Disclaimer: this post includes affiliate links and links to my shop
On this post:
🍓 Intro: Cozy Day Vlog
Hello, dear friends,
I'm happy to share my latest vlog, where I spend a cozy day at home filled with small comforts that heal the heart: tea, homemade cookies, crafts, heartwarming books and Studio Ghibli movies.
In this episode, I sew a gingham tote bag adorned with ruffles, bake charming strawberry-shaped shortbread cookies, and prepare a delicious tea blend. While making the ruffles for the bag, I noticed my mind was calmer but a few thoughts were still determined to get into my head. So I decided to play Kiki's Delivery Service —one of my favourite Studio Ghibli movies—in the background. I have been trying to find peace and healing through these gentle moments.
🌷 New Products in my Shop
I've launched new seasonal products in my Etsy shop to celebrate the upcoming arrival of spring!
🧵 Sewing a Gingham Tote Bag with Ruffles
I find sewing quite soothing, especially when working on a simple and fulfilling project. For this cozy day, I chose to create a gingham tote bag with charming ruffles that I want to take on spring picnics. I love ruffles just like Anne loved her puffed sleeves!
The process began with cutting the fabric into the right shapes. I found guidance in this video by Sewingly Carol.
I believe crafting, even when you don’t have the skills yet, can ground you and make a tough day a bit brighter.
Making the ruffles took some time, so I played Kiki's Delivery Service in the background to keep my thoughts at ease. Do you like Studio Ghibli movies as well?
I still need to add the lining but since I ran out of energy, that will be a project for another day.
🍓 Baking Strawberry-Shaped Shortbread Cookies
Once the sewing project was (almost) complete, it was time to bake something colourful and cute to enjoy with a warm cup of tea and a beautifully illustrated book.
Inspired by creator Yujung, I decided to shape my cookies like strawberries.
RECIPE
I coloured the dough with beetroot powered for a vibrant pink colour and matcha powder for the green leaves.
🫖 Preparing a Tea Blend for all the Senses
With my tote bag and cookies finished, it was time to prepare a calming tea blend.
I love trying different combinations, and for this cozy day, I settled on a blend of black tea, dried ginger, dried lemon zest and pink rose buds.
Each element brought something special and my cup of tea became a moment of comfort, a little ritual to lift the spirit.
📙 A Quiet Moment To Feel Like a Child Again, Book recommendation
Engaging in creative activities such as sewing, baking, or crafting can spark joy and tranquillity in our lives, even when all we see and feel is darkness. I believe that embracing our inner child can lead to profound healing.
I’ve been reading The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams and so far I’m loving it. However, today I needed something simpler, that comforted my heart and transported me to a fantasy world. So today's pick was A Natural History of Fairies by Emily Hawkins and the talented illustrator Jessica Roux.
By sharing my cozy day on the vlog, I hope to motivate you to create your own gentle moments at home.
Don't forget to explore my Etsy shop for the new seasonal products I've just launched.
Wishing you all a wonderful day.
With love,
Indoora
Comments