Back when I was a young lass, I covered my books with inside-out Shaw’s bags and stored my files in a Trapper Keeper. And though I didn’t have to walk 10 miles through a blizzard to get to school, I didn’t have the luxury of an iPod, cell phone or light-up locker mirror in which to tease my gravity-defying hair, either.

My, how things have changed.

The new generation of school supplies caters to a child’s every whim. Whether students need a new calculator or a stretchy fabric book cover, they’re sure to find it in a color, style and price range they like.

Staples just rolled out a vibrantly colorful line of products for teens and tweens, including the very cool LockerMate Locker Trio bag, which boasts a mirror, dry erase board and storage bin, all for $7.99. My favorite thing at Staples, however, is the 12-pack of Gel Stick Mini pens, which are tiny enough to stow in a pocket or purse and inexpensive enough to not fret if you lose one or two ($2.99 for 12).

At Target, always a usual suspect for fabulous design at a low price, the options are endless. Need a light-up locker mirror and matching magnetic storage tote? Done, for under 5 bucks. Add a matching sparkly pencil case and a polka-dotted binder, and you’re good to go.

Old Navy and Gap also have joined the fray – making notebooks and datebooks seem a little more stylish. At Gap Kids, boys and girls can find backpacks with coordinating organizers and pencil cases. Old Navy caters to an older, more sophisticated student with patterned folders and understated steno books – in unisex colors.

Borders isn’t exactly a school-supply Mecca, but the bookstore does carry one of the coolest items I’ve seen this season: an old-school tin lunchbox emblazoned with little monkey faces. Cheeky, and cheap at $7.99.

Even Pottery Barn Kids and PB teen have gotten into the school supply game. PB Kids offers monogrammed satchels with matching pencil cases and water bottles, while PB teen has everything for the stylish student, including locker totes, mirrors and shelves ($12-$25).

On the beauty front, manufacturers such as Biore and Ban are targeting the high school girl market with locker-size packs of facial cleansing wipes and deodorant that specifically targets stress-induced perspiration.

It’s a good thing they didn’t have all this stuff when I was in high school. I would’ve had so many binders I wouldn’t have been able to find my homework. Plus, my hair would’ve been even bigger, if that’s possible.

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.

ShopNotes

There’s still time to enter the Un-Bridaled Enthusiasm contest! Send a photo of the worst bridesmaid dress you’ve worn, or the most creative re-use of a bridesmaid dress by Tuesday to the address on the entry form. You’ll have the chance to win one of two $25 gift cards.

You can really clean up this week at Bed Bath & Beyond. For a limited time, all liquid hand soaps are five for $15.

Win me!

One lucky reader will win this lunchbox filled with back-to-school luxuries and necessities, including products from Biore, Ban and Frizz Ease, a pair of Stila lip glosses, a calculator, locker mirror and CD jewel cases, a value of more than $60. Winner will be chosen at random and announced in the Saturday, Aug. 26, ShopGirl column.

Simply fill out this form, cut it out and mail it to: ShopGirl giveaway, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor, ME 04402-1329. Or, send the following information to me via e-mail at kandresen@bangordailynews.net. Please put “ShopGirl Giveaway” in the subject line.

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