We are so lucky in Montreal to have manufacturers at our doorstep so we can take advantage of the pricing that that allows. With the cooler Autumn air at our doorstep, this is the time to go get yourself, your teen, your mate a leather jacket at Creations Jez. It’s even better because they are located right here, so you can have them make it exactly the way you would like it (add a hood? phone pocket inside? longer or shorter?). Think about getting  jackets or coats, blazers, skirts or pants in an endless selection of colors.

This would be a great time to scoop up a three-button leather blazer. It is not only practical worn indoors or out, but is a forever fashionable garment to be included in your wardrobe. It completes any look, whether business or casual.

For the past 35 years, this friendly family business has been known for their creativity, quality and a high level of customer satisfaction. If you love leather fashion, be sure to head straight to this sale.

Isn’t it great to be able to get a garment designed and made in Montreal with an emphasis on sleek and functional styles.

Location: 1625 Chabanel Ouest #1080, Montreal H4N 2S7
Corner: between boul l’Acadie and Hwy 15
Dates: Nov 11- 18, 2017
Hours: Mon – Fri 9 – 4, Sat 8 – 2
Tel: 514- 279-4547
Metro: Acadie or Cremazie
www.creationsjez.ca
inquiries@creationsjez.ca

If your kids are coming home from sleep away camp with loads of dirty clothing and you don’t have time to get to all that work, why not try Bellingham Cleaners’ wash and fold service? They even offer you home or office pick up.

It’s time to take a look around the house to freshen things up now that summer is coming to and end and you will be spending inside. So if you would like to clean your drapes, window coverings , pillows or duvets –  think Bellingham Cleaners and Tailors.

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. Is it 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

No time for laundry? For busy people, they offer a wash and fold service. 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. Their Bates Rd. location even has Quebec’s first drive-thru service and a 24-hour night deposit box using VIP bags.

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

TMR Location: 2655 Bates Rd, Montreal , plus pickup/delivery service
corner: Wilderton
Tel: 514-733-4444
Hours: Mon-Wed 7:30-6:30, Thurs & Fri 7:30-7, Sat 8-5, Sun 11-5
www.smartshoppingmontreal.com/store.php?s=167

Everything you need to mash and cook those tomatoes for canning your own pasta sauce can be found at Lingerie Pina & Carmelo Sacco – including a 100 litre pot (big enough to take a soak in)!  If you have tons of zucchini, eggplant or peppers and you want to preserve them, this is THE place to find everything you may need – and it has been for generations.

The store has it all. It’s one that I love to browse through.  You can find so many hard to find things here.  Do you know where else to buy  housecoats or cotton handkerchiefs? They have bedroom slippers too; If your size isn’t here, they will order them for you.

If you have a wedding planned this year, the Mother of the Bride could find an outfit, the bridal party too and you can even get bonbonnieres made-to-order and wrapped.  They offer a Bridal Registry and there are gifts galore.

The name  clearly does not define this family business as you’ll find and housewares: silverware, china, espresso makers and meat slicers. If you are looking for ecological cookware, they sell Cool Kitchen which has no PTFE, no PFOA and can be used for induction cooking. The Italian community knows to come here for Pizzel machines for cookies and Cavetelli machines for gnocchi, Those who like collectibles will find: Precious Moments, Walt Disney Collection and Disney Traditions by Jim Shore.

Designers are here to help you with curtains (free installation), and they have the exclusive Hunter Douglas Alustra line with copper and chrome headers. If you need them, there’s carpet runners by the yard  – and also hard to find plasticized fabric by the yard.

I can’t believe I even scored a warm hood which I’ll have my dressmaker “zipper on” to my new travel jacket.

Location: 8365 boul. Viau, St-Leonard QC H1R 2T6
corner: boul. Robert
Tel: 514-323-0427

Hours: Mon-Wed 9-6, Thurs & Fri 9-7:30, Sat 9-5. Open Sunday 10-5 from Labor Day – June 1st

This store was one of my first OMG moments when writing my Smart Shopping Montreal book. Sim Centre de Liquidation is a “secret” clearance center for a huge un-nameable low “Cost” warehouse store. Here the prices go even lower as they discount 30% or more off on the already low prices from that chain – and all prices include the taxes, Wow! Who doesn’t like a good deal? At  that’s exactly what you get here.

There is no membership required at this liquidation center, therefore saving you even more money.

Returned items or items that just needed to be cleared out to make room for new merchandise (electronics, toys, clothing, auto, housewares, etc.) are sent to this store every week. All items are checked to make sure they work.

The friendly proprietors even keep a reservation book and will call you if an item you are looking for shows up.

You will be amazed at your finds and will keep going back to check out the new arrivals and great savings.

