Ladies purses and shoes by Kathy Van Zeeland, B. Makowsky, Tyler Rodan and Tignanello are being offered up before the holidays for 50%-70% off.  Look inside the Tyler Rodan bags as they should have a matching umbrella inside (so usefuyl!) and the B. Makowsky line is in leather.

They are being cleared out at their warehouse in the Marche Centrale area. Go around the inside corridor to their rear door. Bring cash please.

Location: 1400 Antonio Barbeau, suite 102
Phone: 514-332-2555
Dates: Dec 1-17
Times: Thurs & Fri: 12-6, Sat 9-12
www.zarby.com

Christelle Grimm, a culinary artist from Alsace, France is going to share some of her delicious French techniques and recipes at a special event at  Club Organic.

Titled  “Vive les fêtes, the very healthy menu will consist of: Bouchées d’hummus vert, Duo betteraves rouges pommes, Petit tartare de choucroute, Salade folle en fête, Tofu mijoté en sauce cardamome, Chutney  d’hiver, Chou rouge aux fruits secs, Pluie de noix de coco, Gelée d’amandes saveur chocolatée and finish with Coulis de poire au gingembre. Yum!

You can dine during the event or just watch the proceedings (en francais) and then bring along a box to take your goodies home with you.

Food items bought at Club Organic can be traced back to the farmer who produced them, as these products are certified by Ecocert Canada, an international regulatory network. You can shop without a membership, but for a $30 membership you can buy ground beef, chicken, butter, flour, beans, grains, dates, pasta, oil, nuts, etc. at a discount. The more you buy the better the deal: a $1-$99 order will yield a 3% discount on your bill, $100-$299 is 5% off, and $300 and up will get you 7%.

Location: Club Organic, 4341 rue Frontenac near Marie-Anne
Event: L’atelier  culinaire Vive les fêtes !
Cost: $50
Date:  Dec 13
Time: 18h00 à 21h00
Sign up quickly as there are only 12 spots: cluborganic@qc.aira.com ou au 514 523 0223
www.epiceriebiologique.ca

I give many interviews in print and on air during the year. My latest interview was by Jaclyn Tersigni and is about early Christmas shopping. It ran across Canada in the Globe and Mail in the hard copy and can still be  read online at:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/holiday/havent-started-shopping-yet-you-may-be-too-late/article2252265

Morsam Fashions was established here in 1917 and sells under the label of Jasmine Rose across Canada and the USA. A couple of times a year, they allow us up to buy sleepwear and robes (velour for men and some for women) for $5 to $15. Once you fancy yourself all cozied up in them, you can buy any size  goose down duvet for $40 to cover yourself in bed (while quantities last).

Location: 350 Louvain ouest, suite 101 (look for the duvet sign)
Phone: 514-383-0033 X 303
Dates: Thurs Dec 8 & Fri Dec 9: 8-6, Sat Dec 10: 8-4

Danawares is back. After a pause, this toy suppler which is licensed for Disney, Dora, Marvel, NHL Hello Kitty, Tonka etc. has moved and has again opened to the public for a warehouse sale. You can find: puzzles, baby toys, games, plush toys, and crafts. Don’t be surprised to find some home decor and even pet things, like beds.

New address: 3185 J.B. Deschamps, Lachine
Dates: Dec 10-17
Times: Mon-Fri 10-6, Sat 9-5,  Sun 10-5
Tel: 514-342-5555  X111
www.danawares.com

Just caught notice of a sale at Jean Coutu Pharmacy that they are offering digital prints for only $.08. This is a good time to put together a cherished memento album for a holiday gift. You have to order 60 though.

Dates: Dec 1-11

Women love the timelessness of Raffinati designs so they can keep collecting pieces to build wardrobes. The company likes to say that you can “wrap yourself in luxury” with their collection. They are well known for their coats and jackets. They have suits and separates and now they are introducing their perfect fit pant (tummy control makes you look one size smaller – go and try them on and let me know.

