Target dream come true?

It's no secret around here that I love me some Target. And as of this week I'm a Target affiliate!

What this means is that if you click on a link to Target on my blog and then you end up buying something I might get paid. (Which most likely I'll end up giving back to Target, because duh).

Generally I'll earn a small percentage based on what you buy, but if you decide to get yourself a Target RedCard using one of my links, it's actually real dollars. Please know I wouldn't suggest you do anything I wouldn't actually do myself. I seriously recommend the RedCard. Like for real. About a month ago I broke down (after the millionth time the checkout lady asked me to) and got a Target Debit card. I was hesitant because I didn't really want another card in my wallet, but...after weighing the options I decided to go for it. Because:

You get 5% off of everything. 5% isn't much, I know, but it's half our tax rate, so that's something.
You get an extra 30 days to return stuff (120 days instead of 90), but the number one reason I did it?

FREE SHIPPING ON EVERYTHING ON TARGET.COM

I absolutely HATE paying for shipping. I'm too cheap. Target often runs free shipping on certain items, but if I'm browsing the clearance section online (which I have been known to do), those items aren't usually going to be free shipping. UNTIL NOW.

So if you've been on the fence about getting a Target card (credit OR debit, whatever works for you), I'm here to tell you that it's cool. Like for real.

Oh I should point out the downside to FREE SHIPPING ON EVERYTHING ON TARGET.COM... I've got packages arriving like every other day. Oh wait, that's not a downside. Unless you're my husband. : )




And then go buy this:

Threshold Bar Cart

I did. : )

I was not compensated for this post, but it does contain affiliate links. So feel free to use them. : )

*CLOSED* Target Mom giveaway!

VOTING IS NOW CLOSED. #6 Cortney is the winner with 33% of the votes!

*****

 You guys have blown me away with these nominations. I so wish I could give each of these moms a little extra something. But alas, we have to narrow it down to one. Or I should say, YOU do! Please vote (below) on who you think is most deserving of the $50 Target Gift Card. And if you want your favorite to win, feel free to ask your friends to vote as well.

And the nominees are:

#1
I think Anne definitely deserves a target mom gift card.  She has a new little baby and just had to go back to work.  I remember my first day of work and how hard it was to leave my little one.  And how much I cried.  She's even nursing through all of this.  She's such a wonderful mom, and loves her boy so.  She has been really tired and exhausted form working but keeps at it.   She could use a Target giftcard and a peaceful night away.  
*****
 #2

I nominate Dana as deserving a Target splurge.

In the past year, she opened her home and heart to a set of siblings from an abusive situation.  Those foster kids will never know abuse again… their adoption was just final!

This has grown their family of five – to eight.  She has given them the gift of being loved and being unafraid to be loved.  I heart her.  A lot.

*****
#3
I'd like to nominate SuLee. I don't know her super well, but the more I learn the more impressed I'm become. I have to admit that sometimes she annoys me with how cute her family photos are, with her little girls in matching outfits and her damn cake pops. As much as she looks like super mom from the outside, I know she's had some real struggles and yet she has remained so faithful.
As a younger mom, I've appreciated her authenticity, wisdom and contagious smile. Her kiddos are pretty blessed.
*****
 #4
If anyone deserves a Target gift card, it's my cousin!  She has two boys, ages 4 and 2. Her oldest was diagnosed with Autism about two years ago, just before her husband was deployed to Iraq/Kuwait for a year. She spent that entire year trying to figure out how best to treat her Autistic child while tending to an infant! Her husband is home now, but he's leaving for a month for a work trip soon! She hardly does anything for herself and deserves a little pampering!
*****
#5
My friend Liz is an amazing mom. She is pregnant with her 3rd baby and has a 4 and 2 year old as well.  Her husband works LONG hours, and she's often tired, but she always finds energy to play with her kids, make up games, sing, teach them French- and cook dinner from scratch. And she's never too busy to drop everything for a friend in need. If you have a problem, she is there with a smile on her face, ready to help. 
*****
#6
I want to nominate my little sister, Cortney.  I know it's unusual for an older sibling to say this, but I look up to her, especially as a mother.  She is the most selfless person I know & one of the most amazing mothers I've witnessed in my life.  She was by my bedside & wept with me as I kissed my son goodbye.  And she has been by my side rejoicing with me as I welcomed another son & a daughter into this world.
Not long before her son's birth, Cortney decided that she would leave her career behind to be a mother & wife to her US Marine.  Her sacrifices for her son & husband do not go unnoticed by me.  She went from being able to buy herself & her husband whatever they needed/wanted to clipping coupons & she never once complained about the adjustment.  She is happy to do this for her family & her country.  She has always been a public servant & has always believed her calling to be helping others.  I'd love for us to be able to give her a little something to celebrate her this Mother's Day!

