Top Summer Hikes

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The weather has been just right in some of our favorite places in the U.S. making it the perfect time to "take a hike"! We really enjoy being outdoors (allergies and all!) and there is just something so liberating and freeing about climbing and walking some of the coolest trails. After all, we are not IN nature; we ARE nature! It's important to have moments of meditation and tranquility in addition to challenging yourself physically and hiking does just that. With all that being said, we started to ponder where some of the cool places to hike are and we jotted down some suggestions of cities and trails from TSS Reader and Alpha Chi Omega alumnae, Alyssa Conti, in conjunction with our faves. We then created  a list to share with you. Find our must-try places and/or cities to hike for the summer below and let us know which ones we are missing by leaving a comment below!

1. Twin Peaks in North Bend, WA
2. Grand Canyon in Arizona
3. Cascade Falls in Lake Tahoe
4. Waipio Valley, Hawaii
5. Rocky Mountain, Colorado
6. Durango, Colorado
7. Bryce Canyon, Utah 
8. Zion Canyon in Utah
9. Nounou Trail in Hawaii
10. Glacier National Park
11. Boulder Trail in Payson, AZ
12. Coal Creek Trail in Washington
13. Franklin Falls Trail in Washington

Things To Remember When Meeting the Parents For the First Time

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1. Dress appropriately. Here's a cute outfit we would wear!

2. Be respectful, but friendly.

3. Don't make yourself feel at home.

4. Don't wear too much make up.

5. Show how much you care about him.

6. Ask them questions; get to know them.

7. Sell yourself, but don't overpower conversations making it all about you.

8. Act interested (even if you're not).

9. Be confident.

10. Show your manners by thanking them for their hospitality!

Good luck!

The Airfare Secret

 

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Traveling can be super expensive, especially over the summer. We have been crying over the hefty airfare prices we have come across and have been seconds away from begging a friend of a friend of a friend for a buddy pass (yeah, we know--desperate!). But, then we got put up on quite possibly the most genius site ever (well, besides ours).

Skiplagged is an airline fare loop hole. The model is designed off of the idea that it's often times cheaper to buy a flight with more stops. Here is how they explain it!

Skiplagged is the only airfare search engine to not only find tickets where your destination is the final stop, but also any stop leading up to some other destination.

Why the latter? As part of the pricing model of many airlines, they would sometimes charge less for tickets where your destination is a layover rather than the final destination. This is price discrimination that has to do with being competitive in the industry. At the end of the day, what you would be doing here is purchasing more of a service than you need for less. There are some caveats though:

(1) no checked bags because they'll end up at the final destination [carry-ons are okay]
(2) must book two one-ways for round-trips
(3) shouldn't associate with frequent flyer programs
(4) there is risk of airlines removing your actual destination from your itinerary during times of irregular activity such as really bad weather
(5) you may be violating the contract of carriage for some airlines. Keep in mind that as the consumer, you have all rights to partially use the services you are paying for, so these trips are completely legal.

The savings are sometimes substantial (e.g. 80%), but it's up to you to decide whether they're worth it.

In addition to providing this transparent service, Skiplagged provides features like:
(1) seeing the cheapest destinations for almost any combination of departing airports and dates
(2) showing the prices of tickets for dates near your searched date(s)
(3) monitoring how the price for any search fluctuates every hour
(4) receiving alerts when the price of a search is near your reservation price

All of this is completely free and always will be. Some of the features may only be available on our desktop website right now, so for the full experience, check out skiplagged.com.

You can also download it here for the Android or here for iTunes.

