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!

Cate McNabb Cosmetics Giveaway WINNERS!

Thanks to everyone who participated in our Cate McNabb Cosmetics Giveaway. We loved reading what lip products you loved from their collection and hope that even if you're not a winner that you try them out soon! Please find the list of winners below. If you are a winner, please email us at giveaway@thesororitysecrets.com with your best mailing address, your final choice of lip product, and full name so Cate McNabb Cosmetics can ship you your winning lip product. Don't forget to snap lots of photos in your Cate McNabb Cosmetics lip product and Instagram direct message it to us for a possible social media feature. xoxo!

1. Katherine Brunty
"I have been dying to try a new Cate McNabb product! I am totally in love with the lipstick; my shade? BAKED! It being summer, this is the perfect shade along with a sun kissed bod and your staple, white flowy crop and denim shorts! To pull the outfit together, pair it with a turquoise, chunky, statement necklace, and your lips will look fab!"

2. Nora Mihalick

"So excited to share my favorite Cate McNabb Lip Color! :) After deciding between two fabulous lip gloss colors, I have decided my absolute favorite would have to be Belle Red.

The reason I love this color so much is because I think it is a color that can be worn during the day, or when going out at night. Being a new college grad and opening my own yoga studio, I need a colored gloss that can go from the studio to happy hour and look great throughout the day. I think that Belle Red is just that colored gloss to do the job! Not only will the color look great with yoga pants and yoga mats, it will also look great with a cute pair of wedges and a sundress to go out at night."

3. @ktaie (Kiana T)

"Cafe Au Lait; I've been looking for a new nude gloss!!"

4. @jerikendal ( Jeri Shanks)

"Obsessed with Wednesday Pink!"

5. Najada Hester

"My favorite color was Sakura's pick. The Cherry Bomb Lacquer is a great color on me, that I have found so far since I started trying to wear make up a couple of months ago. I would pair it with the outfit below to make a bold but cute outfit. The reason I love this color is because it is a bold color and almost everyone can pull it off. This color can make anyone standout just with it being so bold. Thank you and have a nice day!!"

6. Lynzee Halvorson

"I would choose the Wednesday Pink Lip Gloss for a relaxing day at the beach when I am going for the more natural look but want to add a little color and a glossy lip!"

7. @chelsayylane (Chelsea Lane)

"@chelljones91 because Be Mine is obviously our color!"

8. Kristen Yurkowski

"I'd want to try the Clementine Lipstick; I haven't any orange colors and would love a punchy orange to try this summer! I think I'd style it with a nude eye, but I'm not sure. I'd love to just play around with it!"

9. @annabarnes1 (Anna Barnes)

" In LOVE with Cherry Bomb Lip Lacquer. Simply the perfect pop".

10. @annetaylor_ (Adreanne M.)

"Pink Lemonade Lip Lacquer!"

Our 6 Favorite Pinterest Accounts to Follow!

Sources: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 

It's no secret... we love Pinterest!  Simply put, Pinterest is every girl's "la la land".  Some may think pinning is a waste of time, but it's actually a very useful tool for organizing & inspiration!  Whether you're planning a dinner party, wedding, or need some home decor inspiration, Pinterest is every girl's best friend.  When it comes to perfect Pinterest boards, we got our 6 favorite Pinterest accounts to follow and we're excited to share them with you!

1. The Coveteur-  If you haven't heard of the Coveteur, you're in for a treat.  The Coveteur gives you a behind-the-scenes access to every A-list celebrity's closet you can think of!  Not only are their photos amazing on their site, but their Pinterest board is just as amazing!

2. - B A I L E Y - A mom blogger from Sacramento, CA that has the most amazing Pinterest board... like, ever.  Bailey has a board for basically everything and anything you can think of and she has impeccable taste in photography!

3. Natalie Hughes- Want a super girly Pinterest account to follow?  Well, Natalie's your girl!  Natalie is a freelance journalist living in London and also handles Christian Louboutin's social media!  Her pinterest boards are filled with glitz, glam, and tons of pink!

4. ban.do- You've most likely seen some of their super fun, super cute products all of Pinterest & Instagram!  They're known for tons of colors and quirky sayings on their product like their tech accessories, planners, koozies, you name it!  Their Pinterest board definitely reflects their products with pin boards full of bright, fun colors!

5. Style Me Pretty- Every girl needs to be planning their fairytale wedding whether they're engaged or not!  Style Me Pretty has all the boards & pins you need to plan your dream wedding!  She also has great pin boards on interior design!

