10 Ways To Shop Better & Avoid Option-Overwhelm At T.J. Maxx And Marshall's

May 10, 2023

I’m typically an easy person to shop with — I walk into a store, scan the racks, and if something pops out at me? I buy it. That worked well in my early 20s, when I would shop for last-minute brunch outfits and going out tops, but I like to be more intentional about my style these days. I don’t just wear things once for a picture anymore, and because my style and weight fluctuates by the season, it takes more time and effort to find something that I’ll want to wear again.

You can imagine that shopping at stores like T.J. Maxx is a little difficult for me. I’m so easily overwhelmed by the many options that I eventually forget what I’m looking for. I decided to get to the bottom of this and sat down with style experts at T.J. Maxx and Marshalls for their advice on how to shop around stores with more success and less stress. Besides just looking and feeling good, I’m ready to step into my personal style, and I’ll start by following these tips and tricks.

Shop the “track.”

The merchandise at T.J. Maxx and Marshalls is ever-changing, and their hot new styles tend to sell quickly. Representatives from the stores recommend, “shopping the ‘track’ — or the curated racks in the center of the store — to get a lay of the land before diving into the racks.” Every store is different, so every track will be different, but they’re ultimately there to save you time.

Best-sellers may come back, but don’t wait to grab them.

Popular products at both stores often sell quickly. “While it’s possible that a fan favorite may come back, our opportunistic buying practices mean we can’t promise that any item will be back once it’s sold,” the representatives say. So, if you find something you love, grab it while you can!

Shop clearance during “J” months.

If you’re looking for the best deals, shop clearance during the months that start with the letter J. “While there are great deals in store and online year-round, T.J.Maxx and Marshalls have their biggest clearance events in January and again during the end of June into July,” the store representatives say.

Pay attention to the price tag colors.

You can narrow down your options based on price point by paying attention to the markdown colors. Here’s how they breakdown:

White indicates a full priced item
Red indicates a clearance item
Yellow indicates the final clearance price.

If you love it, they’ll lug it!

Depending on where you go, T.J.Maxx or Marshalls may offer a home delivery option, which is particularly helpful for those larger items or gifts you want to take home, but don’t want to have to carry. “Keep your hands free to continue shopping and let the store handle the rest,” reps from the stores say. “Pricing varies based on location and distance, so be sure to ask your local store for details.”

Major designer savings are available online.

If you’re looking for a high end buy, T.J.Maxx’s Runway section carries designer labels for less, including handbags, women’s fashion, beauty, and more. If your local store doesn’t have a Runway department, you can find a great selection of designer steals online at T.J. Maxx’s Runway shop or Marshalls.com.

You can shop online to expand your options in general.

Both tjmaxx.com and marshalls.com are refreshed frequently with new finds across their sections. You can shop brand-name merchandise 24/7, have them shipped right to your door, and never even have to walk into the physical store with all its many, many racks. These sites also offer a different selection of products than stores, giving you even more quality merchandise to explore at a great value.

Explore specialty shops online to see what’s trending.

Get overwhelmed by all your options online or otherwise? Specialty online shops, such as The Occasion Shop or The Vacation Shop, can help narrow your search and score the season’s top trends in a more curated list. With summer right around the corner, be sure to check out The Summer Shop to stay on top of the freshest finds the brands have to offer.

Get free shipping on all orders over $89.

Want to save money while you shop? Hot tip: Use code “SHIP89” online to receive free shipping on all orders over $89 (terms and conditions apply).

Staying connected means you hear first.

If you want to call dibs on items as soon as they drop, you can sign up for T.J.Maxx and Marshalls emails to find out about new arrivals and exclusives faster. Also follow the brands on Instagram and TikTok to gather style inspiration and get a peek into the latest trends.

Alright T.J.Maxx/Marshalls Stans: Which one of these tips are you going to follow on your next shopping spree? Let us know in the comments!

Sign up for our email newsletter to get the latest style news!

Header image via Midjourney

How To Make The Perfect Matcha At Home

Making matcha might seem like a fancy ritual, but it’s actually way easier than you think. All you need is the right items, techniques, and a little patience. Whether you prefer it hot and frothy or iced and refreshing, we've got the key to a smooth, vibrant cup of matcha. With just a few simple steps, you can bring a café-level matcha experience straight to your kitchen!

