Target fumbles...

Sorry, Target, but you really fumbled it this time.  In your Superbowl article on A Bullseye View, you feature some cute football-themed serving ware by Threshold.   The vintage-inspired style seems reminicent of John Derian's line for Target several years back.  The only hitch?  It's available online only... and with just 3 days until the Superbowl, there's no way to get it in time for Game Day.

Coming to Target: new Method products

Regular readers of my blog know that I'm a big fan of the Method brand.  But an even bigger fan is blogger Nathan over at Method Lust, where I got the scoop on some new Method products that should be coming to Target very soon.

Shown here is Method's newest Moisturizing Body Wash variety called "Surfside". I'm guessing from the name that this will have some sort of "beachy scent", which will be a welcome change from the heavier floral/herbal body wash fragrances Method's been churning out.  Hopefully it will be similar to their Refreshing Body Wash in Sea Minerals which is currently sold out.  Nathan is betting that this new scent will replace "Magnolia" - which I've noticed is now on clearance on Target.com - so if you're a Magnolia fan you might want to stock up before it disappears forever.

Method will also introduce two new hand washes: "Blue Poppy" and "Fig + Rhubarb". Both sound exotic, and I can't even imagine what "Blue Poppy" will smell like! And Orla Kiely is continuing her collab with Target with new spring-patterned bottles and earthy scents like "Tomato Vine".

Kirna cleared from Target.com...

Good morning, readers!  Sorry for the lapse in posts, but I've basically been in a flu-induced fog since Friday morning :-(   Sometime between now and Jan. 13th - which was the last time I looked for Kirna Zabete on Target.com - the line disappeared from the site.  I recently ordered the Kirna "kiss dress" in the lip motif that looks like leopard-print (shown here) for just $13.98; it came the other day but I haven't had the energy to try it on yet.  Thankfully, the packing slip says I have the normal "90-day return policy", so I have plenty of time to mull over this purchase (unlike the deadline restrictions placed on the Target + NM line).

Coming to Target Canada: Roots

The good news?  That one of my favorite Canadian brands, Roots, is coming to Target.  The bad news?  It will only be available at Target Canada stores.   Roots Outfitters for Target will include casual fashions for women, men, boys, girls and toddlers, and be available from March to June.  Looks like I'll need to tag along on one of my husband's business trips (his company has offices in Canada) to try and check out this line in person.

And the winner is...

The winner of my latest blog giveaway - for the Tory Burch for Target lunchbox - is reader "zerodoll"! Zerodoll's entry was picked by the random number generator over at Random.org. Congrats, zerodoll; I've already sent you an email asking you for your mailing address, and as soon as I get it I'll mail out your prize. And thanks again to everyone who entered and for reading my blog!

Reader Giveaway: Tory Burch Lunchbox

Hello readers!  Due to my unpredictable work schedule this week, I probably won't have much time (if any) to blog.  So instead, I've decided to hold another "reader giveaway" in lieu of regular posts.  Now that the Target + Neiman Marcus Holiday Collection is gone for good, I thought it'd be fun to offer up one of the more popular items: the Tory Burch lunchbox (shown here).  This item is BNWT, and although I got it on clearance, is currently selling for as much as $50 on eBay!

To win, all you need to do is leave a comment on this post - along with your email address - by midnight on Thursday, Jan. 24th.  Limit one entry per person. This giveaway is limited to U.S. residents only, and the winner (picked at random) will be announced on Friday, Jan. 25th. Good luck!

Coming Soon: Kate Young for Target

Target has announced that celebrity stylist Kate Young will introduce a limited-edition collection of women’s apparel and accessories to the Bullseye this Spring.  You may recognize Kate for her stylist work on the red carpet with the likes of Natalie Portman, Michelle Williams and Rachel Weisz in other people’s designs, but now her own name will be on the label for this exclusive collab with Target.

Kate has quite the pedigree, starting her career at the place where many can only dream about—Vogue. After spending time assisting Anna Wintour and styling the very first cover of Teen Vogue, Kate quickly became a sought-after stylist, working runway shows for designers such as Derek Lam, Nina Ricci, Peter Som, Yigal Azrouël and, of course, Target. Most recently, Kate styled the elegant Jason Wu for Target campaign.

Judging from the preview sketches posted on A Bullseye View, it looks like this collection is focused on special occasion dresses and separates. Ranging in price from $14.99 to $89.99, Kate Young for Target will debut on April 14th.

