New at Target: Nate Berkus Spring 2015 Collection

If you've visited your local Target store this week, you've probably noticed all the seasonal stuff cleared out to make way for storage bins and home organization essentials. You may have also noticed the new Spring 2014 collection from Nate Berkus trickling in, which Refinery29 aptly describes as having the "vibe of Don Draper going interiors shopping in Arizona. It's sleek-modern married to natural-Southwestern." Plan on seeing lots of wall hangings, airy geometric sculptures and raffia baskets.

You can check out all of Nate's offerings here on Target.com.

Target Ad features child with Down syndrome...

Did you happen to catch this adorable toddler playing with an activity cube and sporting a pink ruffled dress in Target's Weekly Ad a couple of weeks ago? With soft blonde locks and a sparkling smile, Izzy Bradley of Minnesota has the look of a model but she’s an unlikely choice because she has Down syndrome.

SFGate reports that Target reached out to the Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network and selected Izzy for the ad from a several candidates. Izzy’s mother, Heather Davis, told CBS that she was thrilled Target chose her daughter.

“I really appreciate Target’s policy of including them in their ads. I think it really helps normalize Down syndrome and helps people to see we’re really just like any other family.” Davis also shared that she’s heard from people all over the world about the ad. “I’m really surprised at how much excitement has come from it. On Facebook, one sit it’s got up to a half million likes.”

This isn’t the first time Target has featured a child with Down syndrome in an ad. In 2012 they featured an 11-year-old boy named Ryan, one of the first kids with down Syndrome to launch a modeling career.

Final Day: Extra 20% off Clearance on Target.com

Today is the last day to save an extra 20% off clearance items on Target.com. This promo has been running since Friday, and applies to all clearance clothing, shoes and accessories. Just use the promo code "EXTRA20" at checkout.

In stores it looks like they're running the same promo BUT you have to download the coupon to your smartphone to get the extra discount. And IMO, there are better deals online. Case in point: this "Lucy" top by Converse One Star, which I ordered yesterday for $17.98 plus an additional 20% off with the promo code. In stores, they're still full price at $29.99.

Target's "Seasonal Shipping" fails to deliver...

Good morning readers! Did everyone have a happy holiday? And if you ordered items online from Target, did you get them on time? I, for one, did not. Target's so-called "Seasonal Shipping" - which was supposed to arrive by 12/24 if you ordered by the 12/20 cutoff - didn't deliver for me. Oddly enough, one order I made on the 18th arrived on the 23rd, whereas another order I made on the 17th hasn't shown up yet (and according to the UPS tracking # is scheduled to arrive today). I never received an email stating "your item is delayed", either, as Target usually sends when there is a lag in shipping. Anyone else out there have this problem?

NYE Style on Target.com

Most of us are so focused on getting through Christmas that we haven't had a chance to think about New Year's Eve yet. But Target.com wants to change that with an offer of 15% off "NYE Style" on their site, with savings on a variety of clothing, shoes, and accessories for both men and women. Just enter the promo code NYE15 at checkout.

A quick perusal of the women's offerings looks like it's a mix of new items (like the sparkly tops shown here) as well as a hodgepodge of festive clothing already on clearance (now with this extra 15% off). And if anything strikes your fancy, better order soon in order to ensure delivery by NYE.

Beware of Target's buggy "Store Pickup" tool...

Buyer beware when trying to use Target's "Store Pickup" tool, which they were hyping today on their website with the offer of "last-minute gifts up to 40% off."  Why, you ask? Because 9 times out of 10, the tool won't work.

In the last week, I've tried to purchase 6 various items using this tool. And it only worked once. All the other times, the tool stated the item was available at my chosen store, put in my cart, and reserved. Twice, I got a confirmation that my item was ready to pick up in store. Thank goodness I didn't head over there, as later in the day I got a "cancellation notice" that my item was "no longer available", with no reason given. And the other three times, the item was "cancelled" via email before I got my confirmation email. And this glitch was not confined to just one location; this happened to me with 4 different Target stores. Bottom line: make sure you have your confirmation email (or text) in hand before heading to Target to actually purchase an item you've "bought" via Store Pickup.

Target testing "vignette" home decor model...

The Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal reports that Target is experimenting with a new home-decor layout that eschews aisles in favor of open showroom-like areas that display how products would look in a room. The test launched Nov. 8 in Target's Northeast Minneapolis store — where it does many of its pilot programs — and hasn't been introduced elsewhere yet.

"The test is designed to showcase Target's home product in a lifestyle setting to allow our guests to image how the products might look in their own homes," said company spokeswoman Amy Goetz.

