Ashley Paige swimwear silently debuts at Target

As reported last December, Ashley Paige is designing a swimwear line exclusively for Target. Funny thing is, the line has seemingly already launched, with little (or no) fanfare... much like the recent Miss Trish sandal line. The line is called Bikini Love, and I happened upon it by accident yesterday at the Target store near my work. And the really funny thing is: it was already marked down to 50% off!

Now mind you, all they had in this particular store was this one style in navy blue (shown) -- so perhaps a Target employee mistakenly thought it was all they had left and put it on clearance? I'm not sure, but you can check out the rest of the Bikini Love line here on Target.com. And true to predictions, all the styles look like they're teeny-weeny!

Wednesday’s Rave: these Mossimo sandals

I don’t peruse the shoe department at Target that much. For the most part, their shoes have been a disappointment to me, outside of one adorable pair of wooden-beaded embellished Cherokee sandals from 4 years ago (which I’m actually wearing right now) and a couple of other shoes styles I’ve blogged about here. Certainly the recent Miss Trish line was a huge letdown. So usually when it comes to Target and shoes, I think “why bother?”

But that changed this week when I found the Willa thong in Yellow by Mossimo. Seriously, it looks a lot like a pair of Tod’s sandals I had a couple of years ago that I practically wore out over the course of the summer after wearing them so much. These Willa sandals are not only stylish, they’re comfy as well, with a contoured, suede-lined footbed.

The only problem? Finding them. When I first spied them on the rack at the Target near my work, they only had size 9 and up (whereas I’m a middle-of-the-road size 7). So then I went online, and all they had were sizes 5 and 5 ½. Yesterday, I went to the Target near my house, but still no luck. Then FINALLY I found them at the Target in between my work and home… success!

PS: these cuties also come in Tan, but IMO, the tan is boring and Yellow is the way to go.

More “As Seen on TV” Products

Last week I blogged about some of the “As Seen on TV” products that are available at Target, and reader Lola commented that she’d heard good things about “Smooth Away”. That inspired me to hunt down this first-hand review of the product on Freep.com. Here are the highlights:

The pitch: A pad made of superfine crystals that safely buffs away hair and leave skin soft and smooth.
The pros: It's less expensive than waxing, it doesn't smell bad like cream depilatories, and you won't cut yourself shaving.
The cons: It can cause your skin to sting, like it’s been scratched or scraped.
The bottom line: It works BUT may also make your skin sting and turn red… ouch!

Lukewarm for Loomstate...

Have you checked out the new Loomstate for Target collection yet? I have, and it left me lukewarm. For one thing, designer Rogan Gregory seems to be copying himself, because his new line is borrowing a LOT of ideas from his last one for Target. Case in point: here’s his plaid dress from last year’s line (shown) and he’s doing another one (this time with cap sleeves) this year. Last year he offered short-shorts in a black/white leopard-print; this year’s version is with black/white seagulls. And as I reported previously, the color palette from last year’s line is repeated this year, with a heavy emphasis on black, white and charcoal grey.

Also, the sizing seems to be all over the map. Some items look true to size, whereas others look to be oversized (like this blousy seagull tank). On the opposite end of the spectrum, customers have complained that this so-called “t-shirt dress” isn’t anywhere near long enough to be a dress. Perhaps Rogan meant it to be a swimsuit cover-up instead?

All that said: there is ONE piece in this collection that I liked enough to take a chance on, and that’s this LBD (little black dress). Rogan calls it “cotton silk”, although it’s made of 100% organic cotton. Whatever it’s made of, it felt light and airy and seems perfect for the hot weather ahead. I had to order it online since I could only find it in stores in a size XS, but once it arrives I’ll let you know if it’s a “yay” or a “nay”.

Pick of the Week

It's Pick of the Week time: each week I pick one great buy from Target's Weekly ad (in the Sunday newspaper) and highlight it here on my blog. Now I just love it when I find something that blends form and function, and this sleek Floor Lamp (pictured) does just that. Not only is this a stylish lamp, but it's also a handy display shelf as well. The modern design looks like something you'd find at West Elm or Ikea, but a quick perusal of their sites showed nothing like it.

Available in two styles - Black wood finish with a fabric shade, or Walnut wood finish with a paper shade - this lamp is on sale at Target this week for just $46 (their lowest price of the season).
Note: this item is available in stores only.

Anna Sheffield for Target

High end jewelry designer Anna Sheffield is partnering up with Target for a limited collection later this year. This collection is the fifth jewelry launch in a series of limited-time-only accessories designers at Target. The Anna Sheffield for Target collection will be available at Target stores nationwide and on Target.com starting August 30th.

