Coffee Drinkers: Are You Doing It Wrong?? There's a Cozy Swedish Coffee Tradition You Need to Know About!

Picture it: Sicily, 1922.

Just kidding, haha. Instead, picture this:

It's dark and peaceful, and the rest of your house is sleeping soundly. The only sound that fills the air is the gentle hum of the furnace - a cozy reminder that you're safe and warm.

And then, you hear it. The soft gurgle of the coffee maker as it finishes brewing a fresh pot. The rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee envelopes you, and you breathe it in deeply. You make your way to the kitchen, and as you select your favorite mug, you hear the satisfying pour of hot, liquid energy. You take a sip, and the smooth, velvety coffee warms your body from the inside out. You close your eyes and relish the moment, letting the quiet, comforting warmth wash over you. In this moment, nothing else matters but the simple pleasure of a perfect cup of coffee. The start of a new day is upon you, and the world is yours to explore, but for now, you're content to simply be, wrapped up in the cozy embrace of your morning ritual.

And then it's 2pm and you glug down a lukewarm afternoon joe to help you wrap up your work day.

Noooot the same. Sound familiar? This is totally how it is for me most days.

But have you ever heard of fika? I want to tell you about it - but you should know, it's not exactly attainable on a daily basis. At least not for most of us. But it's dreamy, and if you can squeak it into your Saturday or Sunday on a regular basis, I'm thinking you won't regret it.

So what exactly is fika, and where did it come from?

Fika is a Swedish tradition that involves taking a break from your day to enjoy a cup of coffee or tea and a sweet treat. It's a moment of pause and relaxation - a chance to slow down and savor the simple pleasures in life. Which, you know, we could all use more of.

The word "fika" is Swedish for "coffee break," but it's so much more than just that. Fika is a social activity - a way to connect with friends, family, or coworkers over a shared moment of indulgence. It's a daily ritual in Sweden, with many workplaces and schools taking a break in the morning and afternoon for fika. (Um, jealous.)

The origins of fika are a bit murky, but it's believed to have started in the 18th century as a way for Swedish farmers to take a break from their hard work and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea with their families. Over time, fika became more of a social activity, and today it's a beloved tradition that's part of the Swedish way of life.

Sooo, how do I fika?

Fika is such a simple, easy tradition to fit a moment of calm intentionality into any day. And the best part is, you don't need to spend a lot of money or time to do it. Here are some tips for practicing fika in a way that makes sense for every day life:

1. Make it simple

Fika is all about simplicity and relaxation, so don't stress yourself out trying to make it perfect. A cup of coffee or tea and a homemade cookie or piece of fruit is all you need. You can make even store bought cookies or treats feel fancy and intentional by putting them on a cute plate. Done.

2. Set the mood

Fika is best enjoyed in a cozy and inviting space. Create a little nook in your home with a comfy chair, a warm blanket, and some candles or fairy lights. Bonus points for incorporating some secondhand decor elements, like vintage teacups or a thrifted throw pillow.

I often do a little fika action at the kitchen table with just a cute mug, maybe some fresh flowers, a vintage floral plate, and something I baked from a box.

3. Invite a friend

Fika is a social activity, so don't be afraid to invite a friend or neighbor to join you. It's a great way to catch up and connect over something simple and enjoyable. Matt and I will schedule in a weekend fika here and there as a way to set time aside in our days to just hang out, chat, and have a treat. It makes a great little stress-free day date!

4. Take it outside

If the weather is nice, why not take your fika outside? Find a park or a quiet spot in your backyard and enjoy your coffee and treat in the fresh air. Sounds like heaven, really.

5. Experiment with flavors

While traditional fika treats in Sweden are usually sweet, there's no reason you can't mix it up and try something savory or spicy. Experiment with different teas or flavored syrups for your coffee. I made a Pinterest board called Cottagecore Baking that is filled with recipes I want to try for our afternoon fikas this spring and summer if you need some inspiration! (But again, box mixes are totally acceptable.)

6. Ban Technology

Make it a rule to leave the phones, ipads, laptops, and whatever else away from the spot where you're having your fika. Two exceptions: 1) you're using something to play soft music to enjoy during your fika, but set it and forget it . Or 2) you want to snap a photo of the moment. Get the shot, put it away. Be present and enjoy!

