Spring has sprung already at Target...

In addition to already putting out Valentine's Day merch and the new Hearth & Hand offerings, Target has also put out new Threshold displays for Spring (as shown here). There's lots of flowers and pretty prints, in bright hues mixed with navy.

And if you're still bargain hunting, Target has all their holiday merchandise marked down to 50-70% off, with the deepest discounts on the seasonal food items and Christmas lights. Look for most of these deals in the back of the store, in the area that was formerly the Holiday Wondershop.

The Look for Less: Gibson vs. A New Day

I've been a huge fan of these twist-front tees from Gibson (shown far left) at Nordstrom. What I wasn't a fan of was the price, at almost $50 a pop. That's why I was overjoyed to find this dupe by A New Day (at Target) for just $20 each! My one complaint is that the Target version only comes in two colors, whereas the Gibson tee is available in a wide array of hues.

Hearth and Hand: Sale on SOME items

Yesterday I visited a Target store in San Jose I don't usually go to, and left confused by their markdowns. While the Hearth and Hand with Magnolia wrapping paper and trim and holiday ornaments were 50% off in the store, they're only 40% off online. To further confound things, the store had many items (like this doormat) in the clearance section, but it still rang up at full price. On the other hand, these adorable stoneware dessert bowls with gold trim rang up half off in the store, but are still full price online. The takeaway here is that if you find something from H&H in stores, price-check it before you assume it's on sale.

Holiday Creep: Christmas Edition

Target has outdone itself this year. Last holiday season, they at least waited until the Day after Christmas to put out their Valentine's Day merchandise. But this year they're getting a head start, as proven by this photo I snapped in the Dollar Aisle this morning.

While Target is rushing the holidays, I hope you and yours take time to slow down, reflect on the year past, and enjoy the joys of the season. Merry Christmas, dear readers!

New Hearth & Hand Hitting Target on 12/26...

Back on Thursday I noticed that the Target near my office was already putting away the current Hearth & Hand with Magnolia collection and putting out new Spring merchandise. And sure enough, the very same day, A Bullseye View posted this announcement that the collab's first refresh will include 140 new items including home office accessories.

Since then, I've visited two other Target stores, and they too have already put out the new Hearth & Hand merchandise. So if you can't wait until the 26th to check it out, head over to your local Target today, or peruse this preview on Target.com. Despite the refresh, my opinion on this collab remains the same: the stuff is cute, but so far I haven't seen anything I really want or need.

Target changes clearance stickers from red to yellow...

Remember a couple of months ago when I told you Target was replacing their old red clearance endcap signs with yellow ones? Well guess what? Now it looks like Target is also rolling out the yellow to their clearance stickers, as shown here. I'm still not a fan. Red speaks "stop" or "look" to me, whereas yellow does not.

Sale Alert: Smith & Hawken Amaryllis Bulb Kit

Every year, the Smith & Hawken Amaryllis Bulb Kits are always a popular item at Target, often selling out in stores before the holidays. And this week, they're on sale for $12 each (regularly $12.99) making them perfect for a last-minute gift exchange present or hostess gift. Choose from a red bloom in a red ceramic pot (shown) or cream pot, a red/white bloom in a cream pot, or a white bloom in a mint-green pot.

Clearance Alert: Nate Berkus Office Supplies

Although not marked down online, I noticed that all the Nate Berkus for Target office supply merchandise has been put on clearance at 30% off at my local store. That includes this cute fabric wastebasket, which you can also use as a storage bin. As I mentioned a couple of months ago, it sounds like the entire Nate Berkus line is being phased out of Target, so get your hands on this stuff while you still can.

Double-Take: Restoration Hardware vs. Christopher Knight Home at Target

It's time for another double-take, where we take one item from Tar-shay and match it up against a lookalike - yet pricier - designer piece. Today we have two cushy arm chairs, both with weathered oak frames. But one of them is from Restoration Hardware and will set you back a whopping $1,495, while the other is from Christopher Knight Home (available online from Target) and costs less than half that at $700. Which one is which? The answer is in the comments section below.

Fab Find: Threshold Gold Mixing Bowl Set

Reader Cotton Candy sent me this latest find: a set of shiny gold mixing bowls by Threshold. At just $24.99 for a set of three, these stainless steel bowls can be used to whip up a variety of holiday treats. And with their non-skid silicone base, they can be used as festive serving bowls as well. The only bummer is that they are hand-wash only (and are not dishwasher safe).