Cameron Diaz, Julianne Moore and Uma Thurman are all fans of her creations, and you can read more about Anna on her web site. Like many other designers on the fashion radar, Anna has been inspired by the Victorian era and particularly by Mourning jewelry. "I love the workmanship of the pieces of this time period," she has said. "There is such a sense of the person that made the object, an inherent quality that can't be defined."

Shown is a sampling of rings from her regular retail line, which starts at $500 and goes up from there. Her quality and workmanship reminds me a bit of the Dean Harris for Target line (which I loved) and hopefully will fare better than the Erickson Beamon collection currently in stores (which I wasn't crazy about).

New Greenroom Eco at Target

Devoted readers will remember that I’m a big fan of the Greenroom Eco line at Target. This environmentally-friendly line of stationery is made of recycled paper and printed in soy inks. And it looks like Target has some new designs in stock – for Greenroom’s 3-ring binder or journal – at just $5.99 each. Available in stores only (not online).

Wednesday’s Rave: this chic Xhilaration blouse

Believe it or not, this chic little blouse is by Xhilaration – the budget Junior brand at Target – and not by Michael Kors or Marc Jacobs. I had to do a double-take myself, folks! I found it on the clearance rack and was immediately smitten. And although it’s kinda sheer and chiffon-y, there’s a double layer of fabric in the front making it OK to wear with just a black bra and not requiring a cami or any special undergarments.

So I came, I saw, I loved, and I bought. The perfect little summer going-out top! Then I went to Target.com and found out it also comes in this punchy print, too. I didn’t see this one in the store so I’m gonna need order it online. And the best part? It’s on clearance… regularly $17.99, on sale for a song at just $12.58.

Happy Earth Day!

It always makes me laugh that Earth Day (today, April 22nd) falls on my dad’s birthday. He doesn’t seem that environmentally driven to me… but then again, in the 80’s he was an early proponent of “turning off the lights” when we left a room and for “water rationing” even before California's drought. So Happy Birthday Earth, and Happy Birthday Dad!

In celebration of Earth Day, Target is offering these canvas tote bags embellished with their Bullseye logo for just $4.99 each. One of these canvas totes saves approximately 100 plastic bags. I know I will be picking up a couple of them, because they seem sturdy enough to carry heavy loads of groceries. And as much as I love the “cheap” eco bags offered by Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, and even Target, they just don’t hold up to the wear and tear of extended use.

Patricia Heaton hearts Target

Here’s a shot of actress Patricia Heaton from TV's Everybody Loves Raymond shopping – though not looking very happy about it – at Target. This picture is from late January, so perhaps it was the winter weather (and not the shopping experience) that made her look blue.

Loomstate for Target now available online

The new Loomstate for Target line of men's and women's wear is now available for purchase online at Target.com. What is unclear, however, is when the line will be available in stores. According to Racked.com, the line has yet to hit NYC-area Targets. And here in Northern California, I haven't yet spied the collection on the store racks.

“As Seen on TV” products at Target

Those of you who troll Target’s aisles regularly have probably noticed their “As Seen on TV” endcap. Currently in stores Target is offering Mighty Mendit, Debbie Meyer Green Bags and the Smooth Away hair removal system for just $9.99 each. I have only tried one of these products – the Green Bags – which I was dubious about at first (my husband slipped them into my Christmas stocking) but I’ve got to admit they really do work! Returning the favor, I got the Ove Glove for my husband as a joke… but it’s actually become one of our favorite kitchen items.

Target also has PRO Caulk and ShamWow (the subject of everyone’s favorite infomercial) for $19.99 each. My husband always cringes when the PRO Caulk ad comes on TV because he thinks it looks like a waste of time, and the review for it on Target’s site seems to agree with him.

What about you, dear readers? Have any of you tried any of the “As Seen on TV” products? And if so, would you recommend (or avoid) any of them?

Pick of the Week

It's Pick of the Week time: each week I pick one great buy from Target's Weekly ad (in the Sunday newspaper) and highlight it here on my blog. Today's pick is with our two kitty-cats (Jake Rusty and Earl Grey) in mind, because I'm thrilled that their favorite canned food, Fancy Feast, is on sale for just 50-cents a can. Normally it's between 75-82 cents a can at Target, and at my local grocery store it's a whopping 99-cents a can. We normally buy the 24-can packs to further save money, but the per-can sale will allow us to try out some new flavors on our finicky friends.

