📖 🕯️Making a Reading Nook | Cozy Autumn Story | Relax into Fall Bedtime

1
00:00:02,000 --> 00:00:07,510
Welcome to The Slow Life.
I'm Jennifer Vino and I create,

2
00:00:07,560 --> 00:00:11,970
narrate and design the
soundscape of this village of

3
00:00:11,980 --> 00:00:15,730
cosy stories to relax and
unwind.

4
00:00:16,770 --> 00:00:20,140
Each week I share an original
story.

5
00:00:20,230 --> 00:00:25,280
Read 2 times so you can relax
even more during the second

6
00:00:25,290 --> 00:00:28,960
reading.
I'm happy to announce my

7
00:00:28,970 --> 00:00:36,180
website, theslowlife.ca.
It provides a space where we can

8
00:00:36,190 --> 00:00:40,550
connect and I can bring you all
things cozy.

9
00:00:42,960 --> 00:00:47,600
Let's settle in with some easy
breathing at your own pace.

10
00:00:48,700 --> 00:00:53,770
With each inhale, let fresh air
fill the space around your

11
00:00:53,780 --> 00:00:58,760
heart.
With each exhale, feel the calm

12
00:00:58,770 --> 00:01:04,360
air spread through your body and
flow out through your arms and

13
00:01:04,370 --> 00:01:12,630
legs, gently in through your
heart, gently out through your

14
00:01:12,640 --> 00:01:18,260
body.
And now let's begin.

15
00:01:21,360 --> 00:01:26,530
This story is called Making a
Reading Nook, and it's about

16
00:01:26,540 --> 00:01:32,870
arranging things just so
paperbacks and novels and being

17
00:01:32,880 --> 00:01:41,090
on a retreat in your own home.
Fall is in the air and on my

18
00:01:41,100 --> 00:01:44,500
mind as I make my way through
the aisles.

19
00:01:45,330 --> 00:01:49,840
Shelves are lined with textures
that belong to cooler days.

20
00:01:50,540 --> 00:01:57,320
Velvets, knits, woven plaids,
pumpkins and leaves appear in

21
00:01:57,330 --> 00:02:01,240
patterns.
Burnt orange and deep green are

22
00:02:01,250 --> 00:02:04,690
mixed with toasted almond and
Maple cream.

23
00:02:06,170 --> 00:02:12,280
I choose a few accent pillows,
soft and richly coloured enough

24
00:02:12,290 --> 00:02:16,090
to set the tone for the project
that's waiting at home.

25
00:02:18,020 --> 00:02:23,450
The bags are full but light as I
carry them to the car, and a

26
00:02:23,460 --> 00:02:28,610
flicker of excitement makes me
bounce a bit after I slide into

27
00:02:28,620 --> 00:02:33,590
my seat.
Finally, the bow window area

28
00:02:33,600 --> 00:02:37,610
upstairs will be given the
makeover it deserves.

29
00:02:39,090 --> 00:02:44,340
When I step into the house, I
set the bags down, lower my

30
00:02:44,350 --> 00:02:48,720
shoulders and remind myself I'm
not in any rush.

31
00:02:50,150 --> 00:02:54,400
I have a drink of water and the
rest of the apple cinnamon

32
00:02:54,410 --> 00:02:57,160
smoothie.
I'd blend it up this morning.

33
00:02:58,780 --> 00:03:03,830
Satisfied that I'm taking my
time, I gather the bags and head

34
00:03:03,840 --> 00:03:07,880
upstairs.
The windows at the end of the

35
00:03:07,890 --> 00:03:13,340
hall showcase the steady
afternoon light across the floor

36
00:03:13,410 --> 00:03:17,860
and the rug.
My chair already sits there,

37
00:03:17,910 --> 00:03:22,340
plush and inviting, angled
towards the outdoors.

38
00:03:23,360 --> 00:03:28,670
Until now, though, the area has
felt unfinished, more like a

39
00:03:28,680 --> 00:03:32,610
place set up for decoration than
a place to hang out.

40
00:03:34,090 --> 00:03:38,340
That will change today.
When I finish making it into my

41
00:03:38,350 --> 00:03:43,460
cozy reading nook.
I pull the new pillows from

42
00:03:43,470 --> 00:03:48,300
their bags, a coppery brown,
almost cashmere feeling.

