So Much More Than a Gift: Part 4 out of 4

There's still time to find that perfect gift for Christmas! One easy one stop shop is the TOMS Marketplace, "A Different Way to Shop".


This fair trade "store" had something for everyone. They have tech items, accessories, jewelry, bags, clothing and more.

Check it out at www.toms.com!



Shine On!

Advent: A Time to Slow Down and Refocus.

I can't believe it's December 1st, and with it comes the start of Advent.

What is Advent? It's is a time that Christians set aside to prepare for celebrating Christ's coming.

Why Celebrate Advent? It forces us, in the middle of busy lives, to slow down and focus on the true meaning of the season.

How Can We Celebrate Advent? There's no set formula. Many families make an Advent wreath and light a new candle each successive Sunday of Advent. Many also use Advent calendars.

My church, Christ City Church, created an Advent Devotional for mornings and evenings, offering it for a daily time of Scripture reading and reflection.

I wanted to share it with y'all in hopes that we would all slow down during this season, which can so easily get out of hand, and truly remember what Christmas is all about...the coming of the King.


Click on the link below for the PDF version of it, and to find out more about what is Advent, and why it's important.

Merry Christmas!

Advent Guide and Devotionals

So Much More Than a Gift: Part 3 out of 4

I stumbled upon this next company through another blog that I follow. I love anything that's shiny or involves glitter, so I had to check it out. What I found was an amazing company called THIRTY ONE BITS, started by friends after college, who desired to make a difference in the lives of women in Uganda.

I was super impressed by their story, and also by the jewelry that being created. Let's take a closer look at their mission and model and fabulous jewelry.

"Our model is to empower people through the fashion industry. We work with our beneficiaries in Uganda to create fashionable, quality products. They earn an income enabling them to provide for their families. We care for them holistically through counseling, health education, finance training, and business mentorships.

After five years in our program, our beneficiaries are ready to graduate. A graduated beneficiary has her own business and is educated, healthy, and confident. She is empowered.


And guess what? Everything we do is funded through product sales. That means every time you make a 31 bits purchase, you have a direct impact on women’s lives in Uganda."


For more information on THIRTY ONE BITS and to do some shopping, click HERE. I am definitely ordering some Christmas presents from here! 

So Much More Than a Gift: Part 2 of 4

This next company is based right here in Memphis, TN, and it's one of my favorites. I first stumbled upon Ekata Designs at a street festival, and feel in love with the dainty, one-of-a-kind jewelry.

I also love it that the line is created by refugees from Bhutan, a people group whom I've had the pleasure to build relationships with over the past year. These jewelry-making women are ethnically Nepali, but for the past few generations they have lived in southern Bhutan.

There are currently 15.2 million refugees in the world. The vast majority of them are women and children. A refugee is someone who is forcibly displaced from their home by persecution, war, or natural disaster. They flee their home country often traveling for days in order to survive.  Refugee camps, marked by thousands of tents or huts, meant as temporary solutions, become their “home” for years and even decades.  They are often not accepted into their new country. Returning home means great danger and persecution. Remaining in the camp is a hopeless, purposeless existence.

Ekata Designs was started to break the silence surrounding the plight of refugees and empower them to succeed in their new life.  They are privileged to work with several strong, beautiful, and talented refugee women in Memphis, TN, and teaching them to make and sell high quality jewelry. This is a small step in helping them become self-supported.

For more information on Ekata Designs, and to see the women who are making this wonderful jewelry, go to www.ekatadesigns.com or click HERE. To visit the Ekata shop on Etsy, click HERE. The jewelry is lovely and affordable. Let's make a difference for this amazing women here in Memphis!

The Jewelry Makers!

So Much More Than a Gift: Part 1 of 4

With Christmas season almost upon us (I know, let's celebrate Thanksgiving first), my thoughts have been wandering to what gifts to give this year. To anyone who knows me, you know that I LOVE to give gifts. I can't help it...from "little happies" to birthdays, to Christmas.

Lately, as I have been scrolling the my News Feed on Facebook or checking out blogs that I follow, I've noticed that there are a lot of neat little companies that go beyond just providing products. These companies desire to use their goods to help others, employee others, and love others.

Today, as I was sitting at my desk, it clicked for me...Why not take advantage of and help out these awesome companies, while getting some great gifts?! So, I've decided to challenge myself this Christmas, and maybe you all could join me, to try to buy as many of my Christmas presents from companies that give back or are local. There have been a few that have made it on my radar, and I'd like to share them with you in my next few posts. I hope you enjoy learning about them as much as I have! First up is...

"Fashioning Better Lives"

JOYN was founded in 2010 by Mel Murray (whom I have the pleasure of knowing), after she and her family felt God's calling to move to India. They didn't want to give a hand out, but a hand out, and realized that the artisans in Rajpur, where they live, could make beautiful textiles, but lacked markets and jobs.

 The Murray's saw that the need was so much greater than just needing a job. At the heart of JOYN lies a desire to see lives changed. To see those crippled by poverty and hardship dance for joy. To do this, JOYN has partnered with a nonprofit to provide employees with not only steady jobs and a good work environment, but a daily meal plan, education for their children, English and vocational training, and medical care. Lives are changing as a result.

I could go on and on about this company and the Murray family, but I'll let some of the JOYN products do the rest of the talking. To find out more about JOYN, visit their website HERE. They have also partnered with TOMS Marketplace as one of about 30 merchants who are giving people "A Different Way to Shop". Check that out HERE. Oh, and did I mention her husband, Dave, started an amazing guitar making company there too?! Check out the Dehradun Guitar Company HERE.

Happy shopping!

 

 

I'm BACK!

Well, once again, it's been a while since I've jumped on here. Life has been super busy mixed with a tad of crazy, but that's no excuse. :-)I'm excited to get back on here and share stuff with you guys. As I mentioned before, I've decided to broaden my blogging topics, to include more of what's going on in my life and what's close to my heart. And as always, if there's something you want to know about, both beauty or otherwise, don't hesitate to ask!