Target scraps "crazy Christmas lady" ads...

Bad news for fans of Target's "crazy Christmas lady" ads.  The Bullseye is done with comedian Maria Bamford’s "Crazy Target Lady" Black Friday commercials, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Bamford's character has been featured in the holiday commercials since 2009. She plays a holiday aficionado prepping for sales by doing wind sprints through the store and arm curls with baskets filled with ornaments. Target has replace Bamford's character with their new holiday campaign, “Dream Big, Save Bigger,” starring Bullseye the Dog.

But don't cry for Bamford.  She was featured in two episodes of the FX series “Louie” this past season, playing a comedian who not-so-romantically lands in bed with star Louis C.K. And the Huffington Post recently reported that she'll have a recurring guest spot on the fourth season of “Arrested Development.” The show began filming in August and will air exclusively on Netflix in the spring of 2013.

Fab Find: Kirna Zabete Metallic Jacquard LBD

With the Kirna clearance now in full force, I finally caved and tried on this metallic jacquard dress.  The fabric is pretty thick, so I was afraid the dress would look bulky and add unwanted pounds.  To the contrary, I found this dress to be flattering as well as comfortable, with the added bonus of side pockets (rarely found in dresses these days).  The cinched-waist and full-skirt retro styling reminds me a bit of the pink 'Mad Men Collection' dress from Banana Republic this past Spring.  I bought mine in black - because we can all use another LBD in our closet - but I was tempted to get it in burgundy as well. 

AAA discount on Target.com

AAA members, did you know you're eligible for a discount on Target.com? You can save $10 on each online purchase of $100 or more at Target.com.  Savings are automatically applied at checkout when visiting the retailer's site via AAA.com; click here for more details.

Prabal Gurung on his Target collab...

Style.com has posted a short video interview of designer Prabal Gurung talking about his upcoming collection for Target.  He told Style.com that he’s been dreaming about a collab with the Bullseye for quite a while, revealing that “My first-ever designer Target piece I bought was Proenza [Schouler],”  He continues “I was still in school at the time and I remember telling myself that one day, I hope I get to do this—I remember it so vividly. I have thought about this collaboration for the longest period of time.” And in the video (which you can view here) he says the entire collection was "inspired by love".

Kirna clearance continues...

The Kirna Zabete for Target collection is now marked down to 50% off at my local stores, but honestly, I still don't think the stuff is really moving.  The racks still seem full, and it also looks like  Target.com (where the collection is only 30% off) isn't sold out of any items yet. At half off, I was inspired to nab this graphic t-shirt (shown) for just under $10, but I think this collection is going to need to be marked down even further to clear the racks.

Target's next designer collab: Prabal Gurung

I missed reporting this news this yesterday because while there was a flurry of stories about Target collaborating with Prabal Gurung, I thought they were referring to the Target + Neiman Marcus holiday collection (which Gurung is also a part of). But Target has announced that their newest limited-edition designer collaboration will be Prabal Gurung for Target, to include ready-to-wear as well as accessories.  The collection will debut on Feb. 10th, and shown here is a sneak peek of one of the outfits (via A Bullseye View).

We can expect the collection, which will include dresses and separates in Gurung's signature bold floral patterns, to feature about 80 items, starting at $12.99 and topping out at $199.99 (for a leather jacket).  Standout pieces, according to Target, will include refined dresses, mixed-media skirts, edgy blazers and striking shoes featuring hot hues and sleek, feminine styles. Gurung also did a small collection with J. Crew last year.

Gurung, who grew up in Kathmandu, Nepal, began his design career in India and then moved to New York to complete his studies at Parsons the New School for Design. Prior to launching his own collection in 2009, he worked for both Cynthia Rowley and Bill Blass. His clothes have been worn by Michelle Obama, Kate Middleton and Sarah Jessica Parker.

Now faithful readers might recall that over 2 years ago I reported the rumors that Gurung might be designing a capsule collection for Target.  Not sure why the collab took so long to come to fruition, but I guess better late than never!

Good Samaritan pays customer's Target bill

 

In Sherwood, Oregon over the weekend, a Target clerk says a woman paid a family's bill after their credit card was denied.  The good Samaritan - who wished to remain anonymous - told the clerk she had been in tough spots herself and just wanted to help. She paid the $161.85 bill and then left, leaving the clerk to tell the family.

The customer said he didn't have enough their $161 bill but pulled out a 20 and offered to pay for the next person in line. The two teenagers behind him passed some of the money along as well.  The clerk posted the story to Facebook, where it has received more than 240,000 likes.

