Unicorn Armour Purses, Fake Fur & a 3ft Flamingo- My Top 13 Picks from the New Ards' TK Maxx

TK Maxx open their first new NI store in 11 years tomorrow morning, 9am, bright and early, in Ards Shopping Centre.  

The store is in the previous Tesco location, with a huge major refit having taken place in the past few months as part of a wave of new retailers arriving at the centre. 

Smix & I went along for a nosy this evening, and here are my 13 top kitsch picks spotted in store, counted down. 

13. The Entire Halloween Department.

Halloween only started to get big here about ten years ago. We always had parties, but now the UK is swaying towards the full on, decorate the whole house, celebrate all of October, type Halloween season. I remember 8 years ago when I was just married and had a house to decorate, travelling to the big Boucher Road TK Maxx to buy their imported Halloween Homeware. Candles, ornaments, prints, cushions- of course many of the pieces were used all year round as back then I was a little more rock and roll than I am now. So skull print everything wasn't just for Halloween!  

Top choices from this year's selection of home wares? The light up signs and skulls for sure.  Those Halloween print tea towels I wouldn't be afraid of using all year round either.

image.jpg
image.jpg
image.jpg

12. The Stationary.

Lots of notebooks, crafting items, and down in the second pic, very cute storage pouches. 

image.jpg
image.jpg

11. Retro Bins.

We are living in a time where even a bin can be retro! I love the blue especially. 

image.jpg

10. A Rainbow of Blankets.

You would have a hard time choosing. They have autumnal oranges & russet tones. Beautiful teal throws and peacock blue blankets.  

image.jpg

9. Tiny Little Cat Shoesies.

These little felt slippers make me jealous I'm not a five year old girl. Cosy for winter or even as part of a show stopping Halloween outfit. 

image.jpg

8. Macarons.

So many flavours. I think these were £2.49 because I remember thinking they were prices really reasonably when I picked them up. They even had my favourite- pistachio. 

image.jpg

7. Kitschy Cute Bags.

I think the accessories have to be my favourite part of TK Maxx. It's where you'll most readily find something designer that you can buy without it being the same price as that month's mortgage payment. 

image.jpg

I thought this was a school bag, but I imagine I might get a phone call from the office if I sent in a bag with 'nice junk' on it. Doesn't stop us big kids having it for the gym or university though. 

image.jpg

6. Moroccan Tea Glasses.

I literally haven't seen these for sale anywhere else. They had several different designs too. I think I would feel like royalty having a cuppa in these, although I might ruin it with my tea preference for lots of sugar and milk. How uncouth! 

image.jpg

5. Kooky Phone Cases.

They've a good selection of Skinny Dip London cases. I discovered Skinny Dip on our last trip wandering round Soho trying to find Yo Sushi. Everything is neon, glittery, furry, sparkly, in other words- every single darn thing I love. 

image.jpg

4. Designer Scarves.

A designer scarf is a great accessory if, like me, you can't afford designer clothes. You could be wearing a Primark outfit but adding a fancy scarf can make you look a lil' bit more expensive.  

The new TK Maxx has your full on designer name print scarves where there's no doubt about who made it, but also more subtle but well known lines like Love Moschino's Olive Oyl prints. Both these scarves were under £50.

image.jpg

3. Unicorn Armour Purses.

If unicorns needed armour I bet it would look like these purses. So shiny. I want. 

image.jpg

2. Mega Kitsch Fake Fur Scarves.

These scarves would make any old coat look crazily cool, and they were only £9.99 each. 

image.jpg

1. A Three Foot Flamingo.

My top pick from the new store. A lifesize flamingo. I think I know what to ask Santa for this year now. 

image.jpg

But what did I buy? Well from the beauty department I picked up a Sanctuary Spa candle for £2.99

All TK Maxx store are having huge beauty events right now, so there are lots of bargains to be had. 

image.jpg

I couldn't resist these socks either. £3.99 for three pairs. Cats and pugs and sailors. 

image.jpg
image.jpg

My major purchase I was talked into by my little shopping buddy. 

image.jpg

This Little Moose satchel style handbag. RRP £50 but I got it for £29.99  

Look how cute! 

image.jpg

So get yourselves down in the morning to be some of the first to grab the best bargains. If you find anything particularly cool- tweet me so I can see! My username is @rudedoodle

Animal Sheet Masks from The Creme Shop- Walk Around Your House in a Real Life Snapchat Filter! (& 15% Off Until Monday With This Code)

image.jpg

TK Maxx in Bangor, and I'm guessing everywhere else too, has just taken shipment of dozens of different sheet masks in their beauty department.​

Sheet masks are face masks comprised of a cloth loaded with product that you can optionally chill in the fridge and apply directly to your face. You leave it on for the time directed, or if you wish until it dries out. Technically if you feel comfortable enough you can even sleep in sheet masks for a rejuvenating, moisturing overnight treatment.​

I prefer them to face masks you need to wash off, because I hate rinsing my face and water going up my arms.​

image.jpg

So TK Maxx is a great place to go to try your first sheet mask, there are dozens to choose from and they are packs of three or five for £4.99 which is a very decent price. 

I bought a blueberry pack last week, but had to return to buy these animal face printed ones this week because LOOK AT THE FACES! 

The brand is  The Creme Shop and if you can't find them in your local TK Maxx, you can buy directly from their site. $4 for one mask, $10 for the pack of three like I bought. 

image.jpg
image.jpg
image.jpg

The site has a hyaluronic acid penguin variety I really want to try. I'll maybe see if another nearby TK Maxx has them, if not I'll order online.  

image.jpg

If you want to order from  The Creme Shop Webstore you can get 15% off until Monday with the code 'LABORDAY'. They also sell brushes and eyelashes, if you want to stock up.

Also picked this little kit up for £3

Also picked this little kit up for £3

But do they work and what are they like? I tried the Tiger Collagen mask last night on clean skin with makeup removed. 

Wonderfully the scent reminded me of Floral Gums. The sheet mask feels great on, and a little bonus is that the 'eyes' are on the mask, where usual white masks just have the eye holes. This extra bit of mask means you can push the fabric right up under your lashes so there isn't a circle around each eye missing out on the product.  

Another benefit of the mask being printed with an animal face is that you know which side of the mask goes on the skin. Sometimes with a plain white mask you can't tell which side of the fabric has the most product on it, to place onto the skin. 

image.jpg

I left the mask on 15 mnutes and afterward my skin felt soft and fresh. I was very happy with the result.

So until I can get plastic surgery to look like my favourite Snapchat filter, the deer, I guess  The Creme Shop is the next best thing. Also great idea for little stocking filler presents for Christmas, or for teachers' gifts.

image.jpg

Palette London Create Your Own Nail Paint Collection

image.jpg

I spotted this cool set in TK Maxx, and you can  still buy it on their website if you like the idea too.

image.jpg
image.jpg

You get five base colours, five empty bottles to make your colours, and a dropper to measure your paint. It's a lot messier than I expected, but it's fun. 

image.jpg

I made a sunset orange shade first. It's quite patchy when I painted it on my nails, so it would take at least two coats. 

What other colours should I make? Let me know on Twitter @rudedoodle

image.jpg
image.jpg