Target ends sponsorship of Indy...

Target has sponsored an IndyCar team for 27 years, one of the longest-running sponsorships in all of sports. Their partnership with Chip Ganassi Racing has led to lots of publicity and lots of wins. However, Consumerist reports that Target has announced the partnership will end at the end of this season.

The reason is a bit muddled. The retailer's hometown paper, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, reports that Target will continue sponsoring a NASCAR team, so it isn’t as if the company wants to sever its ties with racing entirely and stop advertising to its fans. But sponsoring a team is pricey, and having teams in both major auto racing series is doubly expensive, so there is speculation that cost savings might be a motive. A Target spokeswoman told the Star-Tribune that the change is “really about injecting some newness around our approach to sports marketing.”

Jenna Dewan-Tatum hearts Target...

Jenna Dewan-Tatum hearts her some Target! She's shown here attending Target’s Cat & Jack Launch Celebration at Pier 6 in New York City last week. And guess what she's wearing? The 'Bardot' dress from Who What Wear at Target. Unfortunately, this dress seems to be sold out, as I can no longer find it for sale online (and most of the rave reviews for it on Pinterest and Instagram are from 3-4 months ago).

For more pics of Jenna at the event - plus her thoughts on the new "Cat & Jack" kids' line - check out this interview on A Bullseye View.

Fab Find: Dollar Aisle Greeting Cards

The Dollar Aisle at Target is now offering premium-looking greeting cards for just $1 each. All are blank inside, allowing you to write your own sentiment. As shown here, the selection is pretty much limited to "Happy Birthday" and "Yay!", but I'm planning to stock up on the "Yay!" ones to have on hand for a variety of occasions to wish 'congrats'.

Double-Take: Steve Madden vs. Mossimo

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 have two ankle-strap, block heel neutral suede sandals. But one of them is from Steve Madden (at Zappo's) and will set you back almost $90, whereas the other one is from Mossimo (at Target) and costs just $29.99. Which one is which? The answer appears in the comments section below.

Fab Find: Dollar Aisle Pencil Case

Yesterday at Target I spied this fun clear plastic case marked "private", which made me smile. I think its supposed to technically be a pencil case (as it was displayed with all the other Back to School items in the Dollar Aisle) but you could also use it as a makeup case or to stash just about anything. It also comes in other colors and labeled "stuff", "things" and "goodies". And at just $3 each, you can collect them all.

The Look for Less: Remodelista vs. Threshold

The Threshold brand (at Target) continues to offer affordable alternatives to trendy home decor items. Case in point: the Cabrillo wicker pendant lamp from Serena & Lily (at far left) retails for for $195 on Remodelista. But you could get the look for much less with the Threshold wicker pendant (shown at right) for just $72.99.

Fab Find: Room Essentials Hanging Planter

Looking to add some pizaaz to your dorm room or first apartment? Look no further than Target for this gold faceted hanging planter by Room Essentials. As shown here, it would make a great match for succulents (which are SO in right now, plus are pretty low-maintenance). Best of all, it's on sale this week for just $13.49 (reg. $14.99).

New at Target: Larabar Bites

Larabar fans, take note: they now come in bite sized snacks! Available in 4 flavors - Mint Chocolate Truffle, Double Chocolate Brownie, Cherry Chocolate Chip and Chocolate Macaroon - all are made with just a few simple ingredients rolled into one delicious bite! This week Target has them on sale for $5 a bag (reg. $5.99). Plus, now through 7/31 you can save an extra 5% on these tasty treats when you use the Cartwheel app. 

New at Target: Cheeky Porcelain Dinnerware

I've blogged about Cheeky before - the fun paper and plastic tableware line at Target that donates a portion of every purchase to charity. Well guess what? Cheeky's patterned place-settings now come in pretty porcelain, too! They are dishwasher and microwave-safe, and their eye-catching designs make mealtime more fun. And best of all, just as with their disposable paper offerings, Cheeky is giving back: with every set you buy, Cheeky will help donate 16 meals (one meal for every item) to someone who needs it right here in the U.S. through their partnership with Feeding America®.

Fab Find: 'Oops' Eraser

Remember the other day when I told you that Sugar Paper had a new collection of calendars and planners at Target? Well according to A Bullseye View, these latest offerings are indeed aimed at the college set. You can check out the full Sugar Paper collection here on Target.com. One of my favorites of the bunch is this adorable oversized eraser with "oops" printed on it.

