Sale Alert: Nate Berkus Throw Pillows

Regular readers of my blog know I'm a HUGE Nate Berkus fan. And right now, there's some terrific Nate Berkus for Target pillows on sale. These tassel-trimmed beauties are just $19.99 each (regularly $24.99). Plus, you an get an extra 10% off online when you use the code JUNE at checkout.

Fab Find: Dollar Aisle Men's Socks

Yesterday in the Dollar Aisle at Target I found these whimsical men's socks, which would be perfect as a little gift for Father's Day. Among the styles I saw (shown here) were a mustache print, a pizza slice pattern, and a nuts/bolts motif. And at just $3 each, you can afford to get Dad multiple pairs!

New at Target: POPTIMISM!

Target has a new array of party supplies and accessories (like beach towels and totes) called POPTIMISM! Shown here the Summer Fun Collection, with fun pop-art summer motifs like watermelon slices, hot dogs, hamburgers and ice cream cones. They also have a Classic American Collection - in patriotic red, white and blue - that would be perfect for Memorial Day or The 4th of July.

Sale Alert: Memorial Day Sale on Target.com

Target.com is having a Memorial Day sale now through Monday. Get up to 30% off selected patio, home & furniture. Plus, you can save an extra 10% when you use the promo code "SPRING' at checkout. Deals include upholstered chairs from Nate Berkus (at 20% off) and Smith & Hawken patio furniture (at 30% off).

Double-Take: LOFT vs. Who What Wear

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're focusing on ruffles, which are certainly having a fashion moment. While I've seen ruffles mostly on tops and dresses, they're starting to show up on skirts as well, like these two examples here. Except one of them is from LOFT and will set you back $69.50, while the other is from Who What Wear (at Target) and costs just $29.99. Which one is which? The answer appears in the comments section below.

Fab Find: Dollar Aisle Totes & Bags

A few weeks ago I found this awesome beach tote in the Dollar Aisle at Target for just 5-bucks! With rope handles and colorful tassel, it looks a LOT more expensive than it is. And for $3, I threw in the matching makeup bag. These came in a variety of colors and patterns, but alas, I think they're mostly sold out by now.

The Look for Less: Modernica vs. Threshold

Adding houseplants to your decor - be it real or 'faux' - is an easy way to update a room. Now you could splurge on the floor planter on the left (by Modernica) for just under $150, but you'd have to add your own plant. Or you could opt for the Threshold version on the right (at Target) for just $59.99, which comes with it's own faux snake plant. Both glazed ceramic planters with metal stands are approx. 23" tall.

Consumer Alert: Honest Company Baby Wipes Recalled

Uh oh... for the second time this year, an Honest Company baby product is being recalled due to quality issues. In January, it was their Organic Baby Powder, and this time, it's their Baby Wipes. Up until recently, these were sold at Target, but they've since been pulled and the product is listed as "not available" online.

CBS News reports that the Honest Company is recalling certain lots of their baby wipes because of a possible mold contamination problem. In a video on their website, company co-founder Christoper Gavigan explained the problem.

"Recently it came to our attention during routine quality testing that certain lots of our wipes were not meeting out high standards," said Gavigan. "A recent quality audit concluded that there is the potential for the presence of mold in certain lots of our wipes resulting in staining. The aesthetics are unacceptable and we believe any of the affected products are not likely to cause adverse health consequences."

The company has set up an online tool to help customers figure out if their wipes were part of the recall. Those who bought the affected wipes may return them to the store where they bought them for a full refund. Consumers with questions can call the company, Monday through Friday from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific time, at 888-862-8818.

Fab Find: Mossimo Tie-front Tee

This morning I went online to see if my new favorite Mossimo tee - with a cute tie-front detail - came in any other colors besides black and white (which I had already nabbed at my local Target store). And lo and behold, it also comes in red (as shown here). Even better, Target.com is running a deal this week for 20% off select Mossimo clothing, making this cute top just $11.99 (regularly $14.99).

Coming Soon to Target: Casper

Casper - the company known for disrupting the sleep industry and shipping obsessively-engineered mattresses right to your door - is coming to Target. In just three years, they’ve built a cult following of happy sleepers by reimagining sleep from the ground up. Their award-winning research and development team creates everything from mattresses and bases (sans box springs) to airy sheets and a unique pillow-in-a-pillow, and they’ve earned some serious accolades along the way.

According to A Bullseye View, by teaming up with Target, Casper will be able to reach even more soon-to-be-happy sleepers.

“Since our launch online three years ago, we’ve seen a huge demand from customers who want to experience the Casper brand in person,” says Philip Krim, CEO and co-founder of Casper. “Partnering with Target allows us to bring Casper products directly to consumers in-store on a national scale. Target shares our mission of championing sleep as an essential pillar of wellness, as well as our pursuit of an unparalleled customer journey.”

Casper hits Target's website (with select products in some stores) on June 18, but in the meantime, you can preview the selection here on Target.com

Fab Find: Dollar Aisle Party Products

The other day in the Dollar Aisle at Target I spied these adorable paper plates and napkins (shown). Sporting a flamingo motif in pink and green, they'd be perfect for your next backyard BBQ. They also had drink caddies, straws, placemats, and other partyware in the same fun prints, just $1-3 each.

Target's 360°-styled shopping experience...

