After 45 years, the modus operandum of this ladies’ boutique is still to open only during the 7 busiest months and to offer plenty of sales help. Right now you can take advantage of their anniversary sale where they are offering 45% to 70% off all of their fabulous ladies clothing lines.

Shoppers (sizes 2-20 petite and regular) are always thrilled at the regular deals of 35% off on suits, separates, dresses (even dressy) and some coats.

The best bargains of all can be had at the very end of each season (Dec 15th this year), when the entire inventory (Simon Chang, Steilmann, Lyse Spenard, Cartise, Frank Lyman, Michael Kors, Frank Walder, Tribal, Lana Lee, Lucien Daunois, Vex, Conrad C, Tricotto, Louben, Ness, Tahari, Nueva) is sold off in a couple of days at rock-bottom prices.

For the guys, there’s a line of cool men’s dress shirts. Evening shopping parties for 5 or more guests can be booked.

Location: 545 Hauterive, Duvernay
corner: boul. Levesque
Tel: 450-669-8221
Hours: Mon 10-5, Tues & Wed 9:30-6, Thurs & Fri 9:30-8, Sat 9-5 (open mid Aug-Dec & Mar-June)
Dates: til Dec 14
Final Clearance Sale: Sat Dec 15 –  70-90% off everything in the store.
www.boutiquemaude.com

Q: How do I find discontinued Annabelle Lipstick, Rouge Velours Line, called Angelique, number 115?

A:  This is the phone number of Annabelle headquarters (they just had a fabulous warehouse sale and have them twice a year) : 800-387-7710

Fenetre Deco does ultrasonic cleaning and repairs of all types of blinds, from 1″ aluminum horizontals to the higher end Silhouettes and Luminettes. The blinds are placed with a cleaning solution in large water-filled tanks, which use vibrating sound waves to loosen the dirt. Prices start at $15 per blind, and there is a minimum of $75 for a service call.

They also sell many types of blinds and drapery and provide shop-at-home service for Hunter Douglas, Shad-o-matic, Sol-r, Levolor, Altex, wooden and PVC shutters, Sohji panels, roller shades, etc.

Tel: 514-364-2020
Hours: by appt
www.fenetredeco.com

Dubarry Furs is now having a pre-winter sale.  In addition to their reasonable prices, shoppers spending $500 or more will be able to select a complimentary gift of either fur (mink, beaver or fox) earmuffs, leather or shearling gloves, or 100% alpaca scarf.  This offer extends to re-stylings as well.

This 32-year-old shop,  in a beautiful exposed brick and stone atelier in Old Montreal, maintains low prices by doing all the work themselves. Ready-to-wear or custom-made jackets, hats, capes with fur trim (and water resistant reversible ones), and coats, remodeling, repairs, cleaning and storage are all available here.

There is a line of cashmere and Alpaca wear with and without fur trim and shearling jackets. Trade-ins are accepted toward the purchase of a new coat.

They have always been known for the quality of their products and their personalized service.

Location, 206 St-Paul Ouest, Old Montreal
corner: St-Francois-Xavier
Tel: 514-844-7483
Hours: Tues-Fri 10-6, Sat & Sun 11-5 & by appointment
www.dubarryfurs.com

The best monthly sales of linens, etc. is the one held on Louvain St. in the Chabanel area. Now they are making it easy for those of you who live more easterly and are offering a second location on Pie IX.

If you need bedding, curtains, comforters, pillows,  shower curtains, bath towels, mats, dishcloths, oven mitts, mattress covers, etc., head to one of these locales.

They offer great deals like cushions for $5,  curtains for $5 and comforters starting at $15.

Location: 100 Louvain
corner: boul. St-Laurent
Other location: 8566 Pie IX
Phone: 514-384-8290
Dates and times: Fri Nov 16: 11-6, Sat Nov 17: 8-1

The JRC warehouse opens each year before Christmas, between October and December. They offer the public deals of up to 70% off  on all kinds of toys.

Name brands from Step 2,  Melissa & Doug, Barbie, Crayola, Fisher-Price, Hasbro, Hot Wheels, Little Tikes, Mattel, Mega Bloks, Hegstrom, Spinmaster, Alex, and VTech have been found, as well as books from $1 & up and even the kitchen sink.

