Dressember 2015 Recap: Week 5

It's the end of Dressember and I'm so excited because, not only do I get to wear pants again, I also raised $1102 to fight against slavery and human trafficking! I am so thankful and amazed by the amount of support for Dressember this year. Thanks for joining with me this year to have a small part in fighting against this huge issue. When combined with everyone else doing Dressember, we have raised over $867,000 so far!

Even though Dressember is technically over, the fundraising doesn't officially end until the end of January. If you were waiting to donate, I'd still love to have your support. OR I also think it would be really fun to search through the Dressember participants to find someone who is really close to meeting their goal and finish it off for them! If you think that sounds fun too, here's the link!

Happy Dressember!

Dressember 2015 Recap: Week 4

Reasons why this was the best week of Dressember:

1. Christmas and Christmas break!

2. My "Dressember Forever" teammate (my sister Aimee) was here!

3. It hasn't even been too terribly cold!

4. The "small things challenge" has turned out to be not so small - this week all of the donations added up to $366!

5. Part of the $366 was from my extended family who all collected spare change between Thanksgiving and Christmas. When we put all of the change together on Christmas Eve we had $146 - a perfect example of how everyone giving a little can turn into something big. Then we voted on where to donate the money and everyone decided to give it to Dressember - hooray!

6. There are 5 days of Dressember left, and I've already reached over 75% of my $1000 goal for helping International Justice Mission and A21 rescue and rehabilitate survivors of human trafficking!

(If you'd like to help with the 25% that's left, here's the link)

Happy Dressember!

Dressember 2015 Recap: Week 3

This week has been full of Christmas, from the beginning of Christmas break to some of my favorite traditions, including going to The Music Box Theatre and watching "It's A Wonderful Life" on the big screen. I love watching the movie every year, and the part that usually gets me is the end, when all of George Bailey's friends chip in and repay the money he has lost so that he doesn't go bankrupt and end up in jail.

But this year, I was struck more by what Clarence tells George while he is trying to convince him that his life is important - "Funny how each man's life touches so many other lives, and when he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?" Then he reminded George of all of the good things that happened because of small things that he had done.

I think it's hard to remember, when you're in the middle of real life and doing things you think are so small, that the small things matter.

And that little things, like choosing kindness for those around you or donating a couple of dollars to help rescue women you will probably never meet, those things make a difference and they matter to someone. And that you make a difference and you matter to someone.

So the challenge for this week is to do something small that will matter to someone else. 

If you want to help with my small thing, I'm looking for 10 people to donate just $10 each to raise $100 this week for International Justice Mission and A21. (Here's the link)

If you think of your own small way to matter to someone else this week, I'd love to hear about that, too! 





Happy Dressember!

Dressember 2015 Recap: Week 2

We sang "O Holy Night" at church this week, and I couldn't help but think about Dressember as we sang these lines in particular:

Chains shall he break for the slave is our brother;
And in His name all oppression shall cease.

As we sang, I was glad to be a part of Dressember and supporting International Justice Mission and A21 and the work they are doing to break chains of slavery and relieve people from oppression around the world. (For more information their work, visit the IJM website or the A21 website).

And I am glad that even though my pictures from this week are a little ridiculous, there is some serious money being raised to fight modern day slavery. In fact, over $350,000 has been donated to the dressember campaign so far! And it's not even halfway through the month yet. I'm excited to see what happens as the month continues...



As always, if you want to support Dressember, here's my link to donate and feel free to share with others!

Dressember 2015 Recap: Week 1

I love Dressember for a lot of reasons. I love raising money and awareness for the issue of human trafficking. I love having a project/challenge to work on. I secretly love getting dressed up everyday. But one of the biggest reasons I love Dressember is because it brings together so many different people, all doing something small - like wearing a dress for a month, or donating a small amount of money, or sharing a facebook post - but when all of the small things are combined, it adds up to making a big difference. I'm already 30% of the way to my goal of $1000, and the entire Dressember campaign has raised over $250,000 so far. Amazing, right?!

And especially now, when it feels like the bad in this world is overwhelming the good, I'm grateful to have a small part in something spreading love and dignity instead of hate and fear.

So thanks for being a small part of my small part in Dressember. If you'd like to donate or help spread the word, here's the link to my page!

Happy Dressember! May your legs be warmer than mine!

Twas the Night Before Dressember...

...And I was going to try to be cute and write a little poem about how my dresses are hung in the closet with care and how my legs will be really cold for the next 31 days, but as I'm sitting here thinking about why my legs will be really cold for the next 31 days, I don't feel like being cute about it.

