How to Romanticize Everyday Life: A Cottagecore Mama’s Guide
There’s something magical about slowing down and savoring the beauty of the ordinary. As a Cottagecore mama, I’ve learned that romanticizing everyday life isn’t about extravagance—it’s about seeing the charm in the simple moments, the ones we often overlook in the rush of daily responsibilities. It’s about turning the mundane into something lovely, something that makes you sigh in contentment as you sip your morning tea.
I wasn’t always this way. When I was a young newlywed with a baby on my hip, life felt like an endless cycle of laundry, diaper changes, and trying to make ends meet. But one afternoon, as I stood in my tiny kitchen kneading bread dough, the smell of yeast and flour filling the air, I had a realization. Life wasn’t about waiting for special occasions—it was about making everyday moments feel special. So, I lit a candle, put on my favorite dress (even if it was just me and my little one at home), and played soft French music in the background. That was the moment I truly started living romantically.
Now, I want to help you do the same.
Start with Morning Rituals
Mornings set the tone for the day, so why not make them beautiful? Instead of rolling out of bed and scrolling through your phone, try starting the day with intention.
How I Do It: I wake up before my children, slip into a soft house dress, and make a cup of tea or coffee in one of my favorite thrifted teacups. The warmth in my hands, the floral pattern on the cup, and the quiet stillness of the house—it’s a moment I cherish. In the mornings, when it is sitting weather, I go outside and watch the sunrise. There is something beautiful about sitting on the porch in quiet, feeling the cool air on my skin, and watching the sky change colors. It energizes me for the day ahead.
How You Can Too:
Use a special cup or mug that makes you happy.
Open a window and let in the morning air.
Play classical or folk music to create a peaceful ambiance.
Write in a journal or read a passage from a favorite book.
Dress for the Life You Want
Even if you’re just home with the kids or running errands, wearing something you love can completely transform your mood.
How I Do It: The shift happened when I started having tea parties with my girls. They would twirl around me, giggling, and tell me how much they loved my dresses. Soon, they didn’t want me to wear anything else, and honestly, I didn’t either. I found beautiful, breathable house dresses that made me feel feminine and comfortable. Now, my Hill House Home dresses have become my absolute favorite for everyday wear.
How You Can Too:
Thrift beautiful, high-quality dresses for everyday wear.
Invest in a cozy but elegant cardigan for layering.
Wear perfume, even if no one but you will smell it.
Add small accessories—gold hoop earrings, a dainty necklace, or a silk ribbon in your hair.
Make Mealtimes Special
Food is one of the simplest ways to bring beauty into your life. Instead of rushing through meals, turn them into a sensory experience.
How I Do It: There’s nothing more nostalgic to me than the scent of freshly baked bread wafting through the house. It reminds me of my childhood, of warm kitchens and the comfort of homemade meals. Even if dinner is simple, I set the table with vintage plates, cloth napkins, and candlelight. If I’m making soup, I’ll garnish it with fresh basil (my favorite herb to grow) and serve it with crusty homemade bread.
How You Can Too:
Set the table with intention. Use pretty plates and fabric napkins.
Play soft music while you cook and eat.
Light a candle, even for breakfast.
Garnish food beautifully—a sprinkle of herbs, a drizzle of honey, a dusting of powdered sugar.
Slow Down Household Chores
Chores don’t have to feel like a burden—they can be an act of care for your home and family.
How I Do It: My grandmother taught me how to clean with vinegar, and to this day, I still do. The smell of it instantly transports me back to her home, where she would scrub surfaces until they gleamed. When my husband and I first got married, he absolutely hated the smell of vinegar. I would laugh every time he wrinkled his nose. Now, after all these years, he tolerates it, though I still chuckle when I see him subtly trying to avoid the scent.
How You Can Too:
Turn on music or a favorite podcast while you clean.
Use natural cleaners with essential oils for a fresh, nostalgic scent.
Fold laundry with care—smooth out wrinkles, enjoy the textures.
Open windows while you clean and let in the fresh air.
Find Joy in Simple Pleasures
Romanticizing life is all about indulging in small, beautiful things.
How I Do It: I keep a basket of books in every room so I can steal a few moments of reading throughout the day. I pick fresh flowers from my garden or buy inexpensive bouquets at the market to place around my home. I sip tea in my favorite corner of the house, watching the light change throughout the day.
How You Can Too:
Keep a book nearby and read a few pages whenever you have a moment.
Make your favorite drink and enjoy it without distraction.
Pick wildflowers or display dried lavender in a vase.
Write letters to friends or journal your thoughts.
End the Day with Beauty
How you wind down at night is just as important as how you start the day.
How I Do It: I take a warm shower, slip into a cotton nightgown, and apply rose-scented lotion. Sometimes, I sit on my wrap-around porch, wrapped in a cozy cardigan, sipping herbal tea and reflecting on the day.
How You Can Too:
Light a candle or use soft lighting in the evening.
Wear a pretty nightgown instead of old pajamas.
Drink herbal tea while listening to soft music or reading.
Take a few deep breaths and be present in the moment.
Embracing the Seasons
One of the loveliest ways to romanticize life is to embrace the changing of the seasons. There’s something so comforting about decorating your home with nature’s gifts—fresh flowers in the spring, golden leaves in the fall, and evergreen branches in the winter. I find joy in swapping out linens for something cozier as the air turns crisp, lighting seasonal-scented candles, and baking treats that reflect the time of year. In the fall, I make spiced apple cake with my children, letting them stir the batter while we listen to old folk songs. In the summer, we take our meals outdoors, eating fresh-picked berries on the porch while fireflies dance around us.
How I Do It: I make it a point to mark each season with small, meaningful touches. In spring, I gather wildflowers with my girls and arrange them in vintage pitchers. In summer, I fill a basket with fresh fruit from the market and leave it on the kitchen table as a beautiful, edible centerpiece. Autumn means candlelight dinners with homemade soup, and winter brings cozy knitted blankets draped over every chair.
How You Can Too:
Collect natural elements like leaves, flowers, or pinecones to decorate your home.
Create seasonal traditions, such as baking a special treat or taking an evening walk to admire the changing landscape.
Adjust your wardrobe with the seasons—light cotton dresses in summer, cozy knits in the fall.
Fill your home with scents of the season—lavender in spring, cinnamon in autumn, pine in winter.
Final Thoughts
Romanticizing everyday life isn’t about making things perfect—it’s about making them beautiful in your own way. It’s about shifting your mindset and seeing the magic in small things, whether it’s the scent of freshly baked bread, the softness of a well-loved quilt, or the way sunlight dances on the floor in the late afternoon. Romanticizing life is about seeing the beauty in the everyday. It’s about creating moments of joy, no matter how simple. So today, take a deep breath, look around, and find one small way to make the ordinary feel extraordinary.
This way of living has changed my life, and I hope it can change yours too. So, tell me, what’s one small thing you can do today to bring a little more romance into your everyday life? 💖
Brooke
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I’m Brooke, a homeschool mom with a deep love for French Country elegance and a growing passion for Cottagecore. My journey began with a fascination for the timeless charm of French Country style, and as I embraced the beauty of simplicity, I naturally gravitated towards Cottagecore. Over time, I’ve woven these two aesthetics together, creating a cozy, sustainable home that reflects the best of both worlds. Thank you for joining me on this journey—I can’t wait to share more about the enchanting blend of French Country and Cottagecore living with you!
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