Target's "Cyber Monday"

Looks like Target isn't waiting for November to hold their first "Cyber Monday". I just got an email promoting that today only, if you spend $75, you get a $10 Target giftcard. Plus, they promise "doorbuster specials", like Vizio flatscreen TVs, Canon cameras, and Beats by Dr. Dre headphones.

Target to hire fewer seasonal workers this year...

According to the Associated Press, Target plans to hire fewer seasonal workers for the 2013 holiday season, or 20% less than last year. In trying to be more efficient in its hiring practices, Target will only hire about 70,000 seasonal workers this year, compared to last year's 88,000. This move comes as the Minneapolis-based chain saw that its own permanent employees wanted to get first dibs on working extra hours for the holiday season.

Target said it also wants to respond more quickly to the peaks and valleys of customer traffic, which have become more pronounced for many stores as shoppers time their buying for when they believe they can get the best deals. "We're getting smarter in terms of anticipating how many resources we need when guests are really going to be shopping the hardest," said Jodee Kozlak, Target's executive vice president of human resources.

New at Target: Method's Fall 2013 Scents

As mentioned in a post a couple of weeks ago, Method has introduced some new Fall varieties (available at - but not exclusive to - Target) and honestly, I'm not that impressed with the scents nor the updated packaging. The new fragrances include Plumeria, Silver Birch (shown here) and Dulce de Leche. Out of all of them, I found the Silver Birch to be the best of the bunch, although I don't know if I like it enough to actually buy it. The Plumeria was too floral for my tastes, and the Dulce was over-the-top candy-sweet. And the new packaging seems to be trying to copy prior Orla Kiely designs by coming up with their own prints they describe as "wrapped in organic, textured patterns inspired by nature".

And for those of you bummed (as I am) that Target has pretty much sold out of all their supply of last season's Orla Kiely-labeled Method products, here's some good news! You can still buy them (at least for now) via Method's website. This includes both last Fall's Gel Wash scents of Bay Leaf, Pear Ginger, Vanilla Chai and Primrose, as well as Spring 2013's Foam Wash offerings of White Nectarine, Cloudburst and Honeysuckle. Note that Method will re-direct you to their fulfillment center - Soap.com - once you're ready to checkout, and that shipping is free on orders over $35.

My review of 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target...

Today I thought I'd give you a review of the Phillip Lim for Target items I was able to score in store this week. Over the past several days I've visited 3 local Target stores in my area, and was lucky enough to get several items I'm really happy with. The 3 original items I ordered online - the Black Tote with Gusset, the Khaki Trench, and the Brown Carryall Tote - haven't shown up yet, although I did get an email confirmation from Target that they've shipped and are on their way.

Despite the fact I had already ordered the Black Tote with Gusset, this week in store I happened to find one of the Large Carryall Totes in Black, so I nabbed it just in case the online order doesn't show up. I was pretty impressed with this bag. Obviously at a $60>under price point, Target isn't going to produce something in real leather. However the grain of the "pleather" has a nice texture to it and from afar could pass for the real deal. The bag also seems sturdy and roomy, with plenty of handy pockets and compartments inside. Based on this sample, I think the bags in this line are a real "win", and I'm not surprised that they sold out so fast.

Moving on to the clothing: I found the sizing to be a bit varied (depending on the piece) although overall the sizing seems more generous than past Target designer-collabs. I bought this gorgeous Green Blouse in store and had to go down one from my usual size. I love this vibrant shade of green, and plan to pair it with classic black pants for a job interview next week.

On the flipside, I had to size up on the Sparkle Peplum Tank in order to fit my bust. This top has a flattering, structured shape, with a gentle peplum that's not too "flared". The fabric is substantial and not flimsy, making it look more expensive than it really is. This will be a perfect top to wear for the holidays, paired casually with jeans or dressed up with a sleek pencil skirt. Since I liked the shape so much, I also bought this top in the Floral Print.

On all the clothing items, I found the quality and workmanship to be far superior to prior collabs. The materials seem of better quality (at least in the items I bought) and seem like they'll last past a couple of seasons wear.

What do you think, readers? Were you pleasantly surprised (as I was) by this collab? And if you bought anything, what were your favorite pieces?

Some Phillip Lim for Target orders not being filled...

Uh oh... it looks like Target might have another Missoni mess on their hands. Reader "Meena" posted the following complaint on one of my Lim posts from earlier this week:

I am extremely disappointed as I placed an online order for a Phillip Lim bag, and now Target sent me an email stating that they will not be able to fill the order. Instead, they are mailing me an gift card for $100.

