Let’s face it, this year we are going to spend much more time in this cold northern land without any runaways to southern climates to warm up. That means more time snuggled up in bed too. So this would be the perfect moment to invest in a forever feather duvet.

Shopping at a local family business is the right thing to be doing during this pandemic. Ungava Duvet is located centrally, right off the Main and is a friendly helpful company which sells high quality duvets at fair prices ($49 & up). You can create a sleep sanctuary with Ungava Duvet. There are duvets made for winter, summer, and all seasons, to keep you warm when it’s cool and when it’s warm. Choose from: goose down, duck down, feather, 100% Australian wool, alpaca, 100% silk, and synthetic.

Feathers today are treated so differently than they were in the past when they weren’t sanitized. Today, they are washed several times with anti-allergen soap and sanitized. It is rare for anyone to be allergic nowadays.

The team at Ungava will help you walk through the many options. Duvets can be lighter or heavier, goose or duck, flatter or fluffier and even made extra warm for people who like to sleep in colder rooms. They sell Hutterite duvets which are made from a more rare and expensive bird feather or European Oslo ones for people who enjoy a heavier blanket weight.

Get a good night’s sleep with incredibly comfortable pillows to suit your preferences. Pillows are available in: goose down, duck down, feather, 100% New Zealand wool, buckwheat, Latex, microfiber and synthetic.

They can create made-to-measure sizes of duvets (even for cribs), feather beds, do special constructions like custom sofa seats and window seats and you can also buy wool, feather and foam mattress toppers.

Better quality futons (UFO) are made here too (with guarantees), as well as futon covers, bases and bolsters. To finish your decorating, there’s Egyptian cotton and bamboo sheets, bamboo towels and a large selection of ready made curtains (19.99 up).

Since 1981, Montrealers have always loved the fact that everything was being made right here in town so Ungava Duvet became a well-loved and trusted brand. Shop on line or at their outlet store. Free shipping for purchases over $100.

Location: 10 Pine St. W. suite 112, Montréal H2W 1P9
corner: boul. St-Laurent
Tel: 514-287-9276 or  1-800-363-3533
Hours: Mon-Fri 10-6, Sat 10-5
duvetsungava.com/
info@duvetsungava.com

Fall leads us back into our homes again. When you start to think about refreshing your decor, why not start with your accessories. A change of lampshades could make your room look so different.

Abat-Jour Illimités is  a shop with one of the largest selections of lampshades in Canada, sourced from across Europe, Asia, the US and Canada. They specialize in finding solutions within your budget. You have the option of shopping here in town or head north into Laval.

Bring in your base when you come here and then you can choose from amongst the 5,000 shades in this store at prices from $20 to $3,000. If you can’t find it among the parchment, silk, linen, or artistic hand-painted models, you can have one made-to-order. Look for the display of interesting finials, and on-site repair is available.

– When you bring your base in to the store, their consultants will guide you towards the ideal shape and fabric for your lamp.
– If you want to cover a lampshade, they will show you a vast choice of fabrics (or bring your own) to complement your lamp base.
– – If you have a specific project idea in mind, bring them a sketch, and  they will help you work out the practical details to make your lampshade into a reality.
– If you have a project that is institutional or commercial in scope, several or many, small or over-sized, they can custom-make them for you.

The experienced consultants will find the perfect lampshade, guided by your personal taste as well as your budget.

Location: 4875 Jean Talon St W. Montreal QC H4P 1W7 OR 2267 boul Le Corbusier, Laval H7S 1Z4 (450-682-8280)
corner: Victoria
Tel: 514-344-8555
Hours Mon-Fri 10-6, Sat 9-5
www.abatjourillimites.ca
abatjour@bellnet.ca

Abat-Jour Illimités is  a shop with one of the largest selections of lampshades in Canada, sourced from across Europe, Asia, the US and Canada. They specialize in finding solutions within your budget. Until March 31, there is a sale of 20% discount on lampshades and 40% on lamp bases.

Bring in your base when you come here and then you can choose from amongst the 5,000 shades in this store at prices from $20 to $3,000. If you can’t find it among the parchment, silk, linen, or artistic hand-painted models, you can have one made-to-order. Look for the display of interesting finials, and on-site repair is available.

