I write about shopping. I love shopping. Heck, I even shop in my sleep (and when I’m dreaming, the Coach bags all cost $25).

In other words, shopping is my area of expertise. So when I planned to make Rockland my destination for this month’s bargain-hunting excursion, I should’ve known better than to go on a Sunday.

I’m only human. Mistakes happen. But it’s hard to shop when half the stores are closed.

What was a ShopGirl to do?

Well, if half the stores were closed, that meant that the other half were open, so I got straight to work.

First stop: Mace’s, where a rack full of $5 scarves lured me in. Much to my delight, nearly everything in the store was 50 to 75 percent off. I tried on an embroidered tank ($11) and a jacket ($15) by Karavans, but eventually settled on a polka-dotted scarf that made me feel like one of the Pink Ladies. For $5, I really couldn’t go wrong. (Oh, and for all you bag ladies, check out Mace’s handbags in the shape of bustiers and stilettos – different, but cute.)

Next, I ducked into SeaStreet, where owner Susan Schiro designs and prints all of the shop’s T-shirts. I liked the jewelry selection here – especially the Scrabble tile charms and Coke bottle sea-glass cuff bracelets. And the “complimentary cereal bowls” were cute, too – the ceramic serving vessels are painted with phrases like “You’re fabulous!”

I was starving, and I really wanted lunch, but alas, it was Sunday, so my options were brunch or nothing. I chose nothing. If it were a regular day, I would’ve grabbed a reuben or snacked on artichoke dip at Market on Main. Perhaps I would’ve bought a sinful croissant at Atlantic Baking Co. (and taken home a pound of European butter, which qualifies as cardinal sinful).

The upside to no lunch is that I actually fit into everything I tried on at my next stop, Caravans. If you’re looking for something exotic and luxurious, this is the place to find it. Think silk sweaters, bracelets made out of backgammon tiles, and handbags crafted from vintage kimonos. I flirted with the idea of buying a shirt off the clearance rack for $25, but the flowing, handkerchief-hem sleeves were a little too Stevie Nicks for me. And with my luck, they’d droop in my soup.

Speaking of soup, my next stop was the fabulous cooking-supply (and other stuff) shop, The Store. I considered buying a vibrant, woven plastic laundry hamper for $32, but I already have three laundry hampers. Still, it was really cool. Everything in this place is cool – great greeting cards, colorful cutting boards, serving pieces and small appliances, and high-quality toys for children, including a retro Colorforms kit – remember those?

If you really want to play, check out Planet Toys, a giant, new, whimsical toy store that carries everything from ballerina skirts to modified lawn darts. I wanted a grown-up skirt, however, so I meandered up to the Grasshopper Shop, which was having a sidewalk sale. I didn’t see any skirts that caught my eye, but I did like the small floral change purses from Fossil ($14) and the dotted grosgrain ribbon belts ($22). After walking around for an hour in new sandals, my feet were also crying out for the soft lavender spa booties, but $32 overshot my budget.

That didn’t stop me from trotting across Main Street to Que Pasa on Main, which is full of interesting imports, candles, charms, and, my favorite, handbags in the shape of watering cans. Cute as can be.

Next, I browsed in Archipelago, which is part of the Island Institute. The shop sells Maine-made handcrafts such as elegant sea-glass jewelry, hand-knitted hats and painted floor canvases. This is a high-quality shop with a well-edited selection of items that appeal to locals and tourists alike.

I also visited the Farnsworth Museum Store and did a quick survey of the jewelry, books and prints, before leaving for the Black Parrot boutique. I love the cute-girl dresses, the gorgeous shoes and the modern housewares. But until I get a raise (subtle hint), I’ll have to be content with browsing.

I had a Cinderella moment with a pair of brown leather sandals on the clearance rack, but since Prince Charming wasn’t springing for them, I needed to resist. Instead, I picked up a much-needed (and thoroughly chic) business-card holder for $14 and a purse-size notebook for $3.50.

At this point, it was 4 p.m., and much of what’s open on Sundays in Rockland closes at 4. I quickly popped into Second Read, a fantastic used bookstore, grabbed a cup of coffee, and headed out of town. I had enough to write a column, but I didn’t get to stop at some of the other neat shops in town, such as Trillium Soaps and Critter Outfitter. That’s OK, though. I’ll be back. But next time, it’ll be on a Saturday.

Destination: Rockland

Everything you need to know to shop in downtown Rockland

Archipelago: 386 594-9209

Atlantic Baking Co.: 351 Main St., 596-0505

Black Parrot: 328 Main St., 594-9161

Caravans: 429 Main St., 594-0293

Farnsworth Museum Store: 352 Main St., 596-6457

Grasshopper Shop: 408 Main St. 596-6156

Mace’s: 367 Main St., 596-0226

Market on Main: 315 Main St., 594-0015

Planet Toys: 318 Main St., 596-5976

Que Pasa on Main: 405 Main St., 594-6112

SeaStreet: 395 Main St., 594-7095

Second Read: 328 Main St., 594-4123

The Store: 435 Main St., 594-9246

Trillium Soaps: 436 Main St., 594-8333