Meena, be glad that you at least got $100 gift card out of it, because not everyone did. "Ashley" from Atlanta was lucky enough to get one, as shown in this message she posted to TargetStyle's Facebook page. But comments on Ashley's post shows that another online shopper only got a $10 gift card for her troubles, and yet another referenced that she got a paltry $5 card for her  Prabal Gurung for Target order gone awry.

Fab Find: Cära Leather Cuff Bracelet

Last week at my local Target store I spied a bunch of faux-leather bracelets on clearance in a variety of colors and styles. As I did the rest of my shopping, I mulled over which one to buy, and ended up picking this cuff style by Cära (shown). It reminded me a bit of Gucci's leather cuff, minus the $560 price tag. And marked down to just $7.98 (down from $24.99) how could I resist?

If you're not lucky enough to find it on clearance in store, it's on sale on Target.com for 20% off this week, and also comes in a pretty winter-white color.

Wednesday's Rave: Nate Berkus for Target Sheets

About a year ago I raved out Springmaid's My Soft Sheet Set, which unfortunately Target doesn't carry anymore. By the time I realized these were being phased out, I could no longer find the size I needed on clearance. So it's taken me a long time to find a suitable replacement, but I think I've finally found one: these Nate Berkus for Target sheets in a subtle herringbone pattern. Made of 100% cotton sateen with 300 thread count, they are soft right out of the box, and will hopefully hold up well. And the menswear-inspired herringbone print is a nice alternative to plain solid sheets.

Best of all, this particular pattern is now on clearance in some stores. I've seen them at 30% at one location, and I was lucky enough to score mine at another for 70% off!

The Look for Less: Phillip Lim vs. Mossimo

I can't quite justify a "double-take" when Target copies one of their own designs, but when I noticed this doppelganger this morning I just had to blog about it.

If you're coveting the 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target navy dress with black faux-leather sleeves (pictured on the left) and are sad that it's sold out online, consider this version from Mossimo instead (on the right). Both designs are similar, except the Lim dress has a zip front, whereas the Mossimo version has an exposed zipper in the back.  The other difference is the price: the Lim dress is $49.99, whereas the Mossimo one is just $29.99. Plus, the Mossimo one also comes in red and solid black.

Double-Take: Threshold vs. Conair

It's time for another double-take, where we take one item from Target and match it against a similar - yet pricer - piece from another retailer. Today we're looking at two attractive woven-wood shower mats, both with a non-slip backing. Only one is from Pollenex by Conair (at Bed, Bath & Beyond) and will set you back $39.99, and the other is from Threshold (at Target) and only costs $24.99. Which one is which? The answer appears in the comments section below.

Clearance Alert: all Orla Kiely-packaged Method Products

Back in July I alerted you that Method's seasonal "Tomato Vine" scent was on clearance, and now it looks like all of Target's Spring scents in Orla Kiely designs are deeply discounted. Today I nabbed two of the foaming handwash bottles - in "Honeysuckle" and "Cloudburst" - for 30% off. Tomorrow I'll be heading to a different Target store to see if I can find more Tomato Vine as well as another recent favorite of mine, "White Nectarine". Meanwhile, Target.com seems to have several products left in "Pear Ginger" (shown here is the dishsoap) but they're still at full price.

Sadly, I don't think Method is planning future collabs with Orla, as their "new Fall scents" don't include any Orla-printed packaging. I'll include my review of Method's new varieties in a future blog post, but in short, I'm not impressed by their new offerings.

Target's next designer collab will be with PETER PILOTTO

Just one day after their near sellout with Phillip Lim, Target has announced their next designer collab: PETER PILOTTO. Never heard of him? Neither have I. And I'm not "shouting" at you; this brand name is spelled in all-caps.

According to Target's official press release, Peter Pilotto and Christopher De Vos (shown here) are the designers behind the brand PETER PILOTTO. The two met while studying at Antwerp’s prestigious Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Belgium and together created one of London’s most recognized and coveted fashion brands. Celebrated for their innovative, complex and colorful prints, the designers explore and question conventional notions of prints, textiles, sculptural shapes and draping. PETER PILOTTO for Target will showcase the designers’ distinct aesthetic, combining hyper-real digital prints in striking blues and greens and warm reds and oranges.

