hygge.

  1. Write down 1-2 things you’re grateful for every day
    Do this every single day for the entire month of November and watch how full your heart becomes. If you’re approaching life with a grateful heart, you’ll find that everything becomes more calm and joyful. I’ll be doing it over on my Instagram as an updated version of my past November Gratitude Challenge, if you’d like to follow along!
  2. Let go of the need to buy things simply because they’re on sale
    Most companies raise their prices just before black Friday so they can slash them and make it look like big savings. Ask yourself if you truly need the item? Does your old one work just fine? Do you already have it in another color? Are you trying to fill a void? Don’t fall victim to the trap that social media influencers set, it’s their job to make you want new things!
  3. Brain dump your holiday stresses
    Do this early and thoughtfully. Create to-do lists, shopping lists, budgets, and plans so that everything you need to get done seems more manageable. Have conversations with your friends and family about what you want your holidays to look like, and don’t budge on those plans. Protect your peace.
  4. Pick one evening activity per week to do instead of watching TV or scrolling
    Puzzles? Board games? Coloring? Drawing? Walking? Crafts? Video game? Writing? Reading? Look I get it, TV/Phones are easy. But there are so many options to choose instead of scrolling aimlessly or watching a show. Your nervous system will thank you!
  5. Do at least ONE thing simply for the sake of being cozy
    I know many people don’t really pay attention to whether or not an activity is or isn’t cozy, but I want you to seek one out. Whatever that looks like for you – it could be a bath, snuggling up with your kids and watching a Disney movie, a family game night, or a morning at the coffee shop by yourself. Whatever it is that when you do it, you think to yourself “Wow, I’m so cozy right now” – make time to do that!
  6. Perform a random act of kindness
    I feels really good to give. Bring your aunt some flowers, send mom a bag of your favorite coffee, buy a stranger’s meal, send a thank you card to a friend, help an elderly neighbor with a task. Do one thing that will bring joy to someone else!
  7. Take extra care of your body and skin
    We’re entering a cold, dry, indoor-centered time of year. No one feels their best if they’re itchy and uncomfortable in their skin. Exfoliate your whole body a few times a week, then lather up with soothing body oil or lotion. Add an extra moisturizer to your face in the evenings. Use a deep conditioner or hair oil to prevent static. And drink extra EXTRA water!
  8. Nourish yourself and your family with hearty, nutrient-dense comfort food
    Who says comfort food has to be “bad for you”? Soups with leafy greens and root vegetables. Roasted butternut squash, mashed sweet potatoes, pumpkins, beans, carrots, kale, whole grains, herbs and spices… all cozy, all very hearty and delicious. Nutrient dense food helps keep your family healthy, because being sick is stressful!
  9. Set your boundaries, and say no to things that don’t serve you and your family
    Have a young baby you’re worried will get sick at the family Thanksgiving? Say no thank you, not this year! Being asked to participate in a gift sharing event or fundraiser that you can’t really afford? Say no thank you, not this year! Set your boundaries, decide what you have time, money, and energy for, then say a respectful no to the rest.

It’s important to take a little bit of time now to set the tone for the next few months. If you prepare now, and make intentional plans and decisions in advance, you can have a peaceful and stress free holiday season.

Let me know in the comments if if you’ll be implementing any of these ideas! I hope you have the calmest cozy season ever!

A Very Cozy Baby Shower

I hosted my own baby shower.

Yes, a few wonderful people in my life offered to do it, but I’m a control freak who likes to make things extra difficult. So I planned it myself, hosted it at my home, and thankfully got help the morning of from 3 amazing women, and my angel of a husband… otherwise I truly might not have made it.

It should be no surprise that I didn’t want to go with any of the adorable baby shower themes that are already out there – with precious decorations and accessories readily available to order. No, I had to go with a theme that I could find absolutely ZERO decorations, accessories, or inspiration for.

Therefore “a very cozy baby shower” was birthed. And I think it turned out pretty dang cute.

Also, as a side note – I do think it’s kind of hilarious and on-brand that THIS was our baby announcement back in June:


But back to the shower – The whole morning was such a sweet, wonderful, blur. My mom drove all the way from Washington to attend. Her, my mother in law, and my best friend all came over to assist me with food prep and set up the morning of, and they worked SO hard. All my lovely friends and family (that I could afford to invite – my house is small) showed up! We ate brunch, had fall mimosas (sparkling apple cider for me), opened gifts, and I had everyone fill out “advice and wishes for the parents to be” cards. It was perfect, and I’m so grateful for everyone’s love and generosity.

Below you’ll see the invites, pictures from the shower, the menus for food and drink, and some fun details about how I pulled it off. If you’re ever looking to host a cozy themed shower, at least this might provide you with a little bit of the inspiration I was never able to track down:

Click the photos to make them larger, and to scroll through the gallery!


On the food menu:
* Spinach & Artichoke, and Broccoli Cheddar Quiche
* Harvest egg bites
* Bacon skewers and turkey sausages
* Apple spice glazed donut holes
* Cinnamon rolls
* Homemade pumpkin muffins
* Apples, blackberries, pears and grapes with caramel
* Cracker and cheese board

On the drink menu (not pictured):
* Apple cider mimosas
* Cranberry pear mimosas
* Cinnamon sugar rims & apple, pear or cranberry garnish
* Sparkling apple cider
* Hot chai

Shower Specific Purchases:
* The balloons, “advice and wishes” cards, and “sweet baby boy” banner were from Amazon
* The BABY balloon was from Target
* The card drop box and “Let’s Get Cozy” banner were both made by my sweet mother in law

All the Cozy Little Details:
* Played a cozy playlist that I made on Amazon Music featuring artists like Hozier and The Lumineers
* Put the Netflix fireplace show on TV
* Lit many, many candles
* Made sure all my throw blankets, pillows and faux-fur rugs were out and styled
* Chose a neutral and earthy color scheme
* Kept it simple

I’m still kicking myself for forgetting to get a picture of the “Mom”-osa bar, but oh well! I did my best, tried not to stress too much, and I think it ended up being a really beautiful shower.

