I don’t know if it was the world of Pinterest, my love affair with blogs or hearing Darcy Miller (editorial director at Martha Weddings) speak at a conference last January, but somewhere down the line I fell in love with parties.

Of course, not just your average party. I’m talking the good-to-the-last-detail kind of parties that are known to make guests swoon. To me – there are few greater pleasures in life then hosting a badass shindig and watching your friends’/families’ face's light up with delight.

This realization recently lead me to declare my next big goal:

“I am a full-time mom, part-time party-stylist by 2023”.

Whoa.

But let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves because there are a whole lot of holidays and parties to be thrown before then… like Cinco De Mayo, which is just around the corner. Hola Amigos!

Before I overwhelm you (I realize that not everyone gets as excited as me about this stuff) I want you to know of the importance of a solid table spread. Most parties revolve around good food and great cocktails so if you add a little oomph to the party “scene of the crime” (aka the table) it only takes a little extra effort to transform the space and really bring your party-theme home. (I used this theory for both my holiday open house and birthday soiree).

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1. fringe table runner

It all starts with a good base. Liven up your table with this DIY fringe table runner courtesy of party-crafting extraordinaire, Hank and Hunt.

2. fiesta garland

Arts and Crafts 101: tissue paper, scissors, twine and double-stick tape is all you need to recreate Oh Happy Day's Mexican Fiesta Garland to soar above your table.

3. invitations

All the pretty details aside – a party just isn’t a party without your friends. I love these simple straight to the point invitations from Girl In Gear Studio. Tacos. Margaritas. ‘Nuff said. If your friends are anything like mine, they’ll be there.

4/5. tin can floral arrangements

I love this idea! It’s such a great way to recycle all the empty cans you’ll likely have on hand (can’t have a fiesta without Mexican food!) and it adds a great pop of colour to your table. Fill your cans with flowers, succulents (really inexpensive) or a combo of both.

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1. paper flower striped straws

I’m a total sucker for striped paper straws. If you’re not super crafty you can leave it at that and still ‘wow’ a crowd. If you want to kick it up a notch add miniature paper flowers to those stems with this DIY.

2. avocado seed table signs:

With all that guacamole you’re going to make (RIGHT?) you’ll probably have a lot of avocado seeds lying around. I love this place card holder DIY from House of Earnest – totally genius! In the case of this Cinco De Mayo party I’d use the seeds to label the spread on the table rather than for seating.

3. fringe food picks

Quite possibly the queen of DIY – Kelly from Studio DIY gives us the fringe food pick.

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1. DIY piñata

The aforementioned Darcy Miller says she never throws a party without a piñata. Obviously this is a new rule of thumb. If you’re tight on time you can purchase a piñata from your local party store… or give this DIY piñata a try.

2. photobooth fun

In the Instagram age you don’t need a full blown photobooth to encourage your friends to take pictures. Provide a few Cinco De Mayo themed photo props and watch your party unfold via your feed.

I’ll save you the spiel and cut to the chase. It goes without saying that you need food and drinks to throw any party. Here are the recipes I’m dying to dish out:

1. Taco Bar 2. Avocado Salad 3. Chipotle Popcorn with Avocado Butter 4. Margarita Cupcakes 5. Pinata Cookies 6. Mango Jalepeno Margarita 7. Mint Mojitos

I truly believe that if you have at least one creative bone in your body you can totally pull off a kickass party in your own home (if not you should call me in 2023). Happy Cinco De Mayo ya’ll! What are your plans to celebrate?

5:37:34
This is the time it took Kat, our junior people program manager,  to ride her borrowed steel bike from Vancouver to Whistler in her first GranFondo in 2011.

4:00:00
The time she set her sights on to complete the same grueling course in 2012.

How was she going to knock an hour and 37 minutes off her time? By setting a goal, getting the right bike and, of course, training hard.

step 1: find the perfect fit

I knew my borrowed bike just wasn’t going to cut it if I was going to finish sub 4 hours. I began scouring the Vancouver bike scene and was most impressed with The Bike Gallery on West 10^th. They understood that my bike is a part of me and that it’s really important for it to fit perfectly, especially since I have to sit on it for so long! Sidenote: If you’re in the market for a new ride, I highly recommend taking the time to find a shop that is as passionate about cycling as you are – it’ll most definitely be worth every penny thereafter.

step 2: getting fit

It was during that fit session at the bike shop that I discovered FitFX Studio, which was located just down the street. FitFX is a studio dedicated to coaching cyclists indoors and out. When I found out that they offered clinics to teach you how to ride in a group, I knew I had found a community that was going to help me achieve my goal – I was going to be sitting in the midst of 7000 other riders about to start a race, after all.

