Target's Cartwheel Deals for Leap Day

Sorry for the late notification on this one, readers, but I just discovered that Cartwheel (by Target) has a bunch of deals - today only, in honor of Leap Day - at 29% off. Check out all the deals here, including Easter Baskets, a Nespresso Machine Bundle, and Beats Pink Headphones.

BOGO Alert: All Swimwear

Target is having a buy one/get one 50% off sale this week on swimwear for the entire family - men, women and children. This includes designer brands like Tori Praver and sporty styles from C9 by Champion. I've found that Target carries a lot more styles (not to mention a fuller range of sizes) of swimwear online vs. in stores, so I've always had better luck ordering a bunch of swim separates online and then returning what doesn't work out.

Fab Find: Dollar Aisle Faux Plants

A couple of months ago I told you about Target's new collection of faux houseplants, and now they've expanded the offerings to the Dollar Aisle. As shown here, I found these adorable potted faux succulents in a variety of styles, just $3 each. I've seen similar ones - in almost identical 'stone' pots - for $9.99 at my local home decor/furniture store, so these are really a bargain.

Consumer Alert: Target Macadamia Nut Recall

Consumerist reports that raw macadamia nuts sold at retailers including Target, HyVee, Pear’s Gourmet, and grocery stores that carry Western Family brands have been recalled because they may be contaminated with the Salmonella bacteria.

The Food and Drug Administration was performing random sampling and found Salmonella present in a sample from the company that packages all of these products, Marathon Ventures in Nebraska.

At Target, the macadamia nuts in question were sold under their in-house Market Pantry brand (as shown here). If you have any question about your own macadamia nuts or about the recall, you can contact Marathon Ventures at (402) 934-8223 or by email at qa@marathonventuresinc.com.

Double-Take: Mossimo vs. Chinese Laundry

It's time for another double-take, where we take one item from Tar-shay and match it up against a lookalike - yet pricier - designer piece. So lace-up suede flats are having a "moment" right now, and everyone seems to have their own slant on this look, even Ivanka Trump. But today we're looking at two very similar versions in basic black. The big difference, though, is that one shoe is by Chinese Laundry (at Zappo's) and will set you back $60, whereas the other is by Mossimo (at Target) and costs less than half of that, at only $24.99. Which one is which? The answer appears in the comments section below.

Discounted Target Gift Cards on eBay...

eBay is running a special promotion right now by selling gift cards from major retailers - like Target - at a discount. Granted, the discount for Target isn't huge - they're selling $100 Target Cards for $95 - but eBay claims that cards for selected retailers are slashed up to 20%. Check out all the details and cards offered in this promotion on eBay's info page.

Clearance Alert: Sonia Kashuk Fall & Holiday Collections

The Sonia Kashuk Grand Bazaar Collection from last Fall is now on clearance in Target stores for 50% off (although it's still at full price on Target.com). Likewise, Sonia's Holiday Collection is also on clearance in stores (including the 10-piece Facet-nating Brush Kit, shown here) but again, it's not on sale online.

Fab Find: Dollar Spot Mini-Erasers

How cute is this?? Today in Target's Dollar Aisle I spied these adorable mini pencil-erasers in a baby-chick motif. And only $1 for 60 of these little cuties! Obviously, these pose a choking hazard for small children, so use accordingly... perhaps repurposed in some sort of Easter craft??

The Look for Less: Pottery Barn vs. Threshold

Leather throw pillows are an easy way to update your living room and give it a luxe touch. You could go for the real deal with Pottery Barn's version (shown on the left) but it'll set you back $129.50. Plus, it's just for the pillow cover, so you'll have to buy your own pillow insert.  But you can get the same look for way less $ with the faux-leather Threshold version at Target (shown on the right) which costs just $19.99 and includes the whole pillow.

Gwen Stefani's New Music Video/Target Ad

Did you watch last night's Grammy Awards on TV? And if so, did you catch the debut of Gwen Stefani's music video for her new song "Make Me Like You" - aka a 4-minute ad for Target? If you missed it, don't worry - you can re-watch it here on the Entertainment Weekly site. I missed most of it myself, until my husband yelled at me to get back in the room because he didn't think this was a "normal Target commercial".

Indeed, this wasn't your traditional music video or TV commercial. Instead, Stefani performed the first ever live music video, broadcast during the Grammy telecast. Directed by Sophie Muller, the clip features Stefani on roller skates, moving through a hair salon, a mirrored room, a bar, and various costume changes. Acting as an ad for Target, the video also featured product placement for the retail chain. And Stefani will be selling a special edition of her new album - with bonus tracks - starting March 18th at Target.