Because the reality is that the reason my legs are going to be cold and the reason the Dressember project exists is to raise awareness and support organizations that work to rescue victims of slavery and human trafficking. And while I am excited to raise awareness and support, I hate that we live in a world where that is even a concern.

So I'll be wearing a dress all month long, and partnering with Dressember to stand up for women who are trapped in slavery and human trafficking by raising money for International Justice Mission and A21.

Last year, my goal was to have each of the 31 days of Dressember sponsored for $10 a day, for a total of $300. I ended up raising over $500, so this year I'm going even bigger! My goal for this year is to have each day sponsored for $30 a day, for a total of about $1000! I'm super excited to see what happens, because I know that no one can do everything, but everyone can do something.

If you'd like to sponsor a day, or part of a day, here's the link to my fundraising page. Every little bit counts, so thanks for joining me on my Dressember journey!

Remember that time...

Remember that time Aimee and I wore only 7 items of clothing for a month? Or that time I read Jen Hatmaker's book, 7, and realized I have way too much stuff (like too many clothes in my closet)? Or even that time I wore only dresses for the month of December? Apparently I like projects that involve clothing.

Well, my current project started way back in January, and I just realized I should have been keeping track of it here since the beginning. It started as a New Year's Resolution idea: to stop buying new clothes for a year.

Why would I want to do that? 

1. I already have so many clothes in my closet, many of which I don't even wear. (See below).

2. A lot of my clothing I buy just because it's cheap, or "a good deal" but then I wear things once or twice and after that they just sit in the closet.

3. I've been reading and thinking and asking questions about how my choices contribute to some of the darker side of the fashion industry...Where is my clothing being made? Are the people who make my clothing paid a fair wage? What are the working and living conditions for the people making my clothing? Can the choices I make about buying (or not buying) clothing make a difference?

4. I'm always up for a project/challenge - I wanted to see if I could really do it!

My rules are pretty simple:

1. No buying new clothes for a year.
2. Buying used clothing (from garage sales, resale stores, etc...) is allowed.
3. Getting clothing as a gift (for birthday, Christmas, etc...) is allowed.
4. Any other questions could be solved by the (unofficial) Clothing Council.

I've been at this for about 6 months now, and you know I've got lots of thoughts and stories to share, so stay tuned...

The End of Dressember

I am writing this while wearing sweatpants...sweatPANTS...because Dressember is officially over! Back to jeans (pajama jeans, maybe?), and hopefully warmer legs! But before I'm officially done, here are just a few last pictures and stats from my Dressember...

Money raised by me (really, all of you): $526 - Amazing!!!!

Money raised by the whole Dressember campaign (so far): $440K - Wow!!!!

Different dresses worn by me: 11(ish...I maybe didn't take a picture every day, so I'm not totally sure on this one)

Most times I wore the same dress: 6 (Hmm...6 times in 31 days, too many times?)

Times I was really jealous of other people who got to wear pants: 4 (mostly on Fridays, when everyone else was wearing jeans! Also, while I was in Spain. And on the plane. Ok, maybe that number is closer to 8.)

I've been seriously overwhelmed by the amount of support from so many different people - you donated, took my pictures of the day, didn't make fun of me because I didn't wear jeans on Fridays, got other people involved, prayed for and thought about the women who are trapped in trafficking and slavery - it's been pretty cool to see how one small thing can bring so many different people together to make a difference!

I know that's one of the things I will take away from this month - that everyone working together can make a huge difference. $526 may not seem like a lot of money, but when combined with everyone doing Dressember...imagine how much of a difference $440K is going to make!

The other thing wearing a dress everyday reminded me to do was to pray for the women trapped in slavery and trafficking, and that's not a small thing, either. So even though I'm not wearing a dress everyday anymore, I'm going to try to remember to pray for these women every time I do put on a dress.

Thanks for participating in Dressember with me...hopefully you've become more aware of and maybe even been inspired to get involved in this issue of human trafficking. Maybe you'll even wear dresses all month with me next year?! Hopefully you haven't gotten too tired of all of my crazy dress pictures, either!

And if you're interested in more information or ways to get involved with this issue, check out what these organizations are doing...

International Justice Mission    The Exodus Road    Kwagala Project 

Here's one last picture for you...check out all of my tights and fleece-lined leggings on laundry day...

Happy Dressember and Happy New Year! 

Just Pictures

Well, nothing very interesting to say today, just some pictures from the week. A little proof that I am actually still wearing a dress everyday. And, check out the last picture - different shoes!

It's Bigger Than a Dress!

