Loulou's views

The Rio 2016 Olympic Games have come and gone—it's really amazing how quickly these last two have gone by! What did me in every time was watching the P&G Thank You, Mom commercial, knowing what a huge role family plays in these athletes day-to-day lives. The commercial follows the Olympic Games journeys of four moms and their kids, showing moments, both big and small, when a mother's strength makes all the difference. Canada did amazing this year, winning 22 medals. It was especially heartwarming to see Brianne Thiessen-Eaton win the bronze in women's Heptathlon. She was amazing and inspiring. Thiessen-Eaton is also a Crest Canada ambassador, and it was great watching her #SmileThrough every tough challenge she faced during the Olympics. She really understands the power of perseverance, hard work, and determination. And how amazing was Andre De Grasse? He's Canada's Bolt, and made the country proud with his triple win (a silver, and two bronze medals). I can...

I've loved the Olympics since I was a little girl, and no, not just because I'm Greek, although it does make me proud that Greece is the birthplace of the Olympics. It's so much more than that for me, though. Watching my country compete against other countries from around the world makes me happy and excited. I love the beauty of seeing countries come together this way—the Olympics unites us in a wonderful way, no matter the sport, no matter who wins. The beauty of it all truly lies in the story of the athlete—wherever they are from—and how they overcame obstacles and worked extremely hard to make their dreams a reality. Of course, none of that can be accomplished without the support, love, and tears from friends, coaches, trainers, and of course... family. Especially mom. (I'm going to start crying here!) Every single time I watch a Thank You, Mom P&G video I cry. It doesn't matter how many times I see the same video, it brings me to tears. Maybe because I...

I'm not ashamed to admit how many beauty products I have in my bathroom, and no, I don't think it's an unhealthy addiction to be obsessed with skin care and beauty products. On the contrary, I think as we get older, taking care of our skin and changing up our beauty routine should be a priority. I love experimenting and trying new products, and there are two things I'm looking for when it comes to skin care: 1. Proper protection from the sun's harmful rays. 2. Skin care that's designed to help keep my skin look youthful. To the rescue:  Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream with SPF 30:  This cream provides UVA/UVB protection, reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles, and skin looks and feels firmer in days. Olay Total Effects Anti-Aging Moisturizer with SPF 30:  This moisturizer fights the signs of aging, like age spots and dryness, like minimizing the look of line and wrinkles, and firms skin with continued use. Bonus? The build-in SPF 30. ...

Disclosure: I am a P&G mom. As part of my affiliation with this group I receive products and have been compensated to put Tide to the stain test. The opinions on this blog are my own.  Ah, the joys of summer... with only a few weeks left of school, my boys are definitely already taking advantage of the gorgeous weather we've been having—by spending all their time in the great outdoors, being kids. Bike rides, playing at the park, soccer games, shooting hoops, and swimming. Without a care in the world, as it should be, when you're a child. I truly love watching them be kids, despite the fact that they don't seem to care how very dirty they get when they're running around the soccer field. Grass stains? Check. Juice-stained shirts? Check. Of course, none of this really matters because they're having such a good time, and also, I know these stains won't be tough to get out, because I've been using Tide Ultra Stain Release , and it does the job...

Disclosure: I am a P&G mom. As part of my affiliation with this group, I have been compensated to test the Loblaws Click & Collect service. The opinions and views on this blog are my own.  So we all know that grocery shopping is not always fun. It's time consuming, and no matter how long I spend walking from aisle to aisle, I arrive home to remember the one item I actually truly needed—is still at the grocery store! Sigh. Of course. I remember the days when my boys were much younger, when grocery shopping was even more of a challenge. I had to plan my trips to the grocery store around my baby's nap time, and sometimes, I would be a nervous wreck grocery shopping, scared that my baby would have a meltdown and start crying. What has made my life much easier—and will certainly help out new moms, too— has been using Loblaws Click and Collect . It's online shopping, made easy. And it's actually so much fun, too! While I'm working, I go to shop.loblaws.ca...

