Pin and Win: $5,000 from Target & Refinery29

Mossimo® Women's Collarless Ponte Blazer - Black Foil, $34.99

The holiday season is a time spent, in large part, bleeding money on gifts for others. Now, for the record, I love gift gifting, though my wallet could indeed use a pleasant surprise at the moment. If you can relate to my pain, mosey on over to Refinery29, where you've got just about a week left to enter to win a $5,000 gift card to Target. 

That's $5,000.

I just wanted to say it once more.

$5,000 to Target.

It's easy and breezy to enter; simply pin to win with the hashtag #TargetStyle, enter your email and boom, you're that much closer to Supermarket Sweep-ing your local Target.

Enter right this way.

Lady Essentials (+ a Hair DIY!): U by Kotex & Goody

The older I get, the less I want to carry – it’s a weird inverse relationship in my life. So, I’ve pared things down to the basics in my purse as of late – wallet, keys, iPhone, lipgloss, ponytail holders and, of course, lady essentials – a tamp or two, you know?

While I’m generally monogamous in my relationships, I was recently wooed by the chic little black box and colorful plastic applicators of U by Kotex – packaging is often the way to bring me over to the proverbial dark side. And at the moment, Target has a tempting little offer of FREE Goody hair elastics when you buy U by Kotex at Target – and only at Target – more proverbial bang for your buck and two purse essentials crossed off the list simultaneously. To partake, text ‘KOTEX’ to 'TARGET' (827438) for your coupon.

If you need a little inspiration beyond the basic ponytail, I whipped up a simple braided ‘do at my desk using the Goody Ouchless Elastics (no snags here, peeps). To replicate, just follow these easy peasy steps:

• Beginning at each temple, French braid a section of hair – narrow or wide, your choice  - drawing to the back of your head and securing with a Goody elastic
• Replicate the French braid on the other side of your temple
• Secure the braids (optional) at the center back of your head with another elastic – something simple or a spicier textured or metallic version.
• Voila! A simple hair upgrade in 10 minutes or less. 

While all opinions expressed are my own, this post was produced in collaboration with U by Kotex and Style Coalition.

On 3.1 Phillip Lim x Target (And Other Designer Collaborations)

The blogosphere is abuzz with conversation around the recently announced, and even more recently previewed 3.1 Phillip Lim x Target collaboration (see here, here, and here for all of the deets and many more images). Now, while I'm all for a cheap thrill on occasion (friends might recognize this as a slight exaggeration), I find myself increasingly disillusioned by designer collaborations overall - as both an industry professional and a (conspicuous!) fashion consumer. The reason's simple - I've never left a store with my expectations met.

I suppose I'm being idealistic here, but the beauty of a well-made designer bag, shoe, dress, jacket, etc. is not simply in the "design" - although clearly that matters. It's most evident in the details of a piece - the fit, the construction, and the materials - none of which are guaranteed, regardless of price point, but all of which seem to be conspicuously absent from mass market collabs. 

As a marketer who works with established and emerging designers alike, it also pains me to see what can be construed as "brand dilution". It's one thing when a high-low collab is a complement to a designer's existing collection - for example, Prabal Gurung x Target earlier this year - we've all got to make a living, after all, and fashion's a TOUGH business. But it's another thing entirely to see, say, the "Mini Gold Satchel" above included in the Target lookbook. For those who don't recognize the silhouette, it's essentially a designer-sanctioned, pleather knock-off of Phillip Lim's own Mini Pashli bag, much loved by editors and bloggers alike.

What's your take on designer collaborations? Have you had enough or are they a fun way to try designer on for size?

The Prabal Gurung for Target Lookbook Has Arrived (And It's Glorious)

I had never thought of myself as a Prabal Gurung obsessive, but then the Prabal Gurung for Target collection lookbook arrived in my inbox and everything changed.

