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).

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5

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.

1 / 2 / 3

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.

1 / 2

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?

Working at lululemon is amazing for many reasons. Not only is Vancouver absolutely stunning, the work inspiring...but the people here are cool. Like REALLY cool. I am always amazed when I go to a friend's house for dinner - all of my pals live in the coolest places!

Over the next two weeks, we are going to take a peek into some of the homes of the people who work here. From modern to vintage, hippie to urban, there's a little bit of everything lurking behind closed doors.

jen's crib

The first person we are profiling is our Digital Production Manager, Jen. Her days are spent organizing all the crazy (I can say this, I am one of the crazies) creative peeps and delivering awesome work. She also happens to be my best pal (cue awwww noises) and a seriously stylish cat. Without further ado, let's take a peek into Jen's place!

alexis: Tell us how you found your place and what you were looking for.
jen: I was living in another part of town and I was living in a glass box. I felt uninspired by my home and my neighborhood. I started looking at heritage buildings and it turned out that a friend of mine lived in my dream building. I called the manager on the first of every month for seven months until there was an opening (hello, dedication!) It's the best move I've ever made - this felt like my home the second I walked in.

alexis: How would you describe your taste?

jen: Eclectic. A real mix of vintage, antique modern and industrial...and a little bit of garage sale! We like our interests to be reflected in the things we bring into our home.

alexis: What are three things you've found that you are most pumped about?
jen: The dresser in our bedroom - I found it on Craigslist and restored it to its original Maple finish this winter. It's from the 20's and is mint. There is a painting my fiancé and I found in Paris that is an early 19th century portrait - we saw it in a lovely antiques store in the Marais district and I absolutely love it. Lastly, our record collection - it is such a mix of Jeff and I. It's our biggest passion and also how we met.

alexis: What do you love about your neighborhood?

jen: I love that it feels like an actual neighborhood. The people in my building are amazing - I'm friends with almost everyone who lives here! There's a great sense of community.

alexis: If there was a fire, what three things would you grab?

jen: I'd grab Jeff and go. I love my home and I think it's also important to realize that no matter how lovely our things are, they are still just things.

What is your personal style at home? Keep an eye out...the homes of some of our other people will be appearing soon!

meet our new best friend: om finder

here's the nitty gritty

• mobile app to help you find yoga classes, studios and teachers
• iPhone and iPod touch only (for now!)
• it's free, baby!
• this is the first incarnation - this puppy is going to keep evolving based on your feedback

Do you wonder where to practice yoga when you travel? Do you want to discover new studios in your hometown? If so, we have some majorly exciting news for you! Today we launched our new yoga studio locator app om finder. Now live in the Apple Store, this free mobile app helps you discover new classes, teachers and studios and also lets you plan your yoga schedule. Even more, you'll get to hear from local lululemon yogis about the teachers and studios they love so you know which class to tackle next!

It's simple: go to the App Store on your iPhone and search "om finder" - this link should appear. Once you have finished downloading, open 'er up, sign in and start playing!

Poke around the app - there's lots of different functionalities and a ton of cool features. We have created this for you to find rad yoga classes as easily as possible AND to get more people on Planet Earth doing more yoga. Sounds good, right?

Like any of our products, we love feedback so please send over your thoughts! If you have any cool stories about classes, studios or teachers you've found with om finder, let us know - we want to hear about your adventures.

In the meantime...see you on the mat in Hatha class (or not...now is the time to try that acro yoga class you've always dreamt of!)

Now that you're good and excited for your trip, it's important to make sure you've packed everything you need for a successful visit to Indio. Let me emphasize this point: strategic packing for music festivals is CRITICAL. You don't want to miss your favourite band because you're burned to a crisp, do you? See the list below to make sure you win at Coachella-ing.

WHAT TO PACK FOR COACHELLA

1. a cross-body bag

A good crossbody bag is crucial for hands-free partying once you get on the Polo Grounds. Not only are they convenient for stashing all your stuff, the crossbody style is still super trendy and you'll end up using it all summer on Sunday Funday bike gang adventures and with maxi dresses. I like this one by Madewell - it's real leather and won't break the bank.

