Redneck Summer

It's summertime.

And summer in Austin, Texas is HOT.

Finding ways to stay cool is not just a fun pastime, but rather a matter of survival.

So I've done something I thought I would never do.  While my redneck-ness hasn't ever been a real big secret, it's never been quite as obvious as it is at this very moment.

Want proof?  Here is my backyard:

Yes, against all my husband's protests and against all neighborhood restrictions, we have a 1000 gallon, 10 feet wide, blue kiddie pool complete with filter and debris cover right off our back porch.

And if that isn't enough, we have bonus water features:

We're not in Aspen anymore, y'all.

So why did I succumb to my inner redneck and buy this tacky pool?

Because of this:

And this:

Let the Homeowner's Association come tell that face she can't have her pool in the backyard.

Five Favorites - Summer Shoes

So.

Today's post has absolutely not one single thing to do with special needs.

But sometimes, a blogger just needs to take a minute to address really important issues when they surface.  Those things that have a significant impact on our culture today.  Those topics that really say something about society as a whole.

Things like... shoes.

Easter has come and gone.  Which for us true Southern belles means we can now safely wear our white pants.

And I got a pedicure week before last.

So Easter + pedicure = summer shoes!

Here are five of my favorite summer shoes.  Or, to clarify, my five favorites at this moment.  Who knows what next month will bring?

First, for the ridiculously expensive - the Donald J Pliner Fifi sandal:

They even have a ridiculously expensive name.  Fifi.  Really?

I've had my eye on the black or bronze pair for three summers now but just can't bring myself to pay $160 for a pair of what are basically glorified flip-flops.  I mean, do you know how many hours of speech therapy that would pay for?  Oh wait.  On second thought, that's only about one hour of therapy so not such a great comparison.  Never mind.  Does it make them worth the price if I said they would be for church?  Didn't think so.

Next up - the Sam Edelman Gigi sandal:

OK.  What is it with me and ridiculous sandal names?  Fifi.  Gigi.  Sounds more like names of poodles.

Any-who, I wanted these last summer but again, the price is just more than I really want to spend for so little shoe.  $65 for a pair of boots or running shoes?  Yes.  $65 for tiny little strips of leather and a sole? Not so much.

For those days when the pedicure is not looking so hot, how about these cute little French tennis flats:

Just so you know, I feel about one hundred times hipper just saying "French tennis flats".  And also?  That's elastique on the top of them, not to be confused with elastic.  I love the colors and the ease of just slipping them on when you're running out the door.  But alas, my refined taste once again exceeds my budget.  These cute things are about $55 a pair.

OK, y'all ready for this?

Red. Polka dots.  $40 at Macy's.  Come on.  Do I really need to say more?

But, truth be told, I spend the bulk of my summer in flip-flops.  Granted, they are leather flip-flops which makes them as nice as flip-flops can be.  And my all-time favorites are Reef Uptowns:

Not the prettiest shoe around.  No elastique.  Or polka dots.  Or ridiculous poodle-y sounding name.   Just good old comfortable shoes that I can say have lasted me three summers now.  Coming in at around $35, that's a pretty good price per wear average.

So what about you?  Are you thinking about summer shoes or is it still cold where you are?  Got your eye on something cute for summer?  Do share!  Because honestly - is there really any lady out there who doesn't love shoes?