Maggie Whitley Designs

joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith & simple living

  • mamahood
    • homeschool
    • Maxwell
    • Natalie
    • Marigold
    • Landon
    • baby things
  • faith
    • 23 identities we bear – PDF
  • inspiration
    • our home
    • books
    • lifestyle
    • marriage
    • homeschool
    • simple living
    • we’re debt free!
    • book recommendations
  • creativity
    • sewing
    • embroidery
    • tutorial/DIY
    • hair + beauty
    • craft project
    • knitting/crocheting
  • devotionals
    • (in)courage Devotional Bible
    • 31 Days of Prayer for the Dreamer & Doer
    • Tanzania + Compassion
  • new? start here
You are here: Home / inspiration / Faith / {How shopping for your DIY projects, home decor + fashion/accessory posts can actually *help* others.}

{How shopping for your DIY projects, home decor + fashion/accessory posts can actually *help* others.}

January 28, 2013 · 7 Comments
Filed Under: Faith, inspiration

When I first heard of Pure Charity I immediately thought about my friends over at Compassion International. If you remember, last May Zack + I traveled to Tanzania. And while we were there we feel deep in love with how good it is to help others. Compassion is an organization that releases children from poverty in Jesus’ name through the help of sponsorship. And while in Tanzania, Zack + I had very personal experiences with how big Jesus’ love is for us.

For Zack it was buying a necklace and later learning a little boy named Winner, whom Zack created a special bond with while on our trip, made the necklace. For me it was praying I’d become a mommy someday with a few of the young Tanzanian girls. And we all know how that turned out… :) So it’s safe to say Gussy Sews hearts Compassion. Big time.

But back to Pure Charity… :)

Pure Charity is an online affiliate for GIVING. They have over 1,000 major retailers and brands on board {plus nonprofits signing up daily}, that allows each retailer to automatically donates a percentage of our everyday shopping to a project of our choice.

To summarize: everyday shopping + Pure Charity = a beautiful mix of magic + giving to those in need.

In fact, Pure Charity provided me with some money to shop from their Rewards. Here are some of the items I picked out…

So now you know a little bit about Pure Charity + you know why Zack + I love Compassion — imagine how excited I was to learn Compassion International is one of the projects Pure Charity has made available for people to fund!

The basic, everyday purchases we make: groceries, items for Baby, clothing for the Mister + I, flights + travel, pet supplies for Bauer — all of these purchases assists a project {specifically, Compassion International’s Child Survival Program in Ethiopia} all because I linked my debit card with Pure Charity.

A little over a month later, after we returned from Tanzania, Zack + I found out we were pregnant. It’s not hard for me to express the joy we feel, and how important it is to be praying for one another, to be supporting {however that looks for you} organizations that do good, pure goodness. Sometimes it’s difficult to know where to start, which is why I wanted to share Pure Charity with you.

I’ve been able to share this gift of pregnancy on my blog through my Baby Bump posts, and a handful of the clothing I’ve featured came from Gap + Target. Remember, they are both affiliated with Pure Charity, so by shopping with these retailers I’m also helping to fund a project.

Sidenote: oh my goodness, my mama heart can hardly contain how much I love that Compassion International + Pure Charity are partners!!!

Here are a few more of the items I picked out:


But like I mentioned above, I believe it’s time to rally the Gussy Sews community so together we can help fund the Compassion Child Survival Program Ethiopia project.

Here’s where the project is at today:


What do you say? Are you in? Yes? YEOW!

Here’s how you sign up:
1. Create a Pure Charity account — you can “follow me” so our giving {remember, this is through basic/everyday shopping} can build. You can also sign up through Facebook!

2. Take a second to install the browser plug-in, which is super handy if you are an online shopper! Your basic/everyday shopping can be tracked through your online shopping, allowing you to GIVE even more. Some of my very favorite online retailers, ones we shop with regularly, are: Forever 21, Gap, Sephora, Target + Groupon {yeow!}.

3. Next, link your debit/credit card. Remember each retailer has a set % they have committed to donating to Pure Charity. If you want to donate personally to a project {throws confetti in the air} that is fabulous! But it’s not required. Linking your card simply tells the retailer where their money will be going {into your Pure Charity giving fund}.

3a. Finally, the DIY projects you work on, the home decor items you shop for, the fashion/accessory posts you publish — you can actually *help others* through your regular blog expenses. There are over 1,000 major retailers + brands committed to Pure Charity, be sure to check out who’s on the list.

