This morning I was invited to a blogger event at one of HomeGoods‘ Chicago locations {600 N Michigan Ave}, which couldn’t have been more perfect timing.  While I have shopped at HomeGoods in the past, it had been a few years since I’d stepped inside one.  Now that we’ve been reacquainted, all I can think is: HOLIDAY SHOPPING!

HomeGoods is fab because they have the same designer items you’ll find at your big box stores, but for a fraction of the retail price.  I saw some amazing brands as I was was walking through the aisles: Cynthia Rowley, Lenox, Ralph Lauren, Kate Spade…  None of it was full price.  Getting Kate Spade at a discount without waiting for a sample sale? Incredible.

In fact, check this out:

{look how artsy Instagram lets me be. } You can’t really tell here, but there’s a $20 Kate Spade mug in this beautiful box.  {Wouldn’t this make a fab gift for a coworker? or friend? or me?}  The cost of the mug at HomeGoods is $9.99.

At Rue La La’s Kate Spade sale today they had a couple of mugs … for $12.90.

No brainer here on what’s the better deal!

So anyhow, back to the event.  When we arrived they paired us into groupings to play “The Price is Always Right,” a more fun version of “The Price is Right” where we had to guess the price of a few items sold at HomeGoods.  I was paired with Nikia from ChiTown Fashionista and Stacey from Evolving Stacey.  Let’s just say that the person who blogs about sales did abysmally.  Nikia and Stacey were really great at figuring out the HomeGoods prices and walked away with some gift cards!

After the games HomeGoods armed us with $50 gift cards and it was time to shop.  There were so many items I wish I could have taken home with me today.  Case in point:

I considered changing the colors of my wedding so I could snag all of those wonderful cake plates.  {Sure, I could change the color of the ribbon, but that would be way too much work.}  And that lamp. I would die to have that lamp somewhere in my house.

Phil, HomeGoods’ incredible Media Relations Manager, was on hand for the event and told us that part of why HomeGoods’ prices are so cheap is because they don’t advertise the name brands you’ll find in the stores.  It’s part of the agreement they have with the companies.  He didn’t use this particular example, but why would you go to Nordstrom to pick up the fab Cynthia Rowley frame above when you could get it at HomeGoods for just $12.99?  You might have to look a little harder to find the name brands at HomeGoods because you won’t walk in the door and see huge signs jumping out at you, but believe me, they’re there.

While I wanted all of the items above, I clearly had no problem shopping this morning.  The image at the top of this post shows you all of the loot I took home with me.

Here are my treasures:

• Small Retractable Leash – normally $14 – $6.99 at HomeGoods
• Cute Doggy Waste Bags Dispenser – normally $10 – $4.99 at HomeGoods
• Travel dog bowl – normally $8 – $3.99 at HomeGoods
• Wood @ Sign – normally $48 – $24.99 at HomeGoods
• Neoprene Oven Mitt – normally $6 – $3.99 at HomeGoods
• Set of 2 Neoprene Pot Holders – normally $6 – $3.99 at HomeGoods
• Smith & Thompson 11×14 frame – normally $16 – $12.99 at HomeGoods
• Lane Decorative Accessories 8×10 frame – normally $16 – $7.99 at HomeGoods
• Silver 11×14 frame – normally $24 – $12.99 at HomeGoods
• The Frame Gallery Collection 8×10 frame – normally $16 – $7.99 at HomeGoods
• Chicago Map Canvas Print – normally $60 – $29.99 at HomeGoods

All of this amounted to a $224 retail value, but I spent $120.89 at HomeGoods.  That’s pretty good shopping, I think.

I’m most excited about the Chicago Map Canvas Print and the large @ sign.  I have been looking for ways to decorate my apartment that are more fun, and these items completely fit the bill.  I couldn’t believe the price on the Chicago print – I can’t buy a Chicago poster for $29.99, let alone a piece of art that’s ready to hang!

I kid you not, HomeGoods is getting added back as one of my regular shopping haunts.  I had too much fun, and I can’t ever resist a good designer deal!

Interested in checking out this fab store for yourself? Click here to find your nearest HomeGoods location!

Disclosure: HomeGoods provided me with $70 in gift cards {I won some more that I didn’t recap!}, but you can tell from the total that I spent some of my own money and I love everything I purchased.