Tag Archives: target

SMC beauty buys: target goodness

my love affair with target is longstanding and well-documented.  but i all-too-frequently neglect their beauty section in favor of cheap fashion finds.  considering their impressive resume of beauty collaborations – boots, sonia kashuk, napoleon perdis are just a few – i should really change my outlook.  so when i recently got wind of a few fun new target goodies, i thought it was a perfect opportunity to show off their “other half”.

i’ve been testing a couple of hair brushes from target’s collaboration with umberto beverly hills, and i have to admit, it’s love.  the round brush (made of a mix of nylon bristles for lift and boar bristles for shine) is amazingly light, and lets me style my hair so much faster than my old boar bristle version.  and the flat banana brush – one i wasn’t even sure i’d use – does a flawless job of smoothing and shining.  i’ve been using it constantly since it arrived, and find myself barely reaching for my usual myriad shine products.  best of all, they’re about $10 each…a deal so good, i may just have to buy a few of those banana brushes to hand out to friends!

and, for those of you who – like me – are perpetually in search of the ultimate red nail polish (or who are just serious target devotees), look no further than l’oreal’s new limited edition shade, “target red”.  designed to match the classic bullseye logo, it is the truest shade of red i’ve come across, and it’s absolutely perfect for holiday pedicures – especially at just $4.  available in store only, sadly…but then, i’m always looking for an excuse for a target run!

so, what’s your favorite beauty buy at target?

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asked and answered: chic from office to happy hour

we recently got a reader question about the dreaded “work-to-happy-hour” transition.  and truly, it is a serious fashion challenge.  so, we called in our resident hipster expert for some advice on pulling off the after-hours look seamlessly.

sometimes, an after-work cocktail is simply a must, whether you’re meeting your girls or that hot guy from accounting.  but how do you leave the office without looking like you just left the office?  i try to plan ahead if i am going to happy hour and wear something that’s easy to transition.

for me, a cute dress, like this knot print wrap dress from banana republic, is perfect.  at the office i would wear tights and a lower heel. after work, make a quick change (a la lynn, in girls just wanna have fun on the bus):  lose the tights, add some big hoop earings and higher heels.  you’ll be the hottest girl there!

for those who aren’t into dresses, rather than wearing a basic white blouse under your black suit, opt for a ruffled purple tank instead.  once you arrive, just remove your jacket and you’ll be right on with the purple and black trend.   

if you are dying to wear that white blouse, skip the suit in favor of a chic, high-waisted black skirt.  once you leave the office, layer a few long necklaces.  just make sure to add tights if you don’t want to look like a naughty secretary…you can always slip them off pre-cocktails. 

those are my best tips…what do you all wear if you are going out right after work? 

~ j

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cheap thrills: anya hindmarch and sigerson morrison for target

it’s official – the much-anticipated bargain lines from anya hindmarch and sigerson morrison have finally hit target.com, and should make it into stores by monday.  and not a moment too soon…i think we could all use a cheap thrill this week, don’t you agree?

it’s no secret these are two of my favorite designers – both have the unique ability to make styles that are youthful but still sophisticated.  and both have done a fantastic job for target.  the hindmarch line is my absolute favorite – possibly my favorite target designer collaboration yet.  i can’t wait to see these in person, and am crossing my fingers they work as well in real life as they do in pictures. 

the sigerson morrison collection has a lot more misses mixed in with the hits, but i still think it has potential, and i’m anxious to check out these wares.  i’ll definitely be splurging on those silver flats (this color is available online only, god knows why), as i can never seem to keep metallic flats looking new for very long, so i’m happy to scrimp in that department.  and if you’re just aching to rock the bootie trend this fall, despite my advice to the contrary, at least you can do it for under $50 here…just please, steer clear of the bedazzled versions.  if you simply can’t resist the sparkle, i suppose these gold peeptoe pumps could work for a holiday look, or add a heavy dose of ’80s irony to a casual ensemble.

so, tell me – what piece(s) will you be picking up from these new collections?

