Young House Love

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Window Shopping: The Calm Before The Tour…

We’re doing our best to keep our word to those who have requested more window shopping posts, so we decided we’d keep the fun going by trying to hit up some awesome boutiques and shops when we’re traveling for our book tour in November. But lo and behold, before we have even left, we noticed that Target has some pretty awesome stuff out right now, so we thought we’d snoop around (and take you with us). For those who remember these things, we just stroll around a store and take photos of all of the things we love. Not for compensation or anything – these sprees are just for fun. So let’s all go skipping through Tar-jay together and see what’s new, shall we?

Numero uno were these super cool green glass vases. I loved the rustic look of them and the old embossed letters. And I thought with Christmas coming up in a few months, they’d be pretty gorgeous modern-meets-industrial accents for the holidays on a mantel or tabletop too.

Target Green Vases

Target went Jersey. Just like mah shiiiny gold bag (more on that here), they have embraced the gilded loveliness, with gold mirrors, vases, cups, and trays. I think they’re awesome – especially for Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Years.

Target Gold Accents

This frame made me laugh so I had to toss it in there. So true. It’s just begging for a photo of Burger in there.

Target Dog Art

This $24.99 pillow is one of those special end-cap collections (The Shops At Target) and I thought that the combo of wood grain and glitzy gold was pretty “Domino” looking to me. Picture them on a big charcoal gray sofa upholstered in velvet. Me-ow.

Target 2499 Pillow

These $44 lamps continued the gold theme, and I love that they’re sculptural and 3-D looking. They’d definitely add some interest on a side table or console (and they could be spray painted any color if you’re looking for a pop of yellow or navy in a nursery for example…).

Target 4499 Lamps

Lamp love. I wanted these babies. Once again with the holidays coming up I was totally tempted to buy these along with the pretty green glass vases I showed you guys first, but I don’t really have a spot for either of them (although I’m sure I could always make room…). Long story short, I took a picture so I could share them with you guys so someone else could take them home and enjoy them instead.

Target Red Vases

And then there was this sign with a very $herdog-esque ceramic dog. I mean is he meant to be mine, or what? Sadly he was sold out. Womp-womp. Maybe next time…

Target Ceramic Dog

Here’s another one of those Shops At Target collections from an end cap. And we actually bought something from this collection on an earlier trip a few weeks back. Can you guess what it was?

Target Cutting Board

Yup, John was all over the United States of America cutting board- so we snagged it. Although we’re not planning to use it as a cutting board. We’ll keep you posted when we actually get our little project banged out.

Here’s a $49 full/queen-sized duvet that I thought was cute. Kinda summery, but I bet it could even work all year round with a few white fur pillows and a big chocolate or charcoal throw at the foot of the bed.

Target Duvet Full 49

How weird is it that a pot holder made my little list? But I thought this charming extra-chunky knitted pot holder was pretty darn cute. Might make a cute hostess gift with a yummy treat or a few other kitchen goodies.

Target Threshold Potholder

Here’s yet another Shops By Target end cap sporting bedding by Patch NYC. I thought it was moody and graphic and fun. I especially liked the stripey sheet set on the bottom right.

Patch Nyc Bedding

Clearance alert. These $5 baskets were a good time. I can picture a bunch of them in a mud room or bathroom closet. Heck, they’d even be sweet in the pantry holding boxes of pasta or cans of soup.

Target Clearance Baskets

Cute notebook, right? I think arrows like this could be the new chevron. What do ya think?

Target Cute Notebook

These rugs might have been the most exciting thing I saw. For $129 in pretty large sizes they were cool, and I thought the modern/aztec-ish designs were really neat. I know they might feel kinda weird to you, but I think in the right room they could be awesome. Sort of like this aztec-ish yellow Ikea rug that shows up in a bunch of gorgeous rooms.

Target Rugs 129

They also had some great nubby neutrals (some all tan, some tan & brown & gray, and some all a deep charcoal, which seemed softer and tufted, sort of like those more expensive West Elm and Crate & Barrel versions).

Target Rugs

Then I saw this and laughed for a good 60 seconds. Who wants to be a “vampiress” for Halloween? Any takers? All it’ll apparently take is this little character kit complete with a choker, some red glasses, and a tiny hat. Hilarious. Now I think someone should go as this character kit for Halloween. Just wear a giant piece of white cardboard with these things painted or glued onto it.

Target Vampire Character Kit

Method’s always the cutest soap, and the Orla Kiely designs are charming. I know it sounds weird, but this soap is so cute it could make for a cute gift or stocking stuffer for someone you love. Heck, I’d totally fight to end up with one at one of those at-work holiday gift exchanges.

Target Method

These colorful shirts in the boys section (I’ve been known to snag things like this for Clara to pair with her favorite tulle skirt) had me smiling- even though the yellow one seems summery, I loved seeing them all together like this with their sleeves rolled up.

Target Shirts

So that’s what I found on our latest whirlwind Target trip-a-roonie (yes, I just typed out the word trip-a-roonie… it’s official, I have become my dad). Have you guys been window-shopping lately? What caught your eye? Any favorites from the items we shared above?