Target Bag Giveaway - Today Only!

Today only (April 19th, the first day of Earth Week) Target stores will give away 1 million reusable tote bags in conjunction with GE (with the purchase of a GE product). There's a limit of one bag per guest, and obviously there are no rain checks; once the bags run out, they're out.

My insane Target bargain of the week...

Once in a while I find such an insane bargain at Target that I can't quite believe it myself. And it suddenly occured to me that I really should be sharing this with you folks! So here goes...

Today's insane bargain was found on the clearance rack of the women's sleepwear department. Now in Northern California, we are finally warming up with some real springtime weather... which is a very welcome change, but also requires an adjustment in sleepwear to something lighter. And I realized today that I'd done a pretty thorough purging of my old summer sleepwear last month during my Spring cleaning frenzy, so it was time for me to buy some new things. Enter this whispy-light Gillian & Malley pink-and-black satin polka dot chemise. [Sorry for the crappy picture, but it was the only one I could find online]. Regularly $16.99, I got it for a paltry $4.24 (or 75% off!). I also got a pink/black paisley patterned chemise (same price) as well as a black satin cami PJ top (also $4.24) and matching capri-length PJ bottoms for - are you ready for this? -$1.51! (Yes, that's right; they were on super-duper clearance because all the PJs were mis-matched sets!).

Please note that as far as I can tell, these items are no longer found on Target.com (they must be soldout on the site) and of course, availability and sizing will vary by store as these items are on clearance.

Target imitates Balmain

You know what they say: imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. And according to Who What Wear, Target's in-house design team is flattering Balmain. Target’s new private label Go International collection features a $35 black vest that bears a striking resemblance to the coveted Balmain cap-sleeved jacket from their Spring 2009 line. According to the comments section on the site, the vest has shown up in a few Target stores, but is not yet available to purchase online. I have personally seen this vest at my local Target, and can attest that it's wicked-cute (not my style, but cute nonetheless).

DIY Project: the Orla Kiely chair

The Piewacket blog (dubbed “a unique show and tell”) recently featured a great DIY project using one of the Orla Kiely bags from Target. They used the fabric from an Orla bag and re-covered this cute vintage, wrought iron chair (shown) after giving it a perky paint job in coordinating colors. For complete DIY steps on this chair (as well as more interior design goodness) check out Piewacket's site.

PS: the Orla Kiely bag used for this project is only available online from Target.com.

Isaac lives on....

Our beloved Isaac Mizrahi may have left Target, but those of you who still need your fix of the style maven can get it at his web site Isaac Mizrahi NY. In addition to a daily quippy quote (yesterday’s was "You don't have to look bad to be popular", and today’s is "Color is the most important luxury in a woman's life") the site also contains a video blog, clips from his recent TV appearances, style tips, and a peek at his new collection for Liz Claiborne.

Wednesday’s Rave: this Merona top

I just love it when Target surprises me. And how pleasantly surprised I was when I saw this Merona top prominently displayed at my local store. At first glance, it might seem like your regular old, run of the mill standard cotton jersey tee. But no, this one is embellished with three lovely “rosettes” - made from the same fabric - gracing one shoulder. And believe me, this top is even prettier in person than in this picture.

Besides this fetching Sea Green, it also comes in a fiery Fiesta Coral as well as French Cream and your Basic Black ($14.99 each at Target).

Tuesday’s Rant: messy Target stores

On Tuesdays I usually take the opportunity to rant about something I do NOT like about Target …because although I love them to death, they certainly ain’t perfect. Today’s rant is about messy Target stores. Now you think with all the employees they have, Target would have some of them focus on cleaning up the shelves and aisles. Then again, once an aisle is reduced to this (like the shoe section shown at left) perhaps the rationale is to just clean it up after hours once the store is closed and all the shoppers have cleared out.

However, I can't put all the blame on Target. Who are these sloppy shoppers that try on shoes and then just leave them on the floor? And I can't count how many times I've found garbage (in particular coffee cups) placed on store shelves... which given the ample amount of trash bins Target has sprinkled around their store, is just plain inexcusable. People need to take accountability and clean up after themselves, and not treat Target like one big trash can.

Sale Alert: 20% off Converse One Star clothing

Attention Converse fans! The Converse One Star line at Target is on sale this week for 20% off. The sale includes all men’s and women’s wear, but does not include shoes and accessories. Colors and styles may vary by store. Prices good April 13-18.

