DIY Review: Jaquard iDye Natural Fiber Dye in Chartreuse

I love utility jackets! I mean, like, really. I'd wear them every day if I could. They're only second to boots as my favorite makes-me-feel-like-I-can-hack-anything clothing articles. This one was a steal on Ebay... alas, that was probably due to the baby chickadee yellow color, which is so not badass and also makes my skin look gray. Eew.
Not to worry - I'm obsessed with dye! At first, I wanted to use one of the dyes I'd already had success with, but I wanted to either dye this jacket olive or citron, and the brands I'd used previously didn't come in those shades, and I have big reservations about mixing my own colors. Enter: Jaquard iDye in chartreuse, which looked close enough to citron for me. Sour, yellow-green? Done. I also like that Jaquard offers special dyes formulated for polyester (but that's a whole 'nother post). Bonus? Since I don't have to mix colors, I only have to buy ONE packet of dye - savings, ahoy!

The directions are pretty standard: stove top method for vibrant color, enough water for the garment to move freely. However, I quickly deduced that my largest pot would not hold enough fabric and water to allow the jacket to move freely. D'oh.





Here's what I did to approximate the suggested conditions:

I filled my pot to the top with hot water from the tap, added the required salt and dye packet, then left the pot on the burner until it was just about to boil. I wet my jacket through with hot water from the tap.

When the water looked hot enough (steaming furiously, with bubbling sounds emanating from the bottom of the pot, near the heat source), I poured the dye bath into a plastic bin normally used when I wash my car at home (read: once a decade). I introduced my wet jacket to the dye bath, spreading the cloth out evenly.

The jacket's position was rotated constantly for 20 minutes, then once every 15 minutes for the next 45 minutes. Between rotations, I weighted down the fabric as much as possible to try and keep most of it in the dye at all times.

The instructions then said to wash with mild detergent. I live in an apartment with shared washing machines, so I was super scared of washing the jacket in there and ruining someone's clothes. Instead I washed in my tub with a finger of my usual detergent Finally, I wrung out and hung up the jacket to dry, making sure that the shoulder seams lined up to the edge of the hanger, as I didn't want the hanger to stretch out the jacket and distort its shape. That's what the pant hanger is all about: it's clamping the fabric in place so the seams don't slide down.

The Results:

• The color is super vibrant, even though the dye bath was not constantly heated throughout the process - yeah!
• The color did not take as well on the thick seaming of the jacket. I have no idea why. It doesn't bother me - in fact, I pretty much love the effect - but it's good to note for the future.
• There are a couple small spots where the color turned out a bit blotchy. From the looks of it, I think extra dye must have settled there while the jacket was hanging to dry. It's possible that machine washing the excess dye out would have prevented this. Luckily, it's a very minor amount and not very noticeable on my rugged-to-begin-with jacket. 

One Dollar Revelation: 99 Cents Only Hosiery

Want to know a secret? Yesterday, I wore Queen size hose from the dollar store -- not my recommended size according to the sizing chart, but they fit just fine anyway. Yes, the waistband came up all the way to my armpits, but some people pay darn good money for high-rise tights these days. Seeing as how most stores want $7-$10 for an item that usually runs on me in a handful of wears, I'll take the plus-size option for a buck any day!

Retail Review: Shoebuy.com & Dr. Martens Marcie Wedge Boots

One of my favorite things? Credit card rewards! I know the hardcore-prudent thing to do would be to take cash back -- but seriously, I have an addiction sickness hobby to fund. :)

I noticed that a round of credit card rewards were set to expire soon, so I decided to use them to acquire these Dr. Martens Marcie boots. A twist on an old favorite, the Marcie combines a classic combat boot upper with a platform wedge heel that makes my stubby legs and flat-sole-averse arches sit up and take notice. Yes, please!

The Shoebuy Experience

• Order Placement Process: Excellent. They offer a bajillion payment options, and there were no freakish hoops or fetish props to jump through to place my order.
• Product Details: Average. The heel height listed ended up being a half inch shorter than the actual height... I suppose they might have arrived at their measurement by subtracting the platform, but it would have been nice to know that (if it were indeed the case); Some of us like to know whether we will end up taller than our boyfriends or sporting highwater jeans if we wear those shoes. Also, no calf/ankle circumference information was included.
• Pricing: Excellent. Whatever sale shoebuy was having at the time priced my boots at a full $30 cheaper than I saw them anywhere else. And they don't charge sales tax. And they offer a 100% price guarantee. I believe the term I'm looking for is booya.
• Shipping/Packaging: Excellent. Free, fast, accurately-tracked shipping in a discreet box covered in tape that reminds you to check for defects and damage before accepting the product.
• Return/Exchange Process: Excellent. Free returns, free return shipping, easy return tracking, and a convenient pre-paid label included in my box. They use an online form for return explanations instead of making you interpret weird "exchange codes" on the back of your packing slip. I took the site's advice for a speedy exchange and simply returned the larger size while placing an new order for the smaller, which did result in a speedily-recieved replacement - the only downside is that the boots were not the exact same price as before. I thought about calling customer service to inquire about a match, but it was small enough a difference that the CC rewards still totally covered the price (difference was about $5).
• Overall: TOTALLY EXCELLENT. I'm very impressed with the price, speed, and service. Very much like I remember ordering from Zappos, but I remember Zappos as always having higher prices - and Zappos didn't carry these particular boots. Shoebuy has officially replaced Amazon as my #1 shoe site due to their price matching and free shipping. :)

