Unexpected Delight At Hampton Hotel (And A Hampton Hotel Holiday Giveaway!)

I love everything about the holidays—the beautiful decorations, the festive parties, shopping for the perfect gift for everyone on my list, and most importantly—re-connecting with family members from out of town. There is something absolutely magical about this time of year.

Although travelling is my favourite thing to do after shopping, travelling during the holidays can be a little... stressful, to say the least. Thankfully, I'm not going anywhere in December, but I am welcoming family members from Washington, D.C.

My children are excited to see their cousin again, and I'm looking forward to catching up with my family from south of the border. Hosting extended family members can be a bit tricky and overwhelming during the holidays, when to-do lists are already a mile long, though. I love helping my guests with their accommodations, and I know when I book them at a Hampton Hotel near my home they'll be well taken care of when I'm not with them.

Hampton Hotels (Hampton Inn, Hampton Suites, and Hampton by Hilton) provide their guests with friendly service, affordable accommodations, and clean, modern rooms. With over 1,900 locations worldwide, there is bound to be a Hampton Hotel near you to help make the holiday travel experience easier for your guests. Hampton Hotels really do cater to their guests.

Hampton Hotels offer:

• High-quality and consistent accommodations and amenities.
• Free Wi-Fi, including in hotel rooms. (Yes!)
• Free hot breakfast (including waffles) for everyone. (Double yes!)
• The latest technology and innovations, such as multi-unit Power Cubes and the brand's signature Clean and Fresh Hampton Bed. (You'll get a great night sleep, guaranteed!)

To make things even easier for you during this incredibly busy month, here are some tips I wanted to share with you...

Holiday Hosting Tips:

Be the best off-site host ever: As much as we love our friends and family, having people stay in our home for more than a couple of days can be a little hectic. You may feel restricted from going about doing what you normally would, and leaving your house to take care of your to-do list might prove to be more complicated with houseguests. You may also not have enough room in your house for all your loved ones. The perfect solution? Put your family up in a Hampton Hotel—these hotels are clean, modern, affordable, and offer added perks like free wi-fi and free hot breakfast for the entire family.

Surprise guests with a welcome basket: I love leaving baskets of goodies for my out of town guests in their hotel rooms. I include things like cookies, a map of the city, small games and books for the children, toiletries, and my favourite hand cream. It's also a great idea to include a set of keys to your home, so they know the door is always open. I leave a personalized note, as well, welcoming them, with all important contact information they may need. Hampton Hotels love welcoming guests with a favourite local snack (mmm... maple cookies, anyone?) or a fun local item to make guests feel even more at home upon checking in.

Plan a daily ritual: It's great when your out of guests have time on their own to do their own thing, but it's also important to make sure everyone stays connected. After all, the holidays are about keeping the family together, right? Plan something every day so that everyone can get together, whether it's hosting dinner every night or a game night for the kids. Just make sure you let your guests know the itinerary!

Get outside: It's winter, the snow is falling, and the lights are dazzling. Why not get everyone together and head outside for a big snowman building competition? Or how about lacing up the skates and taking a twirl on an outdoor rink? You can end your night sipping hot chocolate (or Bailey's, perhaps?) in front of the fire place. The perfect holiday evening!

Want to stay in the loop and find out more about holiday hosting with Hampton Hotels? Join MomTrends on December 17th for a fun twitter party at 1 p.m.  (Make sure you're following @Momtrends and @Hampton on Twitter so you don't miss out!)

And here's something extra sweet for one of my lucky readers... just in time for the holidays!

Thanks to Montrends and Hampton, I am giving away a one night stay at Hampton Hotel! Happy holidays, friends.  If you're the winner, you'll receive a "Be My Guest" card in the mail so you can enjoy a free night at a Hampton Hotel location of your choice, where you'll get to experience the full Hamptonality treatment. You will not be disappointed, I promise. 

Enter here for your chance to win:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good Luck!

Disclaimer: Compensation was provided by Hampton Hotel via MomTrends. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and not indicative of the opinions of Hampton or MomTrends. 

Awesome Stocking Stuffers Ideas (And My CTV Segment To Get You In The Shopping Mood!)