4 Reasons Why You Shouldn't Live With Your New Boyfriend

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We know that many of you have embarked in new relationships and as we get older, having a boyfriend seems more serious to us. But, don't confuse your perception of serious with the idea that you have to make serious, life-changing decisions early on. One question posed in a lot of relationships is "Should we live together?". We do caution living with a brand new person you've just barely started a relationship with for four (4) reasons:

1. You will sacrifice solitude. Living with your new boyfriend means adopting a roommate. This means, no more privacy. You have to ask yourself if you're ready to share the same space with another person and sacrifice moments of peace and quiet.
2. You might feel trapped. Signing a lease puts you in a legal bind for a set amount of time. What if things don't work out in your new relationship? Then, you run the risk of living in misery since you're tied to a lease. Even if you found a way out, the headache in finding someone to take over your lease is enough to not sign one in the first place.
3. You will be playing house. Are you ready to potentially cook, clean, do your boyfriend's laundry, fold their clothes, and do every other thing that a wife might do for their husband? Expectations and standards may be set too high for you to handle.
4. You may lose sight of working on the relationship. Moving in together is often times perceived as a huge step in a relationship. A lot of the time it implies that the next step is marriage. Along the way, it isn't uncommon to get so comfortable living together that effective communication gets lost and there is no progression in the relationship. You run the risk of signals getting crossed, complacency, stagnancy, or lack of interest overall in the relationship. 

Of course, not all living situations are the same and ultimately it is your decision how you want to move forward in your relationship and your living situation. Overall, it's all about being smart about your choices and weighing the pros and cons. "Am I just trying to save money?" "Am I ready to live with someone of the opposite sex?" "What am I trying to gain from living together?" These are some questions to ask yourself as you evaluate whether it's for you.

Grad Gifts For Her

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Graduation is still around the corner for a lot of you and we know that there is one thing you're looking forward to besides the diploma---the grad gifts! While money is the quickest and easiest form of a gift, consider being a little sentimental by investing in a special or practical gift. Here are some of our faves:

This Shop Dandy monogrammed acrylic jewelry tray is perfect for adding some personalization in your dorm room or apartment and also keeping your jewelry nice and neat!

Tory Burch's Kerrington Square Tote is the cutest little bag to help carry books around campus or to simply look cute walking down the street!

Bauble Bar teamed up with FRENDS to provide the cutest pair of headphones + earrings. The headphones are embellished to perfection via Bauble Bar so you can look super chic and trendy while you're walking around campus or around town listening to music. On the flip side, you can change out the headphone caps to have a more simple style. Super cool!

These Warby Parker glasses are the cutest things ever and will make the grad look extra studious while study for those college final exams.

You can never go wrong gifted makeup because it will always come in handy. We are currently loving tarte's 6 piece makeup bag equipped with makeup brushes, mascara, blush, eyeshadows, and more!

There will be several moments post graduation where the graduate will have to get into business casual attire for a meeting, internship, or interview. This pink  'Molly' blazer from TOPSHOP is just the perfect gift to be worn for any professional occasion.

Do you have some favorites??

Top Books To Read This Summer 2015

What better season to catch up on awesome reads than summer? Just open your window, grab a glass of ice cold lemonade, perch your feet up on your couch and dig your nose into the summer reads we have listed below. Probably the best resource we have heard thus far is about Goodreads shared by Kappa Kappa Gamma alumnae, Brianna Glendinning. She shared that Goodreads is where you can put all of the books you've read, are reading, or want to read on the site and you can share your reviews on them and also see other people's reviews on books. This can give you great personal insight on some of the books found below.  Our last summer's book list was filled with lots of fiction stories but this summer we are really interested in books that focus on self development. Here are our must-reads:

You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life

In this refreshingly blunt how-to guide, author Sincero, serves up 27 bite-sized chapters full of hilariously inspiring stories, life-changing insights, easy exercises and the occasional swear word. By the end of You Are a Badass, you will understand why you are how you are, how to love what you can't change, how to change what you don't love, and how to start living the kind of life you used to be jealous of.

Codependent No More

With instructive life stories, personal reflections, exercises, and self-tests, Codependent No More is a simple, straightforward, readable map of the perplexing world of codependency--charting the path to freedom and a lifetime of healing, hope, and happiness.

The Road to Character

Blending psychology, politics, spirituality, and confessional, The Road to Character provides an opportunity for us to rethink our priorities, and strive to build rich inner lives marked by humility and moral depth.

The Four Agreements

Rooted in traditional Toltec wisdom beliefs, four agreements in life are essential steps on the path to personal freedom. As beliefs are transformed through maintaining these agreements, shamanic teacher and healer don Miguel Ruiz asserts lives will "become filled with grace, peace, and unconditional love."