2. sunscreen that actually absorbs w/o making you look like powder

We've all done it: you slather on a good coat of sunscreen before leaving the house with the intention to apply more midday...and then you forget and have a nose redder than a beer league pitcher. Protect yourself from the ruthless desert sun with these 50 SPF sunscreens. I like the ones from Shiseido - they hydrate and don't leave a chalky film. Bonus: Sephora offers travel sizes, perfect for tossing in your bag.

3. a cute suit

Extremely shocking news: Coachella isn't awesome just for the concert. There's a very healthy chance you're going to be logging some serious time at a pool so come prepared. Our Sandy Savasana Bottoms are colour-blocked in very Palm Springs-apropo hues and provide enough coverage to keep you feeling comfy at a DJ set at the Ace.

4. killer shades

If there's one place that I recommend blowing the budget pre-trip, it's on your sunglasses. Think about it: they're going to show up in every one of your photos! Since you'll be wearing them with every outfit throughout the weekend, they'll need to be versatile. These Stella McCartney shades are in a universally-flattering ecru shade and the oversized teardrop shape is on point without being so outrageous that you'll regret them in a year.

5. a bag that's easy to pack

Sure, you'll be strategic when you're going to Indio...but at the end of a long weekend, the last thing you'll want to do is to struggle packing everything into a too-small duffel. The Everyday Gym Bag is roomy enough to easily stow away a weekend's worth of gear AND fits as carry-on on most airlines.

6. wipes!

There's no way to overstate it: having wipes at Coachella is a GAMECHANGER. They are good for so many things: taking makeup off late at night when you're exhausted, taking a layer of desert grime off your face every few hours, cleaning your hands so you don't have an OCD man-down situation after the bathrooms...the list goes on and on. I like these ones from Sephora - they're cheap, they smell inoffensive and they come in small packs so they fit easily into most bags.

7. bright lipstick

It doesn't matter if you wear a plain tank top and cutoffs or an elaborate outfit - bright lips are always fun and less risky that vibrant eyeliner (yeah, it looks good...but once the temperatures start soaring you risk looking like Ke$ha after a night on the town). I love Casablanca from Nars - it's a great consistency and the colour looks good on everyone, guide's honour.

8. comfy pants for the plane ride home

After an amazing weekend of frivolity in the sun, you are going to be tired...really tired. Do yourself a favour and remember to pack comfy pants for the plane ride home. The Work It Out Track Pant is my new MVP for comfort - plus, they look pretty cute with a pair of Chuck Taylors and are warm enough that once you land back home your legs won't freeze.

Are you going to Coachella on Weekend 1 or 2? What bands are you most excited to see? And what are your must-have items for beating the heat in Indio?

Tulips are sprouting, cherry trees are blossoming, the air smells sweet....spring is happening in a big way, and not a moment too soon. Some of us have signed up for marathons and now that hibernation is over it's time to get serious about training.

In order to celebrate the longer days and warmer weather, check out this playlist filled with upbeat, dreamy music to match the anticipation of sweet and sweaty days around the corner. Expect some (ahem, a lot of) electro...this playlist may make you want to quit your job, buy a backpack, head to Krabi and start dancing inappropriately with some Australians you met 32 minutes previously in a hostel line up (not that there's anything wrong with that).