*****

#7

My friend, Ann, posted today that her Mom just died. Not to play the sympathy card but Ann also had a daughter, Kathleen, that passed away from SIDS and then she wasn't able to have any more children of her own. Ann adopted a baby, named Simon. Then she was able, thanks to a donated egg, have her daughter, Delia. Ann's former husband then had to have brain surgery and wasn't quite the same afterwards so they divorced but she has since remarried. Ann will do anything for anybody. She has driven out of her way just to bring me a meal. My first year here she had me over for Thanksgiving because I was alone. I know Ann doesn't really spend money on herself--every cent goes towards children or her business. This Mom deserves a giftcard to spend on HERSELF! 

*****

#8

I would like to nominate my teaching partner, Dannie. Dannie is a hardworking, single mom to a 15 year old daughter. She gives so much of herself to others and NEVER asks for anything in return. She’s been working hard to lose weight and I know that $50 to Target would help her feel special. Dannie deserves this so much!
*****
#9

I nominate my sister-in-law, Julie:

A mom who lost her own while a teen; who with hope blossoming in her womb met loss again and again; whose husband flies in an occupied country; whose daughter has so many needs their insurance company would happily drop them.

But upon meeting this mother and even knowing her well, you would never guess this was her story. Her daughters smile wide and laugh often. They have learned this from their mother. 
*****
#10
My neighbor is an elderly Malaysian woman who has always treated my sons like they are her own.  She never hesitates to babysit or stop at our door with delicious homemade Asian food.  My mom lives on the other side of the world but thankfully, my boys have a grandmother like her here, a kind woman with her arms always open, calling out in the few English words she knows, “Come eat, eat!” 
*****
#11
I want to nominate my best friend Nikki.

I think she deserves more credit & totally deserves this! She has so much on her shoulders yet some how manages to do it all. Works full time, goes to school. She is involved in Hailey' school activities. Volunteers. Hailey has done dance and now plays soccer. Time is limited so she makes all the time she does have with Hailey special and really important. Nikki does everything for everyone and really deserves something for her!

 

Happy Mothers' Day from Target! A Giveaway!

This giveaway is sponsored by Target. I'm receiving a gift card for running the giveaway, and Target is supplying the prize for one deserving mom as well.

Nominations are now closed. Click here to vote for your favorite now.

Target wants to make Mothers' Day for one mom a little more special. $50 more special, to be exact!

YOU get to nominate one mom in your community who you think is deserving of a little extra something from Target! Simply email me with "Target Mom" in the subject and tell me (in 75 words or fewer) who you nominate and why this mom could really use a $50 Target gift card! THEN, next week I'll post the best nominations and you all get to vote for the winner! The winner will receive a $50 gift card from our friends at Target, AND the person who nominated the winner will get a little extra treat from ME! (Because I think we all deserve a little extra something for Mothers' Day, don't you?)

So nominate a deserving mom today, and come back next week to vote for the winner!

 I made these people, and they made me a mom.

Three generations of mothers, and the one who made me a mom first!

PS What would YOU spend $50 bucks at Target on? What if you could only spend it on yourself, not your kids?

Drechsel Family Fieldtrip #TargetAtTheWing

A couple of weeks ago I got an email asking if I'd like to attend a blogger/family event at the Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience (how's that for a mouthful?). Sponsored by Target. I'd never been to the Wing Luke but I have been to Target once or twice : )  It had been a while since we had a Drechsel Family Field Trip, so we decided to make a day of it. This was a great opportunity to visit somewhere new, Oh and did I mention Target was going to be there?

Target has partnered with the Wing Luke to bring Family Fun Days to the museum. We got to experience it first hand, and I encourage you to check it out! It was definitely a fun outing for us, and one we were all glad to have gone to.

The kids each got to bring home a Target dog, Bullseye. Because, of you know, Target being there and all.

Charlie wanted to bring home them all. (But he didn't).

The Wing currently has a coloring contest going on for the kids. Grand prize is 2 jet blue tickets AND a $1,000 toy gift certificate. Charlie kept asking our host Sarah for his "prize".

Then we went exploring. Charlie led the way. (Those are his "I'm-going-to-a-blogger-thing" hipster pants). I'd actually like to go back at some point since our exploring turned into chasing a three year old around, but the museum itself is very cool looking. The building was built in 1910 and they have done a fabulous job of preserving its character.

These letters were hanging from the ceiling and it looked really great. I'm not sure if this was part of the current "Paper Unbound" exhibit, or part of the permanent display. It was beautiful though!

The Wing also has a scavenger hunt for the kids. We searched all over the museum for footprints so we could check them off our list and get a "prize", which was a tattoo of a snake (in honor of the year of the snake).

