Perhaps we weren’t exactly what Sly Stone had in mind, but when it comes to shopping, it’s a family affair. At least in my family. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var… Read More
Melissa Huston of Bangor was having a wardrobe malfunction. Not nearly as scandalous as Janet Jackson’s Super Bowl stunt, but troubling nonetheless. A fortysomething mother of two who works for a nonprofit, Huston was in dire need of basics. So she e-mailed ShopGirl via the… Read More
I’m a sweater girl. Get your mind out of the gutter – I’m not talking about Lana Turner here. I’m merely professing my love for cozy turtlenecks, cardigans and V-necks. I’ve never met a sweater I didn’t like. And this fall’s selection is enough to… Read More
Here comes the bride, all dressed in white. But what about the guests? googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i = 0; i < slot_sizes.length; i++) { if (isMobileDevice()) { if… Read More
I’ve always been a big advocate for shopping locally. For this month’s shopping excursion, I didn’t have to go too far (about a mile, actually) and I couldn’t have gotten much more local. I took a trip to Orono, the town I call home. I’ve… Read More
When I became a homeowner, my priorities took a sudden turn for the mundane. I used to want to paint the town red. Now I get excited about painting my living room red. Merlot Red, to be exact. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var… Read More
It’s back-to-school time, and kids across Maine are wheeling home backpacks full of books for their required reading lists. In honor of yellow buses, bag lunches and homework, I’ve assembled a reading list of my own – suggested rather than required – that touches on… Read More
Most people go to the National Folk Festival for the music, the food and the camaraderie. I’m not going to lie – I’m in it for the shopping. Don’t get me wrong. I love the spirit, the dancing and the gyros. But my first stop… Read More
Recently, a little voice inside my head insisted, “Go south, young woman.” So in true pioneer spirit, I enlisted my girlfriend Jess, hopped in my car, and bravely explored a new shopping frontier, Waterville, and an old favorite, Augusta. What I discovered was nothing short… Read More
Love, all alike, no season knows, nor clime, nor hours, days, months, which are the rags of time.” Ruffled collar aside, the infinitely quotable John Donne clearly knew a thing or two about fashion. Sure, you could argue that the man spoke not of clothing… Read More
Dorm, sweet dorm. For all of you recent high school grads, those words are filled with anticipation. They represent freedom from mom and dad, a place to study, and on the weekends (or not), a place to party. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var… Read More
Every once in a while, a girl needs to go on a resale binge. And when I say binge, I’m not exaggerating. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i = 0;… Read More
I couldn’t get any smarter. I decided to take this month’s shopping trip to Mount Desert Island. In the pouring rain. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i = 0; i… Read More
Tis the season to get married. Chances are, you’ve already received a half-dozen invitations to weddings, showers, rehearsal dinners, and Jack and Jill parties this summer. You’re scheduled every weekend through the end of September. And when it comes to gift ideas, you’re ready to… Read More
There are few words more delightful to the avid shopper than “clearance.” And this time of year, clearance sales abound as stores make way for their early fall collections. It’s a double blessing for Mainers – not only are we getting everything at drastically reduced… Read More
Count me among the brave few who would go shopping with a teenage girl by choice. A few weeks ago, I received an e-mail plea from Annette Russell of Bangor. Annette is a financial planner and her wardrobe is tasteful, professional and conservative. Her daughter,… Read More
I write about shopping. I love shopping. Heck, I even shop in my sleep (and when I’m dreaming, the Coach bags all cost $25). In other words, shopping is my area of expertise. So when I planned to make Rockland my destination for this month’s… Read More
This time of year, gardening is all I can think about. I’ve planted everything. I’ve weeded and watered and weeded some more. Now I’m waiting for my flowers and veggies to grow. What better way to pass the time than shopping? I’ve bought plants and… Read More
The limitations of Father’s Day gift-giving are many. For starters, how many ties does your dad need? Then there’s the whole what-if-he-doesn’t-like-it factor. But the worst is the week-before buy, in which Dad purchases the exact gift you had planned to give him a week before the big… Read More
