Happy Monday!
Hope everyone had an awesome weekend. Brandon and I spent most of it doing boring grown-up errands, but I finished my errands in plenty of time on Saturday to see the Gators kick some serious booty! 
I have a really special giveaway that I want to share with you guys today, but first, let’s do a baby update!
As you can see, the tiniest of bumps is starting to make an appearance.
One of my girlfriends sent me Jenny McCarthy’s book called Belly Laughs (which is completely inappropriate, but also pretty funny), and I think Jenny says it best when she refers to this stage as growing a “protective fat layer” around the belly. You aren’t really showing yet, but you are gaining necessary weight around the midsection. So you don’t look pregnant, but it’s starting to be clear that something is going on in there!
Symptoms this week:
- Some acid reflux,
- Still a lot of headaches.
Jenny has a whole chapter devoted to pregnancy headaches. And I completely agree with her description: “The only relief was a Tylenol and a heating pad for my neck. That took a whole 2 percent of the pain away. I was then left trying to figure out what to do with the other 98 percent.”
And it’s so true. You’re allowed to take Tylenol when you’re pregnant, but it doesn’t help. Darn hormones.
Cravings:
My mom has told me on multiple occasions that when she was pregnant with me, she craved Kentucky Fried Chicken. I always laughed, but I never thought that I would have the same cravings, because I don’t think I’ve eaten KFC in about 20 years.
Surprise! Guess what I insisted on picking up for dinner Thursday night??
I know it’s absolutely horrible for you, and I probably won’t eat it again for another 20 years (or at least 20 days … 
), but man, did it hit the spot that night!
Fun events:
I have my next doctor’s appointment tomorrow. He will just be listening for the heartbeat and taking some measurements, but prayers are always appreciated!
———–
So about a month ago, my friend Emily from church got me in contact with her friend, Sarah.
Sarah is a representative for a company called Noonday Collection.
Here is how Sarah described the company:
“Noonday is a direct sales company that connects people with accessories hand-made by vulnerable groups of people from all over the world. The aim of the company is to create a pathway out of poverty for the artisans and their families through dignified job creation.”
If you go to their website, you can read a little more about their story. Basically, it started out with a woman and her husband who visited Uganda in 2010 and decided they wanted to adopt. The woman was offered the opportunity to sell some of the fair-trade, locally-made accessories back in her hometown of Austin, Texas, to help raise money for the adoption process.
Pretty soon, other women wanted to participate and sell the products, as well. So now, the products are being sold all over the country (through both the website and trunk shows).
The vision continues to be (as taken from the website):
- Providing jobs that create a pathway out of poverty for families. A stable income means a family is less likely to abandon their child.
- Help families raise money for their own adoptions. They give 10% of trunk show sales directly to the adoptive family when they host a trunk show.
- Aside from donating 10% towards qualified adoptive families, Noonday Collection also gives towards orphan care and prevention.
Pretty cool, right?
So when Emily told Sarah about my blog, Sarah offered to send me a couple of Noonday’s products to try out for myself.
They sent me this gorgeous violet necklace and …
… these super cute Bengali earrings!
Both pieces are beautiful, but if you check out the website, you’ll see that they have many more accessories to choose from! From bags, to scarfs, to sandals … there’s something for everyone!
I try not to review too many products on my website, because I don’t want y’all to think I’m just here to sell you things. I can assure you, that is most definitely not why I blog. But I really believe in this company and what they stand for. And I think if you go check out their website, you’ll like them, too.
Let’s be honest … most of us rarely need an excuse to buy cute accessories. But when you purchase from Noonday, you can actually feel that you are making a difference in someone’s life!
Oh and did I mention that I’m going to giveaway the adorable earrings to one lucky reader??
(Don’t worry … I never put them in my ears! They are brand new and ready for you to wear!)
The giveaway will be open until Tuesday night at 8:00 pm. To enter, just leave me a comment. Any comment at all, as long as it’s positive! 
(Even better, go check out their website, and tell me what pieces catch your eye!)
Question for ya …
What did you do this weekend?
Last unhealthy thing you ate?
Tell me what’s your favorite Noonday accessory!
Disclaimer: I was not compensated in any way for this post. I received the necklace and earrings to review and that is it. All opinions are my own.
That jewelry is absolutely beautiful! I love seeing such great causes helping others like that!
cute earrings! love your page
Cute! Love the beginnings of a baby bump! It was our 11th Anniversary so we checked out a new restaurant that we loved and hit up a comedy club for a much needed date night. I ate pumpkin spice and bacon donuts for dessert on our date night (sounds odd, but yummo!) Love the earrings! Beautiful items for a great organization.
