Mere Helene is a mom and a sewer who knows exactly how diapers need to be made, with 100% cotton or bamboo (as opposed to cloth, which may contain rayon, felt, polyester, etc.), so she sells them. Also, pregnant women can bring in any pair of pants, and for only $25 she will adapt them for your pregnancy. Great money saving idea!

Her diapers come in one size (fits 7-30 lbs.). The cotton ones are 2/$36 and the bamboo ones are $22 each, and they are both pre-folded with elastic and velcro. Covers are $12 and close with velcro or snaps or are pulled on.  Premature babies can use her 4 -15 lb size diaper, and she also makes larger sizes for children or for adults who require them.

Tops for breast-feeding moms are here too, along with Graco products.

Locations: 7577A Edouard, Lasalle, Tel: 514-368-2959
or 5840 boul. Taschereau, Tel: 450-812-5522
Hours:  Sat-Wed 9:30-5, Thurs & Fri 9:30-7
www.merehelene.com

Q: I remembered  your name from CJAD and I hope you can help me with my dilemma I have tried to locate a domestic retailer that would carry this model (Reebok 1330) but to no avail,it seems that it is an old model, no stock anywhere.

I have found sites in the USA but with shipping charges it comes to over $80. They should be around $60 Canadian. Can you recommend any of you’re sources?

A: Well if it is an old model, it’s very hard to find anywhere, you should be lucky to have found any and at $80 with shipping, it’s not a lot to pay for a favorite style. However, my book’s premise is shopping locally.

If you had looked in it, you would have found, on page 54 under Shoes, that we have a Reebok Outlet in Hudson. Phone: 450-424-8649. If the kids at the counter can’t help, maybe ask to speak to a manager or owner.

Q: Je voudrais savoir ce que vous pensez des vêtements de ski Killtech. Étant à la recherche d’un pantalon très chaud, je me questionne qu’en à sa qualité en rapport à la chaleur pour le ski alpin.

A: Many companies design clothing for alpine skiing using newly developed fabrics which keep you warm, wick away moisture and are water resistant. Killtech is one of many. You can buy it for a discounted price at Brador. Other brands which are as good that they sell: Gusti, Deux par Deux, Innsbruck, Nano, Kamik, Louis Garneau, Lole, Orage, Auclair, Misty Mountain,  Sun Ice, Ripzone, Powder Room, Liquid Boardwear, Kombi, Below Zero, Killtech and Luhta for children, teens and adults

There’s downhill and cross country skiwear, winter outerwear and snowboarding clothing. Besides the  suits, there are Kamik boots, hats, underwear, socks, goggles and gloves.

There’s some liquidation on last year’s snowsuits at great prices. Hope there’s still some left for you. Please note if you have been there before over the years, that they have moved around the corner to Louvain St. http://www.smartshoppingmontreal.com/store.php?s=142

Expect to friendly and knowledgeable sales help even with competitive warehouse pricing. Brador Hiver’s exceptional after-sale service helps you out with broken zippers or replacement for torn knees in ripstop fabric.

Location: 350 Louvain o. suite 133
corner: Meilleur
Hours: Mon-Sat 9-5, Sun 10-4 (Aug-Mar)
www.bradorhiver.com

Men who work right downtown and love the slick look of Italian designers (Cerruti 1881, Verace, Valentino, Corneliani) will be happy to find Importations J.E.A. Polcaro right in their midst. In order to keep their prices down, they are located in a building on Peel and they are importing and selling directly to you without the markup of a middle man.

Buy directly from the wholesaler who offer some interesting pricing: Lubiam and Giudice suits $429, Merino wool sweaters starting at $49, pants at $99, cotton shirts $59, Calabrese 100% silk ties $25 and hand-made F. Rossetti shoes (prices vary).

Location: 1440 Peel, suite 120
Phone: 514-844-3014
Hours: Mon-Fri 9:30-6, Sat 10-4

Q: I love your show on CJAD and your website. I am looking for a sun lamp….I have a friend that suffers from seasonal depression. I was told that the sun lamp therapy really helps. Any idea where in Montreal, I can buy this?

A: Union Lighting and Home, 8150 Boul. Decarie has the most extensive lighting selection in the city. You can try calling them and asking if they have it or can order it (it’s not a sun lamp, it’s for seasonal affective disorder).

