Bullseye Bazaar On Michigan Avenue

I just returned from the Press Event for Bullseye Bazaar, Target’s three-day pop-up store on 455 N. Michigan Avenue, located in the former McCormick Freedom Museum. The event (running from May 7 – May 9, 2009 from 10AM – 8PM), created to generate buzz in potential consumers, showcased Target’s top items, making one thing very clear. Target is no longer just the one-stop economical shop for house wares, make-up, groceries, bed linens and frames. Its become a one-stop shop for the latest in designer products at affordable prices. And, this season you’ll find the products come in every color, shape and flavor!

My favorite finds of the day were clothes, food and make-up. This season’s Tracy Feith Collection, inspired by the designers’ surf-dude-attitude, features fitted spring dresses with colorful wavy hems and ruffles, vintage bikinis and flower prints—a nod to the 60’s. And, Converse’s One Star line of contoured cotton tees and tops are perfect for double-use. Perhaps wear it under the everyday work blazer, or dress it down with casual jeans for a walk in the park. Either way, you’ll find one in just about every color! And for your beau, you’ll also find fresh Converse styles, as well as Target’s faithful Mossimo brand.

But who can keep shopping without stopping to grab a bite to eat first? The Target-owned organic food brand, Archer Farms puts yummy and healthy in a jar, with picante-style and roasted vegetable salsa, raspberry walnut sauces, buffalo bleu cheese dipping sauce, and seasoning for mushroom and Swiss taco burgers. If I’d only known that I could have had a taco and a burger at the same time, and while watching my waistline, I’d have headed to Target much sooner.

As I tried to decide on seasonings and salad dressings, the merchandise-heavy booths on every aisle and corner of the colorful bazaar made me bizarrely hungry for more products. And who should I meet, but celebrity make-up artist Sergio Lopez-Rivera. Visiting for a short time from L.A., Sergio, whose current project is styling the cast faces of Private Practice on ABC, explained that the 80’s are back. Everything goes today, meaning you can wear bright make-up to match a multi-patterned outfit. Additionally, he recommends bright lipsticks with soft eye shadows. Or bright eye shadows with muted lip balm. I bought Sonia Kashuk’s luxury lip color, Azalea, for only $8.95. For hair products as well, Target’s Umberto line features blow-dry lotion, curl-enhancing lotion, shampoo, conditioner and more.

Finally, I was exhausted. I needed to sit-down. Gracing both floors of the Bazaar were sleek, black and silver chaise lounges and slipper chairs of mod, rich, pink flowers and funky designs. The high-profile furniture, typically featured on-line only, is available at the Bazaar for the next three days! Which is probably why I couldn’t really sit down in them. I’d been there long enough anyway. Now the hard part was getting out of the place without buying anything else. Rows of red and gold sandals stacked on shiny boxes, comforters with bold, sophisticated patterns, bath mats with black and white stenciling, even clutch handbags for beach parties all waved goodbye.

The Bullseye Bazaar runs for three days, May 7 – May 9, 2009, from 10AM – 8PM on 455 N. Michigan Avenue. Have fun!