Free Shipping to Canada from L.L.Bean!

If you've never ordered from L.L.Bean, you're missing out! For example, their stylish canvas tote bag is one of the 100 must-have fashion items in Nina Garcia's (of Project Runway) book "The One Hundred", and for good reason! It holds EVERYTHING! So great for travel & the beach! And it doesn't lose its shape! I highly recommend getting the monogrammed version in Large. They also have a ton of great outdoor and sport items like ski jackets, the coolest ice skates I've ever seen, slippers, sweaters, and a zillion other things for the whole family. Get the must-have tote, and a bunch of Christmas gifts while you're at it, and get FREE SHIPPING right now to Canada by clicking on the "Redeem Coupon" option at check out, click on "promotions" and enter this little code I'm going to give you off the back of my catalogue:3008505. Orders take 6-8 business days to arrive so get moving if you want it in time for Christmas - its December now people! Oh, and if you spend more than $50, you'll get a free $10 gift card too! Need I say more?

Canadian Tire 3-Day Sale starts today!

Canadian Tire is having a great sale this weekend, Friday through Sunday, with lots of discounted prices on amazing items for anyone on your Christmas list (especially those hard-to-buy-for men!). This 10 mega-pixel camera by Kodak is only $118.88 (Friday only) and this Magellan colour GPS for you car is only $99.99 (Sunday only)! And of course the standard fare (drills, pressure washers, even LCD TVs) are also marked down for this 3-day event!

It's Black Friday!

Just wanted to wish good luck to those of you trekking to the U.S. today to take advantage of Black Friday sales! When deciding what route to take, be sure to check the Border Wait Times website first and plan accordingly to avoid the biggest delays! Those of you not braving the crowds can still take advantage of many deals by checking your favourite store's online site. Just remember if you buy electronics from the U.S., the warranties are not always valid in Canada, so double check!

Oprah's Favourite Dress Shirt - On Sale!

Oprah featured the Brooks Brothers "Miracle Non-Iron Dress Shirt" on her show earlier this year, and has just mentioned it again in the most recent Holiday issue of O Magazine...and for good reason! They really do come out of the dryer WITHOUT NEEDING TO BE IRONED! I can say this with absolute certainty because I bought one for myself a few months ago, and it really is true! Not only that, the "Tailored" fit is perfectly fitted for a woman's body and is nicely long so it won't come untucked or billow out of the top of your pants. The perfectly crisp cuffs and collar stand up to laundering every time as well! Seriously, it's the best dress shirt I've ever owned. They sell for $89.50 each or 2 for $149, which is worth every penny, and this week they're offering an additional 15% off if you order online before midnight on November 29th! Colours include white, black, navy, light blue and pink. Register online now and also get $10 off your first order!

Want cheap designer denim? Then "Chick" this out!

I love the website Chickdowntown.com! This U.S.-based site offers lots of designer goodies at amazing discounts, but the best reason to shop online with them is for the awesomely discounted jeans!!! You all know the brands you love, and you can try them on for size at any overpriced store in your neighborhood. But take a closer peek at the tag, remember the style name, and then just shop away at Chick Downtown and get them on sale! These Seven "Ginger" jeans on the left are marked down from $169 to $92 , and these Rich 'n Skinny "Wise Filmore" jeans on the right are marked down from $240 to $120 - that's half price!!! And yes of course they ship internationally. Oh...and did I mention the best part? An EXTRA 30% OFF SALE PRICES if you order tonight (Wednesday) before midnight with code "ADD30"! If you don't feel like rushing, just use the "BLACK45" code on regular priced merchandise to get 45% off on Friday the 28th! Just another thing to be grateful for on American Thanksgiving!

Saks Fifth Avenue - free shipping to Canada!

