Fun Facts About Target's Mascot...

A Bullseye View has posted some fun facts about Target's adorable Bull Terrier mascot, Bullseye. For instance, did you know...

• To create the signature bullseye image around the dog’s eye, Target uses a Humane Society-approved vegetable-based cosmetic paint applied by a professional make-up artist.
• Bullseye has a full wardrobe including a special parka and booties for Iditarod, a tux for formal events, several fire suits for IndyCar and NASCAR races, a Minnesota Twins baseball jersey and a special Hawaiian lei.
• Bullseye has become a pop culture icon, and was the first animal to be immortalized in wax at Madam Tussaud’s in New York.

For more fun facts - plus additional pictures of the little cutie - head over to A Bullseye View.

Wednesday's Rave: Sonia Kashuk's Perfecting Luminous Foundation

Regular readers may recall that I've raved about this product before - five years ago, to be exact. But I've recently re-discovered it, so I felt it deserved another shout-out.

I'm not sure why I strayed from this product in the first place, except that I used to be big fan of Sonia Kashuk's Radiant Tinted Moisturizer, which I've also raved about before. At some point I started using the Tinted Moisturizer as my regular foundation, and everything was peachy until SK changed her formulation a little over a year ago which completely changed the product. Since then I've been using my my "stash" of the older formula and been on the hunt for a new replacement. I've tried countless products - foundations and tinted moisturizers as well as BB creams - from the likes of Maybelline, Revlon, L'Oreal, Boots, Dr. Lewinn, Aveeno, etc., but with no luck. Almost everything I tried made me break out horribly.

Then I realized that the common denominator in the re-formulized SK Tinted Moisturizer and all the other products I had tried were the sunscreen ingredients: Octinoxate, Titanium Dioxide, and Zinc Oxide. Once I zeroed in on those, I knew I needed a product that didn't contain them. Which led me back to Sonia Kashuk's Perfecting Luminous Foundation, which I've been using for a couple of weeks now with great results. This product only comes in six shades, but luckily one of them (Cream) is a perfect match for my skintone. As the name suggests, it gives you a "perfectly luminous" finish, and best of all, it hasn't caused any irritation or breakouts.

My one complaint is the fragrance: it's a bit strong, and I'm a bit puzzled as to why Sonia felt compelled to add a scent to this in the first place. It also doesn't contain any SPF, but considering that SK now uses irritating sunscreen ingredients in her Tinted Moisturizer, I'm glad she left them out of this product.

New at Target: ORLY Color AMP'D

Target’s latest addition to the beauty aisle is ORLY Color AMP’D, a collection of 36 long-lasting nail lacquers in a rainbow of colors. ORLY - whose founder invented the French manicure - is a brand that has been synonymous with innovation and quality since the 1970s and is beloved by makeup artists and celebrity manicurists alike.

ORLY Color AMP’D is infused with Flexible Color and Flexible Sealcoat technology, which enables a salon-quality manicure at home in just two easy steps, with no UV light required. The smudge-fixing formula self-corrects minor dings and dents for a manicure that lasts more than a week – that’s up to twice as long as a traditional manicure. The best part? When you’re ready to switch up your color, ORLY Color AMP’D can be taken off at home using regular nail polish remover. 

ORLY Color AMP’D is now available exclusively on Target.com, and will roll out to all Target stores beginning March 8th. Prices range from $9.99 for Flexible Colors and Flexible Sealcoat, to $14.99 for a Launch Kit containing a Flexible Color and Flexible Sealcoat. The launch, which coincides with ORLY’s 40th anniversary, marks the Los Angeles-based brand’s first major foray into the mass beauty market.

Target's New Shipping Policy...

In case you hadn't noticed yet, Target has posted a new shipping policy on their website. The Bullseye is now offering free shipping for any order over $25; their previous policy was a minimum order of $50. The "Free" option is standard shipping (3-5 business days) and you can still upgrade to "Express" (1-day) or "Premium" (2-day) for a fee - depending on your order total - if want something faster.

What NOT to buy at Target...

