Happy New Year!

To all my readers, a huge THANK YOU for reading my blog and a heartfeld wish for a Happy and Healthy New Year! And if you're planning to ring in the New Year with champagne (as we are) just a helpful hint that Target (the ones that sell alcohol) actually have some deals on the bubbly. While they don't stock a lot of it, deals can be found on a couple of premium brands:

Veuve Clicquot Brut Champagne (called "round, ripe and lemony; tasty, fruity and approachable") is usually $39 at BevMo, but around $35 at Target.

Moet & Chandon White Star (described as "creamy, almost butterscotch aroma, with a soft palate of fruit-driven flavors dominated by green plums and pears") is usually $29 at BevMo, but can be found for $25 at Target.

Target’s internal clash over gift receipts

You may have noticed (as I did this Holiday season) that Target didn’t seem to provide gift receipts with each purchase as they have done in the past. Come to find out, this issue has been a source of disagreement at Target headquarters, according to an anonymous, former employee's note posted on The Consumerist blog. The mystery contributor describes the clashing philosophies of then-CEO Bob Ulrich and EVP Bart Butzer, and the resulting confusion among store employees and customers. The gist of the story seems that Ulrich wanted gift receipts automatically provided for every sale, whereas Butzer only wanted them by request.

Hayden-Harnett: kind of a let down...

Well, after all the build-up and hype, I was finally able to view the Hayden-Harnett bag collection up close and personal yesterday at Target. And, I hate to say it, but it was kind of a let down. This bag (shown) in particular, plus the flap-bag made of the same brown PVC faux-leather material, just looks CHEAP to me.

The Flight Bag I'd had my eye on was also a disappointment. While it's attractive, and a great size for travel (hence the name, I suppose) again the material (this time cotton canvas) seems thin and not sturdy enough to hold up to normal wear. And at $50, I'd rather spend my cash on something that's apt to last more than just one season.

I will say, however, that the cute clutch I showed the other day IS pretty snazzy, and probably the one bag of the bunch I'll actually buy. I didn't realize that the coin purse is actually attached to the outside of the bag, which is a fun and practical touch.

And in more Hayden-Harnett news…

From The Fashion Informer: a quirky Q & A session with the founders of Hayden-Hartnett, Toni Hacker and Ben Harnett. Among other things, they reveal that “The thought, print development and design approach for the Target collection was exactly the same as for our own collection - style, quality, function and uniqueness,” and “The only real difference is that we didn't do the Target collection production ourselves.”

Hayden-Harnett = MIA

According to Racked.com, many stores on the East Coast still haven’t put out the new Hayden-Harnett handbag collection (which was due to hit store shelves on Sunday). As for here on the West Coast: the two Target stores near my home hadn’t put them out yet, and a quick check at the Target near my work late yesterday didn’t have them, either. What’s up with the slacking, Target??

Umbra Loft at Target

It looks like Target is adding another home décor line to the fold in addition to Victoria Hagan, John Derian, and DwellStudio. Umbra Loft (created by design collaborators Paul Rowan and Les Mandelbaum) has been around since the 1970’s, and I know that Target has been carrying their picture frames for some time now. But starting next month (and already available online) the collection of home offerings will range from bedding, vases and candle holders to kitchenware and accent furniture, including this super sleek end table for just $79.99.

Pick of the Week

It’s Pick of the Week time: each week I pick one great buy from Target’s Weekly Ad (in the Sunday newspaper) and highlight it here on my blog. Today's pick was hard, because Target has some crazy deals going on this week.... like the Wii Fit bundle and Wii Fit Starter kit on sale (when does the Wii ever go on sale??) as well as a deal where they're giving you a FREE Ipod Shuffle when you buy a 32GB Ipod Touch. But I honed in on what was front and center on the cover: the lowest prices of the year on a variety of video games (the ones that NEVER go on sale). How do I know this? Because I live in a "gamer household" (between my hubby and two teenage boys) who tell me that these games rarely, if ever, go on sale.

