Target Your Best Self with Kate Harley
Happy Thursday friends! I thought my interview with Kate – my little Target guru – would be a perfect ‘treat yourself’ Thursday post. This is considering that every-time I walk into Target I’m convinced that I need to treat myself to shopping with items I definitely don’t need – LOL!
Kate Harley is a girl who is passionate about the three f’s – Fitness, Fashion & Food. Now, what girl can’t relate to that?! Kate and I dive into all things about targeting your best self. From choosing workouts you enjoy to snagging deals at Target to how you can stay on track while traveling. If you’re a Target lover who also happens to be into wellness – this post is for you! Enjoy 🙂
Talking Target With Kate
Q: Hiiii! I found you through my boyfriend and ever since I’ve been loving following you along on Brunch and Barbells! You’re super into fashion, fitness, food and of course Target. Can you give the readers a bit more background on who you are and your role @ Target?
A: Hi Everyone! My name is Kate Harley! I have been blogging for one year and I’ve been powerlifting for the past two years! I graduated from Penn State in 2013. My full time job is with Target, and I have been there for 5 years! I started with the company as an intern while I was still in school and then upon graduation started as an Executive Team Leader of Human Resources. I was in that role for about two years and then I was promoted to Store Team Leader which is equivalent to a General Manager role in other retailers and etc. I ran a lower volume Target store for about 15 months and then was promoted to my current store which is a high volume location this past October in Columbia, Maryland as the Store Team Leader!
Target Finds & Shopping Tips
Q: Amazing – good for you! That has to be dangerous going to every day – there are one million plus memes about walking into Target for one thing and walking out with ten, ha! But it’s SO TRUE. Target is FILLED with goodies. What are your fave health/wellness related products at Target?
A: My absolute favorite health and wellness brand at Target is our newest fitness clothing line called JoyLab! I would compare it to a less expensive version of Lululemon and Gymshark combined! I also absolutely love the Olly Brand of vitamins! They are all gummy and they are delish! I personally take the Probiotic and Beauty Olly vitamins every day! They also have a few Olly protein cookies that are out of this world! I love the salted caramel chocolate.
Q: OK – def need to go scope out both of those! On the topic of Target – any tips for all of us girls out there on how to be a smart Target shopper?! When do the deals happen?!
A: Every Sunday our new ad comes out, so typically all the sales change! Also if you haven’t already I would recommend downloading the Target app. There is a feature inside of the app called cartwheel that typically has additional percentages off of up to 700 items! Anywhere from 5%- 75% off! So cool! I’ve saved over $2,500 with cartwheel! Love it! You can also use a target coupon, a manufacturer coupon, and cartwheel all on the same item!
Target’s Fitness Future
Q: So good to know! I do happen to know that Tone It Up and Vital Proteins both recently began a partnership with Target – amazing additions! Are there any other health/wellness brands on the horizon coming to Target that you’re excited about?
A: Over the past year we have really expanded a lot of our protein brand product lines! One I am really excited about is Quest! Quest bars came to Target this past October and since then we have also expanded to the cookies. I reached out to our Headquarters last summer about carrying Quest Hero bars and we finally got them in the store this past spring! Vega has also been a great partner to Target. They are a 100% plant based protein and they have a full line at Target. My favorite products from Vega are the snack bars and the clean protein powder.
Talking Athleisure
Q: I’m a huge fan of Vega too! I always make protein power bites with them – such as these ones! Such amazing nutrition facts for a protein powder, love it! Speaking of protein , you’re super fit. AND always looking so cute in all of your workout gear! What is your go-to athleisure brand?
A: It’s so hard to pick one! I would have to say Gymshark and Joy Lab because they are both so affordable!
Balancing Act – Wellness & Career
Q: I can’t wait to go check both of those out! On the topic of staying fit, lots of peeps can find it hard to balance both a successful career and live a healthy lifestyle at the same time. What’s your approach to this?!
A: I really struggled right out of college with work life balance. I gained a ton of weight and didn’t even realize at first! It got to the point where I said, OKAY I need to make a change in my life. So I made workouts a part of my daily routine. I made them something I have to check off my list every day just like brushing your teeth or making your bed. I think my biggest piece of advice is to find something at the gym that you enjoy to do! I love weight training! I don’t enjoy pilates or fitness classes, so I choose to weight train! I also met my boyfriend in the gym so it’s great that it’s something we can do together.
Targeting Brunch AND Barbells!
Q: Amazing advice. If you make something a priority, you can make it happen! Going off of your cute (AF) insta name that shows your love for weight training AND brunching – Brunch and Barbells – what’s your go-to healthy brunch to whip up?
A: My absolute favorite is an egg white and crab omelette with cocktail sauce on the side! I live in Maryland and crabs are a way of life here! I also make an alcohol free mimosa with Trop50 and LaCroix!
Q: OMG what a genius combo! I’m a HUGE seafood fan, so definitely need to try this. Additionally – we have to cover the barbells part of your gram too! What’s your fave workout and why?
A: Back day is always my favorite!! It’s definitely one of my strongest body parts so I can lift pretty heavy in all of my exercises and I love being able to see the muscle I have built in my back! Progress! Lately, although its not my strongest lift, I have been loving bench press!
Targeting Fitness On the Road
Q: Practice makes perfect, right?! I feel like you’re always traveling & on the go, just like me! Are there any tips/tricks you fall back on to stay on track while exploring?
A: When I am traveling I always look up ahead of time where the closest gyms are so I can plan out my workouts in advance! It doesn’t change my routine if I am visiting a new place! I enjoy lifting at new gyms, I actually use the hashtag #gymtourofamerica when I go to new gym! If you don’t want to leave your hotel 9/10 there is a hotel gym you can go to! Even if you only want to go for 30 minutes while on vacation it still makes a difference! I also always keep gym clothes in my trunk as well as my gym bag! Just incase!
Q: That’s such a good idea — definitely taking that tip! Well, last but definitely not least – where can everyone find you and follow you?!
A: You can follow me on instagram: @_kateharley. And on my blog at: brunchandbarbells.com
I don’t know about you guys, but I’m off to snag some deals sat my fave spot – Target!
Happy Shopping!
xoxox
Alysia (Purely)Pope
