I admit that I buy a lot of my clothes at Costco and Target.  I don't always have time to get to the mall (sorry Macy's, don't be jealous!) and I seem to be at Costco once a week.  Don't even get me started on how often I'm at Target. 

(Hint:  I've been there twice in one day before...but don't tell anyone.  Its a little embarassing.)  I stopped wearing khaki pants with a red top (no matter how cute the top) because once, at Target, I was asked where the toothpaste aisle was.

I really didn't think shopping for clothes at Costco or Target was big deal until the fashion police, aka: other moms, started noticing.  Which made me wonder...if they don't buy clothes there, then how did they know that was where I bought mine?  Come on, people, who can resist a $7 v-neck tshirt from Target?  You can't tell me that you can walk by the massive area in the middle of Costco with all those flat tables piled with clothes and not take a look.  The printed and sequined tshirts for $12.99?  The Gloria Vanderbilt stretch jeans for $16.99?  The down filled vest with a fake fur collar for $24.99?  I know the mom down the street got her new Seven Jeans at Costco for $99.99, don't tell me she didn't.

Look, I'm all about comfortable clothes I can throw in the washer and dryer.  I'm a sucker for a good sale/good price/good deal.  Yes, looking cute is important, too.   That's why, my friends, I accessorize my Target and Costco clothes.

More on the importance of accessorizing later...

I was at Target a little while ago to grab a few things and I happened to walk down the seasonal home decor aisle.  There are cute little Valentine's Day frames, red pillows, throw rugs and a few pictures to hang on the wall.  There were some candles, nice vases and seashells for spring decorating. 

Next to the seashells was a 5 pound container of sand. 

Beach sand.  Light brown, fine grain beach sand. 

In case I've never mentioned it...I live in San Diego.  Now, I do live inland about 20 minutes from the closest breaking wave, but still. 

Sand.  Target sells little containers of sand.

Because I have a retail background, I understand and appreciate why Target changes out the back to school supply section with Halloween in August (and includes a back corner with Christmas basics).  I  understand why Valentine's Day and Christmas overlap.  I get why St. Patrick's Day only gets an endcap display and since its January, I'm prepared to see summer lawn chairs in the next few weeks.

Retailers like Target and Walmart have strictly timed floor models that they adhere to whether you're in San Diego or St. Paul.  It makes sense for merchandise flow reasons.  They can ship certain merchandise for all stores at the same time.  You can walk into a Target in any town and know that it looks just like the Target 1,000 miles away.  I bought my kids new ski pants in October when it was 90 degrees out.

The only variance I've noticed is that our Target sells sunblock year-round.  They didn't used to.  It used to come out with the summer merchandise and disappear when Halloween popped up.  They finally got wise to lost sales and began stocking sunblock year round.

But selling sand in San Diego?