A Sorority Girl's Back-To-School Shopping List

For many of you, it's time for some back-to-school shopping. If you're anything like us, we enjoy having a starting point to reference what exactly to buy so that's why having a list is essential. Above, you will find a real life checklist that you can print out and take to the store. Online shopping is huge and super convenient so we have provided you clickable links of every day things we needed as sorority women below.

Here are some great products to help you in your back-to-school shopping! Many of them you can order and pay online but pick up in their store:

Cute notebooks (Lilly Pullitzer and Erin Condren are our faves!)
Tease comb
Hamper
Cute and comfy bras
Scent plug ins for dorm
Picture frames
Mason jars (for pencils and pens)
Portable, plastic drawers for little accessories
Jewelry box
Bike
Shelving (wire shelving can create a lot of space in your dorm!)
Comforter (this shabby chic one is too cute!)
Pillows (add some accent decorative pillows too)
Luggage
Perfume
Paint
TV
Window curtains
Cute pictures 
Custom apparel
Wall decals
Pens & pencils
Hairspray
Makeup
Shower head caddy
Yoga mat
Cute undies (Hanky Panky's are the best!)
Every day essentials (i.e: toilet paper, toothpaste, soap, etc.)

8 Fabulous Back-To-School Outfits

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It doesn't matter how old you are, getting ready for the first day of school is so much fun. For us sorority girls, it's all about looking cute as we 'Campus Catwalk' our way from class to class. On the days that we are not wearing our custom made sorority shirts (because let's be honest, that's 90% of our wardrobe after workout gear and formal dresses) we appreciate a trendy piece to flaunt around school every now and again. We shopped the closets of some of our favorite designers to get you some outfit pieces to turn heads for those first few days of school. Shop them all above! One of our favorites is this super adorable camel colored felt floppy hat from TOPSHOP. Let us know what you like from our list by sharing with us below!

The Best Back-to-School Laptop Cases

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For a lot of you, school is starting this month! That means some heavy back-to-school shopping. When we were in college, an important product on our shopping list was getting a really nice laptop case. If you're anything like us, then you're obsessed with your laptop and want to keep it in tip top shape. Forego the boring basic black laptop case and opt for a cute trendy laptop case like the ones you see above. We recently got wind of the designer Vera Bradley and her laptop cases are really focused on intricate prints and bold color patterns. Of course, you can't go wrong snagging a Kate Spade laptop case; all the heads will be spinning asking you where you got your laptop case since they make the cutest everything! Shop the links above to ensure you have the perfect laptop case before school starts!

Back to School Fall Bags {all under $75!}

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School is officially back in session and although it's a bit bittersweet that summer has come to an end, there are tons of exciting things to look forward to- like getting a new bag for the year!  Picking out a new bag for the school year isn't as easy as it sounds- it has to be cute, durable, last the whole year (at least!), and fit your college budget. Also, with Fall coming around the corner, it has to go with all the cute fall outfits!

Today we're sharing our 7 favorite Fall bags!  Whether you're a backpack kinda girl or a messenger bag girl, we've got it all right here for you. These bags are all under $75 and they're made out of great materials that'll last a long time!

Happy Tuesday! xo

Back to School with Target x BRITA *Giveaway Ended*

   

Back To School Shopping with Target x Brita from The Sorority Secrets on Vimeo.
*Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Brita, however, all views and opinions are solely that of The Sorority Secrets.

With the new semester coming up fast and recruitment being around the corner for many of you,  we wanted to help you with your back to school shopping spree that you're about to embark on by sharing some cool and helpful items. You can mark these items off of your checklist in this stressful time! We worked with BRITA to go on a shopping spree at Target to purchase the below Back-To-School items. These items are must-haves and will make living on campus so much easier!

1. Brita Space Saver (6 cups)

We love everything about the Brita Space Saver. You can get great-tasting tap water anytime with the Brita Space Saver. The Brita Space Saver is made to fit efficiently into small spaces--perfect for your dorm room! You can maximize your refrigerator or counter space with this BPA-free pitcher while still enjoying 6 cups of cleaner water before your next refill. This pitcher features a round carafe design with an electronic filter indicator to let you know when it's time to change the filter. The flip-top lid and comfort grip handle make filling and pouring easy. 

