Hold the Chai...

Another Richard Chai update from the folks at Racked.com, who report that "maybe it's time to stop holding our breath for his collection". A commenter on their site just filed the following review:

"Checked out the Richard Chai assortment at the newly-opened Target in Springfield, New Jersey. The clothes are DREADFUL. The colors are too garish, the silhouettes are shapeless (and the buttons poorly sewn), and the shiny polyester looks like the same fabric that lines caskets. Imagine Wet Seal togs, but cheaper looking." [Racked Comments]

Wednesday's Rave: this Merona pump

Did Target hire a new in-house shoe designer? I'm asking because all the new Fall shoes I've seen there recently have been seriously upgraded in the style quotient category. Like this sassy pump from Merona, in black faux snakeskin with a shiny silver buckle accent. And at just $24.99, it's a much better-buy than those fancy pumps seen advertised at Nordstrom's Half-yearly Sale!

Fashion Preview: Next Go International Collection

Target has unveiled the next installment of their in-house designed Go International collection, which launches on August 31st and will follow Richard Chai's line. Prices will range from $16.99 to $39.99.

The collection is filled with separates like vests, sweater coats, and ruffled blouses, and the patterns are heavy on checks, plaids, and houndstooth. Some of these looks seem to come straight out of the streets of 1960's London, which is why they’re probably best reserved for the very young and the very skinny (calling all Twiggy look-alikes!).

The rumor mill...

More scoop from our friends at Racked.com: Richard Chai's new Go International collection was spotted over the weekend at a Target store in New Jersey... even though his clothing line isn't supposed to debut in stores until this Sunday (August 3rd). This seems to be becoming a trend with Target; first they debuted the Botiker bags early, and now Chai's collection.

Eco-friendly Stationery at Target

Thanks to Tina over at Celestina Carmen for this fab find. Target now carries a wide selection of eco-friendly stationery. I especially love this notepaper set with 10 cards & envelopes (made of recycled paper) plus a handy little pen, all enclosed in a pretty (and re-usable) box.

Pick of the Week

It's pick of the week time: each Sunday I pick one great buy from Target's Weekly Ad and highlight it on my blog. Today's pick is the bedding collection from Sami Hayek (whom I’ve blogged about before several times). The entire collection is on sale for about 20% off, and even at full retail it was a great deal, so now’s the time to buy. The promotional pics for Sami’s line usually push the pink/brown floral motif, but instead I’m highlighting this much-more-neutral brown and tan coverlet set with just a pop of pink as a highlight color. And, if pink just isn’t your style at all, Sami’s collection contains several other prints in neutral tan and gray tones.

My only gripe? That Sami’s collection only comes in twin, double, and queen sizes, and doesn’t go all the way up to king (although the fact that some of their pieces come in twin extra-long is a nice nod to the college-bound crowd).

Sami Hayek for Target Coverlet set:
Includes coverlet and 1 sham for twin size set/2 shams for queen size,
$47.99 - $55.99, this week at Target.

Forbes on fashion...

So here’s an article from Forbes earlier this week where they try to give FASHION advice. Give me a break…the only reason I’m mentioning it is because they reference Target. And the guest designer they mention is Rogan Gregory, and we all know that his line peaked weeks ago and now is 50-75% off on the Target clearance racks. But what I found most amusing is that they mention the cheap & chic retailer H&M about 20 times in the article! (if you count the story in the link above plus this related article). Is this article a “pay for play” on H&M’s part or what??

Maggie Gyllenhaal hearts Target!

Lookie here! Guess who was spotted at the grand opening of the Brooklyn Target? None other than Maggie Gyllenhaal! I guess Maggie “hearts” Target, too. Now this pic is actually from several months ago ago, but I thought I’d post it anyhow seeing that Ms. Maggie is currently getting rave reviews for her portrayal of Rachel Dawes in the latest Batman movie “The Dark Knight”.

The rumor mill: Hayden-Harnett for Target?

