Loulou's views

Admit it... you lie. You probably lie every day and forgive yourself for it, because sometimes, well, you just gotta lie. I'm not talking about big, bad lies—more the little lies that don't really hurt anyone. Sometimes you might be stretching the truth a little, and that's okay. We are all guilty of this. Like telling your friend she looks perfect in that dress. Or coming up with a wild excuse for why you weren't able to attend the school council meeting. (Yawn.) And, of course, the little white lies we tell our children. Being the mom of two young and curious boys, I've lied before... like hiding the chocolate so I can enjoy it myself after the kids have gone to bed (" Sorry boys, there is no chocolate in the house!" ) or convincing myself I better eat the last cookie, because if there are no cookies in the house, my boys will eat something healthy. I've lied to my boys and told them the stores were closed  because I didn't r...

This past weekend I had the great pleasure of staying at and reviewing the stunning Ritz-Carlton, Montreal  with my family. Montreal has always been one of my favourite cities because of its history and culture, and also because it is charming and beautiful. Not many hotels are linked to the history of the city in which they are located; the Ritz-Carlton Montreal is one of those hotels. After all, it's not called the "Grand Dame of Sherbrooke Street" for nothing. This hotel is an iconic part of Montreal. The hotel first opened its doors in 1912 and perhaps that is part of its charm. The lobby area (also called the Palm Court) is a great place to people watch and enjoy afternoon tea. The Palm Court makes me feel like I've stepped into the world of Gatsby. There is also a Dom Pérignon Champagne Bar in the Palm Court – exclusive to the Ritz-Carlton Montral and the first of its kind in Canada. (I'll have to come back for that!) I stayed at this hote...

As busy as we all our in our day-to-day lives, there is nothing more important to me than spending time with my children, doing things we love. Weekends (although we're usually heading out the door somewhere) are a great time to slow things down, and connect. One way to do this, I have found, is baking in the kitchen. Now, I'm not great in the kitchen—I've definitely had my share of disasters—so when I come across a recipe that is super easy, I'm all over it. And when it includes ingredients I know my boys love, that are also healthy? Total bonus. Kraft Peanut Butter is a staple in our house, and I am thankful we don't have any nut allergies, although I am very careful when guests are over who do have allergies. I recently made Kraft Peanut Butter Snack Bites with my boys for them to snack on. Sure, a peanut butter sandwich is a great lunch or after school snack idea, but using Kraft Peanut Butter for baking is an excellent alternative. We all call these d...

I love going out to the movies—especially because it involves popcorn. (And for the record, I don't share my popcorn, so you'll have to get your own.) Anyway, I've missed seeing many great movies on the big screen, like Interstellar. (I just saw Interstellar at home and it was amazing. And confusing, but mostly amazing.) I wish I had more time to go to the movies, but with two young and active children plus  working full-time jobs inside and outside the home, it is not always easy to make that great escape. This is why I'm really glad to have been asked to work with Visa Checkout and Cineplex —because I had to go to the movies—no excuses. Visa Checkout is great. It makes online shopping more enjoyable and much more convenient. Basically, Visa Checkout provides a single account sign-in that can be used across all your devices. Visa Checkout gives shoppers a secure way to pay online with Visa's advanced security tools and Zero Liability for ...

Last week I was in Toronto, staying at The Hazelton Hotel –Toronto's most exclusive five-star hotel. It   was every bit as wonderful as I imagined it would be. I'm thankful to have been invited to review this gorgeous property because it's one hotel I've always wanted to explore. The Hazelton Hotel is an important part of Yorkville's vibe and culture. And boy, do I love Yorkville—this is Toronto's most stylish district, after all, with plenty of amazing shopping and fine dining. Yorkville is where you'll find me when I'm in Toronto, no matter the season. I was curious to find out just how lovely a stay at The Hazelton Hotel would be, especially because it is the number one hotel in Toronto , according to Conde Nast Traveler. The service was amazing; similar to the service I received at the Ritz-Carlton Bal Harbour. Everyone was incredibly friendly and ready to help with any request I had, morning or night. The rooms are stunning, especially the gorge...

Disclosure: I am a P&Gmom. As part of my affiliation with this group I receive products and special access to P&G events and opportunities. The opinions on this blog are my own. It was a long winter, but spring is finally here. We've had a few chilly days this spring, but for the most part, all the winter gear has been put away—far, far away, in the depth of the basement so I don't have to remember how bad it was and how long it lasted. I mean, really—it was never-ending! Spring means making a positive change to our routine and spring makes it easier getting out the door in the mornings—no need for the kids to put on their snow pants and boots, and no more snowy mess in the entrance way. I love slipping on my favourite heels without having to worry about getting cold or ruining my shoes. Spring cleaning is my favourite, too—seriously. I love to de-clutter, and change things up with new home accents and accessories, and I love to clean, really ...

Once you become a parent, some things become absolutely essential to have in the home. Locks that work on bathroom and bedroom doors, erasable markers, waterproof mascara, and batteries. If you've got kids in the house, you need a constant supply of batteries. For toys. For wii controllers. For Nerf guns. For the TV remote. And especially for Christmas Day. I was recently invited to Toronto (thanks to Energizer )   with my family for the weekend. (A special thank you to the beautiful Renaissance Hotel for taking such good care of us and for the warm welcome. The children especially loved the large indoor pool, and I loved the downtown location—we were literally next to the CN Tower!) Energizer invited us to spend some time at the Ontario Science Centre so we could learn more about their recently launched Energizer ® EcoAdvanced™ battery, which is the world's first AA battery made with four percent recycled batteries. Isns't that great? ...

Spring is finally here, and with that, it's time to start again—from getting back on track with personal goals and routines of eating better and exercising, to freshening up the home, both inside, and outside. Spring cleaning is my favourite, because it's out with the old and in with the new—new furntiure, bright accessories and pillows, and flowers everywhere. It's time to open the windows and let the sunshine in! I am inspired every time I step into Urban Barn . My partnership with Urban Barn—working as their Brand Ambassador and Spokesperson—came at the most perfect time for me, since I was (and am still!) in the middle of bedroom and family room renovations. I always find exactly what I'm looking for whenever I'm in Urban Barn, and seeing everything in person helps me visualize what my rooms will look like. Sometimes all you need are a few new frames, vases, and pillows. Or, you might need  new furntiure to freshen up a room in your home, too. Urban Barn ...