4. Find a project that speaks to your heart, then — support it!

5. Lastly, share it with your online communities! ♥


So c’mon, let’s rally up + GIVE with Pure Charity! xoxo

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Email
  • Print
  • LinkedIn


7 Comments
Filed Under: Faith, inspiration

Join over 4,000 women who receive Maggie Whitley Designs inspiration & encouragement:

 

Loading

« {Baby Bump — 34 week update}
{Headband Restyle // DIY} »

Comments

  1. Christina P says

    January 28, 2013 at 12:32 pm

    This is really cool! I know of escript (same concept) which my folks have used to support my HS dance team when I was on it as well as our local Boy Scout community (still). Its so easy to do as its just linking then shopping like normal!

    Reply
  2. Emily says

    January 28, 2013 at 5:33 pm

    I discovered Pure Charity some time ago, but I didn’t know you could link up your cards until now! Thank you so much for sharing this, I hope many people take advantage of how easy it is to make a difference!

    Reply
  3. Sudha says

    March 19, 2014 at 5:32 am

    DENNIS HENKELHi John, Our Sunday school class wahetcs your postings every week, we follow that up with our prayer time and we pray for you and your family. Jackie and I pray for you every day, I hope this week is going well for you. We love you all, Dennis and Jackie Date: Sun, 3 Feb 2013 00:23:12 +0000 To:

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. {How your sassy looks can change the world: Sephora + Pure Charity} says:
    January 30, 2013 at 3:00 am

    […] Monday I shared how creating an account with Pure Charity + going about your everyday shopping can help oth…. In case you missed the post you can click the above link to read more on what I’m talking […]

    Reply
  2. shop talk : new in the shop this week! | Perfectly Imperfect Blog | House stuff info says:
    February 7, 2013 at 1:06 pm

    […] When I first heard of Pure Charity I immediately thought about my friends over at Compassion International. If you remember, last May Zack + I traveled to Tanzania. And while we were there we feel deep in love with how good …Read more […]

    Reply
  3. Living the Well Appointed Life with Melissa Hawks: Style, Fashion … | Home decorator info says:
    February 8, 2013 at 5:18 am

    […] When I first heard of Pure Charity I immediately thought about my friends over at Compassion International. If you remember, last May Zack + I traveled to Tanzania. And while we were there we feel deep in love with how good …Read more […]

    Reply
  4. Stores In North Houston To Furnish Your Apartment | House stuff info says:
    February 9, 2013 at 3:34 am

    […] When I first heard of Pure Charity I immediately thought about my friends over at Compassion International. If you remember, last May Zack + I traveled to Tanzania. And while we were there we feel deep in love with how good …Read more […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

ABOUT MAGGIE WHITLEY DESIGNS:
Maggie Whitley weaves her writings around joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith, and simple living. She homeschools her children, enjoys a quiet room while reading, and roars with laughter over the challenges & delights of motherhood. Maggie and her husband, along with their four young children, live in metro-Detroit. She has been writing online since 2008.
READ MORE >>
  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

recent posts:

  • The books I hope to read this year. January 12, 2021
  • Merry Christmas! Plus, adding a little warmth to my home. December 21, 2020
  • Life around here! December 15, 2020
  • 10 “field trips” ideas for your homeschoolers (Detroit & beyond) September 2, 2020
  • 7 books we are reading aloud this year August 19, 2020
  • A fall-themed homeschool resource! August 12, 2020
  • Studying the Bible July 30, 2020
  • What do you consider “a good book”? July 23, 2020

EMAIL NEWSLETTER

Join over 4,000 women who receive Maggie Whitley Designs inspiration & encouragement:

 

Loading

need some encouragement?

I wrote a 7-page refresher of the identities you bear when you are rooted in Christ. Click the image below to download, save + print.

TOPICS I WRITE ABOUT

maggiewhitley

JOY in motherhood & homemaking 🧺🌿💓✨

maggiewhitley
Another batch of “fun mail” is headed out tomo Another batch of “fun mail” is headed out tomorrow :) small celebrations like this are very life giving! PS. thinking of starting a zoom book club — I need more sisterhood in my life. 👏🏻📖
The house is quiet. The heat is on. The pages are The house is quiet. The heat is on. The pages are turning. The tea is calm. 🖤☕️🧺📖
Breakfast with Buzz! If only you could see his ful Breakfast with Buzz! If only you could see his full costume and laser blaster and of course the Buzz action figure he flys around 🌟💚💙💨someone has discovered a superhero crush! #joyinmotherhood #slowmornings #surprisedbymotherhood // Landon @ 2.5yo
Today on my blog I have a list of books I hope to Today on my blog I have a list of books I hope to read this year. Plus my reading goal for the year. And a few practicals ways I fit in reading as a mama of four young children & homeschooling them. Basically, all the good stuff ☺️💓📖 #maggiewhitleydotcom #readersofinstagram #read #readmorebooks
It was the perfect opportunity to rearrange the fu It was the perfect opportunity to rearrange the furniture as we took the tree down Tuesday midday. Def one of my fav things to do.🎄👋🏻 We made it through our first week back to school since mid-December! It was rough to begin but ended with high fives. ⭐️✏️This morning I zoomed with a mama friend and I’m impressed with the many topics we covered. Sisterhood is sooooo necessary! ☕️👩🏽‍🤝‍👩🏼

