Forecast = rain. Merino wool = dry and cozy.

Let me start by saying that keeping warm is a high priority for me, especially during the winter months. Curling up by a roaring fire is my idea of pure bliss. So you can imagine how much I like the idea of running in the rain: www.notverymuch.com.

Don’t get me wrong, I am full of gratitude for rain; it nourishes the earth, smells divine and creates a unique and dramatic ambience; an ambience I most enjoy whilst peering through a window with a cup of tea in hand. This being said, I decided to try out our new Run: Balance Pullover to see if it could help get me outside, despite the cold, rainy weather.

what I loved about it:

• it’s surprisingly soft with a zero itch factor.
• it has great breathability
• the natural fabric has a rich and refined quality, giving it a sophisticated look
• it stays warm even in the wettest conditions - magical!

Alexis in the Run: Balance Pullover, moments before she ditched her umbrella and went for a run!

after wearing it more than once

Now that I have worn it a few times, I can honestly say that it didn’t itch at all. Without the bulk of a sweatshirt , the 100% merino wool pullover kept me perfectly heated on chilly mornings. I can’t wait to try this on the mountain, where dryness and warmth are so important. Hello après ski hangouts!

If you are like me and are cautious to try new fabrics, I dare you to try this on – it’s as cozy as a hug and as cool as James Dean. It might even make that 5:30 a.m. run downright jump-out-of-bed-worthy! Okay, that was an exaggeration. But at least you’ll be warm…and ultimately, that’s all that counts.

Look for the the Run: Balance Pullover in your local lululemon, and online very soon!

Running is such a beautiful thing. With each step and each breath, you power yourself to move forward.

Everyone's run form and cadence are very different. We are all moving forward, but in a unique way. Some shuffle, some prance with short or long strides, but it's all for the same reason: to move forward, to stay healthy, to feel free.

Nothing makes me feel better than running. When I run, I feel a sense of peace and freedom. I especially love running during the fall. Fall weather throughout the world varies, but in many parts of the US we have a brisk, crisp air with chilly mornings and slightly warmer afternoons. I love crunching the leaves beneath me as I run during cool fall mornings as the sun is rising.

During this beautiful time of year, layering my run clothing is essential to stay comfortable during my run.

I always start with a base layer. An awesome base layer that I use to keep my core dry and warm is the Run Swiftly Tech. It wicks the moisture away with its mesh venting in just the perfect spots, arm pits, back, and belly. The flexibility in this top is amazing. I can't even tell I'm wearing a top. It has 4-way stretch, which means the shirt moves with you with every step, leap, jump you make. If you tend to sweat a lot, not to worry... this base layer is made with Silverescent with anti-stink properties.

Over my base layer, I either put on a shell, the Run Velocity Jacket if it is wet out OR I love to pull on the Run Trail Tech mesh LS for cold, dry days. The Run Velocity Jacket is waterproof and even its zippers and taped seams keep you super dry. I love the hand warmers and cuffins to keep my fingers warm. To top it off, the super wicking and stretching component keep you smelling good and moving with freedom. The Run Trail Tech Mesh is the layer to use when you are looking for warmth on a cold day. It's incredibly soft and smooth against your skin and feels almost buttery. It has a shawl collar with adjustable height for warming and cooling down which I love to take advantage of. You never know when you'll warm up and need to adjust your collar down. This is by far my favorite long sleeve run top!

To keep my legs nice and warm but not too restrictive, I really like to wear my Run Empower Crops for temperatures under 50 degrees. If the weather looks to be over 50, I always opt for my speed shorts. The Empower Crops can be worn when it is wet out as well. They are made with amazing 4-way stretch power luxtreme. The luxtreme holds your muscles for the "no bounce" effect. Your muscles are supported and you feel strong!

Is it just me, or is autumn the best? I love shifting seasons. Everything slows down in my world in the fall: the tempo of the music I reach for, the way I cook my dinners, and the workouts that appeal to me. Give me a peaceful stretch in a warm room, bathed in dim light, and some cozy natural fabrics, like our certified Organic Cotton Jersey.

So what exactly do we mean by ‘certified organic’? At lululemon, our organic cotton yarn is certified for the first 3 stages of production: growing and harvesting, cleaning, and spinning. We are currently working on becoming certified in the fourth stage, dyeing, and are excited to take on this challenge as we recognize environmental concerns with regards to the growth and manufacturing of conventional cotton products.

