Etame's Surprise Photos, and Products from Ethiopia

Thank you everyone for all your encouragement on my new business adventure!  I don't intend to make this blog all about that, just so you know.  I am just excited to share with you my newly found interest and why it's rejuvenating me these days. 

Now, some pics of dear Etame...

These are the photos I found on my phone the other day.  Surprise!  Etame's personality comes out through these self portraits.  She is quiet and polite and sweet to all others, but when left on her own, she plays in her imaginary world, silly and funny girl.

She tags along to all of Landon's activities, finding new friends to play with, and (mostly) quietly playing with Tosca or with the toys she brought.

And of course sometimes she plays with my phone (when I'm desperate).  This little baby born from Ethiopia is emerging into a confident, kind, little girl.

I've spoke often in this space and to you personally of someday somehow wanting to combine my talent and interest and love of sewing and my desire to help women and children in Ethiopia.  Here are a few companies that are doing just that and I'm so excited to share.

Noonday Collection - "advocate for the orphan" created by adoptive parents

This is a necklace I particularly liked, made from recycled scrap metal and found war artillery shells.

fashionABLE - "Creating sustainable business for women in Africa"

This organization is all about the scarves.  Beautiful choices of ethnic scarves which remind me of that material I bought when in Ethiopia!

This one is lovely.  I need more Ethiopian fabric, it is decided. Which means a trip back to Ethiopia.  Sigh - someday...

Lastly, there is Lemlem - Created by a supermodel and native of Ethiopia "as a way to inspire economic independence in her native country and to preserve the art of weaving"

I have been following this company for a while.  Their price points are much higher than the others, but they have the style behind them and sell in companies like Neiman Marcus.

They also have children's clothes, which are super adorable!

I can't vouch for how much of the profits go back into country or directly help those in need, but I will consider it next time I'd like unique jewelry or outfits for my little girls or myself.  It's important to put our dollars into companies and people making a difference.  I love to support local and small businesses as well as those doing amazing things.  Think what the company Toms has done!  Amazing.  How lucky we are to be able to put our money into people "doing good" while getting great products in return!

If you do end up purchasing something from one of these organizations, I'd love to hear about your experience and appreciation of the goods.

Here's to making a difference!

(thanks to Jones Design Company for sharing two of these great companies on your blog)

New Opportunities

I've been thinking about going back to work for a while now.  I need to use more of my brain, the part that I used back when I worked at Nike.  I love staying home though.  Who would take the kids to activities and how would I get to play my tennis still?!  The dilemma of the stay at home mom.  But still I wanted something more.

So two opportunities recently came across to me.  One I am currently pouring myself into, and the other I am actually on a waiting list to take part in.  I'll let you know about that one later.  First I want to share with you, my family and blog friends, about the first.

The company is called Rodan + Fields.  It's becoming one of the most recognizable brands in the anti-aging skin care industry.  The doctors (2 women Stanford grads - girl power!) are the creators of Proactive and this is their new endeavor.  I'm pleased to be among many smart women who are coming back to the workforce (or those doing this on the side and even duplicating their regular income), teaming up to create something powerful.

The best part is that I still get to stay at home while growing this business, and with their awesome incentives and lucrative pay bonuses, I'll have the ability to contribute to our household income (something I haven't done for 8 years) and afford the new kitchen I've got my eye on.

If you'd like to jump in on the ground floor yourself, please contact me!  You can read more about the business on my site: trishacoy.myrandf.biz.  I'm looking to form a strong team to collaborate with.

If you're interested in learning more about the product line, visit me at: trishacoy.myrandf.com.

Thanks!  I'm excited to share this with you and hopefully grow my own business while continuing to stay home with my kiddos!

Contact me if you have questions.  Please join my team! You can reach me at tncornett@yahoo.com.

Back to School Picture

Landon jumped right in at school.  Third grade.  I'm especially excited for this year since my mom taught third. 

He seems to be adjusting well, meeting new friends, and up for the challenge. 

There have been a couple times when I've asked him about the boys in his class and if he thinks they could be close friends.  That's when he gets quiet and starts remembering his best friends back in Baltimore.  Those pauses make him sad.  It's tough sometimes.

But pauses are good too.  He knows he is capable of making those strong friendships, and he knows he has old friends back on the other coast too whenever we travel back.

His teacher said he's doing fantastic, especially out on the playground of course.  Oh, and everyone thinks he has an accent (thanks to his speech issue) and he thinks that's super cool.  Not sure how it will help his speech but he has no social anxiety about it whatsoever!  Even though we didn't live in Boston (cah instead of car).  We may have to give him some extra cool sayings like "whe-rah ya?" and "wicked" to give him even more confidence - ha!