My friend Abbie and I have a lot in common. Together, we have ten kids, two sets of twins, a mess  of crazy big hair, and the corner on the market when it comes to blogs starting with the number five.

Some day, we’re going to rob a bank together.  I mean, write a book together.

In the mean time, we’re teaming up to bring you a great new giveaway sponsored by Brandi Mendenhall from The Fair Trade Fashionistas.  As her blog name suggests, Brandi’s passion is fair-trade fashion.

Honestly, that was not something I spent much time thinking about before I met Brandi.  I was pretty satisfied to find good deals and clothes that fit.  I didn’t really think about how my purchases were impacting the global economy and combating the problem of poverty…or not.

But I couldn’t help but be drawn to Brandi and her commitment to combine her love of fashion with her heart for the world.  That’s why Brandi became an independent ambassador for the Noonday Collection, a company that strives to break the bonds of poverty by training artisans all over the world and providing them with an opportunity to earn a fair and life-changing income.

Brandi sent me a piece of Noonday jewelry made by an artisan in India so I could see for the jewelry for myself.  She also sent something equally stunning to Abbie.

The cherry-red bangle I received is gorgeous.  I love the blue and gold details over the solid brass bracelet.  The colors on this piece make me happy, and I like to wear things that make me happy.  That means I’m wearing this bracelet almost every day.

Every time I wear it, I think of the young girl from India who made it.  Noonday includes a laminated picture and bio of the artisan who made each piece.  My cherry-red bracelet that makes me so happy was made by a young girl who is working to send her six younger siblings to school.

Now that gets at my heart.

I look at my bracelet and I think of that girl and I just want her world to be different and better, and if one bracelet can help her have that, I’m sold.

Now, I don’t have a lot of extra income to spend on jewelry and accessories.  But I do have gifts I purchase for others, for Christmas and birthdays and even Mother’s Day.  It seems to me that it’s better to purchase something for my loved ones that also spreads love to someone in need.

I could purchase something pretty at a mall or a big box store.  It might even be cheaper.  Or, I could purchase a gift that helps to change the world.  That is invaluable.

It makes the decision easy when I think of it that way.

Brandi would agree.  Listen to her words as she shares her heart:

“You can’t just sit in a comfortable chair one Sunday morning and hear that every DAY 5,760 more children become orphans, or that 60% of the orphaned girls are lured into prostitution, and 70% of the boys become hardened criminals, and not be compelled to do SOMETHING.”

Brandi’s “something” was to join forces with Noonday.  And it’s working.  Check out this video to see how Noonday is changing lives around the world.

Noonday: Kampala, Uganda. from Jessica Honegger on Vimeo.

Don’t you just love that?

As a means of getting the message of Noonday out to the world, Brandi has graciously offered one reader the chance to win a $50 Noonday gift certificate.

Oh. My. Goodness.

You will not know how to spend it!  You might want to buy a beautiful necklace like this:

or this…

Maybe you’re the bracelet type.

Or the decorator type:

Of course, bowls won’t look as good on your ears as these beauties:

I could post pictures all day, but it’s better if you check out Brandi’s Noonday site to see all the handmade items for yourself.  Which is your favorite?

Also, be sure to read Abbie’s review and her giveaway post! You’ll love how the jewelry looks on her because she’s so stinkin’ cute.

But for now–ENTER!  I’d hate to have to keep this prize for myself.  Worse, I’d hate to have to arm wrestle Abbie for it.  {I think she’d win,}

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