Wedges Every Girl Must Have This Summer!

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Wedges are a absolute must-have in the warm seasons!  You can wear them with everything and anything and you can either dress them up or down- honestly, however you want to!  There are many different styles of wedges though, so unless you have a endless amount of coins in your piggy bank, it's probably best to invest in a couple different styles of wedges that you can wear with almost everything!

Here are our top 6 picks on must-have wedges of this 2016 season!  When it comes to color, definitely go with either white, tan, or black- this allows you to match it with literally every color you can think of.

Hope everyone has a wonderful Wednesday! xo

Beach Essentials for 2016

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Some of you have already had your Spring Break but for those that haven't, here's a little beach essential list for 2016!  We always go to the beach and forget one of these items, so we made it for you so you can pack up for the beach or pool and not forget a thing!

1. Sunblock - you can never forget this guy!  Even though you want to get a tan, don't forget to put sunscreen at least on your face so you don't get wrinkles in the future.  It's really important to take care of your skin, and sunscreen is your solution to that!

2. Sunglasses - so you don't blind yourself out in the sun, duh!

3. Tangle Teezer comb - for those that have fine hair, the chlorine or the sandy beach water can really get your hair up in a tangle!  Can't forget your comb or brush.  We really love the Tangle Teezer comb- try it out!

4. Beach Towel - so you can dry off, of course.  There are so many cute beach towels out there so make sure you pick out a cute one for this beach/pool season!

5. Tanning Oil - Though you want to wear sunscreen as we stated above, you still want a little sun kissed glow!  Use some tanning oil on your legs and body to get that perfect tan!

6. Portable Speaker - We LOVE music and it totally changes the vibe of the atmosphere, so you can't forget your portable speaker! 

7. Swell Bottle - The S'well bottle is a great water bottle to have as it helps your liquids stay cool for a long, long time! They're also so cute and Instagrammable, which is a plus!

8. Book - Well you gotta have a book or magazine to read when you're out laying out.  It really is the perfect time to catch up on some good reads!

9. Swimsuit - so you can go in the water, of course!

10. Tote - You need a cute tote to put all of your beach essentials in!  There are so many right now, so be sure to snag a cute tote before they're all gone!

Hope everyone has a wonderful & safe Spring Break!

5 Foods To Keep You Hydrated

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This summer has been hot, hot, HOT! Like, whoa. We are between Scottsdale and Seattle and with AZ's dry heat and Washington's lack of A/C, this summer has been brutal. But, luckily there's nothing a little hydration can't cure which is why we were so happy to have stumbled across United Healthcare's menu on some hydrating foods to quench your thirst during this summer heat. Check them out below!

Super salads. Watermelon, oranges, tomatoes, cantaloupe, berries, celery and cucumbers are all flush with fluid. These water-rich foods make great low-calorie snacks too!

Berry-delicious smoothies. Add berries — fresh or frozen — to low-fat or fat-free yogurt or milk. Puree in a blender.

Summer salsas. These can be made from vegetables, fruits or a combination of both. Enjoy your favorite variety as a snack — dip into it with cut-up veggies or whole-grain pita chips. Or top grilled fish or chicken with it. Have a sweet tooth? Give orange or pineapple salsa a try.

Chilled soups. You can serve these as a light meal — or as an appetizer or dessert. Here are three cool and soothing options:
Gazpacho. A summertime favorite that's typically rich in tomatoes, cucumber, onion, bell pepper and garlic.
Vichyssoise. This creamy French classic is made with pureed potatoes and leeks. To keep it on the healthful side, use low-fat, low-sodium chicken broth. For an even creamier soup, stir in a little plain low-fat yogurt or low-fat sour cream.
Fruit soups. Strawberries, raspberries and cantaloupe puree nicely. See "Chilled melon soup" for a recipe to try.

Frozen nibbles. Freeze grapes or berries. Grab them for a quick and cold snack.

Do you have a favorite thirst-quenching food or drink for the summer? Share with us below!

Healthy 4th of July Treats

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Yay for our Independence! Even though we celebrate such a major moment in US history, that doesn't mean that we should exercise our freedom to eat poorly this holiday. Consider some healthy 4th of July treats when celebrating with family and friends. Below are some healthy recipe links to help you make some delicious {semi} healthy treats:

Patriotic Popsicles

Red, White, & Blue Trifle Dessert

Basil Hummus Stuffed Mini Bell Peppers

Happy 4th of July cooking!

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

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.

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!