Psst- Once again for the people in the back, we weren’t paid or perked for this post, I just like taking you guys shopping with me.

Comments

  3. Caitlin @ Desert Domicile says

    Target’s new Threshold collection has my pocketbook by the throat! I can’t even count how many things I’ve bought from it already and I keep going back for more! Are there any “Target Anonymous” meetings?! I NEED to go haha

    Reply

  4. Nicole says

    I have been stalking all of the Targets on midlothian for that faux bois/gold pillow and could not find it! Would you mind sharing which Target you guys found that pillow at? I didn’t want to just order the pillow online! Thanks!

    Reply

  5. Lola says

    We have a 1955 bungalow that we’ve gutted both main floor and basement. Both floors were completely ripped out, including the studs, electrical, plumbing and load bearing walls. My husband reframed, drywalled, mud and taped, did the electrical and plumbing (including ripping out the galvanized lead pipes from 1950…)re did two bathrooms, our kitchen, refinished 1950’s solid oak floors, and built our deck and fence in the backyard. He simply refuses to pay for anything when he can do it himself. We are lucky because he grew up with a journeyman carpenter for a father, and parents who owned rental properties which required constant work, so he learned a ton growing up. He’s also just of the “handy” type…so, although I wish I could say we’ve hired out labour (damn right I want to, we’ve been renovating for 4 years…) my husband is just too cheap. But at least he’s handy!

    Reply

  7. Bethany says

    I bought one of those wire baskets on clearance a couple weeks ago (mine’s teal). My son uses it in his grocery store to carry fruits and veggies!

    Reply

  8. Amy says

    I bought that gold lamp a few weeks back! While the gold is fun, I have plans to spray paint it white and top it with a colorful shade! I’m pretty excited about it! Like others, I saw the white dog and thought of you also!

    Reply

  9. Shelley @ Green Eggs and Hamlet says

    My hubs and I were at Target yesterday and I strolled through the section with all of the gold and white stuff, saw those gold sculptural lamps and thought, “$herdog would be all over those.” I also saw the ceramic dog and thought he was like a mini version of your beloved one who died. I really, really wanted to take him home but we’re on a strict post-wedding budget so I had to pass.

    Love the window shopping posts, thanks for bringing them back!

    Reply

  10. Lisa says

    I have that duvet cover!! I love it! I just love the gray/yellow combo. It is definitely summery, but I live in Phoenix, so it’ll do for the winter too! :)

    Reply

  11. Olivia says

    Gah, I miss Target! The closest one is 1200 miles away.. our town is quite possibly the farthest US town from a Target. On the other hand, good for the wallet!

    Reply

  12. meg says

    I totally got that slate-blue southwestern-looking rug on clearance for $69. I was so excited about it I had this cheesy smile on the whole way out of the store. The cashier asked if it was my birthday. And orla kiely soap? Hope that makes it out to my Denver target! Good finds you two.

    Reply

  13. Sara Y says

    I saw that EXACT same rug this weekend (the 1st aztec one in the row at target) for $49.00 on clearance at our target in chicago – my boyfriend said “no, thats ugly”…I LOVED IT so much! Now I wish I pushed harder for it. =(

    Reply

  16. Tracy D. says

    LOVE this post! I died for that gold sculptural lamp in my Tarjay the other day but I was confused about what kind of shade you’d use for it. There’s no harp and no place to put a harp. I’m easily confused so I had to walk away from it!

    Reply

  17. Esther says

    I am super excited that we (northern Alberta, Canada) are finally getting a Target. I see many cool things coming from there via Blog land. Now I can be in on the action too!

    Reply

  19. Tara says

    I just bought one of those little clearance baskets the other weekend for my son to use as a toy shopping basket. He’ll get it for Christmas along with a bunch of toy food!

    Reply

  20. Diane says

    “Nate Berkus Renovates His Dream House” in the November 2012 issue of Architectural Digest. His Home Collection is scheduled to be in Target stores on October 21, 2012.

    Reply

  22. Melanie says

    I love when I pick up items only to learn later that they are YHL-approved. I purchased the cutting board and dog a while back. Can’t wait to see what you do with the board!

    Reply

  24. Laura says

    Totally bought the arrow patterned notebook a few weeks ago. It holds grammar notes for me at work and I smile every time I look at it on my desk.

    Reply

  26. Marthe says

    Taking a break from painting tomorrow for a Target run! Have to plan for my Target runs now….since we moved to an area that doesn’t have a store nearby. Can’t wait to check out the rugs and other fun stuff. Perfect timing for this post! Thanks!

    Reply

  27. Kenna says

    Love Target – We have the yellow duvet cover. For fall, I added a chunky charcoal gray blanket along with chunky textured pillows in the same mustardy yellow and a big gray pillow. It brought the look nicely to fall, we will have to see for winter. Love so many of the items on your list.

    Reply

  28. Sarah says

    I have that yellow print duvet cover! It is very soft and durable ( a must for college) and my charcoal grey cat makes the perfect bed accessory! It was a bold pattern choice for me, but I feel validated in my choice now! This post made my day. Can’t wait for your book release! (It comes out on my birthday!)

