Late to the Party: Cynthia Vincent for Target

Peeps, these Cynthia Vincent for Target shoes kinda rock. Looks like the black gladiator wedges sold out (boo), but I picked up a pair in brown at an upstate Target this past weekend. I am so glad Carl indulges my Target fixation. Anyway....



The straps on these gladiator wedges, $29.99, were kinda loose on my regular size, but a half-size down solved the problem. Yay!



I also tried on the strappy ring flats, $24.99, in a half-size up (which was actually fine), but the straps were flopping all around, so I passed. Maybe a half size down would fix it also? I might actually go for these in white, since I just bought yellow sandals.



And I'm digging the hot pink studded thongs, $24.99, though I'm wary of the toe strap. Seems like just ASKING for trouble.



Surprisingly, the tribal-print wedges, $29.99, are still available. Weird! They're so cute!

I'm gonna hit the Matt Bernson sample sale on Friday, and if I STILL need sandals, maybe I'll order up some of Cynthia's and hope for a good fit.

Then all I'll need is some NICE GODDAMN WEATHER. Seriously, why so winter???

Give Me Liberty or Give Me...A Chop't Salad

I wish I could say a lot of things about the Liberty of London for Target pop-up shop at 42nd and 6th here in N.Y.C. I wish I could say I popped in and was delighted by the impossibly cute teapots and knickknacks and dresses. I wish I could say I was transported to a magical Alice in Wonderland-ish world of colorful cuteness, available for no more than the cost of a few cups of tea. I wish I could say I took a turn around the block on a flowery bike. Mostly, though, I wish I could say I popped in at all. I wish I did NOT have to say what actually happened, which is that I waited on line for 30 minutes, determined I'd be on line for another 20 at least, and that my life would be more improved by a Chop't salad and some tissues (this cold!) than by a floral piggybank.

I will try again in the morning, and Tamar and I are all set to road-trip to Jersey on Sunday for the official launch (this is serious business), but for the moment, here are my picks, based on Target's tiny pics:


Halter dress, $29.99. This is THE piece of the collection as far as I'm concerned. Kudos to the designers for making a beautiful dress that a woman can bend over in without worrying about flashing anyone, and kudos to Target for pricing it at $30 instead of the $50 and $60 and even higher I've seen in other designer collabs.


Tankini, $19.99 per piece.


Peacock swimsuit, $34.99. Maybe.


Flowerpot, $9.99. Because terra-cotta is kinda boring.


Piggybank! I lied; I totally need a floral-print piggybank. How else am I gonna save money? Deciding between this and the black and white. It's $9.99.


Chemise, $17.99. Uh, chemise, really? You wear this shit to bed? But it's so pretty! And she's wearing shoes! Further investigation required.

And that's just my picks of what's on the press page, which I think is incomplete. I see a lot more pillows and bedding, for instance, in the videos. And since my new cat has pissed on most of our throw pillows (thanks, Louie!), it's time to stock up.

For my money (as yet unspent), this is one of the best Target designer collections yet. Don't sleep, kids! The collection launches in stores Sunday. Developing!

Spotted At Target: Bigfoot

Like any white-blooded, middle-class American, I LOVE Target. But I DO NOT love the fact that from Target, you can procure not one but TWO different Bigfoots (Bigfeet)?

There's this horrifying Bigfoot costume FOR ADULTS:

($74, Target.com)

 

I have nightmares about waking up to something like watching me in my bedroom.

And then there's this Bigfoot toy, which is an exercise in pure terror.

($97.99, Fisher Price, Target.com)

Per the description, this ONE-HUNDRED DOLLAR (!!!??!?!) Bigfoot comes with a remote control that "allows him to walk forward and backwards and the 6 buttons are Happy, Angry, Sleep, Fun, Ball and Exercise." WHAT? "Angry" button? Where's the "Total Panic Attack" button?

I do not BELIEVE this picture of a little boy playing with Bigfoot. You know they Photoshopped a photo of a happy little boy face after the actual little boy shat his pants and ran off, emotionally scarred for life. Could you blame him?

