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

Princessa is a leading retailer of designer wigs, hairpieces, braids, weaves, extensions and hair accessories. They carry a wide variety of styles in both high quality synthetic fibers and human hair. The brands, including Sensationnel, Outré, Marie Daniel, and Magic, are available in a variety of colors, lengths, and textures offering versatility and styling possibilities.

Looking for hair care, hair styling and skin care products to suit your unique beauty needs? They stock a variety of shampoos, hair and scalp conditioners, relaxers, hair colors, moisturizers, polishers, and leave-in conditioners that will help you to maintain healthy manageable hair. Look for brands such as Dark & Lovely, Luster’s, Motions Organic Roots, Black ‘n Sassy, Optimum and Optimum Care, Dr Miracle, Profectiv, Proline (Soft and Beautiful).

Among their many skin products are Palmers, Hollywood Beauty, Red Fox cocoa butter, Queen Helene, Razac, Ambi, Ultra Glow, which aid in softening and moisturizing dry ashy chopped skin and maintaining a healthy looking complexion.

Hair styling with headbands, barrettes, clips, bobby pins etc. adds a nice touch to just about any hairstyle. Head ties, rollers, and hair nets help to keep a styles lasting longer.

Location: 1669 Dollard Ave, Lasalle QC H8N 1T7
corner: Rejean
Tel: 514-595-4894
Hours: Regular plus Sun 11-5
www.princessabeauty.com

At Little Bear customers and pets roam the organized aisles in their bigger location enjoying the friendly atmosphere and knowledgeable customer service.

There’s no by-products and no fillers in their food, be it raw, freeze dried, make-at-home mixes, Kibble, or cans; They’ve got the right diet for every dog or cat with 30 brands of food (Orijen, Acaa, Natural Planet, Now), including a  large selection of frozen and canned foods, you have many alternatives like organic catnip or salmon for dogs.

Expect to find helpful accessories like slow feed or foldable bowls, car booster seats and pet diapers. There’s pet clothing – boots (Ruffwear, Pawz, Muttluks), jackets (Canada Pooch, Chilly Dogs, Muttluks), sweaters and paw balms, shampoo, treats, grooming tools, leads, collars, harnesses, cages, travel bags, poop bags, tinkle turf, pet loos, iPeed training pads, Furminators, enzyme cleaners, Thundershirts, kong, Nylabone, Flexi.

You can choose amongst the collars from Hot Dogs All-Dressed, BlueMax, Clooney & Corp, Angel and even buy custom made beds from Aviva Designs. Sports fans will love the Montreal Canadiens and Quebec Nordique gear.

Going out becomes more pleasant for you and your pet if they wear all weather or fleece lined Muttluks, disposable dog boots, Invisible Boot cream, reversible snow suits or life jackets for swimming. Hey, there’s even free home delivery.

Location: 4152 Ste. Catherine St. W. Montreal QC H3Z 1P4
corner: Ave Greene
Tel: 514-935-3425

Q1: These days, some salons charge as much as $50 for a haircut, but you have a way to get your hair snipped for a  lot less.

Yes, you can go over to a hairdressing  school and get a cut for as low as $5, $7, $ 8 or a cut and shampoo for as  low as $7.

Q2:  Isn’t getting your hair cut at a hairdressing school a bit risky?

You have to remember that these students have been learning how to do this through the semester. The administrators do not just go out onto the street and yell, “Hey does anyone want to cut hair today?”. The people who study there want to get a good mark and graduate. They go slowly as they as are less sure, and cut little by little so they don’t make errors.

Q3:  Besides haircuts what else can you get done at these schools?

Prices vary from school to school, here’s an idea of services:

Coloring: $12, $17, $21
Streaks:  $20, $30
Perms $15,30
Manicures $5, $7
Pedicures $5, $13
Waxing $5
Electrolysis $6
And don’t forget that men can go to these places, too.

Q4:  What negatives might there be to getting your hair done here?

It takes a bit longer as they aren’t as quick and they have to wait for teacher approval. There may be conversations between them while you wait. The hours may only be during the week. Biggest drawback is that you can’t keep the same hairdresser for years.

Q5:  Where do you find these schools?

Ecole des Metiers des Faubourg:  2185 Ontario est, Phone:  514-596-4600 x 5718
Ecole de Beaute Inter-Dec:  2120 Ste-Catherine ouest Phone: 514-939-4444  x 4201
International School of Hairdressing: 4755 Van Horne, Suite 104 & 107 Phone: 514-737-5200
Laurie McDonald Career Center: 5025 Jean-Talon est Phone:  514-374-0245 or 514-374-4735
Gordon Robertson Career Center: 240 ch. Beaurepaire, Beaconsfield  Phone:  514-426-3949

In the US, lots of restaurant chains offer curb service. You call in your order ahead of time, drive there, and there is either an outdoor window or someone who will bring your food out to you. I am amazed that this service hasn’t reached our frozen north. If the storekeepers really want to encourage us to come out and buy in the worst weather, or street conditions, then this could be a way to go.

Kiehl’s, since 1851, has been a venerable NYC purveyor of fine quality skin and hair care preparations. Situated in Manhattan, known for parking problems, I’m not surprised that they are the first downtown store that I have come across that offers this service.

The company’s simple packaging and outstanding results, have incurred over a century of loyal fans. The Creme de Corps, a custard-like body lotion, is a perennial favourite. New products come out in response to overwhelming customer demands and after rigorous testing. One, the Blue Herbal (appeared in 1964) gel cleanser, magically zaps pimples, and the lip balm has SPF4. Men too can shop here and try the aloe or mint shaving creams as well as cleansers. There’s 13 shower scents, like coriander and cranberry, and even baby has a line too.

In a salute to the owner, each store has a motorbike to oogle. Besides the curb service, mail order is available.

Location: 760 Ste-Catherine ouest
corner: McGill College
Tel: 514-788-4226
Hours: Regular plus Sun 12-5
www.kiehls.com