Holiday Gift Guide for extra taste on basic budgets

It’s no secret to anyone- and I mean anyone- who knows me that I have a real life hardcore probably need therapy shopping addiction. No book has ever spoken to me as much as Confessions of a Shopaholic did and that is a pretty sad feat. It is also no secret to anyone that I LOVE a bargain. I am rather well known around the office as Queen of the sample sales we hold- a title very well earned. These two little not-so-secret secrets about me lead in very well to two of the great loves of my life (after my dog obviously): TK Maxx and Home Sense. As you will have seen in this little post here.

I normally rifle through the rails in my local TK Maxx or special mention to during jury duty when I discovered a whole new joy that was the Wood Green branch and nearly missed the court time. I run around the near empty store frantically pulling out J brand jeans and Acne jackets like a mad woman as if someone is going to prise them from my fingers (Monica from Friends wedding dress shopping style). The constant pangs of anxiety that I will miss out like the one time they had silk Olivia Von Halle pajamas or the perfect Stella Mccartney jacket in just my size did make me wonder if this rather stress inducing process was possible online. Whilst I do love the rush of camping outside shops circa 1996 Black Friday scenes, purchasing online would be a lot easier and adhere much more easily to the time constraints of being a full time working girl. 

I had a little peruse online and to my delight although limited, it was almost as exciting seeing the highly discounted designer goods online. Club Monaco, one of my all time favourite but astronomically priced brands had about 20 items online at 60% off the original price. And so I decided to do my little holiday gift round up this year solely through TK Maxx. I do hope you find it useful- I’ll race you to the checkout basket!

For Mums

A Jo Malone-esque holiday candle, a ceramic vase, a stella mccartney bag, cashmere club monaco cardi and a coffee table book on Grace Coddington

For your Sister

Just sheepskin slippers, coconut oil hair mask, Nars lipgloss, Maria Black earrings, flamingo and palm tree notepad and the original Stella Mccartney chain bag

For Dads

Some Soho pajamas, a Duchamp wash bag, a Jaeger scarf, Newgate watch and a formula one coffee table book

For your best friend

Some freshwater pearl hoops, a Phaidon coffee table book, peppermint popcorn holiday candle jar, some illamasqua bronzer

For your boyfriend

Some Krosno beer glasses, The Kooples scarf, wireless headphones, a hugo boss leather papers holder and a Los Angeles coffee table book. 

For your Grandparents

Italian panettone, Miller Harris fragrance and some waterford crystal champagne flutes. 

This post is not sponsored in anyway I just really, really love TK Maxx… 

Weekend Home Sense Haul

This weekend was an incredibly special weekend. This weekend marked my first ever visit to HomeSense. I went with my boyfriend to get ideas for his new flat but I soon realised that HomeSense is a lot more than just cheap interiors! For those who don't know, HomeSense is the sister company to TK Maxx. Imagine Anthropologie, then imagine Home Bargains, then imagine they had a baby and you have HomeSense.

Homesense gives you that feeling of picking up a pair of oven gloves in the exact colour of your kitchen and turning them over to find they are only £2.50 at Home Bargains, combined with the little rush that you get when you stumble across beautifully hand-painted Indian coasters in Anthropologie and are forced to watch slightly more of your paycheck disappear as you enter your pin than you would have liked. It really is the best of both worlds.

The entire store is laid out like a little journey through an eclectically designed house by sections of what you would find in certain rooms. The entrance is made up of little glass squares, each filled with happily discounted treasures.

As you begin your journey, you chance upon hand-stitched Moroccan stools, little lanterns and glasses that come labelled as handmade in India, Scandi-style mirrors and vases of silk flowers.

You  wade through the mix of furniture and paw over the dozens of rugs...

My exploration on the first floor culminated among shelves and shelves of scented candles, beautiful books and, best of all, the stationery and arts and crafts.

And a party section that could have been straight out of one of Lauren Conrad's chic blush pink and gold glitter celebrations. 

   

With a basket loaded with candles, an Italian lifestyle book, other trinkets and a very unhappy boyfriend trailing behind me I trotted off upstairs...

Upstairs I was met with a health food and European deli food collection boasting fresh Italian pasta and French soupe de poissons, It was even complete with a tea corner (who doesn't love herbal teas?)

Delving further into the nooks of upstairs I stumbled across a selection of sherbet yellow mini Le Creuset pots. Think individual bubbling potatoes dauphinoise or miniature thatched apple pies at your next and most impressive dinner parties! 

The plates and bowls came in a mismatched collection of blues that could rival Anthropoligie's bowls that I am always lusting after.

Tupperware, cake decorating goodies fit for Mary Berry and even bobbles...

Finally my journey came to an end (mostly due to my boyfriend's complaints) in what I can only describe as the being inside someone's bathroom cupboard section, where items ranged from hairbands to rubber ducks and everything in between. I bought some 'celebrity favourite tan' from James Read and a konjac sponge. Both these little extravagances made easy purchases due to the slashed price tags.

I would definitely recommend bringing one of these along to carry your bags and hurry you along.

There is nothing better than laying out all your beautiful finds when you get home. Mine included:

- A little box for my jewellery, keepsakes and those loose bits that never seem to have a home in my room

- A tupperware lunch box with a separate pot for my salad dressings or dips

- Calming blend of tea from the English Tea Shop

- An avocado and mint luxe scented candle which says 'hello beautiful' and 'you are my inspiration' inked in gold foil

- A little DIY set to make things such as labels and gift wrapping

- Dark chocolate covered cashews

- A ginger and sea salt 3-wick soy candle

- An Italian coffee table book with recipes and interior inspiration

- A konjac sponge to use with my face wash

- Raw chocolate with Goji berries

- James Read body tan 

All for under £60. James Read tan alone is usually around £35! 

So if I were you, I would pop along to your nearest HomeSense as quickly as you possibly can. Here you will find all the information on your local store: http://www.homesense.com/find-a-store

Also, a little blog update- I am now going to be posting Monday, Wednesday, Friday evenings! Who doesn't need a weekend break?