Double-Take: Mossimo vs. Christian Louboutin

It's time for another double-take, dear readers, where we take one item from Tar-jay and pair it up with a similar designer piece. Now one of these platform pumps is an original Christian Louboutin, and a pair will set you back a whopping $779. The lookalike pair is the "Vivana" style by Mossimo (at Target) and is just a paltry $29.99. Can you guess which one is which? The answer appears in the comments section below.

Missoni for Target promo video

Target has just released this video of Margherita Missoni talking about the history of the Missoni brand and behind-the-scenes footage from the Missoni for Target campaign photoshoot. This is about as close as you can get to checking out the full Missoni collection before seeing it firsthand in stores. In one scene, Margherita is wearing a black & white coat that is to die for! I may need to put that one on my shopping list :-)

New at Target: Sonia Kashuk's Fall 2011 Nail Colors

Hitting stores now: Sonia Kashuk's Fall 2011 nail polish palette. Pictured here, the collection includes Sugar Rush, Mauvin' On Up, Taunting Teal, Stop Whining, Chocoholic, and Blank Slate. It looks like Sonia is following Essie's lead of muted colors for Fall, with a trendy teal thrown into the mix. Each just $4.99 at Target and on Target.com.

Target's new site has a LOT of kinks to work out...

As reported last week, Target has launched their new web site. Unfortunately, the Bullseye has a LOT of kinks to work out on the newly revamped Target.com.

Several of you have written in to report broken links or bad search results. Even worse are reports that your online gift registries (for baby and wedding) didn't "transfer" in the migration from Amazon.com, and now your entire lists are lost!

I myself have found the customer service online form to be broken; you fill in all the fields, yet it tells you haven't, so you can't hit "submit". I also had an issue with their "free shipping on orders over $50" offer, when I had 4 items clearly marked with this offer, yet when I tried to checkout, the discount wasn't given. Needless to say backed out of my cart, and Target lost that sale.

I've also noticed TONS of items that are marked "out of stock" under search results. This has always been a pet peeve of mine with Target, and it seems that they haven't taken the opportunity to improve it with their new site. I mean really: if something is out of stock, why still list it?? I also noticed (as shown here) that you can no longer search under the category of "new", which is a shame. If you're a fan of a particular Target brand or product, it was always helpful to be able to sort by "new" to see the newest merchandise first.

Missoni for Target spotted in PA store 2 weeks early!

Racked.com has reported that an eagle-eye reader of theirs from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, found a Missoni for Target suitcase at her local store! She wrote:

Last night, I stopped by my Target and found this Missoni for Target suitcase mysteriously sitting in the middle of a random aisle. The collection isn't set to be released for another 2 weeks, but here's a closer look/sneak peek at the suitcase.

That's right: random pieces from the hotly-anticipated Missoni for Target collection - not scheduled to drop in stores until September 13th - are accidentally leaking onto selling floors at this Pittsburgh-area store. The tipster said she immediately purchased the suitcase (shown here) and listed it on eBay.... so if you really want the Missoni for Target rollaway suitcase before anyone else, check out her eBay listing here.

Former Target designer OUT on Project Runway

Project Runway contestant Danielle Everine - who left her position as a lingerie designer at Target to compete on the show - was axed from the competition last night. I only caught the last 10 minutes of last night's show, but after being cut, Danielle said something like "this isn't fair because I'm a really good designer". That might be the case, Danielle, but obviously you're not good enough for Project Runway.
Auf Wiedersehen!

In bizarre toy news...

Over twelve hundred people want to ban the sale of a toy ecosystem with frogs. That's right - frogs. As in live African Dwarf frogs. In “EcoQuariums” (made by Wild Creations) real live African dwarf frogs are encased in 4-square-inch plastic cubes, entombing them inside tiny plastic prisons and condemning them to a lifetime of slow torture. Above and beyond the animal abuse, these frogs can carry disease as well. Back in July, The California Department of Public Health warned of a salmonella outbreak linked to African dwarf frogs.

Thankfully, Target has recently stopped selling this bizarre children's "toy". But the retailer Learning Express is still selling it, so if you want to join the fight to make them stop, you can sign the petition over at change.org.

Shop Missoni for Target at NYC's FNO

I just got back from an oh-so-too-short trip to NYC. It was FABULOUS, and has me wishing I could go back on Sept. 8th for Fashion's Night Out. Why, you ask? Because while the hotly anticipated Missoni for Target line doesn't officially launch until September 13th, lucky New Yorkers will get an early crack at the collection on — you guessed it — Fashion's Night Out. Target plans to host another pop-up shop at 1095 Sixth Avenue, the Bryant Park location where it set up its Liberty of London store back in March of 2010.

