Fab Find: Mossimo Beaded Blouse

I've been waiting for this lovely Mossimo beaded blouse (already in stores for a while) to hit Target.com, but Target must be having inventory issues (more on that tomorrow) so you'll have to make do with my own snapshot. Believe me, in person this blouse looks a lot more expensive than it is. It comes in a gorgeous teal color, as well as a deep burgundy and basic black. All have strategic draping across the front + intricate beading on the neckline. And best of all, they're just $22.99 each.

The Look for Less: Overstock.com vs. Threshold

This installment was inspired by a recent purchase of mine at Target. The pillow on the left - in a pretty lemon-yellow Greek Key print - is from Overstock.com and will set you back $32.99. Not bad, but it's not as good as the 2-pack of Threshold yellow Greek Key pillows on the right for just $29.99 (which I actually scored on clearance this week for only $19.99 - or just $10 per pillow!).

Double-Take: Steve Madden vs. Mossimo

This post by The Budget Babe inspired today's double-take, where we take one item from Tar-shay and match it up against a lookalike - yet pricier - designer piece. Here we have two stacked-heel, lace-up granny boots in deep navy. Both are on-trend for Fall, but one pair is by Steve Madden (at Nordstrom) and will set you back about $159, whereas the other is by Mossimo (at Target) and will only set you back $34.99. Which one is which? The answer appears in the comments section below.

New at Target: Brooklyn & Bond

I discovered Brooklyn & Bond via this post on Apartment Therapy, who featured their sheet set in a post on "Classy & Classic" dorm room decor. A little digging led me to their Facebook page, which reveals this Target-exclusive brand dubs itself as "Bedding that you can eat, sleep, think, and play in" and "Inspired by classic mens shirting." Focusing on bedding, blankets, curtains and throw pillows, you can check out the entire Brooklyn & Bond collection here on Target.com.

New at Target: Sonia Kashuk's Fall 2015 Collection

Sonia Kashuk is at it again with her Fall 2015 line for Target, which features a new skincare collection, fan-favorite brushes and of course, on-trend cosmetics. Sonia seems to have taken inspiration from Target's Plaid Takeover with the plaid-packaging on her Grand Bazaar Collection (shown here).

Beauty buffs and skincare-savvy guests alike will love Sonia’s new cleansers, toner and mask—all of which have been carefully formulated with innovative ingredients to deliver effective results—and chic new color palettes that feature warm fall shades like marsala, cinnamon and bordeaux.

Sonia Kashuk’s Fall 2015 collection is available now at Target and on Target.com, with prices ranging from $4.50 to $36.99.

Fuzzy Target Math...

Consumerist has a running joke about "Target Math". Their latest installment shows yet another example (shown here) and ponders why you'd buy one box of 10 Zone Perfect bars when you can buy two boxes of 5 for $1 less. For a collection of "Target Math" stories, check out the archive.

Five years ago, a Target employee wrote Consumerist to explain why the chain’s pricing appears to be so crazy, and how to deal when there’s an illogical price on something that you want to buy.

“That goes for anything. If you see something marked as one price, and it scans or rings up wrong, you can tell someone and have the price corrected,” explained the anonymous employee. “It’s best to find someone on the sales floor to clear it up instead of waiting until the cash register, because the cashier is going to call the sales floor anyway.”

New at Target: W3LL PEOPLE Cosmetics

Target is pairing up with W3LL PEOPLE to offer 78 all-natural beauty items, from lip gloss to foundation to brushes. The Austin, Texas-based company is co-owned by three experts with an array of specialties: makeup developer Shirley Pinkson, cosmetic dermatologist Reneé Snyder M.D. and conscious commerce marketing expert James Walker.

“Our brand combines superior artistry, state-of-the-art science and social responsibility into one chic, yet conscious, package,” the W3LL PEOPLE team tells A Bullseye  View. “W3LL PEOPLE happily takes on the challenge of proving that beauty and wellness are not mutually exclusive concepts. And as far as we’re concerned, there is no cooler retail partner to effectively reach women across the U.S. with our message and mission than Target.”

