The mystery "Vintage Varsity" ad boots, solved!

Thanks to the Budget Babe, we now know that those adorable wedge lace-up wedge boots featured at the end of Target's new Vintage Varsity TV commercial (shown at far left) WILL eventually be available for sale. That's the good news. The bad news is that they won't be in stores until October.

If you're jonesing to get your hands on a similar pair sooner than that, you can try the Budget Babe's suggestion of the "Tida" by Bamboo. The only hitch is that the taupe color is already sold out, and the black and the brown come in limited sizes. Another alternative (minus the fold-over cuff) is Steve Madden's "Tangoo" wedge boot (shown at near left) which comes in your choice of taupe, black, or chestnut suede.

More Missoni...

Racked.com has posted the first 21 looks from the 400+ piece Missoni for Target collection, and it looks like there's something for nearly everyone: sweaters, wovens, shoes, bicycles, tableware, bedding, menswear, children's, etc. Seeing it here - put together in entire outfits - it's a bit overwhelming. I think this may be one collection that is best enjoyed in "small doses", don't you think?

Target goes "green" with their commercials

The Star-Tribune reports that Target is striving to "go green" with the production of their television commercials.

At Target's Halloween commercial shoot this past June in Minneapolis, plastic pumpkins, artificial fall leaves, plastic gravestones and red, stainless steel Target-logo-embossed water bottles set the scene for a spooky and environmentally friendly event. The water bottles are part of the Minneapolis-based retailer's partnership with EcoSet, a North Hollywood-based company that helps with waste management and recycling during film productions. It sets up compost and recycling stations, and even a bin to recycle electronic waste such as batteries, film and CDs.

Commercial shoots have the potential to be particularly wasteful. Everything is temporary, built for that particular commercial with little to no shelf life afterward. A typical commercial shoot generates nearly 1,000 pounds of waste, the same an average person generates in a year, according to EcoSet.

Since 2009, Target and EcoSet have partnered to divert 56 tons of waste in 53 commercial shoots worldwide from Los Angeles to Minneapolis to Italy and the Caribbean. More than 40,000 plastic water bottles have not been used due EcoSet's stainless steel bottles, and EcoSet works with everyone from the production crew to the creative department to the caterers to gain a sense of what can be repurposed and what can be diverted. Food is typically 50 percent of waste on a commercial shoot, so EcoSet's compost bin is a one-stop shop for uneaten food and paper plates. Film props such as wood, paint, set walls and wardrobe are taken to the Target warehouse for future shoots.

"Eighty percent is either donated, recycled, composted or repurposed," said Megan Dobratz, environmental consultant for EcoSet. "Someone needs to be in charge of doing this, and we're able to take the burden off other people."

First Missoni for Target ad revealed...

Racked.com (and a lot of other blogs this week) revealed the first official Missoni for Target ad (pictured here). It features Margherita Missoni decked out in the brand's signature zig-zag fashions toting a matching suitcase. And the vintage compact Fiat, narrow cobblestone streets, and overall "Italian vibe" makes me excited for this line's debut, which is slated for Sept. 13th.

New at Target: Great Lash's 40th Anniversary Designer Makeover

Racked.com reports that Maybelline's iconic pink and green Great Lash Mascara tube is getting a make-over in honor of its 40th Anniversary. Great Lash, widely known as "America's #1 selling mascara," has partnered with designers Max Azria, Tracy Reese, and Vivienne Tam to create new, limited-edition designer tubes (as shown here). The collection will be available starting next month exclusively at Target locations nationwide and will retail for $6.99 each.

Fab Find: Oval Table Lamp

This is the time of year when Target has their "Back to School" offerings in full swing. And some of their "Dorm Essentials" can be a source of budget-friendly accessories for the home. Case in point: this cute little oval ceramic lamp, with matching white oval shade. Already a steal at $19, it's on sale for just $16 this week at Target. Besides go-to neutrals like black and silver, it also comes in this gorgeous teal (shown, center) as well as bright orange, deep purple, and lime green.

More preview pics of Missoni for Target

Moodboard has posted some gorgeous pictures of the upcoming Missoni for Target line that appear in the August issue of Vogue.

Shown here is Margherita Missoni wearing a Target for Missoni skirt ($40) and sweater ($45) while lounging on Missoni patio chairs with other various Missoni wares (pillows, a glass, a towel, watering can, etc.) tossed into the shot for good measure. Of course, when arranged by a professional stylist, all the patterns and colors seem to blend together effortlessly. But in real life, a little Missoni goes a long way.

What I find most interesting is the magazine's revelation that the Missoni for Target serving trays will be made of ceramic, and not plastic (as has been the case with every other Target designer line). Hopefully some of the other home items, such as the canisters and vases, will be ceramic as well.