What is Noonday Collection?

  
  This post has been a long time coming! I've been posting more and more about Noonday Collection and that has meant more questions or skeptical looks from friends. I know home-businesses are all the rage these days and Noonday isn't quite as popular as those shakes or clothing lines- so I wanted to answer some of the questions I keep getting. It's a bit long-winded, but guys, I can't tell you how wonderful Noonday is and how I 100% believe that every single person reading this will love it, if they don't already!

What exactly is Noonday Collection?

   In one sentence? Noonday Collection is a socially responsible business that uses fashion to create meaningful opportunities around the world. 

  But to be more specific, Noonday Collection designs and sells a collection of accessories made by artisans around the globe. As a socially conscious Certified B cooperation (that's a big deal!), Noonday partners with artisans to help create sustainable incomes, preserve families (orphan prevention!), and create change around the world in communities that need it most. Don't be fooled though. Noonday doesn't give artisans a handout- they work hard and are crazy talented. The jewelry and accessories sold by Noonday Collection are truly beautiful, well made, and each carries its own story of social justice, empowerment, and hope. 

  You can purchase all Noonday accessories in only two ways- directly online or through in-person Trunk Shows. Trunk shows are vital to the success of our artisans because they create real life marketplaces for their work to be sold. When you open your home (or local happy hour spot) to a Trunk show, you create a place for artisans living in some of the most vulnerable communities around the world. Their stories are told and your friends are given a real, tangible chance to use their purchasing power for good. In addition, Trunk Shows can serve as adoption fundraisers for anyone you know who may be in the process of adoption! And after your Trunk Show, you keep the good work going by sending out all those ladies who now quite literally wear the stories of our artisans and can pass along the mission and heartbeat of Noonday Collection! More Trunk Shows are hosted, and more work is created for our artisans. All of that means families are preserved, positive change is created, and more dignified jobs are offered!

Lots of my friends post about their 'home business' on social media. How is Noonday different?

  I can't sell you products that will clean your house naturally or help you lose weight or colorful leggings (all of those are great!). But, as a Noonday Collection Ambassador, I can sell you something that will help to change the world. I'll go out on a limb and guess that you already regularly buy accessories for yourself or as gifts. Noonday Collection simply offers you a unique way to continue doing that while also making the world a better place. I think that's what we call a win-win? :) 

  Noonday Collection is also not a real Mid Level Marketing company- I am not trying to recruit people to work for me so that I can make money off of them. There is a 'sisterhood' mentality where there is a chance to become a team and work together, but it isn't a pyramid and there are not gold, diamond, or platinum levels. Just women cheering each other on, both here in the US and across the world. So, in a nutshell, it's not a scheme to be wary of. 

Why do you talk about it so much?

  I am intentionally taking time off from my career in full-time social work while my boys are little (I will be so excited to go back when they're in school!). Even still, I want to do something. To impact social change and share with others how they can, too. So I joined Noonday as an Ambassador! It is the best outlet for continuing my passions while also providing a little of income for my family.

 As a licensed social worker, I am so passionate about social justice and doing something. Just having knowledge isn't enough- how we react and use that knowledge is what really matters. Noonday Collection embodies that. Problems have been identified around the world (human trafficking, orphan crisis, lack of living wages in developing countries, etc) and Noonday provides a tangible way to address those problems- giving dignified work to artisans and selling gorgeous accessories to women who have purchasing power. 

  You have purchasing power. And I do mean the specific you that is reading this, not the collective anyone who happens on this page. No matter what your income, you buy things at some level. You give gifts and fill your home. That's a good thing! On a similar note, there is nothing safer than jewelry- it is literally one size fits all! And the very reason I talk about Noonday Collection when I have the chance. Because I want to encourage you to use your purchasing power for good, to help create a flourishing world! Noonday Collection is just one way to do that and I don't hesitate to share lots of others too :)

I get it, Noonday is doing good stuff. I'll keep liking your photos, but I'll pass on hosting my own Trunk show, ok?

  I get it. It's always a bit awkward to invite your friends over to spend money. Especially when you get 10 messages a month asking you to host some sort of party or try some sort of new product a friend is selling. And you can't say yes to them all, right? 

  This is where I want you to really hear that our artisans around the world truly depend on women just like you to open their homes, invite their friends in, and shop Noonday Collection. We don't sell in stores or do online Trunk Shows- those both take away from the dignity and real stories of our hardworking artisans! It may seem insignificant to sell 5 necklaces to your friends, but it is not. Every single sale matters and every chance to tell the stories makes an absolute difference! In the Noonday community, we throw around the term 'better together' a lot- and we mean it. We need you! It takes so little effort and makes an incredible impact. 

  But really? Trunk Shows are also fun. They aren't like other 'home parties' you've been too and you are opening the doors for friends to hear about social justice or ethical fashion in a way they never have before!  Plus, you'll earn free stuff! Trunk shows are a beautiful way to invite your neighbors, your coworkers AND your people into a mission that matters. They are a space to step out behind our screens and into the reality that we are more alike than different. Host your own Trunk Show and see!

  And if you know a local family adopting, let me know! We can make any Trunk Show an adoption fundraiser. SO FUN! Even more, if you're interested in becoming an Ambassador- let's chat. You don't have to be on my team (I don't have a team!), I'd just really love to chat with you about the heartbeat of Noonday and how wonderful it is to work alongside a company making real changes in the world. 


  Ok, I'm super impressed with anyone that read through this entire post. But I hope it helped you understand Noonday Collection (and why I truly love it) a bit more! I'm becoming a bit braver when it comes to talking about it (I always worry it comes off too sales-y and people will hate that) and committing to encouraging other women to join and host and share the stories of how buying jewelry can make a difference around the world. It's as simple as that!

