Not to be a stereotypical Mouse, but cheese really does make everything better. Stress? I will battle you with aged Gouda! Take THAT!

Possible solution to the shoe crisis. At $132, they're more than I wanted to spend...on the other hand, I wore my last pair of really great black flats ALL THE TIME and for FOUR YEARS. That makes it a little more economical, right? Plus, Frye means they won't fall apart...

(Frye Molly Piping Ballet flats.)

I don't know, I just like the looks of this cow. He and other animal friends are on sale right now at the MoMA Store.

So, these shoes above are the greatest shoes Mouse has ever owned. They are shiny. They are flat. I can wear them with a skirt and not look like I have clown feet. They can peek out from under nice slacks and look professional. The look rockin with skinny jeans, and I can walk and walk and walk and they never, ever pinch me. Also, see the bows? I like the bows. But they never get caught in a hem.

But I have had those shoes for four years now, and their imminent collapse has sent me shopping. My criteria: must work with both pants and a dress; must not be patent leather or suede,* must not cost more than $80, must be walkable. So I found these two options...
To be honest, I sort of already didn't like them, but Boyfriend sealed the deal. About the ones above: "What's all that stuff on the toe?"
And these: "Those look like Adidas sneakers." ((WHAT?))

Anyway, has anybody found some really perfect, comfy, dressy black flats lately? Help a Mouse out.

*Patent leather, for me, is a nighttime thing, although I admire women who can rock it in the daytime. Suede is just no good for Chicago.