Stocking stuffer bargains bountiful

Tis the season to be shopping.

For all you brave bargain hunters who woke up at 5 yesterday morning to stand in line for the early bird deals, I salute you. I had to work, but even if I didn’t, I wouldn’t have gone. It’s not that I don’t love a sale, because I do, as my friends at Citibank and Capital One could tell you. I just can’t do the day-after-Thanksgiving thing anymore. I’ll wait. I’d rather pay full price than get into fisticuffs over the last pink cashmere sweater on the clearance rack at T.J.’s.

That said, I did preview the holiday treats the day before Thanksgiving. And while I’m normally a clothes horse, I was in stocking-stuffer mode, and you can’t stuff a pair of leather pants into a Christmas stocking. At least, not the one at my house. Of course, all I found were stuffers for my stocking, but isn’t that always the case with holiday shopping?

One of the most affordable trends this season is reasonably priced, stocking-ready and at your fingertips. Literally. It seems all those Chanel-inspired, blood-red nail polishes have been covered up by a purple haze this fall. It’s time to trade “Vamp” for “Vain” or any of the other grapes, plums or eggplants that are popping up on the shelves of drugstores and salons. Fortunately, my all-time favorite polish shade, “Violet X-Treme” by Revlon, fits into this category. It’s a deep, velvety purple that lasts forever without chipping. And it’s not quite as harsh as those black-reds. Also cool are CoverGirl’s “Purple Royal” ($2.99); Jane’s “Rebellious” ($3.49); and Wet ‘n’ Wild Crystallic in “Vain” ($1.99). The silky “Route Beer Float” by O.P.I. is slightly more expensive (around $6.50 at salons), but it’s worth it.

The glamour girl on your list can powder her nose in style with Estee Lauder’s little gold-toned compacts. Filene’s had a cute selection – complete with powder and puff – for $25 to $55, including the enameled “Puppy Tales,” the watch-shaped “Perfect Timing” and the elegantly simple “Golden Love Knot.”

Whether you’re buying gifts for glamour girls or guy’s guys, it always helps to show that you care about them, the environment and society at large. For the animal advocate on your list, you can give PETA’s “2002 Shopping Guide for Caring Consumers.” The stocking-sized book features products that are not tested on animals, as well as leather- and fur-free clothing suggestions. The book costs $8.95 (plus $3.95 shipping and handling) and is available by calling (800) 483-4366 or online at www.petamall.com.

Closer to home, Peace through Interamerican Community Action, or PICA, in Bangor is getting ready to publish this season’s Clean Clothes Shopping Guide. It features Maine stores that promote “clothes made with dignity” as well as mail-order companies that meet “clean” clothes criteria. Last year’s guide is available now, but if you can wait a few weeks, a new, expanded guide will be available in mid-December. For a copy, call 947-4203, e-mail info@pica.ws.

That should get you started. Until next time, happy shopping! And keep the letters coming.

Dear ShopGirl,

I may be in Bangor later this month and would like to find a good buy on some new winter skirts. Any ideas?

– Lois at the cove in Machiasport

Dear Lois,

This is the height of winter skirt sales, so I didn’t find any incredible deals, but I found some wonderful skirts in the $30-to-$60 price range. Every store I went to is mad about plaid this season, so if you like prints, you’re in luck. Most of the styles mentioned have a slight A-line, and are cut on the bias for a flattering, figure-skimming look.

The Grasshopper Shop in Bangor has a soft, cushy, warm skirt by G.G. Sport (pictured on Page E1) in both ankle and knee lengths for $49. It comes in black and gray, and unlike most fleece items, it has a tailored waist, so it doesn’t add 10 pounds to you. Another great find there is the red wool plaid skirt by Tribal, which falls slightly below the knee and comes fully lined for $39. There’s also a selection of velour and washable wool styles.

At T.J. Maxx ‘n More at the Broadway Shopping Center, I saw only a few skirts, though the inventory may have changed since press time. The most promising options were Italian wool blends from the WilliSmith collection. The two ankle-length, bias-cut, plaid skirts that caught my eye were in shades of loden green, cream and rust. One was lighter in color with a flannel-like texture and cost $39.99. The other was greener, with a woven texture, and cost $29 on clearance. Both were fully lined.

Eddie Bauer at the Bangor Mall had skirts in all lengths, mostly plaid or tweed. On the clearance rack, I found a knee-length wool skirt with a woven harlequin diamond pattern for $49.99. A bias-cut, tan tweed skirt that fell below the knee was also on the clearance rack for $59.99.

Christopher and Banks, also at the Bangor Mall, had a wide variety of skirts, mostly long, in denim, corduroy, velvet, moleskin, velour and wool blends. All are priced between $30 and $49.50 and are available in most sizes.

I hope you find something you like out of these options. Maybe by the time you come to Bangor, the prices will dip. You could always winterize medium-weight skirts with a pair of wool or cotton tights. Keep warm!

Dear ShopGirl,

I NEED to find the Yankee Candle Bar Harbor scent. I can’t find it anywhere down here in any of the Yankee Candle stores. And I know it exists. I saw it when I lived in Maine and of course, didn’t get it and now am looking everywhere for it. So if you find one, let me know.

– Yolanda in Washington, D.C.

Dear Yolanda,

Kristina H. of Yankee Candle wrote to tell me that the fragrance was discontinued but that it may be available in limited quantities. She suggested asking about it at your local Yankee Candle store or calling customer service at 1-877-803-6890 to check availability and to special order. Good luck.

Having a hard time finding that lamp you saw on “Friends”? Looking for cool red shoes in size 11? ShopGirl can help. Send questions or comments to: Bangor Daily News, attn: Kristen Andresen, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor, ME 04402-1329; or e-mail kandresen@bangordailynews.net.