43
00:03:48,310 --> 00:03:53,920
One goes on to the seat.
Another, a chunky cream knit,

44
00:03:54,020 --> 00:03:59,940
softens the back. 1/3 patterned
with scattered leaves on brushed

45
00:03:59,950 --> 00:04:06,750
cotton rests against the arm.
I arrange, adjust and shift them

46
00:04:06,760 --> 00:04:10,720
again until the colours mingle
in the perfect way.

47
00:04:12,230 --> 00:04:16,800
The plain chair is now more
inviting with depth and warmth.

48
00:04:18,320 --> 00:04:22,900
From the hall closet that I
secretly called the linen chest,

49
00:04:23,340 --> 00:04:25,940
I bring out a heavier throw
blanket.

50
00:04:26,420 --> 00:04:31,190
It's thick and the top side is
so soft that it's almost

51
00:04:31,200 --> 00:04:37,190
undetectable to the touch.
I folded over the armrest with

52
00:04:37,200 --> 00:04:43,980
its end draped onto the rug.
Another blanket in Plaid I drape

53
00:04:43,990 --> 00:04:50,320
casually across the back.
Beside the chair I set a small

54
00:04:50,330 --> 00:04:55,980
cherry wood table and place a
candle on it, the glass jar

55
00:04:55,990 --> 00:05:00,170
catching the sun, making it look
as though it's already lit.

56
00:05:01,230 --> 00:05:06,280
I don't light it yet but already
I can imagine the evenings when

57
00:05:06,290 --> 00:05:09,100
it's flame and scent will fill
the space.

58
00:05:10,600 --> 00:05:15,230
There's a floor lamp standing in
the right spot, but I find out

59
00:05:15,240 --> 00:05:21,120
the bulb needs changing and take
care of that against the wall.

60
00:05:21,130 --> 00:05:25,240
I arrange a short bookshelf I'd
bought at a yard sale this

61
00:05:25,250 --> 00:05:30,580
summer, filling it with a few
novels, some paper bags that

62
00:05:30,590 --> 00:05:35,540
I'll read once and pass on to
others, and the journal I turned

63
00:05:35,550 --> 00:05:42,350
to when the mood sets in.
I add a few more plush cushions

64
00:05:42,360 --> 00:05:47,430
to the extra wide window sill
and against the wall, giving the

65
00:05:47,440 --> 00:05:52,610
corner extra softness.
Fabrics layer against each

66
00:05:52,620 --> 00:05:57,750
other, smooth cotton, thick wool
and fuzzy velveteen.

67
00:05:58,620 --> 00:06:02,790
The Nook has really come
together, not cluttered, but

68
00:06:02,800 --> 00:06:08,190
welcoming as a nest.
Each piece contributes, just as

69
00:06:08,200 --> 00:06:13,320
I'd imagined.
I paused to look out the window.

70
00:06:13,740 --> 00:06:18,530
The trees have just begun their
shift into autumn, their green

71
00:06:18,540 --> 00:06:22,300
leaves showing faint touches of
yellow and red.

72
00:06:24,130 --> 00:06:28,830
September's magic hour is
spilling in across the chair,

73
00:06:29,050 --> 00:06:33,420
soaking into the folds of fabric
and making them glow.

74
00:06:34,890 --> 00:06:40,520
The Nook seems ready now, eager
for use, and I'm absolutely

75
00:06:40,530 --> 00:06:44,740
going to oblige.
But first, some finishing

76
00:06:44,750 --> 00:06:48,190
touches.
The kittens have a soft bed

77
00:06:48,200 --> 00:06:53,580
downstairs that they actually
use, so I bought a second and I

78
00:06:53,590 --> 00:06:57,400
place it now in front of the
bookshelf within the space.

79
00:06:58,820 --> 00:07:03,510
Another candle will fit on top
of the shelf, along with some

80
00:07:03,520 --> 00:07:07,660
crocheted pumpkins, a gift from
a talented friend.

81
00:07:09,210 --> 00:07:13,320
Down in the kitchen, I heat some
almond milk on the stove.

82
00:07:13,570 --> 00:07:18,520
I take my time pouring it into a
generous mug that holds the

83
00:07:18,530 --> 00:07:24,270
chewy mix I've already added.
The heat releases the fragrance

84
00:07:24,280 --> 00:07:28,070
even more, sending it upwards in
the steam.