- Alexis

spring has sprung playlist

chris malinchak - so good to me

I first heard this song on Hype Machine and was immediately obsessed - it has become the soundtrack to my morning routine before I run out the door each day. Good news: it was just released on iTunes as part of the new Pete Tong album - every track is awesome.

ellie goulding - anything can happen (blood diamonds remix)

I already had a deep love affair with this song - and then I heard this remix at spin class one day. WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER.

disclosure - latch featuring sam smith

90's vocal R&B (I get kind of a Crystal Waters vibe) mixed with ambient electro = major sexy time. Don't blame me if you can't stop putting this on repeat...it has highly addictive properties and has been known to start dance parties. You've been warned.

m83 - reunion (mylo remix)

My favourite M83 song has been remastered by my favourite remix-centric DJ. The results are....mixed. Yes, that just happened.

c2c - delta 

When I first heard this, I wasn't sure if I was diggin' it. Then I played it running one day - the energy of Basement Jaxx with the weirdness of The Flaming Lips kept my interest piqued through two tough hills. Bonus points: they're French (because that counts for something, right?)

two door cinema club - something good can work (rac remix)

Something about this remix is just happy - every time I hear it I am instantly lifted into the clouds. It's the ultimate bad-mood buster if you're having an off-day.

icona pop - i don't care feat. charli xcx

This song has been floating around the zeitgeist for awhile, but ever since it was played on HBO's "Girls" it has hit critical mass. Yes, it's kinda tacky. Yes, the lyrics are juvenile. Yes, it's played out. My rebuttal? Who cares.

rac - hollywood feat. penguin prison

This song is pure cheesy Ibiza-infused good times. Sometimes a little fromage is a good thing.

tegan and sara - i'm not your hero

I know what you're thinking - Tegan and Sara are better for depressing conversations at a coffee shop than on a run playlist. That is, until they got electronic music god David Guetta to produce their latest album. Get into it.

haim - falling

HAIM is my new favourite band, full stop. This track is my current fave...if they'd only do a full tour of North America, I'd be the happiest lady around. Come to Vancouver already!

major lazer - get free feat. amber of the dirty projectors

Okay, full disclosure: I have put this song on a previous playlist. Sometimes, however, a song is so effing incredible that it deserves a double dip. This is one of those rare beauties.

twin shadow - five seconds

If you ever get the chance to see him live, do it. Then message me and we can talk about how your mind is blown and how we can try and put it back together.

bibio -a tout à l'heure

Ambient, swirling bohemia perfect for early summer. Play this on your cool down and dream of sunny days ahead.

Pssst....current state, we are hosting our playlists on 8tracks, but we have something new coming at you soon. Keep your eyes and ears peeled.

They say everything is bigger in Texas - and we aren't the kind of people to back down from a challenge, buffet or otherwise. This (along with some Down Dogs mid-conference) is one of the reasons our crew has been living #thesweatlife in their Wunder Unders all week at SXSW!

Are you at SXSW this week or do you simply want to follow our team's adventures? Follow our @lululemonlive Twitter feed for all the action from Austin. From indie bands and digital startups to food trucks and mobile innovation, there's a whole lot going on. Tweet at us so we can meet and talk all things bendy, sweaty and inventive!

In the meantime, if you are a SXSW attendee sitting through long conference talks...try on some luon. It's a game changer, we promise.

Almost two years ago (note to self: buy more moisturizer – time is flying) we posted a playlist on our blog about the music that we love…in secret. Yup, you know the type of songs. They’re the ones that are in your Top 25 Most Played on iTunes – yet you don’t admit to listening to in public. The ones that you’d be mortified to have your hipster friend know about. The ones you listen to while marathon training and sing to while driving home after Sunday family dinner.

What we learned from the last post? We all love us a guilty pleasure track. Well good thing gang: there has been a lot of deliriously shitty catchy music released in the last couple years, plus a lot of old favourites we just can’t seem to live without. Find this sweetly sinful playlist here.

Without further ado.....

the no shame workout playlist, part II

“Rest Of My Life” – Ludacris featuring Usher and David Guetta

Just the names listed above should scare any seasoned music lover. Put them together and it’s like getting nacho cheese and chips at 7Eleven at 3am: while it seems like a good idea at the time, the shame spiral after can be severe.

“I Feel For You” – Chaka Khan

THIS IS THE GREATEST VIDEO EVER. I should start a Chaka fan club. #goalsetting

“Whatever You Like” - T.I.