The Marcie Wedge Boot Experience

• Fit: based on what the Dr. Martens size chart says, these felt a 1/2 size too big... and they only come in whole sizes, so if you're on the border of two sizes like me, go for the smaller option. I initally ordered the 9 instead of my usual 8.5 and ended up swimming in them.
• Quality: Just what you'd expect from Dr. Martens: sturdy & well-made, so you feel like you can really kick some butt in these boots. :)
• Comfort: WOW. Possibly the most comfortable boots I've had. I've walked for miles in these and had none of the dreaded arch pain or muscle cramps that have plagued me in my GI combat boots. Lovelovelovelovelove!

All in all, this has been one of the best online shopping experiences I've ever had. No hemming and hawing over whether or not to try another size. No agonizing over the price until my desired item has sold out. Nothing but pure shoe bliss. :)

Plus, the cat seems to like 'em. >^..^<

How to Shop: Ebay

Ebay is definitely one of my go-to sites for procuring specific wardrobe wants/needs. I can almost always find what I'm looking for at a decent price, making it a nice, happy compromise between the chaos of the swap meet and the priciness of the mall. Still, many of my friends still say they find Ebay a bit dizzying. Here's how I navigate the site - maybe some of you will find it helpful. :)

How to Bid

1. Search for what you want. Add keywords depending on how specific your desires are - for example, if you've already tried a specific brand and style of jeans on in-store, and you know you need the size 27, you can go ahead and enter "Hudson signature jeans 27." However, if you're open to a variety of brands and just want to find the best deal for you, simply enter "jeans."
2. Filter your search results. Ebay is fabulous at allowing you to sort your results by a wide range of criteria. Select the sizes, prices, materials, conditions, colors, inseams, et cetera by clicking on the check boxes in the left hand menu. To select multiple options, click "choose more."
3. Identify the likely suspects. If you come across an item you think will work for you, click "Add to Watch List," and move on. Repeat until your search results have been exhausted.
4. Contact sellers with any questions. Let's say you love a pair of shoes, but you've ordered enough shoes off the internet to know that few people can measure a shoe heel to save their lives. You can contact the seller and ask them to please measure the heel exactly the way you want. You can also request additional photos or ask them to describe the color in more detail, since computer monitors can sometimes lie to us. Don't worry about being a pain - most sellers are more than happy to help you get an item you love the first time around, given how painful it can be to deal with returns/refunds/negative feedback. After that, you can remove from your watch list any item that turns out to be the wrong size, color, whatever.
5. Lie in wait, then pounce! A practice sometimes known as "sniping," I'm a fan of waiting for the last minute to bid. This ensures that no one comes along at the last minute to outbid you by a measly dollar. Be sure to enter the absolute highest price you're willing to pay, though, because there might be a gal with deeper pockets sniping the auction along with you, and you won't get a chance to reconsider your bid after the fact.

Examples of Information Requests

"Hi there! I know Arden B. runs a little small - could you please let me know the measurements across the shoulders and across the bust from armpit to armpit?"

"Hello, would you please let me know the measurements for: shaft height from footbed to top, from the center back; shaft circumference at widest point; heel height measured from center back; ankle circumference? Thanks in advance!"



How to Resolve a Problem

1. Stay calm. First and foremost, step away from the feedback button! Most issues can be resolved in an easy and friendly way, but negative feedback will damage a seller's rating for an entire year! As a seller, there is nothing worse than getting negative feedback from a buyer who never even bothered to ask for a refund. Honest, negative feedback for a seller who won't work with you is find... but the feedback isn't going to get you your refund.
2. Message the seller. Once you're calm, contact the seller with your issue - be nice, and describe your problem in detail. Understand that buyers try to steal items all the time by claiming that an item was not delivered (even though it was) or demanding an undeserved refund under the threat of negative feedback (tantamount to extortion, IMO).
3. Appeal to Ebay/Paypal. If the seller will not cooperate with you, don't get into an email brawl. Simply click over to the Ebay resolution center and open a dispute. This way, Ebay/Paypal will investigate the case and determine whether or not you should receive a refund (Ebay sides with the buyer most of the time).

