Loulou's views

The timing of this post is pretty ironic, considering I'm talking about tips for staying healthy this holiday season while battling a cold. It's the time of year that mostly everyone gets sick, but there are things we can do now to help us stay healthy for the rest of the holiday season. It is inevitable that when children come home from school with a cold or flu, it'll get passed on to the parents, so it's even more important that we take preventative steps to stay germ-free. We're in the midst of the holiday season, and my calendar is packing up with parties. I'm so excited—but I definitely don't want to miss out on any of the festivities because of a cold. Let's keep the kisses under the mistletoe peppermint-sweet and germ-free, okay? There are three easy tips to help protect yourself and your family this fall: eat well, wash your hands frequently, and get the flu shot. Eat Well It's important to keep your body fueled with nut...

It's giving Tuesday, and I love the idea of giving gifts that give back. CanadaHelps is a registered non-profit charity—basically, a one-stop shop for donating and fundraising online for any registered Canadian charity. Our mission is to promote – and ultimately increase – charitable giving in Canada. Because we’re a non-profit our fees are typically half that of the for-profit alternatives. We do this servicing Canadian donors, charities and corporations. If you're out of ideas and you've already checked out my holiday gift guide , but still haven't found what you're looking for, I'm giving away THREE $10 gift cards to CanadaHelps that you can gift to anyone you want to give them to. Here's what you have to do: 1. Go to CanadaHelps.org and find a charity you'd like to support by doing a search. 2. Choose Charity Gift Card as your method of payment at checkout. 3. Feel great about giving back and giving someone a gift they'll love...

It's the most wonderful time of the year, and yet, it's also the most stressful time of the year for some people. While I love to shop, I know many people don't find pleasure in walking through the mall in December, looking for the perfect gifts to give the people on their list. I've put together a holiday gift guide that'll help narrow down the choices of what to give the people you love this holiday season—from luxurious gifts like a getaway to The Hazelton Hotel to books and skin care products, there is definitely something here for everyone on your list. Luxury gifts The Hazelton Hotel: I love to travel, and I love gifts that have to do with travel. Even if it's a staycation, or a weekend getaway, I can't think of a better gift to give someone you love. I had the pleasure of staying at The Hazelton Hotel in Yorkville, Toronto, and I think this is a perfect gift to give. You can unwind and re-connect in the luxurious rooms and suites, enjoy the ...

I've been using Tide purclean for several months, and I'm loving it. (Especially the Honey Lavender scent). As a mom of two very busy boys, it seems like laundry is never-ending in my home, but it's nice to know I'm using a product that's better for our environment. I wasn't sure if Tide puclean would work as well as original Tide, because it's a "green" detergent; however, Tide purclean doesn't compromise green for clean—even though it's the first bio-based detergent with the cleaning power of Tide that we've all come to trust and love. To celebrate this step in the right direction, Tide partnered with Canadian singer-songwriter and advocate for the environment, Nelly Furtado, to introduce the brand's new partnership with WWF-Canada, in support of the "Count For Nature" movement, which encourages Canadians to help wildlife thrive by taking action to benefit nature. “As a parent, I consider the products, and their...

Shopping is a great pleasure of mine—as long as I'm not shopping for something specific the night before a big event. I always find the greatest dresses when I'm not looking for something in particular, but when it's time to find a dress for a special event? Forget about it—there never seems to be anything perfect in stores, and it can be an overwhelming process that stresses me out. Thankfully, Rent Frock Repeat —the store where you can rent designer frocks for a fraction of the price—collaborated with me and helped me find the perfect dress to wear to Boobyball. I wanted to wear a long gown, but didn't want to buy another long dress that would just end up sitting in my closet looking pretty on the hanger. The beauty of working with Rent Frock Repeat is that you can truly go as wild as you want for your special event, while knowing you didn't break the bank for your special night out.  Also, it is a great way to ensure you're not in the same dress as someon...

