Cozy Comforts and Frugal Luxuries

"There is nothing like staying home for real comfort" 

~Jane Austen

Many people confuse luxury with opulence.  To understand luxury we must look at the true sense of the word.  The American Heritage Dictionary defines luxury as "something conducive to pleasure and comfort" so...to indulge in true luxury you need only to focus on what brings you pleasure and comfort.   

Does luxury have to mean diamonds and servants...or can it be a plump down comforter on a cold night...or a bowl of wild blueberries picked at the peak of that fruits' brief season?

Thoreau wisely stated, "I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by a conscious endeavor."  At this time of year cold winds are blowing. The prospect of venturing away from home and hearth is less than appealing, yet, it is the ideal season to cultivate cozy comforts and frugal luxuries. 

During cool weather I like to create strategic comfort by arranging furniture (comfy chairs, specifically) away from drafty windows to create cozy corners.  These spaces are ideal for nestling into with a good book...a cup of tea...and a luxurious (definitely not frugal) cashmere throw like this ...it's very similar to one I inherited from my great aunt Evelyn several years ago.  I don't need to tell you that this is definitely an investment piece.  That being said, perhaps I should point out again, it will last a lifetime...or two.  

Note: If the budget doesn't allow for a new cashmere blanket/throw you might put "cashmere throw" on your tag sale, thrift shopping list.  

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Another cozy comfort we appreciate even more in winter is the soft glow of basic candlelight to warm a dark day or brighten an ordinary evening.  For weekends and more special occasions we enjoy a well crafted candle with soothing scents such as the delicious smelling Fireside candle from Parachute Home  (these make a perfect addition to the gift pantry).

If you've never experienced the wonder of wearing woolly socks during the winter then you are in for a treat.  In fact, every time the weather turns cool I invoke their magical properties. Wool is an excellent insulator and keeps your feet warm and toasty and retains its insulating properties even while wet.  Wool can absorb sufficient amounts of moisture (a third of its weight) before it feels wet and it dries much faster than cotton or synthetics. Finally, wool fibers are naturally anti~bacterial and thus odor resistant.  So yes... truly kind of magical and... such a cozy comfort during the cold season.  

While there are many individual definitions of comfort and luxury I'll never be convinced that these simple pleasures do not truly define the words.

Sending love and good thoughts as always.