My friend Ashley, who has appeared in many of our cooking videos with me, is one of the most fashionable women I know, especially when it comes to accessorizing. She also happens to have a big heart, which is one of the main reasons I love her so much. She recently had a trunk show at her house, featuring unique and beautiful jewelry, scarves, and bags that I attended. When I was first invited I was more inclined to go just because she’s my friend but once I read the “story” behind Noonday Collection, and saw how this company helps empower women all over the world, I was hugely interested. Shopping while helping others is something I believe in and try to do whenever possible.

At the trunk show I met Julie, who is an Independent Ambassador for Noonday, and immediately connected with her and her passion for others, especially those that aren’t born to a life of where just the basics like food and water are always guaranteed. Talk about someone with a huge heart! Anyway, I ordered a necklace and asked Julie to lunch so I could hear more about the company and the women who make the jewelry, while bettering their lives and the lives of their family. I was so impressed I decided to not only hold a trunk show, but to also write a piece about Noonday Collection to help spread the word.

I will be holding a Noonday Collection Trunk Open House show at the Cliff House at Pikes Peak in Manitou on Sunday, October 11th from 2 to 4 p.m. if any of you local women want to attend. Julie will have tons of pieces displayed so you can see in person just how beautiful and unique they are. I’m excited that my friend Ashley, owner of Ashley’s Attic will also be there with some of her fabulous consignment pieces and displays. We’ll also have some light appetizers. Come by, check it out, and see the beautiful Cathedral Spires where we’ll have the trunk show on the top floor of the Cliff House. And hey, Manitou Springs has a lot of unique shops and restaurants that you can enjoy too. Leave the kids at home with dad, grab a friend, and enjoy some fun, fellowship, and fashion.

A second after I tried this on and saw myself in a mirror, I said, “Sold!” I have worn it with a summer maxi dress, a little black dress, and the other day I wore it with a pair of jeans and tank…love it! It comes with an extender chain so you can wear it shorter or longer. “Tidal” necklace made in India with mixed metal, hand-cut glass and cotton thread ($54.00).

Julie, who grew up with a passion for wanting to help the world be a better place, says that even at a young age she realized that she was fortunate to be born in a country where just by being born here, she was offered choices. “As a young child I was always asked ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ I always knew I had a choice. I grew up where the sky was the limit because I was empowered. My mom told me I should be able to take care of myself and then I would be ready to get married if I wanted. I chose to be an educator in a low-income area for my first few years of teaching and then decided to move home to be near family. I chose where to live, who to marry, how many kids I would have, and to eventually stay home with my kids. I had choices.”

“I always knew there were many parts of the world where children and families were not so lucky to have the power of choice. They had no choice of what to eat, where to live, or where they were going to go to school. In America, babies are celebrated no matter what gender they are, but in parts of the world, if you were a girl, you were immediately an outcast.” She went on to add, “So many women never get to choose school or a job because they are forced to marry at a young age to someone they don’t know, not to mention of how they will be treated. In some parts of the world women are forced into sex trafficking because they need to care for their children or they put their children up for adoption so they don’t have to turn to prostitution for survival. They are disempowered from what they were created to be.”

Another drool-worthy piece I wore last week to the Manitou Art Center’s Inaugural MACnificent 2015 fundraising event. (Which featured Special Guest Speaker Governor Hickenlooper and where we helped celebrate Southern Colorado developer Mr. Chuck Murphy’s 80th birthday, along with seeing some fabulous art from local artists.) Boy this necklace sure changed up my $1.99 Goodwill dress that I wear to everything because it’s so comfortable!

WHAT IS NOONDAY COLLECTION & HOW DOES IT HELP OTHERS?

Noonday Collection was launched in 2010 by Jessica Honegger after she met Jalia, a talented jewelry designer in Uganda who dreamed of using fashion to create dignified jobs in her community. Jessica hosted the first Noonday Trunk Show, selling Jalia’s jewelry in her home to raise funds to adopt from Rwanda. The women fell in love with the style and story of Noonday Collection and that’s when Jessica began to dream bigger than a fundraiser. Jessica then partnered with her friend Travis Wilson, who was passionate about social entrepreneurship and experienced in building businesses.

