My mom and I were already planning to go to Target today, but it was SaLy‘s report that the pink-puffy-skirted dresses were at 75% off that really put a fire under us.
The glorious pink-puffy-skirted dress, with a friend:
In fact, I bought TWO pink-puffy-skirted dresses (duplicate in larger size not shown) and a golden-skirted one. Pinks $4.48 each down from $17.99, and golden $4.98 down from $19.99.
I was really hoping to find these Model Magic sets at 75% off (last time they were at 50%), and I DID. William got a bunch of Model Magic from my parents for Christmas, and he has been using it night and day in a careful way that makes me want to buy him his weight in Model Magic—or at least keep him supplied with it. These particular sets are a stupid idea (you just smear Model Magic over plastic structures), but they come with a ton of packets of Model Magic. Even at 50% off they were a good per-ounce deal for the Model Magic; at 75% off, they’re GREAT. I’m just throwing away the plastic structures. $4.98/set, down from $19.99/set.
I didn’t know what I would DO with these cute Amy Coe nesting boxes, so I couldn’t justify buying them until they were 75% off. Each set has three boxes with lids. $3.24/set, down from $12.99/set. Probably I will keep them for a long time and then finally use them as gift boxes.
An assortment of shirts for Elizabeth for next year or maybe the year after, all 75% off. $1.24-$2.48 each, down from $4.99-$9.99 each.
Cute rain boots for Elizabeth. Paul actually takes the children outside to play in the rain, because they enjoy it and he likes doing things they enjoy, whereas I like to do things I enjoy such as staying inside warm and dry with a book and a cookie. $3.74 down from $14.99.
Pack of 2 Carter’s Just One Year sleepers for Henry, $3.74 down from $14.99. It’s too bad they’re “Just One Year,” because it’s Elizabeth who’s really into dinosaurs but these only came in sizes up to 12m.
We also stopped at JC Penney, where I found this coat for Elizabeth for next year. $7.19 down from $49.99, though I have some doubt that anyone would have paid fifty bucks for it. The colors (called “Lily/Icy”) are prettier in person. MUCH prettier. I don’t even LIKE them in the photo. Free photography tips: Use good light! And don’t use a crappy chair as your background!
That is a fantastic haul. I was going to name things I especially like, but the list got too long.
Fab finds, Mama!
I need some good retail therapy. I wonder when Target will offer childcare.
Wow, that’s great.
All of the sales are just so tempting. And I’m not buying anything until March 1. Ergh.
Wow! You really scored!
I’ve had my eye on the boots with the cherries……….love them!!!
Once again I have to say that I think you have a magic Target. Or mine just sucks. Think we’ll venture over there today anyway, just in case.
What I want to know is, where do you KEEP this stuff, and how do you remember what you have?
Last winter I bought a bunch of awesome stuff on clearance, and then this year I found it…in the closet. AFTER AD had already outgrown it. BOOOO.
I bought two of the pink dresses two days ago. For five bucks they’re a steal. How do I love the Target?
SCore! I love all the cute girly stuff.
Can i please please be on your (cute amy coe nesting boxes) gift list? Those things are adorable!!
I wonder if our Target is having the same sale…
I have to agree with Shelly Overlook about the magic nature of your Target or your area. Our Target rarely has things below 35% (clothes wise), and what they do is usually junk. And the toys. Shesh, they put them down to 75% and by the time I could get there in the afternoon, they were GONE, in one morning. Very little left. So I guess I live in an area with bargin shoppers galore who bite at 35% off. I had a friend who used to live in Ohio and would talk about all her great deals–then she moved here and made me feel better by saying stuff didn’t go down as cheap or last as long. At least I knew it wasn’t me.
Oh, sorry this was so long and all complaing! MAN–You got some awsome stuff! :-)
I want these things. ALL of them. There is a Target opening on the Metro! Near where we live! In March! Woo hoo!
What I love VERY BEST about your shopping method (buying way ahead) is that your kids likely won’t have the problem of anyone in school wearing the same shirt as them on picture day. Y’know? They’ll always be fashion-unique. That is awesome.
(But I second Tessie’s question. Where do you keep stuff for next year?)
Great finds! I thought of you the other day when I found some of my own clearance gems at our Target including an adorable pink Little Einsteins shirt for $1.74!! Yes, I’m buying size 2T for a kid who’s not even born yet!!
Omaha Mama- This is the WORST time of year for that kind of pledge! The stores have their inventory clearance sales, and you can get a years’ worth of stuff extra cheap! It’s the time of year I save the most money on things we need to buy (and, okay, on things I WANT to buy).
Tessie & El-e-e- Post coming on system.
Shelly Overlook & Tina- Perhaps it is a magical SWISTLE. I’ve lived in three states with five Targets, and always get deals like this. I buy almost all my kids’ clothes on 75% off (except jeans for older kids, which I’m lucky to find at 50%). Even so, it can be hit and miss: you have to be lucky, and you have to keep your eye on things. Sometimes I totally miss all the stuff I was hoping to get, but I’m flexible.
Very nice job! Those things are definitely worth a trip to Target this morning…I want to know if they have any more of those Amy Coe nesting boxes!
