New at Target: Who What Wear

Despite today being the debut date for the new Who What Wear collab - and the fact Target held a star-studded launch party for the line a few days ago - the launch is already having issues online. It is currently 7am on launch day here on the West Coast, and so far there are only 5 items from the collab available on sale on Target.com. This lack of preparedness tells me that Target isn't banking on this collab to be as much of a "big deal" as with big name designers in the past (like Jason Wu). Either that OR perhaps they're only releasing a few items from the collab each month, as I've read the line is supposed to be "updated on a monthly basis". But if that's the case, then why did they release the entire Lookbook already? I'll be visiting my local Target store later today, and if I happen to see the collab in store, I'll post my thoughts later today.

UPDATE: I did see the collab in the store, and in short, I wasn't impressed. I will post my full review tomorrow. In the meantime, FYI: Target must have been lagging in posting all the items from the collection online earlier today, because at the store I saw pretty much the full collab (and not just the 5 items posted on Target.com this morning).

Fab Find: Merona Leisure Tunic

I'm obsessed with these tops by Merona - dubbed "Leisure Tunics" - and have already nabbed 3 on sale in stores. They are soft and cozy, yet not too bulky, and the longer length is perfect to pair with leggings or skinny jeans. Available in a variety of colors and fabrics, they are on clearance for $19.58 (regularly $27.99) on Target.com... but the size selection is spotty, so I'd recommend trying to find them on the clearance rack instead (where I've found them for as low as $8.98!).

New at Target: Exclusive Valentine's Day Candy

Just in time for Valentine's Day, Target is offering up 5 exclusive, limited-edition candy varieties, like these Hershey’s Conversation Kisses. A mash-up between classic "Conversation Hearts" and "Hershey's Kisses", each candy kiss contains a sweet message on the bottom. For details on the other 4 sweet offerings, check out this post on A Bullseye View.

Target Launches New Swimwear Brands...

With the East Coast still digging out from Superstorm Jonas and the West Coast battling El Nino, the last thing on your mind right now is probably swimsuit shopping... although escaping to a warm, sunny beach sounds mighty good right about now. And Target is tempting you to plan a beach getaway with the debut of a whole slew of new swimwear brands and reboots of old favorites. Here's a quick rundown:

Tori Praver Seafoam: this brand first debuted at Target last spring and returns this year to select Target stores and Target.com with even more of the designer’s signature flirty details, ruching technique and light-hearted prints for all-new tops, bottoms, one-pieces and beachwear essentials. (24.99 to $59.99)

Vanilla Beach: already a Target mainstay, Vanilla Beach delivers an effortless, cool line of swimwear, cover-ups and beach accessories for the fashion-conscious, modern young woman, exclusively on Target.com. ($19.99 to $44.99)

Shade and Shore: this collection offers an assortment of vacation-ready one-pieces and two-pieces in a luxurious jersey fabric that is so soft, it feels like second skin. ($24.99 to $44.99)

MAR by ViX: launching on Target.com Feb. 1, MAR by ViX combines the boldness of Brazil with the coastal allure of California. Signature prints and gold hardware make an appearance in the bikinis, one-pieces and cover-ups. ($27.99 to $54.99)

Vitamin A® Soleil: this brand - already a staple with celebs like Gwyneth Paltrow and Jessica Alba - arrives on Target.com Feb. 1 with effortless looks and precise fits that are flattering for every shape. (29.99 - $59.99)

Cleobella Turquoise: also new to Target.com this spring, this brand was born and curated in the warm seaside town of Sunset Beach, Calif. and brings a globally inspired aesthetic and modern bohemian flair. (24.99 to $54.99)

Miracle Brands™: in late spring 2016, Miracle Brands™ will launch two new collections, Dreamsuit® by Miracle Brands™ and Beach Betty™ by Miracle Brands™, available exclusively on Target.com. Both feature new fabric technology engineered to help shape and smooth a woman’s figure without sacrificing comfort. ($32.99 to $69.99)

Target's CEO Makes House Calls...

Target's CEO Brian Cornell really wants to get to know his customers... so much so that Racked reports he's visiting Target shoppers in their homes across the country.

"Target CEO Brian Cornell’s quest to understand shoppers takes him inside customers’ homes, looking in their cupboards and closets," Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal's Nick Halter writes.

Cornell is headed out to Chicago this week for pre-arranged house calls, which he considers important research into what Target can do better. He travels with Target execs and researchers, and the team has already gone door-to-door in Boston, San Francisco, LA, and Dallas.

