by Annette Quinet | Aug 28, 2016 | Family, Mont Tremblant, summer |
Family has been front and center this last week! As I mentioned in my last blog post F-words 4 August we were looking forward to a family vacay. Mont Tremblant ,Quebec is a popular year-round destination and it fit our criteria:
- Car ride max 2 hours (Are we here yet has been a constant question all summer long in fact for 24 summers now…enough already!)
- Pool
- AC
- Internet
- Activities
- Space
We have been to Tremblant before (winter & summer) and really enjoy the area. In the past we have stayed with friends and in hotels. A friend recommended Tremblant Elysium as an alternate option to staying in a hotel. They manage a variety of properties which looked very appealing. We chose Tremblant Elysium Les-eaux, close to the mountain (10 minute walk and/or shuttle service) 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen, internet, AC and pool! Criteria met!
Here is what worked for us:
Travelling with a 6 & 21 yr old has its challenges so the space was fabulous!. Not only indoor space but there were 3 private small decks too. Bathrooms (2) well stocked with towels, soap, shampoo and conditioner (hairdryer too). Kitchen was well stocked (we brought groceries with us) with everything you needed to make meals (microwave, stove,dishwasher, full size fridge, coffee maker (filters incl) and a cappuccino maker! There was also a washer and dryer (detergent incl). Our unit had at least 2 pull-out sofas one in the master and the other in the living area. Internet worked well, parking for 2 vehicles and vouchers for the gondola. We really enjoyed the pool area (2minute walk from unit) which is open10am-10pm daily (lifeguards). There is 1 large pool, 1 lap pool, 1 warm spa with waterfall (my fave) and another spa (jetted and hot) . This area also had a changing facility that contained washrooms, steam room, sauna and lockers.
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lap pool
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warm spa
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swimming pool
As always there is room for improvement and this is what did not work for us:
We were under the impression the unit had AC; however it was only on the main floor which meant the master bedroom (top floor) was really hot; however there were fans in each bedroom. The master had no closet, the bed was kingsize but the mattress is in need of replacing. One design flaw in our opinion, sliding panels above the bed in the master bedroom which opens to the main living space below. This could potentially be dangerous (falling hazard) with young children. These panels also offered no insulation from the main floor noise (despite being closed) therefore if the tv was on and you were trying to sleep good luck! Not fun if let’s say someone with you is an insomniac. This could be a pro or con but there is no daily housekeeping. Bring your own pool towels and swim/beach toys (noodles, water sprayers, diving batons etc) this made the world of difference for Isabelle, she had several instant BFF’s aka playmates.
Mont Tremblant offers a variety of activities. Most are a fee for service so it can get expensive. We enjoyed the mountain village where we did the luge, trapeze, rock climbing wall & gondola. Another way the mountain village likes to separate you from your money are the shops, Place BonBon and Univers Toutou were Isabelle’s favorite!
Of course, there are ample hiking and biking trails, beach ($) and climbing the mountain on foot is free!
by Annette Quinet | Aug 13, 2016 | Capelet, Fashion, Giveaway, My Blog, summer |
Are you going to be the fortunate one to win this fabulous summer essential , this Capelet in Black?
It’s easy all you need to do to enter is one of the following:
Share and like this blog on your FB page
Follow me on twitter and Retweet
Or follow me on Instagram and Re-gram (Yes, you can Re-gram using this free app)
First featured in this July blog post , The F-word Paradox is offering you another chance to win a Black Capelet. This versatile piece can be worn several ways and will become a favorite summer essential (great for early fall too!). The draw will take place in 5 days ( all about the F-words here) Thursday, August 18th. The Winner will be notified by email.
Good Luck, Bonne chance!
by Annette Quinet | Aug 9, 2016 | Family, Fashion, Fitness, Five Questions, Food & Drink, My Blog, Shopping, summer |
Most people in Ottawa eagerly await our summer season. It is relatively short and before you know it , it will be September with Fall just around the corner. So for the remainder of August, my 4 featured F-words will be:
Fitness, Food, Family and Focus
Fitness at the beginning of this summer was my nemesis. I injured my Achilles at the end of June and was unable to run for a month. Since I started running , over 20 years ago, I have been fortunate with only a few minor injuries. Running has been mentally therapeutic for me and it was frustrating when I was unable to run. After a month off, I have finally been able to get out there and pound the pavement but it has not been easy. After time off it almost feels like you are starting over, your cardio/stamina has diminished and breathing has been more difficult,…perhaps the hot humid temps have also been a factor. So as most people, I turn to the internet for tips, pointers, and motivators. This is a great article on shortness of breath while exercising. I also find running to music helps and use the Rock my Run app that I have on my phone which allows me ($) to download or stream music …nothing like running to an awesome playlist, it’s totally motivating. I also have my four legged friend, Oscar, that accompanies me and with this fabulous leash… our
runs have been so much more enjoyable (for runs, I wrap it around my waist=handsfree yippee) Isabelle also now joins us now that she has mastered riding her bike (thank you Pedalheads) This has been freeing and I really like that feeling. Here’s hoping I have run far enough away from any more injuries.
Food is synonymous with summer. We are fortunate to be able to purchase lots of local produce whether it be at one of the areas farmers market or at our local grocery store. It’s a great way to incorporate fresh produce into our meals while supporting local growers. Recently, our household has become “mostly” gluten free and I am continuously searching for websites that offer healthy,easy and fast recipes to try.
Here are 4 recipes that look tasty and worthy of trying this month:
Eating Bird Food -Almond Butter Chicken Salad
Detoxnista -Garden Vegetable Salad Rolls with “Peanut” dipping sauce (like those at Whole Foods)
Running with Spoons- Almond butter & jelly Banana Bread Bars
MBG – Vegan Banoffee Pie Cups (already made these last night-AWESOME!)
Family time is important and we have just planned a getaway to Mont Tremblant for a few days in hopes of some fun and R&R! Friends recommended a property that we are excited to try. It has the amenities that are important when travelling with kids (21 & 6) such as a swimming pool and internet I am so looking forward to sitting by the pool and being so much more relaxed now that Isabelle is swimming. Her fear of getting her head wet has totally dissipated thanks to a $4.49 swim mask and of course swimming lessons. Hiking, biking, exploring will also be on the agenda as will be a new summer read. I just finished my first summer read which no doubt will now be read by hubby. Nothing says summer like a good John Grisham novel.
Finally, with a focus or maybe just a glance towards fall, for now, I look forward to reading some of these fall Fashion magazines for inspiration. I also look forward to the day when I can wear what I consider a fabulous fashion find ,this pair of Mackage black leather stretch leggings . Another focus is writing more blog posts featuring five questions with Dr. Mamta Gautam, Catherine Ennis and Julie Nott, in addition to continuing regular blog posts with more F-words!
For now, I will be focusing on enjoying the remainder of summer and I hope you will too.
