7. Tell us something about your forthcoming book 'Shoes: What You Need to Know'. What can our readers expect to find in it?

"Shoes: What You Need to Know" is due out in bookstores October 15, 2005. It follows the format of Bra, starting with what early humans wore on their feet. The book then moves toward the 21st century, exploring fads, trends, misconceptions, myths, materials, popular styles, and so forth, along the way.  This book was every bit as much fun as the bra book--I learned far more than I thought possible to learn about shoes.

For instance, for centuries, women and men wore the exact same shoe styles; children and the working class rarely had shoes, and only royalty were allowed to wear high heels. It was also fascinating to note when certain shoe brands were founded, how family struggles created shoe companies (such as the brotherly rivalry that spawned Adidas and Puma), and how war shortages influenced the styles of shoes women wore. Also like the bra book, there is plenty of practical advice, such as how to care for shoes, building an ideal shoe wardrobe, how to walk in high heels, and so on.

8. Talking about shoes, can you give us some tips on how to have the perfect shoes to wear for every occasion? Or rather, how to build a 'shoe wardrobe'?

Sure thing. Most of us go along, buying a pair of shoes whenever we see a great style on sale, or perhaps when we need a very specific type of shoe for a very specific type of event (say, a wedding). A more effective way is to take a good look at your lifestyle--and your wardrobe--and build an all-purpose shoe wardrobe that will ensure you always have the right pair of footwear:

Building a Shoe Wardrobe

How many shoes should you have? No, this isn't a trick question--it's just a question designed to get you thinking. So what's the correct answer? There isn't one really, although many "fashion experts" go as far as suggesting an entire footwear wardrobe, containing at least:

* Two to three pairs of comfortable, attractive, high-quality, "expensive-looking" shoes for work. One thing to mention right off: What counts as "work shoes" depends on your line of work. A nurse may need three pair of comfy, rubber-soled white oxfords, while a construction worker is more likely to require steel-toed boots. Take a look at what your boss (or better yet, her boss) is wearing, and get yourself at least two great-looking pairs of similar shoes in a dark nuetral. Think black, chocolate, cordovan--which is an old fashioned word for a cherry-kissed brown--or even burgundy, navy or charcoal. This will ensure you'll always look professional and stylish and will always have a pair of shoes clean and ready should one pair need to go to the cobbler.

* A strappy pair of dress sandals to wear with formal and semi-formal attire. And to sex-up a pair of jeans. Your best color bets are a mid-tone or pale neutral (including metallics like silver or gold). Keep your comfort in mind when selecting heel shape and height.

* A pair of casual oxfords, loafers or clogs in a dark neutral. You'll want something to knock about in on weekends--something better looking than your scruffy trainers.

* A pair of athletic shoes. Good looking enough to go with your Juicy Couture track suit, hard-working enough to perform at the gym.

* A pair of fashion boots in a dark neutral. Something classic enough to wear to work yet sexy enough to add a seductive edge to jeans and everyday tee.

* At least one pair of casual warm weather shoes in a pale neutral or fashion color--think sandals, ballet slippers, espadrilles, flip-flops in a dressy material like leather, or skimmers in some type of cloth.

* A pair of snow boots or other weather-protective footwear. Of course, this is dependent upon where you live. If you're in Sydney, Florida, Southern France or some other sunny locale, you probably won't need a pair of heavy-duty waterproof shoes. Get yourself another pair of espadrilles instead!

9. Weddings and Parties are the best occasions to show off one's shoes. Any do's and don'ts for choosing shoes to wear in parties?

Do: Wear shoes that are comfortable! You'll be on your feet quite a bit and uncomfortable shoes do not make you look prettier--they make you look uncomfortable! Don't: Wear overly-high heels, uncomfortable shoes, shoes that don't fit, or shoes that you can't walk well in. The last thing you want to do in front of a lot of people is to fall down. How embarrassing!

10. I have not once, failed to notice that aside from all the glitz and glamour associated with your career as a 'Beauty and Fashion' journalist, you are a completely different person at home. How do you manage coming on top in the two exactly opposite worlds?

It's an odd thing: I entered this field young, and as such had the freedom to lead a very glamorous life with late nights out, parties, readings, concerts, more parties, fashion shows, frequent travel and so forth. But I've always been a nester, so to say. I always invited people over for dessert after my husband's band played, or asked fellow writers to my apartment for late-night drinks after we did a reading together. I used to have monthly dinner parties and not a holiday or birthday passed without some kind of fete at my home. I have always cooked daily, baked our bread and make cookies or cake or pastry weekly. So, even during those glamour days, I would often be carrying a loaf of freshly made bread for one of my husband's band members, or for a friend I expected to see at a press event.

That part of my life hasn't changed too much since my two sons--ages three and one--arrived.  Except now I bring soup and muffins to my oldest son's teachers, or bring cookies for the other mothers to eat while they wait to pick up their children.  I try to keep our house "child-friendly" with healthy baked goods and fun art supplies and such, so there are constantly children over here. That's a form of entertaining, and so healthy for my sons to see. I think graciousness is becoming a rare thing in this day and age, and it is something I want my sons to grow up with. Further, we do have other families over, even if it is for something as simple as takeout pizza and a homemade cake. So my entertaining days have changed--become more humble but no less fun!

Further, it's important to create a sanctuary of sorts, so I make sure the house is kept clean and uncluttered. I keep flowers in all rooms--even if it means purchasing an inexpensive bouquet and dividing it into several small mini-vases which I place here and there. I light a Trapp scented candle each day and play calming music. I love Vivaldi's Four Seasons. And we don't have a TV, so there is never the background din of some show going--that noise is something I notice in many American homes. My boys--and my husband--are much better behaved when the house is calm and pleasant. This is a glamour of a different sort than the glitz my life once was, but it is still glamour.  

When I do go to book events and parties and what not, I take my home's calmness with me. You'd be surprised how alluring a deep sense of calm is! People often remark on it.

11. Your writing and your life has been a source of inspiration to many women reading this interview. Would you like to advise/say something to them?

Don't we all want to be better people? I think all those things we do to "be better" are noble things--eat more produce, exercise, be more patient with our elders and our children, wear sunscreen religiously, involve ourselves in charity work, be environmentally aware, get an advanced degree, find time to paint or dance or knit. Yes, do these things, but don't be so busy looking for the person you want to be that you waste the person you are right now.

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