Lilly Pulitzer said “Palm Beach is a state of mind,” but that was the furthest state of mind in Dallas when Pink Sunday launched.
On Sunday morning I arose in a flash, threw on my clothes and forewent make-up. Yes, this was an event unlike any other. For it was Lilly Pulitzer for Target, and I had prepared, studied, and stalked like a tribute at the Hunger Games.
After an epic fail on the internet (from my understanding – shoppers hacked the mobile site and there was a frenzy when the Target desktop site crashed, but several shoppers were lucky enough to snag a few pieces via Twitter links online – I was not one of the fortunate few), I opted to head 20 minutes north to the nearest, largest Super Target and try my hand at what appeared to be the most epic shopping event since Tickle Me Elmo went on sale during Black Friday.
Upon doing my research (aka learning everything I could from friends who work for Target and calling every store in a 15 mile radius), I settled on the Super Target in Plano. I knew that staying in the Uptown/SMU neighborhood could prove to be fatal. Being a former sorority president, I did not want to face sorority girls younger, stronger, and more Lilly-hungry than myself.
I arrived at Target around 7:25 am and immediately breathed a sigh of relief – I was the only one! YES! I chose wisely!
And then I realized that I was parked outside the pharmacy entrance, and 30ish women were already stationed outside the other doors. Great.
I saddled up in line, and shockingly, made a few friends. Another line began forming outside the Pharmacy section (women who still had on Juicy jogging suits – while I obviously love those, I reserve them for special occasions only a la backstage at a pageant or at my home on a weekend). Luckily, one of my new buds worked at another Target, and had friends at this location, and we were told that only one door would be opening and it was ours. YES! By 8:00 am, more than 50 people (husbands of crazed wives included, and provided specific instructions) were lined up outside the door.
After making a few more friends (with honeymoon suggestions!), we began moving into the war zone in a single-file line. Perhaps some women were too embarrassed, but there was a combination of a lot of quick walking, jogging, and for myself, a full on sprint towards the colorful, well-priced summer clothing.
I knew coming in to the store that if I left with nothing else, I needed the Nosie Posie maxi dress. Upon dashing to the women’s section (everything was divided up) I immediately spotted the maxi and scored the last small, grabbed a hat I wanted, and snagged a 7 in the pineapple sandals. I Didn’t even know I wanted those but so glad I got them! If you had looked up, you would have seen brightly colored patterns flying around you as everyone was doing 100 meter sprints from one section to the next.
I wanted a pair of the palazzo pants, but was letting fate decide for me, and fate said I needed the green and white pair – the last XS on the shelf. No time to decide if you loved it or not, you could choose later. I headed back to the housewares section and scooped up a white and gold tasselled beach blanket. The plates and hammocks were adorable, but I am working on our registry right now and just knew that there was not room in my home (to share with a boy) for them.
As my hands were full (I didn’t even have time for a bag, so my arms were overflowing), I sat down to go through the spoils of war. I had snagged a shift dress along the way (literally found it in the floor as I ran to housewares), and was offering it up to anyone who wanted it. You would have thought I had brought filet mignon to the dog park. Women began shouting and screaming and I threw it to the first woman. She was very kind and said thank you, tacking on how nice I was at the end. Had I been at a Target in Oklahoma, I’d bet 60% of the store would have been equally as kind (not accounting for the nuts – every state/city has its own batch of crazy).
I wandered back through the beauty section, but nothing more than a few hair ties, bobby pins and nail polishes were left. Knowing my Essie collection is already just that – a collection – I kept going. The only things I missed out on were the navy eyelet cover-up and a head scarf of any print. I noticed a woman in the back of the store going through her loot and she didn’t even know what she had grabbed – including two headscarves. I told her what they were and she didn’t seem to care. Bummer.
As I headed to check out at 8:20 am (yes – it happened that fast, in fact, I think shelves were cleared by 8:06 if I’m being honest), women roamed like zombies and the souls had nearly left their eyes. Many kept muttering “that was the craziest thing I have ever seen.” But, they must not have done pageants or dance competitions, so I was pretty dumbfounded at THAT being crazier than the Black Friday sales I have only imagined. I heard a few stories about shoppers dumping whole racks into their bags, but honestly I saw none of that. I was on such a mission that I saw no one and nothing.
I haven’t been that focused on something since I caught the bouquet at a cousin’s wedding in 5th grade, falsely fostering hope that I could be an incredible point guard. Priorities, people.
I left the store feeling so accomplished and exceptionally proud of my purchases. I called my parents at 8:30 am and they were a little concerned at how cracked-out I sounded. However, I knew that the ultimate bargain hunter, my mother, would be so proud of how I took no prisoners in my hunt.
Overall, I’m pleased to say I survived Lilly + Target. Now, let’s hope that Target gets it together and 1) sets a standard to agree to greater quantities and 2) has a better online platform to navigate the next collection. Fingers crossed for you, Tibi!
Dress // Lilly Pulitzer for Target
Sandals // Lilly Pulitzer for Target
Necklace // Kendra Scott
Bracelet // Tory Burch Fit Bit
the paper doll 