I began training with them twice a week for the hill series. I loved that I just had to turn up for the ride and Paul, the head coach, would have the route all worked out. Some days it was a ride up our local mountains, other days it was a series of shorter but more intense hill repeats. I learned how to ride in a paceline, which made me feel badass and Paul also gave me other training and nutrition tips along the way.

a hit and a miss

4:16:35. Was my time for the Whistler GranFondo 2012. As I crossed the line, I knew that I had failed to achieve my goal. A mix of emotions overcame me. I wanted to both celebrate and cry, all at the same time! Then, I had a thought; I had set myself an audacious goal. Knocking an hour and 37 minutes off my time is a BFD. I finished the race placing 22^nd in my category, knocked an hour and 21 minutes off last year’s time, had no mechanical issues and finishing feeling well-nourished, hydrated and strong. Even if I missed my time goal, there was still a lot to celebrate and I am so proud of this accomplishment.  Setting and sharing big goals makes me feel vulnerable but I would rather fall a little short of a huge goal than meet a mediocre one.

onwards and upwards

My legs hadn’t even fully recovered by the time I was committing to my next cycling challenge! In the spirit of big goals and vulnerability, I will be riding in the 2013 Gastown Grand Prix, a shorter, faster and much more intense race than the GranFondo… And with a lot more spectators!

We're kind of a sucker for wrap up post this time of year. It just feels so appropriate, ya know? From yoga to run to smoothies, here are some of our (and your) favourite posts from the blog over the last year. Happy New Year everyone!

That awesome moment when you get your CEO (Christine Day) and CFO (John Currie) to pose for a family photo...

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

1. leave cookies out for Santa.Santa called. He wants his good old-fashioned chocolate chip cookies back (with gluten).

2. give yourself a breakT-minus 4 days to go. The crazy is almost behind you. Take a mini meditation break to recharge or hit up your favourite yoga class. You deserve a little me-time and you’ll feel oh-so-good.

3. wrap your presents.WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? Get creative and crafty with your wrapping this season. Check out this list of 50 stylish ways to wrap presents for a bit of inspiration.

4. running to the kitchen countsLife is all about balance and the holiday season is no exception. A 4 letter acroynm recently made popular by Drake comes to mind... but we'll refrain from using it.

5. have fun and be merryMy family tradition is to play a post-dinner game around the table. I love that it keeps us all together, in one room, enjoying each other’s company – and laughing like crazy. Games like Catchphrase, Taboo or Things are good for all ages (I’ve personally tested these on my 84-year old Italian grandfather). Trust me, the spirits will be up!

1. lululemon christmas cocktailsWe asked superstar local cocktail bartender at Blue Water Cafe, Evelyn Chick, to create two exclusive lululemon drinks for the holiday season. If you intend to blow your guests away, serve them these unique creations: Kriya and December on 4th Ave.  SO. GOOD.

2. your official shipping reminder for online shoppingFact: online shopping revolutionized Christmas shopping. Am I right? If you’re ordering gifts from the World Wide Web, don’t forget to check shipping cutoff dates. We’re offering complimentary express shipping until December 17th at 11:59PST.

3. what to get the person who has everythingWhy not make a donation in someone’s honor or gift a socially conscious item this year. We love Vancouver local organization, Imagine1Day's 'Deck The Wall' project. For other cool "gifts that give back" check out this article.

4. eggless eggnog smoothieJust in case you missed it earlier this week – check out our Eggless Eggnog Smoothie Recipe. It’s making spirits bright.

5. get your holiday bake onIt’s the holidays and there is no shortage of treats around our homes (and office for that matter). I made these ginger-molasses cookies and they disappeared pretty quickly. These guys are easy to whip up and they’ll delight your Santa’s taste buds.

1. organize your christmasThe Christmas List app helps you organize your holiday shopping and keep you on track.

