GIVE WITH GRACE: 31 BITS FALL COLLECTION

I've shared about my affinity for 31 Bits this past summer. Not only does this organization create beautiful jewelry, but they also create self-sustainable jobs for women in Uganda. Through these jobs creating jewelry, the women are able to overcome adversity, send their children to school, support their families and help their own communities. Incredible!

I admire these hard-working women who carry themselves like the Proverbs 31 woman: 

"She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.

She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.

She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. 

Her children arise and call her blessed."

And this Fall, I've fallen in love with 31 Bits' new collection! You may have noticed this gorgeous Wild Willow necklace in previous posts. It gets so many compliments and I love how it can be dressed up or down. Plus, you can shorten it like I did for this fun Fall pastel look by temporarily knotting the beaded chain. The Flora Frenzy bracelet has also been a staple this season. It's such a fun piece that can be worn by itself or layered with your other favorite arm candy.

Thanksgiving is around the corner and it's my favorite time of year as we are reminded to give thanks for all that we have been blessed with. I have been blessed with much, and I hope to share my blessings with these amazing women in Uganda!

So what do you say? Will you give with grace & wear it while you're at it? 

Join me in supporting these strong women of 31 Bits and help them support their families by purchasing their handmade jewelry. They make the best gifts too for the ladies and little girls in your life! I promise you will be getting lots of compliments on your jewelry when you start wearing 31 Bits! And when those compliments start rolling in, take that opportunity to share the story behind the piece!

Photography: Jackie Accornero

SHOP MY LOOK:

Top: Piperlime {Similar}

Sweater: Anthropologie {Similar}

Jeans: Gap {Similar}

Boots: Steve Madden {Similar}

Purse: Kate Spade {Similar}

Hat: Urban Outfitters {Similar}

Necklace+Bracelet: 31 Bits

Earrings: Noonday Collection c/o Sevenly Causebox

THANKFUL THURSDAY: CURE CHILDHOOD CANCER

Throughout this season of life, I often look back at my decision to be a pediatrician. One reason why I decided to work with children is because of the smiles and laughter they add to my life and their resilience even when they are extremely sick. But sometimes reality hits hard when you realize that there is something they may not be able to bounce back from.

That big, scary "C" word.

Cancer.

Diagnosing a child with cancer is one of the most heartbreaking jobs of a pediatrician. While a lot of the children diagnosed with cancer are too young to fully understand their disease, their parents and families carry a lot of the burden.

There's more involved to treating cancer than chemotherapy, radiation, etc. What patients and patients' families need most is physical, mental and emotional support. 

This week's Sevenly campaign, CURE Childhood Cancer, is providing that necessary support. Families can turn to CURE for emergency financial support, medical counseling, hospital transportation, and psychological support. Will you join us and lend a hand in this support system? We can all be in this together. How?

With each purchase of a Sevenly item, they donate $7 to the charity of the week. And just for my awesome readers, you can get 10% OFF with code "joanna"!! So what are you waiting for?

Photographer: Jackie Accornero

SHOP MY LOOK:

T-Shirt: Sevenly

Skirt: J.Crew {Similar Printed Skirts}

Cardigan: J.Crew {Similar Cardigans}

Jewelry: Rocksbox {Get 1 month FREE subscription with code "joannaxoxo"}

Heels: Naturalizer {Similar Bow Heels}

THANKFUL THURSDAY: BOLD BRAVE YOU

Bold Brave You.

My anthem of this past year. 

Recently, I was reflecting with a friend about how scary and nerve-wracking it can be to take creative risks and share what you've created with the world. Yet, what kind of life would I be living if I never took risks? The incredible opportunities I've had in just this past year are the fruits of being bold and trusting the Great Storyteller to work in unimaginable ways through me. There is no way that I could've come close to imagining the stories written so far in my life. So this is my encouragement for you:

BE BOLD. Go ahead and take those risks. Don't live with regret and wish you had taken that chance in the future. Without taking the necessary risks in life, you would never know who you may become and what you can actually achieve.

