New at Target: Nate Berkus Spring 2015 Collection

If you've visited your local Target store this week, you've probably noticed all the seasonal stuff cleared out to make way for storage bins and home organization essentials. You may have also noticed the new Spring 2014 collection from Nate Berkus trickling in, which Refinery29 aptly describes as having the "vibe of Don Draper going interiors shopping in Arizona. It's sleek-modern married to natural-Southwestern." Plan on seeing lots of wall hangings, airy geometric sculptures and raffia baskets.

You can check out all of Nate's offerings here on Target.com.

Target Ad features child with Down syndrome...

Did you happen to catch this adorable toddler playing with an activity cube and sporting a pink ruffled dress in Target's Weekly Ad a couple of weeks ago? With soft blonde locks and a sparkling smile, Izzy Bradley of Minnesota has the look of a model but she’s an unlikely choice because she has Down syndrome.

SFGate reports that Target reached out to the Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network and selected Izzy for the ad from a several candidates. Izzy’s mother, Heather Davis, told CBS that she was thrilled Target chose her daughter.

“I really appreciate Target’s policy of including them in their ads. I think it really helps normalize Down syndrome and helps people to see we’re really just like any other family.” Davis also shared that she’s heard from people all over the world about the ad. “I’m really surprised at how much excitement has come from it. On Facebook, one sit it’s got up to a half million likes.”

This isn’t the first time Target has featured a child with Down syndrome in an ad. In 2012 they featured an 11-year-old boy named Ryan, one of the first kids with down Syndrome to launch a modeling career.

Final Day: Extra 20% off Clearance on Target.com

Today is the last day to save an extra 20% off clearance items on Target.com. This promo has been running since Friday, and applies to all clearance clothing, shoes and accessories. Just use the promo code "EXTRA20" at checkout.

In stores it looks like they're running the same promo BUT you have to download the coupon to your smartphone to get the extra discount. And IMO, there are better deals online. Case in point: this "Lucy" top by Converse One Star, which I ordered yesterday for $17.98 plus an additional 20% off with the promo code. In stores, they're still full price at $29.99.

Target's "Seasonal Shipping" fails to deliver...

Good morning readers! Did everyone have a happy holiday? And if you ordered items online from Target, did you get them on time? I, for one, did not. Target's so-called "Seasonal Shipping" - which was supposed to arrive by 12/24 if you ordered by the 12/20 cutoff - didn't deliver for me. Oddly enough, one order I made on the 18th arrived on the 23rd, whereas another order I made on the 17th hasn't shown up yet (and according to the UPS tracking # is scheduled to arrive today). I never received an email stating "your item is delayed", either, as Target usually sends when there is a lag in shipping. Anyone else out there have this problem?

NYE Style on Target.com

Most of us are so focused on getting through Christmas that we haven't had a chance to think about New Year's Eve yet. But Target.com wants to change that with an offer of 15% off "NYE Style" on their site, with savings on a variety of clothing, shoes, and accessories for both men and women. Just enter the promo code NYE15 at checkout.

A quick perusal of the women's offerings looks like it's a mix of new items (like the sparkly tops shown here) as well as a hodgepodge of festive clothing already on clearance (now with this extra 15% off). And if anything strikes your fancy, better order soon in order to ensure delivery by NYE.

Beware of Target's buggy "Store Pickup" tool...

Buyer beware when trying to use Target's "Store Pickup" tool, which they were hyping today on their website with the offer of "last-minute gifts up to 40% off."  Why, you ask? Because 9 times out of 10, the tool won't work.

In the last week, I've tried to purchase 6 various items using this tool. And it only worked once. All the other times, the tool stated the item was available at my chosen store, put in my cart, and reserved. Twice, I got a confirmation that my item was ready to pick up in store. Thank goodness I didn't head over there, as later in the day I got a "cancellation notice" that my item was "no longer available", with no reason given. And the other three times, the item was "cancelled" via email before I got my confirmation email. And this glitch was not confined to just one location; this happened to me with 4 different Target stores. Bottom line: make sure you have your confirmation email (or text) in hand before heading to Target to actually purchase an item you've "bought" via Store Pickup.

Target testing "vignette" home decor model...

The Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal reports that Target is experimenting with a new home-decor layout that eschews aisles in favor of open showroom-like areas that display how products would look in a room. The test launched Nov. 8 in Target's Northeast Minneapolis store — where it does many of its pilot programs — and hasn't been introduced elsewhere yet.

"The test is designed to showcase Target's home product in a lifestyle setting to allow our guests to image how the products might look in their own homes," said company spokeswoman Amy Goetz.

One example (pictured here) has a rug that looks like wood and wooden tables and benches filled with holiday decor. In a normal Target store, all those items - the rug, lamps, tables, etc. - would be available for sale in different aisles.

This "vignette" tactic seems to be following a similar trend Target is trying in its clothing department by using mannequins to showcase complete outfits. Overall it seems like Target is trying to look more "department store" than "big box retailer".