Sometimes it makes me happy just to be at Target. Like today, for example. It's spring break, so I have time to finally do some of the errands that I've been putting off. One of these errands was to return a Beattles "Magical Mystery Tour" t-shirt to Target (that was the French pronunciation). Never fear, I did find a sweet Aerosmith t-shirt to exchange for it with the year 1978 on the back. That was the year I was born, and sometimes I like to pretend like I'm a hard core butt-rocker even though the truth is that besides 3 or 4 songs on Monster Ballads 2, I am completely unfamiliar with all things butt-rock. I missed getting on that bandwagon in junior high, and I fear it has passed me by.But I digress...Target is a wonderful place. I had a friend who once said that Target is the "Nordstrom" of all Shopkos--a deep statement with which I heartily concur. At target, you can basically find everything you could ever want (except today when I wanted an ironing board to hang on my door--they were out) at a fantastic price, but the environment seems to be just a cut above other stores like Walmart or K-mart. Just the fact that there isn't a "mart" in the name makes you feel like you're getting higher quality products. So here are my top ten reasons why I love Target:
10. The Frame Aisle
I hardly ever take pictures, and I blink in most of them anyway, so it's not like I really need a bunch of frames, but I like to puruse the merchandise and imagine what it would be like if I had all sorts of money to throw away on things like frames.
9. Christmas Decorations
This year I was able to decorate my entire apartment (which clearly needs to be spiced up--we are living in an institution with all these bare white walls) for about $20. That included lights for the inside banisters, garland for the dining room balcony, festive bows, and designer wrapping paper and bows.
8. Nail Polish
Target is my favorite place to buy nail polish, mostly because I never really think about buying nail polish except when I happen to walk past the cosmetics section of Target. I don't seem to get sucked in by cosmetics at the grocery store, but there's just something about Target...
7. Bath Rugs
They have every color you could possibly imagine (except the color I most recently needed to buy--a lovely cranberry red to match my shower curtain--bought at Target. Don't worry, Sears had just the thing). I like to see the various matching garbage can/toothbrush holder sets. It must be my nesting instinct.
6. Kitchen Appliances
I almost bought a KitchenAid chopper today. It was only $39.99. I attribute this to the fact that I've been watching too much FoodNetwork, and they all have food processors. I reminded myself that I'm going to need something left for people to buy me when I get married, and I refrained.
5. Furniture
Target has the best Pottery Barn imitations on the market. I have my eye on a bookshelf...
4. Socks
I like to buy my socks at Target because they are cheap.
3. Secret Lights
When decorating your apartment with "secret lights" (thank you AG 6 and P12) it's important to be able to change them with the seasons, and target carries a great selection. I recently purchased some cool red icy lights to decorate our dining room balcony with. Unfortunately, when plugged in they give off an eerie red death-glow. Had I thought about that before-hand, I probably would have gotten the clear ones.
2. Paper Products
I'm a huge fan of Target's wrapping paper. They also have nice stationary and journals. In fact, one of my favorite quotes comes from the front of a Target journal: "Believe in your heart that something wonderful is about to happen."
1. T-ShirtsI love Target T-Shirts. They fit nicely--not too short. They don't shrink like you think they might, and they are usually $7.00. My favorite one from last year is Care-Bears, and it says "C'mon get happy!"
Target really is a little slice of heaven on earth. What are your thoughts? Do prefer Walmart or Target? How do you feel about using the French pronunciation? What have been some of your best buys? Please share!!
10 comments:
I'm an impulsive shopper. If I stay out of the stores - especially the mall, I won't be tempted to buy anything.
There is a Super Target by my Condo in Orem. It was very convenient. Maybe that is why there were a lot of old people in my building/complex.
Beth--
Your blog has now become my favorite waste-time-at-work site. I visit other blogs, but they are never as completely entertaining as yours is.
As for Target: I heartily agree with you. Because I still live at home, I don't often need to do my own errands, but when I do, I immediately go to Target (French) and pick up all the other items I didn't know I needed.
