Where else can you walk in a store and find a deal on a pretty black raincoat, some yoga pants, a marked down summer top, and grab a set of 4 plates and saucers all in the same trip?? Oh yeah, and pick up a cotton King size cream quilt that may work on the master bed?
TJ Maxx! Not being a mall girl, you all know how much I love to find the bargains at yardsales, but when I get the urge to actually go shopping, I’ll usually hit one of these sister stores: TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Ross or Homegoods, with TJ Maxx being my first go-to shopping source for clothes, etc. The housewares are just a bonus in there. And no, I’m not getting paid to toot their horn. I’ve been a long-time shopper there, long before I was a blogger.
The urge hit me to drop by my TJ Maxx to see what cute and fun clothes they had out right now, maybe I’d pick up a cute top or even a trendy dress for the Holidays. I struck out on the dresses, but did find a clearance top from summer for $5.00. Now, that I love. I also spotted a really cute raincoat by Guess on clearance from $69, down to $49. Not dirt cheap, but would you believe that I’ve never bought myself a raincoat…ever! It’s the truth. When I put on this black beauty, I was sold.
Here I am modeling it in my workout gear, but you get the idea. It’s knee-length and will be perfect for rainy weather, which we get plenty of here in the South (most of the time!). 
Double-breasted with really cute buttons and a cinch belt at the middle. Sleeves are plenty long too.
And get a load of the lining! Isn’t that SO me? I think so too. It was meant to be, a pretty good deal for a really nice raincoat and it will definitely come in handy. Now, the coat was just an impulse buy, as was this….this is what I really wanted to show ya’ll! 
Those of you who love dishes will be drooling about now. Aren’t these about the cutest plates you’ve ever seen?! They look like Christmas to me, yet they could be used just about any time of the year. I love the colors, love the birds and they just spoke to me. Really loud. 
And said take me home. I debated…and said yes! At $3.99 per plate, I got 4. 
The birdies are just so cute, I couldn’t resist.
Of course, I flipped them over to see where they were made and lo and behold, it wasn’t China! Yippee, England is totally acceptable in my book and they make some fine china over the pond.
And just look at the sweet dessert plates, at $2.99, a steal. So, now I have 4 of each and can invite one couple over. Hummmm, who will it be?! I figured these could be mixed with my white dishes too for extra versatility.
You can all run out to your local TJ Maxx and see if you spot any of these birdies. I know you want to, go ahead and go now!
If you didn’t sign up already for the Good, Better, Best antiques book giveaway, go on over. I’m closing it out at 6 pm Central time tonight and will pick 3 winners!
And the Tassimo beverage maker giveaway is still going strong and there will be ONE winner of that at the end of the month, so don’t miss out on it either.
Thanks for stopping by! I'm Rhoda, from Atlanta, GA and I love decorating and DIY projects. Decorating a home doesn't have to cost a fortune and I've spent years thrifting at antiques markets and yardsales, finding those treasures that make a home unique. I'm here to inspire and encourage other women to find their own inner creativity. Won't you join me? 
{ 41 comments… read them below or add one }
That coat is SO you, Rhoda! Great find and very cute on you. I’m sure you will get plenty of use with it.
Great finds! I’m a sucker for dishes and when I visit TJMaxx I head straight for that department. I’m amazed at how much Royal Stafford and other great brands they actually carry. Love your birdies!
I love that raincoat! I find I’m drawn to coats this year with that little bit of skirt and cinched waist. I saw one in red last weekend and loved it. I agree that it seems this one was just waiting for you, Rhoda!
Rhoda,
I miss TJ Maxx so much! I happen to live across the pond and I know of the “potteries” they are talking about. It’s a place that has factories like Spode, Burleigh, Wedgewood, etc. I’ve been there and have bought Spode Christmas dishes last year. I’m heading there next month with my girlfriend to finish my collection and hopefully will stumble upon some other fun dishes, teapots, plates, etc.
I love the raincoat you found and also the dishes. I have never bought myself a raincoat either.
I am totally addicted to TJ’s. My sister and I are on a first name basis with the clerks! Such great bargains. I also love HomeGoods.
I love your raincoat, it looks great on you.
Now, as soon as I drink my coffee and get my butt in gear, I’m going to TJ’s!
I love T J Maxx as well. I never, and I mean NEVER walk out empty handed. One word of caution tho, if you see it buy it because it won’t be there if you wait! I’m going to run over today (I usually go once a week) and see if I can find any bargains just for me since I’m finished with my Christmas shopping!
WOW — something NOT made in China? For sale in a store in America? I’m surprised!