Lather Up! Our Sunscreen Secrets

[1.Neutrogena Beach Defense SPF 30 Lotion 2.Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen, SPF 45 3.Obagi ProfessionalC Suncare Broad Spectrum SPF 30 4. Banana Boat Ultra Defense Broad Spectrum Sunscreen, SPF 50 Lotion, 8 fl oz]

Last week we got really inspired by this awesome video created by Thomas Leveritt, posted by Upworthy that highlights the importance of sunscreen. As Arizona girls, we have always been taught to wear sunscreen since the sun is pretty much out 24/7! However, often times sunscreen has been a chore to put on. Well, Thomas Leveritt's video further shows us why wearing sunscreen is important because it severely protects our skin from sun damage. It doesn't matter if your skin is light or dark; we all need sun protection to some degree.

TSS Reader and Alpha Delta Pi alumnae, Stephanie Rosa works for a company called Solta Medical, a division of Valeant Aesthetics. We reached out to her to get some better insight on the importance of sunscreen. Stephanie shared that,"The Importance of putting sunscreen on is huge! You should wear it every day, 35 SPF minimum, although 50 is recommended. Anything above 50 (75,90) doesn't make a difference, it's all marketing gimmicks. Also, the term water resistant is now being revoked by the FDA because it's not possible to have a sunscreen that is water resistant. That'll be seen in the next few months. Also, it's necessary to have UVA & UVB protection for it to do it's job! FDA will now require companies to state that it has both to be considered proper sunscreen". 

Stephanie further explained that,"Obagi makes several lines that work wonderfully and feel awesome on the skin. I use the Obagi Professional C Sunscreen and I LOVE it! It works really well as a primer too. Lastly, always having Vitamin C in addition to the sunscreen is a must. The Vitamin C serves as a serum/antioxidant".

What sunscreen do you recommend to stay protected? Share with us below!

Summer Beach Towels!

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When you're out at the beach or just hanging out by the pool, your outfit is just so limited with your teeny bikini!  You might throw on a hat or maybe carry a good beach tote, but you can't forget about having a cute beach towel!  This season, we saw tons of stores carry their own line of beach towels and we love it!  Urban Outfitters carries some funny & sassy ones, J.Crew never disappoints us with their basic polkadots, and Kohls carries adorable vintage magazine cover towels! 

We compiled some of our favorite beach towels of this Summer just for you!

Heat Wave! 5 Cute & Easy Summer Hairstyles

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With summer right around the corner, so are those pesky heat waves. While long, luxurious hair can be a blessing at times, it can also be a huge burden during those scorching or humid summer days. Even if you have shorter hair, these styles will help keep your hair pulled off of your face so you can be as carefree as possible this summer! 

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• The sock bun
• This is such a sleek way to pull your hair out of your face. It takes only a few seconds and looks beautifully polished

• Fishtail braid
• The fishtail braid is a twist on the classic braid that’s perfect for unruly summer hair.

• Messy top knot
• This is a classic. Take two seconds to pull your hair on the top of your head into a chic yet messy top knot.

• Beachy waves
• Let the heat do all the work! Let your hair air-dry after spraying texturizing spray in it for some beach-worthy waves.

• Miley-worthy double buns!
• Rock Miley’s signature double top knots for a playful, easy hair style! 

TSS Favorite Swimsuits of the Summer!

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It's swimsuit season!  There are so many different styles of swimsuits that are currently trending right now! Weather you love the high-waisted bottoms, or love the one pieces, we're obsessed with them all! 

Here are our top 8 favorite swimsuits of this Summer! 

Flaunting Off In The Flaunt Shop

Sakura: Polka Dots and Bows Bikini, Karen: High Waist Bow Bikini, Ali: Yacht Club Bikini

Finding the perfect bathing suit can sometimes be pretty difficult. The pattern has to fit your style, the cut of the suit should flatter your body and the material should feel comfortable. The Flaunt Shop was our happy solution. We first heard about The Flaunt Shop from one of our It Girls because they had a clothing line that she adored. When we came across The Flaunt Shop and discovered that they had a swimsuit line we were immediately impressed by their selections (we have a thing for the nautical look if you haven't already discovered, haha!). There is truly a style fit for anyone. From sexy cuts to girly patterns you can find a bathing suit that suits your taste. Each of us are different heights and sizes so we wondered how our bathing suits that we ordered would fit. Across the  board we were really satisfied with each of our suits. The bottoms fit securely, not exposing our behinds too much. The tops came with straps so if the bandeau look wasn't fitting we could adjust. Our favorite part of our suits from The Flaunt Shop was the material. It is so comfortable that we wouldn't mind falling asleep in it at the pool or on the beach! It's not everyday that you find such an All-Star selection of bathing suits at a reasonable price. Luckily, you can start shopping for The Flaunt Shop bathing suits now since summer is around the corner!

