Banff Park Blanket

I spent this past weekend at a friend’s place in the woods on the Island. Saturday’s miserable rainstorm threw any plans for a hike to the wayside in favour of huddling under blankets and making a vat of chili inspired by Bonnie’s in Aspen. It was the perfect way to embrace the changing season, and a reminder that a great blanket can get you through the most miserable day. I’ve had my eye on this new line that the Bay has put out in partnership with the iconic Pendleton Woolen Mills to celebrate our national parks—Banff, Algonquin, Laurentian and Kootenay. Banff is my personal favourite (of course), crafted in rich chocolate brown and cool aqua, it’s made for an afternoon of doing nothing other than enjoying each other’s company.

Banff Park Blanket from the Hudson’s Bay Company Collection, $295, available in Vancouver and Calgary at thebay.com.

Antler Chandelier

I finally got out in the snow this past weekend, snowshoeing up to Mount Seymour’s “first bump” to enjoy an unseasonably sunny day in Vancouver and the best part about winter: winter sports. I’ve often fantasized about getting a place down at Mt Baker for weekends at one of my favourite mountains, and part two of that fantasy is creating the perfectly wintery weekend design. First on my décor list? This gorgeous antlered number from chic lighting design company Roll and Hill. It’s the perfect combination of natural, rustic and modern, and perfect to position in a cozy room with a roaring fire, a good book, and an après-ski glass of wine. Superordinate Antler Chandelier, from $6,100, available in Vancouver and Calgary at LightForm, lightform.ca

Charitable Giving

I have a longstanding tradition with a group of girlfriends around Christmas time—they get a hand-knit item (carpel tunnel is also a longstanding seasonal traditional) and a donation to a nonprofit. World Vision has some of my favourite gifts at this time of year, ranging from handmade jewellery that supports women’s co-ops, to goats for goat milk to provide both food source and income to the families they’re given to. The pair of gifts makes for warm hands and hearts—just what the season should be.
World Vision goat, $100, worldvision.ca.

Cozy Winter Throw

My three-year-old nephew was listening to “Jingle Bells” the other day, and solemnly proclaimed, “I don’t think riding in a one-horse open sleigh sounds very fun.” I suspect it’s the weather that’s the deterrent—which is why everyone should have a cozy Pendleton blanket ready for any one-horse open sleigh opportunities that come up. Originally called “steamer rugs,” they’re made from 100 percent virgin wool in authentic Scottish tartans, and equipped with a leather carrier to make them easy to stow, or dash through the snow. Pendleton Woolen mills motor blanket with leather carrier, $98, available in Vancouver at Kiss and Makeup, kissandmakeupstore.com; in Calgary at White Eagle Native Crafts, whiteeaglecrafts.com.

Retro Alarm Clock

When I moved to Vancouver 10 years ago for grad school, I had just two suitcases to my name—and my trusty Sony Dream Machine. After more than a decade of dragging me out of bed in the morning, it officially gave up the ghost this past weekend. So I’m going vintage to replace it—or rather, giving the appearance that I’m going vintage. This Areaware Alarm Dock is an homage to the faux-wood alarm clocks of my youth (in fact, I believe my parents still have one on the bedside table) with a modern update: I can now wake up to my own iPod-programmed tunes. Areaware Alarm Dock, $59, in Vancouver at Designhouse, 604-681-2800, designhouse.ca; in Calgary at Kit, 403-508-2533, kitinteriorobjects.com.