   2.    Clorox Disinfecting Wipes

Keeping your small dorm space nice and tidy amidst writing school papers, studying for exams, and hanging out with friends is tough to balance. Luckily, keeping your container spaces clean is as easy as swiping with Clorox Disinfecting Wipes. This was one of our favorite items when living on campus and really helped to clean up stains here and there. 

  3.      Glad Food Storage Containers

Pulling all-nighters or having back-to-back classes throughout the week can leave you really hungry. If you are anything like us, we got super busy during school that often times we would forget to eat! That's why getting your hands on some Glad Food Storage Containers is so essential because you can pack your meals. If nothing else, you can consolidate space by storing your food in the containers.

 4.      Brita Hard-Sided Water Bottle (23.7 oz.)

Going to school in the desert {Go SUNDEVILS} meant we had to always stay hydrated by drinking water. Walking from class to class or simply working out can really break a sweat so it's really smart to invest in a water bottle like the Brita Hard-Sided Water Bottle. Similar to the Brita Space Saver it helps to filter the water so that you're consuming fresh water.

 5.     Glad Trash Bags

It's all about being proactive when it comes to keeping a clean dorm space. That means keeping trash bags like the Glad Trash Bags handy. With as many visitors and events we had in our living space, we found ourselves always piling up trash. Rather than having the trash all over, actively dumping it into our Glad Trash Bags just made the place look less messy and clustered.

Lucky for one reader, we are going to help you check off some of these items from your back-to-school checklist by offering (1) $25 Target gift card. To enter, simply mention below the first thing you would buy from our list above. A winner will be chosen at random on Friday, August 22nd. 

Good luck!

P.S. Remember, all BRITA items are available at Target!

Must-Have Back to School Items!

planner | paperweight | journal | desk lamp | phone charger

tray | desk calendar (coming soon)| ear buds | mouse pad | pencil sharpener 

Summer is coming to an end and the new school year is right around the corner!  We love the beginning of the school year- recruitment, football games, and being back with your sisters! It's all so exciting! Back to school shopping for your closet is one thing, but it's also important to get new items for your desk to help you study (wink wink)!  There are so many adorable things out in store right now that we wanted to compile all of our favorite items just for you- we'll make your shopping list easy!  

First of all, can we take a second to talk about how adorable all of ban.do's stuff is?  Their planner especially is the most amazing thing- very detailed, tons of room to write out your full schedule, cute stickers (that's right, cute stickers), and so much more!   We're also loving this chic desk lamp from Anthropologie!  It's pretty small and it does a whole lot of brightening up because it doesn't have a lamp shade! 

We're always on the lookout for cute school/desk supplies! Where are some places you like to shop at?

Top 10 Words To Cut From Your Writing

In a world of social media posts, emails, and essays, there's one thing that you can do to make your writing stand out above the rest: keep it short & sweet.  Trimming out the "fluff" and filler words is helpful for many reasons... it keeps your writing to the point, and it also makes your statements more powerful.  Ever had to write a paper or a resume where you're trying to stick within a certain word count?  Those unnecessary words could be holding you back.  Read below for our list of words to cut from your writing, and give your message more meaning!

1. Amazing.  Using the word "amazing" isn't as amazing as it sounds.  This word is so overused, that the intention behind it is often not conveyed.  Be more creative; not everything is amazing.

2. Awesome.  In a similar category as "amazing," "awesome" lacks descriptiveness.  Plus, this word can also be used with sarcasm intended, so the meaning behind your writing might be misinterpreted. It also can sound immature... as in, "yeah bro, that's awesome!"  Drop this word.

3. Very.  If you're trying to be very convincing with your statement, using the word "very" might not be the best way to get your point across.  Instead of saying "it was a very hot summer day," simply stating "it was a hot summer day" works just as well to give the message.