I lied. I said I wouldn’t write a column on vacation, but taking a week off from work never stopped me from shopping, so here goes: This week, I wanted to talk about my five favorite trends to make the transition from spring into summer. Read More
When it comes to shopping, I have a wandering eye. Lately, I’ve been traveling far and wide to find the most interesting destinations for you, the credit card-carrying members of my shopping club. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes… Read More
A few weeks ago, my friend Steve left a cryptic message on my voice mail. He needed to know where to buy a suit, cheap – not to be confused with a cheap suit. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var… Read More
They don’t call it spring cleaning for nothing. When you purge your closets in winter, it’s a partial elimination of fashion mistakes and well-worn favorites. But this time of year, it’s like you’re spring-loaded. Your “out with the old, in with the bold” approach takes… Read More
My mama told me, “You’d better shop around.” Obviously, I took her words to heart. But for those of you who have waited till the last minute to buy a Mother’s Day gift, you don’t have time to shop around. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
On the road again. I just couldn’t wait to get on the road again. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i = 0; i < slot_sizes.length; i++) { if (isMobileDevice()) {… Read More
For a long time, I was loath to shop the Web. First, I was a bit paranoid about giving out my credit card info online. I also hate paying shipping, which is why I also hesitate to buy things from catalogs. And then there’s… Read More
I am not a slave to fashion. OK, that’s a stretch, but I don’t completely overhaul my wardrobe every season, nor do I buy into every trend. Sure, I have a lot of shoes and bags, but probably no more than most women my age. Read More
A few weeks back, I was trolling for deals in the aisles of T.J. Maxx ‘n More in Bangor. As I headed into the changing room with four pairs of black pants, a few wispy floral tops, and an Anne Klein II suit, I had a startling revelation:… Read More
Here comes Peter Cottontail. Shopping down the bunny trail. Hippity, hoppity, Easter’s on its way. I get the lamb and the egg part, but how the Resurrection of Jesus ever became associated with fuzzy bunnies, carrots and baskets full of Peeps and chocolate is beyond… Read More
We didn’t have The Home Depot when I was growing up. There was a Grossman’s in the town next to ours, which was similarly warehouselike and, to a young girl, pretty exciting. One day, my dad took me there and I wandered off to find… Read More
March is the cruelest month. Warm breezes tease you into thinking spring has finally arrived. Then evening arrives with a flurry of snow and temperatures that dip below freezing. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner… Read More
Organizing your home is like getting married, only a lot less expensive. You need something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue (or red, or white, whatever your preference). At least, that’s what I used when I decided to get my things in order… Read More
Dear Target, We’re only four days into our relationship, yet I feel like I’ve known you all my life. I don’t want things to move too quickly, but I think I’m falling in love. When I looked into your big, red bull’s-eye, I could see… Read More
My puppy has a foot fetish. Trying to get dressed in the morning is a hazardous proposition. I’ll be standing in the middle of the bedroom, one foot on the floor, the other halfway in a pant leg, when ShopPup emerges from under the bed. Read More
Just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, it did. A few weeks ago, I thought I had hit the clearance jackpot, but I was wrong. When I went shopping this week, everything was on sale, everywhere. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var… Read More
It took me a while to figure it out, but now I know, Jessica Simpson is to blame. No, this column isn’t about Chicken of the Sea or Buffalo wings. It’s about the recent proliferation of faux Louis Vuitton Murakami bags, as well as its… Read More
It’s an inevitable hazard of holiday shopping. You’re out browsing for gifts, and all you can find is stuff for yourself. Last year, I suggested a host of treats that you could buy for your sweetie for Valentine’s Day. This year, while out shopping, all… Read More
Whoever said Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year was lying. If you’re a shopper (and I know you are) the end of January is the most wonderful time of the year. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var… Read More