The Circle

When Mae Holland is hired to work for the Circle, the world’s most powerful internet company, she feels she’s been given the opportunity of a lifetime. The Circle, run out of a sprawling California campus, links users’ personal emails, social media, banking, and purchasing with their universal operating system, resulting in one online identity and a new age of civility and transparency. As Mae tours the open-plan office spaces, the towering glass dining facilities, the cozy dorms for those who spend nights at work, she is thrilled with the company’s modernity and activity. There are parties that last through the night, there are famous musicians playing on the lawn, there are athletic activities and clubs and brunches, and even an aquarium of rare fish retrieved from the Marianas Trench by the CEO. Mae can’t believe her luck, her great fortune to work for the most influential company in the world—even as life beyond the campus grows distant, even as a strange encounter with a colleague leaves her shaken, even as her role at the Circle becomes increasingly public. What begins as the captivating story of one woman’s ambition and idealism soon becomes a heart-racing novel of suspense, raising questions about memory, history, privacy, democracy, and the limits of human knowledge.

Emotionally Healthy Spirituality

In this best-selling book, author Scazzero, outlines his journey and the signs of emotionally unhealthy spirituality. Then he provides seven biblical, reality-tested ways to break through to the revolutionary life Christ meant for you. “The combination of emotional health and contemplative spirituality,” he says, “unleashes the Holy Spirit inside us so that we might experientially know the power of an authentic life in Christ.”

The Seven Decisions: Understanding the Keys to Personal Success

In this revised and repackaged version of Mastering the Seven Decisions, master storyteller and life coach Andy Andrews has fast-forwarded the concept of success and what it takes to make it stick. Seeking out what separates the ordinary life from the extraordinary, Andrews has spent much of his life dissecting countless biographies and spending time with some of the most successful people on the planet in an effort to understand the principles that propel them toward greatness.

The result: seven simple principles that – when applied consistently- render extraordinary lives. Through his entertaining, down-to-earth style, Andrews introduces these principles and offers all the tools necessary to make lasting changes in your life.

The consistent application of the Seven Decisions brings about what can only be called miracles: What was once labeled “impossible” actualizes. Opportunities that once eluded you are now attracted to you. Dysfunctional relationships transform into harmonious ones. Life, which was once a struggle, now becomes an exciting adventure!
What books are we missing out on? Share with us your favorite book you're reading or will be reading this summer!

Summer 2015 Road Trip Playlist

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For the past two years, we've brought to you TSS Summer Playlist 2013 and TSS Summer Playlist 2014 and since you loved it so much, we have created TSS Summer Playlist 2015 through the recommendations from TSS Reader and Alpha Delta Pi alumnae, Stephanie Rosa. Stephanie is no stranger to music as she is embarking on a summer travel tour equipped with road trips and exploring different countries. She's even started her own blog called Sights 'N Sounds With Steph to track her adventures and all the music she encounters on the way. When speaking on the playlist she shares, "This is a super versatile mix! These were all pulled from my road trip playlist. One thing I did was have a ton of different genres to keep things interesting, and most of these songs cannot be found on the radio (because when I wanted to hear the radio I would switch over). I made sure to include some throwbacks too because they were fun to jam out to on those long drives".

Checkout the playlist here and if you don't have Spotify then check out the full playlist below!

1. Sun Models- Odesza 
2. Pay (For What) - Mr. Carjack 
3. Dino War - Ganz
4. Dog Days Are Over - Florence + The Machine
5. Smile Like You Mean It - The Killers
6. Are You In? - Incubus 
7. Only For You - Mat Zo
8. Take Me Out - Franz Ferdinand 
9. Can't Stop - Red Hot Chili Peppers
10. Say That - Toro Y Moi
11. Don't Move - Phantogram 
12. Spiderwebs - No Doubt 
13. Your Drums, Your Love - AlunaGeorge
14. Doo Wop (That Thing) - Lauryn Hill
15. Intoxicated - Martin Solveig
16. Treat Me Right - Keys N Krates 
17. Razor - ASTR
18. Now You Want More - Break Science 
19. Ukiyo- Hermitude 
20. You Know You Like It - DJ Snake 
21. After gold - Big Wild 
22. Got It - Marian Hill
23. We Belong - RAC (Odesza Remix)
24. On Top - Flume 
25. Flash Junk Mind - Milky Chance
26. Blind To You - Collie Buddz 

Are we missing some awesome summer tunes? Share your favorite song in the comments below!