Disclosure: I am a P&G mom. As part of my affiliation with this group, I have been compensated to test the Loblaws Click & Collect service. The opinions and views on this blog are my own.  One thing I love about being my own boss and working from home is having the flexibility to take my children to school, and to pick them up at the end of the day. In the hours between, I get a lot done, starting with going to the gym. I love my weekly routine, and working out is one thing I do first thing in the morning before I tackle all my work—housework, working, and the dreaded trips to the grocery store. I can honestly say I spend a lot of time in the grocery store, buying food for my family (it truly is amazing just how much food two boys can eat in a week!) and other household items. Of course, by the end of the week, I'm giving my kids whatever we have left in the house for breakfast and their school lunch, reminding myself that I need to head to the grocery store to stock...

Disclosure: I am a P&G mom ambassador. As part of my affiliation with this group, I receive products and have been compensated to put Tide to the stain test. The opinions on this blog are my own.  It's May, and although it's been unseasonable cold this month, the last few days have finally proven that spring is most definitely here—and we have some work to do to get our gardens ready for summer! The sun is shining, the days are long, and I'm wearing my flip flops... which makes me so excited. Although I'm not naturally someone with a green thumb, this nice weather prompted me to get out and grow a little garden with some pretty flowers and tulips, as chosen by my children. That's right... we planted flowers outside and they look so pretty! So far, so good, as the plants are alive and thriving, and... I didn't even break a nail. (Ha!) I did, however, get my white t-shirt covered in soil, and I was a little concerned I wouldn't be able to remo...

March Break is around the corner and that means... the kids will be home with us. All day. Every day. Yes, it's a beautiful thing, and in all honestly, I cherish all the time I have with my children. We're going to Mont Tremblant for a little getaway but for the days that we're here, we still want to keep the kids busy and active! I was on CTV Morning Live talking about ways to keep the busy this summer, while still staying sane at home, thanks to P&G. Here are some ideas I love: Camps: Get your kids in some sort of day camp! Whether it's for half the day, or full-day, Ottawa.ca has a list of all the great camps for your kids, to keep them busy, from sports to arts and drama. Tag Along Toys: Tag Along Toys, in Kanata or in the south end, has all the arts supplies and toys you'll need to keep your little ones entertained this March Break. They are even having hands-on activities for kids every day during March Break. In The Home: Before your kids s...

Disclosure: I am a P&G mom ambassador. As part of my affiliation with this group I receive products and have been compensated to put Tide to the stain test. The opinions on this blog are my own.  Spring is here, even though the weather hasn't been warm enough to enjoy the great outdoors yet. And what's with all the snow? Despite the less than seasonable weather, I'm still excited for spring. So excited, in fact,  I went somewhere I don't often go... to the gardening store.  I bought the supplies I needed to start planting some indoor herbs and plants, since it's not warm enough to do any outdoor gardening yet. The truth is, I don't have a green thumb, but I thought I'd start somewhere, and planting some herbs isn't that difficult. I love doing things that my boys can get involved in, too. I'm not afraid to get dirty, either—I'm a die-hard Tide fan, and Tide Ultra Stain Release works miracles on clothes that are covered in dirt. Even white...

Okay, you guys... spring has arrived and I am so excited. My children are, too, and we're already back to our usual routine of taking a long walk after dinner around the neighbourhood with a stop at our favourite park. Soon the weather will be nice enough to wear flip flops, play basketball in the street, and go for frozen yogurt after school. I love everything about spring and summer—even the process of getting ready for the new season, like making room in my closet for new dresses and shoes, buying new make-up, and taking care of my hair that gets oh-so-damaged and dry during the winter months. I wear a lot of hats (literally and figuratively) and as much as I love the look of a nice winter hat, I'd much rather be rocking an oversized sun hat on the beach, or letting my hair flow free in the wind as I drive with the windows down. Okay, time to get spring ready. First step?  Some TLC for my hair. Pantene to the rescue—again. Seriously, take it from someone who has gone t...

