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?

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!

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.

Target Has a Fine Jewelry Department?

Don't worry. I'm not getting this. But for a sec, I thought this would make kind of a cool, funky wedding ring, maybe for someone with a square-ish engagement ring. And hello! Seriously budget-friendly!



Target 10-karat white gold .25 carat diamond ring, on clearance for $83.99.

The quality is obviously not going to be great. You don't even need to read the review to know that. But I might get a real jeweler to do something like that, though. And hey, this one doesn't resemble any genital parts that I'm aware of!

Binge Beauty Buy: Rimmel Sexy Curves Mascara

Rimmel's newest mascara, Sexy Curves, has a wand that looks like a sex toy (OR AT LEAST I'VE HEARD THAT THAT'S WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE ON TV), and while I think you're a straight fool if you don't curl your lashes first before applying mascara, the product, much like sex toys, does a good job of, um, hitting those spots other products don't. Despite its claims, Rimmel Sexy Curves doesn't plump lashes (or at least not mine), but it definitely does a good job of lenghtening, lifting and separating, if you will, so I'd recommend it as a base before you use other thicker mascaras out there, like Napoleon Perdis' Madame Curl Curl.

+ Pick up Rimmel Sexy Curves at CVS and Target.

Cutest Lil Patent Grey Target Sandals, WITH PYRAMID STUDS!

($24.99, Target)

Some super nice FashionBinge reader emailed me about these ADORABLAY flat grey patent sandals WITH grey pyramid studs. And you KNOW how I love a pyramid stud! Thanks, nice reader!

WHY, LQQK! It's The... Orla Kiely For Target: THE LOOKBOOK!

Let's take a closer look at the green pear subcollection within the super-adorbs Orla Kiely for Target collection that comes out in February!


There's the cute-n-comfy chair pad:

($13.99, Orla Kiely for Target)

Practical AND presh casserole oven mitt:
($4.99, Orla Kiely for Target)

I'm sure this works for cookie trays too!


Two-to-a-pack kitchen towels!

($5.99, Orla Kiely for Target)

Very pear-y tablecloth!

($21.99, Orla Kiely for Target)

Cutie-pie serving tray!

($19.99, Orla Kiely for Target)

Large canister!

I assume this is $19.99 -- the site currently says $1.99, which would be nice but probably is a typ0.

The highly coveted granny-chic apron, FTW!

($14.99, Orla Kiely for Target)

+ Check out more Orla Kiely for Target images, and view the entire lookbook here!
+ Plus: DON'T fergit to enter the FashionBinge Chloe & Jane Spa Perfect Spa Set Giveaway!

FashionBinge's News You Can Use: Topshop Delayed On Account Of Drankin', Non-Traditional Committment Rings, Brooklyn Target Still A Total Mess

+ More on that ever-delayed New York Topshop opening: Seems Topshop's applied for a ground-floor liquor license (!?!??!?!?), and the community board's all like "Sorry, ma'am. You're gonna have to finish that before you go in." WHO THE FUCK CARES about boozin' while you're cruisin' for deals? Just LET ME SHOP (or at least browse -- THANKS, downturn!) already! (Racked)

+ Maje LuLs: "Difficult To Tell If T.J. Maxx Hit Hard By Recession." Best part: "Further evidence of T.J. Maxx's imminent foreclosure or, possibly, its wholly unaffected condition, included reports of shoppers rummaging through barrels of lamps up to their shoulders, multiple sightings of bras stuffed into children's shoes, the impromptu sale of in-store display cases for cash, and an excess of golf-based giftware." (The Onion)

+ Refinery29 has 20 non-traditional "I do" rings that aren't a snooze. My fave are the Alex + Chloe rings, which certainly don't have to be worn as weddin grings. The square 14k gold versions are available at RevolveClothing, and the one right thurrr's is Alex + Chloe's Inverted Triple White Diamond Ring, made of oxidized silver, and it's under a Kspot. (Refinery29)

+ You say bike shorts, I say no. (Refinery29)

+ Hey, if you dress your tiny dog like JonBenét Ramsey, you probably deserve to go to jail. (Jezebel)

+ Fucked In Park Slope posted another amazing (and, sadly, completely accurate) account of attempting to "shop" at Brooklyn's Atlantic Yards Target. Tears.

FIPS Undercover II: Target Sucks (Brooklyn, NY) from Effed in Park Slope on Vimeo.

Shout Hallelujah, Come On Get Happy! Orla Kiely For Target Coming February 2009!

Song of songs and PRAISES! We are all collectively nearer our Gods to thee -- Orla Kiely AND Target, who are teaming up to bring US, the hungry, cuteness-addicted masses more '70s-inspired housewares -- towels, cannisters, aprons, tumblers, an oven mitt, organizational supplies and more -- printed with fun, sunny pears, flowers, and dots. The Orla Kiely line launches February 2009. SWOON!

(Via Apartment Therapy)

This Sacai Cardigan Is $649. What Am I Missing? Besides $649.99?

I love a guy in a striped cardi. I think they're an Everydude staple as they look great across the board. But did I miss something here? Not convert the currency correctly? How the filfflarnfilf is this Sacai men's striped cardigan $649? DOLLARS! The PRPS cashmere cardigans I've been ogling are half that. This looks like the type of cardigan you could get from Topshop for like 1/16th the price. (Oh look! You basically can!)

($649, Sacai, Colette)

No, this isn't cashmere, and no, it doesn't even come with a car or a pony or anything.


Better deals:

($13.99, Target)

See? Sensible!

($24.99, Converse, Target.com)

$24.99! For a sweater! It MAKES SENSE!

($34.99, DKNY, Amazon)

Also not wack!

($70, RVCA, Jacksurfboards.com)

Order -- it has been restored in the universe.

