Nifty Gift: Pair of Thieves Dad/Kid Sock Set

As the holidays approach, I'm starting a new feature called "Nifty Gift" with fun gift ideas I've found at Target. Today I'm sharing a product from Pair of Thieves, a brand I've blogged about before and adore. This holiday season, in addition to a variety of mens' socks, Pair of Thieves are also offering Dad/Kid sock sets with matching socks for dad and kids, ranging in size from kids S (18 months - 3yrs) to L (8-10 yrs).  At just $9.99 for the set, this would make a great stocking stuffer, or a cute gift for a kid to give dad.

Virginia Artist Accuses Target Of Ripping Off Designs...

Consumerist reports that a Virginia artist, who has created and sold original cellphone covers online since 2013, filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court this week accusing Target and supplier Weihai Luda Craft Co. of copyright, vicarious and contributory infringement.

According to the lawsuit, the artist specializes in creating cellphone covers decorated with carefully chosen flowers and plants in original arrangements. Two of those designs, titled “Lemon and Honey” and “Morning Dew” have been available for purchase through the artist’s website since August 2013. 

The artist claims she recently discovered a Target store in Washington selling unauthorized copies of these two designs under the Target-owned Merona brand. After searching other stores, she found the cellphone covers for sale in Virginia stores as well as online.

The artist is seeking $300,000 in damages, an injunction to stop Target from selling the covers, and attorney fees. In my opinion, the evidence in her favor is compelling, since it seems Target copied her not once, but twice. As shown here, each cell phone on the left is the Merona version, with the artist's original design shown on the right. 

Target Now Offering International Shopping...

Yesterday Target announced it has launched an international version of its website, available to shoppers in more than 200 countries and territories. According to A Bullseye View, the new site - which Target recently began testing - will also allow U.S. customers to ship Target orders to family and friends around the world.

“We believe international consumers will love shopping the great brands, great prices and exclusive products that are synonymous with Target,” said Jason Goldberger, president of Target.com and Mobile. “Target.com already gets tens of millions of visitors every year from outside the U.S., and this test will give us even greater insight into how shoppers around the world engage with Target.”

Guests in the U.S. and abroad can now visit Intl.Target.com to shop about half the assortment of Target.com, including apparel, beauty products, home décor, housewares, baby goods and toys. Here’s how it works: when international guests visit Target.com, they will be taken to Target’s new international website. Guests can then designate the country they would like to ship to and also choose their currency. The prices will be the same as those offered in the U.S. on Target.com, and shown in the local currency sitewide at the current conversion rate. The checkout page will be translated into the local language and the all-in price with shipping charges, duties and tariffs will be clearly shown.

Cartwheel Deal: 40% Off All Boots

Target is running a deal today only - via their Cartwheel app - for 40% off boots for men, women and children. This offer is good in stores only, excludes slipper booties and clearance items, and is limited to 4 items per guest. Download the deal here on Cartwheel.

New at Target: French Bull Luggage

I've blogged before about the fun prints and color combos from the French Bull brand at Target. And now faithful reader Cynthia alerts me that French Bull has introduced a new line of luggage for the Bullseye. I happened to see it in person yesterday and snapped this pic. The zig-zag patterns remind me of the Missoni for Target luggage that flew off the shelves a few years ago, and this Jet Set design features a cool collage of vintage postcards.

Clearance Alert: Adam Lippes for Target [Select Items]

The Adam Lippes for Target collection is on sale already - well sort of. In store, I saw the home goods (as shown here) on clearance already for 30% off. However, none of the bags, totes, clothing or shoes were included in this sale. Meanwhile, over on Target.com, the Adam Lippes clothing is part of the sitewide "buy one item, get one 50% off) on select clothing, but nothing else in the collab is on sale.

Man Posing As Target Employee Stole Almost $50,000 In Cellphones...

Consumerist reports that a man in Georgia allegedly impersonated a Target employee in order to steal more than $50,000 in cellphones.

On at least two occasions, police say a man walked into two separate stores pretending to be a Target Mobile representative in order to gain access to a inventory storage locker full of cellphones. According to police, the most recent incident occurred Oct. 17 when the man –dressed in standard attire for a Target Mobile employee, which is a black polo shirt and khaki pants – approached the customer service desk asking for the key to the cellphone locker.

The man then reportedly told the Target employee he was a new hire and needed an escort to the locker’s location. After reaching the area, the man placed 26 cellphones – worth $18,000 – in a duffel bag. He then put on a grey sweatshirt, returned the key to the desk, and left the store.