Just a few cheery memories from my week! How about you?
Book reading! One of my best “Maggie” activiti Book reading! One of my best “Maggie” activities. I finished my last book moments before 2020 ended, which brought my started list to a close. Small joys add up to big joys ;)

What are you reading this year? Currently?

How many books are you planning to read? What’s your goal?

I’ll share what’s on my list for 2021 soon as I received some nice titles at Christmas. 📖✨🤍
We’re driving home in the dark of the winter nig We’re driving home in the dark of the winter night after a beautiful, hard & intentional couple of days working on a project ✨I’m committed to work on this this year; 2021 is already great. 🤩🤐😘
Ohhhhh, this year. Ohhhh, specifically these last Ohhhhh, this year. Ohhhh, specifically these last 3 months. I’ve had more anxiety than ever, and it’s seriously putting me on my knees in prayer —almost daily. My mind and chest aren’t unfamiliar of the attacks, but the grip it’s had on me since September has been so strong. The attacks are painful. But... Worship music has been one of my main healers. 🎶I know God is close to the broken-hearted (Psalm 34:18), and singing this truth really soothes me. Social media has been a big trigger for anxiety for me. I don’t want to “miss out on my life”, which is why I’ve hugely stepped back in posting and scrolling. 

One song in particular comes to mind:

“We step into Freedom. 
We step into all you have for us.” -Bethel Music & Jenn Johnson

There IS freedom from the anxiety attacks. For me: music, scripture, eating healthy, vitamins, rest, crying, prayer, honesty — these things help tremendously. Also getting up and MOVING when my anxiety sits on me like a boulder, that helps too. 🖤

Another soothing truth is from the end of Psalm 34:19 — “many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the lord delivers him of them all.”

Seriously. Thank you lord. Thank you for music and for rest and for the words in your book. I need them. I need You. I need Your freedom. I trust you’ll deliver me.
Nearing the end of my “20 letters in 20 weeks” Nearing the end of my “20 letters in 20 weeks” challenge. Many stayed in Michigan, but mail was also sent to Colorado, Texas, California, Indiana, and Arizona. I loved this personal exercise! I have just one question: who will be my pen-pal for 2021? ✏️💌
We piled in the car this morning for a nature walk We piled in the car this morning for a nature walk. When I finally walked out and sat down, they shouted, “THE QUEEN! EVERYBODY CHEER FOR THE QUEEN!” (yes, they really call me that...☺️💓☺️)

I brought our basket of mittens and gloves and hats. The older two brought RC cars. Bauer the dog came along; we had a wonderful time on our walk.

The afternoon was harder, but overall the day was sandwiched between two really sweet time slots.

Bedtime tonight was wonderful. We read two chapters from our read aloud and Max lost another baby tooth.

This job I have, it really wears me down AND fills me up. It’s a constant take away AND fill up. Even when the moments feel so fitful, I know the story is rich. 

🕯🌙 Hello, sweet slumber. You’re carrying my babies away to a peaceful land. Goodnight, my children. Goodnight.

#motherhood #motherhoodunplugged #motherhoodissanctifying #naturewalk #michigan
There’s a woman on Instagram I check on every co There’s a woman on Instagram I check on every couple of weeks because she is so sparkly & cheerful. She shares little pep talks, she wears fuchsia lipstick. She says, “like so, like that” when she’s explaining something. She’s a hoot. I love the joy that bursts from her eyes when she talks. In her own unique ways, her perspectives pull back the fog I often find myself in. I’m a weary mama, and her energy and gentleness feels nurturing, though I haven’t met her... I would love to meet her. 👩🏽‍🤝‍👩🏼I’m inspired by the snippets of life she shares online. Thank you, Tabitha for sharing your light. 🕯💓💄🌿@iamtabithabrown
What has kept you and your home busy as of late? F What has kept you and your home busy as of late? For us, it’s this…

The sound of Julia Robert’s calming voice is playing in the background of our playroom. Yesterday we finished another read aloud, Charlotte’s Web, so today my children are watching the movie. Knowing in-detail the lessons they are learning, along with reading books together, definitely adds to the joy of motherhood; the joy of teaching my children and being with them for so many hours each day. We experience so much together. Even when things feel chaotic at home, when I can’t call something by the correct name they still long to be near me and work alongside me. Tired has been a dear companion to me for the last seven years, but my children are gentle with their responses.

