Touching the Untouchable

The first thing I remember about India was the aroma.

As I stepped off of the plane and into Rajiv Gandhi Hyderabad International Airport it was a sickly sweet smell, a mixture of curry and cumin and slight body odor that filled my nostrils. We were travel weary but excited and eager for what lay ahead.

It was April of 2010 - a date that marks my first time out of North America, my first international adventure. An adventure which would only fuel my passion for travel even more.

But the memory that sticks with me, the picture that is still as vivid in my mind as if happened only yesterday is so much more intense than the smell wafting through the air.

It is hot and humid, temperatures soaring well above 120* F. The current isn't reliable, which means neither are the fans, our only source of relief from the summer swelter. During the hottest part of the day we rest, staying indoors hoping for relief. We are, after all, a group of fair skinned Americans who recently bid the cold northern winter farewell and we are experiencing a climate we thought was reserved for places like wood-fired ovens and the deepest parts of hell. But as it begins to cool off, as temps lower to the 100* range, we set out to see the city and visit the different schools the mission we're visiting supports.

After piling into a white jeep and traveling for what seemed like hours, a ride equivalent to that of a roller coaster at a Six Flags theme park, we unfold our whip-lashed bodies, limbs tingling from loss of circulation, and take in this new surrounding.

I remember the loudness of machinery, it's the kind of noise that left ear drums ringing; the tanned bodies of men and women, pick axes in hand, doing the back breaking labor of hitting the boulders again and again, working through the intense heat, chipping away slowly, tediously until smaller sections of rock broke off; and I remember the children, their clothes and skin covered in a grayish film, their limbs thin from lack of nourishment, their deep brown eyes empty but filled with longing for love and acceptance.

The place I am describing is a stone quarry, and the families who live and work here are bond laborers, struggling to pay off debt. Many of them don't get to leave this grimy and near desolate place for months on end. The children may know nothing else as many of them were born here.

They are of the lowest of the low in society, they are the untouchables.

I tell you this story to explain something: My love for Noonday Collection, and more specifically, the leather totes they sell that come from India.

I won't pretend that my short two-week mission trip to India greatly impacted the country for the better; it didn't. I was there, handing out lollipops to children who needed so much more than that and teaching them songs in English because I didn't know anything in Telugu, and I left again -- forgetting their names and many of their faces. The trip certainly didn't make me a hero or a missionary or a do-gooder. But what I can tell you is that the trip impacted my life.

After seeing extreme poverty first hand, I realize how richly blessed I truly am. There were moments in our first year of marriage where Herm and I felt like we were among the poorest too, living on rice and beans and hoping all of our bills and mortgage would be covered each month, but even in the state we were among the richest in the world for we had a roof over our head, clothes on our back, food in our fridge, and jobs which brought in weekly pay.

After seeing extreme poverty first hand, I realized I need to do something. Even as a stay-at-home-mom I can do something. And it was that realization that brought me to Noonday.

Noonday partners with 29 different artisan groups on 12 different countries to provide long-term jobs with fair wages for women and men in vulnerable communities.

One of those countries is India.

The Rustic Leather Tote and the Modern Leather Tote are both created there by the lowest caste in society, the "untouchables". These are people who face discrimination and poverty not because of something they've done but because of who they are, simply because they were born.

Since partnering with Noonday, this artisan group has grown, which means more jobs for more people. It means families can earn a living through dignified works. It means children can go to school. It means crime rates will decrease and the standard of living will increase.

Every time we spend money we are casting a vote for what kind a world we want to live in. And when we choose ethical, sustainable companies, like Noonday, that put people before profit, we are making an impact on an individual, a family, and potentially a village.

My short trip to India didn't make a global impact but it did impact me and my global view. And it is because of that that I am passionate about fair trade, about creating long-term jobs, empowering women, and cherishing children -- and that, my friend, is why I Noonday.


If you would like to learn more about how you too can get involved with the work of Noonday, leave a comment or send me a message and I'd be glad to share more with you. 