I was in Toronto yesterday for a Red Carpet Grammy Viewing Party with P&G , in partnership with Shoppers Drug Mart. I had a great flight into the city with Porter Airlines, as always, and arrived to my hotel with enough time to relax and get ready for the big Grammy party. Outfit of choice? My new Free People dress—perfect for this event. A little flow-y, a little fun, a  little flirty—and perfect to mingle in! It was a night of glamour and fun as we watched the stars arrive on the red carpet (how cute were Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez?), dished on the best looks of the night, and talked about the best hair products and make-up to wear on the red carpet—and every day, really. We talked fashion, hair, and make-up with ET Canada reporter Sangita Patel , Pantene Pro-V hair stylist Justin German , and COVERGIRL make-up artists Veronica Chu . These three know a thing or two about achieving the right look, and listening to them talk about their favourite beauty looks a...

What is age, really, but a number? Although I'm in my late thirties, I don't feel a day older than twenty-something. I love when people ask my age and always guess years younger than I really am. Yes, age is just a number, and more and more, Canadian women aren't feeling defined by their chronological age—and why should we? Olay recently unveiled their Ageless program—an initiative that explores how Canadian women and women around the world  think about aging and what their expectations are when it comes to beauty. There is no denying I'm in my late thirties; after all, I get excited when 90's music plays on the radio, I wore jeans with safety pins, teased my hair, loved Who's The Boss and Growing Pains , and rocked out to New Kids On The Block. My favourite bands include Tom Petty and The Eagles, and I shed a tear when David Bowie passed away. I went through the awkward teenage stage that I look back and laugh at now (bright blue eye shadow, anyone?). ...

It's been unseasonably warm for November. I haven't started complaining about the weather like I usually do this time of year, but don't worry—cold, snowy days are coming, along with all my posts about how much I dislike the weather. Even though there is no snow on the ground, I miss summer. I miss the carefree days and wearing nothing but flip flops and a little dress. I miss staying out late at night, on a patio, with family and friends, and I miss evenings at the park with my boys. Now that November is here, it's complete darkness by 4:30 p.m. and I'm finding it difficult to stay upbeat, so last week, I got ready to go out with my girlfriend for a night out. Sometimes, all you need is an excuse to get dressed up, put on your favourite lipstick, listen to some music, and laugh the night away with friends. I'm telling you—make-up and a night out with good friends is an excellent way to not let the colder weather and shorter days bring you down. My go-to...

Ah, the hustle and bustle of the morning rush. As a mom of two busy boys, there really aren't enough hours in a day to get through everything, but it's always important for me to start the day off feeling somewhat refreshed—despite the lack of sleep I get. I try to wake up before my early-risers (hello, six o'clock in the morning!) so I can take an uninterrupted shower—which is always the best way to start my day. If I'm able to get ready, put on my make-up, and have a cup of coffee before my kids wake up, it's a good thing. I don't like starting my day without my hair and make-up done, to be honest. As a beauty product junkie, I love trying out new hair products, especially because my hair is sometimes unruly, dry, and over-processed. (It's not easy being blonde!) Herbal Essences is a name I've used for years and it's a name I trust to get the results I want for my hair, so when I was introduced to the new Naked Volume Collection , I couldn...

Now that fall is here, we've settled back into a regular routine without missing a beat. Sometimes the morning rush can be pretty hectic, but overall, the transition from summer to fall was smooth and we're loving everything about the season has to offer, from apple picking to wagon rides at the pumpkin patch. This Thanksgiving long weekend, we'll be celebrating with family and friends, and eating more than we should. But that's what the holidays are all about, right? I'm thankful for so much—especially spending time with my family and friends. We are of course planning a big feast, as we do for Thanksgiving; we're even celebrating twice, because we've got a big Greek family and we love food. Before we sit down to eat (and eat and eat!) I'll be cleaning, as I always do—but since we're entertaining in our home this long weekend, ALL the cleaning supplies come out. Greeks have a thing for good food and they also have a thing for very clean hom...