Coming Soon to Target: New Rebecca Atwood for Method

The other day I told you the current selection of Rebecca Atwood for Method bottles at Target were being phased out, and today I bring you a happy follow-up: Method is continuing the collab! New scents and prints have already hit Target.com, although I haven't seen them in stores yet. The new offerings include Pink Persimmon (shown here at left), Pumpkin Clove (shown in upper right corner), Blue Sage and Wild Violet. 

Now at Target: Cat & Jack

After a lot of teasing, Target has finally launched their new childrens' line Cat & Jack. You can browse all the girls' and boys' clothing now on Target.com, with the baby/toddler sizes to follow on Aug. 7th. Target is also debuting this line with an interesting promise: a 1-year durability guarantee. Meaning, if anything doesn't hold up, you can return it up to one year later with your original receipt.

Some things to note: Cat & Jack will be replacing both the Circo and Cherokee brands. And also: Cat & Jack will include online-online items, such as more colors, styles and extended sizes (Slim, Plus, Big Kid size 18 and Toddler 6–6X & 7) along with an extended selection of graphic tees & hoodies.

Fab Find: Dollar Aisle Mini Highlighters

How cute are these?? I found these mini highlighter pens - that look like little robots - in the Dollar Aisle at Target the other day. They come 3 to a pack, and are only $1! [Side note: my husband saw them and thought they were mini flashlights, and were disappointed to find out they were pens instead].

Clearance Alert: Rebecca Atwood for Method

The limited-edition Rebecca Atwood for Method collection is starting to go on clearance in stores. Today I nabbed my favorite scent of the bunch - Sweet Citrus - and got the last two on the shelf of the Foaming Hand Wash. They were marked down to $2.96 (from $3.49) which I know is only 15% off, but Method's limited prints always sell out so grab 'em while you still can (like I did!).

Back at Target: Sugar Paper Calendars

The other day at Target I was shocked to see an endcap stocked with - are you ready for it? - calendars for NEXT year. But then I realized that with all the back to school and college dorm merchandise, it only makes sense to offer calendars and planners now rather than later.

A closer look at the endcap revealed it was from Sugar Paper, offering 2017 calendars and July 2016 - June 2017 weekly and monthly planners. Like its original release last year, the selection comes in pretty pale pastels, metallics and neutrals, like the chipboard/gold one shown here.

Double-Take: Ballard Designs vs. Threshold

Thanks to The Budget Babe for inspiring this double-take, although here I'm going to compare the Tar-shay option with a different lookalike - yet pricier - designer piece. Today we're looking at two sleek marble wall clocks. Both add a classic - yet modern - touch to any decor, but one of them is from Ballard Designs and will set you back $79.99 (on sale from $99.00) whereas the other is by Threshold (at Target) and costs just $14.99. Which one is which? The answer appears in the comments section below.

Fab Find: Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Cashews

Welcome to my new obsession: these Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Cashews by Ghirardelli. They are soooo delicious and decadent. They also come in Milk Chocolate, and the refillable bag makes it perfect for when you want just a SMALL sweet treat (although believe me, I've been tempted to eat the whole thing in one sitting).

Clearance Alert: 30% off Summer Clothing & Shoes

If you've been to your local Target store lately, you'll find it's "out with the old, in with the new" with the debut of all the Back to School stuff in place of the Outdoor/Patio section. Likewise, Target.com is trying to clear out their Summer stock with a "Last Chance Summer Sale", with up to 30% off all Summer clothing, shoes, and accessories for the whole family.  This is a great chance to stock up on basics like these Merona Favorite Cardigans (shown here) now at just $16.09, which can span the seasons as a layering piece. Or Merona Men's Polo Shirts, reduced to just $9.09.

New at Target: John Robshaw Bedding

Hot on the heels of introducing Orla Kiely bedding, Target is now debuting another bedroom collection with a high end designer: John Robshaw. I was unfamiliar with the name, so I went to his website and learned that John is an artist who - after earning a fine arts degree at Pratt and studying traditional block printing in China - journeyed to India to find natural indigo dye for his paintings. Instead, he fell in love with the fabric-making traditions of the local artisans, which piqued his lifelong fascination with textile design.