Available Feb. 9, 2014 at most Target stores in the U.S. and Canada - as well as on Target.com - PETER PILOTTO for Target will feature women’s apparel, accessories and swimwear, with most items less than $60. Additionally, Target is partnering with NET-A-PORTER.COM, the world’s premier online luxury retailer, to reach an international audience and offer global fans of PETER PILOTTO a curated assortment of the limited-edition Target collection.

“By working with Target, we’re able to broaden our reach and bring our design aesthetic to an entirely new audience,” said Peter Pilotto. “This is a pivotal moment for our brand. Our collection for Target embodies the elegance and spirit of our own line, but makes it accessible to everyone,” added Christopher De Vos.

“Peter and Christopher have a rare talent for capturing the essence and energy of London in a way that’s completely universal in its appeal,” said Trish Adams, senior vice president of apparel and accessories, Target. “This collaboration allows our guests to brighten their look at truly remarkable prices this spring. By working with NET-A-PORTER.COM to make the collection available internationally, we’re able to introduce Target’s democratic approach to design to a new audience.”

The "Limsanity" continues on eBay...

Despite the fact that Target allegedly had "quantity limits" on the amount of Phlllip Lim items bought in store and online, the eBay vultures have already posted over 1,500 items for resale. And almost 1,000 of those items are the coveted bags that were the first to sell-out. These quantities will no doubt increase throughout the day as folks drag their hauls home to post online at greatly inflated prices. The most obnoxious example thus far is this 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target men's leather jacket (shown) which retails for $299 but has an asking price on eBay of $750 (OBO). It's truly sad that The Bullseye can't seem to stop the secondary market on their designer collabs, but the best tact to take is to not give in to the eBay vultures and pay their outrageous prices.

Lim is LIVE & Target.com is having technical issues!

At 1:45am PST I logged on to Target.com to do a little shopping. Lim was live, but Target.com - per previous designer collabs - was having ALL sorts of issues. Some items (like the mini-satchel in brown) kept coming up with an "OOPS! We're having technical issues" window, whereas others would come up "in combination" with other items (encouraging you to "shop the entire collection"). A hint if that happens: only put the quantity in for the item you WANT, and keep the other item at "zero"; then you should be able to add it to your shopping cart.

In the end I was able to snag two bags and the trench coat before successfully checking out. Target.com said my order went through, so fingers crossed that it really did. How about you, dear readers? Did you try to shop 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target online, and if so, did you face similar technical issues??

Shopping strategies for the Phillip Lim/Target collab...

The 3.1 Philip Lim for Target launches at 8am in stores tomorrow (Sunday).  Do you have a shopping game plan? Will you haul yourself to your local store very early on Sunday morning to snag a spot in line? Or will you set your alarm for the wee hours Saturday night to try to score your stuff online?

Here's a handy checklist to help you score the haul of your dreams:

1. Sign up for email alerts from Target here. Keep in mind that now that you will receive ALL Target emails, not just those regarding the collaboration. You can also Text STYLE to TARGET (827438) for mobile updates (text STOP to 827438 to cancel).

2. If you plan to shop in person, set your alarm and plan to get there super early. Although diehards start lining up as early as 5am to guarantee a prime spot, past collabs prove that turning up by at least 7am is acceptable.

3. If you'd rather shop from home, keep in mind that former designer collabs have landed online between midnight and 3:00am. A Target rep tells Racked.com that the collection will go live on Target.com in the "early morning hours," but they aren't able to give a specific time. Also: the online launch will feature 29 exclusive styles (available only online) and guests will be limited to just 3 of the same item.

2. Know ahead of time what you want to buy; review the Lim lookbook and create a plan of attack.

3. Choose wisely. A Target rep tells Racked.com that there's a limited supply of each item in stores - and items will not be replenished throughout the day - so stay focused. 

5. Know your return rules. Target typically allows returns within 90 days with tags and receipt, both in-store and online. But special rules sometimes apply to designer collaborations - as was the case with last holiday's Neiman-Marcus collection - so read your receipt carefully for any disclaimers.

6. Don't give up. Returns happen, and you might get what you had your heart set on in upcoming weeks after someone else has buyer's remorse.

Target teams with football players on Pro Merch line...