This family company has been in the lighting business since 1914. Changing with the times, they’ve evolved, still selling all kinds of standing, hanging (mini chandeliers and colored crystal), recessed, track, desk (baby candelabra) and outdoor lighting fixtures, but now have added self-service aisles of bulbs, switches and shades.

From there it was on to fans, address plates, ceiling medallions, door and bath hardware, occasional furniture, mirrors and  kitchen accessories. They offer a 14-day no hassle return policy, a repair department and free gift wrapping. Crystal chandeliers have lifetime guarantees – bring them back for full credit towards a new one.

With their Prix Garantis , if you find the same item elsewhere or in a flyer for a lower price within 60 days, they will refund you the difference. Follow the yellow footsteps to the left rear of the store for their liquidation section.     www.unionltg.com

It’s just a little walk upstairs to Willy’s Handbag Repair. The woman who runs this little repair depot can do all kinds of interesting fixes and I was surprised to learn that (like Houdini?) she can open combination locks!

The rest of the time she can replace zippers, locks and wheels on luggage and repair fabric and vinyl luggage. Tricks she has learned (the shop has been open over 48 years) allows her to fix handbags, tote bags, straps on strollers and jeep windows.

5456A Westminster, suite 206, Montreal Ouest
corner: ch. Cote St-Luc
Tel: 514-481-8446  514-481-8446
Hours: Tues-Fri 10-5

Q: Does Diamond ever allow retail sales?

A: Who do you mean by Diamond? Diamond Tea Gown? Designer Discount Lingerie, 2585 Bates Rd. sells that line. Years ago they used to have warehouse sales but as far as I know that stopped a long time ago.

If you really enjoy luxurious gowns and robes, you don’t have to pay full price. This shop is a tiny place hiding up in an industrial building where you can buy Diamond Tea, Bisbigli from Italy and Nanso from Finland, all at least 25% off.

Bridal ensembles, pregnancy nightwear, nursing bras, panty girdles, slips and camisoles are available, as well as alterations. They specialize in minimizer bras (cups A-G), and can fit you properly and sell you bras by Chantelle, Anita, Wackoal, Rosa Fraie, Grenier, etc. Look for the sale rack at up to 60% off.

Emballages I.S.A. was established in 1982 and is a distributor of high quality packaging, offering diversified products and services tailored to your specific needs. If your New Year’s resolutions included starting up your own business, this company had the best prices on business cards that I have come across. And they’re right here in Montreal and not online somewhere else in the world.

They can also handle all of your printing and graphic requirements:

– business cards
– marketing materials: postcards, flyers, brochures, door-hangers
– large format printing of posters and banners
– banner stands
– trade show pop-up displays
– promotional items

For those of you who have small quantities, don’t worry, even with full color printing, they will be happy to take care of you. You will be thrilled when you discover their very competitive prices and quick turn around.

If moving is part of your new year, they have the packaging you might need:
– corrugated and folding boxes, plain or printed
– protective packaging and stuffing
– many kinds of poly bags printed up to 12 colours
– shipping supplies: pallet wrap, carton-sealing tapes, strapping & pallets, etc.- shrink wrap films
– sanitation supplies

Location: 3767 Thimens, Suite 100, Ville St. Laurent QC H4R 1W4
corner: Begin
Tel: 514-956-1060
Hours: Mon-Thurs 8:30-5, Fri 8:30-4:30
www.isa-packaging.com
E-mail     info@isa-packaging.com

Q: I read your shlog and I found you mentioned two places for snow pants with cheap prices. I have heard of one close to the Angrignon centre, off an exit of Highway 20. So, I just think you are the most knowledgeable person when it comes to shopping. It is supposed to be an outlet for winter and ski clothes.

A: They might be talking about Mega Vente, (120 boul. St-Joseph, Lachine Tel: 514-637-1116) . They have men’s snow pants for around $29.99. This was a secret warehouse for a long time, but now it’s very open to the public.

This huge neat space has something for everyone at 75%-90% off, from men’s suits/tie/shirt combos at $99 (34-60 short, reg, tall) – including a salesman to help you out  – to $1, $3, $5 kids’ (3 mos.-16) racks. The first quality clothing is balance of inventory from the current season. Females (XS-4XL) and males (S-5XL) might find: sweat shirts, dress shirts ($8), jackets ($39), T-shirts ($3), jeans, cotton fleece, nylon pants, pyjamas, dresses, blouses, swimsuits, shorts and even kids’ snowsuits all year round.

Other location: Laval, 2055 Autoroute 440 O. (450-688-2221).  www.megaventemontreal.com