Feelin' It: Dolce Vita for Target

A weekend trip to New Jersey means a trip to Target, which is cause for celebration enough. Add in Labor Day weekend, and suddenly it's back-to-school shopping (without the school): double yay! Then, the cherry on top: a designer collab I'd completely forgotten about and, to be frank, kind of written off. I saw the pics for the Dolce Vita for Target collection a few weeks back but wasn't really into them, even though I'm a fan of Dolce Vita shoes and have a bunch of them. Somehow, in person, the boots didn't seem quite so pirate-y, and the flats were a little more special.


Lace-up boots, $34.99. I'm not usually one for lace-up boots, but I decided I could try to be one. Like my fearless coblogger! Also these have a handy diagonal zipper up the side that means you only have to fix the laces to your liking once (they're still functional). And the faux leather is of pretty high quality. Beware, this shoe for some reason runs at LEAST a full size large; I got a 7 when I usually wear an 8.



Studded ballet flats, $29.99. The major selling points for these are the tiny understated studs and the square ballet shoe–like toe. These run a tad small; I should probably have gotten a half-size up, as I now see the reviews are telling me. Why can't they standardize the sizing? Cute, though. Sold!

Some other back-to-school finds:


Mossimo boyfriend cardigan, $20. Leggings, boots, done.



Mossimo lace inset cardigan, $22.99. Cardigans are pretty much a staple of my fall wardrobe, so. Why not?

Anyone else feeling the DV for Targs?

DONCHA FARGET: Hayden-Harnett For TARGET Is On Sale NOW!

NOW NOW NOW! Get your Hayden-Harnett for Target bags NOW!

It looks like many of them won't ship for another several weeks, so consider this a test of patience.

I haven't seen them in person, so I can't speak to the quality (they're made of PVC, so you can probably bank on them cracking), but I'm pleased they didn't skimp on the design details -- the fun studs and hardware and excellent fabric lining.

My faves:

($39, Hayden-Harnett, Target)


($19.99, Hayden-Harnett, Target)

Peek inside for a peep at the great fabric lining!

($44.99, Hayden-Harnett, Target)

Cheyyyyyck out the fun pyramid studs on the bottom of this chain bag. Yay!

December 18th Is Free Shipping Day!

Apparently Christmas miracles DO happen, because December 18th is Free Shipping Day.

Just order shit from Bloomingdale's, Macy's, Crate & Barrel, Endless.com, Nordstrom, Sur La Table, Target, Zappos, and more on December 18th, and your stuff ships free and it's guaranteed to get there by Christmas Eve (or, just "Wednesday night," if you don't celebrate His Birthday).

Also, December 18th is Christina Aguilera's birthday, so if you buy her something, you can ship it for free!

UPDATE: Amazon is no longer participating, but December 18th is STILL Christina Aguilera's birthday!

Alexander McQueen for Target!

ACT LIKE YOU KNOW!

Alexander McQueen's up next for Target!

The collection hits Tarjayz March 1, 2009 and runs through April 11, 2009 as part of Target's new Designer Collaborations hook-ups with established designers.

More from WWD/ Racked:

McQ Alexander McQueen for Target will feature lightweight sweaters, skinny jeans, bubble dresses, slim skirts and cuffed shorts. Signature pieces include a coated cotton poplin black trench, a rock ’n’ roll gray denim cropped studded jacket, a men’s wear-inspired tuxedo blazer and a color-blocked one-shoulder dress with bubble hem. The collection also will include swimwear and cotton voile print scarves.

The collection has a muted color palette of black, white, gray and tan with accents of cobalt blue and bright pink. Studs and mesh give items an edge. For example, a chambray sleeveless shirtdress has stud detailing, there’s a mesh wrap dress and an open yarn zipper cardigan. Graphic prints and silk-screen photographs give tunics, dresses and T-shirts visual interest. The Leila silk-screen T-shirt with a necklace collar was designed for The Duke Spirit lead singer, while other band members are immortalized on a sleeveless jersey T-shirt.