Select titles for Wii, XBox 360, and PS3: regularly $49.99 - $59.99, on sale this week for $39.99

My exhaustive review of Thakoon for Target...

One of the Target stores near where I live - the one that always puts out the Go International stuff out early - already had Thakoon's line out as of yesterday, so I was able to check the collection out "live and in person". Here are my thoughts:

Overall, Thakoon for Target is much better than the previous 3-4 Go International lines. Standout pieces include the much-anticipated shibori dress (which I featured the other day) that's cuter on than on the hanger (believe me, because I bought it!). I also really liked this striped dress (which I previewed the other day) that's super-summery but should be OK in late-Spring with the addition of a navy or white cardigan. And I'll probably go back to buy this swingy blue skirt (pictured) that also comes in the grey shibori print and would look great with a simple black t-shirt.

Thakoon's tops were a mixed bag. The ruffled tops (pictured) are cute, as are the colorblock tanks (which are made of a silky-type poly that could easily be dressed up for evening). But the tops with large horizontal stripes? Never a good idea. And while some of the t-shirts were cute in the shibori print, others (like the yellow camo print) were just plain garish.

Two areas I'd definitely recommend passing on are the cardigans, as they're actually more like t-shirt material than sweater-weight. In other words, they come off as cheap and flimsy. And the swimwear is so skimpy that it really is best saved for the very young (or super-skinny).

And speaking of which: Thakoon himself keeps talking about designing with "girls in mind" on his video on Target.com (scroll down to 'menu' under Thakoon's name and you can 'watch the video'). So obviously, these fashions are aimed at the younger set ....although I don't exactly picture young girls buying resort wear, unless it's for Spring Break in Florida.

UPDATE: Just a little friendly warning that the sizing for the Thakoon line is all over the map! Some items (like the t-shirts and jackets) run true-to-size, whereas others - the dresses in particular - are HUGE. And still other items run small, so it's best to "try before you buy" in order to avoid returns.

Another early debut: Hayden-Harnett for Target

Like the Thakoon collection I blogged about yesterday, the Hayden-Harnett handbag collection has already hit Target.com in advance of Sunday’s in-store date. And according to customer reviews, some stores have already put the bags out on the shelves... which is how some lucky gals were able to get their hands on them early.

The reviews, however, were mixed. This Double-flap Bag (pictured) got the thumbs-up with comments like “the perfect daytime clutch!” and “MUCH better than the Anya Hindmarch materials”. The Flight Bag that I’ve had my eye on, however, was panned for not being “sturdy” enough and “doesn't look like it will last 6 months.”

Thakoon hits Target.com

In advance of the Dec. 28th store debut, Thakoon's collection for Target has already hit their web site. So if you really feel the need to shop online today, check out the 48 pieces in Thankoon's line and dream of sunnier days (as this is a resort-themed collection).

As for me: it's hard to think about wearing these floaty creations (like this adorable dress, that's just as cute from the back as from the front) when it's about 40-degrees with high winds and rain here in California, and our friends & family back in Michigan are buried in snow (as is my best friend, who just landed in Chicago).

Target's Holiday Clearance Schedule

Merry Christmas! Hopefully all you readers are enjoying your holiday and NOT thinking of shopping today. But since many of us will likely be joining in the post-Christmas sale frenzy tomorrow, I thought it'd be worth sharing Target's holiday clearance schedule for seasonal goods (cards, wrap, decorations, ornaments, etc.).

The traditional schedule is:
50% off the day after the holiday, for three days
75% off the fourth day after the holiday, for three days
90% off the seventh day after holiday, for 1-2 days

Helpful hint: I think that Target (like many other mass retailers) did not order much surplus inventory this year. In perusing Target’s Seasonal aisles just couple of days ago, I saw far fewer things “left on the shelves” than in years past. So that means either A) Target may accelerate the above schedule to clear out the stuff sooner, or B) the discounts may never go deeper than 50% off, because there simply won’t be that much left to sell out.