Scroll on to see how to make matcha – including our best tips and product recommendations.

1. Add your matcha powder.

Rocky's Matcha

Rocky's Matcha Oishi Ceremonial Blend Matcha

The perfect matcha latte undoubtedly starts with the right matcha powder. There are several different grades of matcha: ceremonial, premium, and culinary. Ceremonial grade matcha powder is typically more expensive, but it provides the best sweet, smooth, and umami-rich flavor.

Amazon

365 by Whole Foods Market Organic Matcha Powder

Premium grade matcha powder is slightly less sweet than ceremonial grade, but can be a great option if you consume matcha on the daily. It's also great for baking projects!

Jade Leaf

Jade Leaf Organic Culinary Matcha

Culinary grade matcha powder is widely known as the more budget-friendly option. It’s noticeably more bitter and you’ll notice that its color is less vibrant than ceremonial grade matcha powder.

To get started on your matcha, you'll want to sift 1-2 teaspoons of matcha powder into your matcha bowl. Sifting it through a fine mesh sieve ensures less clumps and better flavor.

2. Kettle

Great Jones

Great Jones x Fellow EKG Pro Kettle

To make matcha, you’ll need to heat up some water so that the powder mixes perfectly. The exact temperature of water is important there, though, so having a good kettle on-hand will make the process super easy.

Great Jones

We love this kettle from Great Jones x Fellow because it's aesthetically-pleasing, yet super functional. You can fine-tune the exact temperature using an easy dial, set timers, and pour with precision, thanks to the pour-over spout.

Printworks

Café Kitsuné x Printworks Matcha Tools

Some matcha purists insist on preheating their matcha bowls before adding any powder. You can do this by filling it with hot water and letting it sit for about a minute, discarding the water after.

To prep your matcha powder in the matcha bowl, you’ll want your water to be around 175°F – just below boiling. You don’t need too much of it. Pour just enough to cover the powder.

Next, mix the matcha and water together with your whisk for about 15-20 seconds, using a zig-zag motion until the matcha is fully dissolved and frothy.

3. Use a matcha bowl + whisk.

Free People

Ren Vois Blush Marble Matcha Table Set

A reliable matcha bowl and whisk set is crucial for preparing matcha the right way. Using these traditional tools ensures that your matcha powder is evenly mixed and doesn't come out clumpy.

DAVIDsTEA

DAVIDsTEA Bamboo Matcha Whisk

Plus, using a quality bamboo whisk gives your matcha that smooth, frothy texture you love and naturally aerates a bit of the bitterness out for a seamless sip.

4. Add your sweetener of choice.

Jordan's Skinny Mixes

Jordan's Skinny Mixes Sugar-Free Pistachio Syrup

After you’ve mixed your matcha is where the fun really kicks in. You can pair the matcha mixture with your favorite flavors, using syrups, purees, or natural sweeteners to jazz it up. Simply add your matcha to your desired amount of sweetener and gently mix to incorporate the flavors.

Amazon

365 by Whole Foods Market Organic Grade A Dark Maple Syrup

Other matcha lovers concoct their own syrups and purees, like strawberry, blueberry, and peach.

Using natural sweeteners like honey, agave, or maple syrup is also a stunning way to add some sweetness to your matcha latte!

5. Pour your milk.

Amazon

Minor Figures Organic Barista Oat Milk

Matcha lattes are typically served with milk for added creaminess and to break some of the natural bitterness from the powder. Generally, anywhere from 1 to 1 1 ½ cups of milk is the perfect ratio.

Amazon

The HomeFlow Co.Handheld Milk Frother

You can easily sip your homemade matcha iced or hot. For a hot drink, you can use a milk steamer, or for the less fancy, microwave it for a few minutes in a mug and froth with a handheld electric whisk.

Trader Joe's

Trader Joe's Organic Unsweetened Almond Beverage

Our favorite milks for matcha lattes include Minor Figures' Organic Barista Oat Milk, Trader Joe's Organic Unsweetened Almond Beverage, and Forager Project’s Organic Cashew Milk. Occasionally, we’ll add a tiny splash of Chobani Vanilla Dairy Creamerfor extra sweetness if we don’t have other sweeteners on-hand.

