Loulou's views

As much as I am an avid shopper—both online and in stores—I've never had the desire to shop anything from  The Shopping Channel . Well, I was given a challenge: I was told to go shopping and report back with what I found online at tsc.ca.  I'm not one to say no to shopping—or a challenge—so I accepted. The Shopping Channel has been around for over 26 years, giving Canadians a fun and convenient way to to shop for all sorts of things—things for the home, like kitchen gadgets, to jewellery, and even furniture. I never really thought of TSC as the shopping destination for fashion and make-up, though, until now. Things have changed... and there are tons of new awesome and fashionable products available, like the new Isaac Mizrahi Live! accessories and apparel line, Stila cosmetics, and so many other great finds. TSC also has a great new look, and shopping online has never been easier. "TSC's brand evolution will make it a more dynamic and engaging destination for

I recently had the chance to do some back-to-school at Sears for my boys, and I hadn't been in Sears in years. I was surprised by how much it had changed since the last time I had visited, and I decided to go back to check out things for myself. (Shopping is always easier without the kids, right?) Anyway,  after flipping through the Sears Fall 2013 Look! report  I headed to the mall to check things out for myself. The Sears Fall 2013 Look! report was filled with pages of the latest fashions and styles—from cute LBD's to 60's inspired looks. I checked out Sears Canada on Pinterest, too, and was even more inspired to shop. It's hard to not fall in love with the new looks and styles supermodel Bar Refaeli (for Nevada, which was designed by the Buffalo group) is wearing on the cover and inside the magazine. I totally needed the jeans she was wearing so I went out and bought my own! And a new pair of booties, too, of course. I mean, isn't that what fall is all about?

J.Crew. Victoria's Secret. Nordstrom. Three of my favourite stores. Three stores that as of yet, don't exist in Ottawa. But all that is changing, you guys. I'm so excited, you have no idea. Last night, I attended a preview reception at the Ottawa Convention Centre where some very exciting news was announced about Rideau Centre, my favourite Ottawa shopping centre. Before the big announcements were made, we were treated to yummy food and drinks, and had the chance to mingle with friends and colleagues. Although I was only six years old when Rideau Centre opened in 1983, I have spent countless hours in this mall. (And I've spent countless dollars, too!) I've even worked in Rideau Centre—as a gift wrapper for Holiday Headquarters, briefly in Jacob, and as a server in Treats—my very first job ever when I was 16 years old. I'm almost positive not a week goes by that I'm not in the mall, shopping. Or looking. Or both. I spent a lot of my maternity leave in R

I've finally come to terms with the fact that summer is over. I guess I don't really have a choice since it's fall, right? I sometimes have a hard time accepting change, especially when it's change I don't embrace. Now it's time to put one fashionable foot in front of the other and embrace fall and all the fabulous things that come with it—shopping, shopping, and more shopping. Maybe this is just a coping mechanism for me so it makes dealing with the fact that colder days are coming, or maybe it's just because I love to shop. Either way, there are so many wonderful things in store for fall. Literally. Here's what you should totally add to your wardrobe right this second: 1.  A statement coat: Guys, I know. It's still September, and even though we can still technically get away with wearing flip flops, stores are already selling their hottest winter coats. I picked up my statement coat at Banana Republic the other day, ( this one right here , bec

I have many amazing memories of spending summers in Greece when I was a child. Of course, one of the best things about vacationing in Greece—besides spending time with family and friends, swimming in the sea, and just having the best time ever—was the food! Greek food is my favourite, but to experience it in Greece is even better. Every breakfast was nothing more than fresh Greek yogurt with a touch of honey, which I enjoyed on my grandparent's balcony. It was perfection. I'm so glad to see that the Greek yogurt craze has hit close to home, because I love that everyone can get a taste of how good Greek yogurt is without having to fly eight hours to try it! The newest Greek yogurt I love is YOPA because it tastes as good as the yogurt I used to enjoy on my summer vacations in Greece, and there are a variety of delicious flavours One of the best things about being Greek is how we include food in all of festivities. We have tons of OPA! moments to celebrate, from birthday

What movie defines your childhood? For me, it is Girls Just Want To Have Fun. I watched this awesome 80's movie countless numbers of times with my girlfriends. You could say we were a little obsessed. I still remember the entire movie by heart. We all loved to dance, of course, so watching the movie turned into a dance party, too. I'm pretty sure Sarah Jessica Parker wants to bury this movie, but come on—it's a classic! Another movie that makes my top ten best movies ever list? Dirty Dancing. It's a movie that we all still love to watch... over and over and over (and over!) again. I'll never tire of watching.  And clearly I love it very much.  "I carried a watermelon" is one of the best movie lines, no? I danced for many years, until I was in grade 10. (Then one day I forgot to show up for dance class because it was the CD release day for Guns N' Roses Use You Illusions I and II. But that's another story another day...) Anyway, although I

