Shopping off piste

Which always happens when I "pop into" TK Maxx.

Now this isn't a shop I've mentioned before I don't think as I truly have a love hate relationship with it.  I really don't buy that much from there but that's probably because I don't frequent it that often.  Mainly as once I've entered those doors, I can easily lose myself for an hour or two and I never seem to have that long. 

However yesterday I had to take the plum wedge trainers back to Matalan (first opportunity I've had to do so) and there happens to be a TK Maxx on the same retail park.

It was a toss up between TK Maxx which was 10 yards away with a big car park outside or Primark which was a schlep around three retail estates and a not entirely salubrious shopping centre.  TK Maxx won hands down.  

And boy am I pleased that I went in there.  I do happen to think that 90% of what they have in there is a ginormous pile of tat.  The stuff is sold cheaply there for a reason - basically they can't sell it at full price anywhere else.  But that's not to say that another man's meat isn't another man's poison (in the positive alcoholic sense of the word clearly) 

However what does happen when I go in there, is that I come out with absolutely nada that I remotely need.  On my list of things that might be useful at the moment are a neutral coat (I'm really hankering after a cream one.  As you do), a dress for a wedding, some black shoots and a new scarf.

Well. 

I came home with a jumper and a completely impractically coloured coatigan. 

But boy am I over the moon with both of them.   So much so that I have worn the coatigan already. (apologies upfront as I know some people utterly loathe the use of this word. However it does what it says on the tin - it's not a coat and it's not a cardigan - it's a cross between the two.  And it's easier to write than knitted coat thingy.  So I apologise - blink quickly when I use it and gloss over.)  I sign that I truly love something.

And the best bit - oh the best bit is the price.  (skips up and down giddily..)

Ok first I'll do the jumper.  Now this is acrylic which to some people is akin to saying it's made from the skin of baby koala bears - as in, unacceptable - but I happen to judge acrylic on a case by case basis.  And this one is soft and peachy as a newborn puppy's bum.  Ludicrously gentle and not remotely scratchy or "don't stand near a naked flame" concerning at all.  Gorgeously buttery knit.  A random make which I know you can probably get on the local market - QED. (there's no RRP which is always a give away of it not actually being a bargain at all) 

But I couldn't give a monkey's chuff, I completely adore it.  The longest arms (which automatically makes it look far more expensive on a Gulliver type person - cheaper brands normally always skimp on proportions, arm length being the main thing) I've seen on a jumper in years and colours which blend themselves perfectly into my wardrobe.  

Snuggly and great for dress down but easily dressed up with heels, skinnies and a blazer. 

And.....£16.99.  They did actually have quite a few in - it's not an exclusive one off by any stretch of the imagination!  

Second super bargain - a *warning - that word's coming up* coatigan from Clements Ribeiro.  Boiled wool (one of my absolute favourite fabrics for outerwear - it never bobbles, it's just the best), perfect fit and I heart beyond heart the colour.  It's actually a taupe colour rather than a pink as it looks in my photographs (M&S are you going to give me a job?  these photos truly do not do it justice) next to the plum.



I shall be wearing this A Lot.  It was originally £189, down to £59 and then proving that everyone has very different tastes (and clearly I have a more marginal taste than most TK Maxx customers) it was on the sale rail down to £37.  I would easily have paid £59 for it but am beyond ecstatic at paying the super bargainous £37!

And here I am wearing it today. I even dragged out a 90's pashmina which it has given new life to (embarrassingly this was actually bought early 2000's I think.  I was a huge pash fan.  Still love them as a scarf worn in a certain way.  It's only when they're worn shawl stylee that they need to be burnt.  Purely my opinion of course) 


Plum jumper - Dorothy Perkins
Distressed faded straight leg jeans rolled up - Zara
Camel Pashmina - So old I can't remember
Tan Rockafellas - Russell & Bromley
Stone maxi zip satchel - Anya Hindmarch
Black sunglasses - Dior
Plum arm warmers - H&M
Plum and taupe coatigan - Clemets Ribeiro 

Mad obsessive that I am, I may be taking a pile of Next stuff back tomorrow which I had bought for RR1 and there *happens* to be a TK Maxx right next door.......maybe watch this space.  So are you a TK Maxx fan or is it too jumble saletastic for your liking?  Any bargains you can report? 

And on that note, the X Factor is calling.  Enjoy your Saturday night!