6. Serve in a cute glass!

Anthropologie

Anthropologie Icon Juice Glass

A matcha latte truly isn’t complete without a cute cup or mug! In addition to mason jars and weck jars, these are the most adorable options we want in our kitchen ASAP.

Amazon

Wavy Drinking Glasses

These glasses are full of personality. You'll be hosting an at-home cafe in no time!

Amazon

Bluepolar Glass Tumbler

This glass is perfect for on-the-go matcha moments since it comes with a secure lid to prevent slips and spills.

Subscribe to our newsletter for more at-home barista tips and drink recipes!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

8 “Stunning” Ann Taylor Dresses I’m Shopping For Spring

Ann Taylor’s spring dress collection is just too good. They always nail polished styles that still have the perfect amount of playfulness! From fun prints to more basic colorways, these stunning spring dresses from Ann Taylor can take you practically anywhere in style.

Scroll on to shop 8 Ann Taylor dresses I'm definitely eyeing for spring!

Ann Taylor

Belted Sheath Dress

Springtime is prime time for pastels, and this light pink number nails the seasonal color. It's pretty polished in the details throughout, plus it's all cinched together oh-so nicely with the thin belt around the waist.

Ann Taylor

Studio Collection Silk Flutter Sleeve Midi Dress

Oh, yeah. The ruching on the side of this silky midi is nothing short of flattering – I could definitely see this style working wonderfully as a wedding guest dress.

Ann Taylor

Striped Pleated Sweater Tank Dress

With contrasting vertical and horizontal stripes, this sweater-y (but still lightweight) tank dress doesn't have to work too hard to make a statement. Thus, you can easily pair it with some basic black shoes and a colorful cardigan to complete your spring look.

Ann Taylor

Tweed Sheath Dress

This color, though! Aside from the stunning buttons and modest coverage, I love the bold shade of this dress for spring. Again, it really speaks for itself, so you shouldn't have to dress it up too much to pull a 'fit.

Ann Taylor

Square Neck Flare Dress

Easy-wearing and oh-so soft thanks to the light material it's made of, this midi dress is practically begging to become your everyday piece this spring. A square neckline is always flattering, plus this design's skirt is the right amount of casual.

Ann Taylor

Dotted Crepe Column Midi Dress

Polka dots are the pattern to rock this season, so I'm obviously eyeing this chic silhouette. It's fairly free-flowing, but comes with a sleek belt at the waist to gather your look together.

Ann Taylor

Denim Sheath Dress

Denim dresses are everything to me, and I love that this one makes a more formal departure from the other casual denim pieces in my closet. It definitely has a workwear quality to it – I'd wear it with ballet flats and a polished cardigan for an easy, yet put-together spring outfit.

Ann Taylor

Striped Smocked-Waist Midi Flare Dress

Hello, waistline! This midi comes complete with a smocked waist that flatters your bod to a tee.

Subscribe to our newsletter to shop more spring fashion finds!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

dresses spring fashion ann taylor shopping editecom style

I Made The Starbucks Medicine Ball Drink At Home – Here's How It Went

When I was working barista shifts at Starbucks over the winter, we'd get Medicine Ball orders every single hour. And not going to lie, I really hated them. Let me get this straight — I didn't hate the drink, but I more so disliked the fact that the customers ordering them almost always demanded their tea between a swarm of thick coughs and countless small sniffles. Yuck.

It truly felt like I was on the fence of getting sick pretty much every time someone stepped up to the register. But, I remained strong and I did what I had to do as a service worker, which in this case, was to pour the peachy-citrus tea into a pool of honey syrup, then top it with steamed lemonade. Coughs and sniffles aside, I often questioned why someone would order the Medicine Ball, based on the cost of the drink alone (up to $6, and that gets expensive when you're ordering it all the time).

Popular during sick season, the Starbucks Medicine Ball (AKA the Honey Citrus Mint Tea) may be good, but it's not good enough to cure you of that semi-flu, or whatever other pathogens might have been floating around in my café. It's also not worth putting someone else's health in jeopardy. Turns out, you can make the Medicine Ball at home — which saves money and effort (and spares others' safety) in the long run.