2. gift wrap galoreThere’s just something extra special about a gift that’s wrapped with care. We’re crushing on these.

3. there’s a new ornament in town.Our recruitment manager, Jacki, dusted off her finisher medals and used them to decorate her tree. We think it’s a great way to celebrate all your accomplishments – and doubles as a conversation starter for guests too!

4. hey it’s christmas!Okay, we know just last week we gave Rod total props for the ultimate Christmas album but Hey! It’s Christmas is all sorts of awesome and supports “relatively unknown artists” which we love.

5. get festive with an untraditional treeMy apartment building doesn’t allow for real Christmas trees but I can’t even fathom the thought of housing an imposter. This year, I've discovered some ‘non-traditional’ tree options (a compromise of some sort). Here’s yet another awesomely curated list by Brit+Co for some ‘tree inspiration’ and, of course, Pinterest always delivers.

We overheard this little ditty in a yoga class a few weeks back. It gave us something to think about and we thought you might like it too. That’s all!

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1. all the fixings for a holiday partyHost a Pinterest-worthy party with these ‘all-in-one’ holiday décor packages. You’ll fool even your most “Martha-y” friends with your ‘craftiness’.

2. your new favourite holiday albumWhen it comes to holiday music, we take things seriously…from Bing and Mariah to Wham!, we have a few artists that always make our festive playlists. For something new this year, check out Rod Stewart’s new album “Merry Christmas, Baby” – for serious. Rod sings all our faves in his signature croon (watch out – there is a 110% chance your mom will try to steal your iPod).

3. deck your halls, your walls and your screensWe’re loving these festive wallpapers from West Elm.

4. nails done. hair done. everything didWith all that wrapping your hands have to do, they deserve to sparkle in the spotlight. Give your nails a little TLC and book yourself a manicure. Top it off with Butter London’s Holiday Collection – we certainly will be! (image source)

5. introducing the beginning and end of your holiday shoppingFor the yogi, the runner and him or her - check out our gift guides to deck your loved ones out for all their sweaty pursuits. For everything else - this guide will be your secret gift-giving weapon this holiday season. We pretty much dropped everything and drooled when we found it.

If you were to look up the words “inspiration” and “possibility” in the dictionary we’re quite certain you’d find our former educator, Betsy’s, name listed in their descriptions (hey Oxford, we’re proposing a rewrite). Not only did she find the courage to leave an unfulfilling career in HR to follow her dreams of being a life coach, she also recently crushed a jaw-dropping goal: 365 days of sweat (which is exactly what it sounds like it is).

Rumor has it you set a BHAG to sweat for 365 days. True?
Yes. I am a firm believer of the statement, "you have to live it to give it." As a life coach, I wanted to make sure that I was living a healthy life that had a consistent workout ritual (which I preach often). Not only were my workouts inconsistent, I also knew I was capable of a whole lot more. Last October (2011) I was on a run in a park and the idea popped up in my head. After the run, I came up with a name for the adventure and started blogging that evening. Initially the blog was a way that my friends and family could help hold me accountable to my goal but it transitioned into a beautiful space of inspiration for others.

So did you really sweat 365 days in a row?
Yes and no. I worked out for 365 days in a row but sometimes my body needed a break and I listened. Those days I would walk for 45 minutes in my neighborhood or go to a slower paced yoga class. I did not sweat (much), I just moved. It is important to listen to what your body needs no matter what your fitness goals are. When you are able to truly listen, you will be able to complete the goal a lot easier than if you push it so hard that it breaks.

What did achieving the goal mean to you?
The most important thing that it taught me is how powerful I can be when I fully commit myself to something. Everyone has self doubt and for me it kept coming back to, "you cannot complete anything!" By finishing this goal I was able to prove myself oh-so wrong. Now that I know that I am capable of completing things, my world seems endlessly full of possibilities. That's a pretty wonderful feeling.

Was there ever a point where you wanted to throw in the towel?
There were a few times when I felt like throwing the towel in my husband’s face! However his patience and soft encouraging words helped to keep me going. I have to admit that working out while you have the flu is one of the worst feelings around!

Favourite ways to sweat?
Good ole' fashioned running outside and yoga. Right before my wedding I became addicted to Yoga Sculpt (a power yoga class with weights and cardio) because of the high-intensity it helped lower my stress levels. My advice to future brides? Find a class similar to this and thank me later!

