It’s been 62 years of renting tuxedos and selling menswear for Pat Formal Wear Rental and now the brothers have decided to retire. Everything is going for 50%-75% off till the stock runs out (maybe til December).

Tuxedos are selling for $125, pants $35, vest and hankie combos $40, and cummerbunds for only $5. Short sleeve dress shirts are down to $15,  t-shirts $7, polos $12.95, shorts $19.95 (regularly $55), silk ties 2/$35.

Come to this haberdashery and see what it’s like to shop where attentive owners serve you. I’m saddened to see them go. Say good-bye, grab a deal and wish them well.

Location: 5425 Ave., Verdun
Corner: Woodland
Phone: 514-768-9332
Hours: Mon-Wed 9:30-5:30, Thurs-Fri 9:30-8:30, Sat 9:30-4:30

Road trips are back again, because by traveling in the security of your own car and visiting friendly small town America, it brings back the way life used to be and the way we would like it to be again.

To help those who travel up and down the East coast, my book, Drive I-95: Exit by Exit Info, Maps, History and Trivia is a new style of guidebook. It combines colorful easy-to-follow pictorial maps and fun stories, eliminating the trepidation of a road trip down America’s busiest highway.

Travelers can look ahead exit-by-exit to see which motels and gas stations are coming up, where the radar traps are or where to stop for a good homemade meal. The drive from Boston to Miami or any section in-between will become more pleasant and less stressful by knowing where to find: 24 hour gas stations (and which ones have a mechanic!) and pharmacies, 800 numbers for motel chains, camp grounds, golf courses, places that allow pets, shopping malls, supermarkets, internet availability and even which radio stations to tune to.

My husband, Stan Posner and I share stories of the road: history that happened on it, quirky museums worth a visit, Americana trivia, homey towns to explore, or places to run with the kids and pets. These can be read for entertainment during the drive and may entice motorists to stop, stretch their legs and discover someplace new.

The maps and the fun stories of the road are useful for family travelers (Christmas, Spring break or summer), seniors, salesmen, truckers, campers and RVers, University students and their parents, military personnel and people who live and work near I-95

www.drivei95.com

I will be appearing on French TV on Oct 26, talking about the best times of year to buy things: BBQ’s at the end of the summer, skis in August, etc. A segment from my Annual Calendar found at the back of my book will appear each time the show airs.

Date, time, station: October 26: 7pm on Télé-Québec.

It’s will also be possible to see the entire show, or just my report, on their web site following broadcast (7:30pm)
http://legitimedepense.telequebec.tv/

After that, the show will be stay available on the site

St. Lawrence Textiles (you can tell that they have been around a long time by the way they spell their name) is now in Ville St. Laurent. They are currently having a warehouse sale for baby and children’s clothing with lines that wear well – Baby’s Own, Creme de la Creme, Nick & Eddie, Cora and others. Mom and Dad can buy t-shirts and jogging pants and tops.

Location: 6869 Henri-Bourassa Ouest, VSL
Corner: Felix Leclerc
Phone: 514-387-7373 X 287
Dates: Oct 22-Nov 7
Hours: Mon -Fri 9-6, Sat 9-5

Delta Dailyfood is makes prepared frozen meals for the supermarkets, schools, businesses, airlines, etc. At the end of each month, whatever hasn’t been sold to them, is offered to the public at really inexpensive prices (mostly around $2.50 or less per meal). Some of the food is in bulk and others are individual or family dinners.

My family has been enjoying these for about 15 years. They’re great for: quick dinners, after school (or anytime) snacks for kids, for elderly folks who don’t cook anymore, college students, etc.

If you are ordering the individual meals, they come in boxes of 10, so it works best if you form a buying group with friends and that way you can get an assortment. What you might find at this sale:  shrimp in spicy sauce (only $2 per meal), salmon yakitori style ($2.50), chicken in green curry ($1.40), Italian veal, shrimp and scallops ($3.50 each), vegetarian Indian meal, beef in merlot ($1.70), beef with oriental noodles, rice with mango and coconut, chicken a la king, meat lasagna, and lots more…

Location: 26 Seguin, Rigaud
Phone: 450-451-6761
Directions: Exit 9 on Autoroute 40 Ouest
Date and time:  Sun Oct 24: 10-3
You can be on their e-mail list for future sales, write to: l.brasseur@deltadailyfood.com

Q1 With Halloween only10 days away, people are busy planning what to wear themselves or for their children, what are the popular costumes this year?

Before it was movie characters that drove the costume industry and now video games are breaking through: Super Mario Brothers (Mario and Luigi), Halo from X-box, 3 Hundred (movie/video game for iPhone and no surprise, Michael Jackson is big this year.

For movies (adults and kids): Watchman, Queen Gorgo, Batman/girl, Spiderman, Cat Woman, Wonder Woman, Transformers, GI Joe and Star Wars never goes away. I’m Sad to say sex sells: sexy police, nurses, etc. For kids it’s Sesame Street, GI Joe, Minnie Mouse, Transformers, Tinker Bell,etc. Less of traditional costumes are moving and only licensed ones.

Q2: For those that are bored of the same old stuff, are there any new ideas or products out there?

Couple going to parties, they have “duets”: mustard & ketchup, plug & socket, Fred & Wilma, Scooby Doo gang, Disco characters. You can buy a nylon sleeve that makes it look like you have tattoos up your arm. Theatrical makeup (way beyond a black eye) can be glued onto your skin so it looks like your throat was slashed or that a pencil is coming out of your arm. Vampire stuff is big this year: teeth, cape, blood.