Nate Berkus for Target debuts online and in stores...

Today was a rare Sunday where I didn't venture to Target. Today was also the debut of the Nate Berkus for Target collection, so I can only judge by what's posted on Target.com.  While I generally like what I see, I'm struck by two things.  First off, there's only about 100 items in the collection. I was expecting more, so I am assuming that this is just the start of Target's collaboration with Nate and that each season will bring new offerings. 

Secondly, I noticed that most of the really cool (and unique) home decor items are available for purchase only in stores. Which means if I really want it, I'll have to hope my local store has it in stock. A quick check on eBay shows only a couple of Nate Berkus for Target items, and hopefully they won't start showing up there with jacked-up prices.

And the winner is...

The winner of my latest blog giveaway - for the Missoni for Target scarf - is reader 'melissaha'! Her entry was picked by the random number generator over at Random.org. Congrats, Melissa; I have emailed you for your mailing address, and as soon as I get it, I can send out your prize. And thanks again to everyone who entered and for reading my blog!

Reader Giveaway: Missoni for Target scarf

After doing some Fall "Spring Cleaning" this past weekend, I happened upon a brand new with tags Missoni for Target scarf that I bought a year ago but never bothered to wear.  Then I remembered why: I bought it without realizing it contains wool, which I'm allergic to. So now it's time for me to find it a good home - hence, a new reader giveaway!  The scarf (shown here) is 20% wool/80% acrylic, and retailed for $24.99.

To win, all you need to do is leave a comment on this post along with your email address by midnight on Saturday, Oct. 20th. This giveaway is limited to U.S. residents only, and the winner (picked at random) will be announced on Sunday, Oct. 21st. Good luck!

Target posts lookbook for Neiman Marcus collab...

Target continues to hype the heck out of their upcoming Christmas collab with Neiman Marcus.  This morning they previewed a few of the items on Good Morning America, and GMA is also running a contest to win one of six of the items on their website.  Plus, A Bullseye View has posted the entire lookbook of all 50+ items in the collection, which you can view here.

I'll be honest: I flipped thru the entire lookbook just now and was underwhelmed.  This will not be a collection I will camp out for, nor wait up past midnight to go on sale online.  My faves so far?  Probably the Robert Rodriguez and Lela Rose offerings. I also like the dessert plates from Tory Burch (shown here) but as I told a close friend over the phone earlier today (after seeing them on the GMA show) I need another set of plates like I need a hole in the head.  I'm sure this collection will sell much better than Target's recent installment of The Shops concept, especially seeing that it falls during the holiday season.  But I for one will "pass" on this one.

Clearance Alert: The Shops at Target

A week ago I alerted you that some of the Kirna Zabete collection had gone on clearance, and yesterday I followed up that the rest had been marked 30% off in stores.  And now, it looks like ALL of The Shops at Target capsule collections are on clearance in stores.  At my local store, the racks of Kirna and Odin NY were still pretty full, but The Curiosity Shoppe and Patch NYC offerings were thinning out on shelves.

In addition, it now looks like all of The Curiosity Shoppe and half of Patch NYC are on sale on Target.com.  The Odin and Kirna Zabete collections, however, are still full-price online.

Target's CEO profiled by Fast Company

Gregg Steinhafel doesn't give many interviews, so the Fast Company profile on the Target CEO from earlier this week is worth reading.  There's some interesting tidbits in there, both about Steinhafel's own routine (up before 4 a.m. and done with e-mail before most of his employees get out of bed) and Target's floorplan (customers seemed unwilling to walk the extra aisles to peruse clothing racks after buying food and sundries, so stores went through an expensive remodel in the early '90s to maximize browsing, which is why you'll find women's & children's apparel taking up prime real estate close to the entrance). You can read the entire article here.

Rest of Kirna Zabete now on clearance...

As I posted over the weekend, the Kirna Zabete for Target accessories went on clearance for 30% off. And now I see that the clothing and jewelry are marked down 30% as well.  So far this sale seems limited to stores only, as online the collection is still at full price. I'm tempted to get the leopard print trench coat (shown here) although online customer reviews describe it as "really thin" - so much so that it could actually be worn as a dress.

In other Kirna Zabete news, co-founder Beth Buccini tells WWD that her SoHo store has outgrown its location, thanks in part to their Target collaboration. She and partner Sarah Easley plan to re-open in late spring somewhere else in NYC, though they won't reveal where.

Last chance for several Sonia Kashuk items...