Locations: 341 ave. Ranger, Vaudreuil – Dorion J7V 2X3 (450-424-0998)
corner: rue Chicoine
Times: Mon-Wed 10-6, Thurs & Fri 10-8, Sat 10-5, Sun 12-5
simcentredeliquidation.ca/

In the past, Ardene has been the go-to shop in malls for inexpensive accessories and then it branched out into inexpensive clothing.

So at their huge warehouse sale, you can find
– for $5 – dresses, denim shorts, sweaters, sweatpants, PJ sets, and even boots
– for $4 – handbags, tops, t-shirts, shorts, skirts
– for $3 – tank tops, swimwear, leggings, PJ pants, bras, sandals, heels, wedges, and even sneakers
– for $2 – hats, beach bags, scarves, winter knits (ugh in this heat?), flats, slippers
– for $1 – belts, flip-flops, straw hats, leg & arm warmers

You can buy with cast, Interac, Visa or Mastercard.

Location: (the old Loblaws) 300 ave St-Croix, Ville St-Laurent H4N 3K4
corner: Maisonneuve
Hours: Wed-Fri 10-9, Sat & Sun 10-5
Dates: til July 29
Metro: du College
www.ardene-warehouse-sale.ca

Raffinalla is a well-known luxury brand based in Montreal that has been providing women with affordable style since it was first established in 1981 and now back by popular demand is Raffinalla’s Spring/Summer Sale.

Now’s the perfect time to re-fresh your wardrobe for a new season and to save big on Spring & Summer women’s fashion. Shop samples and overstock (all sizes available) Perfect Fit Pant, Comfort Fit Leggings, sportswear, coats, belts & scarves, at 40-80% off selected items.

Location: 9200 Meilleur, suite 400
corner: Chabanel
Phone: 514-327-4477, 514-979-4764
Dates: Wed – Sun, May 30 – 31, June 1 – 3, 2018
Hours: 10-5
Metro: Station Cremazie, Bus 146
raffinalla.com

At Jelena Styles Lingerie (JSL) in Decarie Square, the personalized service makes it so pleasant to shop where the sales women actually help you to figure out what is best for your body type.

Jelena is best known for help with selecting bras, so that knowledge easily transfers to help with bathing suits. And they know their brands really well.  Tyr is really popular for women who like to swim for exercise as it is  chlorine and salt water resistant. With Amoena suits, breast forms can be fit in.  Alia and Nygard offer styles with tummy control, and some even have flirty skirts  There’s some tankinis with either bikini bottoms or shorts or skirts. The saleswomen can show you how to take those flowing cover-ups and tie them in different ways.

he rest of the little shop is chock full of an extensive bra collection including names you know along with exclusive lines. The certified fitters offer very personalized service. It’s a good idea for women considering breast reduction, augmentation or reconstruction to make an appointment for a fitting prior to surgery.

Jelena Styles Lingerie (JSL) sells high quality European lingerie at affordable Canadian prices. All the designs are produced with excellent fabrics and offer you comfort and elegance, bringing joy to every woman. JSL also carries in stock: bridal bra collections and bra for nursing mothers. Bras range in size from 30A-44 H, with or without underwires.

Location: 6900 boul Decarie ( Carre Decarie ) Suite 218 H3X 2T8 / Google Maps: http://bit.ly/21jRg65
corner: rue Plamandon
Tel: 514-303-1911
Hours: Regular plus Sunday
Metro: Station Snowdon, Station Plamondon, Station de la Savanne
www.jelenastyleslingerie.com
email: info@jelenastyleslingerie.com

All it takes is one person to have a light bulb go off and life gets better for many. Sharon Sweeney of the Sherbrooke Forest Art Hive received a donated prom dress. She remembered not having the budget to get the prom dress she wanted when she was younger, and voila – Sweeney and her colleagues organized a Prom Dress Donation/Giveaway project at the NDG Community Council. They’re already planning to do this again next year.

Turning their office into a boutique, they’ve already filled it with well over 150 dresses plus shoes, purses and even some jewelry. If it doesn’t fit, a seamstress has joined the effort along with a fashion designer to alter the outfits. And there’s even a photographer to take that memorable portrait.

Youth whose families struggle financially often borrow a dress which they may not even like. If you, your moms, daughters or friends have party dresses or gowns lingering in your closets, why not donate them and allow a girl to become a princess for a night? And if you need a fab prom dress – head to NDG where true believers in reduce, reuse or re-cycle are making fairy tales come true.

Location: 5964 Avenue Notre-Dame-de-Grâce #206, Montréal, QC H4A 1N1
Tel: 514-484-1471
Date: May 27
Time: 11-4