Inspired by "a tender love story", there's lots to love here, including women’s apparel, shoes and jewelry. Hot on my list (and seen in the gallery below):

• Shirtdress in Nolita Print, $39.99
• Sweatshirt in First Date Print (crewneck sweatshirts are really having a moment right now, and it's imperative that I buy a ticket and board the train), $29.99
• Shorts in Floral Crush Print, $26.99
• Pointy Toe Flats in Nolita Print, $29.99
• Bangles - all, every one in a stack!, $16.99 each

Grand total for a glorious new Spring wardrobe refresh? $177.87. That's less than 1/3 the cost of the new Isabel Marant kicks I snagged last week (we'll put on the agenda for discussion at a later date, yes?). 

Ranging in price from $19.99 to $199.99 for apparel and $12.99 to $39.99 for accessories and shoes, Prabal Gurung for Target will be available Feb. 10, 2013 at all Target stores and Target.com.

Sweatshirt in First Date Print, $29.99

Shirtdress in Nolita Print, $39.99

Shorts in Floral Crush Print, $26.99

Pointy-Toe Flats in Nolita Print, $29.99

Also shown in Blazing Yellow and Black

Bangles, $16.99

L-R:

First Date Print/Dresden Blue

Calypso Coral Print/Black

Nolita Print/Sulfur Spring

Gifts for the Gemini Woman: An Astrological Gift Guide

A Gemini woman is a very special breed indeed, and if you have one in your life, you likely consider yourself very lucky. I myself, happen to be particularly prone to Geminis - several of my very favorite friends fall under the sign of the Twins, so when it came time to compile my Astrological Gift Guide, I felt it necessary to crowdsource a suggestion or two. 

For the Gemini woman on your list this holiday, may I present you with the following options:

• "As a Gemini, I reserve the right to change my mind about what I'm wearing, sometimes multiple times a day. This Mackage Azur Convertible Jacket ($632)offers ladylike allure (a lady on the streets) for day, then rocker headline-making hotness by night (a freak in the sheets.)" - Guest Gemini Correspondent Kristin Booker of Fashion Style Beauty
• As hinted at above by Ms. Kristin, choice is key to a Gemini -let them never feel too boxed in. Pixi's Early Bird Kit ($34) is the perfect solution - tucked inside this girly and sweet palette is no fewer than 3 cheek colours, 2 bronzers, 1 face glow, 4 eye base shades, and 16 eye shadow colors. 
• Playful Gemini is naturally charming, living for fun and few beauty brands epitomize FUN in the way that LUSH does. The Godmother Soap ($6.40) is whimsical and sweet, scented with the girlish fragrance of Snow Fairy. But to balance the duality of Gemini, pair it up with Dirty, a fresh herbal and spearmint-y scent that rings in at $7.95.
• "As you KNOW, I'm a GEMini, and it's important for me to be able to communicate often and easily. So high on my list is this Ted Baker tablet case for my iPad, complete with gold glitter bow ($70). If there's one thing I like more than communicating, it's gold glitter. SPESH!" - Guest Gemini Correspondent Amber Katz of Beauty Blogging Junkie
• Indecisive, much? Gemini women tend to suffer from ADD at times - that's Attention Deficit Disorder. Thankfully, she'll never be bored with e.l.f.'s chic little Nail Polish Cube. At just $10, it includes 10 bottles of high color, high shimmer, high shine nail lacquers - the perfect solution to your Secret Santa needs.

For more in this year's Astrological Gift Guide series, visit Gifts for the Leo Woman here!

In My Cart: Neiman Marcus + Target Edition

As often discussed, I'm not one for designer collaboration. I tend to be keener - as evidenced by my little spree at Neiman Marcus proper yesterday - on the splurge. That said, the Neiman Marcus + Target Collection, created in collaboration with the CFDA, has launched online and with a Target gift card in hand, I couldn't resist picking up items from a couple of my favorites, above.

Included in the mix:

• Jewelry Designer Phillip Crangi's Trinket Box (Phillip's Giles & Brother collections is one of my favorites - in particular, the quirky stud earrings)
• CFDA darling Eddie Borgo's Accent Box, though I'm not quite sure what I'll do with it once it arrives
• Impulsively, Rodarte's Holiday Ornament, simply because the galaxy print looks gorgeous.

