Simple Matters: A Scandinavian's Approach to Work, Home, and Style

by Jenny Mustard

Simplify your home, health, and lifestyle with the help of Scandinavian minimalist sensation, Jenny Mustard. In a beautiful collection of essays, Simple Matters challenges readers to simplify their life by prioritizing emotional and physical health, curating a personal style, and pursuing one’s dreams. Jenny Mustard has created a unique lifestyle book that taps into the ever-increasing human longing for less clutter and more meaning, be it at home, at work, or in our relationships. By encouraging readers to make their surroundings a little more lovely, to simplify eating habits and wardrobe, to travel with purpose and ease, and to discover what they truly want to dream about and focus on, Jenny provides the inspiration to curate one’s everyday life into something simple, realistic, and utterly enjoyable. Simultaneously inspirational and aspirational, Jenny’s content is positive, personal, and inclusive―42 essays cover everything from simple kitchen staples, the art of the travel plan, indulgent eating, addiction, failure as a road to success, the makings of a happy relationship, the red thread, building a career, and the Scandinavian way at home.

Genres: Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Design, Essays, Scandinavian Literature, Sweden

176 pages, Hardcover

First published September 4, 2018

About the author

Jenny Mustard is a writer and content creator, born in Sweden but living in London.
Jenny and her work have featured in the Observer, the Independent, Vogue, Stylist, the Evening Standard and elsewhere. She has over 600k followers, and more than 50 million views on YouTube.

Her acclaimed debut novel, OKAY DAYS, was published in 2023 and her work has been translated to ten languages. Her second novel, WHAT A TIME TO BE ALIVE, a New York Times Editors' Choice, was published in spring 2025.

Reviews

[Raya Sun · Rating 2 out of 5]

Have you ever stood in a circle of people conversing in which others were deeply involved, and you just stood there, feeling ignored?

That's what reading this book felt like to me.

I don't think I'm the right demographic for this book.

I was looking for more detailed information about the Scandinavian lifestyle, but found very little.

The pictures are lovely.

I think if you are familiar with the author, and are a fan of Mustard, and follow her blog, or YouTube channels, this could be a very satisfying book.

However, as an outsider, knowing nothing of Mustard, she offers minimal insight into the Scandinavian lifestyle, and if I am honest, comes across as self-absorbed.

[Alisa Cupcakeland · Rating 1 out of 5]

I almost gave it two stars, only because I used to love Jenny Mustard's videos. The old ones in which she would talk about minimalism and her favorite things. Now everytime I look at her channel and she talks about clothing, and closet essentials and beauty diet (I'm not kidding) it makes me sad because I really used to love her content and my ideal appartment probably looks like the one that Jenny has.

The title of the book is misleading. Yes, Jenny is a scandie but that's not enough to say that your book will focus on "A Scandinavian's Approach to Work, Home, and Style" because truly it doesn't. If you are looking for something in that direction I'd recommend the books written by Meik Wiking. Beautifully curated and with much more actual content than this book that is only a (boring) biography of Jenny and her advices with her life as an example, a life that is actually full of privileges.

Then I didn't get the sense of highlighting her quotes. They really aren't memorable to make a whole block of text out of them, in fact. I also found the Indians anecdote quite racist, and yes I understood that she was a child but was that really necessary to tell? How is it possible none of the editors noticed?

Sigh, very disappointed

[Melissa Harrington · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jenny Mustard’s videos are sweet, and I don’t want to be mean, but this book was very light-weight and kind of boring. The pictures were nice, but felt very similar to one another (as in, they all kind of mentally blended together into one beige/gray tone). No doubt I am not the target demographic for this book, but there are so many other, better choices out there for people interested in actually simplifying their lives in a real-world sort of way. This is good for a quick look at how two very (privileged)specific individuals perform their jobs of simplifying and influencing. Maybe it will encourage some people along a path to bettering their lives, but it presents a pretty narrow path to follow under the guise of a free range that probably doesn’t exist for most of the world.

[CiCi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew this wasn’t going to be some deep book that would make a huge philosophical impact. I knew it was going to be insightful and thought provoking, and simple- as the title states. I love the book almost as much as I love Jenny, and I also think the best part of the book is the section on relationships. That part actually got my brain buzzing and I do wish she could elaborate on those things in some of her videos or even her podcast with David. I think when people think of minimalism they assume it only applies to style, cleaning, and home decor- but Jenny shows that it can apply to relationships and health as well. Also makes a great coffee table book because of the beautiful photographs.

