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Well, I'm back from bargain-hunting holidays.
And a few things happened that involved raised eyebrows, including a recent impromptu trip to Niagara Falls with my lovely sisters for some cross-border shopping -- a spontaneous gesture, to be sure, but one that resulted in a major learning curve on how to deal with humourless U.S. border guards (well, one in particular).
For starters, do not lock your purse with your passport in the trunk of your car when you get the border. Not having it handy to be promptly viewed seems to raise the terrorist level to amber.
The young gentleman we encountered took a total of nine seconds to lose his cool over this infraction. "We needed the space for shopping bags!" I offered up gaily, if somewhat confusingly as to why I forced my sister to lock up her purse -- which only served to turn the guard's face yet a deeper shade of purple.
Good grief. Someone didn't have their bran this morning?
Sister Anna offered to get out of the car and retrieve her purse to which our guard almost wet himself with anger. I had no idea three short, loud women would be viewed as a threat to the U.S., but I guess this must have been racing through his mind when he snatched the car keys and went looking for the bad lady's purse.
Now, anyone who knows me knows you need a Sherpa to find anything in my trunk. And yes, 10 minutes goes by before our guard -- who looked all of 18 -- sheepishly came back and asked where the passport was. I don't know if it was the heat or how ridiculous this all sounded, but his anger seemed to bring out the giggles in all of us.
Finally, after retrieving and presenting the passport, I had the temerity to ask him where the local supermarket was. "Do I look like a tour guide?!" he thundered, almost choking on his tie. Yes, snickered my sister sotto voce.
It looked like he was going to send us back home, but he finally let us through. After which we immediately got lost.
Did I finally find a supermarket? Yes. And price-wise, I actually found many staples back home less expensive, and our fruits and vegetables looked fresher and nicer.
What we found cheaper was carbonated drinks -- and I did come back with a jar of pickled pigs' feet in jelly for only $2.99. It sits on my shelf now, bringing back memories of our sojourn to the other side.
Oh, and coming home? The Canuk guard was polite, professional and nice as pie. Made my heart swell with patriotic pride.
Shopping finds this week turned up some interesting stuff. I noticed the Longo's supermarket on Weston Rd., north of Hwy. 7 thoughtfully offers sanitizer wipes to wipe your shopping cart handle with when you enter the store. Nice!
Not nice? During a visit to the Williams-Sonoma in Sheway Gardens on the weekend I couldn't help but notice the major price difference on cookbooks: $34.95 US vs. $50 Cdn. These were new books. When I asked a staff member why, she said the books come in from head office like this. Not a good enough explanation, and, when you have that big a price difference, you know you're going to take your business elsewhere. Which I did.
Here are this week's deals:
- My sister Anna and her husband, Maurice, took me on a tour of pretty little Streetsville in Mississauga.
It's amazing the pockets of pleasure we live in -- and, for people like me, are not aware of. For starters we popped into Streetsville Treasues, a home decor and gift shop just brimming with amazing deals on famous collectibles and gift items, with most items going for 50% off the retail. In fact, the company is in the midst of a major sale for the next few weeks.
If you are a Betty Boop fan, drop everything and run to this place as there's everything from Betty Boop purses to dolls to watches and more, all at major discounts. Lots to choose from in a small, crammed, pretty shop.
Streetsville Treasures, 8 Main St, Mississauga, 905-285-9989, streetsville-treasures.com, Mon.-Thurs. 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Fri. 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sat. 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Sundays.
- And since you're in the neighbhourhood, pop in on Swirls -- home to the most amazing, delicious cupcakes, all made with the finest ingredients and very well priced (starting at $1.95). Huge selection, including the famous "red" cupcakes very famous in Beverly Hills. I also noticed they make famous cupcake "cakes" and other goodies, too.
Swirls, 241 Queen St. S., Streetsville, 905-285-0991, swirlscupcakes.ca, Mon.-Wed. 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thurs. -Fri. 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sat. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sun. noon to 5 p.m.
- Walking on a Cloud fans take note -- the company has recently opened a temporary Walking on a Cloud clearance outlet in the Beaches. (In the fall, this location will become a regular store with regular products.) But for now, there are savings of up to 80% of great quality mens & womens shoes. Brands include Mephisto, Clarks, Ecco, Rockport, Timberland, Dunham, Trotters, Rohde, Rieker, Cougar, Viking, and much more. Check out these prices: Ladies dress shoes (various brands) reg. $100-200 from $19.99, Rohde ladies sandals reg. $85 and up, as low as $29.99, Rohde men's reg. $110 and up, as low as $59.99, Clarks reg. $125 and up as low as $49.99, Trotters reg. $135 and up as low as $39.99, Cougar sandals reg. $70 and up --as low as $19.99.
Walking On A Cloud Sale, The Beach, 2010A Queen St. E. across from Kew Gardens, 416-690-6286, Mon-Wed, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Thurs, Fri, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sat, Sun, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- There's a multi-vendor summer blowout sale of everything from electronics to fashion in the city's west end. You can pick up great deals on Guess jeans for both men and ladies ($39.99; buy two get one free) and Dockers for only $24.99. Plus, there are also deals on Blueray players, LCDs and more with name brands like Samsung. There are also housewares and bathroom items, as well as footwear to choose from. Cramped and cozy and plenty of fun to browse.
Multi-Vendor Summer Blowout Sale, to July 26, 14 Advance Rd. (east of Kipling Ave.), Wed-Sat, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., closed Sundays to Tuesdays.
- Linda Lundstrom is having a blowout sale of her entire spring and summer collection at 70% off the retail -- plus her outwear colelction, including the famous La Parka, are going at up to 50% off. Fabric and spa wear items have also been dramatically reduced, plenty to choose from. Sale starts tomorrow to July 27.
Linda Lundstrom Blowout Sale, to July 27, 255 Wicksteed Ave. (off Eglinton Ave. E. near Laird), Fri. 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.