Near the Berri-UQAM metro and just beside the Grande Bibliotheque there’s a little strip of pavement where you can buy used books. If you remember our salute to Paris with bookstalls at the Old Port, this is on the same idea.
The Allee des bouquinistes  is a collective venture by the shops:  Bouqique Nouvelle-France, Librairie Mona Lisait and Librairie Bonheur d’occasion and some individuals too. They offer up not just any used books  but more rare books and maps, old postcards, engravings and ones in Japanese, Russian, Spanish or German. Maybe you will run into one of their Saturday afternoon workshops.

Location:  Savoie Ave. the western side of the library
Dates and times: Fri 5-10, Sat 10-10, maybe Sunday noon-10
Dates: until Sept 26

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For these difficult economic times,  learn to shop the Dahlia warehouse sales. You can fill in your Fall  wardrobe with their pretty blouses, tops, sweaters, jackets which are made under the monikers of: Dahlia, Katherine Barclay and Renuar. For this sale the prices are only $10 for Dalia and $20 for the other labels.

Location: 225 Chabanel, Suite 315
Corner: Meunier
Date:  Sept 12, 9-1
www.daliacollection.com
www.renuar.com
www.katherinebarclay.com

For years, those in the know slid in to the entrance at the rear of the Tyfoon building in the Blue Bonnets area to rummage the sample racks of really well known upper end branded clothing.

Mostly women enjoy the hunt because it is worth it. And it’s still worth it, for these brands in men’s and women’s  shoes and accessories: kitson LA, Inkslingers, A.B.S., Cezer New York, Parish, aka Stash House, triko, Coogi, david brooks, Pastry, akademiks, Crown Holder, Marithe Francois Girbaud, Levi’s footwear, Black Sheep, pellepelle,  and introducing European ladies’ wear of Nienhaus woman, Frank Walder and Brandtex

Location: 5540 Ferrier
Corner: Devonshire
Tel: 514-731-7070
Dates and hours: Fri Sept 11: 9-9, Sat Sept 12: 10-5, Sun Sept 13: 12-5

Q1:  Fall is a time to start new hobbies, and with beaded jewelry all over the fashion pages, there’s been a huge resurgence in the desire to learn how to bead

For about last 7 years, the making and wearing of beaded necklaces and jewelry has been hot. Think about it, for both men and women, the adornment of beads for ornamentation goes back to ancient civilizations.

Besides the beauty of the beads and the finished items, “more and more people use it as a tool to relax”, says Ruth Shine, former owner of the grandmamma store of them all – the Bead Emporium – which had opened in 1974 (and recently closed). Beading can be repetitive, so it is soothing. It is also a hobby that doesn’t take up much space.

Q2:  Is it just beading necklaces, or are there other ways, this hobby is taking off?

– Beads are also moving out of the traditional stringing them on a string routine. For instance, they have been fashioned by Pandora in Denmark as charm bracelet items to be given one at a time for special occasions.
– Beads  are being used to make art cards.
– Beads can be a history or geography lesson, if you want to learn where they come from.
– Shine also uses beads as the theme of escorted vacation touring in Mexico.
– Rare bead specimens from all corners of the world are also bought and sold to collectors.

Q3:  Is it hard to do?  Where can we take lessons?

Bead Box, 17B Cartier Ave at Bord du Lac, Pointe Claire. Phone: 514-697-4224. Hours: Tuesday and Wednesday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday and Friday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 12 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is a passion here for teaching beading, so that you too can create beautiful jewelry. For those who are looking for something special, it’s their unique beads and colors that follow the fashion trends which makes their customers happy.

This is the store which sells the Pandora charm bracelets from Denmark. You can add silver, gold, semi-precious and Murano glass beads to it. Beginner courses start at $40 (plus materials) for two hours, and then you can go on to crocheting with wire thread, wire wrapping and looping, peyote stitch and more. Looking at the rainbow wall of beads (natural, semi-precious, Swarovski, pearls, resin, silver) and displays of finished work which will entice you to sign up.