Marketwatch published an article this week highlighting several items NOT to buy at Target (or Walmart) as you can get better prices elsewhere. Here's a quick rundown of the "what" and "why", and you can read the full article here for all the details:

• Wrapping paper & other holiday items (as dollar-stores have better deals)
• Books & other media (as Amazon.com beats them on price)
• Bedding (because the price for the quality isn't good)
• Furniture (IKEA is the place to go for budget furniture)
• Organic fruits & veggies (as Trader Joe's has better prices)

I'm not sure I agree with all these points... I've bought decent furniture at Target before, and I've also found the Nate Berkus bedding there to be of excellent quality. What do you think, readers? Do you you buy these items at Tar-shay, or do you find better deals elsewhere?

Wednesday's Rave: Target's Scented Soy Candles

Yipes! It's been like 1 1/2 years since I've done a "Wednesday's Rave" feature. Unfortunately, fewer and fewer items at Target seem to "wow" me lately, but this candle is an exception. These long-lasting soy candles - with a 60 hr. burn time - come in unique fragrances (like this "Blonde Woods & Musk", shown here) and are packaged in heavy glass containers in saturated hues. In addition to this one, I have one in "Aged Cognac & Blackberry" in a deep eggplant color. I actually discovered these candles in the home decor department (vs. the candle aisle) displayed with corresponding home goods in similar color tones. I sure hope that Target continues making these candles as they've become a favorite of mine.

The Look for Less: Ballard Designs vs. Threshold

Both of these windowpane mirrors add a lot of visual interest to the room, and are very highly rated by customers who have purchased them. But the one on the left is from Ballard Designs and costs a hefty $499, whereas the one on the right is from Threshold (at Target) will only set you back $59.99. Plus - now through 2/21 - you can get an extra 10% off the Target one with the coupon code LINCOLN at checkout.

Sale Alert: Orla Kiely Beauty Bags

Attention Orla fans! The other day at my local Target store I spied all the Orla Kiely beauty organizer bags (in the Health & Beauty section) on clearance for 30% off. The selection was slim, and sadly, this sale doesn't extend to Target.com. So get 'em in stores while you can, as I'm sure they won't last long on sale!

Coming Soon to Target: 4 New Hair Care Lines

A Bullseye View has announced that Target will debut four new natural hair care brands in March. Free of harmful chemicals and full of nutrient-rich, restorative and plant-based ingredients, the following brands will offer more than 30 new ways to get gorgeously healthy hair:

ATTITUDE - this Canadian line features a variety of hair care products for adults and kids, all formulated with good-for-hair ingredients like shea butter and wheat protein. Already an international sensation, the brand is making its U.S. debut at Target.

Renpure - this line wins points for its luxurious formulas and nourishing natural ingredients like Argan oil and coconut. Target is the exclusive mass retailer for this Minnesota-based line, giving guests access to salon-quality hair care for $6.99 and under.

SoCozy - this line is by Cozy Friedman, founder of Manhattan’s premiere children’s hair salon Cozy’s Cuts for Kids. This “no nasties” assortment features gentle ingredients like soy protein, keratin and aloe, making it a hit with parents and little ones.

SoapBox - with this line of products, you get to look good and do good at the same time. For every product you purchase, the brand will donate a month’s supply of clean water to a community in need around the world. SoapBox is launching its collection of eight shampoos and conditioners exclusively at Target for just $4.99 each.

Target's President's Day Deals

Attention bargain hunters! Target.com is running the following deals for President's Day Weekend: get 20% off clothing, shoes and accessories with the code DEAL20 at checkout. Also: get 15% off home decor and furniture - plus free shipping - when you spend $75 or more, plus an extra 10% off if you place your order by midnight Saturday. For all the details, check out Target.com.

Target Shutters Streaming Service...

First Target Canada, and now this: Target is shuttering it's video streaming service I told you about a couple of years ago. According to Consumerist, Target Ticket (which launched in Fall of 2013) was meant to compete with streaming services like Amazon, Vudu, and Flixster. Now Target Ticket is shutting down. Members need not worry that they’ll lose the content they’ve bought or earned: films that users have purchased access to will transfer over to another competing service, CinemaNow.

