Loulou's views

As a beauty blogger, I love getting the chance to try the latest products people are buzzing about, because many of these products quickly get added to my "must-buy, must-have" shopping list. I was excited when Better Homes and Gardens Magazine contacted me to try the  Best New Beauty Products 2014. Over 80,000 consumers took part in a research study conducted by BrandSpark International and Better Homes and Gardens Magazine, and these consumers selected the 29 most appealing and innovative new beauty products of 2014 . I got to put these great products to the test! (I love my job, truly.) Best part? I get to give away these fabulous beauty products to one of my readers!  Here are the products I received:  SensatioNail Starter Kit:  I am terrible at doing my own nails, so I go for manicures every two weeks. I've fallen in love with getting shellac nail polish, because with the LED nail lamp, the polish dries quickly and my nails lasts for a wee...

I love shopping for and discovering new accessories. With stylish accessories, you don't have to spend a fortune to change your look from day to day. A new pair of shoes, a cute pair of sunglasses, and some colourful jewellery can transform your look effortlessly. I'm just waiting for the weather to warm up so I can embrace spring fashion and accessories—enough with winter already! One of the hottest fashion accessories in Europe is the Cruciani bracelet, which is made in Italy—the fashion capital of the world. All the way from Italy, Cruciani bracelets have the fashion industry, celebrities, and people from around the world buzzing. These gorgeous Made in Italy lace bracelets come in a wide variety of colours, and each one is as beautiful as the next. They have become the must-have fashion accessory for men and women with over 12 million sold worldwide.  Cruciani bracelets have been spotted on the arms of Beyonce, Kate Middleton, Heidi Klum and many other celebs. (...

Looking for something fun to do with the girls?  Get your best friends together for the National Women's Show , back by popular demand at the Ottawa Convention Centre this March 29th and 30th! Bring your best friend, your sister, and your mom and shop 'til you drop at over 250 exhibits. (Make sure you're wearing comfortable—yet stylish—shoes!) And don't worry, you won't be shopping on an empty stomach—you'll get the chance to eat some fabulous food, and taste some delicious wine, too. Yum!  If you want a break from walking around, sit down and enjoy some fashion shows, and meet some celebrity guests, too. You'll also learn health, wellness and beauty secrets, you'll see some great cooking demonstrations, and even go home with some home renovations ideas. Looking for somewhere to vacation this summer? This show has that covered, too! There are great goodie bags that'll be given out at the National Women's Show, too, featuring great products fr...

I love being busy.  I love cities that are awake, alive, and full of action. Cities like New York, the city that never sleeps. I love the hectic pace of New York, seeing people everywhere constantly doing something, even if they're just sitting on a park bench in Central Park, taking it all in. And there really is so much to take in when you're in NYC— always.  I just got back from a few days in the Big Apple with my mom and sister. A girls trip to see A Raisin in the Sun with Denzel Washington on Broadway was the perfect way to celebrate the beginning of spring. I've been to NYC seven times, and each time, I love it more than the time before. This city is just so cool . I've been having a love affair with NYC my entire life, starting when I was a child and falling in love with the movie Annie. I had the great opportunity to review and stay at Omni Berkshire Place Hotel , and once we arrived, we hit the streets and basically walked for two days straight—as one sho...

  When you're traveling to New York City, where you stay is important. I love being in the centre of it all, somewhere central to all the things I love—Fifth Avenue for all the shopping, Central Park, Rockefeller Center, St. Patrick's Cathedral and Broadway Theatres. I just got back from my favourite trip to New York City. I had the amazing opportunity to stay at the gorgeous Omni Berkshire Place Hotel right in Midtown Manhattan, in the luxurious Madison Suite, overlooking 52nd Street and Madison Avenue, steps away from the places I mentioned above. A few words come to mind when I think about the Omni Berkshire Place Hotel: Classy. Elegant. Traditional. Modern. Clean. Chic. Basically, everything I want in a luxury hotel. As soon as we walked into the Omni, we were greeted by a gorgeous flower arrangement, which perfectly matched the spring-like temperatures outside. (We were so lucky with the fabulous weather during our stay in NYC—we even had coffee on a patio... ou...