Police say the man is also a suspect in an Oct. 3 incident at another nearby Target. In that case, the man allegedly stole nearly $30,000 in cellphones using the same tactic. He reportedly returned to the first store after the second heist, but was turned away. Authorities say they believe the man may be a former employee as he seems familiar with the practices of Target and knows the names of store and district managers.

Target Under Fire for Selling Pens Resembling Hypodermic Needles...

Target is under fire for selling pens that look like hypodermic needles as Halloween novelty toys, stirring concerns among parents and drug abuse prevention advocates as the country battles a rising heroin and opioid addiction crisis.

The pens - with clear plastic tubes filled with brightly colored liquid, topped by a plunger and marked with the measuring lines found on syringes - are sold at Target stores nationwide under the Spritz brand.

"I think it's an incredibly bad idea," said Celeste Clark, director of the Raymond Coalition for Youth, an organization in New Hampshire that works to reduce substance abuse. "Given today's epidemic that our state is in, it just seems like a no-brainer that something like that shouldn't be on the shelves."

A spokesperson for Minneapolis-based Target said the company had heard complaints from consumers but will leave them on the shelves. "We have not made any changes to our store Halloween assortment related to this product," Molly Snyder said. "At Target, our intent is never to offend any of our guests, and we appreciate their feedback. We have shared this feedback with the merchants for them to consider as they plan for future merchandise assortment."

Fab Find: Leather & Tobac Scented Candle

Target is putting a bunch of Fall/Winter home decor stuff (which they just put out a couple of weeks ago) on clearance already. Case in point: this "manly" soy candle, in the scent "Leather & Tobac" (aka Tobacco). Encased in a black glass jar with a tan faux-leather strap, this candle has an up to 50 hours burn time. And best of all, it's on clearance for just $7.48 (regularly $14.99) in stores.

Target to Offer Free Shipping for the Holidays...

Consumerist reports that a screenshot from a leaked Target catalog (shown here) indicates that the retailer will offer free shipping and returns this holiday season.

BestBlackFriday.com spotted the promotion in Target’s upcoming toy catalog, which notes that the offer is valid from Nov. 1 through Dec. 25. There are no minimum price restrictions, though it may exclude oversized items (as it now costs retailers more to ship those products). Standard shipping to the 48 contiguous states applies.

This news doesn't come as a total surprise, as Target was the first of the big stores to offer free shipping on their online orders with no minimum last holiday season.

New at Target: Faribault 2015 Holiday Collection

Last year, Target partnered with Faribault Woolen Mill—famous for its made-from-scratch wool blankets—to launch an exclusive line of accessories and gift items that weave together high quality and great value. One year later, Target is launching a brand new Faribault for Target collection.The holiday assortment features more than 30 products, including soft blankets, striped throws, fringed pillows, plaid scarves and cozy ponchos.

“Over the last 150 years, our product has been enjoyed coast to coast," said Terry Mackenthun, CEO, Faribault. “The partnership and collaboration with Target has created a wonderful array of products to reach their guests all across this great country.” When asked about his favorite product from this year's Target holiday assortment, Terry couldn’t decide on just one: “That’s like having to choose your favorite child! But I guess we’d say plaids and pillows and throw capes. Plaids are timeless but so big this season." 

You can check out the entire holiday Faribault for Target collection via the slideshow here on A Bullseye View.

Fab Find: Frosted Fir Candle Tin

Anyone familiar with the classic Frasier Fir fragrance by Thymes will love this candle, which is a real steal in the Dollar Aisle at Target. Target's "Frosted Fir" candle tin is the closest dupe I've found to the Frasier Fir scent, and at a fraction of the price: Thymes version is $18.50 (admittedly, it's 2oz larger) but Target's is only $3.

And the winner is...

The winner of my latest blog giveaway - for two bags of Snappers snacks - is reader "Japolina"! Her entry was picked by the random number generator over at Random.org. Congrats to the winner; I've emailed you for your mailing address so I can send out your prize. Thanks again to everyone who entered and for reading my blog! And remember: Snappers are on sale right now - from Oct. 18-24 - at just $7 for two 6oz. bags at Target stores nationwide.

Clearance Alert: Merona Modern Ankle Pant

If you're a fan of the Merona Modern Ankle Pant (as I am) then take note: Target.com has them on sale in select colors for the rock bottom price of just $6.50 a pair (regularly $27.99!). The colors on sale include Berry Maroon (shown here, which I just bought online for store pickup), Taupe Gray and Springtime Green. The hitch is that many sizes are already sold out, and you may need to use store pickup (as I did) vs. ordering online. But at this price, it's worth the hunt. One note: these pants go on snug but stretch a lot, so I'd recommend ordering one size smaller than you usually wear.