Are you out of ideas on what to get the kids or your loved one for their stocking this year? Well, don't worry. I've got some great stocking stuffer ideas everyone will love—items that are unique, practical, and affordable. (Even things I want to find in my stocking this year... hint, hint, Santa!)
Here's my segment from CTV Ottawa Morning Live where I showed some amazing items from Tag Along Toys and HomeSense. There is something here for everyone in your family!

Happy holiday shopping, friends. If you need a personal shopper, you know where to find me. Thanks for the great items I got to show on-air, Homesense and Tag Along Toys!

Also! I feel like Santa's helper right now... the amazing items I showed from Tag Along Toys? I'm giving them away to one of my lucky readers! Leave me a comment below telling me what you want in YOUR stocking this year, and you'll be entered to win! (Local residents only for this giveaway, please. Winner will be selected randomly on December 11th, 2013.)

Good Luck!

Stress-Free Holiday Shopping With The RBC Avion Holiday Boutique

I consider myself a shopping expert, and through my many years of experience I've learned a few tricks about not getting totally burned out when holiday shopping in a busy mall. Searching for the perfect gift for everyone on your list in a crowded mall with long line-ups can be draining for everyone— even the most seasoned shoppers.

Wouldn't it be perfect if there was a place—in the mall—you could go to,  to re-charge your batteries? A place where you could enjoy a cup of coffee, drop off your coat, and even get your gifts wrapped... free of charge? No, seriously, I'm not dreaming! A place like this does exist, my friends. And it's called the Avion Holiday Boutique.

The Avion Holiday Boutique is a special place (a place of zen, if you will) where tired and overwhelmed shoppers (especially those shopping with young children!) can get a break from the hustle and bustle of the mall. The Avion Holiday Boutique runs until December 31st, so you have plenty of time to take advantage of the awesomeness of it all.

The Avion Holiday Boutique is open to all RBC Avion cardholders (just show your RBC Platinum Avion card, RBC Visa Infinity Avion card,  RBC Business Platinum Avion card, or your RBC Visa Infinite for Private Banking card for access) and if you're not a card holder? No problem! You can apply on-site for an RBC Avion card, and enjoy all the perks of the Avion Holiday Boutique, just like that.

Some of the awesome perks you'll receive:

• Valet parking 
• Coat and Parcel check 
• Gift wrapping service (for up to ten gifts)
• Access to the VIP Lounge and Cafe
• Concierge/Porter service
• Food court reservations 

You can enjoy these fabulous perks at Yorkdale Shopping Centre in Toronto, the Mail Champlain in Montreal, Coquitlam Centre in British Columbia, and the Halifax Shopping Centre.

So, my advice? Dress in your most comfortable clothes, shopping list in hand, and head to your favourite mall. Get started with your shopping, and when you start to feel a bit tired even though you haven't gotten through your list yet? Head to the Avion Holiday Boutique, put your feet up, sip a warm beverage, and when your batteries are fully charged again? You'll be ready for some more shopping!



Disclosure: I am part of the RBC Avion Holiday Boutique Blogger Campaign with Mom Central Canada and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Saving With AIR MILES During The Holidays

I'm a card girl. 

By this I mean I hardly ever leave the house with cash, because shopping is more fun when I don't see how much I'm actually spending! I'm also a huge fan of AIR MILES, because I can whip out my little blue card at many of my favourite stores knowing I'll be getting something back. I use my AIR MILES Collector card when I'm shopping online at airmilesshops.ca, too, which is a total bonus during the holidays. Also? I just redeemed for my plane ticket to south Florida for my winter family vacation with my AIR MILES reward miles. The entire flight! Merry Christmas to me...

Up until December 24th, AIR MILES is giving you even more reason to love them. When you're busy shopping for the holidays—whether it's for food to entertain your guests, presents for your children and loved ones, or even new ornaments for the tree—you will be earning even more with AIR MILES—you'll receive 25 Bonus reward miles for every AIR MILES Cash redemption you make each day, per sponsor. I love when the purchases I'm already making end up being rewarding for me, too. 