I LOVE supporting “made in the U.S.A.,” but I’ll take English products…especially is they are THAT cute! GREAT deals! (And that’s why I love TJ Maxx, Ross, Home Goods and Tuesday Morning!)
Hi Rhoda, I enjoy your blog so much–lots of great tips! And, of course, TJs is sooo fun–a treasure hunt. I have to limit my trips because I can always find something. Thought you would get a kick out of this post in which I am styling a very similar raincoat–also bought at, you guessed it–TJ Maxx. http://townandcountrymom.blogspot.com/2009/12/out-to-lunch.html
Merry Christmas!
I have several of those little birdie plates from TJX. Love them!
Fab finds! I once met a woman who had never stepped foot in our local Marshall’s … or any Marshalls. She had no clue what Marshall’s or TJ Maxx were about. HELLO? She wasn’t a hermit either. In fact, she shopped a lot.
Oh well. More for me.
Loooooove that raincoat.
I like Marshalls for their housewares, but TJ Maxx is a close second for me. 
I love those plates! The raincoat is cute too. I usually only end up buying housewares at TJ Maxx. I’ve never had much luck in the clothes department.
Love the plates … that’s my weakness too. … and teapots, and mugs .. and candlesticks …. oh my!
Love the coat Rhoda…your right it is so you! Those plates are so cute also…I just wish we had a TJ MAX…in this itty bitty no red light town I don’t have the joys of what others have. I lust at what you all share…but I do shop etsy and find cute things that people find that us might want. I know you didn’t even mention etsy but had to tell where I get goodies when your in the swamp.
I’m the opposite, I go to TJ for the homegoods. I’ve bought a few pieces of clothing, not many. I love Marshalls too, but don’t care for Ross.
You got some good deals. I’ve never bought a raincoat either, probably never will LOL. I hate having to wear a coat and only do when I must! heehee!!
Cute plates, especially the dessert plates. i can see them in your dining room. I love plates and buy alot of old ones off ebay, etsy, etc. I’ll be using vintage Friendly Village plates on Christmas.
Oh, and we try our best not to buy anything made in China. It’s hard!
tina
I love T.J. Maxx, we finally got one in Gadsden. I also love Home Goods which we do not have. I had ordered a 36 cupcake carrier online and thought I had done so good, until I went in Home Goods on Hwy. 31 last week and there it was for $19.99…..less than half what I paid online! Love the raincoat!!!!
I LOVE TJ Maxx, it IS my favorite store! I am excited though because they have just started building a Ross store in town…YIPPEE!!!!
Those plates are BEAUTIFUL….might have to make the hour trip to the closest TJ Maxx and see if they have any here. Your raincoat is fabulous too. Hope you have a great weekend.♥
Thanks for taking us shopping!
What great finds and plates from my neck of the woods, The Potteries, Stoke-on-Trent!
The best TJMaxx around here is about 20 minutes away in a direction I’d never otherwise travel so I don’t go there nearly as often as I should. (HomeGoods and Marshalls, however, they’re right here in the neighborhood so they see me all the time!) Your great finds have given me the bug to go… but I don’t have time right now! After the holidays, I guess. Great raincoat, Rhoda. And I’m a complete sucker for cute plates too (just ask my bewildered husband).
Ooo, I love those plates! Now I just wish we had TJ Maxx in Canada. Some crazy steals! And love the rain jacket.
Holly,
We have TJ Max in Canada – it is called Winners and Homesense. Owned by the same company that ownes TJ Max.
Love TJ, Marshall’s, & Steinmart. I try to limit my visits because it is so easy to buy what I really not need.
The coat is so cute on your, good purchase! And I am right there with you on the bird plates. They look wall worthy to me.
I may have to check TJ Maxx out. Love that place.
Hi Rhoda,
You look marvelous in that oh-so-chic raincoat! You got it for a great price too. I agree that the “interior” is as beautiful as the outside, and it’s one of those great, classic take-you-anywhere garments.
Those plates are very appealing too. I was pleasantly surprised when you showed us the backstamp. I was so saddened to learn that Royal Doulton, for example, is no longer made in England.
I also enjoyed your mailbox decorating tips in the previous post. You always have such great ideas and helpful tutorials. Thank you for all that you do. It’s always fun (and educational) to stop by!
Happy Holidays!
Bill
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE TJ Maxx………you can find so many delicious things there!!
We don’t have many stores in my smallish city … BUT we DO have a TJ Maxx, which I will now visit in hope that I, too, find a little bargain lurking about! Happy Holidays to you!
I love the lining in that raincoat! And, yes, those plates are making me want to run over to TJ Maxx right now, and it’s supposed to snow here – big time! Well, if the weatherman is wrong…………….
