I never really thought of a wig as something I could use. I thought of them more as something you would need for a theatrical production or during chemotherapy. However, I just found out a secret – women buy wigs to take on vacation. You can swim, take breezy wet boat rides and generally let your hair get all mucked up and then plunk a pretty wig on your head and be ready to dine out. I just found a small wholesale house, which sells its own brand of custom wigs ($90-$1800) in real or synthetic hair. Cancer patients can buy at cost (just bring a note from your doctor).

Location: 5450 Cote des Neiges, Suite 200
Phone: 514-581-0403
Hours: Sun-Fri by appointment

Fans who can manage to stay up late can catch me tonight on the radio on Peter Anthony Holder’s show on CJAD at 800 on the AM dial. This is your moment to be able to speak to me in person and ask any of your shopping questions. I am looking forward to “meeting” you.
Location: 800 AM
Time: 12:30 am – 1 am

Marltech Inc. is holding a Nike liquidation sale on the West Island. With golf season coming eventually (really!), you might want to check out the golf polos, shoes and hats for men and women. And that’s not all, there is apparel for sports (basketball, tennis, workout) and some sporting goods – for basketball, soccer, bats, etc.

Location: Beaconsfield Mall, 50 St. Charles Blvd. Beaconsfield
e-mail to get on mailing list: sales@marltech.com
Dates and times: February 28th and 29th, 10am – 9pm, March 1 & 2, 10am – to 5pm

When I think of bamboo, I think of it mostly as food that panda bears eat. But I/you better think again. Bamboo is going to be huge because it is a renewable resource. Whereas hardwood trees take 50 to 100 years to develop for use in furniture, a bamboo forest regenerates every 5 years and some species of the trees can grow up to one foot per day. Also, bamboo is naturally anti-bacterial, less affected by temperature and extremely durable.
When I walked into the Bamboo Entrepot on upper St. Laurent Blvd. I was blown away by the kitchen cupboards – I want them! There is fabulous bamboo flooring, furniture (couch, tables, wine bar, bathtub!) and a section of clothing (t-shirts, robes, yoga pants, mens’ sweats, hoodies) and linens which are hypoallergenic.

Location: 7665 St. Laurent Blvd.
Phone: 514-789-0055
Hours: Mon-Fri 10-6, Sat 10-5

e-mail info@kipunjibamboo.com
www.entrepotdubambou.ca

Where would you go if you were looking to add a bowl of fake fruit to your decor? St. Paul Street in Old Montreal has the wrong reputation of having just tons of souvenir shops for tourists. Since I poke through store by store, I know there are really worthwhile ones to enter on that street. Tant qu’il y aura des fleurs…has been in my Smart Shopping Montreal book for years as there are always homey objects to flesh out your decor scheme: quilts, roosters, candlesticks, vases, serving dishes. But each time I walk in, my eyes search out the display of fake fruit: apples, pears, bananas, grapes, lemons, peaches, etc. which has been there forever. Who is buying them?
Location: 347 St. Paul St. East, Old Montreal
Phone: 514-395-9079
Hours: Daily in Winter 10-5, Summer 10-7 (may vary)

Rob McIntosh China www.robmcintoshchina.com which was one of the first tenants in the Mega Centre des Sources, has announced a closing sale. However, we shouldn’t get too upset as they are negotiating a move to somewhere else on the West Island. The sale doesn’t include everything amongst the gorgeous dinnerware, stemware, crystal and collectibles, but there are some goodies: lamps at 60% off, discontinued fine china (including Royal Crown Derby) at 50% off, some crystal 10% off – Johnson Brothers, Fifth Avenue and Belfor. But I would wait for the latter as they are expecting a blowout sale on crystal coming up in the next month.

Location:2335 Transcanadienne at Sources Blvd.
Phone: 514-697-4881
Hours: Mon-Wed 10-6, Thurs & Fri 10-9, Sat 9:30-5, Sun 11-5

The name Doug Gilletz might ring a bell as he is an offspring of the famous cookbook author Norene Gilletz (her newest book, Norene’s Healthy Kitchen just went into its 3rd printing in 6 months!) and he too has the gift of yummy culinary hands. Doug can come to your house with all the food ingredients and give a hands on cooking demo (for as little as 2 persons or as many as 24 – including corporate events). You can participate as much as you like or just watch him do his thing. Afterwards, you get to enjoy a full course meal while he cleans up the mess. Prices can vary from $250 for 2 persons and can go up to any amount depending on the menu and the intricacy of the event.

Phone: 514-781-0990
P.S. You can get the best price on Norene’s book if you buy one from Doug!

I am always so sad when a store that fills a certain need closes as most often, no one fills their shoes. Chaussures Eureka is a re-named store which is continuing in the tradition of Chaussures, d’Antin. That shop had been around for 37 years helping women (sizes 4-13, B-EE) who had trouble finding shoes that fit properly. If you have large feet, wide feet or just a wide calf, you can find boots (EEE) here, and zippers can be added or the boots tapered in. There is a large selection of classic and comfort styles. auxchaussureseureka.com

Location: 6629 St. Hubert St. at Beaubien St.
Phone:514-276-8388 or 271-3888
Hours: Mon-Wed 9:30-5, Thurs & Fri 9:30-7:30, Sat 9:30-5, Sun 12-5

Gilbert & Daughter is a great place to stock up on a full range of ladies’ wear (sizes 4-44) at prices that are regularly 30-70%F off. Their sales are even better. The famous name brands in suits, co-ordinates, sweaters and sportswear are slashed this week a further 50% off at the cash. Asked to be called for special sale evenings, and see if there are any bargains in the basement.
Where: 49 Donegani Ave at Sources Blvd, Pointe Claire
Phone: 514-695-3107
Dates: Monday to Sunday February 4-10

If you’ve every dreamed of having your own personal driver, then perhaps Hinda Bilenco, a “Senior Services Provider” will fit the bill. She specializes in taking seniors (who live in VSL, TMR or the West Island) to medical, dental, lab, rehabilitation and physiotherapy appointments. However, if you need her for hairdresser appointments, grocery or clothes shopping, to go to the bank or other daily activities, she’s there for you too. Even if you just need some company for lunch, afternoon tea, to go to the movies or a drive to the airport (to exit this frozen mess), just give her a call. Her services are limited to non-emergency transportation and she is reliable and courteous.

Phone: 514-956-9267 or cell 514-497-0630