Green Monday Deals at Target

Today is Green Monday, aka the day when everyone panics about getting their online purchases in time for Christmas. Ebay coined the term "Green Monday" more than a decade ago after it noticed an uptick in orders on a particular day. It traditionally falls on the second Monday in December, the last day with at least 10 days left to order before Christmas. This year, it's December 11.

Green Monday has become the biggest online shopping day in December, and one of the biggest of the year. And in honor of Green Monday, Target is running an online-only deal: save $20 for every $100 you spend on gifts for just about everyone on your list. Limit $100 savings in total, and restrictions apply, so check here for all the details.

Target's fashion turn: I'm just not feeling it

I honestly didn't know what title to attach to this post. Regular readers of this blog know that I haven't been a big fan of Target's new fashion offerings, as cited here and in other posts in recent months. In fact, yesterday on my lunch break I wandered around the Target store near my office really trying to find something to buy, but nothing enticed me enough to even try on.

When Target carefully curates their styles, as on their TargetStyle Facebook page and in fashion posts on their corporate blog, they can encourage me to buy - like this red plaid A New Day dress that I may give a try. But for the most part, I'm just not feeling them anymore. The upside is that I'm saving a lot of money (lol!) but the downside is that I haven't found another fashion outlet to fill Target's void yet.

New at Target: Tazo Desert Delights Tea

Want a sweet taste minus the calories? Then head on over to Target to try Tazo's new Dessert Delights tea. Their dessert-inspired tea blends have all the flavor without the guilt. Available in Vanilla Bean Macaron (shown) as well as Glazed Lemon Loaf and Butterscotch Brownie. Just $3.49 a box, but on sale this week for only $2.49!

The Look for Less: West Elm vs. Project62

I love the look of an upholstered bench in an entryway or at the foot of a bed. Here are two great examples... you could opt for the one shown on top by West Elm, which will set you back $499 in the fabric shown. Or you could save a lot of dough by choosing the option on the bottom by Project62 (at Target) which is just $149.99.

Target.com: 15% off sitewide, today only

It's here, readers! For today only, almost everything on Target.com is 15% off. While a few exclusions do apply (details here) this sale does extend to Target's popular home collab Hearth & Hand with Magnolia. 

Tamra Judge goes Black Friday shopping at empty Target...

I meant to post this the other day... Tamra Judge had an unusual time shopping on Friday morning, when she found herself at a very empty Target.

According to People Magazine, the 50-year-old Real Housewives of Orange County star was anticipating to battle the Black Friday crowds as she hit the chain store for some early morning doorbusters — the first time she’s ever participated in the annual shopping craze.

Instead, Judge’s Target store in Rancho Santa Margarita, California, was vacant. “Hmmm not what I expected,” Judge wrote in the caption of an Instagram video showing the empty aisels. “First time ever Black Friday shopping. I was so excited to fight the crowds!”

“I got up for this, the crowds!” she said sarcastically in the video. “Target? Not too many crowds.”

Today Only: $25 off your $75 Purchase in Target's Wondershop

If you've been putting off buying your holiday lights or ornaments, you might want to head over to Target today to save some dough. Today only (Sunday, Nov. 26) you can save $25 when you spend $75 on select Wondershop items including lights, trees, ornaments, stockings, gift wrap, ribbons and more. This offer is good both in stores and online.

Target's Cyber Week Deals

Did you shop at Tar-shay last evening or this morning? I did not; I stayed cozy inside and shopped online, where Target has a ton of doorbuster deals for Black Friday. And they're going to continue the online sales into next week with their "Cyber Week Deals". As shown on this chart, Target will run different deals each day. I personally plan to shop the beauty & cosmetics sale on Wednesday, as well as the Thursday boot sale.

What about you, readers? What deals (if any) are you finding at The Bullseye this season?

Happy Thanksgiving to All!

Happy Thanksgiving, dear readers! My mantra this holiday is "be kind", as reflected in sweet little lumbar pillow from Project62 at Target - regularly $16.99 but on sale now for just $11.89.

And as a reminder: Target opens on Thanksgiving Day at 6 p.m. through midnight, and then re-opens on Black Friday at 6 a.m.

Fab Find: Faux Snowballs

This find made me smile! In the Dollar Aisle at Target, I found these faux snowballs, perfect for an indoor snowball fight with the kids. Just $3 for a set of 10 fluffy orbs.

