Collective for Good

Last week I spent several days in Austin, TX meeting with artisan partners of Noonday Collection and previewing the new collection. It was an incredible experience seeing behind-the-scenes of an ethical fashion company and getting to meet the people who make so many of the products around the world. (More about that near the end!)

But first, let’s chat packing. If you’ve read any of my prior blog posts or follow me on Instagram, you know I like to pack a lean suitcase. Minimalist, chic outfits that easily fit in one small bag.

(Reader, please note that I do not attempt to convert a maximalist packer to a minimalist one. A shocking number of people asked HOW I do such a thing. So this informative blog post is to give my best tips to help the minimalist hopeful.)

4 tops, including different weight of materials & purposes:

• three-quarters black poplin shirt
• lightweight ribbed long sleeve shirt
• striped knit sweater
• beige knit cardigan

3 bottoms, including different lengths and materials:

• cropped black jeans
• wide leg blue jeans
• black trousers

Layers:

• matching sweatpant set
• quilted jacket
• leggings

Accessories:

• hoop earrings
• pendant necklace
• black handbag
• converse shoes

If you’re in the market for new luggage, I love this roller suitcase for longer trips and to carry-on to an airplane, and I love this leather duffle bag for weekend trips where I can handle carrying my bag everywhere, or when I’m feeling particularly stylish.

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Packing Tips

1. Plan your wardrobe

My preference is to stick to a Capsule Wardrobe, choosing versatile, mix-and-match pieces in a cohesive color palette. You can comb through examples of my capsule wardrobes or build one that fits your style! I also layer strategically, packing lightweight layers that can be added or removed based on the weather. Trying on pieces and building some outfit ideas ahead of time really helps me in the planning stage. It takes an hour or so, but it cuts down on excess & saves decision fatigue from my vacation! Lastly, I try to limit shoes, bringing just two to three pairs (e.g., one pair of walking shoes, one dressy option, and sandals, for example).

2. Wear bulkier clothes on the travel day

Wearing the bulkiest clothes like coats, sweaters, or boots will save so much space in the suitcase. This can be challenging when flying, but it also provides extra cushion and comfort on those long travel days. So the payoff may be worth it!

3. Minimize toiletries

Since you’re likely carrying a suitcase on a plane, smaller quantities are required anyway. But I keep my routine extra simple when traveling. I have travel bottles of the things I really want to have, and leave them packed in my dopp kit so they’re always there.

4. Pack in packing cubes

This is something I haven’t done myself as I haven’t needed to yet, but I’ve witnessed how much extra you can fit in a suitcase when using the packing cubes.

5. Use accessories to elevate your outfits

Wearing some pieces multiple times on vacation may be boring to some, but accessories can spice up any look! They’re usually smaller, too, so you can fit more options in a suitcase than say, a heavy knit sweater.

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Restore Retreat in Austin, TX

Spending time in Austin with Noonday Collection is always a unique and special experience. This was my third year going, specifically to meet artisans who partner with Noonday Collection, and it was the most meaningful yet as Noonday hosted the Restore Retreat. To see more videos from the weekend, check out my Noonday highlight on Instagram!

Just to clarify, this wasn’t a fancy brand trip where Noonday treated all it’s highest partners to a bougie weekend trip. No, no- it was not that! Noonday invited ambassadors of friends of Noonday to a Restore Retreat, where we paid a small registration fee in exchange for learning more about the behind-the-scenes of Noonday, meeting artisan partners, and spending intentional time in restoration.

One of my favorites parts of the experience was during the DIY Studio, where artisan partners from Uganda, Peru, and Thailand taught us how to make something using materials and skills from their culture.

Each of the artisan partners talked about what it means to partner with Noonday, and here’s what a few of them said:

It’s very much about the value of girls {where they come from}. We celebrate being a girl! Every little girl should valued, but that’s not what we see. Our mission is ‘every woman valued.’

It’s not just work for us. It’s restoration work in the way that when {the girls} come through the doors, they come with brokenness. They come with voices in their heads telling them ‘you cannot do it.’ They come from families where it has been spoken to their faces ‘you are good for nothing. You are only a girl.’ Our work is to remind them, to be stewards of God’s resources.

It’s really solidified my choices to shop exclusively with ethical businesses, those who put both people and the planet above profit. And while you may find it hard to believe that these kind of places exist, they do! This is what I share about on Instagram.

Anyway, back to the Restore Retreat.

We crafted with artisan partners from around the world, but also reflected on the idea of ‘restoration’ and what it means to be ‘restorers’ in such a broken and complex world.

I’m still finding the words I want to share on my own restoration story, but the practice we used to get there was really beautiful. We listened to one another’s stories, told our own stories, danced, journaled, stretched, walked around the gorgeous ranch property, participated in sound bath and yoga, and spent time with other women who see ‘restoration’ as purposeful work.

It was hosted by Noonday Collection, so of course we got a chance to see their new collection and it’s so FUN!! If tropical vibes, colorful patterns, or bold accessories are your thing then you must check it out. (Honestly, check it out either way because none of those things describe my personal style and yet I added 3 new pieces to my wardrobe.)

Something I love about Noonday Collection is they see creating opportunities for women and children to thrive as necessary, important, and serious work. And, they see this work as FUN!! In the words of their CEO Jessica Honegger:

“We’re building a safety net of friendships so when the hard times hit, it holds.”

And that’s exactly what she’s created: a fun community of women who believe in working together for the greatest good, getting us all closer to restoration.

Every woman, valued.

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