January funk, and being happy

January is almost over. This is a very amazing thing, because it means the end of winter is near. Well, maybe not so close I can almost touch it close, but close enough to know that the worst is (almost?) over. I am in a funk, as is most often the case during these cold, dark, winter months. However, despite the fact that I've got a case of SAD and cry over every single commercial I see on TV right now, even if it's about getting an oil change, I'm happy.

I'm happy because my baby boy just turned four, and he had a wonderful birthday party with all the important people in his life there to celebrate with him. He even had a custom-made Home Alone 2: Lost in New York cake, since it's his most favourite movie, ever.


I'm happy because I'm reading The Hunger Games right now, and I can't put it down.

I'm happy because there are two more books to read in the trilogy so I am not going through "I'm almost finished this book, oh no!" anxiety.

I'm happy because after I'm finished that trilogy, I'm going to start reading The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, because I just saw the movie and it was beyond, beyond incredible. (And Rooney Mara totally deserves to win the Oscar for Best Actress.)

I'm happy because this morning my boys were in a fantastic mood (who said Monday sucks?) and because my four year old randomly said to me, after I kissed him: "I love you mommy, and I like how you smell." That right there made my day, and my week.

I'm happy because I was asked to be a speaker at this week's Mom Cafe: Connecting Inspired Moms, for Mama Musings, Blog Edition. (I am stressed, though, because I have to talk for 15 minutes, about myself, and um, that's hard!Also? I have nothing to wear.)

I'm happy because having nothing to wear at my event means I have no choice but to go shopping!

I'm happy because I am going on a much needed vacation (doctor's order!) to my favourite resort in south Florida at the end of this week with my mom and boys, along with my sister and her children. My boys and I are so excited, we've already started packing.


I'm happy that I don't have to cook tonight.

I'm happy that The Bachelor is on tonight, because my, what a train-wreck that show is!

What are you happy about?

Four, like that

I read once that time is like a circus, always packing up and moving away. How true this is. Time passes, things change. Children grow. Too quickly, if you ask me. And sometimes, I want nothing more than to just pause time, because I want to hold on to the now forever.



How quickly does time pass? In the blink of an eye. Today, my baby boy, who I could swear was just born yesterday, is four years old. FOUR. YEARS! OLD.



As I snuggle beside him, breathing in his delicious smelling hair, looking at his precious baby face, I can't quite grasp the fact that it's been four years since we brought him home from the hospital. I was a way more relaxed mom, the second time around. Sure, I sat in the back seat on that drive home, but I was able to sleep easier, and nurse easier, and basically, just go with the flow easier.



My baby boy makes me smile. I don't care that my boys have a late bedtime and I don't care that I'm still sleeping beside my four year old, every single night. I am pretty sure when he's older, he's not going to want to sleep with me. For now, though... as long as needs me, I'll be there. Even if it means sleeping on 1/4 of my big bed, with his feet in my face. The lack of sleep that comes with being a mom? I'm used to it!

Dimitry is a character, and I am sure he is destined for something great. He is an actor, a drama superstar. He can give you looks that will melt you, and he's got a way of always getting his way. He's stubborn! He knows what he wants, and what he wants? He's determined to get. (I've no idea where he gets this from!) The strictest of my friends try to say no to him, but even they can't do it. He's a heartbreaker, a mama's boy, a helper, and always curious.

He got a drum set for his birthday. He loves it. As loud as it is, I love it to.



He wants to be in a band, and loves to dance and watch his favourite movies like Home Alone and Diary of a Wimpy Kid. He likes Curious George, probably because he's so much like that little, curious monkey.

He looks up to his older brother, and loves the company of older people. He would rather hang out and hear stories about days gone by from my grandparents than play with other children. He loves his family.

He will rub my back, smother me in sweet kisses, and let me win at Connect 4, because he just has that big of a heart. "Look, mommy, YOU won this time!" he'll declare.

My little D, though, he can be a trouble maker, too. He is very good at not listening!

"Just two more mittins, mommy, please?"
"Can I watch Home Alone: Family conditioner one more time?"
"Hey mommy? I love you. I'm just going to go get some chocolate, okay? Okay?"
"Hi, Ito, I love you!"
"Santa IS real. He makes presents in the factory!"
"I'm so proud of me!"
"I didn't do it on purpou, mommy."
"I know who Chris Columbus is. He makes movies. I love Joe Pesci!"

The love for my children keeps growing as each day passes, and I want nothing more than for my boys (and today especially, for my birthday boy) to follow their dreams with all their hearts. I'm always going to be here to encourage and support them, no matter what.

Happy Birthday, baby D! Mommy loves you SO much.

The truth about Motherhood

Life changes dramatically once you become a mom. It's an incredibly amazing change, and yet, there are things about motherhood that we complain about.

Like the fact that we don't get to sleep anymore.

And the fact that we are constantly picking up after our children.

And the fact we live in a state of constant worry and never-ending fear.

And the fact that we're doing never-ending loads of laundry, while helping the children with homework, cooking dinner, preparing lunches for the next day, organizing birthday parties, making beds, hosting playdates, cheering on our children on the soccer field or in the swimming pool, making child-care arrangements, reading, playing, singing, stepping on LEGO, rushing to work, baking cupcakes at midnight, and wiping behinds... all... day... long.

And there are also days we have to put together certain toys that make us want to rip our hair out.



Ah, motherhood.

Yes, it's tiring, and not always glamorous. Sometimes, the best night of the week is the night you visit to the grocery store—alone. This has replaced the Friday night you once used to know, the Friday night that involved high heels and dinner at your favourite restaurant.

I'm not complaining, though. Being a mom is the most amazing job in the universe.

