Target, Eh

There's been a lot of hype for the past year or so surrounding the opening of Target in Canada. I visited the Shoppers' World location at Vic Park and Danforth today and have mixed feelings about it. In no way did I expect the prices to be as cheap as those in the US and I was not disappointed. Unfortunately a lot of other things did disappoint me.

A 11:00 on a Tuesday morning the place was already really busy but I was able to get a shopping cart that are unusually wide so I was quite puzzled by the numerous narrow aisles that could barely fit one cart let alone allow two carts to pass each other. Semi-fail.

Started out in the food section hoping to find snacks you can only get in the US and apparently it's going to stay that way. Fail.

Next I visited the women's clothing department and was underwhelmed by the selection. Many items didn't have price tags on them or the prices were printed so small you could barely see them. The Massimo line had some great items but they weren't competitively priced. Fail.

Planned to leave the store at this point but decided to check at the shoe section as I was passing by. This is where Target slightly redeems itself. Not a lot of selection but the shoes are reasonably priced and they carry size 10 and 11. I struggle to find shoes that fit both my feet and my budget (size 10 wide, $60 or under). I had to go up a size in the pumps I tried on but the 10's in the sandals fit fine. Three pairs of shoes for just over $100. A+

On to the linen department to look at sheets and saw nothing but the limited selection Zellers used to carry. Housewares was pretty much the same too. Fail.

Thankfully the cosmetics department turned out to be another good surprise. They carry the Sally Hansen polish strips I like in the newest designs at a reasonable price as well as Im-Press nails in designs other stores don't have. The one disappointment was no Sonia Kashuk cosmetics, only brushes and bags even though the SK sign above showed lip liner (that's kinda false advertising). A-

Check out was quick but it's poorly laid out, the self-serve line was a disaster and the mall entrance/exit is cluttered and too narrow. There's lots of staff on the floor to help out customers and are easy to find thanks to their squawking walkie-talkies. Semi-fail.

Despite my overall disappointment, I will return to Target but only to purchase items in the beauty department and check out what's new in the shoe department.

Balisi Sale

Balisi is having a "The Boss is Away" sale. Get 60% off all originally priced fall and winter footwear. Fri, Jan 27, Sat Jan 28, Sun Jan 29.
www.balisi.com for locations.

Doll Factory by Damzels

Doll Factory is having a 50% off event. Actually, it's two events! Starting February 27th get 50% off all in-stock shoes and boots (ends Feb 1st). Then from Feb 2nd - Feb 5th save 50% on EVERYTHING!
www.damzels.com for location and store hours

Winner's Worries

There's a HomeSense opening on Spadina north of King in the spring and I just noticed Friday night that a Marshall's is opening on John St just south of Richmond. Does this mean my beloved Winner's at King and Spadina is closing?
And what exactly is the deal with Marshall's? It's exactly like Winner's but with a different name and American owned. Winner's even suggested people should visit Marshall's for their shoe needs when they announced that StyleSense would be closing.
I was excited when I heard that Marshall's was coming to Canada because I thought they would have clothing by American brands you can't by here (or don't ship to Canada) but it didn't turn out that way.
I'm hoping that Winner's won't be taken over!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

StyleSense No More

StyleSense is closing its (3) doors and everything in the store is 40% off so this is a GREAT opportunity to stock up on shoes and bags. Visit one of their three locations sooner rather than later.
Vaughan Mills, Oakville Place, Heartland Town Centre

Fashion Crimes

Fashion Crimes is offering 50% off already reduced merchandise (few exceptions). Hurry in as I'm not sire how long the sale will last!

Going Going Gone?

I have a funny felling that Costa Blanca may be going out of business. The one on Queen street recently closed but I thought that might have just been due to the high cost of rent in that area. But as I sit in the food court at White Oaks Mall I see the CB store here is also going out of business. If you're a fan you better hit your nearest Costa Blanca today and get 50% off everything in the store before they disappear!

Toys Toys Toys

Mattel is having a holiday warehouse sale at their toy outlet. From Dec 15th to Dec 18th get up to 60% off a huge selection of toys.
Location: 6155 Freemont Blvd, Mississauga ON (905-501-5147)

Step Out in Style

Balisi is having a sale from December 15th to the 18th. Buy one get the second one 60% off on all footwear. Www.balisi.com

Look Smart

Smart Set is offering 30% off all tops. Get something sparkly for New Year's Eve at a great price.

It's THAT Time When . . .

