Discount Queen!

While opening my email inbox this morning it suddenly hit me, I am subscribed to so many mailing lists I don't even have time to read them all. This in itself is not a problem, the pesky emails are simply deleted, never to be seen again, well until the next edition is sent to my mailbox. As I looked at the subject line of all these emails however I noticed that the great majority were from exclusive online boutiques and group discount websites. I have finally succombed to the Intenet shopping bug!

I was always convinced I would never resort to shopping online, always preferring to hit the shops in person to find deals before anyone else, and that's where the greatest satisfaction lay. All that changed however when my shopping trips started evolving from the regular sample sales in the Fall and Spring to joining mailing lists for even more exclusive shopping deals online and daily group buy specials for Montreal. I have to admit I have yet to purchase a group buy deal from tuango.ca or cliquesave.com, however I would be lying if I said I was never tempted to. Strangely enough the very thing I swore I would never do, shop online for clothing and accessories has occured in the form of Beyondthe rack.com I then started to invite my firends to join, being the sharing type, especially with my clsoest girlfriends and they too could not resist the allure of the significant savings they offer.

Will this craze affect in-store shopping? I'm not convinced, since stores have survived a bigger threat like the financial crash of the Summer of 2008 and have slowly recovered they can also survive this new trend. After all, nothing beats the satisfaction of snagging the last pair of uber reduced designer heels before anyone else can get to it, especially upon seeing their faces, it's priceless.

That being said, I will probably retain my memebrship to these websites, as one never knows when a truly good deal may present itself, but I will always remain true to my non-virtual shopping habit ;)

A TOUS-erific discovery

Following a very yummy and decadent girls' dessert at Suite 88 on Maisonneuve Boulevard in downtown Montreal, there is nothing better than some window shopping to burn those chocolaty calories away. And walk we sure did!

We hapenned upon a store front that seemed very familiar, the cute little teddy bear logo became clearer as we got closer and then we looked up and saw the silver TOUS sign; we had arrived in spanish silver and leather heaven! The Montreal boutique opened just over two years ago on rue De la Montagne, right next to Ogilvy and somehow it took me this long to find out about it! http://www.facebook.com/pages/Montreal-QC/TOUS-Montreal/124946037546067 Unfortunately we arrived near closing, so our visit was brisk. However we are already planning a return visit, which has been made sweeter with the disovery that 250 bonus Aeroplan miles are given with the first purchase, and 500 miles with the second one withing 60 days of the first. Now who can resist that?!

It's so hard to narrow it down, but my short wish list includes:

18kt yellow gold TOUS Pearls bracelet with 

multi color barroque pearls. 

18kt whit gold TOUS Umi ring with diamonds pavee. 

18Kt yellow gold and quartz lemon TOUS 

Dinah earrings

TOUS Eco Kaos handbag. 

Cotton and ecologic linen. 

No need to travel accross the ocean for some fine Egyptian leather

Who can resist a beautiful light pink soft leather wallet? I know I succumbed to its charm on first sight, carefully crossing the Atlantic with it safely tucked in it's gift box, only to misplace it while unpacking. After searching for it high and low for a couple of days, I was left with no choice but to replace the poor darling with a Chinese made model, with less than half the charm, but nevertheless functional.

Well, upon beginning my Fall cleaning (yes the one where all t-shirts and dresses are sadly exhanged for stockings and sweaters), I found the little pink devil hidden under a pile of scarves.

This fine Egyptian leather ladie's wallet features a large coin zippered section, plastified picture holder as well as many credit card slots. It has never been used and comes with an elegant gift box.



Price: $50 CAD
Delivery/payment: In person (Montreal area)
Manufacturer's website: http://www.choice.com.eg/Products.aspx?ProductID=227

Next Exit, Woodbury Common Premium Outlets

The creator of the most amazing mega outlet malls has made me a true die-hard shopper south of the Canadian Border. I first discovered the Premium Outlets brand while in San Francisco. My obsession began with my first visit to the Gilroy Premium Outlets in the Bay Area, it was magical. With 145 Outlet stores, it was a mad dash against the clock to visit all those on my favorites list. Sadly, I was not able to complete my wish-list and have since then vowed to plan my visit ahead of time in order to make sure all the better shops are visited first.

Upon my return to Montreal, surely, I thought, there must be another such outlet mall on the East Coast. The winner was the 220 Outlet-filled Woodbury Common Premium Outlets, just over an hour drive North of NYC. I have gone back twice since first discovering it and fear it will become a regular bi-yearly trip, much to the chagrin of my bank account.

The 50-page VIP Coupon Book

For those planning on visiting any of the Premium Outlets malls, make sure to sign up for their VIP Club before-hand and printing up some on-line coupons, one of which entitles the club member to a free VIP Coupon Book with additional savings. This same VIP book is sold for $10 USD at the welcome center. I know, very sneaky!

My favorite - 10% on already reduced Longchamp goodies!

I bid you all happy trails, and hope you make it out during one of the special sales weekends, the deals are truly worth the long car ride.

Athens, the capital of gorgeous shoes!

Getting ready to hit the town in our gorgeous new "pedila"

During a recent trip to Greece with some close girlfriends, we completely devastated the shoe shops all accross Athens in the space of 1 full-day shopping spree. We bought so many pairs each, I still can't believe we managed to fit all our finds in our luggage and not pay extra weight fees at check-in at the airport.

In the center of Athens, Fashionable Ermou and Aiolou streets are the main spots for shopaholics, both local and tourists alike. The boutiques are plentiful and offer very reasonably priced leather sandals (as low as 5-10 Euro a pair at Dexim for example) all the way to the scandalously pricey local designer pairs costing upward of a few 100 Euro a pair at Bournazos and the like.  Regardless of one's budget therefore, one is always sure to find something to their liking, which in turn makes for a great souvenir every time it is worn.

Every time I return, I always make sure I get my fill of sandy beaches, great home cooking and of course, hit all the leather/shoe stores I can find!

Tic Toc

Pretty in pink. I like that expression, it is so feminine and conveys a sense of happiness. That is precisely what I thought when I bought this gorgeous watch. Until of course I realized I was developping a time piece addiction and thus I had to let it go, before ever even having had a chance to use it.

New pink leather GUESS watch, never worn. Gift box and warranty certificate included. 

Make: GUESS
Price: $50 CAD (Originally paid $150CAD)

Delivery/payment: In person (Montreal area)

Winter Wonderland

Montreal had its first snow fall on the eve of Hallow's Eve. Although its arrival being sooner than one might have liked, I know of one very white winter coat that was just waiting for a moment such as this one to find itself a new owner. 

Lovely white ladie's 3/4 winter coat, worn only once. In mint condition.

Make: Roxy

Size: Small

Price: $50 CAD (originally paid over $200 CAD) SOLD!

Delivery/payment: In person (Montreal area)