A Love Letter To Target

~From Fashion Fridays with Jess

O' Target, My Target How I love thee. Let me count the ways....

As mine eyes feast upon your aisles of brand name but cheaper priced products
I find myself adrift in the glow of your sales.
Your "end-cap" back aisle Clearance Items keep me well stocked
With acoutrements I probably don't need, but long to hold.
While it is true, Dearest Target, that I cannot be absent from your site
Without spending at least $50, It does not harm me, even with the highest sales tax in the country.

O'Target, My Target
I thank you deeply and graciously from my heart
Hoping that we may never part.
During this most challenging economic time in our global economy
We turn to you for fashionable choices w/o relinquishing too much hard earned money.

Thank you Target, My Target for your great and bountiful values
For having such wonderful choices for me from stationary to shoes.
You are the one-stop shop oasis
In a sea of too many challenging choices.

And we are ever grateful, ever thankful, ever thine...loyal customers

I realize I am not introducing anything *new* into the collective fashion consciousness by speaking about Target, but I do hope to add a bit of levity and playfulness to what has been some really heavy times for most people here in the US and around the world. From all the deaths in Hollywood to watching more people lose their jobs and homes to hearing about fighting "over there" and the death tolls around the world- things have been H-E-A-V-Y. I am proud, and not at all ashamed to say that I am a part of the "Unemployed Class" here in the US. Now, while my situation was a bit unique and seemed out of nowhere, I am still one of the 9% in this state collecting a check and looking for a job.

Which leads me to Target and my great love for it during this challenging time in my own hip, cool, and fashionable life. Yes, Target is one of the "Big Box Stores" but they do pay their employees a decent wage and offer benefits, which is more than we can say about a LOT of workplaces right now. As we all know a Target Trip can take a crappy mundane day and turn into a happy fun day, even if you don't buy a lot. It's fun to go with your girlfriends and walk around the aisles just to see what you can find.

Thankfully, the big wig heads of Target got hip a long time ago and started partnerships with some high fashion designers, so you now can find some pretty cute items and not feel like your out of the fashion loop. Plus I love that they offer decently made clothes for women of all sizes that aren't just fabric tents or terrible flower prints. It's nice that they carry the Mossimo brand, which can be a bit pricey but usually goes on sale within a couple weeks. And lest we forget the "One-Star" campaign which has brought the cool factor of Chuck Taylor at a seemingly affordable price.

You do have to work to find unique and interesting pieces in Target, but they're there, I promise. And when you combine a good find with maybe some higher fashion choices you may have at home, Voila- you can have an outfit de resistance! I always get tons of compliments on these two cute little Mossimo jackets I bought at Target last year, but you'd never know it because the lines are classical, the colors have maintained through careful washing with Woolite and Woolite Dark, and I always pair them with a pricier find to create an age appropriate and balanced look.

To be fair, I am an experienced sewer and am fortunate to have one of the best sewing machines at the ready, should I need to reinforce hems, fix any near do well seems, or completely change the shape of a garment. This ability certainly helps when one is purchasing items which are mass produced and may be technically compromised during production. Seeing as how the DIY movement is stronger than ever, if you yourself do not posses such sewing skills or have the time, I'm sure you may know someone who does- so just ask them to help you, should you need it.

This brings me to one of the most magical intersections here in Chicago: Logan and Elston. In one square city block you have not only just a Target but across the street there rests a large JoAnn Fabrics. Ahhhh JoAnn's. The mecca for all things creative. One can seriously spend an entire day just going to JoAnn's and Target, with a little stop at the Panera nearby for sustenance. Even if you don't have a car, you can still take a proper trip to the Magic Area and either watch how much you purchase, rent an I-Go or a Zip car, or for the bicycle riders-make sure you have a sturdy carrying system. For any girly-girl riders out there, I suggest Queen Bee Creations who have been churning out quality and exciting products for years. Additionally, for any of you adventur-er types out there who are looking for a decent fabric source, head on down to the Textile Discount Outlet, where again you can spend an entire day hunting and gathering for your next creative endeavor.

Wishing all of you great happiness and fashion fortune!

Until next week....
Jess