Can't wait that long? Check out a few less-than-a-fortune McQueen pieces...

($219, McQ ByAlexander McQueen, Bluefly)

Cute, no?

(Currently $73, Alexander McQueen, eBay)

Fun red military-inspired Alexander McQueen trench for a SONG! That is, until someone jacks it up to the price of a small country...

($399 Buy It Now, Alexander McQueen, eBay)

$399 ain't bad for iconic, stripey McQueen. Or, go find something cheaper at Trash & Vaudeville.

(Currently $125, Alexander McQueen, eBay)

Kinda whackadoodlydoo, but I like. The design reminds me of Will Broome.

Hayden-Harnett's New Boots Only Encourage My Wanton Leo Spending Habits

Come ON, Hayden-Harnett! As if I didn't have enough lust in my heart as it is! Now you gotta dangle some of your new $595 Zelda Zippered Cuff Boot (in Eucalyptus) in my lap while I just sit on my hands and try not to touch? A WOMAN HAS BASIC HUMAN NEEDS!



At least the Hayden-Harnett for Target collection is fast approaching! Per PR, it hits stores -- and Target.com -- December 28, 2008 (through March 3, 2009), with no Internet pre-sale, but obvs I'll keep you posted if I hear anything. And meanwhile, I'll be counting down the days until the next Hayden-Harnett sample sale and PRAYING those boots show up in a size 8, puhweeeeze!

Comfy Cardis!

My cardigan and knit obsession continues, especially in goes-with-anything greys and blacks. Here are several cardis, sweaters and other knits I so deeply desire:

($150, Clue, Satineboutique.com)

But will I look as pouty and impossibly small-waisted if I buy this?

($306, Alexander McQueen, Shopbop.com)

I normally can't stand wearing clothes with brands plasted across them, but this isn't too obvious. Plus, graffiti = funs!

($228, Marc By Marc Jacobs, Shopbop.com)
This is so effin' cute. Subtle too. Deeeelightful!

($235, L.A.M.B., Shopbop.com)

Due to the placement of the knit straps, I'd prolly advise not wearing this is you're over a small B-cup, lest your boobs push the belts so far to the sides that they get swallowed up by your pits. Regardless, I sorta love the lederhosen vibe this cute little sweater gives off.

($63, Priorities, Bluefly)

A striped, zippy hoodie cardi is such a necessity that they even named it PRIORITIES!

($194, Nom*D, Refinery29.com)

One for the dudes! I'm sorta unsure how I feel about longer stuff on dudes (save for a nice 3/4-length coat, but I guess this is sorta similar.

($245, C&C California, Shopbop.com)

Can you make it through the winter without a dark cashmere cardigan? (Or a reasonable facsimile -- a reasonable facsimile being at least $150 less and probably NOT cashmere?) No. No you cannot.

($258, Juicy Couture, Nordstrom)

Love the dainty little ruffling -- usually I HATE ruffles, but this is just non-intrusive enough. And I love the heather grey version too.

($29, Target)

I realized most of the stuff I posted was well above the FB affordable standard, so here's one from Ol' Faithful, Targz.

My Quickie 'Mad Men' Purchases From Target!

I popped into Targz when I was home the other week (and by the way, I must say, the Hilltop Virginia Beach Target was spifftacular to begin with, but with its recent facelift, it's even nicer!), and I picked up a few items to hopefully make my outfy more formal-looking when I attend a wedding this Sunday (at Steiner Studios!), which I just found out is formal. EEk!

Firstly, I'm wearing this Christopher Deane dress:

($163, Christopher Deane, Revolveclothing.com)

The dress is much more fanco-lookin' in person -- silky and pretty pretty. But I still fear it's not necessarily formal attire, you know? So, these are the Target items I hope to fance it up a bit with. They sorta Mad Men-inspired (Mad Men being my second biggest style obsession next to peacocks!), but hopefully not TOO costumey.

($44.99, Anya Hindmarch for Target)

Impulse buy of the CENTURY, but it's certainly beautiful and certainly worth the price. From the VERY same Anya Hindmarch line that MkHo DISPARAGED!