– When you bring your base in to the store, their consultants will guide you towards the ideal shape and fabric for your lamp.
– If you want to cover a lampshade, they will show you a vast choice of fabrics (or bring your own) to complement your lamp base.
– – If you have a specific project idea in mind, bring them a sketch, and  they will help you work out the practical details to make your lampshade into a reality.
– If you have a project that is institutional or commercial in scope, several or many, small or over-sized, they can custom-make them for you.

The experienced consultants will find the perfect lampshade, guided by your personal taste as well as your budget.

Location: 4875 Jean Talon St W. Montreal QC H4P 1W7 OR 2267 boul Le Corbusier, Laval H7S 1Z4 (450-682-8280)
corner: Victoria
Tel: 514-344-8555
Hours Mon-Fri 10-6, Sat 9-5
www.abatjourillimites.ca
abatjour@bellnet.ca

Luggage is one of those areas where it’s so hard to shop as it is like comparing apples and oranges. Each brand has many many names of lines and – soft, hard, lightweight or even dufflebag types. The best way to shop for it, is to shop at a luggage store where the proprietor knows the products well and can steer you to the right one for your needs. Here in Montreal that could be either Jet-setter or J.P. Grimard .

The one thing owners Vince Mercureo at J.P. Grimard and Chuck Breger of Jet-setter let me know was that lightweight luggage means that structure/frame has been lightened. So aiming for the “lightest” is not a good idea. You need to balance light with strong-ish.

Will you be mostly using your luggage for driving or flying trips? If flying, you have to be aware of the baggage weight restrictions as the costs for overweight are getting higher. Even carry-ons will be weighed soon (some airlines are already doing this) and the size for carry-ons is getting smaller. Since airlines started charging fees for luggage, travelers are bringing more (and heavier) carry-ons. Airlines are interested in reducing weight to reduce fuel costs (and keeping those prices competitive for us).

Light feels wonderful when empty but you will still probably be filling it to the max of 44 lbs  (or 50 lbs. for Air Canada) whether your luggage started out as 6 lbs or 9 lbs.

If your luggage is very light it will not survive when it is thrown around in the airport or if it is the bottom one on a pile of 4 or 5 pieces on a cart or conveyor belt. You need a decent frame to save it. A great tip by Vince, “Never pack it half empty” as it’s more crushable. Filling it up protects the case and the frame.

If you are only flying perhaps twice a year, buy a medium grade lightweight; Upgrade to better made models if you’re a frequent flyer.

I couldn’t exactly compare  size/weight as the height for a medium size varies between 24″, 25″ or 26″. Look at the width of the bag to see how much it really holds. In general, nylon is better than polyester and usually a 10″ zipper is stronger than a  8″.

Here are a few lightweight ones I found (at J.P. Grimard and Jetsetter) in order of weight: 5.3 lbs. Antler Aire, 6.8 lbs. (at Jetsetter), Samsonite Base Hits Ultralight 24″, 6.8 lbs. Delsey U-lite Classic,  7 lbs. Antler Cyber Lite, 8.1 (both stores), Delsey Helium Pilot (expandable), 8 lbs. Samsonite Lift Two.

After repairing luggage for 79 years, J.P. Grimard has finally put all their ideas for best luggage into their own line called, D-Light. It comes either in hard sided (2 price ranges) or soft side. They’ve put a QR code  on each so scanners can find out where it is. They have chosen, of course, good zippers, wheels, and fabric. Yes they are slightly heavier than the ones above but will last longer.

Travel Accessories for Stocking Stuffers at Jet-setter

– Travelon dry sheets of shampoo, laundry soap, body wash, hand soap. You are not carrying extra weight in water and there will be no leaking into your suitcase.

– Stretch fabric luggage covers. If you have black luggage, you can slip this over your case for the airport  in order to find your bag easily. Pretty scenes are of Venice, NYC., etc.

– GoToob squeezable travel bottles. Collapse as you use them up to take up less room. You don’t have to carry the full weight of your favorite giant shampoo bottles, etc.

– Girly Go Garter is a moneybelt which you wear around your upper leg. Good for clubbing or traveling.

– VINNI bag is a thick inflatable plastic bag for you to carry wine, sauces, or breakables.

– Packing bags. Since lightweight luggage has removed all the pockets, you need these to sort everything. Buying color-coded ones makes finding things in the suitcase so easy: blue=shirts, green= pants, etc.

