Her desires are on Target

KAREN WIGHT

It’s hard to pass up a good deal and Target is the mother lode. I

walk in with my list and good intentions, but somehow I lose my

resolve once I start perusing the aisles. Cute beach bags, hair

goodies, inexpensive bathing suits, sunglasses, DVDs on sale, they

practically jump in my cart.

Lately, Target has targeted a new market -- upscale for less with

Target “exclusive” designs from Michael Graves, KitchenAid, Rival and

Sony. In a push to break through style and price point barriers, my

beloved “Tar-jhay” has kicked it up a notch and become even more

lethal in an effort to secure a portion of the bridal registry

market, Target has added online services to showcase its home and

kitchen merchandise. Even the pickiest bride and groom can fall in

love with a long list of must-haves.

Any Michael Graves design has cool points and Target carries an

extensive list of Graves’ kitchenware and appliances. Toasters,

teapots, blenders are all good choices, but the latest and greatest

is the line of favorite games from the past: Monopoly, Scrabble,

Yahtzee and backgammon. The games feature the original graphics and

are crafted in wooden self-storage cases. Classic games inside and

out. You have to see them to appreciate them ... and then you’ll have

to buy them.

Sony has created a “Liv” line of products that are available only

at Target. My favorite gizmo is the under-cabinet kitchen TV/CD

player. It looks fabulous even before the convenient screen flips

down to keep you entertained while cooking dinner. Definitely on the

menu.

KitchenAid has a new line of cookware that features hard-base

ceramic nonstick interiors that are a snap to clean. Heat resistant

handles and tempered glass lids have color-coordinated, stay cool

rubber accents. And are you ready for this? In addition to the

charcoal gray and mirror finish, the cookware is available in red --

very festive.

In an effort to keep you out of the kitchen, Rival has a new

crock-pot with a removable black stoneware insert that can go from

the freezer to the stove top -- and dresses up the table in between.

There is nothing frumpy about this crock-pot. Rival has entered the

21st century.

Target has commissioned a line of Black & White pantry ware that

is so beautiful you’ll want to keep it anywhere other than the

pantry. White ceramic stoneware canisters have a timeless look and

the black painted wood pieces include paper towel holders, utensil

organizers and recipe boxes. It’s a clean and crisp look that won’t

be out of date as soon as you bring it home.

If your kitchen, bath or closet needs an organizational lift,

check out Target’s chrome storage units. They are heavy-duty and have

handsome wire baskets that glide on substantial stands. Target’s

tableware department has added a fair amount of essence, or “bam,” if

you prefer. My favorite item is the new Hampton Forge flatware. There

are 10 styles to choose from, all high-grade stainless steel with

boldly-scaled patterns. I brought home a few boxes of the “Bamboo”

flatware. It’s almost too good to be true.

Even if you’re not planning a wedding, you can pretend. Target’s

new weapon? Style. At great prices.

* KAREN WIGHT is a Newport Beach resident. Her column runs

Thursdays.