Sunday, August 30, 2009

It was 8 months ago that Polyvore held a contest with simplysoles.com. Since then Simply Soles has been a very unique and popular brand. Many sets are created daily using items from Simply Soles, but just who is Simply Soles? Well i had the honor and privilege to interview Founder and creator, Kassie Remple. This red head beauty has created a genius way women can find a "Sole" mate.
Kassie has also designed her own line of awesome shoes called "Lilibee" inspired by her children, her line makes women feel sexy, chic and comfortable. A while back i received a lovely package, inside was a cool pair of shoes from the Lilibee collection. I am a fan of heels, and most make my feet hurt, but these are light, airy and so comfortable, and not to mention the lovely baggie the shoes come in. So well packed with a cute card "SimpySoles" and it's trademark logo. Enjoy the inspirational interview below.



When and how did you start simplysoles?

I started SimplySoles in September 2004 out of a passion for shoes and a desire to have at-home access to them. I wanted a boutique with the owner’s perspective on fashion. Doing a lot of catalog shopping at the time, the lack of attention to accessories in fashion catalogs drove me crazy. I couldn’t see details of the product despite potentially spending hundreds of dollars for a pair of shoes. So I decided that I needed to build what I wanted to shop from – a catalog and online boutique offering a carefully edited collection of shoes, handbags, and other accessories. It took about a year to design the first catalog, and educate myself about how to design, print, mail a catalog – but the first ones shipped in September 2004 and with some shoes, a tape gun, and a 1-800 number, my business began.

When you think back to when u started simply soles, was this how you pictured it would be like?

HAH! I got some great advice from someone in the catalog industry (Andrew Newsome from Wisteria.com). He said to take my expense and quadruple them. And take my projected sales and slash them in half. He said “maybe then you’ll be close” to what you can expect from running a catalog. He was right. And even though I was forewarned, it was still a loooong road to profitability. It’s the reason why people don’t just casually start catalogs. That’s a steep learning curve and requires a substantial capital investment.

Did you always have a passion for shoes?

My passion for shoes wasn’t really palpable until I started working after college and had the income to make my own meaningful purchases. I am a CPA by trade and worked for Ernst & Young about 15 years ago when “business casual” wasn’t yet invented. I wore suits daily (in the form of black, blue and gray) and I could only express myself through my accessories. There was a bet in the office as to how many pairs of black shoes I owned. I began to realize how much of an impact shoes have on an outfit, and that’s when my passion was solidified. I was working so much I didn’t have time to physically go to stores, so that’s when I started dreaming of my ideal shoe shopping experience.

If you were not in the art of making fabulous shoes, what would you be doing?

Raising my children. I have a 2 and 3 year old. It takes something I’m passionate about to keep me away from wanting to be with them all day long. They wear me out, but the love they give in return is immediate gratification for the trying or tiring days. It’s not like that at work, but I obviously still enjoy it so that’s why I continue to do it. That – and I feel loyal to my customers who rely on me each season, just as they are loyal to me.

Your own line Lillybee was inspired by your children, what else inspires you to design shoes?

Running after my children. Seriously, I wanted to design a collection that fit good, felt good, and was affordable. I’m chasing something or someone down daily, so wedges are a staple in my wardrobe and I think they can be hard to find.

Any advice you want to give anyone else who wants to get into designing shoes?

People ask me all the time if they can design a shoe and I’ll make it for them. While some companies, like Nike, can do that, most factories aren’t set up to make one single pair of shoes. So if you want to get into designing, think about the business decisions that come after the design. Where are the shoes going to be produced? How are you going to sell them? If you just want to design, then maybe heading to a fashion house would be the best place to start. Many times manufacturing and distributing the shoes are far more difficult than designing them.

How would you describe your style? Do you only wear simply soles?