Is there anything you would’ve added to amp up the cozy level? Let me know in the comments.

A Cozy Summer Bucket List

Happy Summer, cozy friends! I know it’s been awhile, but I’m back with another bucket list because hey, why not?

Something dawned on me while writing this post… this will be my last childless summer. This time next year, I’ll have a 6 month old. I’ve been curious for a long time what hygge will look like once we have kids, because I know life will look quite different. I’ve also always wondered if moms of young babes ever read my posts about hygge/coziness, and scoff – “this lady is telling me to veg out for the day as one my cozy bucket list items, honey, can you imagine!?”.

I understand that parenthood can prevent many situations from being cozy. But it doesn’t have to. Like with all things in life, you must simply adjust your cozy rituals so that they fit into your life. But what should never happen is that you quit seeking coziness altogether, because this stuff is important!

Here are 8 cozy things to check off your bucket list this summer:

  1. Take a Nap Outdoors
    I didn’t discover the joy of this until 1st trimester exhaustion accidentally got the best of me when I was sunbathing on the deck. You see, I’m quite the control freak, so normally I require a strict set of rituals before any type of sleep can commence. But the sun was trickling lightly through the clouds, the birds were singing their hearts out, and there was a gentle breeze… I slid my hat down over my eyes and next thing I know, I woke up. Try it out, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

  2. Wake Early & Do Something That Brings you Joy
    I’m a firm believer in every season serving a specific purpose, and summer is no exception. While I don’t consider it the coziest season by any means (comes dead last, in fact), it does offer a few very hygge features that are worth taking advantage of. One being that delicious morning light. I encourage you to soak it up as much as you possibly can, while you can. Combine that, with an activity you love (writing, reading, watching the birds) and you’ll have a beautiful and very cozy morning, every time.

  3. Have a Fire
    It doesn’t matter what type! Campfire, bonfire, gas firepit fire, a little table top fire, shoot, even lighting the tiki torches… Flames offer a comforting glow that is impossible to replicate. The warmth and smell add even more to the experience. Just add a marshmallow to a stick, and every worry will temporarily subside. (Don’t roast marshmallows on the tiki torches though, please).

  4. Go for Evening Walks or Bike Rides
    I know, I know.. “Exercise after dinner? No thanks!”. But hear me out, evenings in the summer are some of the most beautiful and peaceful times there are. At no other point in the year is it as bright and warm at 8pm as it is in summer – and that’s something to be savored. Take it slow and easy, and stop regularly to observe your surroundings.

  5. Find Water and Get In It
    Science says that water has an almost instantaneous calming effect, which is why submerging in water is almost always on my cozy lists. I don’t care if it’s a lake, river, pool, sprinkler, splash pad, or a kiddie pool in the back yard. Summer is the only time you can take advantage of all of these and not freeze your butt off. If you’re feeling stressed or down, water will almost always turn your mood around. Try running through a sprinkler without cracking a smile, I dare you.

  6. Curl Up in a Pool of Sunlight
    Cats and dogs have the right idea when they follow the sun spots around the house, so why don’t we follow suit? Find a warm & glowy stream of light pouring in through your window and curl up in it! Even if you have to lay on the floor, and even if it’s just for a few minutes. There’s something magical about soaking in sunlight while you’re inside the safe walls of your home. Bonus points if you read a book or color.

  7. Bake a Summer Treat
    Cobblers, crisps, sweet loaves made from garden grown vegetables, and light cakes with fresh fruit and sweet cream. Is your mouth watering yet? I know baking is usually reserved for the cooler months, but with all the fresh produce available in the summer, why not take advantage and incorporate it into your baking? We deserve sweet treats in the summer, too! And let’s be real, sometimes popsicles just don’t cut it.

  8. Eat Outdoors
    Whether it’s a weeknight dinner out on the back deck, a BBQ with the family, an intimate picnic with your partner, or a potluck with all your friends! Eating outside is a unique way to amplify the coziness that already comes with sharing a meal with people you love.

I hope at this point you have some ideas swirling around in your head on how to make this summer much more cozy. But in case you needed a few more options, here are FIVE bonus ideas:

  • Visit a Farmer’s Marker
    Buy a sweet treat, or a fresh lemonade and enjoy them while you admire the hard work of your local community!
  • Go to the Fair
    Cotton candy, corn dogs, farm animals and carnival rides – nostalgic and very, very cozy.
  • Make a summer playlist
    I love R&B personally, but Hozier and The Lumineers offer a sweet and chill summer vibe too. Make a summer playlist and live by it.
  • Do a mid-summer deep clean of the house
    Whoa, is it just me or can everyone else tell the windows have been open constantly!? HELLO DUST. Summer is a great time to do a nice deep clean, and having a clean home is very cozy.
  • Go on a quick road trip
    There has to be a little town nearby that you’d like to visit, do it! Even if it’s just for the day. Play tourist and visit all the shops and local attractions while you’re there.

I hope you get the opportunity to enjoy all of these simple yet priceless pleasures this summer. Which one are you looking forward to most!?