Finally more U.S. retailers are seeing the light and shipping easily to their international online shopping base! Saks Fifth Avenue is currently offering FREE SHIPPING to Canada direct from their website until December 31st (up until now you had to phone in your order if you wanted international shipping)! They have an amazing selection of designer clothing and accessories, and with the current economic downturn, they are offering up some fantastic discounts of up to 70% off! How about these red patent leather Jimmy Choo mary janes for $237.78 (70% off the original price!) or this bright lemon-yellow Alice & Olivia pleat sleeve tee for only $67.62 (70% off again!). It's never been so affordable to treat yourself or a loved one to some designer deals!

Thanksgiving sale at J.Crew!

It's that time of year in the U.S. again: Thanksgiving! The biggest shopping week in America, and the start of some huge sales! Also a great opportunity to take advantage of the ability to shop online since now you can avoid the long drive across the border and still have access to these great deals! J.Crew starts it off with 20-30% off, depending on how much you spend. Just enter "TURKEY" at checkout as your promo code! And yes, some of their awesome cashmere sweaters are already marked down!

Best. Bra. Ever.

I feel like I have been on the hunt for the perfect bra since the first time I bought one. You know the one...sort of an urban legend, right? The one that somehow manages to lift your girls up without the crazy padding that makes you look too "hoochie mama", and you can't see the bra lines under even the thinnest t-shirt, and it gives this amazing support without any wires poking you all day? Yeah...that one! Well my lovelies, I have found it! And of course it comes from the genius behind Spanx - Ms. Sara Blakely - and she has named this amazing invention the Spanx Bra-llelujah Front Closure Bra. Straps as soft as silk, a deep cut for even the lowest v-neck sweater, and not a single tag or clasp to rub you the wrong way. I kid you not, you'll barely know you're wearing it (except for when you look in the mirror and see your assets proudly defying gravity!). I bought one in each colour at Holt Renfrew earlier this month (black and nude), but you can also buy them online at The Shopping Channel. Worth every penny of the $78.00 price tag. Bra-llelujah indeed!!

Sale at Aldo Shoes + free shipping!

Check out the latest styles added to the sale section at Aldo Shoes online! Like this cute black patent leather spectator pump for only $39.98! What a steal! Plus, Aldo is now offering free standard shipping (3-6 day delivery) so you can save an additional $5 by avoiding the craziness of the malls! I actually prefer shopping from their website, as they have a much larger selection of sizes in their sale department online than they do in the Stores, and if the size is a little off, you can always just take it to your local store for a full refund! Piece of cake!

Score an easy discount at Gap/Banana/OldNavy!

I signed up on the Gap Inc. website yesterday to receive emails for special offers and discounts (so that I can share them with all of you, naturally), and was pleasantly surprised to get immediate email offers from all 3 brands (Gap, Banana Republic, and Old Navy) just for doing so! Gap sent me a coupon for 10% off my entire purchase, Old Navy sent me a coupon for $10 off any purchase of over $50, and Banana Republic sent me a coupon for a stellar 20% off any purchase over $125! All were good until December 31st (so yes people, that includes BOXING DAY!). Just go to gap.com and scroll down to the section that allows you to type in your email address (bottom right of the home page), choose to receive offers from all 3 brands, and expect your new coupons later today! The only dilemma...which one to save for those Boxing Day sales!

$15 deals at Old Navy starts today!

The deals continue at Old Navy this weekend with special $15 deals starting today on sweaters, pants and more! Beat the rush and get the sizes and styles you want by hitting a Store today (that's Friday, people!) I can only imagine how busy the malls will be tomorrow with the recent snowfall pushing Christmas shopping to the forefront of everyone's mind (at least those who haven't been watching their investments plummet all week along with the global stock markets). If you're going to brave the crowds this weekend, I recommend leaving the strollers at home (or at least downing a stiff drink before you head out)!

Make a book for Christmas!

