TJ Maxx

I haven’t found anything cool in a TJ Maxx since I was 20. Not kitschy enough to rival resale shops, not higher end enough to rival the mall or even Target. But this is now a Homegoods Maxx. I’m not sure how the rebranding makes a difference, but I finally bought something here so I must be on the rebranding bus. They do have some designer purses that I never noticed in previous years (for instant wife happy). Though I never really looked before. I only started doing that since becoming a Nordstromholic. I was not really in the market for anything in particular. was kind of just comparison shopping cutting boards with World Market. Then I saw it.
A giant three foot high silver plated statue of the Hindu deity Ganesh. I have several smaller Ganesh items in my home already. This one is like Indiana Jones and the Temple of Housewares size. THIRTY BUCKS! Steal. Also found a twenty dollar white classical bust of a girl. Matches my other white bust in my Tuscan backyard. Cutting boards, eh who cares. So fifty dollars damage. Not bad for some pretty unique items. I like getting sculptural things. Candle holders, frames, rugs I have enough of. But weird big sculptures really make a room.
So I go to ring out and the clerk is an older Indian lady. Here we go, I thought. She smiled, recognized said deity, then gave me a suspicious look. «You know about Ganesh?»
I said I was familiar.
«We worship him».
Uh huh.
«So is this just for decoration or…»
I said that I already had a few other ones and that it was more than decoration. Without saying it was for religious purposes (which I myself am not even sure if it is or not), I let her know that I was «spiritual» and not just some dumbass who likes elephant gods wielding hatchets. Though maybe that’s all it is. Who knows. She was satisfied with my pseudo George Harrison act and wished me a good night. It was pretty cute.

. Bags-​R-​Us
If you’re looking for anything to adorn a human, a bed, a kitchen counter, a shelf, bathtub, tabletop, or even a TV tray, try this TJ Maxx.
I’m not a regular, but for the past 15 or so years I’ve popped in every few months with either something specifically in mind, or just to see what might grab me. If you’re lucky like I’ve been, you’ll leave with at least one great bargain in a single visit. Being a now-​you-​see-​it /​now-you-don’t, snooze-​you lose, ever changing overstock /​buyout concept, I’ve probably missed out on scads of incredible deals because of my infrequent stops. You will, too. So my suggestion is to stop in at least twice a day. Maybe three.
Handbags, however, are my weakness. I don’t have a herd of them — more an easily controlled bevy or squad. If you like them, too (like Karyn C’s 4 star), this is a destination to include in your travel plans.

What looks like close to a thousand (honestly !), they’re jam-​packed — but neatly and sensibly organized — into a corner near the entrance. Countless style variations — in a number of materials — seem to fill almost every square foot of available display space. Like a flourishing overgrown jungle, bags of every sort cover two walls, sit on tiered tables, and hang from large separate triple-​rowed rectangular units with endcaps. Each narrow aisle is like a gauntlet — but a friendly beckoning one — both sides overflowing in totebags, satchels, messengers, crossbodies, hoboes and any other version you can think of, and in nearly any color you can think of. There’s something here for everyone and for every taste — much like department stores. And like them, too, you’ll come across some real stinkers.
Their vast selection runs from about $ 20 to $ 200, with most probably falling in the $ 30 to $ 50 range. I prefer better-​quality leather — simply-​designed, well-​made — and although I’ve never been the type to be lured like a lemming over that precipitous edge into the world of high-​end designers, those Forbes-​listers DO seem to have cornered the market on the best hides.
On a recent hunt, my sights were again aimed for Big Game — and I «bagged» a winner. My trophy was a plush and beautifully-constructed…I’ll admit it… Ralph Lauren. From a woven silken green cord looped through a metal gold ring on the bag, and secured by a dime-​sized logo button, dangled Ralph’s exclusive heavy card-​stock RL label, imprinted $ 268.00 The mass-​produced plain utilitarian discounted TJ Maxx tag? — $ 99.99. Yay! «Better leather and better workmanship» being a long-​time favorite retail mantra, I have another sharp-​looking Liz Claiborne that I bought here several years ago. Probably less than $ 50 and used many MANY times, that «old bag» still looks like new.
I’ve made other recent purchases here that I was especially pleased with:
~ 100% cashmere scarf… heavier weight, extra long, about 8″ wide …$ 20
~ adorable, well-​made straw hats… about $ 12-​$ 18
~ Liz Claiborne dress heels… pale pink and almost TOO cute… about $ 60
~ 8 fake green pears… super-​realistic looking… love to decorate with fruit—
. particularly ones that don’t rot or draw flies …$ 9
Over the years, also exceptionally well-​discounted: crystal, sheets, pillow cases, towels, wash cloths, serving bowls, glasses, dinner plates, cups, saucers, and lots of other stuff
~
The employees here are always friendly, helpful, courteous, and have been able to answer every question I’ve ever asked them — even ones about Canadian geography, lesser-​known Pop Art, and ancient Babylonian politics. heehee
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Hands down, the best purse selection of any TJ Maxx I’ve been in. I realize they carry more items, but this is my favorite purse shopping store around. I should probably check the rest of the store some time.

Store was neat and clean… I purchased coach women shoes in a size 12! And a few plus size Michael Kors outfits all under $ 500.00