Noonday Collections, New Hat for Me

In January of 2015 I volunteered to host a Noonday Collection trunk show for a friend because she lived in Seattle and I knew this meant she would come to my house and I would get to see her after more than 15 years.  Honestly, it was just a yes because I wanted to see my friend and do her a favor.  But what actually happened was I fell in love with the collection, with the artisan stories, with the heart this company has for adoption and for the impact they are having for vulnerable communities in the world.  That Sunday afternoon in January I did get to see and visit with my friend, but my perspective shifted. They jewelry was really amazing.  The handbags and other accessories too.  But the fact that every piece shared a story of a life changed somewhere out there was really incredible.  

I started my new love for this collection by purchasing gifts for friends or just sharing the goodness on my facebook page when there was a good story or a sale. But it was always in the back of my mind that I would join and actually also become a Noonday ambassador myself.  It nagged as I weighed my ability to commit and balance the work with my other commitments, most important of which is homeschooling my children.  So I waited and learned and studied and then I hosted another party, again so that I could make my friend visit my home.  You know what I realized?  All women love to be reminded that we are connected.  They love to see these artisan pieces and to hear the stories of lives changed.  A common thread in the artisan stories is that families get to stay together.  Parents who were not able to have a job before are now able to have the means to keep their children home instead of sending them to adoption.  These women (and men) somewhere out there are jumping to this opportunity because it means everything to them as mothers and fathers.  Aren't we all the same? It just began to really resonate with me that I can actually be a part of solving something.

At some point it became a simple choice for me.  Women at church assumed that I already was an ambassador.  People were interested in my jewelry and my bag and I found myself sharing the stories and directing my friends who were interested to make a purchase that would fill their heart with the satisfaction of keeping another mother able to provide for her family.  Without partnerships such as the one they have with Noonday Collection, many of these artisan would not have an interested buyer for their truly unique pieces. Yes, it was time for me to pick up the baton and own a greater responsibility to these efforts.  So I joined.  I don't know why I waited so long.  Several friends have already scheduled their trunk shows with me.  They have all been to my trunk shows and know and love the collection and are ready to help as a hostess (and earn some awesome rewards at the same time)  Check out the image below to see what my awesome May Hostesses are eligible for. 

And I just have to let you know about the awesome special Noonday is offering for those who want to join in May.  Have you seen this bag?  It is lovely and versatile.  I mean you could wear it as a purse or it could be the cutest laptop bag ever. Made with LoVe in India of cotton ikat and leather with a cotton lining, zip closure and three interior pockets, this bag also includes the sweetest little  mirror tassel.  Anyone who joins as an ambassador in May gets this bag along with their samples for free!  If you really love this bag, and aren't sure about joining, get in touch with me so I can tell you about other upcoming specials.

Anyway, that's it.  I am so excited to have finally turned this new page.  Thank you to the amazing women who have always been my biggest fans for stepping in so quickly with their purchases or plans to host.  As a team we have only begun to make our impact.  I can't wait to see what happens as the pages keep on turning. If you are interested to see more of what Noonday brings the feel free to shop my website at your leisure.  Each item includes a description of where it was made and what materials.  Happy Shopping and know your purchase really makes a difference.

May is for My Mom and other Mothers too!

        My Mom, Ivy Louise Prewitt, just celebrated another birthday yesterday.  Her birthday is sneaky there at the beginning of the month.  I imagine that for much of her life having a May birthday was fine, normal.    Now her birthday is usually about a week away from Mother's Day with regularity.  I wonder if that has been for her like December babies at Christmas.

  

Emaleigh and I got to travel to France with Mima; This was Emmy's first plane ride

If my daughter were writing Birthday wishes, she would certainly include an acrostic poem.
 Ivy: I is for Intelligent.  V is for veracious.  Y is for Youthful.
Mom retired early as a Librarian.  she was working at a community College Library when dad moved the two of them to Indonesia for his job.  She was passionate about her work and was truly a reluctant retiree.  She remains a walking reference and information central. It seems there is not much that she doesn't know well or atleast a little. She is a voracious reader and we often share books.  She even sometimes joins me at my bookclub which I love.

She is a truth teller.  She has not the ability to lie or even hide what is true. She is like an open book (Ha! get it? The librarian is an open book!) She is also a passionate student of the Word of God and freely shares when God makes his word personal for her.

And she is youthful.  My dad often refers to the book by Oscar Wilde "The Picture of Dorian Gray" in which the protagonist does not age and rather a painting by him ages for him.  I think it is her smile and her joy that keep her young.  She wears her multicolored grey like an intentional fashionista.  I think she's the most beautiful woman on the planet.

Mom with Grandma Prewitt at the Prewitt reunion 2015

 Other words that I would use to describe my moma that don't fit into that Addie style acrostic are Strong and gentle, giving, caring, astute, wise, teacher, AWESOME, friend, grandmother, fighter, sweet, adventurer, BRAVE.

Mom and I at another family get together, 2011

Mom and dad are currently in the middle of a move from New Orleans to southern Colorado where they will finally retire together.  They have some big plans and I love that they are headed into this next phase of life with a begin again vigor for what lies ahead.  I can't wait to send the grandkids to them for extended visits while I head to the beach with Kevin to do nothing.  Wait, just kidding.  I know they'd be down for it, but more likely they would have to take me along with the grandkids.  Sorry mom.

Mom, thanksgiving 2015

 Happy May Mother, Mom, Moma!  Happy Birthday youngin"  Happy Mother's Day too!  Thanks for being an example for me of how to love, of what sweetness looks like and of how to fight for my family even if it sometimes seems like I am alone.  You are so appreciated and seen and loved for who you are. I am so spoiled to get to be your daughter.

Grandparents with the Force kids Thanksgiving 2015