Fab Find: Mossimo's Convertible Maxi Dress

Back in November, I told you that Target had partnered with Rachel Pally to offer a "convertible dress" in her signature jersey fabric via their web site. This style of dress is becoming increasingly popular, as you can wear in a variety of ways: as a halter, strapless, etc.

And now, Target seems to have developed their own version of this dress. The Mossimo Convertible Maxi Dress can be worn as a halter, kimono-sleeve, strapless, or one-shoulder style, and the flowy a-line skirt is figure-flattering. It also comes in a wide variety of summer brights, such as Blue, Citron, and Violet (shown) as well as Coral, Brown, and basic Black. And at just $34.99, it's the perfectly versatile vacation piece to stash in your suitcase.

New at Target: D-Signed Teddy Duncan Collection

Last August I told you about the D-Signed Sonny Munroe collection for girls at Target, created for fans wanting to dress like the Demi Lovato character on “Sonny With A Chance”. And now, Target has partnered with Disney on another TV show-inspired line, this time based on the character Teddy Duncan (played by Bridgit Mendler on “Good Luck Charlie”). Here are just a few of the pieces from the collection, which I viewed in store yesterday and looked adorable. It's too bad that my niece has entered her teens and is too old for this line; otherwise, I would have snatched up several pieces for her!

Double-Take: Pottery Barn vs. Target

It's time for another double-take, where we take one item from Tar-jay and pair it up with a dead-ringer designer piece. As summer approaches and the weather gets nicer, we move our double-take challenge out to the patio, and compare chaise lounge chairs. Now I don't know about you, but one of my favorite things to do on summer weekends is to stretch out on a patio chaise, soak in some rays, and read the Sunday paper cover-to-cover. Both of the lounge chairs shown are made of weather-resistant faux wicker, and include a water-repellant cushion. But one of these lovely chairs will only cost you $299 (shipping included) at Target, and the other will set you back more than 3-times as much at $999 (plus $50 shipping fee) at Pottery Barn. Which chaise is which? The answer appears in the comments section.

DwellStudio's founder shows you how to "Undecorate"

If you find the rules of home decor intimidating, you're hardly alone. But thankfully, times are changing.

Christiane Lemieux, founder and creative director of DwellStudio, the home decor and children's furnishings company that also has a budget line at Target, explores 20 highly personal homes from across the country in her new book "Undecorate: The No-Rules Approach to Interior Design". Within these pages, Lemieux - a color and graphic design guru - proves that real life and eye-catching design can exist in the same space.

The projects range from a suburban Kansas City house given a sophisticated yet down-to-earth new look by a homeowner who combined simple, marble-topped occasional tables from CB2 with a French console nearby, to a New York City couple who turn a run-of-the-mill railroad Brooklyn apartment into a serene, nature-inspired retreat by highlighting the rental's high ceilings and natural light.

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter, dear readers! As a reminder, all Target stores are closed today (April 24, 2011) in observance of Easter. My husband didn't believe me at first, and asked why I wasn't headed for my usual "Target run" on Sunday morning. But they are indeed closed, and instead, I'll be heading off to our local Farmer's Market (which surprisingly is still open despite the holiday).

Double-Take: Andre Assous vs. Xhilaration

It's time for another double-take, where we take one item from Tar-jay and pair it up with a lookalike designer piece. If there's one shoe that screams Spring, it's the espadrille. And here are two perfect examples: both in a sling-back, rope-wedge, peep-toe, flower-embellished style. Only one pair is from Andre Assous (at Neiman Marcus) and will set you back a whopping $155, whereas the other pair is from Xhilaration (at Target) and will only cost you $24.99. Which one is which? The answer appears in the comments section.

Walmart "spies" on Target

When a large retailer like Walmart wants to check out the competition, the job of spy usually falls to someone several rungs below company CEO. But when Walmart CEO Mike Duke wants to know what the competition is up to, he simply drives to his neighborhood Target, the Baltimore Sun reports.

Just two years ago, Minneapolis-based Target opened a store in Rogers, Arkansas: a scant five miles from Walmart’s headquarters in Bentonville. That makes it easy for Walmart executives to keep tabs on their top competitor.

The Target store is run by manager Chuck Simmons, who has caught Duke “spying” in his store more than once. But while Walmart and Target are fierce competitors, Simmons and Duke are cordial. Simmons said he and Duke have walked the Target store together and says Duke is a “fantastic guy.”