Shopping Siren has a thing about boutiques.

The best of them are unique. Classy. And almost always super expensive and in posh towns with Harbor or Port in the name.  

I feel alternately posh and poor just stepping inside.

Now, I hardly ever actually buy anything from boutiques (see above-mentioned “poor”), but I love window shopping. Need a beeswax, sweet almond oil and shea butter lip balm? Sea-glass teardrop pendant earrings in cerulean blue? A knee-length sleeveless dress in a pattern that looks a lot like Vincent van Gogh’s “Starry Night”? You just have to travel to Something-Something Harbor, pay a month’s salary and it’s yours!

Or, you know, visit Bella Fiore Boutique on Sabattus Street in Lewiston and pay a lot less.

It’s not an exclusive location, the little building just down the street from an under-renovation gas station and the Blue Goose Bar & Grill. The neighborhood is definitely more gritty than ritzy. But there’s off-street parking at the cute shop with the pretty front door, and inside is as chic and cool as any ladies’ boutique in Something-Port. 

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Never heard of Bella Fiore? It’s only about a week old, so that’s understandable. But now that you know, go. Like, now. And go with lots of time to browse. You’ll need it.  

* Tan’s pashmina, $28

Super soft and warm, in red-pattered and blue-pattered with a smattering of tassels at the edges. At once classy and fun, which will make you look classy and fun, which, really, is what boutique-ing is all about.

* Angie sun dress, various sizes, $42

Long dress with thin straps, sporting a collage of patterns that wouldn’t seem to go together, but they do. Throw on a pair of strappy sandals and a strapless bra and you’re good to go. Well, in a few months.

* Fantazia sleeveless dress, various patterns, various sizes, $34

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Springy-material, knee-length dress in various bold patterns. I fell in love with one that looked a lot like Vincent van Gogh’s “Starry Night,” all blues and swirls. For any event at which you want to star.

Pair with:

* Intro white denim jacket, various sizes, $42

Classic, structured, white, it’s just the kind of jacket you can dress up or dress down. As perfect for yachting on the coast with Buffy as it is for tossing over pajamas to take out the trash. Because glamorous can happen even make-up-free at 5 a.m. while shooing off raccoons. 

* Joy Susan purse, $36

Little red bag with a brown adjustable strap, featuring a center zippered space and two smaller pockets on the outside. Small (no room for your emergency flatiron) but not too small (plenty of space for a wallet and lip gloss). The size bag we should all probably carry every day but don’t. (Because with this winter/spring wind? That flatiron’s more essential than a wallet.)

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* Soreci fabric headbands, $6  

In tons of patterns, including ’60s mod, black shiny and little-girl hearts. The maker’s motto: “Never a bad hair day.” Oh, Soreci, if only. We might be able to leave that flatiron at home. 

* UbU jacket, $42

In orange or pink, this nylon travel jacket features two pockets on the front, ruched sleeves and zippered cuffs. Uber cool.

Side note: It took me an embarrassingly long time to realize that “UbU” translated into “You be you.” Obviously, I need to text more.

Double side note: It also reminds one of the ’80s band UB40. Whatever happened to them? Obviously, I need to Google that, soon.

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* Honey Bee Kissed lip soother, $9

Lip balm made with beeswax, sweet almond oil, shea butter and raw honey. For when you want your lips to “go natural” but not “au naturel.”

Best find: Jewelry, various styles and prices

So. Much. Pretty. It took every ounce of willpower I had not to snatch up random pieces and shout with manic glee, “I will take them all!”  Seriously.

Tons of styles — including cerulean blue sea-glass teardrop pendant earrings, metal band bracelets and wire-and-bead layered necklaces — in prices that ranged from about $15 to $35 or so. Perfect for gifts, including the gift you give yourself: looking awesome. 

Think twice: About skipping Bella Fiore because of its location

Sure, it’s not a coastal hot spot and you won’t stroll by on your way to luncheon with Buffy, but it’s on a major thoroughfare and well worth the stop. Just bring a little extra willpower and save some jewelry for the rest of us.

Shopping Siren’s true identity is protected by a pair of stylish, sweater-wearing Doberman pinschers (who believe eating trash never goes out of style ) and the Customer Service counter at the Sun Journal. You can reach her at shoppingsiren@sunjournal.com.


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