Coterie Recommends…

Yes, baking, embroidery and picnics are delightful, but sometimes we all need some time to sit down and relax. Here at Coterie, we have compiled a list of our favourite books, films, tv shows and videogames that fit the cottagecore aesthetic.

Books

We all know the feeling once all the food has been consumed and the late-afternoon sun, and our food-baby, is making us lazy and lethargic. If for once you cannot manage to have your usual p.m. nap, why not pick up a book?

The Secret Garden

The Secret Garden is a classic tale by American author Frances Hodgson Burnett, that was published in 1911. It follows the ten-year-old British girl, Mary Lennox, who is living with her well-to-do family in India. After a tragic cholera epidemic takes the lives of her parents and their servants, Mary is sadly orphaned. She is sent back to England where she moves in with her widowed uncle, Archibald Craven. 

After speaking to the chambermaid, Martha, Mary learns about her late aunt’s secret walled off garden and makes it her mission to find it. After weeks of searching the grounds, Mary follows a robin who directs her towards an old key. She then finds a door in the garden wall that leads her to the secret garden. After taking it upon herself to tend to the garden, Mary notices positive changes within herself.   

Pride and Prejudice 

Pride and Prejudice is a gorgeous romantic classic by Jane Austen, written in 1813. Set in the English countryside, in the early 19th century, it follows the Bennett sisters on their journeys towards marriage, centring on the roller-coaster like relationship between Elizabeth Bennet and wealthy landowner, Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy.  

Heidi

Heidi is another classic novel, written by Joanna Spyri, and published in 1880. The story begins with an orphaned 5-year-old Heidi being taken up to the Swiss Alps by horrible aunt, whom she used to live with. After her aunt finds a new job and can no longer take care of Heidi, she must live with her grandfather – a fierce, bitter and lonely goatherd. Heidi’s innocence and goodness thaw her grandfather’s icy heart, and they come to love their new life together in the mountains. 

Three years later, the aunt returns after finding out that Heidi is being raised without school or religion and demands that she comes back to Frankfurt with her to work as an attendant to wheelchair-bound, Clara Sesemann. Despite enjoying her new job, Heidi misses her grandfather and old life desperately. What happens when homesickness gets too much? 

Films

Despite what Pinterest may want us to believe, the weather is not always on our side, especially when living in the UK. When the rain pours, watering down your wine and making your baguettes soggy, relocate back inside. Whilst warming up, curl up, relax and live out your cottagecore fantasy without even having to step outside.

Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989) 

When the full moon finally shines, young witch Kiki (voiced by a young Kirsten Dunst in the 1998 English dub) leaves home – something that every witch must do when they turn 13-years-old. Along with her magical talking cat Jiji, Kiki hops on her broom and takes a shaky lift off, flying through the night to find her new home. On arrival in a bustling beach town, things aren’t as easy as the sorceress once thought. After befriending the local baker, Osono, who gives her a place to stay in exchange for work, Kiki sets up her own flying delivery service, improving her skill and earning her keep. This coming of age story, by Studio Ghibli, explores the importance of friendship, growing up, kindness and, of course, a little bit of magic. Like with all Ghibli movies, it features a beautiful score by the iconic composer Joe Hisaishi, wonderfully encapsulating the feelings of comfort and enchantment that many associate with this film.

Available on Netflix.

Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)

Fantastic Mr. Fox is a stop-motion film, directed by Wes Anderson, that is based on the book of the same name, by Roald Dahl. It tells the story of the suave and debonair Mr. Fox (voiced by George Clooney) who, in his past, would regularly sneak into the neighbouring human farmer’s henhouses and stealing their chickens for dinner. When he and his wife, Felicity Fox (voiced by Meryl Streep), start a family, Mr. Fox vows to put his thieving days behind him. Twelve ‘fox years’ later, Mr Fox gives into his old animalistic temptations and breaks his promise, joining his friend, Kylie the weasel, on one last chicken heist, endangering not only him but both the lives of his friends and family, as well as his marriage. In typical Anderson fashion, Fantastic Mr Fox is filled with beautiful shots and a wonderfully whimsical soundtrack. The autumnal palette and themes of family, community and resilience in the face of danger, evokes feelings of warmth in all those who watch. 