The Look for Less: Crate & Barrel vs. Hearth & Hand

Kudos to reader Cotton Candy for this lookalike find! I guess "tree collars" are the new thing to adorn your Christmas tree vs. the traditional tree skirt. Now you could shell out almost $70 for the galvanized zinc one from Crate & Barrel (shown here on top). Or, you could save some dough and get the Hearth & Hand's version (at Target, shown on bottom) for just $34.99.

Fab Find: Bottle Brush Tress

For the last couple of years, these bottle brush trees have been trending everywhere at Christmastime - from Neiman-Marcus to Cost Plus to Etsy. Now Target's Dollar Aisle has their own version in several different sizes. As shown here, you can get two 6" trees for $1, or four 3" trees or six tiny 1-2" trees for $1. They also have larger (I'm guessing 8"?) trees in pretty pastel pink tones for just $1 each.

The Look for Less: Magnolia Market vs. Hearth & Hand

Earlier this week I posted my review of Target's new Hearth & Hand with Magnolia collection, commenting that several items are quite similar to products on the Magnolia Market website. Case in point: on the left is Magnolia Market's Brass Bell ornament for $8. And on the right is Hearth & Hand's version (at Target) which is both cheaper (at just $4.99) but also cuter IMO with the year monogram.

Target's Big Weekend Sale...

Starting this weekend - Nov. 11 and 12 - Target is kicking off a series of Weekend Deals that’ll have you saving big on everything you need for the holidays, both in stores and on Target.com. These weekend deals will continue throughout November and December.

First up - in preparation for Thanksgiving - Target is serving up delicious deals that’ll make cooking and entertaining a breeze. It's their biggest sale of the year on kitchen appliances and essentials: Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 11-12, take 25% off all kitchen appliances, including brands like KitchenAid and Cuisinart and 15% off Thanksgiving prep essentials from disposable tableware to dish soap, paper towels, tin foil, and more. If you're shopping in stores, you'll need a coupon for the kitchen appliances offer, which can be found in the Target app or by texting KITCHEN to TARGET (827438). The Thanksgiving essentials discount will be applied automatically.

New at Target: Wit & Delight's Holiday Pet Line

Kate Arends, the blogger, tastemaker and designer behind Wit & Delight, has already created everything from barware to entertaining fare for Target. Now she's put her focus on a new holiday pet line that's paws-itively adorable. This too-cute collection of pet beds, bowls, PJs, bandanas and more is available exclusively at Target, just in time for the holidays. Decked out in this festive gear, your pet’s sure to steal the spotlight of any family photo, holiday party or any old wintery day.

Wit & Delight Pets, starting at just $4.99, is available in stores and here on Target.com.

Tuesday's Rant: Target's Shrinking Jewelry & Accessories Department

On Tuesdays I sometimes take the opportunity to rant about something I do not like about Target… because although I love ‘em to death, they ain’t perfect. Today I want to rant about Target's Jewelry and Accessories Department, or lack thereof.

The first thing that happened a while ago was the elimination of the glass cases where the 'better jewelry' was kept behind the counter. Then the department started looking much like what you see here, with a dedicated space near the front of the store showcasing a variety of jewelry, watches, and sunglasses, seguewaying into the scarves and handbags nearby.

But now, this entire area has been transformed into what I call the "overflow cheap clothing section". When Summer was in full swing, I thought it was just a way to showcase seasonal clothing like maxi dresses and beach coverups. But now it's morphed into a hodgepodge of Junior-sized clothing with no cohesive theme. Meanwhile, the jewelry has been pushed over near the shoe department and has dwindled in size so much that now it looks like an afterthought. Likewise, the scarves/bags have less of a defined space, and are now more scattered within the women's clothing section. This follows Target's new merchandising strategy to employ "elevated, cross-merchandise product presentations" in order to "amplify Target’s exclusive style assortment across apparel and accessories, home, jewelry and beauty, encouraging guests to browse." However, I find it to be annoying. If I'm looking for a purse, I want to go to the handbag department; I don't want to hunt and peck among multiple departments to find one I like.

Target's Black Friday Ad...

Can't wait to check out Target's Black Friday deals? Well your wait is over, as Target posted their Black Friday Ad today.

