1. ezlinks.com
If my dad could be anywhere, he’d be on a golf green so an EZlinks giftcard is the perfect present for him. EZlinks is a website that lets him choose a course, date and tee off time at tons of different clubs all around the world (and at a great rate too). – Allessia

2. spin pins
Spin Pins for all! Affordable and the best hair tool ever! I own a truckload and will be putting these in every girl’s stocking. – Ali

3. printstagr.am
I love this idea of taking people’s instagram photos and turning them into a book. It’s a unique gift idea!  – Kristina

4. gym essentials kit
The answer is in the name. It’s simply essential. This little guy has not only taken me to and from the gym but to Paris and London too. It’s the perfect companion for trips short and long.  – Tiffany

5. strengths finder 2.0
For people in my family who are in the early career stage, I get Strengths Finder 2.0. It's been my most powerful career development tool yet and I want to pass that on to others. (The Alchemist is also a standby book that I give to anyone that doesn't have it.)– Carolyn

6. cooking lessons for two
I’ve organized with my partner’s favourite restaurant to run a private cooking class, to show us how they make their sinuous, silky pasta. Equal parts romantic and practical. – Michael

Have a list you’re checking twice? What are some of the best gifts your giving this year?

Me and my Mom enjoying the sunshine after a walk around the park, waiting for yoga.

It has made all the difference in her life, in our lives for that matter. She is healthier and happier than ever, and spreading the good word of OM to her girlfriends by dragging them to class as well. So for Mother’s Day, I plan on spoiling her the best way I know how, with a complimentary yoga class at lululemon La Jolla and a few of her new favourite lululemon things we picked out together.

a few of my mom’s favourite (new) things

My mom is very stylish and very savvy about what she sweats in and will wear around town. That being said, I thought it best to bring her to the store so she can pick out her favourites, and then I would find a present out of her selections. Here is what she chose:

Get Started Jacket in heathered coal wee stripe: She loved this jacket because it is made out of luon light, and the back is almost entirely mesh. Perfectly light and warm enough for spring and summer.

Why We Made This:

• Start your day off right in this body skimming, warm up jacket
• Made with luon light® which is lighter than our regular luon and has the same great benefits - wicking, 4 way stretch, breathable
• Mesh back allows for maximum breathability
• Hidden loonie pocket to secure $ & keys
• Zipper guard eliminates chin irritation
• Thumbholes keep your sleeves down and hands warm!

Mynah Jacket in black/passion: She loved this jacket for it's length, structure and "bit of funk" as she put it. It is made of our classic luon, so it will wick her sweat after yoga, and on her morning walks.

Why We Made This:

• All sport jacket perfect for layering over your gym & yoga gear after class
• Made with luon®, our signature fabric, is breathable with coverage, a cotton-like feel, and has 4 way stretch to provide support and allow freedom of movement
• Body skimming, medium length jacket
• Zipper guard eliminates chin irritation
• Thumbholes keep your sleeves down and hands warm!

Flashback Jacket in classic sport grey/passion: She loved the lightweight, comfortable feel of this jacket. She loves her Remix Hoodie, and she thought this would be a perfect spring/summer version.

Why We Made This:

• Wear me to the gym, yoga, or on a bike ride around town. There is nowhere I can't go!
• Our own blend of cotton french terry has stretch so it won't bag out!
• Body-skimming fit for easy-wearing
• Added thumbholes for keeping sleeves in place
• Flat-seamed for chafe resistance and comfort
• Preshrunk

Run Pep Tank in Passion: She loves the silky smooth feel of the luxtreme fabric, and loves that she can wear her Ta Ta Tamer underneath without it showing.

Why We Made This:

• A shelfless basic workout tank to designed to fit over full support bras
• Luxtreme™ feels silky smooth on, and is light weight with inherent wicking performance to keep you dry and comfortable
• Strategic anti-stink circle mesh panels in high sweat areas
• Body skimming with open neckline for an easy and comfortable fit
• Hidden back pocket
• Flat seamed for chafe resistance & comfort

In the end, my favourite on her was the Get Started Jacket and the Run Pep Tank. She really needed a lightweight jacket for summer, and the tank is simply the icing on the cake. I know she will love both for our yoga class this Sunday.

I am SO proud of you mom. Happy Mother's Day and Namaste.

Give the gift of your time. Why not make a snowman with that special person?

As the season approaches, I'm thinking a lot about gifts. The tradition in my family involves ample gift giving of the tangible kind. Beautifully wrapped boxes and ribbons and bags, oh my! All filled with things the recipient will certainly love to have. Some extravagant, all thoughtful for certain.

This year, such abundance of things poses a conundrum.

For the past few years, I've been getting rid of many "things": from teapots to tables, furniture to footwear, lamps to a luxury vehicle. They weighed me down. Drained my bank. Kept me addicted. (Once the rush of newness wears off, then what? MORE. NEWER. Repeat.) They stressed me out. I call these things: Psychic Fat. And I've been on a mission to trim down. Hence, the conundrum.

I don't want more things, I want fewer things. I want more quality time and connections with the people I care about. But we're approaching the biggest gift-giving time of year when it's probably easiest just to purchase a new thing. HELP! In an ongoing effort to brainstorm non-thing gift ideas, as well as what to request when asked "what do you want", here's what (pathetically little) I've come up with so far:

- Music (via home-made CDs)
- Request donations to favorite non-profits/charities
- Home-made coupons (for some one-on-one time, a foot rub, to cook dinner, etc., complete with a by-when date!)
- Anything you know the person likes to make... (knitted pot-holders or a scarf)
- A request to look through an old photo album together
- um...um...um... (there must be more?)

If any of you have great ideas to share let's help each other!