Club Bead +,  65 Cremazie Blvd. West at St. Laurent Blvd. Phone: 514-389-1616. Hours: Monday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday to Friday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. This treasure chest is full of seed beads from China, Czech Republic fire polished ones, crystal beads (the whole line of Swarovski) along with wood, bone, horn, cat’s eye, golden coral and semi-precious stones in special shapes.

Titanium and aluminum jump rings in wild colors and colored copper wire can be purchased. The club has the largest selection of English and French books on beading, and offers workshops. The beginner artisan workshop lasts five weeks, and you learn the basics of beading and jewelry making for $125. Club membership is free with your first $100 purchase and after that, if you spend over $50 you’ll get your 30% discount.  www.clubbeadplus.com

Q4:  You always seem to find a place to buy it for less, do you have one for beads?

Frabels, 5580 Pare St. at Devonshire Rd. Phone: 514-842-8561. Hours: Monday to Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you’re into making jewelry, this wholesaler has sixty-four years of knowledge. Hy Stern started the business back in 1942 after being introduced to the Swarovski crystal beads by F.B. Allen, so they were the first to sell them here – and you can still check out their sparkling Swarovski wall.

Their airy bright new showroom is oriented to the retail trade (you must spend at least $200) and is packed with findings, beads, rhinestones, pearls, semi precious stones and resin beads for jewelry-making. All kinds of rhinestone trim, tools, chain, wire, leather cord, etc. are here along with catalogues you can look through to find exactly what else you might need.

You will discover things here that are not found in the other businesses mentioned – perhaps large crystal pendants, donuts (semi-precious discs) or even crystal chandelier components. www.frabels.com

Amerella makes clothing for Sears, Walmart and The Bay which cover underwear to outerwear, and even include swimwear.The company is having a semi-annual clearance sale with clothing for the whole family next weekend (Sept 12 & 13) at their warehouse.

– Firstly their Wilson brand clothing offers ergonomic designs and stain resistant, anti microbial stretchy fabrics know to be breathable, quick drying and able to wick away moisture.
– West Coast Connection is a trendy California-influenced line known for its value along with up-to-the minute youthful styles in sportswear and outerwear for the entire family.
– IB Exchange is a snazzy leather line with competitive prices. Lastly for over 25 years the Ispo name has been creating comfortable and functional outerwear lines for the family using special fabrics and treatments.

Location: 2233 rue de Aviation
Corner: Boul des Sources, Dorval
Phone: 1-800-408-1527 or (514) 683-9511
Dates and Times: Sat, Sept 12: 9-4, Sun, Sept 13: 11-4
www.amerella.com

Gem Entrepot has moved and is re-opening in its new location on Sept. 10th. There are extended hours so many more of you can get a chance to come in and visit their new space. If you bring a copy of this invitation, you will receive $5 off any purchase of a purse or scarf.  This does not include pashminas which are already greatly reduced for this special day.

What do they sell? Some examples: pashminas $6.50 each or $72 per dozen; parchment and wax paper $2 roll or $20/500 sheets (buy 10 rolls get 1 free). You can also buy hair clips, coin purses, hand bags and costume jewelry. Wrapping paper is reduced along with bows, cellophane and cello bags.

NEW Location: 72F Boul. Brunswick, Dollard des Ormeaux
Corner: near Nautilus Plus
Phone: 514-653-6950
Re-opening sale date: Sept 10
Time: 10-8

Regular Hours: Mon-Thurs 10-3, Fri by appt

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$5.00 OFF COUPON
THIS COUPON ENTITLES YOU TO $5 OFF ANY PURSE OR SCARF.  NOT INCLUDING PASHMINAS WHICH ARE ALREADY REDUCED.
Offer Expires: September 11, 2009

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Bread used to be called the staff of life. Nowadays, because of all the dieting fads, it has become the scourge of life. Somehow carbohydrates have become the enemy to be feared. As with all things, this too will pass and the veil of uncertainty will come off, and just like eggs, bread will suddenly come back into favor again.