Target's Black Friday Sale sale will include special offers on TVs, tablets, the Apple Watch Series 1, and Fitbit fitness trackers. For a rundown of the best electronic deals, check out this post from Consumer Reports. Target will also offer Black Friday shoppers who spend at least $50 in store or online a coupon for 20 percent off a follow-up trip to Target between Nov. 28 and Dec. 10.

This year, Target stores will open at 6 p.m. Thanksgiving night, close at midnight, then reopen at 6 a.m. on Black Friday. Target REDcard holders get access to the retailer’s deals on Nov. 22, while everyone else has to wait until Thanksgiving. The Black Friday deals are good through Nov. 25 in stores and on Target’s website.

My Review: Hearth and Hand With Magnolia

Unfortunately, I was battling a stomach bug (ugh!) over the weekend, so I didn't get to Target yesterday until mid-day. By that time, the frenzy over the new Hearth and Hand With Magnolia collection was in full swing. There were more than a dozen women buzzing around the huge-house display and grabbing things up left and right.

But this collab was different... first, the display itself - and the thoughtful way the goods were arranged - was much more like a high-end department store than a big-box retailer. While browsing, I felt like I was looking at merchandise at Williams-Sonoma or Crate & Barrel vs. Tar-jay. And the goods themselves seem well-made and well-designed. In fact, after going back last night and perusing the Home section of the Magnolia Market website, I found many similar items to the ones in the Target collab. In fact, I'll be doing a "Look for Less" post on that topic later this week.

The other difference with this collab - at least on launch day - was that there were dedicated Target employees around to help customers and ask if they needed anything. If an item they wanted wasn't out on the floor, the employees would look for them in the back or try to get them from another store. And if an item was depleted on the shelf - as the Christmas wreaths were - they were on hand with additional stock to replenish the supply.

Despite really liking this collection, I didn't buy anything. Don't get me wrong: there was a LOT to like, and if I had loads of $, I'd probably go crazy and buy a ton of the holiday decor and coordinating dishes. I may go back to the website and order a few things, although some choice items - like this glass and brass candle holder - is already sold out online and selling out fast in stores.  Overall I think this line is going to do very well, and I'm glad that Hearth & Hand is a long term partnership with Target and not just a one-time holiday thing.

The Look for Less: Sorel vs. Merona

Boot season is in full swing, but that doesn't mean you have to spend an arm and a leg to be fashionable. Case in point: you could buy the lace-up gray wedge booties by Sorel on the left for $250. Or you could get a super-similar look by Merona (at Target, shown on the right) for just $37.99.

Have you peeked behind the curtain yet?

A friend of mine texted me this pic earlier this week after seeing a Hearth and Hand display go up at her local Target store. She peeked behind the curtain at the goods to get this shot, but presumably the "big reveal" won't happen until launch day on Nov. 5th.

According to A Bullseye View, about 500 select stores will feature "a 12-foot-tall house structure decked out with the collection and designed to recreate that feeling of joy when family and friends gather in a home." At other Target stores, "guests will find the products in an elevated display with table settings and other product vignettes," which seems to be the case shown here. And at 100 special stores, Target has an extra surprise planned on launch day: a floral cart with stunning silk florals free of charge to guests, good while supplies last.

So how about it, readers? Have you seen a Hearth and Hand display go up at your store, and if so, have you peeked inside?

Target's looming clearance racks...

Back in August, I posted details from Target about their new brand A New Day, including the fact that the line would feature fresh pieces every month instead of quarterly, following the 'fast fashion' trend of competitors like J Crew and Zara. The problem is, I don't think the stuff is selling. Here's a shot from one of my local stores, in which I tried to capture all five clearance racks in the women's department. And there's actually a sixth clearance rack off to the side that's not pictured here. 

A good portion of the stuff on clearance was from A New Day, and I saw a lot of Who What Wear, too. WWW follows the same model as AND - by introducing new styles monthly - so if the stuff doesn't sell quickly, it needs to go on sale to make room for the new stuff constantly coming in. And from what I can tell, people just aren't buying it. I know I'm not shopping the women's department as often as I used to; the last thing I bought was this little black dress, and prior to that, I got a Merona sweater way back at the end of July. Between AND's cheap fabrics, WWW's crazy styles, and the abundance of velvet, I just haven't found anything at Target I like. How about you, readers? Are you liking Target's new looks, or are you passing on them like I am?

Tuesday's Rant: Target's Silly "Basket" Displays

On Tuesdays I sometimes take the opportunity to rant about something I do not like about Target… because although I love ‘em to death, they ain’t perfect. I haven't done a 'rant' in long time, but I've been meaning to do this one for a while. 

