August 28, 2013

Noonday Blog Train

Today's a big day! If you are visiting my blog for our Noonday Blog Train, welcome! So glad to have you! Today Noonday Collection launches our New Fall Line and so we are starting a Blog Train where 34 Noonday Ambassadors have come together to have a giveaway each day! I'm excited to kick this off! So come and stay for a while. Read my story and enter to win a $50 gift voucher!



I just recently got back from Guatemala.
I had the incredible privilege of traveling with 9 other Noonday girls to meet up with our artisans there.
This business is a relational one.
As Ambassadors we are investing in the lives of many in developing countries that we have never met.
We link arms with each other to make change in the world, and we take those stories of change to you in hopes that you will use your purchasing power to advocate alongside of us.
Like I said, this is a relational business.

So when the 10 of us traveled to Guatemala to meet our artisans there for the first time.
To hug their necks, be in their homes and hear their stories first hand.... it only deepened relationships that had started 2 years ago for me.

The Noonday story is real.
These artisan stories are real.



When I met Ana, I had just traveled by boat about 45 minutes to get to her village of San Juan.
She greeted us with the warmest smile that never left her face.
She walked us to her workshop where her and 4 other women make our woven scarves.
We spent the morning hearing their stories and learning how they create their dyes, prepare their looms and hand weave our scarves.



After that we walked with these women, our friends to Ana's families house.
They had prepared a special meal for us and we ate together and watched the children play in the yard. Again, we continued to hear their stories of change and Ana's heart for her people.
She is their fearless leader.
That afternoon as we said goodbye, they gathered us around and each women spoke of how much Noonday means to them.
We heard women say...
"You are helping us rewrite the story for our children." and "Your orders bring us hope."
They had each woven a scarf as a gift for each of us.
And there were many tears as we hugged their necks, prayed together and said goodbye.



I've come back from this trip with a deepened relationship with our artisans.
I've seen their faces, played with their kids, stayed at their homes and heard their stories first hand.
And it has changed me.
Your purchases really do make a difference.
When you purchase through Noonday and wear your scarf, or necklace etc.,  you are wearing THEIR story.
It's a story of great hope.
A story of changing the world.


{photo credits: my sweet friend Paige Knudsen Photography}

So, I'm excited to be giving away a $50 gift voucher this week!
This will give you the opportunity to own and wear stories like Ana's.

You could use it to get this...

Tushabe Layered Necklace (*Backordered*) or Tasseled Bullet Bracelets (set of 3) or Urban Folklore Bag

Or maybe even our Ana Scarf named after Ana herself...

Ana's Scarf

Make sure and take 2 minutes and then tomorrow head on over to Alicia's Blog
www.raisingalittlehale.blogspot.com to see what she is giving away!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

79 comments:

  1. I love hearing these stories and seeing all the pictures! Noonday is amazing :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Amazing! Every story I hear about the difference Noonday is making is so inspiring!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The bling collar necklace, the patchwork clutches, the filagree paisley earrings....I could go on and on about my favorites!

      Delete
  3. Would love love love the African Sunset Necklace!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thank you for sharing your experience and their stories. Very inspiring. I love the gold rush necklace.

    ReplyDelete
  5. What a great experience to meet these ladies and be in their home!

    ReplyDelete
  6. This is beautiful! Thank you for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Loved reading about your experience and the Noonday artisans. <3

    ReplyDelete
  8. What a wonderful experience! Thank you for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a wonderful experience! Thank you for sharing.

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

    ReplyDelete
  11. oh krista....the pics i saw on yiu fb and instagram were incredible. we would like to adopt next from south america.

    ReplyDelete
  12. What a meaningful trip and time well spent. Thank you for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Meghan Dickinson, Wayne's wife of 19 years
      Mother of 5 - 2 by birth and 3 with Down syndrome from Ukraine chosen through the gift of adoption.
      Today is my 40th Birthday!

      Delete
  13. Awesome to read about your trip! So excited for the Fall collection! :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. I think my favourite has to be the honeycomb necklace-- adorable!

    ReplyDelete
  15. It's a toss up for me between the scattered steps necklace, Annie's feathered earrings, and the super cute clutch! But really, I just love it all :).

    ReplyDelete
  16. I LOVE everything! I have a special place in my heart for the Shine On Necklace because I love the color and my maiden name was Shine ;)

    ReplyDelete
  17. So amazing! Love everything ya'll are doing through this! And I am in love with the new fall line- loving the new Ruth necklac, the Tushabe layered necklace, and the Gatsby necklace!

    ReplyDelete
  18. What an amazing opportunity to meet some of Noonday's talented artisans! I am in love with the La Noche Bracelet as well as the Ready or Knot Necklace - all the new items are beautiful!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. What an amazing trip and opportunity. I love the scattered steps necklace and la noche bracelet. Everything this fall is beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Love the pictures - so touching!

    ReplyDelete
  21. I love everything about this company. Thank you for sharing your story!

    As far as my new favorite, I think it is the Metallic Pearls Earrings. They are so beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Thanks for sharing your story. I was in Guatemala many years ago on a missions trip and I still remember the beauty of the people there!

    ReplyDelete
  23. I love Noonday and the amazing stories that comes from this awesome company!