Noonday designs jewelry and accessories in collaboration with their talented artisans they partner with, making their business through fair trade, sustainable. Today Jalia and her husband Daniel are the owners of their business in Uganda and employ 100 artisans in their workshop, and an additional 300 in their community. In fact, local police recently visited Jalia and Daniel’s workshop to share the inspiring news that crime in their community has significantly decreased due to the jobs their business has created. I think that’s so cool! When people have dignified jobs, individuals and communities can truly flourish.

Noonday also partners with 30 additional artisans businesses in 13 countries, creating the opportunity for over 2,000 artisans and impacting more than 8,800 families.

Julie, who happens to be a Colorado Springs native, is a former educator and currently stays at home with her two young children. As much as she loves having this opportunity and spending time with her kids, she shared she still felt something was missing in her life. She said she would (and still does) serve others in our community but once the service project was completed, she was left feeling like more could be done. About a year ago an old friend shared Noonday with her and she purchased the “Minted” necklace to show her support.

Then in November of last year, as she started looking at Christmas presents for her family, she went to the Noonday site to see what they had to offer. Julie said her mom is the most thoughtful gift giver and that she tries to follow in her footsteps when picking out meaningful gifts for loved ones. As Julie read more about Noonday’s mission, she easily picked out items (made) with love from around the world that would complement each woman in her life. “Joy is what I experienced on Christmas morning, knowing that they would wear the story of their piece. In weeks to come I would share with our circle of friends facts I knew about the countries Noonday partnered with as conversation starters about choices here in America. Noonday had left a mark on my heart and was on my mind constantly.”

Well Julie hosted her first Noonday trunk show this past February and a day later decided to become an ambassador. After hosting that first show and hearing the stories of the artisans in person, Julie said her husband knew that she’d be talking about it for months to come….because that’s just how Julie is. Big-hearted and wanting to help make the world a better place. “I fell in love with Noonday because for the past 5 years they have been building a flourishing world where children are cherished, people have jobs, women are empowered, and we are all connected.”

After 5 months with Noonday Collection, Julie said she appreciated the opportunity to witness how the company dreams of creating meaningful opportunity in vulnerable communities. “Globally I have learned about organizations like Help One Now, Adopt Together and Legacy Collective. I have used my voice for good to support families and children with my purchasing power for change. My mind, heart, and soul have shifted on how I shop, purchase, and support ethical businesses, both locally and globally.”

AND NOW A SNEAK PEEK –

The jewelry, bags, and scarves are truly unique using local materials like upcycled metal and artillery, ethically harvested water buffalo and cow horn, cotton threads, recycled glass beads, leather, tagua and acai seeds, brass, onyx and turquoise stones, and some of the most beautiful handcrafted paper beads I’ve ever seen. (Just to mention a few.)

Unique bracelets ranging from $12 and up…a lot of my favorites run around $28. You can wear one or stack them, creating your own unique look.

I have a pair of black and gold GUESS heels that this bracelet would look fabulous with, but then again it’d look great with a rugged pair of black boots too…love the versatility of these pieces. “White Ecuador” adjustable bracelet made of tagua seed, leather and mixed metal. ($28)

Both of these necklaces have a longer length which means you can double or triple the strands. I couldn’t believe the “Dainty” paper bead necklace made in Uganda (outer necklace,) was actually made of paper (86″L & $36). My picture absolutely does not do justice to the brilliance of the “Acai” fuchsia rope necklace…beautiful and made of acai seed (75″L & $54).

I saw two women try these pieces on…one was dressed in business attire while the other had a more relaxed, carefree vibe going on. And it worked on both of them…again the versatility. The “Monaco” bracelet ($38) and necklace ($50) are made of ethically harvested bone and mixed metal in India.

Gorgeous mixture of handcrafted paper beads and seed beads. Made in Uganda, this “Twilight Mukisa” necklace is 78″L and $46. And the leather “Sharma” earrings, made in India, would look stunning with it ($32).

Another picture that doesn’t do justice to how beautiful this “Imperial Horn” necklace is. The shades vary and depending on how the light hits, it can take on so many hues. Made in Vietnam, it consists of mixed metal, leather, ethically harvested water buffalo horn and costs $78.

These look great paired or of course separate…outer “Minted” necklace made of handcrafted paper beads and seed beads in Uganda ($28) and the inner “Waterway” necklace is made in India, consisting of shell and mixed metal for $48.

From upcycled metal and artillery to thread, glass, paper, and seed beads, to leather and tagua seed…the materials available are what’s used.