Q3 With cost being a factor for some, can you suggest any place for deals?

Each year Halloween warehouses open up, this year there are 7 locations: 5840 Taschereau  (across the street from last year’s store); Laval, 1990 boul. le Courbusier (corner Boul. Tessier); Longueuil, 2588 ch. Chambly((corner: Jacques Cartier);  Pierrefonds, 4800 boul. St-Jean (across the street from Loblaws); Mail Place Vertu; Repentigny Terrebonne, Carrefour Lachenaie, 250 Montee des Pionniers.    www.halloweenmegavente.com

Q4 Where are the stores where we will we find everything we need?

Giggles – Besides being a full party store and balloon center, there’s a pre-made loot bag service, or you can create your own from 100’s of low priced toys. Party decor and paper goods are organized by colors or themes – High School Musical, Spiderman, Dora, Cars, Hollywood, luau, casino, wedding/shower, etc., but you can still find a whoopee cushion ($1.49), a pin the tail on the donkey ($1.99), lots of costumes or pick letters to build your own banner. How about putting an edible photo on-a-cake or the cupcake service?

Location: 7143 Boul. Newman, LaSalle
Corner: Senkus
Phone: 514-363-9472
October Hours: Mon-Fri 10-9, Sat & Sun 10-5
Temporary location (until Nov 1): Delson Plaza, 35 boul. Georges Gagne
Phone: 450-638-6221
www.giggles.ca

Party World – Everything you need to create a fun party is here – balloons, tableware, loot bags, candles and even a party room to have it in (entertainment, food, cake, a place for the adults). For dressing up there are costumes, makeup, eyelashes, hats, fake blood, swords, boas and a wall of wigs. Theme cakes can be baked for you.

New location: 188  St. Jacques, Ville St-Pierre
Phone 514-369-2221
Hours: Mon – Wed 10-6, Thurs & Fri 10-7, Sat 9-5

Party Mania – You can find just about any party need in this large store. There are bridal, baby, luau and anniversary rows along with significant birthday decor – 30, 40, 50 and 60. The balloon choices cover an entire wall, and look down the aisles for cake decorating supplies, ribbons, stickers galore, pinatas, boas, leis, loot bag stuffers, wrapping paper, costumes wedding accessories, printable stationery and of course, paper goods in coordinated colors or for themed parties.

For those of you who aim to win costume contests, they buy only1 or 2 of a few costumes.

Location: 950 boul. St-Jean, Pointe Claire
Corner: Boul. Brunswick
Phone: 514-694-3115
Oct 19-31 hours: Mon-Fri 10-9, Sat 9-6, Sun 11-5
Temporary locations: Greenfield Park, 3568 Boul. Taschereau; St-Rose, 550 Cure Labelle; St-Leonard, 5940 Boul. Metropolitain est.

For over 78 years, this family business has been known for its amiable and knowledgeable service for cameras and photography equipment. The original business has been in Old Montreal and now they have opened in Laval in the Centropolis area.

You can expect to find a good selection of cameras, cases, tripods, camcorders, digital cameras, printers, scanners and the like at competitive prices. They sell some used equipment and will rent equipment.

New location: 580 Promenade du Centropolis
Phone: 450-687-0067

Original location: 11 St. Antoine West
Phone: 514-861-5401
wwwsimonscameras.com

A smart shopper told me about the yearly sale at  Oakley sunglasses (and Icon Sports). It’s one of those insider sales where you can’t just call and ask them about it – you just have to know and go.  So, I’m telling you. Please, let me know if you get in or have a problem. What has been there in the past: sunglasses (of course), sandals, skiwear, bathing suits, outerwear, t-shirts, sweaters, etc. If you like this popular brand, head over to:

Location: 2317 Halpern St. in Ville St. Laurent
Phone: 514-335-0666
Dates and Times : Oct 20: 12-8,  Oct 21 & 22: 11-8

One of the longest running factory sales, Krickets children’s wear is having their Fall/Winter event. Parents with their strollers line up (inside at least) down a hall for this one. As in all warehouse clearance events all sales are final. Taxes are included in the already low low prices.

In sizes 3 mos. to 12 years, the brands they will offer are: Krickets (12 mos – 24 mos, 2-3X-4T, 4-6X, 7-12), baby (3 mos-12 mos) and Sleepy Bug sleepwear.

If you don’t want the hassle of lining up, you can now order online. They are offering a pre-warehouse sale promotion. If you spend at least $50, you get 30% off and if you spend $100, there’s no shipping charge. Use code:  MWS30

Location: 333 Chabanel West, Suite 800
Tel: 514-382-5890
Dates and Hours: Oct 19-23: 8-5, Sat Oct 24: 8-2
http://kricketsworld.com

You can try to beat the recession by attending factory warehouse sales. Groupe Imperial is having one selling off t’s, hoodies, athletic shoes, jeans, purses, shorts and golf-style shirts by Avirex, ecko unltd., Zoo York and eckored. At these sales you can expect up to 80% off in savings from your mall prices. This sale lasts over 2 weeks and new merchandise appears daily.

Location: 650 Lebeau at Deslauriers, VSL
Tel: 514-335-3333
Dates and Times: Oct 8-24: M-F 9-5, Sat 8-4