SVU and the Orange Campaign

posted on 9:29 AM

I love watching cop shows. CSI, Cold Case, Law and Order (along with all the other off-shoots: Criminal Intent, Special Victims Unit, and the short-lived Los Angeles) are all viewed fairly regularly in this house. My favorite to watch would have to be SVU, though. It brings out the inner vigilante in me. Any time the criminal (or 'perp' as they say) is arrested or being brought to trial, I find myself almost wishing that some anonymous gunman will bring him down, or one of the officers escorting him will lose his temper and punch the perp in the face. Horrible, I know, but hopefully understandable as well. The crimes that SVU investigates and prosecutes, although fictional, are also terrible in nature, and based on events that unfortunately happen every day in our broken world. My murderous anger at these crimes is not completely unfounded.

One crime being perpetrated is that of Human Trafficking, or the sex slave industry. Two children a day are sold into a life of abuse, torture, and mutilation for profit. It's a harsh reality, and it's easy to read those words and be so disturbed by this fact that you put it out of your mind. It's easy to say, "Oh, that's horrible, but it's happening halfway across the world. What can I do?" and move on with your day, without realizing that this happens in the U.S. as well. But usually, what is easy isn't right. For me, it's impossible to hear horrible facts like these, and not do something, even if it's small.

That's why I'm participating in The Orange Campaign, an awareness initiative of Redeem The Shadows. In honor of today being National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, and in an effort to raise even more awareness about this insidious crime, the organizers of this campaign are making a simple plea: wear orange today, and tell people why. Atrocities thrive in the dark, and the more light that is shed, the harder it is for those committing these acts to hide.

My reason is because I have two children of my own, two beautiful girls.

The idea of these girls being taken from me, and of someone doing anything to hurt them is unthinkable and painful. They are why I'm wearing orange, so that another mother might be able to keep her two children from being harmed, and have to experience that pain.

Outfit Details:
Top - thrifted, $3.50
Skirt - DIY from dress, Wal-Mart, $7
Tights - JC Penney, $6
Oxfords - Sears, $5 (clearance)
Necklace - $1 Jewelry Store

All clothing on the kiddos is from Once Upon A Child

Fair Trade Friday

Fair Trade Friday - A Present

posted on 11:03 AM

I would like to introduce the newest member of my little jewelry collection:

This lovely little ringlet of color was a gift from my lovely Sister-in-law, and it's so much more than just another accessory. That little card pictured with the necklace has a story written on the back, the story of the woman who crafted it.

Her name: Immaculate Kilama. Country: Uganda. Age: 27 years old. Children: 7

Here's her story:
"With five biological children and two orphans in her care, she oversees a family of nine! SUUBI (which means hope) has provided Immaculate an opportunity to care for her family - with pride, she states that 'SUUBI is the financial backbone of my family.' Immaculate's story reminds us that JOY is not circumstantial!"

Pretty cool, huh? There's so much more of her story, as well as tons of information about this company on their website: http://lightgivesheat.org. I would love it if you'd give them a visit!

Next week, I'll be sharing a very special outfit post with you. Here's why:

See you guys next time!

Outfits

OOTD - Settling In

posted on 9:23 AM

We are party animals in this house. Big A was in bed by 9, Little A kept me up until midnight (but not by choice!), and we got up this morning around 8. "We are getting crazy up in here," said me in my best white girl voice. With the blustery weather outside, we'll probably have an action packed day of hanging out in the house and playing with our new stuff from Christmas.

Meals has her glow worm: