World Market wanted to make donations to a variety of charities or shelters around the country, so they asked me to put together a gift basket of items selected from one of their stores. They also let me choose which shelter to donate this basket to, and after some thought I selected Sojourn — a women’s shelter located in Santa Monica. The meaning behind their name resonated with my soul; I knew they would be a perfect fit. So, I used my sassy blue eyes to put together a pamper-filled gift basket for the ladies staying at Sojourn + I can’t wait to share with you what I picked out.
Deciding what to fill the gift basket didn’t take too long. I may only know a tiny bit about Sojourn, but the women that stay there — I know they have the same kind of needs I do. Already I felt connected to them.
My mind started to wander off, wondering about their stories, the things they enjoy doing — and especially during Christmas, the families they have {or have left behind}. Not to mention the weight the holidays are known to bring.
Living stress-free lives is not only important for daily peace, but for inner peace. We women need to make sure we’re living stress-free lives, and again, my mind went back to the women at Sojourn. Then I saw this bar of lavender soap…
And I knew what to do. Of course I knew I’d be selecting some sort of wicker basket for the items World Market was donating to Sojourn, but when I turned down World Market’s basket aisle I seriously was blown away at how many beautiful, textured baskets they were to choose from. I love they offer their customers a large selection, including color of basket, price + size.
When I think about living a stress-free life or needing to sort through the craziness of life in order to feel more peace, the truth is — for me — this starts in the morning. Having a restful night of sleep, feeling safe at home, being able to start the workday with freshness + peace dancing around us is so unbelievably important.
We women, we are strong. We are {often} a companion, a wife, a mother, a sister, a co-worker + a friend. We are talented in so many ways. We love hard, feel plenty + juggle multiple roles well. But we need to make sure we’re taking care of our selves, which we often curb.
The gift basket I put together for Sojourn is filled with pamper-encouraging items.
A floral shower curtain + roller rings…
A tube of Aromas Artesanales de Antigua hand cream in Lotus Flower…
Bath towels, hand towels, washcloths in Frost Gray, fancy lotion + ceramic bird canisters {small + medium}…
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Another tube of Aromas Artesanales de Antigua hand cream, this time in Lemongrass + Basil, plus a beautiful round bathmat…
All of these pamper-encouraging, self-soothing, pretty-smelling items are packed inside a sturdy World Market wicker basket.
I hope the stress relief here can help these women in times that must be so stressful. I pray that, for just a few minutes in the morning, they can feel like the beautiful women they are, and feel empowered to face the day + chase dreams that can feel so far away. Since starting this blog, over four years ago, encouraging others has been a huge part of its purpose, and what I share on here has to align with that.
The Gussy Sews community never ceases to amaze me… Yes, that’s you! With all the sharing, listening + uplifting words/actions you pour out. Please always continue that.
We are a tribe. Sojourn is a tribe. And seriously, I’m so happy Gussy Sews was able to collaborate with World Market to assist the various shelters around the country.
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SHARE THE JOY SWEEPSTAKES — oh my, be sure you enter!:
- Grand Prize package includes: A $5,000 American Express Gift Card for you and $5,000 for a charity of your choice
- You could be one of 5 winners (one winner per week)
- The Share the Joy Sweepstakes ends 12/21/12
This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™, but the words in this post + all opinions are my own. This post also includes affiliate links.
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SHARE WITH ME: If you were putting together a gift basket, what would you put inside it + where would you drop it off? xo
What a great basket what woman wouldn’t love that :)
If I had to make a basket to give to one of the families we work with it would be extremely feminine, with the goal of bringing out their femininity. Unfortunately only 2 families we work with have a father in the home. Which means we have A WHOLE LOT of mothers thinking they have to assume the role as the father and the masculinity in that role, which is never who God intended them be. These women need to be treasured for their loveliness not for their masculinity.
I would include:
White Sculpted Francesca Bath Towel
Lavender Millefleurs Bubble Bath
Moroccan Rose Soap Petals
Peony Retreat Liquid Soap and Lotion Caddy
Blush Fairisle Wool Glittens
Blush Fairisle Wool Hat
I would donate to a local shelter for abused/neglected children. I’m thinking fun birthday party supplies to make a special day extra special. I’d make the trip with my friend who is a genius cake decorator. On our way home from shopping I’d sell her on my plan to have her make a years’ worth of birthday cakes based on the goodies we purchased at World Market. She is such a servant, she’ll probably come up with the idea before I get around to it!
The link for the sweepstakes isn’t working.
@Meghan, try now? https://www.facebook.com/#!/worldmarket/app_315124871876517
the link isn’t working!
@Krista J, try now, https://www.facebook.com/#!/worldmarket/app_315124871876517
Works now, thanks! It was just a 404 error on your site before.
Honestly, although I love World Market, my basket would contain only washcloths and towels from the store. I work in an area of town that is chock full of prostitutes selling their bodies, and with that, diminishing their inner beauty bit by bit. My basket would include basic items that are necessities, and a beautiful pair of very comfortable slippers. We, as believers, are called to love one another. What these girls need is a hug and a hand up. An encouraging word followed by love in action. What better way to start than by giving them a basket filled with beautiful necessities: toothbrush, hair ties, comb, lotion, feminine products, razors, Tylenol, Dove soap, toothpaste, lip balm, washcloths, deodorant, towels, and beautiful, comfortable slippers?
Honestly, although I love World Market, my basket would contain only washcloths and towels from the store. I work in an area of town that is chock full of prostitutes selling their bodies, and with that, diminishing their inner beauty bit by bit. My basket would include basic items that are necessities, and a beautiful pair of very comfortable slippers. We, as believers, are called to love one another. What these girls need is a hug and a hand up. An encouraging word followed by love in action. What better way to start than by giving them a basket filled with beautiful necessities: toothbrush, hair ties, comb, lotion, feminine products, razors, Tylenol, Dove soap, toothpaste, lip balm, washcloths, deodorant, towels, and slippers?
I’d love to fill some pet beds with supplies for our local Humane Society and Wildlife Sanctuary! They are always in need of basic supplies like paper towels, copy paper, stamps, trash bags, etc. :) They do such great work in our community, and had to deal with some horrible flooding over the summer that caused a lot of damage to the Wildlife Sanctuary facility, so it would be wonderful to be able to help them out!