Fall into Target: a Peek at Accessories

I've about given up on Target's designer collaborations — they always seem to disappoint.

And actually, Target doesn't even need those hot-shot designers; it does just fine on its own. On tap for fall are lots of fun accessories and shoes, in a hoarder's price range ($7.99-$49.99).

Highlights from the new lookbook (some items are already online but not the necklace):

• Multi-chain necklace with fringe ($14.99). This looks a looooooot like a necklace I was contemplating on Madewell's website. This one, though, is infinitely cheaper.
• Mossimo distressed tall buckle boots ($34.99). These have all the hallmarks of fall — they're tall, have buckles that add moto edge. Of course, you should always withhold judgment on cheap shoes until you can see (and more importantly smell) in person. But on paper, these look good.
• Mossimo Suede Studded Clogs ($24.99). I don't know if I can resist this pair. Just what I needed, yet another pair of clogs.

A Snuggly Fall Trend

It's 100-plus degrees with about 120 percent humidity. My sweat is sweating.

How do East Coasters (and Southerners) do it? I have had quite enough, thankyouverymuch.

Pictures of autumn clothes keep falling into my e-mail, like leaves off a tree. I'm soooooo ready for a nip in the air. The trend I long to wear most — the blanket/cardi/wrap thingie. You know what I mean — long, most likely an asymmetrical hem and, of course, unbelievably soft. I feel pretty smug because I snapped up a couple of these bad boys late in the winter (the gray Sauce striped one and Southwestern-y cream one), when things were just rolling. Now, it's full steam ahead as many designers trot 'em out.

Some to love:
• Twelfth St. By Cynthia Vincent ($495). Seriously, nearly $500. I'm guessing it comes with a couch, a necessary add-on for something so snuggle-icious it demands to be worn while cuddling on the sofa for the all-new, must-see TV season.
•BB Dakota Branson Fringe Sweater Jacket ($85). All that fringe hanging off, paired with the color, kinda reminds me of a buffalo, but in a good way. I dig the rustic charm — and that it pays homage, with the name, to that country music mecca of Branson (my grandparents went there every year, back in the day).
• Goddis Linsey Hooded Sweater ($215). Goddis owns this look. Love the crisp, ocean colors on the hoodie.

It's still too hot to wear them, but by the time the temperature drops, I'll bet the prices have, too.

The Clothing Malfunction Chronicles, Back-to-School Edition

Today's the first day of school.

Just when I was getting the hang of summer, too.

Back to being a drill sergeant, barking out instructions. Back to carpooling. Back to homework. Back to packing lunches. Sigh. I'm tired already.

This is a biggie, though, because today, Youngest Child starts kindergarten. My baby. I hope I can keep it together when I walk him to school.

Adding to the difficulty level this week is my husband's absence. He's on a mancation, so I have no co-pilot. So far, issues have been small and wardrobe-related, like discovering that Middle Child had her shirt on inside out. She is her mother's daughter (earlier this year, I, um, wore my dress inside-out to work).

Youngest Child stomped into the kitchen, top button still done, demanding to know, "Now, how am I supposed to get dressed?!"

Everything's under control now. Well, everything but my emotions.

In Search of......The Perfect Moisturizer

Sephora snookered me.

Normally after I rack up enough points to earn a sample-sized prize, I half-heartedly select some product I don't really want and toss it into the drawer where I keep travel-friendly products on the off chance I might go somewhere. Snicker. I didn't have particularly high hopes for the teeny bottle of Dior HydrAction gel moisturizer. After all, what does Dior know about skincare?

Well, lo and behold, I used that clear not-too-thick and not-too-thin gel and loved it. Loved it. And, the stuff lasted nearly three months, impressive for such an eensy-weensy sample size. When I went to hunt it down at Sephora, though, Dior had reformulated. The gel moisturizer morphed into Hydra Life Pro-Youth Protective Fluid SPF 15, at a higher price, too — $56. But, the salesgirl raved, said her mom loved it. I decided to give it a try since Sephora has such a great return policy.

The moisturizer is super-fragranced. It's not an unpleasant smell, it's just weird for a moisturizer to smell like perfume. The scent wears off quickly, though.

