Let me start off by asking: If you enjoy shopping, how do you NOT love TJMaxx?

I love the feeling of wonder and excitement when I walk through the door. You never know what possibilities will be waiting for you each and every time! As I stand in the doorway, breathing in the smells of great deals, anticipating my first move, debating if I should start in the purses or clothes – “Mommy? Momma, hey Momma! Can we go to the toys first?”

The kids. I almost forgot. They are with me.

It’s okay, I can get back on track. I promise if they are good for a few minutes while Mommy looks at the purses, we will head to the toys.

I plop them both in the shopping cart after an extensive and exhausting debate over who sits in the front vs the back. We head to the purses. I am super picky when it comes to purses. (and a lot of other things, too, or so I have been told.) I go slowly down each purse aisle, wishing there was a bit more space so my other fellow shoppers and I do not have to back out of an aisle because both of our carts do not fit at the same time. It’s okay though, because I know TJMaxx just does this to be able to fit MORE incredible deals in the store at one time.

Little arms are pulling out purses in an attempt to help me find the perfect purse. It doesn’t sway me. I can still look as closely as I need to, all the while batting away the four arms that could be considered distracting. Not for a TJMaxx pro like me.

We eventually make it out of the purses. I have to adjust my eyes a bit as I enter the beauty section. I love me some deals on makeup and beauty essentials. Often, beauty items I never knew were “essentials”, like the microwaveable aromatherapy duck slippers I bought for my 95-year-old grandma for Mother’s Day. Another reason I love TJMaxx. You never know what you will find there!

To truly get the ultimate TJMaxx experience, you must go in and out of every department, scanning the shelves with precision and purpose. Some days that may take up to two hours. Once you become accustomed to the layout and product placement, you can shave your time down.

The kids and I breeze the shoe department and they both pick out shoes they feel P!nk would wear. (yes, they are little P!nk fans just like their momma) After shoes we head to bras, pajamas then land in one of our favorite departments: gourmet foods. I have been to dozens of TJMaxx and HomeGoods stores. Our gourmet foods lacks a bit compared to some of the others, but we still manage to find a few treats we cannot get in our local grocery stores. And at a discount? Score!

Next we head over to the kids HomeGoods department. If you are ever looking for unique items to decorate your child’s room, a stop in to TJMaxx weekly is essential. They get new shipments EVERY week and the stock changes constantly. My kids always manage to find something that will go perfect in their rooms.

Depending on the day, we may next browse the pictures, furniture, and bath accessories. If the kids are getting antsy, we head straight to the toys and books. Now there is a section that never disappoints them! The toys are always current (some a few months behind) but they are always a better price than the toy store. The books are cheaper than a bookstore, and best sellers and popular titles can always be found.

I realize we are about an hour in and I have yet to hit the women’s clothing. After a quick look at kids clothes, we wander over to the gadget section. Every accessory you can think of for iPads, iPods and iPhones are usually there, and often in an array of colors and patterns. And always cheaper than buying at a big box electronics store.

I briefly check out the mens clothing. I often wonder why they do not have a men’s shoe department like Marshall’s? We have to drive at least an hour to get to a Marshall’s. I keep hoping some day TJMaxx will put in a men’s shoe department. (hint, hint)

I love to buy clothes there, especially because you do not see yourself coming and going. Sometimes when I shop at chain clothing stores, I see my exact outfit on 5 other women when I am out. Not so when shopping at TJMaxx! Rarely do you see an outfit you buy there on someone else. Ahh, a little individuality. Love it. And at 20-50% less? Even better.

As we end our trip, we head to the registers. No worries, the line may appear long. But there are plenty of things to look at and buy the ENTIRE way through line. Well done, TJMaxx, well done.