Loulou's views

I'm back from my warm and sunny south Florida vacation, and I'm already planning my next trip back, because Bal Harbour is my happy place. Last year, I stayed at and reviewed the luxurious Ritz-Carlton Bal Harbour —and it was every bit as fabulous as you'd expect from a Ritz-Carlton stay. If you haven't been to Bal Harbour yet, here are four reasons why it should be on your travel bucket list. Four Reasons To Fall In Love With Bal Harbour: Bal Harbour Shops :  Bal Harbour Shops, named the world's most productive shopping centre, is paradise found for a shopaholic. Shopping in Bal Harbour is an experience like no other, and no matter what you're looking for, you'll find it. All the best designer stores can be found here: Balenciaga, Chanel, Dolce and Gabbana, Fendi, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Jimmy Choo, Michael Kors, Tiffany & Co., Valentino, Rag and Bone, Tory Burch, and many more. There's also Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus, on either end of th...

As much as I enjoy escaping the cold and heading south every winter, I also love going to Mont Tremblant  to enjoy all that winter has to offer. There is no better place to take in the beauty of winter than Mont Tremblant—even if you're not an avid skier. A couple of days in Mont Tremblant will turn anyone into a snow bunny. We travel to Mont Tremblant in the summer and in the winter, because there is so much to do, like skiing (downhill or cross-country), swimming (in the pools or in Lac Tremblant), biking, tennis, and so much more. The mountain views are simply breathtaking. I was invited to stay and and review Mont Tremblant for a few days this week with my family, and we had a wonderful time. My boys even skied for their first time, too. (Thank you for taking such good care of us, Mont Tremblant!) What makes Tremblant a top travel destination, no matter the season? So many reasons: Skiing:  Mont Tremblant is a popular ski destination where you'll find tourists and...

Is is summer yet? I need to get back to Greece. A vacation in Greece cannot be beat—the sea, the mountains, the islands... and of course, the lifestyle, the culture, the music, the hot sun, and the food... oh, the food!   When I'm in Ottawa, I always crave Greek food, and I'm lucky to have a wonderful Greek family that always cook Greek meals. Even so, going out for Greek food is always a fun thing to do—as long as the food is as good as a home-cooked Greek meal straight from grandmother's kitchen.  We have an amazing authentic Greek restaurant here in Ottawa—and it's my favourite place to go for Greek food.  EVOO , on Preston Street, serves food that'll make you feel like you're in Greece.  It's a perfect hangout any night of the week, and the service is great. And the food? So, so   good. Take my word for it—the tzatziki and pita bread, the lamb, the meatballs, the Greek salad, the french fries... oh, my taste buds!  If you love ...

It's almost time for the Oscars, and I can't wait! I'm looking forward to seeing my favourite celebrities on the red carpet, and I'm excited to see who will win Best Actress, Best Actor, and Best Picture. If you're like me and must read the book before you see the movie, you're in luck because this year, the number of Oscar nominated books is higher than usual, which means you still have time to read these great books turned Oscar nominated films before February 28th. I was on CTV Ottawa Morning Live today chatting about the Oscars and which books-turned-movie have been given an Oscar nod. A very special thank you to Chapters-Indigo for always having the books I need for my segments and for always keeping me reading at home. If you're looking to pick up any of these great Oscar nominated books, head to Chapters-Indigo. Best Picture:  The Revenant: This novel by Michael Punke has been nominated for Best Picture and Leonardo DiCaprio is ...

We have all been affected by cancer one way or another. We have felt the loss and pain of loved ones being diagnosed with this disease, we have friends and relatives who have lost their battle, and we've seen friends beat this disease. These people are now survivors we can all look up to. It seems there is someone else I know who is diagnosed with this terrible disease every month, but the good news is, every day, more and more people are becoming survivors, defying the odds, and every day, there is more research being done and we're this close to a cure. Go, science! I believe in our lifetime we'll see incredible advances for the prevention and treatment of cancer, and we'll also, hopefully, be witness to a cure. A few weeks ago, Cancer Care Ontario added two new cancers to its online cancer risk assessment tool: kidney and melanoma. My CancerIQ is a confidential, online tool that allows Ontarians to determine their personal risk factors for melanoma, breast, cervic...

