Wednesday, September 18, 2013

I Am Wearing A Story {a Noonday giveaway}


Our society breeds selfishness. 
It's so true. 
That's not to say that we are all selfish by any means, 
but it's so easy to fall into the trap that society so cleverly creates for us as women.
 It leaves us feeling less than and unworthy and self-conscious. 
The desire to look a certain way that world around deems as beautiful-- it's just a disaster waiting to wreak havoc on our inner sense of self-worth. 
The truth is, we are never going to meet the unrealistic expectations that the world sets for women. 

We will never be content if we are trying to reach an unreachable goal. 

And a year ago, I was society's ideal target. 
The world around me was telling me that I was too short. 
I had bad hair.
I was overweight.
I needed longer lashes and smoother skin and better nails.
I wasn't dressing for my body type.

The world was talking, and I was listening. 

I allowed so much of how I saw myself to come from what society told me via movies and TV shows and magazines and models...the list goes on and on.

I was so busy thinking about ME, ME, ME that I didn't spend a lot of time thinking about others. 
I didn't think about my purchases and who they affected. 
 I didn't give any thought to how or where something was made. 
In a desire to feel better about my appearance, I was unknowingly feeding the machine that often results in unethical work standards, child labor, and even slavery.

I didn't take into account that I could play a role in working to impact the way women see themselves and their purchases. 

And then I started with Noonday. 

And now, not only am more confident in my appearance than ever before, but I am working to help other women become more confident too. 

In that I mean, I want to see women gather their self-worth from what they are doing and how they are living rather than simply through how they are looking.
I fully believe that doing for others results in a happiness that we will never find when we are simply living for ourselves. 

Since starting my adventure with Noonday, my comfort zone has stretched.
 I CAN wear big earrings and pull off more than one necklace at a time.
Who would have ever thought?!?

 And while the physical aspect of Noonday is great, it's the power behind the Noonday purchases that keeps me coming back for more. 

When I wear Noonday, I am wearing someone else's story. 

I am helping a girl in India break free from the binds of debt and poverty. 



I am helping a man or woman in Peru provide food for their families. 


I am helping a child in Ecuador attend school for the first time.


I am helping a family in Vietnam have a place to call home.


I am helping a woman with HIV in Ethiopia find a sense of hope and purpose.



I am helping a mother in Rwanda afford to keep her child.


Society can breed selfishness all day long, but I'm no longer falling for it. It is so NOT about me any more, friends. And I fully believe that is what God intended. In fact, I know it is, as He tells us so many times in scripture to serve others.

 In fact, Noonday is named for Isaiah 58:10, which says, 

"When you satisfy the needs of the oppressed, your night will become like the Noonday."

Something as simple as buying a new necklace can not only help me feel beautiful but can literally change the world for another woman somewhere in this world. While I get to style women and help them stretch their comfort zones and feel beautiful in the pieces our amazing artisans have created, I also get the opportunity to share their stories. 

There is power behind our purchases, friends.
It DOES matter where and how something is made. 
And I have found time and time again that the less I think about me, me, me,
 and the more I think about them, them, them, the happier I am. 
There are so many more important things to spend my time and energy on other than how long my lashes are or if I have my first wrinkle on my forehead.
And I can honestly say that I have never felt more beautiful. 

Society can keep it's unrealistic goals and standards no one will ever meet. 
I have found so much joy in helping others find beauty and self-worth in thinking about others and how something as simple as a piece of jewelry can pave the way for a brighter tomorrow. 

And today, I'm partnering with some of my fellow ambassadors in an attempt to help others feel beautiful and recognize the power of their purchases through participating in the Noonday blog train, where everyday a different ambassador shares a story and gives away a piece of Noonday. 

Want to get caught up on the blog train? 
Check out yesterday's post from my dear friend Jenna and tomorrow's post by my friend Emily.


Up for grabs today is one of the new market totes made in Rwanda. 


See the cute red one? 
Well, it's for one of YOU!

To enter, simply follow the instructions on the Rafflecopter giveaway tool. 
The tool will automatically pick a winner on Sunday night. 

Good luck to you and you and you!
And please hear me when I say that you are so not defined but what society is screaming today. 











37 comments:

  1. I am such a huge Noonday fan. I recently found your blog and I'm an adopting Congo mama too! We've been on the wait list for almost 3 months. Anyway, I love the Jalia Ombre necklace and the Tangled Beads bracelet...plus lots more :) Hope all of your paperwork is going well!