The folks at Racked.com report that WWD just announced that Target has recruited clothing and accessories brand Hayden-Harnett to do a line (assumingly handbags) for the mass retailer for Spring 2009 (although the news has yet to be confirmed by either Target or Hayden-Harnett). Now, ah, um, I had never heard of the brand before, so I looked up their site and they have some pretty nifty offerings. If they do produce a budget line for Target, I hope they create some interesting things (like the studded pattern on the cute clutch pictured at left) and not the run-of-the-mill metallic or black PVC hobo shaped bag (which has already been done to DEATH by more recent Target celebrity handbag designers).

Shabby Chic on a Budget

While trolling the web the other day I found this great blog that showed how to take items from Target’s Simply Shabby Chic line (by Rachel Ashwell) and with a little DIY ingenuity turn it upside down with style (like the room shown at left). Among the tips:

I would paint this armoire in a dove gray, wallpaper the interior using my favorite pattern from a leftover roll, and embellish the drawers with new knobs. I'd take this $149 desk, lacquer it in black, and have a local glass company fit a piece of glass on top so that I could place a new sheet of my favorite wrapping paper, wallpaper, or fabric between the glass and the desktop each month to refresh my workspace. This dresser for $249 would be transformed with goldenrod yellow paint and patterned yellow and white hardware from Anthropologie (I'd hit their clearance section for that). And this $35 stool? Easy! Paint it any color of choice and reupholster the top with a scrap fabric you love but don't have enough of to cover a pillow. You can even reupholster it with a cotton dress or scarf that you no longer wear or a vintage pillowcase or tea towel from a flea market.

Wednesday’s Rave: this Merona embellished t-shirt

I don’t buy the Merona brand that much, and I’m not sure why. Maybe it’s because I’m always so drawn to see what’s new in the Isaac Mizrahi, Mossimo, or Converse One Star sections that I simply overlook it. But this chic shirt immediately caught my eye the other day and I just had to pick it up. This Merona embellished t-shirt (just $14.99) is perfect when you want to add a little “oomph” to your outfit. The neckline is decorated with matching-color beads for a touch of bling, and the knit jersey is made from a super-soft rayon/spandex. And although Target’s website only shows this pretty blue (called “Bermuda Sea”) and black (“Ebony”) I saw several other lovely colors in the store, so check it out.

Tuesday’s Rant: Target eliminating favorite brands

A couple of months ago I lamented the loss of a great candle line, Lume Luxe, at Target. It looks like the line has been phased out entirely, despite its popularity. Likewise, the menswear line Breakwater, which I used to buy regularly for my hubby, seems to have been dropped by the Bullseye. Although the line was available year-round, they concentrated on their summer collection which mimicked Tommy Bahamas island style (with Hawaiian-print shirts, board shorts, and screen-print tees) but at ½ to ¼ the cost of the Tommy brand. But no more: Target has dropped this line in favor of increased offerings from their other in-house men’s brands like Mossimo and Merona.

Now I get it: brands come, and brands go. And Target especially seems hip on bringing in short-run, limited edition collections (like the Shaun White clothing line I blogged about yesterday). But when a line is popular, and seems to be doing well, why drop it? I just don’t get it.

Shaun White for Target

The next designer collaboration up in Target’s lineup is Shaun White. The Olympic gold medalist's limited-edition affordable clothing line will hit Target stores nationwide on July 27th. Featuring a full range of apparel including denim, shorts, woven tops, hooded sweatshirts and graphic tees, Shaun White for Target is affordable fashion for young men and boys.

Described by Shaun as "clothes my friends can wear" the collection was designed by Shaun in collaboration with his brother Jesse to reflect their love for skateboarding, music, art, and travel. “Target is a great company that has been supporting me for almost six years. Having the opportunity to create an original line with them is a natural progression of our relationship and something that I was extremely stoked to do. The fact that I was able to work with my brother just made it even sweeter," said Shaun.

The Shaun White for Target collection will be available for just 90 days at all Target locations and online at www.target.com. Prices range from $9.99 for boy's graphic tees to $29.99 for young men's skinny-fit denim jeans, and you can click thru here for a sneak-peek.

