Four Simple Tools to Achieve Hygge

Hygge… that Danish buzzword is exactly what I’m craving this time of year. Simplicity, good company, warmth, coziness.

These hygge favorites of mine are probably pretty basic, but I never said I was complicated… much.

1 Something warm on the stove… or in the Instant Pot.

I’m pretty much the queen of soups, stews and chilis. It takes a lot of practice to be as good as me, but you can strive to achieve my level of soup-tasticness with an instant pot. I was converted last year and I use it at least once a week.

But I also love a good bubbly stew on the stove and for that, I recommend a Staub cast iron pot. Yes, Le Creuset has its adherents and I have a few of their products in my kitchen, but I like to be a little different. And you can even buy little knobs to add flair to your pot! How cute is that?

2. A 100% necessary part of the hygge home is a candle. Now, with all that soup and chili going on in the kitchen, you’ll probably just want to stick with unscented, simple candles from Ikea (shout out to Scandanavia!). But if you want to go with scented, I like a Woodwick candle for that extra-hygge crackle. Or, you might want to splurge on this Tom Ford one. Mostly because I want you to tell me what in the world this smells like.

3. Cashmere Gloves

I get cold, alright? I finally decided to pull the trigger on some cashmere fingerless gloves last winter and it made all the difference for this girl who spends a lot of time typing in a cold house.

But I also really like these. They are very reasonable, they say they’re “cashmere-like” and I like the Claire Randall Fraser thing they got going on.

Just waiting on Jaime Fraser to warm me up…

4. Slippers
What’s more cozy than warm toes-ies? (I couldn’t help myself! Sorry!)

I’m a fan of the classic Minnetonka mocassins and also straight up Smart Wool socks. Very practical and necessary and… dare I say it? Basic.

But what’s not basic? Springing for these.

Maybe Santa will remember that I had a royal romance novel come out this year…

What’s your favorite way to practice hygge? Pie? A roaring fire? A luxe blanket? Let me know!

Winter Beauty Survival Kit

Now that the season of cold and dry air is upon us (winter, I think some of you in more Northern climes call it), I have switched up my beauty routine.  Some of this is year-round, of course. Obviously I moisturize and exfoliate all twelve months of the year. But I do switch out the products and up the frequency because I have hair and skin that can easily get very dry and flaky if I don’t take care of it.

Step 1: Exfoliate!

I have dry-brushed for over a decade and I really can’t stop now, can I? This is one of those things that has suddenly gotten trendy (thanks to GOOP - here’s her instructions) but it’s been a must for me. I don’t know about the benefits to the lymphatic system and all that, but removing dead skin and stimulating collagen production is important to me. 

I use a dry brush before showering and a Salux cloth in the shower.

Step 2: Moisturize!

With a good quality face oil. These are too heavy for summer use in Texas but in winter, my skin loves them.

Some options: Snail cream.

I know. Snails, Lindsay? Really? But they’ve been using this ingredient in Asian skin care for forever and you might be surprised how light and lovely this ampoule is.

Another favorite of mine is Boscia Tsubaki Oil: Another import from Asia, supposedly this ingredient was used by geishas. This is the big gun stuff. A little goes a long way. My bottle is only half way done and I’ve had it for years (but now that my teenager has discovered it, it will probably go faster…. Argh.)

And I haven’t tried it, but I know tons of people love Sunday Riley Face Oil.

Step 3: Feel pretty!

After all the focus on dead skin and snail mucus, one wants to know that it’s all for a good cause. To help me feel good about it all, I tend to switch fragrances in the winter, looking for ones that aren’t too heavy but wear a little closer to the skin than my light, bright summer perfumes.

A long time favorite is Narciso Rodriguez For Her.

I also love wearing a light men’s cologne like Dior Homme in the winter – and it has nothing to do with their ad campaigns. Ahem.

And yes, a perfume by J.Lo makes the list. This one is so cozy and unique, I love it for lazy Sundays: J.Lo Still

Step 4: Hydrate!
With water, peppermint tea, vanilla lattes. Okay. But also your lips. Long time readers will know that I always have a lip balm handy.  My current favorites from the drugstore are the Lip Smacker Kiss Therapy balms (seen below). My favorite French brand of lip balm is Nuxe Reve de Miel, seen below or the perennial favorite, Fresh lip balm.

And those are my winter beauty must-haves. Simple, yet luxurious for cozy days. I’d love to know what your favorites are, too!

URGENT PRESS RELEASE

Per the Palace’s instructions, please do not go to these sites and support the amazing author of this scandalous piece of fiction:

Amazon || BN.Com ||Simon & Schuster || Apple || Amazon UK || Kobo

Best Books to Read Now: October 2018

Is there anything better than a crisp autumn day and an excellent book?

The answer is, NO. There is not. Because autumn is prime reading season, I thought I’d get back to sharing my recommendations of what I’ve read and what is next on my TBR list!

