I’m a Rent the Runway Ambassador!

I’m a Rent the Runway Ambassador!

This outfit is thanks to Rent the Runway! The Hervé Léger Crop Top, Mini Skirt (retail $1,200), and Alexis Bittar Bamboo Earrings (retail $250) are all from Rent the Runway! I own the silk China Royal cape and Chanel shoes.

When I first heard of Rent the Runway, I was like, “sharing clothes…ewww and how?!”

As a longtime fashion retailer, I remember side-eyeing the business model, primarily because it frightened me. Rent the Runway opened the game to my potential customers, going from buying clothes to renting
them!

Then my thoughts quickly went to the major waste fashion contributes to our environment:

  •  Every year the fashion industry uses 93 billion cubic meters of water — that’s enough to meet the consumption needs of five million people.
  • Around 20 % of wastewater worldwide comes from fabric dyeing and treatment.
  •  The fashion industry is responsible for 10 % of annual global carbon emissions, that’s more than all international flights and maritime shipping combined. At this pace, the fashion industry’s greenhouse gas emissions will surge more than 50 % by 2030.
  • If current demographic and lifestyle patterns continue, global apparel consumption will rise from 62 million metric tons (2019) to 102 million tons in 10 years.

The more invested I became with social media, constantly taking photos, I soon realized how often I borrow the same looks with some of my favorite fashion staple pieces. This causes many gram fashion repeats! On top of that, our rushed move to the Bay Area had me leaving most of my wardrobe in our New Orleans storage. So I had to give this company a try!

There was a Rent the Runway store downtown SF where I’d pick, try on, rent, and return items. It was a fabulous experience! Imagine the only limit being the number of items (which can be increased at any time) you’re taking, not the cost! When the pandemic hit, the store closed, so now I pick my choices online, and within two days, they are sent to me. Whenever I’m ready, I return them to their box housed at
Nordstrom, Walnut Creek.

I recently began working in philanthropic communications—a real 9-5 job. I love having Rent the Runway for all my handpicked, dry-cleaned, designer work zoom or in-person outfits!

The part I love most is having access to the best designers in the world! Before being an ambassador, I was a huge fan of the brand and incorporated it into shikiri.com. “At shikiri.com, every piece of clothing worn is available on the site or at my other favorite place to play dress up, renttherunway.com.”

If you’re anything like me and love designer, want access to endless outfit options, and are frugal, you’ll LOVE it! Shoot me a DM with any questions. @rtrambassadors @renttherunway #rtrambassador

The shikiri.com code is RTRFAM59535C8.

**This code will give you 40% off the first two months of the memberships!

Fog Crest Vineyard

Living just outside of Napa has real life perks! Although I’m not a big drinker, when I do drink, my preference is a glass of Pinot Noir. So, when I was perusing Black Vines, my high school hommie’s dope space for all thing Black and wine, she shared a Black-owned winery list.

When I read that Fog Crest is a Black, woman-owned vineyard known for their Pinot, I was sold. A couple days later, hubby and I were there.

“The vineyard is situated on the Wilson Grove formation in a natural amphitheater of the Russian River Valley, whose soils have become recognized as some of the world’s best for cultivating ultra premium Pinot Noir grapes.”

The Fog Crest estate is breathtaking. The patio views facing east to Sonoma Mountain is perfect for sipping Pinot Noir. We have been to the vineyard quite a few times now.

I adore spending hours relaxing, tasting, and basking in this beautiful, idyllic setting. Check out this beautiful video featuring owner, vintner Rosalind Manoogian, produced by Calvin Gaskin, Bela’s brother.

Song: If It’s Magic (Album Version)

Artist: Stevie Wonder

shikiri.com