Clearance Alert: all Easter items 50% off at Target

Starting today, all Easter items left in Target stores will be 50% off. Obviously the usual rules apply… quantities limited, no rain checks, no price adjustments on previously purchased merchandise, and selection and prices may vary by store.

Pick of the Week

It's Pick of the Week time: each week I pick one great buy from Target's Weekly ad (in the Sunday newspaper) and highlight it here on my blog. Now first off, a reminder that all Target stores are closed today for Easter Sunday. And also because of Easter, Target is going "paperless" this week and there is no printed Weekly Ad in today's paper. However, you can still view the Weekly Ad online. And that's how I found this week's pick: The Merona Collection. I first wrote about this line last month; it seems to be Target's new upscale collection to replace Isaac Mizrahi. The pricing seems on par with Issac's, and also similar are the offerings: lots of dresses with matching cardigans. Like this perky poppy print dress ($39.99) and sleek denim strapless dress (also $39.99) shown with this cute cardigan ($29.99). There's also an adorable pink & white eyelet dress ($49.99) that totally reminds me of Tory Burch.

One thing to note: The Merona Collection is not available in all Target stores, and some items are only available in stores and not online (like the eyelet dress shown above).

Shabby Chic, soon to only be available at Target

Attention Shabby Chic fans: soon the Bullseye will be the ONLY place you'll be able to get your fix of "English elegance meets California casual".

News broke this week that Shabby Chic, the brand that taught the nation to love all things flea-market-found, is shutting down. Run by British transplant Rachel Ashwell, Shabby Chic spent twenty years pushing adorably worn-in furniture and flowered sheet sets before declaring bankruptcy this year. Now, all of Ashwell's stores are closing, including the NYC ones in Soho and the Upper West Side, where everything is currently 30% off.

However, fans of Rachel Ashwell will still be able to purchase her style offerings via the budget line she's been producing for Target since 2004, Simply Shabby Chic. A quick perusal of Target's web site showed a wide variety of pieces for the bedroom, living room, dining room and bathroom for sale. And Rachel herself posted the following poem on her web site, in which she mentions her continued partnership with Target:

Shabby Chic online has had to close its doors,
But Simply Shabby Chic continues in Target stores.
Enjoy the treasures that you have bought over the years,
Hopefully bringing more smiles than tears.
My blog will be my place to talk to you,
And let you know of anything new.
As sad as I am to dim the lights,
I will return when the time is right.
Know that your unwavering support means the world to me
Keep your world as beautiful and comfy as can be.

Boots turns back the clock...

Boots, the British cosmetics and skin-care company whose products are available in the U.S. at Target, is turning back the clock. A new line of apothecary-based products called Boots Original Formula are updated versions of classic formulas (think rose oil, geranium extract, patchouli, rosemary oil) and packaged in pretty glass bottles reminiscent of English herbal remedy stores in the 1800s. The collection includes cleansers, toners and moisturizers, plus an indulgent rose-lavender bath oil that looks heavenly (shown at left, $12.99 for 8.4 ounces).

Café Targét

Random Target trivia from my friend Greg, who was at Target’s corporate headquarters last week (in Minneapolis) on a business trip. Apparently, the cafeteria at Target HQ is actually called Café Targét! He posted this picture as proof on his Facebook page.

Miss Trish = easy to miss

As I blogged about last week, the disappointing Miss Trish of Capri line for Target sneaked into my hometown Target a couple of weeks ago with no signage or advertising (let alone an endcap of its own). Likewise, I’ve noticed that the Target store near my work is also downplaying the line. So I was amused to read Racked.com’s take on it today: “Without much (or any) fanfare, the Miss Trish of Capri shoe line debuted at Target.com over the weekend.”

Tuesday’s Rant: Target doesn’t always have the best prices…

On Tuesdays I usually take the opportunity to rant about something I do NOT like about Target …because although I love them to death, they certainly ain’t perfect. Today’s rant is about Target’s pricing not being as good as it could be on some items. Now I love it when Target takes something popular and put their own spin on it. Case in point: my blog post yesterday where I illustrated how Target is offering a similar tee-shirt to Banana Republic, but at about ¼ of the price. Likewise, this glassware by Libby that Target sells (shown) is almost identical to the “Impressions” glassware by Crate & Barrel. So you’d think that Target’s glasses would be dramatically lower in price, right? Not so; Crate & Barrel’s net out at $1.95 a glass, whereas Target is selling a 12-pc set on sale this week for $20 (or $1.66/glass). Overall that’s only a $3.40 savings on 12 glasses. Surely Target could do better than that, right? I mean if you’re gonna offer something so close to the real thing, you should offer it for at least 20% less than the name-brand offering.