What's Been Holding Me Back

If I am really being honest with myself, the only thing that is holding me back is the fear of failing, of trying this and it not being successful or what I had imagined and hoped for.

Even as my fingers hit keys typing those words in an email to a mentor, someone encouraging me to be more, I began to realize how silly it was. I was already failing by not even trying because ultimately I was afraid of failure.

Sarah, even if you do fail, you will still have made a difference in someone else's life by sharing your heart and passion, and that is no failure. Jesus uses all things for His good.

Her response sparked something inside of me, a determination to try, to give it my all, and to accept that I am going to learn something from this, whether it goes on to become a successful venture or not.

The venture I am referring to is becoming an ambassador for Noonday Collection.

Noonday Collection is a fair trade company, partnering long-term with 30 artisan businesses in 12 different countries. They sell gorgeous handcrafted items, jewelry and accessories, enabling the artisans to have dignified jobs, even in vulnerable communities.

I found out about Noonday several years ago, but in the past year and a half I've been toying with the idea of becoming an ambassador. I kept talking myself out of it. There seemed to be a thousand reasons why it wouldn't work for me. But I couldn't let the idea go, it was constantly in the back of my mind. I finally realized that I will never know whether it'll work or not until I give it a try... so here I am.

There are several reasons why I was drawn to Noonday, and if you've been reading this blog for any length of time, you probably know the first - I love fair trade! It's been something that has intrigued me for years, especially since living aboard and experiences other cultures, experiencing poverty first hand. But Noonday is also a huge advocate for adoption, something that has also touched my life in such a meaningful way. Because of adoption and a wonderful couple eagerly opening their hearts and home, there is a precious and not-so-little-anymore  Jamaican boy and his sister who have loving parents who are involved in their lives. I spent an entire year caring for that then-little boy, praying desperately that God would bring a forever family to love on him, to raise him and teach him right from wrong.

My prayers were answered, above and beyond what I could have hoped or imagined. But I know that it wasn't without lots of commitment, of time and finances, of emotions and heartbreak, that these children now have a mommy and a daddy.

My hope is that by partnering with Noonday Collection as an ambassador of their products, I will be able to lessen some of the stress in other families working on adoption. You see, by hosting a Noonday trunk show - basically a fun get-together with your girlfriends, where you try on and style each other in the gorgeous pieces - you can either earn rewards toward products or you can put that reward money towards your adoption!

I am so excited about these beautiful products. But even more than the gorgeous items, I love the stories of hope and redemption found for so many through Noonday. You see, purchasing from Noonday means that the artisans who create these products earn a living wage. It means they can afford to send their children to school, dressed in crisp uniforms with bellies full. It means that instead of selling her body, you are empowering a young woman with the option for a dignified job, one she can be proud of. Instead of handouts and charity, you are enabling someone somewhere to earn a living and feel accomplished and good about what they do through your purchase.

In a way when you buy and wear Noonday items you are spreading the Gospel, and you look good doing it!

Am I still nervous about this new venture? Yes. Those reasons, all one thousand of them, are still spinning in my head, telling me why this won't work out. But there is one reason that tells me it might... and that reason is that we are ready for change. Ethical fashion is something that so many of us are aware of, but a lot of us don't know where to begin.

Start with Noonday!

I would love to present Noonday Collection to you and your friends through a fun trunk show or through the website or a lookbook.

If this is something that you are interested in learning more about, please let me know!

I truly believe that by being aware of how products are created, by casting vote for ethical treatment of others every time we spend our money, we can build a better world where children are cherished, people have jobs, women are empowered, and we are connected.  

WORN: On Wednesday

I’ve teamed up with Fair Trade Friday this summer. Throughout the month of July I will be sharing  about fair trade, and toward the end of the month I will be hosting a giveaway for a beautiful fair trade tote. Stick around, you don’t want to miss it.

In the mean time, every Wednesday I plan to share a fashion post that features at least one fair trade product. 