Behind the scenes at Target

I found this interesting account today about life as the manager of the West Hollywood Target, a store frequented by Al Pacino and Paris Hilton (among others) as well as just about everyone in the world doing their Christmas shopping.

As you can imagine, being a store manager means dealing with a lot on a normal day, but during the holidays, it’s pure chaos. So the next time you complain that your head hurts after a Target shopping expedition, think of this fellow and be thankful you don’t have his job.

Thakoon steals his own designs for Target's line

RackedLA reports that writer Booth Moore of the LA Times is a wee bit disappointed that Thakoon Panichgul's collection for Target looks so much like his much higher-priced Thakoon collection: "the blue and white shibori shirtdress, the 'cyber floral' print circle skirt that ties at the waist, the preppy navy-and-green striped dress, they are all there, albeit with higher, junior-ified hemlines."

Which is a great thing for those of us who can't afford to spend $800 on a cotton skirt, and which Moore concedes "isn't such a big deal, except for those of us who DID spend money on the real thing. I bought two skirts from the runway collection. And for what I paid for them, well, I could have bought the whole Thakoon for Target collection, with pieces from $16.99 to $44.99. So I’m not so sure how I am going to feel when I see watered-down versions of my skirts walking down the street in a few months."

My take on all this? I wouldn’t spend $800 on a cotton skirt, EVER, even if I could afford it. So I will warmly welcome Thakoon’s budget line that looks so much like “the real thing”. But judge for yourself: pictured at left is the $1,350 shibori shirtdress from Thakoon's Spring 2008 runway collection. And on right is the $39.99 shibori shirtdress from the Thakoon for Target collection.

Tar-zhay gets ar-tay

Target, the megastore for the masses, is offering limited-edition towels in conjunction with Art Basel.

Featuring designs by artists Raymond Pettibon, Ed Ruscha, Karen Kilimnik and Julian Schnabel, the towels retail for $50 a piece …admittedly a bit pricey, but remember that this is all in the name of art.

The towels were initially offered the first week of December in NYC at the Standard and Raleigh hotels, with proceeds benefit the production of New York public art projects. But we non-New Yorkers can still get the towels online here at Target.com.

Why this time of year frustrates me….

This is the time of year that frustrates me at Target, and why I most likely won’t be shopping there again until the day after Christmas (and only in order to pick up some post-holiday clearance items like Christmas decorations, cards and gift wrap).Yesterday was Dec. 21st. Yes, it’s just 3 days before Christmas, BUT it’s also the first official day of Winter. Half the country is buried in snow and guess what Target is putting out? Swimsuits and sundresses. Just try to find a scarf this time of year; I dare you. It’s the perfect weather for one, but Target will be sold out.

I’ve written about this before: about how I hate how Target (and other retailers) try to “rush the calendar”. Target had their Christmas decorations out as of September 17th. As of mid-December, they were putting out swimwear (again), which only just left the clearance racks in October. And as of today, they already have their “bridal season” collection out of gift wrap, invitations, stationery and party favors. Mark my words that by the end of this month (well before Jan. 1st ) they’ll put out all the Valentine’s stuff.

Look, I “get it”: Target (like other stores) need to replenish their stock and move on to the next season. I just wish they wouldn’t rush things so much. We should all learn to enjoy the season we’re in, vs. constantly looking ahead to the next one.

Clearance Alert: Anya Hindmarch for Target

Although Target’s web site doesn’t seem to have the bags marked down yet, I did notice today that my local store had the Anya Hindmarch line on sale for 30% off. So if you already bought one of her bags and have been eyeing another (as I have) now’s the time to snap one up, because I doubt they’ll last past Christmas.

