The drugstores are all offering freebies this week, some you have to work harder for than others. There's even a few opportunities to make some money with the right coupons. My favorite bargain, though, is probably the Dove deal at Walgreens and CVS. With the right coupons and rewards cash, you can walk away with soap, body wash and anti-perspirants for pennies on the dollar.

At Kroger, you can pick up some free pasta, 49-cent hot dogs and the cheapest soda around at $2.40 a 12-pack when you buy 5 packs.

The best of the rest: Target has got the best deal on sweet corn: five ears for $1. And Wal-Mart has a killer deal on Ball Park hot dogs.

Read on for all the deals.

Target launched its in-store recycling stations a year ago this month, and they have recently released the numbers from the first nine months of the program.

Here is what has been recycled from April to December 2010:

• More than 170 million shopping bags, which is equivalent to more than 1800 tons. To put it visually, if each bag was laid end-to-end, it would stretch from Los Angeles to New York City more than 17 times.
• More than 700 tons of bottles and cans. Approximately 1.4 million pounds (700 tons) of cans and bottles have been recycled, which is equivalent to more than 500 2010 Honda Civics.
• Nearly two million units of small electronics, such as MP3 players and cell phones, which translates to about 90 units per store per month.

Target has recycling stations located at the front of each store to give its customers a convenient way to recycle aluminum, glass and plastic beverage containers, plastic bags, MP3 players, cell phones and ink cartridges.

To learn more about Target's commitment to the environment, visit Target's corporate social responsibility website.

Get a chance to win a home makeover valued up to $50,000 to refresh your place from Target's "Refresh Your Nest" sweepstakes.

Developers hoping to attract a major retailer have acquired a purchase option on a site in northern Chapel Hill.

The national brand retailer would be one of two “substantial businesses” in a mixed-use project off Eubanks Road, near the Interstate 40 interchange, says Dwight Bassett, the town’s economic development officer.

“I’ve heard Target. I’ve also heard Costco,” says Aaron Nelson, president and CEO of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce. “BJ’s [Wholesale Club] is the one I’ve heard most.”

Broker John Morris confirms the project would have retail, office and residential components. He won't name possible tenants.

“All of that is rumor mill at this point,” he says. “It’s going to be a very complex project. It’s going to take a while to work through the paces.”

The developers hope to bring a concept plan to the Chapel Hill Town Council in May or June, before the council breaks for summer. A concept plan is a rough outline that lets town officials give developers feedback before a formal application.
 

Read more on this in Saturday's N&O and Sunday's Chapel Hill News. And tell us what you think at editor@nando.com

Target has landed another big designer for its Designer Collaborations Program: Jean Paul Gaultier.

The legendary French fashion designer is the third designer in the program, which features well-established designers who draw inspiration from a collaborative partner, muse or creative element.

The exclusive Jean Paul Gaultier for Target collection pays tribute to the American woman, celebrating "the forces of style both past and present in American pop culture," according to a press release.

The collection will launch on Target.com and in more than 250 Target stores nationwide March 7 and will be in stores through April 11.

For those wondering, the Designer Collaborations is separate from the company’s GO International collections.

Just a reminder that Anna Sui's "Gossip Girl" collection hits Target stores on Sunday, the day before the shows returns to the CW.

The collection takes all the looks of the show's four leading characters - Blair, Serena, Jenny and Vanessa. So it's a little punk, Bohemian, preppy and edgy.

Anna Sui came up with the idea after she was in Asia last year and girls kept asking her about the various areas of New York where the characters from "Gossip Girl" live.

The collection mostly is made up of dresses and jackets, with dresses priced at about $60. The black leather jacket in the collection costs $149.99. And a zip-front, color-blocked cardigan is $44.99.

Not all Target stores carry the collection. For a full list, go to target.com/annasui. The collection will be in stores through Oct. 17.

I know some people this week were shocked, just SHOCKED! about Michelle Obama wearing "short" shorts on her recent hike at the Grand Canyon (Duh! What else would you wear?) But what I find even more fashion newsworthy is that she wore a black and beige print dress by Merona from Target when she arrived in Phoenix Sunday. Apparently, it came from an older collection and is no longer in stores.

Of course, it was just a matter of time, right? After wearing cardigans from J. Crew, T-shirts from Gap and dresses Talbots, you knew she was going to pull out some Target cheap chic at some point. Could H&M be next?!

(Photo by Mandel Ngan / Getty Images)

Target just announced that Kate and Laura Mulleavy's fashion label Rodarte will be the next limited-edition designer collection in the company's GO International program, which has established and up-and-coming designers creating lower-priced lines for the store.

The sisters, who named the company after their mother's maiden name, are known for their romantic looks and attention to detail and craftsmanship.

Sounds like it has the makings of being a great run for Target. The Mulleavy's have a good track record going into the gig. The bow top (shown here) they made for Gap sold out fairly quickly.

The news is just out so we don't have pictures to share of what some of the styles will look like. Check back for those in November.

The collection will be in Target stores Dec. 20 through Jan. 31.

Women's Wear Daily is reporting today that Tracy Feith, known for his seasonless resort-wear look, will be the 15th guest designer for its Go International program.

Don't know Feith? No worries. He's become sort of a cult fave in recent years in sun and surf circles, especially among the Hamptons and winter resort crowds. He's known for sexy and fun pieces made from mixing fabrics, such as lace, corduroy and velveteen. His biggest crowd pleaser seems to be the printed sundress.

“I was pleased when I was approached to do (the collection),” Feith told WWD. “The distribution is exciting, to have so many people exposed to the line. Certainly some people will know my name and others won’t."

Look for the collection, which should include about 60 styles and 15 original prints, in stores just in time for summertime fashion — May 17 through June 27.

So just how is Target going to top its collection of Anya Hindmarch handbags in stores the last few months?

With what looks to be an even better collection of bags by Hayden-Harnett, already in stores.

Brooklyn-based Hayden-Harnett is the quirky design partnership of Toni Hacker and Ben Harnett. They formed the company in 2005 to create bags that marry utility and form, and the brand quickly became a cult favorite. Bags retail for between $200 and $700.

No doubt one of the best sellers of the dozen styles to pick from at Target will be the flight tote in black (to the left), a look that combines practicality and style. Other silhouettes in the collection include oversized envelope clutches and convertible hobos.

Also expect to see an array of cool hardware, including studs, chains and grommets, that are both practical and functional.

The bags, which are priced from $19.99 to $49.99, will be in stores through March 15.