Ever fall in in love with a gorgeous sofa you spied online—but can’t quite picture how it’d look in a real room with all the accents, from pillows and throws to the perfectly proportioned wall hangings? Then try Target's new 360-degree shopping tool with special effects straight out of the movies.

According to A Bullseye View, Target's new virtual reality-like shopping experience on Target.com allows you to view 3 different curated living room looks: modern, farmhouse, mid-century or traditional. Then browse over 140 featured products — from rugs and sofas to wall hangings and decorative throws—in a virtual living room designed to help guests visualize size and scale of items and provide some tips on styling. And voilà: your perfect find is just a couple clicks away from being in your cart.

Target raises minimum free shipping threshold...

Consumerist reports that while Amazon just recently dropped its free shipping minimum from $35 to $25, Target has made the baffling decision to go in the opposite direction, raising its minimum required purchase for free shipping to $35. The company told CNBC it increased its free shipping threshold on Sunday, joining Walmart at the $35 level.

“Target regularly reviews and adjusts our online shipping policies and practices to better serve guests and enhance our business” the retailer said in a statement. The change won’t affect Target REDcard credit or debit cardholders, who will continue to get free shipping with no minimum purchase requirement.

The retailer first offered free shipping for a minimum of $50, but then dropped that threshold to $25 in Feb. 2015. At the time, it was cheaper than Walmart or Amazon. This move is confusing, as Target has been trying desperately to play catch-up to Amazon. Case in point: just yesterday, the company announced it would be testing next-day deliveries for pantry and household items.

It seems counterintuitive, then, to require shoppers to spend more money to get the same free shipping they could get elsewhere with a lower minimum purchase threshold. However, Target says that just “a small percentage of Target.com purchases are less than $35, so the majority of orders will continue to ship for free.”

Fab Find: Baby Rash Guard

How cute is this? This pint-sized rash guard by Cat & Jack with the clever quote is just $7.99. Of course, since babies can't surf, I'm not sure a baby actually needs a rash guard, but I guess it could be worn as swimwear instead.

Fab Find: Dollar Aisle Grad Cards

The Dollar Aisle at Target has an awesome selection of graduation cards, as shown here.  The tag says they are handmade, and most have metallic or glitter trim. Best of all, they're just $1 each, which is great as I have a lot of grads to send cards to this year!

My Victoria Beckham for Target score...

As I mentioned last week, we're closing in on the 30-day return window for the Victoria Beckham for Target (that's IF you used your Target RedCard). That means more items hitting the clearance racks, and a better chance of finding that elusive item you've been looking for.

I got lucky yesterday and happened to find the coveted (and sold out) bee scarf at my local store yesterday. It must have just been returned, as there wasn't a clearance sticker on it yet. I'm so glad I found it, as I've regretted not getting another one on launch day (when I snagged one for my best friend and one for my mom, but not one for myself). So keep checking back, readers! Most Target stores I've been to recently seem to be moving all the VB stuff near front of the store - perhaps to get more foot traffic? - and are lumping all the women's/girl's/toddler & baby sizes together.

Fab Find: Threshold Faux Mohair Throws

This week, Target has their Threshold "faux mohair" throw blankets on sale for just $20 - $22.49 each (regularly $29.99) in a variety of colors and patterns. I bought this plaid one several months ago to drape over my couch, and I absolutely love it. [I also have the matching throw pillows, but those seem to now be sold out online].

Back at Target: Oh Joy! First Aid Kit

For the second year in a row, Target has tapped Oh Joy! to design their annual first aid kit promotion. You can either buy the bag outright (for $5.99) or get the bag "free with purchase" when you buy 3 select health care products in stores or via Target.com. Last year's design was a pretty pastel pattern and this year's (shown here) is in a bright splatter print.

Fab Find: Seas the Day Shirt

While walking past the boy's department yesterday in Target I spied this adorable shirt. As part of a nautical display, this fun crewneck proclaims "Seas the Day". I couldn't find it online, but it's from Cat & Jack and as I recall it was under $10.

VB for Target hits the clearance racks...

As my fellow blogger The Recessionista posted over the weekend, the racks at Target are overflowing with returns from the Victoria Beckham for Target collab. After initial brisk sales on launch day, my local Target had scaled back to just one crammed rack. But after a couple of weeks, they had to add more racks to accommodate all the returns. And now - as shown here - the collab has been marked down to 30% off, both in stores and online.

This pic is from a store near my work, and I only saw women's wear - whereas my local store was piling all the returns (women's, baby and girl's) together  So if you're looking for the kids or baby stuff, check those separate departments. Of the women's items, I saw lots of the pale pink and mint green lace, the bold black/white prints, and the bright orange and pink - all in a variety of sizes.

Sadly, I expect this collab to face further markdowns, as it's just not moving. Plus, I expect even MORE returns, as customers who purchased items with their Target RedCard have up until May 9th (30 days after the line's debut) to return items (vs. the regular return window of 14-days for designer collabs).

Fab Find: Dollar Aisle Hand Cream

Target's Dollar Aisle is currently stocking these cute hand creams. With bright packaging and yummy varieties like Raspberry Sugar and Coconut Water, they're just 3-bucks each. But wait, there's more! The fun fragrances also come in bar soaps, wrapped in heavy paper in the same pretty prints.