I really cannot believe that in just a few days, I will be back in beautiful Kigali, Rwanda sitting around the sewing room with some of the women I had the opportunity to meet alongside Jessica in 2011!  When I met the women for the first time, it was still a big dream for them to go to sewing school, design products and have those products go into production to be sold in the US, and now that dream is a REALITY!  I can’t wait to see how much our Rwandan artisan group has grown over the past few years! Not only will we get to watch these beautiful women sew and create, but we’ll be partnered with them side by side creating WITH them.  That’s right yall, we will be doing a “project runway”-esqe design challenge with the seamstress [you can go ahead and pray for me to get supernatural sewing skills now] I’m excited to get to create with them, side by side.  It’s the reason why I love Noonday: we truly are creating a partnership with the artisans and us, the consumers.  It’s not “oh let’s buy this necklace to help those impoverished women in Africa..” but rather let’s gather our friends, share stories of these hard working people who create the most beautiful pieces, and empower each other!  Yall, this is my heartbeat.

Last time I was in Uganda, I had a whole new vantage point for what I get the opportunity to do with Noonday.  I got to see all of those women with their babies, and a lightbulb went off.  They are creating these beautiful pieces to support their family, and to have purpose and that’s exactly why I’m selling their products, to support my family and give me purpose.  It truly is a partnership and I can’t wait to be side by side with Grace [who we sponsored to go to sewing school] and have this moment really come full circle.

so where do you come in?

I’m glad you asked!  there is such an amazing opportunity to open your home and host a Noonday Collection trunk show!  When you host a show, you are a part of this big empowerment circle!  You are opening your home, but more than that you are touching women near and far to empower one another, and create economic opportunity, which transform their families and communities.  I’ve been doing this for 3 years now, and have watched hostesses continue to throw trunk shows season after season.

why?  in their words….

“Noonday trunk shows are one of my most FAVORITE kinds of trunks shows! I’ve hosted 3 and actually did one for Wynne when she was in Africa bringing home her babies. Just by opening my door, providing a few little sips and snacks, I’ve been able to help fund 2 different  adoptions in my community while also helping create pathways out of poverty for families all over the world. What’s not to love about that! There’s something so special about tears being shed and hearts being stirred when the story of Noonday and adoptions are shared, and hearing the “oohs and ahhhs” over Noonday’s beautiful pieces. This is what keeps me saying yes again and again to host. It’s fun, easy and it helps change the world for so many one purchase at a time!” – Jenna Knight, Midland Texas

“What I love about Noonday is that, by simply hosting a trunk show and shopping with my friends, I’m supporting artisans all over the world who are then able to earn fair living wages, get an education, and provide for their families. I may not be able to change the whole world, but by supporting Noonday I’m able to help change someone’s world while simultaneously helping precious friends here in the states fund their own adoptions. Hosting a Noonday show is super fun, easy, and the impact of those purchases is priceless!” – Anna Reed, Midland Texas

this is my friend Sarah, her family is one of the adoptions both Jenna + Anna’s trunk shows helped support!  she says,

“The way people have come around us and supported us has been so evident through the trunk shows. Our sweet hosts and their families open up their homes and offer their time and hospitality- a total act of love in my book. The part that’s overwhelmed and humbled me is when people I’ve never met came out in support of our boy and his adoption. It wrecks me every time I think about it. Some of the most encouraging words spoken to me about our adoption have happened at these shows.   Noonday shows create a connection for me that’s hard to describe and is such a sweet reminder of the ties the body of Christ share.” 

that is why I love noonday.  It’s about people!  Gathering people, telling stories, and wearing stories.  Over the years I’ve had probably around 50 opportunities to gather in living rooms, kitchens, churches, back patios, and boutiques all over Texas {and beyond} and there is one common theme: women supporting women.  Pretty amazing that simply gathering your friends, snacking and trying on the latest on trend pieces could result in being a part of a global movement.  That my friends is the opportunity for you!

are you excited yet?  clear off your dining table, get some snacks + your favorite beverage and HOST A SHOW! Have a fun evening [or morning] with your girlfriends catching up on all things summer while building up your fall accessories!  If you don’t know who the ambassador is in your area, fill out this form here and home office will connect you with someone!

August 7th is the DAY!  This is an amazing opportunity for your community to rally around Noonday, be the first to purchase from our new fall line, enjoy an exclusive sneak peak from our #StyleForJustice trip and have the opportunity to VOTE on which items from our design challenge in Rwanda will go into production!  I am getting giddy just thinking about it!

Paige + I are excited to represent the Noonday ambassadors on this trip!

**don’t forget to submit your email to follow our trip + have a chance to WIN some amazing goodies from some of our storytellers!