Tuesday's Rant: Valentine's stuff already out at Target

A year ago, I ranted about Target already having Valentine's Day merchandise out on Dec. 26th. Well this year, the Bullseye started even earlier. Two days before Christmas (Dec. 23rd) I spied this Valentine dinnerware (shown) on the store shelves. I also noticed heart-themed sleepwear in the lingerie department. And by yesterday, Target again had replaced all their Christmas cards with valentines. I don't know about you, but the LAST thing I want to think about in my post-holiday daze is Valentine's Day! Can't we just get to New Year's first??

Product Review: William Rast for Target Biker Jacket

Overall, I found the William Rast for Target collection pretty ho-hum. However, today in a Target store that I don't normally visit I happened upon one of the leather jackets in the collection (shown here). And I have to say, I've definitely overwhelmed by the quality of this piece. I didn't bother trying it on as it was a size small (and normally in Target's designer collaborations I take a large) but I inspected it well and was impressed by the look, feel, and finish. Not only is the leather buttery soft, but it's lined in a rich satin. All the stiching seems even as well, and I love the fact that the jacket isn't too short and cropped.

I've eyed Target's designer leather in the past - like the Zac Posen lipstick red number from earlier this year (too bright a color for me) and the Tracy Feith one from 2009 (which was cut way too short). But both paled in comparison to the William Rast one, and I may just bite the bullet and nab one (IF I can find it in my size, of course!).

Last-minute gift ideas at Target

Are you done with your Christmas shopping yet? If not, here are a few last-minute gift ideas I saw earlier today at my local Target. And as a reminder, Target stores are open today (Christmas Eve) until 7pm.

This Meyer's Clean Day Candle comes in seasonal scents like Iowa Pine (shown) and Orange Clove (which I bought today). This all-soy candle (with 25 hours of burning time) is just $6.99, and is pre-wrapped with a gift-sleeve wishing the recipient a "Clean and happy home".

Although out of stock online, I saw plenty of these Merona Fingerless Gloves in store, in several colors. Fingerless gloves are all the rage now because they keep your hands warm while allowing your digits to be "free" to text with your smartphone. I believe these were only about $12.99, and that there were matching scarves and hats, too.

For nature lovers, give a bit of Spring with one of the Smith & Hawken Paperwhite grow kits, on sale for just $8 this week. They also have a Red Amaryllis kit, too.

And finally, for wine enthusiasts on your list, check out this pair of Pinot Noir Tumblers from Riedel for just under $20. The fun shape - sans the stem - makes drinking any vintage more fun.

Happy Holidays, dear readers, and a very merry Christmas to you and yours!

William Rast for Target hits stores today

The hotly anticipated William Rast for Target line hits stores today, and it is now available online. I was "teased" yesterday into thinking that my local Target store was putting it out early, as they already had all the signage up in the Juniors section. But alas, there wasn't one Rast piece to be had yet, so I couldn't preview anything.

Today we're having crazy weather in NorCal - gale-force winds and heavy rain - so I doubt I'll brave the elements to check out the line in store today. Of course, I could just buy online.... which I was going to do with this spiffy ruched twill jacket (shown) as well as pick up a couple of tees. But then I realized that Target isn't offering their "free shipping with an order over $50" offer on the William Rast line. What gives, Target? Oh well - you just save me some $$, because now I won't be ordering anything.

Target's D-Signed Honored by BNET

Demi Lovato's D-Signed line at Target (which I blogged about back in August) has been named one of BNET's "10 Best Fashion Industry Moves of 2010". They call Lovato's Disney-backed line of tween clothing and accessories a "masterful collaboration" with Target, and add it's "priced just right for parents to pick up while dashing in for toothpaste and TP".

You can check out BNET's full list on their site; they also mention Vera Wang's recent collaboration with David's Bridal.