The bigger the better, right? I think so. Especially when it comes to shopping and stocking up on the things you need. Like cosmetics, books, handbags, jewellery... oh, wait—necessities, right. I love shopping at Costco for all the things I mentioned, but also for the true necessities like food and household items. Fruit, vegetables, fish, meat, bread, cheese, crackers, and awesome party platters that are perfect for the upcoming holiday season. Costco is also my go-to store for Tide, (I do so much laundry, I NEED Costco-sized Tide bottles!) Pantene, Crest, and Bounty paper towels. It's amazing how much money I save simply by shopping at Costco. A brand-new Costco just opened its doors in Barrhaven and I had a chance to get a personal look at the huge warehouse store a few days ago at the pre-Grand Opening VIP party—and I was impressed! It's got all the things you'd normally find your local Costco store, but more. Because it's brand-new, there are some extra ...

The festive season is just around the corner. I know it's hard to believe, but it's already November, and soon, we'll be shopping for everyone on our list, attending parties, and enjoying all the sights and sounds of the holidays, while dreaming of a white Christmas. My boys (they're eight and 11 years old) don't believe in Santa anymore, and haven't for a few years; but that doesn't mean they've lost the joy or magic of the season. For those of you who have younger children who still believe in the big jolly man in the red suit and would like the chance to see him up close and personal, I'm giving away a family four pass to the first CF Rideau Centre Breakfast with Santa event, taking place at the Shaw Centre on Saturday, November 19th . All the proceeds are going to Easter Seals Ontario to help purchase expensive mobility equipment to kids with physical disabilities. I love supporting Easter Seals any way I can, and had a blast partici...

They say you get addicted the moment you walk through the doors, and I have to say that was true for me. The first time I went to Costco, I didn't know what to except, but I knew it was going to be huge, and I'd be saving money. What I didn't know was just how many amazing products were available at incredible prices—until I started shopping. Costco has become one of our favourite places to shop for all the necessities we need—from food items like bread and cream cheese, to meat and fruit—and it's also the perfect place to stock up on school snacks, vitamins, and books. (The savings on books is worth it alone for me!) Of course, Costco is also my go-to store to stock-up on my favourite P&G products like Tide, (the really, really big Tide detergent containers are the best!) Pantene, and Bounty paper towels—since we go through what feels like a roll a day. A brand-new Costco is about to open its doors in Barrhaven, and it's getting people excited. If you...

I hate to say it—but... I'm so busy. The last couple of months have been busier than usual, and there is no end in sight, especially since the holiday season is here. I know—we all lead busy lives—but even though we're juggling a hundred things a day while trying to find some sort of balance that works for us, it's essential to take care of ourselves, too. I work full-time, run a business I love, and take care of my family, which in itself is a full-time job that never ends—and the most rewarding job of all. From housework to preparing meals to after-school activities and keeping up my social life (that's important, too!) I always make sure I'm taking some time for myself. Weekly visits to the hair salon? Check. Staying active and working out? Check. Taking vacations whenever we can? Check. A great skin-care routine? Check. By the end of the day, I'm ready for a moment of relief, and that usually comes after the children have gone to bed. Late at night,...

Now that Thanksgiving is behind us, it's time to start thinking about the holiday season and all things festive—but first, Halloween! I get so excited for Halloween, and not just because I'm a mom. I love figuring out what costume to wear (I'm Harley Quinn this year!) and I love seeing what my boys are going to dress up as, too. (This year, they're going as a hot dog and a banana. Totally their idea). I get nervous on Halloween, especially because my boys are getting older and wanting more independence. They'd be happy to walk the streets on Halloween night with friends and leave me behind to pass out candy at home. I've seen one too many Halloween movies to let them go out alone on the 31st, though. With all the excitement that comes with Halloween, it's important to remember to be safe, especially since so many children are walking the streets at night, sometimes without parental supervision. Along with (very large) bags to store all the Halloween cand...