Token selfie. With my Target swag bag thankyouverymuch. #ilovetarget

Target loves to give back to the community and has partnered with the Wing to offer an art project every third Saturday for Family Fun Day at the Wing. When we were there it was Korean Paper Magic. Camden got to create collages using a special paper called hanji. It was pretty cool to watch and these events are FREE.

There is a fashion exhibit on display through April. which Camden enjoyed. Obviously.

And then Charlie was ready to go.

Seattle's Chinatown.

Canton Alley.

So if you're local-ish and looking for something to do some upcoming weekend, I'd definitely recommend a visit to the Wing Luke Museum. If you've got kids try and go on the third Saturday so you can take part in the extra family friendly activities as well. 

Thank you to Target and The Wing Luke Museum for inviting us to come play. We had a great time.

everyday makeup with #eyeslipsface #CBias

My mission? To shop for elf everyday cosmetics at Target, and then blog about my everyday makeup routine. Um, yes, please! I decided to bring Grace along since she knows a little bit more about makeup than I do. Since she's, you know, a teenager. (GASP!) And also because if she found out I either went to Target OR shopped for makeup without her she'd be livid.

elf cosmetics at Target #eyeslipsface

our collection of elf cosmetics

We actually already had some elf cosmetics. They are super affordable, especially if I'm wanting to try something new. Like maybe liquid eyeliner. Or cream eyeshadow. There was nothing that cost more than $6 at the store. And most items were either $1 or $3. We bought a few new things to add to our collection!

My everyday routine includes moisturizer (always), undereye concealer, neutral eyeshadow, mascara, and lip balm. When I'm feeling fancy (like today since I was taking pictures!) I'll add some eyeliner. (I love the elf Eyeliner and Shadow combo in plum/purple). Grace's everyday routine is almost the same, but she adds powder, sometimes blush, and she spends way more time on her hair than I do. Mine is pretty much wash and go. Because I'm like, a mom and stuff.

If you'd like to connect with e.l.f. you can do so via the following links:
eyeslipsface.com
twitter.com/askelf
facebook.com/elfcosmetics




I am a member of the Collective Bias™ Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™ and e.l.f. #CBias #SocialFabric All opinions are (obviously) my own.

dear target

Dear Target,

It's been a long time coming, but I can't hide it any longer, I think we should see other people. Or, if I'm honest, I've already been seeing other people. You just don't do it for me anymore. I've thought about it a lot lately and really, it's not me, it's you.

Things started going downhill when you decided to add groceries. I understand people need to eat. But "people who need to eat" is NOT your target demographic. I'm pretty sure that demographic belongs to a grocery store, like Safeway, or Fred Meyer, or (God forbid), even Albertson's. Adding groceries itself may not have been your downfall, had you expanded your entire store as well, but instead, bananas and pork chops stole precious square footage away from the things I loved most about you...aisles and aisles of affordable trendy clothes for me, my kids, and my house.

Who are you and what have you done with the Target I once loved?!

Your junior's and women's clothing sections are now WAY too crowded. I can barely get my cart with my screaming toddler through there (PS I do love your new carts though). And when I find something that might be cute, that I'd like to hold up in front of myself and admire how it might look on me? I can't. Because THERE ARE NO FREAKING MIRRORS IN YOUR ENTIRE STORE! How on earth you ever could have thought that would be a good idea is beside me. Even so, sometimes I'll find something that I think might be worthy of an actual trip to the dressing room, but then still, I end up disappointed. Nothing is cute. Nothing fits. And it's not even that cheap anymore. Your shoe section is pitiful. It's tiny. I did find a cute pair of red patent leather flats recently to replace an old pair of red patent leather flats (previously purchased at the "old" Target), and the new ones? I hate them. They hurt my feet. The back elastic shoves my toes up front where they aren't supposed to be. Why'd you do that? Why'd you even change them? And your home decor? Cute things to make my house look pretty? Quit moving them around! I can't even find them. Do you even have them anymore?

You used to have this Global Bazaar thing every January/February, where you'd bring in tons of really great housewares and furniture. (Not the crappy back to school stuff either). I got my kitchen table there one year. And I still love that. And I got an entire set of dishes (on clearance even) another year. But the past few years instead of that you bring in bulk sized cleaning crap and diapers? Really? Have you met Costco? Because they have that market covered. 

I kind of think you're trying to hard. You can't be everything to everybody. You need to go back to what you're good at it...find me some really cool things and sell them to me at great prices. Make me WANT to browse your aisles and get excited finding just the perfect knick knack, or a great skirt that I'll wear the heck out of. I used to love going to Target, for NO reason. Now, it makes me claustrophobic. I dread it. I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to let you go.

I hope we can still be friends, I just really think we need a break.

the story of my life. week 5.

Target. Any questions?

new carts at tar-jay!

somebody was excited about the new carts!

(and I think Charlie liked them too).