Here's another thought for you . . . I think the new Arby's is trying to become the Target of fast food (like Target is the Nordstrom of Shopkos). With their premium new menu (Martha's Vinyard salad is the best fast food salad I've ever had) and their excellent new decor, Arby's has the atmosphere of a Targetized McDonalds. What do you think?
Linz
I haven't even seen an Arby's since coming out here, but I think you may be onto something. Their Market-Street sandwhiches seemed to be a notch above other fast-food places. My only problem with Arby's is that it is no longer fast-food priced. I mean, why pay $7 for Arby's when you can go to Cafe Rio and spend the same amount? If they could knock a couple bucks off the prices, I think they'd really have something.
i found your site via "sometimes i wonder" and i had to laugh because i just wrote about loving target (i too enjoy the french way, like linz). it wasn't as on point as yours, but man, i love that place. it makes me all warm and fuzzy, much different than the wal.
i love the workout wear, the fishnets, the groceries. i can wander up and down for several hours and be happy.
I too can wander for hours at Target, and I own Target workout wear and fishnets...I have found that the grocery selection in Virginia is not what it was back in P-Town (Provo), but I'm glad that we share a common love for all things Target.
preach on sista. i heart target. to answer your questions:
(1) target dominates, no question. hello, can we say issac mizrahi? walmart can't hold a candle.
(2) the french pronunciation, ALWAYS. i think it better reflects the high class nature of america's best super-store.
(3) my best buys include: fruit leather, fishnet stockings, my dresser, and a business suit that everyone thinks is from BR.
Speaking of your business suit, I am a huge fan of Target clothes...and I think they've even gotten better in the last few years. Even when I have store credit to BR, I have a hard time buying stuff (although I get over it...) when I know I could really get the exact same thing for $12.99.
Arby's: no longer fast-food priced.
I used to go all the time for the 5 for $5. Then it was 4 for $5.95 or something. Now it is probably 3 for $6.50?
I do love the curly fries though.
I have a number of pet peeves in life, and people pronouncing Target, "Tar-jay" is definitely one of them. I can't put my finger on exactly why I hate it so much. I imagine it's the same reason why the characters in Keeping Up Appearances get so irritated when Mrs. Bucket pronounces her name, "Bouqet" (visit http://kuacentral.com/ if you're not familiar with the show).
Or maybe it's the type of people who use the french pronunciation that bothers me. In high school and college I noticed that those who used "Tar-jay" were usually somewhere between preppy and teeny-bopper. You're not that type of person, are you, Bethany? I figured you for a cut above.
What I hate even more than when people call Target Tar-jay is when they correct you. You'll be like, "Do you want to go to Target?" And they'll respond, "Oh, you mean Tar-jay?" For me, it's always been, why. Why pretend get is pronounced jay? Why give it a french pronunciation? Like the French even know what a discount store is, anyway. Maybe it has something to do with wanting to hide the fact you shop at a discount store. Like you said, Bethany, there already is no mart in the name, so why try to diguise it even further? Can't you just be proud of where you shop? Although, I got to admit, with great brand names like Champion and Mossimo to choose from, it's often hard to remember that you are shopping at a discount retailer. I keep wonder when they're going to add Stussy to the selection.
I remember back in junior high when Mossimo was a serious brand. It was almost as expensive as Gerbaud (the Wrangler people must have been really proud of their ability to convince the people of Utah that Gerbaud jeans were worth $90 bucks a pop).
As per your claim that only preps and teeny boppers use the French pronunciation, I must emphatically disagree. I use myself as the perfect counter-example. I sometimes say Target, sometimes Tar-jay. It's just about variety. I'm not fooling myself about the fact that it is a super-store. Sometimes you just have to switch it up.
Linz, I know you are are Tar-jay fan. In fact, I think that you introduced me to that pronunciation. How do we defend it?
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