My family and I recently went to a Toronto Argonauts football game in Toronto. It was a memorable experience, and the perfect end-of-summer event. My children were bright-eyed and had a dozen questions about the game. By the time we left, they knew more about football than I did! They were impressed, in awe, and became instant fans of the game. We can't wait to be in a football stadium again, cheering on our favourite team. Now, we have even more reason to love football, thanks to Sun Life Financial. Sun Life Financial  has teamed up with the Canadian Football League (CFL) and has committed to donating $101 to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund (JDRF) every time a successful field goal is kicked during the CFL regular season, up to $40,000, in honour of the 101st playing of the Grey Cup Championship Game. The field goals will be tallied per team and the final funds will be directed to the affiliated JDFRF in the corresponding city. Isn't that even more exciting then a touchd

Fall is the perfect excuse to update your look—new boots, new clothes, and new make-up. Why not step into fall with a fresh new look, right? I could (and often do) spend hours in Murale stocking up on all my beauty supplies. From all the cosmetics to the perfumes and body lotions, they carry all the products I love and use religiously. New blush? Check. New eye shadow? Check? New shade of pink lipstick, because that's all I wear? Check! I love when it's Fab and Free time at Murale, because I get to shop for all the products I need and want, and then I get rewarded with a pretty cosmetics bag filled with—get this—over $288 worth of beauty products. Inside this cosmetics bag you'll find skin care, cosmetics, and nail polish from B. Kamins, Benefit, Bioderma, Clarins, Clinique, Darphin, Deborah Lippmann, Estee Lauder, Smashbox, Lancome and more. How awesome is that? Very, very awesome. With Fab and Free, there is a two-part offer that you can take advantag

Summer is over, and the weather has gone from hot to chilly practically overnight. Any warm day we get in September I'll take because 17 months of cold winter is heading our way. Fall drinks are already back at Starbucks and I've finally given up my Pina Colada for a Cinnamon Dolce Latte at Starbucks. Yum, but still—sigh. Anyway, summer was wonderful. We stayed busy, we relaxed,  and we travelled. Perhaps getting laid-off was a blessing—the quality time I got to spend with my children this summer? I wouldn't trade it for anything. It was the simple things that I enjoyed the most. We went for walks to the park, and visited the many great museums Ottawa has, and enjoyed BBQ season with family and friends. We went for scooter and bike rides around the neighbourhood. I cheered on my boys as they played soccer, and maybe wiped a tear away when they got their medals at the end of the season. We swam, and swam, and swam some more. For every hot and sunny day there was, we

Yesterday I spent the day thinking I was turning a year older than I really am. When I realized my mistake, (I am terrible when it come to math, obviously) I was relieved, and then I realized that I'm still over 35, so you know, whatever. Another year older... another birthday to celebrate! In reality I'm beyond thankful for another year , and am feeling blessed. 37 is a great number, right? I still feel like I'm 26, most of the time. I sleep even less than most 20 year olds who go out all night long! (Remember those days? I miss those days, minus the evil hangovers.) Looking back, I've got nothing but great memories. I wouldn't even trade the bad moments because they've shaped who I've become and they're part of my story. I miss certain aspects of the past, though, like high school, university and... everything in between and after. Nostalgic much? Here are 37 of my favourite things: 1. My family . I love my family so much—husband, paren

It was a perfect summer. In fact, summer was so great it feels like it was only two weeks ago that I was taking pictures of my children on the last day of school. I don't quite understand how summer went by so quickly, but here we are—a new school year is only 24 hours or so away. Wow. Sadness. Also? HAPPINESS. I'll absolutely be wiping away the tears as my boys walk into school, but? I'll also be really glad. I am so ready (as I am sure they are too) for the routine again. For more structure. And I am so looking forward to going shopping... all... by... myself. I don't know about you, but I've been singing this song for the last couple of days. It's the final countdown, you guys. (Oh, 80's. I love you so, and all your ridiculousness.) Here's to an awesome September!

When my oldest son started school, he was four years old. I cried when he walked away from me, into the kindergarten doors. I wished there was a way I could have left him a note in his lunch box to remind him how much I loved him, or how proud I was of him,  and to remind him of how wonderful of a person he was. I often left him little pictures, and looked forward to the day he could read. Now my oldest son, heading into grade three, is a great reader, and I get excited knowing that the notes I put in his lunchbox will be read. And hopefully, these notes will bring a smile to his face. I'm thrilled to be part of the Lunchbox Love Mom Panel , because I think these little notes are a simple way to keep a child smiling all day long—which in turn, makes me a happy mom. As we're just a couple of days away from starting the morning routine of getting the kids out the door and to school on time, I love that I have little notes to pop into my children's lunches that I know will