I rarely wear head to toe vintage. I used to all the time. But with my current lifestyle, I choose to mix my vintage with modern pieces. Most of my modern wardrobe is vintage inspired and 90% of my modern wardrobe is discount retail. Yeah, I could probably afford to splurge on full price designer items, but I love to shop too much to shop full retail price. Most of my modern wardrobe comes from Marshalls because I love that I can get current styles for less. So when Marshalls contacted me about their Cozy Up to Off-Price Shopping blogger event, how could I say no?

So I traveled to Boston to check out the TJMaxx/Marshalls Fall Fashion preview. About 25 of us bloggers met with the lovely folks at TJX, Ogilvy and Rocket XL for a whirlwind 24 hours in Massachusetts including a tour of the TJX headquarters, a briefing on what off-price shopping is, an amazing preview of the fall goodies hitting TJ Maxx and Marshalls stores, and a shopping spree!

bloggers learning about Marshalls/TJMaxx

At the TJX headquarters, bloggers attended a meeting where we were educated on how TJ Maxx and Marshalls manages to get their merchandise and why the prices are so great. One of the reasons they can do this is that they buy all year round. Where Macys, for example, buys for each season, TJX buyers are traveling the world and buying on the spot. A lot of people think the merchandise at TJ Maxx and Marshalls are past season or damaged. Actually, buyers buy current styles from designers. All of their stores get shipments of new merchandise weekly so the treasure hunter in me loves hit Marshalls a few times a month.

buyers tell us what’s hot for Fall

I hardly ever shop at TJ Maxx because I have a Marshalls right near my house. But when I realized how great the selection is in the “Runway” section of TJ Maxx, I was floored and realized I need to drive to my nearest TJ Maxx with a “Runway” department more often. Um Prada? Yes please. Moschino? I could use some. Only the TJ Maxxs with a “Runway” section carry these high end designers, but you never know, you might be able to find a coveted purple Runway tag at your local TJ Maxx.

Prada at TJMaxx? Yes!

So what do the buyers have in stock for Marshalls and TJ Maxx this Fall? Military, leathers, lace, and amazing structured jackets.

I’ve always loved shopping at Marshalls, and after visiting their headquarters and learning about all of the great things they do, I’m an even bigger fan. They are an amazing company to work for – they offer day care and all kinds of incentives for their employees. They raise money for charitable organizations such as Save the Children. I was so impressed with how socially responsible they are. It made me feel good that I shop with them.

So what did I score on my shopping trip? This adorable Cynthia Rowley dress for $20! I also picked up a bottle of Bvlgari perfume and some cute patent leather mary janes.

Check out the great fall looks available at Marshalls and TJ Maxx!

an entire room full of BAGS!

an entire room full of SHOES!

It was such a memorable event, and it was so great to meet other bloggers such as Jessica from What I Wore, Jen from Broke and Beautiful, Fashion Indie‘s Daniel Sayant, and
Rosa from Accidental Sexiness.

I was also thrilled to finally meet Abby Khan from Fusion Mag – I had worked with Abby years ago at FashionTribes so it was a neat coincidence to meet her in person.

It was a great event and I hope I get to work with TJX again because it is so easy to sing the praises of a brand that you shop anyway. Now, get yourself to a TJ Maxx or Marshalls and get some of these great Fall pieces.