4. Really.  Similar to "very," this is also a weak word that isn't needed to place emphasis on your statement.

5. Perhaps/Maybe.  Why are you uncertain?  Be bold with your words, and drop these words that make you seem unsure.

6. Literally.  Okay, I literally can't even.  Besides the fact that this statement makes no logical sense (yes, it's true!) using the word "literally" doesn't help to clarify anything.  Compare "I literally had the most delicious cupcake" to "I had the most delicious cupcake"... which cupcake sounds more delicious to you?

7. Just.  This word is simply a filler that can be cut.  Saying "I feel" instead of "I just feel" is a more powerful statement.

8. Honestly.  Using the word "honestly" doesn't make you sound more honest.  Instead, it makes the reader question if everything else you're saying is untrue.

9. Actually.  When something actually is a certain way, using the word "actually" isn't needed.

10.  Nice.  This word is so commonplace, that it sounds somewhat empty and lackluster.  Instead, try to pick a word that is more specific and engaging.

Take a step back and look at the words you use, and see if these little fillers can be removed.  You'll find that your message feels stronger, and more powerful!  

What other fluff words can you avoid?  Share with us below!

Back To School With Office Depot/See Jane Work: Karen's Office Picks!

Want this entire office look? Take this entire collection straight to your shopping cart here!

Back to school means back to getting organized for long nights of studying, interning, working, and everything that goes into being a full-time student. We are all too familiar with the fun that comes with getting reorganized for school. Recently, Victoria, ZTA and former It Girl Intern, took on a position to help more with The Sorority Secrets. With her being a student, we wanted to make our Seattle office accommodating for her so we chose office essentials fit for school. Let's take a tour of all the fun office items we chose via Office Depot's See Jane Work office line:

Organization, organization, ORGANIZATION. That was the theme for our office set-up so we naturally gravitated toward items that would keep us organized. Sometimes non-office related items can make their way into your space, so we loved these bins from See Jane Work--they're great for miscellaneous items that you just want out of the way.

Pictured: Black Dot Fabric Bin. Blue Medium Woven Bin

One of the best ways to keep a space organized is to have some sort of a filing system. See Jane Work office supplies are great for that, especially with their file holders and customizable labels. Victoria can separate school work and The Sorority Secrets' work easily with this easy way to file paperwork. We especially loved two things {well, actually three}: one, their black stripe letter tray and white document box because all the work that Victoria completes she can toss it in there and we just know to check there for completed work, and two, See Jane Work's cork board, wall filer, and dry erase board. If you combined all three together, it can be one point of reference for notes, files, and special reminders.

Pictured: 1. Dry Erase Magnetic Panel. 2. White Wall File. 3. Corkboard Panel.

Balancing school and work can be tough, that's why setting little reminders around the office is beyond helpful. Sticky notes and just little notes in general are all of our favorite ways to stay on track. That's why we were so excited when we stumbled across See Jane Work's writing pads, note cards, and magnets {so convenient for your dry erase board or even a cabinet/fridge}. The plain non-magnet note cards and Thank You cards that came with envelopes are awesome too and we used the cute magnet buttons to keep those sort of notes up. For school, nothing beats having the pad folio clipboard, presentation folder, and the faux leather portfolio that See Jane Work offers. We just had to snag these because they're useful for both school and work--very professional and stylish. There's nothing like keeping your papers together in a trendy way!

Pictured: Faux Leather Portfolio. Padfolio Clipboard. Black Dot Writing Pad. Black Dot Presentation Folders. See Jane Work Highlighters. Self Adhesive Labels. Black Stripe Pencil Cup. Black Stripe Letter Sorter. White Tape Dispenser. "To Buy" Pad. Black Note Cards. See Jane Work Magnets. Blue See Jane Work Journal. Bow Binder Clips. White Document Box.

Of course, an organized desk is a happy desk and makes for one happy student. The festive pencil cup, tape dispenser, highlighters, portfolios, and folders are all helpful tools for Victoria as she tries to stay organized with both school and work.