[Steph Myers · Rating 1 out of 5]

The pictures are pretty, but I couldn't get past her narcissism.
She made what could have been meaningful and beautiful, all about herself.
Ugh. Ly.

[Noha Darwish · Rating 1 out of 5]

Aesthetically bland , boring and nothing new
Don’t waste your money

[pensameda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't usually write reviews but this 5 stars rate deserves one. I am a fan of Jenny's work on YouTube hence I purchased her book. I do not think other people outside her fanbase could rate this book likewise. Nevertheless my feeling while reading, specially the second half, was so warming and cozy. I felt at home, calm and relaxed and that's a sensation I do not usually get with many books. That's the reason of my rating, very well deserved in my own very personal opinion.

[Cyndi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, that was not what I was expecting from the title of this book. Instead of inspiration of for simple living from a Scandinavian perspective it was something written by a self-proclaimed "influencer" with the shallow writing and beautiful, but inscrutable, photos I've come to expect. Her defense of her "profession" was rather amusing and worth the time I spent looking at the book. Clearly, I am not the target audience for this book...

[Ellen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok. It was probably a bad choice to glance through this book after reading Evicted. It’s pretty though and her musings are sort of entertaining in that “college student who took a philosophy class and is super deep now” way.

[Samantha Garner · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit of a disclaimer: I follow Jenny on YouTube and Instagram, and so I read this book with some pre-existing insight into her thoughts and personality. I found this book very cozy and engaging, with lots of lovely photography interspersed throughout. Rather than a lifestyle guidebook, it's a collection of essays where Jenny shares her thoughts on simple living, minimalism, and creating a life that speaks to your passions. She acknowledges in the book that her own specific situation is unique, but she also shares some ideas about how others can incorporate these concepts into their own lives. This isn't a book about Scandinavan living per se - instead, it's a book by a woman whose outlook was shaped by a Scandinavian upbringing. So, people looking for a Scandi-living book should take note.

In the last third of the book or so, I noticed a few copyediting errors that pulled me out of the book a little bit. However, they were quite minor, and the book does have a very professional look and feel overall. A great coffee table book to keep around and dip into for inspiration.

[Victoria (TheMennomilistReads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very beautiful.
Interlaced with some photography, Jenny Mustard talks about minimalism, veganism, traveling, and romance and how it all interlaces with her Swedish upbringing and simple lifestyle. I listen to her podcast and had known of her in the fashion blogging world when she started out, so it is neat to get to learn more about her. I had a good time reading through this. It doesn't give you how-tos, but the way she writes gets your mind in a nice place while reading it. I feel I have a lot in common with her.

[Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Time is precious. We don't have an infinite amount, and wanting it to move quicker seems like a waste of it.

Better to plan for less, leaving a place wanting more, and maybe even returning at another time.

Reading makes us more human, it opens up new worlds and ways of thinking.

Tell them you love them. Showing them isn't enough.

Show them you love them. Telling them isn't enough.

Be generous. With time. With money. With matters of the heart.

[Marissa Morrison · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book doesn't contain a lot of info. It led me to Jenny Mustard's online videos. I hadn't heard of her before, but she is apparently famous in the world of social media influencing. I do not "get" it, honestly--in the videos I saw, she shows off her nearly empty apartment, explains that she shaves her eyebrows every day, encourages people to make time to read, and tries on swimsuits while asking her followers which one they think she should buy.

[Zuzana Be · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am really pleased by an aesthetic of this book. Simple, stylish, luxurious photos and texts about minimalism and Swedish living. And it makes a great coffee table book.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super fun, light read for when you’re needing some inspiration to declutter and simplify your life. My favorite part is how she encourages people to embrace their quirks!

[lauren · Rating 1 out of 5]

The boring new era of influencer book deals

[Oliwcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the read, short and sweet. It was like a nice youtube watching spree of Mustard videos. Lit a spark and reminded me the joy of pursuing minimalistish lifestyle

[Tessa Poyner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was full of simplicity and meaning. Filled with tidbits of advice, perspective, and beauty. The imagery was whimsical and inspiring. It covered everything from travel to relationships to raw milk and capsule wardrobes. I enjoyed the slow pace in which I went through this book!

