Could you use a screwdriver as well as drink one? (How to Walk in High Heels - Camilla Morton)

Member Name: kitschkitty

Product:	How to Walk in High Heels - Camilla Morton
Date:	12/02/09 (147 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Funny, quirky and informative

Disadvantages: A little patronising at times

If my ex was anything to go by, men like to fill the bookshelves with DIY books and books of humorous sporting quips, most of which sit unused and gathering dust. Finally, Camilla Morton has spotted a niche in the market and written How to Walk in High Heels, a girls DIY bible to anything and everything girly related. But unlike your partner's Reader's Digest DIY annuals, this is a book that need not sit unread and unloved as it provides a wealth of information for the modern, Manolo Blahnik wearing (or desiring) girl about town.

With a foreword by John Galliano, it's clear that Morton knows her stuff and has friends in very high places indeed. This is a book filled to the brim with famous names from the world of fashion and showbiz but if you've ever watched an episode of Sex and the City, these are all names that will roll off your tongue and have established themselves in the English canon of brands. When I first received How to Walk in High Heels as a gift, I was a little baffled when I read the blurb on the back which promised, amongst other things, to teach me how to change a plug, load an iPod and burn a CD, all of which are second nature to me. I may like lipgloss and eyeliner and ditsy dresses but I am experienced enough in the ways of the world to do all of the above and even unblock a sink when the need arises (which it did last week). The book claimed to explain the mysteries of modern living, but given the examples the publishers had chosen to list, it seemed to verge on patronizing.

Fortunately, when I finally sat down to read How to Walk in High Heels, I was pleasantly surprised and I must confess that even I, worldly though I may be, learnt a few new things. The book is written as a girl's guide to everything and whilst that all encompassing use of everything might be a slight exaggeration, there is a wide range of subjects covered within the 452 pages. The book is split into the sections Greeting Your Public, Being Socially Adept, Tackling Your Technophobia, Homes and Gardens and Joining the Jet Set. There's also a handy index at the back if you need to quickly find out how to wear a hat, how to swim in sunglasses or restaurant etiquette. Alternatively, you can dip in and out of the book or read it from start to finish as a manual of how to be a classy, seductive and eloquent lady of the naughties.

Morton's style is relaxed and friendly and, despite the somewhat patronizing nature of some of the tips, her tone never appears to condescend and it is a rather enjoyable read, regardless of whether or not the tips are useful in the real world. As the title suggest, walking in high heels is a central lesson to be learnt from the book and tips include 'aisle gliding' which is, in essence, wearing your highest stilettos to Tesco for the weekly shop and taking advantage of the flat and even surfaces of the aisles, combined with the support of your trolley, to perfect your walk. But Morton goes beyond this, giving the reader further advice on how to tackle pavements in various cities across the globe. For example, in Paris, the reader is advised to avoid picturesque cobbles at all costs and walk in the road whilst in New York, it's recommended you simply hail a cab like everyone else.

But fear not, How to Walk in High Heels also provides some more informative and valuable nuggets of information including which names to drop, how to hide a broken heart, how to taste wine like a professional and how to fire someone. It isn't a life changing book by any means but it's a funny and informative read. If you don't think your best friend will appreciate you turning to her for advise at 3am on a Tuesday, then Morton is sure to provide the answers you're looking for, even if you do need to take her advice with a pinch of salt. Incidentally, I have yet to attempt aisle gliding in my new killer stilettos. A brief attempt at walking the hospital corridors whilst working has proven that advice is all well and good, but there is a certain element of skill involved if you do plan on wearing sky high heels on a regular basis. So whilst my newest shoes may be confined to being worn in the bedroom only, How to Walk in High Heels is a handbook I will be turning to ensure I survive the remaining obstacles that today's modern women face.

Summary: Could you use a screwdriver as well as drink one?