In particular, W3LL PEOPLE call their Expressionist Mascara (shown here) a "game changer", taking more than five years to reach the perfect formula. W3LL PEOPLE products are now available on Target.com.

Target to swap hot dogs for salads at "test cafes"...

USA Today reports that some Target customers will soon be able to munch on "artisan style" pizza, fresh kale salads, and pressed veggie juices rather than traditional big-box staples like hot dogs and gooey nachos.

Starting in October Target will roll out a new cafe concept: fast-casual chain Freshii will go into 9 stores, while Pizza Hut will open restaurants in 3 stores featuring a limited menu of "artisan" pies, such as margherita and barbecue chicken. And 2 Minneapolis stores will get outposts of D'Amico & Sons, a local pizza chain whose founders were semifinalists for a James Beard award in 2011 and whose menu includes toppings like organic goat cheese and arugula.

About 1,700 out of Target's nearly 1,800 stores have cafes. Target decided to go in a new direction with its cafes after hearing from customers who wanted higher-quality food and more of a fast-casual atmosphere. Currently, about 40% of Target customers visit the cafe while shopping. But the test is less about boosting that figure and more about showing customers that the brand is serious about health and wellness.

Right now, most stores feature a Target-branded cafe with a menu of decadent junk food including popcorn, pizza, hot dogs, nachos and Icees. The test markets will get rid of those options.

The Look for Less: Pottery Barn vs. Threshold

If you're a regular shopper at both Target and Pottery Barn, then you've already discovered that you can find many home decor items at The Bullseye that are almost duplicates to PB's offerings. Case in point: the oversized (approx. 30" high) wooden key on the left is from Pottery Barn, and will set you back $126 (and that's on sale - regular price is $149). Or you can opt for Target's Threshold version on the right for around $30 (sadly, no longer available online, but can still be found in some stores).

Target Expands Curbside Pickup Service...

If you enjoy shopping at Target - but dislike getting out of your car - then you'll be thrilled with the announcement that Target is expanding their curbside pickup service.

I personally would just rather shop in store myself, but I guess the appeal of curbside pickup is that it combines online shopping with not having to wait around for several days for your stuff to show up. Target started this service with stores in the San Francisco Bay Area (where I live) so I am very familiar with the blue "Curbside" sign shown here. Target has been working with tech startup Curbside, which provides the special app that lets stores know when you’re nearby, so they can get your package ready to pick up.

So far, the expansion outside of San Francisco will be to ten Target stores in New York City and northern New Jersey, but prepare to have this become an even more common way to shop in the future, especially in densely populated areas.

Man enrages conservatives by posing as Target on FB

You can thank my hubby for finding this gem. RawStory reports that Facebook user Mike Melgaard decided to have a little fun by pretending to be the official Target page on Facebook.

As I reported earlier this week, Target has come under fire recently for its decision to stop segregating its toy aisles by gender. While some people see it as just a PR stunt, others are offended by the move. And with the idea of little boys browsing for toys among the Barbie dolls and Easy-Bake Ovens and little girls shopping in with the trucks and toy soldiers appearing to be more than some people can handle, Melgaard had a grand time winding them up.

On a page he called “Target trolling,” Melgaard said, “People thought I was Target and that’s all you need to know.” Shown here is just one of the many MANY posts he got, and his replies are all hilarious. Head over to RawStory to see the full gallery of funny Facebook posts.

Lookbook: Target's Plaid Takeover

A couple of months ago, I told you about Target's upcoming "Plaid Takeover" for Fall. I still happen to think it's too early to think about cozy plaids while the thermometer reads 80+ degrees. Nonetheless, Target has now published its Plaid Takeover Lookbook and Brand Shop, featuring more than 360 items in assorted plaid prints - from pumps to pet beds - launching later this month.