Have you noticed these oversized store displays that look like giant shopping baskets? I have, and I think they're ridiculous. Not only do they look stupid, they also cheapen the store experience. Target seems to be using them to promote items on sale, and they're usually found awkwardly placed in main aisle in the Food & Beverage or Household Essentials sections. But instead of enticing me to buy, I avoid these displays like the plague. 

Velour/Velvet: make it stop!

I've noticed a disturbing trend in retail lately: Velour/Velvet is everywhere, including Target. You can't walk anywhere in the Womens' department without running into a top like this one (shown) which I call 'velour' but is probably just a poor attempt at crushed velvet. I can't tell you how bad these tops look IRL. The fabric just screams "cheap". This particular top was at regular price, but I also saw a ton of similar Mossimo velvety tops already on the clearance racks. And if do a search on 'velvet' on Target.com, you get over 200 results for clothing alone.

While Target is a prime offender, they're not the only one. During a trip to the mall yesterday, I noticed a ton of velvet clothing at stores like Banana Republic and Madewell. But to be honest, some of their stuff - despite being a lot more expensive - looked just as bad as the options at Target.

Fab Find: Who What Wear LBD

Last night I went to a fancy cocktail party and I wore this lacy little black dress (shown) by Who What Wear (at Target). Not only did I get a ton of compliments, but the dress was comfortable as well, which you can't always say about eveningwear.

Unfortunately, this dress is pretty much sold out on Target.com, but it's still available in some stores. I've seen it in a variety of sizes for as low as $10.48 on the clearance racks. I found my size on sale for $17.99, which is still a great deal.

Target to slow down Christmas promotions...

The Associated Press reports that Target says their customers want to pause the "Christmas creep." So in order to be more in tune with their customers' mindset, Target plans to ease in holiday promotions this year while better recognizing Thanksgiving.

The retailer's holiday plans also include a new e-gift service, adding kiosks that focus on impulse presents mainly under $15, and launching a wallet feature to its app. It's also offering more weekend deals since shoppers do more holiday buying then.

While all retailers need to worry about online growth and the expansion of Amazon, Target is spending $7 billion over three years to remodel old stores, open small ones in cities and college towns and offer faster delivery for online orders. It's also been refreshing its store brands and trying to be more convenient to shoppers. Eight of Target's new brands will be available for the first time this holiday season.

The company is also expanding its marketing focus and increasing its holiday marketing budget compared to a year ago. For November, Target will keep Thanksgiving signs and displays at the entrances and its marketing will play up Thanksgiving meal preparation and entertaining for shoppers. "They want us to pause, and be really intentional and recognize Thanksgiving," said Rick Gomez, Target's chief marketing officer. "What they don't want us to do is go right into Christmas. So, we are going to respect that."

And as it eases into the Christmas holiday the company isn't repeating the "Ten Days of Deals" strategy, which it had for two seasons in a row. Instead, it's increasing weekend deals starting Nov. 11, as Gomez says customers are shopping on the weekend twice as much as they are during weekdays.

Target to offer free shipping for the holidays...

The Krazy Coupon Lady reports that you can shop for everything you need for the holidays on Target.com and receive free shipping with no minimum requirements. Starting Nov. 1st and running through December 23rd, all of your Target.com orders will ship for free, with no $35.00 minimum purchase required. Plus, you can use your Target REDcard to receive an additional 5% savings.

Watch this space tomorrow for more details on Target's holiday plans.

Coming Soon to Target: Sugar Paper Holiday Collection

For the third year in a row,  Sugar Paper will bring a holiday assortment of gift wrap and seasonal decor to Target. This time around, in addition to traditional red and white, they've added a chic new color scheme - grey and navy, as shown here - to their signature gift wrap collection.

The Sugar Paper for Target holiday collection has everything you need to deck out your tree to match the presents underneath. From a sweet star tree topper to glittery ornaments, every detail will help you achieve holiday décor perfection. The collection will be available in stores and online at Target.com starting on Oct. 29, with prices ranging from $2 to $15. You can check out more preview pics here on A Bullseye View.

New at Target: Mia and Mimi Toddler Dresses

If you're looking for fancy little girls' dresses, look no further than Target. Their new brand Mia and Mimi offers a selection of pretty frocks made from brocade, lace, tulle and glitter. Offered in baby sizes up through toddler, the dresses range in price from just $19.99 - $24.99. I've seen these in store and they look even better in person, and they'd be perfect for the upcoming holidays or any dress-up occasion.