Although our organic cotton blend is not quick-drying like our technical fabrics (luon® for example), I enjoy wearing this fabric for slower-paced workouts where I’m not necessarily sweating a ton. It’s really lightweight and soft and like many other fabrics derived from natural yarns, it’s very breathable, making it great for my low-impact workouts.

Fall is all about comfort. Take a deep breath and slow down a bit. Autumn is here!

P.S. Did you know we pre-shrink all of our fabrics so there are no surprises when you wash them? We know this is the number one pet peeve, especially when it comes to cotton, so we’ve taken the guessing out for you. You’re welcome!

Visit our online store for a peek at some of our organic cotton options: http://www.lululemon.com/

10. It is looong in the body. It seriously goes the distance, considering I take the prize for the world’s longest torso. Guaranteed to keep those autumn breezes away from my midriff.

9. It has a two-way zipper that allows me to loosen the roomy fit even more.

8. The hood fully commits itself– no chilly ears! Plus, who doesn’t love a hood with a drawstring?!

7. Thumbholes!!! Not only do these keep my sleeves in place when I pull on my Apres Sport Jacket, they also keep my chilly hands cozy. AND thumbholes = jazz hands.

6. Like my good husband Steve, the hood is attached, and will always be there when I need it.

5. The zipper zips waaaaaay up, and sits tight in a cozy zipper garage – no chaffing, no irritation, no big deal. We’ve got you covered.

4. Zippered pockets mean I will never lose my keys or collection of little plastic rectangles. Tres important for between the studio and real world.

3. The elastic zipper pull moonlights as a hair tie for the times when my bob spontaneously busts into a wee little ponytail (…and it’s strong enough to handle the locks of you ladies that are blessed with stunning thick hair, too).

2. V-E-R-S-A-T-I-L-I-T-Y! I am the queen of practicality and this jacket passes the test. It’s loose enough to layer long-sleeve shirts underneath, and thin enough that it slips easily under any piece of outerwear for an extra layer of warmth.

1. It brings out the silly in me! Laughing is my favorite workout.

P.S. Some extra notes from my fit session:

• Same great features as all our luon jackets: flat seaming, moisture wicking and totally pre-shrunk
• Fits generously through the body. If you prefer something a little less roomy, why not go down a size?
• Sleeves are long, so feel free to cuff those bad boys if you need them out of your way.

Check it out online, visit your nearest store or give us a call at the Guest Education Centre to place a phone order and find out more reasons why we love this jacket.

Learn more here: http://shop.lululemon.com/Stride_Jacket/

Our blog artist Alison took the Not So Stuffy Puffy to a rainy Seattle music festival.

Puffy jackets have always been an enigma to me. The burning question in my mind was how does one look NOT so puffy IN a puffy? At 5’8 and roughly 145 pounds I do not exactly have what one would call a “petite frame” and I was deathly afraid that a puffy jacket would make me resemble Ralphie’s little brother in everyone’s favorite holiday movie, A Christmas Story.

However, the Seattle winters call for a jacket that is both warm and water resistant and when lululemon introduced a jacket that boasted both of these important features…well, I had to get my hands on that jacket.

Michelle from our Strategic Sales tries on the Not So Stuffy in Cherry.

While everyone was grilling out for the last summer hurrah on Labor Day, I was at a music festival in Seattle where the temperature didn’t get out of the low 60s and there was light to heavy rain. I was going to be there all day and into the evening and I thought this was going to be the perfect time to try out my puffy jacket.

A close up of the NSSP's insides!

I slipped it on and after one or two or twenty looks at myself in the mirror at every conceivable angle I came to the conclusion that this jacket outlines my silhouette and does not make me look huge at all. It almost felt like a second skin, it was neither bulky nor bunchy. The hood kept my ‘do intact so on the off-chance that I ran into Fergie of The Black Eyed Peas after the show I wouldn’t look like a frizzy mess.

The luon thumbholes on the sleeves kept my sleeves down so when I was clapping or dancing wildly I didn’t feel one raindrop or the wind. Most importantly, it kept me both warm and dry.

Warning: staring too closely at the Not So Stuffy Puffy can induce feelings of extreme warmth and friendliness.