Scroll on to find out how simple making the Starbucks Medicine Ball really is!

@k.ard Medicine Ball for only $1.69 each! #medicineball #fluseason #coldseason #starbucksdupe #budgettok #SephoraConcealers #DrPepperTuitionContest #halloween #fall2022 ♬ Halloween - KenZie DarkStar

TikTok always makes recipes look effortless. So, I took this trusty tutorial into our own hands to compare how good an at-home Medicine Ball could really be against the real one from Starbucks.

Ingredients for the Starbucks Medicine Ball Drink

Starbucks

How can I make a Medicine Ball at home?

Anna Pou / PEXELS

Making a Starbucks Medicine Ball at home is pretty straightforward:

Heat 1 cup of lemonade in the microwave for 45 seconds to a minute.
Add 1 cup of hot water and stir in 1 tablespoon honey.
Add one bag of Peach Tranquility and one bag of Jade Citrus Mint, then steep for a few minutes.
Enjoy your Medicine Ball!

How I Made The Starbucks Medicine Ball At Home

Meredith Holser

First, I embarked on an ever-iconic Target run to gather my copycat Starbucks Medicine Ball recipe ingredients. Since they were out of the exact Teavana teas I needed to replicate the TikTok recipe, I picked up two similar ones: first, the Good & Gather Organic Peach Honey Tea, and the Good & Gather Organic Mint Tea. I also picked up a jug of lemonade, and planned to use the honey I already had at home. All together, the three ingredients I needed ended up costing me about $9.50.

Step 1: Heat Lemonade

Tara Winstead / PEXELS

I measured a cup of lemonade, and just popped my Starbucks mug in the microwave for a minute.

Step 2: Add Water and Honey

Roman Odinstov / PEXELS

While the lemonade was in the microwave, I set some water on in my electric kettle. Once both liquids were heated up, I measured a cup of water and combined it in the mug with a tablespoon of honey. Yum!

Step 3: Steep Tea Bags

Anna Pou / PEXELS

Then, I put the two teabags in the mixture to steep. The tea wasn't overly hot either, and I steeped them for about 3 minutes before giving my homemade Medicine Ball recipe a lil' sip.

Is the homemade version of the Medicine Ball as good as the one from Starbucks?

Meredith Holser

To my surprise, my homemade Medicine Ball recipe was extremely delicious, and it mimicked the Starbucks one so closely. Before tasting, I gave my tea a sniff, and the smell was pretty much identical to the drink made in stores. The flavor hit the exact same mark.

Overall, I rate my homemade Starbucks Medicine Ball a 4.7/5.

The only detracting factors are the temperature of the drink – Starbucks steams their lemonade to make the drink super hot, and mine wasn't nearly as piping. Of course, this is just personal preference, and next time, I can heat the lemonade for a longer duration, or reheat the drink altogether. Another reason for the minimal point deduction is the drink wasn't as sweet as I expected it to be. Again, this is a personal preference, and you can add as little or as much sweetener you desire!

All of this goes to say, that a homemade Starbucks Medicine Ball is just as yummy as the one you can get at a Starbucks cafe. By following the steps above, you can make a copycat recipe that's going to satisfy your hankering for a citrusy, hot tea!

Looking for more at-home copycat recipes like this Medicine Ball from Starbucks? Browse our site for more DIYs!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

This post has been updated.

how to drink recipes starbucks recipe diy tea copycat recipes recipes

Yay! Kylie & Jason Kelce Just Had Baby No. 4!

As much as we love talking about Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce...Jason Kelce and his wife Kylie Kelce deserve their time in the spotlight too! They have a loving and hilarious dynamic that's somehow made room for not one, but three kids. And guess what? They recently welcome baby number 4! From their very funny announcement to everything they've said since, there's a lot of fun to unpack here.

Here's everything to know about Jason Kelce & Kylie Kelce's exciting pregnancy!

OMG, when did Kylie Kelce give birth?