Today is the final Wednesday in July and I couldn't be happier. These posts are done, I'm moving on. 

My sister-in-law and her seven children came to visit for a few days, and my mother-in-law surprised me and came along with them. For the past three years we've been talking about how fun it would be for them to come up when the blueberry crop is ready for harvest. But it never worked out... until this year. 

They arrived around lunchtime Monday. It was hot and humid, so it didn't take long for us to pack up and go down to the lake for a few hours. I love living so close to a beautiful beach area. This summer I've been frequenting the lake more than I ever have in my 22 years of living in the heart of the Finger Lakes. 

When we got back from the lake we enjoyed a dinner of burgers and corn on the cob out on our deck, and of course we had to take them to the best ice cream place ever, Seneca Farms. 

Yesterday morning after a breakfast of scrambled eggs, toast, and the best peaches ever, we headed to the blueberry patch. It was hot and humid, and after only 15 minutes of picking berries we were all eager to finish up and head for the lake. We kept at it though, until all of our buckets were full.

We had a lot of fun, and there is talk of making this an annual sisters day, where all of the sisters-in-law and their kids would come up for a blueberry day. I do hope it works out!

I was planning to get a few shots at the blueberry patch for this post, but I was hot and sweaty and the sun was harsh, and thank goodness odors don't waft through blog posts, if you know what I mean. The photos didn't happen until Herm was home from work and our dinner dishes were cleared off the table and put away.

I had been wanting a chambray dress for the longest time, but never found one that worked. They were always too long or short, poor quality, ill fitting, or expensive. I had almost given up hope, but one day when I had 10 minutes before my next appointment, I ran into Salvation Army. And that's when I spotted hanging there, brand new with tags, for only $3. It was perfect. No, it was almost perfect. The only problem? It was three sizes too large. I decided to do something rarely do... I would risk the$3 and hope that my minimal seamstress skills would be able to alter it into something that fits. And guess what? It worked! 

I love that this dress is heavy enough that it doesn't require a slip or cami underneath, but light enough to keep me cool and comfy on hot summer days. I wear it often, and I'm pretty sure it'll stay that way until one day it can't take it any more and simply falls apart. 

Dress, Old Navy, thrifted and refashioned (similar) // Belt, unkown, thrifted // Necklace // Sandals, handcrafted in Jamaica, gifted (similar)

WORN: On Wednesday

I’ve teamed up with Fair Trade Friday this summer. Throughout the month of July I will be sharing  about fair trade, and toward the end of the month I will be hosting a giveaway for a beautiful fair trade tote. Stick around, you don’t want to miss it.

In the mean time, every Wednesday I plan to share a fashion post that features at least one fair trade product. 

Inspiration photo source.

The photo shoot for this weeks post actually happened with out as much as a kink in the plan, and took place a week in advance. Can you believe it? Me either!

So since there is no story to tell you about the behind-the-scenes events, I'll just tell you about the skirt I'm wearing.

If you've been following along with the little fashion series, you probably noticed that there is almost always at least one item from my outfit that was thrifted. I don't exactly love shopping, but I do enjoy the thrill of the hunt when it comes to second-hand shops. 

All of clothes that are currently in Carson's closet, other than what was gifted by friends or family, were purchased at consignment stores and yard sales. My closet isn't far behind. I would guess that well over half of my wardrobe was previously used. And I don't mind in the least. I've found so many high quality items for a fraction of the original cost. 

Now on to that skirt. 

After Carson was born I realized how desperately so many items in my closet need to be replaced. I had worn most of my normal clothes through pregnancy, and didn't think much of it... until I lost the pregnancy weight and noticed how stretched out things had become. 

I picked up a few items here and there. One of them being a skirt just like the one I'm wearing. I loved that skirt, but eventually it wasn't fitting well anymore. I so desperately wanted it to work, and so I held on to it, hoping that I'd figure out a way to alter it to fit. But the skirt had a drawstring waist, and I wasn't sure how to nip and tuck it without messing that up. 