Pick of the Week

It's pick of the week time: every Sunday I pick one great buy from Target's Weekly ad (in the Sunday paper) and highlight it here on my blog. Now it's hard to believe that it's getting to be back-to-school time already, but for those folks shipping kids off to college, it's time to think about what to buy Junior before he heads off for his higher education. Target has a whole slew of things advertised this week to help outfit the college freshman's dorm room. But what really caught my eye was this 51-piece Kitchen Starter set from Chefmate, which is perfect for the college-bound kid living in quarters with kitchen access. It's really does contain all the basics you'd need to cook and entertain: 4 Bowls, a 9.5" Frying Pan, 4 Chip Clips, 4 Dinner Plates, a Can Opener, Corkscrew, 20-pc. Flatware Set, 2.5-qt. Saucepan with Lid, and 4 Storage Containers (whew!). And at just $24.99 this week, this deal can't be beat.

Psst!: for more college-bound deals you won't find in the printed ad, check out these extra pages found only on Target.com. I especially loved this funky floor lamp; if I were going away to college now, I would totally get this for my dorm room.

Get it off your chest

When today's modern tweens and teens have something to get off their chest, they don't have to speak their mind. They can simply reach for a T-shirt that has a message written on the front.

Statement T-shirts, with verbiage that ranges from the smart and sassy to silly and sarcastic, are at the height of popularity. And retailers, like Target, have taken notice. "Fashion is about having fun and expressing your individuality. Beyond patterns and prints, statement tees can help you show off your personality and add a bit of tongue-and-cheek attitude to a basic wardrobe," says Joshua Thomas, trends spokesperson for Target in Minneapolis.

While some of these tees can be witty and even quite topical, the problem is that parents and teachers say there's a fine line between what's fun and what's inappropriate and offensive. Take the t-shirt pictured at left; it's not exactly something that your kid should be wearing to school (or anywhere, for that matter). To that end, many schools nationwide have moved ahead to ban wearing shirts that features suggestive themes, sexual innuendos or contains profanity or references to violence, alcohol and drugs.

Old-School Cool

While trolling the web today, I found the coolest thing! It's the Mixtape 64MB USB Memory Stick, and it's available at Target for $19.99. It stores 60 minutes of tunes and - best of all - is brilliantly packaged inside an old-school cassette tape. Now back in the 1980s, a good mixtape was all you needed to show love and friendship. It was a staple of the tween/teen/college set back then and a defining object of that era, much like big hair, leg-warmers, and the Rubiks cube. So this Mixtape Memory Stick would be the perfect present for anyone on your list old enough to remember the joys of making, giving, and receiving mixtapes.

Former employee sues Target

A former security guard at the Target store in Fresno, CA has filed a lawsuit that says the store's security manager used security cameras to zoom in on female customers and employees inappropriately.

Michelle Brown, who worked at Target from June 2006 until April this year, says she was fired from her job after reporting the manager's behavior to his supervisors. Brown says she was also discriminated against because she is a woman and is black. Brown's lawsuit, which was filed July 1st in Fresno County Superior Court, says security manager Chad McPherson used the security cameras for voyeuristic purposes rather than for keeping the store's customers safe and merchandise secure.

"McPherson would also use the security camera system to zoom in on women customers and other Target Corporation employees for extended periods of time while crudely zooming in on the customers' breasts and buttocks," the lawsuit says.

The store's human resources manager, Benjamin Garcia, said McPherson is still employed as the store's security manager. Garcia, who is also named as a defendant in the lawsuit, said he could not comment on the allegations. McPherson could not be reached for comment. Target, which is also named in the lawsuit, issued a statement that said it could not specifically comment on the lawsuit.

Wednesday’s Rave: Subversive on sale

Today’s rave is for the Subversive jewelry clearance at Target. While I’ve been coveting some of the pieces in the Subversive line since it hit Target a few months ago, I’ve been holding off on buying anything because, well, frankly, even at Target prices I found this designer line to be a bit spendy. But now at half off, I can clearly afford this chic Subversive for Target Shell Ring Figaro Braided Necklace at just $24.99. And with the multi-layered design, it’s almost like getting 3 necklaces in 1.

