I’m leaving on a jet plane – do know when I’ll be back again.

Unfortunately, I’m only going to Florida for a week, but that’s no excuse not to shop – and there are plenty of travel goodies out there.

I have to admit, luggage isn’t my thing. Louis Vuitton or L.L. Bean – who cares? My bags take so much abuse – and that’s before I check them – that it makes no sense to me whatsoever to buy designer suitcases. That said, quality is a concern.

In Bangor alone, there are bargains galore on luggage, but you get what you pay for. You can pick up a generic three-piece set at Filene’s for as little as $40, which is fine for the infrequent flier, but if you’re in the air less than you’re in your chair, you’re going to want to save up for something substantial – and yes, spending more than $200 on a suitcase is perfectly acceptable.

Fortunately, you don’t have to. The major department stores in town all carry a fine selection of luggage, and if you watch the sales, you can get great buys. But you can also troll the aisles of T.J. Maxx and Filene’s, where you can sometimes score a full set for less than the cost of one case elsewhere. If it happens to be orange or lime green, so much the better – no one will steal it and you’ll have no trouble finding it at baggage claim.

I stumbled over a stunning baggage bargain at Goodwill, which recently received a shipment of Heys luggage, which is a Canadian-based high-end manufacturer. The bags range from $10 for a small carry-on to $50 for a case large enough to hold a stowaway. I’ve seen them at the Bangor and Brewer locations, but they’re flying out of the stores (pardon the pun).

Of course, something that big is just an invitation to overpack, which is something I tend to do anyway, so I’ll stick with something smaller. I still need to buy a few things to put in it, though, starting with miniature toiletries. The best selection I’ve found is at Target, which has travel sizes of pretty much every product you can imagine, most for $1 or less.

For the things they don’t have (my favorite shampoo, my hard-to-find moisturizer) I picked up the best little Aveda travel kit at Virtues Salon in Bangor. Full of small, empty bottles, vials and tubs, it’s perfect for all my needs, I’ll use it forever and it only cost $12.50.

I’ll stuff them all in my favorite-ever toiletry bag, which one of my best friends gave me as a bridesmaid’s present. The generously sized, monogrammed terrycloth bag, lined with plastic, came from Pottery Barn and costs $19 before embroidery charges (www.potterybarn.com – it’s in the gift section under personalized gifts).

When I’m away from home, I like to pack a few little luxuries to make me feel cozy, and the heavenly scented travel candles ($5) and sachets ($8) from Metropolitan Soul in Bangor fit the bill. They’re tiny enough to stuff into the toe of your shoe while packing, and the fragrances – blue bamboo, fig, green tea – are posh but not cloying.

Candles and sachets, of course, are wants – not needs. What I really need for my trip is a large but stylish carry-on that will keep my laptop safe. I’m crazy about the black totes in the men’s section of T.J. Maxx ‘n More, but they’re not designed with computers in mind. Fortunately, I found plenty of options at Burlington Coat Factory that are. I was torn between a Coach-esque Nine West tote with contrast stitching and a travel bag with removable pouches from American Tourister. In the end, I chose the former, which cost $19.98, but I may go back and get the latter to store in my suitcase.

I’m pretty sure I’ll need it – who ever returns from a trip empty-handed?

ShopNotes

. If you’re looking for me, check Old Navy – now that it’s FINALLY open, I may just set up a mattress in the clearance section. Can you say 19,000 square feet of bargain bliss? Of course, I could be at Famous Footwear (word to the wise: a friend told me they carry a fabulous selection of size 11 shoes for women – and they’re stylish, too). Shop on, friends.

. Shoe lovers can tune in to QVC on Wednesday, Oct. 26, for the FFANY Shoes on Sale Event, in which designer shoes will be on sale for half the suggested retail price. Profits will benefit breast cancer research.

. Here comes the bride, all dressed in white. She saved her pennies, by shopping at Renys. During a recent visit to Renys in Belfast, I noticed the neighboring bridal boutique, which offers dresses for all members of the wedding party (except the guys) at 75 percent off retail. With those savings, you can fly first class on your honeymoon.

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.