Q: I’ve been a fan of your’s for years.  Love your book, blog and in particular, enjoy listening to you when you’re on Tommy’s show on CJAD.  You are always so informative and caring!

Where can I find a retail or wholesaler who sells sugary candy like liquorice, twizzlers… My son is having a fundraiser for his high school grad and we’re looking for a place to buy the candy at a good price.

A: You can buy in bulk at wholesaler grocer like Mayrand. They sell to depanneurs and restaurants as well as to you and me. Here’s the place on my site for details and location: http://www.smartshoppingmontreal.com/store.php?s=43

Or for a retailer that sells lots of candy, there is Biscuiterie Oscar on Ontario or St Hubert, found on page 113 in my book. Then there are bulk food stores like Bulk Barn in the Marche de l’Ouest or Papillon in the Plaza Pointe Claire. If it’s for a school, perhaps the retailers might give you a break.

Right now is one of the few times a year when the Diesel outlet store has a sample sale so everything gets cleared out for the next season. It’s a great time to learn about shopping here and to stock up on your jeans wardrobe.

If you are a Diesel clothing fan, head right over for the 1,000’s of clearance, seconds, samples (jeans: women it’s 27, men 32; tops: women – S, men – L) and some regular discounted stock. Their jeans are here along with 55DSL, G-Star Raw , Lucky 7,  and others  Now there’s Diesel watches, footwear, accessories and underwear.

Location: 5168 boul. St-Laurent, corner Fairmont
Tel: 514-948-5005
Other location: Les Factoreries St-Sauveur, 153 ch. Jean Adam (450-240-0555)
Dates: Feb 21-24
Store hours: Mon-Wed 10-6, Thurs & Fri 10-9, Sat 10-5, Sun 12-5
www.surplusclothing.ca

Q: I wonder if you know where Laura/Melanie Lyne movee from Cote-Vertu mega Centre?

A: There is one 5700 de Boucherville, not far from Place Versailles.  Tel: 514-355-7864. It’s in my Smart Shopping Montreal book.

If you like the styling and quality workmanship of Kanuk’s made-in-Quebec line of outerwear, then this is the moment to take advantage of their in-house sale. Two floors of their manufacturing area will be filled with bargain items.

All Kanuks are on sale, from their winter 2012-2013 collection. While supplies last, certain items from their previous collections in a variety of sizes and colours will be offered at deep discount prices.

Kanuk jackets and coats are pricey but they are guaranteed for life – what other products these days will claim that? The coats are famous for their design of optimal insulation – sewn right through to the lining.  They are light enough for the mild days, “cool” enough for a night out and warm enough for a forest trek.

The before-season sale of leftover coats, ends of lines, samples and imperfects are priced $195-$650 (was $795).  You can order online if you live too far away to get there.

Location: 485 Rachel Est
Corner: Berri
Tel: 514-527-4494
Hours: Wed – Fri, 8am – 9pm, Sat & Sun 8am – 5pm, Mon, 8am – 6pm
Dates: Feb 20-25
www.kanuk.com

If you are heading out to Ottawa to skate on the Rideau Canal and to enjoy our nation’s capitol, leave some time to explore the Canadian Museum of Nature, our first national museum, completed in 1912.

The Beaux Arts building was recently renovated and is now fronted by a towering glass atrium. That’s where we found the arts and crafts action. Perhaps leave that for the end, after you’ve had a chance to watch “Exploding Geology”, the tornado demonstration, walk through the large bird display (and play on the interaction boards),  swoon over the 1200 gorgeous minerals, rocks and meteorites , meet the 10-metre blue whale, enjoy the full size mammal gallery (look for the reindeer), go face to face with a triceratops,  or spy on the tarantula.

Kids of any age and their parents will enjoy their day. If you have time there are two movies, “Nature Unleashed” and “3D Dinosaur” but our gang liked the interactive museum more. Special exhibits coming up will show off Ikebana, Japanese floral design, Flora of the Canadian Arctic and in the summer, the Hidden Lives of Ants.

Trivia buffs should note that this Canadian Museum of Nature  served as home to Canada’s House of Commons and Senate following the fire that destroyed the Centre Block of Parliament in 1916.

Location: 240 McLeod St.
Phone: 613-364-4021
www.nature.ca

Though you may know Change as a bra and lingerie store, they also sell bathing suits and for this weekend, they’re on sale for 40% off.

Sales help at this Denmark based chain have had training in fitting bras and learn how a bra should sit around the breasts, back and neck, how to choose a cup and model for you and the anatomy of the bra itself.

There are 3 main lines (sizes 28A-40J): Change, Chic for the younger body, with extra padding, and Charade, which is lacy and a bit pricier. It’s nice that there are great prices for larger sizes which is usually hard to find.

You can also shop for sweats, lingerie, T’s and bra accessories, like silicone enhancers, clear straps, strap extenders and bra clips.

Locations: Centre Rockland (514-344-6029), Carrefour Angrignon (514-789-6486)  www.change.com

The best monthly sales of linens, etc. is the one held on Louvain St. in the Chabanel area. Now Liquideco is 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 Feb 15: 11-6, Sat Feb 16: 8-2

Q: I have a two way zipper on my which jacket which is finished. Any recommendations?

A: I just went over to St-Hubert St. which is the fabric district of Montreal. There are 2 side-by-side shops that sell notions and they both sell two-way zippers in many sizes and colors. I was surprised to find out that you can buy any length of one-way zipper as they have long rolls and just cut off the length you need (I bought a 60″ one for a duvet cover) and finish off the ends

Boutique Bilal  7432 St-Hubert  (514-278-8007) – ribbons, lace trim and collars, all sizes of  zippers, buttons, interfacing, linings, elastic, labels, fringe, boas
Accessoires de couture St-Hubert 7454 St-Hubert (514-278-9416) – tons of trimmings, costume jewelry, buttons, zippers, appliques, ribbons, large rolls of sewing machine thread

For a tailor to put it in: on my site I have Denis Tailor  Tel: 514-334-7963  http://www.smartshoppingmontreal.com/store.php?s=151 who is located on Sauve near l’Acadie

Fashionwear has been beyond just a retail store and more of a fashion service.

As you try on outfits from one of about 2 dozen lines of trendy clothes, you are aided by one of the consultants, who helps you coordinate a wardrobe. Remembering what you bought last time (they keep a computerized list), they try to update your look based on what you already have at home. They also have a selection of cute giftware.

Since they are preparing for a move, they are selling off all the fall and winter clothing in the store for $10, $20 or $30 and all the giftware is 50% off.

Old location til Feb 19th: Centre d’Achats Hudson, 3100 Rte. Harwood
New Location: across the street at Promenades Hudson, 3187 Rte. Harwood #B
Exit 26 Transcanadienne
Tel: 450-218-1955
Date of Move: Feb 19th
Hours: Sat, Tues, Wed 10-5, Thurs & Fri 10-6
www.fashionwearcanada.com

If you are unable to make it, you can visit their shop for clothes and giftware. Fashionwear Shop: Exit 26 off 40 West, 3100 Rte. Harwood,  Centre d’Achats Hudson. Phone: 450-218-1955.

Refurbishing giant, J. Sonic is holding a sale of electronics.  The enormous warehouse is full of such things as TV screens, home theater systems, tablets, Dyson vacuum cleaners, blu-ray players, and vinyl and mosaic floor tiles.

Location: 6869 Henri Bourassa Ouest
corner: Felix Leclerc
Dates: Feb 15-17
Hours:  Fri 2-9, Sat 10-5, Sun 10-4