[エレオノラ · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book wasn't surely the best way to kick off 2022: as already highlighted in other reviews on here, the book title is utterly misleading. When you read on the book cover A Scandinavian's Approach to Work, Home, and Style, it's natural to think that you're about to get Scandinavian tips and tricks to apply in every aspect of your life, drawn from Jenny's life experience as a Swede. Don't you agree?

Unfortunately the references to the Scandinavian peninsula can be found only:
- in the Home section - The Scandinavian Way (pg. 24 and 27) where she explains the typical structure of a Scandi home and Home is where I hang my hat (pg. 36) where she talks about the myshörna, the typical Swede cozy corner, in a small paragraph;
- in the Travel section - Visiting Sweden: The Season Extremist (pg. 133, 134 and 135) where she talks about the 4 seasons in Sweden and how the locals live and embrace them.
All things considered, it's a total of 5 pages out of 176! Even the chapter about eating (On The Table) doesn't contain a single reference to the Northern European countries: would it have been smarter to include veganized Scandi recipes like Swedish "meatballs" or Danish cinnamon snails instead of soba noodles and kimchi (which I love as the Asian cuisine afecionada that I am, but again not very Nordic)?!

The rest of the book is a mix between a memoir - and if you follow Jenny Mustard on YouTube you already know everything told in the book: her past as an ex-smoker, her first move to London and then to Berlin, her dislike for 9-5 jobs, etc.-, blog posts and YouTube transcripts. For example the fashion essentials described at pages 116 and 117 are more or less the same that you can find in this video. Not that original, hun?

In conclusion, this book was a big disappointment: I think it would have been more honest to leave out any reference to Scandinavia from the front cover and to simply write Jenny Mustard's Approach to Work, Home, and Style. Because that's what it is. Plain and simple.

P.S. If after reading this review you are still interested in giving this book a try, I'm selling mine on Vinted :D

[Sophie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I dont always agree with Jenny, but if felt good reading this book. And the pictures, oh my !

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. Browsed through it, read quite a bit, decided she wrote a book about herself- me,me,me,me - and Darling David flitting between cool countries to live in. Nothing much there Style wise thats innovative or inspiring for ordinary people in life to develop. Photos are very well done though, quite lovely. Her vacant stare and slightly unhinged look of a waif doesnt impress me as deep and meaningful. Its not an attack on her- she is very beautiful and that type of elegant abstraction fits the flow of the book. Seen it all in high end fashion mags for 40+ years. Looks like privilage crossed with pretension crossed with spooky cultural trend. Or aesthetic ideals done with determination mixed with household youthful impermanence mixed with an influencer with very high self consciousness. I get the positive aura she is trying to evoke. Just relax a bit☺️

[Evelyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Used to be a fan of Jenny Mustard back in the day when she made creative minimalism videos. But over the past couple of years, her channel has turned into another trashy beige "influencer" vlog where she simply tries to convince her followers why they need to buy a particular overpriced mug or chair. (the opposite of minimalism)
What I'm trying to say is that this book is basically a more in-depth look into her narcissism and shallowness. Just couldn't get past the bad prose and her self-absorbed rambling where she was basically just defending her "profession".
(Also, really no insight into the Scandinavian way of thinking and lifestyle)

[Lori · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is mostly a photography book. Except for some Swedish cultural details, the essays aren't anything you haven't heard already if you follow other Millennial minimalist lifestyle influencers. The photos are very nice but this is pretty much a vanity project.

Also, can we talk about how ghastly this makeup is? I have never seen someone look so unintentionally terrifying lol.

[Shel Gillen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The coziness level is so real in this book. Served best with a blanket and tea, Jenny shares about life from a Scandinavian perspective, and I found her musings to be very inspirational. Reading this book was so relaxing. Her words are spread across many beautiful photographs which draw you in to the coziness even more. 😊

[Devin · Rating 5 out of 5]

An uplifting and beautiful coffee table book that I really enjoyed over many leisurely readings. I am happy to set this book out for friends to peruse.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning photography and beautiful bite-sized essays. This is a wonderfully crafted book, and I am more at ease for having read it.

[Crystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just OK. Some decent quotes but nothing memorable. More of a coffee table book IMO.

[Nadia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so illuminating, so well-written and aesthetic I'm astonished. It gives a lot of new perspectives and new visions of life, a fresh new mind-setting.
So much recommend it.

[LM Huffman · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. Nothing new here. Pretentious.

[Flo Tinsman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting

An enjoyable book with some profound ideas that will come in useful but a little long in the explanation of some!