It Girl Trend Report: Summer Vacation

As summer starts to come to a close, we wanted to highlight some of our It Girls favorite summer vacations they took this season. All of our It Girls are college girls excited for the fall semester ahead, but they made sure to take full advantage of their break away from the books. Avery, like our Co Founder, Ali, has a deep love and appreciation for Coronado Island in California. Avery explained that, "It is just NOT summer to me unless I go to Coronado Island in California. I have gone every single summer without fail for the 4th of July since I was a kid. There is just NOTHING better than kicking back at The Del pool, ordering a club sandwhich and people watching until your eyeballs fall out. Coronado is like taking a peak into decades past and I love the simplicity and hospitality of the quaint little town. It's hands down the best".   Victoria decided to keep it local this summer break and had fun exploring her own city, specifically the famous Public Market in downtown Seattle. Victoria shared that,"I love Pike Place (not Pike's; that's how we pick out tourists!!), and whether it is throughout the school year or over break, you can find me there relaxing enjoying the slowed pace of the city, and enjoying fresh vibrant colored flowers, the pier, Great Wheel, and from certain angles, the Space Needle. It's a great escape and an activity I always love to take part in. I can grab coffee at the first Starbucks Coffee, watch flying fish, and wander the shops. No matter what the occasion, if any, I will always grab myself a beautiful bouquet of flowers! Summer trips to Pike Place Market are hands down THE BEST". Cristina wasted no time getting to the beach and enjoyed some time with her family in Cabo, one of Co Founder Karen's favorite vacation spots as well! Cristina said, "I love laying out on the beach and just relaxing!"--sometimes that is all you need, right?!, Allie's favorite vacation spot was all the way on the East Coast. She made additions to her closet by shopping at the original Vineyard Vines on Martha's Vineyard--we love it! Serena is a California girl, but she passed up the California beaches to catch some waves in beautiful Hawaii. Serena swam in the ocean many of the days which was great because she had some pretty beach hair waves to show off while there!

Have you gone anywhere exciting so far this summer? We would love to hear so leave us a comment below!

It Girl Trend Report: My Favorite Sunglasses

We all have those favorite pairs of shades that we always wear in the hot sun. Whether you're at the beach, cruising on the freeway, or taking a stroll around town, your shades are often a style staple and a reflection of you. This week, we asked our It Girls what their favorite sunglasses were and we got exposed to many cool brands to choose from. It was no surprise that half of the girls are obsessed with Ray Bans--we are too! For Victoria, she loves her Ray Bans because "they are very unexpected". "The frame is almost wayfarer style with a fun modern yet old Hollywood twist! The white color attracts attention in the best way! They go with almost anything and never fail to be a fun statement piece for whatever I am wearing". Serena also has a love for the non-traditional Ray Bans as she sports a pretty white-framed Ray Ban style. Serena added, "I picked my white ray bans. I love these because they're an unusual shape so they stand out in a way. Plus, I love how the white looks against my complexion-it accentuates my tan". For Cristina, she opts for the Ray Ban classic aviators which go best with casual outfits. Allie loves her Diane Von Furstenberg sunglasses--we love the square framed lenses that are still trendy right now. 

We don't know about you guys, but as much as we love name brand shades, we always worry about one thing: losing them! Avery understands our fears too and so therefore, one of her major weaknesses is buying cheap pairs of sunglasses that look like the real thing! "My go too cheapy places are Forever 21 (naturally) and Urban Outfitters. I love that I can grab a cute pair, throw them on, and if I lose them, hey, I lose them". Our thoughts exactly! Marisa feels the same way with her cool shades from Nordstrom. "These sunglasses are actually only $10 from Nordstrom in the BP section! They are super cheap and fashionable and I love them".

What are your favorite sunglasses to wear? Let us know by leaving a comment or sharing with us on Instagram: @thesororitysecrets.

It Girl Trend Report: Favorite Summer Sandals

As much as we love boots in the fall and a nice pair of UGGs in the winter, we look forward to hanging those up and giving our feet a breather in some cute summer sandals. There are always so many sandal styles to choose from that we asked our It Girls to share with us their summer go-to sandals for this week's Trend Report. One thing is for sure, wearing sandals is the perfect excuse to show off your fabulous pedicure. Victoria loves to show off her painted toes in her Nine West glitter sandals. As a true sorority girl, crafting and glitter runs in her veins, so when she saw these sandals it was love at first sight. Victoria added,  "They're great paired with a flirty summer dress, or even some casual colored shorts, and what girl isn't a sucker for gold glitter?!" Avery and Marisa prefer to wear sandals that are classic and can go with anything. Avery loves her gold sandals from Francescas by the brand called Report. These sandals are so cute and well priced too which is always a bonus! We laughed when Avery admitted, "My two best friends even had to get them...now we always have to call each other before we go out wearing the same shoes". Marisa goes for the gladiator look with her super fab gold Vincent Camuto sandals that she wears with everything during the summer season since she says, "they match with pretty much any summery color". There are always certain brands you can count on for some awesome pair of sandals. Cristina knows she can never go wrong with sandals from Steve Madden. We just love how trendy Steve Madden sandals are- they really are comfortable, fashionable, and can also go with anything. Serena couldn't decide between Lilly Pulitzer and Jack Rogers for her favorite summer sandals so she chose both! "I love both of these sandals because they're pretty and versatile, they can be dressed up or down depending on the outfit. Plus, they go with almost everything". A little embellishment makes all the difference too, so we absolutely loved Allie's favorite summer sandals pick from Chanel. The cute flower embellishments add a perfect summery touch to your feet.

