At a good clip Whenit comes to questions, ShopGirl’s an answering machine

You’ve got questions; I’ve got answers. But please, don’t call me Radio Shack.

Since I started this column, I have received hundreds – possibly thousands – of letters and e-mails from you, my dear readers. Usually, you want to know where you can buy a certain product. Or where you can find a replacement for your beloved but worn gloves, winter hat or girdle (yes, girdle). Or – this has to be the No. 1 question of all time – who does my hair.

So I’ve decided to compile all the answers in this easy-to-use column. Please, clip it out. Just don’t stop sending me questions, because, as I said, I’ve got answers.

Q.: Who does your hair?

A: Emily Fisher of Inovations in Brewer is the woman responsible for the most natural-looking highlights I’ve ever seen. Her business partner, Tara, does Donna Gormley’s hair. Their number is 989-1934. My friends and colleagues have had great success with The L Factor in Brewer and Mon Ami in Bangor, as well.

Q: Where can I buy Bare Escentuals-Bare Minerals products in the Bangor area?

A: Skin Necessities, located at 16 Penn Plaza, Suite 24B in Bangor (off Stillwater Avenue). The number is 990-4772. For more info, visit www.skinnecessities.com.

Q: Awhile back, you wrote about your tailor, but I lost the column. Could you tell me who she is?

A: Linda Cummings of Linda’s Alterations is a wizard. She has moved to the Acme Road in Brewer and is open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. For information, call 945-9778. Oh, and don’t expect her to turn around a bridesmaid’s dress in 48 hours – she usually requires three weeks’ lead time, but the results are worth the wait.

Q: Where did you find those great reusable grocery bags I read about a few months ago?

A: They’re made by a small company called Baggu, and you can buy them at Metropolitan Soul in Bangor. Call 992-4147 or visit www.metsoul.com for information, or to order.

Q: What’s your favorite place to shop?

A: There are too many to list in this small space, but here are a few. Old favorites: The Grasshopper Shop and Rebecca’s in Bangor. For gifts: Monica’s Scandinavian Shop in Caribou, Molly’s in Winterport, Yo Mamma’s Home in Belfast, Judy’s Scrappin’ and Stampin’ in Orono and Ingrid’s German Shop in Bangor. For clothes: Macey’s in Bar Harbor, Josephine in Camden, Black Parrot in Rockland, Bliss in Portland and Bella Luna in Bangor; For home goods: G.F. MacGregor in Rockland, Window Panes in Bar Harbor and Richard Parks and J.B. Atlantic in Ellsworth. For accessories: Angela Adams in Portland, Maureen Elizabeth Handbags in Bangor and Shoegazer in Ellsworth.

Q: I want your job. How did you work it so you get paid to shop?

A: I don’t get paid to shop. I get paid to write.

Q: What beauty product couldn’t you live without?

A: How about three: Burt’s Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Creme, which also doubles as a pomade to keep my flyaway hairs (which my bff and I refer to as “chickens”) at bay; Cover Girl neutralizing concealer; and Seche Vite topcoat.

Q: A long time ago, you wrote a column listing great thrift stores and consignment shops in Maine. Could you send it to me?

A: It’s now online at www.bangordailynews.com/shopgirl.

Q: I don’t like a low rise, but I don’t want to wear “mom jeans,” either. Where can I find stylish, more mature jeans?

A: Jean Jungle in Scarborough, owned by Van Buren native Carol Cronin, carries chic denim by Not Your Daughter’s Jeans, as well as her own signature line. Call 883-2525 or visit www.thejeanjungle.com for information. Christopher Blue is a flattering line available locally at Best Bib & Tucker and The Grasshopper Shop. Cambio is another great brand with a higher rise and a more forgiving, yet stylish, cut. It’s available at Terra Cotta in Ellsworth and The Kimball Shop in Northeast Harbor. Finally, the wildly popular Tummy Tuck Jeans are available at The Right Stuff and Earthbound in Camden, The Grasshopper Shop in Ellsworth and Leonards in Rockport.

Q: I’m not a teenybopper, but I’m not an old lady, either. Where can I find stylish, not matronly, clothes that don’t cost a bundle?

A: The Pretty Woman in Orono; Coyote Moon in Belfast; Kohl’s, Macy’s, T.J. Maxx ‘n More and Marshalls in Bangor; Banana Republic Outlet, Burberry Outlet and Anne Klein Outlet in Freeport; Ann Taylor Loft in South Portland,

Q: Help! I’m plus-size, but want to look fab, not drab. Any suggestions?

A: Sure! Try these: Avenue, www.avenue.com; Bodacious, a Canadian store with great frocks, www.bodacious.ca; C&J Banks, www.cjbanks.com; Catherines Plus Sizes, www.catherines.com; Chico’s, www.chicos.com; Coldwater Creek, www.coldwatercreek.com; Daphne, www.daphne1.com; Fashion Bug, www.fashionbug.com; Gap (up to size 20), www.gap.com; Junonia, www.junonia.com; Just My Size, www.justmysize.com; Kiyonna, www.kiyonna.com; Kohl’s, www.kohls.com; Lane Bryant, www.lanebryant.com; New York & Co. (up to size 18), www.nyandcompany.com; Old Navy (up to size 26), www.oldnavy.com; Peach Berserk, a Canadian company with funky designs that can be customized in all sizes, www.peachberserk.com; QVC, www.qvc.com; Silhouettes, www.silhouettes.com; Talbots Woman, www.talbots.com; Target, www.target.com; Torrid, www.torrid.com; Women of Substance, 281 Upper Main St., Damariscotta, 563-6809.

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.