Double-Take: Sigerson Morrison vs. Mossimo

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. Over-the-knee boots were all over the runways for Fall, as seen by these two gray suede examples shown here. The difference is that one of them is by Sigerson Morrison (at Net-a-porter) and will set you back a whopping $575, and the other is by Mossimo (at Target) and is on sale for a paltry $27.99!

Which one is designer for real, and which is the awesome deal? Jump to the comments section to find out.

Free Holiday Music on Target.com

Are you as obsessed with this Target commercial as I am? If so, you can download the infectious song (called "Toy Jackpot", by Blackalicious) here on Target.com. You can also check out this section of their site for other free holiday music downloads.

Clearance Alert: Temple St. Clair

Although the Temple St. Clair for Target collection still seems to be full price over on Target.com, I spied it at 30% off at my local Target store yesterday. Which means I can return the bracelet (pictured) my mom got me for my birthday last week (at full price) in exchange for a couple of rings (now on sale). Although at first glance, this cuff bracelet is lovely, I find it to be quite heavy... and with my small wrists, I fear it may slip off. Also, I read the reviews online, and it sounds like this particular piece has issues with the stones popping off!

And the winner is...

The winner of my latest blog giveaway - for the John Derian Stationery set - is Ruby Mines! Ruby's entry was picked by the random number generator over at Random.org. Congrats, Ruby; you prize is on it's way. And thanks again to everyone who entered and for reading my blog!

Reader Giveaway: John Derian Stationery Set

Time for one last reader giveaway for this year. I cannot believe how time flies, and that we’re almost at the end of 2010! And to thank all of you for reading my blog, I’m giving away the following prize, just in time for Christmas: a John Derian stationery set (in the “Fine Script” style, shown here) from Target. The set comes in a folder with vintage “postcards” and other correspondence printed on the front, and the inside reveals “faux-aged” paper, decorative scroll envelopes, and “wax” seals (which are really stickers).

To win, all you have to do is leave a comment here along with your email address by Friday, Dec. 10th. This giveaway is limited to U.S. residents only, and the winner (picked at random) will be announced on Saturday, Dec. 11th. Good luck!

Consumer Alert: check those receipts!

Readers, just a little friendly reminder to double-check your Target receipts before leaving the store, especially this month. Because for some reason, the Bullseye always seems to try and OVERcharge me during the holidays.

Case in point: yesterday, I was at the checkout stand, and several items (at least 4) accidently rang up twice. In each case the helpful clerk seemed to catch the mistake, and took the additional items off my bill. However, as I was leaving the store, I double-checked my receipt....and sure enough, I'd been charged for TWO boxes of cereal, whereas I had only bought one. I know this sounds trivial, but at $4 a box, I wasn't going to walk out of the store without getting my $$ back! The gal at the Customer Service desk refunded me immediately for the error, and it seemed by her attitude that this is a common occurance.

Target now sells LIVE Christmas trees online

Wacky, yet true: according to this Boston Globe article, Target now sells LIVE Christmas trees online! And for some modern families, ordering a tree over the internet is replacing the cold outdoor search for the perfect fir.

Sounds crazy, but if you dig a little deeper, the idea actually has merit. Consumers like the convenience of having a tree delivered right to their door. And for Christmas tree farmers and advocates of fresh-cut firs, online customers represent their last great hope to reverse a wilting tradition. During the last two decades, fake firs and surrogate spruces — with their pre-lit, nonshedding needles — have taken over more than half of the nation’s living rooms.

Farmers are now embracing the Internet and teaming up for the first time this holiday season with Target and Amazon.com to sell real Christmas trees online. The growers are also taking on new high-tech tasks to tout the virtues of fresh-cut firs, such as shooting videos and uploading footage of live balsams and Frasers to YouTube.

And Target is wasting no time to try and win converts. This week the mass discounter offered a 10-percent sale on live tree orders, along with free shipping. “The opportunity to purchase your Christmas tree at Target.com is one way that Target is making holiday shopping simpler than ever," explained chain spokeswoman Morgan O’Murray.