J.Crew is a fashion label known for making affordable designer-style ruffled tees, pencil skirts and "boyfriend" blouses accessible to the masses. It's created its own look -- a mix of feminine/masculine chic -- and in doing so, created its own devoted following. With constant online sales campaigns, drawing in fashion-conscious buyers who love a deal, plus smart marketing that promotes the brand as a glamorous yet laidback lifestyle, J.Crew fashion has become in demand at a time when many retailers are struggling to find an identity. Here are 10 things you might not have known behind J.Crew's success story:


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It's the largest book retailer in Canada and some even blame the demise of the independent bookstore in our country on the book retailing giant. It's core business is books and - to a degree - music, but the store also has become known for selling lifestyle products, including toys and decorative home accessories. It's become a haven for people who want to take their time browsing magazines and fiction and who might want a Starbucks latte while they're at it. But despite the obvious, there might be a few things you didn't know about Indigo's story and the top people behind it. Have a look at 10 things you didn't know about Indigo:

You're tired of dreading summer because it means more time in shorts and a swimsuit so you've made a commitment to get back into shape. That's great but... How? Unless you're part of the one per cent, personal trainers may be out of the question. Gyms are fine but at $60-$100 a month they add up too. Even purchasing home exercise equipment can mean spending a large sum of money at first. Here are five ways you can re-discover your best bod without having monthly fees or investing big money into a home gym.

If you're craving a freshness in your home that won't be satisfied by simply moving a few things around, maybe it's time for a change. In my case it was a loveseat my two young sons have outgrown (since they started wrestling on it) that sparked our home renovation. It was time to get a new, bigger, plusher couch. Now that we've purchased said couch and it's arriving in six to eight weeks, it's sparked even bigger changes. But I've learned through our renovation there are certain areas where it makes sense to splurge and certain areas where it makes more sense to save.

Here are some tips on affording a room renovation you'll actually finish:

Greece and Cyprus are a mess and much of Europe is poised to join them. Canada's relative stability has been credited to, among others, the conservative and risk-averse nature of our five big banks -- RBC, TD Bank, CIBC, Scotiabank and BMO. Over the past five years Canadians have gained a new appreciation for our banking system and yet, there are some key things that many of us don't know -- but should -- about our big banks and how we interact with them.

Good weather is flirting with us. It's tossing its hair and making some serious eye contact. My advice is to enjoy the attention but don't get too attached just yet. Still, you know that sometime soon a long term relationship is coming and that a lot of quality time will be spent in your backyard.

Here are five inexpensive things you can do to prepare your outside space for the coming love affair.






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Now that the roads are clear, Canadians are dusting off helmets and reflective jackets and pulling out their bikes to get to work. It's not just cyclists who want to hit the road during the warmer months. Drivers who love getting out in their car in the great wide open have no doubt started planning where they'll be traveling to. But whether you're a cyclist or a driver or both, what you really need to start thinking about this time of year is making sure your "vehicle" is fit to go where you want to take it. Here's what the experts say you need to do to make sure your bike or car is tuned up for spring:





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I don't know about you but with every new season I feel the urge to update my wardrobe. Spring especially breeds this feeling, perhaps because I know it means pretty soon I won't be hiding my fashion concoctions under a coat.

A new wardrobe can mean big money but if you're simply adding to it with some accent pieces or the odd new staple, staying au courant in this age of fast fashion can be surprisingly cheap. Here are some affordable finds to stay on trend this spring:






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I'm not cheap but I'm not a sucker either. I understand that most of the services we end up paying for we do so because of the convenience. But now that spring has arrived and the wear and tear of winter is showing up everywhere, I'm realizing there's a lot of manual work to be done and it could be so much more satisfying if I do it myself. This spring, if I know how to do something I'm keeping my wallet in my pocket and rolling up my sleeves. Here are a few things you could be doing yourself that will save you money:

Painting
I've got steady hands, an iron will and a step-ladder so if I need a couple of rooms painted in my house, I'm going to do it. Hiring pros costs thousands of dollars and for basic painting jobs involving drywall and right-angles, that's an unnecessary expense. Yes, it will take up your weekend and yes your skin will not appreciate the turpentine bath but you'll feel satisfied and richer by Monday.

March Madness, the Big Dance, Bettor's Paradise. Whatever you call it, the NCAA men's college basketball tournament, which starts March 19th, is a blast. If you know what you're doing it's also a money-making opportunity. Now, I am not endorsing gambling but if you like a flutter now and then, this is a good time as any to get in some action. March Madness gambling usually takes place within the confines of "brackets" where a participant joins with friends or online, lays down some cash and essentially tries to divine the outcomes of games all the way to the final. There are 64 teams in the tournament so guesswork plays a big role. Here are five tips to maximize your opportunity of coming out ahead this year.

Trust Nobody
If you're only a casual basketball fan and you don't follow college hoops regularly, don't trust your friend who spends his Saturdays analyzing screen plays and picks and rolls. If he's in your pool he's going to lead you astray. Think about it, would you counsel your colleagues at work on how to get a promotion that you want too? Same principle applies here.