Tuesday’s Rant: Bad Botkier

As previously reported, the Monica Botkier bags are already in store and available on Target.com, well in advance of their July 21 debut date. That was the good news. Now here's the bad news: there's already one horrible review on Target.com stating the bags are cheap and shoddy. A consumer in New York purchased this wristlet (pictured) and basically said "The quality is terrible; I used it once & had to return it because it began to fall apart and the color rubbed off after just one use."

I mentioned last week that the Botkier bags didn't seem to have the same luxe quality as the Devi Kroell bags from last year. And at least Devi’s bags were made in more subtle metal hues… a pale gold and anthracite (silvery-gray). The Botkier bags – in bronze and rose-gold – are almost carbon copies of the Loeffler Randall ones. It’s almost as if Target said “Monica, good news! We have a bunch of fabric leftover from the Randall launch, so why don’t you just go ahead and make your Fall line out of this stuff?” Although I never heard of the Randall bags breaking and the finish rubbing off.

The bottom line is: shame on Target for retreading old ideas and for passing off sub-par materials in their designer offerings.

Target Debuts Organic Skin Care Line

Target has unveiled a new line of certified natural and organic skin care products developed exclusively for multicultural skin types. SheaMoisture is a distinctive array of bath, body and skin care products developed to address diverse skin care needs.

"SheaMoisture is more than a new line of body and beauty items," said Greg Cunningham, Target Corporation's Director of Multicultural Marketing. "All of our SheaMoisture products utilize high concentrations of pure Shea Butter, which is one of the most effective natural skin conditioners and moisturizers. This is an exceptional personal care solution for our guests with dry and special skin care needs."

SheaMoisture ingredients are derived from African and Asian remedies and include aloe vera, to soothe and soften skin; jojoba oil, a fast-absorbing skin hydrator; vitamin A, to help sun-damaged skin and prevent premature wrinkles; and vitamin E, a powerful, natural antioxidant, which helps improve circulation and diminishes skin irritations.

The SheaMoisture line was developed in partnership with Sundial Brands, the privately owned African American skin care company that also developed and distributes the popular Nubian Heritage line.

Update: Botkier Bags hit Target.com

As previously reported last Tuesday: it seems that the Monica Botkier bag collection hit Target's store shelves well in advance of the promised July 21st debut. Now I notice that the bags have also hit Target.com... although you have to do a search on "Botkier" to find them; they don't have their own featured section on the site yet.

I'm bummed because the ONE bag that I actually liked (and was was hoping to get) was this hobo style (pictured) but in black. Who wants a white bag, especially now that we'll be heading into the Fall season soon?

Pick of the Week

It's pick of the week time: each Sunday I pick one great buy from Target's Weekly Ad and highlight it on my blog. Today's pick was hard, because it's Dollar Week at Target, which means just about everything you need for your home and family is on sale. But today I'm picking Target's Home plush pillow (with hypoallergenic fiberfill) for just $4 (standard or queen size) after remembering this story I saw on The Today Show last week. It was about "When to Replace Your Stuff", and for bed pillows, it reported that you should replace them at least once a year. Why you ask? Well, it seems that hair and body oils will have soaked into a pillow's fabric and stuffing after a year of nightly use ...making it a breeding ground for odor-causing bacteria and allergy-triggering dust mites. Ewwwww! Better to spend a few dollars than to have breathe in all that icky stuff (like this guy in the picture).

Posh still loves Target

As I reported several months ago, Posh Spice shops at Target. For reals. [And she's not the only Spice Girl who shops there, either]. But here's a shot of her actually IN the store, and I've got to say, I LIKE this look on her! She's decidedly dressed-down vs. being glammed up to the hilt like she usually is -- no leather pants, cleavage down to her navel, or celebrity Jackie-O sunglasses hiding half her face.