The service offered all of the expected services that streaming video services have these days: licensed TV content and movies, including current TV shows available the day after airing. It didn’t charge subscription fees, and digital rentals were competitively priced with other similar services. Target store customers customers could earn free movie codes by shopping, and users could also access their UltraViolet libraries through the service.

Titles available on Target Ticket may not necessarily all be available on CinemaNow, but Target promises that it will issue credits to make up for any lost titles in the transition. Target Ticket has stopped new video rentals as of today, and will shut down on March 7th.

Double-Take: Zinc Door vs. Safavieh at Target

It's time for another double-take, where we take one item from The Bullseye and match it against it a pricier designer piece. Today we have two mod "z" shaped accent tables that look virtually identical: both have an angled gold base with white glass shelves. But one of these beauties is from Zinc Door and will set you back $336, whereas the other is from Safavieh (on Target.com) and is only $174. Which one is which? The answer appears in the comments section below.

Fab Find: Mossimo Pale Pink Blazer

With most of the country under sleet, snow - and in my case out in here California, pouring rain - it's hard to think ahead to Spring. But this pretty pink blazer from Mossimo will have you dreaming of cherry blossoms and warmer weather.  Officially dubbed "Deco Peach", I've seen it in stores and it's more of a blush-pink hue. And best of all, now it's on sale on Target.com for 30% off, bringing it under $25.

Target Workers Help Man Prep For Interview

Here's your feel-good story for a Friday: Consumerist reports that employees at a Raleigh-Durham Target store were caught taking a break from stocking shelves to aid a young man in his pursuit of a job.

When reporters talked to employees about the photo that went viral online, they say they were helping out a customer heading to a job interview at a nearby Chick fil-A and looking for that final finishing touch to make himself look more professional.

“I asked him if he needed help and he told me he needed clip on ties,” says one employee who noticed the young man wandering around the store. But the store doesn’t carry clip-ons, so this employee asked a co-worker to assist the young gentleman. The teen bought a tie for him from the Target store and then went over to the employee who helped him tie it correctly. “We took the wrapping off it, and I tied it on my neck, and fit it over head adjusted it and tightened it…fixed all his collar buttons and he was set to go,” says the worker.

Store staffers also gave the teen a boost by prepping him for what to expect at his interview: “We said, ‘Make sure you look him in the eye.’ I’m saying make sure you give him a firm handshake, and she showed him… he tucked his shirt in.”

While all this was going on, a curious Target shopper noticed the heartwarming scene and snapped this photo. “It was a very quiet simple moment, but it was very profound honestly kindness… from strangers… in a Super Target,” she recalls. “He leaves and all these Target employees are screaming ‘Bye! Good luck! Tell us how it went.'”

“We were just here to help a young man get a job and forward his future,” said the employee who tied the tie. The Target workers later popped by the Chick fil-A to talk up the teen and see how he did on the interview. The manager said he’d make a decision by the end of the week.

Double-Take: Threshold vs. West Elm

It's time for another double-take, where we take one item from Tar-shay and match it against it a pricier designer piece. Today we have two attractive brass pendant table lamps, both with a retro-feel to them. Only one of them is from West Elm, and will set you back $111 (on sale, down from $139) whereas the other is from Threshold (at Target) and costs less than half that at just $49.99. Which one is which? The answer appears in the comments section below.

Follow me! Or Subscribe!!

Regular readers of my blog know that Target-Addict is a hobby for me - not a job. I've even considered giving it up from time to time, but always keep coming back due to my extreme love of everything Tar-shay.

So after hearing from many of you asking "how do I follow your blog?" or "can I subscribe?", I've FINALLY added the Follow and Subscribe widgets to the bottom of the left-hand nav bar. Enjoy!

Sale Alert: Sonia Kashuk

This month only, buy 2 or more Sonia Kashuk items on Target.com and get 20% off your purchase. That means you can get the Red Promisia Body Butter (shown here) plus the matching Hand Creme - both which would make a perfect Valentine's Day gift - for under $15. This offer is available online only, and excludes clearance items.