Clearance Alert: Sigerson-Morrison for Target

While I personally wasn't a big fan of the Sigerson-Morrison footwear line for Target (it had too much of an "80's vibe" for my taste) if YOU liked the line you should know that it's now 30-50% off at Target.com. It looks like the majority of styles are on sale, except for the silver and black flats (which can probably be found on clearance in-store).

Pick of the Week

It’s Pick of the Week time: each week I pick one great buy from Target’s Weekly Ad (in the Sunday newspaper) and highlight it here on my blog. Today's pick is the Nikon Coolpix S202 digital camera, on sale from now until Christmas for just $97 (down from $134.99). This cute & compact camera has 8.1 megapixels, a 3x optical zoom and 2.5" LCD screen. And while it might not be as flashy as the Coolpix S60 you've seen plastered all over the airwaves with Ashton Kutcher, the S202 is at a much friendlier price-point and has gotten much better reviews than the S60 (which even CNet deemed as "slow"). This simpler Coolpix model would be ideal to take to a party or family gathering when you don't want to fuss with your camcorder and just want to "point and shoot" to capture the moment.

Nikon CoolPix S202 digital camera: $97 (temporary price cut)
Note: available in-stores only. Quantities limited; no rain checks.

Target named Favorite Home Décor Chain Store

Target has been named "Favorite Home Décor Chain Store of 2008" by CasaSugar. In addition to always charming us with affordable prices, they also praise the Bullseye for hiring designers like DwellStudio, Cynthia Rowley, Sami Hayek, Graham & Brown, and John Derian to create in-house budget lines.

How best to shop Target

The Budget Fashionista has posted some tips on her site on how to best shop Target. Many of these tips I’ve already shared before, but they’re worth a review nonetheless. Among the highlights:
• Know the Discount Schedule
• Not all Target stores are Created Equal; different ones showcase different merchandise (and different discounts)
• Don’t ignore the Endcaps
• Check out Target's Green-shopping options, like Eco-Greenroom and Loomstate by Rogan Gregory

Buyers beware of prices “too good to be true”

A product is advertised at a price that's almost too good to be true. Then the retailer says, "Whoops! That's a mistake." It happens fairly often, especially around the holidays. Unfortunately for Target, someone made a whopper of a mistake on one of the most popular car seats on the market.

Talk to almost any mommy and you'll learn that Britax is the 'king' of car seats, and they don't come cheap. The typical prices range from $200 to $300. So when word spread of an online price of $42.99, hundreds of women snapped them up -- or so they thought. Katie of Sedro-Woolley, WA placed her order and even got an automatic confirmation. It said she'd be charged $46.43, including shipping and handling, and it'd arrive in early January.

But then Katie got a e-mail from Target.com stating they'd cancelled her order and refunded her money because due to an unexpected error, the item was incorrectly priced at the time of her order. The correct price of the car seat is $279.99. "Target is unable to offer the item for the incorrect price," continued the email...

Katie and other moms are fuming, and feel Target should be bound by the advertised price. But unfortunately, that's not how it works; you can read the full article here for more details. I’d be fuming, too, had this happened to me. What do you think? Should retailers be bound to the “advertised price”, even if it was made in error?

The rumor mill: Betsey Johnson for Target?

Racked.com poses the question "is Betsey Johnson planning a line with Target or H&M?". Johnson's chief executive told the Wall Street Journal that Betsey "is planning a limited-edition design collaboration with a retailer that will likely launch in the fall." No more details were given, but it's likely to be one or the other.

Napoleon Perdis’ NP Set for Target

From the Star-Tribune (Minn-St. Paul) here are 5 questions for Target’s in-house makeup artist Napoleon Perdis:

Q How did you get the name Napoleon?
A I'm a Greek Australian. I'm the first son and therefore I take my grandfather's name. Now my father wants to charge me royalties. It kind of works! People don't forget you.