Consumer Alert: Archer Farms Bagged Veggie Recall

You may have heard about another bagged salad & veggie recall recently. Now Consumerist is reporting that this recall has expanded, and Target is one of the retailers affected.

The company behind the recalled products, Mann Packing, exports some products to Canada, and routine testing of those exports turned up Listeria. While there have been no reported or confirmed illnesses from these products, note that the incubation period for Listeria ranges from three to 70 days, so people could get sick more than two months from now.

Now there are a lot of products included in this recall. They were sold under Mann’s own brand name, and also under the store brands of Archer Farms (at Target), H-E-B, Little Salad Bar, Signature Farms (at Albertsons), Trader Joe’s, Walmart, and Western Family. You can find a table with all of the items listed here on Consumerist's website, and images of the Mann’s packaging for each product is available on the company’s website.

Mann’s asks that you throw affected products away or return them to the store where they were purchased for a refund. If you have any questions about the recall or the products, contact the company at 888-470-2681 or use its email form.

New clearance endcaps at Target...

Yesterday at my local Target store I noticed something new: yellow clearance endcap signs (instead of the traditional red ones). I guess Target is trying to better differentiate clearance endcaps from regular ones with the new color scheme. I will admit they're easier to spot, although suddenly seeing yellow signs- in the sea of Target red branding - was a bit jarring.

At long last, Target expands to all 50 states...

CNN reports that Target will conquer its final American frontier: the state of Vermont. The company announced today that it will open its first store in South Burlington in 2018. Once it's completed, Target will have a location in every state in the U.S.

The new store will employ 75 workers, and have inventory that's specially curated for the neighborhood, with an emphasis on clothing, health and beauty products, home and dorm decor and groceries. It will also be smaller than Target's traditional big-box setup -- by design. Last time Target tried to come to Vermont, it had a difficult time.

Target attempted to open a full-size store in Williston back in 2012. At a meeting of the town's planning commission, the idea was shot down. "Suffice it to say, a single occupant, 160,000 square foot big box was not really what the town had in mind," Ken Belliveau, Williston's planning director, told CNNMoney. "This is a very strong progressive, small-scale, craft, communitarian kind of environment," he said.

That didn't leave Target with many options. At the time, the company was firm on size. But the retail environment has changed since then. Amazon has undercut many discount retailers, and brick-and-mortar stores have been struggling. The new Vermont location, which will be close to the University of Vermont, will be 60,000 square feet."Target's small-format stores allow us to go in much more easily than we would building a full-size Target store," Target spokeswoman Kristy Welker said.

For Vermont, the smaller size changed the calculus. "The juxtaposition of a big box with Vermont's small state, small city, small town feel ... you get into discussion with communities about fit," said Michael Schirling, Vermont's secretary of commerce and community development. Target currently has more than 1,800 stores in the U.S. The company opened its first location in Roseville, Minnesota in 1962.

New at Target: Cat & Jack Adaptive Apparel

Cat & Jack is expanding its offerings to include adaptive apparel, made specially for kids and toddlers living with disabilities. Based on current brand styles, Target’s internal design team created the 40-item assortment with features like side and back snap and zip closures and hidden openings for abdominal access, all in an effort to make getting dressed easier for everyone (both kids and parents).

Features include outerwear with zip-off sleeves, footless sleepwear and diaper-friendly leggings and bodysuits. Plus the clothing is made from extra-soft, comfortable and durable cotton knits.

Shop the selection of Cat & Jack adaptive apparel pieces in sizes 2T-5T (Toddler) and XS-XXL (Big Kids) exclusively at Target.com starting Oct. 22. Prices range from $4.50 to $39.99, with most items under $19.99.

Target joins Google's anti-Amazon alliance...

Google and the country’s biggest brick-and-mortar retailers have one big problem in common: Amazon. Now both sides are acting taking action to do something about it.

Last week, Target and Google announced that they are expanding what was a years-old delivery partnership from a small experiment in a handful of cities to the entire continental U.S. The expansion will allow Target to become a retail partner in Google’s voice-shopping initiative, which lets owners of the Google Home “smart” speaker order items through voice commands like owners of the Echo can do from Amazon.