Air Miles Cash gives collectors flexibility to choose how their AIR MILES reward miles are earned and redeemed by signing up for AIR MILES Cash, and setting a preference. Once set, future earned AIR MILES reward miles will be allocated into either AIR MILES Cash or AIR MILES Dream balance, or a combination of both (the choice is yours!). Reward miles collected in your AIR MILES Cash balance allow for instant redemption in-store at participating Sponsor locations across the country. Collectors can visit air miles.ca/cash to activate their AIR MIILES Cash balance and start earning. (95 AIR MILES reward miles = $10 off in-store.) 

To find a Sponsor near you, visit Airmiles.ca/cashevent for details. 

Happy shopping... and enjoy all the wonderful things you'll be able to get back simply  by using your AIR MILESCollector card this holiday season!

Disclosure: I received compensation for this post. All opinions are my own.

Self(ie) Control

Best friends know your deepest secrets, and they never judge. Conversations with best friends last into the early morning hours, and the laughs never stop.  I love my best friend because she knows me more than anyone else, and vice versa.

Best friends are also brutally honest with one another. Kind of like sisters.

Last year my best friend and I got in my car to go out, and I took out my iPhone to take a selfie.

"Lou," my best friend Suzanne said to me. "Don't do it. You take too many selfies! You don't need to. You're beautiful. Put the phone down." 

Me: Silence. Blink. Blink.  "Um, Suzanne? I do NOT take a lot of selfies! I hardly ever take selfies!" 

Suzanne: "Give me your phone. Okay, here's a selfie. And another one. And this one. And here. And here's a selfie of your face with the caption "Having a great day at the beach!" You can't even see the beach. You take too many selfies, babe." 

Me: "Oh, my God. I cannot believe this! I DO take too many selfies! I hate myself! I am so ashamed! I promise from now on, I will take fewer selfies! God, I'm awful. Okay, I'm totally stopping. Just after this one, because my hair looks good right now." 

As the days and weeks and months went by, I did my best to take a lot less selfies. Although I still take some, I don't do it very often. Here's proof:

On Instragram, out of 10 pictures, only one is a selfie. Not bad, huh?

And now if I ever question posting a selfie online, I turn to my sister or best friend for advice.

Like today, when I texted my sister:

So I took her advice and didn't post the picture I wanted to. I put a picture of her and I from about eight years ago. A picture that was taken before selfies even existed.

It's all about self(ie) control, you guys.

Oh, and I found the perfect gift for my best friend, too. She loves it!

Keep Holding On (And Sing Along For A Good Cause)

I love doing my part and giving back to causes and charities I think are important. And I love spreading the word about important causes, too.

The Women's College Hospital Foundation has teamed up with Canada's sweetheart, Avril Lavigne, to create a cover song of "Keep Holding On" which includes the voices of Canadians across the country. The remixed (and very awesome) song is available on iTunes and the proceeds from every single download go towards supporting the Women's College Hospital and women's healthcare. I could not think of a better way to support Canadian talent, while helping Canadian women at the same time.

You can find the song here, on iTunes. Have a listen, and then download it—you'll love it, because it's a beautiful song that you won't be able to stop singing. Trust me, I speak from experience. Ahem.

A little bit about the Women's College Hospital:

The Women's College Hospital is the only independent, academic, ambulatory care hospital in Ontario with a primary focus on the health of women, which began in 1883. The Women's College Hospital is a teaching hospital fully affiliated with the University of Toronto. The hospital supports research in women's health and leads the way in training health-care providers within an ambulatory setting.




Disclosure: I received compensation for this post, but am happy to support such a great cause. All views and opinions are my own.

Mastermind Toys Giveaway!

I haven't really started Christmas shopping for my children yet, (or for anyone else, for that matter!) but there are a few stores I know I'll be hitting to get all that I need—like Mastermind Toys. I'm a pretty efficient shopper, and I'm one of those people who actually enjoys shopping even on December 24th. 'Tis the season, after all!

As children get older (my boys are eight and almost six years old) their likes and wants change, making it a bit more challenging to shop for them. However, I love challenges, and I love finding perfect gifts for the two most deserving people in my life—my children.

My eight year old loves Minecraft. A lot. He also loves science and chemistry, and anything to do with the Elements. He's also reading "real" books now—novels—which makes me incredibly happy, so checking things off his list is not too hard.

My almost six year old loves music and movies. He's a character, this child of mine! His new interest is geography—he has a collection of globes and maps in his room, and he knows all the continents and major cities.

