Valentine's Day Treat

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Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!

Do you remember when you were a kid and Valentine's Day used to mean red construction paper hearts and lace doily cut outs? And little heart shaped candies that said "I Love You" and "Be Mine?" Do you remember the fun you had exchanging handmade cards and giggling over the messages written on those candies?

DIY Gold Foil Heart Box by one of our favorite DIY Bloggers Tell Love Chocolate

For the mommies out there who are reliving this tradition with your little ones, I hope it brings a smile to your face as you walk down memory lane and experience your little one's excitement. That is, of course, if it's possible amidst the chaos of the all the cupcakes to be baked, plastic candy bags to be filled and tied, and little valentines to be addressed and signed. Hang in there, the memories are worth it! Thankfully, because Valentine's Day fell on a Saturday this year, all that craziness is hopefully over and today can be a day of love, at a relaxed pace.

This was Jay helping me make Valentine's Day cupcakes for his class 

Speaking of relaxing, since the start of the new year, I've been learning about ways to be more productive so I can get more done in less time and with less effort. Who out there doesn't want that, right? Well, the most  amazing part of what I'm learning is that to be more productive and focused, you actually have to learn to truly relax. And not just relax, but deeply rejuvenate.

Samantha Silk Kimomo Robe by Girl With Serious Dream, Lavendar Eye Pillows by Gardenmis
Body Mist Layer Kit by Nature Your Body

Deeply rejuvenating in the sense of increasing the numbers of hours of high quality sleep, taking (or forcing) regular breaks completely away from work and totally unplugged, and creating and following through on a self-care ritual that includes hours of deep relaxation weekly. Like taking a soothing bath or getting a massage for a couple hours.

Organic Rose Leaf Bath Salts by Garden Apathecary, Amber Vanilla Body Butter handmade by Sweet Cheeks Natural
Organic Lavender Candle by Olive Branch Organics, French Green Clay Mud Mask by Garden Apothecary

The idea of relaxing to be more productive is so counter-intuitive that it's hard to get my head around it. It almost sounds too good to be true!  And I often feel like I need to deserve a relaxation break like that. How about you? But I'm personally tired (literally and figuratively) of running around and being busy all day and then at the end, feeling like I got nothing productive done. So I'm giving this relaxation thing a try. Starting today. It's my little Valentine's Day gift to myself.

Rose Leaf Bath Tea by Garden Apathecary

To help me enter into a self-care ritual that includes deep relaxation, I did some searching on Etsy (my favorite place to find handmade goodies by mommies like myself!) I went in search for some simple and natural products that would entice me to stick to my new ritual. And I found these beautiful products made by women who seemed to already share my concerns for health, wellness and relaxation. Each one made lovingly by hand in their homes. I also found a few yummy indulgences that make for a very special Valentine's Day treat.

Coconut Chocolate Truffles by Talk About Sweet

So I invite you on this Valentine's Day, to breathe. Relax. Perhaps run a warm bath using some of your favorite bath salts and breathe in the healing scent of your favorite essential oils. Then close your eyes and enjoy a moment of complete relaxation. Think of 5 things you're grateful for and then totally enjoy immerse yourself in the love that makes up your life. Then repeat. Do this for the next two hours. I too will be trying this out today.

Mommies, if you have to do this after the little ones have all gone to bed, then I completely get it. Just remember to give yourself this time. Relax, rejuvenate and remember to appreciate and love yourself.

Happy Valentine's Day.

Warmly,
Rebecca


P.S. Let me know if this relaxation time becomes a ritual for you, and how it impacts your productivity. I'll be working toward my goals right alongside you and will share my progress in the upcoming posts!

Creative Collaboration: A Giveaway With Belinda Love Lee

Sometimes, when you go looking, you meet someone who inspires you with their creativity, style and let's-make-it-happen attitude. When we came across Belinda Love Lee's Instagram gallery full of photos shot with an artistic eye, we took notice. Upon closer examination, we discovered that Belinda is a talented illustrator and designer. That of course explains why her photos are so beautifully styled in a minimal and thoughtful way.

Hand written lettering and illustrations are an essential part of Belinda's designs.

But what we admire about Belinda goes beyond creativity and style. She did what so many of us dream about doing...she took her talents, concentrated her efforts, and took the real plunge. She daringly took her dreams and made them a reality and forged a successful business centered around her talents and creativity. No small feat in the competitive world of design.

Illustrations and Design work by Belinda Love Lee

So it's an honor to have Belinda on board with Jay + Renae as a Creative Collaborator. When we reached out to her a couple months ago and introduced ourselves, Belinda responded with enthusiasm for what we're building. It inspires us that amazing and strong women like Belinda are willing to give so generously of their time, effort and energy to support our Collective's efforts and help us realize our vision more fully.

Jay + Renae Giveaway with Belinda Love Lee on Instagram

Together, we are jointly celebrating women in creative ventures, recognizing each others contributions to our communtiy of strong women entrepreneurs, and helping to foster success by supporting each others' efforts. And to celebrate our collaboration, Belinda is hosting a giveaway with our Collective's Founding Maker Rebecca Scott. Hop on over to Belinda Love Lee to enter and win one of Rebecca Scott's handmade pieces valued up to $150 USD (retail value).

Rebecca Scott of Jay + Renae Collective Win one of her pieces valued up to $150 USD (retail value) Visit the SHOP to view the whole collection. 

Rebecca's work focuses on highlighting striking cuts of gemstones in minimal designs. She also harnesses the ancient art of weaving to create a distinctly modern Woven Collection. Her woven pieces sparkle with just the right hint of gold and gemstones for a sophisticated yet casual vibe.

