Fab Find: Mossimo fitted plaid shirt

I kept seeing these shirts at Target over the past few weeks, but there would only be a random XS here and there, with none in my size. Now the stores near me seem to be fully stocked, and I'm so glad I picked up a couple of them! These shirts are super-cute, have a flattering, fitted shape, and are made of extra-soft flannel. They also come in over 10 different color combos, making the selection terrific.

And best of all, they seem to be on "secret sale" this week in stores! The shirts are just a paltry $15 to begin with, but they ring up on sale at $10. I thought it might have been a fluke, until I went back to get another shirt today, and the same thing happened.

UPDATE: At another Target near me today, I noticed a sign up with these shirts announcing the $10 sale as a "Remodeling Special". All the Target stores near me that have recently gone through remodeling to add the fresh grocery department seem to have these signs sprinkled through the store on various merchandise. My theory on the shirts is that normally (without the remodel) they would have been put out several weeks earlier, and now they're putting them on sale to try and get them to move.

Target to finally open in Canada

Good news for our neighbors to the North! Target is finally coming to Canada. It was announced yesterday that they plan to open 200 stores in Canada beginning with 6 to 10 stores in 2014 and 2015, reports the Montreal Gazette. "We are exploring opportunities in Canada," said Amy Reilly, a Target spokeswoman. "We are optimistic that our first stores could open by mid-decade." The first location will be in the Toronto area.

Wednesday's Rave: Bonne Bell's Paul Frank products

While browsing Target yesterday, I came across something fun in the health & beauty aisle: Paul Frank-branded Bonne Bell products. I've been a Paul Frank fan for years, so the bright, fun-inspired designs immediately caught my eye, especially Julius the Monkey. I had never seen these before, but a quick search on the the web reveals they've been around since last year. The sets I saw included solid lip gloss in a tin, liquid lipgloss in a tube, and the classic "Lip Smackers" lip balm kind like the ones shown here with bonus keychain. Keeping with Bonne Bell's tradition, the Paul Frank products come in an offbeat variety of flavors like Cotton Candy, Fried Ice Cream and Coconut Creme. And at just $3.99 for each set, this would make a perfect stocking stuffer for tween or teenage girls.

Tuesday's Rant: Target's Grocery Section

Most Tuesdays I 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's rant is about Target's new fresh grocery section. While I love the idea in theory, in reality, I have found the section poorly stocked on almost every occasion I've shopped there. Sure, it's great that Target sells blueberries for just $2.99 a basket when my local grocery store has them for $4.99. But that's only if you can find them, and 9 times out of 10, they're sold out. Ditto with the fresh french bread. And half the time, they're out of 2% milk.

Memo to Target: if you want me to shop your grocery section, please stock the basics I need. Otherwise, I'll just go back to doing all my grocery shopping at my local supermarket.

Double-Take: Pottery Barn vs. Target

It's time for another double-take, and this time, we visit the dinnerware department. It amazes me that people still buy dishes at places like Pottery Barn and Crate and Barrel when most often you can find a pattern/style that's similar - if not identical - at Target. Case in point: the cheery-yellow dinnerware shown here. One is from Pottery Barn, and costs a hefty $48 for a set of 4 dinner plates. And the other is from American Simplicity (at Target) and weighs in at just $14.99 for 4 plates. Can you guess which is which? The answer appears in the comments section.

Sonia Kashuk Breast Cancer Limited Edition Collection

As everyone knows, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. And to help the cause, each year Sonia Kashuk releases a limited edition selection of items at Target. This year's collection includes the following:

The Circle of Hope Kabuki Brush, with bright pink bristles.

The Pretty in Pink Eye Shadow Palette in 3 shimmery shades.

The Circle Around a Cause bright pink clutch and brush set.

The Seeing Pink makeup bag and brush set.

The Primping for a Cause tweezer and eyelash curler set.

The Brighten Your Day 2-pack of pink makeup sponges.

And shown here, the Lend a Hand nail polish set in 3 yummy pink & plummy shades.

My review of Mulberry for Target

Today I went to a Target store that I don't visit that much, even though it's only about 15-20 minutes away. It sits in a large and often crowded mall, which is why I don't frequent the place. Anyhow, as I was walking through the accessories section, I noticed that this store had the new Mulberry for Target collection out already (even though the line isn't supposed to be available until Oct. 10th). Unfortunately, as I predicted a few weeks ago, this collection is a true disappointment. The faux-patent leather material looks tacky and plastic-ee, and even the denim bags (like the one shown) screamed "childish" and "cheap". Worst of all was the hot-pink leopard-print PVC bag; the pink is so bright, it's practically neon! What a letdown.