Surviving Summer Internships

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Yay, you got an internship! Finding a summer internship is hard enough, but now, you have got to show up! Summer can offer a lot of distractions, one of which is escaping the J-O-B to catch the summer rays. But, don't lose your motivation during your internship. Here are some ways to help you survive your summer internship:

• Make a summer playlist like the one we created here! Listen to it while your working to help pass the time. You know, whistle while you work.
• Make a work "to-do" list. Staying on track keeps you more intentional at work.
• Schedule fun lunch breaks with friends. Just because you're at work doesn't mean you can't escape for a bit. Choose a new lunch spot every time or a new co worker to sit with and get to know a little better.
• Shop for awesome outfits and stunt at work. Going to work feeling like you look like a million bucks make a big difference! 
• Schedule interviews and one-on-ones with Big WIGs in the office. A Big WIG is someone who has a very important role in the company or who is in a different position from you that you can stand to learn a thing or two from them. 
• Most importantly, come with a positive attitude. When you have a positive, happy, and grateful mindset, work doesn't feel like work.

Good luck!

8 Ways To Be a Healthier You

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We are really on this kick about living more intentional. Living more intentional means waking up with a purpose; a purpose supported by every day goals. When you live intentional you consequently have a healthier lifestyle. Below are eight (8) ways to be a healthier you:

1. Make your bed.
2. Eat breakfast.
3. Workout for a minimum of 15 minutes.
4. Spend some quiet time strengthening your faith.
5. Learn from someone you aspire to be like.
6. Laugh, often
7. Put your phone away and live in the moment for at least an hour.
8. Get your rest by hitting the sack early.

We hope these help you to be a more healthy version of yourself. What are some best practices you implement to support a healthier lifestyle? Share with us in the comments!

4 Ways To Kickstart Your Career In College

Who says you can't get a kickstart in the corporate America world while you're in school?! Employers are looking for a lot of things, but most of all is experience. Below are our four (4) ways to kickstart your career in college so you stand out at all the job fairs when the time comes.

First, get an internship! Whether it's during the school period or during summer, intern at a company that is either where you want to work or in the same industry. The best thing about doing this is that you're building rapport. That way, when it's time to transition to a full-time role they'll be more inclined to hire you.

Second, take on leadership roles. Employers want to see that you're a leader and the easiest way to convince them of that is to hold a leadership role in an on campus organization. This will look fab on your rèsumé!

Third, stack up recommendations. Having someone to endorse your skills is so beneficial. Nowadays, the easiest way to have your skills endorsed is through LinkedIn. Sign up for an account and seek those referrals.

Fourth, network with your sorority sisters! Co Founder, Karen did just that to leverage her current medical sales position. Even if you don't have a sorority sister, alumnae are awesome to have because they can teach you skills and coach you for the job you desire.

Good luck!

The Truth About Lip Injections

As much as we have been trying to avoid the topic of plastic surgery and enhanced beauty treatments on The Sorority Secrets, we recognize that it is something many of our readers are faced with given the many outlets you're exposed to. In lieu of the recent controversy over Kylie Jenner's now famous lips, we reached out to TSS Reader, Annie Bruno, of The Skinny Blog to help answer your questions about lip injections. You may remember Annie from our "Why We Love Chemical Peels" post a couple of years ago! Taken straight from her site, she does a little Q&A so read up! P.S. Self love is the greatest form of beauty so know that loving yourself from within is what we reinforce every day. Nonetheless, we are aware that things that make you self-conscious can affect you. Ultimately, anything you do is YOUR DECISION.

Get Annie's full article here!

