Q: My husband is looking for a tailor that can take his measurements and show him a selection of materials and create custom-made suits for him.

A: The Tailored Man is a Hong Kong Tailor who  has been coming to Montreal for about 3 decades, about 4 times a year. He makes appointments in 3 hotels. When you meet, he takes measurements, shows selections of fabrics which turn into custom-made suits (and shirts)

Then in the future, you can just e-mail and order shirts or suits. You can find more here on my Smart Shopping Montreal web site:  http://www.smartshoppingmontreal.com/store.php?s=287

There’s never a wrong time to spruce up your apparel and at M.H. Grover et Fils they are kicking off the season with a 20% reduction on Columbia’s newest collection. The warm weather is finally here so men, including those big and tall guys, it’s time to start thinking of updating your spring/summer wardrobe

Whether you’re trying to find some new shirts, shorts, coats, swimwear or shoes  or snag some essential accessories, big and tall guys don’t ever have to compromise on style if they shop here.

At M.H. Grover, regardless of height, size or kind of garments you are looking for, you’ll be sure to find a wide selection for just about any occasion in the latest fashion trends, great quality and prices to see you through the season in style.

Location: 4741 Wellington St., Verdun QC H4G 1X2
corner: 3rd Ave
Tel: 514-769-3771
Sale dates:  Until May 20th
Metro Stop Station Verdun / Station de l’Eglise
www.groversbigandtall.com

There’s something wonderful about the smell of fresh coffee brewing. Coffee aficionados won’t settle for good coffee when it could be great and it’s the coffee beans which creates the biggest effect on flavor. This is where Cafe Union comes in. Since they have been in the coffee business for over 100 years they know coffee.  This family business is always at the forefront of importing a diverse variety of beans to roast and blend and then to sell it to Montreal consumers and restaurants.

Their focus has been on the coffee bean, and roasting technique and especially the customized blends for customers in order to produce that perfect individual taste. That’s where you come in. So you get to work with them to blend your own flavor profile. Wow.

Beans are imported from many countries, and each one is roasted based on their roasting profile in order to reach their optimal taste when ground and brewed, a process that is exclusive to each bean. And the expertise of the team at Cafe Union ensure that the end result is a bean that yields a cup of coffee that is rich and flavorful, and reflects the delicious taste the bean was meant to give.

Cafe Union offers unique coffee beans from all over the globe, and also have an impressive assortment of Union Specialty Blends including their Joe Beef Montreal blend. They also offer a selection of Fairtrade and Biocertified beans.

They sell espresso machines (Gaggia, Saeco, Rancilio, Pavoni, Mokita, Breville, Quick Mill and Jura) and teapots, too. This location also features a repair depot. Any commercial or domestic espresso machine by Gaggia, Rancilio, Pavoni, Saeco, Mokita, Jura or Quick Mill can be brought here for overhauls and servicing.

Go in in person and enjoy a fresh cup at the counter or check out their convenient order online service.

Location: 148 rue Jean Talon O, Montreal QC H2R 2X1
corner: rue Waverly
Hours: Mon-Fri 8-5:30, Sat 9-4
Metro: Station Jean-Talon/Station de Castelnau
Tel: 514 273 5555
cafeunion.com
info@cafeunion.com

Are you still trying to find the perfect fitting jeans? They’re either too tight, too loose, too low or they give you a droopy bum. With so many different brands, fits, sizes and washes of denim, it’s no wonder that finding the perfect pair can be s0 frustrating. That’s why you should head over to Jeans Jeans Jeans, a hidden gem for a jean shopping experience like no other.

I kid you not. Their knowledgeable staff pride themselves on getting you into the best fitting jeans for your body type, and they know their stuff. Tell them what you are looking for and they’ll select a slew that they feel will work for you and bring them right to you in the dressing room. All you do is keep trying them on til you find a perfect pair.

Jeans Jeans Jeans has a loyal following for their outstanding service and phenomenal pricing. They truly care about their customers experience. They offer FREE parking and have a parking assistant posted outside helping you navigate to a spot. They also offer a FREE on-site hemming service while you wait, in fact they are often ready by the time you get out of the dressing room and to the cash.