One of the first things I learned in yoga class was the concept of unattachment, which is, in really distilled terms, a letting-go of material wants. So why can’t I stop thinking about new yoga pants? googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
You know how the saying goes: “I shoulda bought it when I saw it at Marden’s.” I never thought I’d say it. Only because I usually do buy it when I see it. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes… Read More
Mary Nevin makes Santa look like an amateur. Nevin had the winning bid in the Presque Isle Rotary Club’s auction of a ShopGirl shopping spree -the Bangor Daily News donated my bargain-hunting services, and First Citizens Bank donated $250. But Nevin didn’t keep the spree,… Read More
Some of you rang in the new year by making resolutions. Others celebrated by drinking champagne. I started cleaning out my closet. Out with the old, in with the new, right? googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = [];… Read More
Tis two days after Christmas, and all through the stores, the aisles are filled with bargains galore. This may be enough to lure some out to the mall this weekend, but I won’t be there. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]];… Read More
I’m all for impractical gifts. Bring on the reindeer wineglass charms, the sugarplum-scented body lotion, the absolutely unnecessary but totally appreciated Burberry dog bed. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i… Read More
Dear Santa, My name is Kristen. You may remember me from last year. I left you cookies. I left carrots for Rudolph and Co. I even left a glass of milk, and I don’t even like milk. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
Blame it on Junior. My little sister is obsessed with Dunkin’ Donuts. She has coffee running through her veins. She dreams in pink and orange. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var… Read More
Budget is such an ugly word. Unlike “bargain,” which is a beautiful word, “budget” carries baggage. It means control. It means restraint. It means mortgage comes before more stuff. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner… Read More
One of my fondest memories from last year’s Bangor Oktoberfest had little to do with sausage, beer, or Whig & Courier owner Chris Geaghan dressed up as Gretel (though that was a close second). It had to do with the downtown shopping. Go figure. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
I think I’m in love. Her name is Stella. She’s about a foot and a half tall, all ears and long legs. She likes long walks, cuddling and the occasional swim. And – bonus! – she loves to shop. At Petco, that is. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
Beauty, some say, is in the eye of the beholder. Well, I have the same thing to say about beauty products. Trust me, I’ve beheld a lot of them. As I have mentioned before, I’m a product junkie, given to sporadic slathering on of lotions, curling of eyelashes,… Read More
ShopGirl is seriously distracted lately, having undertaken that major of style challenges, Getting Married. So I, ShopCrone, am filling in columnwise on a temporary basis. That particular sobriquet is appropriate, by the way, because ShopCrone is a woman of a particular age, not quite old… Read More
Editor’s Note: ShopGirl will be on vacation for the next 21/2 weeks. Her column will resume on Sept. 27. Technically, I have to work this weekend. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false;… Read More
While tens of thousands of people headed to The County last weekend to see Phish, I went north on Sunday to visit family. And, big shock, I ended up shopping. The sign advertising blankets and flashlights at Marden’s didn’t have me bouncing ’round the room,… Read More
As a bride-to-be, I can testify that shopping for a dress was not the hearts-aflutter experience that I expected. There was the shop in Boston that wouldn’t let my sister, ShopGirl Jr., try on a bridesmaid dress without an appointment, even though we had driven… Read More
You must remember this: A fridge is just a fridge. But a buy is still a buy. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i = 0; i < slot_sizes.length; i++) {… Read More
I’m getting married this summer. There. It’s out. When I got engaged, I made a silent promise not to bore my readers with all the details about the dress (ivory silk) and the shoes (flip-flops) and the reception (outdoors). Because I shop for a living,… Read More
