TJ Maxx Finds: Handbags and Stationary

I used to think of TJ Maxx as a clothing store with random items for seasonal home decor and furniture. As the years went on, I felt like the style and quality of the clothing was not quite what I was looking for, so I stopped shopping there. Then after randomly popping in one day, I found so many great things, that I now pop in when I need various things.

The best discoveries recently have been handbags, specifically Michael Kors and Marc Jacobs, and stationary items. Here a couple of my most recent finds:

Notebooks
Faux leather spiral notebooks with thick pages that won’t bleed through! ($7)

MK pink bag
Michael Kors pink top handle crossbody studded handbag with gold hardware ($49)
MK black bag
Michael Kors black tote with gold hardware ($69)
Spade note pad
Kate Spade weekly planning pages with sticky notes ($10)
spade note pad 2
Kate Spade weekly planning note pad with sticky notes

I recommend popping into a TJ Maxx when you’re on the search for any of these items. I have also purchased Samsonite luggage, linens, the cutest coffee mugs, and reusable bottles.

What are some great things you’ve found? Let me know so i can be on the look out too!

Bicester Village

After seeing haul after haul of designer and luxury pieces from Bicester village , we wanted to see if the deals were really that great. During our last trip to London, we decided to take a train, about 45 minutes fro London to Bicester to see if we could get any deals.

Transportation: We bought our tickets before even arriving to London to get the rest prices. Getting to the station and getting on the train was no problem. The main problem was actually getting a seat on the train. Every seat was taken so many people had to resort to standing in the aisles for the entirety of the trip.

Arriving to Bicester Village bright and early was a great idea because the shops were just opening and there were no lines or crowds of people. We saw all of the designers stores: Prada, Gucci, Celine, Chloe, Dolce and Gabbana, Burberry, and many others. Although many items were discounted, we did see any deals that were close to the ones we’ve seen on youtube hauls. Some of the items, in Gucci for example, had a reoccurring print/pattern that is not normally sold in their regular stores. Although we did not purchase any super high end designer things, we were able to pick up a few pieces at more affordable places. The stores with deals we loved were Longchamp, LK Bennett, and Jack Wills. For many British or Europeans, theses brands may not seem exciting, but for us, it was pretty exciting to see such great deals. Where we are from, Longchamp and LK Bennett items rarely go on sale. As for Jack Wills, it was an unfamiliar brand and great as gifts.

Bicester 2.jpg

Overall, it was a fun experience, but I suppose our hopes were set a little too high…On the bright side, we did download the Bicester Village app before hand to get a free latte from Cafe Wolseley and it was delicious. The Pret a Manger was huge so we were able to grab some food and rest our feet before heading back on the train.