What more can you ask for: discounted prices, personal service, free hemming and someone to park your car and most importantly they’ll have you leaving the store with the perfect fitting jeans and a new go-to shopping destination for your denims.

Location: 5575 rue Casgrain, Montreal QC H2T 1Y1,
corner: St-Viateur.
Tel: 514-279-3303
Hours: Mon & Wed 9-5, Thurs 9-9, Fri 9-6, Sat & Sun 9-4 (Closed Tues)
www.jeansjeansjeans.ca

We are so lucky to have Galerie au Chocolat, a premium chocolate maker based right here in Saint-Laurent. They produce high quality chocolates for every occasion and season using the finest Belgian chocolate and wholesome, real-food ingredients in all of their products.

For Passover, they create a special collection of delicious handmade, kosher for Passover chocolates. These treats highlight the passion and the quality that they bring to the art of chocolate making. The selection at this holiday is similar to some of those offered the rest of the year, but all of the ingredients are certified in Cholov Israel as Pareve and kosher for Passover

The large assortment of special Passover items include perennial favourites such as almond barks, clusters, chocolate macaroons, chocolate covered matzoh, chocolate seder plates and much more.

The colorfully presented Easter collection includes a large selection of moulded chocolates in a variety of shapes and sizes, in white, milk and dark chocolates again using the same fine Belgian chocolate. A number of unique products only make an appearance at Easter including the delicious praline eggs and specially wrapped Easter gift boxes containing a tantalizing assortment of treats created with only the best ingredients.

New Location: 6665 Chemin de la Côte-de-Liesse, Saint-Laurent, QC H4T 1Z5
corner: Migneron
Tel: 514-331-8460
Hours: Mon-Fri 9-5
www.galerieauchocolat.ca

Discover a wide range of top brands of women’s bra, lingerie, shapewear & swimwear and find your perfit fit at Jelena Styles Lingerie (JSL) in Decarie Square. They offer high quality European lingerie in a wide array of sizes (from A to H) and styles at affordable Canadian prices.

It’s common knowledge that many women are wearing the wrong size bra. Too often their bras are unflattering and uncomfortable. At Lingerie Jelena Styles their certified fitters will solve the problem and have you looking and feeling your best.

Right now you can take advantage of their promotion on the brand Chantelle – up to 50% off on selected items, while supply lasts.

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

Imagine my delight when I open my favorite magazine, New York, and recognize a full page photo of a nail file from our very own homegrown company Diamancel. The Best Bet section suggests that you shouldn’t use a pumice stone on your feet as it collects bacteria. It quotes Dr. Krista Archer, a podiatric surgeon who likes Diamancel surgical grade steel foot files and so do I.

I’ve been singing their praises and using a Diamancel nail file for as long as I can remember. It works amazingly well and you never have to buy another one.

The diamond is  the hardest, most abrasive stone known to man.  So Diamancel has created a unique line of genuine diamond files using this property. I stock up on them for gifts.

Each flexible diamond nail file in the Diamancel family has been designed for specific nail types to beautifully shape and enhance both natural and sculptured nails. The Diamancel Diamond Hand and Foot Callus Files are ideal for removing and softening rough, dry skin.

Discover Diamancel’s  Sacha™ Diamond Nail File for pets. A great alternative,  Sacha™ Diamond File replaces the often-unpleasant cutting process with an easy and effective filing method. No cutting required.

Diamancel files provide effective fast, easy and effortless filing. They are durable and will outlast all your files, which make them a money saver.

• The files are washable/sanitizable as they all can be washed with soap and water
• They are hygienic too as they can be soaked and disinfected in medical grade solution.
• The fiberglass base is both resistant and flexible making filing easier

These are  effortless to use as you can use a light hand and the diamonds will do the work for you. All files have been salon tested for maximum performance.

You can order your files now on their website or you can see them and feel them in person in the new showroom is now open every Monday 9-3.

If you head there, you will also discover the Arbonne wellness health and nutrition botanical products for the whole family.