As part of the plaid madness, Target is launching a limited-edition collection by designer Adam Lippes with more than 50 buffalo plaid-inspired items ranging in price from $10 to $129.99. This line will debut September 27 at all Target stores and on Target.com, and will include home décor, apparel, shoes and accessories for women and men. Some of the styles look interesting, but buffalo plaid gives me bad '90's grunge flashbacks, so I'll probably pass on the Adam Lippes stuff. How about you, readers? Are you excited for Target's Plaid Takeover, and will you be buying into it?

New at Target: Andre Walker Haircare

As curly-girls know all too well, finding products that define every twist and bounce without trying to control them can be hard. That's why Target is pairing up with Oprah’s longtime hairstylist, Andre Walker, to bring you a line of products that put the “ooo!” back in hairdo.

“Target is always looking for opportunities to bring our guests salon-quality brands and products they can’t find anywhere else,” said Christina Hennington, senior vice president, Health and Beauty, at Target. “As we continue to focus on expanding our multiethnic beauty assortment, we’re excited to partner with Andre Walker to bring the Gold System exclusively to Target.”

According to A Bullseye View, Andre is taking his talents to the masses with the newly enhanced Gold System, a range of products for curly and textured locks. Items include Beautiful Curls Styling Crème, Ultimate Moisture Sulfate-Free Shampoo, TKO ("Total Keratin Obsession”) Ultimate Moisture Conditioner and Beautiful Kinks Styling Crème Gelee, all infused with good-for-hair ingredients like ultra-rich African Mongongo Oil and Moroccan Argan Oil.

“It has always been my passion to help individuals make peace with their own unique hair type, and my newly enhanced Gold System gives everyone the freedom to wear and style their hair as they choose,” said Andre. “Target is one of my favorite places to shop for beauty products and I’m thrilled to be introducing my new collection to their guests this fall.”

Clearance Alert: Sonia Kashuk Sahara Sunset Collection

The Sonia Kashuk Sahara Sunset Collection is now on clearance for 30% off in Target stores. Unfortunately, this sale does not seem to extend to Target.com, and it also looks like some items in the collection are sold out online as well. So get your limited edition bronze-toned blushing sticks, highlighters, eye shadows, lip shines and nail colors in stores while you still can.

Coming Soon to Target: A+ from ALDO

Target has tapped ALDO for a bag/shoe collab dubbed A+. The inaugural fall collection features 17 pieces like sleek-heeled booties and sparkly flats for women, rubber-soled leather lace-ups and dress shoes for men, and even a few new handbags and totes in the mix. According to A Bullseye View, the A+ collection will be updated each season so you’ll never be at a loss for stylish additions to your wardrobe.

“Target is always looking for new ways to offer our guests great style at an incredible value,” said Stacia Andersen, senior vice president, Apparel and Accessories, Target. “ALDO has a strong reputation for designing versatile, on-trend shoes and accessories, and we think our guests will love adding pieces from the A+ collection to their wardrobes this fall.”

Is Target's Gender-Neutral Labeling Just a PR Stunt?

By now you've probably already heard (as it's been all over the news) that Target is having a gender-neutral makeover. The Minneapolis-based retailer said children's bedding and toy aisles will now be marked with the universal term “kids” instead of “boys” and “girls.” Target also said it would remove the pink, blue, yellow and green paper on the back of its toy shelves, which also referred to gender.

The change was spurred by an Ohio mom's tweet which went viral two months ago when she called out Target in a photo for separating "building sets" and "girls' building sets." Now, the retailer is fixing the problem gender-neutral signage for all toys, bedding, home decor, and entertainment.

"We never want guests or their families to feel frustrated or limited by the way things are presented," Minneapolis-based Target said in a news release last week. "Over the past year, guests have raised important questions about a handful of signs in our stores that offer product suggestions based on gender. In some cases, like apparel, where there are fit and sizing differences, it makes sense. In others, it may not."

Though the company's announcement makes no mention of the tweeted photo that gained so much attention (shown here) one line shows that they are paying attention to the heightened awareness of gender issues: "We know that shopping preferences and needs change," it said. In other words, people care about gender more than ever, and so do we. 

