This past month, I took advantage of all the end-of-season sales at my favourite stores. I bought trendy and basic pieces that I knew would run out of sizes right off the bat. Items that I liked but didn't love and designer pieces that wouldn't really fit with my wardrobe but I absolutely adored, I put off. But these next few weeks are exactly the time to go back and snag everything else you wanted but didn't get the first time around.

As the summer sale period winds down, prices have been slashed drastically. We still have quite a bit of summer left to go so you'll be getting plenty of wear out of your new additions.

Aritzia is now 30-70% off all spring and summer items. Although most supplex pants are still only 20% or less off, almost all other items in the store are marked down. Just a few sightings: Minnetonka fringe boots are $30 down from $140; Saltworks, Landlubber, and Jordache jeans are $50 down from $145-245; Sheer long tees and tanks are down to $20-25 from $30-50; Vans slip-ons are $35 down from $65.

Roots has their good-for-anyone super comfortable sweatpants for $20-25 down from $40-60 for the whole family. Polos were last seen for $16, cropped pants for $20, and Roots Yoga gear was marked down, too. Roots isn't really my style and I find their prices too expensive for what it is, but on sale, their sweatpants, hoodies, and polos are staples worth stocking up on.

Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy All owned by the Gap group, when one starts their sales, the others do, too. Right now Gap and BR are having up to 60% off sales (although I saw single items on the clearance rack at steeper discounts) and Old Navy has walls and walls of 50-75% off items. If you've never ventured into the Gap or Old Navy, I suggest you take a peek. With changes at headquarters, Gap's seasonal collections have included more embellishments, graphics, and colours than the preppy, staid basics store you remember. At Banana Republic, I found silk camisoles for $30-40 down from $70-100. At Gap, I found jeans for $20-30 down from $70-80. At Old Navy, I found canvas sneakers for $5 down from $30.

Winners is a little late in the game and just started their Summer Clearance markdowns recently. A few more weeks and they'll be having their final markdowns. If you're all about the hunt, like me, you'll be itching to find those $5 designer jeans under a table of junk. Every year, I manage to find something that makes me want to jump up and down with joy. Hello $2 Jolie camisoles, $15 Joe's Jeans tailored denim, $10 Da-Nang cargos, and $1 Dupe Brazilian flipflops!

Over The Rainbow With a cult-like following, this store carries all the brands of the moment. 50% off everything in the store except new arrivals (yes, this means Diesel, Miss Sixty, Triple 5 Soul, G-Star, Uggs, Juicy Couture, etc.). Their $30-or-70% off sale will start any day now. By then, the best sizes and styles will be long gone. But sometimes, you can still find a few good items, especially if you're at the low and high ends of sizing.

TNT: The New Trend All TNT Woman, TNT Man, and TNT Blu stores are now 50% off all merchandise except new arrivals. As exclusive Canadian retailers for many American and international labels and carrier of indie designer connoussier faves, expect rare finds at rare prices. All TNT Received a call from them last week informing me that the TNT Clearance centre a few doors down from their Eglinton West location has been marked down to 80% off everything. Never the best selection, but some less popular brands and sizes can be had at absolutely amazing prices. I remember seeing a gorgeous $1000+ Matthew Williamson raw silk dress for the price of a mass-produced synthetic Fairweather prom dress.

Holt Renfrew Don't be scared to venture into this sometimes intimidating high-end department store and head straight for the sales racks. You'll be the one laughing in the end! Plenty of good deals to be had here. Small leather Marc by Marc Jacobs shoulder bags at $99 down from $285, Mari Dade roll-down cropped yoga pants for $39 down from $110, Juicy Couture voile shirred tube dress for $129 down from $260, C&C tanks for $29 down from $65-75, and L.A.M.B. cashmere short sleeved sweater for $99 down from $290 just to name a very select few.

The last call period is definitely for devoted shopaholics who love the search just as much (if not more) than the find. It takes patience, preserverance, and sometimes a little sleuthing to find what you're looking for at jaw-dropping prices.

Have fun! And live to tell.