This little shop is filled with good bargains. From cheapy to elegant, formal to beach…read more A selection of purses, mostly not my taste, but jolly useful for presents to little girls. If you are a handbag lady, this shop is for you as it stocks a range of colours, styles and prices. I'm a one bag girl, but now I'm going to get a little black number to use with my black coat. There are small backpacks - the type school children use for as little as £5. The beach bags/summer shoppers are varied and some are so pretty and feminine. The staff are very friendly indeed and will recommend a better option if you explain what you want. There are some friends I won't go in here with - I'll never get out!!

Going on holiday? Need new suitcases? Then look no further! This should be your first stop…read more Rather than hunting through department stores for a limited range of overpriced bags, Departures is an easy one-stop shop for all your luggage needs. Here they have a variety of different bags and suitcases for whatever you're looking for, whether that's a set of 3 matching suitcases in different sizes or just an overnight bag. They have the fantastic expandable cases and the ones that can be flattened right down for easy storage, as well as various options when it comes to wheels and how you carry and move your luggage. Most of the bags come in bright colours and patterns, but there are plenty available for businessmen and others who require something a little more sensible. They also sell straps and tags and the occasional umbrella.

I like shops that make it simple and this is what Departures does. It's simple, if you want a bag…read moreor suitcase to take on holiday, then you go here. They might do the odd random accessory but mainly they just sell bags. They do a wide range of bags including sets of suitcases, some that expand so that you can ram a lot more stuff into that carrier or just your small overnight bag. All the bags come in varying patterns and colours so you can style that airport visit to the max, who knows who might mistake you as Julia Roberts with that swish leather suitcase. Lots and lots of bag, all your baggy needs, there really is no reason to go elsewhere if this is what you need.

Quite a good bag shop with a lot of choice and to suit all budgets. There are leather and synthetic…read morehandbags and shopping bags in many colours and styles, briefcases and laptop bags, luggage of many kinds and all sizes, and some backpacks. There is also a good range of purses and umbrellas. The staff seemed very pleasant and helpful when I was in there yesterday.

I used to be handbag obsessed, but I've calmed down a bit since I've realised I need money for more…read moreimportant things like food and rent. But naturally I still flock to any store like Harding's that showcases a bit of leather arm candy. Before I even had a chance to look around, I warmed to this store once I heard Jackie Wilson's "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher" wafting through the shop floor. My shopping experiences are inexplicably influenced by the kind of background music shop owners choose to play. Harding's offers a selection of handbags, luggage and travel accessories to customers with a range of tastes and budgets. Most of the handbags were on sale when I went in there, some priced as low as £15. Suitcase, coats, purses and travel kits were also on display, from brands like Antler and Revelation. The cheerful shop assistant greeted me when I walked in and allowed me a no-hassle browsing opportunity, to which I'm always grateful.

Luggage is one of those items that, upon discovering that I had accidentally become an adult, I…read morefound I didn't have a clue where to get it from. I went through my childhood considering luggage to be just one of those things that appears when you need it, and goes away when you don't, much like spatulas. I could never have conceived of a world where there was such a high and constant demand for luggage to necessitate dedicated shops. It seemed insane to me. However, after the shock of adulthood had passed and I realised I did actually need to purchase luggage, I was eternally grateful for this shop. Before discovering this place, I was faced with the terrifying prospect of maybe, just maybe, having to go to Argos and using their infernal system to purchase my suitcases. I object to Argos on two grounds; firstly, you usually can't see what you're buying before you buy it, and secondly, it just seems so uncouth to get your goods brought to you by number,. So, just before I headed off to Argos, I had a fateful chat with my dad. I mentioned my destination and the reason for it, and he called me an idiot and told me to go to Harding's, where you can actually see the suitcase before you buy it so you have a proper idea of the size. So God bless you, Harding's. I didn't know you existed until I needed you, and when I did, there you were.