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Kylie (McDevitt) Kelce (@kykelce)

Kylie and Jason welcomed their fourth daughter March 30, according to PEOPLE, but an official announcement was shared via the couple's joint Instagram post on April 1. "Whoop, there she is! Finnley “Finn” Anne Kelce 3/30/25," reads Kylie's caption and we think it's the cheekiest way to describe her arrival.

The subsequent photos of Finnley are just as cute as she's seen wearing the cutest floral onesie and being held by her parents. Call us biased, but she has the most precious face we've ever seen. Even her uncle Travis thinks so!

PEOPLEalso reports the NFL player incredulously told his brother how much he wanted to see Finnley after the latter asked how he felt. "Yes, I want to see my new niece, Jason! You only sent one picture. You didn’t even tell me what name you picked yet."

But his complaints stopped the minute Jason showed him Finnley during their latest New Heights podcast episode. Travis immediately melted and said, "Hey, little muffin! Look at you. You hanging out with Mom? Tell Ky I said hello. I’m glad everything’s going great." He even thinks her name is "adorable."

When did Jason and Kylie announce she's pregnant?

Amazon Prime

Kylie Kelce shared the huge news on Instagram November 22nd! Of course grandma Donna Kelce was the first to leave a comment. She wrote, "🔥🔥🔥🔥😍😍😍 Love it!!!" Brittany Mahomes also commented by writing, "Ahhhhhh Congrats you guys!!!🥹🤍."

How did Jason and Kylie's other daughters react?

Amazon Prime

In Kylie's same Instagram post, her and Jason's daughters can be seen expressing a range of emotions. There's an 'Eek' expression from their oldest daughter Wyatt, a happy look from their middle daughter Elliott, and pure tears from baby girl Bennett. Kylie wrote, "I feel like we captured a very accurate representation of how each of the girls feel about getting another sister. At least Ellie, mom and dad are on the same page! 🤷♀️"

How did Jason and Kylie prepare to be a family of six?

Amazon Prime

Jason Kelce took the news of being an official girl dad like a champ. He told E! Newshe's "got it pretty easy" because "the clothes are all going to be hand-me-downs or already bought." Not only that, but they'd already secured a baby crib prior to their newborn's birth.

“I love my kids so much, and especially my daughters,” he added. "I was telling somebody out there because they're expecting their first — and they look at you. They smile at you. There's just a way that kids have to warm your soul in a way that nothing else can.”

He also shared his excitement about watching his daughters grow up with a new sibling. "And hopefully we'll welcome a fourth into this world, and we'll be able to watch them fight and tear each other apart and all the good stuff."

He even appeared on The Rich Eisen Show where he joked, "I'm screwed [in] like in 10 years. The moment they’re all in middle school, I feel like it’s just gonna be chaos." He also hopes Wyatt "can start helping out a little bit more." But, he's still looking forward to it! "I obviously have not had a son, but there is something about a daughter in the way I think as a dad, you feel an extra amount probably of protection and love toward that child," he shared.

What did Kylie say about her fourth pregnancy?

Kylie previously opened up on her new podcast, Not Gonna Lie, about her feelings on her fourth pregnancy. At the time, she said she was "so incredibly grateful to be able to get pregnant, but it is a means to an end." She further said, "When I tell you that I cannot stand being pregnant, I mean it. I don't have a a fun time."

If that sounds a little uh...negative, it actually makes a lot more sense when she explained more! She elaborated, "I am nauseous for most of my pregnancy. It tapers off a little after the first trimester, but I continue to have nausea throughout my pregnancy." Woof, I know that's tough!

Kyle continued by explaining she hasn't even really had the fun, wacky cravings many pregnant people get — instead she had more "aversions" in each of her pregnancies. I'll take cravings over aversions any day!

The podcast host then joked, "When you're super pregnant and someone comes up to you and says, 'Isn't this just the most beautiful thing ever? 'I want to punch you in the face. I'm not going to, but I want to."

Follow us on Facebook for more updated about this cute family!

This post has been updated.

baby announcement celebrity couples celebrity news

Did Natalia Grace's Parents Go To Jail? Here's What Really Happened To The Barnetts

Ever since Good American Family premiered on March 19, there has been renewed interest in the real-life adoption case of Natalia Grace.