💞💬More on my blog! #maggiewhitleydotcom
It’s the season of perpetual hope. 🎄✨📖Of It’s the season of perpetual hope. 🎄✨📖Of books that shape our minds, of anticipation, of creative projects that mar our kiddos clothing (but morph our memories into beauty). Oh right! There are cookies cooling on the counter — gotta go! ✌🏻
Keeping my hands busy (making wooden bead garland Keeping my hands busy (making wooden bead garland for our tree; link posted to Stories) and my mind inspired (watching HGTV). I really enjoy the quiet of the evening after a full, rich day. God is so kind to give this to me today. What have you received today? 🎄💫📿
This guy is my steady; my Zack. This is a latergra This guy is my steady; my Zack. This is a latergram from October, from one of our many fall adventures with the kids. We had so many fun day trips, I don’t even remember where this was taken 👏🏻⭐️. I’m gonna guess Cranbrook Gardens.
This morning I sat on the front porch and read my This morning I sat on the front porch and read my book & drank coffee. The birds were with me, nearly a hundred of them. Fluttering from rooftop to treetop to hiding inside the bushes. So beautiful and calm. Mother culture... the path to joy in motherhood & homemaking.
Well kiddos, we had a great summer together! 🥳👏🏻🛴⛱🍦🤸🏼‍♀️🎨🎹🏊🏻‍♂️🧺🎠📚📺🍿🌿🌷☀️🚲

Thanks for coming along with me to the pool, nature trails, the park, hosting friends in our backyard, reading adventures, popcorn & movie night, art, planting flowers, planting a garden, bike rides, neighborhood walks, lake swimming, and supplying the ice cream truck w/ roughly $84 this summer. 

I loved our time together! 🥰🧒🏼👩🏻👧🏼🧒🏻

And the great news is this: we have autumn to enjoy together, too! 👏🏻🌾🍃🍂 so thankful.
Even if you don’t have students learning at home Even if you don’t have students learning at home, these ten “field trip” ideas will give your day a boost. 

When your mind feels foggy, step outside. When your home feels too small or too big, step outside. When the bickering is loud or your internal criticism is high, step outside. 

Give yourself (and your family) the joy of an adventure away from the home. 

🌾Visit my blog for the full post, link in profile or #maggiewhitleydotcom
It’s come to my realization there’s plenty of It’s come to my realization there’s plenty of time these days to craft a letter when I wash dishes, take my kids on a walk, or take care of our garden. All that silence, it makes my internal monologue even louder 🤣. 

Many times we are out & about in the neighborhood and I think, “oh the flowers surrounding your porch are lovely!” Or, “wow” (to the elderly man) “you have such a great smile, thanks for sharing it with us!” Wouldn’t it be great to jot that down in a card and send it through the mail as well?

We are always in need of community & kind words! 🌷💬

I remember many years ago, when nearly pregnant with another baby and our personal finances were THE PITS, my best friend came over with $500 cash. Just to bless us. She also included a personal note. Of course, I’ve always known how special personal notes are, but this card really meant so much.

And so I’ve decided as the year-end nears: wouldn’t it be nice to send a letter a week for the final 20 weeks we have left in 2020. Me thinks so 🙂. 

Community & kind words: I’m coming for you!

PS. wanna join me in sending 20 cards by Dec. 31?
🖤working on our school room, mid-process update 🖤working on our school room, mid-process update! this wall is inspired by @mygrandparentschair 👏🏻 

I saw her feature in a recent issue of “Better Homes & Gardens” and I was all 🤩🤩over her foyer. I’m using 1/2” black masking tape (mistake-making friendly) instead of paint, also renter friendly. 

Working on this project has been so good for my mental health. Doing > worrying.
Load More... Follow on Instagram

POPULAR POSTS:

  • How we paid off over $65K in debt in 3 years
  • Gift wrap made from Real Simple magazine
  • Living with joy & refreshment
  • Having a TV detox & minimizing our toys
  • How we paid off $42K in debt in 2 years
  • How to style your wavy (or curly) hair
  • How to sew a zippered pouch
  • How to accurately price your handmade items
  • How we are getting out of debt
  • How to make a freedom change
  • What to focus on when you "stay at home"
  • Twenty "20-minute crafts" you must try
  • Having something to look forward to

devotionals written by Maggie:

the (in)courage Devotional Bible:
Proverbs 14:1 and Lamentations 5
31 Days of Prayer for the Dreamer and Doer:
on Simplicity

Categories

Archives

Copyright © 2021 · Divine Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.