Good online shopping trips outweigh bad

It’s still January, and I’m still indoors.

As part of my ongoing quest not to leave the house this month, I’ve been discovering the joys – and perils – of online shopping.

It all started innocently enough. I was doing research for the knitting story on today’s Style page, which led me to Amazon.com. I normally do all my book shopping locally, so I’m a little late to the ball with the whole Amazon phenomenon. And frankly, it’s a bit Orwellian.

I typed in the title of the book I was looking for: “Knitting Pretty.” Not only did I get that title, but Amazon suddenly became my best book buddy, showing me titles of books I may also like, such as “Hip to Knit” and “The Yarn Girls’ Guide to Simple Knits.” I liked them, and the Amazon price was 30 percent off the going rate, so I bought them online, with Free Super Saver Shipping! The excitement was palpable.

Until I got the first e-mail (the first of dozens, that is). My friends at Amazon had my number, and they were going to use it. When I went online to check my order status, I was greeted with, “Hello, Kristen Andresen, we have recommendations for you.” Suddenly, they knew everything about me from my one order, and they knew what other readers who bought the same books liked, too.

The thing is, I don’t care what other people like. I didn’t buy my books online to make friends. I bought them to save $14. And the worst part is, I don’t know how to sign off. Every time I check my order, I see the horrifying “Kristen’s Gold Box” in the corner (I don’t even want to know what that’s all about) and the eerie “Hello, Kristen Andresen.” Ugh.

Fortunately, not every online shopping experience is so disturbing. Take OldNavy.com, a lovely little site with great deals and a weekly e-mail special, which is easy to opt out of if you’d like. This week’s update included a rugby shirt and capris that were featured in the January Vogue. Hmmm. Interesting. And where else can you find a $5 turtleneck sweater and pants for under $10? I’m a believer.

Recently, my mom and dad went shopping in Boston. I asked them to pick me up a set of champagne flutes and wine goblets on clearance at Crate & Barrel. They didn’t feel like lugging them around town, so they told me to buy them myself. Rather than whine, (OK, I whined a little), I just went online to www.crateandbarrel.com. Problem solved.

While shopping in Boston,

they also came across a neat little paper shop called Papyrus. Since we don’t have one up here, I checked out the Web site at www.papyrusonline.com – very nice, except you can’t place an order through the site. But that’s OK. When it comes to shopping for paper, fabric or yarn, so much of the allure is sensory – you have to be able to touch it and see it up close – so I probably wouldn’t buy these things online unless I knew exactly what I was looking for.

If you’re looking for virtual reality, check out LandsEnd.com. The site is easy to navigate and you can choose the “virtual model” option, which lets you see how an outfit would look on you – just enter your height, weight and measurements and they do the rest. And you don’t even have to undress, which is good, because the last thing you want to do when it’s this cold is corral yourself in a chilly dressing room.

The designer duds at BlueFly.com are appealing, and offered at a substantial discount. While the site is full of girly goods such as cashmere scarves and stiletto heels, the men’s section is pretty good, too. The look is decidedly urban – clean lines, lots of black. I love it.

Ditto for Sephora.com. If you’ve ever been to a Sephora store, you know it’s like a candy store for grownup girls – all the best cosmetics and beauty products under one roof. The Web site is equally fun, whether you’re looking for your basic Clinique eyeliner or something a little more frivolous, such as the Sexy Calling Card by Too Faced, a slim set of four lip glosses that spell out “SEXY.” Not exactly subtle, but not bad for Valentine’s Day.

One of my favorite online shops is a little closer to home. Angela Adams, the Portland-based textile designer, has a wonderful site at www.angelaadams.com. There, you can view her superchic rugs, or buy her fun, fabulous glassware, stationery or pillows (I own the red Freda pillow, and I love it). The notebooks are great, too.

I think I’m better off sticking to my tried-and-true Web destinations. After my Amazon experience, I’ve learned my lesson. When my books get here, it’s all over. I won’t go back. I don’t want a gold box. I don’t want e-mails. I don’t care about partner sites, like-minded buyers or a personal greeting when I log on. I just wanted to save $14. I never thought I’d say this, but I’d rather pay full price.

Reader question

Dear ShopGirl,

I enjoy your articles very much and look forward to reading them. I am hoping you can help me. I am looking for a store that sells hatpins. I had bought a beret and need a hatpin to help keep it on.

I read in a magazine, Victoria, that they are still being made, but I haven’t been able to find them. I’d really like to find an antique one.

Thank you,

Evelyn Crockett, Hermon

Dear Evelyn,

Thank you for writing. I’ve spoken with employees at several local antiques shops and used clothing shops, and the reason you’re having such a hard time finding vintage hatpins is that they’re in demand. Shops rarely get them in, and when they do, they sell almost immediately.

However, Vintage Finery in Orrington sells them. The proprietor, Linda Mitchell-Storer, has a variety of antique hats, as well as a selection of hatpins. However, Mitchell-Storer will be away for vacation through next week. The shop will reopen Feb. 3.

I hope this helps you wear your beret without worry. Happy shopping!

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