Chic Steals

I have a love/hate relationship with stores like Marshall's and T.J. Maxx.  Yes, you can find some great items for a steal (last purchase: a pair of flannel houndstooth heels for $14.99, originally $69.99).  However, you have to stop by early and often before the best items are picked over.  Sometimes finding that one perfect item requires a good bit of patience and digging, and I'm not always up for getting my hands dirty, as it were. 

Lately TJX (the parent company of Marshall's, T.J. Maxx, and HomeGoods) has been running television commercials that give a snippet of the buying process; these ads basically show that the quality of clothing and accessories at TJX stores aren't one-offs, defective, etc., but are actual "designer" clothes bought straight from show rooms and vendors.  For me, these stores are especially good for buying casual and/or athletic wear, winter coats, seasonal decorations, and shoes.  Here is a great blog post that breaks down the buying process for off-price retailing.