One of the hashtags for the Dressember campaign is #itsbiggerthanadress

I love the idea that it's not just about wearing a dress for 31 days...It's about spreading awareness...spreading hope...and making a difference wherever you are...

My #itsbiggerthanadress story goes like this...

Last week when I got to work, students were already lined up in the hallways. A bunch of them were holding green papers. Others were passing out green papers to students and staff. One of the kids came up to me with a flyer and said "Do you know about this?" I took the paper, and this is what I saw...

Please make a donation for the ladies
so when they get out of slavery

Other kids were passing out this one...

Please help Miss Granzow
raise $ for slavery

How precious is that!? Another 2nd grade teacher on my team had been telling her class about what I was doing, and they decided to make the flyers and raise money to help. They created these flyers (all by themselves - notice the spelling!) and then my friend printed out information about Dressember from the website to put on the back. Then the kids passed these flyers out all over the school, to students and staff, explaining what I was doing and why it was important. My favorite example: one boy went up to our PE teacher, shoved the flyer in her face, and asked "Do you want to help Miss Granzow stop slavery?" LOVE.

And while I love raising money and awareness for women trapped in slavery and trafficking, I also love that Dressember is being used to teach a bunch of elementary school kids about generosity...giving their time...their writing...their spare change...

So tonight, as I made a $110 donation to Dressember from the students and staff at my school and then raised my goal to $500, I thought again about how true it is, that no one can do everything, but everyone can do something...even if you're only in 2nd grade! 

#itsbiggerthanadress

(And, like always, if you want to contribute, check out my fundraising page here)

Mission Accomplished!

Wow! In just 16 days, all 31 of my Dressember days have been sponsored for $10 a day, plus a little extra! I have raised $325, which is 105% of my goal completed! Hooray!
And so far the Dressember campaign has raised over $215,000! How amazing is that?!

Here's what I looked like this morning, when I saw that all 31 days had been sponsored...

And here are last week's pictures...Sorry about the bad selfies, especially the headless one...Also, I realized I'm wearing the same boots in every picture...maybe time to branch out?

If you were hoping to support IJM and survivors of human trafficking, it's not too late. Even though I've met my goal, you can still feel free to head on over to my page and donate! Thanks so much for supporting!

Confession...

...I have worn this dress 3 times this week. Ok, 3 days in a row. But in my defense, it is cold here, and this dress is like a big long sweatshirt, and it's so comfy and warm. I did spill something on it this morning, though, so I guess I won't be able to wear it again tomorrow (good thing!)

In other news, we have raised $185 for International Justice Mission so far!

Here are some of the things IJM could do with that money...

• Provide 6 days of aftercare for a survivor of trafficking ($30/day)
• Freedom Training for a family rescued from slavery ($111)

For more about how your support can change lives, check out IJM's giving page.

And if you want to help me reach my goal of $10 a day for the month of December, check out my Dressember page! 

 

Happy Dressember!

It's Dressember again! 

That means I'll be wearing a dress every day this month and standing up for women who are trapped in slavery and trafficking by raising money for International Justice Mission.

Here's a peek at my first week.

And here's a peek at my Dressember page. 

(Check it out to see what you can do to help.)

I'm participating in Dressember because now that I know about how many women and girls are enslaved around the world, I can't unknow it. And I have to do something. This small thing, wearing a dress each day for a month, is my something. I believe I can make a difference, because no one can do everything, but everyone can do something.

Will you join me in doing something and help me meet my goal of $10 a day for the month of December? 

A Big Box of Scentsy!

Look what just showed up at my doorstep! A big box full of fun, new Scentsy products! 

A friend is starting up a new Scentsy business and when she asked if I would review some products on my blog, I couldn't say no! I didn't know anything about Scentsy, but I couldn't wait to try it out. Here's what I learned about how it works. It's pretty simple. First you pick your warmer, then you pick your scents.
I picked the Angora warmer, and it looks so good in my kitchen! There are so many cute ones, I'm already thinking about what I should get next!

All you do is plug in the warmer and turn it on, then put one of the little scent cubes in. There's a light bulb in the bottom that melts the wax. When it starts to melt, then the room starts to smell amazing! It's like a candle, without the flame.

In my big Scentsy box I also got a few different sample scents to try and a bag of little samples just to smell. There are so many different delicious scents, it's hard to decide which ones are my favorites!

After trying everything out for a few days, here are my favorite things about Scentsy: 

1. I love the different scents! The second one I tried was Coconut & Lemongrass and I loved it so much that I didn't want to try any of the others. It smells like summer, and with this everlasting winter, it is just what I need to cheer me up a little! I also like the White Tea & Cactus, and Just Breathe.