It sounds like he goes undercover when he visits Target shoppers too. "No one knows I am the CEO of Target when I do that," Cornell told reporters. "Our overall focus — on being closer to the guest, closer to the consumer, being externally focused — means you have to get out there and listen," he said. "I spend a lot of time in houses and in stores, just listening to our front-line organization and the guest."

Clearance Alert: Women's Coats 50% Off

With Winter Storm Jonas bearing down on the East Coast, you'd better be prepared for the elements. You may have a hard time finding a warm coat at Target, though, as they're already clearing out the leftovers of the season at 50% off. One great pick is this olive green puffer coat by Mossimo, which has a convertible collar that you can either wear up (as shown here) or down. This coat is no longer available online, but I recall it also being offered in basic black, and now its on clearance for just $29.99 (regularly $59.99).

Target Transitions to Eggs From Cage-Free Hens

Consumerist reports that Target is transitioning to only selling eggs from uncaged hens by 2025. Target made the announcement on Twitter that it’s working with suppliers to offer more cage-free eggs in the U.S., with the goal of completing the changeover in the next 9 years.

“Target is committed to the humane treatment of animals, and we believe they should be raised in clean, safe environments free from cruelty, abuse or neglect,” the company said in a statement on its site. “In January 2016, we announced that we will work with our suppliers to increase our offerings of cage-free shell eggs nationwide, working toward a 100 percent cage-free shell egg assortment by 2025, based on available supply.”

Though others in the food sector have already ventured down the cage-free path —Subway, Dunkin’ Donuts, McDonald’s, Taco Bell, and Panera Bread, to name a few — Target is one of only a few retailers that have made the same pledge so far.

New at Target: Marlowe, Mayfair Soap Foundry and You Are Amazing

Yesterday I told you about Raw Sugar, and today Target announced three more offerings in the Skincare/Beauty aisle. This week, The Bullseye will launch three exclusive brands that offer the luxury of a boutique label with the relief of a Target price tag: Marlowe, Mayfair Soap Foundry and You Are Amazing.

Marlowe is Target's version of quality skincare at wallet-friendly prices. The line has something for everyone (even men's products) with a lineup of body moisturizers, body butter, shave gel, beard oil and post-shave lotion, among other products. Prices range from $3.99 to $12.99.

Mayfair Soap Foundry is a modern twist on vintage British bath brands, bringing affordable luxury to women of all ages. Mayfair’s lavish sugar scrubs, bath salts, body soufflés, crèmes and bubble baths come in two luxurious scents—sea lily jasmine and grapefruit bergamot—and range in price from $2.99 to $8.99.

You Are Amazing is a fun-loving, boldly-scented bath and body brand created to give girls a positive start to each day. With vibrant scents like juicy grapefruit, lemon meringue, mango papaya and more, each product’s packaging communicates positive, empowering messaging to the women who use it. Prices range from $1.99 to $9.99.

To be honest, I think that Target's Skincare/Bath/Beauty section is already pretty crowded, so I'm a bit mystified as to why they'd introduce more brands into the mix. My best guess is that they are "road testing" these three labels, and whichever one "sticks" and does well will become a Target house brand (like Archer Farms in the Food aisle).

New at Target: Raw Sugar Bath & Beauty

There's another new player in Target's Bath & Beauty section: Raw Sugar. According to their website, "Raw Sugar brings beauty back to the source. Every product is ColdPressed with just enough pressure to extract all of the skin-loving nutrients nature has to offer. We focus on keeping the good stuff in and offer healthier bath and body products that everyone can enjoy."

Raw Sugar is developed, formulated and made in Southern California, and for every product sold they donate a bar of soap to a person in need. Raw Sugar bath and beauty products are available exclusively at Target, both in stores and online. So far I've only seen this product - the Mandarin Orange and Vanilla Natural Hand Wash - in stores, but I'm sure more products will be stocked on shelves soon.

Product Review: Beekman 1802 Mortgage Lifter Sauce

Back in November I alerted you that Target was teaming up with fresh food advocates and farmers Josh Kilmer-Purcell and Brent Ridge - better known as the Cooking Channel’s “The Fabulous Beekman Boys” - to produce 48 exclusive Beekman 1802 Farm Pantry products for The Bullseye. I recently tried their flagship product - The Beekman 1802 Mortgage Lifter Sauce - and I hate to say I wasn't impressed. While I do like the fact that the Lifter Pasta sauce uses no sugar or corn syrup - and the fact that 25% of the profits are donated to directly help struggling small American farmers - this sauce didn't taste like anything special to me. In fact, it tasted very acidic, which confuses me as it's supposedly made from heirloom tomatoes. For almost $8 a jar, you can find better jarred pasta sauces.