BONUS: Here is a link to get $10 off your next $50 purchase. Perfect, especially if you want to shop Karen's entire See Jane Work office look here!

*Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Office Depot, however, all views and opinions are solely that of The Sorority Secrets.

Top 12 Best Back to School Home Decor Stores

Picture taken from: Home Goods

Back to school doesn't just mean new clothes and new school supplies, it also means a new room look! Moving into a dorm or settling into a new apartment with your friends/sisters is an exciting experience and we remember those days like it was yesterday. Nothing was more fun than deciding how to decorate our rooms, so we thought we would compile a list of our go-to home decor stores that are super trendy and budget friendly. If you're big on fun home accessories, then ROSS, TJ Maxx, and Marshall's Home Goods store are the perfect places for fine pieces like eccentric table figurines, lamps, and art work. For generous bedding selections JC Penney, Bed, Bath & Beyond and Target are our definite first stops. We have a recent obsession, however, with Kohl's Lauren Conrad Bedding! Think vintage meets girl next door--you'll love it! It is no surprise that IKEA is our favorite furniture store. Whether you need furniture for your living room or bedroom, IKEA has just what you need right down to your silverware (just be prepared to be exhausted...they have multiple levels and selections for days!). IKEA is not the only credible furniture store; Karen has had a lot of luck at Ashley Furniture. They ship to almost anywhere and have a pretty large selection, especially affordable mattresses. If you're on a tighter budget, check out Big Lots for cheaper, yet reasonable every day furniture. For our full list of our favorite home decor stores, check it out below!

1. Target
2. Big Lots
3. Ashley Furniture
4. Ross
5. TJ Maxx
6. JC Penney
7. Bed Bath & Beyond
8. IKEA
9. Home Goods
10. Kohls
11. Dania
12. Walmart

Which one of these is your favorite back-to-school home decor store? Do you have any other home decor stores that didn't make our list? Let us know by leaving a comment below or emailing us at secret@thesororitysecrets.com!

Back To School 2013: Free Spirit

Dress: Forever 21 (similar here).  Boots: Tory Burch (here & here). Purse: Prada.

Life is but a bohemian dream, and we're loving It Girl Allie's free-spirited ensemble.  Paisley (an ancient pattern that became popular in contemporary fashion during the 1960's & 1970's... fun fact!) is the perfect print for a flowy boho-inspired dress.  The vintage pattern captures the bohemian mood, and the deeper colors feel fall-season appropriate.  The burgundy lace headband ties together the boho vibe, and those adorable equestrian-inspired Tory Burch boots add a modern touch to the whole outfit.  Adding your own modern take with a boho outfit is always a great idea; it makes it feel current, plus makes it more wearable for daily life (unless you're at a music festival, we wouldn't want to feel like we're wearing a costume).  Plus, we love the rich cognac brown color of the boots; so perfect for fall!

What looks are you excited to try for the fall back to school season?

Giveaway: Erin Condren Life Planner! (CLOSED)

Just in time for Back To School, we've teamed up with Erin Condren to give TSS readers the perfect organizational necessity... the 2013-2014 Life Planner!  It's stylish, it's personalized, it's everything you need to stay on track for a successful year ahead.  Watch the video, need we say more?!  We love the little touches, such as the adorable graphics and inspirational quotes sprinkled throughout.  This planner brings smiles to all of your busiest days.  We use our very own Erin Condren planners in our daily lives; they're an organized and color-coded dream come true!

We're so excited for one lucky reader to win a $50 eGift Card provided by our friends at Erin Condren!  Use it towards your very own Life Planner, or for any other fun items on their site!  Here's how to enter:

Here's how to enter:
Step 1: "Like" Erin Condren on Facebook (click here to "like")
Step 2: "Like" The Sorority Secrets on Facebook (click here to "like")
Step 3: Leave a comment below, telling us how the Life Planner would help keep you organized!  Make sure to leave your email address so we can contact you if you win!

Good luck, and make sure to stay organized this coming fall with Erin Condren's fabulous planners!

*Contest ends 7/25/13.  Winner will be notified via email*