ONE sole...many shoes

While we were traveling in St. Thomas, I walked into a very cute boutique where I found the owner wearing the most adorable pair of anchor shoes. When I asked her about them, she told me they were called "Onesole." The design across the front actually SNAPPED onto her shoe and was interchangeable with hundreds of other designs! Lo' & behold, we were back in the States for about a week when my husband & I were watching the TV show, "Shark Tank," where the Onesole creator, Dominique Barteet was presenting her shoe idea.

Shoes always weigh down my suitcase on trips and I knew this could be my solution, so I drove to a nearby boutique in Plano and bought a pair. I decided to order a few "tops" for my soles online because I specifically wanted the "American Illustrator" designs: With Onesole, you simply buy a particular shoe sole, including cork wedges or heels. I am a heel kind of a gal, so I purchased a pair in chocolate. It comes with a top that you can snap & unsnap & their tops have endless designs. Changing shoes is as easy as simply snapping on the particular top you want to wear for the day Having one sole and interchangeable tops is a great way to travel with "many" shoes while only wearing one...brilliant!

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Campus Creations with the preppy debutante

It is time for Prepsters to roll back on campus for another successful school year. Whether you are gearing up for fall rush or simply rushing from class to class, here are a few staples from the preppy debutante to get you ready. Of course, you can make these truly personal with your monogram or initials:

The Happy-Go-Lucky tote is a best seller & is great for a girl on the go! $24

Large Canvas Boat Tote $28

Essential Tote $26

Plush Terry Bath Wraps $38

Monogrammed Slippers to match! $12.50

Pashmina Shawls, which is one of my favorite items $28

Sunshine on a rainy day umbrella $24

SHOP the preppy boutique: the preppy debutante

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Twinkies!

I have always said that you do not have to be a *girl* mom to be a Twinkie with your baby. My little Kipster is quite happy (though he does not know any better at this stage) to be his Mommy's twin on occasion:

Even when our colors are not coordinating, the concept is a match. A rugby is obviously the easiest pattern to pair.

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Orange you nifty in those shoes

While most people choose to sport something white after they have achieved their summer tan, I make orange a signature color to compliment my new hue (thanks to a Caribbean trip and triple digit sunshine in Dallas). Just don't confuse me with the other "orange wearing Rickie," also known as the PGA's Rickie Fowler, who literally brightens up any course!

I had this Lilly hanging in my closet for quite some time. I usually pair it with my orange handbag from Rome, but it was always without the perfect pair of shoes. One would think that with the number of shoes in the Shoe Closet that I would have at least one pair that was orange and pink. Instead I always wore an orange sandal with it, but it still didn't feel right.

So I ordered this pair of Bonannos for a perfect match. I love my monogram because the center initial is perfectly flanked by twin initials to either side. I am a sucker for symmetry. You just won't see this little number the next time I swing a club.

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A Summer of Lilly

I *love* Lilly. After all, her designs have all the trappings of the quintessential Preppy. The Cabana Striped Tote below was once my airline carry-on. It now doubles as one of my many diaper bags. Inside is my Lilly agenda, which is perfect because it includes dates though December 2012!

Of course, one must coordinate her pen with her agenda-

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Knock it Off-

I was having a group dinner not too long ago, when I spotted something ghastly. I couldn't believe my eyes! One of the girls was sporting a rather cute outfit...but dangling from her arm was a fake damier Louis . I opted not to say anything-even in jest- to the owner of the designer knockoff. Instead, I just looked at it, wondering why she didn't simply invest in a real one. I have also concluded that all of her other bags are fakes as well.

As the Huffington Post reported earlier this year, some lawmakers want to punish those who invest in phony goods and some designers are even fighting back! This story from Dallas' CBS 11 shows how Coach took on one of the Big D's largest suppliers of handbags and accessories:

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Tide Responds

As many of you know, a few days ago I expressed how I felt about Tide's current commercial which shows a sassy, ignorant portrayal of Black women. I wrote to the company and told them the spot is insulting and they responded:

Thanks for contacting Tide, Rikki. We rely heavily on consumer comments regarding our advertisements, and feedback like yours will help us decide how to approach future advertising efforts. Please be assured I'm letting our marketing team know how you feel. Thanks again for writing.

Let's hope they truly take what I said into consideration, especially since I am not the only one who feels this way. In a Google search, I found a few blogs condemning the spot too and wonder when advertisers are going to pull their heads out of the 1930s...as seen by the vintage ads found here.

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An Evening at the W

Any new mother cherishes some "me" time, especially when it involves a night on the town. I recently gathered up some friends, the hubby, my brothers-in-law & their friends and we headed to Dallas' W Hotel. I grabbed this smart little number from the closet

and we were all aglow as he headed to our VIP table.

We had a spectacular view of the city.

Inside we met up with some of my dear friends including my Phi Mu sister, Kim....former fellow TV reporter, Carmen...

and fellow Junior Leaguer, Andrea.

Two of my brothers-in-law, Daniel & Brian also brought a few friends. WARNING: my hubby & his brothers are Hotties, so protect your eyes

We had some great cocktails and danced the night away into the wee hours. It was a wonderful way to celebrate a little bit of freedom!

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Hot as Blue Blazes!

I have no idea how any human can survive during our record temperatures, but somehow we are. Last night around 7pm I stepped into our pool and the stone step in the water was VERY warm. The water was actually warmer than bath water. Needless to say, I opted not to go for a swim.

Dallas is officially on fire!

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Shame On You, TIDE!

This current Tide commercial is a disgrace. It shows a Black woman "rocking her white jeans", despite the season. In a quite stereotypical manner, she lets us know that her jeans will remain white and not ecru, thanks to Tide.

Sadly, she has NO idea what ecru looks like, as she states, "whatever that is." SERIOUSLY, Tide? Have you really stooped so low as to portray Black women as ignorant? It is degrading and insulting and thanks to you, my white jeans and I will be switching to other detergents.

I am contacting TIDE with this blog entry. I am very curious to know what their reasoning is behind this particular commercial.

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baby is caught in the act...and he knows it

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Happy Birthday Queen Lee-Lee

50 NEVER looked SO good!

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