Double-Take: Mossimo vs. Christian Louboutin

It's time for another double-take, dear readers, where we take one item from Tar-jay and pair it up with a similar designer piece. Now one of these platform pumps is an original Christian Louboutin, and a pair will set you back a whopping $779. The lookalike pair is the "Vivana" style by Mossimo (at Target) and is just a paltry $29.99. Can you guess which one is which? The answer appears in the comments section below.

Missoni for Target promo video

Target has just released this video of Margherita Missoni talking about the history of the Missoni brand and behind-the-scenes footage from the Missoni for Target campaign photoshoot. This is about as close as you can get to checking out the full Missoni collection before seeing it firsthand in stores. In one scene, Margherita is wearing a black & white coat that is to die for! I may need to put that one on my shopping list :-)

New at Target: Sonia Kashuk's Fall 2011 Nail Colors

Hitting stores now: Sonia Kashuk's Fall 2011 nail polish palette. Pictured here, the collection includes Sugar Rush, Mauvin' On Up, Taunting Teal, Stop Whining, Chocoholic, and Blank Slate. It looks like Sonia is following Essie's lead of muted colors for Fall, with a trendy teal thrown into the mix. Each just $4.99 at Target and on Target.com.

Target's new site has a LOT of kinks to work out...

As reported last week, Target has launched their new web site. Unfortunately, the Bullseye has a LOT of kinks to work out on the newly revamped Target.com.

Several of you have written in to report broken links or bad search results. Even worse are reports that your online gift registries (for baby and wedding) didn't "transfer" in the migration from Amazon.com, and now your entire lists are lost!

I myself have found the customer service online form to be broken; you fill in all the fields, yet it tells you haven't, so you can't hit "submit". I also had an issue with their "free shipping on orders over $50" offer, when I had 4 items clearly marked with this offer, yet when I tried to checkout, the discount wasn't given. Needless to say backed out of my cart, and Target lost that sale.

I've also noticed TONS of items that are marked "out of stock" under search results. This has always been a pet peeve of mine with Target, and it seems that they haven't taken the opportunity to improve it with their new site. I mean really: if something is out of stock, why still list it?? I also noticed (as shown here) that you can no longer search under the category of "new", which is a shame. If you're a fan of a particular Target brand or product, it was always helpful to be able to sort by "new" to see the newest merchandise first.

Missoni for Target spotted in PA store 2 weeks early!

Racked.com has reported that an eagle-eye reader of theirs from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, found a Missoni for Target suitcase at her local store! She wrote:

Last night, I stopped by my Target and found this Missoni for Target suitcase mysteriously sitting in the middle of a random aisle. The collection isn't set to be released for another 2 weeks, but here's a closer look/sneak peek at the suitcase.

That's right: random pieces from the hotly-anticipated Missoni for Target collection - not scheduled to drop in stores until September 13th - are accidentally leaking onto selling floors at this Pittsburgh-area store. The tipster said she immediately purchased the suitcase (shown here) and listed it on eBay.... so if you really want the Missoni for Target rollaway suitcase before anyone else, check out her eBay listing here.

Former Target designer OUT on Project Runway

Project Runway contestant Danielle Everine - who left her position as a lingerie designer at Target to compete on the show - was axed from the competition last night. I only caught the last 10 minutes of last night's show, but after being cut, Danielle said something like "this isn't fair because I'm a really good designer". That might be the case, Danielle, but obviously you're not good enough for Project Runway.
Auf Wiedersehen!

In bizarre toy news...

Over twelve hundred people want to ban the sale of a toy ecosystem with frogs. That's right - frogs. As in live African Dwarf frogs. In “EcoQuariums” (made by Wild Creations) real live African dwarf frogs are encased in 4-square-inch plastic cubes, entombing them inside tiny plastic prisons and condemning them to a lifetime of slow torture. Above and beyond the animal abuse, these frogs can carry disease as well. Back in July, The California Department of Public Health warned of a salmonella outbreak linked to African dwarf frogs.

Thankfully, Target has recently stopped selling this bizarre children's "toy". But the retailer Learning Express is still selling it, so if you want to join the fight to make them stop, you can sign the petition over at change.org.