Loulou's views

Advent calendars have come a long way since we were kids–I remember our choices were limited to chocolate (and not the good kind) and windows that opened to reveal a different Christmas illustration every day. I loved those in particular, but now, we have countless choices when it comes to buying an advent calendar to help us count down to Christmas. I was on CTV Noon and CTV Ottawa Morning Live showing viewers the best advent calendars to give this year.  Here are my suggestions for advent calendars guaranteed to make everyone smile: For the sweet tooth: Purdy's Chocolates This year, Purdy's has come out with not one but two advent calendars for the chocolate lover! The starry night advent calendar contains pretty drawers you pull open every day to reveal a tasty, festive, wrapped in foil milk or while chocolate piece; a dark chocolate foiled bell, or a foiled chocolate salted caramel. If you flip each drawer while you're counting down, you'll reveal a be...

One of my favourite things about the holiday season is the shopping. I love giving back to local charities and organizations, like CHEO and The Shoebox Project, and I enjoy buying presents for my family (especially my boys!) and my friends. December is the busiest month of all, with work, social events, and hosting parties, so I try to plan ahead as much as I can, and check things off my to-do list daily.  Here are my holiday shopping tips and some great gift ideas to help you get through this hectic season with ease: One-Stop Shopping I can spend countless hours in Chapters-Indigo with my children selecting new books to add to our 'to-read' pile. Chapters-Indigo is the best one-stop shop for holiday gifts, too. They have something for everyone on your list, including technology, like Beats Solo 3 Wireless Headphones, to home decor, journals, toys, accessories, and stylish items like purses, scarves, and hats. Whether you're shopping in-store or online at indi...

You could say I'm really passionate about shopping for beauty products. (I'm passionate about shopping,  period .) I could spend hours in stores like Sephora and Murale, and I often get lost in time at the beauty counters in most department stores, like Nordstrom and Holt Renfrew. I have many favourite make-up and hair products that are on my "I could not live without" list. Here's hoping these never get discontinued! Here are five of my most favourite products that I always recommend: Moroccan Oil: I love going to hair salons that use Moroccan Oil . It smells delicious. I also love the Moroccan Oil Body Lotion, because then I can smell yummy all over. The Moroccan Oil I use on my hair leaves my hair feeling silky smooth and soft, and doesn't weigh it down at all.  I use it every day, on wet or dry hair. It takes away frizz, too. You can pick this up at most hair salons. It is totally a hair game-changer. It costs $43.00—a little expensive, but tru...

The best part about the holidays for me is the shopping. Okay, that sounds awful, doesn't it? Actually, that's not the best part. The best part is spending time with family, decorating the tree with my children, sipping hot chocolate by the fire place, and seeing my children's excitement grow as we get closer to Christmas. It's also about giving back . I love how festive and beautiful everything is, the holiday parties, the cookies, the Bailey's, and yes, the shopping . Especially for my children, especially when they don't give me a list with impossible to find toys on it, and when they remember to stay within Santa's budget! I also enjoy shopping for my mom, best friends, and my sister. Because that means whatever I find for them... I get for myself, too. (Wait.. .am I doing this wrong?) Anyway, here are some great gift ideas for giving—or for receiving, hint, hint —this holiday season! Loulou's Top Eight For Her: Sephora Color Daze Bloc...