Budget Fashionista's 2009 Fashion & Retail Predictions

The Budget Fashionista made nine predictions that could affect YOU, the smart, savvy shopper this year.

I'll add to her picks by saying I'm pretty sure Value City's already out of business (they closed the one in Virginia Beach, and my mom called me, practically in tears), big ups to the Cleveland location too, and even Wal-Mart cut their earnings forecast today, Macy's announced they're closing a handful of stores too, and Walgreens is cutting lots of heads too. And as sad as it is to see any store close, I have no clue how or why JC Penney is still in business.

Anyway, READ ON, please for the Budget Fashionista's take on retail in '09:

1. Michelle Obama will redefine fashion and the role of African American women (and moms) in fashion and in the media. She’s already inspired instant sell outs, cover stories, and probably helped saved J.Crew’s 4th quarter. Along with her husband, Mrs. Obama has inspired the recent collections of several TOP designers, including the use of more models of color. First Lady Michelle Obama will continue to have a major impact on fashion and what (and who is) considered fashionable.

2. Wal-mart will be the top store to watch as it will be the only store to successful address the challenges facing middle (and coastal) American families. This isn’t to say that other stores can’t do the same, Target could if they focused less on being “cool” and more on being “cool AND useful”, but right now Wal-Mart is the only major mass market store which does not have to make fundamental changes in order to accomplish this goal.

3. The Bon-Ton, Kmart, Sears, JC Penneys, and several sports apparel stores (Champs, Footlocker, etc) will all close or face bankruptcy. All of these stores, with the exception of K-Mart, depend on a mall environment to stay alive and the mall, as we know it, is dead. K-Mart has been dead for a while, so at this point we’re just waiting for the funeral.

4. Big Lots, Salvation Army, Value City, Costco, Sams Club will all be hot stores in 2009. Costco will be VERY hot in 2009 and shoppers will find creative ways to get the most out of their membership, including membership co-ops.

5. Moms will be king. The marketing focus of several top brands will shift from the youth market to hip moms as more businesses realize that moms are the ultimate influencers, affecting the style and consumer habits of their kids, husbands/partners, and friends.

6. Lipstick, at home hair coloring systems, and nail color will be the big beauty sellers in 2009. These are quick, easy, and relatively inexpensive ways for people to change their personal style.

7. The mall will die. Malls, as we know it, will be dead and most will turn into outlet mall like structures (ex: the Bergen Mall in Northern New Jersey)- featuring the outlets of top retail brands. Even Saks Fifth Avenue, who for years have maintained a rigid distinction between its high-end stores and its outlet stores by referring to the later as “Off Fifth- Saks Fifth Avenue Outlets”, changed the name of their outlets to the equally cumbersome Saks Fifth Avenue Off Fifth.

8. Gray, black, brown, red, and dark blue will continue to be the colors to watch as consumers look for easy to wear colors.

9. Easy to care for fabrics will reign supreme as shoppers look for items that are machine washable, thus saving a ton of money on dry cleaning.

10. More designers will skip their bridge lines and head directly for mass market/lower priced lines. Rumors have already started about budget lines by Zac Posen and Doo Ri. I think the following designers will also do budget lines in 2009- Ellen Tracy (maybe a replacement for Isaac Mizrahi at Target), Tory Burch (Kohls? or Macys), Burberry (H&M?), Paul Smith (TopShop for Men?), Vivienne Westwood (Topshop or H&M), Donna Karan (Macys?).

Target's New Go! International Collection Goes In House

Target's staying closer to home for their next Go! International collection... like, really close to home. The next collection, which launches in February, is a private, in-house collection (not a bad move -- it's probably cheaper than reeling in a known entity like Hayden-Harnett or bigger names like Alexander McQueen or Anya Hindmarch), and it's not bad. I don't love they way they styled the second looks, but on their own, the pieces are fun and have potential. A few picks:

Multi-Color Bandage Dress $44.99

Zipper Dress in Blue $34.99 -- PLEASE, withOUT the ripped rights! Do it RIGHT -- with some nice black tights and heels!

Cutout Shoulder Dress in Black/Gray $44.99


Printed Shift Dress in Black/White $34.99

(Via Racked)

+ And speaking of Target, Fucked In Park Slope's insider investigation of Brooklyn's Atlantic Center Target is COMPLETELY true and on point. It's a total pit, unfortunately. Stay tuned -- we may be getting more insider reports from that very same, sad-sack Targs. On the opposite end of the coin though, Future Lint -- she won the Harajuku Lovers coffret set! -- knows about an amazing Target-Salvation Army pig-elephant hybrid! AMAZING!

An Insider Investigation Into Why The Atlantic Center Target Blows So Hard!

Ask just about any red-blooded American woman about Target, and just the mere mention of, like, one syllable of Target, or simply, 'Jay, spins most laydayze into a frenzy usually (thought stereotypically) associated with weddings (you know, because me and Mary-Kate over here are SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO just like Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson over our engagements -- BTW, MK is engaged!), kitties (... okay, guilty!), or bowls full of comfort food (EXTREMELY guilty).

Now we here at the Binge fucking LOVE us some Bullseye (the store, not the sauce, to which we're pretty much indifferent if not completely revolted by) and post about it so much that I cannot FUCKING BELIEVE we're not on some sort of commission schedule. But there is ONE exception to the rule, and that is the Target at the Atlantic Center in downtown Brooklyn. That Target is an absolute horrid shitstorm, and Fucked In Park Slope blog knows it/ proves it/ owns it. I mean, the sad, barren shelves alone. Weep!

Observe.


FIPS Undercover - Worst TARGET Evah (Brooklyn, NY) from Effed in Park Slope on Vimeo.

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!