85
00:07:29,630 --> 00:07:34,820
It takes both hands to lift and
I carry it upstairs, down the

86
00:07:34,830 --> 00:07:38,370
hall and into the mellow space
I've created.

87
00:07:39,810 --> 00:07:44,440
Two furry folks have found their
new spot and look up, as if

88
00:07:44,450 --> 00:07:47,290
wondering why I'm not already
settled in.

89
00:07:48,960 --> 00:07:53,330
I set down my bowl of a mug and
light the candles.

90
00:07:53,400 --> 00:07:58,760
Almost unreachable style.
A couple of choices for books

91
00:07:58,830 --> 00:08:05,260
within close reach of my chair.
I rearrange pillows again,

92
00:08:05,610 --> 00:08:10,600
choosing the right ones for
behind my back, under my arms,

93
00:08:10,670 --> 00:08:15,800
and one for my lap.
The first moment of sitting in

94
00:08:15,810 --> 00:08:21,820
the chair is transformative.
I sink into softness, my back

95
00:08:21,830 --> 00:08:25,420
propped up to my liking, my legs
pulled up.

96
00:08:25,430 --> 00:08:31,920
For now, I lay the softest throw
across my legs under the softest

97
00:08:31,930 --> 00:08:38,039
of the pillows, all tucked in,
knowing the tea is too hot for

98
00:08:38,049 --> 00:08:41,620
me just yet.
I still bring the drink to my

99
00:08:41,630 --> 00:08:47,850
mouth, just feeling the heat.
It breathes autumn into me, as

100
00:08:47,860 --> 00:08:54,030
this scent always has.
I open a book and let the pages

101
00:08:54,040 --> 00:08:59,320
fall into place.
The comedians personal stories

102
00:08:59,370 --> 00:09:04,920
bring me into her world.
Off the stage and screen, she's

103
00:09:04,930 --> 00:09:09,300
always made me laugh with her
getups and antics and

104
00:09:09,310 --> 00:09:13,520
interactions with others
talented enough to join her on

105
00:09:13,530 --> 00:09:18,510
her show.
After reading for some time, I

106
00:09:18,520 --> 00:09:23,270
can tell that hours will pass.
Sitting here without noticing

107
00:09:23,280 --> 00:09:29,180
time at all, I imagine mornings
with my journal and pen,

108
00:09:29,630 --> 00:09:34,740
afternoons and evenings with
novels, always a cup of hot

109
00:09:34,750 --> 00:09:39,800
something beside me.
September always seems to

110
00:09:39,810 --> 00:09:44,630
inspire transitions.
Days in this month can carry

111
00:09:44,640 --> 00:09:49,150
both the brightness of summer
and the shelter of autumn.

112
00:09:50,630 --> 00:09:56,760
Creating this new area to feel
at home in my own home was just

113
00:09:56,770 --> 00:10:02,120
what today called for.
This reading nook is my retreat,

114
00:10:02,570 --> 00:10:08,360
my haven, a place that exists
now for comfort and stillness at

115
00:10:08,370 --> 00:10:20,810
any time of day.
Making a reading nook fall is in

116
00:10:20,820 --> 00:10:25,700
the air and on my mind as I make
my way through the aisles.

117
00:10:26,540 --> 00:10:31,040
Shelves are lined with textures
that belong to cooler days.

118
00:10:31,740 --> 00:10:38,510
Velvets, knits, woven plaids,
pumpkins and leaves appear in

119
00:10:38,520 --> 00:10:42,430
patterns.
Burnt orange and deep green are

120
00:10:42,440 --> 00:10:45,880
mixed with toasted almond and
Maple cream.

121
00:10:47,370 --> 00:10:53,480
I choose a few accent pillows,
soft and richly coloured enough

122
00:10:53,490 --> 00:10:57,280
to set the tone for the project
that's waiting at home.

123
00:10:59,220 --> 00:11:04,650
The bags are full but light as I
carry them to the car, and a

124
00:11:04,660 --> 00:11:09,810
flicker of excitement makes me
bounce a bit after I slide into

125
00:11:09,820 --> 00:11:14,780
my seat.
Finally, the bow window area

126
00:11:14,790 --> 00:11:18,810
upstairs will be given the
makeover it deserves.

127
00:11:20,280 --> 00:11:25,530
When I step into the house, I
set the bags down, lower my

128
00:11:25,540 --> 00:11:29,920
shoulders and remind myself I'm
not in any rush.

