Raffinati has been a well-known well-made Montreal label for women’s coats, raincoats, suits and sportswear for many years and they are now having a 50% off sale off of their new collection up at their head office.

The word Raffinati means refined and that is an apt description for this 30-year-old fashion house. You can be proud to be “shopping local” here because the clothing is manufactured in Montreal using fine fabrics imported from Belgium, France and Italy.

With a sense of what fashionable Montreal women love and the needs of our cold climate, the luxurious and stylish wool coats are fully interlined to keep you protected against our winters – or – select a designer goose down coat.

The elegant suits for the career women, sportswear, blazers, pants, skirts, blouses, dresses, and sweaters are available in sizes 2-18. You can even order custom-made clothing in size 0 and plus sizes

Women love the timelessness of their designs so they can keep collecting pieces to build wardrobes. The company likes to say that you can “wrap yourself in luxury” with their collection.

About 3 or 4 times a year (March, June, Aug, Dec) they clear out their stock from their Meilleur showroom including scarves and jewelry to go with all of the above. Right now is one of those times.

Location: 9200 Meilleur, suite 400
corner: Chabanel
Phone: 327-4477 X 226
Dates: Nov 21-25
Times: Wed, Fri-Sun 10-5 and Thurs 10-9
www.raffinalla.com

Unfortunately one of my favorite furriers has gone bankrupt. At the sale being held by C3- Crescent Commercial Corporation, you could score one of their classic silhouettes but more importantly they aimed at fashion trend followers, with sporty, funky furs and even some in pretty colors.

Expect beaver, lynx, mink, fox and rabbit in coats, jackets, hats, berets and belts.

This would be a great moment to scoop up Snow Image, their super-light winter goose down coat in blue, red, white, or black. There’s at least a 50% savings on everything.

Location: 360 Mayor St, 4th Floor, Montreal QC H3A 2K4
corner: Bleury
Tel: 514-739-3355
Hours: Sat-Wed 10-5, Thurs & Fri 10-9

Medporium Solutions is a local medical supply company which sells to individuals, senior residences, medical clinics and to doctors’ offices. They carry over 500 products:

– needles and syringes

– dressing supplies

– wound care

– nutrition (Boost, Nestle’s Nutrition many products, lots more)

– commode and shower chairs

– infection control (gloves, face masks, disinfectants, protective apparel)

– skin care (perineal cleanser, creams)

– incontinence options

Their Incontinence Program allows seniors (and others) to maintain confidence, independence and dignity. The ease of ordering and help in choosing the right product leads to cost savings and peace of mind.

Medporium educates the customer on proper usage to ensure correct sizing and proper absorbency, allowing for a lower change rate. Their products offer maximum comfort and leakage protection to avoid skin irritation.

They have chosen Prevail Incontinence products because of the line’s high quality. Manufactured in NA, their line provides everything from panty liners to absorbent nighttime briefs. They are designed to wick moisture away from skin using super absorbent polymer. This turns liquid into gel, leading to better skin health and making them more comfortable to wear.

Free delivery in 48 hours.

Tel: 514-914-1096  or 1-800-604-1096
www.medporium.ca
info@medporium.ca

La Grande Braderie de Mode Quebecoise is the sale for 200 of  the creme de la creme of Quebec designers’ samples and ends of inventory at 50%-80% off.  Men and women both would be happy shopping here for clothing, outerwear, swimwear, jewelry, and accessories. You can find outfits for the kids too.

Location: Marche Bonsecours 350 St-Paul Est, Old Montreal
Dates: Oct 18 & 19: 10-9, Oct 20: 10-6 & Oct 21: 10-5
Phone: 514-866-2006 x 300
www.braderiedemodequebecoise.com

Amerella makes clothing for Sears, Walmart and The Bay which cover sportswear to outerwear.The company is having its  semi-annual clearance sale with clothing for the whole family.

– Firstly their Wilson brand clothing offers ergonomic designs and stain resistant, anti microbial stretchy fabrics know to be breathable, quick drying and able to wick away moisture.
– West Coast Connection is a trendy California-influenced line known for its value along with up-to-the minute youthful styles in sportswear and outerwear for the entire family.
– Maximum Overdrive is a girls brand for holiday, special occasion and party dresses.

Location: 2233 rue de Aviation
Corner: Boul des Sources, Dorval
Phone: 1-800-408-1527 or (514) 683-9511
Dates and Times: Sat Oct 13: 9-4,  Sun Oct 14: 10-3
www.amerella.com

Four days only from October 17th to 20th you can save 50% to 70% off on John Varvatos, Robert Graham and Napapijri collection samples. Expect to find: clothes, coats, leather coats, shoes, boots and other accessories for men and women.

They will accept Cash, Visa, Master Card, Amex or Debit cards.

Location: 1050 Mountain, 2nd floor
(across from the Bell Centre, Lucien L’Allier Metro station)
corner: boul. Rene-Levesque
Dates and Times: Oct 17-19: 10-7,  Oct 20: 10-5
www.robertgraham.us
www.johnvarvatos.com
www.napapijri

Duvet Millenium is a neatly organized manufacturer’s outlet which has all of its products lined up for you to compare, so you can decide which duvet to buy according to your budget and your desires.

– They specialize in Canadian down, such as Hutterite and Lac Brome down, and you can see and feel the difference between the down/feather combinations. The price ranges from $160-$500 for a queen.

– There will probably be bargain duvets for $99.99 and pillows for $9.99 along with body pillows, featherbeds and bolsters.

– You can have one made-to-measure, get an old one refilled or have the cover changed.

Location: 160 St. Viateur St. Est, Montreal QC H2T 1A8
corner: Casgrain
Tel: 514-481-3064
Hours: Mon-Fri 9-5, Sat 9-1
Metro Stop:  Station Laurier / Station Rosemont

My husband Stan Posner and I will be on the radio with Beta Wayne on CINQ-FM Radio Centreville Consumer. For the Fall season, we will be discussing different aspects of shopping in this season:  where to go to stock your pantry reasonably, getting things cleaned and even shopping for courses to take. I’ll mention some of the upcoming warehouse sales.

On the another date, we will be talking about driving South during the winter relating to our Drive I-95: Exit by Exit Info Maps, History and Trivia book

All of the places mentioned are found in my Smart Shopping Montreal book or the above mentioned Drive I-95 book which you can buy at www.smartshoppingmontreal.com.  The show will be podcast and available for a week on their website.

Location: 102.3 FM
Date and time: Saturday Oct 6th or Oct 13: 12:30-1 pm

Since 1940, Bellingham Cleaners and Tailors has been well-known for their expert cleaning, especially of the more challenging suedes, leathers, wedding gowns, silk, feather pillows and duvets.

– 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 busy people, they offer a wash and fold service for $1.50 lb ($3.30 kg). 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.

– 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.

– 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.

– 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.

– Their Bates Rd. location has Quebec’s first drive-thru service and a 24-hour night deposit box using VIP bags.

– 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.

Locations: 2655 Bates Rd corner: Wilderton Tel: 514-733-4444
1 Westmount Square, Westmount Tel: 514-934-3353
Hours Bates Rd: Mon-Fri 7:30-6, Sat 9-5

A handy and friendly West Island neighborhood fix-it shop (situated right next to Gianella Cycle shop) is a rarity these days. They have 30 years of experience under their belt. If you are looking for the Shamballa bracelets worn by Jay Z, Lebron James, Justin Bieber and Adrianna Lima, they are now sold here.