Refresh for Less with T.J.Maxx and Marshalls {Review}

Now that February has arrived, it is time to look back at the past month and reflect on how your resolutions have held up. Are they still intact?

Every January 1, millions of men and women resolve a variety of things, but two major ones are to get healthy and eat right as well as to keep their home looking refreshed and organized. But come February, momentum, time and motivation are often nowhere to be found.

Oftentimes, money can also be a major hindrance to sticking to resolutions, but T.J.Maxx and Marshalls have the affordable solutions for both of these challenges!

This year, rather than spending hundreds of dollars on a gym membership and new work out clothes to get fit and even more money on new kitchenware, bath towels or home decor to liven up your living space, T.J.Maxx and Marshalls are there to save the day (and your wallet).

Both stores carry a huge assortment of high-quality, brand name fitness equipment, gear, furniture, home accessories and more – but up to 60% off sporting good, department and specialty store prices. Additionally, each of the stores receives 10,000 new items each week, so there is always a great new selection of items to meet your needs.

Whether it's a full-scale redecorating project to match a new color scheme, a quick update of outdated decor, help with at-home workouts or new wardrobe needs, Marshalls and T.J.Maxx are the perfect places to get inspired. With all of their brand name options at affordable prices, anyone can find the help they need to complete any new look in their home or be motivated to continue on their exercise and weight loss goals.

Heading in to T.J.Maxx and Marshalls myself, I couldn't wait to see even a small amount of their selection and what they had on the shelves to help customers in 2012.

The answer? Everything!

No matter if I was thinking about decorating a certain room in my house or pumping up my athletic gear or just looking for a good deal to boost my wardrobe, T.J.Maxx and Marshalls had just about every item I could think of... and more.

To stay fit in the New Year, both stores had a wide variety of pieces that would work for men and women of all ages. Looking to dress for success? T.J.Maxx and Marshalls offer long- and short-sleeved moisture wicking tops, workout shorts and pants (both capris and full-length), sports bras, and athletic socks...

...while also giving you plenty of ways to tone and tighten your muscles with free weights and kettlebells in bright colors, ankle and wrist weights, weighted medicine balls, stability balls in a variety of sizes and more.

Or, if enhancing flexibility is on your agenda, there's no place better to pick up one of their colorful yoga mats, yoga and pilates DVDs, resistance bands and more.

From top brand name running sneakers to heart rate monitors with calorie counters to pedometers to track your daily activity to dance and aerobics DVDs to add some fun to your workout, I was feeling motivated to do a better job following my exercise and weight loss resolutions everywhere I looked.

At the same time, I've also made a personal push to keep my home in better shape this year as well and browsing at T.J.Maxx and Marshalls provided so many opportunities to spruce up throughout the house with ease.

Starting in the kitchen, it was easy to see how things could be made more attractive with oversized decorative (and usable!) bottles of olive oil, serving pieces, sleek French presses, high quality utensils, brightly-colored cookware and more.

For the bathroom, there were aisles and aisles of plush towels, solid or patterned bathmats and shower curtains, shower organizers, themed shower curtain rings and daily staples such as toothbrush holders and cups. What more could a chic powder room need?

For bedrooms that need a little pick-me-up, T.J.Maxx and Marshalls both have beautiful collections of designer duvets and down comforters, comfy throw blankets, luxurious sheets, feather pillows, plain and padded closet hangers, mirrors, trunks and many other bedroom accents.

Last, but certainly not least in my strolls through both stores: the living room. I love the way that T.J.Maxx and Marshalls offer looks that could have come straight from high-end department stores (with high-end price tags), yet are instead affordable.

Their shelves were filled with end tables, lamps, throw pillows, accent rugs, picture frames of all shapes and sizes, wall hangings, art and gorgeous furniture that I wished we had room for in our house.

I mentioned that the best part about shopping at T.J.Maxx and Marshalls is that merchandise is up to 60% off of department and specialty store prices, right? I love that I don't have to cringe before flipping over one of their price tags in fear of what the sticker shock might be.

Instead, the washcloth that I was recently looking at in the department store for $8 was only $3.50. And, after months and months of searching for a pea coat to replace the extremely old one that I was previously wearing, I stumbled upon this beauty on the clearance rack at Marshalls and was instantly in love.

This wool, fully-lined brand name coat sells for $140 in other stores, but was originally $69.99 at Marshalls. After having been marked down, I paid $45, a savings of $95 or around 68% and couldn't have been more thrilled. Now that is the type of bargain that can really make my day... and is made even better when I receive compliments everywhere I go wearing this coat!

You'll find everything from this year's must-have trends to fitness gear to home decor at T.J. Maxx and Marshalls at affordable prices that will help you find the look you want while staying within your budget. 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 have designer labels for less!

Find out more about these great stores (and their locations nearest you) on the T.J.Maxx and Marshalls websites as well as keeping up with T.J.Maxx on Twitter and Facebook and Marshalls on Twitter and Facebook.

(Other than a T.J.Maxx/Marshalls gift card that I received to facilitate my review, I was not provided with anything or enticed to do this review in any way. This review is solely my opinion of these stores and their amazing deals.)