Right on Target

The Target + Neiman Marcus Holiday Collection Lookbook has arrived! As mentioned here, the partnership includes designers from the Council of Fashion Designers of America who have created products exclusively for the Target holiday collection. There are 50 fab finds ranging from $7.99 - $499.99. Below is a peek at a few of my favorites. So mark you calendars for Dec 1, when you'll be able to snatch them up for yourselves.

 

1. Tracy Reece dessert plates || 2. Marchesa girl's dress || 3. Eddie Borgo box || 4. Oscar de la Renta dog bowl

5. Philip Crangi trinket box || 6. Lela Rose women's top || 7. Joseph Altuzarra cocktail set and tray

{chic finds} Target non-maternity

As previously mentioned, I generally shop at two stores: one for clothes/shoes (Neimans) and one for household staples (Target). But now my worlds are colliding. I saw a similar dress available at NM Last Call for about $75. Then I found it at Target.

I just did the math on this outfit: the entire thing (minus the watch) is under $50. Dress: 24.99, pendant necklace: 3 (H&M), hat: 12.99, sandals 7.99 (after a 'buy 1 get 1 50% off sale'). You can get these Dolce Vita sandals for $69, but since I wasn't sure how long I'd like the gold bar in the middle, I went with good ol' Mossimo. And bought them in both black and white. I can't find any of the pieces online, so you'll have to go to your local Tar-jay. As you can see from here and here, it's been my retailer of choice through this pregnancy.

The dress is in the non-maternity section and also comes in black with white bands. It's incredibly comfortable and a bright color, which you would see if I could take a good picture. And the hat? I'm not a hat person because of my freakishly large head, but this hat has saved many weekends. Lip gloss, aviators, hat - done. If you've seen me at all on the weekend, I'm wearing this hat. It doesn't matter what else I'm wearing; I've decided it goes with everything.

{breaking news}

via

 

Yes, you read that correctly. Neiman Marcus + Target. Those are just about the only two stores where I spend my time and money, so how convenient that I'll be able to find Christmas goodies all in one place! Designers that will be creating product exclusively for Target include:

Alice + Olivia
Altuzarra
Band of Outsiders
Brian Atwood
Carolina Herrera
Derek Lam
Diane von Furstenberg
Eddie Borgo
Jason Wu
Judith Leiber
Lela Rose
Marchesa
Marc Jacobs
Oscar de la Renta
Philip Crangi
Prabal Gurung
Proenza Schouler
Rag & Bone
Robert Rodriguez
Rodarte
Skaist-Taylor
Thom Browne
Tory Burch
Tracy Reese

Mark your calendars for December 1!  Don't worry, I'll be here to remind you.

Converse One Star for Target + GIVEAWAY

Who doesn't love a good ol' pair of Converse? I've worn them since I was about 7 years old. So when Converse One Star, sold exclusively at Target, asked if I'd like to customize my own pair, I didn't have to think twice! Yes please!

The sneakers are a solid white - blank canvas for customizing. The problem with me and blank canvases? Too many ideas. I finally settled on a design that would go back with the colors in my weekend wardrobe and still be relevant to one of this season's trends. The final product was an ombre, bordeaux-red sneaker that will add a pop of color to any basic jeans and tee outfit (aka: my weekend uniform). The gold star added a little metallic accent to the shoe and gives a nod to the "bold gold" trend this season. With a little fabric medium + acrylic paint, I have a new fave pair of sneaks!

I'm going to put elastic inside the tongue of the shoe so I can wear them lace-less.

Would you like to customize your own pair? 

Well it just might be your lucky day!

Converse One Star for Target has generously offered one of Mommy Chic's lucky readers a chance to win a $50 Target gift card to purchase your own pair, as well as a style supply kit to customize them!

To enter:

Follow Mommy Chic

Leave a comment on how you would design yours (include your email address or a way to contact you if you win)

For additional entries:
Follow Mommy Chic blog on Twitter

Like Target Style on Facebook

Leave a separate comment for each entry.

You have until midnight Thursday, Oct 20 to enter. Winner will be announced on Friday. Good luck!

*Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Converse One Star for Target. Shoes, gift card and style supply kit all provided by Target. 

Jason Wu for Target

I really wanted the title of this post to be:

Knock knock.

Wu's there?

Wu.

Wu Who!

Don't cry! He's coming to Target!

Clearly, I have not had enough sleep since I can't stop giggling about this. Something not as funny - I think I ran into him today. I looked right at this Asian man, decided he wasn't my brother (as I originally thought when walking up to him), gave a half-smile, and walked off. A few things to note about this encounter: 1) need vision checked, 2) even Asians think all Asians look alike, and 3) if there is a stylishly dressed man holding a notebook and looks to be sketching something, say hello. I could have been his next muse. If one of the pieces he designs is a lime green/gray tweed sweater, pleated skirt and riding boots - we'll all know who inspired the look. (Thumbs pointing at me)---> This guy.