J. P. Grimard is located at: 177 Beaubien est at Casgrain.
Tel: 514-277-4171
Hours: Mon-Wed 9-6, Thurs & Fri 9-8, Sat 9-5
www.jpgrimard.com

Jet-setter is located at 66 Laurier ouest at Clark
Tel: 514-271-5058
Hours: Regular plus Sun 12-5
www.jet-setter.ca

Abat-Jour Illimités is  a shop with one of the largest selections of lampshades in Canada, sourced from across Europe, Asia, the US and Canada. They specialize in finding solutions within your budget.

Bring in your base when you come here and then you can choose from amongst the 5,000 shades in this store at prices from $12 to $2,000. If you can’t find it among the parchment, silk, lace, linen, or artistic hand-painted models, you can have one made-to-order. Look for the display of interesting finials, and on-site repair is available.

– When you bring your base in to the store, their consultants will guide you towards the ideal shape and fabric for your lamp.
– If you want to cover a lampshade, they will show you a vast choice of fabrics (or bring your own) to complement your lamp base.
– – If you have a specific project idea in mind, bring them a sketch, and  they will help you work out the practical details to make your lampshade into a reality.
– If you have a project that is institutional or commercial in scope, several or many, small or over-sized, they can custom-make them for you.

The experienced consultants will find the perfect lampshade, guided by your personal taste as well as your budget.

Location: 4875 Jean Talon St W. Montreal QC H4P 1W7
corner: Victoria
Tel: 514-344-8555
Hours Mon-Fri 10-6, Sat 9-5
www.abatjourillimites.ca
abatjour@bellnet.ca
www.smartshoppingmontreal.com/store.php?s=90

The Olympics should be motivating you and your kids to go out there and play some sports. You can buy the equipment without breaking the bank, if you shop at Play It Again Sports NDG. With the 14% coupon below, you can save even more there. Right now Bauer, Easton, Reebok and  CCM hockey skates are up to 40% off while sticks and protective gear are up to 50% off; Alpine ski and snowboards, helmets and ski accessories are up to 50% off. 

They specialize in equipment for hockey, alpine skiing, snowboarding, cross country skiing, baseball, softball, lacrosse, soccer and inline skating, etc. They are experts in skate fitting, and they take pride in ensuring a proper fit for each customer.

For over 15 years, Play It Again Sports NDG has helped parents in the Montréal area save money on new and quality used sports equipment. Started in 1986 in the US, this franchise operation allows you to trade-in, consign or receive a cheque for your old ski, hockey, tennis, lacrosse, ringuette, baseball, in-line skates, snowboards or soccer gear.

You also have the opportunity to choose from a wide variety of new high value sporting goods. 

When it comes to fitting sporting equipment, each season their staff is trained by Bauer®, Reebok® and Easton® equipment experts. For a great skating experience, the staff can transform them by heat molding, contouring, doing flat bottom V, or blade and chassis replacement.

You can also buy equipment for snow sports from brands like K2®, Volkl®, Salomon®, Atomic®, Burton® and 5150®, etc. The equipment can be serviced here too: ski and snow boards can be sharpened, waxed, the base repaired, and of course, bindings installed.

Play It Again Sports NDG is a  Bauer®, Reebok®, CCM®, GrafF® and Easton® hockey pro shop. This means they are the first in this region to get the latest pro gear like the lightweight Total One skate.

Location: 2100 Decarie Blvd.
corner: rue Sherbrooke Ouest
Tel: 514-484-5150
Hours Mon-Fri 10-9, Sat 9-5, Sun 10-5
www.playitagainsportsndg.com / FB: http://on.fb.me/1bFGiNx
Metro Stop: Station Vendome

I just discovered something so clever that I can’t believe I never thought of it. When some smart women go on vacation, they take a wig along. That way you can swim, ski or mud wrestle, and you never have to worry about your hair. At night, just like you would do with a hat, you just throw a wig over your wrecked hair. When traveling, no one at your destination knows what your hair looked like at home, so you can have some fun with something you might have been afraid to try out for otherwise.

According to Peter Haywood, owner of Maison de Beauté Doreen, women are buying wigs in multiples and wearing them like accessories. Also, these wigs can be a funkier hairdo or color than you might ever have done to your own hair. Haywood says, “they can change one every day, have a different look every day”. He sees women buying colors and styles for their moods – curls, streaks, and even trying to see if blonds really have more fun.

His store caters to the special beauty needs of the black community, but anyone and everyone comes in for the deals on wigs: $29.99 to $79.99. The synthetic designs are all by Sensationnel, Marie Danielle and Kalore; there are wigs, hair extensions, weaves, pony tails and hair pieces. If you don’t see what you want, you can look through the catalogue and they will special order it for you.