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Are you interested in possibly receiving lip injections? I’ll answer some commonly asked questions that might help you to make the decision that is right for you.

1.) What are lip injections? A hyaluronic acid (this is a naturally occurring acid found in our bodies) gel particle is injected into the lips with a needle. This unique gel particle can help to create lift and structure, while also building volume. Since this is an injection there are comfort measures like numbing agents, that can easily be applied before your treatment.

2.) How many syringes will I need to purchase? Everyone’s anatomy is different, and what your lips may be able to hold without looking overfilled may be very different than someone else. Average amount that I typically see is usually around 1-1.5 syringes. Note however, that some fillers are on-label to use as many as 3 syringes in one lip to be fully-corrected. Each patient is different. Your practitioner should be able to give you an estimate before your procedure. Also keep in mind that you can start out small, and add more later if you desire to do so.

3.) How much do lip injections cost? Typically syringes range anywhere from $400-$600 each/1ML. (Prices are different amongst different demographics). Seems pricey, right? Before you go looking for a bargain, I will beg you to PLEASE steer clear from spas that offer anything drastically lower than this price point. Often times you can find a “deal” or groupon and I would highly advise against doing this. This is not to say that every spa/practice being offered on groupon or living social is not legitimate, but you should be aware of the reasons why they might be able to offer a lower price point. It is not unusual that in those practices you may have a very inexperienced injector that can actually cause you harm if you are treated incorrectly. Another reason you could be getting such a “deal” is because the spa/practice could be importing product from a foreign country for a cheaper purchasing price. Importing is not safe, and it is illegal. Imported product is sometimes fake, expired, and/or diluted. Not to mention, there is no telling where the product may be prepared and/or packaged- think bathtubs. I'm serious. If someone is willing to take that type of risk on their patients to save a buck, they do not have your health or best interest at heart. Cosmetic treatments can unfortunately be expensive and an investment, but with that comes guaranteed authentic product, safe technique, and your desired outcome.

4.) How often do I need to be injected? Lip fillers have an on-label guarantee of a 6-month duration. Again, everyone is different and some people metabolize product faster than others- give or take a few months.

5.) How much down time will I need if I get lip injections? Complete swelling reduction usually resides within a week. I would advise to be injected on a day that you will be able to have some downtime for at least 2-3 days post-injection. With regular intervals of icing, and taking arnica prior to a treatment (natural supplement for inflammation found at health food stores) you can greatly reduce your down time. You can also slightly camouflage swollen lips with concealer and nude lip colors.

6.) What if I don’t like my lip injections? Does this mean I’m stuck with them for 6 months? No! Filler is fortunately a treatment that can be easily reversed almost immediately. But go the right injector, and I guarantee you won’t be reversing the treatment because you’ll love it so much!

7.) Where do I go? I would go to someone that is a well-known and experienced practitioner in your area. You can check websites like healthgrades.com for specific rankings on physicians. Often times highly ranked physicians also have experienced nurse injectors that will take care of you with an equal level of quality. Another option is asking your friends/family where they go, as I think referrals are always good. You can also come and see us at Hobgood Facial Plastic Surgery, we would love to have you! <Info provided below>.

I hope this was informative as I know it is a lot of information to absorb! If you have any other questions, please feel free to comment, or message me as I am happy to help you. Aesthetic treatment options don’t have to be scary, ridiculous, or obvious. Above all else, remember that they are your right! Whether you choose to divulge your information like Kylie did or not is completely up to you, and your procedures and treatments are completely protected by law (HIPPA). Be true to you and the things you do. The enhancements you desire are yours for the taking- and that’s a beautiful thing.

Visit us, or call for appointments at:
Hobgood Facial Plastic Surgery
Scottsdale, AZ
480.214.9955
ToddHobgood.com

Be well,

Annabelle
@theskinnyblog

How To Be Confident

We really love following inspirational people on Instagram and we stumbled across a great message on how to be confident from famous fashion stylist @juneambrose. Confidence comes from within. It's personal love; it's a sense of oneness with yourself. Confidence takes time to work up so don't feel bad if you're not at that level yet. It comes with experience and maturity. We are unsure the original source, but below are some of the ways in which you can practice confidence:

1. Stop comparing. Stay focused on YOU.
2. Relax. Go with the flow and don't stress the little things.
3. Love yourself. You are a gift. Nothing would be the same if you didn't exist.
4. Be positive and look for the good in every situation
5. Do what you love. Life is too short to waste your time doing anything otherwise

Wishing you all the confidence in the world today and every day!