Visit her Etsy shop to view Rebecca's entire collection. And head over to Belinda's beautiful blog to get all the details to enter and win!

Good Luck Everyone!

xoxo

What If We Each Did More Than Our Part?

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LARUEL GUNNARSON WORKING WITH THE LADIES OF  The Didi Jewelry Project

Remember the above photo of Laurel Gunnarson working with the women of The Didi Jewelry Project? It was taken a little over a year ago during her last trip to India. This year, instead of taking her annual trip, she finally decided to do what she's been avoiding for a long time.

The Didi Jewelry Project teaches women facing extreme hardships in India the skill of jewelry making so they can have the means to create a life they deserve.

You may recall from our interview with Laurel last year our surprise to discover that the Didi Jewelry Project is entirely funded by Laurel herself. In fact, Laurel often works several jobs in addition to managing the Project to make The Didi Jewelry Project possible. This year, Laurel sat down and took a candid look at things. And she arrived at a hard truth. As much as she has taken the right steps to get The Didi Jewelry Project where it is today, her efforts alone are simply not enough. In order to make a concrete difference in the lives of the women that the Didi Jewelry Project helps, the Project needs to do more. It needs to grow enough to provide a steady stream of work for the women who are already part of the Project. It also needs to increase its reach so she can help more women rise above their hardships.

This is Champa. She has been a part of the Didi Jewelry Project for several years. Here is what she has to say about her experience...

"Since I have engaged myself in making jewelry, I feel happy. I have gained confidence now that I can do something to take care of my family. Earlier...I used to just think about my disease. Now, I'm earning and supporting my family and I don't have time to worry."

Champa is a widow and a mother of two children. She is also a victim of HIV. When she married her husband, she had no way of knowing that her husband was HIV positive. Now a widow, she is left with a life threatening disease and two children to care for, in a society that believes that a widow does not even deserve to feel joy again. The Didi Jewelry Project provides hope for women like Champa. The Didi Jewelry Project helps make a new life possible.

Laurel reached out to us over the weekend to let us know that she has taken an important and vital step to ensure that The Didi Jewelry Project can continue to help women like Champa. She is fundraising and needs everyone's help. https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-didi-jewelry-project--2 Now we can all help make it possible for the Didi Jewelry Project to succeed. We can each make a small contribution to The Didi Jewelry Project so women like Champa can continue to work. We can make it possible for Champa to continue to feel the incredible joy of being able to work and provide for her children...something we often take for granted. Go here to contribute directly to the fundraiser: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-didi-jewelry-project--2 When you purchase a Didi original on our Jay + Renae website, we will donate 100% of the proceeds to The Didi Jewelry Project fundraiser. As a thank you for your contribution, you will also receive 50% off any purchase of Rebecca Scott Jewelry purchased today on our website.* Please use coupon code: DidiThanksYou  The fundraiser ends today so please go now and take this opportunity to make a difference in these women's lives.  *Please note that Rebecca Scott Jewelry must be purchased together with The Didi Jewelry Project in one transaction to activate the 50% discount on Rebecca Scott Jewelry.

Below is our interview with Laurel last year. What is your favorite part about going to India and working with the women of The Didi Jewelry Project?  I love going to India and being able to share something I love with the ladies of The Didi Jewelry Project. They are all so eager to learn and grateful for the work.  The idea that jewelry making can help better the lives of these ladies and their families is very exciting to me. And it’s always a reality check to go back to India… I realize how amazing, beautiful and kind people can be despite such harsh realities!  It truly inspires me. Also there is something very amazing about communicating when there is a language barrier that always leaves me in awe about humanity.  I know very little Hindi and they know little to no English, but somehow we communicate.  It is not just that they are able to learn to make the jewelry, but that we are able to read and understand each other on a deeper level.  We understand and can read each other's emotions, sometimes even better than you can with someone who speaks the same language.  Being able to connect with the ladies in this way is really very special.

Was there anything that made this trip particularly memorable/significant? This trip was really significant to me because I feel like I am beginning to see how the Project is slowly helping these ladies. They are more confident and happy, and tell me that it is because of this work! This is very encouraging and motivating. The ladies whom I have worked with before were excited to learn new designs and caught on very quickly. I was also very impressed with some of their designs!   It was a great productive trip. It was a joy spending my days teaching and designing jewelry, sipping chai and singing silly songs. When you purchase any of The Didi Jewelry Project original designs on our Jay + Renae website, we will donate 100% of all proceeds directly to the The Didi Jewelry Project fundraiser.

Laurel started The Didi Jewelry Project because she wanted to make a lasting impact on these women's lives. As she describes it, Laurel fell in love with India during her first trip there as a teenager. She was mezmorized by the sights, sounds, smells and beauty around her. But she was equally struck by the poverty and inequality that she witnessed. Over the course of several years, Laurel traveled to India to volunteer at a number of NGO's working closely with women and children. Through this work, she learned of the hardships these women and children faced.   Young girls who are victims of sex trafficking Children who are forced into child labor Women who are HIV positive and left to die on the streets Widows who are stigmatized and thought should never experience joy again The core goal of The Didi Jewelry Project is to give these women the means to help create the life they deserve.  “Our mission is to provide Indian women engulfed in hardship with an opportunity for change. By teaching them jewelry making and selling their products, we empower women financially and personally.”                                                                                                                          Laurel Gunnarson We are incredibly honored to have Laurel and The Didi Jewelry Project as part of the Jay + Renae Collective Like Us! JayAndRenae.com Contact Us Pinterest Copyright © 2015 Jay + Renae, All rights reserved.