Five of your favorite football players have teamed up with Target on a new collection of fan apparel. Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay Packers), Devin Hester (Chicago Bears), Arian Foster (Houston Texans), Marshawn Lynch (Seattle Seahawks) and Patrick Willis (San Francisco 49ers) have partnered with Target’s Fan Central team to create custom t-shirts designed “by the player, for the fan,” to be sold in select Target stores and available on Target.com/promerch. The exclusive collection, featuring both men’s and women’s styles, marks the first time a mass retailer has collaborated with pro football players in this fashion. For four months, the players worked with Target’s design team to bring their signature style to life.

The Pro Merch collection has already debuted in 267 Target stores and just hit Target.com in time for the kickoff of football season. And the best part? They’re all under $20 each. Shop the collection here, and check out A Bullseye View for details behind each player's design.

Coming Soon: TargetTicket

Remember the TargetTicket video streaming service I blogged about back in May? Well it sounds like Target is ready to officially roll it out on Oct. 1st, with a collection of 30,000 TV and movie titles for purchase or rental.

According to Variety, Target has deals with major studios, including Disney, Paramount, Sony Pictures Entertainment, 20th Century Fox, Warner Bros., Universal and Lionsgate. TV networks in the mix include ABC, AMC, CBS, CW, Fox, FX, HBO, The WB, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, NBC, Showtime, Starz and USA Network.

A differentiator for TargetTicket will be access to early EST, including day-after-broadcast TV episodes and movies before they are available on DVD. The service is compatible with UltraViolet, the digital-locker system created by Hollywood studios, to let TargetTicket customers import movies they have already bought from their UltraViolet account.The overarching goal for Target in designing the service was to provide an Internet video service that was simpler and more family-friendly than alternatives in the market.

TargetTicket users will be able to stream or download video to an array of devices, including PCs, Macs, Microsoft Xbox consoles, Apple iOS and Android devices, Roku set-tops and Samsung connected-TV devices. The company’s goal is have an app ready for every Internet-video device by the end of 2014.

New at Target: LYFE Kitchen Frozen Entrees

The other day at Target I was about to grab an evol frozen entree for lunch, and to my delight I discovered that LYFE Kitchen now produces frozen entrees as well. For those of you not familiar with LYFE Kitchen, check out their website here. They have an interesting backstory: their founder and CEO is Mike Roberts, the former Global President and COO for McDonald’s. After a 30-year career leading more than 31,000 McDonald’s restaurants in 118 countries, Mike now runs LYFE Kitchen with the goal to provide "great tasting, good-for-you food that’s surprisingly affordable, remarkably convenient and eminently sustainable."

The variety I tried was the "Chicken Chile Verde with Polenta and Black Beans," described as "Roasted seasoned white meat chicken in a spicy green chile sauce with polenta topped with pepita seeds and savory black beans." The entree steams in its own pouch (kind of like microwave popcorn) and supposedly if you do it right, the cooked entree is supposed to "shimmy out" for "perfect presentation every time". I have to admit I was dubious, as frozen entrees rarely come out looking as good as they do in the picture on the box. However, here's a picture of my actual cooked meal (under the picture of the box) and I have to admit it was pretty darn close!

As for the taste, it was quite good. I wouldn't go as far as to say it's as good as dining in an actual LYFE Kitchen restaurant, but it was definitely comparable. The "spicy green chile sauce" could have been spicier, but of course they've dialed it down to appeal to a wide range of tastes. I'll definitely be trying other varieties of LYFE Kitchen entrees, and if any turn out to be exceeding good (or bad) I'll post an update here on my blog.

Double-Take: Thakoon vs. Mossimo

It's time for another double-take, where we take one item from Tar-shay and match it up against a lookalike - yet more expensive - designer piece. Today we have two trendy Fall leather-front cardigans in black and gray. Only one is from Thakoon (at OTTENY.com) and will set you back a whopping $350, whereas the other one is from Mossimo (at Target) and is only $27.99 (although I've recently seen it on the clearance racks for half that price!). Which one is which? The answer appears in the comments section below.

Phillip Lim for Target already showing up on eBay...

Let the Limsanity begin! Racked.com is reporting that the press-only preview event of the 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target collection last week included pushing, shoving, and overall mayhem as press people jockeyed for position to get their hands on the goods. Shown here is their pic of the long checkout line... and it looks like some of those folks have already listed them for sale on eBay. As of this morning there are almost 40 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target items for sale on eBay, all at highly inflated prices.

Target + Chris March present "Big Fun" Halloween Wigs...