Why I Went Greek: Megan Sieg, Alpha Omega Epsilon

With graduation around the corner, we wanted to highlight our graduating sorority women and tap into why they decided to "Go Greek"! First up, meet Megan Sieg!

Megan Sieg (@belleinanotherlife)
Northern Illinois University 2014
Alpha Omega Epsilon Mu Chapter (@aoe_mu)

When I transferred to Northern Illinois University, I didn't know anyone, but that all changed during my second semester. I always knew that I wanted to go Greek because I wanted a sisterhood like my mom had with her sisters. I went through formal recruitment that fall, but I didn't get to meet all of the sororities because of conflicts with marching band, and none of the sororities I met were quite the right fit for me. The following semester, I stumbled upon Alpha Omega Epsilon, and my life changed. I gained a big sister who has become my best friend, three littles, three grand littles, two great-grand littles, one great-great grand little, and several other sisters who I can count on for anything. I became a leader and someone newer members can look up to, and I learned to embrace my quirks and inner nerd and be proud of the things that make me who I am. Because of my sisters, I found myself and became the confident, driven, and independent woman that I am today.

Are you graduating and you want to share your story on why you went Greek for a possible feature? Then, email us with your story and 3-4 high resolution, unfiltered photos to secret@thesororitysecrets.com!

Medium: A Community You Want To Be Apart Of

We love hearing from our TSS readers as you fill us in on the good stuff! Recently, one of our TSS Readers, Stephanie, shared with us a cool community called Medium. Medium is essentially a community blog where you can recommend articles, save them, and share them. You basically get daily recommended articles based on your interests. We love how you can hear from anyone, anytime and likewise be a contributor. One of Stephanie's favorite articles she received was about dreams. Check it out here! Best of all, you can download Medium from the App Store to have it right at your fingertips.

How To Be The Best Leader

Whether you just got offered a new position in your sorority or you're taking on a huge new role at your job, there are effective ways to lead your team of people and it starts with one thing:

Listening.

The greatest leaders hold many similar qualities and one that is universal is the art of listening. "Seek to understand before trying to be understood" is how they best describe it. If you listen more than you talk, you will be surprised at the added benefits that come with that. First, you have a better understanding of the people you're working with when you take the time to hear their ideas and review their comments. Not to mention, as you seek to listen, you gain the trust of the people you're working with because they feel comfortable with you and believe that you truly care about their opinion.

Aside from listening, exercise personal growth. The #1 best teacher of leadership is John C. Maxwell and he talks about the "Rule of 5 For Personal Growth". It goes as follows:

1. Learn - get into one area where you want to learn, become a student, and have a teachable spirit. Make a Top 5 list of all the areas you want to be better in such as relationships, attitude, developing people, leadership, and your faith.
2. Prioritize
3. Apply
4. Evaluate
5. Share- pass on what you have learned as the greatest leaders are ones who can master duplication.

We just can't get enough of John C. Maxwell and his amazing teachings about leadership. Here are some of his helpful reads:

• The Maxwell Leadership Bible
• The 360 Degree Leader
• The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership
• Developing the Leader Within You

Happy leading!