Then, one half-off-Wednesday I was at the same Salvation Army where the first skirt came from, and guess what I found? That's right, another J. Crew olive drawstring skirt, just like the one still hanging in my closet. Only this time it was in my size, and because it was half-off, it was only $2. 

I snatched that thing up faster that you would imagine possible, delighted.

When I arrived home, I took the tags off in order to wash it, and heard something jingling. It sounded like pocket change. 

So technically, since the skirt came with a fifty cent refund in the form of quarters, I guess I got it for $1.50. 

And tell me, who doesn't love a deal like that?

 

 

Skirt: J. Crew, thrifted (similar) // Sweater: LOFT (similar) // Necklace: c/o Everyday Beauty Co. // Bracelet: From Uganda, gifted (similar) // Sandals: Birkenstock // Tote: JOYN, c/o Fair Trade Friday (win it!)

What about you? Where are your favorite places to shop?

About Fair Trade Friday + a Giveaway!

It would be an understatement to say that I like fair trade; I LOVE fair trade.

For me, it started back when I was a young teen. Ten Thousand Villages had a shop that would come to our local mall over the holiday season. Because it was seasonal, instead of hiring employees, they would look for volunteers. A dear lady from church gathered a small group of girls, my friends and I, together, to help out for a day.

We were taught a bit about the products, and how the ladies/families who handcrafted these products were able to make a sustainable living by selling the items, and, in turn, they could send their children to school, giving them the opportunity to have a better life through the help of education.

Something resonated with me, and ever since that holiday season many years ago, I have loved and supported many fair trade organizations.

So of course, when I found out about Fair Trade Friday, a ministry of Mercy House Kenya, I was intrigued, and knew that this was an organization I would gladly support. I am so excited for the opportunity to team up with them a share a bit about the mission.

Fair Trade Friday is a monthly membership club that delivers high quality fair traded items to club members. The stylish boxes provide employment for women all over the world. They have several options: You can choose to subscribe to the Fair Trade Friday gift box--this includes 3-4 surprise gift items (think jewelry, coffee, bags/totes, soaps, etc), that will be delivered to you monthly; or you could receive a trial/gift box, which is the same as the first option, but it would be a one-time deal; and finally, the Earring of the Month, which delivers a fun pair of earrings to members each month. 100% of the proceeds from each product go toward the empowerment of impoverished women as an avenue to introduce them to the Gospel!

Fair Trade Friday generously sent me several items to review. And with the hope that this will spread the word even farther, potentially increasing sales, which would increase job opportunities for these women, I am hosting a giveaway of one of those items: the JOYN tote.

This beautiful tote was handwoven, hand printed, and hand stitched. It is made from genuine leather and cotton in the foothills of the Himalayas. It has a red lining inside, with a small pocket, perfect for a cell phone or keys. It is very sturdy, and with care, will last for years!

To enter leave a comment on the blog or on the facebook link, and finish by filling out the basic information in Rafflecopter to show you completed this step. You can get a lot more entries by completing all of the steps, but leaving a comment is the only step that is mandatory.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you in advance for participating!

WORN: On Wednesday

I’ve teamed up with Fair Trade Friday this summer. Throughout the month of July I will be sharing  about fair trade, and toward the end of the month I will be hosting a giveaway for a beautiful fair trade tote. Stick around, you don’t want to miss it.

In the mean time, every Wednesday I plan to share a fashion post that features at least one fair trade product. 

Inspiration photo by Kristina J. Used with permission. 

There is always something to be thankful for.

And today I am thankful there are only five Wednesdays in July, and not 500. These fashion posts aren't as easy as I thought they be, and I'm so ready for this series to be over.

Back in June when I planned this, I was imagining spending an afternoon taking all of the photos I would need, then scheduling each post, so that every Wednesday morning, like clock work, there would be something new for the blog.