Here are just 10 things I love about motherhood:

I love that I made these people

"I can't believe I made you!" I say this all the time. I made a person. I made TWO people. I made two people that also happen to be my most favourite people, ever. I love the people they are, I love their different personalities, I love hearing their voices, and I love their hugs and kisses. They complete me. I love the people I created.

I love being a child again

It amazes me that now I'm the mom at school picking up her children, and not the child at school who is being picked up. When did I become the adult, and not the child running through the school yard with friends? Being a mom means that I can go down slides, play in the sand, make houses out of LEGO, and read my favourite childhood books again.

I love feeling proud

Nothing takes my breath away like watching my children do something they haven't done before. Whether it was the first time they walked, or the first time they wrote their name, I am always the over-enthusiastic mom beaming with pride. When my son receives Awards of the Month at his school my heart feels like it is going to explode. It's a great feeling.

I love learning

I've learned so much over these last six years, and every day, I am still learning something new. I'm being taught the basics of French again, thanks to my first grader. I've learned that Goldfish crackers are awesome. I've learned that I can multi-task, a lot. I've learned that I can go to the bathroom in an airplane while holding a baby in my arms and changing my toddler, all at the same time. I've learned that there is a lot left to learn. I also love teaching my children.

I love the little things

It's the little things I love the most about being a parent. I appreciate the daily routine. I love movie nights, and snuggling on the couch. I love seeing my children get enthusiastic about a construction truck or a butterfly, and I love seeing them excited about Christmas Day and Easter egg hunts. I marvel at their innocence.

I love feeling inspired

Nobody inspires me like my children do. They motivate me to be a better person, a better mom. I think about the future and the now, and I try to make the right decisions for them. I love seeing them care about the world, ask questions about life and the news, and talk about what they want to be when they grow up.

I love ice cream... and Happy Meals

No, we don't go to McDonald's often, but when we do, I order three Happy Meals, and my boys and I sit in the car and eat and talk and listen to music. Yeah, eating food that is not always good for you can sometimes be pretty awesome.

I love feeling needed

"MOMMY!" I'll never get tired of hearing my name, even in the middle of the night. I love sleeping beside my children, and I'll do it for as long as they want me to. Even if it means I'm sleeping with toes in my face.

I love observing

I sometimes can't contain my laughter when I hear the conversations between my two boys. They make me laugh, all the time. I love seeing them become best friends, even though they also fight and tear the house apart on a daily basis. I love watching and observing them. They're pure entertainment.

I love not having to care about dressing them

Let's face it, dressing boys is hands down far easier than dressing girls. There is no drama, no wrong pair of pants, no tantrum about the colour of shirt they wear. Whatever I pick out of their closet is good for them. This makes life a lot easier for me!

What about you? What do you love about motherhood?

This post was inspired by Mama Kat's weekly writing prompts.

A new year... a new me!

It's the beginning of January. Which means one thing: it is so cold that every time I step outside my tears of sadness turn into ice and stay frozen to my face, and I'm not even kidding you. It is pretty miserable out there right now. Waking up and scraping ice off my car every morning on my drive to work only to hear on the radio: "It's currently minus 30 degrees celsius, and there is a frostbite warning in effect" makes me just weepy, and makes me question why my grandparents didn't get off the boat a little more... south, somewhere.

January also means many of us are making New Year's Resolutions!

I don't like to make resolutions because I know that by March I'll forget all about them and then I'll get mad at myself for not following through with my resolutions.

However, this hasn't stopped me, and once again, I'm starting off the year the same way I always do: (aw, tradition...)

I'm on a diet! And I'm hitting the gym EVERY DAY! This time, for more than a week! EVERY DAY except on weekends! You can do it, Loukia! And truth be told, because of an upcoming trip to my favourite place on earth (Hello, Florida! Hello, Mom 2.0 in May!) I am actually probably going to stay committed to this plan, because hello, bikini!

I have other resolutions, too, though. That as of yet have not been fully implemented, but I am a strong believer in "It's the thought that counts, so don't beat yourself up if you fail!"

Here are my top 12 New Year's Resolutions for 2012:

1. I will swear less, especially in front of my children. I say fuck way too often in front of my kids, and I promise to stop. Unless I'm dealing with really dumb people on the road while I'm driving.

2. I promise to not bake any more cookies. (Anyone need any cute cookie cutters?)

3. I will bring my lunch to work at least three times a week.

4. I will go to the doctor and talk about my anxiety and fears.

5. I will make more time to blog, and to do the things I love doing.

6. I will get through reading the stack of books on my night table before buying any new books.

7. I will go to bed before 1 a.m.

8. I will learn to have more patience.

9. I will stop crying every time I watch shows like Grey's Anatomy and Parenthood, or I'll stop watching these shows altogether, and stick to funny shows, like Modern Family.

10. I will keep the computer turned off when I'm home with my children.

11. I will spend less money. This means I will shop less. Gulp.

12. I will yell less, and smile more.



I hope these resolutions won't be too hard to keep, even though I know there will be some struggles along the way, especially with spending less money.

I will try really hard to make sure this year, I do what I say I am going to do. I'm hopeful that 2012 will be a great year. And the only thing that truly matters? Health and happiness, for my family and loved ones.

What are you going to do in 2012? What are your New Year's Resolutions?

Thanks to the always fabulous Mama Kat for the inspiration with this week's writing prompt!

Childhood celebrity crushes

Bloggers are awesome because we admit almost everything about ourselves for the entire world to read, no matter how embarrassing it is.

We love to share information about ourselves because we're all a little vain and we're all a little geeky. (I figured out I was sort of a geek at BlogHer 2010. Admitting you're attending a blogging conference out loud sort of confirms this fact.) Blogging allows us to connect to one another on a different level, making us feel not so alone after reading a post about depression, or a post about how tiring it is to be a new mom. Blogging is free, awesome therapy.