So this Jason Wu - maybe you've heard of him. He designed a dress for a Lady going to a Ball. Yeah, just that. No big. I'm interested to see how he translates his designs into something more wearable to the masses.

Are you familiar with Jason Wu? Have you seen any of his designs in person? What did you think?

graphic created by mommy chic. images via

Casual Tuesdays

I sprained my ankle this evening because I wore clogs to the playground. Genius, I know. I was wearing faded jeans and my Crew Cuts tee with hair in a ponytail, so cute tennies would have just added to the 10-yr old Asian boy look. Not something I was going for - at least not today. So tomorrow, I must wear my riding boots. Real riding boots, for real equestrians. I am definitely not one, but I scored a custom-made pair in just my size. They have arch support and lots of ankle support, which is what I'll need when running around all day.

Wish I had a denim shirt to pull off this easy, pulled-together look:

Black blazer 71 || Jeans 50 || Denim shirt 20 || Cross body handbag 32 ||  Gold shawl 28 ||  Riding Boots  35

Top it off

I was recently reading questions about what tops are cool and comfortable to wear in the summer as a replacement for your basic t-shirt.  While I generally advise quality over quantity - and by quality, I mean, something you'll wear over and over again and will last through the wears - summer is not the time for that.  Summer pieces are light and flimsy, so whether it's $20 or $200, the fabric won't stand through too many washes.

Here are some ideas for you, all under $25:

click to buy: 1  2  3  4  5

Copy Cat part 2

After yesterday's post, I found these pants for way less - like, $17.99 vs $49.50. I'm thinking about getting them, buying sequin ribbon from the fabric store and switching out the drawstring.  Crafty, huh?

I also found these shoes that would work with the look.  And you could wear them with socks.

Anyone trying heels and socks?  Anyone? Bueller?  Bueller??

In the trenches

The trench coat is a classic closet staple.  Lucky for you, Target's Deal of the Day is the Mossimo Black: Long Trench Coat.  Normally $49.99, you can get it today only for $20.  Free shipping and 7 different colors, what have you got to lose?

Now, when it finally arrives, make sure it fits properly or it will look like it's worth less than the shipping you didn't pay for.  Here are some tips:

• Shoulders should hit at the edge of your shoulders and arm holes should be relatively snug.
• Overall fit of the coat should be close to the body.  This is especially true if you are petite or it will look like the coat has swallowed you.  If it hugs just a little too tight when buttoned, just leave it slightly opened and tie the belt in the back.  This will emphasize your waist and the vertical line of the open jacket will give a slimming effect.
• The double-breast will emphasize a large chest, so if that's not the look you're going for, opt for a single breasted jacket.
• The hem should hit at the top of your knee or higher if you're short.

Another tip: you don't have to actually loop the belt through the buckle.  You can simply tie it in a knot around your waist.  You can also switch out belts and use one of your own.  A brown or camel belt adds a modern twist to the black or gray trench.

Wear the trench with skinny pants, or a skirt or dress (it's ok if the hem peeks out).  Add boots, flats or heels and a bright scarf and a rainy day is now a little bit chic-er.

Here are a few more options.  Click the image to see on retailer's site:

More Merona...

What to wear now & later: tunics

Tunics are great to have in your wardrobe for their limitless styling possibilities.  Wear them in the summer as a dress, a bathing suit cover up, or with shorts and espadrilles.  Wear them now with shorts and a scarf and wedges, then transition into fall with a quick change of jeans or leggings and clogs or boots. For the short sleeve tunics, throw on a chunky knit cardigan or blazer. You could also layer a long-sleeve tee or turtleneck under the lightweight printed versions.  So much wear out of such an easy piece.

More Tucker...

These boots are made for walkin'

Boots are one of my favorite fashion things about fall.  Wear them with a dress, skirt, leggings, skinny pants or jeans.

You can make your spring dress work into fall with a pair of boots, tights, and a chunky knit sweater.  Or pair them back to a belted cardigan and pencil skirt to toughen up the tailored look. And of course, they are the perfect complement to jean leggings. Whatever your style, invest in a good pair that you'll wear year after year.

Below are a few fall boots in my three favorite colors this season: olive green, nude, and gray.

Click on the links below to purchase or view retailers site:

1. Anthropologie $298

2. Cole Haan $298

3. Nine West $149
4. Zurich $64.97 (on sale from $198)

5. Charlotte Russe $40

6. Target $39.99

7. Frye $428

8. Blowfish $59