Loulou's views

We recently completed a master-bedroom makeover which included a new king-size Casper mattress that I reviewed last year. We love the mattress and our renovated bedroom. Our children's rooms were next; our son needed a new mattress, and the timing couldn't be more perfect, because I was asked to review and test out the Endy Mattress . I instantly said yes to this partnership, having read so many great things about this Canadian company. The Endy Mattress Review After a few months of sleeping on the Endy Mattress, my son has declared it's the best mattress he's ever slept on–and he truly has had the best sleep ever, hardly waking up throughout the night. The Endy Mattress has received great buzz over the last few years–it's Canada's highest-rated and best-selling online mattress–so this peaked my interest; what was it about the Endy that everyone loved so much? I was so excited to finally put it to the test in our house. Our bedtime ritual includes me l...

With the holiday season quickly approaching, many of us are starting to plan our holiday party schedule. From hosting parties with family and friends, to attending gatherings at local restaurants, it's gearing up to a very busy December. Ottawa has some excellent restaurants perfect for holiday entertaining, and on the top of my list for where to dine in style is Al's Steak House.  There aren't many place to go on a Saturday night that truly feel like a fine dining experience in Ottawa, where you can look forward to dressing up, people watching, and enjoying excellent food and drinks. Al's Steak House is the perfect combination of great food, excellent service, and romantic ambiance. Al's is unique because it was Ottawa's first steak house, and it's been a family-run business for over 51 years. Now on their third generation, Al's serves tourists, celebrities, athletes, and local residents every day of the week. The family-owned business has ...

It's almost time for back-to-school–and while this is a good thing in many ways, (hello, routine!) I'm sad my favourite season is almost over. We've had a wonderful summer that included some travelling and we've made the most of these hot, sunshiny days. Even though I'm not heading back to school as a student, I share the excitement with my boys (or for my boys?)–my oldest is going into grade eight (I can't believe it!) and my youngest is heading into grade five. The best part about back-to-school? Shopping for school supplies, of course! I love stocking up on paper, pens, pencils, backpacks, and binders. Isn't it fun getting organized? I love shopping for products that give back, and this year, I'm happy to be partnered with Avery Products Canada because they give back in a big way–and Avery has some amazing products not only for back-to-school, but for the office, too. Avery Products Canada has partnered with the Pinball Clemons Foundation (P...

One of the great things about living in Ottawa is how easy it is to plan a weekend getaway somewhere that's close to home—like Mont Tremblant. Skiing is the best part about Tremblant in the winter, but there are countless things to do in the summer months, too: golfing, cycling, go-karting, horseback riding, rock climbing, hiking, tennis, swimming, zip-lining, gondola rides, sailing, canoeing, shopping, fine dining, and lake cruises on the water. (And if you love driving, you have to check out the Circuit Mont Tremblant , because it's considered one of the finest racing circuits in North America). Summer in Tremblant is full of amazing festivals, sporting events, and music shows. The 24th edition of the International Blues Festival of Tremblant is taking place July 8th to 16th, and this popular event is perfect for music lovers who love R&B, blues, country, and folk music. This year's lineup is great, and most shows are free and open to the public,...

I love exploring new places near my city. I was a little familiar with Manotick, but I didn't know just how much this village had to offer. Manotick–Objibway for "Island in the River"–is a quaint little village 20 minutes from downtown Ottawa, and less, if you live in Ottawa's south end. There is so much to discover in Manotick, including Watson's Mill, an 1860's grist and flour mill on the Rideau River. This working industrial heritage site is a wonderful place to visit with the family, where you can watch weekly flour grinds on Sunday's, and leave with a bag or two of fresh flour. You can also head to the Watson's Mill Manotick Spring Craft Market taking place May 18th-19th , the perfect time to enjoy all spring has to offer while shopping unique items from local businesses. There are over 125 unique and locally-owned shops in Manotick, restaurants that are some of the best in and around the Ottawa area, street front cafes, and plenty of ...

How do you feel about shopping for swimwear? For some, it can be a less-than-pleasurable experience. I personally love shopping for swimwear because it means I'm heading towards water—and nothing makes me happier than swimming in the ocean or a pool. Going on vacation, especially in the winter, makes me excited—and so does finding the perfect swimsuit to wear while I'm enjoying the sunshine and warm weather. I feel confident in my body, and love wearing bikinis and one-piece suits. I believe there is a perfect suit for everyone, and that everybody should have the confidence to wear what they feel great in when they're on vacation. (And all the time, really). I love being a Brand Ambassador for Swimco  because they carry so many swimsuit brands. I quickly found out that shopping for swimwear online with Swimco is an easy and fun experience, because of the wide variety of suits they carry, and because of the excellent customer service. Swimco is a Canadia...

If you're looking for a mattress that's going to change your life and sleeping habits for the better, look no further than Casper.  Casper, only a few years old, has become one of the most loved mattresses of all time and has basically revolutionized how people sleep–and shop–for mattresses. The bedroom is where the magic happens, after all. We just completed our master bedroom renovations, (thanks to my husband for installing our new hardwood floors, painting the walls, assembling our new furniture, and putting together our Casper) and our bed is our favourite part of our new room. Why do we love the Casper mattress so much? Simply put, it's the most comfortable bed we've ever slept on, and this includes all the wonderful beds we've experienced in all our favourite hotels. Why is everyone obsessed with the Casper mattress? Here are just some reasons:  1. The Casper mattress is comfortable. It's a perfect combination of a breathable, open-cell comfo...