Blogging allows us to share pictures of ourselves that are really embarrassing and blogging allows us to admit things that hardly anyone else knows about us.

Things that now make us cringe.

Like childhood celebrity crushes. As weird as they may be.

I asked people on Twitter who their crushes were, and I got a lot of Shaun Cassidy, (hi, Megan! hi, Sharon! hi, Kathy!) John Stamos, George Michael, Johnny Depp, Jon Bon Jovi and Al Pacino—totally acceptable to me.

Here are my bizarre celebrity childhood crushes, that range from completey bizarre to possibly not that crazy.

Otis Lee

I think my first childhood crush was on Otis Lee. Otis Lee, the Cabbage Patch Kid.



Otis Lee, Otis Lee, got no hair, but he don't care, good old Otis Lee!

Yes, there was a song all about him.

He was the leader of the Cabbage Patch Kids gang, and he was sooo cool. I don't even know if I had a crush on him or if... I just... I don't know? Liked him as a friend? Oh, it's all so weird! But I have memories of Otis Lee, and dancing and singing to his song in my friend's basement when I was a little girl. Maybe he was my first crush, ever, even though he was a... doll?

Daddy Warbucks




Oh, Daddy Warbucks. He was so cool, so tough, so very lovable. He was the perfect daddy for Annie and he even gave her a gift in a little blue box. Not to mention the fact that he lived in the coolest house ever. He came across as this mean, snobby man, but he was really a kind-hearted man with the best bald head, ever. I cannot tell you how many times I watched Annie when I was a child. I know the entire movie off by heart, to this day. My three year old's obsession with watching Home Alone is almost as bad as my Annie obsession was!

Skippy


Other people may have had a crush on Alex P. Keaton on Family Ties but not me! I liked Skippy, the sweet and geeky neighbour who lived next door who loved Mallory. Oh, Mallory... Skippy was so much sweeter than Nick!

Ben



I loved Growing Pains and I went through a Kirk Cameron phase—until his little brother grew up and then I was all pre-teen crushing on Ben. And remember that neck thing he's wearing? I had one too!

Jonathan




Remember Jonathan from Who's The Boss? He was so cute! And his hair! I think I liked all boys who had that hair style when I was 13. I also had a crush on Alyssa Milano and Tony Danza. How could you NOT love Tony Danza?

Chachi



I used to be addicted to Happy Days. I was so excited for the end of the school day so I could rush home to watch it. I had a crush on Chachi, especially around the time he and Joanie were getting married. Sigh...




Of course, it was impossible to not fall in love with The Fonz, too. He was the bad boy in the leather jacket and motorcycle, who was also the guy you'd run to for help in any situation. He was the tough guy on the outside, with the heart of gold. And um, he really got around!

River Phoenix



River Phoenix (sigh) in Stand By Me. I loved his character so, so much. I guess I loved Wil Wheaton, too, looking back.

I'm sure there are more childhood crushes buried deep in my memory, but these are the ones I remember. Or at least, the ones I'm willing to share with you!

What about you?

Spill it... what posters covered your walls when you were growing up? Who was your embarrassing childhood celebrity crush?

2011: A Year In Review

This year we were rolling in the deep and moving it like Jagger. Britney got engaged, Jessica got pregnant, and the biggest wedding of the year took place in England. The world fell in love with Pippa, (sorry, Kate!) and everyone cheered when news broke about Osama, even those of us who thought UFO's had landed on earth, because what else could the breaking news so late at night be? As usual, all major news stories broke on Twitter first.

2011 was the year the world was supposed to end, with Rapture and dead birds and all, and yet, somehow, we survived. Take that, Kirk Cameron!

People occupied Wall Street and a brilliant man who forever changed technology passed away, leaving us all to mourn on our iPhone's, in sadness while shaking our heads at the five people left on Earth who are still using Blackberry's.

2011 was a year filled with good news stories and awful, heartbreaking news.

This past year was also one that was filled with amazing opportunities that I'm so thankful for. It was the year my oldest son started grade one, and the year my baby started pre-school. I tend to share less about my children's lives on my blog, and more in my personal journals, but I'll never stop writing about my boys. My boys keep me laughing all day long and fill my heart with so much love, it hurts. We took a road trip to Maine and made new awesome holiday memories, and soaked up as much fun as we could this year as a family, but that's another year-end post for another time.

For now, here are my top blog posts of 2011:

2011 began with some new beginnings.

And some fear, too when I felt a lump and had my first mammogram.

As usual, we spent some time (never enough) in south Florida, where I got over my SAD for a week, at least.

I told you all about the things that annoy me.

And how hard it is to find balance.

I was ecstatic to be in the Top Ten to be the new co-host for Daytime Ottawa, and I had blast being Kelly Ripa for a day.

And I was truly honoured to be featured in The Ottawa Citizen as one of the city's top six fashion bloggers, and one of three fashion bloggers with Ottawa Magazine.

I wrote about what to expect when you become a mom, and how Bambi caused me life-long trauma.

I reminisced about Old School Blogging and the days that have passed.

I shared with you all where I'm from, one of my favourite posts of the year.
(Maybe even ever?)

I wrote about my Five Things.

I became Yummy Mummy Club's shopping blogger, which fell into place perfectly, because well... I love to shop, and I love to write about my love of shopping.

I popped some Ativan and went to San Diego for BlogHer'11.

I attended the Toronto International Film Festival and interviewed Heather Graham. She was gorgeous, and even though her acting wasn't that great in The Flying Machine, it was an awesome experience.

I was flown to New York City for the day for the Tommee Tippee launch, which tops my list of things I didn't think I'd be doing in 2011. A day trip to NYC with some awesome bloggers, complete with lunch in Saks with Marinka and Ali? Pretty awesome.

