What you want when you renovate is someone who knows what they are doing, and who better than an home builder with 30 years of experience? Oakwood Construction Canada, Inc.  is now available for your home renovations and home additions. Expect personal service with on-site supervision for:

– Finishing and renovating basements which might include: cinema/media room, wine cellar with a tasting room, sauna, wet steam room, playroom or games room.
– Kitchen and bathroom renovations: granite counter tops, sunken and country sinks, state of the art cabinetry, bamboo, ceramic, wood or cork flooring, stained, frosted or beveled glass panels and/or doors.
– Exterior renovations such as roofing, brickwork and landscaping are also available.
– If you need it, personal decorating and design advice for the finishing touches, such as paint color selection and tile co-ordination can be offered.

No job is too small or too large for them and for your peace of mind, they are affiliated with the A.P.C.H.Q and offer a full warranty.

Tel: 514-952-9252

When looking to have that special piece of jewelry repaired, one would imagine that a jeweler that is recommended by other jewelers is the choice of a smart shopper. Bijouterie Guru is one such jeweler who enjoys this kind of reputation when it comes to jewelry and watch repair.

Since 1993, this small shop in the Halles d’Anjou, has become the “jewelry repair central” in the greater Montreal area. Aside from a line of exclusively imported jewelry, they have become famous in specialized jewelry and watch repair.

Among the vast array of services, there are some interesting ones that are worth mentioning. Namely, hollow gold jewelry welding; eye-wear frames welding; restringing of pearls; engraving of medical alert bracelets and pendants.

Engraving can be done on pens, inside rings, signet rings, baby bracelets, commemorative gifts and even your iPhone, and iPad.

Are you tired of endless repairs of your antique, windup clock? Not only do they repair them, but they also change the movements to one that works with a battery.

Are you worried about the condition of your diamond ring prongs? Afraid of losing your diamond or gem? They do verification of your prongs “free of charge”. Prong repair and re-tipping is done, if need be.

Have you lost your diamond or gemstone from your ring? They will replace, diamonds, gemstones and pearls. They even do custom-made jewelry and can produce a model from a photo or a sketch.

All repairs are done in house and nothing is sent out. Redesigning an old ring and transforming it into a pendant or necklace is one of their specialties. This one stop, Mom and Pop shop with their personalized service will satisfy you and keep you returning to them for all your jewelry needs.

Location: 7500 boul Les Galerie D’Anjou, Ville D’Anjou QC H1M 3M4
corner: Jean Talon Est
Tel: 514-353-4666
Hours: Mon-Wed 10-5:30, Thurs & Fri 10-8:30, Sat 10-5:30, Sun 11-5

My husband Stan Posner and I will be on the radio with Beta Wayne on CINQ-FM Radio Centreville Consumer. For the Fall season, we will be discussing different aspects of shopping in this season:  where to go to stock your pantry reasonably, getting things cleaned and even shopping for courses to take. I’ll mention some of the upcoming warehouse sales.

On the another date, we will be talking about driving South during the winter relating to our Drive I-95: Exit by Exit Info Maps, History and Trivia book

All of the places mentioned are found in my Smart Shopping Montreal book or the above mentioned Drive I-95 book which you can buy at www.smartshoppingmontreal.com.  The show will be podcast and available for a week on their website.

Location: 102.3 FM
Date and time: Saturday Oct 6th or Oct 13: 12:30-1 pm

Maxwell’s Clothiers is a 2nd generation Hong Kong family run business which twice a year (since 1961), in March and October, rents banquet halls in Ruby Foo’s Hotel, one in Laval and then for another 4 days downtown to sell their shirts and suits. I have visited their elegant showroom in Hong Kong to see how the shirts and suits are made.

They make it easy for us to shop as they fly here and bring their expertise to us with a team of tailors who can fit men and women for custom-tailored suits, jackets, pants, overcoats and shirts. For 3 custom-made cotton shirts, it’s only $150 plus tax and shipping (about $35) and that could be for the sea-island cotton (luscious), Egyptian cotton, or pinpoint Oxford or 3,000 fabric choices.

Suits go for $450 – $650 and orders take about 10 weeks to arrive. A local tailor has been hired to do any little alterations that may be necessary. No appointments are necessary – just show up and bring your friends.

Dates:  Sept 30 & Oct 1:  Sheraton Laval, 2440 Autoroute des Laurentides 450-687-0655
Oct 2-5:  Le Centre Sheration, 1201 Boul. Rene Levesque 514-878-3958
Oct 6-8:  Ruby Foo’s Hotel, 7655 Decarie Blvd. 514-731-7701

Since 1940, Bellingham Cleaners and Tailors has been well-known for their expert cleaning, especially of the more challenging suedes, leathers, wedding gowns, silk, feather pillows and duvets.

