Idyll Chatter Now that summer’s in full swing, you can relax in style with these hot deals

Now that the rain has stopped for five minutes, it’s time to enjoy the great outdoors. And by great, I don’t mean buggy or muggy.

The arrival of the sun happens to coincide with the arrival of massive clearance sales on all sorts of outdoor goodies. Take, for instance, the summertime staple of plastic plates and cups.

Nobody wants to bring glass outdoors – especially when there’s a pool, beach or lake in your back yard. But nobody wants to spend an arm and a leg on plasticware, either – which makes Target’s striped melamine plates quite alluring at $1.38 apiece.

If you’re looking for a selection that’s big on style and small on price, check out T.J. Maxx ‘n More – always a favorite for housewares. I grabbed a set of four brightly colored plastic glasses for $1.99 apiece, each in a different shade so people won’t get their iced teas and lemonades confused. I also was tempted by a refrigerated cooler on wheels for $40 – high-tech at a low price.

Even cooler than a cooler is the ice cream ball at L.L. Bean. Fill the outer layer with salt and ice, place cream and flavorings in the middle and toss it around. You’ll have ice cream in no time – and without all that pesky cranking. It costs $29.50 for a small ball and $39.50 for a quart-size ball at www.llbean.com. If you’d rather toss a bocce ball than an ice cream ball, head to Kohl’s this week, where lawn games are all 60 percent off – a wicket good deal.

Sometimes, you just want to trade in your croquet mallet for a little rest and relaxation. The brightly striped, super-comfortable hammocks from Byer of Maine are about as relaxing as it gets. The pictured Amazonas Rumba hammock ranges in price from $89 to $99, and you can purchase a stand or tripods if you don’t have a pair of trees nearby. For a list of shops that carry Byer products, visit www.byerofmaine.com. While you’re online, check out the comfy, portable chairs Byer offers.

When it comes to outdoor furniture, now is the time to shop. Kohl’s has wrought-iron bistro chairs for $20.99, and at Kmart, all Martha Stewart outdoor products are on sale. Which means you can set up a tiki bar poolside for under $100. Aloha. Need a few extra seats around the campfire? Check out the plastic Adirondacks at Linens ‘n Things, which are far less heinous than most plastic chairs. Want something a little more substantial? Brookstone.com offers the real deal – wooden Adirondacks – starting at $99.

Want to take a romantic getaway? Picnic baskets and blankets abound this summer. I’m partial to the traditional woven two-person basket at Target.com, complete with wineglasses, dishes and flatware for $39.99. The waterproof, padded picnic blankets at Bed Bath & Beyond are a steal for $19.99, and they fold up to practically nothing. And the built-in handle makes them, well, easy to handle.

Speaking of blankets, everyone needs a beach blanket. But instead of splurging on a beach towel, save on a clearance bath sheet. They’re equally huge, equally absorbent and equally fun, but the bath sheet should have a much lower price tag.

That way, you can save your pennies for a state park pass, a kayak, even a camp of your own – and still have money left over to fill it with summer goodies.

ShopNotes

. A pair of unique new shopping destinations has opened in Blue Hill. Owner and designer Ginger Manna has stocked Bella Colore with unusual beads and jewelry-making supplies, as well as handmade handbags in the funkiest of colors. Gorgeous jewelry and cool accessories for home and body abound. Bella Colore is located at 27 Water St., and summer hours are 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. For information call 374-5343.

Next door, Deborah and Michael Bernal have opened Andean Downeast, which features heirloom-quality alpaca sweaters, turquoise jewelry, intricately beaded Mexican folk art gourds, and a selection of Taos Pueblo drums from New Mexico. Plans are in the works to turn a side room into a gallery. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. For information, call 374-2313.

. The Romantic Room in Northeast Harbor will hold a trunk show of KEP Designs on Tuesday, July 11 and Wednesday July 12. KEP Designs creates candy-colored jewels out of semiprecious stones. The feel is at once fresh and classic. For more information, visit www.kepdesigns.com. Store hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

. Whether your preference is modern jewelry or whimsical tea pots, you’ll find a bevy of handmade items for sale at this weekend’s Arts in the Park event at Heritage Park on the Belfast waterfront. The show, which features the work of 75 artisans, will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. For information, visit www.fobp.org.

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.

Ice cream ball, $39.50 at L.L. Bean

Hammock, $89-$99, see www.ByerofMaine.com for locations.