I could listen to T.I. talk about popping bottles all day.

“Turn Me Loose” – Loverboy

Local Vancouver boy Mike Reno threw on a pair of red leather pants and things have been getting hot and heavy ever since (like 30 years ever since). If you’ve ever been to the Roxy (Vancouver’s finest spot for people watching post-Canucks games) you know the power this song has.

“Starships” – Nicki Minaj

We wish she would stop picking on our Patron Saint of No Shame (aka Mariah), but nitpicking aside…this song is a classic.

“Die Young” – Ke$ha

This is the second time in a row that Ke$ha has made the No Shame playlist. Congratulations!

“Music and Me” – Nate Dogg

I actually don’t consider this to be a guilty pleasure but my friends have pleaded with me to retire the proverbial do-rag. Good thing I have the sense to categorically refuse.

“Where Do You Go” – No Mercy

Poor No Mercy has been looking for their lover for 20+ years via a 90’s beat. I hope they never find them because this song is MUY CALIENTE.

“I’m A Flirt” – R. Kelly featuring T.I. and T-Pain

I won’t sugarcoat it: I am a Robert Kelly apologist.  Yeah, I know…this isn’t really acceptable. What IS acceptable? Him talking about hollering at shorties and drinking Courvoisier on the weekends. Trust me, I tried to deny my urges for Kels but the feeling was too strong.

"We Like To Party" - Vengaboys

If getting on the Venga Bus is wrong, I don't wanna be right.

"Call On Me" - Eric Prydz

Now all MTV plays is reality shows and dysfunctional families making bad life decisions, but back in the day when they played actual music videos this was the greatest thing since sliced bread.

"Motownphilly" - Boyz II Men

These are boyz you can take home to mom. They're also responsible for the majority of Junior High makeouts for Gen-Yers. #KanyeShrug

“My Maria” – Brooks and Dunn

For the love of God, Ronnie Dunn: stop using eyebrow pencil on your goatee. But please, please keep crooning FOREVER.

What songs do you secretly love with a burning passion? You can tell us…we won’t say anything, promise.

When's the last time you committed to something for 40 days? The Digital 40 Day Challenge - part yoga, part meditation, part personal revolution - is in full swing, and this week Parker from our Leadership Development team is here to recap her Week One experience. Read on for more!

meet parker

name: Parker Pearson
current role at lululemon: Leadership Development, Program Manager – Self Development
current hometown Vancouver, BC (originally from San Francisco, CA)
first yoga class It was 13 years ago. It was a Bikram class. I wore sweat pants and a leotard. The next day I wore my swimsuit.
random fact I once got pulled over for driving below the speed limit directly after a yoga class.
week one, in a word Observing.

this week i learned...

This week I observed myself flickering back and forth constantly:

• in my meditation practice from the "now" to planning
• in my asana practice from an inhale to distraction or worry about an old injury
• in my relationships from 100% of my attention on the conversation to spending mental energy on an unsolved issue
• in my food choices when I go from most nourishing to most convenient or habitual

I keep reminding myself, “right aim and right energy”. *

*p.99 40 Days to Personal Revolution

Where it’s time for me to take more responsibility isn’t in how I get my work done, but how I take care of myself and what I’ve been avoiding. I see that a new level of commitment to my practice and nourishment is needed if I’m going to truly thrive.

What did you learn or observe about yourself or your practice in Week One? What word summarizes your experience so far?

Let’s skip over the part where I talk about the indulgences of the holiday season and cliches about fresh starts: 2013 is almost here and a lot of us are looking for a meaningful way to start the new year. Enter: the Digital 40 Days program by Baron Baptiste. Move over, resolutions. It’s time for a revolution!

what is it?

Digital 40 Days goes from Jan. 7 - Feb. 15, 2013, and is a companion program to Baron’s book, 40 Days to Personal Revolution. Basically, you get your yoga on in whichever way works for you: your favourite studio, home practice, these yoga videos, or the podcasts that come with the program. Digital 40 Days provides:

- the structure
- the community
- the support
- resources including podcasts, emails, and meditations.

