Loulou's views

As the holiday season approaches, many families will be travelling to get away from the cold or to visit their families in other cities. While we stay close to home for the holidays, we area already planning our annual winter getaway to south Florida. I am  so  looking forward to feeling the warm sunshine on my skin again, and spending hours on the beach and by the pool–pina colada in hand! My boys have always been excellent travellers, even on long flights overseas. While I help them pack their carry-on bags, I make sure I have all their favourite  Netflix  shows and movies downloaded. After all,  travelling can be chaotic at times, so why not take a little time before you leave to make sure your kids have what they need to stay entertained, and not annoyed, during your travels? If you travel often enough, you will know that sometimes, the unexpected can happen–delayed flights, lost luggage, long line-ups, and more–and I find that if my boys have their headphones and a few

I don't think you can be Canadian and not love hockey, one of the greatest sports on earth. Although I don't love winter, hockey season excites me, and I'm a huge Ottawa Senators fan. I was so excited and hopeful last year that the Sens would finally win the Stanley Cup–and they came so very close.  The last time I was that excited for the playoffs was years ago, and I remember being absolutely heartbroken when the Sens lost. This time around, my youngest son joined in my excitement and we were lucky to attend a couple of playoff games to cheer on our favourite hockey team. The excitement at a Sens game is incredible, and it was even more awesome to see it all through my son's eyes. With the holidays around the corner, wouldn't it be a great idea to give the Senators fan in your life a little something to make them cheer even louder this year? Canadian Tire is giving Ottawa families a head start by helping turn local babies into the next generation of Sens

The holidays are my favourite time of the year—after summer, of course. I love everything about this season: shopping for presents for everyone on my list, writing Christmas cards, wrapping gifts, decorating the house with my family, watching holiday movies, attending and hosting festive parties, and of course, the most important thing of all—giving back, in big and small ways, to those who deserve it the most. The Kellogg's Rice Krispies #TreatsForToys campaign is back, helping kids during the holidays in a great way. In partnership with The Salvation Army, Canadian families are encouraged to create a toy-shaped Rice Krispies treat and submit a photo of it on TreatsForToys.ca , or share on social media with the hashtag #TreatsForToys. For every photo of your Rice Krispies creation you share online, (and it doesn't have to be anything really creative; it is, after all, the thought that counts!) Kellogg's Rice Krispies will donate $20 to The Salvation Army for the purc

If you're looking for a quick weekend escape but don't want to travel too far, head to Toronto. This incredible city in the heart of Ontario always has something exciting going on for the entire family. Every trip to Toronto allows me to experience something new, from dining to shopping. When I have the itch to go to New York City, sometimes a trip to Toronto is all I need to get my fix. Where to stay: I had the pleasure of experiencing the luxurious  Adelaide Hotel  in downtown Toronto. This AAA-Five-Diamond luxury hotel opened it's doors this past summer on the corner of Bay and Adelaide, and it's simply stunning—from the chic décor to the large suites, it took my breath away. When you're staying in a luxury hotel like The Adelaide, you'll be blown away with the beauty as soon as you walk in the front doors. Check-in, as expected, was a joyful experience. It's the friendly, personalized service, and attention to detail, that made our stay here so wo