When To Know She's Depressed

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Depression is real but it's also not obvious to many people. Whether it's your Little in your sorority or your real life sister or friend, it's important for you to recognize signs of depression and be there for them as they tackle the tough road of getting back in balance. To put it plainly, depression is intense sadness that lasts for long periods of time. According to WebMd these are signs you are suffering from depression when you have at least five of the following symptoms at the same time:

• A depressed mood during most of the day, particularly in the morning
• Fatigue or loss of energy almost every day
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt almost every day
• Impaired concentration, indecisiveness
• Insomnia (an inability to sleep) or hypersomnia (excessive sleeping) almost every day
• Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in almost all activities nearly every day
• Recurring thoughts of death or suicide(not just fearing death)
• A sense of restlessness or being slowed down
• Significant weight loss or weight gain

But, it's important to recognize an important thing: many people try to hide their depression. They hide it by doing impulsive or often extreme things like doing a drastic change. They have high highs but very low lows. Don't take their actions personally; they are fighting a battle that they don't realize shouldn't be fought alone. How you can help is recommending they go to a doctor to be clinically diagnosed. There are several ways to help depression both medically and therapeutically.

Podcasts You Should Listen To

Have a long summer road trip coming up? Invest your time in some awesome Podcast stations. We have recently had a lot of road trips and while listening to music is a great way to make the time pass by, there is nothing like killing two birds with one stone: educating yourself while getting to your final destination. We compiled a list of some Podcast channel recommendations so find them below.

• Serial
• The School of Greatness with Lewis Howes
• Entrepreneur on Fire
• NPR's Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me
• TED's Radio Hour
• The Read
• Snap Judgement 
• Black Excellence
• ThisAmericanLife

What Podcast channels do you absolutely love? Share with us in the comments!

How To Slowdown Your Relationship

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Just like a friendship, a relationship is always evolving. The idea is that it should never end. With all that being said, there is no need to rush in your relationship. Often times we feel the need to follow how our friends and their significant others are living out their relationships and it puts unneeded stress on your own. Slow it down.

Forget About Society's Timeline

As women, we aren't going to lie: marriage is an exciting thing. However, it's also a lifelong commitment so you have to be 100% right about your ever-after. Rushing into marriage after hardly knowing your partner is a recipe for DIVORCE. Take your time to fully get to know your partner and carefully consider the timeline you hope to fulfill on your own time.

Hold On To Your Goodies

Save yourself sexually until you feel it seems right. Getting physical, especially early on can cause a rift in your relationship because there is nothing to look forward to. When you give yourself away entirely, it unfortunately does create a vulnerable environment in which women (and men) start to feel used.

SAVE the 'Save the Date'

Talking about marriage speeds up your relationship. When a man has met his chosen woman, he doesn't need any push to make any special proposal moves; a man knows what he wants and will get it. Forcing marriage on a man will shut them down.

Any other tips & advice to slow down your relationship? Leave a comment below!

Spotify TSS Coachella 2015 Playlist

Coachella is around the corner! Gah, we cannot wait to jam out in Coachella Valley with our friends. If you're looking to set the mood for the best party in the desert we've got you covered with some of our favorite music of artists who will be at Coachella--with some suggestions from YOU.  Theres's a little something for everyone since that's what Coachella is all about.

Check out our Spotify TSS Coachella 2015 Playlist, and press play!

What are your favorite songs of artists set to perform at Coachella?  Let us know, and we will add our new favorites to our Spotify playlist!

                                               

Handpick App: The World’s Largest Searchable Collection of Food

We wanted to make sure that you're in the know about the newest app called Handpick. This app allows food lovers access to over 10 million socially shared food posts from Instagram, hundreds of unique food blogs, and top recipe sites. Handpick also recommends ingredient pairings based on what users have on hand. Handpick’s 10 million socially shared food posts include dishes from 1.6 million content creators worldwide. The app makes it easy to save interesting dish posts by adding them to topics which can be shared with others. By following different topics, users get notified when new dishes are added, making Handpick a reliable source for continuously refreshed food content. This means users can find dish topics titled anything from Gluten-free Desserts to 10 Best Superbowl Snacks to 7 Ways To Use Tofu.

With its new approach of curating content from Instagram, Handpick features over 10 million food posts, thus making it the world’s largest searchable collection of food. The company’s editorial team hand-picks the best dishes daily, allowing users to quickly and easily find great dish ideas without having to pore over thousands of results. The new app also allows users to pick and combine over 10,000 ingredients, more than any other food app available.

The Handpick app is available for iOS here!

Happy cooking (and eating)!