Loulou's views

Winter is my least favourite season of all. One thing I really dislike about it (besides the snow, cold, ice, and darkness) is the mess. As soon as we come inside and take off our boots, our entrance way is wet, with snow everywhere. Of course, stepping in puddles of slush is no fun, either. I love simple solutions for keeping my entrance way looking as neat and clean as possible, since it's the first thing people see when they walk into my home. We have mirrored closet doors, hooks to hang up our coats, a neat shoe compartment from IKEA built on a wall, and now, thanks to Ontario Tire Stewardship , two products that make our entrance way cleaner. Ontario Tire Stewardship is a not-for-profit organization championing waste diversion that works with a network of industry partners to collect and recycle used tired. OTS's Used Tires program has successfully diverted more than 100 million tires from landfills since 2009. The tires get safely recycled into new products, lead...

Disclosure: I am a P&G mom ambassador. As part of my affiliation with this group I receive products and have been compensated to put Tide to the stain test. The opinions on this blog are my own.  Spring is here, even though the weather hasn't been warm enough to enjoy the great outdoors yet. And what's with all the snow? Despite the less than seasonable weather, I'm still excited for spring. So excited, in fact,  I went somewhere I don't often go... to the gardening store.  I bought the supplies I needed to start planting some indoor herbs and plants, since it's not warm enough to do any outdoor gardening yet. The truth is, I don't have a green thumb, but I thought I'd start somewhere, and planting some herbs isn't that difficult. I love doing things that my boys can get involved in, too. I'm not afraid to get dirty, either—I'm a die-hard Tide fan, and Tide Ultra Stain Release works miracles on clothes that are covered in dirt. Even white...

It's spring, but it's supposed to snow tomorrow. That's just not sitting well with me, because I'm ready for warmer days—days where I can just put on a little dress and cute wedge heels and meet my girlfriends for a drink on a patio or shop... outside... without freezing! Even though the weather isn't great, you can still grab your friends and do something fun indoors—like head over to the National Women's Show  at the Shaw Centre. You can shop your heart out at over 250 exhibits, discover the latest fashion trends, watch a few fashion shows, enjoy some tasty treats and drinks, and plan you next getaway (somewhere warm, I hope) with the help of travel pros. It can be a bit overwhelming heading into the Shaw Centre for the National Women's Show, but they've divided up into sections so you can make sure to visit what you're most interested in: Festival of Fashion Business and Career Centre Beauty and Wellness Travel and Adventure World ...

Now that fall is here, we've settled back into a regular routine without missing a beat. Sometimes the morning rush can be pretty hectic, but overall, the transition from summer to fall was smooth and we're loving everything about the season has to offer, from apple picking to wagon rides at the pumpkin patch. This Thanksgiving long weekend, we'll be celebrating with family and friends, and eating more than we should. But that's what the holidays are all about, right? I'm thankful for so much—especially spending time with my family and friends. We are of course planning a big feast, as we do for Thanksgiving; we're even celebrating twice, because we've got a big Greek family and we love food. Before we sit down to eat (and eat and eat!) I'll be cleaning, as I always do—but since we're entertaining in our home this long weekend, ALL the cleaning supplies come out. Greeks have a thing for good food and they also have a thing for very clean hom...

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 ...

The countdown is officially on for back-to-school! My kids are sad that summer is coming to an end, because summer is the best season of all—swimming all day and no homework is a pretty sweet gig, after all. (I'm actually quite sad that summer is almost over, too, because I'm still not recovered from the shock of last winter, but I digress...) The one thing that turns my "summer is over" sobs into smiles is back-to-school shopping—and not only for my children. September is the perfect month to start new—like a brand new year. I just love re-organizing the home, tackling projects like painting rooms, buying new home decor and furniture, and stocking up on must-have clothes and school supplies. August and September are my favourite months to get organized, get back on track, and buy items that'll help everyone get back into routine without meltdowns or tears.  Nate Berkus—well recognized and well loved interior designer and TV personality—has added his signa...