Clearance Alert: Shades of Glass Candles

Remember the Shades of Glass Candles  that I raved about several months ago? Well now they're on clearance in stores at 50% off. My local store didn't have any of the smaller ones left, so instead I bought one of my favorite fragrances from this line - Wild Mint & Verbena - in the larger size for just $7.48 (regularly $14.99). Unfortunately, this sale seems limited to stores, as they aren't discounted online at Target.com.

Lookbook: Who What Wear

Last Fall I alerted you that Target would be partnering with Who What Wear founders and former ELLE Magazine editors Hillary Kerr and Katherine Power on an ongoing collab to introduce monthly collections of apparel and accessories. And today The Budget Babe posted pics from the official lookbook, which are lackluster at best.

I've posted what I think is the best of the bunch here, which looks like it could be pulled from the current Banana Republic or JCrew catalog. This denim trench would be a great topper in Spring and could transition to cool Summer nights.  But the rest of the offerings (which you can check out via The Budget Babe) look like they're either re-hashes of older Mossimo and Merona collections or are just plain ugly (hello midi-length floral skirts!). 

Head on over to A Bullseye View if you want to view the entire lookbook. This collab - ranging from $14.99 to $49.99 - will debut at select Target stores and on Target.com starting Jan. 31 followed by new Who What Wear styles to be released the first week of every month. 

Product Review: Honest Beauty

I was hoping that the new Honest Beauty line would be coming to Target, as they already carry plenty of other Honest Company products. But according to WWD, Jessica Alba says that while she’s open to retail in the future, the temporary pop-up shop she had last September was the only planned brick & mortar store.  Instead, Jessica wants customers to buy online at her Honest Beauty site. Over the holidays I ordered (and tried) 3 different products, and here is my capsule review:

Everything Tinted Moisturizer/Oil-Free with SPF 20 in "Nectar" ($28)
Shown here, this product contains "Chamomile and Calendula help to calm and soothe" and "Aloe Vera to moisturize" while still being oil-free. It also boasts a "mineral-based broad spectrum sunscreen using non-nano Zinc Oxide." I felt that Nectar was a good color match for my skin, and was surprised by its thickness; I'm used to tinted-moisturizers that have a more fluid consistency, whereas this one has almost a foundation-like coverage. I liked how it held up during the day, and best of all it didn't irritate my skin or make me break out (like many other foundations, BB creams, and tinted moisturizers have done in the past).

Truly Kissable Lip Crayon/Demi-Matte in "Mulberry Kiss" ($18)
For some reason Jessica shied away from producing an actual lipstick for her launch, and instead went with a crayon. And while the Mulberry Kiss color is lovely, I would have liked a more fluid consistency rather than a waxy finish. This left my lips dry and cracked, and was unwearable without some sort of lip balm or gloss over it.

True Velvet Eyeliner in Truly Purple ($16)

With Mango Seed oil, Vitamin E and Macadamia oil, this liner truly is creamy and goes on like a dream. However, the plush consistency is also part of the problem, as this liner has no staying power and wears off after a couple of hours.

Keep in mind that I only tried a smattering of what's offered by Honest Beauty. The full range includes 17 skin care products — cleansers, a facial mist, moisturizers, wipes, etc. — and over 60 makeup products. One gimmick the Honest Beauty site uses to drive sales is to push "Beauty Bundles", where you get 3 products of your choice for only $50 a month. The catch? It's on a subscription basis (which, they claim, you can cancel at any time). 

I will say I was impressed by the sleek, minimalistic packaging, which isn't at all like the cutesy-style of other Honest Company products. The white and silver accents reminded me of Clinique's packaging, minus the mint green.

Overall I really liked the Oil-Free Moisturizer and will buy it again. The Eyeliner was just so-so, and I'd steer clear of the Lip Crayon, as it's just too dry and waxy.

New at Target: Me! Bath Products

Have you noticed the new bath products from Me! Bath at Target? Stores rolled out the highly-rated brand over the holidays, but they had a hard time keeping them in stock. Now both store shelves (as shown here) and inventory on Target.com seems to be re-stocked, and although I haven't personally tried them yet, friends who have tell me they smell heavenly. Known best for their Mini Bath Ice Cream® - effervescent bath bombs that fizz and melt when submerged in water - they also offer Body Wash, Body Icing (Lotion) and Shower Sherbet (Exfoliating Sugar Scrub).

