A Giveaway and a Great Cause

giveaway

Remember this lovely statement necklace you saw me in yesterday? Here’s your chance to win your own. But if I can keep your attention for a bit longer before you get to the instructions, I really want to tell you where it came from and why it’s not just a necklace.

I found out about Bead for Life last month when I was searching the interwebs for “gifts that give back.” Bead for Life was one of two organizations I ended up buying from. I liked it so much that I ordered Christmas gifts for 3 people, plus this necklace for myself.

Bead for Life does more than just jewelry, but since that’s what we’re talking about today, here’s a little about how it works:

We enroll 3-4 bead making groups per year, and each group contains between 40-60 members. We welcome each new group into our program with singing, dancing and a heartfelt ceremony where members collectively decide their group name.

Each beginning group receives three months of extensive training in how to roll beads out of recycled paper and string them into beautiful jewelry. More importantly, they receive ongoing entrepreneurial and business skills training to prepare them to launch their own sustainable business once they graduate. 

. . .

Members increase their income 7 to 10 times more in our program. Earning a regular income creates immediate impacts in the lives of our members as they’re able to eat more nutritious foods, to enroll their children into school and to improve their homes.

bfl woman in blue

Read more about Bead for Life’s work in Uganda here and in the developed world here.

Even if you don’t enter the giveaway today, I would really encourage you to take a look at BFL’s shop. Their jewelry is lovely and makes a great gift (for someone else or for yourself…I won’t tell).

And if you end up really loving your BFL jewelry, you can host a bead party to spread the word to your friends.

OK. On to the giveaway!

What you could win:
Madaala Product 3

To enter:

  • First, follow Sarah’s Real Life on Bloglovin’ or Facebook.
  • Second, leave me a comment below telling me that you followed. (And you can also tell me thanks for opening your eyes to this wonderful organization.)

Voila! Easiest giveaway ever.

This giveaway is open through next Sunday, Jan. 20th, and a random winner will be announced on Monday the 21st.

Please note that this giveaway is open only to U.S. residents.

Text and images from Bead for Life used with permission.

First Day Jitters

suit1 suit2suit3b suit4
suit5

Yesterday was my first day interning for the state attorney general’s office! After a few weeks of being lazy, I actually had to set an alarm and get up while it was still dark. I know it’s winter, but it is just unnatural for a human being (this human being, anyway) to get up before the sun. We are not nocturnal creatures. Except during undergrad.

Normally, this will be a business casual gig, but for my first day I wanted to come off looking as profesh as possible. Next step: stop using the word “profesh.”

Classes start back up next week, so for the next few months you’ll get to see a good mix of both casual and office-appropriate outfits. Something for everyone, right?!

One more thing: Do you like my necklace? If so, you’re in luck, because very soon you’ll have the chance to win one of your own! Check back tomorrow (Saturday 1/12) for the giveaway. Follow me on Facebook or Bloglovin’ so you don’t forget (you’ll need to follow me to be eligible to enter anyway).

Suit: Ann Taylor (dark gray version jacket, pants)
Shirt: Ann Taylor (similar)
Shoes: J. Crew
Necklace: Bead for Life
Bracelet: J. Crew