Available on Amazon Prime Video, YouTube Movies and Google Play. 

Little Women (2019)

Based on the classical literature by Louisa May Alcott, this newest film adaptation, directed by Greta Gerwig, tells the stories of the March sisters. In the years following the American Civil War, the now grown-up sisters have gone their separate ways, dispersing across the world, following their own passions and relationships. When Beth March (Eliza Scanlen) develops a terrible illness, that shows no sign of improvement, the sisters return home to be with her in her final days. Being back in her childhood home, teacher and aspiring writer, Jo March (Saoirse Ronan), reminisces on her life, telling their tales through flashbacks. 

 The star-studded cast includes Emma Watson as the eldest sister Meg, Saoirse Ronan as Jo, Eliza Scanlen as Beth, and Florence Pugh as Amy, the youngest of the March sisters. Timothée Chalamet also features as Laurie, Laura Dern as Marmee March and Meryl Streep as the wealthy Aunt March. 

Available on Amazon Prime Video, YouTube Movies and Google Play

TV Shows

If full feature-length films aren’t your thing, why not switch on Netflix and start a new relaxing series?

Anne With An E

Based on the classic novel Anne Of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery, the Netflix series Anne With An E, explores the adventures of a bold orphan girl named Anne. Follow her as she tries to navigate her life and find a place to call home, in 19th century Canada. 

Available on Netflix 

Bridgerton

Set in regency-era London, Bridgerton tells the story of the noble Bridgerton family. Following the book series by Julia Quinn, season one focuses on the eldest daughter Daphne and her journey towards finding love through the prestigious balls and courting. The show features beautiful and ornate outfits that are juxtaposed with steamy and explicit love scenes. As show runner Chris Van Dusen said, “We’re not making your grandmother’s period piece!”. 

Available on Netflix

The Big Flower Fight

The Big Flower Fight is like The Great British Bake Off meets floristry. This flower arranging competition features established pairs of florists, sculptors and garden designers, in a battle to create the biggest, brightest and best floral sculpture, with a different theme each week. With one pair being sent home after every round, the last standing will have their winning work displayed at London’s Royal Botanic Kew Gardens. 

Available on Netflix

Videogames

Contrary to popular belief, videogames do not have to be a violent, stressful experience. Whilst shooters and sports games are still very popular within the gaming community, a genre of cosy and relaxing games is taking the community by storm. From farming and dating simulators to puzzles and platformers, there is a soothing game out there for everyone. 

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

One of the biggest and most anticipated releases of 2020 was Nintendo’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons, a social simulation game. Fans and first-time players counted down the days until the new release on 20th March 2020. Unlike in the previous games in the franchise, Animal Crossing: New Horizons begins with the player travelling to a deserted island with Tom Nook’s company, Nook Inc. There they are met by two islanders - their new neighbours. The player becomes the Resident Representative and, whilst working alongside the tanuki and his twin nephews, Timmy and Tommy, begins to build the island up from an overgrown tropical isle to a bustling new town. 

Available only for the Nintendo Switch

Stardew Valley

The farming-simulation game, Stardew Valley, was developed in 2016 by ConcernedApe. It gives players the chance to leave their dead-end, and move to Pelican Town, where they can restart their recently passed grandpa’s farm. With a couple of second-hand tools, players must figure out how to build up their farm and earn a living by completing tasks like fishing, mining, raising animals and growing crops. When the Joja Corporation opens up their supermarket in the town, things begin to change. Players must choose whether to go down the path that embraces and encourages the simple way of life of Pelican Town or follow a capitalist’s wet dream and let Joja Corp take over the town.  

Available on Nintendo Switch, Mobile (iOS and Android), Xbox, PS4, PC and Mac (via Steam, GOG.com and HumbleBumble.com)

Calico

Peachy Keen’s December 2020 release gave us Calico. A day in the life social community simulation game, in which the player has inherited their late aunt’s cat café. Set in a magical town filled with a diverse range of animal-human hybrid characters, players must complete tasks for villagers, collect pets, ride around on giant animals and buy clothes and furniture to decorate their avatar, café and bedroom. 

Available on Nintendo Switch, XBOX, and PC and Mac (via Steam, Itch.io and Game Jolt)