Fab Find: Threshold Trinket Tray

Just in time for the holidays - as a hostess gift or a stocking stuffer - Target has come out with these adorable monogramed "trinket trays" by Threshold. Made of cream ceramic with dark silver lettering, they'd be perfect to store spare change, jewelry, or other small treasures. And best of all, they're just $7.99 each!

Target Accidentally Plays Porn Over PA System...

Jezebel (and by now, many other news outlets) has reported that shoppers a Campbell, California Target were shocked when audio from a porno began playing over the store’s loudspeakers. Gina Young, a woman who was shopping in the store on Thursday with her two young sons, filmed footage of the incident and posted it on her Facebook page. In the clip, moaning sounds and sexually explicit language emit loudly from the store’s speakers.

According to the New York Post, Target is currently investigating, but is offering no details. “People were up in arms. Some people threw their things down and walked out. Others were yelling at employees,” Young wrote on Facebook. “Employees were running around everywhere. Picking and hanging up phones, which worked….for about two minutes before it started up again.”

Another customer told KCBS, “I felt violated, and my body said wait a minute, this ain’t right. So I was uneasy.” Interestingly, this isn’t the first time an incident like this has occurred at Target. The same thing happened at another California location in July. Customers were evacuated from the San Luis Obispo store until they figured out how to turn off the speakers. No word on whether the two incidents are related, but it sounds like the inner workings of a very creative prankster.

Note: if you're really curious, you can see the NowThis video with a mashup of the Facebook footage + customer reactions here.

Product Review + READER GIVEAWAY: Snappers

Happy Friday, readers! Today I have the pleasure of telling you about Snappers snacks. The fine folks at Snappers recently sent me a sample "snack pack", and I was able to taste these delicious treats for the first time. They come in 4 fabulous flavors: Original Pretzel, Peanut Pretzel, Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel, and Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter. As the names suggest, Snappers are a combo of creamy caramel (or savory peanut butter) plus rich chocolate and crunchy pretzels.

Snappers also has a rich history. According to the website of their parent company, Edward Marc Chocolatier, in 1914 a young Greek couple set off from their native land to pursue the dream of a new life in America. After arriving in New York City, Charlie and Orania made their way to Pittsburgh, PA, where they settled and made a life together relying on a skill that they carried with them from the family kitchen back in Greece: handcrafted chocolates. In the nine decades since the business was founded, the family has handed down the traditions and techniques of fine chocolate making, each successive generation prospering upon the exact recipe that Charlie and Orania perfected in 1914. Today they continues the family tradition by selecting the finest ingredients and handcrafting the highest quality chocolates available anywhere.

Snappers are available in 40,000 stores throughout the country, including Target. And guess what? Target is about to run a special promotion on Snappers, so now's the perfect time to try them for yourself. From Oct. 18-24, you can get two 6oz. bags of Snappers for just $7 at Target stores nationwide. This "2 for $7"  promo will also run again just in time for the holidays, from Nov. 15-21.

And now that I'm hooked on Snappers myself, I want to share the addiction! That's why I'm including two 6oz. bags of Snappers - in  Peanut Pretzel and Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter flavors - in my next reader giveaway. To win, all you need to do is leave a comment on this post - along with your email address -  by midnight on Monday, Oct. 19. This giveaway is limited to U.S. residents only (only one entry per person, please!) and the winner (picked at random) will be announced on Tuesday, Oct. 20. Good luck!

The Look for Less: NineSpace vs. Nate Berkus

Lamps are one area where Tar-shay really shines and you can find designer looks for much less. Case in point: the fancy geometric wire table lamp on the left (by NineSpace) is pretty, but will set you back a whopping $330. But you can get a super-similar look for a fraction of that cost with the Nate Berkus for Target Open Metal Lamp (shown at right) for just $39.99 (on sale this week for $31.99!).

Coming to Target: Who What Wear

Style stalkers on the hunt for the latest trends, street style and breaking celebrity news know that Who What Wear is the place to go for the ultimate haute hookup. And next February, founders and former ELLE editors Hillary Kerr and Katherine Power will kick off an ongoing partnership with Target to introduce a month-by-month collection of apparel and accessories.

A Bullseye View reports that the first week of every month, Who What Wear for Target will refresh with new styles and designs. Each collection will fuse Hillary and Katherine’s foresight with input they’re gathering from their followers and Target’s guests. That means you - the customer - will actually be able to help influence what the line looks like based on your feedback. Hillary and Katherine will be looking for your thoughts on everything from print and patterns to colors and silhouettes.

