Sunday, November 28, 2010

DIY Project: Dye Leather Bag

I love a nice bag, but I cannot afford $1,000+ for a brand new one. So what do I do? I buy secondhand via consignment and/or eBay. Now people always ask, "How do you know it's real?" RESEARCH. It's easier when buying consignment because I go to reputable shops and I can see the bags with my own eyes. When buying on eBay, I always check out the seller, "What kind of feedback have they received from past buyers?, What have they sold in the past?, Does the price make sense (no luxury bag will be re-sold for pennies)?" I also make sure to only consider items that have a lot of good pictures and make sure they capture the key points of the bag (i.e. Serial number, zipper brand, any special marking particular to that brand).

A few months ago, I found, not one, but two Marc Jacobs (not Marc by Marc Jacobs) bags. They were not in perfect condition, but I got both for a wonderful deal of $400. The first bag had a minor stain on the inside of the handle (not even visible to the public) and a little tear in the inner lining. The second bag had dye transfer from the previous owner wearing something red that rubbed off on the handles.

So I asked the seller how she would fix this dye transfer issue. She told me to use Tarrago leather dye. I found this dye at Manhattan Wardrobe Supply for a measly $5.95. There is an array of colors, and I was fortunate to find a close match to this greyish-blue color. This was the easiest fix! Basically, all you do is take the Preparer and rub it on the area you plan to dye with a sponge. Then you shake up the dye and brush it on. That's it! So now my once-red handles are no more.

So let this be a lesson to all you shoppers.....you can get a great deal on slightly damaged goods. With a little patience and time, you can wear designer items at a fraction of the cost.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Bun Thit Nuong - MY FAV!

I crave Vietnamese food ALL the time, and unfortunately, NY doesn't have a great selection of Vietnamese fare. Nonetheless, I get my fixes at subpar Viet eateries and I cannot wait to go home for my parents' cooking.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Good Luck In L.A. Kanable!

A rowdy evening in Mehanata's Ice Cage for Kanable's last weekend in NYC. How many shots can you take in 5 minutes?
A friend is someone who will bail you out of jail. A best friend is the one sitting next to you saying "boy was that fun." - The Maugles

Family Visitors

FINALLY some family members visited me here in NY. I have been here for almost 3 1/2 years and the only family to visit me were my parents 3 years ago for one weekend. It's been awhile since I've been home, so it was very nice to have my aunt and cousin come last weekend. We had such a great time eating, shopping, and walking around. It went by way too quickly and I already miss them. The best part was seeing my aunt get hit on by not only random men, but random teens and women. She is gorgeous isn't she?

Halloween in Chicago




It's official, going to Chicago for Halloween is my new tradition as this was my 2nd year in a row. I just love getting all dressed up with my girlfriends and going all out. It reminds me of all the themed parties we went to in college. It's been about 2 weeks and I can't wait to book my next trip. See you ladies when it gets warm out!