Garmin envy

I had a few moments of Garmin envy last weekend. First, walking Back Cove with a friend, we saw a gentleman abruptly hit the curb as he parked and shut off his Garmin. (This is not a rant about driving while Garmin-ing, but you know who you are. Stop.) We laughed, wondering if he'd just typed in "ocean" and ended up here...Oops. But seeing this guy in all his awkward destination-arrival glory, I really wanted one of my own - not for directional purposes, for shopping ones. I want to plug in "DVF wrap dress, on sale - go!" and have the Garmin-ette talk me there. This wouldn't simply be finding a Hallmark or other POI, I'm talking personal shopping-focused directionals. That's technology I can get behind.

But beyond the fantasy of a pocket personal shopper, the Garmin doesn't excite me. I mean, I can read a map, I can stop and ask for directions, and generally find my end point (occasionally by way of industrial park, but that's just part of the adventure), so I don't need one. But for things like yard-saling on the fly, it could be helpful. Sure, mapping out the best yard sale route is really part of the fun and I don't want to take that away, but my impromptu decision to just grab a PPH and go on Saturday left me without any strategy time and the aid of google maps. In the end, a phone call to loved ones with computer access helped me locate my destination, but it got me thinking about how best to optimize this year's yard sale season.

And since I'm a die-hard Gazetteer girl, the Garmin is out, but what about a yard sale phone tree? Before you competitive early birds object, I don't think such a tree would impinge on the integrity and adventure of the sales. This would just serve as some sort of alert to a particularly good sale, or a specific item you've been looking for -- or perhaps more importantly, when a sale has been too picked over to merit a stop. In a world full of texting and mobile uploads I'm sure it can be done. Then again, it may incite an Amazing Race-style battle for the goods. Which I could also get behind. Extreme yard-saling: When early birding's not enough. I love a challenge. Thoughts?

French for 'look there!'

It's Friday afternoon and I can't figure out how to get a proper accent mark going on Moveable Type, so here is some quick, poorly punctuated info for a fashion-filled weekend:

Voilà (I cheated and pasted this à, my French typing skills are amazing) is billed as a "runway fashion charity event," and its host, MV Modeling Agency is new to Portland. Look for their models to be catwalking in designs from locals such as Jill McGowan and Fladel Couture. Live entertainment and more is also promised, including glamour. Love glamour. Plus, proceeds go to the Wayside Soup Kitchen. Charitable glamour. Even better.

Doors open at 5 p.m., and oh yes, location - it's all going down the runway at the Holiday Inn by the Bay (88 Spring Street, Portland). Tickets, available online or at the door, are $30. (If you buy online you need to pay $1 PayPal fee.)

Oh, and more sales: Corduroy (Surf Boutique, 59 Market Street, Portland) is having a so-long winter sidewalk sale (up to 40 percent of selected merch including hats, shoes and clothes), and then, Sunday ... BIKE SWAP! I'm resting up and sharpening my elbows, this girl cannot embrace spring without a new Huffy.

To market, to market

Today the Farmer's Market is back in Monument Square! The veggies may only be in plant form (snag budding onion, rhubarb and other seedlings), but there are some parsnips if you know what to do with those. (I do not.) Also, if you're in the market for an herb garden, peonies, hanging plants or just some cheery cut daffodils for your cube, get outside and soak up the sunshine and promise of summer. After all, alfresco shopping is retail therapy at its finest.

Patriots need clothes (and records) too

Patriots Day weekend brings lots of sales...Here are a couple to get you started:

J'adore Boutique opens its sister store, Willow Bath and Body, today. (It's located right beside J'adore in the old Making Faces storefront.) And J'adore itself is having quite the sale: 50 percent off already marked down merch. Labels include BCBG, Young Fabulous and Broke, and there are even a few Sweetees dresses (these are priced as marked, but still a steal). The sale will run until the items are sold, and when I stopped by earlier in the week they still had two racks full of pants, dresses, tanks and even a couple blazers. While some of the items are winter holdovers, there are definitely some spring and summer pieces from last year that are just waiting to be sprung from the hanger and into the sunshine.

Saturday is Record Store Day, which means free stuff at your favorite local (read: independent) music shop - think Bull Moose, Newbury Comics. Dylan Martin has full details here.

Also, if Suit Yourself wasn't enough to hold you over until yard sale season begins, check out the Clothing Sale Fundraiser for Capoeira Volta ao Mundo. It's happening on Sunday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the World Arts Studio, 616 Congress. I'm not sure what you'll find, but they promise a selection of men's, women's and children's clothing, and at the price of $10/bag you can't go wrong. P.S. BYOB (That's bag. A brown paper one).

It's a walkoff...

Maybe it's one too many America's Next Top Model marathons, (Don't judge - Tyra is fierce and addictive. Not my fault.), but I love a good walkoff. Tonight you can your fix live at Hello Stiletto Shoe Club's happy hour. Martinis, mingling and Manolos? What's better? So grab those peep toes you've been dying to dig out of the closet all winter and step out. The fun starts at 7 p.m. at Conundrum Wine Bistro, 117 US Route 1, Freeport.

For details, and to attend: Sign up for the Shoe Club (it's free!), and then rsvp to Liz Wyman, Queen of Shoes.

Suit Yourself

Sure I haven't blogged since February. Let's just get that out there. Sometimes a girl just needs a month off. Well, that's not true, but I'm back. Promise. This post isn't just some first of April tomfoolery, it's the beginning of ... Well, let's not set me up for failure. But, to the important stuff - and something I never joke about - a good sale:

This weekend - Saturday, actually, is the Suit Yourself Spring Sale. This annual event (held at Catherine McAuly High School, 631 Stevens Ave., Portland) benefits Dress for Success Southern Maine, the local affiliate of the national nonprofit that looks to provide women in disadvantaged situations with professional attire and career development tools. Shopping to support a most deserving organization? Yes, please.

The sale starts at 8 a.m. and I'd advise getting there as the doors open. I was there a bit after go-time last year and the room was already full of bargain-hunters. Clothes a-plenty have been donated from Portland boutiques such as Carla Bella, Spoil Me Rotten and Tavecchia, but you'll also find gently-worn togs in a variety of sizes. This year's flyer is touting plus-size clothes, so there is absolutely something for everyone. Not to mention the stock of shoes, handbags, scarves and jewelry - consignment as well as items from selected local artists.

But, if you're not an early-bird sale goer, no sweat, from noon to 1 p.m. (sale's end) you can fill a bag of clothes for only $10. No doubt everyone wins at this sale, and with free admission, there's no excuse for not attending. The blogging about it after, however, may be optional.