Anyone who thinks shopping for Father’s Day means popping into J.C. Penney to buy a tie has not met ShopDad. Ed is not a man easily appeased by ties. Unless they come from Brooks Brothers. And he has to be the one who picks them… Read More
Capri or not capri? That is the question. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i = 0; i < slot_sizes.length; i++) { if (isMobileDevice()) { if (slot_sizes[i][0] googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
Woke up, it was a County morning, and the first thing that I saw … was the snow outside my window. If Joni Mitchell had been in Presque Isle last weekend, she would’ve gone back to bed. I, of course, went shopping instead. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
My mother always told me I had good jeans. Oh, wait, I think she meant genes. Either way, she was right. When it comes to jeans, there are two types of people: those who live in them and those who loathe them. I am the… Read More
You’d think it would be easy to get paper around here. But alas, during a recent attempt to make invitations, I discovered this is not the case. It was like walking into a grocery store in Presque Isle to find they’re out of potatoes. Read More
Some people have skeletons in their closet. I don’t have room. I have bags. Big, small, short, tall, you name it, I’ve got it. I have bags for the beach and bags for my ski gear. Overnight bags big enough to hold enough clothing for… Read More
Editor’s note: Due to illness, ShopGirl was on hiatus for a few weeks. She is now back to her regularly scheduled, twice-monthly columns. We apologize for any confusion this may have caused. A couple of months ago, I threw out my trusty old raincoat. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
There comes a time in every shopper’s life when she says, “Enough.” Enough of the cookie-cutter outfits, enough of the overpriced purses, enough black pants to last a lifetime. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner… Read More
I don’t make it easy on my Valentines. To me, a box of chocolates doesn’t say, “I love you.” It says, “I couldn’t think of anything original, honey, so I picked these up at Shaw’s at the last minute.” Of course, the fact that I… Read More
It’s still January, and I’m still indoors. As part of my ongoing quest not to leave the house this month, I’ve been discovering the joys – and perils – of online shopping. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes… Read More
Ah, January. The most beautiful time of the year in Maine. The snow. The ice. The cold. I can’t think of a better time to … googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for… Read More
The gifts change. The cousins get older. But there are three constants when it comes to the Andresen family Christmas: Dad inevitably feels that he did not get enough gifts. We all eat way too much roast beef, spinach dip and shrimp cocktail. And I go shopping on… Read More
There are three types of Christmas shoppers: those who start on Dec. 26 for the following year, those who start the day after Thanksgiving, and those who start (and finish) on Dec. 24. This column goes out to those last-minute shoppers. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
Attention shoppers: I have bad news. I’m on a budget. I’ve tried the whole budget thing in the past, and it usually lasts until I reach the Filene’s parking lot. But I mean it this time. I’ve been eating lunch at home. I haven’t… Read More
I’m a little fickle when it comes to footwear. This summer, I had a fling with a pair of caramel-colored Mary Jane slides. It was sweet while it lasted, but, as we all learned from “Grease,” things change when fall rolls around: “It got colder,… Read More
On the road again. Just can’t wait to get on the road again. The life I love is going shopping with my friends, and I can’t wait to get on the road again. Willie Nelson had it right. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var… Read More
My mom (who, incidentally, hates to shop) always told me not to buy something just because it’s on sale. I can’t say I’ve always lived by that mantra, but lately, it’s been ringing through my brain as I comb the racks of local discount stores. Read More
When I first heard about the National Folk Festival coming to Bangor, I had two thoughts: 1. There goes my vacation; and 2. Here comes an opportunity for shopping. After hearing about the Folk Arts Marketplace, I figured this would be the perfect place to pick up some… Read More
I remember it well. It was the beginning of August, a few weeks before my freshman year of college started. My bedroom at home, which had always been a bit cluttered, became nearly impossible to navigate as I stocked up on dorm necessities. Milk crates, sheets, towels and… Read More