No longer a gel, this "fluid" is a very light cream. It contains plant extracts that would be good 21st century kid names — Jisten, Centella and Black Rose. The Sephora website says the stuff also "offers the powerful benefits of Cellular Bio-Exaltation." I have no idea what this means. I'm guessing it's better than Cellular Bio-Crapination.

While I don't like the new formulation as much as the previous incarnation, this isn't a bad choice for someone with normal to oily skin who just needs a little light moisturizer. And isn't afraid of the price. I like to save money as much as the next girl, but I won't skimp on good face products since down the line I'm not planning on Botox injections or face lifts.

Though the moisturizer touts itself as SPF 15, I doubt most people would use enough of it to provide true protection against the sun. Also, the active sunscreen is avobenzone, which my dermatologist says isn't strong enough protection in extremely sunny places. The best blockers are physical ones like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.

So, I'm glad I tried it. This isn't THE ONE for me. But, I have a little something from Komeunka Bijin, a Japanese line that uses rice bran (supposed to be, as Rachel Zoe would say, ah-MAZE-ing for the skin), waiting on deck in the medicine cabinet. Maybe that?

Shoes On The Brain

If I had to describe my style, I'd have to say schizophrenic.

I don't at all mean that in a disrespectful way, it's just the best way to describe my look(s). My wardrobe is really, truly all over the map. It looks like three people share my closet. Stuffed inside are classic J Crew pieces, frilly Anthropologie-wear and edgy stuff like studded jackets and a top with cut-out shoulders.

For more proof, just look at the shoes I'm currently loving:

• DV by Dolce Vita "Taiz" wedges ($93). These serve up a double-whammy, dipping into two of the biggest trends: military and tribal. The rugged look is so cool.
• Dansko "Rae" clog ($150). I went through a brief, sensible shoe phase during which time I rotated through four pairs of Keens. Yeah, I'm over that. Danskos are supposed to be incredibly comfortable (health professionals and people who spend entire days on their feet swear by them) but they're so....clunky. I *heart* these clogs, though, mostly because of the wicked zebra print (there's even leopard). They look more streamlined than the full-back Danskos. And, of course, they're clogs, which I cannot get enough of these days.
•Ash "The Gun Sneaker" ($120). These are just plain fergalicious.

Yes, the one consistent thing — as you may have noticed from the price tags — is that I always gravitate toward the pricey stuff.

Time for the Friday Shoe Haiku

Just found these — surprise!
Oxford heels? Perfect for fall
Thinner feet, no go.

Shoe n' Tell: I was so excited to find these Jessica Bennett "Gamut" leather heeled oxfords from a few years ago. I'd forgotten all about 'em.

They're perfect for this fall's trends. I slipped the shoes on and alas, things have gone awry.

Now, they were roomy when I first bought them, but it was the last pair and I loved them so. Heel pads helped.

After foot surgery though, my feet aren't as wide as they were, and now the right shoe is really too big. Interestingly, the tie on that foot hits a weird spot and makes my nerves tingle with every step. D'oh. Guess they'll end up in a giveaway pile for the next swap party.

And, I also guess I got me some shoppin' to do.

Outfit: Neal Sperling for Urban Outfitters dress; Gap cami; leopard belt from a swap party; Forever XXI necklace; assorted bangles.

The First Thing To Go

Several parts of my body are currently duking it out for the title of "The First To Go."

The rods and cones are coming out ahead so far, although the back is stiff — ha — competition.

I am having such a hard time deciphering colors. The other day, I pulled on a patterned top — had these outlined ovals all over it, kind of a chain-link print. The middle was definitely a turquoise blue, that was easy to see, but the outline? Black? Dark brown? Inside the house, I decided it was brown. Out in the sun, it looked black.

Navy gets me every time.

The other day, I spy this zebra-print scarf in a second-hand store window. It's the perfect neutral — kinda khaki, kind of tan. I get it home, and I'll be darned, I have no idea if it's tan or gold or greenish or what. I think — think— the stripes are a purple-y brown.

Well, it's definitely neutral.

I also don't know if the skirt on this Patterson J. Kincaid dress is purple or bronze or some kind of deep gray. I think this all goes together, though. Black shoes (these are from Me Too) go with everything, right?