129
00:11:31,350 --> 00:11:35,600
I have a drink of water and the
rest of the apple cinnamon

130
00:11:35,610 --> 00:11:38,350
smoothie.
I'd blend it up this morning.

131
00:11:39,990 --> 00:11:45,040
Satisfied that I'm taking my
time, I gather the bags and head

132
00:11:45,050 --> 00:11:49,080
upstairs.
The windows at the end of the

133
00:11:49,090 --> 00:11:54,540
hall showcase the steady
afternoon light across the floor

134
00:11:54,610 --> 00:11:59,070
and the rug.
My chair already sits there,

135
00:11:59,120 --> 00:12:03,540
plush and inviting, angled
towards the outdoors.

136
00:12:04,560 --> 00:12:09,870
Until now, though, the area has
felt unfinished, more like a

137
00:12:09,880 --> 00:12:13,810
place set up for decoration than
a place to hang out.

138
00:12:15,280 --> 00:12:19,530
That will change today.
When I finish making it into my

139
00:12:19,540 --> 00:12:24,660
cozy reading nook.
I pull the new pillows from

140
00:12:24,670 --> 00:12:29,500
their bags, a coppery brown,
almost cashmere feeling.

141
00:12:29,510 --> 00:12:35,140
One goes on to the seat.
Another, a chunky cream knit,

142
00:12:35,230 --> 00:12:41,150
softens the back. 1/3 patterned
with scattered leaves on brushed

143
00:12:41,160 --> 00:12:47,940
cotton rests against the arm.
I arrange, adjust and shift them

144
00:12:47,950 --> 00:12:51,920
again until the colours mingle
in the perfect way.

145
00:12:53,430 --> 00:12:58,010
The plain chair is now more
inviting with depth and warmth.

146
00:12:59,520 --> 00:13:04,090
From the hall closet that I
secretly called the linen chest,

147
00:13:04,540 --> 00:13:07,150
I bring out a heavier throw
blanket.

148
00:13:07,620 --> 00:13:12,390
It's thick and the top side is
so soft that it's almost

149
00:13:12,400 --> 00:13:18,390
undetectable to the touch.
I folded over the armrest with

150
00:13:18,400 --> 00:13:25,180
its end draped onto the rug.
Another blanket in Plaid I drape

151
00:13:25,190 --> 00:13:31,520
casually across the back.
Beside the chair I set a small

152
00:13:31,530 --> 00:13:37,180
cherry wood table and place a
candle on it, the glass jar

153
00:13:37,190 --> 00:13:41,380
catching the sun, making it look
as though it's already lit.

154
00:13:42,410 --> 00:13:47,460
I don't light it yet but already
I can imagine the evenings when

155
00:13:47,470 --> 00:13:50,300
it's flame and scent will fill
the space.

156
00:13:51,800 --> 00:13:56,430
There's a floor lamp standing in
the right spot, but I find out

157
00:13:56,440 --> 00:14:02,310
the bulb needs changing and take
care of that against the wall.

158
00:14:02,320 --> 00:14:06,450
I arrange a short bookshelf I'd
bought at a yard sale this

159
00:14:06,460 --> 00:14:11,770
summer, filling it with a few
novels, some paper bags that

160
00:14:11,780 --> 00:14:16,740
I'll read once and pass on to
others, and the journal I turned

161
00:14:16,750 --> 00:14:23,550
to when the mood sets in.
I add a few more plush cushions

162
00:14:23,560 --> 00:14:28,620
to the extra wide window sill
and against the wall, giving the

163
00:14:28,630 --> 00:14:33,810
corner extra softness.
Fabrics layer against each

164
00:14:33,820 --> 00:14:38,940
other, smooth cotton, thick wool
and fuzzy velveteen.

165
00:14:39,820 --> 00:14:43,990
The Nook has really come
together, not cluttered, but

166
00:14:44,000 --> 00:14:49,390
welcoming as a nest.
Each piece contributes, just as

167
00:14:49,400 --> 00:14:54,510
I'd imagined.
I paused to look out the window.

168
00:14:54,940 --> 00:14:59,730
The trees have just begun their
shift into autumn, their green

169
00:14:59,740 --> 00:15:03,490
leaves showing faint touches of
yellow and red.

