Urban Outfitters

It may be pushing forty degrees, but the stores are overflowing with fall fashions and all the short sleeved tops and sundresses have been pushed into a corner. If you venture into the back corner of Urban Outfitters you will find racks of summer merchandise reduced by a further 50%. There are dresses, tank tops, tunics, pants and skirts to choose from. You can pick up a vinyl tote bag in lavender, yellow, black or white for $12.99. The shoulder straps - large enough to fit over normal size shoulders, two inside pockets and generous sprinkling of sparkles on the outside make this bag both funky and practical. Another great find is the lightweight, short sleeved, v-neck sweaters that are perfect for wearing over strapless dresses, camis and bathing suits. They’re available in purple, black and white with metallic thread knitted in and have been reduced to $49.99 (regular $62) with an additional 50% off. Cotton eyelet sundresses in black or white have also been reduced to $49.99 (regular $79) with an additional 50% off.
Upstairs you will find men’s wear and housewares. There is a small selection of men’s clothing on sale – pants, shorts, jackets and button front shirts. Striped or plaid button front shirts have been reduced to $39.99 with an additional 50% off.
Housewares has a small sale section with some very interesting items. You can get the soundtrack to Spiderman 3 or Borat for $9.90; Borat the movie is $19.90; disposable clipboards are $6.99. They had one Steve Irwin talking action figure complete with a crocodile for $14.99.
Also in the housewares section, but not on sale, you can pick up a flatware sets by Murval with skulls or leopard print on the handles for $42.00 or metal pedestal tables (available in 7 designs) from 4040 Locust for $39, great for dorm rooms or small apartments. They also have great throw pillows, cushions, chandeliers and bed linens.

Burst Flowers

Located just off Queen St W, in the area known as Trinity-Bellwoods, is Burst Flowers. You’ll find more than beautiful, unique flower arrangements at this wonderful little store. They have pots and planters in a rainbow of colours and made from a variety of materials (ceramic, aluminum) on sale for 20-50% off until the end of August.
You should definitely stop in to check out their selection of sterling silver jewellery. There are many items to choose from such as earrings, necklaces, pendants and bracelets. Some items are plain sterling silver while others include crystals, semi-precious stones or Murano glass. Now is a great time to pick up a little something for yourself and a gift for a friend as all earrings are buy one pair, get the second pair for ½ price until the end of August. They also have boxed earring and necklace sets priced at $39.99. If you are picking up a gift, make sure to buy one of their whimsical hand-made cards to go with it.
My favourite item(s) are the tealight holders made from recycled bottles. They come in clear or pink glass with a rose pattern etched on them and are available in two sizes. The smaller holder sells for $9.99.
Did I mention they also sell chocolate truffles?
(located at 198 Walnut Ave, Toronto)

More End of Summer Sales

Cotton Ginny - take an additional 50% off red tagged items. Their organic baby clothing line is buy 2 get 1 free.

Fashion Crimes - dresses for $50-$100; jewellery for 1/2 price; selected purses and hats are also on sale. (322 1/2 Queen St W)

Lilith - up to 70% off. (541 Queen St W)

French Connection - up to 75% off selected merchandise.

Le Chateau - shoes $19.99 and up; fall coats & jackets $39.99 and up; jewellery starting at $4.99; selected skirts, tops, shorts and dressses also on sale.

Peach Berserk - 10-50% off selected bags, dresses, jackets, tops and skirts.

Accessorize - up to 70% off flip flops, hats, belts, jewellery and scarves.

Bed0 - up to 70% off selected merchandise.

Mendocino - nothing over $95

Designer Depot

Basically, this is the Bay's version of Winners. And just like Winners, Designer Depot they carry men, womens and childrens clothing abd accessories; housewares, linens and small furniture items. It's also one of those hit and miss type places. Some days you find lots of stuff you like at great prices and other times you don't see anything that catches your fancy.
Like most other stores they already have fall merchandise for the back to school crowd. You'll find backpacks priced at $16.99-$19.99 from such labels as Airwalk, Eddie Bauer, CCM, Jaguar. They have a great selection of women's hoodies, jackets, sweaters and jeans by such names as Mexx, Kenzie Girl, Parasuco and Starling.
They have some fabulous leather handbags by Franco Sarto, Nine West, Tommy Hilfiger, Steve Madden and Chinese Laundry.
There is an additional 50% off selected summer merchandise.

YZZA

No, it’s not a typo and don’t ask me how to pronounce it. YZZA is a new division of Liz Claiborne. Their mandate is to carry good quality clothing made of cotton (or mostly cotton) and nothing in the store is priced at over $100. Right now they are offering 30% off already reduced summer merchandise.
While not impressed when I first saw the store, once inside I ended up with armfuls of items I wanted to try on. LOVED the fact their XL size actually looks and fits like an extra large. The sizing runs XS-XL or 4-18, so women of all shapes and sizes can find something that will fit them. They carry t-shirts, shells, blouses, pants, skirts and dresses as well as some accessories such as earrings, necklaces and handbags.
The dressing rooms aren’t big, but they are very clean, have a sufficient number of hooks and a mirror inside. Imagine that, you actually don’t have to leave the dressing room to admire your reflection, in front of a bunch of strangers!
YZZA offers a loyalty program. A salesperson will sign you up on the spot, if you wish, and give you a ‘Y Card’ right away. Every time you make a purchase at YZZA you present your card and collect 1 point for every dollar spent before taxes. Once you have accumulated 300 points, they mail you a $15 gift certificate. The card can also be used for 10% of any purchase during the week of your birthday (you must present your Y Card and proof of birth).
I did purchase a lace cotton blouse in a beautiful turquoise colour and a white t-shirt covered in a silver metallic floral print. I will definitely be making many return visits to check out new stock, to see if some of the items I tried on get marked down even further and to keep my eye on a really great top that I’m not quite convinced to pay full price for, but it did show “the girls” off really well. My only complaint is their website needs a lot of work. It doesn’t really show much in the way of the clothing they carry.

Marlborough's Stationery Inc.

Marlborough’s is a stationery store and more. When you first walk in, there is a small selection of children’s toys. My favourites are the brightly coloured Stephen Joseph rubber coin holders with animal faces on them for $2.79 and the hand painted wooden puzzles by Melissa & Doug. Their Fresh Start Peg Puzzles are on sale for $5.99.
The stationery part of the store contains such things as cards, good quality pens (the type that come in their own case and are kept locked behind glass), notebooks, daytimers and some craft supplies. Check out the Stabilo high-lighters in the funky Swing Cool Pacific line. They have some party supplies and their dinner and cocktail napkins, in a range of colours and sizes, are on sale for $2.99 - $3.99.

HATS (& bags)

KC's Hats is located at St. Lawrence Market in the south building; right inside the Jarvis St. entrance. All of these great hats are hand made by milliner David Dunkley. He also makes bags that are the perfect size for carrying your things to work or toting items to the beach. You can have a tote made to match your hat if you so desire. Custom hats can be made for those who are hard to fit or have a special occasion to attend. David also creates customized head wear for brides looking to wear something other than the usual tiara or veil on their special day. Make sure to check out his fabulous line of cocktail hats while you're there. KC's fall/winter 2007 collection is now available. You must check out the cloche hats with silver work and ribbon flowers.
A hat created by David Dunkley and Margret Donnelly for graduating Ryerson University fashion student designers Natasha Ferro and Diana Peters' was featured in the "...coveted position of [Holt Renfrew's] main entrance area" on Bloor Street!
St. Lawrence Market, 92 Front St E, lower level