Valentine Ideas, Hygge Lighting, Flare Denim + More on Today’s Weekend Meanderings

Today on Weekend Meanderings, decorating roll cookies for Valentine’s Day, hygge lighting, a yummy lemon arugula pasta and wide leg denim.

Happy weekend, friends!

It’s Saturday and I’m joining Kim and Elizabeth for Weekend Meanderings.

Our weekly roundup of inspiration and goings on.

This post includes affiliate links for your convenience at no additional cost to you. You can read my full disclosure policy here.

For those participating in Dry January.

Congratulations, you made it through.

Apparently the groundhog saw his shadow.

And that means six more weeks of winter.

But then this.

So I don’t know what to believe.

Are you ready?

Let’s go!

VALENTINE’S DAY INSPIRATION

Earlier in the week I joined up with some bloggers friends to share Valentine’s Day ideas and inspirations. I made Valentine’s Day Cookie Care Packages.

Old fashioned roll cookies packaged to deliver and send to family and friends.

These little Valentine’s already received their special delivery!

 

 

And, Elizabeth made the cutest Valentine’s Day candy favors … how sweet are these?!

ACHIEVING PEAK HYGGE REQUIRES THE RIGHT LIGHTING

In January my informal, virtual book club read The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living written by Meik Wiking, CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen.  Hygge, pronounced ‘hoo-ga’ (I pronounce it ‘hig’) has been trending all over social media for years now. For whatever reason, I paid little attention and dismissed it as a trendy synonym for cozy. Cozy as interpreted by Scandinavians. And while I’m all about cozy, and half Swedish, the Swedish, Norwegian, Danish design aesthetic I often see associated with hygge isn’t one that appeals to me. I’d describe the look as clean, calm, mid-century. Lots of wood tones and soft, neutral colors. It screams Eames lounge chair. For me it feels a bit stark, I need more stuff to feel cozy. I know, I know this aesthetic has wide appeal, and I’m not knocking it … I appreciate its uncluttered, calm simplicity.

 

I enjoyed The Little Book of Hygge very much. It’s light, easy reading and an eye opener in terms of the Danish hygge obsession. One of the things that stood out to me is the emphasis on lighting. You cannot achieve peak hygge without soft, gentle interior lighting created by warm lamps, candle and fire light. Poul Henningsen, the ultimate hygge lighting designer, is discussed in depth in the book. His designs are clean and modern with layered shades meant to diffuse and direct light to create a warm, uniform, glare-free glow. In other words, the most flattering light.

The Little Book of Hygge

 

I may not have known his name, but when I saw his designs they felt very familiar. Especially the PH5 pendant. Take a look.

The PH 5 Pendant, love all the color choices

 

The Artichoke Lamp

 

The PH 3 1/2 – 2 1/2 & PH 3/2 Table Lamps & PH 80 Floor Lamp

 

The lighting is not only flattering, but pricey. Looking good’s not cheap. Here are some less expensive Poul Henningsen-esque options ~

ANOTHER DELICIOUS LEMON PASTA

A couple of weeks ago I shared the best pasta I ever made, Lemon Fettuccini. My friend, Molly in Main, left a comment recommending this recipe for Buttery Lemon Pasta with Almonds and Arugula. I made it this week and it’s delicious! Thanks, Molly.

Did you know you can reheat pasta in a double boiler? If you’ve ever tried reheating creamy, buttery pastas in the microwave, you know it can turn out very oily and greasy. The double boiler is a game changer.

 

NORDSTROM OUTFIT

I was walking through Nordstrom last week and did a double take when I saw this mannequin. This outfit is right in my wheelhouse … I love everything about it. The gray sweater, flare denim and, you can’t see it, woven belt. Can manniquin’s wear shoes? I don’t know, but all this one needs is a pair of clogs to send me into total rapture.

Here’s the belt. Love.

If I were wearing this casual, but fabulous, ensemble I’d throw on my favorite Vince moto jacket. I got lucky several years ago and scored it at ReChic, a favorite local consignment shop. I saw it on their Instagram and ran right in to snap it up. Keeping with the Easter egg color trends discussed last week, what do you think about this small, lavender tote? It comes in this pretty blue too. I love both colors and I’m very tempted. Don’t be alarmed Jim, I’ll leave in my cart for a while so the mood may pass.

Leather Moto | V-Neck Sweater | White Tee | Flare Denim | Woven Belt | Lavender Tote | Black Clogs

I fell in love with these awesome clogs, then read the fine print. They’re sold out. Heartbreak. I love a more classic clog too, like this one and this one. I’m also a huge fan of Dansko’s. I know they’re not for everyone. When I worked in a winery I wore them a lot … great for tromping through the cellar or vineyard and easy on the feet. I thought they looked great with wide leg pants, or straight leg pants, or cropped pants. Like I said, I’m a fan.

These jeans run long. I’m a smidge over 5’4″ and most pants I buy need to be taken up. I still have alteration privileges at Nordstrom. But they’re hanging on by a thread. Did I mention having suffered the indignity of being bumped down a rung in my Nordy Club status? Happy New Year to you too, Nordstrom.

 

ALL THINGS MARTHA

Martha Stewart has a podcast! Well, duh. That seems obvious, right? But it’s relatively new, not even a year old. Anyway, love her or hate her (I love her) she’s an excellent podcast host. One of the best in my limited pod experience. On her latest episode she chats with three Martha super fans, Andrew Ritchie, Bernie Wong and Dennis Landon. It was so much fun to listen and reminisce about the history of Martha’s evolution … these three gentlemen have an encyclopedic knowledge of everything Martha from back in the early days. All three appeared on Martha’s Great American Tag Sale, if you haven’t seen it, it’s really good. Andrew has a well established blog called Martha Moments that celebrates what else, all things Martha. He also hosts a Martha Moments Facebook group and Instagram page. In fact, Bernie and Dennis met through the Facebook group and are now married. They’re an interesting pair, living out their Martha inspired lifestyle while maintaining stressful, full time jobs. Martha raved about Bernie’s Instagram page and how she admires the way he displays his wonderful collections around his home. Martha blogged about the episode here.

I remember purchasing Martha’s first book, Entertaining, in the late 1980’s (it was published in 1982) and spending weekends pouring over it. Then she started a weekly, 30 minute television show filmed at her Turkey Hill home. As I recall it aired on PBS and I was riveted. When she started her talk show I was less interested. With a magazine, hour long TV show, internet businesses, etc. they had so much content to create and I think some things were a little off the rails. I’ve always hoped for a return of her original format, Martha in her own home and she sort of did that during the pandemic with Martha Knows Best. I loved it and hope she’ll do more along those lines. In the meantime, I’m inspired to pull her older books off the shelf and relive the glory days.

So there you have it.

Let’s see what Kim and Elizabeth are up to.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA STYLE

PINECONES AND ACORNS

Odds & Socks ~

Want an organized and clutter free kitchen?! Read this!

Everyone’s favorite Contessa had a health set-back in early January; this week she shared an entertaining recap of her ordeal.

Nann bread is a favorite at our house, this looks like a an amazing recipe.

Thank you for all your comments on last week’s post regarding my quest for a nighttime moisturizer. I ran out of time last night, but next week I’ll compile a list of your recommendations to share. I really loved and appreciated your input!

 

Valentine Gift Ideas ~

 

If you missed the last weekend’s meanderings, you can catch up here.

And follow along for more fun on Instagram and Pinterest.

As always, I appreciate your visit and welcome your thoughts in the comments below.

Cheers from Snowberry!