|
Like most teens, you probably still rely on Mom and Dad to pick up a lot of your basic stuff – like hair products, personal scent and makeup, video and handheld games, even sun protection. But when you’re let loose in certain stores, you can certainly get the goods yourself. Here are some recommendations for shop-til-you-drop: Claire’s and Icing at the mall, Polka Dots in Glastonbury, boutiques in West Hartford center like Ten Thousand Villages ? Cool spots for earrings and assorted jewelry, also perfect for gift certificates, so you don’t have to stand in the store trying to figure out what your girlfriend might want for her birthday. Then you’ll have more time to figure out what you want to get for yourself. Visit www.claires.com for a really fun website with tons of shopping at Claire’s and Icing at Claires, which is owned by the same company. Also check out www.tenthousandvillages.com for the story about how the company was born, and how it helps people in Third World countries make a living. Sports Authority or Dick’s ? Gallons of gear for people who can’t wait to get going. Both stores are well-stocked and ready for any sport. Check them out at www.dickssportinggoods.com and www.thesportsauthority.com. The amount of stuff you can find at these stores, and that you can sit at and look at online, is amazing. From table tennis tables to athletic shoes and skateboards, this is definitely the place for gear. Wal-Mart ? It may not be totally cool to shop for your stuff at Wal-Mart, but it sure saves money. Tweens have been spotted roaming the aisles looking for movies, video games, CDs, jewelry, scrunchies and shampoo. There are Wal-marts all over Connecticut, including in Rocky Hill, Newington, Wallingford, Southington, Avon, Manchester and more. For addresses, go to www.walmart.com, scroll to the bottom of the page and click on ‘Find a store.’ Bath & Body Works ? Bath & Body Works stores are definitely the place to find bottles of sweet-smelling stuff to scent up with. The stores are all over Connecticut, from the Avon Marketplace to the Shoppes at Buckland Hills to the Enfield Square Mall and two shops in Meriden. Tweens might try the Pure Simplicity Face Scrub for every skin type, and the Skin-Conditioning In-Shower Body Lotion, both new this season. The website, at www.bathandbodyworks.com, allows you to look at the products the store sells, learn how to use them, and read advice on how to live better. Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets and the Shops at Westbrook ? Dozens of stores will keep you browsing and buying all day. Clinton Crossing includes a very cool Nike factory store, and the Shops at Westbrook has Claire’s, Reebok and Old Navy outlets. This isn’t a quick trip from the Greater Hartford area, so plan to spend the day if you don’t live near the shoreline. And you have to watch out that you’re not paying more there than you would pay if the same thing was on sale at a store closer to you. Be a smart shopper. AT www.premiumoutlets.com/clinton, find directions, hours, a listing of all the stores in the mall and special sales and events. At www.shopwestbrook.com, find the same. CVS, Walgreens, Rite-Aid ? Hours can go by and you won’t have finished shopping for all the stuff you want at these stores, from hair gel, favorite toothpaste, deodorant, batteries for your MP3 player, Chapstick, Tic-Tacs ? wow! When you think about it, a lot of goods are needed to get you out of the house in the morning! Believe it or not, if you can’t get to the store for all the stuff you need and mom and dad are too busy to go, you can shop online, at www.cvs.com, www.walgreens.com, or www.riteaid.com. Target ? Besides some excellent clothes at incredible prices, Target is loaded with accessories, hair items, very cool things for your room, DVDs, music, video games, sports equipment, art equipment ? it’s huge! Can’t go? Check out www.Target.com. |
