Hi from sunny Florida!  My best friend Ashely’s birthday is tomorrow…who lives in Florida…and her kind husband Chris flew me down to celebrate with her.  It’s kind of the best!  We pick up right where we left off each time.  So Josh Kelley has been on kindness advent duty and sent me this picture yesterday.  They rocked some Sonic happy hour kindness.

Today’s advent was handmade mail.  Hudson and Solomon were not interested in this one at all.  Boys.  It was totally up Harper’s alley though.  We went with fun Christmas buntings…she chose 2 recipients and wrote cards to go along with them.  She decided she wanted them to arrive today, so we actually mailed them yesterday before I left.

And tomorrow we’re buying someone’s lunch.  Josh and the kids are doing this together at home and we’re going to spread some lunch kindness here in Florida as well.

I like to each year talk about some of our favorite companies who give back…who make our purchases count.  Here are some of my top favorites.

Always and forever Noonday Collection.  This is my go-to.  True love.  They are probably my most favorite company around.  So many awesome items to purchase made by incredible artisans…empowering woman and families around the world.  When you make a purchase choose Ashley Mills as your ambassador!  She’s my favorite as well 🙂

“Noonday Collection’s mission is to create economic opportunity for the vulnerable. We partner with artisans in the developing world, empowering them to grow sustainable businesses. By creating a marketplace for their goods, we create dignified jobs at living wages. This allows our artisans to earn more in order to support their families.”

Sevenly.  I am a major jeans and tee shirt kind of gal…every day.  And Sevenly tees are highly in the mix.  $7 of each purchase…they have lots of other items other than tees…goes to their weekly charity.

Krochet Kids.  This crazy cool non-profit provides some of my most favorite bags and hats.  Each item is hand signed by it’s maker.  Giving some bags this Christmas to some of my favorite people.

“We work with highly vulnerable women who live in poverty stricken regions of the world.  Our program empowers women with the resources to rise above poverty. Forever.  Empowered women transform their families, communities, and the developing world.”

The Root Collective.  Awesome shoes.  I can’t wait to try them out.  Who wouldn’t dig these?!?!?!

“We partner with small-scale artisan businesses in marginalized communities to promote change through dignified jobs.”

The Giving Keys.  My sweet friend Stef recently gave me my first Giving Key and I totally dig it.  I wear it almost every day.  So unique and different and pretty classic if you ask me.

“The Giving Keys exists to employ those transitioning out of homelessness to make jewelry out of repurposed keys that get sold and shared around the world.”

Timbali Crafts.  I have seen this company first hand in Swaziland, Africa.  One of my favorites because the hearts of these women are so real and beautiful.  How adorable is this little girl’s apron!!!!!!

“The women who create Timbali Crafts are all volunteer cooks at community based feeding centers, called Care Points*, throughout Swaziland, Africa. In this tiny nation with the highest HIV/AIDS rate, and lowest life expectancy in the world, the needs are immense. In spite of their own hardships, the Timbali women help to feed more than 2500 children each day. They are incredible! “

FashionAble.  Love their products and they have great items for the best guy in your life too.  So many awesome items.

“Your purchase of a fashionABLE product creates sustainable business in Africa.  We are committed to long-term solutions to fighting poverty, and our main focus is creating opportunities for vulnerable women.  That means that your purchase creates jobs, so that the women are not dependent upon charity, but instead are a vital part of a developing economy.”

Please go check out these incredible companies and make your purchase count this Christmas.  Most of these companies you can read directly about their artisans and employees on their websites.  These are real people with crazy awesome talents!

And lastly, for all you locals…Full Count’s Christmas tree lot is still up and running.  They are located in the parking lot of Foxx Pools in Hendersonville…708 Main St.  Purchases are helping young men go on mission this coming summer.  Let even your Christmas tree mean more this year.

So there’s my list.  Purchase with a purpose.  Make your money count for more.

Enjoy your weekend and Happy Friday!