  If you want to host a show or learn more about how you can get involved, let me know! And if you're in the Indy area, I'm hosting a fun Galentine's party this month to say thank you to all my girlfriends who have supported Noonday! Please come and bring some friends! I will be giving away lots of Noonday and non-Noonday stuff. Its a chance to (of course) see the brand new Spring Collection, but mostly just to win some free stuff and eat yummy food because I'm thankful for anyone who has stepped up and helped change the world with Noonday :) Leave a comment or shoot me an email and I'll send you an email with the date and address!



SaveSave

Balance, waiting, and being content.

 Almost seven months in, and it seems I've settled into being a stay at home mom. I didn't have any expectations before Caleb was born, and, if I'm being completely honest, it's been far easier and more fulfilling than I could have imagined. Sometimes I struggle with feeling guilty for how easy the transition has been and how content of a baby Caleb has been from the beginning. That's mostly subsided and I know that I'll get mine {teenage years are sure to give me a run for my money}.
  So anyways, our days are full and simple and I really do love them. I waited until Caleb was a month old to make a final decision about returning to my full time job as a school-based mental health therapist. And my decision was to stay home. I wrote a little about it here- about worries of becoming lost in motherhood and grieving the end of one season while adjusting to another. A handful of months later, and I can say I haven't gotten lost in being a mom {even though this blog may seem like I have?} and have found a good balance of time at home and still investing in other relationships. So that's good.
  When I left my job, I think part of me believed I'd still keep a foot in the door with social work. Maybe part time or on a volunteer basis. I really did think that something would pop up and I'd be able to use those gifts of helping and supporting people. At the same time, I also felt really strongly to not pursue an opportunity on my own, to not go looking for one. To be fully present at home with Caleb and trust that God would create a way for me. I have a tendency to drum up good things on my own {I don't like waiting} and then attach God's name to them. So this has been a good lesson in waiting and being content. 
  Except, here I am. Seven months later and no opportunity has magically appeared. I've caught myself so many times perking up when someone mentions a great agency or cause or name of someone doing something I'd be interested in doing. I've checked the local social work job postings regularly. I've really, really considered jumping into something I love like Noonday. But every time, I stop myself and remember to wait and be content. And to trust. That its ok for this season of life to look different and to maybe put those gifts and passions on the shelf for now. 
  So over the next few weeks, I'll be working on retiring my social work license. It just seems so official and final. Like, this is really it. This is really committing to not being a social worker right now and for the foreseeable future. Have you ever done something like that? Gah. So I guess what I'm saying is, if you think of it, pray for some direction for me? Or share any words of wisdom on taking a step back from something you love in order to focus on something else you love. Who knew becoming a mom would mean so many lessons on finding balance, waiting, and being content?

Thoughts on social work.

  

  I don't talk about my job much, if at all, on this blog. That's probably due to a combination of my job being incredibly personal and potentially uninteresting to anyone else. It's personal because being a social worker isn't just a source of income for me, it is really an extension of who I am. It is just part of me. Its potentially uninteresting because, are you really interested in my 9-5?
  But with thoughts of what the work/baby balance will be come this summer and having a really heavy (read: pregnancy hormones) week so far, I just want to sit and talk about my job. This snow day seemed like the perfect chance to do just that.
  First of all, I struggle to call it a job. If I'm talking about pay or leadership or HR-type things, then it does feel like a job. But when I think about my clients and what I actually do all day every day, it feels right.
  Right now, I'm a school-based therapist. My days are spent doing a lot of play therapy with kids as young as 5 and as old as 12. We work on things like depression, defiance, and trauma. I spend a lot of my time working with parents and helping them get to a place to provide the best support for their kiddo, whether that means getting counseling themselves or helping them secure health insurance or addressing issues of abuse and neglect in the home. Basically, no day is the same.
  This week, I have spent most of my time on a really complicated and ever-changing situation with one of my kids who has been exposed to a lot of trauma and possible abuse. That is always hard. But it kind of reinforces my passion for social work. For loving on people. I have been so frustrated with the system and others not stepping up to advocate for this little one, but at the end of each day I remember that I can do something. I have to do something.
  I am always really passionate about my job and caring for others, because I truly feel that is what God wants me to do with my life. But this pregnancy has me feeling things in a much deeper way than I have before. Never has James 1:27 felt more relevant and necessary to me than it does now. I don't often like The Message's use of paraphrasing the Bible, but its version of this verse just puts it so well...

"Anyone who sets himself up as “religious” by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air. Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world." James 1:27

  I'm not really sure the point of writing all of this out, except to process it. We have a snow day today, and I'm not ashamed to admit that I am so thankful for the day off. My heart has been so heavy at work this week and so frustrated with the injustices I have been coming up against. I'll be back at it tomorrow, but honestly, I needed this break. As I look forward this summer and balancing my job and being a mom, I have no idea what it looks like. But today I'm praying more than ever that God give me a bit of direction and discernment of how this passion for social work will still be present.

What about you? 
What parts of your job are you passionate about?
If you're a working mom, what balance have you found?

Up & Doing. {May}

//go hiking// Well, that's self-explainatory. We have a favorite state park that we like to meet up with friends at, and I want to try some close to home as well. 

//get licensed// Its been a year since I received my Master's, but since getting a new job last Fall, I never sat for my licensure. {face palm} Its embarassing. I've been dragging my feet. No more!

//cheer up the deck// We may have tackled front yard landscaping, but the backyard will have to wait until next year. My mom picked up an adorable flower box for me at Ikea a weeks ago and I want to get it filled with bright summer blooms to bring some color to our deck.

 Pretty basic goals, but I know they'll feel so good to accomplish. {especially that whole license thing!} Let's do this, May!