Wow, those earrings are gorgeous, as are all the other ones on their website! I love cute earrings…especially when they look really unique like that. Thanks for the generous giveaway!
Last unhealthy thing I ate? Um, I practically finished off a pint of almond milk ice cream in two days…no problem! Not too terribly unhealthy, but that’s a lot of sugar.
Angela @ Health’s Angel recently posted..My Essential Oils
Lovely little bump! My sister is pregnant and about the same weeks as you and she has a little bump too, which I call her food baby as she just looks a bit bloated haha. I think KFC once in a while can’t do any harm, good for the soul hehe.
Anna @AnnaTheApple recently posted..Pumpkins, Pilates and Cinderella
I treated myself to some awesome fresh donuts this weekend – so unhealthy, but soooo worth it!
amy @ fearless homemaker recently posted..Homemade Oatmeal + Marshmallow Creme Pies
Wow I just checked out the website and the jewelry is amazing! I liked so many of the beck laces, but the cascading falls in salmon really caught my eye! Great giveaway! Nothing like pretty jewelry for a good cause
Jana @ Newly Wife Healthy Life recently posted..An Icy Situation
You’re looking beautiful my dear!
You hide your cute little bump quite well. I’m having a struggle with that these days. Last unhealthy thing I ate would be the peanut butter cookies I made yesterday… I had 3? Oops. 
Love the earrings too!
Ashley @ My Food ‘N’ Fitness Diaries recently posted..A “Me Time” Weekend
Your baby bump is adorable. And so are those earrings!
I’m SO behind on blog reading. I’m just now reading your awesome news!!!! Congrats, what a blessing you have coming!!!!!!!!
Julie @ Sugarfoot Eats recently posted..Weekend Ramblings
Love the earrings!
The products are beautiful, but equally impressive is the cause they support. I will definitely be considering this for christmas presents and passing the information along to friends and family.
Aww you look great girl! You are glowing
Noonday reminds me of http://www.samesky.com/ checkout there site they’ve got some great bracelets. I purchased one for my mom back in June, she loved it.
Have a great week!
XX
Those earrings are so cute!!! What a fun idea for a company, I love that!
Beautiful earrings! Maybe they’ll be mine. Thank you for the giveaway.
What a fantastic cause
I love humanitarian efforts, especially when businesses are involved!
Brittany @ Itty Bits of Balance recently posted..Wordless Weekend 10/22
Cute earrings
. Also, I hope your headaches go away soon, that is no fun! When I was pregnant with Maggie I barely had a baby bump at my 20 week ultrasound 
, but trust me, your belly will grow and grow by the end.
Awesome blog post as usual friend! I’m so glad you love the jewelry from Noonday. And you look fantastic. I hope your headaches go away soon.
Emily recently posted..Changing Myself
Just a little baby bump! Keeping you in my prayers that all goes well and the healthy baby continues to flourish. Note to baby- stop giving your Mom headaches
You barely see any baby bump, but you can definatly see the new mommy glow. Congrats.
What a great company! I love the idea of helping others, of course while getting a little “bling” for yourself
What beautiful earrings! I love your cute little bump!
Gretchen recently posted..Weekend fun
The picture of you in the necklace is absolutely gorgeous! Love the baby updates and am keeping you and the baby in my prayers:)
Praying that everything goes well with your appointment tomorrow!! It’s so exciting to get to hear the heartbeat
What beautiful jewelry and a wonderful cause!!
Maura @ My Healthy ‘Ohana recently posted..100 calorie egg cups
Those earrings are beautiful! Sounds like a great company to support.
Such cute earrings! Love.
What an amazing company to support. I can’t get over just how gorgeous those earrings are.
Last unhealthy thing: Pumpkin hershey kisses.
Jessie recently posted..Marvelous In My Monday
Those earrings are so cute!!! Also, your little “bump” is cute… I bet you will be one of those pregnant women who don’t gain weight anywhere else, just a cute little bump!
Love those earrings!
Love those earrings so unique !
Last unhealthy thing I ate, a cheese Danish for breakfast from Starbucks..they have like 500 cals ! they are extremely delicious but not very filling
What a wonderful company!
I, too, had KFC recently – when my husband and I flew into Reno, NV and were looking for a fast bite. I got a standard grilled chicken breast, and I have to say it was better than I was expecting!
Those are a must have
I am 19 wks pregnant w baby #2, it’ll be fun to follow your journey!
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You are so cute preggo! Love it!
natalie @ southern fit foodie recently posted..I did it! My first half marathon!
Aww thanks, girl!