Target launches 6 exclusive online-only brands

Target has debuted six new online-only brands, exclusively available on Target.com. “We’re excited about these new brands and how they’re helping us further differentiate Target.com from other online retailers,” says Theresa Schmidt, a Target divisional merchandise manager. “We know our guests are increasingly connected and are shopping online more, so we wanted to offer guests something new, unique and unexpected.”

The brands are as follows:

TOO by Blu Dot: Rooted in simple design and sophisticated silhouettes, this is a collection of modern décor with a sense of humor. With versatility, boldness and attention, the collection adds unexpected detail to every room in your home.

Labworks: This dynamic contemporary line of daring designs in missy, plus and petite sizes can only be found on Target.com. With a strong point of view, this confident collection of women’s ready-to-wear pushes boundaries for the stylish and polished fashion fan.

Boho Boutique:  Set your spirit free with an airy assortment of bedding, table linens, curtains, shower curtains and more. The whimsical prints and patterns are complemented by bold texture and materials.

Zutano Blue: After being uninspired by children’s clothing for her newborn daughter, European designer Uli Belenky founded Zutano. Today, Uli is happy to bring her playful patterns to Zutano Blue, an exclusive collection of clothing, bedding and décor that celebrates the spirit of childhood.

MudHut: Go global with the bold textures, vibrant motifs and saturated hues of Africa, Asia and Latin America in this eclectic collection of bedding, textiles and home accessories. Inspired by their South African childhoods, a the brother-and-sister designing duo hope to bring the whole world into your home.

And finally, Room 365: (shown here, and which I think looks an awful lot like Dwell Studio) A collection of bed and bath furnishings for both adults and infants in eye-catching colors and bold prints. Chic details - like modern prints and crisp colors - transition from season to season.

Target + NM disappears from Target.com...

Now that the 1/15/13 revised deadline for the Target + Neiman-Marcus collection is behind us, the entire line seems to have disappeared from Target.com.  I haven't been to Target yet today to see whether it's also been removed from stores, but I visited the Mt. View CA location yesterday and there still seemed plenty of stock.  How about you out there, readers?  Is the line still lingering at your store, or has it been pulled from shelves?

Some thoughts on the Prabal Gurung Lookbook...

Elle.com has posted the entire Prabal Gurung for Target lookbook - which you can view here - and it got me to thinking: some of these looks seem rather familiar.  I realize that trends are trends - and that designers often copy each other - but some of these similarities are just too strong to ignore.  So let's take a look at some side-by-side comparisons...

On the top row, we have the "schoolgirl neckline" of the new Prabal Gurung for Target dress next to last year's Jason Wu for Target dress.  Likewise (middle row) here's two Gurung dresses with the center contrast-panel, much like last year's Wu version on the end.

But the similarities don't end with Wu: check out the Gurung shirtdress that closely copies the recent Kirna Zabete for Target one (bottom row).  Gurung even has a long colorblock-cardigan that mimics Zabete's for Target.

This all makes me wonder: how much hands-on "designing" do these celebrity designers really do, or is it just "consultation"?  If you recall, after the "Missoni Madness" it was revealed that the Missonis didn't actually "design" anything, but instead the collection was created by Target's internal design team.

A tip on returning items from the NM collection...

Happy weekend, readers!  Just wanted to share with you a little hint I discovered by accident while at Target today. Some of you may have been influenced (as I was) to BUY MORE once the Target + NM collab went on clearance for 70% off.  I made an online order last week for this Philip Crangi frame (shown) and the Carolina Herrera Travel bag set (which I'm gifting to my mom).  Obviously the bag set I'm keeping (as it's a gift) but I changed my mind about the frame and tried to return it today.  Note: the packing slip stated that this item had to be returned by 1/5/13, which would have been impossible as I placed my order on 1/4 and only just got it yesterday.  So I left the packing slip at home and tried to return it via my Target RedCard, which was my method of payment.  When the CSR looked it up, he informed me that I was past the return date... however, he could ring it up as a "non-receipt" (meaning I didn't have either the receipt or the card I paid for it with) but that I'd only get the current price (which was fine, as that's what I had paid for it).  That way you can get your money back via a Target gift card.  Just a little hint for those of you suffering "buyer's remorse" as I was today!

Back at Target: The Great Save

You've probably noticed that the floorspace formerly reserved for holiday merchandise at Target has now been replaced with their warehouse-club offerings.  "The Great Save" was introduced back in 2010 in order to set up a "warehouse-club experience" in stores, much like the setup at Costco or Sam's Club.  The intent is to draw more store traffic with deals on necessities, and offerings include a selection of bulk-packaged, family size, and bonus pack items from brand names like Pepsi, Huggies, Lysol, etc.