6. The Glitter Guide- For those of you that love everything from bloggers, fashion, interior design, party planning, cooking, and more- The Glitter Guide is the perfect site for you!  The Glitter Guide's Pinterest account is filled with all goodies all girls love!  The Glitter Guide has over 1 million followers and if you don't follow them, you definitely need to!

What are some other Pinterest accounts you like to follow?!

How To Order Healthy When Dining Out

It's day five of your diet and you are finally realizing that you have been doing a great job with your cleanse/diet because you have been HIDING OUT. Yeah, YOU! In order to maintain a healthy lifestyle, it is not healthy (or realistic) to stay at home in order to avoid that juicy McDonald's burger or tasty Wendy's french fries. It's okay to eat out with your friends or family; you just need to know how to pick the right things on the menu. Here are some healthy eats and tips that you can use that won't sabotage your diet:

Every menu has a salad option so instead of that juicy, 3,000+ calorie burger, opt for a decent salad. If a plain salad seems too light include some protein with your salad by asking your server to add some grilled chicken or even salmon. Include light dressing and vegetable toppings and you will surely be feeling both satisfied and guilt-free.

Is that loaf of bread and butter really needed before your meal? Often times when food is placed in front of us, we have the tendency to munch on it. Bread can be carb overkill so politely ask your server to remove the bread and butter from the table. If you really can't help yourself, munching on the wheat bread as opposed to the French bread is a healthier option.

Rice, bread, and pasta is major carb overkill. Greens and lean proteins like grilled chicken, fish, shrimp, and calamari are your friend!

While sodas, juices, and adult beverages might wash your food down better (we're not so sure it makes a difference haha) it sure does add a lot of calories to your meal. Water is your best friend when dining out--you can do no wrong gulping it down. If you're looking for an extra punch of flavor, ask to add a lemon, lime, or strawberry to your water.

If it is becoming difficult to sift through the menu, ask the server for the separate healthy menu if they have one. If not, ask the server to list the food choices that are the healthiest. There are also lots of apps out there that can count the calories in food for you so you can make a better decision on what you would like to eat.

Any way you slice it, having a healthy attitude towards food is what's most important.  If you're craving something like pizza, it's totally okay to indulge once in a while.  Everything in moderation is key!

Happy {healthy} eating!

Ali Ties the Knot In Cabo

Photographer: Amy Bennett Photography // Wedding Planner: Infinity Weddings, Rachel Hansen

Venue: Hacienda Cocina y Cantina // Ali's Dress: Mariee Bridal // Hair & Makeup: Alan Torres @ Casa Dorada

Here comes the bride!  This past May (May 25th, to be exact) TSS Co-Founder Ali tied the knot to her hubby, Jon, in sunny Cabo San Lucas.  Ali & Jon dreamed of a wedding day on the sand with the ocean as their backdrop, and knew that Cabo was just the place to have it.  They always loved going to destination weddings for their friends' nuptials, because let's face it-- it's the perfect opportunity to take a vacation with all of your family and loved ones!  Not only was their wedding a fabulous night, but they also were able to turn the celebration into an entire weekend long fiesta.  Guests included immediate family and closest friends, for an intimate ceremony.

Ali chose a color scheme of shades of white & soft pink, accented with gold and hints of turquoise.  Guests were given locally handmade maracas (in both light pink & white) as favors... which ended up being a big hit in both pictures and on the dance floor!  Keeping close to their own personal style, Ali wore an elegant 2-piece dress, with a sparkly lace up corset top and a full skirt.  Ali loved the idea of a formal gown in the casual beach setting... not your typical beach ceremony wedding attire, which is exactly what she had in mind!  Jon opted for a more casual suit instead of a tuxedo, paired with his signature footwear of choice... white boating shoes.  Bridesmaids wore mix & match dresses from Nordstrom, each with their own personal touches for accessories.  

The wedding party walked down the aisle to live music.  A Spanish guitarist & violinist duo played to the crowd, and Jon's cousin Shae sang "A Thousand Years" by Christina Perri as the couple met at the beachside altar.  Another special touch, Ali's father in law became ordained for the occasion, and conducted the wedding ceremony.  Once the ceremony concluded, a mariachi band led the guests into cocktail hour... it was time to party!

Wedding guests dined on dishes with local flavor.  Margaritas, guacamole, and churros (YUM) were all on the menu.  The wedding cake was classic vanilla buttercream (the couple's favorite) topped with fondant, a dusting of gold shimmer, and fresh flowers on top.  Everyone danced the night away to songs ranging from Rod Stewart to Calvin Harris.  Instead of a photo booth, Ali & Jon decided to have a video booth for guests to record personal messages... check out the video highlights here!