It's time to face reality—summer is (pretty much) over. I know, right? Wasn't it just yesterday I was writing about summer and how much I loved living again? After months of carefree living in nothing more than flip flops and little dresses, it's time to start thinking about fall clothes and make-up. Thanks summer, for being awesome—from BBQ's to concerts to pool parties and a trip to Greece, it was amazing. But now, I have some shopping to do! (I love September, and not just because it's my birthday month.) Boots, sweaters,  jeans, and some new make-up will help you bring your fall look together. Fall is the perfect time to experiment with new beauty products, trying on different shades, and doing something a little different with your hair, or even just giving your hair some much needed  love—after all, if you spent all summer in the sea and in pools, your hair is probably damaged. It's easy to keep your daily beauty routine simple enough so that you ...

I'm pretty sure nobody loves summer as much as I do—seriously, after the long, harsh winters we have, I cherish every sunny and warm day because they sure don't last long here. I am outside for more hours than I am inside—swimming as much as I can with my boys, enjoying backyard BBQ's,  soaking up the sun on patios with friends, and drinking lots of sangria. And beer. You know, summertime stuff. I keep a more simple beauty routine in the summer, but I still make sure I'm taking care of myself. Olay and Crest are my go-to staples because Olay helps keep my skin hydrated (and protected) and Crest helps keep my smile shining bright through my summer days and nights. I love the new Olay Total Effects moisturizer (with 40% more vitamins) which has the highest level of Niacinamide in an over-the-counter Olay skincare product. To help brighten my smile, I love using Crest Luxe Supreme FlexFit Whitestrips . They are super easy to use and offer great results. The strips u...

It's impossible to watch a P&G #ThankYouMom commercial without tearing up. As a mom, I'm always overly emotional and the P&G #ThankYouMom campaign is one I love dearly. It's a campaign that's all about giving athletes a chance to thank their biggest supporters in life–their moms.  (Aww!) From Tide to Bounty to Pantene, P&G products are everywhere in our home, and have been for years, very since I was a child. It's touching that a company I love does so much to help others, too. I love remembering all the times my mom has been there for me, throughout all the stages in my life. I appreciate her wise words of wisdom, even if I don't always take her (usually always bang on) advice. As a mom of two, I appreciate her even more now, because I know how hard and challenging it is to be a mom. It's all about putting your children first, no matter how you feel. And that can be a very hard thing to do at times. And I always remember to put things in per...

Disclosure: I am a P&Gmom. As part of my affiliation with this group I receive products and special access to P&G events and opportunities. The opinions on this blog are my own. Summer is finally here, and so are the wonderful days of lounging outside on patios with friends and family, backyard BBQ's, swimming with the children, enjoying evening soccer games, and, of course, shopping for a new summer wardrobe (hello, dresses!) and new beauty products. When you're getting ready to head out, whether it's for a date night at a romantic Italian restaurant, or a girls night out on a patio, COVERGIRL and Olay can help bring out the most beautiful you. (It is amazing what a little make-up can do!) I love the Olay Total Effects Anti-aging Moisturizer. This new formula has 40% more vitamins and the highest level of Niacinamide in an over-the-counter Olay skincare product. Pretty awesome. This new anti-aging moisturizer is a must-have when you're shop...

I spent the last two days in beautiful Cincinnati, Ohio, thanks to P&G. I had the chance to learn all about Tide HE Turbo technology at P&G's Research and Development Headquarters. But first, Cincinnati... not a city that was on my personal bucket list, but one that I am very glad I got to see and experience. I left with many happy memories and I can't wait to visit again. The city is charming and beautiful, with great history and a cool vibe. It's also very clean, which I loved. The people were super friendly, and the hotel I stayed at— 21C Museum Hotel —was amazing. It was modern and hip and had a great roof top bar with fantastic city views. And very comfortable beds. I flew to Chicago and from there, landed in Kentucky, which is actually where the Ohio airport is located. (I did not know that... I thought I got on the wrong plane and ended up in the wrong State!) Now I can say I was in three States in one day.  Anyway, Kentucky, from what I saw ...