All the warehouse sales start popping up. THAT time? – Holiday shopping time of course!
If you’re willing to brave the early morning line-ups (during unpredictable weather), large crowds and digging through racks and bins full of merchandise, warehouse sales can be a great one-stop shopping option. Some of the ones now on:

Lisa Cosmetics/Fragrances Inc – Cosmetics, hair care, health and beauty products, purses, chocolates and sunglasses are the items you’ll find here. Notable brand names to look out for: Elizabeth Arden, Joico, Cargo, Annabelle, Diesel, Guerlain, Cacheral, Gucci, Aveeno, Olay and Neutrogena. Nov 19-22, 25-28; Dec 2-5; 1380 Rodick Rd, Markham ON

Designer Fragrance Depot – Brand name nail polish, travel size perfumes and soap, make-up sets, Ed Hardy handbags, and fragrances by Alfred Sung, Playboy, Elizabeth Taylor – gift sets too. November 17 – 23; Four locations: Scarborough, Brampton, Toronto (2). Hours 10am-9pm.

French Connection – up to 80% off on clothing, bags, shoes, accessories and more.
Nov 17-20; The International Centre – Hall 4A, 6900 Airport Rd, Mississauga

William Ashley – save up to 90% off the regular price. Well known names such as Wedgwood, Lenox, Mikasa, Rosenthal, Krups. Nov 16-20, 23-27; 62 Railside Rd, Toronto

Rudsak – This is a sample sale so sizes will run small. Up to 70% off. Nov 17-20; 140 Tycos Dr, North York

Aurora Home Sale – Fine china, crystal and cookware. They carry brands such as Henckels, Gordon Ramsay, Royal Dalton. 1610 Midland Ave, Scarborough

Joe Fresh Tote

Love my new tote bag from Joe Fresh. It's lined and has a nice size, zippered inner pocket. Also comes in orange/tan and red/burgundy. Was tempted to get the red one but feared it might bleed every time I wore a white top. Bonus - it was only $19. Great gift idea & at that price you could fill it with other Joe items (makeup, socks, pjs).

Halloween Your Hands

My love of nail decals is never ending. I'm awful at doing my nails but if I can throw on a decal or two they make my subpar job look semi-decent. Sally Hansen has a limited edition line of Halloween "polish strips" for your nails. Choose from fishnet, barbwire, ghosts, spider webs or skull and crossbones designs. I'm trying to decide between the spider webs - love the metallic background or the skull & crossbones. Though the more I look at them, the more I start to like the kooky looking ghosts. Very Pac-Manish.

Going Wild

For your fix of animal prints this season, check out dynamite's fall collection. Go wild in tops, blouses, skirts, dresses and accessories sporting the ever popular leopard print that's been stalking the runways again.

Bath & Bodyworks Outlet

The B&B at Smart Centre (Warden/Eglinton) has become an outlet store and has lots of their popular items cheap! Large sized antibacterial hand wash is only $3, purse-sized hand sanitizer is $0.50 and the holders are a mere $0.10 each. They also have packages of lip gloss (5 tubes) for $4.12. Most items in the store are 75% off. This is a great place to shop for gift items and stocking stuffers!! Go early in the day as it gets crowded in the afternoon.

Winners

Winners at Queen and Portland (just east of Bathurst) are having their grand opening today! It looks like a pretty good size store and will hopefully have a plus section as the King and Spadina location has gotten rid of theirs. Check out the cute cable knit hooded capelets and the lace patterned Anna Sui tights.

Just paid them a visit.
The Good: beautiful jewellery counter, lots of active wear, plenty of hooks in the dressing room, lots of dressing rooms, good purse selection.
The Bad: new building smell, small plus size section, music too loud.
The store is located on the third floor so let's hope they keep those escalators maintenanced.

The best part: Joe Fresh in the same building is having their grand opening October 13th.

GUESS Offer and Sale

From now until September 18th GUESS is offering 20% off all regular and sale priced items if you use your Visa card to pay for your purchase. Check out their new fall purses and leopard print accessories! End of season costume jewellery has been marked down to $9.99.

Back-Lot Blowout Sale

Doll Factory by Damzels is having a one day only blow-out sale. On Saturday, June 25th from 11am-5pm they will be offering amazing deals on old stock and one-of-a-kinds. They'll even have a $20 dress rack! Make sure you're there early to get in all the great deals.
Location: 122 Queen St E (between Pape & Jones), Toronto ON

Sinful clothing

I love the clothing line Sinful. Very rock'n'roll with a bit of bling. Was at Winners (King/Spadina)on my lunch hour and they have Sinful bikinis and monokinis for $60 (reg $120). Definately the best suits they've gotten in so far.

Doll Factory by Damzels

Doll Factory by Damzels is offering 50% off everything in the store today (Feb 5th). I bought a Lux de Ville purse, Classic Hardware heart/skull choker and Sizzle Sticks (pole dancers on swizzle sticks) for less than $100 after taxes. The purse itself is regularly prices at $95. SCORE!!!