The Phantom Tree by Nicola Cornick

Amazon || Apple Books

The Phantom Tree by Nicola Cornick is a fabulous book for fall. It has everything - Tudor history, a dash of romance, a mystery, and time-travel! I have been recommending this one to a lot of people so if you read it, please let me know how you like it! I’d love to talk about it.

Her Royal Spyness by Rhys Bowen

Amazon || Apple Books

I just realized I recommended this one at the end of the summer, as well. HA! That’s how you know it’s good. Still, as mentioned in my Women With Books episode with Chanel Cleeton (she’s the one who finally got me to start the series), this is really the perfect book to enjoy snuggled up on a dreary day with a hot cup of tea.

Who Thought This Was a Good Idea? by Alyssa Mastromonaco

Amazon || Apple Books

One of the things that gets me to recommend a book is if I cannot get it out of my mind. And this is one of those. No, it’s not a great literary piece or a fast-paced thriller or steamy romance. It’s an easy to read, funny yet thoughtful memoir of one of the most senior White House staffers for President Obama. As we go through yet another divisive political season, I think more of us should read books like this one, that remind us what government (and politics) looks like through an insider’s lens and how it can be used for good. And yes, I think people of all political stripes can find something to enjoy in this one.

TBR PILE!

What’s next on my to-read list? I’ve been saving these two as a reward for when I get my edits done (which should be ANY DAY NOW!!)

The Proposal by Jasmine Guillory

Amazon || Apple Books

My Favorite Half Night Stand - by Christina Lauren

Amazon || Apple Books

So I’ve been anxiously awaiting both of the above, since I interviewed Jasmine (last JANUARY?? Has it been that long???) and C.Lo this summer. (You can find both podcast episodes here: Women With Books.) These authors know how to bring me tears and laughs with their modern romances and I know it will be exactly what I need after I RIP MY HEART OUT (sorry - I meant to say, ‘finish my edits.’)

And of course, I can’t let a “Best Fall Books To Read” blog go by without mentioning that my book, THE ROYAL RUNAWAY has been included in several “best of” lists!

Check these out!
Bookbub’s 18 Best Fall Romances

Get Literary’s Five October Fiction Picks

AND…

In Style’s Ten Books You Won’t Be Able To Put Down This October

 The Royal Runaway!

Amazon : http://amzn.to/2EhFPuz

BN.Com: http://bit.ly/TRRBN

Simon & Schuster: http://bit.ly/RoyalRunaway

Apple : http://bit.ly/TheRoyalRunaway

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2xQNdrl

Kobo: http://bit.ly/TRRKobo

So go on - what are you waiting for? I give you permission to joyfully purchase all the books that will make your heart warm and fluttery this autumn.

Test your Royal IQ!

How Well Do you Know Your Queens (and Future Queens?)

Yes, yes, we all know the BRF (British Royal Family) but there are lots of lovely, intelligent, fierce women in other royal families around the globe.  We’ve been having some fun talking about these royals on my Facebook Page, so I thought I’d do a quiz to test your Royal IQ!

Rules: Each right answer is one point. I’ll give you a picture and the country she currently lives in and you have to guess her name! Keep track of your points and you’ll get your own royal title.

Ready?

1. Queen _____ of Jordan

2. Queen ____ of Bhutan

3. Crown Princess _____ of Norway

I think he’s helping her with her dress but the photo pleases me in every way.

4. Crown Princess _____, Duchess of Vastergotland  of Sweden (Sorry, had to include that extra title in there. What a title!)

Y’all know I love her. She makes wearing a crown look fun.

5. Queen _____ of The  Netherlands

She’s a former journalist!

6. Queen ______ of Spain

7. Princess _____ of Liechtenstein

She has a Masters’ degree!

8. Princess _____ of Japan

She’s an Olympian!

9. Her Serene Highness Princess _____ of Monaco

Extra Credit:

What are the birth nationalities of the Queen of Netherlands (1 point), the Liechtenstein princess (1 point) and HSH Princess of Monaco (1 point).

---

ANSWERS!!!

1.       Queen of Jordan

2.       Queen {Jetsun Pema} of Bhutan

3.       Crown Princess of Norway

4.       Crown Princess , Duchess of Vastergotland  of Sweden (Sorry, had to include that extra title in there. What a title!)

5.       Queen of The  Netherlands

6.       Queen of  Spain

7.       Princess of Liechtenstein

8.       Princess of Japan

9.       Her Serene Highness Princess of Monaco

Extra Credit:
1 point: The Queen of The Netherlands was born in Argentina
1 point: Princess Angela of Liechtenstein was born in Panama
1 point: Her Serene Royal Highness Charlene was born in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe)

Tally them up and get ready for your Coronation!

What did you get?                            

8-12 points = You’re Queen Elizabeth II! You’re the Queen!

4-7 points = You’re the Duchess of Cambridge! Keep working and you’ll get there eventually!

0-3 points = You’re Princess Eugenie! At least you’re on the balcony wearing a pretty dress!