On Wednesday night, we had the good fortune to attend the kickoff party for Target's pop-up store - the Bullseye Bazaar - in Chicago. This temporary Michigan Avenue location for the discount mecca was packed with well-merchandised goodies tucked in every corner and crevice,from the chain's guest designer lines and limited collections (including a sneak preview of Tracy Feith - which was a total letdown), being investigated (and subsequently hoarded) by crowds of socializers and shoppers.
While there, we too got into the shopping spirit, but opted against the Erickson Beamon and Miss Trish of Capri, instead choosing the Felix Rey's super-beachy line of summery clutches and totes. We both picked up the navy patent-trimmed canvas tote (great minds think alike) and I decided I might as well grab the straw clutch with the coral design and gold trim. Was definitely caught up in the spirit of, well, spirits.
As promised, us regular folk weren't the only revelers in attendance. Making quick appearances for some press time and faux-shopping were
Private Practice's Kate Walsh and CHUCK BASS (also known as Ed Westwick, but who cares, we will always call him Chuck, and would probably do so to his face) and (who cares x 100) Jessica Szohr (maybe we're just bitter she's dating Chuck in real life?) from
Gossip Girl.
The store. Chuck (questionably wearing a white henley and a chain. but we forgave him instantly). Kate W. So first of all, we apologize for not having any personal snaps. I currently sport basically a circa 1887 cell phone. It pretty much has a rotary. And Marilla's is not much better...in fact, the screen looks sort of like it's eating itself. And also kind of like when a scene ends in Get Smart how bits of it go to black like a puzzle. Does anyone else remember what I'm talking about? Okay, anway. Back on track. So cell phone pics just weren't working and we were just a little slow on the draw anyway. But can we say that we were
thisclose to Ed? Sigh. His outfit was a tad questionable and I obviously and most certainly prefer him in ascots and paisley, but we got over it quickly. And maybe followed him a little bit around the store.
Second, I thought I was pretty celeb-savvy, but apparently don't really know who Kate Walsh is. While walking towards the registers, I passed by her, thinking she was a regular party guest whose shoes (more on those later) I was about to compliment. And then realized I liked her skirt, too, and her quilted Chanel.
Then I realized, oops, no wonder she has on pristine, obsession-worthy shoes, a fantastic skirt and a Chanel. She was not just a guest who brought her A-game, but a card-carrying celebrity. So...I walked on.
The story does not, however, end there. Later, post-purchases, post-Chuck frenzy, post-lots of champagne, decided I should probably talk to her. Because of course she was dying to talk to me.
K.W. wearing the shoes in question.There she was, clicking away on her PDA a couple feet from us, and we were wondering, looking at the caged numbers she was sporting south of her ankles: Stella or Givenchy? I was pretty sure Givenchy, but figured, hey why not bother the talent? So I scooted over and asked, "Are those Stella McCartney or Givenchy?" Might have grabbed her arm - in a let's talk about your shoes way, not an assault way. And she replied, smiling, saying simply, "Givenchy." It was a short, but sweet, fashion moment.
Finally, though I don't even know if I have it in me to talk about her, but we should probably address Jessica Szohr. Oh, poor, poor thing. The outfit? No thank you. It was like watching an episode of the new
90210 - mostly uncomfortable.
No, no, no...Wedges, a mess of pearls, a MESS of hair, a wrinkly blah skirt, a blah black shirt. Just really mussy, unkempt, kind of ill-fitting and unremarkable. Oh, Vanessa. I feel like I brought it way more than she did that night and
I don't even really have an
income. 'Nessa, on the other hand, is on a very, very popular TV show. But I guess in the end she was the evening's winner because she went home with Ed Westwick and I went home with McDonald's.
I am a little embarrassed to admit it, but we maybe might have possibly went to
Sunda in hopes of stalking Chuck, post-party. No Chuck, but there was some pretty delicious food and more beverages and a lot of wondering if we really needed to buy canvas-patent-studded- chain-strapped totes. Or if maybe instead we should have used that money to go towards the purchase of a camera, or at the very least, cell phones that are 2009-compatible.
Photos courtesy of the Chicago Tribune and Runway to Retail. Background images courtesy of Time Out New York and Target.
Acne Smith Jacket, $949 (available at Acne).
Marni 2 Tone Patent Platform, approx. $565 (available at Browns).
Erickson Beamon Beyond Necklace, $805 (available at Barneys).
Alexander Wang Dorothy Shopper, $795 (available at Shopbop).
The Row Warwick Dress, $825 (available at Bergdorf Goodman).