This collection is bright and fun, especially the tapestry and animal print throw pillows. You can check out the entire John Robshaw for Target collection here on Target.com. From what I can tell, this collab is probably geared to the college set, since the quilt and comforter sets seem to only come in extra-long twin size.

More on Cat & Jack...

Well the folks at Target must have overheard me, because the day after I posted a peek at Cat & Jack, they finally released some more info about the new line. According to A Bullseye View, the line includes over 2,000 A+-worthy wardrobe staples and seasonal pieces that are durable enough for the playground and stylish enough for school picture day. Cat & Jack includes sizes 4-18 and 2T-5T, and Baby Cat & Jack includes sizes 0-24M, offering families one high-quality, affordable brand that they can shop together as kids grow.

The collection also features some cool fabrications, including:

· About 20 pieces within the Baby Cat & Jack layette collection are made from Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)-certified organic cotton and safe dyes

· The uniform pants and leggings are all made with trademarked Touch Cotton that actually gets stronger as it’s washed

· All Cat & Jack pocket bags, girls’ denim and swimwear is constructed from a recycled polyester called Repreve

Cat & Jack will be available on Target.com and in stores by July 17, and Baby Cat & Jack will be available on Target.com starting Aug. 7 and in stores by Aug. 14. Prices range from $4.50 to $39.99, with most items under $19.99.

Sale Alert: Who What Wear at Target

Thanks to The Recessionista for this tip! From July 7 - 9 only, Target.com is having a sale on their Who What Wear collection. With the promo code 'WWW40' at checkout, you can get 40% off the regular price. That means this chic utility jacket (shown) is just $23.99!

New at Target: Scoutmob

The other day at Target I came upon a random endcap with the signage announcing "Independently made goods and gifts. Curated exclusively for Target by SCOUTMOB." So what the heck is "Scoutmob"? Well, I Googled it, and it came up as "an Atlanta-based startup company whose primary service is an ecommerce website focused on offering unique goods from independent makers." So I guess they're now partnering with Target on a collection of indie-made goods, like the journal set shown here (on the left) made by Yellow Owl Workshop in San Francisco.

You can check out the full collection - over 80 items in all - here on Target.com. Some of the items look very cool and unique, and would make great gifts. And I like that they're all made in the USA by small suppliers and craftsmen.

First Look: Cat & Jack

Last weekend I alerted you that Target was about to launch a new kids brand called Cat & Jack. I still don't see anything posted on Target.com yet, but I have started to see some items trickle into stores, like these adorable toddler boy's shoes. Done up in plaids, zippers, and faux leather, these would be perfect for outfitting your little boy for Fall.

New at Target: Orla Kiely Bedding

I"m not sure when this first hit Target.com, but I just realized that The Bullseye is now selling bedding by Orla Kiely. Offerings include quilt, comforter and duvet cover sets in sizes ranging from twin to king, in a variety of fun prints (like this "Poppy Meadow" pattern shown here). Best of all, all Orla Kiely bedding at Target is now on sale for 25% off.

Happy Independence Day!

Happy 4th of July, everyone! To celebrate, I bought myself this patriotic pair of Superga kicks from Target. I wore them all weekend - and got several compliments - and plan to wear them again today.

As a reminder, Target is open today for any of your last-minute party, picnic or BBQ needs. They've also put a lot of their outdoor living and patio items on sale for 30% off, and I'd recommend checking the selection online as the offerings in store are already getting pretty slim.

Fab Find: Threshold Garden Cloche

My latest fab find from Target is this clear glass cloche by Threshold. Target.com describes it as such: "Protect delicate plants from the cold with a Threshold Glass Garden Cloche. Or take it inside for a cake-stand topper, cheese protector, or safe place for a valued collectable." 

While sold out online, I found mine in the store marked down to just $6.48 (regularly $12.99). As shown here, I've paired my cloche with a simple succulent arrangement from Trader Joe's (for $5.49) to use as a centerpiece for my dining room table.

Coming Soon to Target: Cat & Jack

Several months ago I reported that Target was dropping the Cherokee brand, which by that point was pretty much regulated to the children's department. Now we have a hint at what might replace it: ads for a new brand called Cat & Jack have started popping up on Target.com. Target dubs it "our new kids' clothing line - coming soon." So far I can't find any other details on it, but when more information becomes available I'll be sure to pass it along.