170
00:15:05,340 --> 00:15:10,030
September's magic hour is
spilling in across the chair,

171
00:15:10,260 --> 00:15:14,620
soaking into the folds of fabric
and making them glow.

172
00:15:16,090 --> 00:15:21,720
The Nook seems ready now, eager
for use, and I'm absolutely

173
00:15:21,730 --> 00:15:25,940
going to oblige.
But first, some finishing

174
00:15:25,950 --> 00:15:29,390
touches.
The kittens have a soft bed

175
00:15:29,400 --> 00:15:34,760
downstairs that they actually
use, so I bought a second and I

176
00:15:34,770 --> 00:15:38,600
place it now in front of the
bookshelf within the space.

177
00:15:40,020 --> 00:15:44,710
Another candle will fit on top
of the shelf, along with some

178
00:15:44,720 --> 00:15:48,850
crocheted pumpkins, a gift from
a talented friend.

179
00:15:50,410 --> 00:15:54,510
Down in the kitchen, I heat some
almond milk on the stove.

180
00:15:54,770 --> 00:15:59,720
I take my time pouring it into a
generous mug that holds the

181
00:15:59,730 --> 00:16:05,470
chewy mix I've already added.
The heat releases the fragrance

182
00:16:05,480 --> 00:16:09,260
even more, sending it upwards in
the steam.

183
00:16:10,840 --> 00:16:16,010
It takes both hands to lift and
I carry it upstairs, down the

184
00:16:16,020 --> 00:16:19,570
hall and into the mellow space
I've created.

185
00:16:20,990 --> 00:16:25,640
Two furry folks have found their
new spot and look up, as if

186
00:16:25,650 --> 00:16:28,500
wondering why I'm not already
settled in.

187
00:16:30,160 --> 00:16:34,530
I set down my bowl of a mug and
light the candles.

188
00:16:34,590 --> 00:16:39,950
Almost unreachable style.
A couple of choices for books

189
00:16:40,020 --> 00:16:46,460
within close reach of my chair.
I rearrange pillows again,

190
00:16:46,810 --> 00:16:51,800
choosing the right ones for
behind my back, under my arms,

191
00:16:51,870 --> 00:16:57,000
and one for my lap.
The first moment of sitting in

192
00:16:57,010 --> 00:17:03,020
the chair is transformative.
I sink into softness, my back

193
00:17:03,030 --> 00:17:06,599
propped up to my liking, my legs
pulled up.

194
00:17:06,609 --> 00:17:13,109
For now, I lay the softest throw
across my legs under the softest

195
00:17:13,119 --> 00:17:19,220
of the pillows, all tucked in,
knowing the tea is too hot for

196
00:17:19,230 --> 00:17:22,819
me just yet.
I still bring the drink to my

197
00:17:22,829 --> 00:17:29,040
mouth, just feeling the heat.
It breathes autumn into me, as

198
00:17:29,050 --> 00:17:35,220
this scent always has.
I open a book and let the pages

199
00:17:35,230 --> 00:17:40,510
fall into place.
The comedians personal stories

200
00:17:40,560 --> 00:17:46,120
bring me into her world.
Off the stage and screen, she's

201
00:17:46,130 --> 00:17:50,500
always made me laugh with her
getups and antics and

202
00:17:50,510 --> 00:17:54,720
interactions with others
talented enough to join her on

203
00:17:54,730 --> 00:17:59,700
her show.
After reading for some time, I

204
00:17:59,710 --> 00:18:04,480
can tell that hours will pass.
Sitting here without noticing

205
00:18:04,490 --> 00:18:10,390
time at all, I imagine mornings
with my journal and pen,

206
00:18:10,840 --> 00:18:15,930
afternoons and evenings with
novels, always a cup of hot

207
00:18:15,940 --> 00:18:21,000
something beside me.
September always seems to

208
00:18:21,010 --> 00:18:25,820
inspire transitions.
Days in this month can carry

209
00:18:25,830 --> 00:18:30,350
both the brightness of summer
and the shelter of autumn.

210
00:18:31,830 --> 00:18:37,960
Creating this new area to feel
at home in my own home was just

211
00:18:37,970 --> 00:18:43,310
what today called for.
This reading nook is my retreat,

212
00:18:43,760 --> 00:18:49,550
my haven, a place that exists
now for comfort and stillness at

213
00:18:49,560 --> 00:18:55,860
any time of day.
I wish you sweet dreams.