Corporations, day cares or anyone holding Christmas events can buy in bulk and have them wrapped.

Location: 5589 Royalmount
corner: Devonshire
Tel: 514-342-6979
Dates: Apr 11-22
Times: Mon-Fri 10-6, Sat & Sun 10-5
www.jrctoys.com

Paragraphe Bookstore runs a series of yummy lectures where they invite Montrealers to munch on breakfast and meet the authors of new books. On Sunday I will be one of those authors (along with Aislin, Peter Trent and Dr. Richard Beliveau). So be prepared for humour, politics, death and shopping!

You get a bite to eat and then a taste of our books and a chance to meet us and buy autographed copies of the books.

Location: Le Centre Sheraton, 1201 Rene-Levesque West
Date: November 18th
Time: 10am
Price: $32 and can be bought at: Paragraphe Bookstore, 2220 McGill College Ave
Tel: 514-845-5811
www.paragraphbooks.com
–  or  –
The Westmount Public Library,  4574 Sherbrooke St. West

In the winter months, Depot Du Plein Air sells cross country skis and boots. There’s a good selection of snowshoes, winter outerwear and then backpacks by Asolo, Tatonka, Lowe Alpine, Trekk and World Famous.

Around for 18 years, they have a selection of clothing, equipment and accessories for the outdoor enthusiast in brands like: Arctic North, Soia Kyo, Point Zero, Nicole Benisti, Nuage, Bianca Nygard, Oxygen, Rockwater Design, Misty Mountain.

Now and more so in the summer months, they stock tents (Canyon and Yanes) and then kayaks (Clearwater Design) in 15 models and 8 colors. The tents are set up for you to enter and check them out. You can also see sleeping bags, canoes, camping accessories and walking sticks.

…Depot du Plein Air prides itself in  exceptional service and straight forward merchandising ensuring the best possible prices of high quality products
Any questions you may have about tents or kayaks are cheerfully and thoroughly answered here.

Location: 8267 boul. St- Laurent
corner:Guizot
Tel: 514-381-4399
Hours: Mon-Wed 10-6, Thurs & Fri 10-9, Sat 9-5, Sun 11-5
www.depotpleinair.com

A new pop-up store with trendy contemporary casual clothing (the kind that make a statement) , footwear, shapewear and accessories is open for one day only, Nov 18th.

Shapewear: For underneath your clothes to smooth out your figure, there will be a Canadian version of Spanx in slenderizing camisoles ($30) and tummy tuck leggings ($30) S-XL in nude white and black

Sportswear: tunic tops, sweaters, dresses, boleros ($20-$65)

Footwear: fashion inspired winter boots (sizes 5-10) which look like Ugg or military style ($23-$32)

Denim: A variety of styles looking just like those famous tummy tuck type (sizes 2-18)

Leggings:  (one size fits sizes 2-12), scarves, gloves, accessories

Jewelry: Sterling silver bracelets, rings, necklaces, pendants, earrings (some with cubic zirconia or Swarovski crystals) at $15-$55

Expect to find high end boutique looks in designers and names you know for low prices. Clip the coupon below for an extra $5 off

Location: Holiday Inn & Suites, 6700 Transcanadienne, Pointe Claire
corner: Boul. St-Jean
Date and Time: Sun Nov18: 9-4

You can balance your budget easier by attending factory warehouse sales. Groupe Imperial is having one selling off t’s, hoodies, caps, jeans, jackets, by  ecko unltd,  Avirex,  Jack & Jones, Diesel, Guess, Hudson, Only, (BlankNYC),  G-Star Raw, Lady Dutch and Zoo York.

At these sales you can expect up to 80% off in savings off of  mall prices. This sale is a repeat from earlier in the month.  There’s a lot for the guys at this one.

Location: 650 Lebeau at Deslauriers, VSL
corner: Deslauriers
Tel: 514-335-3333
Dates: Nov 15-Dec. 2
Times: Mon-Wed 10-6, Thurs & Fri 10-9, Sat 10-5
www.fashionsale.ca