Q What's your philosophy toward makeup?
A With Napoleon Perdis, the prestige line, it's like the red carpet. It's a customized, professional line. I have three belief systems. You do mascara first because that forms a map for the face and the eyes. You do primer -- not to prime is a crime because that allows you to reactivate skin and foundation so it lasts longer and it's smoother. Do lip liner last because you can hold the lip intact longer. The NP Set line (for Target) is the after-party. It's easy, breezy and it's destination-oriented.

Q How did you get started?
A Women in Australia want this natural freshness with this touch of European glamour. We have such a fresh image: Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman, Isla Fisher, and Melissa George, who is on "Grey's Anatomy" now. I go into heartland America, I find that American women need that oasis of love more than their European counterparts.

Q Is your Target line on shelves indefinitely?
A Yes, we have at least a three-year contract. Target's really respectful. They appreciate design; they appreciate creativity. With my photo, (which I love!) and my philosophy and my ability to preach beauty as I see it, I'm honored and humbled.

Q How did you come up with the Minneapolis shade of lipstick?
A After three trips to Minneapolis, I realized women in Minneapolis love a soft pink, no matter what age. They've all got this natural lip going so here it is -- the perfect pink.

Rogan adds menswear to the mix

As reported last month, Rogan Gregory is returning to Target in the Spring with a mass version of his eco-friendly, less avant garde Loomstate line (co-designed with Scott Hahn). And this time around, his line will include menswear as well. Loomstate co-founder Scott Hahn comments on the collaboration:

"We did a drunken yarn dye with a little curved wabi-sabi feeling that’s totally unique. For a couple of blends, we used linen and silk. It’s not ho-hum organic cotton. It’s engineered fabrics, which makes it all the more interesting.”

Target vs. WalMart: the debate continues…

Obviously, I’m a huge fan of Target, and not very fond of WalMart. So I had to weigh in when The Budget Fashionista recently hyped WalMart as “the new hot store”. I commented twice on her post, pointing out that “WalMart destroys many honest, hardworking ‘mom and pop’ institutions' and offers “less variety and more homogeneous, bland offerings” (not to mention that their merchandise is usually of poor quality). Well believe it or not, my comments were among the tamer ones; several readers jumped all over TBF for recommending WalMart as “the hot new place to shop” and even suggested the post was a paid advertorial (which is ridiculous, of course).

My take on all this? Everyone has their own preference. There are Target people, and there are WalMart people, just like there are Coke people and there are Pepsi people. And even that's oversimplifying it. As some of TBF's readers commented, they'll buy some items at WalMart (like health & beauty products and cleaning supplies) because the prices are a bit lower, but wouldn't be caught dead wearing their clothes.

Pick of the Week

It’s Pick of the Week time: each week I pick one great buy from Target’s Weekly Ad (in the Sunday newspaper) and highlight it here on my blog. So truth be told: I don’t always look at the printed Weekly Ad anymore; sometimes I view it online. And more and more, Target is adding “secret stuff” to their Online Ad that isn’t found in their printed one… like this week’s pick: this cool men’s Military Jacket from Converse One Star. It comes in Khaki or Hematite Gray, and is on sale this week for just $49.99. This stylish jacket is almost identical to this one from Banana Republic... only the BR one is priced at a whopping $130.00. Now I’ve blogged about Converse One Star before (more than once) and love their clothes’ styling and quality. Check out the online version of the Weekly Ad (pages 42-43) for a whole bunch of Converse One Star items on sale this week, for both men and women.

Welly Warmers

One false move landed you ankle deep in slush. Now what? Well, you could dry off with these stylish Welly Warmers in Tartan Plaid from Target’s Red Hot Shop. These microwaveable miracles pop into your boots and shoes to dry them off or just warm them up before you head outdoors for more puddle jumping. A perfect gift for anyone who lives where there’s winter slush and snow.

Time on your side

Got the blues, the mean reds, or simply feel green with envy? Snap on one of seven colored bezels on this Make-Over Watch and you'll be wearing your current mood. Available at Target’s Red Hot Shop, this makes a great gift for the fashionista in your life. Time - and style - are finally on your side.

