Elissa with her mother, who is 55, fit and fabulous!

Please join me in celebrating her 55th birthday! Her motto is "Fifty (five), Fit, and Fabulous!" and fabulous she is. From a young age, she taught me to celebrate even the smallest achievements. My mom now has a catalogue of fifty-five years' worth, big and small. Collect your confetti!

• She has performed at Disneyland and she has her face on records.



• She conquered her fear of water at the age of forty by learning to water-ski BEFORE learning to swim.
• She challenges me to keep myself active and hydrated everyday.
• She taught me all the important life lessons, like butter is better.
• Her five year goal? "Sexy at Sixty!"

Thinking of a birthday present this year was easy after seeing early glimpses of our new Heathered Charcoal Pique Luon. I picked out a Stride Jacket for her, to keep her warm and dry on her daily morning walks. (And just for the record, my mom is one mean speed-walker. She’ll be in the record books one day for being the fastest walking grandma.) I love knowing that she'll be thinking of me every day she wears it, seeing as I can't be there to challenge her pace all the time.

Her favourite features on the jacket are the cozy hood, the thumbholes, and the length in the body. I asked her to describe our new pique luon and here's what she said: "That fabric is significantly different than my other jackets. It's very stretchy....how do I describe it? It's very cozy." There are rayon fibres woven into this genius new fabric. That’s what makes it so soft. I'm glad it is cozy for her, because she works so hard to make life cozy for so many others.

If you haven’t had a chance to touch this fabric yet, get yourself to a store immediately! It’s truly unlike anything you’ve seen from us.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Above: Tori and Rachel, two leaders from our Plaza El Segundo store.

It’s surreal to be sitting here writing about what it means to be 50. I can tell you that I don’t really feel any different. I’m still the same me.

I have been dancing and moving since the age of 4, so I grew up with a keen awareness of my body, and what it felt like to move through space. I had a short professional dancing career in my mid 20s to early 30s, and also taught group exercise throughout my whole adult life. So, arriving at 50 was simply a graceful transition.

In the past few years, lululemon has become a big part of my life, and I have worn our products almost daily. I was hired as a store educator over two years ago, and have continued to make living a healthy balanced life a priority. I get to work and work out with some amazing people that help to keep me young at heart.

I was married and had both my kids in my 20s. Danced professionally and taught aerobics through my 20s, 30s and continue to teach today. I am currently teaching a Barre Workout at Barre Physique in Manhattan Beach, California. I feel healthy and fit, and know that living an active lifestyle has helped me to reach this age and know that I have so much still to do! I’ve been married for over 27 years and my husband Jim and I enjoy a wonderful marriage. With our children grown, we are having the time of our lives.

I have to be honest though, and mention that I did have moments of panic at the idea of being 50. Then a thought came to me, which continues to inspire me to seize this moment. There will come a time when I only wish I was 50 again. So I am embracing this moment and celebrating the life I have lived so far, and know that I will continue to inspire and encourage those around me to live each day with gratitude and praise.

I know it’s kind of a cliché, but like a fine wine, I only get better with age. Cheers!