I admitted my problem with being dependently wealthy, and interviewed Gail Vaz-Oxlade over the phone, later meeting here at BlissDom Canada.

I turned (gulp) 35, and was lucky to have the chance to review the two-floor Presidential suite at the Marriott in Yorkville for my birthday weekend , complete with champagne, balloons, a yummy cake, plenty of shopping, and dinner with my closest friends. It was the best review I've done, and my boys still talk about the two-floor hotel room they ran around in for two days.

I hosted an event for Yellow Pages at the Pantages Hotel in Toronto, too. A trip to Toronto complete with yummy martinis and a room full of fabulous people was another highlight of my year.

Of course, what's a year gone by in the blogging world without some really, really embarrassing pictures being posted for the entire world to see?

I think my jazz hands ends 2011 with a bang, don't you?

Here's to a fantastic, healthy, happy, and successful 2012, everyone!

I hope we can all kick it old school blogging style in the new year (at least, I hope to) and spend more time reading and commenting on the blogs we love. All I want in 2012 is more time to spend with the people I love, and more time to do the things I love doing. Health and happiness, too! And no more snow.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

All I want for Christmas...

Happy Christmas Eve Eve Day!

I'm hoping this year, no 9-1-1 calls to the fire department will be needed.



I have given up on baking, the presents are wrapped, and I've stocked up on wine. I think I'm ready! How about you?

I'm excited for tomorrow night, because Christmas Eve has always been the most magical night of all for me. It's the night my family celebrates the most, more than Christmas Day.

I have amazing childhood memories of Christmas Eve. We would sit around the tree, eating and eating (and eating), waiting patiently for 11 p.m. so we could head off to church for midnight mass. (Of course, no Greek household on Christmas Eve is complete without some family fighting, usually about a soccer game or something political, but that's just part of the festive season, right?) We'd return home shortly after midnight, and sit down to a huge Greek feast. More eating, of course, followed by opening all the presents.



The traditions continue with my children now, and we will celebrate tomorrow night at my parent's house, with our entire family. The list of food my grandmother and mother are preparing for tomorrow night's celebration is lengthy, and tasty. I will do my best to enjoy it all and worry about diets and and calorie counting on January 1st. Christmas Day we'll spend with the inlaw's, as is our tradition, too, and have a second huge celebration including more gifts and presents with our extended family.



All I want for Christmas (besides a villa in Monaco and a trip to Capri) is to just relax and enjoy every second with my little boys, and my family. To me, that's what Christmas is all about. Also, making sure my wine glass if always full of wine. Or champagne. Or Bailey's.



Cheers!



I want to wish YOU ALL a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukkah, and Happy Holidays... eat, drink, and be merry!

Cookie trauma: The drama in the kitchen

Christmas is a week away, so it comes as no surprise that every other picture I'm seeing on Instragram is of someone's fabulous cookies that they just baked.

Dozens of beautiful cookies, perfectly frosted with homemade icing and dazzling sprinkes. I'm also reading Facebook status after Facebook status of: "Baked six dozen gingerbread men cookies today for my cookie exchange, and a chocolate layer cake, and then I cooked a seven course dinner for my family while polishing my silver and did two back-to-back Body Pump classes!" Okay, maybe not that extreme, but you know what I mean. There are some serious bakers out there, yo.

For some bizarre reason, I get the urge to bake every weekend. I start out all excited, and use Twitter as my Google, asking questions to people I know are excellent in the kitchen.

"What IS buttermilk? Is it, like, cream?"
"What is a pound of butter? 4 sticks?"
"Is parchment paper the same as wax paper?"
"Is it okay if I forgot to use only the white of the eggs? How the hell am I supposed to get out only the white of the eggs, anyway?"
"1/4 teaspoon is pretty much 1/2 teaspoon, right?"
"I forgot the sprinkes on the cookies I just baked. Can I just add them now?"

And so on, and so on. Week after week, I try to bake, and week after week, I am completely unsatisfied with the time I wasted in my kitchen, trying to do something I am miserable at. And then! I have to clean up my kitchen! Some people are just not meant to bake. I am one of those people. I would rather shove my face in snow than bake. I would rather clean bathrooms all day. I would rather anything else, really.

Last year, I stressed about baking and came to terms with the fact that I wasn't going to be making any Martha Stewart type cookies for the holidays. I was going to stick to good old-fashioned sugar cookies, and I was going to be okay with that.

This year, even sugar cookies took a turn for the worst. Also, related: I always confuse sugar cookies and shortbread cookies, and still don't know which ones I prefer.

I work full-time during the week, so I spend all my time with my boys on the weekends just being in the moment. I bake mostly so my children can remember their mother and the smell of baked goods in the kitchen when they're older, but truth be told, the excitement to help me bake lasts a total of three minutes for my boys, and then they're off doing something a lot more exciting. I also usually end up yelling at them for spilling all the flour or having icing sugar fights, and that's when I want to give up. But I never do. I will finish every project I start, even though I am not enjoying myself.

Cookies you'll never see baked by me:


Not ever:


Cookies I baked today:


They're pretty bad, right?

I forgot to add the sprinkles to the first batch of cookies I baked. In a desperate attempt to save them, I added the sprinkles after I took them out of the oven. That didn't work, as you can see. I got brave with the second batch, and made icing sugar for the cookies (or whatever it's called) and the icing sugar looked awful. How people get it looking so perfect, I'll never understand. After all that hard work - we're talking hours here - I gave up, and spent the next hour cleaning my kitchen, cursing myself under my breath.

Two hours later my three year old wandered into the kitchen and accidentally dropped all the cookies to the floor, breaking them all. This ended my awful day of baking with a bang.

It was the bang, the awakening, that I needed. I am done. Done with baking. If anyone needs nice Christmas cookie cutters, they're yours.