– Their Deluxe Service handles delicate garments individually:
* garments individually cleaned in virgin solvent
* buttons are removed to prevent damage
* items are hand-pressed,
* double inspection procedure
* garments are stuffed with tissue paper to preserve their form

– For busy people, they offer a wash and fold service for $1.50 lb ($3.30 kg). Whites and coloured items are washed separately – and – independently of other peoples’ clothes. There’s free pick up and delivery. The minimum order is for 10 lbs.

– Would you sleep on the same sheets for 6 months? So why haven’t you ever had your pillow cleaned? They will sanitize, deodorize, clean, and fluff you pillow – and – replace the cover.

– Too difficult to remove and rehang your drapes and window coverings? They’ll send someone to do it for you so you can send them in for a cleaning along with the bedding and decorative cushions.

– For garment repairs (even suede and leather), every day there are seamstresses and a changing room, so quick fixes can be sewn while you wait.

– Their Bates Rd. location has Quebec’s first drive-thru service and a 24-hour night deposit box using VIP bags.

– Home or office pick-up service is available over most of the island.

– Bellingham Cleaners are the only cleaners in the province of Quebec who are certified by the worldwide Association of Wedding Gown Specialists.

Locations: 2655 Bates Rd corner: Wilderton Tel: 514-733-4444
1 Westmount Square, Westmount Tel: 514-934-3353
Hours Bates Rd: Mon-Fri 7:30-6, Sat 9-5

If  it’s time to re-fresh your handbags (clutches, hobos, totes, cross-bodies) for the latest looks, look no further than this sample sale by Christopher Kon and Co-lab. You’ll also be able to also buy wallets too. Hope your old wallet is full of money as this is a cash only sale.

Location: 400 Stinson, VSL
corner: Hodge
Dates:  Sept 26th -30th
Times: Wed-Fri 9-6, Sat & Sun 9–5
Tel: 514-738-8330
www.christopherkon.com
www.co-lab.ca
www.co-lab.ca/blog

Princessa Beauty Products is a shop to go to for a wide variety of wigs, hairpieces, braids, weaves, extensions and hair accessories (headbands, barrettes, clips, bobby pins) in both high quality synthetic fibers and human hair. The brands include Sensationnel, Outre, Marie Daniel and Magi.

For women of color, you can buy conditioners, relaxers, colors, moisturizers and polishers in names such as Dark & Lovely, Luster’s, Motions Organic Roots, Black ‘n Sassy, Optimum and Optimum care, Dr Miracle, Profectiv and Proline (Soft and Beautiful).

Among the many skin products are Palmers, Hollywood Beauty, Red fox Cocoa butter, Queen Helene, Razac, Ambi and Ultra Glow.

Location: 1669 Dollard, Lasalle
corner: Rejean
Tel:514-595-4894
Hours: Regular plus Sun 11-5
www.princessabeauty.com

A handy and friendly West Island neighborhood fix-it shop (situated right next to Gianella Cycle shop) is a rarity these days. They have 30 years of experience under their belt. If you are looking for the Shamballa bracelets worn by Jay Z, Lebron James, Justin Bieber and Adrianna Lima, they are now sold here.

 

 

 

If you are  female and  looking to score  a new Fall or Winter coat or jacket, then head over to this new location for Manteaux Manteaux clearances. (open all year round) At this sale they will be clearing previous seasons stock in all women’s sizes – petite, regular and plus at prices that are 40%-70% off. They are also paying the taxes for this sale.

Well known brands as in Steve Madden, Geox, Sicily, and Point Zero, will be there along with leather jackets which will be as low as $19!

Throw a pretty scarf over it all for $10. but if you bring the coupon below and buy a coat, they’ll throw one in for free. (while supplies last)

Ask how you can win a $250 gift card.

Location: 5415 Royalmount
corner: de Royden
Metro: De La Savanne
Tel: 514-344-5140
Dates: Sept 20-23
Times: Thurs & Fri 10-7, Sat & Sun 10-4

Those of you that shopped for years at Kovac’s Outlet on Henri Bourassa  will be happy to find out that they are still very much alive. This is sometimes the challenge for me.  A company closes and then I go on a treasure hunt to see if I can find them. Sometimes the trail goes cold and then suddenly – there they are again.

Their focus for  is geared towards large sample sales (Touche) in sizes medium  or 8 or 10 in a very large variety of styles. Expect to find tops, blouses, pants, skirts,jackets and sweaters. In addition to this, you can find  a large selection of  stock items that are available in petites, missy and plus sizes that are geared for a more mature woman.

I especially liked the idea that they are changing some of the pants for women who do not like zippers and prefer the comfort of stretch, but still look like a dress pant.

Location: 333 Chabanel, suite 508
Tel: 514-335-6869
Hours:  Sat 9:30-1, except holidays