Did you shop any of the Neiman Marcus + Target collaboration?

Mark Your Calendars: Prabal Gurung is Target's Next Design Collaborator

I'm generally pretty unexcited about Target's design collaborations, but today the brand announced the next in queue - Prabal Gurung – one of the most-celebrated young designers in fashion today.

Gurung, who has dressed everyone from Lady Gaga to First Lady Michelle Obama, will create a limited-edition capsule collection of women’s ready-to-wear and accessories, including handbags, shoes and jewelry. The collection (first look above) promises "impeccable tailoring and feminine silhouettes" at prices ranging from $19.99 - $199.99, and will be available Feb. 10 through March 23, 2013, or while supplies last, at all Target stores and Target.com. 

Cheap Thrill: Sonia Kashuk Out of the Woods Brush Set

After meeting countless makeup artists and experimenting with more beauty products than I could count in a lifetime, I'm convinced that a flawless look is all in the tools and the technique. And while it's worth splurging on quality brushes (after all, if you take care of them, they'll last for YEARS), if you don't have to spend a ton, why would you?

A question for the ages, I know. And it's finally been answered by Sonia Kashuk, whose Target-exclusive beauty collection really excels in the brush category, most notably with the new Out of the Woods Brush Set.

Tucked in a borderline chic, reusable cork clutch are 6 high quality brushes, comprised of natural wood and soft synthetic hair (perfect for you animal lovers and veggies in the world!). For under $20, your proverbial application bases are covered, from eyes to cheek to lips. While I still use a mix of brands (including Laura Mercier and M·A·C), I've been using the large blush brush from this collection daily, and thus far, it's holding up beautifully!

Snag yours online for just $19.99.

Why I Don't Wear Pleather: Cynthia Vincent for Target

It's not often that I'm tempted by Target's designer collaborations. You see, I've been disappointed too many times in the past - by ill-fitting juniors cuts, poor quality and terrifying, unnatural materials.

But apparel and shoe designer Cynthia Vincent is one of my very favorites (see me in her Luella wedges here) and since I had already added a pair of her black wedges to my Fashion Bucket List (yes, I really have one. It's housed on my iPhone), I decided to place an order from her recent Target collaboration, released last Sunday.

My black wedges arrived yesterday and I was so excited at first glance, I put them on immediately.

The good news? The shoes look AMAZING. Though they're made of manmade materials, the texture makes them look like real leather. They're also markedly comfortable for their height (4+ inches), just as Cynthia Vincent's namesake collection is.

The bad news? Even on a mild, Spring day, my feet could not tolerate being encased in pleather. They felt stifled and sweaty; my skin was irritated in a matter of an hour - a marked difference from a day spent in leather platforms. I can only imagine the blisters these babies will bring on when the heat and humidity really kick in.

While this is a great looking shoe for $30, natural materials are a must in my world. I'll be indulging in another pair of wedges from Cynthia Vincent's signature collection this season.

That said, if pleather's okay in your book, shop Cynthia Vincent for Target online here. While the wedges above are sold out, you can find them on eBay.

Watch This: A Tavi-Eye View of Rodarte for Target

Teen style blogger and Rodarte muse Tavi Gevinson made the scene during New York Fashion Week in September, and worked with designers Kate and Laura Mulleavy on an exciting video project to promote the new Rodarte for Target collection, hitting stores December 20.

The short film offers a behind-the-scenes peek at the lookbook shoot, press preview and ad shoot (on location in North Dakota!), as well as the Rodarte Spring 2010 fashion show, with guest appearances by Kirsten Dunst, Jason Schwartzman and Elijah Wood, among others.

I must admit, this collection intrigues me though I am almost always beyond disappointed in Target's designer collabs.

What do you think? Are you planning to hit Target on December 20 to snag a few Rodarte pieces of your own?