This version of Victoria Beckham looks like she could be a soccer mom from Idaho, the one who runs a daycare service out of her home and is married to a really nice accountant and who really grooves on Target (especially the scrapbooking section). I just wish I could make out what's in her basket; it looks like toys for Cruz and the other boys, but it's hard to tell.

Target Takes Manhattan

Manhattan's first Target is scheduled to open next year at a shopping plaza at 116th Street and the FDR Drive, and experts say it may be just the ticket to kick-start real estate prices in East Harlem. Pictured at left is a rendering of the store, set to open in 2009; an American flag made of steel mesh will wrap the building. The single-level store, one of three Targets currently under construction in New York City, will anchor the 485,000-square-foot shopping center, called East River Plaza. The shopping center will also house two other “big box” stores: a Best Buy and a Marshalls.

Target already has been enthusiastically embraced by New York customers. The company says its Atlantic Terminal store in Brooklyn is one of the busiest Targets in America.

Lukewarm Chai

Racked has previewed Richard Chai's collection for Target (which will be hitting stores August 3) on their site. They describe the collection as leaning “heavily on electric blue, teal, black and different shades of purple, with shots of red and stone-hued denim” and proclaim “the designer's clean lines and unfussy approach definitely shine through.”

I say: true to my prediction this latest Go International collection is ho-hum at best. In fact, the only piece I can see actually purchasing and wearing is this perky plaid trench coat, although I’ll have to see it in person first to decide for sure.

Wednesday's Rave: School Uniforms at Target

Today’s rave takes me back a couple of years… because it’s been that long since our youngest boy was in elementary school, and back then, he wore a school uniform. I look back now and realize how easy things were then; all we’d have to do is outfit him each summer at Target with their school uniform shirts, sweatshirts, and pants, and we’d be set. These days our middle-schooler drags us to the mall to visit PacSun, Zumiez, and an endless array of other “tween stores” in search of overpriced screen print tees and jeans (which are practically identical to the ones offered at Target, but aren’t “name brand” enough for him). But I digress…

The point is that if you’re in need of school uniforms, Target is the place to get them. They have a wide selection of styles and sizes, and the prices are terrific. And if you’re buying in bulk (which when it comes to uniforms, you probably are, as your child will need at least a week's worth of school clothes) I recommend taking advantage of Target’s “Free Shipping Over $50” offer.

Tuesday's Rant: “Targèt Couture”

Quick word association! What do you you think of when I say “Target”? Betcha the first word that came to mind wasn't “couture”. Well apparently, Target is trying to change all that, by teaming up with a popular boutique in Los Angeles to launch an exclusive line of “Targèt Couture.”

"The most expensive clothing item in the Targèt Couture line is a $330 cashmere sweater. If it's bling you're looking for, check out the one-carat diamond necklace, which will set you back $3,100. But, you won’t see the $50 T-shirts or $140 designer jeans sold in any Target store. Right now you can only buy them at the Los Angeles fashion boutique Intuition or on its Web site, which also offers a crystal-adorned clutch (pictured) for $870 and a belt for $136, featuring a jeweled red target at the clasp."

When I first saw this story, I thought it was a joke. Then I realized that it was on MSNBC’s site, so it HAD to be true, right? Why would Target bother with this?? But the truly sickening part is the line only launched six weeks ago... and Intuition has already sold more than 3,000 items of this overpriced junk. Simply amazing. I guess folks down in LaLa land will buy anything if you slap a logo on it.

Be the first to get a Botkier bag!

Even though my sources (and everyone else's on the web) cite Monica Botkier's bag collection not hitting stores until July 21st, a funny thing happened at my local Target. On Sunday, I noticed some of her bags prominently displayed on an endcap. Thinking I was dreaming, I checked the Target across the street from where I work yesterday... and lo and behold, they too had a full endcap showcasing the collection. Or at least part of it: only the metallic bags were out, and I didn't see any of the black, white, or brightly-colored ones.