What's your morning routine like? If it's anything like mine, it's a little crazy. My children are up at the same time as me (super early in the morning, usually around 6 a.m.) and from that moment on, it's go-go-go until they're at school and I'm at work–where I finally get to enjoy my first cup of coffee. Weekends are a little more relaxed–I'm able to sip my coffee at home before we start the day. I can't imagine life without coffee–I usually have about two to three cups a day (is that bad? Please tell me it's not bad). I love finding out that brands I love are giving back in great ways, and recently, NABOB partnered with Tree Canada to encourage Canadians to take the NABOB Pod Pledge. For every Canadian that commits to recycling their NABOB pods, NABOB and Tree Canada will plant a tree in an area of need across Canada. So it's a win-win situation: you enjoy your coffee guilt-free and help give back to the environment at the same time! Y...

Happy New Year! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season. Now that the new year has started, it's time to get serious about sticking to those resolutions. This year, it's all about eating right, getting your beauty sleep, working out, and taking care of your skin. Here are some tips on how you can be your best self in 2018: Eat Right We all want to eat healthy. I know no one is counting calories in December, but now that January is here, it's time to get back to eating smart. As someone who is always on the go with two busy kids, this is an area I struggle with. Working downtown can make choosing a healthy lunch difficult, but luckily I work close to  Mad Radish. This Ottawa-based restaurant has great plant-based options to make healthy eating simple, delicious, and nutritious. My favourite is their Smoky Caesar salad–with a twist. This salad includes romaine and kale, garlic-marinated chickpeas, and broccoli. Instead of parmesan cheese, it's topped with ...

What is the perfect gift to give someone who has it all? I think jewellery is always the answer, no matter who you are shopping for–especially if it's for someone who really appreciates the finer things in life. A classic, stylish watch from Bulova is a wonderful gift to give someone you love this holiday season, and it's a gift you know they'll cherish forever. I was so fortunate to receive a new, limited-edition  Bulova Rubaiyat watch, and I can't seem to take it off. It has everything you'd want in a high-quality piece of jewellery–including diamonds that sparkle when the light hits the right way. My Rubaiyat watch has 50 diamonds individually hand-set with a textured grey dial, double curved sapphire crystal, and a stainless steel bracelet with double-press deployant closure, featuring the iconic "Goddess of Time" dimensional case back. It's modern, stylish, and classic–a watch to wear all the time, for years to come. The Bulova Rubaiy...

Finally, the long weekend is here! The weather has been amazing lately, despite a little rain. The Victoria Day long weekend is perfect for spending time with family and friends, and getting away from it all, in the great outdoors. It's time to pack up the bathing suits and sunscreen and get the BBQ fired up at the cottage. If you're heading out of town this long weekend, you'll be spending time packing and washing your favourite travel outfits to take with you– little t-shirts, shorts, comfy dresses and leggings, bathing suits, and sweaters, for around the campfire.  One of my favourite getaways was last summer when my family and I and a group of our friends went to Mont Tremblant for a few days of relaxation and fun in a beautiful house right near the village, complete with an indoor pool, 12 bedrooms, and a nice outdoor fire-pit where we roasted marshmallows late into the night.  The only thing I didn't love about the experience was the fire-pit sm...

I always love trying new make-up, and when I was asked to review the Dermablend Professional  line, I quickly said yes. I have been looking for a new foundation for a while, and thought it was the perfect opportunity to try this make-up because of all the great things I kept hearing from other beauty product lovers like myself. Dermablend Professional lets you decide how much you want to cover up when you're applying your make-up, and with their easy to use online 'shade selector' , you can make sure you're choosing the colours that are right for your skin tone. Dermablend Professional is powerful make-up anyone can use, created by a dermatologist. These products provider excellent coverage and they are dermatologist and allergy-tested. They're also fragrance-free—perfect for those with sensitive skin. Here are the products I put to the test and loved: Dermablend Professional Smooth Liquid Camo Foundation: This medium cover liquid foundation helps even out...

One of my favourite things about the holiday season is the last-minute shopping. As much as I plan ahead of time and get most of my shopping done for everyone on my list by the beginning of December, there is always something left to buy a day or two before Christmas, which is perfectly fine with me, because I truly do love the hustle and bustle of the holidays, especially the last-minute shopping. I received the most adorable set of silver bracelets from ALEX AND ANI this week, and they are the perfect accessories to wear during the fun holiday season. I've already received so many compliments on the bracelets, (I especially love my new kite bracelet—it's perfect to wear no matter the season!) and I love knowing I've inspired some friends to buy some of these bracelets for people on their list, too. 'Tis the season, after all. ALEX AND ANI have some great holiday sets to gift, which will make your holiday shopping even easier. How ...

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...

You may say I have a thing for sunglasses—I have a lot of designer shades that I love wearing, no matter the season. They're a necessary accessory, after all. I'm always looking for a new pair, and even though I have many, I always need more. It's an addiction. A healthy one, though! I was approached by the team at Sicky Eyewear to review one of their incredibly cool and stylish pair of shades, and of course I said yes.  I'm loving them hard and after only a couple of days, I've had quite a few people ask me where they were from and how they could get a pair, too. Creator  John Hildebrand  was a photographer first and created Sicky eyewear when he felt disconnected from the brands of sunglasses he was seeing on store shelves. He set up studio in his Malibu garage and created his brand, using his nickname—Sicky. The rest, as they say, is history. (Well, let's just add here that Sicky creates the highest-quality eyewear on the market, and they're made in...