Instead my days fly by, and before I'm ready it's Tuesday and I still don't have photos for the Worn on Wednesday post for the next day. This week was no exception.

I needed to take Carson into town for some blood work, so I decided we'd leave the house a bit early and stop by the park. I'd use the self-timer on my camera to snap a few photos while Carson played without getting dirty. It wouldn't take long at all to get what I needed, and we'd be on with our day.

Do you think it actually happened like that?

Nope.

We arrived at the park in good time, and after adjusting a few settings and situating the camera, I posed in front of it like a vain woman, while Carson splashed in the puddles near the channel.

A lady I know was out walking with her friend, so I quickly hid my camera and pretended to be out for a walk with Carson too. After chatting with her for a bit, I walked around the corner, then pulled the camera out again, hoping for better results. Five photos in, the camera batteries die, and it's about time for the appointment anyhow.

After the blood work was finished, I planned to stop for new batteries, then go back and finish the pictures...

Do you think it actually happened like that?

Nope.

The test results were good. I was so thankful... but that little pin pricked finger would not stop bleeding, and even with a band-aid on his finger, Carson still managed to get blood everywhere, including my dress.

And it started to rain. So instead of trying to redo those photos, we finished our errands in town, then came home, and I crossed my fingers, hoping for the best. Maybe there would be a picture or two that I could use.

They'll have to do.

Thank goodness I'm not a perfectionist or a full time fashion blogger, eh? Only two more weeks to go!

Happy Wednesday, friends!

 

 

Dress: handmade by Kate // Belt: Express, thrifted // Sandals: handcrafted in Jamaica, gifted (similar) // Bag: FashionABLE // Earrings: Water for Life (similar)

WORN: On Wednesday

I've teamed up with Fair Trade Friday this summer. Throughout the month of July I will be sharing  about fair trade, and toward the end of the month I will be hosting a giveaway for a beautiful fair trade tote. Stick around, you don’t want to miss it.

In the mean time, every Wednesday I plan to share a fashion post that features at least one fair trade product. 

Inspiration photo source. 

We spent a long holiday weekend out of town with friends. Our first stop was Chicago. We arrived on the evening of the forth, and after checking into our hostel (Um yes, shared showers and all.) we took the subway down to the Navy Pier to watch fireworks. Instead of fighting crowds on the way back, we left the show a bit early and walked a few blocks for deep dish pizza, because as the saying goes: when in Chicago, do as the Chicagoans.  It was well past my bedtime when we finally got back to our rooms, but I was satisfied. Deep dish pizza really is all it's cracked up to be.

The next morning we explored downtown for a bit, stopping by Intelligentsia for coffee and scones,then moving on Millennium Park, where we shot a few touristy photos at the 'Bean', after we had soaked our diapers at the Crown Fountain. The rest of the morning we walked through the park and to the Magnificent Mile shopping district. That's when I realized I lost my phone. I prayed about it, and it was returned. Thank you Jesus! (You can read more about that here.) I know it's just a phone, but I have so many precious memories stored on that thing; it was what I was using for photos and videos of our trip. Jesus cares about the little things, even things as small as an iPhone.

The Orioles were playing the White Sox that afternoon, and with the group I was traveling with there was no way we were going to miss that game. The Orioles won; our group was happy. (Since we're friends, I'm going to be real with you: I just had to Google that. Even though I was there for the game, I couldn't have told you who won. I'm probably not the kind of fan most teams like.)

And finally, the whole purpose of our trip: fishing on Lake Michigan. In spite of some nasty weather that cut our two day trip short, we had a lot of fun out on the water, reeling 'em in. Seafood isn't really my thing, but I'd go fishing any day. We brought 15 fish back, 1 salmon, 1 steelhead trout, and 13 rainbow trout.