BE BRAVE. Don't let the world dampen the brilliance of your dreams. It's so easy to cower in fear, but I've found that whenever something is trying to dampen your spirit, it's because you are meant to do something great. Fight the good fight well and without fear overcoming who you are meant to be.

BE YOU. Be true to your story. Don't try to fit yourself in someone else's story because the pages won't match up. Be who you are, because your story is unique & beautiful in its own way. 

Some of the bravest souls I know are the thousands of children fighting childhood cancer. In the United States, cancer is the leading cause of death by disease past infancy. Every 3 minutes, a child is diagnosed with cancer. In 2015, about 10,380 children under the age of 15 in the United States alone will be diagnosed with cancer.

I don’t know about you, but for me that’s a heartbreaking statistic. It’s hard to think that so many families will be faced with the possible reality of losing their child before they have a chance to graduate high school, get married, or have children of their own.

Another unpalatable reality is the fact that less than 4 percent of funds for cancer research is allotted specifically toward pediatric cancer research.

However, St. Baldrick's is working towards changing that reality. I am so happy that they are this week's Sevenly campaign. With each T-Shirt purchase made until September 21st, $7 will go towards funding childhood cancer research. 

PLUS, I'm so excited that Sevenly is giving my readers 10% OFF with code "joanna"!!! Order as much as you want, whenever you want since this code is good for any order on their site!

So, what are you waiting for? Will you boldly take a stand with me to fight for the lives and well-being of these small but mighty souls?

Photographer: Jackie Accornero

SHOP MY LOOK:

Shirt: c/o Sevenly

Skirt: Target {Similar Printed Skirts}

Hat: J.Crew {Similar Hats}

Necklace: The Happiness Boutique {Similar Statement Necklaces}

Clutch: DSW {Similar Envelope Clutches}

THANKFUL THURSDAY: PAISLEY + SPARROW

I have a few questions for you.

Do you believe that there should be an end to human trafficking and a way out for victims of this abuse?

We should all be yelling, "YES!" at the top of our lungs for this horror to stop. There are about 20+ million victims of trafficking around the world. And the scariest part, it's likely even happening in your own city. Yes, it happens in the developed world.

Do you believe that all people, including women and children, should have the freedom to be educated, have access to healthcare, clean water, food, a safe environment, and become self-sustainable?

As a woman myself, I absolutely believe that should ring true. However, as much as women in developed countries don't believe we have equal opportunities, there are women who don't even have the freedom to receive an education and make a living for their families.

Do you believe in second chances?

Most of us would be a resounding chorus saying, "yes!" But in reality, most people aren't given those second chances at life.

Thankfully, there is an incredible woman named Jen, who took a year off to work with various nonprofits around the world. Because of her heart for marginalized people, she decided to do more with her experiences and founded, Paisley + Sparrow.

Paisley + Sparrow is an online marketplace of curated products from various organizations. And the best part? With each purchase, you are changing the lives of people around the world.

I chose the Eleanor Necklace by Miriam Designs because I believe the mission behind Miriam Designs is so beautiful. As much as we believe in giving people second chances, it's likely harder when we encounter someone overcoming addiction. Our reflex thoughts are typically, "If I give this person money, they're just going to spend it on drugs." I know that's my reflex thought. But Miriam Designs gives second chances to women in Nashville who are overcoming addiction, prostitution and trafficking. They are taught how to create jewelry and are given the chance to find healing in community and unconditional love. Isn't that beautiful?

"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." -- Matthew 10:29-31 

Photography: Jackie Accornero

SHOP MY LOOK:

Dress: Anthropologie {Similar | Similar}

Necklace: c/o Paisley+Sparrow x Miriam Designs

Heels: Aldo {Similar}

Bag: Asos {Similar}

Earrings: Anthropologie {Similar}

Bracelet: ILY Couture {Similar}