Some women can never have enough shoes. Others are wild about status bags or expensive denim.

It’s not that I don’t care about these things (hence my current craving for a pair of $290 Seven boy-cut jeans). But ever since ShopGuy and I bought a house, I’ve become a little obsessed with lighting.

Yup. Lighting. Yawn.

But before you put this column down in favor of the oh-so-predictable and equally slumber-inspiring Mark Trail, let me explain. Walking into a lighting store these days is like visiting a jeweler. Sparkling pendants, Venetian glass shades, Tiffany-inspired table lamps – can you say accessories? Sure, these little gems won’t flatter your neckline or sparkle on your fingers, but they’ll give your home an inspired look.

Whether you need task lighting, mood lighting or accent lighting, you can find fabulous options at any price point. When we started to remodel our kitchen two years ago (no, we haven’t finished), ShopGuy and I were going for a somewhat industrial look. We found it – for next to nothing – at The Home Depot. We bought three enameled warehouse lamps for under $25 apiece.

Then we discovered the amazing lighting selection at Chez Renee, in which I’m akin to a kid in a candy store. Our budget immediately flew out the window. Suddenly, I was trying to convince myself that it was OK to spend $125 on one small pendant lamp. Fortunately, we chose a pair of brushed metal pendants that set us back $130, total. Not a bargain, exactly, but sometimes you need to pay a little extra for the sake of design.

It’s a common misconception that the big-box stores have better prices than their smaller, locally owned counterparts. Let me set the record straight – if you’re looking for something standard, you can find it inexpensively most anywhere. It’s the custom orders, the unique styles and the frills that will cost you extra.

Recently, I set out in search of an exterior lamp for my barn. I wanted something with a rustic yet industrial look, in galvanized steel, preferably well under $100. I started out at the Depot, where I had previously purchased a $30 historic reproduction lamp for our front entryway. Unfortunately, that was the only exterior lamp there that held any appeal to me. (The interior lighting there is another story, however – the store has great art-glass pendants and cool floor lamps).

My next stop was the Home Design Center in Brewer (www.homedesigncenter.net), which a friend recommended for its selection of unusual, higher-end, one-of-a-kind options. Owner David Fenderson said barn lighting was in high demand right now (who knew?). He directed me to the ANP Lighting Web site (www.anplighting.com), where I could design the exact model I wanted – and they had what I wanted. But because it was a commercial-grade light, it cost more than $200. The prices here are competitive, however – I did see a nautical-style lamp I liked for $60, but it wasn’t exactly right for the space. I’ll be back for funky chandeliers and cool alabaster pendants when I’m ready for more interior lighting.

After that, I hit Chez Renee in Bangor (www.chezrenee.biz), which is having its huge tent sale this weekend. As if the bargains weren’t enough, the store is giving away a $1,200 home lighting package (you can register to win at the store in Penobscot Plaza). I found exactly what I wanted, in galvanized steel, for $86. I saw another light I liked equally well for about $125. Both were made by Hi-Lite/RLM. Because I have the shopping equivalent of ADD, I was distracted by the chic, whimsical cable lighting by Tech Lighting.

But I still had one more destination: 17-90 Lighting in Rockland (www.17-90lighting.com). I had heard good things about this vast lighting showroom (they carry more than 200 lines), and it did not disappoint. I found outdoor lamps I loved in a range of prices, from under $25 to over $300, and as I walked toward the door, a simple, galvanized, barn-style light caught my eye. It was $69. When I asked about it, the saleswoman mentioned that the floor model was the only one in stock, so I could have it for $55.

I handed her my credit card without hesitation – here was a deal that would light up my life without lightening my wallet.

Brilliant.

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, ME 04402-1329, or by fax to: 941-9476. Tune in to ShopGirl at 5 p.m. Fridays on WLBZ-2.