Product Review: dENiZEN Jeans at Target

Recently I tried on the new dENiZEN jeans (from Levi's) at Target. And I have to say, I'm somewhat impressed! You can view the entire collection here on Target.com, although in stores, they only carry the regular length jeans. I am glad that Target also offers them in short and long lengths, but you have to shop their website to get those variations.

I bought (online) two styles in the short length: the Totally Shaping Bootcut in Sterling (shown here) and the Totally Shaping at Waist Bootcut in Meadowlark. The difference is that the "Totally Shaping" is a midrise jean, and the "Totally Shaping at Waist" is a high-waisted jean. Both control your "muffin top", but for me, the "At Waist" style is TOO high. And while I DO like the Totally Shaping style - and will keep them - I wish it came in the darker "Sapphire" rinse (which is only offered in the medium length).

These jeans are already at a great price-point at $27.99 a pair, but it looks like this week Target has them on sale for just $21.99 - $24.99 each online (depending on the style). I like them a LOT better than Levi's "Curve ID" line, which I've tried on and claims to offer similar shaping. IMO, the dENiZEN line both fits better AND is a lot more wallet friendly (as Levi's Curve ID start at $58).

Another former Target designer joins Project Runway...

Another former Target in-house designer has thrown their hat in the ring to try and win the coveted top spot on Project Runway. The last Target tie-in was contestant Ra'mon-Lawrence Coleman from Season 6. Now Season 9 of Project Runway has just debuted, and 28-yr. old Danielle Everine has left her position as a lingerie designer at Target to compete on the show.

Reading over this Q&A that The Minneapolis Star-Tribune did recently with Danielle, I was surprised to find out that she actually didn't seek out a slot on the show. Rather, she says that “Recruiters from Project Runway contacted me. It wasn't on my radar and all of a sudden, I got an e-mail that they liked my work.”

If you want to learn more about Danielle, check out her full full bio here on Project Runway’s official website. As for me: after the first episode, I'm on Team Bert ;-)

Fab Find: Printed Ottoman

While wandering through Target the other day, I found this chic little ottoman stool and thought the graphic print would complement the decor in our living room perfectly. Even better, it would fill that lonely "empty space" between our TV cabinet and the fireplace. And if need be, it can also act as extra seating when I have people over.

Best of all, at just $49.99, it didn't break the bank. And for those of you looking for something in a "wilder" pattern, it also comes in a fun zebra print, too!

New at Target: Vintage Varsity

Target has partnered with the Hamilton Wood Type and Printing Museum in Two Rivers, Wisconsin to create unique graphics for a variety of apparel items on Target's "Vintage Varsity" collection for Fall 2011.

Target's designers worked side by side with the museum's staff to create more than 100 different hand-pressed prints. The designers then toyed with color and scale to translate the vintage wood type images into a retro-inspired collection of t-shirts, hoodies, leggings, and sweatpants and sweatshirts, for men, women and children.

For more information, check out the Vintage Varsity section on the Target Style Facebook page. While there, you can watch videos inspired by the collection, and enter to win a a one-of-a-kind Hamilton Wood Type and Printing Museum collection tee.

McDonalds hearts Target, too

This morning I spied this Merona dress (the "Hayley", shown here) in a new TV spot for McDonalds Premium Grilled Chicken Sandwich. It caught my eye because I actually bought this same dress last week, and am wearing it to work today! Unfortunately, the commercial is so new that I can't find it on YouTube or anywhere else on the web; otherwise, I would have included a screen capture of it. But it's the commercial with the guy and the girl on a park bench, realizing they're eating the same sandwich and then each repeating the same phrase at the same time.

Michelle Obama hearts Target

Thanks to The Recessionista, we know that Michelle Obama hearts Target so much that she "recycled" this Merona dress for her appearance last week at the "Joining Forces" program at Oceana Naval Air Station in Virginia Beach. Mrs. Obama first debuted this dress back in in August of 2009 (shown here) while on a family vacation in Arizona. The dress features an oversized herringbone print, and I'm betting that Mrs. O styled it with her own studded belt to give the outfit more of an "edge".

Unfortunately, this exact dress is long gone from Target. But if you're interested in a dress with a bold graphic print, check out the "Vevette" striped dress from the Merona Collection.

And the winner is...

The winner of my latest blog giveaway - for the Calypso St. Barth for Target Bobby Pins - is Danielle! Danielle's entry was picked by the random number generator over at Random.org. Danielle, I've emailed you for your mailing address so I can get your prize out to you. And thanks again to everyone who entered and for continuing to read my blog!