    ReplyDelete
  24. The Braided Bullets Necklace is beautiful! And I love the story of restoration and redemption that come from the upcycled artillery

    ReplyDelete
  25. I am so excited for the new catalog!

    ReplyDelete
  26. What an incredible trip! I love the continued affirmation that Noonday is changing lives for the better. I'm sure the stories you heard were amazing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I almost forgot to mention that I love the gemstone wrap! I have a weak spot for scarves.

      Delete
  27. Love reading stories like these!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Oh goodness, I love so many of the new items! So beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  29. I am excited to be having my first Noonday trunk show in a couple of weeks. I love the Dahlia necklace!

    ReplyDelete
  30. I love so many things in this release. the braided bullets, modern angles, the items with fringe, it's all beautiful! love the stories, too!!

    ReplyDelete
  31. I love the African Sunset necklace!

    ReplyDelete
  32. I love the Market Tote bag! Having a Noonday adoption fundraiser for a friend in a week and I can't wait to buy it!

    ReplyDelete
  33. The Noonday stories are so moving! I love hearing about them through all of the ambassadors that I know.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Oops! Forgot to tell you the item I love. The Ana scarf is beautiful. With fall right around the corner, I think that would be one of my top choices :)

    ReplyDelete
  35. I think the Tushabe Layered Necklace is stunning (and apparently a lot of other people do too since it's backordered)! Love the noonday stories. I'm excited to hop along and learn more.

    ReplyDelete
  36. P.S. I just noticed that you live in Austin. I do too!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Love, love, love my Noonday pieces! It's so hard to choose just one new favorite... I think I'm going to have to say the Scattered Steps Necklace. It's just delicious!!

    ReplyDelete
  38. So excited about Noonday. I don't have a lot of jewelry, but I absolutely love the style and HEART of Noonday.

    ReplyDelete
  39. What an amazing experience! I love the new Modern Angles Necklace!

    ReplyDelete
  40. what a treasured story! peace to you and the others. your products are very special!! i would love to use some and gift others!!

    ReplyDelete
  41. Beautiful story! Makes my heart leap! Blessings to you sweet Krista! ❤

    ReplyDelete
  42. What a beautiful and amazing experience! I absolutely love the mission behind Noonday! One of my favorite new pieces is the Shine On necklace. So beautiful and feminine!

    ReplyDelete
  43. lovely! I would choose the turquoise/blue necklace.

    ReplyDelete
  44. I loved reading about your experience!

    ReplyDelete
  45. When you wear Noonday, you wear more than a piece of jewelry; you wear a story. It's beautiful, really :) Also, I'm loving the new Fall Lookbook!

    ReplyDelete
  46. I love the scarf. And if I'm drawn that would be amazing...and people would think something's fishy. :)

    ReplyDelete
  47. i love alllll of it! one of my favorites is the chasing triangles cuff. and i love the doreen colorblock cuff. and pretty much all of the necklaces! i could literally go broke buying it all.

    ReplyDelete
  48. I just hosted my first trunk show a couple weeks ago & LOVED IT! The Ruth necklace in turquoise and grey will probably be my next order - I see that as a wardrobe staple! However, there are quite a few other things I am eyeing as well. I've definitely got some work to do on my wish list :)

    ReplyDelete
  49. What beautiful scarves! The Ana scarf has such vibrant colors, and I loved learning about its creation. Your time with the artisans was a true blessing - thanks for sharing their stories!

    ReplyDelete
  50. What great pictures from your trip to Guatemala, and what a treasure to have the opportunity to meet and touch the hands of the person who made these lovely pieces. I love that Noonday is changing lives around the world and so many of us can be a part of that, and share these stories in such a unique way!

    ReplyDelete
  51. It's hard to pick just one, but I love the jade carved cuff!

    ReplyDelete
  52. This is such an awesome story! I recently returned from a mission trip to Guatemala as well (with Manna Worldwide) and absolutely love the people there. Thanks for sharing your story.

    ReplyDelete
  53. Love seeing y'all let God shine through you by helping others! :)

    ReplyDelete
  54. Beautiful post. Love what Noonday is doing!

    ReplyDelete
  55. Noonday is really what it should be all about! I love this company.

    ReplyDelete
  56. Beautiful story!! So thankful for people like you guys who help others and show your love for God! :)

    ReplyDelete
  57. What a wonderful company! I love the soleil rose gold earrings

    ReplyDelete
  58. Chasing triangles cuff. very cool.

    ReplyDelete
  59. There are so many favorite os mine! My favorites are the bags - especially the Vibrant Stitches Bag!

    ReplyDelete
  60. I love this! And love Noonday :)

    ReplyDelete
  61. My favorite is the Gemstone Wrap.

    ReplyDelete
  62. my fav is: http://www.kristabox.noondaycollection.com/scarves/gemstone-wrap
    such pretty colors!

    ReplyDelete
  63. i love the hammered drop earrings!

    rafflecopter: daniel

    ReplyDelete
  64. i love the funky paper bead necklace or the vibrant stitches tote :)

    ReplyDelete
  65. So thankful for the lives (both artisans and customers) that are being transformed by Noonday.

    ReplyDelete
  66. Love your story and pictures. I can't wait for my trunk show coming up!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And, I love the new Konjo necklace and bracelet. So versatile!

      Delete

It seriously makes my day to hear from you! I read every comment and will try my best to reply when you have a question. Thanks for stopping by!