    Reply

  29. Stephanie says

    Well a few months ago I snagged the yellow floral duvet set and I love it. I love the bright colors against my dark blue bedroom walls. I paired it with some greyish/blue pillows and white throw. It is amazing and very well worth the money spent. Also I was really shocked that I spotted this online, however it was not available for purchase via the web (available only in stores). I was highly disappointed and when I realized it was a must have (but I lived 1.5 hours away from the nearest target) I contacted customer service via email and within days they made it available for purchase. I think I was the first customer to purchase it:) Thanks Target for being so Awesome!

    Reply

  31. Tina Bland says

    Totally thought of you guys when I saw the map cutting board! I agonized whether to buy it or not, but in the end I had to, it was just too cute. I’m not using it for a cutting board either!! Maybe after you reveal your project with it, I’ll link to mine! Super fun!

    Reply

  32. Sydney says

    Sad story – I bought the ceramic dog (we have a greyhound so I instantly loved it). After I was done paying, the checkout girl put it in a bag on the conveyer thing. The conveyer started and stopped again real fast so my doggy friend tipped over and her ear broke off. I just did an instant return because they didn’t have any more in my store and I figured I could get it online. But alas, they were sold out online too! She was so pretty…I should have just kept the broken one and glued her back together.

    Reply

  33. Sam says

    Eeeek! I’m obsessed with those green vases, but I’m still on a spending freeze after our splurge on a new king-sized mattress. If they sell out before I get them, I’m totally blaming your post. Ha!

    Reply

  35. SaraHS says

    I was so surprised when I saw Target’s fall home catalog, because those greenish glass vases at the top are based on vintage gin bottles made for my MIL’s family’s historic distillery in Rotterdam — A. van Hoboken & Co. We purchased a couple of the real deal antique bottles on eBay a few years ago. They are infinitely cooler than the Target vases, which are in all honesty kind of cheaply made. We bought a couple of the Target vases anyway, just to show the family.

    Reply

  36. Tara says

    I totally thought the America cutting board was a cutout of George Washington’s profile. :) P.S. I love the new French doors. They look marvelous!

    Reply

  40. Nikki says

    I bought the USA cuttingboard too (on sale $17.50!) My husband is a devil dog (USMC)so I thought it would be fun to somehow mark all the places we have lived. I thought I’d just drill some holes with pegs in but now I’m thinking something more kid friendly, since my daughter is only 10 months old. Will be looking forward to see what John does to it for inspiration!

    Reply

  41. Andrea Afdahl says

    Hi! When you are in the Twin Cities you should stop by Patina. It is a small boutique in the cities that I think you two would love! I am the merchandiser at the Patina store in Northeast Minneapolis (so you should go to that one if you have time!).

    We might have a few ceramic animals…
    Here is the website to the shop: patinastores.com. Live you guys! Your blog is so inspirational to me!

    Reply

  42. Amber Rich says

    ohhhh I love Target – Sometimes when its pretty gross out and we dont fee like spending money my husband and i take the kids to Target (or Ikea). They LOVE it there!!I take my girls window shopping for toys and take pictures of future purchases, we then print them out and they paste them to paper for Santa Clause! It makes holiday shopping soooo much easier!

    I have a minor obssesion with your blog. . . okay, okay, maybe its more like a major obssesion :)

    Reply

    • Jill says

      Amber, this is such a great idea! It is a good thing to show your kids you can have fun doing anything TOGETHER! And you don’t always have to spend money doing it. I think it makes it more exciting for them to think that Santa might be bringing them that toy in a few short months! What a great idea :) Kudos to you and your hubby for coming up with that!

  43. Ethel says

    Good to see you having a fun time shopping! Shopping for home decor can really be such a hassle. I’m actually a very worrisome mom so my anxiety gets the better of me everytime I bring my 4-yr-old with me on these trips!

    Reply

  44. Keegan R says

    Are you trying to give us a hint when you say the 3D sculptural lamps could be good “in a nursery for example…”?

    Reply

  45. Annelies says

    I bought the aztec-ish yellow Ikea rug recently for my brand new apartment after I was inspired by the yellow rug you have in your house. It looks so nice and makes me feel a bit on holiday in my own house :-)
    Too bad we don’t have a Target in Europe, but love all the inspiration !

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      So sorry Lisa, we haven’t changed anything on our end, but sometimes if you have an anti-virus update (ex: McAffe or Norton) our pics get blocked by them for some reason and then a few days later they come back. Wish it was something on our end that we could fix!

      xo
      s

  48. Jenny says

    Thank you thank you thank you for this. We’re an Army family stationed in Germany and this was like walking into a Target…. something I so miss!

    Reply

  49. Jill says

    Love the Orla Kiely soaps- I have several of storage bins in some of her designs that I got from Target a few years ago! I might have to go grab some of the soaps!

    I also love the Aztec rugs… I totally get that look! I want the orange one and the charcoal one… just to hoard in a closet until I have the place to put them. lol!

    Reply

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