New at Target: Joy Mangano Products

Hot on the heels of the big Hollywood movie ("Joy") based on her life, inventor Joy Mangano is now bringing her wares to Target. I think The Bullseye has carried her famous Huggable Hangers for a while, but now they have a whole "Brand Shop" dedicated to her products, including storage solutions, steamers, air fresheners, pillows, and of course the famous Miracle Mop that launched her to fame in the first place. Joy has also been all over HSN lately pushing the same products, so I find it a bit curious that she's selling the same merchandise at Target vs. putting a slightly different "spin" on it (such as offering them in different colors).

Double-Take: Halogen vs. Merona

It's time for another double-take, where we take an item from Tar-jay and match it up against a pricier designer piece. Simple button-up cardigans are a wardrobe basic, and today we're looking at two slim-fit versions - both in a vibrant red. The difference is that one is by Halogen (at Nordstrom) and will set you back $46, whereas the other is by Merona (at Target) and costs just $22.99. Which one is which? The answer appears in the comments section below.

Fab Find: Mossimo Anorak Jacket

I know my last Fab Find had Winter in mind, but now I have Spring on the brain. At my local Target store I found this super-cute lightweight Mossimo Anorak Jacket, which will be perfect come Spring/Summer weather. Keep in mind this is NOT a Fall/Winter coat; it's made of thin cotton twill, and is great as a top layer when it's a bit cool but won't give you much warmth. I got mine in this gorgeous Arancia Orange hue, but it also comes in a variety of neutral colors as well as a funky print. Best of all, it was on clearance in store for just $19.99 (regularly $39.99).

Target Announces Collab With SoulCycle

Several of you have written in to ask when Target will announce their next designer collaboration. Well Target did announce something today... but IMHO it's a big fat 'yawn'.

According to Racked, the indoor cycling chain is spinning off its clothing line into a capsule collection at Target, including $29 T-shirts and $49 hoodies with prominent Target and SoulCycle logos. By comparison, SoulCycle's official clothing line includes $64 tees, $128 sweatpants, and $158 sweatshirts.

Not only will SoulCycle's merchandise land in Target's aisles, but the two brands are also partnering up for a nationwide tour of free SoulCycle classes. A Bullseye View reports that Target and SoulCycle will launch a 10-city tour featuring special three-day weekend events—with complimentary classes taught by certified SoulCycle instructors—in the following markets:

Jan. 22–24: Washington D.C., Houston, Seattle
Jan. 29–31: Atlanta, Nashville, Denver
Feb. 5–7: Miami and Chicago
Feb. 12–14: Minneapolis and Los Angeles

Events are open to the public for six classes a day, but with the limited number of bikes, space is expected to fill up quickly. Visit Target.com or Target.com/SoulCycle to learn more and find out when registration is scheduled to open for each city’s event.

The Look for Less: Target vs. Paper Source

Kudos to eagle-eye reader Cotton Candy for the inspiration for this post. You could buy the Push Pop Reusable Confetti Popper at Paper Source (shown here at left) for $9.99 each. This re-usable push-pop contains a mix of paper and foil confetti, and once popped, can be reloaded it to use it again and again. Or you could head over to the Dollar Aisle at Target, where their version of the "Confetti Popper" (shown on the right, and also reusable) is a bit smaller but costs just $1 each!

New at Target: defy & INSPIRE Nail Care

Looking for a long-lasting mani/pedi but don’t want the hassle of UV lights or have time to get to the salon? Searching for a stellar selection of colors with a sweet price tag? According to their corporate blog, Target was, too, which is why they developed the defy & INSPIRE nail care collection. At just $7.49 a bottle, defy & INSPIRE features 38 stunning shades—all featuring tongue-in-cheek pop culture-inspired names like “Rose Ceremony” and “Real Housewife”—as well as a base cover (dubbed "All About That Base") and top coat (called "Over The Top"). Plus, the line boasts a patented formula that delivers a no-chip mani/pedi without the hassle of lights or other tools. Meaning: you can take the polish off anywhere using any traditional nail polish remover! The full defy & INSPIRE collection will be available in all Target stores and on Target.com starting Jan. 17th.