Doors will open promptly at 6pm, so Racked.com advises to get in line around...oh, say 4pm? The first 20 guests to spend over $100 will get to pose for family-style Facebook portraits with Angela Missoni and Margherita Maccapani Missoni.

Target's new website unveiled!

Well that was fast! I thought that Target's new site wasn't set to launch until next week, but lo and behold, it's up and running this morning. Check out the new look/feel; the design seems cleaner and easier to navigate, IMO. Most importantly, I read the new site FAQs, which states that if you previously had an Amazon.com account with Target, your account was transferred to the new Target site. All you need to do is reset your password. [Note: This will only affect the information associated with your Target.com account. Any information associated with your Amazon.com account will not be affected].

Target to re-launch website next week

According to ConsumerAffairs.com, Target is poised to take the wraps off its new website, which has been two years in the making. With this move, they hope to boost sales and catch up to Amazon, Walmart and other giant online retail sites.

It probably galls Target that Walmart is currently the sixth-biggest Internet retailer with about $4.4 billion in sales, while Target is a distant 22nd, with $1.33 billion online sales last year.

Amazon.com is ranked No. 1, with nearly $13 billion last year. And oddly enough, it's Amazon that has been running Target's site and fillings its orders for the last to years, with a decade-old agreement between the two companies. So why is Target bringing its Web retailing in-house after a successful run with Amazon?

Basically, it hopes to make Target.com more like being at an actual Target store and less like being at any of a number of online sites, according to Target CEO Gregg Steinhafel, who says the new site will be easier to navigate, will have faster check and, he hopes, encourage more customer loyalty.

It's quite an undertaking. but next week, Target will be throwing the switch (um, quite a few switches, actually) to take over all those functions itself. And to top it off, when the transition is complete, Target will no longer be selling on Amazon.com.

Wal-mart no longer seen as the low-price leader

According to MSN.money, Wal-Mart's crown as the low-price king has been tarnished, and Target is poised to take over the throne.

Wal-mart, which prides itself on its motto of "Save Money, Live Better," appears to have lost its price perception among consumers. According to a survey conducted by WSL Strategic Retail, 86% of Wal-Mart shoppers no longer believe the retailer has the lowest prices.

"Every brick-and-mortar retailer lowered prices and shouted sales throughout the recession, while the Internet became the go-to place for shoppers in search of the lowest prices," the report said.

Wal-Mart's image erosion started earlier in the year when rival Target narrowed its pricing gap with the retail behemoth. Target reduced its prices on key items shoppers remember most, like milk, cereal and diapers - those key items appealing to the "mom shopper" who knows the prices of these products down to a penny and can see they are saving money at Target.

This raises a serious question: If Wal-Mart no longer stands for everyday low prices in the eyes of consumers, what does it stand for? This is something Wal-Mart needs to figure out quickly, as it is poised to report its ninth consecutive quarterly decline in U.S. same-store sales. And while Wal-mart is struggling to woo shoppers, Target has seen its traffic improve for six consecutive quarters.

The full Missoni for Target Lookbook, revealed...

Racked.com has posted the entire lookbook - 400+ pieces - for the upcoming Target for Missoni line. Click through their slide show to see every single women's, men's, children's, home decor, lifestyle, and office product to be released in Target stores this September 13th. I'm personally loving the colorful ceramic vases, the vibrant rugs, and the more subtle etched-glassware. In the clothing department, I'm finding the knitware a little too "bold" for my tastes, although I could see myself picking up a scarf, hat, gloves or socks.

Fab Find: Mossimo Pleated Zip-back Dress

While perusing the clearance racks at Target today, I found edgy little dress by Mossimo. It's made of travel-ready knit jersey - the kind you can throw in a suitcase and not worry about wrinkes - and drapes beautifully on the body. It also has a cool zipper detail in back, as shown at left. Best of all, my local Target store had it on clearance for half off (only $12.48!) from the regular price of $24.99.

One note: the "jade" color is more vibrant in person vs. the more muted green shown here. This dress also comes in Heather Gray, Basic Black, and "Hot Orange" (which was too "electric" for my tastes; otherwise, I would have bought it in that color as well).

The mystery "Vintage Varsity" ad boots, solved!

Thanks to the Budget Babe, we now know that those adorable wedge lace-up wedge boots featured at the end of Target's new Vintage Varsity TV commercial (shown at far left) WILL eventually be available for sale. That's the good news. The bad news is that they won't be in stores until October.