It's mid-February and that means we're in the middle of awards season. It's always fun getting ready to head out onto the red carpet, and... wait. I mean, it's alway fun to imagine we're rocking the red carpet and being interviewed about what designer we're wearing. Even if we're not on the red carpet, we can easily achieve a red carpet look effortlessly at home. Without a team of hair stylists, and make-up artists, even. The secret? COVERGIRL and Pantene.  Here are some tips on how you can achieve a truly glamorous look for a night out, even if it's not on the red carpet. Once you've got your outfit planned (little black dress and a killer pair of heels, or a cute top and jeans always works!) try these beauty tips to make yourself simply gorgeous: Ace that bace: Want glowing skin? Start with a base. Moisturize, every day, and every night. (And I don't want to hear any excuses for not washing your make-up off before bed! None!) Af...

I was in Toronto yesterday for a Red Carpet Grammy Viewing Party with P&G , in partnership with Shoppers Drug Mart. I had a great flight into the city with Porter Airlines, as always, and arrived to my hotel with enough time to relax and get ready for the big Grammy party. Outfit of choice? My new Free People dress—perfect for this event. A little flow-y, a little fun, a  little flirty—and perfect to mingle in! It was a night of glamour and fun as we watched the stars arrive on the red carpet (how cute were Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez?), dished on the best looks of the night, and talked about the best hair products and make-up to wear on the red carpet—and every day, really. We talked fashion, hair, and make-up with ET Canada reporter Sangita Patel , Pantene Pro-V hair stylist Justin German , and COVERGIRL make-up artists Veronica Chu . These three know a thing or two about achieving the right look, and listening to them talk about their favourite beauty looks a...

When I finish a great book, it always takes me at least a week to pick up something new to read, even though my night table is stacked with books just waiting to be read. I'm the same when I watch television; once I start watching a show, I will not watch anything else and I get easily addicted to what I'm watching on Netflix. Of course, I binge watch seasons of my favourite shows like it's a completely normal thing to do. Just one more episode... just... one... more... until the next thing I know it's 3 a.m. and I have to wake up at 6 a.m. Oh, Netflix, how I love you. My favourite show of all time is Breaking Bad, and believe it or not, it's been impossibly hard for me to get into any new shows even though I keep meaning to watch Friday Night Lights, Pretty Little Liars, and Making a Murderer. And I've got to get back to Downton Abbey. I've watched Orange Is The New Black, and another favourite show of mine is House of Cards. And, you guys? House of Car...

Here are three things I love: traveling, reading, and shopping. I need to have at least three or four books on my night table waiting to be read when I'm in the middle of a book, knowing it'll take me a day or two to get over the last book I've read. (I just finished reading Brooklyn, and oh, my God—it was amazing. Now I have to see the movie before the Oscars!) I was on Daytime Ottawa today talking about the hottest books to read this winter. If you've been searching for your next great read, I've got a list for you! Valentine's Day Books To Love: Chasers of the Light—Poems from the Typewriter Series: This great collection of beautiful love poems is written by author Tyler Knott Greyson. Another great book by Tyler Knott Greyson /All The Words Are Yours. Both books make great books to give and to receive this month. Truly beautiful and inspirational. You can read from the author on Instagram. Me Before You: This is a touching, unexpected lo...

I have a thing for sunglasses—I can never get enough, and I always love buying new shades. I wear sunglasses every day, and love stocking up on new pairs I fall in love with. I have a few favourite pairs from Chanel and Gucci, and one of my favourite places to get new shades is from SmartBuyGlasses.ca. I love partnering with SmartBuyGlasses.ca because they offer an excellent variety of glasses to suit anyone's style—and they have a great selection of the latest from Ray-Ban, Gucci, Fendi, and Burberry. SmartBuyGlasses.ca just sent me these gorgeous shades from Gucci, and I'm in love! If you're looking for a great gift idea (hmm, Valentine's Day is just around the corner!) for yourself or to give the love of your life, I think a new pair of sunglasses would make the perfect gift. And the prices cannot be beat, seriously. SmartBuyGlasses.ca always delivers what I want, from the style to the brands I love, and the service is excellent, too. No need to shop in...