Got a favorite pair of summer sandals? We want to see it! Hashtag them on Instagram or Twitter with #tssummerlook! Don't have Twitter or Instagram? Then leave a comment or send us your summer sandal secret at secret@thesororitysecrets.com!

It's Independence Day!

O beautiful for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain... happy July 4th everyone!  We hope you have a day filled with lots of patriotic spirit.  Show off that red, white, and blue, and catch a fireworks show later tonight-- that's what we will be doing!  Mention us on Instagram today and show us your American pride, for a chance to be featured in a shoutout.

Have a safe & happy Independence Day TSS readers!

It Girl Trend Report: Summer Sweet Treat

Popsicles, lemonade, and yummy ice cream sandwiches are just some of the sweet summer accents that we look forward to during this time of the year. There is nothing like some sweet summer treats to cool down a hot summer day, so we turned to our It Girl Interns for their favorites. Avery made our mouths watered when she reminded us how good the frozen bananas at Disneyland are! Lucky for her, (and us!) she discovered that you can enjoy this same delicious treat from Trader Joe's called Gone Bananas. Avery said, "It tastes yummy, curbs your chocolate cravings, is ice cold and hey...it's still a fruit so it's sort of a healthy way to go!" Hmm...we're not sure how healthy it is, but we don't mind going with that theory! A classic sweet summer treat that is Cristina's weakness is cookie dough ice cream and we can't blame her because we are guilty of eating it right out of the carton! Cristina isn't the only one who has a love for ice cream; Allie and Victoria love it too!  Victoria chooses to buy it locally at her favorite ice cream shop in Seattle: Molly Moon's. Her favorite flavors to eat there are Honey Lavender or the rich Salted Caramel. While some of our It Girl Interns prefer cold treats, Marisa prefers the delicious snack otherwise known as puppy chow which she loves to easily make with her sorority sisters. Check out the recipe here! Serena also loves to whip up her favorite sweet summer treat which is a smoothie using a pro-biotic rich yogurt drink called Kefir. Serena explained, "By blending Kefir, your favorite fruits, and a little raw Manuka honey, you can have a mouthwatering smoothie that promotes good health with a fraction of the calories!" YUM!

What are some of your favorite sweet summer treats? 

TSS Summer Bucket List 2013

Ever since Karen saw her little sister's Summer Bucket List taped to her wall, it inspired all of us to come up with our own Summer Bucket List! We love the idea of coming up with a list of things we need to accomplish before summer's end because it makes each summer day worthwhile. A Summer Bucket List is a list of things you haven't done that you would like to do before summer ends. For us, our Summer Bucket List mainly consists of things we have done, but have not done in a long time. Sakura is determined to make her way back to Disneyland, Ali is looking forward to taking a mini road trip with friends, and Karen is determined to ride the big, new Ferris wheel in downtown Seattle. Life is just too short, and so is summer so live it up, take chances, and make memories! Make your goal this summer to ACTUALLY do things on your Bucket List.

It Girl Trend Report: Summer Dresses!

During the hot summer months, we find ourselves turning to one of our favorite wardrobe staples... a pretty dress!  It's easy, breezy, and it creates an instantly chic outfit that's all pulled together.  As you can see from our It Girls' submissions, there's a color trend going on here: white!  Oh yes, the summer dress is nothing short of white hot.  Add some embellishments as seen in Allie's & Serena's choices, such as beading or even a feminine bow.  Serena adds, "I love summer because I can finally wear white throughout the entire season, and it shows off my tan!"  We're big fans of summer whites as well-- always a crisp & clean choice.

And of course we can't forget about a cool & refreshing shade of mint, as seen in Cristina's selection.  Avery told us that she's "loving jean/chambray anything" these days, so naturally her effortless casual yet stylish jean dress from J. Crew is a perfect summer staple!

What's your go-to summer dress?  Tag us on Instagram @thesororitysecrets, and you might be featured in an Instagram post!