target find – swimwear part II

I wrote a similar post last year, but in case you missed it, I love Target swimwear!

To summarize quickly –  last year I ordered a non-returnable J.Crew bathing suit on clearance and was totally bummed when it didn’t fit quite right. Days later I found an awesome suit at Target, which I’ve been wearing ever since. I’ve received so many compliments and people are always surprised to learn it’s from Target.

Anyway, I’m going on my honeymoon in May and figured it’s time to start shopping around for a new bikini or two. I’ve been working my butt off to get in shape for the wedding, so I think I deserve it, right?

Last week I was running some errands and decided to stop and try on a few bathing suits at Macy’s just for fun. Since I have a giftcard burning a hole in my pocket I figured it’d be a good place to start. I tried on three different bikinis ranging in price from $50 to $125. All were cute on the hanger and decent on me, but I wasn’t totally wowed by any. Not for those prices at least.

Yesterday I was running errands again and found myself in the Target swimwear section, so I tried on this little Mossimo number.

Mossimo® Women’s Mix and Match Reversible Stripe Triangle Swim Top -Peppermint

Mossimo® Women’s Mix and Match Stripe Side Tie Swim Bottom -Peppermint

Much to my surprise, or maybe not, it was so much cuter and more flattering than the pricey Macy’s suits I tried on. Since I was “just looking,” I decided to leave it behind, but when Chris saw the photos I took (everyone does that when trying on clothes, right?) he sent me right back to Target to buy it.

What I love about these bathing suits is that they’re sold as mix and match separates, which is perfect for all kinds of body types. Not into the triangle top? (I’m not usually that brave – but hey – it’s my honeymoon in Mexico.) They’ve got a few different styles, including a tankini. They even have a swim skirt too. With prices ranging from $17.99 to $19.99 per piece, you can get a full suit for less than $40! Heck, I’m tempted to buy some extra pieces so I can mix and match at home too.

Here are a couple more pieces in the “Peppermint Mix and Match” collection for your viewing pleasure.

Mossimo® Women’s Mix and Match Bandeau Swim Top -Peppermint

Mossimo® Women’s Mix and Match Swim Skirtini -Peppermint

Mossimo® Women’s Mix and Match Stripe Tankini Swim Top -Peppermint

Mossimo® Women’s Mix and Match Tab Side Swim Bottom -Peppermint

Target Find: Swimwear

I loathe swimsuit shopping just as much as most women, so I wasn’t too pleased when my favorite tankini needed to be retired last year. I had been eyeing a gorgeous jade green replacement from J-Crew all summer, so towards August when it went on clearance, I was elated. Too bad that also meant “final sale.” Of course, my biggest fear was the suit being too small and me feeling crappy about it, so I was both pleasantly and unpleasantly surprised when the top was way too big. A few weeks later some of the bikini tops went on even bigger clearance, so I decided to chance it again in an effort to still wear the bottom. This time the top fit, but had weird cutouts that weren’t visible on the model, and led to potentially drastic wardrobe malfunctions for me.  Fail.

Anyway, bummed about the J-Crew suit disaster, I noticed some super cute swimwear separates one day while browsing Target. Knowing that I could return this one, I picked up a Converse brand tankini top and bikini bottom in a fun paisley print, and crossed my fingers. Target can’t possibly be cuter and more flattering than J-Crew, can it? Oh yes it can! I was so pleased with my suit that I ended up buying the matching bikini top when it was on sale later on.

Converse for Target bikini top

Target Find: Up & Up Lavender Nectar Body Wash

Traveling a lot over the last year or so has left me with a bathroom cabinet of all kinds of mini toiletries.  After trips to Tennessee, Seattle and Connecticut in December alone, Chris and I decided we’re going to try to stay put for a little while, so after running out of body wash a month or so ago, I decided to start using these babies up.

Target Find: L’Oreal Colour Riche Polish in Violet Vixen

So I have to admit I’m a bit of a nail polish snob.  I usually gravitate towards Essie, OPI and now China Glaze (apparently a West Coast brand) too.  However, a few Target trips ago, I noticed a display of some fun L’Oreal colors.  I’m not sure if they’re new, or have new packaging, but they really caught my eye.  A few Target trips later I just couldn’t resist and I picked up Violet Vixen for $4.99.

Violet Vixen

Target Find: EOS Lip Balm Smooth Sphere

Every Christmas Eve since I can remember, we’ve gathered with my Dad’s side of the family for a holiday celebration.  One of the most fun annual traditions was opening what we called “stocking gifts” before dinner, followed by the larger gifts after dinner.  I put this in quotes because when we started out our “stockings” were actually plastic shopping bags, which eventually evolved into Christmas gift bags, often reused from years prior (we’re green and frugal).  As a child, stocking gifts usually included Chapstick, candy and other fun little trinkets.  This year things were a little different.

EOS Smooth Sphere Lip Balms in Summer Fruit and Honeysuckle Honeydew

Target Find: Scent Profile Red Velvet Cupcake Soy Candle

If you’ve never lived in a city for an extended period of time, you probably don’t understand what’s so great about Target.  You might even dislike going to Target because the lines are too long or parking lot too crowded.  You just might not get the fascination.

So let me explain, as a non-car owning city dweller, getting to places like Target is nearly impossible.  If you’re lucky, you might be able to take the train to one, but that means you’ve also got to carry all of your purchases back with you, if you’re lucky enough to even make purchases, because Targets near public transportation in urban areas sell out quick!  I mean, really quick.  They also tend to be extremely crowded, disorganized and dirty (in my experience at least).  Heck, sometimes you’re even lucky if you can get a cart.  I recall one trip to a Target in the Bronx with my roommate at the time that took more than 30 minutes (no exaggeration) to wander the store and parking garage to find a free cart (and you can bet it was NOT clean when we found it).  Seriously.