Wishing You A Happy New Year!

2010, you've been quite something but it's time to say goodbye. To all my readers of A Beautiful Life, I want to thank you for your readership, for your conversation, and for inspiring me to keep sharing with you all those little things in life I cherish. I wish you a very happy new year. And 2011, I am ready for you!

There's been a lot of change in my life lately (see Nala), and there's lots more to come over the next 12 months. I can't say I know the direction of where this blog is going, but that's all part of the adventure, right?

As you know I'm super behind on my blog posts: I still have Europe pictures from Amsterdam and Copenhagen I haven't posted. And there's more travel to look forward to with a Hawaii surf trip in February - better whip into bikini shape fast after all this holiday eating.

Speaking of the holidays, they go by too fast. Spending lots of time with my puppy Nala on beach walks and forest hikes.

Sporting new Nobis parka, Mavi cords, and yes, I'm wearing UGGS and I love them.

We had one of my best friends Valerie over one night and made thin crust potato pizza from scratch. Yes, potato pizza with thick sliced pancetta, buffalo mozzarella, and chile flakes. It's kind of like eating perogies on a crispy crust. I'm sorry I didn't take a picture of it but it was damn good.

Hubby and I went snowboarding for the first time in about 2 years in Whistler with our mates Allie and Allan on Boxing Day. Tons of powder and we had a great time. Kinda makes me want to come out of snowboarding retirement and ride again. Wrapped things up with a late lunch at Araxi where I had a lovely cherry tomato scallop pasta.

And finally, I've been putting on my annual tradition of watching the A&E version of Pride and Prejudice. I love it!

What have you been up to over the holidays? And your plans for 2011?

Five Winter Picks To Keep You Cute and Cosy

Happy weekend! Hope you're enjoying this beautiful, sunny fall day. The temperature has dipped to a chilly 4 degrees Celsius this morning (that's 39 Fahrenheit), and it's got me excited about some beautiful winter clothing and accessories.

Nobis has a gorgeous line of mens and womens parkas that look sleek, urban, and warm. I really want their Luna parka, and I can't wait until mid November when the jackets will be arriving in stores locally. FAB, The Premium Denim Store, is supposed to carry the line.

Nobis makes super cute knitted hats and beanies, too.

I've also ordered a pair of the below Manitobah Mukluks. The company is Aboriginal-owned and all shoes are made in Canada. They have many gorgeous styles from ranging from tall to short boots. The soles, unlike other mukluks, can be made with a rubber, treaded vibram sole which makes them suitable for snow and ice. You can choose from a choice of faux fur, or rabbit, coyote or fox fur. I know some of you are going to disagree with the use of animal fur, but please do remember, historically the use of fur is part of Aboriginal culture. Gravity Pope sells Manitobah Mukluks, although their website didn't carry the half-wrap style shown here.



I couldn't help getting a tie-dyed scarf by Brightly Twisted from Hills of Kerrisdale (you can buy it online from Vionnet Boutique, pictured here). It's so warm and soft, and it's the perfect pairing to my white burn-out tee and skinny grey jeans.

Have you started stocking up for Winter yet? Tell me about your finds!