Doses of Coziness You Never Knew You Craved

When asked about what coziness means to them, most people will respond with fairly similar things: fuzzy socks, super-soft throw blankets, warm beverages sipped from an oversized mug, candles, and so on. We certainly won’t argue with those responses, but what we love most about the idea of coziness is that it’s something that can be so personal and unique to each one of us. What evokes a feeling of warmth and comfort can vary greatly from person to person. Here are some of our favorite sources of coziness from the pages of The Cozy Issue.

Creating a Bank Account of Comfort

Sometimes coziness can look a lot like contentment, and Elle Harris thinks it’s a feeling we should strive for. Here are four of her favorite sources of contentment to take note of to ensure we can feel cozy at any time.

1. Reminiscing with a fragrance you associate with a loved one
2. Entwining fingers with a hand that was made to fit into yours
3. Discovering aged, worn, and well-loved furniture in an antique show
4. Delighting in the first bite of a home-cooked meal after you’ve been away

Discover more ways to create a bank account of comfort for yourself in The Cozy Issue Volume 1.

Words by Elle Harris and Photo by Lumina | The Cozy Issue Volume 1

Keeping That Hygge Feeling Through Every Season

After a move to a much milder climate, Meg Magnusson asked herself how she and her family could possibly continue to practice the art of coziness without the cold weather that often comes along with it. We’ve chosen three of her favorite ways to keep that feeling throughout the year.

1. Play yard games. Dust off your lawn games that have been hibernating during the winter months and enjoy the fresh air with family and friends. Classic games of croquet, washers, and beanbag toss bring a flavor of childhood memories gone by.
2. Light a candle. Bring in the fall smells and the scents of the outdoors. Earthy tones such as cinnamon, clove, ginger, pumpkin, and sandalwood ground and root us to our center.
3. Bake, bake, bake. Creamy, crunchy, savory. Apple, pumpkin, pecan, and sweet potato. Indulge on the bountiful fall harvest in the form of your favorite pies, breads, and crisps.

Find out the rest of Meg’s favorite ways to keep that hygge feeling through every season in The Cozy Issue Volume 2.

Words by Meg Magnusson and Photo by Soren Edeberg | The Cozy Issue Volume 2

51 Unexpected Sources for Cozy

We asked our readers for their favorite unique sources for cozy, and their responses delighted us. Here are four of our favorites:

1. Writing with a fountain pen in a worn journal. I love how the pages begin to crinkle after being filled with inky words. (@faiththroughpcos)
2. I like to select a record to play to mark the end of my workday. My collection has so many great memories, especially my grandmother’s big band records. (@lawandthelady)
3. The smell of the theatre gets me every time. (Ellie Zumbach)
4. Taking the time to read through my old birthday cards, thank-you cards, and postcards that I’ve received from loved ones throughout the years. 
(Susanna Zheng)

You can find the rest of this list in The Cozy Issue Volume 3.

Photo by Sandra Cunningham | The Cozy Issue Volume 3

10 Daily Doses of Cozy

It’s still possible to find pockets of coziness even during the busiest of days. We’ve chosen four ways Melissa Smith manages to do so.

1. Change the lock screen on your phone to a picture of a quiet retreat, and pause to enjoy it before opening
your phone.
2. For your daily commute, turn your vehicle into a haven of comfort with seat covers, a fresh car scent, and a fun throw for the backseat.
3. Soften your wardrobe. Wear a soft camisole under your work blouse, add a pair of socks that hug your feet with comfort, or indulge in snuggly underthings.
4. Add a touch of warm color and texture to your kitchen. Find fresh window coverings, decorative tea towels,
or a lovely cutting board that reminds you of your favorite getaway.

Words by Melissa N. Smith and Photo by Felix Chacon | The Cozy Issue Volume 5

60 Simple Ideas to Add Warmth & Comfort to Your Life

And finally, we share four more simple and unique ways you can add warmth and comfort to your life, courtesy of Monica Wilkinson.

1. Tuck a pair of scissors into your glove box for when you spontaneously stop on the side of the road to cut wildflowers.
2. Pack your lunch in a vintage tin lunchbox or a beautiful worn basket.
3. Go for a picnic and use real dishes.
4. Bringing something from home adds instant coziness to outdoor events such as picnics, camping, or even traveling. It’s a sweet little comfort to take on the road.

Words by Monica Wilkinson and Photo by Camrin Dengel | The Cozy Issue Volume 5

So, what’s your favorite source for cozy? For more doses of coziness, check out The Cozy Issue, where Bella Grace magazine puts its magical touch on “hygge.” Click here.