If you're jonesing to get your hands on a similar pair sooner than that, you can try the Budget Babe's suggestion of the "Tida" by Bamboo. The only hitch is that the taupe color is already sold out, and the black and the brown come in limited sizes. Another alternative (minus the fold-over cuff) is Steve Madden's "Tangoo" wedge boot (shown at near left) which comes in your choice of taupe, black, or chestnut suede.

More Missoni...

Racked.com has posted the first 21 looks from the 400+ piece Missoni for Target collection, and it looks like there's something for nearly everyone: sweaters, wovens, shoes, bicycles, tableware, bedding, menswear, children's, etc. Seeing it here - put together in entire outfits - it's a bit overwhelming. I think this may be one collection that is best enjoyed in "small doses", don't you think?

Target goes "green" with their commercials

The Star-Tribune reports that Target is striving to "go green" with the production of their television commercials.

At Target's Halloween commercial shoot this past June in Minneapolis, plastic pumpkins, artificial fall leaves, plastic gravestones and red, stainless steel Target-logo-embossed water bottles set the scene for a spooky and environmentally friendly event. The water bottles are part of the Minneapolis-based retailer's partnership with EcoSet, a North Hollywood-based company that helps with waste management and recycling during film productions. It sets up compost and recycling stations, and even a bin to recycle electronic waste such as batteries, film and CDs.

Commercial shoots have the potential to be particularly wasteful. Everything is temporary, built for that particular commercial with little to no shelf life afterward. A typical commercial shoot generates nearly 1,000 pounds of waste, the same an average person generates in a year, according to EcoSet.

Since 2009, Target and EcoSet have partnered to divert 56 tons of waste in 53 commercial shoots worldwide from Los Angeles to Minneapolis to Italy and the Caribbean. More than 40,000 plastic water bottles have not been used due EcoSet's stainless steel bottles, and EcoSet works with everyone from the production crew to the creative department to the caterers to gain a sense of what can be repurposed and what can be diverted. Food is typically 50 percent of waste on a commercial shoot, so EcoSet's compost bin is a one-stop shop for uneaten food and paper plates. Film props such as wood, paint, set walls and wardrobe are taken to the Target warehouse for future shoots.

"Eighty percent is either donated, recycled, composted or repurposed," said Megan Dobratz, environmental consultant for EcoSet. "Someone needs to be in charge of doing this, and we're able to take the burden off other people."

First Missoni for Target ad revealed...

Racked.com (and a lot of other blogs this week) revealed the first official Missoni for Target ad (pictured here). It features Margherita Missoni decked out in the brand's signature zig-zag fashions toting a matching suitcase. And the vintage compact Fiat, narrow cobblestone streets, and overall "Italian vibe" makes me excited for this line's debut, which is slated for Sept. 13th.

New at Target: Great Lash's 40th Anniversary Designer Makeover

Racked.com reports that Maybelline's iconic pink and green Great Lash Mascara tube is getting a make-over in honor of its 40th Anniversary. Great Lash, widely known as "America's #1 selling mascara," has partnered with designers Max Azria, Tracy Reese, and Vivienne Tam to create new, limited-edition designer tubes (as shown here). The collection will be available starting next month exclusively at Target locations nationwide and will retail for $6.99 each.

Fab Find: Oval Table Lamp

This is the time of year when Target has their "Back to School" offerings in full swing. And some of their "Dorm Essentials" can be a source of budget-friendly accessories for the home. Case in point: this cute little oval ceramic lamp, with matching white oval shade. Already a steal at $19, it's on sale for just $16 this week at Target. Besides go-to neutrals like black and silver, it also comes in this gorgeous teal (shown, center) as well as bright orange, deep purple, and lime green.

More preview pics of Missoni for Target

Moodboard has posted some gorgeous pictures of the upcoming Missoni for Target line that appear in the August issue of Vogue.

Shown here is Margherita Missoni wearing a Target for Missoni skirt ($40) and sweater ($45) while lounging on Missoni patio chairs with other various Missoni wares (pillows, a glass, a towel, watering can, etc.) tossed into the shot for good measure. Of course, when arranged by a professional stylist, all the patterns and colors seem to blend together effortlessly. But in real life, a little Missoni goes a long way.

What I find most interesting is the magazine's revelation that the Missoni for Target serving trays will be made of ceramic, and not plastic (as has been the case with every other Target designer line). Hopefully some of the other home items, such as the canisters and vases, will be ceramic as well.