Location: 9200 Meilleur, suite 400
corner: Chabanel
Phone: 327-4477 X 226
Dates and Times: Wed Dec 7: 10-7; Thurs & Fri Dec 8 & 9: 10-7, Sat & Sun  Dec 10 & 11: 10-5

For 92 years the Sheinart family has handed down, from generation to generation, one simple concept: buy brand name fashions and sell them for the right price along with sincere customer service. You may think of Sheinart’s as a store to head to for evening wear (sizes 0-30) as they specialize in dresses for all occasions from Mother-of-the-bride, bridesmaid and prom to gala and cocktail dresses, but come winter time they have a large selection of coats (even feathery down) and jackets.

Even with their great pricing, now  you can do even better as you can find a $25 off coupon (when you spend $200) here on my web site http://www.smartshoppingmontreal.com/store.php?s=41

The  rest of the store is filled with casual wear and  career clothes. There is a bargain basement too.

Location: 3001 St-Antoine ouest
corner: Atwater
Phone: 514-932-6504
Hours: Regular plus Sun 12-5

Here’s a way to de-stress for the holidays, just get someone else to bake for you.  Swiss Vienna Pastry and Delicatessen  is a 50-year-old 3rd generation bakery which can not only bake your holiday logs (even rum red velvet) $19.95 (for 6), $26.95 (for 10), $40.95 (for 16),  wreath cakes or candle cakes but they can provide you with your whole party cocktail menu. Choose from: mini quiches (cheese, spinach, ham), patty shells (mushroom or chicken), chicken bouche, shrimp boats, spinach rolls, egg rolls, sausage rolls and meat pies in 3 sizes (mini, small and large). There’s meat and vegetable platters too.

If your family has a favorite flavor cake, they probably make it: strawberry shortcake, fruit shortcake, chocolate praline crunch, millefeuille cake, cortina, Black Forest, strawberry or chocolate mousse, red velvet, cheese cake, Charlotte Russe and the St-Honore of course. Mini French pastries are only $12 a dozen (boxed) with a minimum of 2 dozen.

Perhaps you would prefer French pastries – they’re here too: eclairs, mille feuilles (the best in the city – save one for me!), fruit tarts, mousses, chocolate pretzels, rumballs, baba au rum, cream turnovers, gaufrettes, meringues, moka boats and more. And you can add some of their homemade chocolates too.

If you didn’t see what you wanted on that list there’s triple chocolate mousse cake, hazelnut cake, butter danish, apple strudel and 24 daily breads.

For special occasions, their new cake boss can create theme design cakes (Chanel purse, soccer shirt, makeup kit) and you can choose whatever flavor cake you like for the inside: red velvet, black forest, chocolate ganache, praline crunch, etc.

The store also has a selection of international groceries (Hungarian paprika, Marmite, Werner’s potato dumplings), imported chocolate bars, sausages (debreciner, kielbasa) and a hot and cold salad bar with ethnic snacks (Caribbean patties, samosa, calzones, chicken pot pie, potato knishes, cabbage rolls, panini). Wash it all down with an espresso or latte.

Location: Pointe Claire Shopping Centre, 297 boul. St-Jean
corner: Highway 2-20
Tel: 514-697-2280
Hours: Mon-Wed 8:30-6, Thurs & Fri 8:30-8, Sat & sun 8:30-5

Niche Decor & Mode  is a combo store – a household consignment business where you can buy (or sell) nearly new and mint condition pieces of furniture and furnishings – and in the rear, a super vintage clothing shop. Amongst the pretty vignettes, you can choose from great deals on good looking chairs, lamps, table linens, rugs and jewelry.

After you’ve dressed your home, , women (2-16) will find something in this treasure chest from jeans to furs and accessories (shoes, jewelry, purses) amongst the designer names like Manolos, Dolce & Gabbana, Dior, Louboutin, Prada, Sergio Rossi, Moschino, Chloe, Versaci and Michael Kors.

For a limited time, there will be a temporary location, right nearby (3296 St. Antoine St) selling off the contents of an Eastern Townships estate.

Here is a partial list of what you might still find there: Italian lacquered desk, Italian pottery, wicker recamier and tables, equestrian sofa, mirrors, upholstered armchairs, French country armoire, Spanish console, dishes, decorator pillows and lots more.

Look on my site  (under Household, Home Fashion) for a 10% off coupon for when you shop here:   http://www.smartshoppingmontreal.com/store.php?s=183

Location: 3289 rue St-Jacques
corner: Greene
Tel: 514-439-8870
Hours: Mon-Fri 11-6, Sat 11-5