Last year, Target re-dubbed this section "The Bullseye Bodega", and this year the signage seems to call it "In With The New" (as shown by this pic I snapped at my local store).  Whatever it's called, this section debuts in stores the first week of January and usually lasts until mid-February.

Target's new price-match policy...

Target has extended its holiday price-match policy to a new universal Price Match Policy that matches prices from top online retailers year-round, including Amazon.com, Walmart.com, BestBuy.com and ToysRus.com.  The story was featured on Good Morning America this morning, and you can watch it here.  What does that mean for you?  Well, if you see a lower price for the same item  - for example, on Amazon.com - take it to the Customer Service desk at Target and ask them to look it up on the competitor's site.  If the CSR verifies that the item is indeed sold by less at the other retailer, they will honor the other retailer's price.

Double-Take: Target vs. Urban Outfitters

It's time for another double-take, where we take one item from The Bullseye and match it up against a lookalike (yet more expensive) piece.  These two tree-motif shower curtains truly do look alike, don't they?  Only one of them is from Urban Outfitters and costs $44, whereas the other one is from Target and is priced a bit less at $39.99.  Which one is which?  The answer appears in the comments section below.

Michelle Obama recycles her Target dress...

Yahoo!Shine is reporting that one of Michelle Obama's inexpensive standbys is still getting a lot of use. She wore the same arrow-print dress from Target's Merona brand twice on vacation recently in Hawaii. She was spied wearing the pink and black sleeveless dress back on December 22 deplaning Air Force One in Honolulu and then again on January 5 as she boarded the plane to return to Washington D.C. (as shown here).

But this isn't the first time our FLOTUS has worn this frock.  As I reported in July of 2011, she wore the same dress to a "Joining Forces" event.  And prior to that, she originally debuted the dress in August, of 2009, during a family vacation to Arizona.

Target + NM still available on Target.com

Sigh...  the randomness continues with the Target + NM collab.  I haven't been to Target yet today - so I'm not sure whether the collection has left stores or not - but a quick check of Target.com shows the collection still available online. Only thing is, now the return date is Jan. 15th (see screen grab at left) and not Jan. 5th as previously stated.  And over at Neiman-Marcus.com, the collection is finally discounted to 70% off, with a notice that these are now "final sale" items. Neiman-Marcus also seems to be sold out of many more items than Target, leading me to believe that Target had more inventory in the first place.

Target shifts focus to everyday staples...

Now that everyone's realized that their latest partnership with Neiman-Marcus and all those big-name designers was pretty much a flop, The Bullseye is shifting focus back to food items and household staples.  According to the Associated Press, Target plans to push its food, laundry detergent and other household necessities in a national ad campaign that pokes fun at high-fashion advertising by featuring models interacting with everyday products (as shown in this screen grab from one of the TV commercials).

In one ad, a model in a white dress and high heels struts by blueberry muffin and cake mix boxes that explode in different colors. Then she crushes an egg with her hand. "Dominate that PTA bake sale," a voiceover whispers. "The Everyday Collection. By Target." Another ad shows an $11.99 bottle of Tide laundry detergent and a model in a white dress dancing fancifully.  "We all yearn for something," says a voiceover as bubbles float by the model. "And that something is the other sock."

The campaign is part of a larger move by Target - better known for its cheap-chic clothing and home goods - to focus more on its grocery-store aisle. Walmart and other competitors also are expanding in that direction, which is why Target is following their lead.

UPDATE: to preview two of the commercials, head to A Bullseye View to view "The Matador" and "Laundry".

Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/01/04/4524754/grocery-aisles-are-focus-for-target.html#storylink=cpy

Leftovers linger at Neiman-Marcus...

Yesterday my mom treated me to lunch at Neiman-Marcus at Stanford Shopping Center.  While there, we took the opportunity to browse a bit... and upstairs we spied a ton of leftover stock from the Target + NM holiday collab.  Shown here is just one of the many tables of merchandise we saw; there were also several racks of the Marchesa and Jason Wu girl's dresses and boy's rag&bone cardigans.  Curiously enough, the collection is only marked 50% off at NM, and not the 70% offered at Target.  Several readers have asked me what will become of the leftovers after Jan. 5th; I have no idea, and in perusing the TargetStyle Facebook Page, others are asking the same question and not getting a straight answer.

