One-Dollar Wonders

WIW: Formula Prep - and I guess I'm another addict...

July 19, 2012

I wore a very similar outfit not too long ago, with a citron button-front and jeans. I liked it pretty darn well, so I did a version with my Sloan dress slacks from BR. Easy peasy FFBO.

And you know what Claire said about bag dying being addictive?
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....yeing-bags

It's so oh so true! I scored an amazing two-fer at the flea market recently and walked away with a Kenneth Cole convertible crossbody and this Marc Jacobs (!) tote for $30 total - so this baby was $15. I had a spring in my step that day for sure. So last night I tried to make up for my sick days away from DIY projects. Cleaned the MJ up as best I could with some acetone (oh yes, it needed the big guns) and played with some color mix ideas based on what's on offer from Tarrago and Angelus, another dye company I found.

I think it's time I had a super sour bag - what do you think? I can mix a citron if I combine two Tarrago colors. Or I could try the new brand and mix an emerald.

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Posted in the What I Wore category
This post is also published in the youlookfab forum. You can read and reply to it in either place. All replies will appear in both places.

24 Comments

  • replied 11 years ago

    Citron! Citron!

  • Transcona Shannon replied 11 years ago

    Great outfit Rae - everything fits you so well. I also vote for citron.

  • replied 11 years ago

    Wow super cute outfit and what a score on the MJ bag.
    May I make a suggestion regarding the bag? Althought I am in awe of your DIY skills, that MJ bag retails for well over $1,000. If I were you, I would have it professionally restored. It might cost $100-$200 but it will come back as good as new. They can even match the original color as designed by MJ. I am looking into this company for a similar job:
    http://www.tulsaleathercare.co.....dyeing.htm
    Just a thought. That bag is iconic and an investment piece for most bag aficionados. MJ used to have a restoration service as well. I'm not sure if that is still in existence. Check the purse forum, if interested.

  • rae replied 11 years ago

    Oh, that's interesting, Zap! Hm, I will have to think very hard about this... I had checked to see what I could resell it for, but this particular style is not drawing much money on Ebay, even in very nice condition. After so long in brokerage, it is hard for me to "invest" if I don't think the returns will be there in the event that I want to/have to resell things.

  • replied 11 years ago

    Ooo, oooo, oooo! Nice outfit, but the bag, the BAG!

    Zap makes a very good point. Or you could *restore* it yourself by choosing the same color pearlized dye. We have painted a few cars in our day and hubs always thought they retained more value if painted their original color instead of something else.

    If you choose a color just for your own enjoyment, I think the citron would be better for you. The emerald/kelly dye swatch looks blue enough to be teal (which is fine if that's what you're after). Or were you going to mix two shades to get exactly what you wanted? I must check out this new dye manufacturer!

    Oh, this is terribly terribly exciting! And IKexactlyWYM about that spring in your step, lol! WOOT!

  • rae replied 11 years ago

    Claire, here's the link. I really want to try it because you can choose a matte finish if you wish. The dye is cheaper, too, although after you buy the preparer and finisher it works out to about the same.
    http://www.dharmatrading.com/h.....6-AA.shtml

  • Mo replied 11 years ago

    Who knew old bags could fetch such $$? I'm of the camp to make it something *you* would enjoy. Sour sounds perfect!

  • replied 11 years ago

    Oh, yeah, I've been to that website before. Someone linked me to it once (probably you, lol). I'll go check it out again. Apparently I'm going to have another dye project on my hands shortly, lol!

    I found the exact Dooney and Bourke bag that I found at Goodwill on eBay (but theirs was in mint condition) and it had the buy it now price of (only! *sob*) $79. That's one of the reasons I didn't mind molesting it with blue dye.

    So which colors would you mix in what brands to make citron and emerald? Inquiring minds want to know. :)

  • rae replied 11 years ago

    Yeah, when I looked, the preowned MJ Stellas were not quite eeking out $100. I'll look again to make sure when I get home. They don't have the matte finish on the dharma trading site, but I've seen it on Ebay. Angelus Matte Finisher #620.

    The citron would be Tarrago spinach and lemon, but not in equal parts (I have to work that out when I get it). I mixed them in Photoshop to get an idea.

    The emerald pic I have was Angelus turquoise and kelly. But it is a little too teal-ish, isn't it? I'll have to play around some more.

  • replied 11 years ago

    You are so brilliant with photoshop! A nice shamrock/kelly/emerald would be more sour than that teal-ish swatch. Like the peel of a Mexican key lime. Yummy. Tarrago *pineneedle* mixed with *spinach* might get you emerald. For citron, don't you think the ones this season have almost a dirty quality to them, like some brown is in the mix? Maybe *olive* mixed with *lemon*. IDK if you want a bright citron or a dirty citron (no offense to the color citron, I use the term dirty with the utmost respect. I don't know how else to describe it). ;)

  • rae replied 11 years ago

    Ooh, I will try that for the emerald! I was picturing the color of Aida's bag. I should get a swatch of that so can I stare at it while I Photoshop.

    I think my skin prefers the clear citron to the dirty version, even though I like both. I feel like the dirtier one veers toward mustard on me, which I don't love as much.

  • replied 11 years ago

    Ha, I placed a little more value on the bag because I know it's no longer made, but $100? I must check these deals... I vote for citron then, as in the first swatch.

  • Meredith1953 replied 11 years ago

    I love the emerald color! Nice bag!

  • Marley replied 11 years ago

    I feel like I am trying to decipher a foreign language while reading yours and Claire's comments back and forth! Wow - it sounds like fun - but, is it a lot of work??? As far as your outfit goes Rae - its perfect - and I love the 2 colors of the tops - makes the orange just a little more subdued (which I like!) to my eye!

  • rae replied 11 years ago

    Marley, it's really very easy - if you can fingerpaint, you can do it! You just swirl the dye on with a little sponge that comes in the kit.

    Hm, maybe there could be a brief leather dye workshop at our next Octoberfest meetup!

  • replied 11 years ago

    Oh, that sounds like fun! I'll get the rubber gloves! *snap*
    The clear citron would be lovely for your bag.

    @Zap, time to start stalking a great bag on eBay, right? Who knew?

  • JulieJohn replied 11 years ago

    Rae, you are so creative. I love the outfit, those jeans fit you great. I vote emerald, love the citron too, but an emerald bag sounds more versatile for the coming fall and winter wear. Have fun!

  • rachylou replied 11 years ago

    You look good in preppy!

    Clear citron, if you ask me.

  • ManidipaM replied 11 years ago

    Yet another vote for citron --- I also like the emerald idea, and that can come second :-)

  • Amy replied 11 years ago

    Go for the citron! That will be fantastic with your wardrobe!

  • replied 11 years ago

    Hey wait a minute, you said you got TWO bags right? Both! Citron *and* emerald, please. ;)

  • lyn67 replied 11 years ago

    Vote for citron, too-Rae-Now a quick querrie to Claire and You, can I dye a black patent leather bag to another mate color, or even just mate black? will the colours tsick to patent leather too????

  • Angie replied 11 years ago

    Great outfit Miss Prep!

    I vote super sour bag. Of course I do.

  • Laurinda replied 7 years ago

    THREE-YEAR-OLD post.

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I'm just your average working stiff who loves nice things and hates to pay for them. This blog outlines my efforts to navigate that treacherous shopping/saving divide through swappin', thriftin', and even a little resellin'. Many of the pieces in my wardrobe cost me just $1! We've heard a lot about people "living above their means" in recent years; I'm championing the concept of living large *below* your means - whatever that means for you. :)