Fab Find: Mossimo embellished gloves

Most Target stores are now fully stocked with a wide-array of cold weather gear, including hats, scarves and gloves. And the other day I found these killer leather gloves by Mossimo featured on an endcap, begging to be tried on. The first pair I spied were the studded ones, which definitely give off a "rocker vibe". And then I spotted the zipper-trim ones, which are still edgy but are softened by the curve of the ruffle. And at just $22.99 a pair, either style would make the perfect Christmas gift for the fashionista on your list.

Hello Kitty To Visit Select Target Stores

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Sanrio — the cutesy-poo company that gave the world characters including Hello Kitty, Little Twin Stars, Chococat, and My Melody — Target will be hosting a traveling Sanrio store (complete with giant Hello Kitty, shown). Filled with limited-edition one-off product goodness, the truck and mobile shop will be driving cross-country and visiting selected Target stores. Check out Racked.com for the complete list of dates and locations, as well as a peek at the limited-edition merchandise that will be sold.

Target to Re-issue the BEST of past Go International Collections

Exciting news, Target shoppers! Especially fans of Target's past Go International collections. Racked.com is reporting that Target plans to celebrate the fifth anniversary of its GO International designer collaborations with a best-of retrospective re-release of 34 dresses from 17 past designers. The GO International series launched in February 2006 with British designer Luella Bartley (who's since closed down her fashion label) and continued with Tara Jarmon, Paul & Joe, Behnaz Sarafpour, Proenza Schouler, Libertine, Alice Temperley, Erin Fetherston, Jovovich-Hawk (shown), Rogan, Richard Chai, Jonathan Saunders, Thakoon, Tracy Feith, Rodarte, and the more recent Zac Posen and Tucker.

Unfortunately, there aren't photos of the re-releases yet... and won't be until February. But the goods are scheduled to hit Target stores on March 13th, 2011.

Double-Take: Xhilaration vs. Joie

It’s time for another double-take, where we try to guess which item is from an expensive designer brand, and which one is from Tar-jay. You may have noticed that sequins were shown all over the runway for Fall, and as the Holiday season approaches I'd expect to see even more of them in stores. A sequined tank is an easy way to add the trend to your wardrobe without breaking the bank, expecially if you pick the $17.99 Xhilaration version (at Target) over the crazy-expensive Joie one (over $200 at Zappos!). Care to guess which is which? The answer appears in the comments section.

Fab Find: Converse One Star's Cropped Moto Jacket

I was lucky enough to find this fun little moto-inspired jacket on clearance at my local Target for 30% off! It's the perfect little layering piece, and so much dressier than just a plain old sweatshirt (although like a sweatshirt, it's made of a cozy fleece material). I bought the charcoal grey one (shown here) but it also comes in light heather grey, navy blue, and burgundy.

Clearance Alert: Poketo for Target

The fun, arty Poketo for Target line (which I first told you about back in August) is now on clearance in Target stores at 30% off. The sale seems limited to stores, however, as what's left of the Poketo collection is still full price on Target.com. Some of the items I saw at my local Target would make great stocking stuffers, too, like the Poketo Animal Wallet (shown, just $6.99 on clearance) or this whimsical Poketo Monsters Water Bottle (on clearance in stores for $9.99).

Target Lets You Print FB Photos In-Store

Trendhunter warns us that if you still don’t believe that Facebook is taking over the world, then you obviously haven’t heard about Target Social Network Connectivity. This seemingly harmless jumble of words is actually the name for Target’s new Facebook kiosks that will soon be appearing in stores.

Target has partnered with Kodak to create the Target Social Network Connectivity kiosks. These kiosks are designed to let people log onto their Facebook account and then print photos off it. So now you can print and keep that totally sweet tagged photo of you doing a keg stand back in college at the same place you buy your groceries. Ain't progress grand?

Target in hot water over ads poking fun at Moms

Uh oh.... Target went there. Target is finding itself in hot water after running an ad that makes fun of moms who make their kids' Halloween costumes.

The ad - which you can watch here on YouTube - features a child in a homemade Iron Man costume (complete with a push-button closet light on his chest) and suggests that all children would be infinitely happier in the generic, plastic, factory made costume that retails for a mere $20 at Target.

Bloggers were quick to blast the Bullseye, with Jezebel asking "Why trick of treat in the creative costume your mom spent hours slaving over when you could wear a plastic outfit from Target and look the same as all the other Iron Mans?"

