Sneak Peek: Temple St. Clair for Target

A couple of months ago I reported that Target would be collaborating with upscale jewelry designer Temple St. Clair for a line to debut in August. Now Lucky Magazine has posted some preview pics (shown) and I have to say that I really like what I see, especially the heart ring.

Both the ring and earrings will retail for $30, and nothing in the line is over $50... which is great, but it does beg the question of quality. As one of my readers wrote in: "To keep the price so low clearly the [Temple St. Clair] jewelry is not made of gold and gemstones. Any idea what materials are being used?" I don't have any clue as to what they're using, but hopefully it won't the kind of "metal" that rubs off or tarnishes easily. I've been disappointed in the past by Banana Republic's costume jewelry - which costs a lot more than Target's - with rings and bracelets that got discolored after only a handful of wearings.

Target Takes Manhattan

Target is set to open a new store in Manhattan on July 25th. The giant store will be located in the East River Plaza in East Harlem, and to celebrate its Harlem debut, the retailer has tapped three local talents to create a limited-edition series called the Harlem Designer Collections.

Those tapped include Isabel and Ruben Toledo (Isabel designed Michelle Obama's lemongrass-yellow sheath dress and matching overcoat for Inauguration Day), designer Stephen Burrows, and acclaimed chef Marcus Samuelsson.

"Target wanted Harlem people involved," Burrows told StyleList. "I operated my studio in Harlem for six years. I live here and have since I was a kid."

The Stephen Burrows for Target collection is a capsule collection of knit shirts, skirts, and dresses - including the keyhole sundress dress shown here - that range in price from $19.99 to $34.99.

Isabel and Ruben Toledo for Target is a collection of swim pieces, including suits and towels, that range from $17.99 to $34.99. And Marcus Samuelsson for Target offers a range of aprons, place mats, kitchen towels, potholders, and napkins, as well as a collection of T-shirts that will be available exclusively at the East Harlem Target.

Product Review: Sonia Kashuk Nail Colour

As I reported back in April, Sonia Kashuk has added nail colour to her range of beauty products for Target. And now thanks to The Budget Babe, we have the following product review:

"Summer time is the best opportunity for trying out new fun colors on your tips and toes! Next time you're picking up your essentials at Target, head over to the makeup section and snag a couple of Sonia Kashuk for Target nail polishes. Her polishes come in great summer-appropriate colors. My personal favorites are Ocean Breeze, a fun tropical blue (shown) and Tutti Frutti, a vibrant pink/orange.

On top of the colors being super fun, the polish is also great quality. I wore Ocean Breeze for a week and my manicure still looked amazing, I just switched it so I could try another of the amazing colors! Works great both with and without the base and top coats. I will definitely be frequenting these polishes and keeping an eye out for new colors!"

Tuesday’s Rant: Rushing the Seasons

I really hate the fact that my local Target is already phasing out swimsuits in favor of wooly wraps. And this started a week ago, when the calendar was still at June. This is a familiar rant of mine, which I write about at least once a year; go back here, here, and here if you’d like to read my past rants. And the other day, I found someone who shares my point of view. The following article is from Stylist (with photo courtesy of Getty Images):

Swimsuits are on sale and it's only the beginning of July. Retailers like Old Navy and Gap will be fully merchandised for fall in the next two weeks, and department stores will be stocked by the end of the month. Then, back-to-school garb will be marked down before you even send the kids off to camp.

We know retailers jump the gun on the seasons, but it seems to be getting worse. You'd think technology would allow for retailers and manufacturers to work closer to the season, not further away.

"Once upon a time, designers and apparel brands delivered four collections per year (fall, winter, spring, summer) and most stores were successful and happy with that delivery schedule," retail trend expert Tom Julian tells StyleList. "Then came 10 collections per year in which designers and brands added resort, pre-fall, holiday and more, which helped to bring in inventory and more transitional goods."

It's the fast-fashion retailers like H&M and Zara that are making things move more quickly these days, because they can. And if one does it, they all follow suit. However, there have been some concessions made to this insanity. Designers do show things like shorts and swimsuits for some early fall (aka summer) deliveries, and leather pieces always seem to find their way into early spring selections.

"In the apparel world, designers and brands are always working about two years ahead, committing to fabrics and themes," Julian continues. "The only way to stay competitive is to embrace this model and give retailers what they ask for -- even if the shopper is not asking for it."

In other words, you can buy a swimsuit on sale while you get a head start on your fall wardrobe.

A Hot Mess of Zac Posen on Clearance

This photo (from Racked.com) clearly shows that the Queens NY Target cannot seem to rid themselves of the Zac Posen for Target line. Check out this hot mess of red prom dresses; it looks like they're eating the clothes rack!

Either Zac Posen's convertible red pouffy dress was not that popular, or this store just got WAY too many of them. Either way, they're now on clearance for $19.98 (down from $79.99) and still not moving.

And the winner is...

The winner of my first ever blog giveaway is... Sarah M! Congrats, Sarah! The Liberty of London padfolio (in the "Peacock Print", shown here) will be mailed to you this week. And thank you to everyone who entered and who continue to read my blog; I really appreciate it!

Bella's Bedding now back in stock at Target

Attention Twihards! Eagle-eyed fans of the Twilight films noticed that this Target bedding set was used in Bella Swan's bedroom in the movies. The comforter set immediately sold out and some were even sold for major markups on eBay.

For fans who missed the bed-set the first time around, you'll be glad to know that - as of today - Bella Swan's bedding is back in stock at Target... so get 'em while they're still in stock. Because with Eclipse out this week, there's sure to be another run on this set soon.