Which has led to some outlets, like Twin Cities.com, to ponder whether this is all just a PR stunt on Target's part. Target must be on the lookout for customers' reactions, with some so far being major eye rolls at this show of political correctness. "Why don't you paint your store white so you offend nobody at all," one Facebook commenter wrote. And another wrote "This is a pr stunt and a bad one. All they want is to save money on decorating the section."

And the winner is...

The winner of my latest blog giveaway - for the Mr Beams Ceiling Light - is reader "Karen"! Her entry was picked by the random number generator over at Random.org. Congrats, Karen; I've emailed you for your mailing address, and as soon as you send it to me I'll mail you your prize. And thanks again to everyone who entered and for reading my blog!

Reader Giveaway: Mr Beams Ceiling Light

Hello readers! It's time for another reader giveaway as an expression of thanks to all of you who read my blog. As you may recall, earlier this week I reviewed – and raved about – motion sensor lights from Mr Beams (sold at Target stores nationwide, as well as on Target.com). So I’d like to share this awesome product find with you by giving away a brand new in-package Mr Beams Ceiling Light!  This light retails for $19.99, and conveniently shines bright from above wherever you need extra light in your home, garage, shed – anywhere you install it!

To win, all you need to do is leave a comment on this post along with your email address by midnight on Sunday, August 9th. This giveaway is limited to U.S. residents only (one entry per person, please) and the winner (picked at random) will be announced on Monday, August 10th. Good luck!

Target Drops "Express" and "City" Branding...

Between TargetExpress and CityTarget, the country’s No. 2 big box retailer appears to have the mini urban store market down. But when you operate three similarly named stores, there’s bound to be a bit of confusion, right? Apparently that’s the case for Target, which now plans to rebrand its smaller-format stores to simply "Target".

Consumerist reports that the retailer has announced it will drop the “Express” and “City” designation from its smaller stores’ names in favor of its traditional – and more widely recognized – moniker beginning in October.

While the company’s announcement doesn’t specify that the changes were made because of confusion regarding the smaller format stores’ names, a spokesperson tells the Star Tribune the rebranding is an effort to clarify that the mini stores are in fact real Target locations.

“It’s about a simplified experience for our guests,” Erika Winkels, a Target spokeswoman, said. “It also helps guests understand that you’re not only limited to what’s in the four walls of that store.”

When Target first began experimenting with the mini-store concept it said the locations would be about 15% of the size of a standard Target discount store, and fit into former urban grocery stores.

Kim Richards Busted for Shoplifting at Target...

Apparently former reality TV star Kim Richards loves Target a little too much, as she was arrested for shoplifting there earlier this week. According to Us Magazine, Kim was arrested on Sunday, Aug. 2, after she was caught shoplifting from a Target store in San Fernando Valley, CA.

The Van Nuys Police Department confirmed to Us Weekly that Richards, 50, was suspected of walking out of the store with close to $600 worth of items in her cart. She was apprehended at about 4:30 p.m. in the afternoon, and placed under citizen's arrest. According to authorities, Richards spent the night in jail and was released yesterday (Monday, Aug. 3) on $5,000 bail.

Her ailing ex-husband, Monty Brinson, told Entertainment Tonight late Monday that he was surprised by the shoplifting claims. "I couldn't imagine Kim stealing or shoplifting anything. She is a giver," he told the site. "I am in complete shock. Guaranteed this must be some kind of mistake, and the facts will come out soon. She was arrested for shoplifting toys in a cart, but this was a clear misunderstanding. This was not alcohol or drug related." 

This isn't Richards' first brush with the law. This past April, the former child actress was arrested on charges of public intoxication, battery, and resisting arrest, after causing a ruckus at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

Ava & Viv Fall Lookbook

Racked reports that Target's new and improved trendy plus-size collection Ava & Viv is back for Fall, this time with advice and design inspiration from fashion bloggers Gabi Gregg, Nicolette Mason, and Chastity Garner-Valentine. The three bloggers once again appear in Target's just-released lookbook for the collection, which features pieces that stick around the $20 to $30 mark (aside from a $10 tee and a few $44.99 jackets).

