Shopping for sunglasses is an annual event that inevitably ends in compromise. It’s not as bad as shopping for bathing suits, but I always end up with something not quite right. The frames are either too big, too small, too light, too dark or just too much. And year after year I find myself asking is my head crooked, or is it just the shades?

I thought things would be all right this year, because ShopGuy bought me a great pair by Jones New York a few summers back. They were dark blue, sleek, and they looked fabulous. The lenses were starting to get a little scratched, but hey, that happens. Unfortunately, they decided to run off without me, and my searches between the seats in my car and in various drawers in my apartment have been futile.

Several weeks ago, I had to face the fact they weren’t coming back. I started my search for a suitable replacement at Old Navy, where my sister, ShopGirl Jr., found movie-star shades in black and tortoiseshell for $10. They were cute, but my head was too crooked for them, or vice versa.

The quest continued at TJ Maxx ‘n’ More, whence my beloved Jones shades came. There were rose-colored glasses from Fossil, some demure sunglasses from Laura Ashley and, my favorite, a simple yet glamorous pair from Calvin Klein that looked positively Gwyneth-esque. Too bad they weren’t quite ShopGirl-esque. A pair from Nine West momentarily held my fancy, but not long enough to get them to the cash register.

I had almost given up hope when I found the perfect pair of shades at Molly’s in Winterport. Actually, I found three perfect pairs, but since I have one only set of eyes, I chose the pair that most closely resembled my dearly departed in both spirit and style. Rather than dark blue, they’re silvery-platinum with squared oval lenses. I love them. And they were only $10.

However, it was a tough decision. Between the big, glamorous black frames and the sophisticated faux tortoiseshell cat eyes, I didn’t know which ones to pick. However, Jr. was with me, and she had only kind words for me as I tried on the different models – words such as “eeeeewwww,” “um, no” and the clincher, “I think they look crooked on your head.”

Reader question

Dear ShopGirl,

Could you please help me find a magazine collection that was purchased at the old Basket World? It is a tole painting series by Gail Anderson. The title is “Tolehaven Collection” and as far as I can tell there are about 10 volumes, each in a separate magazine. The publisher is Viking Press. I have a few copies from a friend but would like my own. I haven’t been able to find any other magazines with tole painting patterns in them. If you know of any that would be a help, too.

– Beth

Dear Beth,

You’re in luck.

There’s a whole Web site devoted to Gail Anderson’s “Tolehaven Collection” series, which are actually softcover books, not magazines, at www.tolehaven.com. There, you can purchase the whole collection for between $9.95 and $11.95 apiece, and you can also subscribe to a monthly pattern mailing if you’d like.

I called Craft World on Stillwater Avenue and the man with whom I spoke said the store carries a selection of tole-painting books and magazines. I also found a magazine called Tole World, which you can order online at www.decordelights.com.

Good luck and let me know how it works out for you.

ShopGirl would love to hear from you! Send questions, comments, or suggestions by mail to: Kristen Andresen, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402-1329, by e-mail to kandresen@bangordailynews.net, or by fax at 941-9476.