Location: 6875 Victoria Ave
corner: Vezina
Phone: 514- 737-6862
Hours: Mon to Wed 9-7, Thurs & Fri 9-9, Sat 9-7, Sun 11-5.

Wigs can cost as little as $29.99 or can be custom styled for $450 or more for a made-to-measure one. Styling is accompanied by lots of pampering and hand holding to make sure it’s right.

Wigs really look less like wigs these days. They sport a mono-filament base, which is see-through and breathable, comfortable and makes it appear as if the wig hairs are coming from your own scalp.

It is also hard to tell the difference nowadays between synthetic and real hair wigs. Synthetic hair is very easy to care for – wash and wear, as they say. The styles are set forever, so you don’t have to worry about the rain or hat head.

Real hair is, well, real hair. If it gets wet, you’re off to the wig salon for a re-styling. You can blow it dry like real hair, which you shouldn’t do with a synthetic wig. If you wear your wig every day, then it should go in for a wash and set every 4-6 weeks. Synthetic wigs need washing and setting every 3-4 weeks. Traveling or extreme heat may cause your wig to need washing more often. Don’t be afraid to play with your wig – frequent brushing is encouraged.

Orly’s Creations is a friendly neighborhood wig shop. Each customer is seen by appointment in order to find the right hair replacement solution for them. They have the experience and sensitivity to deal with all types of wig customers, such as those with hair loss, alopecia, women undergoing chemotherapy and for religious attire.

Most popular are the fine European hair wigs in the latest styles and colors. Their wig range includes: multi-directional skin-top wigs, full wigs, band falls, hat falls and pre cut wigs. Besides the wigs and falls, there is a huge selection of pre-tied bandannas, silk scarves, Israeli and Indian turbans and head bands.

Location: 6781 Darlington Ave. at Bedford.
Phone: 514-733-6388.
Hours: Mon to Thurs 11-5, Fri & Sun by appt, and evening appts are available.

Chateau Capillaire, has been in business here and in the US since 1983, and this company spends a lot of time pampering their clients (women and men) and making sure they are happy with their wigs, hair pieces or hair extensions. They ensure that you know how to care for them and keep them in good condition. You can bring them in for service, which includes washing, re-styling, re-coloring, adding hair and perhaps re-cutting.

You can choose a wig for its durability or its delicacy. Wigs here are made of good quality European, Indian and Remy hair. For custom made wigs and hair additions, an exact mold of your head is taken to ensure a perfect fit.

They also design vacuum hair prostheses for alopecia clients, and carry brands such as Henry Margu, Raquel Welch, Jaquelyn and many others, or if you have a preference they can order a specific one from their suppliers across North America.

Consultations (free by appointment) are professional and private, and time is taken to inform you about your needs and options. Cancer patients get especially tender care here.

Location: 1650 De Maisonneuve St. W., Suite 304
corner:  Guy
Phone 514-939-2243.
www.chateaucapillaire.com

Marcelle makeup and skin care products were developed for women with sensitive skin. Manufactured and designed in Quebec, the company also produces the Annabelle line. If you would like to buy their discontinued and liquidated goodies, this is the moment for their next warehouse sale as the next one won’t be held until around April.

All Marcelle colors are $2.50, all Annabelle colors are $1.50 and creams or lotions are $8 to $24. It’s a good time to stock up on gifts as gift boxes are usually there.  You can be put on an e-mail list to be notified.

Location: 9200 Cote de Liesse Rd. at 43rd Ave.
Phone: 800-387-7710
Dates: Thurs & Fri Nov 4 & 5:  Sat & Sun, Nov 6 & 7:  9-4
www.marcelle.com

Orage blends alternative fabrics and unique styling to provide well-made outerwear. The Lole part of the sale is women’s activewear and outerwear. At the Fall liquidation sale, this well-made clothing is available for men, women, boys and girls and juniors including tops, bottoms, skirts, baselayers (think longjohns), fleeces and sweaters. Interestingly they have asked in the past  (and this is a first for me) that you refrain from wearing any Orage or Lole clothing or accessories to the sale.  Ask to be put on an email list for further notifications.

New Location: 1100 boul. Marie-Victorin,  Longueuil
Tel: 450-646-0867
Hours: Thurs & Fri, Nov 5&6: 12-9; Sat, Nov 7: 9-5
www.orageski.com