There's really no pressure to do fika "right", or to replicate the experience from one day to the next. Pour yourself a coffee, grab a treat, and anything goes! As long as you're there in the moment.

Incorporating fika into a daily or weekly (even monthly) routine is a simple way to slow down and appreciate the little things in life. And with its emphasis on simplicity, coziness, and connection, it's the perfect fit for anyone who craves a little more intentionality in their life. Especially those who want that perfect cup of coffee feeling all the time!

Jot a little fika into your calendar. Right now, do it! ;) Pick a day.

And let me know what you bake! 
PS - all the photos on this post are from past fikas Matt and I have shared!

Cozy Gift Idea for Tea Lovers

I know we just finished up gift-giving season, but I wanted to share this idea I keep thinking about in case you run into a need for it this winter. 

You know, for like a housewarming kind of situation, for a friend going through a rough patch, a January birthday that becomes as last-minute situation because Christmas made you forget (I have one of those in my house). It would make an amazing teacher appreciation gift, too - they deserve all the love!

It's a perfectly cozy, hygge little gift that's perfect for navigating the next couple months. A sweet little self-care bundle that will show nothing but love to its recipient.

Grab a cute basket, arrange your goodies inside, and give the gift of a cozy tea time. These are some personal favorites, and if I received this gift? I'd drop everything and craft the coziest, most hygge evening.

Here's where to find it all (working from top to bottom, left to right):

• Cozy Up 15oz sweater mug at Cozy & Rych 
  
  
• Honey Sticks at Amazon (perfect for stirring into tea, comes in several flavors!)
  
  
• Candy Cane Crush Tea at David's Tea
  
  
• OXO Tea Infuser at Amazon
  
  
• Afternoon Tea Candle at Amber & Oak
  
  
• Chocolate Earl Grey Tea at David's Tea
  
  
• Birch Forest 11oz mug at Cozy & Rych

If you want to go even more over the top, throw in a fluffy blanket or fuzzy socks, maybe bake them some cookies and tie them up in a sweet little package. Perfection!

PS - you can totally give this gift to yourself. ;)

Happy Hygge! xo

This post contains a few affiliate links at no cost to you! That means if you click through and make a purchase (specifically at Amazon) I may make a small commission. It's super teeny-tiny, but every little bit helps me support my blog! Grateful for you!! xo

7 Hygge Things To Do This January (plus thoughts on having a focus)

I might be speaking too soon (considering the worst of it usually strikes me in February), but I don't feel my seasonal depression creeping in this year.

I can thank therapy for a lot of that - and, you know, starting an antidepressant and more vitamin D than I ever knew I should be taking. (Spoiler: it's a whole lot.) But I also think it's a bit of renewed purpose and focus.

You know what I kept thinking about after I wrote my last post?

I used to really hype up all these little facets of my life because I was so desperate for direction. I don't know if it's human nature or my ADHD, but I *need* a major focus in my life. One all-consuming thing. That's not to say that I don't still need balance or variety - I do. But without one major driving purpose, I just sort of float around in a sea of too many interests that I'm only 80% in on. When I have a focus, the intentionality of all those other things come into focus.

Does that make sense? 

(This could absolutely be a neurodivergent thing.)

My shop has given me that one purpose - in a way that highlights all the other facets of my life as these beautiful, glittering pieces of joy. It's like I finally baked the cake and now I can add the sprinkles in a beautiful way. Before I just had a big messy tub of sprinkles and I'd spill them constantly.

Weirdly, being more busy, having more work to do has finally highlighted and made the space in my mind and my heart for the things I'm constantly striving to do. 

Each month, as I focus on hygge and my shop and intentionality - on the sprinkles that make up my life while I'm working on perfecting my cake - I want to share a list of the ways I'm sprinkling joy and contentment into my every day.

They're simple - not big, not resolution-y, not unattainable. Just sweet little moments that we can find in these 31 cold days. Want to do them with me?

• Check out this post for some cozy winter decor ideas.
  
