It’s A Women’s World

A baby sitter brought my daughter back to my home once and after she had told me what had happened, I wanted to wring her neck. I decided then and there that she should never be able to watch my child again. She didn’t put my daughter in danger, but there are times when she just doesn’t use her head, and this was one of those times. She allowed my daughter to view the Johnny Depp version of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and my daughter was terrified for weeks after that.

She didn’t bother to watch “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” before she let me four-year-old daughter view it. This was a huge mistake. I always watch stuff with her for the first time, but movies like that one I would have screened on my own before letting her watching it. At the beginning of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”, there is a scene where there are singing dolls. Those dolls catch on fire and you watch the faces melt to the point where the eyeballs slide down the face. You can imagine why this might have freaked my little girl out.

Not only did she allow her to see this horrifying part of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”, she allowed her to see it yet again. She thought it might be smart to let her see it again to show her it is not as scary as she thought it was. This girl is not a mom and that shows. It was never more evident as it was when she did this. It was the wrong things to do and my little girl became even more terrified. I’m not sure I would have allowed her to watch the original “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” let alone the second one, and then more than once! Some people just don’t think.

You don’t have to watch the movie or go to a real chocolate factory to enjoy the process of making chocolate. You can find information online that will show you what goes on in a chocolate factory and your child will love to learn how chocolate is made without being frightened by a movie. I’m not saying it is a bad movie, but I will say she shouldn’t see it until she is older. It’s definitely not for those under 5, and I would say 8 or 9 might be a good age. Until then, she can discover the wonder of chocolate the nice and peaceful way.

The Goth look in fashion experienced a resurgence in the mid 1980′s, a dark look with a limited audience. In American culture, the Goth look encompasses all that brings tattoos, punk hairdos and elaborate face paint to mind. Inherent in the “look” is the Goth boot.

The term “Goth” derives from Germanic tribes of the Middle Ages. Elaborate costumes of the times were designed to convey an imposing and frightening figure to overwhelm outsiders. Richly woven fabrics and embossed designs are signature to the Goth look.

The Gothic warrior, riding in to camp on his horse, was equipped with heavy, almost platform boots. Made from leather and fur, they were often decorated with jewelry, metals and precious stones. Today’s popular Gothic boot mimics those of history. The definition of Gothic boots is elusive. Most popular with club hoppers, Gothic boots come in countless colors and heel widths. One thing is for sure. Today’s boot has to have a heel of some substance. Thigh high platform PVC and vinyl boots are the standard for the Gothic boot enthusiast.

In 2002, Marilyn Manson popularized Gothic boots with his album, AINT. Never before in American culture had Gothic boots received as much attention. Following the release of the video “This Is The New Hit”, Goth devotees across America were clamoring to own a pair of the boots, as seen in his video. The thigh high platform boots with silver buckles climbing up the front were in immediate demand for both men and women. It was the first time since the 1970′s that a man wearing a shiny platform shoe was still OK.

These boots are fabulous, but use discretion! You might be a hit at a club like the Underscore in New York, but this boot walking through your local Wal-Mart might look just a little bit cheesy.

The Gothic boot enthusiast must own at least one one pair of thigh high platforms, shiny and ideally, with buckles or zippers. For the hard-core original look, go for black PVC. Black goes with everything. It’s your favorite color and you know it. The only reason you like black is because they haven’t found a darker color. Maybe you’re tempted by other colors. Colors are fine. Just because it’s pink doesn’t mean it isn’t Goth! When choosing your Gothic boots, remember, shiny is good.

You may need to search out Gothic boots in specialty stores. It’s not a mainstream item. The only good Gothic boot has a big fat raised rounded toe, is ultra shiny and just as intimidating as it’s Middle Ages counterpart.