Q1: During these trying economic times, we’re trying to save money in whatever way we can, one way is to start packing our own lunches, you say that you know where we can save money on bakery products.

Montreal has so many manufacturers, and we do have ones that produce breads and sweets. They have to get rid of their extras, so you can go to their outlet stores, buy them and cut costs on your grocery budget.

A balanced diet, no matter what country, ethnic culture or food nutritionist’s plan, will always include bread or carbohydrates as an essential part of its formula. Bread is priced reasonably and can fill up an empty stomach nicely when times are tough. For “green” lunches, bread is also the perfect portable food carrier in our fast portable world. For suppers, have bread and add a bowl of soup, chile or stew and you have a hearty meal.

Q 2: People might be uncomfortable thinking they’re buying buy stale food?

Bread and cake are very time sensitive and cannot be stored fresh for very long, so bakeries bring back their overstocks, returns and “close to expiry” products and sell them at nicely reduced prices. Take advantage of the deals. You can stock up as bakery products freeze well.

Q: 3 Okay so where are these places and what can we expect to find there?

Multimarque Magasin Economique. You will find both fresh and day-old products (Petite Douceur, Chevalier, Voortman, Bon Matin, Durivage, Pom, Gailuron, Maple Leaf). Bread is $1.30, buns $1.25, and you can have pies (apple, blueberry, strawberry, raisin, sugar) for $1.89 or cookies or donuts.  When the sweets are 3 days from expiry, prices often go down alot.
Locations: (Hours vary, Mon 12-5, Tues-Fri 9:30-5:30, Sat 9-1:30) 3992 Monselet (514-325-3560);  8913 8e ave. (514-727-9555); 5769 Monk (514-362-9635); 155E boul des Laurentides (450-669-7618); 6177 Perinault (514-333-8512); 4650 Notre-Dame ouest (514-934-1866); 200 boul. Ste-Rose (450-628-0012); 3493 boul. Industriel (514-662-9275); 3933 Ste-Catherine est (514-254-5474); Laprairie, 286 boul. St-Jean (450-659-4912); Longueuil, 1194 boul. Ste-Foy (450-928-7208); Brossard, 2550 Lapinere, (450-656-5823).

Weston Bakeries, 2700 Jacques Cartier at Fernand Lafontaine, Longueuil. Phone: 450-448-7246. Hours: Mon 9:30-2, Tues-Fri 9:30-5, Sat 8-2.
A large variety of day-old bakery products (d’Italiano, Gadouca,d’Italiano, Gustazzi, Maison Isabella, Dare) are available at about 1/2 price (hamburger or hot dog buns $1.10, bread $1.20) and there’s unbaked pies in the freezer (lemon coconut $1.69), sugar pie (1.69), rice bites, bulk chips and some canned goods too. Stock up and save. Other location: Longueuil, 1006 St-Foy (450-679-3342).

Q4: You told me that you will let us in on one of your secret favorite places for snacks.

Christie Magasin d’Economies, 3055 Viau at Sherbrooke. Phone: 514-259-6921 x 375. Hours: Mon, Thurs & Fri 8-6, Tues 6-6, Wed 7-6, Sat 9-4.
Wow, Fudgee’Os at 1/2 price – what more could you ask for? This factory has a real outlet store where cartloads of overruns are moved each day. You might find Ritz crackers, Premium Plus, Crispers, Oreos, Social Teas packed in bulk or even in small snack packs for lunches (or any time!).

At Puffy Fashion’s Fall warehouse sale, they offer children’s wear from size 0/3M up to 8yrs for boys and girls. Some of the items you will find: 3-pc sets with fall jackets or sweater knit top or polar vest, skirt sets with matching tights, dresses with matching tights, pyjamas and sleepers, corduroy pant set, fall jackets, winter coats, baby car bags. Prices are excellent, up to 70% off and taxes are included.

Location: 9494 Boul.  St-Laurent, suite 600
Corner: Chabanel
Phone: 514-274-6449
Dates and Times: Month of September, Wed-Fri 10-6, Sat 9:30-3