Fab Find: Room Essentials PIllowcase

Hate mornings? Then you might want to nab this cheeky pillowcase by Room Essentials with the mantra "I am not a morning person." It's just $3.99 at Target, on sale this week for 10% off. There's also another version with the motif "Dream On", as well as a cute open/shut eyes print.

Target Pulls Hampton Creek Products...

Consumerist reports that Target has reportedly pulled Hampton Creek products from its stores and even disabled cashiers’ ability to scan these items at checkout.The retailer has indicated that it involves concerns over safety, but it doesn’t appear to be isolated to just one issue or product line, which is why all of the company’s products are being pulled from stores and Target.com.

“Pending a full review, Target today started a market withdrawal of Hampton Creek products,” a company spokeswoman told Bloomberg Technology. It has received two separate sets of allegations: One about shoddy practices in a facility that produces Hampton Creek products, and another that some of the company’s products have tested positive for Salmonella and Listeria.

Target also says it has an unconfirmed tip that raises questions about Hampton Creek’s labeling practices. Someone alerted the retailer that products may be described inaccurately as being free of genetically modified ingredients. Other items may contain allergens, like honey, that aren’t on the label. Again, Target stressed that these are not confirmed allegations, but the chain is acting on them because of their specificity and seriousness.

Fab Find: Dollar Aisle Dishtowels

Target usually rolls out seasonal/holiday themes for their selection of Dollar Aisle dishtowels. In the middle of plenty of patriotic 4th of July ones, I found these clever "Farmers Market" themed towels the other day. As a farmers market devotee, I may just have to buy these! Just $3 for a pack of 2.

Armed Robber Forces Family To Go Shopping At Target...

Consumerist reports that a North Carolina family went on a very scary shopping trip on Tuesday, after Durham police say a man knocked on their door to ask for money, and then forced them at gunpoint to take him shopping at Target.

ABC-11 reports that the suspect knocked on the door of a house around 7 a.m. and asked for money. One of the residents gave him some, but then the man allegedly showed a gun and ordered the parents and their two kids into their car. He’s accused of forcing the man to go to an ATM and take out money, then to a convenience store, before directing him to drive to Target. Once there, he allegedly made the victims enter the store with him, and had them buy a bunch of clothing and gift cards.

One of the victims was able to alert a worker in the store who called 9-1-1. Police officers happened to be in the store’s parking lot when the call came through, and arrested the suspect without incident.

The suspect has been charged with several counts of second-degree kidnapping and robbery with a dangerous weapon in this incident, and has also been charged with committing a string of other armed robberies and kidnapping in the past few days. In one of those incidents, he also allegedly forced victims to withdraw money and drive him to a convenience store.

Fab Find: Novelty Pool Floats

In the kids' section at Target (near the Cat & Jack clothing displays) I found these adorable novelty pool floats. You can choose from an ice pop or a rocket motif - both in festive red, white and blue - and just $14.99 each.

Target Rolls Out BTC Merchandise...

It's the first day of Summer, and we've barely finished graduation season. But that hasn't stopped Target from rolling out their BTC (Back to College) merchandise in stores, with everything you need to outfit your dorm room or small living space. You can also find a full selection of BTC stuff here on Target.com.  Unfortunately, making room for all the BTC items also means that most of Target's home decor offerings will disappear from stores for a while. So now's the time to snap up decor by Threshold and Nate Berkus as it goes on clearance to make way for rows of storage cubes and lounge chairs.

Last Chance for VBxTarget....

A friend told me that an employee at her local Target store said the Victoria Beckham for Target merchandise would be cleared out of stores on June 18th. Sure enough, a quick check of my store yesterday showed that all the remaining pieces on clearance had disappeared from the racks. So if you still had your heart set on something from this line, you can try to find it on Target.com, where there are still some deals to be found. This plus-sized scallop tank top (shown) is a steal at just $7.80 (regularly $26).

New at Target: Method Spring/Summer Scents

Target is carrying new limited edition Spring/Summer scents of Method's Foaming Hand Wash and Gel Hand Wash. As shown here, the new varieties include Chamomile Lavender, White Rose and Ginger Tea. There's also a fourth fragrance called Ocean Waves. Just $3.49 each in stores or on Target.com.

Target and Cartwheel apps to merge...

Starting this Summer, Target’s mobile app strategy will undergo a significant change. TechCrunch reports that Target will soon combine the functionality of its Cartwheel savings app with its main shopping app in preparation for an eventual Cartwheel shutdown. The Target app will also receive a notable upgrade this year, adding support for an indoor map that shows your location in the store, along with the nearby Cartwheel deals, in addition to support for mobile payments.

According to Target, the decision to merge its apps into one is a result of customer feedback. Shoppers wanted an easier way to access all of what Target has to offer from one destination, not two. You can read more details here on TechCrunch.