The latest Hulu series stars Ellen Pompeo as Kristine Barnett, who adopted an orphan from Ukraine with her husband, Michael Barnett. However, after taking in Natalia, who had a rare form of dwarfism, Kristine began to suspect that she was an adult pretending to be a child.

New episodes of Good American Family are being released on Wednesdays, but as we wait to see what happens next in the TV dramatization, many fans are wondering whether Natalia's adoptive parents ever faced jail time. Here's everything we know.

Scroll to find out what happened to Natalia Grace's adoptive parents, Kristine and Michael Barnett...

Who is Natalia Grace Barnett?

Max

For those unfamiliar with the infamous case, Natalia was born in Ukraine in 2003 and was first adopted by a different couple, Dyan and Gary Ciccone, back in 2008. She only lived with the Ciccone family for two years before they claimed her behavior was disruptive and relinquished their parental rights.

This led Natalia to be placed up for adoption again, and in 2010, the Barnett family welcomed her into their Indiana home. She was thought to be 6 or 7 years old at the time, but soon afterward, the Barnetts claimed Natalia had adult traits, such as adult teeth and body hair, and believed she wasn't actually a little girl.

Additionally, they alleged Natalia was a "sociopath" and had tried to harm them and their biological children, Jacob, Wesley, and Ethan.

What happened to Natalia Grace and the Barnetts?

Max

The Barnetts ultimately petitioned an Indiana court in 2012 in order to change her birth year from 2003 to 1989. Legally, this made Natalia 22 years old, and she was placed in a Lafayette, Indiana, apartment by herself; meanwhile, the Barnetts relocated to Canada with their three sons, Jacob, Wesley, and Ethan.

Afterward, the Barnett family reportedly cut contact with Natalia, who moved in with another couple, Cynthia and Antwon Mans, about one month later. The Mans family petitioned to become her legal guardians in 2016, and by 2023, they were able to legally adopt Natalia.

What happened with Natalia Grace and the Mans?

Max

Nonetheless, Natalia wound up leaving Cynthia and Antwon's home by the end of 2023 after alleging they were controlling. She currently lives in upstate New York with the DePaul family and appeared in the docuseries The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: Natalia Speaks. There, she called the Barnetts abusive and alleged Kristine had hit her with a belt and pepper-sprayed her.

What happened to Kristine and Michael Barnett?

Max

Following their move to Canada, Michael and Kristine eventually got divorced but maintained that Natalia had exhibited violent behavior. Some allegations include that she'd appeared at the foot of their bed with a knife in her hand and attempted to poison Kristine's coffee.

Despite the fact that they filed the petition to change Natalia's age in 2012, Michael and Kristine weren't charged until 2019. They faced multiple counts of neglect, but Michael was found not guilty in 2022, and the charges against Kristine were subsequently dropped in 2023 after Michael testified in her pretrial.

Kristine Barnett reportedly wrote in a since-deleted Facebook post, "If there had been any abuse of Natalia or evidence of it, I would have been found guilty of it, and I would be in jail. I believe Natalia takes advantage of that sympathy to manipulate people."

Michael filed for divorce in 2014 and later appeared on The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: Natalia Speaks. As for Kristine, she has mostly flown under the public radar.

Still, following the finale of the docuseries, Kristine shared a long post on Facebook, responding to allegations against her.

"Natalia was a very much loved and cared for member of my family. She was not abused by anyone in my family. Let's get straight to these allegations. Nobody ever took a belt to Natalia, and the allegations that she was 'beaten' are just plain false. Any discipline of Natalia was very minimal and not out of the bounds of normal parenting," she wrote.

Natalia went on to call the docuseries "highly sensationalized," adding, "Michael Barnett and Natalia Barnett may have the same monster, but that monster is not me. That monster, whether it's mental illness, sociopathy, or whatever it actually is, may be different for each of them. But it's within their own psyche."

Who plays Natalia Grace Barnett today?

Disney/Ser Baffo

In Good American Family, Imogen Faith Reid plays Natalia Grace, and Mark Duplass depicts Michael Barnett. Ellen Pompeo has said the latest series intends to show both sides of the adoption story in an "intentional and thoughtful" way.

Looking for more entertainment & pop culture news? Follow us on Facebook so you never miss a thing!

tv tv shows entertainment documentary