And Slate chimed in with "What distinguishes this Target commercial is its degree of blind, witless belief in its own message. The homemade Iron Man costume is supposed to be pitiful, but it's more interesting and better-looking than the store-boughten one, without seeming like the product of slavish overparenting. I would give extra candy to a kid who showed up at the door dressed like that."

Double-Take: Xhilaration vs. Madden Girl

It’s time for another double-take, where we try to guess which item is designer, and which one is from Tar-jay. Today we take a look at these adorable ruffled t-strap pumps. They look pretty darn identical, don’t they? Only one pair is from Target, and costs just $19.99, whereas the other pair is twice that much at DSW.

And since I can’t hide the name brand printed on each shoe, I’ll just go ahead and give you the answer: the shoe on the left is the "Setra" by Madden Girl and will set you back $50 (or $39.95 on sale at DSW) and the one on the right is the "Tabitha" from Xhilaration at Target.

The Returns Department...

It’s time for another installment of The Returns Department, a sporadic feature on my blog in which I share with you an impulse buy that went awry. My latest case of "buyer's remorse" was over this pair of Temple St. Clair earrings (shown) and matching necklace. After having them for several weeks, and still not wearing them, I figured that if I wasn't "in love" with the set and that I should just return it.... especially since it set me back almost $70!

Wednesday's Rave: Sonia Kashuk's Radiant Tinted Moisturizer

Regular readers of this blog already know that I'm a huge fan of Sonia Kashuk and her products. In fact, back in June I raved about her Perfecting Luminous Foundation. Now I have to rave about her her Radiant Tinted Moisturizer, which I hadn't tried until recently. Usually I steer clear of tinted moisturizers because they're too greasy for my combination skin. But not this one, which promises to "help balance and protect skin". It contains light reflectors to "help disguise fine lines and wrinkles" and also "delivers a more even skin tone". All I know is that it gives me a hint of color and doesn't leave me with a "shiny face" at the end of the day. Plus it contains UVA and UVB sun protection (15 SPF) and comes in a range of shades.

The only problem is that currently this product is only available in stores (and not on Target.com) which is curious since it's been featured both on Oprah.com as well as on Sonia's own blog.

Mulberry for Target almost sold out online!

As regular readers know, I'm not a fan of the new Mulberry for Target handbag line. Nonetheless, the line is almost completely sold out on Target.com. Amazing! In fact, the only two bags still available are this pukey pink leopard one (shown here) and the large tote in basic black.

Tuesday's Rant: Target out of Polo Shirts

Most Tuesdays I take the opportunity to rant about something I do not like about Target… because although I love ‘em to death, they ain’t perfect. Today's rant is about the fact that Target stores are currently sold out of mens polo shirts. Yes folks, POLO SHIRTS. What would seem like a basic wardrobe item is as elusive as a snowball in June. I've been to 3 Target stores this week (trying to find some for my husband) and the few polos they have are in limited sizes (meaning only XS or XXL) and only in stripes (no solids). It seems that Target has swapped out their polos for seasonal flannel shirts and thermal tees. But shouldn't polo shirts be a "basic" that's stocked year-round?? I just don't get it...

Ali Larter hearts Target

With a couple of months to go, Ali Larter got an early start on prepping for motherhood by celebrating her baby shower last Saturday at a pal’s house in Los Angeles. “It was an incredible day and I just felt so lucky to be surrounded by so many dear friends and family,” the actress – who’s expecting a boy – told PEOPLE Magazine. “It was a very special day!”

Designed by David Stark and presented by Target and Baby Buggy, the party focused on the less fortunate. Larter, 34, will continue to donate through her Ali Larter for Baby Buggy registry on target.com, where the public can purchase items to be sent to mothers in need. Additionally, Target made a financial donation to Larter's chosen charity,Project Peanut Butter, an organization which helps malnourished children in Africa.

The Returns Department...

It’s time for another installment of The Returns Department, a sporadic feature on my blog in which I share with you an impulse buy that went awry. Such was the case with this Tucker shirtdress (shown). While I raved about it when I bought it last month, the reality is that the style of this dress does not suit me, and I'll be schlepping it back to Target this weekend. The only way that I can explain it is that it "fits weird". The belt loops seem to be riding high, vs. at my true waist. Meaning, when I cinch it with the belt, it's too high - not as high as an empire waist, but high enough to look (and feel) odd. I still think this is a cute dress... for the right person. But alas, not for me.

Fab Find: Mossimo fitted plaid shirt

I kept seeing these shirts at Target over the past few weeks, but there would only be a random XS here and there, with none in my size. Now the stores near me seem to be fully stocked, and I'm so glad I picked up a couple of them! These shirts are super-cute, have a flattering, fitted shape, and are made of extra-soft flannel. They also come in over 10 different color combos, making the selection terrific.