I have accepted that I am not meant to spend this much time in the kitchen. I am not going to attempt to bake cookies for Christmas again. And this makes me very, very happy. Sure, I'll still cook, since I have a family to feed, and yes, there are quite a few meals I'm great at making. (Even though I have set off the fire alarm too many times to count.) I am also great at making carrot cake and cream cheese icing, so a few times a year, I'll bake the one thing I'm good at. Other than that? No more.

Next year, I'll just stick to the things I'm good at during the holidays: decorating the house, shopping for the people I love, and wrapping presents. I did work as a professional gift wrapper when I was in unveristy, you know!

Now, I can sit back and enjoy the amazing Greek baked goods my grandmother just dropped off, with no pressure on me.

It feels good, to accept to the truth.

The gift of gold

I'm happy to report that most of my Christmas shopping is complete. Of course, there are several people on my list I haven't shopped for yet, but I'm strange and I love waiting for the last minute to shop. I like being a mall in the middle of the afternoon on December 24th. Call me crazy, but it's something I love to do.

Every year I give my children typical presents I know they'll love—things they've asked for, from LEGO to books to DVD's. We also donate to CHEO and give several new items to children who are with the Children's Aid Society, as well as drop off toys for the Toy Mountain, because the best part about the holiday season is giving, especially to those less fortunate than us.

Something else I love doing for my children every year is getting them something extra special. A gift that won't lose value over time and a gift they'll cherish for years to come.

My six year old is into collecting special coins and gold bars. He absolutely loves visiting the Royal Canadian Mint—and I do, too. Taking a tour of the Mint is educational, and a lot of fun. The Mint was built in 1908, and currently produces hand-crafted collector and commermorative coins, gold bullion coins, medals and medallions. The Vancouver 2010 Olympic medals were made in this facility, too—these medals were so neat to see up close! The Mint's gold refining and advanced engineering operations are also located right here in Ottawa.

This Christmas, I wanted to surprise my son with a special gold coin. I knew he would love
the new Fine Gold Cougar Coin as soon as I saw it on the Mint's website.



I asked the @CanadianMint on Twitter if they had any of these gold coins left in their store and within minutes, I received an email from them, telling me how much they love my blog and how they'd love to work with me on a review and giveaway with this goild coin. Isnt' that amazing?

I was so excited, and I know my big boy will be thrilled on Christmas Day to see this shiny new gold coin to add to his collection.

Let me just pause here for a moment to say how in love I am with Twitter. The power of Twitter never ceases to amaze me.

The Mint is so amazing they are also giving one of my readers the exact same gold coin. You're in luck because these gold coins are so popular that they're not even beeing shipped out until mid-December.

This special collector's gold coin is struck in 99.99% pure gold and is a collectible keepsake.

Perhaps there is another child out there who also loves collecting coins or gold? This would be the perfect gift for that child—or adult! It's the gift that will be cherished forever, and it will never lose its value.

To win this gold coin, please leave me a comment below telling me what special gifts you like to give your children for the holidays or for special occassions. Do you have certain traditions, too?

I'll pick a winner randomly on December 13th.

Good Luck!

Dare to try

Thanks to L'Oreal for sponsoring my post about my favorite beauty looks, tips and tricks! Check out Makeup.com for beauty advice from the experts.

I love make-up. Let me rephrase that: I love make-up. There are two types of stores I could spend countless numbers of hours in: a book store, and a make-up store. Sephora after-hours? Yes, please! Or, any make-up counter, on earth? I'm so there. I have so many tubes of lip gloss I have lost count. You could say I'm a little obsessed.


Some people keep buying new shoes, but me? I buy new make-up every chance I can. Make-up is always the right size, always brightens my look, and doesn't damange my bank account in a bad way.

I wear the same eye shadow, eye liner, lip gloss and blush almost every day and I've gotten so good at applying my own make-up I can practically do it in the dark without looking like a clown. But for evenings and special events, I love to try new looks. And now that the holidays are here, I love anything that sparkles! I also love the look of a dramatic, smokey eye.

I recently tried Bobbi Brown's new holiday line, and I fell in love. They have a variety of colours to choose from, and will look amazing on all skin tones, depending on the look you're trying to achieve.


With the right tools, you can make your eyes pop. Even without the help of a professional make-up artist! An eyelash curler and some mascara, and the fact that I've only slept 4 hours the night before is not so evident anymore. I always wear my Maybelline The Falsies Volume Express Flared mascara. I swear, this is the best mascara you'll ever own. It does wonders to your eyes, and you'll almost never look tired again! If I'm doing up my eyes, I always make sure my lips aren't too bright. I love a light pink lip gloss—one with extra shine!

This holiday season, I dare you to walk up to your favorite make-up counter, and ask them to doll you up, holiday style. You will love how glamorous you look, I promise. And? With your make-up looking so good, you won't need to stress about what to wear!

I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective. Click here to learn more about Makeup.com or become a Facebook fan by clicking here.

Holiday giveaway time! (Part two)

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas... well, not quite yet. There is still no snow. There was, for a couple of days, but it melted with our warm temperatures. However, this lack of snow doesn't make me feel any less festive. (Which makes me wonder... maybe Christmas in Florida wouldn't be so bad, after all?)

After a fabulous giveaway with one of my favourite toy stores, Tag Along Toys, it's time for my second holiday giveaway!

This time, with Mastermind Toys.

Mastermind Toys has been selling toys for children for over 26 years, and with 13 years selling online, they know a thing or two about what the hottest toys of the season are! I lost track of time when I was looking through their online store, because there are so many items to choose from. Mastermind Toys also has 11 stores in and around Toronto, so if you prefer shopping in-store rather than online, you can do that, too.

Two of their most popular items this holiday season?