Double-Take: Eames vs. AEON

It's time for another double-take, where we take an item from Tar-jay and match it up against a pricier designer piece. Today we're looking at two modern, molded dining chairs. Both are very similar in style - but not in price - as one is by Eames (at Design Within Reach) and will set you back a whopping $598, whereas the other is by AEON (at Target.com) and is just $169.99 for a set of two (or $85 per chair).  Plus the Target-version is an extra 10% off this week! Which one is which? The answer appears in the comments section below.

Clearance Alert: Holiday Snacks

Most Target stores have marked down what's left of their holiday snacks - candy, cookies, popcorn, nuts and chips - to at least 50% off. My Target has the leftovers marked down to 70%, and I heard that some people have posted on Instagram that their stores have slashed it all the way down to 90% off.

The selection at my store was pretty picked over, but I was able to nab a couple bags of Hannahmax Cookie Chips - which I raved about several months ago - in the seasonal flavor of "Gingered Gingerbread" for just $1.19 each (regularly $3.99).

Fab Find: Merona Sherpa Tunic

Looking for something cozy to lounge around in this Winter? Then check out this super-soft sherpa tunic by Merona at Target. Not only is it warm and cuddly to the touch, but it has a cute back-zipper detail as well. Best of all, it's on clearance right now on Target.com for just $16.08. Plus, you can get an extra 10% off with the code EXTRA10.

Target Returns To Its Fashionable Roots...

Racked reports that Target has returned to its fashionable roots, citing a Business of Fashion report that after experiencing months of slumping sales, The Bullseye has cut back on its grocery selection to dedicate more resources to improved clothing options.

Target found that customers missed the big box store's "cheap chic fashions" and made a number of changes to get those shoppers back. Target revamped the fit of its jeans, which resulted in more than a 10% increase in sales, added mannequins to its stores, and hired experts to make sure each store's selection is up-to-date.

Business of Fashion found that Target customers appreciate an experience, as one customer put it, that is "more upscale." And in addition to clothing, Target has also given a makeover to its home decor and baby sections while working on overall presentation of products in-store. The store has found that clothing on mannequins (as shown here) sells 30% better, and that home products in the new display is moving three to four times quicker than before.

Target has also managed to make better quality clothing with similar prices by signing manufacturers and suppliers on for longer-term contracts.

Target Moving from Paper to Plastic...

Yesterday I visited a Target store several towns over (that I don't normally go to) and they handed me my purchase in this plastic bag (shown here). I asked the clerk whether they were phasing out the current paper grocery-style bags for these new plastic ones, and she frowned "yes" (as if she didn't approve). For clerks, I can understand the frustration, as these new bags don't sit "upright" like the paper bags did, making them harder to load. I'm not sure if this is a "California thing" or whether it's a nationwide initiative, but once I got home, I found this description printed near the bottom edge of the bag:

This Everlasting Bag is designed for at least 125 uses. This bag is made from Low Density Polyethylene with a minimum thickness of 2.25 mil. It contains at least 80% Post-Consumer Recycled material and can be recycled at a participating store. This bag is ordinance compliant and does not contain lead, cadmium, or any other metals in toxic amounts. To clean, rinse bag with liquid dish soap on inside of the bag and hang upside down to dry. This bag is made in Germany by Papier-Mettler and distributed by Mettler Packaging LLC.

While I applaud Target for their efforts to "go green", I personally will miss the paper bags as I used them all the time for my kitchen recycling - filling them up before hauling them out to the side yard recycling bins. And while Target's intent (125 uses!) is great, I wonder how many people will actually re-use these bags - ?

Clearance Alert: Method Seasonal Scents

If you're fond of the following Method seasonal (aka limited-edition) scents, then you'd better grab 'em from Target stores now before they're gone: Southern Peach, Desert Lily, and the holiday scent of Mulled Cider. I'm sure the Peppermint Vanilla (if you can still find it) will be on sale soon, too. Right now they're only marked down by 15%, but since there's not a lot left I'm sure they'll fly off the shelves.

New at Target: Inspirational Candles

Target continues to come out with pretty candle offerings, and for Spring they have some new ones inscribed with inspirational messages in gold. As shown here, there's a white one (in "Rattan & Sea Salt" scent) inscribed with "Breathe Deep", and a black one (in "Bergamot Woods" scent) with "Don't Quit Your Day Dream." Both have an up to 25 hr burn time, and they retail for only $5.99 each.

Yes, Target is open on New Year's Day...

Happy New Year, readers! I wish all of you a happy, healthy and prosperous 2016. And just in case you were wondering, Target stores ARE open today. In fact, I'm heading over there myself this morning :-)