Target's website down...

FYI, Target's website seems to be down this morning.  I'm not sure how long it's been down, but I've been checking it for the last 45 minutes and it's still not working. No idea whether it's just due to regular site maintenance or what, but just thought I'd alert everyone.

UPDATE: their website is back up now.

Double-Take: Allan Andrews James vs. Threshold

It's time for another double-take, where we take one item from Target and match it against a similar - yet pricer - piece. Today we're looking at two reclaimed wood accent mirrors, both with a casual, beachy-vibe. But one of them is by Allan Andrews James (available at Overstock.com) and will set you back about $124, while the other is by Threshold (at Target) and only costs $29.99.  Which one is which? The answer appears in the comments section below.

Fab Find: Melt Lemon Verbena & Sage Candle

Regular readers of my blog will recall I was a big fan of the Lume Luxe line of candles, which used to be carried at Target. They seem to have been replaced by a brand called Melt, which offers equally decadent scents and also boasts a pretty etched pattern. The editors over at Racked.com dub this variety - Lemon Verbena & Sage - the "perfect summer scent", and after sniffing it in store, I have to agree with them. They call it "fragrant enough to perfume my living room with a summer-appropriate sweet citrus scent" but add "I haven't actually lit it yet because I don't want to melt away the cool carved detail."  This size (shown) is 3x4" and retails for $7.99, and there's also a taller 3x6" version for $9.99.

Sale Alert: Orla Kiely for Belkin

Well that was fast! Less than a month after its debut, the Orla Kiely Collection by Belkin for iPhones and iPads are already on sale.  Nab them for 20% off, this week only, both in Target stores and online on Target.com.

Wardrobe malfunction...

Tonight I saw the movie Blue Jasmine.  Let me just say it's not my favorite Woody Allen film. I did notice, however, a major wardrobe snafu: Jasmine, the lead character (played by Cate Blanchett) is supposed to be a mega-rich socialite who wears Chanel jackets, carries an Hermes bag, and uses Louis Vuitton luggage. Which made this cardigan (shown) she wears in several scenes throughout the movie stand out. Yes, it's Missoni... but it's Missoni for Target, which I recognized right away because I own the same sweater. Jasmine brings it with her when she moves from Park Avenue to her sister's house in San Francisco, but someone of Jasmine's social standing would never be caught dead shopping at Target.

Reader Giveaway: Odin New York Shirt

Hello readers!  I just realized it's been several months (back in April) since I held my last reader giveaway, so I'm long overdue for another one.  And this one has the men in mind, as I'm giving away this BNWT Odin New York for Target men's plaid shirt (shown here). I bought this for my hubby last Fall; he never wore it, and as I was cleaning out our closets this weekend he admitted that he probably never will ;-)  (which is why I'm offering it up here).

This shirt is size XL and made from 100% lightweight cotton - with almost a linen-feel to it - and the full retail price was $29.99.  To win, all you need to do is leave a comment on this post - along with your email address - by midnight on Thursday, August 8th.  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, August 9th.  Good luck!

Target stores, then and now...

Target’s store design - bright lights, wide aisles, and strong branded signage - is inherited from the retailer’s rich heritage. Dayton’s Department Store - Target’s predecessor - had the uncanny ability to understand its guests, anticipate their needs and deliver exceptional in-store experiences. That savviness included everything from presenting product in beautiful ways to incorporating research into store layout and lighting.

Products and price may have changed over the years, but Target’s thoughtful presentation and commitment to a premium shopping experience has remained the same. For example: back in 1975, Target introduced the “racetrack” store layout to ensure a consistent experience from store to store, no matter the location. One main aisle circles the store, with additional aisles running through the center and the perimeters, allowing for more space to display product. This racetrack model prevails today. Target also debuted the first planogram, a “map” that helps store teams present clean, uncluttered merchandise displays. 

For more vintage photographs and details of Target stores "then versus now", check out this article on A Bullseye View.