  
• Here's a set of different sized snowflake cookie cutters for your cookies.
  
  
• We have some adorable mugs in the shop for your movie night, and this is one of my favorite winter teas - it's perfect for the season!
  
  
• I plan to read this book in January.
  
  
• A spa night for me usually includes a facial, a face mask, and maybe some fresh polish. This is my favorite mask (I mix it with apple cider vinegar) and after-facial moisturizer.
  
  
• New to embroidery? I have some super simple downloadable patterns in the shop! I really like The French Mango, and she has some great beginner tutorials.
  
  
• You can always ask Alexa to play some instrumental jazz, but I love the options on Youtube. Here's a cozy, snowy jazz bookstore one, another one of those, and actually...a third.

Enjoy! xo

This post contains affiliate links at no cost to you! That means if you click through and make a purchase, I will make a small commission. It's really teeny-tiny, but every little bit helps me support this blog! Grateful for you!! xo

An Old Fashioned Tea Party

For years, I've collected vintage plates and platters, tea cups and saucers, and all sorts of pretty little things from thrift stores and garage sales. I've had visions of hosting tea parties with them, and after years of saying I was going to put one together for the spring, I finally did it!

I wanted to plan it for Mother's Day, but my mom and sister were on vacation then, so I scheduled it a couple weeks later. I searched for some authentic recipes and turned them gluten and dairy free, and after shopping for some ingredients and fresh flowers, the prettiest little tea party emerged!

It was meant to be a garden party, so I set up outside near my lilacs and the fence under the canopy of my favorite trees. I set the table with a vintage sheet and my Matilda Jane table runner, and gave each place setting a tea cup and saucer, a few small snack plates, fabric napkins tied up with twine and baby's breath, and a mason jar with pretty paper floral straws.

I had a little dish of buttermints on the table, along with some sugar cookies in the shape of a tea bag (and even tied up with a bit of twine which made them dunk-able just like a tea bag!), as well as a selection of teas, and a crystal pitcher of cucumber water. There was also a cake patiently waiting for us!

For the flowers, I actually just grabbed a bunch from the grocery store that looked the most "tea party" to me! They were so gorgeous...I had a seat directly in front of the big pink gebera daisy and I kept thinking that it was the perfect bouquet for our gathering. I also grabbed a bunch of baby's breath for $3 that I used in decorating the napkins and the cake, and I added some extra to the bouquet as well.

Aren't they so pretty?? I loved them!

Our first course was an assortment of little tea sandwiches. I made a vegan cream cheese and cucumber, egg salad, and pesto and tomato. I cut them each a little differently, held some together with toothpicks, and others I tied up like little packages with chives. We also had some vegan chocolate chip scones with this course, but they didn't make it into any of my photos! I'm not sure how!! My sister did get one with them on their little cake stand, but that's all I've got to share.

We had quite a few little cups of tea with our sandwiches and scones, and soon it was time for the dessert course. In addition to the all-vanilla cake, I also made vegan chocolate covered strawberries. They were the perfect sweet end to our party!

Everything at the tea party was gluten free and dairy free. I also made everything in very small portions, so having 2 or 3 of each thing felt more indulgent without being too large of a serving. Everyone in attendance (my mom, my sister, one of our oldest friends, and myself) try to eat in a health-conscious way, so I wanted everyone to feel like they could indulge without feeling awful about it later!

I think it was a great success - we had great weather for dining outside, the food turned out great, we had time to just relax and have some treats while we chatted, and I loved how all of my collected little pretty things came together to make a beautiful table! I felt a little bit like Grandma Donna...bringing all of my vintage plates together and baking my heart out to have an honest gathering with family!

Here's a few details of where things came from:

Small + Tall Cake Pans: Amazon
Pink Cake Stand: Target's One Spot
Blue Cake Stand: Target's One Spot
Pink Tea Pot: Home Goods
Sugar Bowl: Hearth & Hand from Target
Tea Towel Napkins: Target's One Spot
Table Runner: Matilda Jane
Floral Paper Straws: Amazon
Closeup Teacup + Saucer: Home Goods
Everything else: Thrifted or Handed Down!

*this list contains affiliate links -
thank you so much for your support! xo