It doesn’t cost anything to join the program but there is an option to upgrade for a few extra advantages.

the good, the bad, the ugly?

Doing anything for 40 days is guaranteed to create a change, shift, or insight in some capacity, so we’ve got weekly contributors from across lululemon to recap their experience each Tuesday (starting Jan. 15) and tell it like it is.

Finally, here are a few questions we asked Baron Baptiste about the program:

why 40 days?

Forty days is the time it takes to build an entirely new set of habits and practices to train and rewire your mind and body. This program is built from a foundation of commitment and is designed to create, piece by piece, new practices and commitments that propel you into lasting transformation of your body and your life.

what are potential outcomes of participating in this challenge?

The outcomes of this program are very specific to each individual. It will strengthen, open and cleanse your body, clear your mind and change your relationship to food in a way that creates whole-life health instead of quick fixes. You'll learn how to get out of the trap of trying to find the time for the things that matter most to you, and start making the time and being the change.

what happens if I fall off the wagon?

I often tell my students that it doesn't matter how many times you fall, it's about calmly and kindly getting back up each and every time that makes all the difference. Part of this program is that (much like your day-to-day life) it will present you with many opportunities to jump ship... "I had a stressful day today and don't want to meditate for 5 minutes" or "I don't have the time today for yoga practice or to make myself something for dinner." The good news is this is where the personal revolution occurs: you'll be on the lookout for these kinds of disempowering thoughts and attitudes and experience the power of choosing your next action.
If you 'fall off the wagon', simply get back on.

ready to join?

1. Sign up here.
2. Stay connected with the Digital 40 Days community on Twitter and Instagram using #digital40days.
3. Check back here for weekly recaps starting Jan. 15.

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!

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.

After purchasing traditional classics such as “The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali” and “The Bhagavad Gita,” Kelowna educator, Dewi Peters, found herself wanting more. With little idea of where/how to start building her yoga library, she reached out to the brightest, wisest and downright coolest yogis she knows to find out what books they hold dear.

If you're the kind of person who can't get enough of your teacher's wise parting words during Savasana; loves setting an intention for each practice and captions your yoga pictures with motivational quotes, this list is for you.

three incredible yoga reads

Meditations from the Mat: Daily Reflections on the Path of Yoga
Rolf Gates & Katrina Kenison

Interested in the philosophy behind yoga and how it applies to your life but not the heavy reading that sometimes comes with it? You'll love this book. Broken down into 365 short essays that build upon each other, it is written in contemporary language with no shortage of humour, honesty, humility and wisdom. Described by one reader as “a one-a-day vitamin for the yogic soul,” this is a great choice for anyone seeking down-to-earth inspiration in daily life.

The Heart of Yoga: Developing a Personal Practice
T.K.V Desikachar

As the son of T. Krishnamacharya, often referred to as the “father of modern yoga” who taught both B.K.S Iyengar and K. Pattabhi Jois, Desikachar was uniquely qualified to write this book. Based on his personal experiences and "The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali", the emphasis here is on gradually learning and enjoying each pose instead of hurrying to complete your practice. It focuses on both physical and spiritual elements while helping you tailor each aspect to your specific preferences and lifestyle – pitch-perfect for beginners and advanced yogis alike.

The Inner Tradition of Yoga: A Guide to Yoga Philosophy for the Contemporary Practitioner
Michael Stone

Written for a Western audience, this is a highly-accessible exploration of how yoga theory applies to our practice on the mat. Practical and poetic, it's a deep read that's best accompanied by a cup of tea and followed up with some meditation time. Touching on the ethics of non-violence, patience, honesty and respect, Michael explores the mind-body connection and weaves in some Buddhist philosophy to boot.

What yoga books have a permanent home on your bookshelf? Share your favourites with us! 

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.

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5

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.