When it came to Christmas shopping last year, this place really saved my bacon. My mum had decided…read morethat for Christmas she wanted a new leather handbag, but not of the kind that you might find in Debenhams or House of Fraser, oh no, this had to be a different kind of handbag. The kind of handbag that literally doesn't exist. Anywhere - or so I was beginning to believe. After days of trawling through all of the usual suspects on the high street, the site of the mythical object, tucked away within the hallowed walls of Domo, was enough to bring tears to my eyes. But wait, there was more. Not only was the item in question far cheaper than I had expected, but when I went to the till to pay, I was informed that it was "buy one get one free" on everything in the shop. Everything! So, as it turned out, Domo managed to not only save Christmas, but also grant me a brand new laptop bag, completely free of charge. So there you have it - get down to Domo and bag yourself a bargain. (Sorry, I couldn't resist).

Well if it's bags or cases your after, Bags Galore is the place to go! The shop stocks a large…read morerange of shoulder bags at reasonable prices as well as an even larger range of suitcases. The prices are cheaper than you would expect to pay in a non outlet store e.g. there was a really good hard shell case reduced from £100 to £49.50 Bags galore also stock a large selection of flight bags with styles to suit everyones taste. I fell in love with a beautiful leather holdall which was reduced from £215 to £149 - perhaps I can ask for it as a birthday present! They also had a good variety of briefcases with prices ranging from £40 to £80.

I'm surprised I'm only getting round to reviewing TK Maxx in Cardiff, having visited around a month…read moreago now in Mid-August but I'm pleased to make this a landmark review in my way, which is my 443rd this year of 1099th in total, finally beating my review total of what I conducted in 2015, just 270 days into 2016. Moving on to my review now, away from all personal statistics, this TK Maxx store is located in The Hayes in Cardiff, one of the welsh capital's main shopping streets, really close to the St David's shopping complex. This branch is set over 4 floors, but in some ways the layout is quite confusing, with the ground floor and a slightly raised level on the other side, accessed by a total different lift which is both quite unusual and confusing. It is worth noting that the Men's section is on the top or second floor, with home in the basement. As mentioned in other reviews, it is in a way like a "treasure hunt", with mainly one of every product in each size or at least very few, at least in the clothing, so if you see something you can only pray it is your size, which is really annoying. I class myself as a lazy shopper, I like things being done for me so I strongly dislike the format of TK Maxx, and the staff didn't seem too helpful either, and other than on the ground floor, they basically were so few in number. The store in general was quiet, it felt like a jumble sale due to the layout and didn't have a good vibe. It was also frustrating one of two lifts was out of order, which would cause a slight delay if you needed to use it. Another unusual practice used was that the store opened earlier than it should, I entered on a Sunday and I wanted to checkout and buy something, limited on time as I had a train to catch in a few hours, I was shocked when he said he couldn't serve me, probably due to the Sunday Trading hours (Big shout-out to the SNP who voted against Sunday trading hours being lifted in England despite being able to open when they want in Scotland) - This probably isn't the store's fault but there was no sign for this, and for someone who wants to get in and out of the shop, this was just a stupid policy to have, and with no prior warning was misleading. Sadly due to unusual practices of both this store and the brand in general, I sadly feel this store deserves a single one star.

I came here with my partner to get him a new and affordable winter coat as his had a huge tear in…read moreit. After browsing for 10 minutes, we managed to purchase a very warm wind-proof coat at a great price! ~ Atmosphere: TK Maxx is HUGE but despite its size, it's also very crowded. Granted, we did come during a weekend close to Christmas-time. Still, I can imagine TK Maxx being constantly crowded as I'm sure it's a very popular place to shop given both its location in the heart of Cardiff's city centre as well as the prices. ~ Variety: There's plenty of variety here in TK Maxx. Their section for mens coats was MASSIVE in itself and could amount to a small retail shop on its own! Combined with the fact that it has multiple stories, you'd probably be hard pressed to find something you *don't* like here. ~ Customer Service: Not bad at all. Despite how busy it was, it still didn't take too long to queue up and pay. The employees were decently friendly and efficient as well. --- TK Maxx definitely does the job if you're looking for fashion on a budget, without skimping on quality either. My partner loves his coat so much that it's hard to believe it only cost £50!