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deal of the day: dean harris for target

i can hardly keep track of what’s going on at target lately – designer collections are lining up so quickly, it seems like a new one releases every week.

as usual, though, i’ve fallen for one that’s gotten almost no recognition.  dean harris, a jeweler whose designs you’re usually accustomed to seeing in gorgeous, upscale shops like barneys (with extravagant prices to match) has lent his eye to a new jewelry line for target.  and it’s actually quite lovely.

harris is known for his edgy, twisted-wire pieces, but my favorites from the target collection were those with a little more panache.  the notable exception are these lovely silver leaf earrings ($24.99), which have just enough edge to keep them from being too precious, and are the perfect size for daily wear.  there’s a similar version which includes a dose of green quartz, and i admit i’m torn between the two.

i have to admit, though, i’m most excited about that fantastic double-layer beaded necklace ($59.99)  i have something similar from the lovely and talented jennifer tuton (stay tuned, by the way, for a peek at her newest wares soon!), but the aquamarine stones in her version aren’t quite as versatile as the clear quartz in the dean harris version.  for the price, it should be a fairly substantial piece – i’m excited to check this one out in person.  i think the styling options are endless, particularly with the 24″ length, which should lend to its versatility.

of course, you can get a much lighter look from this gorgeous green quartz necklace ($39.99).  i love the way the stones look like random bubbles on a chain, and i’m dying to wear this with a silk blouse and heavy tweed trousers this fall.  it’s also available in clear and rose, but that green is just lovely.

i also love this twisted vine bracelet, but for $99.99, this is one i have to see in person – $100 for jewelry from target is tough for me to swallow.

in general, this line is impressively well-made, i have to admit.  they’ve used semiprecious stones and actual metals, instead of plastic, and the beaded pieces are individually knotted.  it’s definitely better than i’d expect from a target jewelry line.

check out the entire line at target – they’re offering free shipping on purchases of $50 or more from the line, which should be easy enough to accomplish.

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cheap thrills: botkier for target

first things first, don’t forget to enter this week’s fabulous giveaway, sponsored by your conscience!  seriously, people…free stuff!  when do we not love free stuff??  plus, it’s a good opportunity to introduce youself…internet anonymity is so last season!

 

the latest designer collection arrived at target.com this morning, and you’re in luck…it’s not terrible!  the new line from botkier actually appears to have some hits…naturally, mixed in with the predictably bad misses.  this collection is actually the closest any have come to echoing the deisgner’s full-priced wares, in my opinion…with gryson’s target collection running a close second.

i’m surprisingly very tempted to pick up the fuschia hobo above – i’m thinking it will be the perfect pop of color during the rainy weather ahead this winter (because, face it – these babies aren’t leather).  it reminds me strikingly of the isis hobo from botkier’s spring line that i came dangerously close to buying several times…but if i buy this one, i won’t feel bad about tiring of the color in 3 months.

that grey python satchel above is one i’m optimistic about, but would have to see in person.  the styling is right in like with botkier’s classic bianca satchel, with a little bit of their nomad collection thrown in for good measure.  i actually love the styling, and do like that they’ve gone for simulated exotics, rather than the predictable patent everyone heads for when using faux leather.  the exotic embossing could be a great trick to disguise the vinyl.  i just worry it’s going to look a little too urban outfitters for my taste.  but seeing is believing.

i’m a little more skeptical of the less-structured bags.  for one thing, botkier just isn’t as familiar with the style – they’re known for structure.  and for another, the thing that saves non-structured bags is the way the leather drapes and puddles…and these just aren’t going to have that quality.  but i like the distressed color of the silver, and again, i think it was an interesting way to disguize vinyl.  so, i’ll be really interested to see if that silver hobo above is fug or fab, but i have much higher hopes for it than for the gold hobo, which i think is just a little too gold, and the bronze tote, which just looks all wrong somehow – like a cheap diaper bag gone awry.  but i do think the white clutch above (also available in that fantastic fuschia color) is a safe bet – the stud detailing just screams botkier, and this one is much more in line with the designer’s signature styles.  i just wish more of the target designers would stop trying to get overly creative with these collections…there’s a reason it’s a signature design, people!

as you all trickle in to target over the next few days, i’d love to hear some more reviews!

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