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...

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 ...

I'm excited to announce that I'm working with  Urban Barn again as their Spokesperson and Brand Ambassador for Ottawa's newest store in Barrhaven! That's right, Ottawa— a third Urban Barn is opening on March 7th , and you can expect to see all the usual gorgeous items for the home in the new store. What's in store at Urban Barn this spring? Think fresh, think colourful, think vibrant. You can sail away with navy and yellow pieces, accessorize with pops or bright orange and aqua, and transform your favourite room with neutral greys and soft green hues. To find out more—and to win amazing prizes from Urban Barn—please join me as I host a Twitter party on  Thursday, March 5th , from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m EST.   I'd love for you to join me, @MrsLoulou ,  and @FeistyFrugal as we'll be chatting about getting the home ready for spring—out with old and the cold, and finally , in with the new—new furniture, bright colours, and home decor ideas designed to brighte...

Hey, Ottawa—I've got some great news for you! Urban Barn —everyone's favourite furniture store—is opening its doors in Kanata on November 15th, on Hazeldean Road in the Grant Crossing mall. (From 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., so you have plenty of time to shop!) A new Urban Barn in my city makes me very excited, and I've already started planning out my dream rooms—I'm renovating my family room, bedroom , and dining room and I couldn't think of a better place to get all the furniture and home accessories I need. My children are growing up and it's time for me to starting thinking properly about home decor again—the timing is just right, and I can't wait to start shopping. I have spent so much time online recently, looking at all the gorgeous rooms and furniture from Urban Barn,  trying to narrow down which couch to buy... or which new bedroom set I desperate need. Often, though, I find even more inspiration walking through the store—it helps with the decisio...