As Laura said there's not really much of a selection in the way of bags, interestingly when I was…read morelast there, it actually appeared that they had a greater selection of shoes available than bags, so maybe it's time to change the stores name perhaps? I can't say I really liked any of the bags or shoes, though I did notice that the shoes all seemed to be a rather wide fitting (oh the curse of wide feet). The items available really reminded me of the sort of bags and shoes you get in supermarkets, and to be fair they were only a smidgen more expensive than supermarket prices. Personally I don't think I'll be going back, however I might recommend it to my Nan (she loves a good bargain).

The Bag Boutique in many respects reminds me of Exotic Glitter on the Wellfield Road. Neither shop…read morecarries quality stock, and they both appear outmoded, making them insufficiently appealing to the demographic that would be interested in the products they carry, if they could come up with an identity that would appeal to them. But they haven't. Both are missing the target, even though there is some merit to what they are doing. The Bag Boutique specialises in bags and footwear for the budget conscious mature person. But with a bigger low cost shoe store a couple of minutes walk away there's stiff competition for the pension pound in the area. Sadly Exotic Glitter has a lease / for sale notice in their window at the moment, and unless The Bag Boutique has a devout loyal customer base, (which I doubt), then I can see it heading in the same direction. I hope that this isn't the case. Albany Road cannot afford to lose another independent business, probably allowing yet another estate agent to takes its place! Please no!

I've only ever properly explored the part of Rossiters that sells lots of gifts and knick knacks,…read morejust near the shop's entrance inside Royal Arcade - but in this section alone there's lots of lovely stuff I'd like to be able to afford! From funky ice cube trays to fridge photo frames, it's a great place to pick up small presents. There are some beautiful greetings cards, items of jewellery, well-made children's toys, a few men's accessories, travel bags, purses, umbrellas and much more. The whole place is more intimate than large department stores such as House of Fraser or John Lewis, and the feeling is one of quality over quantity. For me, the gift and homeware areas are probably the most appealing, but glancing into their other 'departments' they have a Homes & Gardens area, a kitchen department, a range of furniture, plus some fabrics, lamps, mirrors, and more. They also offer an interior design service, though I dread to think how much that costs.

Shops like this get me really excited. I'm a big girl when it comes to furniture, home and…read morekitchenware. I just want everything. If I had my way, my house would look like something out of 50s magazine. This store is surprisingly big, considering it's in an arcade, and there is so much in there. The kitchen section is my favourite, because it sells the most adorable retro baking things and teapots and really funky utensils and gadgets that I've never seen anywhere else. Their gift section is also fantastic with brands like L'Occitane and Burt's Bees for toiletries, some really pretty scarves and jewellery, and then beautiful gift bags and paper to wrap them in. It's a shame this department store is hidden away and now has to compete with John Lewis, because it sells such beautiful things and it could be so easily missed if you didn't know about it. It's expensive, but everything is so nice that if I want something, I have to have it however much it costs.

This is a shop inside the historic Cardiff Market. An old Victorian building that offers products…read moreand services from local traders. But poor, old Yan & Sons. I say this because if you enter the Cardiff Market from the St Mary's Street end then you'll go past a big Timpson branch who offer shoe repairs and key cutting and various other services. If you walk a little further and into the main market you'll see Yan & Sons perched on the left hand side offering much the same service. They're just smaller. OK, a lot smaller. But there's an up side to their size and flow of custom - a quicker, more personal service for you. They offer a while-you-wait service for their key cutting and shoe repairs and various other bits and bobs they do, which isn't really an issue seen as you're in the Cardiff Market, one of my favourite place to wander around. As with all the traders in the market, they are long-time experts in their field, so they will offer advice and guidance that you can trust.

You don't have to be Carrie Bradshaw to know the pains of broken heels. The love you feel for…read moreinanimate objects can be as strong whether you choose brand-spanking-new Manolo Blahniks or car boot sale treasure. Come to think of it, that could be a metaphor for life. This heel bar is owned and run by a friendly pair of brothers Andrew and John. They can fix up your favourite shoes and cut you a spare pair of house keys while you wait, or you can do your grocery shopping or grab a cuppa in the market's many cafes and then nip back for them. Amazing. I've also got a strange fascination with the noises that key cutting machines make too, not sure why, I just do.