Beachy keen ShopGirl finds some summer lovin’ in adorable sun hats, sparkly tunics and the biggest sunglasses she can get her hands on

You’d never tell I’m a New Englander by birth. Perhaps I was a Floridian in another life – I have an unnatural obsession with all things Lilly Pulitzer, giant sunglasses, the combination of pink and green and most frozen cocktails. And I drive like an old lady on speed, but that’s a story for another day.

While everyone else I know is cursing the heat, the humidity and the air quality, I’m in my element. I revel in steamy days and 70-degree nights. Once the thermometer tops 85, I may as well be on vacation. Work? Why would anyone do that when the beach beckons?

My idea of a perfect summer day in Maine goes something like this: Get up. Drink iced coffee. Throw on bathing suit, shorts and tank top. Go to camp, beach or, as a last resort, the town pool. Slather myself with SPF 45. Put on hat. Sunbathe for 15 minutes. Swim. Dry off. Read chick lit. Swim again. Dry off. Repeat. For the first time in a long time, it’s hot enough to do all this, and I’m loving it.

When the weather heats up, so do the shopping opportunities. And, according to Laura McDowell of T.J. Maxx, all the things I adore are in fashion this summer – sunglasses so big they make Jackie O’s look subtle; tunics (trust me on this one); and my footwear of choice: flip-flops. I start wearing them as soon as the snow melts and I don’t take them off until well into October. If I could wear them to business meetings, I would. Oh, wait, I do.

Fortunately, “evening” flip-flops, a more formal rendition of the classic rubber model, are all the rage this year. Bedazzled with rhinestones, wooden beads, sequins, turquoise and coral, they’re just the thing. I’ve found some of the best deals at T.J. Maxx ‘n More. I’m also wild about the more casual Havaianas, a Brazilian import that has a fashionista following in the States. At $14, they’re a bit easier to swallow than some of my other label-ho obsessions (a $290 pair of 7 for all Mankind jeans, perhaps). For retailers, visit www.hava

ianas.com.

As far as sunglasses go, the apple didn’t fall too far from the tree. Growing up, my sister and I relentlessly teased our mother about her gigantic shades. Like me, she lost them once a week, so she’d go to Ames and replace them constantly. I swear, they got bigger every time. Looking back, I now realize how much of a hipster ShopMom was (and is). Today, I own at least five pairs of enormous plastic-rimmed sunglasses – three black Jackie O.-style, a more subtle pair of silver rims and my most recent purchase, a big white pair from Molly’s in Winterport ($10). I’m gaga over the XOXO faux tortoiseshell glasses at T.J.’s too – Mom would be so proud.

The tunics are another matter altogether. When I first saw those Old Navy ads, I thought to myself, “First the poncho, now the tunic. What’s next? Leisure suits?” But I’ve grown to love the tunic. I’m partial to the milder version that Gap offers, but I find myself strangely drawn to the powder-pink beaded and embroidered tops I saw at T.J.’s. Must be the $14.99 price tag. And besides, if you’re just throwing it over your bikini on the walk back to the car, why not go a little wild?

Of course, no one would be so wild as to go out into the sun unprotected. My days of baby oil and Sun-In are long gone. These days, I always wear sunscreen – the summer’s best accessory – and a baseball cap. I’ve never really cared for straw hats – even if J.Lo is wearing them – but when I saw the braided paper cap at Molly’s ($26), I reconsidered. It looks like straw and it has a cute black and white ribbon on it, but it doesn’t have a floppy brim. It’s understated. Adorable. And so wrinkle-free an elephant could sit on it and it wouldn’t crush.

Speaking of crush, I have one on the beach rolls at T.J.’s. They’re padded, with a pillow, so you can sunbathe in comfort – even if you’re on the front lawn. It has its own handle because it’s too big to fit in most beach bags. And one can never have too many beach bags – I adore the vibrant bags at New Cargoes in Blue Hill – they’re made of woven packing baling so there’s plenty of room for sand to fall through. I also like the handmade bags at Molly’s, created by Susan Sherman of Appleton. So cute. So affordable.

The best part? Sherman makes matching sun hats, too. I may have been a Floridian in another life, but I have the complexion of an Irish Bostonian. Sure, I’ll soak up the sun – while it lasts – but I’ll leave the wrinkles, the age spots and the blistering sunburns to someone else. I don’t want people mistaking ShopGirl for ShopGranny at the ripe old age of 30, after all.

ShopGirl would love to hear from you! Send questions, comments or suggestions by e-mail to kandresen

@bangordailynews.net, by U.S. mail to Kristen Andresen, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402-1329, or by fax to 941-9476. Tune in to ShopGirl at 5 p.m. Fridays on WLBZ-2.