I knew that I wanted to give him something special this Christmas that would completely impress him. He always wants to know what time it is in other parts of the world, so when I came across the Night and Day Globe that Mastermind Toys sells, I knew it would be the perfect gift for him.

This is no ordinary globe, you guys—it's a clock and calendar, too. As it rotates, it shows the time of day and the date for any location on earth. It also shows where people on earth are experiencing sunrise, sunset, and twilight. Isn't that amazing? It'll even teach me a thing or two about different time zones around the world, as well.

Mastermind Toys has done a great job putting together an awesome Holiday Gift Guide  designed to make your job easier. It is packed with amazing gift ideas for girls and boys of all ages, and you'll have fun checking things off your list thanks to the handy guide. The kids will love it, too.

From Rainbow Loom to Lego Mindstorms, there's something at Mastermind Toys for every child.

Since it is the season of giving, Mastermind Toys is giving away a $75 gift card to one of my awesome readers! How awesome is that?

To enter, leave me a comment below telling me one item that is on your child's wish list this holiday season. 

Bonus entries:

Follow me on Twitter.
Follow Mastermind Toys on Twitter.
Like Loulou's Views on Facebook.


Good Luck!



Disclaimer: I receive special perks from Mastermind Toys. All opinions and views are my own.

Five Tips On Staying Healthy During The Holidays

December is here, and Christmas is just weeks away. I'm getting super excited, and so are my kids. It's pretty much the most wonderful time of the year, but it's also the time of year we might veer a little off the healthy road we're used to. It's easy for our expenses to grow in the month of December, but our waist line doesn't have to! There are simple things we can all do—children included—to stay healthy, even during the oh-so-tempting month of December.

Here are five tips on keeping the entire family healthy during the holidays:

1. Bake cookies, from scratch. Find a really hard recipe so that you'll be too exhausted to take even one bite once they're out of the oven. Isn't this a great way to save calories?

2. Get outside! Have a "who can make the best snowman" competition with the kids. You'll be surprised how many calories you'll all burn. (Be fair. Let them win!)

3. Get some zzz's. Sleep is so important, especially for the little ones who are excited for all the festivities. I could totally use a few more hours of sleep, too—I average four hours of sleep a night... for the last eight years!

4. Drink milk! It's a great snack choice when paired with fruit and vegetables, and you know your kids are getting the nutrients they need. We love Milk Unleashed because it's a safe shelf milk that is packaged in boxes that don't even need refrigeration until they're opened. My kids love milk for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and as a snack in the evenings. And yes—milk goes great with cookies, but just make sure to limit how many everyone has. Everything in moderation!

5. You'll be going to a lot of parties in December. Provide a healthy variety of snacks at home, so everyone in the family can treat themselves at the festive events without feeling too guilty.

Happy and healthy holidays!


Disclosure: I received compensation for this post from Milk Unleashed. All opinions and views are my own. 

Top Five Holiday Movies To Get You In The Mood (For Christmas!)

Can you believe Christmas is just a few weeks away? (Yay!) Before the panic sets in because you haven't started shopping yet and you're hosting Christmas for your family of 35, why not kick up your feet and relax with one of these holiday classics that'll make you smile and get in the spirit of all things festive?

Here are my picks for BEST HOLIDAY MOVIES EVER:

Love, Actually

Oh, this movie... my heart... you know.

This scene right here:

Enough said.

Home Alone

True story, you guys. When Home Alone came out 20 years ago (Yes, 20 years ago. I know. We're old, okay?) I loved it so much, I saw it in theatres three times. Little did I know that this holiday movie (shout-out to John Hughes) would become my five year old's favourite movie. He went through a phase where he actually collected Home Alone DVD's like hockey cards. Let's not talk about that, because I may weep over the money I spent on this collection. Anyway, I'm glad my child has great taste in movies, and even though I've seen Home Alone way too many times, it's still on my list, because, well, it's awesome.

Elf

Elf is absolutely my most favourite Christmas movie ever. I watch it a few times every year, and laugh hard every. single. time.

"Buddy the Elf, what's your favourite colour?"

Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas

You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch. I love watching this movie with my boys because it's so heartwarming when evil Grinch becomes good, thanks to little Cindy Lou Who. It's a classic I truly love.