The SmartLab Weird and Wacky Contraptions Lab and the SmartLab Glow In The Dark Lab. And guess what? I am giving BOTH away to one of my readers!

The SmartLab Weird and Wacky Contraptions Lab is over 2 feet tall and has 60 mix-and-match pieces so your children can build an unlimited amount of contraptions. This is a popular toy with kids, because they can create and build their own course and test them using the easy velcro-like system. Doesn't it look fun?

The SmartLab Glow in the Dark Lab is also a huge hit, especially with kids who love everything science. (My six year old would love this!) You can make science experiments that glow, ooze, and bounce while using all sorts of lab tools and potions. You can even create a lava lamp, glowing slime, glow balls and more.
Mastermind Toys also helped make Christmas shopping easier for me by sending me a Dora and Diego cook book my three year old will love, and the LEGO Sort and Store Head! My six year old is going to love dumping container after container of LEGO into this cool sorter, and I'm just thrilled that his LEGO will finally be stored in one place, and not in boxes all over the house!


With so many amazing products, you can get all your online holiday shopping done at Mastermind Toys. They even gift wrap for you! You're welcome.

To win these two products, please leave me a comment telling me what your children are asking for this Christmas!

I'll pick a winner randomly on December 4th.

Good Luck, and stay tuned for next week's giveaway with Mrs. Tiggy Winkles!

Oh, and I'm also giving away a Balance Bike on my Yummy Mummy Club shoppng blog! This bike is a must for kids under 5 yeras old, and an awesome gift for your little one. You should totally go enter!

Old school pictures

If I could go back in time to give younger me some advice, it would be something like this:

"It gets so much better. You'll get braces. And your hair will be awesome one day."

Followed by: "What are you thinking?"

I came across pictures in my mom's closet where I was looking for Christmas presents last week. It was sort of like opening pandora's box. Well, maybe not that bad, but almost.

I have mostly happy memories of my childhood, mixed with a very awkward stage that a lot of us went through. Those God-awful middle school years.


I'm convinced this had everything to do with bad hair, pre-waxed eyebrows, shoulder pads, and acid-washed, high-waisted jeans that were always too short.

And awful purple Bonne Bell lip gloss.

I was the queen of bad hair. Having naturally curly hair can be a blessing and a curse, depending on if you know what to do with it. I did not. Clearly, my parents didn't know how to deal with it, either, so when I was 9 years old, they thought it would be cool to cut all my hair off. This resulted in me having hair nightmares, because short hair on me? Is the biggest DON'T ever. Oh, but my hair grew back. Chi-chi-chi-chia... And once again, it was... well... big hair. And sort out of control.


My past is filled with memories of summers in Greece, where I'd play with Patapouf and Bibi-Bo, drink Nou-nou chocolate milk and orange Fanta, and eat Dracula Fingers chips while reading trashy romance novels.

The summer I was almost 13 was the summer of Debbie Gibson and Tiffany playing on repeat on my yellow Sony walkman on a beautiful island in Greece. I had a favourite white skirt and navy blue top with shoulder pads. Shoulder pads! I loved that outfit. Right down to the white penny loafers. (Really, Loukia?)


I posed a lot, back in the day. Like leaning up against a wall type posing. Not sure what look I was going for here. This was the summer I was 14, when I was in England. I had bad hair but good taste in books. I read Wuthering Heights that summer, thinking there was no better place to read it than the place it was written. And I wore really short shorts. God, I loved those shorts.


I was all about desert boots and duckies, Tretorns and push-down socks, Esprit and Benetton. I kept journals where I wrote bad poetry, that I still have today. Most of what I wrote is cringe-worthy, of course. A blog post in itself, if I'm ever looking for something to write about. I had Hilroy notebooks turned into scrapbooks filled with pictures of celebrities, and collections of BOP magazines. I tried hard to perfect the Alyssa Milano circa Who's The Boss? pouf. It never worked on me, but my best friends, blessed with straight hair, had the best pouf's ever.

I used to be a dancer, and took the obligatory recital pictures, year after year. This picture shows me in my least favourite costume, ever. Again, this picture is majorly cringe-worthy. I am the reason the term "jazz hands" exists today.


While in high school I finally figured out how to handle my unruly curls (hint: don't brush them!) and fell in love with fashion. I got rid of my braces and I won "best dressed" my graduating year which isn't something to be that proud of, but still. I had come a long way from just a few years before!

In university I was too busy studying to even remember what I wore, but college years were all about pleather tops that exposed way too much skin, and... why do I look like a bobble head? A few months after this picture was taken I landed my internship at CBS TV in D.C, and got my style sense back. When I wasn't at the TV station I was in Georgetown, shopping and maxing out my credit card. Some things never change, I guess.


I think pictures stopped being embarrassing after college.

Since then I've learned a thing or two: pleather is always a no, especially red pleather snakeskin pants, find a good hair stylist, and remember that confidence comes from within. It's not about the size of pants you wear or where your clothes are from. The pictures I get the most compliments on are the ones where I'm smiling my biggest, most sincere smiles. Usually it's when I'm thinking about my children.


So there you have it. My most embarrassing pictures, ever, exposed on my blog. It's totally a blogging rite of passage, isn't it?

Please tell me... do have pictures from back in the day that make you cringe? That make you shake your head and wonder what you were thinking? That make you laugh out loud? Or is it just me?

I'm in a giving mood...

It's official. I'm feeling festive. Despite the lack of snow and the unseasonably warm weather, I am so excited that the holidays are almost here. Seriously. Only one month left! It seems we went from trick-or-treating to deck-the-halls in no time at all. I start feeling a little festive the day I see the red cups at Starbucks. They make me so excited... and anxious!