Ever try to make a scrapbook only to have it end up looking totally amateur? Well, I have found the solution - the very classy, very book-like BLURB bookmaking website. Upload photos, add text, choose your template & colour scheme - it's awesome and totally fast & easy! The finished product looks just like an actual book - you can even choose hardcover with or without a dust jacket - and the photos look fantastic on the pages! Did I mention the prices are insanely reasonable? A million times cheaper than making one of those crazy cut-and-paste scrapbooks! With or without text, this is an excellent way to ensure your favourite photos are immortalized and an even better way to share all the memories of that special trip, your smashing wedding, or the newest grandchild's first year with friends and loved ones (say...just in time for Christmas?). You could even make a book of recipes, favourite poems...the possibilities are really endless! Order by December 9th and save up to $10 on shipping (even on international orders) by entering "freeshipping" as the promo code!

Send a holiday gift to your friends in the U.S.!

It's always such an ordeal to send packages through the mail to friends and loved-ones in the U.S. during the holidays. Wrapping it securely, figuring out the postage, getting it there on time...Why not make it easy on yourself and send them something shipped directly from Red Envelope? They have the most unique gift ideas at every price range, and ship all across the U.S. no matter where you live & order from. Everything comes beautifully gift-wrapped, of course! If only they shipped internationally, I'd be buying lots more for my Canadian friends. I think my favourite are these colourfully wrapped chocolate-covered Oreos that arrive in a gorgeous glass jar. Who wouldn't want to enjoy such a decadent treat over the holidays?

$10 Off at Chapters/Indigo

Chapters/Indigo just got a ton of cute Christmas gifts and stocking stuffers in Stores! Did you know you can get the newest Baby Mama in your life the most popular children's teething toy around? That would be Sophie the Giraffe, and Chapters online sells it for just $22! It's made of natural rubber and plant dyes, so its quite a healthy teething choice! Add a few books, cds, dvds, or home decor items and get to the $50 minimum, and you'll get $10 off your order! Just enter code ToyHGG08 at checkout! And yes, Chapters does ship internationally to many different countries!

Shoe Sale at J.Crew!

If you haven't been paying attention, J.Crew has really gotten into the shoe business this past year, offering well-made, gorgeous styles with unique designs! I wouldn't buy them at regular price (given that J.Crew has gotten a lot more expensive in recent years), but the great thing about J.Crew is that their collections ALWAYS go on SALE! Shopping online is so easy at jcrew.com - they ship direct to Canada and anything I've ordered (which has been a LOT lately) always arrives within a week. They often have free shipping offers to Canada, which I will certainly keep you aware of, but for now, you can get all regular priced shoes and boots at 25% OFF! Just enter "SHOESALE" as the discount code upon checkout. Hurry up though, this sale ends Wednesday, November 19th! FYI, J.Crew ships to Canada, U.S., and also Japan!

Discounts Galore this weekend!

The tough economy has gifted us with an abundance of early discounts this weekend at some fantastic retailers, so get your Christmas shopping list ready and get out there! Club Monaco is offering 30% off all outerwear until Monday November 17th, Roots is offering a 25% off Customer Appreciation event now thru Sunday in stores as well as online (code PREVIEW08 at checkout), and Restoration Hardware is having a Friends & Family event with 20% off everything in stores and online (checkout code FFHP801). The weather may be chilly this weekend, but these sales are sure to keep your debit card smoking hot!

Diamonds are a girl's best friend!

Need something to do during a bleak and boring November? Add some sparkle to your dreary month by visiting the fabulous new diamond exhibit at the ROM in Toronto! The Nature of Diamonds exhibit includes a gem vault housing the third largest cut diamond in the world, The Incomparable, plus the Oppenheimer Diamond (254 carats enough for you?), as well as gorgeous jewelry like this corsage ornament (at left) beaming with more than 2600 diamonds! Oh...you want a discount you say? Well simply stop by on Friday nights between 4:30pm and 9:30pm when admission is always half price! More info online at the ROM!

Rethink Eddie Bauer for gifts (and save!)

