You know how a pair of shoes, a certain t-shirt, a bracelet, or a pair of jeans can become like an old friend?! Well meet my old friends, the zebra flip flops! I bought these Reef flip flops over 10 years ago while on vacation at Kiawah Island, South Carolina with Mr. Tide's entire family. We had gathered on the island for a week of fun in the sun and I decided that I needed a new pair of flip flops to celebrate the occasion!
Now if you've never owned a pair of Reef brand flip flops, let me just tell you that they are WAY comfy, over a decades worth of comfy in fact! I've worn these on every vacation since that one many years ago. And they've seen plenty of salt water, sand, and mud right here in my own neck of the woods too!
They are tried and true, and like any good friend they've never let me down! But it's time to let them go, not to the recycle bin, or that big flip flop heaven in the sky, but it's time they were "stay at home" flip flops. I know they'll be sad to give up their jet setting life of going to Lowe's and the grocery store, but hey I'll still take them for walks and out in the kayaks. But they just aren't fit for public consumption anymore so I must say adieu to them for anything other than close friends or blood relative viewing!
Knowing that my funky black and white flip flops were about to retire, I found some new ones while out shopping at Ross last week! They aren't Reef sandals, but hey I'm a girl who loves a bargain so I picked them up anyway. I'm sure my kids will make fun of their day-glo yellow color, but then again they made fun of my cool black and white ones too and I still wore them for over 10 years!
They are Natural Sport flip flops by Naturalizer, and they even have Dr. Scholls massaging gel insoles, so what's not to love about that?!
I've already broken these babies in, and they're already a little dirty even after just a few day's wear, but I live in flip flops from April to November if I can get away with it! Will they last me a decade?!...I don't know, but I'm sure I'll get my money's worth out of them regardless!
Ok, enough talk about my tootsies and flip flops! It's time to announce the winner of the great book Waterside Cottages by Barbara Jacksier, featuring Brooke Steuart's beautiful beach house!
Thank you to everyone who entered the giveaway and to all of you who spread the word about this great book!
The winner is the lovely Suzanne of Privet and Holly. Suzanne and her family lost a beloved family pet today, a wonderful dog named Sasha. I think sweet Sasha was looking down on the random generator and thought that Suzanne deserved a little something special today! Suzanne, please email me so that I can get the book sent off to you!
OK Kat, new flip flops mean serious commitment, but from the looks of it, you know that all ready. I hope that you enjoy your new ones as much as you did those zebras babies. The soles look like they will be good for your feet and being the athlete that you are, you need good soles.
ReplyDeleteLove flip flops. In fact I have a new pair of Reefs right now. Bronze colored and so cute and comfy. I live in flip flops in warm weather. My old ones are worn when I work in the yard. Makes an interesting tan line on my feet for sure.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to Suzanne for the win. So so sorry to hear about their little doggie. So hard to lose a beloved pet. They become a part of the family.
I can't believe you've had these flip flops for so long. They do look great!! I need some!!!
ReplyDeleteOh Kat, this has just made my day!!! And, it's the first time that I have won anything! I'm so excited. Funny, I just sent you an e-mail about your comments on my post about ten minutes ago. It's karma....or angel dog love : ) Thank you!
ReplyDeletexx P&H
Hi Kat,
ReplyDeleteSince moving to the beach I wear flip flops all the time. I've been known to wear them even when it's well below 40 outside. I just don't like shoes!
I love "Yellow Box" flip flops and wear them until they are no longer presentable! LOL!
So, I know how sad it is to "retire" a pair.
Congrats to the winner.
hugs
Sissie
Oh, how I yearn for the days when I could still flop around in flip-flops! But alas, I'm sort of clumsy. And my doctor told me I'd be safer if I'd wear sneakers or something with a back in them. So honey, enjoy your days in the sun with flip-flops! How do you work that random generator thing anyway? I've got a giveaway on Friday and I usually do the old-fashioned thing. But I want to try this. Can ya email me?
ReplyDeleteBrenda
I am crazy about flip flops too and wear them 12 months out of the year if I can get away with it. My fave's are yellow box....so so comfy and cushy!
ReplyDeleteHmm, I've never heard of "yellow box"...I must check those out!!!
ReplyDeleteKat :)
I love both pairs of your flip flops! I got some new ones this weekend but what did I put on today? My TEVAs! I wear them everywhere! They are broke in just right! Congrats to the winner! ♥
ReplyDeleteOh and P.S. Rene, I was an athlete many moons ago, but now the term for me would be squishy! I do "run" around a lot though...mostly like a chicken with my head cut off! ;-)
ReplyDeleteKat :)
I love me some flip flops too!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad Suzanne won...sounds as if she had a bad day. I've never had Reef flip flops...I love Havianas. I do notice that flip flops are so flat that my legs hurt these days if I wear them all the time...maybe I need some with Dr. Scholls.
ReplyDeleteI love the new flip flops! We have been going to Kiawah Island (almost yearly) for over 20 years.
ReplyDeleteIt is our favorite vacation, it has changed over time but it is still a sanctuary as far as we are concerned.
Congrats to Suzanne, Babara's book is fabulous!
ReplyDeleteI love flip flops also, but because of foot problems can't wear them much these days. My cousin, on the other hand, has a pair to match each outfit. Have you seen the ones you can switch out the straps on? Cute! I was in a shop last week and they had at least thirty different styles of straps. I like that you don't have to "break-in" so many different bottoms.
I wear my flip flops almost everywhere, but I'm lucky to get a year or two out of them. I can't believe you've had those for 10 years! I'm about due for a new pair.
ReplyDeleteWow...those flip flops look great! I love flip flops....i wish I could just live in them:)
ReplyDeleteCongrats to the winner~
Ohhhh, I love me some flip flops too but I only like Eliza B's. They are my fave because they start out flat but conform to your feet the more you wear them...
ReplyDeleteWill look for yellow box though, just to check them out! Thanks Kat for another great post! I just love your blog so much!
You must be gellin' with those new Dr. Scholls insoles! I like your old ones too, but the new ones look like they even have a little bit of a heel, which I always appreciate to give the illusion of being a tad taller, which means maybe that last cupcake won't show up as much on me. (I know it's really not a heel, but even 1/4" more helps!!) Oh and that is so cool that Suzanne won the giveaway! ~Lili
ReplyDeleteI agree, I love Reef! I had a pair that lasted probably 7 years or so. I was sad when they fell apart!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this post! And I totally hear you about flip flops -- I lived in Florida for 20 years and wore flip flops basically 24/7/365.
ReplyDeleteHi Jenny, I couldn't reply to your comment via email so I thought I would do it here! Wearing flip flops 24/7/365 sounds like heaven to me!!
ReplyDeleteKat :)