2. I love that there is no flame to worry about. True story - the other night I left the house and forgot to turn off the warmer. It was so nice that I didn't have to worry about it burning down my house, like I would have if I'd left a candle burning. Plus, when I got home 4 hours later, my house smelled delicious!

If you want to see more of the warmers and scents that Scentsy offers, I'm hosting an on-line party, so feel free to check it out here. You can also go directly to Cristina's website to see everything.

Check it out, and if you want to smell any of the sample scents, come on over!  

Sunday Snapshots: Failure

Remember that time I decided I was going to take a picture every day for a whole year? Well, it hasn't even been a month, and I've already failed. I lasted about 2 weeks before I realized I didn't have enough pictures for the third week!

I think I failed for 2 main reasons.

1. It's hard to remember to take a picture everyday.
2. When I did remember, my pictures were not interesting.

I guess that's one New Year's resolution I can cross off the list already! Oh well, it was fun while it lasted...

Sunday Snapshots: Week 2

My pictures for the week aren't super exciting, mostly because I was stuck in the house for most of the beginning of the week since it was so cold and snowy here. Oh well, at least I have one for each day. So far, so good!

Sunday Snapshots: Week 1

I don't know if this is still a thing, but I've decided to jump on the bandwagon (if there still is one) of taking a picture everyday for a year. So far I'm doing really well. As in, I have 5 pictures for the first 5 days of January. We'll see how it goes from here, especially since I have to go back to work on Tuesday and be all responsible and busy again. But for now, I'll stick with - I'm doing really well! See for yourself...

Also, I'm thinking about trying out the hoop nose-ring. (See: the biggest picture. Look closely, it's there.) Any thoughts?

New Year, New Clothing Choices!

Today I put on a pair of jeans for the first time in over a month! It felt a little bit strange, I'm not gonna lie. I kind of missed my fleece-lined leggings (seriously, those things are amazing!) But since it was all of about 8 degrees here today, with snow drifts up to my knees, I decided it was time to put on some pants. I also decided to do a little reflecting on Dressember.

I didn't wear all of the dresses I own. Not even close. Mostly because I wore the same few dresses over and over, with different sweaters or tights. But also because I own way too many clothes!

And after reading some of the book 7, in which the author gives away 7 things she owns everyday for a month, I felt like it was time to clean out the closet, or at least start in on the dresses. I kept the ones I wore during Dressember and the ones I know I've worn in the past few months. The rest, I tried on and thought about why I still had them in my closet. By the end, my floor looked like this

I had 9 dresese and 5 pairs of tights to get rid of.

And I still have plenty left hanging in the closet.

 

So now my question is: What do I do now?

 

I could save it and have a garage sale in the summer, but that really only helps me buy more stuff with the money I make, and do I really need more stuff? (NO)

 

I could give it to Goodwill, but somehow that doesn't feel like a very personal or meaningful way to give something away.

 

For now, I put the dresses and tights in my extra closet, and I'm going to continue to clean out my closets and look for more stuff to give away. I'm not sure if I'll do 7 things a day, but I'm going to try. In the meantime, I'll be thinking of what I'm going to do with all of the extra stuff I find in my house.

 

Any ideas?

Last Day, Hooray!

Well, don't look too hard at these pictures from the last day, because apparently by this point in Dressember I am so lazy that I am having a hard time making decisions about what to wear. I am definitely wearing the same dress as yesterday. Just picked it up right off the chair where I left it last night and put it right back on. I didn't even find a new sweater, that's how lazy I am. But I do have different (fleece-lined) tights on, so that's something, right? It's just so cold here, and this dress is like wearing sweatpants, only in the form of a dress, and I just couldn't help myself! And I can't even be sure that I won't put it on again tomorrow, but at least I won't have to post a picture of it!

Thanks for coming along on my Dressember adventure. I had fun, raised a little money for a great organization, and even managed to stay warm most of the time!

Stay tuned for more projects coming up soon. I just started reading Seven: an experimental mutiny against excess by Jen Hatmaker, and the entire book seems like one big New Year's resolution to me right now! Be warned, it might get a little crazy around here...

Happy Dressember and Happy New Year!

 

 

2 Days Left

Dressember is almost over and I'm pretty excited - it's getting really cold around here! But before it ends, I'm using today to show off a Christmas present made by my Grandma. She knitted boot cuffs for all of the her granddaughters, and they turned out super cute! And even though they're just cuffs, they still added some extra warmth on a day where the high was about 10 degrees!

So far the Dressember campaign has raised over $100,000. There are a few more days left to be part of it. Stay tuned for 1 more day of dresses...