Bye-bye Turdie

Birds of a feather are cute when they flock together... until their "business" lands all over your car. The Auto Bird-Turd Emergency Kit (from Target’s Red Hot Shop) contains all the necessary cleanup tools to say bye-bye, turdie. A fun (and practical) gift for almost anyone on your list.

It's Sew Easy

Next up from the Red Hot Shop at Target: this “Sewing 101” Book and Craft Kit. Wendy Mullin, designer of the fashion line Built by Wendy, serves up a perfect fix for your creative urge in this sewing Bible. This easy how–to book teaches basic sewing skills and design elements, and includes patterns to keep you in stitches. This would make a great gift for the crafty ones on your list.

Let them eat cake

Next up from Target's Red Hot Shop: this nifty “size-a-slice” Cake Mold. For a slice that's neither too big nor too small, bake a cake in this silicone cake mold that creates 15 slices sizes S to XL. Guests will delight at this brilliant idea and be happy when they find a piece that's just right. A perfect gift for the cook in your life.

From the Red Hot Shop: great X-mas gift ideas

Stumped for creative Christmas gift ideas? Try Target’s Red Hot Shop. This week I’ll feature one cool gift per day from Target’s destination for all that’s hip and trendy. One warning, though: several of this month’s top pics are already sold out on line, so get ‘em while you still can.

First up: this cool Human Muscle and Skeleton Model. Bone up on your human anatomy with this amazing 3-D puzzle for only $16.99. The legbone's connected to the hipbone, the hipbone's connected to the backbone, the backbone's connected to the, uh.... I'd better get this puzzle. Great introduction to anatomy for grade-school kids, too.

Nice & Nora sleepwear sale

I’ve blogged before about my fondness for Nick & Nora sleepwear at Target. The brand - known for their whimsical prints - has a very loyal following, and Target brings it to us at budget-friendly prices. Well, those prices just got a bit friendlier this week, because all Nick & Nora flannel pajamas are on sale for just $19.99 each. And their cute matching slippers (shown) are on sale for just $9.99. A great gift for your mom, sister, niece, or BFF.

Pick of the Week

It’s pick of the week time: each week I pick one great buy from Target’s Weekly Ad (in the Sunday newspaper) and highlight it here on my blog. This week’s pic is this nifty little LCD pocket photo viewer for just $17. It comes in your choice of black, red, or silver, holds up to 50 photos, and also comes with its own handy carrying pouch. What a great way to tote around your favorite pics of the kids!

Note: this item is available in-stores only.

Ashley Paige Swimwear for Target

Sure, winter just started and it’s possibly snowing already where you are, and all you want to do is cozy up next to the fireplace with a blanket and a good book. But here's some motivation to turn your attention back to the gym and get your abs in beach-ready washboard condition: Ashley Paige is designing a line of swimsuits exclusively for Target.

As reported by WWD, the Los Angeles-based swimwear designer will bring her chic swimwear designs to the Bullseye this summer. There will be 11 pieces total, with at least two bikinis in her signature crochet style, as well as one monokini. Her swimwear usually goes for around $350, but I’m sure that Target’s line will be about 1/10th of that. This photo is from her main collection, so you can get a feel for her vibe and style (which, fabric-wise, is minimal at best).

Felix Rey for Target

According to WWD, Target has nabbed Felix Rey for an upcoming designer collaboration. Felix Rey designers Lily Band and Sulaika Zarrouk (pictured) will launch a limited edition handbag collection called Felix Rey for Target on March 29, 2009. It is the seventh handbag launch in a series of limited-time-only accessories designers at Target.

Felix Rey is worn by such celebrities as Lindsey Lohan, Sarah Jessica Parker (in the SATC movie), Fergie and Jennifer Lopez, and available at upscale retailers like Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman-Marcus, and Bergdorf-Goodman.