Banana Republic vs.The Bullseye

I just love it when I find something at Target that looks like it’s from Banana Republic vs. the Bullseye. Case in point: this gathered scoop-neck Mossimo tee, on sale for just $10 this week at Target. Doesn’t it look awfully similar to this shirred-scoop neck top at Banana Republic? The only difference is that BR’s is offering theirs for $39… which means you can pretty much get 4 of the Mossimo ones for the price of one of BR’s tops.

Pick of the Week

It's Pick of the Week time: each week I pick one great buy from Target's Weekly ad (in the Sunday newspaper) and highlight it here on my blog. Easter is upon us (one week from today!) so I can’t focus on just one pick this week. This week is everything Easter, and Target has it all on sale... from my son’s favorite Peeps ($1.49 a pack) to 10-oz. bags of popular candy (Hershey Kisses, Snickers, Reese’s, etc. - $1.99 each) to Easter “grass” (25-cents a bag) and plastic Easter eggs (65-cents for 12) to the actual baskets to put them all in (75-cents each).

And speaking of eggs: Target also has the everyday edible kind – Grade A large to be exact – on sale for just 99-cents a dozen. At my local supermarket eggs are at least $2.50, so this is a huge savings.

Ooh La La Lingerie!

Recently I've been impressed that Target has stepped up their selection of lingerie. I don't mean your run-of-the-mill, cotton-blend, daily-wear Hanes offerings. I'm talking about REAL lingerie; the special occasion lacy pieces that you usually only find at places like Victoria’s Secret and Agent Provocateur. Like this delectable Gilligan & O'Malley bra shown at left: a delicate wisp of sheer ebony eyelet with peach-hued satin straps. In addition to offering a matching bikini and thong, there’s also a coordinating garter belt to pair (if you dare!) with thigh-high stockings. Seriously, I had to do a double-take when I saw these on the rack because they looked like they belonged in the aforementioned high-end lingerie stores and not at a mass retailer like Target. The only difference is that you can get this bra AND the bikini PLUS the garter belt all for about the price of one bra at VS.

Rat Infestation Forces Target Store to Close

File this one under "ewwwwwwww!" According to The Consumerist, a Target store in Pikesville, Maryland "has been closed until further notice because of a rodent problem," reports WBAL Baltimore. Target officials wouldn't tell customers why they were closed; one was told it for maintenance, and another was told it was a "water main problem." Target's corporate office, however, confirmed there's a big mouse problem. You can read the full account here, and The Consumerist's web site now reports that the store has since reopened.

Allie models for Target

Designer Tracy Feith – known for his "beachy" aesthetic – is using model Allie from TV’s The City in some of his ads for his upcoming collection for Target. Now I have no idea who “Allie” is… and have never seen The City… but her look has a 60’s vibe which partners well with some of Feith’s mod-inspired shift dresses and rompers. The best part is that everything in Feith’s line is priced under $50 (unlike’s McQ’s overpriced offerings) and will hit stores soon (May 17th to be exact).

Sonia Kashuk's 10th Anniversary Collection

To celebrate makeup artist Sonia Kashuk’s 10th anniversary with Target, the Bullseye has released a special, limited edition of makeup bags and tools. Pictured at left is the coral-themed bag with some of the brushes, with handles that also echo the coral theme. Now for some odd reason, I have seen this collection available in stores (it’s already been on shelves for a few weeks now) but it’s not available on Target’s web site yet.

Among the highlights of the collection:

• The Treasure Chest Bag, Sonia’s newest cosmetic case in a whimsical coral print in a bold, vibrant color ($12.99).

• The Hidden Treasure Brush Set, a pack of six elegant travel-sized brushes with faux-silver, coral-shaped handles, all housed in a chic, coral-print case with luxe silver lining that can double as a stylish clutch ($21.99).

• Pink Sands Highlighting Powder, a pale-pink highlighting powder that delivers a subtle shimmer to make your skin look luminous, housed in a luxurious silver - and ergonomically correct - compact ($12.99).

Clearance Alert: McQ for Target

A big 'thank you' to The Recessionista who informs us that the McQ Alexander McQueen collection for Target is now on clearance for 30%-off. Now I personally wasn't a fan of this line, but if you liked McQ, get it while you still can... because I notice that that some items I've seen in stores (like the 3/4 sleeved trench coat and the leather vest) are already sold-out online. So if this cute 50's-inspired strapless/swingy party dress is your style (shown at left) now's the time to snap it up for just $55.99.