Example of a Refund Request



"Hi there, I received this semi-mount a week ago and had my stone set this weekend... and one of the semi-mount diamonds already fell out. :( Do you think you could refund the cost of replacing it - I'd send back the whole item, but I already paid to have my stone set."

See? Not scary at all! Ebay is an amazing resource for everything from clothes to shoes to Pez dispensers -- unless you're planning to bid on those shoes I'm watching. In that case, back off! ;)

What's Your Damage, Heather?: Shopping Irregular & Imperfect Items

I like buying damaged goods. Half my Ebay searches specifically look for items that need a little TLC. So where does one draw the line between a torn-up piece of junk and a really good deal?

1. Is the damage visible? The lining of my Tahari jacket sports some pretty impressive discoloring from deodorant - but since no one sees it, it's like the damage doesn't exist.
2. Is the damage repairable? My now-blue bowler bag was purchased as a filthy and stained lavender color, but a fresh coat of dye brought it back from the dead to look good as new.
3. Is the damage lovable? My recently-purchased pair of Hudson Signature jeans sports three rips - two of which sit on the inner thighs. But I love grunge, deconstruction, and post-apocalyptic fashion; I love these rips, too.
4. Is the damage represented in the price? Ah, yes: the bottom line. We can't forget about that! Even if the damage seems cool or insignificant to you, you should still get a significant discount for the item. When Goodwill asked for just $5 for my cognac boots, I still talked them down to $4, because I felt that was a more appropriate price for boots with cracked leather soles.

It seems I like my clothes like I like my friends: smart, thrifty, and just a little bit off. :)

Retail Review: Specialchoice Handbags

Logo From Ebay Store

Specialchoice isn't your average online retailer - it's actually an Ebay store specializing in trendy, distinctive handbags from South Korea (home of the best romantic comedies this side of Ursa Major, btw). They currently offer almost 300 different items, and most of them come in a wide color variety as well. Prices average at about $120 shipped.

So wait. Stop the presses. Hold the phone. How did the One-Dollar Wonders gal end up looking at $120 handbags? Before you stone me as a charlatan, I'd like you to know that I have credit card rewards points to spend, thankyouverymuch (and yes, I pay my bill off completely every month).

Now that that's out of the way, back to bags! As I neared the rewards tier that would net me a $250 gift card to Macy's. Since I knew I wanted a cognac leather messenger bag for fall, I started kept my hairy eyeball on the Macy's handbag offerings -- all through spring. And do you know what I discovered? I must be a spoiled brat of a handbag snob, because I was wholly unimpressed with the ho-hum bags I could get there - especially at the prices I'd have to pay! For the size of bag I wanted, I'd have had to pay $50-$100 on top of my gift card -- seriously? $250 won't even get a body a handbag nowadays? Wow. I'm a snob and I'm out of touch.

Screencap from Ebay Store

Disillusioned with department store bags, I turned to Ebay, my discount shopping rock. I sifted through thousands of used and damaged cognac bags over a matter of months, and I still never felt those thunderous stomach butterflies of handbag love. So I opened up my search to new merchandise. I narrowed the results to leather items only. I sorted by lowest price...

... and Specialchoice handbags were officially on my radar!

After my lackluster experience ordering from China, I was wary of ordering from Korea. But Specialchoice's Ebay reviews far surpass what I would call "positive" and rocket on into "rave" territory. Shopping is fantastically easy, as all color options are shown in the item's main gallery photo. Their numerous large, clear photos depict the bags hanging and unstuffed, to better communicate the drape and texture of the leather. Almost every bag offers the added functionality of a removable crossbody strap. And almost all of them induce a hearty, internal squee. And if I converted my CC rewards to cash (i.e. gift cards to the gas station), I could get one of their bags and have money left over. Needless to say, I went for it.

Promo Pic from Ebay Store

I chose their Jesse Satchel in cognac (now sold out), as it is just the color I wanted, offers two removable straps, and can also be reconfigured as a tote or hobo.

My order was shipped the day after it was placed, trackable trough Korea Post/EMS. It arrived a full week ahead of the estimated delivery time in a 12"X17" cardboard box. The box was a wee bit squished, but mostly well-preserved, considering its recent travels. The bag itself was wrapped in plastic (a good touch in case of inclement weather) and a white dust bag. I pulled the wrapping off and...

I love it. Oh, yeah.

The bag itself looks exactly as pictured. The pebbled leather is thick and smooshy - you can tell the leather is new, and maybe a bit stiff if you are used to Lucky Brand or the washed leathers that some brands use now, but I think it will soften up even more over time. I would compare the softness of the leather to the Italian brands Cristina or Valentina (both sold at TJMaxx) or a Dooney & Bourke. The zippers are all metal and work smoothly, and all the clasps and other hardware items are also real metal of a nice weight. There is one spot of sewing that is not 100% perfect, but it is nothing I feel compelled to complain to the seller about. The rest of the seams are sturdy and neat. Measurements and color are both true to the item description on Ebay.

