RSVP Etiquette

If you're like us then it is likely that you have already been invited to a couple of graduation parties, weddings, baby showers, and the list goes on. Whether it is a fancy invitation in the mail or a cute e-card, it is really important to meet the RSVP deadline. Here are some things to consider when it comes to responding to an invitation:

1. The host is counting on you. 

It is really hard to throw an event without an accurate head count. Every single person attending an event means additional food, drinks, and party favors. If you don't RSVP then you may not be accounted for giving the host additional stress as they work last minute to accommodate you.

    2. There's a budget.

A lot of people rent out spaces when they're hosting events. Many times, the venue requires you to commit to a minimum and that is how the host figures out their budget. An inaccurate head count can mean more money that the host has to come up with due to lack of an RSVP. This could also force the host to have to change venues last minute which could also resort in additional costs.

  3. If it's "No", that's ok.

If you cannot attend an event you've been invited to, no worries! But, you still need to let the host know that. It is a misconception that RSVPS are only for "Yes" replies. Your "No" RSVP lets the host know not to account for you when making party plans.

Meet Mackenzie

We love expanding our team and Mackenzie has just joined us as our Senior Assistant. We couldn't be more happy to have her onboard and we wanted you to get to know her too! Mackenzie is a Junior at the University of Washington where she is studying Communications. When she isn't at school, she is an active member of Kappa Alpha Theta. Her true passion is makeup and you will more than likely catch her doing her sisters'  makeup for special events like formals and date parties. Mackenzie hopes to one day be a professional Makeup Artist. Giving back is something near and dear to Mackenzie and she is actively involved in her church. This past spring break to took a trip to the Dominican Republic with some of her church members and Theta sisters to help those less fortunate. 

Please join us in welcoming Mackenzie to The Sorority Secrets' team!

Spring into Season with TSS {by, Audree}

Say ‘hasta la vista’ to your sweater and boots ladies because it’s springtime! Think bright, colorful, and of course floral. 

When transitioning from winter to spring, balance out your outfits with cuffed pants and a light sweater or jean jacket. Colorful skinny jeans and skirts are a must-have for spring, so match them with a neutral top or be daring with a floral print. Springtime is also the perfect season for color blocking. To successfully color-block, pair complementary colors or colors that are in the same monochromatic family and keep your color-block balanced with neutral jewelry and shoes. 

Outfit details: jean jacket: Levis | blouse: thrift | skinny jeans: H&M | sandals: Charlotte Russe | clutch: thrift

When spring comes around, I instantly think of tea parties, brunches and fun social events. A bright dress paired with wedges and a sun hat will be your go-to this season. A dress that cinches at your waist is flattering on all body types and a nude wedge is the most versatile shoe to have in your closet. Pair the outfit with simple jewelry and let your dress speak for itself!

Outfit details: dress: Ross | wedges: Steve Madden | cuff: H&M

Brighten up the season with bold colors and feminine prints! Shop your local mall or favorite online stores for key pieces for the season and remember, color is always in style. 

Happy Spring!

Go on a Staycation! {By, Audree}

{photo credit}

It’s that time again, spring break! But what if you don’t have plans? No worries, you can have a vacation wherever you are. Grab a group of sisters and try some of these ideas below for a fun and relaxing week!

Spa Day 
Surf the web for easy at-home facemasks and hair treatments and spend the day pampering yourself. Between the craziness of school and work, a spa day is always a great way to relax.

Day trip
Venture with your best gal pals to a town nearby and grab lunch, take some photos and even get a little shopping in. 

Get outside
Spend an afternoon hiking, biking, off-roading or swimming. Pack some snacks, water and enjoy Mother Nature.

Coffee Shop Dates
My personal favorite pastime is discovering local coffee shops. Visit a coffee shop you’ve never been to before, bring a book you’ve been dying to read and just sit, read and sip on a cup of coffee. Perfection. 

Potluck 
Invite some friends over and have a potluck! Tell people to bring the ingredients for a dish and then all cook them together. 

Movie Marathon 
How often do you get to just curl up on your couch and just watch movies all day? Make some popcorn, gather a collection of your favorite flicks and relax!

Concert
Search for local small concerts happening through the week and check them out. There are always small bands performing at coffee shops, jazz bars or concert houses and it is fun to discover some new bands and rock out with your friends. 

Sport games
Spring training has arrived! Grab a blanket, your ball cap and go watch a good game of baseball. 

Although you may not be on a beach in Mexico, you can still have fun this spring break right at home! The best memories are impromptu and spontaneous adventures, so don’t forget to enjoy your spring break! Try something new, catch up on some sleep and mentally prepare for finals!

Our Favorite Shades Under $150!

Marc Jacobs | Ray-Ban #1 | Madewell | House of Harlow | Ray-Ban #2 

Sheriff & Cherry | Tory Burch | Stella McCartney | Toms

The weather is getting warmer and the sun is shining stronger- it's finally time to get your favorite shades out!  Between all the brands that are out there, it's sometimes hard and difficult to find that perfect pair of sunglasses! We decided to save you the trouble and compiled some of our favorite shades right here on TSS for you!  The best part about it is that they're all under $150!

Check them out!

5 Ways To Stay Motivated At The Gym

So you've finally mustered up enough energy to take your little butt to the gym, but how do you stay motivated once you get there? We know just how hard it can be to get to the gym and once you get there, you want to make it worth your while so we came up with 5 different ways you can stay motivated while you're at the gym.

#1. Make a Workout Playlist
Remember when we shared with you some cool Pandora workout stations? There's nothing like some cool beats to help you weather the gym storm! Set a time frame as to how long you want to be at the gym, then develop your playlist around that. For a little something extra, divide your music according to the workouts you will be doing. For example, if you're going to be doing cardio for 10 minutes, put on some upbeat music; if you're going to have a 5 minute cool-down/stretch session put on some chill music. This will help the workout go faster!

#2. Sign Up For a Class
Taking classes is a great source of cardio so look up all the classes being offered at your gym and commit to taking one. Our favorites are Zumba and Pure Barre with an occasional spin class here and there.

#3. Take a Friend
The greatest way to commit to a workout is to have someone holding you accountable. Taking a friend to workout with you pushes you to not only make it to the gym, but also to have a bomb workout because you will have someone rooting for you.

#4. Get a Trainer
Having the courage to sign up for a gym membership is only half the battle. Getting a trainer will help to give you that boost to stay on track with your fitness goals. A trainer motivates you throughout the workout and only pushes you toward getting the results you want.

#5. Workout When Your Crush Is There
No, seriously--what better way to stay motivated at the gym than when your crush is working out too. Eye candy during your workout is an added bonus ;-)

Happy Working Out!!

Flower Power

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Spring has sprung and April is right around the corner! As you can see on our TSS Instagram (follow us if you don't already!), we are obsessed with floral prints- it's colorful, bright, cute, and it's perfect for Spring! The best part about floral is that you can dress it up with a floral clutch like the Ted Baker London clutch above or you can dress it down with cute baseball cap like the J. Crew one above!  

What are some of your favorite stores that carry a lot of floral prints?

Happy Hump Day!