So does this mean you had to workout on your wedding day?
Yes! My bridesmaids and I ran a mile to a local park, where another one of my friends met us to lead 45 minutes of yoga. A few family members also came along for the ride. It was a beautiful way to start a day that celebrated love!

Did you try a bunch of different ways to sweat to change it up?
I did but I kept coming back to my favorites. I found that it was easiest to stick to my goal by doing the tried and true workouts most of the time. The strangest thing I did was going to a fitness concert in Denver called "OMG Fitness!" There were over 1,000 people wearing all white covered with glow in the dark paint, while completing a bootcamp class. I sweated my butt off, danced like a maniac and walked out of the event with my friend in hysterics. It completely pushed me out of my comfort zone and I am always thankful for that - primarily when I am done!

Hit us with some words of wisdom – what else did you learn?
Like anything in life, you make the things that are important to you a priority. If you do not have your health, then you have no life. Deep, right? Take care of your health and cultivate it by providing yourself with a healthy lifestyle. You will thank yourself a thousand times over for all of the benefits that continue to unfold.

Also, let go of the expectations that you have for what your body should look like. I thought that by the end of this my love handles would be non-existent. Nope, although they are smaller, they still linger around like that last guest at a dinner party. Once I was able to let go of what I thought my body should look like, I began to love my body as it is. Same goes with what my body is capable of during workouts. No hefty expectations means less pain. Try it, it feels so much better than hankering for a life of six-pack abs.

Anyone else out there attempt something like this before? 

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Oh, Hello December 1^st – we see you creeping around the corner. The kick-off to fa-la-la-la-everything is officially here and even though it’s the most wonderful time of year, it’s also the busiest. We’re bringing you a five-week blog series full of holiday stuff(ing) to help take the edge off. From reminders to recipes and everything in between, check back each Friday for the latest and greatest holiday round-ups.

1. wine for the hostHappy American Thanksgiving weekend! Dress up that bottle of wine you’re gifting to your host/hostess with one of these cute printable wine bottle gift tags.
PS. consider this your unofficial reminder to pick up that bottle of wine!

2. vegan recipe round-up We love this vegan holiday recipe round-up courtesy of one of our favourite bloggers, Oh She Glows.

3. time to get your holiday cardsIt’s time to put pen to paper (what a novel idea in a digital world) and bring back the somewhat lost art of post. I mean – who doesn’t love getting a little holiday snail mail? We're  loving these and these!

Does post make you postal? Share one of these or check out Kate Spade for Paperless post to send a next level digital card.

4. the countdown is onThe countdown to the holidays is officially on. Whether you're a chocoholic, tea lover or a wino – here are 25 creative spins on the classic Advent calendar that’s sure to get even the grinchiest folks excited for the holidays. Oh and here’s one more for good measure (We couldn’t resist!).

5. get secret santa-ingGet your Secret Santa gift exchange off the ground with Elfster.com. Thank Goodness for the Internet. [image source]

Ogres have layers, onions have layers and winter-running most definitely has layers. When it comes to getting dressed for a sub-zero jaunt, ensuring you’ve got an effective layering-system on can be the difference between a PB and a total meltdown. From wicking to venting to element protection, we breakdown the art behind a well-layered get-up. As it turns out, it’s not just a matter of throwing on everything you own (although some days this almost feels necessary). 

three-step system

base layer
Your base layer actually touches your skin so it is important that this layer is moisture-wicking (staying dry is key to staying warm). This layer should be a fairly simple design: buttons, zippers or elaborate necklines can make layering tricky. Look for soft, moisture-wicking, anti-stink fabrics and aim for a snug fit. Also, thumbholes are a ‘nice-to-have’ in a base because they’ll keep your sleeves down as you layer up.

we heart these base layers:
• Swiftly Techs
• Runder Under Long Sleeve
• Run: Ice Queen Long Sleeve

mid-layer
The mid-layer is on double duty. It has to keep you warm as well as continue to move moisture from the inside out. This layer needs to be engineered with insulating fabrics and venting. Look for a body-skimming fit (not too loose not too tight) and mesh panelling or zipper vents. Thumbholes and Cuffins are awesome mid-layer perks – hello built in running gloves!