The Budget Bride

I’ve blogged before about the amazing offerings by the Isaac Mizrahi for Target Bridal Collection. And now that Isaac’s run at the Bullseye is coming to an end, it’s time for all you brides-to-be on a budget to take advantage of the collection (now on clearance) while you still can. If I were getting married in the next few months, here’s what’d I’d buy right now:

Isaac Mizrahi for Target® Eyelet Sheath Gown in Igloo white, $90.99
Not only does this gown (pictured) look gorgeous, it also has an impressive customer rating from Target.com. Be sure to check out the fabric detail on the product page; the gown looks much more expensive than it is.

Isaac short veil in Igloo white, $8.49
Short, sweet, and simple….and less than 10-bucks to boot. Also comes in a longer length (for $12.49) if you prefer.

This small and subdued clutch, $7.49
Believe me, all you need on your Big Day is something to hold your lipstick and powder, nothing else.

More Rogan for Target

As I reported a couple of weeks ago, designer Rogan Gregory is working on another collaboration with Target, this time called Loomstate. But in advance of Loomstate's introduction, I happened upon another nifty Rogan item already on store shelves. It's this cool reusable lunch tote made of organic cotton canvas. Not only does it fold up (or down) depending on how much you want to tote in it, it also has multiple pockets inside for drinks and/or utensils and such. Interestingly enough, I could only find the bag on Target's site in the "Company Store" section, where they sell all their Target-branded merchandise (mostly to employees only, I'd imagine). But if you want to find it in person, just check out the endcaps on the dollar-bins near the front of the store. The ones in-store look a bit different (they are black with zebra-print trim) and are priced at just $9.99 each.

Another Thakoon preview pic

As previously reported, Thakoon Panichgul is next on tap for for Target’s Go International Collection. Known for his feminine take on eastern style, Thakoon’s collection (to debut on Christmas Day) will be priced from $16.99-$44.99 and feature a variety of seasonal styles including flutter sleeve tees, ruffled tanks and belted shirtdresses. The collection also seems heavy on the florals, as witnessed by this preview pic of a pink-floral print canvas coat. While this coat looks pretty, it takes a certain "type" to pull a look like this off. To that end, it'll be interesting to see Thakoon's line as a whole and whether the pieces are really wearable (or not).

UPDATE: Racked.com has just posted the "look book" for Thakoon's Target collection, and I don't see a pink coat in the bunch. Apologies for the mis-information, but there's a lot of it out there on the world wide web!

You don't ask, you don't get

An update from yesterday: if you DO happen to be lucky enough to have the "extra 30% off clearance" discount at your local Target store, be sure to ASK for it at the register. While the signs specify that the "additional discount will be taken at register", the clerk who waited on me yesterday neglected to apply the discount to my purchases. When I prompted her, she said "oh, these are on clearance?". Um yeah....that's why they have the RED CLEARANCE STICKERS on them, sweetie!

Then again, maybe I'm wrong...

...and Madison Avenue Spy is right. Although my local Target was hella busy on the day after Thanksgiving, things seem to have cooled down considerably. Yesterday during lunch I went to the Target across from my work and came across something I've never seen at Target: an additional discount on already clearance merchandise. Yep, that's right: all clothing (at least women's and men's) were an additional 30% off the clearance price, even if it was already marked down 75%! Crazy, I know. And yet - here's the really nutty part - no one was buying. In the women's department, a few women seemed to be looking, but I didn't see anyone tossing stuff in their carts. And the men's dept. was a ghost town: I had the place to myself looking for shirts for my hubby (but alas, I didn't find any ones I liked in his size). Not sure how long this additional sale will go on for, or if it's happening at all Targets nationwide, but it's a pretty steep discount and worth checking out.

Different Coast, Different Target Experience.....