Rudolf The Red Nosed Reindeer

This is the one movie I get excited about every year but never really watch because I get bored easily. My children don't last for the entire movie, either, but we have good intentions. It's just nice to have it on in the background, even if we're busy doing other things around the house. It's a classic, and it's actually the longest-running holiday movie in TV history.

Honorable Mention: It's A Wonderful Life.

One popular holiday movie I have yet to see? The Christmas Story. Can you believe it?

What are your favourite holiday movies?

Easy Holiday Entertaining Ideas

One of the things I love most about the holiday season is hosting parties and entertaining my friends and family in my home. Of course, I love attending festive parties just as much, if not more, because all I have to do is slip on a sparkly dress, wrap up a hostess gift, and I'm ready to rock and roll!

As much as I love hosting friends during the holiday season, it can be stressful when I'm trying to find unique and delicious recipes that will please everyone. I enjoy preparing a variety of different appetizers so it's a more casual atmosphere than a formal sit-down dinner. It's also easier when you're having more than ten people over, and finger foods that are easy to eat make it easier for guests to mingle and walk around, too.

Thanks to Parmalat Canada—and just in time for the holiday party season—a new Black Diamond product has arrived that's sure to be a hit... the Black Diamond Cheese Spread.

Parmalat came to the rescue to help me prepare for the holidays—they sent me a $150 Black Diamond cheese spread pack which included the four different Black Diamond cheese spreads (Original, White, Light, and Sharp) product coupons, a gorgeous Petite Maison By Wildly Delicious Large Olivewood Cheese Board, an Olivewood bread bowl, cheese spreaders, and oven mitts. I'll be using all of this to entertain my guests this festive season.

With the new Black Diamond cheese spreads, you can "Spread It, Spoon It, Dip It"—and more. The new Black Diamond cheese spreads are perfect paired with crackers and bread, or you can fancy things up and try a new recipe—perfect for your holiday entertaining!

I love the easy recipes I found online, like the Chicken and Chedder Quesadillas. I'm not the greatest cook, but this recipe takes only ten minutes to make, so I was brave enough to try making it. Before preparing it for my guests, I prepared it for my toughest critics: my children. Results? They loved it! Next up? I'm making the Cheddar Potato Gratin.

Chicken and Chedder Quesadillas

Prep time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

2 tbsp. Black Diamond Original Cheese Spread
1 red pepper, sliced into strips
1/2 cup pulled roasted chicken
1/4 cup salsa
1 large flour tortilla

Steps:

1. Season peppers with salt and pepper and lightly sauté.
2. Spread Black Diamond Original Cheese Spread on the tortilla. Place peppers and chicken on top. Fold quesadilla in half and place in the oven to broil. Serve with salsa... and voila! You're done. (Note: I used grilled chicken breast in my version, and it still tasted delicious.)

I am also preparing the Cheddar Chickpea Hummus dip for my holiday party. How great does that sound... with some pita bread?  Let's get this party started!

I know you're all busy getting ready for your own holiday parties, ('tis the season!) so Parmalat is sending one of these awesome $150 Black Diamond prize packs to one of my readers, too! (This giveaway is open to Canadian residents only... sorry!) 

To win, just leave me a comment below telling me what you love best about the holiday season. 

I'll pick a winner randomly on December 1st, 2013. 

For more unique recipe ideas, check out Spread It, Dip It. Good Luck!

Shoppers For The Holidays? Yes, Please!

I think I've finally come to terms with the fact that summer is over. After all, it's almost December, the red cups are back at Starbucks, it's freezing outside, and it has started snowing. (Hold me as I weep.) The one thing that keeps me smiling through the cold until about January 2nd is the holidays. I love everything about the festive season, especially the shopping for other people part. And, okay, for myself, too. (We all need some new sparkle for the parties, right?)

Shoppers Drug Mart is one of my favourite holiday destinations for gift giving. And right now there are some amazing promotions going on that'll make your holiday shopping easy—I promise.

You'll find something at Shoppers Drug Mart for literally everyone on your shopping list. From amazing fragrance sets and gorgeous gift baskets to toys and electronics, Shoppers is your one-stop shop.

