cozy

As promised, I'm back with my personal list of cold weather essentials, inspired by yesterday's story of Ollie and his cozy little nest. It's not a lot, and really nothing extravagant, but these are the things that make me feel super cozy: 

{1} Once, while staying at a friend's house, I found myself burrowing under the comforter to find the label on the guest bed blanket- That's how wonderful this blanket is. I'm not kidding. We now own several. I'm thinking of getting more.

{Shabby Chic Blanket- Target}

{2} You didn't think that Ollie was the only one who loves sweats, did you? It's genetic, I guess. GapBody makes the softest pants eva.

{GapBody Sweats}

{3} I've worn rag wool socks since high school. They are so thick they feel like slippers, but without the hard sole to bug you when you're all curled up.

{RagWool Camp Sock- LLBean}

{4 & 5} The thing I miss most during pregnancy is my morning pot of coffee. (No typo there, if you're wondering) But even when I am allowed to drink coffee, there's something about tea that feels a little more special and ceremonious. These Anthropologie mugs make me feel like I'm living the straight up Downton Abbey life, yo. And fyi,  I'm an Earl Grey girl, all the way.

{Teacup- Anthropologie}

{Earl Grey Tea}

{6} On those really cold days, like ones where you've come in from a rain storm and just can't get the chill out, heating one of these babies up in the microwave for a couple of minutes is just the remedy. (Also awesome when you have sinus infections too.)

{Buckwheat Heating Pad}

{7} I was trying to come up with the coziest recipe I know, and (while I have several comfort food recipes) this was what I ended up. It's super quick, super easy, and just really damn good.

Chicken & Corn Pot Pie

(From the Real Simple, April 2010 edition)

• 1 Rotisserie Chicken, meat shredded
• 2 14.5 oz cans Corn Chowder (I prefer Wolfgang Puck Organic Corn Chowder, found in the Organice/Natural section of the market)
• 1 cup Frozen Peas
• 1 cup Frozen Corn Kernels
• 1 tsp. Thyme
• 1/4 tsp each Salt & Pepper
• 1 sheet Frozen Puff Pastry, thawed

~ Heat oven to 400. In a large bowl, combine chicken, chowders, peas, corn thyme, salt and pepper. Transfer to a shallow 2-qt. (or 8-inch square) baking dish.

~ Lay the pastry on top of the dish, trim to fit, and cut vents on top. (Sometimes I cut out little shapes with a cookie cutter before laying it on top)

~ Bake 25-30 minutes, or until mixture is bubbly and pastry is golden brown.


So that's it! I wish I didn't have so many things to do today or I'd go collect my stash right now, turn on the 'Flix and get my cozy on. But... It's food shopping day, boo. (I am in the mood for Chicken & Corn Pot Pie now, though, so at least I can pick up the fixings for it!)

So, what's on your cozy list?