All in all, the bag was very well represented in the Ebay description -- and that's key. I had already decided I loved the bag based on the pictures and write up, so I would have been crushed if it looked cheap or didn't measure up. Luckily, this time, I was able to breath a sigh of relief after getting just what I expected.

Order Placed: 7/10/11
Order Shipped: 7/11/11
Tracking: didn't feed to Ebay, but worked via EMS site (probably Ebay's issue)
Estimated Delivery: 7/27/11 - 8/9/11
Actual Delivery: 7/20/11

Packaging

 Shown here with the coat I had in mind when I started looking for a cognac bag... until it got to hot for a coat in my living room. :)




 
This post is NOT sponsored. The bag was purchased with my own funds via Paypal, and all the gushing is 100% my own.

Retail Review: Wholesale-dress.net

Wholesale-dress.net is a Chinese-based online purveyor of Asian-made clothing, shoes, and accessories. Their site boasts a plethora of of-the-moment pieces at amazingly low prices. They also offer deals for wholesale and drop-shipping orders, but this review recalls the retail experience only.
I've now ordered from wholesale-dress.net several times, with varying degrees of success. The crux of the issue seems to be that the customer can have a tough time determining which items are in stock -- a difficulty that can lead to severe disappointment.
For example, the first time I ordered from the site, I was absolutely rabid to have this red sweater -- the cat appliques are so sweet they made my teeth hurt. So I swallowed my reservations about ordering from China, added it to my cart, paid, and waited... only to be emailed days later with the news that my beloved sweater was out of stock. I stalked this sweater for a good year, hoping against hope that it would be restocked -- and one day, my prayers were answered. The sweater was back up, and the "add to cart" button was restored. Only the same thing happened: even though I was able to order the item, it was not in stock. I vowed never to order from the site again.





...but the truth is that the allure of cat-themed items always proves too strong for me. This was before the time of the iconic Miu Miu cat print; cats were nowhere to be found in America and entirely overpriced on YesStyle.com. And I fell in love with this quirky sweater dress. This time, the order went through without a hitch, and my sweater arrived! I liked it, but I didn't love it. It was shorter than expected based on the photo and measurements, and the knit was scratchy and of low quality. I figured it wasn't worth it to order from wholesale-dress.net again.





Lo and behold, however, registering for the site signed me up for their email list, and I was eventually drawn in again. This time, my pulse raced for this convertible bag with cheeky, checkerboard pattern in genuine leather. Disclaimers all over the site warned that, because of Chinese New Year, shipping would be delayed. I figured that that was fine with me; I just wanted to place my order good and early so that they wouldn't run out again. So this time I asked customer service if my item was in stock. I was assured it was available. I added it to my cart and checked out. But when I tried to pay, I was unable to! I waited about a month until the holiday was over and tried to pay again - nothing! Finally, I wrote to customer service and was informed that I would have to cancel the first order and create a new one... and you guessed it: after ordering and paying, I was informed that my bag was out of stock. I vowed never to order from the site again - again!

Most recently, I checked back into the site after I saw that Forever21 had done a Miu Miu-inspired dress. I figured that, if they had done it, then the Chinese had likely done it, too - I was right! I found the perfect blouse for about $7. I inquired about availability and was told it was in stock. I ordered, paid via Paypal, and waited. Two days after placing the order, I received an email shipping confirmation and tracking number. Five days after placing the order, my package arrived in California, and my blouse was everything I'd hoped it would be - minus some loose threads and the fact that all the buttons seemed to be sewn on with a single, uncut, unknotted thread. o_0

Pros:
-Insane selection
-Low, low prices
-Cute, quirky, unique items you aren't likely to find in a brick & mortar store
-Shipping can apparently be lightening-fast!


Cons:
-Browsing/Searching is difficult, as you cannot sort your search results by category (clicking on the category erases your search criteria), and your search will also pull up all other words that contain your search word (e.g. a search for "cat" also pulled up listings for "delicate.")

-No system that removes the purchase option once an item is sold out.

-Quality is a toss-up
-Shipping costs can negate what you thought would be an insane deal

The bottom line: Wholesale-dress.net is pretty much like shopping the Chinese equivalent of a Forever21 warehouse - you can score adorable, unique, never-see-it-again-anywhere-else items for a song... but the process might totally kill your shopping buzz. I say go ahead and risk it if you find something you truly can't find anywhere else, but don't count your kittens until they've shipped.

All images except the last two are from the wholesale-dress website.