 

 

Dress: H+M, thrifted (similar) // Vest: LOFT (similar) // Necklack: Village Artisan, c/o Fair Trade Friday // Bag: FashionABLE // Sandals: Birkenstocks

Anyhow, all of this to say that I was planning to take a few photos in the city for today's post. However, most of my time I spent chasing after my little runner-boy who insisted on splashing in every fountain, climbing on all the high walls, and playing hide-and-seek among the bushes and shrubs. Then I thought that maybe I could share a few pictures from our fishing adventures, but after an incident where I dove into the icy waters fully clothed after my runner-boy, I was left with yoga pants instead of jeans for the next morning. Minimalist packing might not be so great after all. And yoga pants are not allowed on fashion posts!

So, this morning, as I catch up on laundry and figure out what groceries I need for the rest of the week and take a few moments to read and rejuvenate while my coffee is still hot, I decided to keep it real and share a few photos of what fair trade fashion looks like... from my dining room.

I'm enjoying Equal Exchange coffee from my Blue Waters Mug, along with a few squares of Equal Exchange Caramel Crunch chocolate. I just finished reading 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess, by Jen Hatmaker, which I highly recommend, especially if fair trade is something that interests you too.

Have a lovely day, friends!

WORN: On Wednesday

I've teamed up with Fair Trade Friday this summer. Throughout the month of July I will be sharing  about fair trade, and toward the end of the month I will be hosting a giveaway for a beautiful fair trade tote. Stick around, you don't want to miss it.

In the mean time, every Wednesday I plan to share a fashion post that features at least one fair trade product. 

Inspiration photo source. Others taken by Kate, edited by me.

Where do you find style + fashion inspiration? For me it comes a few different ways. I often find it when I'm browsing through a J. Crew catalog or when I search Anthropologie's website, and always, always, when I step foot into a Madewell store.

But mostly I find it through Pinterest. Yup, you read that right.

When I first created a STYLE board on Pinterest I felt a bit ridiculous. What a waste of time. It didn't take long, however, until I realized it could be a very useful tool.

It has helped define my style by observing what I'm naturally drawn to, and it's also helped me put together new outfits from pieces I already own. (And for someone who really doesn't like shopping, this is a big deal!)

Many times I've 'shopped' my closet, thanks to Pin-spiration. (Yes, I just went there.) Which is exactly what I did with the photos posted today.

 

 

Shoes Dolce Vita, thrifted (similar) // Jeans J.Crew , thrifted (similar)  // Shirt JCPenny (similar) // Necklace J. Crew, gifted (similar) // Tote FashionABLE, gifted

What about you: Has Pinterest been a helpful wardrobe tool for you too?

Gifted Fairly

I am a gift giving procrastinator. (Just ask my friend Lyndsi who just received a birthday present... five months too late.)

It's not because I don't like giving gifts, I do. It's not because I have the item on hand but keep forgetting to actually give it to the recipient, I don't. More often than not, it's because suddenly it is the day of the occasion - and even though I thought about it two weeks ago, because I didn't write it down, I completely forgot. I call it mom-brain, but that's a lame excuse and I realize it. I'm left scrambling, not sure what to get the person. 

There are a few people in my life, my friend Patty, my aunt Joyce, and others, who are gift giving rockstars. Whenever they hand you a beautifully wrapped package you know it's going to be good. But then there's me, someone who throws around ideas for the longest time, unsure if that is really what the person would like... 

So, to help those up us out who aren't rocking the gift giving department, I've put together a little cheat sheet.

For the Guys:  A sleek wallet // Leather Key Chain //  Fishy Bottle Opener 

For the Gals:  Amhara Scarf // Disco Night Necklace  // Date Palm Basket 

For the Kids:  Kenana Knit Critters // Fair Trade Friday Kids Box // Galimoto Boy

Those Hosting:  Good Coffee // Zebra Bottle Topper // Caramel Crunch Chocolate

Just Because:  A passport cover // Assorted Note Cards // Luggage Tags

P.S. The items that are bold +italicized are items I own and love. 

What about you: Are you a gift-giving rockstar or do you often find yourself unsure as well?