All those people in your family that are hard to buy for can use something useful from Eddie Bauer, trust me! They have a ton of gifts under $50, and many that are much more practical and thoughtful than a gift card or the usual bottle of wine. How about their new ice scraper/mitten to prevent that frozen hand while you chip away the ice from your windsheild? Ever have to charge a dead car battery and try to figure out those crazy clamps (and avoid shocking yourself?). Avoid the drama with their new car charger that just plugs into each car's cigarette lighter! Of course I wouldn't steer you there if I couldn't offer you a discount - online shoppers can enter CANHHDEC in the promo code box of the Delivery & Extras page when you are checking out for an extra 15% off until December 24th! More info at Eddie online! And yes, they ship to almost every country in the world!

See the new AGO - for FREE!

Art and architecture lovers should rejoice at the grand reopening of the Art Gallery of Ontario this weekend! World-renowned architectural genius Frank Gehry has redesigned the once bland building on Dundas Street West (finally)! With a soaring and twisting glass facade outside and amazing spiral staircase inside, how can you refuse FREE ADMISSION starting Friday at 4pm all the way through the weekend? Extended hours are Friday til midnight, Saturday from 10am to midnight, and Sunday from 10am to 5:30 pm. I can only imagine the treasure trove of finds at the new gift shop! Oh...and did I mention they have art? More info at AGO online!

Great clothes & accessories with your groceries?

I can't rave enough about Joseph Mimran's line Joe Fresh (which you will find at Real Canadian Superstores, as well as a few Loblaws locations, like the one at Lakeshore & Jarvis in Toronto). This is the man who founded Club Monaco, and is married to Pink Tartan designer Kimberley Newport-Mimran. In addition to being obviously smitten with eachother, I also love that you can see these Canadian design dynamos influence eachother's great collections (which is great for me, a regular consumer of Joe Fresh, since affording Pink Tartan is still purely aspirational for me until the next Friends & Family event at Holt Renfrew). Head over to Joe Fresh for some great holiday gift ideas that just landed this week. Stylish and trendy mens, womens, and kids collections at ridiculously affordable prices! I will be grabbing the new classic 2-piece flannel pajama set (that starts at just $15) along with my groceries this week. A much better deal than the $100 sets I've been eyeing at major department Stores. Now if only they'd update their website more often to reflect the most current styles in-store, I'd attach a picture for you! www.joe.ca for locations!

My favourite new coat - Old Navy - on sale!

This gorgeous Kelly green pique wool-blend coat from Old Navy is a statement piece that was a steal at regular price (just over $100) but its already on sale (if you can find any left in your size!). A great eye-catching addition to your winter wardrobe, it stands out from the sea of black coats and sets you apart from the crowd. It looks beautiful over knee-length dresses with opaque tights, and even better with jeans and a black turtleneck. I bought it as soon as it landed in Stores and it was worth every penny (even if I did pay regular price!). Check out www.oldnavy.com for details!

Chapters, Indigo & Coles - 25% Off this weekend

Chapters, Indigo and Coles is having a Customer Appreciation event this weekend, November 15th and 16th. With a valid coupon, you can save 15% off (or 25% if you have irewards) most regular priced items in their Stores. To get a coupon, just stop by any of their Stores this week and make a purchase and they'll throw one in your bag! They just got all their holiday gift items in so there are lots of new items to choose from! Stocking stuffers galore!

Gap, Banana Republic & Old Navy discount!

FYI - November 13-16 is one of Gap Inc.'s awesome Friends & Family events that only happen a few times each year! Hurry up and find someone you know who works for any of their brands (Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Baby Gap, etc...) and ask for one of their Friends & Family coupons! You'll be entitled to an amazing 30% discount at all brands for the entire 4 days - even on already-reduced items! Just in time for Christmas shopping, or updating your own winter wardrobe. Who of us couldn't use another classic white dress shirt, wool coat, or cashmere gloves? Did I mention their holiday dresses are in now too? This time shopping is even better because they'll donate 5% of your purchase to charity! 'Tis the season! Happy shopping!