A flip-flop kind of girl

When you think of beaches and Florida, you think of flip-flops. The simplest of footwear is an iconic reminder of our casual lifestyle. Flip-flops can be made of rubber and simple or adorned with feathers, sequins, or other exotic additions, offering a festive look. What is a beach house without a sandy row of flip-flops in different primary colors all lined up by the back door?

"Don't track sand into the house," many a beachside mother has reminded. "Leave your flip-flops by the door."

The ultimate casual shoe could not offer a more perfect design. Easy in and easy out. They are backless and stay on thanks to a U-shaped contraption that features a piece that extends between your big toe and the next toe, attaching to either side of the shoe. They are not without their challenges. It is easy to trip, and flip-flops can "blow out," as Jimmy Buffett reminded us in his 1977 song "Margaritaville." The good news is they are easily replaced and not at great cost.

The earliest known version of flip-flops appeared in ancient Egypt. Sandals were made from materials such as palm leaves, papyrus, or leather, featuring a toe strap similar to modern flip-flops. Many cultures have developed their versions of flip-flops over the ages. Flip-flops became increasingly popular after World War II when American soldiers brought them home from Japan.

They are not the quietest footwear. Slap, slap, slap — anyone can hear the back end of the sandals as they hit the heels of the wearer. Do not wear flip-flops if you are up to no good. It just won't work. Your flip-flops could give you away and might be offered as evidence in court. One downside of the almost barefoot shoe is that it exposes everything — that weird toe, chipped polish, etc.

Hard to believe that something as innocuous as flips-flops could be controversial. In 2005, members of Northwestern University's national champion women's lacrosse team were criticized for wearing flip-flops to the White House. The casual shoes were clearly visible in all the press photos. The press went wild in their criticism of the young women.

The talented athletes turned lemons into lemonade by auctioning off their flip-flops to raise money for a young girl battling a brain tumor. Jacyln Murphy became known as the "Flip-Flop Girl," and her family established a charitable foundation that creates awareness of the needs of families with children battling brain tumors.

I do not miss my days of high-heeled shoes and pantyhose. Embracing my flip-flop life was an easy change. Someone once said that flip-flops provide the soundtrack of summer. It's not just a shoe — it's a lifestyle.