Oh, and if you were confused (as I was) as to how she fell during the rollerskating scene - then popped up a nanosecond later in a costume change - the Huffington Post breaks it down for you here. [Hint: a body double was involved].

New at Target: dv Shoes and Bags

Target is introducing dv, a chic new collection of shoes and handbags designed exclusively by Dolce Vita. The collection includes fringe detail, natural rope and metallic accents to start building your Spring and Summer wardrobe. The brainchild of Dolce Vita co-founders Nick Lucio and Van Lamprou, dv was created to be effortlessly stylish, defining where fashion is right now.

Incidentally, this isn't Dolce Vita's first time collaborating with Target. Back in 2010 the brand started producing a budget line for The Bullseye, but the collab has been absent for the past couple of seasons.

The Look for Less: Target vs. Paper Source

Remember the adorable bunny tote I found in the Dollar Aisle at Target last week for only $3? Well it seems that Paper Source has an almost identical one for sale (shown here).  Only the Paper Source version costs almost 5 times as much, at $14.95.

Sale Alert: Cetaphil and CereVe

Attention Cetaphil and CereVe brand fans: Target has them on sale this week. Buy 1 Cetaphil or CereVe facial skin care product, and get the second one for 50% off. Check out the Weekly Ad on Target.com for the full list of items included in this offer.

Double-Take: Restoration Hardware vs. Threshold

It's time for another double-take, where we take one item from Tar-shay and match it up against a lookalike - yet pricier - designer piece. Today we're looking at two industrial-style desks made of wrought iron and wood. Although very similar in design, one is by Restoration Hardware and will set you back a whopping $520 (and that's on sale!). By comparison, the other one is by Threshold (at Target) and costs just $99 (with 10% off this week if you use the coupon code HOME). Which one is which? The answer appears in the comments section below.

Fab Find: Felt Fortune Cookies

Yesterday at Target I found these adorable felt fortune cookies in the Dollar Bin for just $1! In various shades of pink and red, they include 3 reusable "cookies" with 6 different Valentine "fortunes" (like "Hug Me") you can stick inside. I'm sorry I didn't find these earlier (as V-Day is this weekend) but I suspect that they were all snapped up at my local stores as soon as they were put out.

Back at Target: the 'Meredith' Wedge by Merona

Thanks to The Budget Babe for the heads-up on this: Target has brought back the popular "Meredith" espadrille wedge sandal by Merona, just in time for Spring. This will be the third year in a row that Target has offered this style; they also brought it back last year, but they didn't offer it in denim blue (as shown here) like they did back in 2014. Now it's back in blue, as well as in tan and in black.

Not only is this sandal super lightweight and comfortable, it's also almost a carbon copy of a popular Michael Kors style, but at a fraction of the price.

Nate Berkus for Target Spring Collection

Did you happen to catch Nate Berkus on yesterday's Rachael Ray show? He shared his "5 crucial rules for decorating your space", and if you missed it, you can read the rundown here on Rachael's website. During the show Rachael went absolutely nuts for this cute woven jute figurine (shown at left on the mantle) which she thought was a donkey but actually is a horse. It's part of Nate's Spring Collection for Target, and at just $14.99, would look great as an accent piece or a bookend.

Coming Soon to Target: Pillowfort

Later this month, Target is launching Pillowfort: a new kids’ home collection that marries fun colors and patterns with style, quality and value. Pillowfort's more than 1,200 pieces of furniture, and bedding cater to any decor dream a kid might conjure up. Imaginations will run wild when they get a glimpse of the 12 whimsical themes, including "Ocean Oasis" (shown here). For more information & pics, check out this article on A Bullseye View. Pillowfort launches online and in stores on 2/21/16.

New at Target: Paperchase

The other day at Target I noticed a whole endcap devoted to the upscale stationery line Paperchase. This brand - which started in the UK, and expanded to the rest of Europe and the US in the 1990's - has their own stores, so I was surprised to see this collaboration with Tar-jay. The offerings include gift wrap, party supplies and stationery items in a pretty pastel marble print as well as white/gold chevron stripes and a cute arrow pattern - all well priced at $3-10.

Fab Find: Bunny Tote

Target's Dollar Aisle continues to bring out the bunny motif with this whimsical mini-tote bag (shown here). In addition to handles, this tote also has adorable "floppy ears" and a pink puff nose. At just $3 each, I'm sure these will sell out soon - in fact, this was the LAST one on the shelf - so nab this cutie soon if you want one.

Enter the Method/Target Giveaway...