Hello. My name is Kristen. And I’m a golfaholic. Everybody told me when I started that I’d become hooked. But this is bad. Really bad. Because as a beginning golfer, I have no equipment to speak of, and tank tops and workout shorts don’t exactly… Read More
My mom has the perfect beach bag. It’s a well-worn L.L. Bean Boat & Tote that she inherited from me after I deemed it too uncool for school. I wanted the small one. She bought the extra-large, which, if following logic, was the wise choice. Read More
I’m on a mission. Not from God, exactly, but a mission nonetheless. As Independence Day nears, I feel it is my civic duty to serve my country in the only way I know how. This is the time of year when even people who aren’t… Read More
I love Aroostook County – the rolling hills, the sweet, fresh air, the friendly people, and the great bargains. During a recent visit, I was lucky enough to have a morning free to spend at Marden’s in Presque Isle. I’m a seasoned Marden’s shopper, and… Read More
To: Filene’s From: ShopGirl googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i = 0; i < slot_sizes.length; i++) { if (isMobileDevice()) { if (slot_sizes[i][0] googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
Shopping for sunglasses is an annual event that inevitably ends in compromise. It’s not as bad as shopping for bathing suits, but I always end up with something not quite right. The frames are either too big, too small, too light, too dark or just too much. And… Read More
Some people break up long journeys with bathroom breaks, meals, or a quick fill-up at the gas station. I spend a lot of time on the road, and I’ve found that there’s no better way to stretch my legs than a shopping stop. During a… Read More
After reading about my Goodwill hunting two weeks ago, Emily Wesson of Orono gave me a call. “Have you heard about the Orono Thrift Shop?” she asked. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false;… Read More
Whew! Whoever said vacations were for relaxation never took a trip with ShopGirl. I recently returned from Toronto, considered by many to be the fashion design and shopping capital of Canada. It was fantastic and the shopping was definitely all it was cracked up to… Read More
Ah, March. The days are getting longer. The snow has melted (though it will probably come back). And while the weather doesn’t feel much warmer, the deals are really heating up. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = [];… Read More
For Christmas, my editor bought me a skein of Icelandic wool yarn, a pair of knitting needles and a copy of “The All-New Teach Yourself How to Knit” by Evie Rosen. Since then, some very strange things have happened: I no longer fidget while watching TV. I don’t… Read More
It snowed last Sunday night in Bangor, but a Monday jaunt to Belfast felt like spring, especially when I walked into Renys and saw the beautifully glazed plant pots on sale for $1.99 to $3.99 apiece. My mind turned to gardening, even if it meant moving my African… Read More
It started out as a simple question. “Do you want to go to Marden’s?” ShopGuy asked. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i = 0; i < slot_sizes.length; i++) { if… Read More
Retailers made you wait a little longer for the holiday sales this season. After watching an encouraging report of “slashed prices” and “inventory liquidation” nationwide on the NBC Nightly News, I expected to go to the mall Dec. 26 and walk away with bags and… Read More
The stockings are hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that at some point, some gifts will be there. Admit it: Stocking stuffers are the last thing you think about. But do you really want to be careening through Wal-Mart at 8:57 p.m. Christmas… Read More
When I initially had the idea for this column, I thought it would be cold outside by now. So please, work with me here. If it’s 50 degrees out, the last thing you want to wear is a woolly scarf. But that doesn’t mean you… Read More
Tis the season to be shopping. For all you brave bargain hunters who woke up at 5 yesterday morning to stand in line for the early bird deals, I salute you. I had to work, but even if I didn’t, I wouldn’t have gone. It’s… Read More
Anyone who has visited Marden’s this week knows why a fence suddenly appeared around the electronics section. It’s a computer blowout, and the sale doesn’t discriminate – there are deals for Mac addicts and PC lovers alike. Macintosh G4 servers share floor space with Hewlett… Read More
Shopping is a way of life in Maine. Sure, people may drop more money in New York City, but there, it’s competitive (as in, “My Coach bag is both cooler and more expensive than yours.”) Here, it’s more of a collaborative effort. Rather than boast… Read More