After the children go to bed, I love to catch up with my husband over a glass of wine, read a good book, or watch one of my favourite shows on television. I stopped watching shows that completely depressed me last year. Shows like Grey's Anatomy? No more. I could only handle so much heartache, you know? Action packed shows, like Breaking Bad, I can handle—and love. I also love a show that can make me laugh. Shows like Seinfeld, Friends, Modern Family and City's original comedy, Seed . This show is funny, and it's back—you can catch a brand-new episode on City TV tonight at 9:30 p.m. There are laughs every week as you get to know and follow the lives of three very different families, who are united—whether they like it or not—by Harry, their formerly anonymous... sperm donor. Yes, you read that correctly—it's quite the show, packed with hilarious moments that'll make you laugh. Still need more convincing that you should start watching Seed, if you're not watc...

When I found out I was pregnant both times, I was overcome with happiness and joy. I enjoyed everything about being pregnant, especially preparing for the arrival of each baby by creating a beautiful space for them to call their own. After all, I knew I'd be spending countless hours in the nursery with my children, and I wanted it to be very special and unique for them both. I took my time with the selection of furniture, crib mattresses, paint colours for the walls, decor, and bedding. I was especially picky about what kind of bedding set to get—I didn't want anything too "cute", and I didn't want to go with something that had characters on it—I wanted something unique, classic, and beautiful. I was lucky enough to find what I was looking for both times, at a speciality baby store in Ottawa, and at Pottery Born Kids. The search for modern, stylish and classic bedding can be a very difficult task, though. I recently discovered a Canadian company called Ate...

I had the chance to stay at the Brookstreet Hotel  a couple of years ago with my best friends for a girls weekend getaway . It was summer, and we lounged around the pool all afternoon, and enjoyed the yummy food at Perspectives Restaurant. Although we were just in Kanata, a few minutes from downtown Ottawa, I felt like we were on vacation somewhere far away. The rooms were gorgeous with beautiful views and floor to ceiling windows—modern, clean, spacious. And the beds? So incredibly comfortable. It was a wonderful stay, and I couldn't wait to go back again. I'm very thankful to say that I was given the opportunity to stay at and review the Brookstreet Hotel during March break with my family. This time, my husband and two boys came with me for a very memorable stay. We even kept the stay a surprise and didn't tell our boys until the day we left for the hotel. They were so excited—they love adventures, hotels, and vacations. Although we didn't have to trave...

I love great television. My favourite shows include House of Cards, Homeland, Breaking Bad, Mad Men, and The Blacklist. I love shows that keep you watching and wanting more, shows that keep you on the edge of your seat, and deliver non-stop suspense and action—shows like The Blacklist.  If you're not already watching The Blacklist, on Global, you should start—as soon as possible! Seriously, take my word for it—you will love it. (And guys... I'm never wrong!) The Blacklist is about Raymond Reddington, one of the FBI's most wanted fugitives. He mysteriously turns himself in and offers information on everyone he has ever worked with before, under one condition—that he only works with a new FBI agent, Elizabeth "Liz" Keen, played by Megan Boone. Raymond Reddington is played by James Spader, who has been in Sex, Lies, and Videotapes, Crash, Secretary, and other great movies. Of course, I know him best as Steff from Pretty In Pink, a movie I've see over...

Going to the movies is one of my favourite activities to do with the family, especially now that my children are older—six and eight years old—and are able to sit through an entire movie without so much as a complaint. We loved Frozen and The Lego Movie, and now we are pumped to see Muppets Most Wanted. Muppets Most Wanted is going to be two hours of non-stop laughter, I'm sure. Tina Fey, Christoph Waltz, Salma Hayek, Lady Gaga, Stanley Tucci, Zack Galifianakis and Ricky Gervais all in one movie, along with Kermit and Miss Piggy? I'm loving it already! Muppets Most Wanted hits theatres on March 21st, and I'll be attending the advanced screening   next week, on March 19th. I'm also giving away THREE family four passes so you can come see the movie before everyone else, too!  To enter, just leave me a comment below telling me who your favourite Muppets character is and you'll be entered to win. This giveaway is for Ottawa (and area) residents, and I'll ra...

As someone who is forever trying to find great products for my naturally curly hair, when I come across something that works, smells great, and does what it's supposed to do—I just have to tell everyone. I love sharing good news, you know? I was so happy to receive an awesome package from Matrix a few weeks ago. I put the hair products to the test, and I really loved the shampoos and conditioners I tried. (I received the  Fall In Love With Your Colour and Repair Your Broken Hair sets.) These shampoo and conditioner sets help assist with all your hair care needs, from adding volume to keeping your colour vibrant. They're designed to cater to what your specific hair needs are—helping repair heat-damanged hair (like mine!) and by giving you smoother, shinier hair that smells really, really delicious. The five Together Forever sets by Matrix retail for $16.00, and are only available in salons, but I'm giving away a set to one of my lucky readers! I'm giving...