Personally, I didn't care for what I saw; Botiker's metallics don't have the luxe quality that Devi Kroell's Target line had. Besides, haven't metallics been done to death by now? But if bronze and gold is your style, head on over to Target to be the first to get your Botkier bag a couple of weeks before the "official" product launch.

Sami Hayek, in-depth

I first mentioned the Sami Hayek collection for Target back in May, and then blogged about it again last month. For even more on Sami, here’s an interesting interview with the eclectic designer, in which he talks about his background in art and design, his major influences, and his feelings about his association with Target.

Deck out your deck

Choosing new patio furniture is easy. Finding the most Earth-friendly material – in a style that suits your surroundings and at a cost that fits your budget – is a bit harder. Teak, a tropical hardwood, has been the material of choice for ships and weather-resistant outdoor furniture for centuries. Teak outdoor furniture lasts a long time and weathers to a soft gray, unless oiled to keep it brown. The problem is that Teak has been loved almost to death, which has prompted the Teak industry to protect the tree's native habitat by growing it in plantations. Many companies cite the Forest Stewardship Council (www.fscus.org) certification to show that their products come from sustainably managed forests.

Target has a large selection of both Teak and other hardwood patio furniture, including this FSC-certified Eucalyptus Adirondack collection (pictured) from Sean Conway. Dating back to the early 1900’s, the classic Adirondack design brings casual comfort and style to your outdoor landscape.

Pick of the Week

It's pick of the week time: each Sunday I pick one great buy from Target's Weekly Ad and highlight it on my blog. Today's pick continues the beachwear theme from yesterday… only today, it’s the men’s turn. The hubby and I just came back from a lovely weekend in the Wine Country (Napa/Sonoma) and we stayed at a resort with a spa and pool. When it came time to go swimming, we retreated to our respective men’s/women’s changing rooms… and I wondered why the hubby was taking SO long to join me poolside. Well, it turns out that he’s lost SO much weight on his diet these past few months (25 pounds and counting, and kudos to him!) that his XL swim trunks were falling off him. Literally. He apparently had to get all “MacGyver” in the changing room and make a new (smaller) hole for the drawstring (with a ballpoint pen) so his trunks could be cinched enough to stay up! Which brings us to my pick of the week: men’s Merona swim trunks (pictured) are on sale for just $10 this week at Target. And Mossimo brand are only $12. Now personally, I like the Mossimo ones a little better: they’re cut more like traditional board shorts (meaning looser and longer) and have a bit more style and edgier patterns. Either way, you can outfit your man at the beach (or the pool) without breaking the bank.

Bathing Beauty

String bikinis are SO last decade. This summer, poolside fashionistas should channel their inner Esther Williams, Marilyn Monroe, or Betty Grable. Or for a more modern example: think of Miranda, looking chic (and covered) when hanging out by the pool in the "Sex and the City” movie. Bottom line is, the retro vibe is IN for swimwear, and the skimpy look is OUT. The effect is grown-up, sophisticated, seductive yet demure.

For example: ride the tribal trend with an animal-inspired print. Designed by Rogan Gregory for Target, this Zebra-print one-piece swimsuit (on sale for just $20.99 at Target stores and at Target.com) hits the right balance between sweet and sultry. And instead of standard flip-flops or slides, pair a suit like this with a bright heeled-sandal, like this sunny yellow cork wedge by Mossimo (also available at Target).

Happy 4th of July!

No official post today, just a brief thought: last night the hubby and I went to a party hosted by old friends, and their pastor was there. Before we ate, he gave a blessing. A newborn baby was in attendence, and he simply said "Let's give thanks for the birth of this new child, as we also give thanks for the birth of this great nation of ours". Have a happy and safe Independence Day!

Walmart tries to copy Target... again.

Can a new corporate identity make Wal-Mart more attractive to consumers? On Saturday, The Wall Street Journal revealed that Wal-Mart was planning a new logo. Then on Sunday, the Associated Press confirmed the news, adding that stores would begin bearing the new logo in the fall. You can see that Walmart is no longer using their former blocky, all-caps style font; it’s replaced by softer text with rounded letters. Both the star image and the hyphen in their name is gone, and is replaced by what appears to be an asterisk or flower.