Mary Lou
I have a THING for coats….I recently bought the cutest little yellow jacket/raincoat and NO I can’t believe you don’t have a raincoat….. !!!!
I love those stores…..my internal GPS takes me right to the clearance isles…..now Dear Friend that is how your Yankee friend yardsales….LOL Seriously I get the best buys….I am in there once a week….
Have a wonderful week-end….we are in for a HUGE storm, if you hear someone yelling and saying bad words it’s me, I don’t have all my shopping done !!! Good grief it’s the same date every year you would think by now I’d have my act together…..
All the best Rho,
xo Kathy
Rhoda, I am a TJMaxxaholic…It’s a serious problem. Last week I got a great Ralph Lauren cardigan for $39 instead of the $79 on the original tag…That’s the only place I can afford to get designer things….We have no HomeGoods…Do you know of any down my way??? It just so happened that I had already planned to go to TJM today….alas, there were no birdie plates…I was sad. I think I wiped away a tear or two. I’m gonna get my bf to look in her TJM in Utah to see if they have any…..I’m a sucka for a bird or a plate….Put them together, and I’m over the edge!
Oooh….LOVE the plates (the trench coat, too, but the plates? I may have to run out and get some)
TOM AND I WILL DRIVE DOWN FROM HUNTSVILLE TO BE YOUR OTHER COUPLE FOR DINNER ON THOSE DISHES IN YOUR BEAUTIFUL HOME!
Oops….my Grandma is rolling in her grave because I just invited myself to your house
How about if you guys come up here first and we host you after Christmas?
I’m for real about you coming up for dinner or dessert or SHOPPING. We have an AWESOME thrift store that my church does and it has WONDERFUL shopping.
You’re welcome any time…..now my grandmother is rollin’ less since I officially offered to host up here
Blessings, Lana Austin
I love the raincoat, and it’s perfect on you! TJ Maxx and HomeGoods are two of my “must hits” when I’m out and about. I love that you just never know what you will find each time you go in. Have a good weekend…
Oh My Gosh!! My husband and I were out and about this evening…talking about going to the movies. But it was about 8:00…the 7:00 movie had already started and I didn’t want to wait on the 10:00. So I told him “Let’s just stroll through TJ Maxx…Rhoda goes there all the time.”!!!! I actually did look at some beautiful plates with some color to mix in with some white dishes I have collected!!
)
Rhoda, I think we must have been twins in a previous life!!
(JK…I don’t believe in reincarnation
I go to Homegoods all the time….love it. I was in the other day, found two tall candlesticks perfect for a client. Took a picture on my iphone immediately and sent it to her, She loved them, I bought them, brought them home, set the bag down a wee bit too hard and broke both of them. Boo hoo….so BUMMED (not to mention out the $$$).
I wish the TJ Maxx was close by the HG, it’s not so I don’t get in there as often as I like!
Merry Christmas Girl!
xx
Hey Rhoda-love the rain coat and the plates are darling.
After 3 weeks of non-stop Google issues, and still having problems-I am throwing my hands up and making much needed visits.
I hope you have a Very Merry Christmas and hope you can come by for a visit.
Cheri
If we weren’t having a BLIZZARD of snow right now I would be on my way to TJ!!!! I, too, LOVE that store…and Marshalls, Home Goods and Ross! I HATE the mall! Love you new coat but really WANT those dishes:):) BTW, Jow and I would LOVE to come for dinner:):):) XO, PInky
Hi Rhoda!
I bought that very same bird plate at our TJ Maxx in Huntsville, isn’t that a hoot? We moved here in July as part of the big BRAC relocation program. I have family in Birmingham and was there in April for my aunt’s 90th surprise (eep!) birthday party, which was held at a lovely place on the side of the mountain called “The Club”. I guess it needs no other name!
I enjoyed participating in your home tour- I hope that you and your family have a very Merry Christmas! Katie
Oh yes, I almost forgot- I used to work for TJ Maxx as their Mid TN district security trainer. I trained their security personnel on how to spot shoplifters, which included blending into the surroundings and pretending to shop. It was tough sometimes to just pretend to shop, especially if they just received a new shipment!
Rhonda, Enjoying your website. I grew up in the Assemblies of God and kow first hand, those ladies can cook!!! So i enjoyed seeing you have the WM’s A/G cookbook!
Have a happy 2010!!
Vicky
Hi Rhona,
I found this plates at our TJ and i bought 1 to decorate. I have never used plates to decorate but you have inspired me.This birdy plate gonna look so cute…don’t know where to put though. I was so tempted to buy few plates but since this is 1st time am gonna try with 1.
To Holly who wished that there was a TJ Max in Canada. Check out Winners – it is owned by the same company that owns TJ Max.