Savvy Shopper March

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Psyched

If you haven’t been to Sykesville lately, you’re missing Carroll County’s most happening spot. Main Street, charming as ever, is booming with new shops. Savvy lingered at home goods store Revive & Company with its rustic furniture, majestic European wall clocks and Sid Dickens memory blocks; tried on slim silver Aimez birth month cuffs (each adorned with a different flower) at A La Mode, then perused the makeup and tossed a flirty blue scarf over her shoulder at Gypsy Systers.

When Savvy noticed her boots weren’t made for walkin’, she moseyed into the expanded western-themed clothing store Cowboys and Angels, where co-owner Annie Kennedy assured her, “The boots pick the person.” Seeing dozens of styles from Stetson to Tony Lama, all made in the USA, she could well believe it.

Afterward, at Unwined, she tiptoed over boxes of donated wine bottles, which owner Dave Neith expertly cuts to contain his handcrafted candles. He can even custom-make one for you (spring lilacs, anyone?). At that point it was time to sidle up to the elegant English walnut bar at Market Tavern (formerly Salazon Chocolate Co.) and decide whether to have wine or tea with her cheese plate. Craft beer fans, they also sell growlers to go! sykesvillemainstreet.com

Basket Case

Next trip to the farmers market, Savvy will leave the canvas tote at home. Why rely on such a thing when she can carry a glorious hand-woven basket instead? At Charm City Baskets, she has her pick of blond-and-brown Nantucket styles in cane, Eastern Shore carryalls in oak, even smart handbags such as “Joni’s Opera Purse” topped with scrimshaw. Though Savvy has her heart set on an Appalachian Egg Basket ($325). Made in a sensuous saddle shape in rainbow colors, this is one basket she’d be happy to put all her eggs in. Owner and master weaver Kathleen Beauchesne also mounts historical exhibits and teaches classes, which fill up fast. 248 S. Conkling St., Highlandtown, 410-967-3585, basketresearch.org

Sugar Rush

Sweet! That’s what Savvy exclaimed when she heard Cupcake Boutique was moving from Fells Point to Green Spring Station—solidifying the center as a dream destination for gals looking to find the perfect LBD and other fab frocks (with retailers like Francesca’s Atelier, Panache and Trillium also in the mix). After nine years downtown, spirited store owner Lisa Schatz says she hopes to reconnect with many of her longtime customers who’ve relocated to the county after getting married and starting families. As for the young fashionistas who love Schatz’s well-edited selection of flirty Elliatt blouses, Central Park West sweaters and preppy chic Fornash ponchos, clutches and bracelets? She believes they’ll drive north for great taste. “It’s a short hop up 83, parking is plentiful and free and there are so many other cute places to shop,” she says. 2360 W. Joppa Road, Lutherville, 410-337-5255, cupcake-shop.com

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