We miss card shops.

Growing up, it seemed like there was a card shop on every corner, a few in every mall. They’re still around, but fewer and farther between. The good ones sell wrapping paper and bows to go with the cards. The great ones sell gifts that bring a smile to go with the wrapping paper, bows and cards.

Beverly’s Card & Gift in Topsham sells large gourmet chocolate truffles to go with … well, our complete and utter delight. 

Said chocolates single-handedly rocketed this card shop from “great” to “super-amazingly awesome.”

If you’re not into chocolate (seriously? you’re not?), Beverly’s offers a ton of gifts, jewelry and celebratory accessories. And, of course, cards, most of which are half off the retail price. (We also miss the act of sending cards. Memo: It’s still cool. Drop a Halloween card in the mail to Aunt Sue — something that rhymes “boo” with “for you” — and see if she isn’t tickled blue, er, pink.)

We weep at the fact Beverly’s is so far away. Weep. But maybe it’s for the best. Pounds of delectable chocolate and our waistlines and all that. But if you’re in Topsham and looking for a good, old-fashioned card shop with a modern ability to please, we recommend this one.

Also, feel free to bring back some truffles.

* The Naked Bee sunblock, 30 spf, 0.6 oz., $6.99

Best name for a sunblock ever. Of course bees are naked, but who knew bringing attention to their nakedness could be so charming? Nobody’s buying Naked Neil sunblock. Just saying.

* Russ baby sock flowers, $5.99

Just in case tiny socks aren’t adorable enough, these have been origami-ed together to form little pink or blue flowers. Sure to be the hit of any baby shower. Just don’t try folding a batch of onesies in the shape of roses to match. It’s really best left to the professionals.

* Yankee Candle apple pumpkin, 22 oz., $25.99

What does fall smell like? This.

* Malden Girl’s Night Out martini glass-shaped wooden picture frame, $12.99

The quintessential card-shop find: Whimsical, affordable and you’re-not-going-anywhere-to-seek-this-out-but-the-moment-you-see-it-it’s-just-right. Huzzah!

* Truffles, $1.99

Half the size of an egg, super rich, in dark chocolate, espresso, Kahlua and decadence. If we could have bought out the shop, we would have. It’s probably a good thing we couldn’t. 

* Lang 2012 calendars, $15.99

In “Country Sampler,” “Cows Cows Cows” or “Extraordinary Women” themes, to name a few. And holy cow. It’s almost time for a new calendar. Where have you gone, 2011?

* Uptown Girlz clippers or file, $3.59

Tiny nail accessories with painted ladies. We’d say they’re not for painted ladies, but we’re not the judgy type. OK, we’re a little judgy. Still, nail files for all!

* 50 Wishes for Mr. and Mrs. jar, $21.99

Ceramic jar with a cork stopper. Includes 50 tiny wish cards inside. Very tiny. In fact, Shopping Siren would use her first wish to wish for larger cards. It’s boring, sure, but logistically, it’s just too hard to write, “Two-story lake house with sweeping views, a grand staircase, gourmet kitchen and well-behaved dogs” on anything smaller than a 3-by-5 card.   

* Kissing salt-and-pepper shakers, $13.99

In mice, frogs, pigs, roosters and elephants. We aren’t sure, but we think little magnets hold their snouts together. Or they really are soul mates.

* “Remember When” books, $5.99

Booklets that feature advertisements and trivia from specific years. Great for birthdays, as long as that special someone doesn’t mind being reminded that in 1941, movie tickets cost 30 cents.

* Bracelets, $9.99

Metal bracelets decorated with hearts and lovely sayings, including “Live, love, laugh” and “I love you with all my heart.” All together now: Aw!

Best find: Cards, various prices, most 50 percent off

You’d think we’d say the truffles were our best find, and we did love them. But let’s face it — card shops would be nothing without cards. And here, most are 50 percent off. Shopping Siren’s favorite featured a corgi with birthday cake on his (her?) nose, and the message, “Sometimes you just have to stop and taste the frosting.” So true, little dog, so true.

Think Twice: Amscan doilies, 4 inches, 48-pack, $1.99

Paper doilies are nobody’s friend. Think retro in a bad way. Card shops, however, are everybody’s friend. Think retro in a good way. So skip the doilies and just roam the store. You’ll be glad you did.

* Prices as of 9/21

Bag Lady and Shopping Siren’s true identities are protected by a pair of stylish, sweater-wearing Doberman pinschers (who would like to wish for well-behaved humans) and the Customer Service counter at the Sun Journal. You can reach them at baglady@sunjournal.com or shoppingsiren@sunjournal.com.

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