Double-Take: Mossimo vs. Moncler

It's time for another double-take, where we take one item from Target and match it up against a lookalike (and much pricier) designer piece. With Winter in full swing, I thought we'd take a look at a cold-weather staple: the puffer coat.  The problem with puffers is that they can add unwanted bulk, and let's face it, make you look larger than you'd like. That's why these versions - with a belt to cinch your waist - are brilliant.  Both come in black (as shown) as well as a deep wine color, and feature a detachable seatbelt-style belt.  But one is by Moncler (sold by Bloomingdale's) and is over $1000 (!!!) while the other is by Mossimo (at Target) and is less than $50.

And while you might be able to easily tell which-is-which by the stock photos, I still can't believe the price difference between these two coats.  So check the comments section for the answer!

Fab Find: Threshold Olive Bowl

As mentioned before, I'm a big fan of the Threshold line at Target.  IMHO, their offerings surpass many of the items in the Nate Berkus for Target collection, and they consistently keep introducing new items every few weeks.  So you can imagine my delight when I found this lovely little bird bowl sitting randomly on an endcap in the Home Decor section.  I was even more delighted when the bowl rang up on clearance for a paltry $1.79!  The sticker on the bottom calls it an "olive bowl", but I'll be using it on my nightstand to hold my jewelry instead.

Clearance Alert: Target + NM now marked down to 70% off

Attention shoppers!  If you've been hoping that the Target + Neiman-Marcus holiday collab would be reduced even further (from the 50%-off it was marked down to just before Christmas) then your wish has been granted. At my local Redwood City, CA store this morning, the entire collection was marked down to 70% off!  I can only assume that other stores are also reducing prices in order to clear this stuff out.

At that price, I broke down and got the Robert Rodriguez blouse (shown) for just $23.98. At my store, there were plenty of these still in stock, as well as the Lela Rose tops, the rag & bone sweaters, and the girl's Marchesa dresses.  Also in full supply were the Marc Jacobs Black scarf and Gold leather pouch, the Oscar de la Renta tote, the Carolina Herrera travel bags and stationery sets, the DVF jewelry boxes, the Altuzarra cocktail shakers and glass sets, and a ton of the Jason Wu ornaments.

Sadly, this sale doesn't seem to extend (at least not yet) to Target.com.     UPDATE: the sale now extends online to Target.com.  According to their website, Target also seems to be offering "free shipping" on all the items left in the NM collection.  But remember: regardless of the price, items from this collection have a return deadline of Jan. 5th for refunds.

Product Review: Maybelline's Baby Lips

Happy New Year, readers!  I don't know about you, but I always try to take advantage of some "Spring Cleaning" when the calendar turns to January.  So this week I'm tackling my makeup drawer and throwing out anything old and either replacing them with new stock or trying out new products.  One new product I tried recently was Maybelline's Baby Lips lip balm.  Previously I'd been using Neutrogena's Norwegian Formula Lip Moisturizer when my lips were truly dry, and Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer when I wanted something with a little color to it.  Neutrogena's balm was pretty good, but I've never been thrilled with Burt's Bees, as it always seemed too waxy for me, plus had an overwhelming peppermint scent.  So after a lot of hype - I think Elle first broke the news 1 1/2 years ago that Maybelline planned to introduce Baby Lips late last year, and bloggers have been singing its praises ever since - I finally broke down and bought some for myself. 

My first purchase was a "two-fer" pack - probably a holiday stocking stuffer promotion - that I found on a Target clearance endcap about a week ago.  It contained two flavors: "Quenched" (shown here) and "Peach Kiss".  Quenched is clear, and has a faint lemon scent to it but no taste (as far as I can tell). Peach Kiss is a pale, shimmery peach-color with a slight peachy scent and taste (but again, very subtle, especially compared to other flavored offerings out there).  I thought both of them provided great moisture while feeling nice and light on my lips; the consistency isn't heavy, thick or waxy at all.  Plus, I was happy to discover they contain SPF-20 and are paraben-free.  The Peach one also delivered a lovely wash of color, so I went back to Target a couple of days later to pick up "Cherry Me", which looks bright red but goes on as a punchy pink. And unlike many "cherry flavored" balms, this one smells light and fresh without leaving any "chemical" taste in your mouth.

Baby Lips also comes in "Pink Punch", "Peppermint" and "Grape Vine", and retail for about $3.50 each.  I'm definitely a fan, and would recommend them if you want a light/non-greasy - yet deeply moisturizing - lip balm.