You can view individual pieces via slideshow on A Bullseye View, or go to Racked to see fully pulled-together outfits (like the one shown here). The Fall line lands in stores and on Target.com starting on August 15th and will be in stores through October.

Product Review: Mr Beams Motion Sensing Lights

Recently the folks at Mr Beams - manufacturer of motion-sensor lights - reached out to me to see if I'd be willing to review their products (sold at Target). I was happy to do so, with the caveat that my review would be fair and unbiased (although they did provide the products for me to review free of charge). And was I quite happy I did. This is one of those "why didn't I think of that?" products. Or maybe "wow, I didn't realize I needed these, but now I can't live without them!".

I reviewed the LED Anywhere Light (shown here), the LED Spotlight, and the LED Ultra-bright Spotlight. They also make an LED Ceiling Light, which I'm considering installing in my closet. All of these are highly rated on Target.com, and I rate them high as well for ease of use, simplicity to install, and superior functionality.

The Anywhere Light is as-named: a small, lightweight light you can put just about anywhere you want (or need) some extra light. It could be used in a closet, a dark hallway or stairway, as a nightlight in the bathroom - anywhere you need illumination. Right now I'm using mine in a linen closet which doubles as my storage space for scarves, belts and handbags. At night I used to need a flashlight in there, but not no more with the Mr Beams Anywhere Light.

The Mr Beams Spotlight and Ultra-bright Spotlight shine bright light right where you need it, with 140 lumens for the regular and 300 lumens for the Ultra-bright. Both are weatherproof, too, which makes them perfect additions to your patio, backyard or driveway so you never have to walk to your car or take out the trash in the dark again. I am already thinking of other places I can use Mr Beams...  from my garage and laundry room to the garden to prevent critters like raccoons digging up my plants.

All of Mr Beams lights are battery-powered, so all you do is insert batteries, mount it where you want it, and that's it. The built-in photocell activates the motion sensor only after the sun has set or the lights go out. Best of all, Mr Beams lights are well priced at just $10.99 - $29.99 each.

Mr Beams products are available on Target.com and in Target stores nationwide. One thing to note: you'll find them in the home security/smoke alarm aisle - not in the lighting section. Be sure to check out the Mr Beams Facebook page for special promotions and discounts. And check out my blog later this week for a special reader giveaway featuring a Mr Beams product!

Target BOGO: All Women's Xhilaration Apparel

Target is having a BOGO - buy one, get one 50% off - on all Xhilaration brand women's apparel this week. Besides the mini-dresses shown here, they have plenty of other offerings, like flared pants, trapeze tops, and maxi skirts. And I was in Target yesterday and saw some really cute Xhilaration flared dresses - this year's version of the one I raved about last Summer.

Consumer Alert: The Honest Company Sunscreen

Jessica Alba's billion dollar start-up, The Honest Company, might known for its organic and "safe" baby and household products, sold on her website and also at retailers like Target. But furious parents are saying the company's sunscreen doesn't work.

According to Business Insider, Chicago mother Gretta Stabler purchased The Honest Company's SPF 30 sunscreen at Costco (shown here, and also available at Target). During a recent trip to the pool, she applied sunscreen to her 6-year-old daughter Maggie four times, Stabler claims.

"She got really burned on her arms, shoulders, legs face, pretty much everywhere. I was angry," Stabler said. The Food and Drug Administration told NBC that companies are responsible for testing the effectiveness of their own products. The company says the product was tested by an independent third party, and is safe when its used properly, NBC reported. The Honest Company recently reduced the amount of zinc, an ingredient that protects skin from the sun, according to NBC. The company says it added other ingredients instead.

Amazon reviews for the sunscreen are largely negative. About 57% of the 135 people who reviewed the product gave it one star. Target.com's reviews are a bit kinder, and complain more about the sticky/greasy feeling the product leaves vs. the lack of sun protection. But with so many great sunscreens on the market to choose from, my advice would be to avoid this one until the folks at The Honest Company work out the issues with the ingredients.