A piece of art…”Impressionist” bangle made in India with mixed metal and handcrafted metallic leaf overlay ($48).

So pretty and I seriously thought it was carved wood but it’s tagua and acai seeds…”Sonrisa” necklace made in Ecuador, $58.

Stunning…and I love the names of these pieces. “Rising Tide” necklace made of resin, wood, and ethically harvested bone in India ($52).

Fun ways to add a bit of sparkle to your look. “Ombre Prism” and “Water Drop Prism” earrings are both made in India with glass beads and mixed metal for $38. And this unique “Silver Steps” wrap bracelet is made of casted metal and cotton cording (Made in India for $34).

My friend Julie, who is always smiling! She’s wearing the “Feathered Fringe Cobalt” earrings which are made of leather in India for $32 and the “Adrift” necklace, also made in India, with mixed metal beads and suede ($48). There are also so many beautiful scarves and bags. (She’s wearing one of the pieces.)

I like how a lot of the necklaces are adjustable or come with extender pieces for various looks and necklines…”Tagua Gem” necklace. Made in Ecuador of tagua and acai seed, glass beads, and mixed metal for $38.

So fun! “Ibis” necklace made of handcrafted glass beads, mixed metal, and cotton thread tassels in India, $48.

You can really create some cool looks with this “Golden Rivers” necklace which has a removable leather extender (the outside necklace.) You can wear with or without the extender or change-it-up completely with a different necklace with the leather extender. Made of leather, beads, handcasted metal in India for $58.

The colors are gorgeous on this “Jalia Ombre Blue” necklace consisting of handcrafted paper, seed, and wooden beads. Made in Uganda for $52.

I wanted all three of these! The longest necklace displayed, “Desert Rope” is upcycled metal and artillery made in Ethiopia, $46. The middle necklace, “Dauntless” is made in Peru and made of brass, $42. And the shortest displayed, “Mosaic Sunrise,” is made in India with enamel and mixed metal for $38.

And something I’ve had my eye on…”Firelight” necklace made in Uganda with handcrafted paper beads, seed beads, ethically harvested horn for $84.

 

HOW NOONDAY CHANGES LIVES –

Sunita from New Delhi, India – “In India, every family wants a boy. When I had a daughter, I was afraid for her. I wanted to do something for her in case I wasn’t around in a few years. After getting this job, you can’t imagine how happy I was. It was the first time I managed to do something on my own. It was a moment of pride for my entire family. I used to feel that I didn’t have a voice in my life. Now that I am earning an income, I don’t have to rely on anyone…I’m a totally different person because of this opportunity. I love that customers support us and wear our jewelry! Being an Artisan has given a meaning to my life…In India, it is not traditionally accepted for women to work outside their homes. I understand the hardships that women face in life. I want other women to gain respect and stand on their own through work. I go to the women in my community and convince them to come work with us. Many women have felt helpless or been abused, but this work has given them the strength to stand up for themselves.”

In closing, Julie told me, “Locally I have met many amazing women who are changing the face of Colorado as “girl bosses” living their dreams of owning their own businesses, hosting trunk shows for adoptions or to support local non-profits aiding in helping women out of sex trafficking. Many of them are also teaching their children about fair and ethically shopping. Beautiful women, coming together to support each other, empowering each other, to make the change. Being the change.”

And that is the reason I wanted to write about Julie, the Noonday Collection, and to invite you to our Trunk Show…

719Woman’s Noonday Collection Trunk Show

Sunday, October 11th from 2 to 4 p.m.

The Cliff House at Pikes Peak

306 Canon Avenue, Manitou Springs, Colorado

*We’ll be in the beautiful Cathedral Spires Pavilion, located on the top floor of The Cliff House.

(Come meet Julie and check out the beautiful collections Noonday has to offer, meet Ashley from Ashley’s Attic to see what fabulous finds she always has to offer & get a few fashion tips as well, and of course I’ll be there…probably with a glass of wine in hand! This is an open house venue so stop in anytime between 2 and 4…no sit-down presentation or hard-sales. Just a bit of fun, fellowship, and of course fashion.)

http://bit.ly/CliffHouseNoonday

And for more information on Ashley’s Attic…

https://www.facebook.com/ashleysatticcoloradosprings?fref=ts

If you’d like to contact Julie for more information…

www.jkortenhoeven.noondaycollection.com

And for more information on Noonday Collection (and to read more stories on the lives changed) go to

www.noondaycollection.com