($44.99, Mossimo, Target)

Usually I DON'T advocate the tenty swing jacket for myself at least, but this one has a cute little cinched waist, and it's a nice heavy wool, for in case it's Arctic out, like it is tonight.

($21.99, Target)

These are far daintier and cuter in person.

ALSO, I've got an appointment to get mah hairs all did up nice by Matthew James at Sam Brocato Salon (formerly Oscar Bond) in Soho. The doll-faced Amber at Beauty Blogging Junkie has gushed like a volcano over this man, so I can't wait to see what he achieves with my hair.

Hopefully the whole look isn't too costumey -- the jacket and gloves are just for transporational purposes. It's just mainly going to be the dress, the bag, and the fun hair. Not like I'm gonna roll in smoking a cigarette from a long holder, and wearing a pill box hat, waving like Jackie O... OR WILL I?

Anyway, thoughts, pleaze? Is the outfit formal enough for a black tie-optional wedding?

Friday Footwear Binges!

SHOOOOOOOOOOEZ for Friday! Weeee!

($124, Dolce Vita, Shopintuition.com)

MORE perfect grey boots! SO tempting!

($34.99, Target)

Can't beat cute boots for 35 bones. Oh, Targze! You foul temptress, you!

($155, Asos.com)

Gorgeous blue hue. These would look super HAWT with grey jeans.

($99, Asos.com)

Silver and blue = sexy. These would rule with some black tights -- yay for the closed toe! Nothing more annoying than a perfectly cute pair of heels RUINED by the unnecessary open toe.

($99, Asos.com)

Love the heel, so I'll overlook the open-toed-ness.

($77, Asos.com)

... And here, the plastic heel excuses the open toe. Ugh. In general: open toe: SO overdone. Is that a conspiracy by the footwear industry -- make more open-toed shoes so women will be FORCED to BUY more shoes when they can't easily winterize? If it is, it's clearly working.

Totally unrelated note: *Is Zachary Quinto hot or not? I vote HOT. Thoughts?
(Photo via: Ohnotheydidn't)

*ETA: Hotornot featuring ZQ was originally the brainchild of Chicagoland's JP. Sorry fer fergettin' to point that outs.

Anna Sui for Target: Better in Theory

So, everyone knows that most of the designer collections for Target pretty much suck ass. But everyone of a certain frugal-fashionista bent checks them out when they hit anyway. And so it was that I had the good luck to be in suburban New Jersey last weekend when the Anna Sui for Target collection debuted. I'd even totally forgotten about it, so it was a delightful surprise to see a few pieces at my mom's local Target. Bottom line: The collection doesn't suck ass, and indeed has some very fun, desirable prints, but I ended up at the register with only a T-shirt (and about $130 in cotton balls and leggings and hair spray and...you know how it goes). Let's take a closer look at the collections highlights:


Stripey silk dress, $59.99. I almost bought this. It was in my basket. It fit great, and I loved the spaghetti straps with the flirty off-the-shoulder sleeves. I thought I might wear it to a wedding in November. But thinking about it more, I realized stripes might not be right for a beach wedding, and I couldn't think of a single other occasion I'd have to wear it. $59.99 saved.


I also tried on this blousy blue dress, and I loved it, and thought about pairing it with a narrow belt instead of the big wide one it comes with, but it just made me look too busty and schoolmarmish and, well, fat, and that is NOT ALLOWED. If you have any curves at all, stay away from this one. $44.99 saved. (That said, I saw a tiny girl on the Brooklyn Bridge the next day wearing it, and she looked great.)


They didn't have this blocky herringbone dress in anything close to my size, otherwise I would have tried it on. Looks work-appropriate in a kicky way, methinks. Reviews, however, as with virtually all Target collaboration items, are kinda eh. Hey, another $60 saved!




As it turned out, I only dropped $24.99 on this collection, with no plans to revisit it (barring clearance sales, of course). The winner: this lace-fringe T-shirt. Totally cute. Nuff said.