The other day, we were driving to NYC for the day and although the forecast was for 80 degree weather in the city, it was only 60 something in Connecticut. It was a casual day so I put on a nice pair of dark wash jeans, wedge sandals, a sleeveless shirt and a new little beige metallic linen jacket with an off-center zipper that I had only worn one other time. We stopped at a Duncan Donuts to grab some coffee for the road. FYI, I was a passenger not the driver. I was about two thirds of the way finished with my coffee and was getting warm so I was prepared to take off my jacket when I decided to take another sip. The lid had come ajar without my knowing it and what was left of my coffee dribbled down my chin and all over the front of my jacket. Where is the club soda when you need it? Unfortunately, I blotted it and tried to pour a little water on it but the stain was very happy where it was. I was relieved that I no longer needed to wear the jacket, but don’t you just hate it when you ruin something before you really get to wear it?

I once had a kid leather luggage color bag that somehow got an oil stain on it. I remembered being told years ago that the only thing you could do was apply oil to the whole thing……or live with the stain. I also thought about the time I dyed a white crocheted shawl in hot tea to turn it a soft beige. Hmmmm………..As you can guess, I brewed a pot of coffee, poured myself a cup to drink and soaked a clean sponge with the rest and blotted it all over the whole jacket until it was saturated. Proud of how resourceful I am, I was diggin’ the new color. It was better than the original. Now you might find the next part a little odd although I thought it was clever. I hung my coffee drenched, coffee smelling jacket on a plastic hanger and took it in the shower with me. I rinsed it until the water ran clear. After I dried my body, I placed the jacket on the towel and blotted it enough to stop the dripping. (Did I mention that it was fully lined and dry-clean only?) I was careful not to wring it out. It is now sunning itself outside on the patio and I am feeling pretty smug. I hope a bird doesn’t fly over it.