Hat £6 : Bag £6 : sunglasses £4 : inflaTable £4 : Towel £8

The World of Kitsch has been around for while now, but would you believe that my blog turns ten years old at the start of August this year? Someone else celebrating a big birthday is The Original Factory Shop, who are a splendid fifty years old this 2019, with their first store opening way back in the swinging sixties; they’ve been bringing the U.K. bargains ever since. So with our celebratory coincidence, it’s exciting that I’m partnering with them for the first time to share my favourite finds from their Bangor shop’s summer line.

The Original Factory Shop, if you’ve never visited a branch, has a simple premise, big brands in fashion, beauty and home, at up to 70% off. That means your local store will have a little bit of everything. From clothing for all the family, including brands like Rocket Dog, Wrangler, Nike & Adidas, to electric items for the whole home from well known brands, to make-up from brands like Barry M, Rimmel and Revlon. There’s soft furnishings, gardening bits and bobs, children’s toys, and even food and drink. The best part, it’s discounted and cheaper than you’ll find in most other supermarkets or bigger chain stores.

I popped in to The Original Factory Shop in Bangor this morning and took a voyage of discovery around their huge store to choose from the plentiful summer range and show you what you can save money on for your holiday checklist. Speaking of checklists, The Original Factory Shop even has you covered for that. So you won’t forget to pick up or pack the Factor 50, the sunglasses or the phone chargers, their current special offer leaflet very cleverly includes a holiday checklist. There’s also a printable version on their website.

As you can see, I spotted summer staples like sandals and swimsuits, sunscreen, and aftersun, but also lots of items if like me you’re spending your holidays at home this year- like the bright and breezy raincoats.

One of my favourite picks from my bargain haul has to be the huge, luxury towel, top photo, which was £8 but can be bought mix and match with other prints two for £14. There are flamingo print, rainbow prints, floral prints, but I chose the tongue in cheek ‘Reserved’ design, which will keep your pool-side sun lounger safe all day long. Sticking with the top photograph, I chose the gorgeous navy straw hat. It was only £6, but again it’s available in an offer of two for £10 and comes in a classic cream straw colour-way. I’ll be using mine for keeping shady when I’m gardening. Ditto the big brand purchase of my haul, the £4 Foster Grants’ sunglasses I scooped, RRP £10.

Still with that top picture, I couldn’t resist that stripy beach bag and it was only £6. For that price it also zips closed, which is so handy if you are taking it to the real life actual beach. It’s amazing how easily things can go missing in the sand. Lastly, I’m sure you spied that inflatable doughnut, it comes in pink or brown and is only £4. The Original Factory Shop has many more pool floats, plus paddling pools for your garden, and water pistols. It’s always worth checking their special buys to see what’s in store.

Thinking of poolside, the Bangor store had swimwear for everyone in the family, but I have to talk about this style of swimsuit I found, because it’s the cut I wear when I would swim regularly at Aurora two years ago and the number of times I would be asked by other women where could they find that sort of costume… I could have made a fortune on commission let’s put it that way! So hopefully anyone who has been looking for this style of swimsuit will stumble upon this post, because more modest, cover up swim wear is hard to come by, and sometimes it just feels more comfortable to be a little more covered. These swimsuits have a little skirt, which isn’t clingy and doesn’t weigh you down when you swim. There’s also tummy control and loose fabric around the stomach area. I was a size fourteen when I was swimming and wearing my one, and I’m a size ten now and would still wear these designs of suits, so it isn’t really about size, it’s about feeling comfortable. Anyway, The Original Factory Shop Bangor had a couple of different colours in the suits, as well as more traditional swimwear for ladies of course.

Going back to my picks, I chose a sunny, golden yellow top with contrasting navy detailing, which was RRP £20, but £10 here. I love the crochet effect, it’s very retro and yet on trend. I was saying to the manager as we were checking out that I will have to call back during the week and stock up from their fashion department, as they have such a great selection of jeggings. I spied a pair of jeggings in a bluebell baby-blue colour that I’ve never seen anywhere else, so I’m going to call back and buy those for sure. Also a much needed ‘staycation’ item, and something I’ve been looking for all over, so maybe you have too- a Magnetic Screen Door. I’m in and out non-stop watering my plants and gardening, so I’ve needed one of these since last year and not been able to find one. This one was only £5 and has a stylish Mediterranean tile design.

Back to those jetting off for their summer break, and if you are looking for luggage, The Original Factory Shop has plenty of options there too. There’s branded luggage, cabin baggage, great deals and even personalised cases in store.

You’ll also find your family’s sun care at a great price, with the big brands at a discounted amount for sunscreen, aftersun, and tanning lotions. I picked up a travel ready Malibu set for £5 with three different products inside, sun lotion, and aloe Vera gel, and a dry oil. I also got a handy battery powered hand fan for £2, with batteries included.

Lastly I chose some more staycation goodies, and The Original Factory Shop has a wealth of items for your summer BBQs and parties. There’s lots of paper partywear, and plastic plates and cups at great prices. I found this ‘Aloha!’ Water dispenser which will work great for making up my son’s Kool Aid he likes to buy, and it’s only £3. You could make some really nice summer mockfails in this and chill in the fridge with ice cubes.

Water DispeNser £3 : napkins £1 : straws £1

I also grabbed the matching napkins and straws because I love the tiki flair of the green monstera leaves. I’ll bring them along to the next family BBQ. You’ll also find garden games like croquet, badminton, and more in store to get prepped for a family afternoon in the back garden.

So now it’s time to explore your local The Original Factory Shop, check out where your nearest one is, and see what treasures you can find. Stock up for your summer holiday for up to 70% less, or get some bits and bobs for your staycation like me.

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.

12. The Stationary.

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

11. Retro Bins.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

3. Unicorn Armour Purses.

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

2. Mega Kitsch Fake Fur Scarves.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

Look how cute!

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