DIY Tie Dye Satchel

How was everyone's 4th of July?  I spent the day with my most favorite people catching up, eating burgers along with a fab quinoa salad (AK nailed it), and dipping my toes in the Pacific Ocean.  Yeah, I couldn't fully commit to going in because the water was too cold but I was thrilled to cheer on the people who took the dive! I showed the after shot of my tie dye satchel and wanted to give a full rundown of how I did it!

I started with this white hobo bag...

New Dress A Day - DIY - Satchel - Tie Dye

...and then started to get those rubber bands in place!

 New Dress A Day - DIY - Satchel - Tie Dye - Rubber Band

I wanted to create a bulls eye design, so I grabbed a section of the bag near the top and banded the area as this was going to be the center of my bulls eye!

I continued to band my bag with an assortment of 1/2" to 1 1/2" sections left between each rubber band.

 New Dress A Day - DIY - Satchel - Tie Dye - Rubber Band

Once my rubber banding was complete, I took two Tulip dyes in red and teal (patriotic time!!)...

 New Dress A Day - DIY - Satchel - Tie Dye - Tulip dyes

...and began to color each section.  Before I added my dye, I made sure to get the bag completely wet.  This just helps the dye evenly blend into the sections.

 New Dress A Day - DIY - Satchel - Tie Dye - Tulip dyes

Once all my dye was added, I let my piece sit overnight to let the colors really saturate.  I love how they bled together in certain spots!

 New Dress A Day - DIY - Satchel - Tie Dye - Tulip dyes

After letting the bag sit overnight, I trimmed off the rubber bands, rinsed out all the excess dye in the sink (I let the water run unti the colors stopped running), did a quick hand wash with Woolite, and then tossed it into the dryer to dry.

My new bag perfect for the 4th and perfect for the beach...

 New Dress A Day - DIY - Satchel - Tie Dye

I switched out the necessities from my everyday purse into this bag for the day and brought it on my beachy adventure!

 New Dress A Day - DIY - Satchel - Tie Dye - Manhattan Beach

The picture below was taken right after I almost got hit in the head with a rogue volleyball.  Luckily I was saved by a gent who had quick right handed reflexes to deflect the Wilson when it came close.  The other dudes deemed him "gangster" for his skills which was hilarious - it was the ultimate bro-out moment which I'm sad to say I didn't get recorded or Vine'd quickly enough.  Oh Manhattan Beach...

 New Dress A Day - DIY - Satchel - Tie Dye - Manhattan Beach

The bag ended up being a fab cover-up for my sand-coated feet towards the end of the day as well!

New Dress A Day - DIY - Satchel - Tie Dye

Even though I wasn't able to video the bro moment, I was able to catch this amazingness.

 New Dress A Day - DIY - Satchel - Tie Dye - Denim Thong - Los Angeles

All I can say is, "Welcome to Hollywood! What's your dream?"

Wednesday Giveaway: Andy Warhol Inspiration Box

I absolutely love the 4th of July and this year I have a wedding to celebrate as well, so there's lots to get ready for!  I've been spending the past day prepping outfits for the holiday weekend and can't wait to get them all finished - you'll get to see everything I've put together soon, but in the interim I thought this giveaway was apropos. I sorted through a ton of magazines over the weekend pulling pages of inspiration!  I found oodles of accessories, home goodies, and outfits that are giving me so many ideas for upcoming posts.  To tie into all the creativity, I'm giving away an Andy Warhol Inspiration Box and a Knock Knock "When Pigs Fly" post-it pad.

New Dress A Day - Giveaway - Win Me - Chronicle Books - Knock Knock

I love the inspiration box because it comes with a little mini Andy Warhol figurine, a book, and stickers!!

New Dress A Day - Giveaway - Win Me - Chronicle Books - Knock Knock

It's always a good time to get/be inspired, so this just might help for any of those moments where there's a lack there of.  To enter, leave a comment below of something that you're looking forward to doing this weekend.  Perhaps you've been inspired to get a little DIY action on or maybe you're looking forward to being with family.  A winner will be announced post-holiday weekend!  (Also, I'm waiting on finding out the winners from the Visa gift cards but as soon as I get the two names, I'll announce right here!)

I hope that everyone can find a little time to get inspired over the holiday weekend here in the US.  For those outside the US, it's a non-holiday weekend for you, but I wish you the same inspiration!!  (And, keep your eyes peeled for a post asking your advice on what to wear for the wedding!!  I'm working on an accessory to bring but think I'm just going to pull two dresses that I already own from my closet and pick one to don.  I shall be asking for your help in the next 24-ish hours!)