One example (pictured here) has a rug that looks like wood and wooden tables and benches filled with holiday decor. In a normal Target store, all those items - the rug, lamps, tables, etc. - would be available for sale in different aisles.

This "vignette" tactic seems to be following a similar trend Target is trying in its clothing department by using mannequins to showcase complete outfits. Overall it seems like Target is trying to look more "department store" than "big box retailer".

Sale Alert: Orla Kiely for Target

Remember the latest Orla Kiely for Target collab I told you about back in October? This time offering yoga equipment, water bottles, and luggage? Well now it's on sale for 20% off, just in time for Christmas gifting.

As for where to find it in store: I've had a hard time spotting it, as have some of you readers out there who responded to my post in October. If your store has the yoga stuff, it should be the rest of the Sporting Goods. I have yet to find any of the luggage, however.

The Look for Less: Mossimo vs. Michael Kors

This isn't quite a double-take - as the red hues of each sweater are different shades - but I was still struck by the similarities by these two front-zippered cardigans. The red cardigan on the left is from Michael Kors (now sold out at Dillard's) retailing for $89.50. But you can get the look for much less with the ruby cardigan on the right from Mossimo (at Target) for just $29.99 (currently on sale for $20.99).

New at Target: JACHS

On Black Friday I stayed home (vs. braving the mall) but I did shop online at Target.com. It was there that I got a great deal on flannel sleep pants for my boys, just $10 each (regularly $19.99, and now priced at $15.99). When they arrived in the mail the other day, I looked at the label - JACHS - and since it was a brand I wasn't familiar with, I did some investigating...

JACHS NY was started in 2008 with the idea that "artistry and intricate attention to detail should make clothing effortless to wear." A mainly online retailer, they also have a storefront on Bleeker Street in NYC. According to their website, they "design fabrics from scratch and apply them to contemporary silhouettes inspired by vintage American styles. We are constantly experimenting with fabrics and innovating techniques in our local wash house to transform the most unique, comfortable, and wearable clothing. Our philosophy is simple. A person should look great without really trying."

The JACHS flannel pants I ordered are thicker, softer and of better quality than the usual flannel sleep pants sold at Target. In perusing Target's website, it looks like their JACHS offerings are limited to mainly sleep pants and flannel shirts (with a smattering of men's pants and blazers thrown in). From what I can tell, JACHS NY flannel shirts usually retail for about $89, but Target's version (like this one shown) go for $49.99 (on sale this week for just $34.99).

New at Target: Mensch on a Bench

You’ve heard of Elf on a Shelf, but what about Mensch on a Bench? This new Hanukkah tradition first came to life due to “elf envy,” says Mensch on a Bench founder and author Neal Hoffman, who wanted a fun way to teach his sons about the Jewish holiday. He became a Kickstarter success story in 2013 after hitting his $22,000 fundraising goal and selling 1,000 Mensches in less than two weeks.

The doll — dubbed Moshe the mensch (mensch is the Yiddish word for someone of noble character) — watches over the menorah and holds onto the shamash (the “helper” or ninth candle) throughout each night of Hanukkah. Legend has it that if kids have been good, the Mensch will let go of the shamash candle when the parents light the Hanukkah candles, but if the kids have misbehaved, he will hold on tight!

Now in its second year of production, Mensch on a Bench is available at Target stores and on Target.com. Pick up your very own Mensch on a Bench before Hanukkah begins on Dec. 16.

Fab Find: Joules Rainboots

Remember the wellies (rainboots) by Joules that I told you about back in October? Well I went ahead and bought the navy pair with gold trim (pictured here) and I have to say this is my favorite purchase from Target in a long time! Not only are they well made, but they're comfy, too, with lots of padding and cushioning in the footbed.  If you're in between sizes, order up (as I did) as they only come in whole sizes. And right now, Target is offering 'Buy One, Get One 50% Off" on all Joules boots and boot socks.

Target's "Cyber Week"

Target keeps pushing sales online with what they're dubbing "Cyber Week" in their Weekly Online Ad - a whole week of savings vs. just the traditional Cyber Monday. Nonetheless, The Bullseye is also running specials good for today only, like 'Buy One, Get One 60% Off' on all clothing, shoes and accessories.

At this point, you might have better luck - and a greater selection - by shopping online. I was at my local Target store yesterday, and already the offerings seemed to be picked over. I also noticed the womens department was pushing a depressing monochromatic palette of blacks, greys, creams, and blush, with very few bright colors in sight.