This announcement comes several weeks after Walmart inked a similar deal with Google to offer hundreds of thousands of products through the service. Other big-box retailers like Home Depot are also jumping on board. You can read more details here on Recode.

Lookbook: Hearth & Hand

As reported last month, Target is collaborating with Chip and Joanna Gaines—the duo behind Magnolia and the hit HGTV show “Fixer Upper”—on a new home and lifestyle brand called Hearth & Hand. And now, the complete lookbook is here, with 300+ pieces ranging in price from $.99 to $129.99. Check out all the pics here on A Bullseye View.

Fab Find: Pillowfort Lumberjack Set

How cute is this?? Pillowfort (at Target) brings us this adorable lumberjack pillow toy with coordinating throw blanket. This would make a great gift, and best of all, it's just $17.99.

New at Target: Foodstirs

Craving homemade treats fresh from the oven, but don’t love spending hours in the kitchen—or baking from a box? Turns out from scratch can be easy and kits can be chock-full of goodness. Say hello to Foodstirs by Sarah Michelle Gellar. This new line of family-and-planet-friendly baking mixes are quick, easy, organic, non-GMO and deliciously simple. The scrumptious collection is now at Target, with fun flavors like snickerdoodle blondies, chocolate chip pumpkin bread or pumpkin spice pancakes.

You can read more about Foodstirs here on A Bullseye View.  And this week, grab the Cartwheel deal to get 20% off all varieties of Foodstirs.

Fab Find: All The Feels Blanket

The other day at Target I came across this super-plush blanket by All The Feels. This cozy reversible blanket - ideal for layering on your bed or just keeping warm on the couch - has soft velvet on one side and faux fur on the other. Plus, All The Feels™ helps improve the lives of young people in need by giving the gift of warmth. For every item purchased, All The Feels™ will donate one blanket or the monetary equivalent to our non-profit partners located throughout the U.S., meaning your kindness will be felt by thousands of youth.

Available in 4 colors and 3 sizes (Twin, Full/Queen and King) All The Feels blankets are $29.99 - $49.99 at Target and on Target.com.

Target tops Two-Buck Chuck...

Back in August I alerted you that in order to combat Trader Joe's Two Buck Chuck in the wine department, Target was developing their own line of "cheap wine". Similar to the Charles Shaw brand at Trader Joe's, Target's new brand California Roots offers "wine blends carefully crafted with premium, California-grown grapes at just $5 a bottle."

Well it seems that Business Insider has done a side-by-side taste test, and according to them, Target wins - at least in the Cabernet department. According to BI, "Target's California Roots cabernet has a delightfully smooth and silky mouthfeel that languishes on the tongue. It's full-bodied and has a satisfying consistency — especially when compared to Charles Shaw's rather lanky and watery cab."

What happened to Who What Wear?

Earlier this year I spoke about my fondness of Who What Wear at Target. Now, however, that fondness has waned. Outside of a couple of cute off-the-shoulder tops I bought over the Summer, I haven't purchased anything from WWW in quite a while. And looking at some of their latest Fall offerings (shown here) I'll pass. Shiny faux-leather bomber jackets with baby blue fake fur collars? Ick. Oversized sweatshirts with exaggerated poplin ruffled sleeves? No thanks.

There still are a couple of bright spots in the WWW line, like this flutter sleeve lace LBD which is highly rated on Target.com. Likewise, this leopard-print coat looks cute and versatile. But for the most part, I'll be avoiding Who What Wear this season.

Everything old is new again...

As I wrote about two months ago, Target's new brand A New Day seems awfully like their old brand Merona, despite the claim that A.N.D. is supposed to be more "hip" and "edgy". Case in point: on the left is a pic of one of the last Merona items I bought back in July: a rust-red chunky cowl neck sweater. And on the right is the same exact sweater from A.N.D., for the same price ($29.99).

And I'm not just judging by the pics: I actually found this sweater in the store and saw for myself that it was exactly the same as the Merona one, only there was the A.N.D. tag sewn in it instead. Likewise, a quick search on Target.com shows other A.N.D. versions of old Merona favorites - like this colorblock hooded car coat and this plaid pullover sweater. My point is that if you've been mourning the loss of Merona (as I have) give A.N.D. a chance. That said, I haven't been entirely impressed by the quality of A.N.D., as it seems lower than compared with Merona. And Target isn't living up to the claim that this new brand will have better price points, as thus far prices are trending the same as Merona.