A Bias Review

I'm supposed to review a book, place, or product. I am going to be bias and use this as an opportunity to "review" a start up company of some friends.

We live in a consumer world filled with social movements not everyone agrees with. We can, however, agree that we are in need of some sort of social change. Consumerism has become a norm through social change but it doesn't mean that it's always coinciding with the change we want. If it's not something were passionate about or believe in then we don't really want to waste our time with it.


I wouldn't consider myself a "gung-ho activist" (is that even a word?). I do however have products, people, and companies that I believe in and support. That's why I want to review/present Share Brands, Inc. I may be bias since I know the brains behind the company, but I'm also pumped about what they are doing.
Share Brands, Inc is a start up geared at initiating social change. Their idea is to change the way people view buying products, meaning buying with a purpose. The purpose fulfilling the human need of supporting through conscious commerce.

I get it, that all sounds so wordy. So, I'll break it down for you a little bit. Basically for every product bought 25% of the proceeds go to the connected charity. They offer a variety of products such as yoga mats, head phones, tote bags, dog collars phone cases, and tee shirts. Each color of product is associated with a certain non-profit/social cause that are all listed below. 

Red-       POVERTY, their current initiative is Friendship Bridge

Blue-      MEN AND CHILDREN'S HEALTH, current initiative is Project Angel Heart

Yellow-  FOR EDUCATION, current initiative Rays of Grace

Green-   THE ENVIRONMENT, current initiative TBD

Pink-      WOMEN AND CHILDREN'S HEALTH, current initiative Project Angel Heart

Currently, Co-founders, Justin Hoffman & Connor Knutson, videographer BC Serna, and my favorite friend Zach Payne are on a Bike Tour promoting Share Brands to companies in order to engage business, people, and nonprofit solutions. Follow the tour on Facebook! 

With all that said I should probably tell you what I think, if you haven't already picked up on the message. I believe in what they are doing. James 1:27 says were called to care for the orphans and the widows. Acts 20:35 says were called to care for the weak. He is the protector of the impoverished (Psalm 12:5) and I want to be a part of that. I may not be able to be hands on with these non-profits but I can definitely contribute to social change. I want to be used for His kingdom and if buying and wearing a t-shirt can be a part of that, I think its worth the investment. The heart behind the movement is important to me. I cherish the fact that they are wanting to make a change, and have been faithful to the Lord's calling. I'm happy to support Share Brands and all they are doing! 

--Holly

Taking Stock...

Making : meal plans for the family I nanny. 
Cooking : spaghetti squash with cashew cream
Drinking : Water...trying. I'm terrible at drinking water. I go days and its a problem
Reading: "What Did You Expect" ... a really helpful and encouraging read on the expectations of marriage. I'm eating up every word! 
Wanting: Swooooning over this little black and gold number! OH and this...oooops, Happy Hatha!
Looking: For rhythm in a busy schedule.
Playing: ...with dump trucks and excavators and Thomas the Train and magic bubbles and the toy lawn mower...these are some of Brady's current favorites. 
Wasting: Time inside when I can be outside enjoying the last of these coatless beautiful weather days. 
Sewing: Nothing...unfortunately sewing isn't something I do. 
Wishing: For a mini getaway/staycasion.  
Enjoying: Frozen Yogurt Saturday's with Lee. 
Waiting: Impatiently...praying for patience. 
Liking: When I arrive to work and Brady says " You look cuuuuuteee Kiki" 
Wondering: What it will be like to live with a boy.... 
Loving: Post dinner walks down Pearl Street with Lee and Bailey the dog child sometimes stopping off for a coffee at Stellas. 
Hoping: For more humility 
Marvelling: At God's grace 
Needing: copious amounts of dark chocolate walnuts or dark chocolate coconuts...I keep finding myself in the bin section at Sprouts and Whole Foods for sweet tooth suppressants. Its not good. 
Smelling: Fall...its definitely in the air. 
Wearing: converse...my go to chase Brady around the house, play in the fort, walk around the zoo for days kind of shoe. 
Following: A workout plan... training for a half-mary and loving it. 
Noticing: The subtle hints of fall in the trees, in clothing changes, in the supermarket store fronts...oh how those pumpkins & ciders line up at the front to greet you. It's so wonderful! 
Knowing: I am blessed. 
Thinking: About my weekend away in Kansas City to celebrate mom's 50th. 
Feeling: So thankful, thankful for Colorado and its stunning beauty, for a steady job that I enjoy, for a fiancé that leads and loves me better than I could have imagined, friendships that are deep and challenging and consistent. 
Bookmarking: Blogs. I love so many. I've been book marking them and adding them to a page on my phone. I read at stop lights, in the bathroom (don't you judge me), during Brady's nap...I can't stop! Workout blogs, and cooking blogs, lifestyle blogs and fashion blogs. Oh how I love them. 
Opening: My heart and life for change and growth. 
Giggling: At Lee's car karaoke and dancing. 

A blank list for you to copy and paste...!

Making :
Cooking :
Drinking :
Reading:
Wanting:
Looking:
Playing:
Wasting:
Sewing:
Wishing:
Enjoying:
Waiting:
Liking:
Wondering:
Loving: 
Hoping:
Marvelling:
Needing:
Smelling:
Wearing:
Following:
Noticing:
Knowing:
Thinking:
Feeling:
Bookmarking:
Opening:
Giggling:

- Mekenzie

Life as of Lately

Still reminiscing on one year of marriage
with my handsome huni! 

Got my TIU! sample pack in the mail!
Super stoked!!!

Evening strolls and hand holding

Ree came a long way to celebrate me
on my 25th!! Love her so!!

                                                                                             

I turned 25!! 

Happiness at 25 :)

Celebrating at dinner with ones
I love... many not pictured

Getting excited for the approaching new season!
Fall is in the air people! 

<3 Gabrielle

A Love Letter...

There you are... sitting there so unaware of the way you've changed my life,
Not so long ago did you come into this world and give us all a big surprise!

Your ten tiny fingers and ten tiny toes, and that adorable squished nose,
You bounce around with each bitty step like a dainty unsteady rose.

The way you reach for me when I arrive.. and how you cry when I have to say goodbye.

Your kisses are so tender and your bitting is so tough,
But I love everything about you and you will always be enough.

To watch you grow into a little girl makes my heart leap and cry,
When I think about the day you were born, I sit. Stop. And sigh.

I love you Eliora, as if you were my own sweet angel,
And this love letter I write today is for you.

 

 

 <3 Gabrielle

Quarter of a Century Birthday

Today is a special day. Today marks 25 years that this world has been graced with the life of our sweet Gabrielle. Today is her birthday. In leu of doing the “Blogtember” prompt, I think it is appropriate to do a tribute to a women that will change your life, if you ever get the blessing to meet her. She is beautiful. She cares deeply about making people feel celebrated and special. Today is a day dedicated to loving the heck out of this girl and making her quarter of a century birthday one for the record books. 

This girl shines Jesus and pours love through her words and actions. She’s an amazing best friend, a stellar wife, a caring aunt, a faithful daughter and a women who we all admire. She is bold in beliefs and gentle in her words. Gabrielle possesses a zeal for celebration that can’t be matched. I cannot wait to see what this next year holds for our sweet best friend. I know that God is going to use her talents to knock the socks off of everyone she encounters. Cheers, to 25 years, Gaby!

You light up our lives, Gabrielle. Thank you for being born! We are so thankful that God brought you into our lives. Enjoy this day- we pray you feel celebrated and special. Love you!

XOXO,

Your Bests.