While perusing Target.com the other day looking for some new Sonia Kashuk makeup brushes, I noticed a special page marked "Going, going, gone!".  It seems that several Sonia Kashuk items are about to be discontinued, and Target is offering one last chance to buy them before they're gone forever.  I was able to nab this "All Out Glam Brush Set" from last year's holiday season, which has gotten rave reviews on the site not only for the brushes themselves but for the glitzy case they come in (which can double as an evening bag). 

Clearance Alert: Kirna Zabete for Target

Uh oh!  Looks like the Kirna Zabete for Target collection is already on clearance for 30% off. I snapped this pic in my local store yesterday, and so far the sale seems limited to the accessories section, as the Kirna Zabete jewelry and clothing weren't marked down yet.  That said, it wouldn't surprise me if the other Kirna Zabete offerings go on sale soon, as the racks seem fully stocked with the stuff at every Target store I've visited recently.

New at Target: aden + anais

At Target the other day I noticed an endcap marked "aden + anais" in the baby department.  Not knowing anything about the brand, I looked up their web site, and learned their fascinating story:

As a young woman growing up in Australia, founder Raegan Moya-Jones was introduced to many traditional practices of motherhood. One of them in particular - swaddling babies in generously sized, gentle muslin sheets - amazed her. Even the fussiest babies seemed to sleep more peacefully in muslin. Despite the hot days and the cold nights, muslin swaddles helped keep babies comfortable. And, most importantly, the very act of swaddling seemed to build a bond between mothers and their babies.

When she moved to the U.S. and started her own family, Raegan couldn’t find any swaddles like the ones she remembered from home. The only swaddles available were too small. Or made of much-too-thick flannel. Or, simply, unattractive.

And so, aden + anais was born. And within months of hitting the market, aden + anais swaddles starting popping up in magazines, on blogs for new mothers, in virtually every celebrity gift registry, and in stores around the country.

Now aden + anais has created a line for Target, of which the Swaddle Wraps (shown here) are a bestseller and gaining rave reviews.  Besides the Swaddle Wraps - which come in a wide variety of colors and patterns - aden + anais for Target also has an array of Burp Bibs, Security Blankets, and Sleeping Bags.

Wednesday's Rave: Mossimo's "Larissa" Top

It's been a long time since I've purchased something from the Converse One Star line (at Target) because IMO, they've gone downhill this  past year or so.  So I was pleasantly surprised when I found this "Larissa" top in store the other day.  The asymmetrical zipper and ruching keep it edgy, and the soft cotton/poly blend makes it easy to care for.  Plus, my husband said this top made me look "skinny"... bonus!

Target Beauty Bag Giveaway!

The KrazyCouponLady has alerted her followers that Target is giving away another beauty bag full of goodies.  To get one, go to the TargetStyle Facebook Page to sign up.  Target is touting this as their LAST beauty bag giveaway EVER, filled with freebies and coupons galore.  Now for the fine print....

1 - it looks like you need to load a FB app. to sign up
2 - it also looks like you need to supply some personal info like your phone #, so if you don't want to give that up, you might want to pass on this offer
3 - you don't actually get your bag in the mail for for 6-8 weeks, and there's a limit of one per person, while supplies last
4 - you also won't get the exact bag shown here, as this pattern is the one given away this past Spring

Double-Take: Tibi vs. Mossimo

It's time for another double-take, where we take one item from Target and match it up against a lookalike - and much pricer - designer piece. This one will be a bit different because instead of making you guess, I'm going to give it away.  The dress on the left was featured on the Cupcakes & Cashmere blog yesterday; blogger Emily is wearing a lovely emerald green peplum dress from Tibi, which will set you back almost $400.  Seeing this fetching green dress immediately made me think of this version from Mossimo (at Target) which costs less than $30 and comes in 6 different colors (including Hedge Green, shown here). Yes, the Mossimo version has short sleeves and a slightly different peplum, whereas the Tibi one is sleeveless and has added a belt.  But other than that, the looks are strikingly similar.

Target's "Amazing" script for employees...

According to TheDailyMail (and as Conan poked fun at on his show this evening) Target's new manual for their sales assistants requires them to make all their interactions with customers "amazing".  This new employee directive ensures a "service vibe" to make customers feel as comfortable as possible.  The official script to becoming an ideal Target employee was leaked online, packed with corporate buzzwords (like "amazing") and cring-worthy customer service tips. The training manual - actually titled "Welcome to Amazing" - provides workers with a script to follow that ensures customer service is top-notch.