Sounds like love How you can find the keys to win hearts this Valentine’s Day

This time of year, I start feeling a little like Tom Jones. No, I don’t wear my shirt unbuttoned to my navel. And it has been awhile since I’ve had a perm. But every once in a while, I want to belt out, “Love is in the air, everywhere I look around. Love is in the air, all the goodies that I’ve found.”

Valentine’s Day has that effect on me. See, I loooooove to shop. And all the objects of affection I’ve seen in the local stores make me want to swoon – and croon.

Consider this column your holiday jukebox.

Let’s turn, for a moment, to the long-forgotten Deee-Lite. With the red-shag pillow from Molly’s in Winterport, groove truly is in the heart. Perfect for your funky valentine.

Our next musical interlude comes from The Doors: Come on baby, light my fire – with matches “made for lovers” ($3.75 at The Meadow of Blue Hill). Also at The Meadow is a nod to Nirvana’s “Heart-Shaped Box,” only this one is glittery, trimmed with rickrack and perfect for stowing an engagement ring ($5).

At The Grasshopper Shop in Bangor, a window display beckons passers-by with “hey, hey, we’re the monkeys” – people say they monkey around. But these plush little stuffed animals, which connect together with Velcro, are too busy swingin’ to put anybody down ($5 per love monkey – and I suggest a string of ’em).

If you don’t want to do the hearts and flowers thing, just go all Beatles on your Valentine (Hey, you’ve got to hide your love away). Metropolitan Soul in Bangor makes it easy: All products made by local artists and artisans are 20 percent off for the entire month of February.

Any discussion of love songs wouldn’t be complete without a nod to The King, and Elvis came to mind during a recent visit to Judy’s Scrappin’ and Stampin’ in Orono. There, you can find a “Good Luck Charm” – bracelet, that is. Judy has all sorts of heart-emblazoned jewelry, and I like the Tiffanyesque bracelets the best ($15.99) Of course, you can also get a “Wooden Heart” – actually, a pair of them – for $4.99. That way, you won’t have to break your heart in two.

There will be no heartbreak for ShopGuy this year. Sure, our wedding song was “Let’s Stay Together,” but for Valentine’s Day I’m singing a different tune: “How Sweet It Is To Be Loved by You.” See, I’m heading to Rooster Brother in Ellsworth to get him everything he needs to start making chocolate. To fuel his imagination, I’m also ordering a box of Black Dinah Chocolates (www.blackdinahchocolatiers.com). Made on Isle Au Haut, these are simply the best sweets I’ve ever tasted.

At Ingrid’s German Shop in Bangor, you’ll find a Blondie classic – a heart of glass. Venetian glass, to be exact, on a silken cord ($32.50-$62.50). As a lifelong Stevie Nicks fan, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention “Crystal,” in the form of a glittery necklace ($51.50) and bracelet ($31.50). You can stash all this jewelry (or chocolates) in one of Ingrid’s enameled heart boxes ($16.75) or a porcelain gift box ($18.95).

At Target, I skipped the T-shirts because I didn’t feel like wearing my heart on my sleeve (or my chest, as the case may be), but I found plenty of gifts for my furry Valentines. Catnip bonbons for ShopCat and, of course, sassy heart-bedecked collars – and treats – for the ShopDogs.

Even Tom Jones would approve: Love is in the air, everywhere I look around. Love is everywhere, every time I see my hounds.

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. For exclusive online shopping tips, click on the ShopBlog icon on the bottom of the BDN homepage: bangordailynews.com.