The panic is slowly setting in. The calendar is filling up quickly with holiday parties and events, Christmas lists are being made, shopping is about to get started, baking will soon commence, (God help me) and presents will need to get wrapped. (My area of expertise!)

Well, I'm here to offer you some relief, at least in the shopping department. I'm like Santa's little helper, red hat and all.

Every week until mid-December, I'll be having a holiday giveaway with some of my favorite stores, just for you... just for your children!

Last year, I was fortunate enough to work with Tag Along Toys on a fantastic holiday giveaway, where I gave away a Corolle doll and a Playmobil set.

I'm excited to be working with Tag Along Toys again this holiday season!

This year, I brought my boys with me to help pick out some items for the giveaway.


Tag Along Toys is an amazing toy store in Ottawa's west end, owned by a mom who is also a registered early childhood educator. That came as no surprise to me, as Patti welcomed my boys in to her store with open arms, selecting items that were perfect for them. Kids in a candy store? This was even better! They did not want to leave, and were running around the store happily pointing out all the toys they thought would make great presents, for themselves, and for others.

Tag Along Toys has been around for over 10 years and is also known as "Aladdin's Cave for Kids." There is something here for all the children on your shopping list, from babies to teens. One stop shop? Indeed. Books, educational toys, Playmobil, play kitchens, and items by Djeco, Schleich, Plany Toys, Kiss Naturals and more fill the shelves. Thre is a huge selection of bath toys, puzzles and construction vehicles. Needless to say, my boys were in heaven! You can also place special orders, and get your purchases gift wrapped.

Tag Along Toys offers discounts to teachers and educators everyday, and they have Grandparents Day on the last Thursday of every month where all purchases are 20% off. Isn't that amazing?

This holiday season, I'm excited to be giving away a very awesome Pirates Mosaic Craft Set. My six year old has the Dragon Mosaic Set, and he loves it. It's a wonderful craft and it's not messy at all. You can create 4 different scenes and the end result is just awesome. If your children are crafty at all, this is perfect for them.
I also have a fabulous Kiss Naturals giveaway that will keep your little ones busy for hours on end. Kiss Naturals are fun all-natural do it yourself kits, and I have not one, not two, but three kits to give away: the lip balm kit, the soap kit, and the bath fizzies kit. These kits make great gifts for Christmas or birthday parties. Also? Kiss Naturals is a Canadian company.

To win these awesome gifts, just leave me comment below telling me what you love the most about the holidays.

Bonus entry number 1: Follow @TagAlongToys on Twitter.

Bonus entry number 2: Become a fan of Loulou's Views on Facebook, and follow @MrsLoulou on Twitter.

I'll pick a winner randomly on November 27, 2011.

Good Luck!

Also, I'd love for you to follow my shopping blog over at Yummy Mummy Club! I'll be offering tips on holiday shopping and what the hottest items for the season are. I just had an awesome giveaway with Old Navy, too, and someone won a new winter coat!

The holidays are all about giving, right?

Stay tuned for more great giveaways with Balance Bikes, Mrs. Tiggy Winkles and MasterMind Toys!

Little white lies

"SANTA! OH MY GOD! SANTA'S COMING! I KNOW HIM! I KNOW HIM!" Buddy the Elf

"Mommy, does Santa ever die?" my six year old was full of questions on our drive home tonight.

Yes, the best conversations always happen when I'm driving with my boys. I ask my children about their day, who they played with, what they learned, if they ate all their lunch, and so on. Conversations, back-and-forth, between my boys and I. Moments I cherish. Until the hard questions are asked. And I'm um, sometimes left wondering what to say.

"No, sweetie... Santa doesn't die," I reply, accepting the fact that I'm lying to my own child.

"Well, how come? Why doesn't he die?" the questions I don't want to answer have finally arrived. My baby is at that age. Six years old, and he's already figured out I'm the magical tooth fairy that leaves him money and a personal letter with every lost tooth. He's wise beyond his years, and he's figured out that Santa is not real. But I can't just give in like that. I have to try to keep the magic alive, don't I?

"Well, he's magical!" I say, because really, I don't know, I'm talking about a make-believe old dude who delivers presents to every good girl and boy on earth in one night on a flying sled with flying reindeer, one with a shiny red nose. Perhaps he's figured out the space-time continuum and is smarter than all of us? Oh, wait... he isn't real.

Truth is, I don't think I ever really believed in Santa, because the house I lived in as a young child didn't have a fireplace.

(Note to self: Remember to write a post about the time in grade six I stuck a car lighter on my nose to see if it would hurt, and what I was called for the rest of the year.)

"Well, I don't believe that Santa is real," my six year old said to me. "He's not real. He is just made up."

Gulp...

"Nooo!" says my little dude, my three year old. "Santa is real and he makes his toys in the factory!"

"That's right, little D! He does!"

And then, I change the subject as quickly as I can because I feel guilty that I'm lying to my baby boy, and I feel guilty that I'm not insisting that Santa is real to my oldest son. I think my six year old still sort of maybe believes in Santa, but I can't be certain.

As a mom, I sometimes feel guilty when I am knowingly lying to my children, even though I know it's not going to damage them later in life.

"There is no more chocolate in this house. Yes, I'm serious!"
"You realize that Santa is watching, right? You better behave!"
"If you don't stop complaining, I will return that toy I just bought you!"
"See the police station over there? You have two minutes to stop fighting or else..."
"If you swallow your gum, it'll stay in your stomach for seven years!"

The Santa lie, though? I have a really hard time with that one. Because I actually feel bad that I'm making my children believe in something that is completely untrue.

And yes, I have seen Elf a hundred times, and I love it. And it almost makes me believe... but not quite. (And if you're real, Santa? I want keys to a condo in South Florida. Thanks!)

For now, though, at least this year, for my six year old? There will be a gift from Santa for him, under our Christmas tree, like every other year, right next to his brother's.

