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

Q: J’aime beaucoup ce que vous faites, votre livre, depuis sa sortie, a toujours été un guide précieux, compte tenu de mon petit budget. Vous êtes mon dernier espoir, je crois, pour ce nouveau projet.
Je voudrais faire mon propre abat-jour mais je ne trouve pas de structure. J’ai l’impression d’avoir tout essayer ( Oiseau bleu, Bouclair, Fabricville, Homesense (les deux) les grosses quincailleries, Abats-jour illimités) sur internet les structures viennent de l’Australie mais je ne veux faire qu’un seul abat-jour car j’ai reçu un magnifique papier japonais. Avez-vous des suggestions?

A: In my book, Le Consommateur Averti Montreal, there are 5 other lamp and lamp shade repair shops (starting on page 151). They would have parts and pieces of lamps: You have gone to stores that sell finished products so they would not have “structure”. Here’s one from my book, Abat-jour Marie-Elizabeth Tel: 514-695-0045.

– Another idea would be to go to a flea market, like Marches aux Puces St-Michel, http://www.smartshoppingmontreal.com/store.php?s=23  buy an old lamp, take it apart and use the part that you need.

– In fact you can buy any new lamp too and take off the shade and put on your Japanese paper.

– Here’s another idea, call Au Papier Japonais (page 167) Tel: 514-276-6863 and find out if they have any artisans who cover lamps with the paper

Dormez-vous, Canada’s largest mattress retailer, which started out right in DDO with one store, is having a one day warehouse sale. You can score big discounts on their overstocks, demonstrators, floor models and mix and match combos. There will also be some pillows and linens being cleared out.

The sale will be held in the west and the east. In the west, it’s at their warehouse, in the east at their Liquidation store. They are partnered with Sleep Country and offer brand names (Simmons, Sealy, Serta, Stearns & Foster, Tempurpedic, Kingsdown).

Locations: 59 boul. Hymus, Pointe-Claire corner:  boul des Sources
and 6166 Henri Bourassa E. (514-321-4134) corner: boul. Rolland
Phone: 514-695-6376
Date: Dec 9
Hours: 9-5
www.dormezvous.com

At Le Baldaquin Montreal, in Old Montreal, you can find those luxurious sheets that you enjoy when you sleep in hotels. You get very personal service here and it’s like buying custom-made because you can order sheets and towels from Italy and Portugal in 60 colors. Experience the exotic textures distinctive designs, lush colors, opulent charm and incomparable quality of Sferra, S.D.H., Abyss, Habidecor, Dwell, Nambe, Martha Sturdy and so much more

Your bed can be finished with spreads and duvets ($175 & up) , bed covers, duvet covers ($132). The shop also carries gifts by Georg Jensen, Alessi, Chilewich placemats, floor mats,  table ware and baby linens, hand-made beds, accent pieces, throws, pillows, towels, and robes.

Location: 63 rue de la Commune ouest, Old Montreal
corner: St. Sulpice
Tel: 514-288-6366
Hours: Mon-Fri 10-6, Sat 12-5
www.lebaldaquinmontreal.com

Q: I found your web site www.smartshoppingmontreal.com, and I’m very impressed. It has lots of very useful information. We spend about 1/3 of our lives sleeping, so buying the right mattress is really important. Do you have any recommendations for the outlets that have good quality mattress at reasonable price? I’m not talking about big brand names and chain stores. I’m talking about manufacturers in and around Montreal, and their outlets/warehouses.

A: On the top  of each sub-category page (in a highlighted orange box) of the web site it says “Below you will find a tasty selection of the 1500 businesses which appear in the Smart Shopping Montreal book. This is just an hors d’oeuvre and you really need to buy the book to get the whole scrumptious meal”. So in the book there is a section called “Mattresses” and on page 87 you will find a home grown mattress manufacturer called Laval Bedding… and others.

Q: Could you tell me the best month of the year to buy wall to wall carpets. I love your books!

A: The best part about using my book is that you don’t really have to wait for sale time. The stores in the book discount their wares all year long.  There are 3 fabulous ones on my web site. All 3 are family run businesses where they really care about the customer and they have lasted forever so generations go back and buy from them. Normandy Carpets http://www.smartshoppingmontreal.com/store.php?s=154 has been open 43 years, Million Carpets and Tiles http://www.smartshoppingmontreal.com/store.php?s=112  75 years and Lanctot Floor Design Center http://www.smartshoppingmontreal.com/store.php?s=53 an astonishing 129 years! Of the three, Normandy has the most emphasis on designer looks, Lanctot is huge and has lots of choice of everything, and Million is most familiar with downtown situations.

To answer your question: I’d say moving time (before and after July 1st)  is best if you are waiting for a carpeting sale.

Q: I am looking to buy microfibre fabric which is sold by the bolt to make sheets.  The fabric is 65% acrylic brushed and 35% polyester on the back.  Would you know where I might get samples before I purchase bolts.

A: There is an entire section in my book listing fabric stores. It is very hard to find that fabric here (it’s from China and they keep it there for manufacturing).

Some shops do sell 100% cotton sheeting here. Here’s one from my web site (in the top left corner click on Household, scroll down to Fabric and you will see a few fabric places there. Tissus Dores  http://www.smartshoppingmontreal.com/store.php?s=223  or C&M (for cotton only) http://www.smartshoppingmontreal.com/store.php?s=39

Q: Hi Sandra, I was wondering if you can help me to find a second hand store that sells turntables. I would really want an old one because I believe that years ago they made a better system.

A: In my book, on page 150, there’s  Radio Hovsep, 5945 Ave du Parc which has been taking care of radios and audio equipment for 52 years. He might have some turntables. Also inside the St-Michel Flea Market, there is definitely a booth that sells them. They’re on my site: http://www.smartshoppingmontreal.com/store.php?s=23

Boxing Sale Madness starts now at this huge liquidation of name brand products for both family clothing and household products and furniture.  And how about this – before Christmas – all Christmas decorations are 60% off of retail.

Perfect right now for playing in the snow are the children’s 2-piece snow suits for only $24.99 and children’s winter coats for $24.99. Women aren’t left out either as imported boots are there too for $39.99.

There’s a toy explosion with names you know: Crayola, Barbie, Caillou and Pillow Pets ($9.99).

In the furniture section, you can score on TV’s by LG and Samsung and then some tables, chairs, dining room sets and mattresses (queen size only $299).

For holiday cooking or gifting, a Cuisinart stand-mixer is $249. The Cuisinart 14-cup food processor/ robot culinaire [model fp-14dcc] reg. $399 is selling for $239.99. The Cuisinart 12 cup-food processor/robot culinaire [model FP-12DCC]. reg. $339.99  is $199.99.

Branded clothing  for young and old by Billabong, The North Face, Bonfire, Columbia, Oakley, ripzone, Oneill, Helly Hansen and Lucky Brand blue jeans are there. Baby clothing is all priced below wholesale – kids t-shirts and thermal underwear.

This is a temporary sale and due to space restrictions, additional inventory, (which is all current merchandise) will arrive daily. All discounts are priced well below wholesale.

Location: 7155 Transcanadienne O. V.S.L. H4T 1A2
Tel:  514-339-5997
Metro: Cote Vertu
Hours: Mon-Wed 10-6, Thurs & Fri 10-8, Sat & Sun 10-5