Location: 2477 Rue Guenette, V.S.L. H4R 2E9
Hours: Mon 9-3
Tel: 514-856-9711
http://www.diamancel.com/
www.christelecaron.arbonne.com

Chocolates are the ubiquitous go-to gift for Valentine’s Day, so you might want to head to Le Panier as they have all kinds of chocolates. If you want your love to remember you, how about Louis Sherry New York chocolates – in beautiful keepable metallic tin boxes? Or for something even sweeter, they are one of the few places in town making homemade fudge so you could choose a favorite flavour.

For aromatics, Michael Design’s shea butter soaps, handwash and lotions are there or look for the big display of everything lavender. You can always buy Montreal’s favorite humbugs (now in different flavors), or someone might enjoy their own 5-year-old cheddar. One corner of the store is filled with jewelry options like Alex and Ani.

For those of you who are looking for practical ideas, a cool gift might be an “upside-down” umbrella which closes without water dripping on you or your car. You will be remembered everyday if you buy the Mighty Mug. It won’t fall over – EVER – and can be used near a keyboard without worries.

Le Panier won the title of best gift store in Canada so this store worth a trip from anywhere. The huge shop is chock full of gourmet food, kitchenware,  and gifts at prices mostly under $25. You will not walk out empty-handed when you can choose amongst the jewelry, jams, hot sauces, and kitchen gadgets.

You can even spice things up with their wall of hot sauces and think of things to do with Mike’s Hot Honey.    

Location: 274 Bord du Lac, Pointe Claire
corner: de Lourdes
Tel: 514-695-7038
Hours: Regular plus Sun 10-5
www.thepanier.com

Winter is here and boy is it C-O-L-D! Gearing up for the freezing cold temperatures  requires a coat that can withstand the elements, and it needs to be really great looking too. Keep the cold out and turn up the style in brands such as:  Laundry, Perry Ellis, TAHARI, HFX, SAGE Collective, Jacob Siegel and Buffalo David Bitton.

Back by popular demand, one of the biggest coat sales, in Canada is continuing and the markdowns are getting even steeper. Both men and women can scoop up designer named coats all now marked down to  only $79.99; an outstanding savings!

Hurray in, it’s the absolute best time to buy affordable on-trend outerwear that will help keep you toasty warm.
Payment Methods: Visa, Mastercard, Debit card & cash

Location: 225 Chabanel O, Suite 105, Montreal, H2N 2C
(At the end of the corridor to the left of the elevators)
Date: until Feb 9th
Hours: Thurs & Fri 11am – 8pm, Sat 9am – 2pm
Metro: Station Cremazie, Bus # 54

Les Delices La Frenaie has five locations – east, west, south and Laval, so they’re easy to get to wherever you live. They have been a fixture in St-Leonard for years and you can find just about any kind of cake you could want.

Come here for: Bacio, Key Lime Cheesecake (15 others), Frutti di bosco, Dulce de Leche, Orange or Walnut pound cake (16 others), Limoncello, Heavenly Berry and Milky Way in 8″ or 10″ sizes (this can serve about 20). Some can be ordered 36 hours in advance for more than 20 people.

Sandra’s newest favorite is the understatedly named, Fruitcake. Imagine a Strawberry Shortcake made with an assortment of fresh fruit. It is light, whipped creamy, and not overly sweet.

The best deal is the apple, lemon, chocolate chip, or cinnamon marble cakes. I really like the amaretti biscotti. Trays of pizza (tomato, white, all dressed and vegetarian) can be ordered.

This New Year’s why not impress your guests with one of Les Delices La Frenaie‘s drool-worthy, decadent cakes. Their delicious desserts are a sure thing to impress the sweet tooth of any dinner party.

Locations:  8405  Lafrenaie at Jarry (514-324-8039); Rosemere, 199F Cure-Labelle (450-430-4222); 58A boul. Brunswick (514-542-4242) at boul. des Sources; 51 Westminster Ave N, Montreal-West (514-312-2253); 1276 Dollard, LaSalle (514- 363-8776); 8245 boul Taschereau, suite B12 Brossard (450-462-4000).
Regular Hours: Mon-Fri 6-5, Sat 6-2
www.lesdeliceslafrenaie.com