The exception to the rule.

I preach to never pay retail, and I fully believe in that, but there are very, very, very few exceptions to the rule. This is one of them – Missoni for Target.

A limited edition of this nature will never make it to clearance. It’s already discounted (hence “for Target”) and I knew it was going to be huge. Affordable Missoni?! *gasp* I HAD to get my hands on it.

So I devised a plan about a month in advance: Be at Target 8am on the release day to get my hands on everything. I knew that at my local Target I would be competing with savvy city folk. So I called in a favor to Mom. She agreed to be at her Target in suburban New Jersey at opening to gather some goodies for me.

Today was the day, and it was an experience! Even the best sample sales I’ve been to weren’t this chaotic. It was every woman for herself and I WISH I could have video taped it. But unfortunately I couldn’t, so here’s my play-by-play:

8am: Store opens

8:02am: I arrive (hit a tiny bit of local traffic.) I run through the doors and see a swarm of 50 people around the clothing. Without grabbing a cart I dove in grabbing ANYTHING I can get my hands on. I then think to myself, “If the clothes are already gone, what’s going on with the shoes?!”

8:06am: I run to the shoes – NOTHING left. But I see the tights and socks and grab lots of those. Men’s were gone, housewares were gone, but stationary and office supplies were still there. So I grabbed a ton and by this point, I needed a cart desperately.

8:10am: I get a cart and hit the Kid’s section. (I can wear a kid’s XL, right? Sure…) Got a few good pieces there then went over to accessories where there was nothing but an empty rack.

8:12am: The store is depleted and it’s only been 12 minutes. They are beginning to restock, so I take another lap and find people putting down things they had picked up. I score a make-up case and a tote bag.

8:17am: Hit the shoes again and score a pair of flats and heels in my size directly off the shipping pallet. That’s right, the stuff didn’t even make it to the shelves.

8:19am: My cart is full and the store is empty. I call Mom to see how she made out. She’s running late and not at the store yet – AHH!

8:25am: Mom calls back and her store has A LOT more. Rather than trying to describe each piece, she decides to pick up nearly everything in my size so I can decide and return later.

8:30am: Women are now trying to “trade” items they aren’t taking. Bartering un-purchased items for something they might want from someone else’s cart full of un-purchased item. Seriously?

8:32am: Manager comes by to politely discourage “trading” to give others a fair chance at the coveted merch. At that moment a woman puts down a Men’s sweater and an adorable hand towel. Before it’s out of her hands I snag the BF a sweater and a new towel for my kitchen.

8:34am: I stand there for another 5 minutes watching the crowd go nuts over the luggage and bedding that they just took out of the stock room. It was even too intense for me to get involved!

8:39am: I’m done and ready to check out. Target was super prepared with lots of cashiers (who looked completely

horrified that a group of 100 women could completely wipe out a store in less than 40 minutes.)

8:44am: Grand total is quickly resolved through gift cards that my family and friends gave for my birthday (Thanks again everyone!)

8:48am: In the car headed home. Adrenaline still kicking from the experience. Missoni for Target Haul Complete! (…and I wasn’t late for work!)

Maybe I’m crazy, but it was really fun to be apart of the frenzy! Over the next few weeks I’ll be sharing my new knits with you, but for now here’s a sneak peak of my fabulous office supplies!