The Old Port shops stay open late tonight for Merry Madness, the annual shopfest that pairs wining, a little dining and fashion. All personal favorites.

The Madness begins at 5 p.m. over at the Hilton Garden Inn Portland Downtown Waterfront (65 Commercial, at the corner of Commercial St. and Franklin Art.). Compare lists with fellow shoppers as you mingle, munch on on hors d'oeuvres and purchase your collectible wine glass (that can be refilled as you shop from store to store). With free parking and door prizes, there's really no place else to be for happy hour. Oh, and free horse and wagon rides will take you through the Old Port so you don't even have to walk. Shopping purist that I am, I generally prefer to stroll, but I think there might be something to a horse-drawn lap for window shopping and strategic purposes. Plus, I love a good holiday-lights tour.

So, grab your list, put on those Bean Boots and meet me there. You may even get Seen!

Tomorrow is the craftstravaganza Blissful Revolution. Among the sure-to-please vendors will be Fuse jewelry by local artist Alex Argo. See below for a pair of her earrings, which are striking, eco-chic choices for your pierced-eared gift-ees.

Alex fashions the pieces out of paper (recycled from magazines, for example), so they are super light and very earlobe friendly. I already own two pairs myself and know that my friends are counting on receiving their own pairs from me this year. She’ll be at the fair just on Sunday, so plan your shopping trips accordingly.

If you can’t get down to Biddeford, you can also find Alex among the other artists at Space’s Shop-a-do on Wednesday, or she’s restocking her display at Ferdinand, which is currently sold out.

…And speaking of Ferdinand, if you caught PPH’s iHerald on Monday you got a glimpse into one of my most favorite Portland shops. Proprietor Diane Toepfer offers the harried gift-giver one-stop, affordable shopping without sacrificing style or thought.

Look for her “fashioned by Ferdinand” label for items Diane has made herself (check the squirrel or reindeer tees or my personal favorite, feathered headbands!), or “found by Ferdinand” for her stock of vintage jewelry – fun post earrings, pendants and a small selection of clothing and handbags. Not only for the ladies, Diane stocks men’s and children’s clothing, along with some selected housewares.

Last weekend I went to New York, looking to do a little holiday shopping for my loved ones and also squeeze in a little retail therapy for myself. New York, the shopping mecca and all decorated for Christmas too – what’s better? Well, truthfully, I left feeling as though Portland might be.

Of course, to be fair, you can’t go to New York and not have fun shopping. My favorites this time around: Edge*nyNOHO, an indoor market filled with local designers and their work, had some affordable yet still fantastic pieces, especially the Andy Collins Jewelry that feature flowers cast in resin. Also fun was Beacon’s Closet in Brooklyn. With racks and racks of women’s and men’s, there was everything from true vintage to gently-worn H&M, and all was bargain- to reasonably-priced, such as the peep-toe brown and gold heels I found for $16.95. (Of course I can’t wear them in this snow, but whatever. Details.)

But this weekend of battling long lines, tacky tourists, irate-at-the-tacky-tourists NY-ers and giddy-at-the-finally-favorable-exchange-rate Euros left me daydreaming of cobblestones and my favorite local haunts. So, a happy ShopLocal-ite anyway, I returned home with renewed shopping energy. I’m going to start at Akari, where I spied some great, oversized Jan Michaels rings. And they are adjustable too, so no sneaky finger-measuring needed. Perfect for the jewelry lovers on your list.

I’ve got a list of stores to hit this week, but I want to know…Where are your favorites?

Okay, shoppers. T-minus 41 days 'til Santa, 21 to Hanukkah, 39 for Festivus and let's just split the difference for Chrismukkah. Any way you party, the holidays are nearly here, so let's jump right in.

If the thought of long lines, impossible-to-shop-for loved ones and last minute, do-it-yourself presents nauseates you, then this blog's for you. I promise to guide you through the most awkward of office parties, family dinners and mistletoe moments...or at the very least leave you well-heeled for the occasion. Because, sure, everyone needs a little therapy during the holiday rush, and this is equal parts what-to-buy, what-to-wear and how-to-survive relatively unscathed.

So tune in for the season's Dos and Don'ts (Re-gifting? Yes. Impersonal iTunes gift cards? No.) and also Spotted: quick hits of must-have things, places or people. I'm counting on contributions from the gallery on this one – what have you seen that's fantastic? Whether it's off the rack or on a passerby, snap a picture, send a link and I'll feature it. Let's get it started with today's:

Spotted: A new stock of women's shoes at TJ Maxx. Marc Jacobs among them(!), but better are the Calvin Klein python t-strap platforms for a low-low $34.99. They didn't have my size, so someone please buy them and wear them well so I can live vicariously through this footwear find.