Personalize your Puffy!

This is what the Not So Stuffy Puffy looks like all bundled up at lululemon Coquitlam Centre.

If you're in Canada, visit your local lululemon to pick up the Not So Stuffy Puffy. For our U.S. friends, you can visit your store or buy it online here.

Above: We love the Game Day Jacket so much, we wanted to give you a full 360 view!

I often sulked at the idea of having to springerize/summerize my wardrobe; to put all my winter clothes aside and bring my spring/summer clothes to the forefront. So when the Game Day Jacket came in, I was more than thrilled. It's a cotton/lycra blend, so it's not only a good layering piece in the winter, it's functional enough to wear as a spring/summer/fall jacket.

Who doesn't love a jacket that can take them through the ENTIRE year!?

Modeled after a motorcycle jacket, it's got all the attitude of James Dean with all the comfort of your favourite lululemon hoodie! Pair it with the Squad Crops for a match made in light french terry heaven!

Why We Made This:
- A perfect to and from jacket for the rebel on her cruiser bike
- Deep pockets with secure zipper closure for all your necessities
- Light french terry with Lycra® so it won't bag out
- It's also preshrunk!! Nice.

Check it out in grey (as shown above), in dark grey or in pink from our online store, or pop into your local lululemon!

Take a peak at a front and back view of Jessie wearing it below:

From the front!

And now from the back! The crops she's rocking with it you ask? The squad crops of course! Check them out in your local store.

Above: Abbey is wearing the Savasana Wrap in the colour combination Ivory / Vancouver.

When I was a little girl rarely was I seen without my "blankie" in tow. Not only was it a soft and cuddly security blanket that kept the boogie man away at night, but it was a multipurpose piece of gear in my day-to-day life as a toddler! I wrapped myself in it to stay warm when sneaking downstairs to watch Saturday morning cartoons; threw it over my head as a ghost costume to scare the family cat; and even used it as the tablecloth for fantasy tea parties with my large cast of dolls.

The Savasana Wrap is like a grown up version of my "blankie". While I haven’t played ghost in almost thirty years, it is the perfect flexible wardrobe staple to make me feel warm and snuggly all over before or after a workout; an easy and casual sweater to toss over jeans or shorts; and, by its very name is THE thing to put on during meditation at the end of yoga class. This is also an ideal transitional maternity garment as the a-line drape of the body allows for a lot of growth.

To ensure that it doesn't look frumpy, the shoulders and arms should be fitted - I had to go down a size. The snaps can be done up however you want – try a cowl neck for day and a more cape-like look for night!

The Savasana Wrap: three different snaps = three different styles

1. All the way

2. Snap it one time

3. Let it loose!

Take a peak at the Savasana Wrap online or in your local store.

Like an ice cold glass of lemonade, LUX is the answer on a hot summer day.

Can you feel it? It's starting to heat up! Even so, as I head out the door in the early morning, or the Weather Channel calls for some wind, I automatically throw on or pack one of my trusty Remix Lulu Hoodies. Out of the closet, just in time for summer, comes my Remix Hoodie Lux.

What is the difference between the regular Remix and the Remix Hoodie Lux? For one, the Lux hoodie feels like my favorite well loved t-shirt. The fabric is made of a natural yarn called Modal® which is derived from wood pulp. This material feels extremely soft against the skin. Added details: Lycra® for stretch and pre-shrunk for the perfect fit!

Whether I'm pairing it with speed shorts to the gym, lounging around in ElementaLuLu Pants or heading to the park in a pair of denim cutoffs, the Remix Hoodie Lux is the perfect addition for my summer wardrobe. LUX it up!

Why We Made This:
-A "to & from" warm layer with a longer body to provide more coverage!
-Lycra® in fabric to hold its shape
-Preshrunk so zipper will not buckle
-Chafe resistant - flat seamed
-Chin protecting zipper garage
-Longer sleeves for added warmth

Want to try one on for yourself? Please vist your nearest lululemon athletica store location or check it out online at: http://shop.lululemon.com/Remix_Hoodie_Lux/pd/np/550/p/1221.html

Check out some pics of Elim in the Remix Hoodie Lux (razzmatazz colour) below!

Above: Elim and her Yoga Journal!

Above: A quick escape from the office - and off to the park!