After all... Christmas is kind of magical, isn't it? And I guess this is one little white lie I'll try to keep up until I can't anymore.

The best idea ever

Parenthood is messy. I realized this the day I was peed on when I was changing my baby's diaper days after I had given birth. I'm reminded of the messiness when I clean vomit from the car or from my bed. Children can be messy.

Two days ago, I found my three year old in the bath-tub, covered in an entire bottle of Zincofax, mixed together with an entire bottle of Johnson's baby lotion. It took a long time to get him clean, and his skin is still softer than it was the day he was born.

Yup. Parenthood is messy. But messes? I can handle. Something I can't handle, though? Something that makes me break out into a cold sweat, gasping for air?

Public bathrooms. See, I suffer from Mysophobia. The fear of germs. (I have a lot of other fears, too.)

Of course, because I have this fear, my children will always, always have to go the bathroom when we're in the mall, at a restaurant, in the grocery store, or on a road trip. Gone are the days when I could walk into Banana Republic to change my baby's diaper in the change room without anyone knowing, because well, my boys aren't in diapers anymore. (I used to breastfeed in change rooms, too, in case you wanted to know.)

You might think I'm crazy to have such a fear, but when my children have to go-go? They do it without their clothes on.

So picture me, hyper-paranoid mom, dealing with my children sitting on a toilet seat, with their clothes off, sometimes using their little hands to position themselves on the seat better. I stand, biting my nails nervously as the toilet paper I used to cover the toilet seat falls into the toilet. I tell them to hurry up, because there is only so much I can take, and we wash our hands, leaving as quicky as possible, as I rummage through my purse for my Purell. Those nights? They stay in the bath an extra, extra long time.

Although there is not much I can do to avoid these types of situations, there is something I do to avoid nervous breakdowns when my boys have to pee.

Instead of watching my children come into contact with a germ infested public toilet seat, I carry a plastic cup or an empty water bottle with me. So when my boys have to do their business? I calmly walk them into the bathroom, and they pee into the bottle or cup. I flush the liquid down the toilet, dispose of the cup or bottle, wash our hands, and we are on our way. This has come in handy so many times. With a three year old, there are a lot of emergency stops made while driving, and now, my little dude doesn't even have to get out of the car when he has to go sometimes.

I just have to add here that since my six year can reach the toilet seat in most establishments, he doesn't pee in a cup. My three year old does, in some public bathrooms if the toilet seat is too high. Or if the bathroom is really, really gross. And? I'm totally fine with this.

Anything that makes my life as a mom easier? I totally support.

Am I a genius or what?

New York City on a whim...

Last Thursday, I was in a taxi at 4:30 a.m., on my way to the airport.

I was heading to New York City—one of my most favourite cities ever— for a Tommee Tippee event, for the day. Nothing can get me out of bed with a smile at 4:30 a.m., unless of course, it's to spend the day in NYC.

Also on the agenda: lunch with Marinka and Ali in Saks Fifth Avenue, on the 8th floor.

The shoe floor.

Seriously. It was an awesome day.

New York City with fabulous people, attending an event about a great baby company, and lunching with some of my favourite people on the shoe floor of Saks... sigh. All in a day's work.

My taxi driver was nice enough to have a coffee waiting for me in the car, however, being the paranoid person I am, I wasn't sure I should drink it. What if his intentions were to poison me, and months later an innocent jogger were to discover my body in some random forest? After some back-and-forth conversation, which is always so.much.fun at 4:30 a.m., I decided to drink the coffee. The first sip woke me up enough to remind me that I forgot my Ativan, and I never fly without Ativan when I'm flying without my children. So I stopped drinking the coffee, in order to remain in a sleep-like state, much like how it feels to be on Ativan.

The thing is, I hate flying.

No matter how often I get on a plane, I am never relaxed. At least when my children are with me, I'm too busy keeping them occupied I don't have time to think about the plane falling out of the sky. Because really, no matter how many times it's explained to me, it doesn't make sense that an incredibly heavy piece of metal can stay in the sky without falling, and on top of that, somehow land where it is supposed to land. And turbulence being "nothing to worry about" is something I don't really believe. When the plane "falls" a bit in the sky? It's scary. The only thing I do on the plane is eat, so I can have energy to tread water for hours until I'm rescued, should the plane fall into a body of water.

Despite my fear of flying, every flight I take is worth it, New York City being no exception. Being flown to New York City for a blogging related event was the coolest thing ever, and a great experience.

I loved:

Sitting beside Reeva on the flight from Toronto to New York City—she kept me calm, and talking to her for the hour made me forget I had no drugs to calm me down!

Being called Britney Spears by a crazy dude. Really, really loudly, downtown in New York City.

Seeing Jessica again.

Learning about a fabulous baby company and wishing I was pregnant for the third time.

Tearing up during the The Day You Were Born video demonstration.

Imagining I lived in the apartment in downtown NYC that the event took place in. It was the coolest apartment ever, and the decor was amazing.

Enjoying the balcony of this apartment on an unseasonably warm and sunny day.


Testing out sippy cups with Ali.


Meeting Marinka for lunch in Saks. Even though we were running late—forgive us, Marinka!

Saks Fifth Avenue fries.

Comparing hair trauma stories with Ali as Marinka looked at us as like we were crazy.

Getting hooked on Hanky Panky's. (Thanks, Ali!)

Discovering the world of American Girl dolls. (I'm lucky I only have boys. If I had a daughter I'd be in serious trouble!)

Taking a picture of Rockerfeller Center for my three year old, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York obsessed son.


Laughter, great conversations, and some retail therapy, all under $100.

It really was a surreal day that re-confirmed to me how much I love everything about blogging, my blogging community, and the incredible opportunties I get to be a part of.