T.J. Maxx & Marshalls {Review & Giveaway} Brand name fashions for less!

{This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations, Jessica!}

Bargain-hunting is in my blood, it really is. I can remember searching for deals and steals all the way through my childhood (whether for clothing, furnishings, food, you name it) and it's something that has carried over into my adult life.

Even though my friends sometimes tease me about being thrifty, I'm proud of it. Why in the world would I spend more money than I have to for the same item? It just doesn't make any sense.

But that doesn't mean that I don't still like nice things, it's in fact just the opposite. What it does mean is that I spend my time in department stores doing a lot of browsing... and then head to Marshalls and T.J. Maxx to make my purchases.

I am a longtime fan of both T.J. Maxx and Marshalls and even though I have been shopping at both for years, the thrill of going inside and not knowing what I'll find is still there every time I pull up. I'm fortunate to have both stores close to where I live, but with Marshalls barely more than a five minute drive, I tend to frequent there more often.

So what's so great about shopping at these stores? Let's start with the fact that 10,000 new items arrive in every store across the country each week, making it seem like a different place each time you come to shop. Follow that with the way that buyers for T.J. Maxx and Marshalls travel all around the world for 40 weeks a year to meet with 12,000 different vendors, allowing them to bring home the hottest in-season trends at low, low prices - up to 60% less than department stores.

Instead of paying sky-high department store prices, you end up with high quality, designer merchandise for less money. Really the question isn't what's so great about shopping at these stores but more why in the world wouldn't you shop there? Brand names and top designers for less money - who doesn't want that?

During my recent visit to Marshalls, I noticed two things. One, the racks and shelves were filled with completely different items than what had been there the last time I had shopped. And two, and I'm not making this up, everywhere I turned I overheard people conversing about the low prices they were finding.

Starting off over in the Shoe MegaShop (can you go wrong in a department with that name?) I felt like I could have spent forever browsing the designer footwear options for the entire family. I have always liked the format Marshalls uses, with low shelving and easy-to-peruse displays that make browsing convenient and quick.

The prices! The low prices! I thought the Capelli rain boots (shown above) would be so much fun for the slushy fall weather that is going to be here soon - and they were marked $24.99 as compared to the $50 they would have been elsewhere. I then walked down another aisle and heard a mother and daughter admiring the selection of great back-to-school shoes and how much less they cost here rather than anywhere else they had looked.

But my eye caught on a pair of BCBG sandals that were exactly what I was looking for to fill the void in my closet between comfy flip flops and dressy heels. After trying them on and loving both the style and the comfort, it was time for the price.

With a retail value of $78+, these shoes were marked at Marshalls for $39.99. With the end of summer markdowns going on throughout the store, they were on clearance for a whopping $20 - these were definitely coming home with me. Later on I searched for these sandals online and found them anywhere from $50 and up, making me even happier about the deal that I had found.

Walking around the rest of the store, there were bargains left and right, not to mention more shoppers discussing them. "Look at this shirt, it's cute right?" One woman was saying to the next. "And, what? It's only $14.99!" Her friend leaned over for a peek, "Wow, that is cute. Are you sure it's $14.99?"

But they were right to be amazed, the deals were pretty great.

That gorgeous Kenneth Cole pea coat, which would be perfect throughout fall and winter was marked $59.99, down from the original price of $120 and that classic white button up shirt from The Limited would cost $28 if you bought it there... but only $14.99 at Marshalls.

As well as great clothing for the entire family, from infants through adults, T.J. Maxx and Marshalls has everything you could need for your home. From kitchen gadgets to bedding sets to top-of-the-line towels (we love getting top-of-the-line, extra-plush towels there at a discount), you'll find it there for less. Are you looking to decorate for Halloween or to celebrate Fall? The variety is amazing and starts at only a few dollars!

Or, for the lucky child or children on your list this upcoming holiday season, T.J. Maxx and Marshalls have huge toy sections with all of the brand name books, toys, games and more that are sure to delight. Plus, with the amount of money that you'll save, you can afford to get a few extra!

You'll find everything from this fall's must-have trends to professional office attire to pretty dresses to work-out gear at T.J. Maxx and Marshalls at affordable prices. Looking for a hot new purse or pair of boots? A new set of sheets? Artwork for your walls? Stylish sunglasses or a great new piece of jewelry? There's just no need to spend more when T.J. Maxx and Marshalls has designer labels for less!

Walking out after my successful shopping trip, I noticed a sign in the window of Marshalls that said it all:

"Don't pass up fabulous... just pay less for it." Exactly! Thanks to the generosity of their parent company, TJX, one person will get to find a great deal to look fashionable this fall, because...

One lucky person will win a $25 gift card to T.J. Maxx and Marshalls!

To enter to win: Tell me if you have shopped at T.J. Maxx or Marshalls before and what you might purchase there with this gift card.

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry (per method) if you follow T.J. Maxx on Twitter and/or Like them on Facebook. 1 more Extra Entry if you leave the following message on their wall: T.J. Maxx is where fashionistas become maxxinistas! I just entered to win a $25 gift card to T.J. Maxx at Thanks, Mail Carrier! http://bit.ly/djtCX6
1 Extra Entry (per method) if you follow Marshalls on Twitter and/or Like them on Facebook. 1 more Extra Entry if you leave the following message on their wall: Marshalls has the hottest styles for fall! I just entered to win a $25 gift card to Marshalls at Thanks, Mail Carrier! http://bit.ly/djtCX6
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

Let's shop! #WIN a $25 gift card to @TJMaxx or @Marshalls for hot fall fashion for less! @thxmailcarrier http://bit.ly/djtCX6 #giveaway

2 Extra Entries (per follow method) if you follow me publicly with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email or become a fan on Facebook.
3 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to Thanks, Mail Carrier and either T.J. Maxx or Marshalls (whichever is your favorite)! Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on October 22nd at 11:59pm CST. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.

A big thank you to TJX for providing a gift card for me to review Marshalls and T.J. Maxx as well as a $25 gift card for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.