It was a night (and weekend) that Ali & Jon will cherish forever.  To anyone considering having a destination wedding-- their advice is go for it!!  With life's busy schedules, having an opportunity to get away with your loved ones is truly a once in a lifetime experience.  

Special thanks to our fabulous wedding planner, Rachel Hansen, for turning our dream 

wedding into a reality!  And thank you to Amy Bennett Photography for capturing 

each moment so beautifully.  You both were a joy to work with!

All American Apple Pie Crust Recipe

[Picture Source: Pinterest]

We're all about the patriotic spirit!  In honor of one of our favorite holidays, the 4th of July, we decided to get a head start on the festivities by whipping up some All American Apple Pie.  Instead of getting a store bought crust, we decided to go the homemade route for something extra good. Former TSS It Girl Avery shared her favorite apple pie crust recipe with us, and boy is it ever delicious.  The best part?  It's buttery and flakey... melt in your mouth good!  The secret?  A secret ingredient-- vodka!  (For our readers under 21, please be responsible and ask someone of age to help out.)

Foolproof Pie Dough for a Single-Crust Pie (from Cooks Illustrated)

Recipe yields one 9-inch single crust pie
*Vodka is essential to the texture of the crust and imparts no flavor- do not substitute.  The dough will be moister and more supple than most standard pie doughs, and will require more flour to roll out (up to 1/4 cup).

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour (6 1/4 ounces)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter (3/4 stick), cut into 1/4 inch slices
• 1/4 cup chilled solid vegetable shortening, cut into 2 pieces
• 2 tablespoons vodka, cold
• 2 tablespoons cold water

Instructions:

1. Process 3/4 cups flour, salt, and sugar together in food processor until combined-- about 2 one second pulses.  Add butter and shortening and process until homogenous dough just starts to collect in uneven clumps, about 10 seconds (dough will resemble cottage cheese curds with some very small pieces of butter remaining, but there should be no uncoated flour).  Scrape down sides and bottom of bowl with rubber spatula, and redistribute dough evenly around processor blade.  Add remaining 1/2 cup flour and pulse until mixture is evenly distributed around bowl and mass of dough has been broken up (4-6 quick pulses).  Empty mixture into medium bowl.
2. Sprinkle water and vodka over mixture.  With rubber spatula, use folding motion to mix, pressing down on dough until dough is slightly tacky and and sticks together.  Flatten dough into 4-inch disk.  Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 45 minutes or up to 2 days.  
3. Adjust oven rack to lowest position, place in rimmed baking sheet on oven rack, and heat oven to 425 degrees.  Remove dough from refrigerator and roll out on generously floured (up to 1/4 cup) work surface to a 12-inch circle about 1/8 inch thick.  Roll dough loosely around rolling pin and unroll into pie plate, leaving at least 1-inch overhang on each side.  Working around circumference, ease dough into plate by gently lifting edge of dough with one hand while pressing into plate bottom with other hand.  Leave overhanging dough in place; refrigerate until dough is firm, about 30 minutes.
4. Trim overhang to 1/2 inch beyond lip of pie plate.  Fold overhang under itself; folded edge should be flush with edge of pie plate.  Flute dough or press the tines of a fork against dough to flatten it against rim of pie plate.  Refrigerate dough-lined plate until firm, about 15 minutes.
5. Remove pie pan from refrigerator, line crust with foil, and fill with pie weights or pennies.  Bake for 15 minutes.  Remove foil and weights, rotate plate, and bake for 5-10 minutes additional until crust is golden brown and crisp.

Now for the other yummy part-- the filling!  This filling will help to cut the time in half when making the rest of the pie, plus it tastes just like homemade!

Enjoy your All American Apple Pie!

Cate McNabb Giveaway (Ended)

We're currently obsessing over Cate McNabb Cosmetics' products!  They have everything from skin products, lip products, to even amazing makeup brushes!  Cate's products are all cruelty-free & paraben-free.  We tested out their lip products and we're in love!

Ali chose the Wednesday Pink lip gloss for a perfect day look with a pop of color! Sakura on the other hand both went with bright, bold red with the Cherry Bomb lip lacquer to get more of the shiny, plump look.  Karen picked the Clementine Lipstick for a bright orange color to wear during the day or night!

With that said, Cate McNabb & The Sorority Secrets have teamed up to give 10 of our readers their choice of lip products!

Here's How to Enter:

• Email us at giveaway@thesororitysecrets.com and tell us which color you would like and how you would style it!
• Or go to our Instagram account (click here) and comment on our Cate McNabb picture and tell us which color is your favorite and tag your friends!
• Giveaway ends this Sunday, July 6th at 5:00PM

Happy Wednesday!