Who What Wear for Target will be available February 2016 at select Target stores and on Target.com. First up in February? An assortment blooming with pieces perfect for easy spring layering, including blazers, dresses, skirts, flowy tops and light jackets.

Fab Find: Belkin Tassel Charger

This is not only a fab find, but a great gift idea or stocking stuffer as well. This leather tassel purse charm (by Belkin) hides a fun & functional surprise: a Lightning-to-USB charger cable. Hidden in plain sight as a chic accessory on your purse or backpack, your cable stays tidy not tangled, and ready to charge, share music and pictures, or simply connect. Besides Bright Pink (shown here) it also comes in Black, Gray and Tan leather. And best of all, it's on sale this week at Target for just $24.99 (regularly $34.99).

The Sam & Libby Ballet Flat Turns 25...

Back in 1987 Sam and Libby Edeman launched their iconic bow flat, which, 25 years later, remains a wardrobe staple for young women everywhere. And since 2013, the duo has thrilled fans with exciting new fabrics, jewels and colors with their exclusive Sam & Libby line at Target.

Looking back, Sam & Libby reveal that their version of the classic ballet shoe was inspired by street fashion and by a photo of Brigitte Bardot, one of the greatest movie stars of all time, in St. Tropez. The ballet flat itself emerged in France from Repetto – the great dancing shoes. Sam & Libby embellished their version with a bow because it resonated with the American woman.

For more about Sam & Libby, check out the interview with founders Sam and Libby Edelman on A Bullseye View.

Free Plaid Target Bag!

Thank you to readers Barbara and Christopher for alerting me on this (although I'm a bit late on posting the news - sorry!). Starting on Oct. 4th, Target is giving away a FREE plaid shopping bag to REDcard holders. This offer is only good in stores,only if you have a REDcard, and only while supplies last.

The Look for Less: Dorothy Draper vs. Safavieh

Fans of Hollywood Regency style will drool over this Dorothy Draper chest (shown on top left) - circa 1950 and available for $2,500 on 1stdibs. Sure, you could fork out the cash for this precious antique... or you could save your money and get a similar look with the Safavieh "Kennedy Chest" (shown on bottom left, and available on Target.com) for just $469.99.

Fab Find: Dollar Bin Scarf

While perusing the Dollar Bins at Target this weekend, I found this wonderfully soft infinity scarf. It's made of fluffy acrylic, and I nabbed this one in a pretty plum and cream combo, but I saw gray/cream and solid cream as well. And for only $3, the price can't be beat!

The Look for Less: Joie vs. Merona

By now you've probably heard that for the second year in a row, LL Bean's iconic Duck Boots are backordered for weeks. SheFinds came up with a stylish alternative - the "Delyth" boot by Joie (shown far left) - but they'll set you back a whopping $295. Consider the "Nancy" boot by Merona at Target (shown on the right) instead. They have a similar look/feel in a different color combo, and best of all, they're just $39.99!

Target Second Mass Retailer to Offer Apple Watch...

Consumerist reports that Apple is expanding where consumers can buy its Apple Watch, adding Target as the second retailer aside from the brand’s mothership to offer the gadget. Best Buy was the first retailer Apple allowed to sell Apple Watch.

Target says the Apple Watch will be in some stores this week, and in all locations by Oct. 25. For those who prefer shopping online, it’ll be available on Target.com on Oct. 18.

Just like the deal with Best Buy, shoppers will be limited to a certain assortment of watch styles — so don't count on finding the fancy 18-karat rose gold version for $17,000 at Target, as you’ll have to go straight to Apple for that. Select models and bands will be available at all Target stores, with more Apple Watch Sport and Apple Watch styles available online, ranging from $349 to $599 in price.

Adam Lippes Flies Off Shelves (at least at my local Target...)

A quick visit to my local Target store today brought a surprise: the Adam Lippes for Target collection seems to has almost sold out! I wasn't that impressed with this collab, but I guess others are buying it, as there were no more housewares (as shown) available, nor any shoes. Of the clothing (men's and women's) there looked to be only XS and XL sizes available, and I only saw two handbags left.

So how about it, readers? Did you buy any Adam Lippes stuff, and if so, what'd you end up with?

The Look for Less: CB2 vs. Threshold

Faux animal-head wall trophies have been trending for a few years now, and this Fall they continue to show up strong. If you're into this look, you could go for the "Goldie" Wall Ram on the left from CB2, which will set you back just under $70. Or you can save some cash and opt for the Threshold version on the right (at Target) which costs just $29.99. To be honest, I prefer Threshold's all-white version without the gold horns.

PS: if you want something even more kitchy, check out Target's Plaid Felt Stag Head, also just $29.99.