Many of us are so excited to welcome the cooler temperatures in the autumn season, especially after exceptionally hot summers. And then of course the holiday season comes around and we enjoy all those festivities. But with along with the Thanksgiving feast and the Christmas trees also comes the dark and cold winter days and nights. To put it simply, after the New Year is here there isn't much to celebrate until spring arrives... unless you're totally down with hygge!

“The Danish hygge lifestyle is all about embracing everything warm and cozy during the cold days of winter. “

To achieve this state of ultimate cozy bliss, it does take some preparation and possibly shopping for a few investment pieces to complete your "hygge kit." Everyone has their own slightly different version of the perfect hygge winter, but there are some staple elements that most of us can agree upon and I've got them all on my list.

Hygge Lifestyle Winter Essentials:

Bedding

In the winter our bed suddenly becomes the favorite spot in the house. There's something about snuggling under the warm blankets with your loved ones that gives all those warm and cozy vibes.

We live in Sacramento where the summer heat is no joke, so for several months out of the year our bed only has a lightweight cotton blanket. But by the time November has arrived, it's time to make the switch to something much more hefty. This year we upgraded our comforter to Buffy's "The Breeze" eucalyptus comforter and our bedroom instantly felt more luxurious. My husband is a hot sleeper and the super-soft eucalyptus shell and fill keep you comfy without overheating. Unlike polyester or down, which trap heat, eucalyptus is naturally breathable and cool-to-the-touch.

Fuzzy Slippers

In my opinion, having cold feet in the winter is putting yourself on the fast track to misery... and possibly even a cold too! The first thing I do every morning is take my dog Holly outside into our yard. Early winter mornings are a cold affair and my summer flip flops aren't doing me any favors. Enter my shearling slides, so easy to slip on quickly and so warm and cozy! I love the dusty pink color and shearling details, I pretty much wear them around the house all day. A favorite pair of slippers is the best way to enhance your hygge living!

That Perfect Mug

Whether you're a coffee or tea drinker, there's something special about having your favorite mug every morning. Your morning cup of caffeine is just not the same without it. Etsy is one of my favorite online destinations for finding that perfect mug, and I've curated a whole collection of my top hygge picks.

Tea Blends

I am a big tea drinker and I especially love all the handcrafted artisan blends you can find on Etsy. The herbal aromas of tea really lifts my spirits and awakens my senses.

Style Winter Outfits with a Scarf

As much as we love to be hygge inside our homes in the winter, the truth is that on most days we have to outside and face the cold winter. Take your warm and cozy on the go with that perfect scarf. I personally prefer infinity scarves made of thick and chunky knits.

Essential Oils

No matter what time of year it is, there's an essential oil blend that will perfectly fit the occasion. The scents of cinnamon, clove and peppermint really make you feel those warm and cozy hygge vibes. If you're new to essential oils, see my complete beginner's guide to using essential oils.

Sweaters & Sweatshirts

It's all about wearing layers on cold days, and the easiest layer to put on is your favorite sweatshirt. You can forget about those old raggedy sweatshirts that never leave your house. The online catalogues at Old Navy and Gap are filled with super cute styles that you can totally wear in public without judgment.

Skin Moisturizer

The first sign of the weather changing is dry skin, both on your face and body. I have tried out many skincare products that claim to treat dry skin, but my favorites are always from Burt’s Bees, Beautycounter and Honest Company. Year after year I use these clean makeup and skincare products to bring my dry skin back to life. I pair it with the Thayer’s Witch Hazel Facial Mist, these two are a dynamic duo.

Burt's Bees also carries the Nourishing Baby Oil which I use for both mine and my daughter's skin. After becoming a mama, I discovered that baby skincare products are also awesome for my own skin.

Board Games

If you live in California you've most likely been experiencing your fair share of power outages, and there's a good chance there's more to come in the future. I personally like to use it as an opportunity to unplug from technology and go old school by spending quality time with my friends and family by playing board games.

Scrabble is the original version of the popular app Words with Friends and is personally my favorite board game. This tip is also very helpful for times when you go off the grid camping and you've got no wifi or cell signal.

10 Easy Ideas To Add Hygge Into Your Winter Season

Fireplace and Candles

When we bought our fixer-upper home in Sacramento, it came with a broken fireplace. One of our first renovation projects was to get it up and running, and we actually successfully installed a working gas fireplace. Not only are the glowing flames a pretty sight, it actually does a great job of heating up our living room.

For those in homes that are without a fireplace, both real and faux candles also do a great job of setting that hygge mood. If you're in a household with small children, flameless candles are totally safe and still very stylish to complement your holiday decor.