The new font seems to echo a more casual, friendly style. This style-shift reminds me of Cisco’s logo re-design about a year ago, from a very corporate/IBM look & feel to a much more simplistic one. While Walmart’s asterisk/flower mark is “cute”, it also comes off as a bit weak or “wussy”. It’s definitely not as strong or assertive as the iconic five-point star.

In addition, Walmart seems to have changed it’s tagline to reflect a more down-to-earth, approachable (and again, less-aggressive) tone. Their old tagline: Always low prices. Always. Their new one: Save money, live better. Hmmm…..why does that sound so familiar? Where have I heard something like that before? Oh yes, that’s right: it’s oddly similar to Target’s tagline, which is Expect More, Pay Less.

In any case, time will tell if such a change affects consumers, and I’m curious as to why they’re making such a change right now. One might think that in tough economic times, a low-priced leader such as Walmart would be attracting all sorts of new customers even without a facelift. And I’m also wondering why they decided to blatently copy Target’s tagline.

Will Target lose their Starbucks?

With Starbucks all over the news – announcing the closing of 600 stores, or about 8.5% of its 7,100 total outlets – it makes me wonder whether any of the closures will be those housed in Target stores? Late in 2002, Target and Starbucks announced the agreement to roll-out Starbucks coffee shops in all new (or newly remodeled) Target stores. That deal represented a significant expansion opportunity for Starbucks back when it was inked 6 years ago. I can’t find exact stats for how many Target stores contain a Starbucks outlet, but based on the fact that Target Corporation builds some 100-120 new retail stores every year, there could potentially be upwards of 500 Starbucks outlets connected to Target stores alone. The question is: are Target’s Starbucks among those slated to be shuttered?

Consumer Alert: Target no longer accepting Toy Coupon

According to BusinessWire: due to fraudulent tampering, Target no longer is accepting coupon offers for $5 off a $25 or more toy or general merchandise purchase at Target. The coupons state they are valid through October 1, 2008.

Target sent the original coupons for $5 off a $25 or more toy purchase via e-mail to approximately 85,000 guests during the months of February and March. The altered coupon had an image and the word “toy” removed to make it appear to apply to any purchase. Guests who originally received the coupon will be notified via e-mail that the coupon no longer is being accepted, and they also will receive a $5 Target GiftCard by mail.

Wednesday’s Rave: this shoe from Mossimo

While I don’t appreciate Target shoving new Fall fashions down my throat as early as July 2nd, I DO appreciate the sneak peek at this gorgeous pair of pumps that are probably going to be my go-to dressy shoe next season. Mossimo’s Verdi Wedge has an architectural heel (made of lightweight Thermoplastic) with faux-leather uppers in Metallic Brown (shown) or Black Snakeskin, or Grey or Wine Patent. I just ADORE the look of these - the snakeskin finish and the shiny patent, the cutout heel, the peep-toe, the color selection – everything. I just hope my FEET can survive the 3.5-inch heels!

Tuesday’s Rant: Unoriginal Chai

The latest issue of Teen Vogue contains a print ad and short write-up of the new GO International Collection by Richard Chai. He says he's influenced by 1980's-era New York (he name-drops Madonna and Basquiat) but his clothes don't appear to reflect that decade’s excitement or energy. Furthermore, Chai's bejeweled t-shirt bugged me… not only because I hated it, but because I thought it looked oddly familiar. So I dug up this promotional shot (pictured) from Behnaz Sarafpour’s GO International line circa November 2006… and lo and behold, it looks like Chai ripped off the same general concept. Although in my opinion, Behnaz pulled off the jeweled-tee MUCH better. Hers I would wear; Chai’s looks like a DIU 5th grade craft project.

And as long as I’m Chai-bashing: Behnaz’s version retailed for just $19.99, whereas Chai’s will sell for $30. Sorry, Target, but I'm not only unimpressed with your recent designer collaborations, but also disappointed in the constant rising prices for your GO International lines.