Target is teaming up with fashion/costume designer and former Project Runway contestant Chris March to create an exclusive line of larger-than-life Halloween wigs. The playful collection - which will debut in stores and on Target.com Sept. 15th - will serve as the centerpiece of Target’s Halloween product assortment that includes costumes, accessories, décor and candy.

According to the official press release, this limited-time collection features over-the-top foam wigs - each priced at $20 or less - that will help Target guests create the perfect Halloween look. Inspired by his experience as a costume designer, March designed eight show-stopping styles: Geisha, Greaser, Starlet, Witch, Medusa, Monster Bride, Mohawk and Afro.

“I’ve been designing costumes and wigs for more than 20 years and my new collection with Target is so beyond my wildest dreams we couldn't call it anything but ‘Big Fun,’” said Chris March. “The wigs are inspired by fun and iconic characters and will help everyone create unforgettable Halloween costumes.” Shown here is the "Starlet" style; you can view all of the wigs here on A Bullseye View.

Clearance Alert: Giftables to Go

Remember the "Giftables to Go" section at Target I told you about this past Spring?  The aisle in the Stationery Department with an array of last-minute grab-n-go gift items? Well most items are now 50% off, probably to make room for new merchandise. And as you can see from this picture I snapped yesterday, the selection is already getting picked over, so grab it while you can.

Phillip Lim put out early in Georgia store...

Good news if you live in Duluth, Georgia! A dimwitted Target employee accidentally put out some of the 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target collection early at that local store. According to Racked.com, the items are placed next to Target's regular fare, including visors and caps, rather than on their own racks. Items include Phillip Lim bags and printed scarves.

The launch event for press just happened last night - and the collection isn't supposed to land in stores and online until September 15th - so it makes sense that stores would be getting deliveries this week. However, the merchandise is NOT supposed to be out yet, and yet it is according to this picture sent in by a Racked tipster from Duluth.

Target debuts 3.1 Phillip Lim commercial...

Have you seen Target's new commercial for their upcoming 3.1 Phillip Lim collection? I haven't caught it "live" on TV yet, but I have seen it online, and you can view it here. The "reverse time lapse" video technique is certainly eye-catching, that's for sure!

Buyer Beware: Bad Packaging

The other day at Target I saw something new in the egg aisle: Simply Balanced brand organic brown eggs in updated clear packaging. While at first glance this might seem a good idea - being able to actually "see" the eggs through the carton to be able to tell if any are broken or not - this packaging is actually problematic for a couple of reasons.

First off, using plastic is a lot more environmentally un-friendly than traditional paperboard egg cartons. And secondly: I looked all over this carton for a "freshness date", and could not find one. I thought perhaps I'd picked up one that wasn't stamped, so I inspected two other cartons and still couldn't find a date. The only place I didn't look was inside the carton... but if you have a clear case, then doesn't hiding the sell-by date inside defeat the purpose of being able to see the contents without having to open the package?

Bring on the bling...

If you're in the market for some hooker heels, then head on over to your local Target store to check these out (shown). They're the "Silvana" style by Xhilaration; boasting a 5" heel - including the 2" platform - they retail for $49.99.

Like the height but not the bling? Then opt for Xhilaration's "Sae" pump instead. It comes in black fabric, fawn patent, and floral print, and is on clearance for just $14.99.

Target tries to add "in store pickup" by the holidays...

According to the Star Tribune, Target is aiming to add a service that allows consumers to pick up online orders in stores, something already readily available at Walmart and Best Buy. Target wants to roll out the service, known as "Buy Online, Pick Up in Store" (BOPS), to all of its 1,800 stores in the United States by the time Black Friday rolls around in late November. But with less than three months left until the start of the holiday shopping season, The Bullseye is furiously playing digital catch-up.

“We continue to invest to further integrate the shopping experience across channels,” CEO Gregg Steinhafel recently told analysts. “We will begin in the Minneapolis market before expanding the role to other markets. We expect to complete the role to all stores by the holiday season.”

Later this year, Target also plans to have its employees test whether they can retrieve digital purchases in stores the same day they bought them. The company also is exploring whether shoppers can buy something at one store and pick it up at other locations.

But some analysts doubt whether Target can effectively offer even the basic BOPS service by the holidays. Under the plan, shoppers place orders on Target.com, which then identifies the closest stores that carry the merchandise. A store employee then plucks the product off the shelf and leaves it for the customer to pick up at the guest services desk. The company declined to disclose additional details but said some products - such as special sale items - will be excluded.