Fab Find: Bright Stripe Placemats

The other day at Target I found these festive, bright-striped placemats by Threshold. The needle-stitched variegated stripes in citrusy hues almost look handmade. Best of all, I scored them on clearance for just $1.48 each (regularly $4.99).

Sale Alert: Patio Furniture

Target is running an extra 15% off all patio furniture with the code HOME at checkout on Target.com. That means that this cute Halsted 5-piece small space wicker set - already on sale for $339 (from $399) - is an extra $51 off. And if you use your Target RedCard, you can save another 5% off of that! One hitch: some items are already sold out online, but you can still get the discount with 'store pickup' if the item is available at a store near you.

New at Target: RXBAR

There's a new brand of protein bars hitting the shelves at Target. RXBARs contain minimal ingredients with no added sugar, gluten, dairy or soy, in yummy varieties like Blueberry (shown), Maple Sea Salt, Peanut Butter, Chocolate Sea Salt, Peanut Butter Chocolate and Chocolate Chip. There's also an RXBAR Kids line with fruity flavors like Berry Blast and Apple Cinnamon Raisin. Just $5.99-6.99 per box (or $1.99 per bar) at Target and Target.com.

Fab Find: Threshold Copper Planter

I found these stunning copper planters by Threshold on clearance at Target yesterday. The copper liner is removable (for cleaning) from the wood frame. Online they're a bit more, but in stores the medium and small sizes were 50% off. As I was leaving the home decor section, I also noticed a large (20" tall) size.

The Look for Less: Serena & Lily vs. Threshold

As we head into Summer, natural fibers such as raffia, rattan and jute are abundant in home decor. I've especially seen this trend in placemats and tablerunners. Here we have two such examples. On the left is a round rattan placemat from Serena & Lily, which will set you back a whopping $28 each. But you can get the same look with the jute placemat on the right from Threshold (at Target) for just $4.99 each. Think about it: you could get 5 of the Threshold ones for less than the price of just ONE from Serena & Lily!

Target to start playing music in stores...

Ever notice that Target doesn't play music in their stores? According to Consumerist, that may change soon, as The Bullseye is planning to pump music through the sound system at some stores.

Playing music in stores is a departure for Target, as the retailer historically subscribed to the thought that music would distract customers from shopping. But The Minneapolis Business Journal reports that Target has been testing music in about 65 stores and plans to expand that system to 115 more stores this year.

A spokesperson tells the Business Journal that by the end of the year 180 stores will be not-quite-blasting playlists of music that is “upbeat, positive and has playful personality.” The music is likely intended to provide customers another unique in-store shopping experience they can’t find at other retailers, analysts say.

But I SAY - as do many others, per Consumerist's online poll (shown here) - keep Target quiet! I enjoy the silence, and find piped-in music annoying.

The Look for Less: Lord & Taylor vs. Who What Wear

A friend sent me the inspiration for this latest post. Both of these plus-sized chambray dresses have a fun boho vibe, with accent embroidery and tassel trim. The one on the far left is from Lord & Taylor and will set you back $54, which is not bad considering it's on sale from $120.  But you could save a few more bucks with the option on the right from Who What Wear (at Target) which costs just $39.99.

Ivanka Trump Wears VBxTarget...

Looks like Ivanka Trump is a fan of Tar-shay. Who knew?! The Daily Mail spotted the 35-year-old special advisor (and First Daughter) to President Trump stepping out in a $35 dress from Target on Monday. The simple black dress with a ruffled bottom and two lilies is from the recent Victoria Beckham for Target designer collab. And it’s actually on sale right now for $17.50 on Target's website - possibly cheaper if you can find it in store, where the VB line has been marked down to 70% off.

The Look for Less: Birkenstock vs. Sam & Libby

Target is mimicking Birkenstock again, as they've done in the past. You could get the 'real thing' (shown on the right) with the 'Papillio Gizeh' from Birkenstock, but it'll set you back almost $95. Or you can opt for a very similar colorful print footbed sandal (at left) from Sam & Libby (at Target) for only $27.99.

Fab Find: Greenroom Eco Summer Motif Notecards

At Target yesterday I noticed the cutest notepaper by Greenroom Eco. As shown here, each of the three designs boast a summer-themed motif: gold flamingos on turquoise paper, gold pineapples on pink paper, and gold whales on navy paper. I had to chuckle, as the whales reminded me of the Vineyard Vine logo, and the pineapples look identical to the ones Tommy Bahama uses on their flip flops.

I can't find this stationery on Target.com, but in stores they're just $6.99 each for a box of 24 notecards.

The Look for Less: West Elm vs. Threshold

I'm always on the hunt for interesting side tables that are a cut above the standard boxy style. These two barrel-shaped, carved wood examples fit the bill, with the one on the left from West Elm costing $249. That's not bad, but you could get a similar look - and save a lot of $ - with the one on the right from Threshold (at Target) which only costs $69.99 (and is currently on sale for even less - just $55.99).