we heart these mid-layers:
• What The Fluff Pullover
• Run: Toasty Tech Pullover
• Run: Pitter Patter Pullover

outer layer

This layer is all about protecting you from rain, slush and snow while still giving your body a chance to vent. The outer layer finishes the job the base layer starts by allowing moisture vapour to escape. Vents and mesh paneling are key in this layer because they let you cool down as you build up heat (you are running, after all).  Look for water- and wind-resistant fabrics, additional insulation for bitter cold climates and reflective detailing to keep you bright in low-light scenarios.

we heart these outer layers:
• Run: Bundle Up Jacket
• What The Fluff Jacket
• What the Fluff Vest

so it should work like this:

but not all climates are created equal

Coming from ‘raincouver’ we have serious sun envy – hey Florida, we’re looking at you. Here’s a look at what your layering system could look like, depending on where you live.

warm (florida)
[silverescent base layer] + [rulu mid-layer if needed]

wet and chilly (vancouver)
[silverescent base layer] + [rulu mid-layer] + [glyde outer layer]

cold (colorado)
[silverescent or rulu base layer] + [goose down or tech fleece mid-layer] + [goose down or glyde outer layer]

Whoops - looks like we just stole the "but it's too cold out" excuse from your arsenal. Now layer up and get after it.

welcome to the #thesweatlife.

Eleven of our favourite pieces + your personal style = the ultimate inspiration station.

We want you to share all the ways your favourite lululemon gear takes you from work to mat and back again (is there anything the Wunder Under Pant can’t do?). Just snap a photo of you rocking your gear and share it on Instagram or Twitter with the matching hashtag (listed below). Keep your eyes peeled on lululemon.com - your photo may show up!

yoga. run. hashtag it.

Here's the official list of gear that agreed to share the spotlight.

#coolracerback
#formejacket
#scubahoodie
#wunderunders
#wunderundercrops
#groovepant
#studiopant
#nolimitstank
#swiftlytech
#inspirecrops
#themat

Rocking a favourite piece of lululemon that's not included in this list? You can use the generic hashtag #thesweatlife to share your photo on this landing page.

Looking for a few more deets? Check our FAQs. Happy hashtagging!

Kate

Tom

Jill

Gina

Jessica

five reasons to go raw

1. energy that keeps me going and going
Adding more raw to my plate means that I am eating live energy! What that gives me is a wonderful sense of wellbeing that has me jump out of bed everyday. In fact because I have been eating this way for a while now, I am now a very enthusiastic long distance runner. (Yes, it gives you that much energy)

2. good for you food that tastes good
It tastes so good. Mother nature was not messing around when she decided to create her menu. The flavours of organic, seasonal fruits and vegetables are truly sublime. No additives or flavour enhancers are needed. Every fruit or vegetable, nut or seed has a very distinct flavor and texture to appreciate.

3. it's quick and easy
It is so quick. I use a blender, a food processor and a knife to create my recipes. I want them to be flavour filled and look great but I also want them to be quick and easy.

4. keeps me feeling young
As a woman of 38, I feel younger than I ever did at 18. Eating greens keeps you young and eating spinach is so much cheaper than Botox!

5. i found my calling
Being a raw foods presenter and chef is such a fulfilling calling. To be able to share the power of raw foods in a way that people respond to and knowing it makes a huge difference to people lives is very rewarding. It transforms not just how they feel but how they look at themselves and the world.

get hooked on raw with 'lulu lifts'

Easy to make, Kemi designed these little energy balls just for us! They’re the perfect firecracker-of-a-snack when you’re feeling the need for a little pick-me-up.

lulu lifts
• ½ cup cacao
• ½ cup brazil nuts
• ½ cup almonds
• ½ cup raisins
• 3 tbsp raw honey
• 2 tbsp flaxseeds
• a splash of vanilla extract
• water to bind

Place all ingredients (except raisins and water) into a food processor and process until combined. Slowly add water to bind the mixture. Fold in the raisons then roll into balls and refrigerate or freeze.

[Kemi’s note: Cacao is a natural stimulant. Because of this you may want to avoid giving it to children. You can replace it with natural cocoa powder or carob. You may want to add a little more honey if you use carob.]

Want more raw in your life? Check out Kemi’s Raw Kitchen for some serious foodspiration!