Debrief and Demystification

I know you're all desperate to know how the job is going, after my nervous rambling a few days ago. The way I disappeared, you were probably afraid I'd gone to work for a bunch of psychos who took me in just so they could sell my organs on the black market or something. But rest assured, that didn't happen.

The job is going very well. It had been so long since I found a job that really felt right, that I'd almost forgotten what it felt like. I remember, after the first time I met the two boys who are now in my care, after spending a couple hours with them and their parents, I called my mom specifically to say, "This is the one I want. This one is right." And so far, it seems I'm not to be proven wrong.

The one thing that has surprised me most - though not in a bad way - is how wonderful washing dishes can be. When the younger kiddo heads for his nap, and the older kiddo heads for his standard hour of quiet time, I get to clean up around the house. I stand in front of the sink and wash all the dishes from breakfast and lunch, and in those few moments of warm water and silence, I take a deep breath and relive the chaotic fun of the day thus far. Kids are great, but they're tiring, and sometimes kitchen chores can be exactly the break I need.

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LaBloShoeMo 2007 is the bestest shoe month EVER! And do you know why? Because it's 2008 and we're STILL celebrating shoes. Could I be any happier?

So the time has come for the previously promised "Demystification of Black Heels." Chances are good that if you're a modern woman, you know that black heels are a fashion must. Chances are also good that when you go out to shop for "black heels," you are overwhelmed by the options available. Seriously? Where do you even begin?

Well, fear not, because Lara is here to help. Let's begin by examining my own black heels, and hopefully by doing so, I can help you decide what style of heel would be best for your own needs.

These are what I would consider to be nice black heels for most professions (I'm going to go ahead and leave out prostitution, stripping, and other professions that might prefer a higher heel). The heel is low - 1.5 inches - which makes them easy to move and stand in during long workdays. The design is a simple, round-toe pump, embellished only with a small black bow in the front. Work heels should not, generally speaking, include too many distracting details, as this can distract from a polished, professional look.

Staying fairly simple still, we move on to a pair of Mary-Jane-style heels. The heel height here is significantly higher (3.5 inches), and thinner as well; probably that will make these a less comfortable choice for long periods of standing. Even though the embellishments here are still minimal (only the Mary Jane styling acts as detail), the shinier material and the higher heel indicate that these would probably be better for an evening out than a workday in.

Three inch heels and special stitch seaming accompany a gold-lined bow in the front of a slightly-pointed toe to make these pumps a great choice for a night on the town. (Wow, could I sound more like a catalog?) Pointed toes - for those who don't know - are designed to lengthen your leg line by extending your foot and tapering at the end; for people like me who already have big feet (I wear a 9.5/10), pointed-toe shoes are probably a bad choice. Rounded points like these, however, are stylish without creating clown feet. The gold accent definitely dresses these up too much for a work shoe - best to pair it with a fabulous cocktail dress and simple gold jewelry.

It's unfortunate that I didn't get a better picture of the heel here, because it's a square stacked heel standing at three inches. In the last two pairs you can see the heel taper down to a narrow point at the bottom; in this pair, the heel stays in a thick square shape for all three inches. This gives more stability and comfort than a narrower heel - which can be good for long days at work - and also keeps the shoe slightly more casual. The flower detail isn't too delicate, and combined with the more casual heel, helps make this a great pair of heels to wear with tall jeans; if jeans are too informal, these shoes can keep a pretty dinner frock from looking overly dressy.

Open-toed shoes like these two pairs are generally a younger style, favored mostly by the twentysomething set. I'm not sure what exactly happens to toes as they age that makes the fashionistas say we should hide them away, but apparently, something does. The first pair is actually a pair I don't wear very much, mostly because for my personal comfort, I prefer to have some sort of covering at the back of my heel when I walk. Also, because they cover so little of my foot, they're a significantly better spring and summer shoe than they are a fall or winter shoe.

The second pair is a great modernization of a retro styling, with three inch cork heels. The delicate bow at the front nicely sets off your latest pedicure, and the thin straps keep everything looking light and comfortable. My favorite part is the cherry design on the sole that peeks out as you walk, giving just the slightest hint of colorful fun in the guise of 1940's glam. Great pair of shoes to wear with jeans, slacks, skirts, or dresses.

So what are the functions you're hoping to fill with your black heels? Do you need shoes for work? For fun get-togethers? For sexy date nights? The style and details of your shoes should fit your personal needs, so make sure you know what you want to get out of those heels before you bring them home.

Or you could just be like me and own a whole bunch of different pairs for all your diverse needs.