Hope you all had a wonderful weekend! I wanted to share my experience on my recent trips to Marshalls & T.J. Maxx. Marshalls & T.J. Maxx are both havens for budget fashionistas looking for hot fashion deals on many name brands – Tommy Hilfiger, BCBG Max Azria, Ralph Lauren, Juicy Couture, Ella Moss, Rock & Republic… the list goes on. Plus, there are a ton of clothes with additional markdowns on already low prices so your dollars go even further!
It’s been a while since my last visit to these two places and as usual, I had a blast… there is no such thing as a bad time when it’s shopping time, right? And, oh how much I enjoyed going through rack after rack of tops, jeans, dresses… hunting for my favorite designer fashion at such bargain prices. I find it very therapeutic… while sipping some yummy coffee of course!
T.J. Maxx offers a lovely selection of handbags & apparel. I spent most of my time in the bag section. There were sooo many yummy handbags! I’ve gotten several handbags from TJ in the past and they are all still as good as the first day I purchased them. Here are some of the colorful Kathy Van Zeeland bags.
More name brands on discount at TJ – Rock & Republic, Anne Klein, DKNY Jeans.
A sexy tie-dye dress and a Kenneth Cole trench… all you need now is a pair of hot boots. Are you the next Maxxinista?
Marshall’s had a better selection of shoes compared to TJ. I was particularly impressed with the boots. My favorite fringe/suede boots by Sam Edelman were about 50% less than most other retailers where I’ve seen them! Totally hot.
Handbags at Marshalls. I love the black bags with, studs, fringe, zippers… so rock-chic!
Bought this sassy Kathy Van Zeeland bag for my friend at Marshalls. She loves brown and this one has such a pretty sheen to it. Think I paid like a little over $30.
Ok, I had to get this oh-so-cozy red vintage style coat! It’s the first thing that caught my eyes when I walked into Marshalls… hypnotized… LOL! The big round buttons & flattering A-line shape make this coat fashionably mod. Not bad for a $30 coat! Can’t wait for the weather to get cooler so I can start wearing it with my black boots. From TJ, I scored a black glossy patent bag by Liz Claiborne for $28 (retail $60). I wanted a bag that goes with everything, simple & classy.
This is a no-brainer but crucial, whether it’s a jacket or handbag, be sure to check the overall condition like the stitching, buttons, knicks/scratches and always try them on before you buy. You don’t want to find any defects (if there are any) after you get home.
There is something for everyone at Marshalls & TJ Maxx from trendy handbags to perfect fall jackets. You can score several designer goodies for the price of one expensive item at a department store. Happy Budget Shopping!
Black Label Boutique (aka BLB) is my new favorite online boutique. This hip online shop carries some of the hottest brand names and designers such as LnA, 7 For all Mankind, Gypsy 05, Current Elliott, and Black Orchid just to name a few. Plus, I’ve got an exclusive offer to share with you, get $20 off for orders $100 or more with codeHIPGIRLIE.
If you have that certain look that you are going for whether it’s boho-chic or celebrity inspired fashion, this is the place for you! Besides all the yummy fashion goodies, the site’s navigation makes it super easy to find what you crave by Category or Brand. BLB also offers Free Shipping on orders over $100 for both domestic & international! Love that!
I was so pleased to have the opportunity to interview the owner of the BLB, Lynn! She gives us insight on today’s trends, her own personal style, and even more on BLB!
Describe BLB in three words or less. World-Class Customer Service, oops! I think that’s 3.
How did you come up with the name BLB? Black Label is typically associated with a better quality of product. We wanted to convey a quality shopping experience.
How does BLB standout among other boutiques? Our store is completely run by women. We understand a woman’s needs when it comes to shopping online. Our “photo” tab shows multiple product images and close-ups on real models. Using our “about” tab our customer can find a wealth of information.
What size our model is and the size she’s wearing, perhaps the length of a maxi dress or actual waist measurement of a pair of jeans in addition to our size recommendation. If a customer wants an individual size recommendation all they need to do is write to me, I answer all customer emails myself. Being able to interact with our customer is the most rewarding part of my job.
I see “Celebrity Fashion” on your site, which celebrity’s style do you most like and why? Right now I’d have to say it’s a tie between Vanessa Hudgens and Megan Fox. While they enjoy their T-shirts and jeans while running errands, they like to go ultra feminine when hitting red carpet events. I like that they use minimal accessories and always look comfortable and confident no matter what they’re wearing.
In your opinion, what are some of the hottest trends right now? Well, hands down that has to be Tie Dye. Lauren Conrad, Paris Hilton, Vanessa Hudgens and Ashley Tisdale have all been photographed this summer in Gypsy 05 Tie Die Maxi Dresses. Tie Die will be even bigger going into fall with denim lines like Black Orchid, Jet by John Eshaya and Current Elliott coming out with new tie dye washes.
Describe your own personal style. My style is simple. Comfort first. If I’m not comfortable it doesn’t matter how good something might look on. So you won’t find any itchy fabrics at BLB, if it’s not luxuriously soft to the touch we pass on it. Life is short, your clothes should be a treat and make you feel good.
What is the inspiration behind BLB? I was inspired by my own desire to find a Boutique shopping experience that was more intimate. I answer every email sent to the store, I will never delegate that to anyone. I’m pulling and measuring garments every day to help my customers find the right fit.
I love what I do. When a customer writes and tells me how happy she is with her purchase and the service she received, it is a continual source of inspiration.
What are some bargains that shoppers can find on BLB right now? Our Ella Moss, Splendid, Bejeweled and C & C summer collections are priced at incredible savings right now. A few favorites are these adorable empire waist dresses from Bejeweled by Susan Fixel, prices start at just $86.00.
Plus you can use your exclusive Hip Girlie Discount and get an additional $20 Off all orders over $100, (sale items included) use code: hipgirlie
Do you have a fashion motto or slogan that you follow? Reinvent Yourself.
What can we expect to see in the future from BLB? We have so many exciting projects underway. We’re currently working on launching a video site where you’ll be able to view our fashion shoots as well as behind the scenes interviews here at our corporate offices.
We’ll also interview our designers so our customer can meet the creative force behind her favorite line. We are also adding a “Shop by Celebrity” feature to our Blog for our celebrity inspired customer.
I’ve found some great pieces that can work for you gals for the remaining part of the summer and even into the fall season. From designer Pamella Protzel, the Ella Moss collection is hip, fun and quirky says Protzel. Her dresses have been worn by Sarah Jessica Parker for Sex and the City and have been featured in designer boutiques and high-end stores around the world. Overall her line says casual, comfortable and fashionable!
Describe BLB in three words or less.
