How to Make a Cozy Weekend
How to Make a Cozy Weekend
📍 Aurora, New York
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I love a weekend with a full itinerary, but lately I’ve been appreciating the ones that leave a little more room to slow down. Between work, family life, and all of the usual responsibilities, it can be surprisingly difficult to spend a Saturday or Sunday without feeling like I should be doing something productive. And while I don’t think I’ll ever be the person who happily spends an entire weekend doing absolutely nothing, I’ve been trying to find a better balance between making plans and actually enjoying a little downtime.
My recent overnight stay at the Inns of Aurora in the Finger Lakes was a lovely reminder of how much I enjoy the quieter parts of a getaway. I spent the afternoon exploring the property, enjoyed a wine tasting and a wonderful dinner, and ended the evening with cocktails and s’mores by Cayuga Lake. But I also loved the simple moments in between, especially waking up in a beautiful room, putting on my favorite matching set, and enjoying a cup of coffee before starting the day. It inspired me to put together a few of my favorite ways to make any weekend feel a little cozier.
Start the Morning Slowly
I’m naturally an early riser, especially when I’m traveling, but that doesn’t mean I always want to rush into the day. One of my favorite things about staying somewhere beautiful is getting to enjoy the room itself, rather than treating it as simply a place to sleep. At the Inns of Aurora, I loved waking up to the morning light, making coffee, and taking a little time to appreciate the beautiful floral wallpaper and all of the thoughtful details around the room. At home, a slow morning might look a little different, especially with a toddler, but I still try to make time for a proper cup of coffee and a few quiet minutes before the day gets going. Even if it’s only twenty minutes, I find that starting the morning without immediately reaching for my phone or tackling my to-do list makes the entire weekend feel more relaxed.
Get Dressed for Comfort
I am a firm believer that comfortable clothes can still feel special, and a cozy weekend is the perfect excuse to bring out the matching sets, soft cashmere, and favorite slippers. For my stay at Aurora, I packed a chocolate brown knit set from LAKE that was practically made for lounging around a beautiful hotel room with a cup of coffee. I love that it feels a little more put together than an old T-shirt and sweatpants, but is every bit as comfortable. When I’m spending the weekend at home, I also like having a few pieces that make the transition from a lazy morning to a quick coffee run or afternoon walk easy. A good sweater, relaxed trousers, and a pair of comfortable flats can make even the most ordinary weekend plans feel a little more intentional.
Find a Good Book and a Comfortable Spot
One of my favorite ways to spend a weekend afternoon is getting lost in a good book, preferably somewhere with a comfortable chair and a nice view. I tend to pack a book for every trip, even when I know there’s a good chance I won’t get through more than a few chapters. But I like having the option to sit down and read without feeling like I’m missing out on something else. At the Inns of Aurora, there were so many beautiful little corners throughout the historic properties that practically invited you to settle in for an hour. At home, I’m just as happy curled up on the couch with a blanket and a cup of tea. I’ve been making more of an effort to put my phone away when I’m reading, too, which is easier said than done but makes the time feel much more restorative.
Spend a Little Time Outside
I think part of what makes a cozy weekend so enjoyable is the contrast between spending time outdoors and coming back inside to somewhere warm and comfortable. Fall is particularly good for this, when the mornings are crisp, the leaves are changing, and even a short walk can feel like a proper outing. During my stay in Aurora, I spent time wandering around the village and enjoying the views along Cayuga Lake, which was especially beautiful with the early October foliage. At home, I love the idea of heading out for coffee, walking through a favorite neighborhood, or visiting a farmers market before coming back to relax for the afternoon. It doesn’t need to be an elaborate excursion. Sometimes an hour outside is all I need before I’m perfectly happy to spend the rest of the day indoors.
Make Dinner Feel Like an Occasion
Whether we’re traveling or staying home, I love having a good dinner to look forward to. It doesn’t necessarily need to mean an expensive reservation or an elaborate meal, although I certainly enjoy both from time to time. At Aurora, I had dinner at 1833 Kitchen & Bar after an afternoon wine tasting, and I loved being able to get dressed up a little, enjoy a wonderful meal, and take my time without worrying about what came next. At home, the same feeling might come from trying a new recipe, setting the table properly, lighting a few candles, and opening a bottle of wine. I think making dinner feel like an occasion, even on an otherwise ordinary Saturday, is one of the easiest ways to make a weekend memorable.
Create an Evening Ritual
As much as I enjoy going out, I’ve always loved the part of the evening when the plans are finished and it’s time to settle in. At the Inns of Aurora, I ended the night with sunset cocktails by Cayuga Lake and s’mores around the fire, which was such a lovely way to wrap up my stay. At home, my evening ritual usually involves changing into comfortable clothes, lighting a favorite candle, and finding something good to watch or read once Brennan is asleep. Sometimes David and I will have a glass of wine and a little snack, and other nights I’m perfectly happy to head to bed early with a book. I love how a few small routines can make an evening feel special without requiring much planning at all.
Leave a Little Room for Nothing
If there’s one thing I’m trying to get better at, it’s resisting the urge to fill every available hour with plans. I love researching restaurants, finding things to do, and putting together itineraries, but I’ve realized that some of my favorite moments happen when I don’t have anything scheduled. My overnight stay in the Finger Lakes was relatively short, and while I managed to fit quite a bit into my time at the Inns of Aurora, I was grateful for the moments when I could simply sit by the lake or enjoy the property without feeling rushed. I think the same approach works at home, too. Rather than treating the weekend as two days to catch up on everything I didn’t accomplish during the week, I’m trying to leave a little space for whatever sounds good in the moment.
I’ve come to realize that making a weekend feel cozy has very little to do with how much you spend or how far you travel. While I loved every minute of my stay at the Inns of Aurora, the things I appreciated most were also the ones I could easily recreate at home: a slow morning, comfortable clothes, a good book, a little fresh air, and time spent enjoying a meal without rushing through it. As the days get shorter and the weather gets cooler, I’m looking forward to making more room for these little rituals, whether we’re heading off on another weekend adventure or simply enjoying a quiet Saturday at home. Sometimes the best weekends are the ones that give you a chance to enjoy what you already have.
Love from New York,
Katie
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