It sounds like Madison Avenue Spy had a very different experience than the one I had at Target this past weekend. As reported on Black Friday, I felt compelled to walk out of my local (California) Target because it was too darn crowded. However, Spy reports just the opposite (assumingly reporting from a NY area store):
"Every checkout line was manned with a cashier but the shoppers weren't there. When I questioned the woman ringing me up she confessed that management was worried. According to Shyana, each cashier needed to take-in at least $4,000 in receipts per-day or hours their would be cut. This worried Shyana because if her hours were to be cut the holiday season would be a lot less jolly for her children. From shareholders to local cashiers everyone is feeling the pinch of Econ 101."

Pick of the Week

It’s pick of the week time: each week I pick one great buy from Target’s Weekly Ad (in the Sunday newspaper) and highlight it here on my blog. Today’s pick is from the center of the Weekly Ad, and is one of the featured “Online Only” deals. Isaac Mizrahi cashmere sweaters – in v-neck, turtleneck, or scoopneck styles – are on sale this week for just $39.99 (down from $49.99). They’re available in a wide variety of colors and sizes, and from experience I can tell you that the quality of Isaac’s cashmere is pretty darn good for the price. And best of all, for a limited time Target is offering free shipping on these sweaters (as well as a slew of other items on their site) so you won’t even have to pay to have them delivered right to your front door.

John Derian for Target Christmas Collection

I certainly let this one get by me... it seems as if John Derian has produced another capsule collection for Target, just in time for Christmas. This holiday-themed collection of tree ornaments, gift bags, and home decorations is heavy on traditional images like cherubs, reindeer, and holly berries. Unfortunately, some of the prettiest items - like this poinsettia tray - are already sold out online, so find them in-store (if you can).

Black Friday madness...

Here's a shot of shoppers lining up at dawn today for deals at a Target store in South San Francisco. Despite the world financial crisis and tighter shopping budgets, retailers are crossing their fingers that deep discounting will lead to a Black Friday surprise. While I am not normally a Black Friday shopper, I did brave the crowds to visit my local Target today shortly after 7am (around an hour after they opened) and yes, it was a madhouse. So much so that I promptly left after picking up some Christmas cards (which weren't even on sale) and this lovely John Derian photo album (which although is full price on Target.com, for some reason was marked down to $4 at the store).

Happy Thanksgiving!

No matter whether you're already digesting your holiday feast or still anticipating it (here on the West Coast we still have a couple of hours until "to Grandmother's house we go") let us pause to give thanks for all of our blessings, our family, and friends. 2008 hasn't been the best of years for this nation, but we still have a lot to be thankful for, and grateful for, as well as hope for the future.

Boots Makeovers at Select Target Stores

Lucky holiday shoppers at select Target stores will have the opportunity to receive a complimentary holiday makeover, courtesy of Boots cosmetics. And as an added bonus, if you sign up and join the Boots Club, you'll receive exclusive offers and savings for members only. There's even some Boots deals you can score in-store right now:

10% off Select No7 color cosmetics (like the gloss shown here)
15% off No7 Protect & Perfect Beauty Serum
15% off No7 Protect & Perfect Body Serum

(Discounts in-store from November 18th to December 16th)

Target's Two-day Sale

Sign up on Target’s web site for advance notification of their Two-day sale, starting at 6am on Friday. Email subscribers will receive a sneak-peek Wednesday at all the deals Target has to offer during their post-Thanksgiving sale. I'm sure they'll also have a special printed version in Thursday’s newspaper, but with the email version you can hit the ground running and plan your Target shopping excusion for Black Friday.

Alexander McQueen for Target

More details on the upcoming Alexander McQueen collection for Target have emerged via this story published by WWD. The most revealing bit is that when it was first suggested to McQueen that he work with Target, the designer said he was initially ambivalent. “I’ve never understood Target,” he said. But the idea of spreading his name appealed to the designer. “Apart from the East and West Coasts, my company doesn’t have any visibility in the U.S.,” he said. “I always liked the idea of people in the Midwest wearing my clothes. The idea of this upstart from London going where people haven’t heard of me, I think that was interesting to me. I think it’s quite adventurous of Target.”