Happy Friday, readers! Remember when I alerted you that Method had teamed up with designer Rebecca Atwood on new limited-edition bottles? Well now Method is running a fun giveaway for 4 gift packs which include all 4 Rebecca Atwood Method Hand Gel Washes, a Rebecca Atwood Zip Pouch, and a $50 Target Gift Card. For your chance to win, all you have to do is:
* snap a pic of a pattern you love
* post it to Facebook, Twitter or Instagram
* tag your post @methodhome and use #methodlovesRA. For more details, head on over to Method's Facebook page.

Clearance Alert: Select 'Target Collective' Merchandise

Remember almost a year ago when I told you about Target Collective - a curated collection tailored just for men? Well now what's left of it is on clearance on Target.com. Brands Billykirk and Taylor Stitch have already sold out (and Duluth Pack seems to still be full price) but Owen & Fred, Locally Grown and Terrapin Stationers are now on sale for 50% off.

New at Target: Limited-Edition Artwork

A special shout-out to The Budget Babe for alerting me to this new collection. Target has commissioned 4 artists for a limited-edition artwork collab by graphic designer/blogger Joy Cho, "River Luna" illustrator Marisa Redondo, artist/printmaker Clare Caulfield, and artist/designer Kiana Mosley. Each artist has their own style and POV, but I'm especially drawn to the creations of Marisa Redondo, like this whimsical owl (shown here) which I think would look perfect in a nursery or child's room. Prices range from $17.99 to $34.99, and right now on Target.com you can get an extra 10% off on select home items with the code DECOR10 (but hurry - offer ends on 2/6/16).

New at Target: Embyolisse and Bevel

Target continues to roll out even more Skincare lines, introducing two more this week. First up is A-listers’ fave skincare line Embryolisse. This premium assortment features high-end masks, firming creams and cleansing milks that specialize in anti-aging and deep hydration. And the brand’s famous Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentre is a must-have for celebrity makeup artists like Kindra Mann, who preps red carpet-regulars Kaley Cuoco and Busy Philipps for the spotlight.

Next up is Bevel, the shave system backed by investors Magic Johnson, John Legend and Google Ventures. Designed specifically for men with coarse or curly hair, Bevel offers product options including protective priming oil, a shaving brush,shave cream, post-shave restoring balm and a single-blade safety razor that’s designed to help reduce and prevent bumps and irritation.

Fab Find: Dollar Bin Easter Decor

I guess with the supply of Valentine's Day dollar items waning, Target is starting to put out Easter items in the Dollar Bin, like these two cute finds (shown here). One is an adorable bunny-print table runner - with every other bunny sporting a "cotton tail" - for $3. And the other is a set of 4 burlap napkin rings with "bunny ears" (also $3).

My Review: Who What Wear

Yesterday I was able to view the new Who What Wear collection at Target, and in short, I wasn't impressed. First off, I almost missed it. At my local store, they placed the 3-4 racks of this line right in the middle of Womenswear, sandwiched somewhere between the Mossimo and Knox Rose brands. There was no oversized, overhead signage as with pasts major collabs; I think even the recent Adam Lippes collection had more fanfare. There were small signs (as shown here) on some of the racks, but blink and you'd miss them.

Shown here is a good representation of what's wrong with this line. At left is pretty royal blue linen t-shirt for $17.99. The issue, though, is that it's so paper-thin that you can't wear it without a cami underneath. Next, in the middle is a skinny black chiffon tie for $14.99. I wasn't sure WHAT this was supposed to be exactly until I checked back on Target's website - whether it was a belt or a neck tie - and it turns out it's a Skinny Scarf. This doesn't really make sense to me, because the only time I've seen these before were attached to the neckline of blouses (like on this Mossimo one). Then on the right, you'll see a bright floral pencil skirt for $27.99. What you can't see is how tiny the sizes look; I thought I was looking at a size 0 or 2, but the size tag on this super-narrow skirt was a 6. Likewise I saw an olive-green knit dress that looked like a size XS on the rack, and it turned out to be a L.

On the other end of the sizing scale, both the denim shirt dress (which I thought was a trench from the Lookbook) and the black/white shirt dress were so long that they literally came to my ankles (I'm 5'4, btw, so I'm short but not that petite). I also saw a bizarre pair of black cropped gaucho pants with a draped front (that they're dubbing a Front Wrap Culotte) that I can't imagine being flattering on anyone.

There were other pieces that weren't bad - in particular, this striped Bateau T-shirt for $19.99. Then again, it also wasn't anything special, and could have just as easily been from Merona. While I was checking out the racks, I saw just one other woman peruse the Who What Wear collection, then quickly move on to pick out things from other Target house brands.

For me, this collab is a big fat yawn, and I'll be passing on it. What did everybody else think? Will you be buying it, waiting for it to go on clearance first, or skipping it altogether?