Sephora changed the landescape of shopping for skin care and makeup products by taking them out of the department stores or drug stores and setting up shop in malls or on popular shopping avenues. It didn’t take long for other retailers to prepare the battle stations. First up in Canada, Shoppers Drug Mart (Pharmaprix here) finally made it to Quebec with its Murale stores selling you 200 brands like: GOSH, Bare Escentuals, Bobbi Brown, Stella McCartney, Monica, Natura Bisse. As at Sephora, all of the salestaff take lessons in all of the products to help you make a more informed choice.
To take the concept one step further, they offer you an in depth FREE skin analysis which covers wrinkles, pores, pigmentation, hydration as well as your sensitivities. Of course the purpose of this scare report is for you to take your printed  report of suggested products right to the right counters and buy buy buy. Other services offered are a Benefit brow bar for eyebrow shaping and a lip and brow waxing station.

Location: 1 Place Ville Marie
Tel: 514-875-1593

Don’t let the purses in the front of the store fool you – this business is a magic repair place for all things leather. If you have a wide calf, they can add a side zipper on your boots, rips can be repaired, leather or suede clothing that needs alterations can be handled and all sorts of suitcases, purses and even costume jewelry are welcomed. Hey, they can even shorten sweaters sleeves or fix holes in them.

Location: 3630 boul. St-Charles, Kirkland
Corner: Dubarry
Tel:514-694-4565
Hours:  Mon-Wed 9-6, Thurs & Fri 9-7, Sat 9-5

I adore croissants – slightly warmed, garnished with apricot jam, and served up with a steaming mug of dark hot chocolate. Fell in love with this breakfast when traveling in France and staying at pensions. If you have no desire to get up to face the freezing cold just for some fancy carbs, here is a solution. You can buy frozen croissants at Au Pain Dore locations. You do however, have to remember to take them out the night before to let them rise in the oven

Locations: 1145 Laurier O. (514-276-0947); 1357 Mont-Royal E. (514-528-1218); 1415 Peel St. (514-843-3151); 5214 Cote-des-Neiges (514-342-8995); 6850 Marquette (514-728-5418); 3075 Rouen (514-528-0809); 3611 boul. St-Laurent (514-982-2520); Laval, 2059 boul. St-Martin O. (450-682-6733); 556 Ste-Catherine E. (514-282-2220); 1236 Greene (514-846-0067); 5549 Monkland (514-485-8828); Marche Jean-Talon (514-276-1215); Marche Atwater (514-989-8898).

You’ve had it with cooking for the holidays and don’t want to brave the cold to make your order at the supermarket so what to do? Comfort Meals is the answer. This is a real meal deal ($4.75 for 400 g) of stick to your ribs home cooking delivered fresh to your door, heat sealed and ready for microwave, oven or freezer. Some interesting choices might be: chicken with apricots or Kiev style, vegetarian lasagne with bechamel sauce, pineapple ham, Hungarian goulash, shepherd’s pie, salmon croquettes, veal in mushroom sauce or tourtiere. Delivery is only offered in the western end of town with a minimum of 7 meals, and all meals should be ordered on Thursday or Friday for delivery on Wednesday. Low priced catering is available as well.

Phone:514-713-1951 or 613-632-9249
e-mail: comfortmeals@sympatico.ca

If you haven’t scooped up a pair of boots for the winter, you can head for Le 103, the clearance store for Montreal company, Pajar boots (and more). If you are a ladies’ sample size 6 or 7 or men’s size 8 or 9, this is shoe heaven. Hundreds of samples line the walls, priced from $45 – $95 (to $145 for boots). This is where the best deals can be had, because if you buy one you get the second pair at 1/2 price. For the rest of the city’s feet, there is a selection of men’s (sizes 7 – 12) and women’s (sizes 6 – 10) shoes and boots that are imported or direct from the factory (Pajar, Stonefly, Kickers, Replay, Poetic, Tru Religion, Licence, Point Zero, Evisu). They are well made, stylish, and priced reasonably. Only open 3 days a week and cash only.

Location: 103 Mont Royal Ave. East at Coloniale Ave.
Phone: 514-842-6402
Hours: Thursday and Friday 9 am – 9 pm, Saturday 9 am – 5 pm