Loulou's views

La Roche-Posay  is known for great skincare products, especially for those who suffer from dry or sensitive skin. The new Toleriane Ultra is amazing at providing extra moisture during the winter and  Toleriane Ultra Overnight works while you sleep so you wake up feeling refreshed, with glowing skin. I was given the new Toleriane Ultra line to try and I loved the products; they instantly moisturized and soothed my skin. The soft, fresh formula (fragrance-free) restored lost moisture to my skin quickly, and I only had to use a small amount. It uses minimal ingredients, yet delivers excellent results. The Toleriane Ultra Eye Controur  cream was especially soothing for my sensitive eyes that suffer from redness, stinging, and puffiness. It targets the discomfort of the eye area with La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water, naturally rich in selanium, helping to relieve sensitive skin while preventing signs of aging. The eye cream is preser...

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 love that spring has finally arrived. Spring means getting organized, packing away the winter clothes and welcoming warmer days into our lives. It’s the perfect time to declutter, rearrange furniture, keep the windows open, and make and keep annual appointments for a clean bill of health.  Along with our visits to the doctor for our annual check ups, I make sure we visit the dentist regularly, too. And believe it or not, my children love going to the dentist.  Every time they've gone, since they were very young, they've loved the experience. We go to a family dentist and everyone working there treats my children so well. Making kids feel welcomed and relaxed is important in helping them have a positive experience when they’re sitting in the chair being examined. Regular visits to the dentist is the secret to a great experience, and regular visits most certainly take away the fear of seeing your dentist. There are simple thing you can do to maintain healthy teet...

Are you ready? The holidays are here, and ready or not, it's time to celebrate all things festive! Whether you're hosting at home for Christmas, Boxing Day, or New Year's Eve (or really, any day in between, because every day this season is worth celebrating!) make it a stress-free holiday season with these easy holiday hacks. Here are six holiday hacks for a stress-free meal: Prepare, prepare, prepare Plan out what needs to be done and see what you can prepare a few days in advance of your get together so that all you need to do is cook and serve on the big day. Try to do the following the day's leading up to your party: mix all the dry ingredients, set the table, prepare your chutneys and sauces, and organize your fridge because there is nothing worse to do while cooking than scrambling to find things in a messy fridge. Does that turkey come deboned? Debone your turkey before cooking or ask your local butcher to help you out. This turkey hack will ut your coo...

Can you believe the year is coming to an end? 2015 was a great year, but now it's time to look forward to all that 2016 has in store—I'm ready for a new year! What plans do you have to ring in the New Year? With my children off for two weeks to celebrate the holiday season, I'm thinking a trip to  Québec City is a great idea‚ because it's only a short drive from Ottawa, and there is so much to do—especially during the holidays.  From December 27 to 31, Grande   Allée  is joining forces with   Québec City  Tourism to bring tourists some incredible events and festivities to celebrate the New Year right downtown in  Québec City. This celebration will make  Québec City a top destination for anyone looking for something fun and unique to do in the New Year. Outdoor  bars and heated terraces will be set up on  Grande   Allée and you can even enjoy riding a huge ferris wheel while listening to folk ...

I'm not a morning person, despite the fact that I wake up at six a.m. every day. (Thanks, children!) Waking up at six o'clock has a lot to do with the fact that I'm a mom of two early risers, and even though I don't fall asleep until well past midnight, waking up early is my new normal. Despite waking up at the crack of dawn, getting out the door on time can still be a challenge. The morning hustle is real, you guys. I'm glad Jergens asked me to try their new Jergens Moisturizer for Wet Skin , because it's truly helped save me time getting ready in the morning. I love products that promise to save me time, and Jergens is a name I already trust to keep my skin feeling soft and smooth. I enjoyed using both the Green Tea Oil and the Coconut Oil moisturizers. I applied the moisturizer after I turned off the water in my shower, and quickly dried off with a towel. The moisturizer actually stays locked in, and my skin feels soft all day long.  These moisturizers ...

The shift from summer to fall happened quickly, and now it's already October. (What?) Summer was, of course, beautiful. Many new memories were made for our family, from tennis camp to a month-long vacation to Greece. I almost didn't want summer to end, but, of course, all good things must come to an end—and all endings lead to new beginnings. My children started school—grade five and grade two—(what!) last month, and we have quickly settling into new routines, after-school activities like swimming and tennis, and weekend getaways, for fun. It's scary how quickly time goes by—and how quickly kids grow up. I've got to say, time has been moving way faster than I ever thought possible. That's why I think it's important to really, really cherish every moment. Quality time with the family is the most important thing in the world to me, and I love celebrating the little things. Fall is a great time take in the beauty that surrounds us, and to celebrate those litt...

We're already halfway through January; this month is just flying by. I like to start each year by making necessary positive changes that'll last longer than 31 days, even though sometimes it can be challenging. Here are some ways you can make this your best year ever: Spread the word Share your goals, desires, and/or resolutions with your friends and family. Not only will you gain support from your loved ones, it'll also encourage you to keep yourself accountable. (Trust me, this works!) Sometimes a nice nudge or reminder from a friend will help keep you on track on the days you feel like giving up. Set yourself up for success With the new year, we tend to set overly-ambitious goals for ourselves, so it's better to not set expectations too high. Sometimes, creating smaller goals over the duration of the year will give you better, lasting results. No crash dieting! (I've been so guilty of that in the past!) If you're looking to get fit and h...

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...

Every morning I wake up at the same time as my children and the mad rush begins—shower! Make-up on! Fix hair! Find something to wear! Dress the children! Run downstairs! Make breakfast! Make lunches and snacks! Beg the children to brush their teeth! Pack the backpacks! When will I learn to get up and get ready before the children? Hopefully one day soon... seriously. When I'm stressed to the max about getting everyone out the door on time, I thank goodness that I don't sweat it—I handle it! Seriously, I'm thankful for the awesome   Lady Speed Stick Power because it provides long lasting protection to help me not lose my cool, so to speak, when I'm in  stressful situations like the daily mad rush out the door with two children. It works. I recently reviewed two new Lady Speed Stick products and they worked like a charm, helping me through all my daily crazy sweat-inducing situations at home, on the way to school and to work, and in any situation you can imagine. ...