Yes – giving that I design my own collection to fit my lifestyle and I also work with the other designers I carry, like Bettye Muller, Butter, Chie Mihara, to design exclusive styles available only at SimplySoles.com, I don’t feel the need to wear anything but that which I carry. My style is fairly simply: invest in quality staples and great accessories. I have a few pair of great jeans, a few white button-downs, some great costume jewelry and naturally my shoes. It’s simple and clean, and the accessories tell the story.

Last but not least, because i love candy and always curious about what sweets people love the most, I want to know
what is your favorite Guilty Pleasure? (candy, sweets)

I have a sweet tooth the size of the grand canyon (and a few cavities that large too…lol!). My favorite food is a warm KrispyKreme doughnut and my favorite candy is Harbo Raspberries/Blackberries.

Thank you Kassie. oxox. Also below check out some Simply Soles polyvore sets featuring their fall collection. To DIE for. OMG check out those gor'juss boots..Yum, Feet candy!




Some more polyvore sets featuring simplysoles

View 'Simply Lovely' on Polyvore


Website : www.simplysoles.com
Follow Simplysoles on Twitter
Add simplysoles on polyvore

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Tutu Cute

This was my Bday outfit. Imagine walking into Olive Garden to eat like this.
Well i did and it was fun!

Tutu: Hot topics
Shoes: Joyce Leslie
Tights: Joyce Leslie
Sparkly top: Joyce Leslie

Tutu Cute

Monday, August 24, 2009


My weekend was so fun, crazy and full of sparkle. On friday i saw Avatar, i'll write about that later. Saturday i went to Audrey Kitching Yard Sale. It was fun. It was suppose to be outside, but the rain changed it all. So it was inside. Picture this a house porch full of girls wanting to get their hands on the best items. So you just weave and move your way in and when your eye lands on the prize you go in for the kill, kinda like hunting for food if i was a lion. I took the bow(pictured below) but some girl was also eyeing it, i was faster. She comes to where i was and was like "Where did that bow go" LOL it was in my hands already. Some moments got crowed and muggy, and poor hair of mines got frizzy and flat aghhh, But who cares i was shopping and mingling with Audrey lol She was so sweet and cute, just how i pictured her to be. We talked for a bit, and she said with a pout "It rained on my parade" ....hahaha i said with an awwww "It's ok, it's still good and fun"
then she smiled and we took pictures. We talked some more and it was all cool and great, it had to be she is from Philly as well..LOL..Below are pictures of the event.




My yummy finds
Me and Audrey Kitching, she gave me bunny ears..aww
Me, wearing my bow and the pearls i got at the yard sale.
AVATAR takes us to a spectacular new world beyond our imagination. On a distant moon Pandora, a reluctant hero embarks on a journey of redemption and discovery as he leads a heroic battle to save a civilization. (From official site)
Now about Avatar. I was out of words seeing this. If you can, watch it in IMAX 3D. The best way to experience this awesome movie, five years in the making. I've never seen a movie like this, and never seen a movie in NEONNNNNNNNNNNNN.....Don't worry i won't spoil the movie, but there are some scene were everything is magical and Techni- neon, awww No where else would you see giant blue creatures with neon green eyes look so beautiful. I am still out of words.There is this one scene where 'Jake' (main character) has to find 'HIS' animal soul mate, it's kinda like a flying dragon, so he ask's Neytiri "How do i know which one is mines" She answers, "The one that will try and kill you" hahaha i am paraphrasing, but i thought that was funny. Don't worry it doesn't mess up the movie, but if you think wit, violence, rage and some cussing makes a great movie for adults, well this is not for kids, at all.
Even if it may seem like it. I highly recommend again to watch this in IMAX. You feel like your inside the movie.
Release date December 18, 2009

Poster is of Zoe Saldana as 'Neytiri'.
Photobucket

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Photobucket
On Friday i received my yummy prize from We Love Colors
I won second place in their contest held in their group in polyvore.
These giant lollipops were from my "Sweet Tooth" candy party last year.
So fun to make.