And best of all, they seem to be on "secret sale" this week in stores! The shirts are just a paltry $15 to begin with, but they ring up on sale at $10. I thought it might have been a fluke, until I went back to get another shirt today, and the same thing happened.

UPDATE: At another Target near me today, I noticed a sign up with these shirts announcing the $10 sale as a "Remodeling Special". All the Target stores near me that have recently gone through remodeling to add the fresh grocery department seem to have these signs sprinkled through the store on various merchandise. My theory on the shirts is that normally (without the remodel) they would have been put out several weeks earlier, and now they're putting them on sale to try and get them to move.

Target to finally open in Canada

Good news for our neighbors to the North! Target is finally coming to Canada. It was announced yesterday that they plan to open 200 stores in Canada beginning with 6 to 10 stores in 2014 and 2015, reports the Montreal Gazette. "We are exploring opportunities in Canada," said Amy Reilly, a Target spokeswoman. "We are optimistic that our first stores could open by mid-decade." The first location will be in the Toronto area.

Wednesday's Rave: Bonne Bell's Paul Frank products

While browsing Target yesterday, I came across something fun in the health & beauty aisle: Paul Frank-branded Bonne Bell products. I've been a Paul Frank fan for years, so the bright, fun-inspired designs immediately caught my eye, especially Julius the Monkey. I had never seen these before, but a quick search on the the web reveals they've been around since last year. The sets I saw included solid lip gloss in a tin, liquid lipgloss in a tube, and the classic "Lip Smackers" lip balm kind like the ones shown here with bonus keychain. Keeping with Bonne Bell's tradition, the Paul Frank products come in an offbeat variety of flavors like Cotton Candy, Fried Ice Cream and Coconut Creme. And at just $3.99 for each set, this would make a perfect stocking stuffer for tween or teenage girls.

Tuesday's Rant: Target's Grocery Section

Most Tuesdays I take the opportunity to rant about something I do not like about Target… because although I love ‘em to death, they ain’t perfect. Today's rant is about Target's new fresh grocery section. While I love the idea in theory, in reality, I have found the section poorly stocked on almost every occasion I've shopped there. Sure, it's great that Target sells blueberries for just $2.99 a basket when my local grocery store has them for $4.99. But that's only if you can find them, and 9 times out of 10, they're sold out. Ditto with the fresh french bread. And half the time, they're out of 2% milk.

Memo to Target: if you want me to shop your grocery section, please stock the basics I need. Otherwise, I'll just go back to doing all my grocery shopping at my local supermarket.

Double-Take: Pottery Barn vs. Target

It's time for another double-take, and this time, we visit the dinnerware department. It amazes me that people still buy dishes at places like Pottery Barn and Crate and Barrel when most often you can find a pattern/style that's similar - if not identical - at Target. Case in point: the cheery-yellow dinnerware shown here. One is from Pottery Barn, and costs a hefty $48 for a set of 4 dinner plates. And the other is from American Simplicity (at Target) and weighs in at just $14.99 for 4 plates. Can you guess which is which? The answer appears in the comments section.

Sonia Kashuk Breast Cancer Limited Edition Collection

As everyone knows, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. And to help the cause, each year Sonia Kashuk releases a limited edition selection of items at Target. This year's collection includes the following:

The Circle of Hope Kabuki Brush, with bright pink bristles.

The Pretty in Pink Eye Shadow Palette in 3 shimmery shades.

The Circle Around a Cause bright pink clutch and brush set.

The Seeing Pink makeup bag and brush set.

The Primping for a Cause tweezer and eyelash curler set.

The Brighten Your Day 2-pack of pink makeup sponges.

And shown here, the Lend a Hand nail polish set in 3 yummy pink & plummy shades.

My review of Mulberry for Target

Today I went to a Target store that I don't visit that much, even though it's only about 15-20 minutes away. It sits in a large and often crowded mall, which is why I don't frequent the place. Anyhow, as I was walking through the accessories section, I noticed that this store had the new Mulberry for Target collection out already (even though the line isn't supposed to be available until Oct. 10th). Unfortunately, as I predicted a few weeks ago, this collection is a true disappointment. The faux-patent leather material looks tacky and plastic-ee, and even the denim bags (like the one shown) screamed "childish" and "cheap". Worst of all was the hot-pink leopard-print PVC bag; the pink is so bright, it's practically neon! What a letdown.