Stephanie: LeeAnne Was Playing The Victim

Hello Everyone, 

Before I begin today's blog, I would like to express my sincere gratitude from the bottom of my heart for the warm welcomes and kindness you have all shown me. It is tough to put yourself "out there" for the world to judge. I have never been as nervous as I was last week. The tweets and messages of encouragement and support brought me to tears of gratitude more than once. I am blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful fans! I appreciate your support. I will not always do the right thing in life, but I hope you look at me and see someone who is kind, fair and loves life.  

This weeks' episode is one of my favorites. The Mad Hatters Luncheon is always a spectacular event. The over the top creativity demonstrated through the hats is amazing.  

In the past, people decorated their hats with such favorites as "Barbie" dolls, a huge "Kermit the Frog," and one lady even had a working water fountain on top of her hat. The beauty of the Mad Hatter Hats is that there are no rules other than a theme. The attendees of this event spend thousands of dollars to have an over the top custom hat created. Prizes are given for the best hats. The proceeds from the Mad Hatters Luncheon goes to help the "Arboretum" which is a must see if you visit Dallas. The gardens are spectacular!  

I do not mind splurging on clothes, jewelry or a great handbag that I can wear or use for other events but, I cannot bring myself to spend thousands of dollars on a hat that I will only wear for 2 hours. Brandi and I thought it would be a cute idea to make our own hats for this event.  I was excited to do an arts and crafts hat project with Brandi. I knew it would be fun and give us a chance to catch up on everything that happened at Marie's cocktail party. Also, I felt the need to come clean about writing LeeAnne an apology email and was nervous on how Brandi would take it. I did not want to be in the middle of their drama and hoped that I could smooth things over for Brandi.  

LeeAnne has the reputation as someone who will do whatever it takes to ruin the reputation of anyone she feels like she cannot control or manipulate. I did not want to deal with the aftermath of a war with LeeAnne and hoped to smooth things over for Brandi. Brandi knows that I am a people pleaser. I am still learning to create boundaries and have a voice. I do not think Brandi was mad at me, I think she was frustrated that LeeAnne was playing the victim.  

RHOD 'Wives Brandi and Stephanie Kill Wasps in Furs

Brandi's idea and plans for the hat were hilarious. I think we were both excited about how care free the event seemed. Her original hat idea with the toilet plunger wand and plastic dog was definitely too obvious to wear in public. However, her second 'poop in the park hat' was epic.  

First of all, you could not tell there was fake poo in it because it was tucked away inside the hat. It was an inside joke only known to Brandi, Cary and I. Secondly, many people in attendance complemented and took pictures of her hat. She received so many compliments that at one point I wished I had worn a poop hat too. Brandi and I are different in that I like to blend in and be understated and wearing a huge crazy hat would make me uncomfortable.   

Brandi Redmond's Dog Poop Drama

I feel like LeeAnne takes everything so personal and serious that she needs to loosen up a little. She is always mad at us for something even when it doesn't affect her. The only reason people knew there was fake poo in the hat is because LeeAnne told anyone who would listen in an attempt to shame Brandi.  

I wish instead of getting worked up all the time LeeAnne could take herself and life less serious. Charity events are a way to come together, have fun, raise awareness and bond.The time spent at an event tearing down with the intent of exclusion is a complete breakdown of the magic of giving back.

If LeeAnne had a problem with the hat then she should have met privately with Brandi and explained any untoward consequences instead of working to guarantee negative consequences.  

I stand firm on the fact that Brandi's hat was everything that I hoped The Mad Hatters Luncheon stood for: a fun, fantasy, no rules event where men and women celebrated the opportunity to show their support to the beloved Arboretum.  

In my opinion a truly charitable person is gracious, kind, and nonjudgmental. They celebrate anyone who has the heart and desire to give back. Public shaming is unacceptable but even more so at an event known to encourage over the top creativity.