Here is my winning set

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

The September Issue

This awesome documentary follows the life of legendary Vogue editor in chief Anna Wintour.
It is a rare glimpse into her world. Anna has the power to make or brake a designer in the fashion world. Her words are highly respected. Watch trailer here



September Issue

Tuesday, August 18, 2009


Lately i have been thinking of my childhood. I seriously believe what we loved back then shaped us to who we are today. This is why i say this. I love candy, colors, cupcakes, unicorn, bunnies and all things sparkly. Sometimes i wonder why i love these things so much. Looking at photo's of me being five or six i had on some PJ's with two bears hanging on to a lollipop. Then i went through my junk box and found some awesome Lisa Frank stickers...awwwww memory lane. I had all that stuff and even joined her membership club *sniff*

Lisa Frank, incase you don't know her, she was very popular in the 80's and early 90's. She create a world full of unicorns, rainbows, floating candy and sparkly flowers with glitter and hologram butterflies. Then i found one of my folders with two unicorns and a big rainbow. Finally it hit me, that even as a child i loved these things. The things i truly love are really ME.
I remember looking at her artwork and daydreaming for hours, especially at school where i was picked on for my style of clothing. Lisa Frank was my escape even if it was for a little while. It may sound cheesey, but i give her all the credit for me being such a sucker for all things magical, colorful and sparkly, and OMG let's not forget the trapper keepers.
Frank is still around, still creating school supplies for future generations and recently teamed up with Ed Hardy to create some awesome notebooks.




Lisa Frank


Monday, August 17, 2009

Betsey Johnson

I discovered Betsey Johnson while in High School and i remember wanting to go to Pratt because that is where she went to study Fashion Design. I applied to Pratt, but did not get accepted ;( . In the rejection letter there was still hope. They told me of this start up art college that is a sister school to Pratt *Heavens open* when you finish two years at Delaware College of Art and Design and recieve an Associates Degree in your major you automatically get into Pratt. So off to Dcad i went. After graduating i did not have the desire to go to NY and attend Pratt anymore..weird i know. Pratt was my dream school. I had posters on my walls and everything. I decided to attend Moore College of art and Design instead. It's here in Philly, my city and i was close to my mom to help her out. Who would of thought, that my decision to attend Moore would lead me to meet one of my fashion icons and inspirations, Betsey Johnson herself.

At first i could not believe the buzz going around in the fashion department and we had assignments based on her designs were she would see and pick out a few concept boards to take back to her NY office. Mines was not picked, but meeting her was enough. Betsey spoked about fashion and how much she loves it. How she got into it and even gave some advice. She even Talked about her daughter Lulu. Betsey was funny, cute and very tiny in height...tehe. Her sense of humor was great and she is very approachable. I remember her talking about her Heels and how she loves them so much she would sleep in them if she could and how she called them her "F" me heels. OH my! At the end of her speech she blessed us with a fashion show. A few models came out wearing her awesome, fabulous designs that even the angels in heaven would be jealous of such beauty. I could not believe i was there. I was sitting the whole time thinking "This was meant to be, me attending Moore and not going to NY"
I would of never meet her other wise. She even signed my book, which i still have and gave us all a gift bag full of yumminess. Betsey just celebrated a Birthday as well on August 10th. She turned 67, but she is still so youthful and funky. What would fashion be without her? She is my John Hughes of Fashion.















Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Happy Birthday Pictures, Images and Photos
Today is my sparkly Birthday. Everyone has been so sweet and loving, my sisters, mom and nephews surprised me with some balloons and a yummy cake. This cakes was so cute. It was all white with little colorful stars and little cupcakes around it. So sinfully yummy and guess how much of that i ate? tehe...And my awesome poly pals, who spoiled me with gift sets and have been sweet to me as well. I feel loved seriously, hahahaha. The party continues on saturday, where i will be wearing my tutu and all and enjoying eating cake, drinking coke and having a good time. Thank you all at poly for the Bday wishes.

The cutest balloons, check out that bear, awwwww.. i love my sisters and mommie
Below are some awesome BDay gift sets from my awesome poly pals! Thank you all. Candy Kisses and Cupcake Hugs! oxoxo