    ReplyDelete
  2. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  3. The women behind noonday are so inspiring--thank you for this beautiful post and for bringing noonday to the attention of your readers!

    ReplyDelete
  4. So proud of you! I'm definitely going to try to load up on some Noonday Christmas presents this year!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm loving the Golden Ribbons Necklace. so pretty!

    rafflecopter: daniel

    ReplyDelete
  6. I have never heard of this collection before, but it is beautiful!! I'd love to know more about the artisans and program going on in Peru...we're moving there in a few months!

    ReplyDelete
  7. thank you so much for this post, McCall -- beautifully honest and right on target! thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  8. and I LOOOOOOOVE the modern angles necklace! a must have!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks for your thoughts and for the generous giveaway. I love the tasseled ladder necklace, both the piece and the artisans who have crafted it.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love the Dahlia necklace. Beautiful post--I can so relate!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love the Bukenya Necklace! Lovely color! And it's named for an artisan - LOVE that!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I wore my dancing pom scarf yesterday! I love Noonday! What an awesome giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I am loving what you have to say my sweet friend, as well as NOONDAY in general! I'm loving my new Noonday pearls and my Dahlia necklace! I'd love to have this bag!

    ReplyDelete
  14. McCall - Keep up the good work! You know I would love a good tote bag!

    ReplyDelete
  15. WOW! How to pick just one item??
    CUrrently loving the Tasseled Ladder Necklace! Perfect for LSU games!

    ReplyDelete
  16. you know I adore Noonday, girl!! love everything about this company ...what they stand for, the good work they're doing, the awesome ambassadors {so many good friends are noonday ambassadors- love you all!!} and the amazing products. i am in love with everything. i LOVE these bags too!!! thanks for the giveaway!!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Loving the fall line - especially the sparkle of the La Noche Bracelet and the Filigree Earrings!!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Great post McCall. Love the Vintage Lace Scarf

    ReplyDelete
  19. This post really resonated with me. I have the head knowledge that Christ defines me and not the world-- but in my heart i'm still the girl you wrote about in your second paragraph. Praying that God will help me embrace the truth of who He says I am and live in that freedom... and taking practical steps to get there. Thanks, McCall!

    ReplyDelete
  20. loving the wanderlust necklace! looking forward to wearing necklaces again one of these days...also loving many of the scarves. I love my nobility earrings so much...looking at the bracelet. Next treat!! xx

    ReplyDelete
  21. I think the sterling circles necklace is calling my name!!

    ReplyDelete
  22. The "sterling circles" comment above was me. (Amanda S) Not sure why it says unknown.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Love the Urban Folklore bag! (And always the scarves)

    ReplyDelete
  24. i love the dish towels. might buy them for gifts either way:)

    ReplyDelete
  25. There are so many items from last season I am still in love with, but as far as the new Fall line, the Cozy Zip Wrap is calling my name.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Loving the scarf! Praying for you and your family!

    ReplyDelete
  27. I love noonday! I am a socially conscious individual (the result of studying political science and health studies at university) and this organization truly resonates with me. So many development efforts have failed over the last 60 years in 'developing' countries and it is great to see grassroots efforts that are sustainable, attainable and successful taking place in some of the poorest places on earth. I have pinned a number of items to my pinterest account that I am currently lusting over - the bags and scarves are so beautiful! Also, as a new reader to your blog, I just wanted to extend my congratulations to you regarding your impending adoption! Due to health reasons it is likely that I will be unable to have my own children so adoption has a very special place in my heart. Congrats and all the best!

    ReplyDelete
  28. The Golden Ribbons Necklace is my favorite!

    shannoncarman at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  29. I LOVE that tote! Thank you so much for offering such wonderful giveaway. As for my favorite item... the Gemstone Wrap is definitely at the top of my list.

    clogzilla(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  30. So pretty! I am a new follower to your blog and loved learning about Noonday.

    ReplyDelete
  31. I love the Angelica Infinity Scarf that is backordered. Also new to your blog- glad I followed the blog train!

    ReplyDelete
  32. I have too many favorites to pick just one. The Scattered Steps, Two Coins, Mukisa, and Bling Collar necklaces are a few of my favorites!

    ReplyDelete
  33. You know how much I love Noonday. The item that has stuck out to me is the Metallic Pearls Earrings. They are so beautiful. :)

    ReplyDelete
  34. I love the tote! It would go perfectly with my favorite black pants!

    ReplyDelete
  35. I love the lines and stripes infinity scarf, BTW.

    ReplyDelete

Cool people leave comments. Comments make me happy. You do the math.