(Video) Brown Ralph Lauren Jeans, Coral Wrap Sweater, White Crewneck Tee, Rebecca Minkoff Bag, and Stuart Weitzman Wedges

(ABOVE) One-button wrap sweaters are so comfortable–and are elegant with slim-cut pants.

If you ever have difficulty finding shoes, lipstick, or foundation in a certain color, you might consider becoming your own accessory or makeup colorist. That’s what I did–I’m wearing several of my creations in this post–and it was not only fun but quite satisfying as well.

For years I’d been looking for a pair of chocolate, medium-height, comfortable shoes and couldn’t find any anywhere. Meanwhile, in my closet was a lovely pair of light beige, peep-toe pumps I wasn’t wearing. (The color just didn’t seem to look as pretty on me as I had originally thought they would.)

So one day, I took them to our local shoe man, Silvio, and asked if he could dye them a dark shade of brown. He was hesitant about the synthetic rope taking the dye, and I more or less had to beg him, but he eventually agreed to try it if I was willing to risk it not working. Well, it did work–I’m wearing them here–and I love them.

Then several weeks ago, I put on a magenta-color cardigan and wished I had a lipstick that went with it. So I decided to try mixing together two I already owned, and sure enough I made a match. I also made a match for this new wrap sweater I bought recently (red and peach lip glosses). Plus, I’ve been wearing two foundation powders together, too, since last fall.

Of course, I haven’t always been so successful. A couple of years ago I bought a light-color canvas tote, intending to have it dyed, only to be told that canvas doesn’t take dye well. It was probably a good thing, though, since I’ve found myself using the bag as is quite a lot.

Have any of you ever dyed any of your shoes or other accessories–and how did it work out for you? ~Janis Lyn Johnson

WHAT I WORE

JEANS: Lauren Ralph Lauren, Past Season (Similar On Sale Nordstrom Rack) SWEATER: Bobeau, Red Chateau (Nordstrom, On Sale) / BAG: Rebecca Minkoff, Mini Mac (Same Bag, Darker Color Here) / SHOES: Stuart Weitzman, Past Season (Alternatives Zappos and Nordstrom) / EARRINGS: Tory Burch, Past Season (Alternative Saks Fifth Avenue) / BANGLE: Hammered 14k Gold, Gift From My Mother, Bought in 1970s (Alternative) / MY MAKEUP (All Natural/Organic Ingredients)…FACE: 100% Pure, Both Crème and White Peach / CHEEKS: Gabriel Color, Vibrant Pink / LIPS: ZuZu Luxe, Lipgloss, Caliente, and 100 % Pure, Fruit Pigmented Lipstick, Peach / EYELASHES: 100% Pure, Black Tea. Some links are affiliates. More information here.