You do get amazing deals. My aunt can shop like that – she has a mall across the street from her work and she goes EVERY lunch hour to look for bargains. My kids end up scoring huge, because she only has one teeny tiny grandson to buy for.
LOVE sales!
Great haul there Swistle- you are an inspiration!
I’m off to Debenhams 70% plus 20% off sale thats going on… find something for the boy and me too :þ
I’ve cleared out Kohls clearance racks, but I have yet to hit JcPenny’s! Thanks for the reminder!
Love the rain boots!
MAN! I want to live near your Target! They have great stuff on clearance. My Target has things like crappy pillar candles on clearance. Or hangars.
I haven’t been to Target in a couple of weeks but looks like I need to head there ASAP!
Oh MAN! Look at all of that. Awesome awesome job!
Also, do you notice that it is easier to find cutie girl stuff on great sales than boy stuff? I feel that way sometimes. Probably because I have no girl to buy for.
I am SO excited now about using my Target gift cards (which I am still hoarding- my Precious, my PRECIOUS!) I am ALL OVER those puffy skirted dresses!
Misty- It seems like it varies. Sometimes I find a TON of girl stuff and NO boy stuff, and sometimes a TON of boy stuff and NO girl stuff. But girl stuff is cuter and more fun to buy. When I buy boy stuff, it’s long-sleeved pullover shirts, or short-sleeved pullover shirts, or jeans. But girl stuff! Skirts! Dresses! Cardigans! Tights! Embroidered jeans! There are far more interesting choices!
must have those target nesting boxes to organize sewing supplies in my studio! i’m going to tarjay right after work! i’d go at lunch but I have a date with an old friend and not sure i’lol have timel. well, work is overrated so perhaps i’ll make time! wooooot!
also, those shirts looks rather big for elizabeth, sure they aren’t for you?
okok, i am now on my way to target!
Wow, you did well. I love seeing your great bargains. It makes me a litte sad and jealous that you have a Target nearby. Our nearest one is just over an hour away, and I don’t get there too often. This town sucks for not having Target.
I would like to be the lone Canadian to pout. We don’t have Target, but each time I go across the border it is the first stop I make. A couple years ago Target put in a bid to buy HBC which The Bay, Zellers (which is “like” a target), Home Outfitters and Designer Depot. I had my finger crossed for months! ….. Sigh… alas I was denied.
Oh but lucky me I can see a freaking Super Crap Mart from my Master Bedroom window. Classy hey?
Successful shopping trip indeed! I went to Penney’s and bought a jacket a few weeks ago (3rd of the winter season) and it was regularly $150 marked down to $30. I couldn’t even imagine spending $150 on a winter jacket…I almost passed out in the store.
You make me want to shop at Target every single day.
Oh wait, I DO shop at Target (almost) every single day.
Great finds!
I so want to go to Target now! It’s snowing here, but my love of great bargains might trump my fear of driving in the slushy madness.
You really need to claim a share of Target’s profits. If they sent people to your blog, they’d save a ton on advertising.
Girl clothes are like girl names. So many more interesting possibilities!
The lack of Target is the only reason I am sad to live in Canada.
Good deals!
I love the boots. I need to go Target.
Saw your link in my recommended Google reads, so I swung by.
I do love Target! (and not just because I work there).
I wish I could find the Cherry rain boots in women’s sizes in the stores.
Oh, those rain boots are CUTE. I would wear them, and I’m 26! Lucky Elizabeth.
I scored at Baby Style last night where t-shirts were first marked down from $12 (for a toddler t-shirt – Gods help us!) to $2.99, and then were 50% off that. yeah baby!
Target, however, sucked all my savings away in the form of impulse buys. Target is EVIL.
You have a really good Target – I shop at ours all the time, and we DO NOT have the deals you have. hmmmm. Why?! I’m so sad.
-Kaite
Okay, can you please tell me how you manage to cook and clean with 5 kids, esp 5 young kids?! i do not know how you manage it, without, like, a maid and nanny. even if your housework standards are low, i know your kids still get dinner, have clean clothes, and i can see from photos your not drowning in chaos, so some cleaning must be done.
HOW THE HELL DO YOU DO IT?!? please teach me. i am in your hands. i bet others would like to know, too.
UGH!! Last month I bought THREE pairs of those rain boots at full price.
No more shopping for ANYTHING kid related until I see what you bought & how much you paid.
Ooh! I must visit Target! I had my eye on both of those dresses prior to Christmas.
Jen4- Watch it with the vulgar language. “F*ll pr*ce” is not the kind of atmosphere we want around here.
Susan- I was going to say “I DON’T cook and clean”—but you’re right: the kids do eat meals, and their clothes get washed, and the dishes get washed, and so forth. Even the bathroom gets cleaned now and then. But I’m not sure “how I do it” per se. Hm. Post idea, maybe!
Thanks for the heads up! I also scored those cute cherry boots along with a pair red glittery shoes and a pair of boring snow boots for the boy for less than $10! I do feel, however, that I am addicted to Target Clearance and may need to start some twelve step program. :)
Those are some awesome buys!
I HEART Target clearance. I frequently haunt the ends of the aisles where they seem to frequently tuck away the mark downs like some well kept secret.