Bargains galore on ShopGirl’s adventures

Some people break up long journeys with bathroom breaks, meals, or a quick fill-up at the gas station. I spend a lot of time on the road, and I’ve found that there’s no better way to stretch my legs than a shopping stop.

During a recent trip to southern Maine, I did just that. Halfway between Bangor and Portland, I pulled off the interstate to take in the sights at Old Navy in Augusta. The first thing I noticed was that in addition to those awkward mesh shopping bags stacked up at the door, Old Navy now has shopping carts. Like I needed an excuse to take more stuff into the changing room. You know those little numbers they hand you when you go to try clothes on? They don’t make them in large enough numbers for me. Instead, I usually have to double up. Sometimes, I need three tags.

This time, however, I actually left the dressing room with nearly as many items as I went in with. Some of it didn’t fit, but most of Old Navy’s spring line was just my size (and, coincidentally, the price tags seemed to fit my wallet, too.) I spent a little more than $100 and left with two pairs of capri pants, a pair of cuffed dress pants, some very cool shorts, two sweet little dress shirts and a chewy frisbee for ShopDog. Not bad.

But the bargains didn’t stop there.

Next, it was off to Target, near the Maine Mall in South Portland. And yes, the store is as cool as the ads. Normally I’m reluctant to even step foot in the clothing department of a discount store. Not because I’m a clothes snob, but because the last time I bought a tank top at Wal-Mart, it emerged from my washing machine looking too small for Britney Spears’ taste.

Target was a different story altogether. For starters, the merchandise isn’t packed into every nook and cranny of the store. It’s easy to navigate. And the clothes were, for the most part, stylish and well-priced. I got four Mossimo shirts for around $12 each and a pair of Nine West-inspired leather sandals for $16.99. The housewares, including a line designed by Michael Graves, were equally appealing. It’s worth the trip.

When I returned to Bangor, I headed to the Gap, where nearly everything was on sale, including jeans. I resisted the urge to buy yet another pair of Gap jeans, though, because who needs 20 pairs of jeans? I did pick up a gauzy white wrap shirt that ties with an apple-green ribbon for $9.99.

The shopping gods were smiling on me, I guess, but now I have to eat ramen noodles for a few weeks, which isn’t so lucky, after all.

Reader question

Dear ShopGirl,

We are renovating a small ranch house in Maine that we use for a summer home. Where can I find small print Colonial wallpaper or curtains? The selection is limited in the Bangor area, but you might know of just the spot.

– Shirlee in Florida

Dear Shirlee,

I’d start with the Curtainshop on the Hogan Road in Bangor. If you’re interested in custom-made curtains, Bangor Window Shade and Drapery Co. on Main Street may be able to help. And there’s always Country Curtains, the mail-order shop out of Stockbridge, Mass. Check out their Web site at www.countrycurtains.com, or call (800) 456-0321 for a free catalog.

As for wallpaper, I recently was in the same boat, but I think the problem has less to do with the selection in Bangor and more to do with the selection in general. I found very few reasonably priced wallpapers that suited my taste. However, there are several books that specialize in small prints. I bought paper for my dining room at Sherwin-Williams at the Broadway Shopping Plaza, which offers a substantial discount off the manufacturer’s price.

Wallpaper Expo on Stillwater Avenue has hundreds of wallpaper books in almost every price range, but the real draw is the stock of discounted rolls. The last time I visited, they had many small prints, and this may be a good solution for your vacation home. Color Concepts on Hammond Street also has a good selection of wallpaper books and the staff there is gracious and helpful. Though I have never been there, I know Decorator’s Basement on Stillwater Avenue also sells wallpaper.

If you’re looking for higher-end papers, such as William Morris hand-stamped reproduction prints, try Wallace Interiors in Ellsworth.

ShopGirl would love to hear from you. Send questions, comments and suggestions to: Kristen Andresen, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor, ME 04402-1329, or e-mail kandresen@bangordailynews.net.