Shoppers Drug Mart always has great in-store sales and promotions, and they're always open late—as a mom, I've made the run to Shoppers past midnight, so I'm especially thankful for the great hours. Bonus? Earning all those Optimum Points! I save up my Optimum Points to get myself new perfume, like Prada Candy or Burberry Body, my two favourites.

Some great gift ideas I want to buy for the people on my list this year include: 

1. Olay Regenerist Gift Set: This set is a great gift to give to your mom, your best friend, or hey, even yourself. It includes the Micro-Sculpting Cream (fragrance-free) as well as the Night Recovery Cream and Eye Cream and Lash Serum Duo.

2. Eye Studio Sampler: This is a great gift for your best friend, sister, or anyone you know who loves new make-up. This cute little kit contains 6 deluxe mini mascaras, deluxe eye make-up remover, and a certificate for the complimentary full-size product of your choice, after you've tested them all out.

3. Sony Wireless Headphones: These wireless headphones come with a charging base station and they are awesome for pretty much anyone on your list. They're awesome if you want to drown out the noise of your fighting, whiny children, or if you just want to kick back and play video games... or listen to your music while working out!

For even more awesome holiday ideas, check out the Shoppers Drug Mart holiday catalogue. Also, select beauty products will have a free gift with purchase while quantities last, so make sure to visit your local Shoppers Drug Mart so you don't miss out on any of these great deals.

Want to share your favourite gifts? Join in on the conversation on Twitter at #GiftsMadeEasy.

Happy shopping!

Disclosure: I received compensation for this post. All views and opinions are my own, and I'm an avid Shoppers Drug Mart consumer. 

Shop Wise(ly) This Holiday Season

A couple of years ago, I was introduced to a cool shopping app called ShopWise. After testing it out, I hosted a fun event with Yellow Pages Group and ShopWise at the Pantages Hotel in Toronto so I could talk about how practical and easy-to-use an app it was. What can I say? I love to talk about shopping, and I love spreading the word about shopping news I know others will appreciate, especially this time of year when we're trying to save money with all the holiday shopping we have to do.

If you're not familiar with ShopWise, you should be. ShopWise (by Yellow Pages Group) is an app that offers Canadians a better, smarter way to shop. It's basically the most important shopping app ever if you're looking for great deals and want to do some comparison shopping before you even leave the house. With the holidays around the corner, who wants to waste time driving from store to store to find the best price when you can find out all the deals with the click of a button? This app saves you gas, too... genius!

ShopWise just launched a whole new version of their shopping app.  It's the most complete shopping app available for Canadians.

With ShopWise, you can find great deals at restaurants, and find the best prices for shoes, baby clothes, sporting gear, even food—which is perfect if you're hosting some festive parties this season! You can find the hottest deals based on your location, and you can search for a specific product, store, or brand near you, thanks to the localization function. You can also stay-up-date with the best deals, customized just for you.

I love that I can be notified if spa treatments are on special—I love going for massages. $45 for a 60-minute massage is a pretty fantastic deal, and thanks to ShopWise, it's a deal I won't miss out on. (This would be a super sweet gift for my sister for Christmas, because she loves going for massages even more than I do!)

I even found out—thanks to Shopwise—that one of my favourite stores, Chapters/Indigo, has a great deal going on right now: buy three stocking stuffers, get one free. Sweet! I love filling my children's stockings with all the things they love, and they love pretty much everything at Chapters. (Glow in the dark table tennis would be perfect for my eight year old tennis player!)

And if a new pair of sexy shoes is on your holiday wish-list, for yourself, or for someone you're shopping for, look no further... ShopWise lets you know about all the sales going on at stores like Aldo.

Basically, ShopWise is working for you—saving you time and money, and helping you find that exact item you need to buy for the absolute best price, guaranteed, at major stores or even smaller, local stores.

I've got even more great news for you—ShopWise is giving away a prepaid $100 shopping card to one of my readers! Just download the ShopWise app and fill out the form with your email address in the "Help" section of the app. Then just enter the giveaway here: 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I think $100 will go a long way when you're shopping for the holidays, especially with the great deals you'll find using ShopWise.

Good Luck... and Happy Shopping!



Disclosure: I was compensated for this post. All opinions are my own.