Martha's Mojo Box

Do you remember the commercial from Helzburg Diamonds for Christmas--I think two years ago? It was these guys strutting around with burgundy boxes and the words to the music went something like, "I got a mojo box." Well, I got a mojo box this past weekend. But my box didn't contain diamonds or any kind of jewelry. It started with a pair of boots from Payless.

Since becoming a mother, I have gotten to be very practical in my choice of dress. For example, all pastels have been relegated to the back of my closet. Why? Pastels show things like baby barf and snot and strained peas. Black is also a bad idea (see reasons under pastels).

My wardrobe consists of casual and business clothes, and other than my jeans, most of my clothes are shades of brown, gray and khaki. You see, unlike pastels and black, colors like brown, gray and khaki conceal baby stains very well. This practicality has also extended to my shoes. We all know I am a shoe-whore. I can’t help it. I love shoes. Strappy sandals, high heels, ballet flats, tennis shoes, rugged, lug-sole work shoes, and of course, boots. However, in the past year and a half, I’ve worn mostly flat sandals, tennis shoes and rugged work shoes. It’s rare that I wear a formal dress shoe unless I have a meeting. Prior to this past Saturday, I couldn’t tell you when I last wore hard-sole shoes just for the heck of it.

All that changed when I went to Payless on Saturday, frantically looking for a pair of black heels for a Christmas party I was attending that evening. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a sassy little pair of tri-color brown boots. I wasn’t looking for boots, but they practically jumped off the shelf and dug their heels into my eyeballs, screaming “Try me on and purchase me you big shoe whore!”

I did try them on. Ooooooh. They were so comfy. And they looked stellar with my jeans. So I bought them. And I bought them in black, too…in addition to the heels I needed for the party.

I’m wearing the brown boots right now. I love that strong clack-clack-clack sound when I walk down the hall. I feel powerful. And sexy. I’ve also gotten four compliments today on how I look. I also got two dozen roses from my husband. The only thing different is the boots—I’m wearing faded jeans and a brown turtleneck sweater. Nothing fancy. But the boots have given me a little boost of much needed confidence and it’s obvious to everyone. There’s that universal, “Hey you look really good today. Did you do something different?” Of course I did something different. I got my mojo back!