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: Graphic Tee

I am sure you have discovered before that we have an obsession with graphic tees. Graphic Tees are a fashion piece that are timeless; they never go out of style! Our It Girls agreed too so we were curious what their go-to graphic tees were. If there is any store we can count on to have some awesome graphic tees it is Forever 21 and that is where Avery found her super cute, flower-crowned woman graphic tee. Avery said, "I usually pair it with a jean jacket, some white converse, and a fun statement necklace if I'm feelin fancy! It's really easy to just throw it on and go! And it's soft and comfy too!" Another place that sells some really trendy graphic tees is Urban Outfitters! Their "Day of the Dead" inspired graphic tees always catch our eye, and they caught It Girl, Cristina's eye too! Graphic tees are also fun to wear when the graphic is a word. Marisa's favorite graphic tee has a special meaning to it because it represents a part of her heritage. "My brother bought me this shirt when he went to Florence because he said that all the Italian men say "ciao Bella" when an American girl walks by!"--we love it! There is nothing like a cute graphic tee with images and words imprinted on them. Just ask Victoria and Allie with their graphic tee choices! Victoria absolutely loves her graphic tee from Zara sharing that, "The dolman shape of the tee with the tie front makes it dressy enough to pair up with a cute flowy skirt, or tone down for a night on the town with teal high waisted skinnies and black patent heels. Plus, the shirt gives off a mature vibe so you still look put together and not childish. The texture and colors are such a plus, too!"--we agree! Allie's graphic tee comes from an online company we hadn't even heard of called Necessary Clothing. Allie said, "They have really cute affordable stuff that's different from the stores!"--we love new store finds so we'll have to check it out! Our last favorite graphic tee style is sporting a famous person on your front. This has remained a popular fad and Serena just loves her Bob Dylan tank from Brandy Melville. She explained, "I love my Bob Dylan graphic from Brandy Melville! Not only am I a huge fan of John Galt graphics, but Bob Dylan is also one of my favorite artists of all time! I love this tank because I can wear it tucked into shorts in the summer or pair it with leggings and a light weight sweater when it's cooler out".

Are you a fan of graphic tees too? Where are your favorite places to shop for graphic tees? 

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 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? 

It Girl Trend Report: Favorite Nail Polish

Nail polish is like a perfect little accessory that can complete any look.  We are all nail polish fanatics over here at TSS, and couldn't wait to share our favorite summer polish selections with you!

Classic bright pinks & corals are a summer staple color for us.  "OPI Shootout at the O.K. Coral looks good on everyone, and enhances your tan in the summertime," Marisa says.  Similarly, Cristina loves Essie's new summer neon pink color called Bottle Service.  "Fuchsia is my favorite color-- it's super girly, and can also have an edgy feel.  When I think of summer nails, this is my go to" Cristina tells us.  Avery also picked a coral pink shade, called Kerfuffle by Butter.  Avery also adds that this coral tone can really amp up your tan... we couldn't agree more!  In the softer pink family, we love Allie's pick-- Ballet Slippers by Essie.  "I love the clean, natural look of a nude polish.  It's always appropriate for any outfit or occassion," Allie says.  For a family occasion or even a job interview, we think that Ballet Slippers is an excellent choice!

Serena & Victoria are both loving the creative nail art looks this summer.  Serena tells us, "since I'm a nail polish fanatic, it's hard for me to pick one color!  My two favorite brands are Julep and Essie, so I picked one from each brand.  This is Julep in Susie, and Essie in Set in Stones."  We love Serena's glittery fade at the tips of her nails, so pretty!  Victoria agrees that "for a pattern, go bold or go home!"  Her favorite shade, OPI Bubble Bath, makes a great base color.  She then added Sally Hansen Snappy Sorbet & OPI Paint My Moji-toes Red to create a geometric pattern.  Victoria suggests using a toothpick or even tape to help make your geometric patterns come out clean & precise.

What are your favorite summer nail looks?  Any favorite new polishes you think we should try out?  Tell us below, we would love to hear from you!

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!

It Girl Interns Trend Report: Patriotic

It may be June, but we're counting down the days until we can celebrate one of our favorite holidays: The 4th of July! With this patriotic holiday just around the corner, we asked our It Girl Interns what patriotic pieces inspired them and we couldn't get enough of their red, white, and blue choices. Marisa's favorite patriotic piece of clothing is her American Eagle Outfitters "Hope and Peace" shirt. Pair that with some cute jean shorts and a Swanky Doll Couture red, white, and blue bow and you have Serena's favorite patriotic look. For Victoria, she opts for the red, white, and blue color scheme in her patriotic wardrobe as she pairs a beautiful blue dress from TJ Maxx with a nice red belt and the good old American flag. Cristina loves to rock the stars in her star-spangled banner swimsuit. What's patriotism without some homemade American apple pie?! Avery's favorite way to show her patriotic spirit is by baking a delicious homemade American apple pie... yum!

What red, white, and blue pieces inspire you for this 4th of July?

It Girl Trend Report: Favorite Blogger

Blogs inspire us.  They give us a resource for new ideas, a place to share, and an outlet for creativity.  We asked our It Girls to tell us a little bit about their favorite blogs this week (other than The Sorority Secrets, of course!) and are big fans of their selections.  From fashion and style, to the power of positive thinking, these blogs cover a lot of ground.

Victoria's favorite blog, The Man Repeller, is a popular choice.  However, Victoria is a fan for reasons other than simply the blogger's quirky sense of style.  "From the moment I discovered The Man Repeller on Instagram, I noticed her love for literature and writing-- and I fell in love.  I'm an English major who dreams of fashion, and The Man Repeller does an excellent job merging the two together in almost a way of art," Victoria says.  Another fashion blog we love is Rachel's selection, Happily Grey.  Not only can her style pictures be found all over Pinterest (obsessed), but we're also big fans of her artful photo editing techniques.

Similarly, Alyx finds inspiration in The Happiness Project.  "Gretchen Rubin started The Happiness Project, which originated as a book and then became a blog.  It provides wisdom and insights to life.  Every morning, I read this blog as a source of inspiration to enjoy the moment, and to look on the bright side of life," Alyx adds.

What are your favorite blogs, that give you a daily dose of inspiration?

It Girl Interns Trend Report: Mascara

Clockwise from top: Benefit, Smashboxx, Julep, Dior, Victoria's Secret, Maybelline. 

In our daily makeup routines, applying mascara is like the cherry on the cake.  Any makeup look isn't quite complete without it, and adding a few coats can make a huge difference.  But with all of the mascara selections out there, it's hard to know which ones are the best!  We turned to our It Girls, to see which mascaras they love the most.  Ranging from drug store brands to designer, there's a little something for everyone!

An affordable classic is Victoria's pick, Maybelline Great Lash.  Don't underestimate the price, as this little pink tube has long been praised by beauty experts as one of the very best.  We're also big fans of makeup products by Victoria's Secret, including Rachel's pick.  Alyx's selection, by Dior, is her absolute favorite.  "The brush is perfectly shaped so that you don't need an eyelash curler," Alyx says.  

Serena has 3 mascara favorites that she likes to use; including Benefit, Smashboxx, and Julep.  Plus, she shared her tips with us, on how to get the most out of your mascara!  "Always start with clean lashes and layer the coats on," she says, which is an important first step.  Next, "begin at the base of your lashes and gently wiggle back and forth as you move the wand up your lashes.  Repeat if desired!"  Another tip we love, is to "use a lengthening mascara on the very tips of your eyelashes to make sure your whole lash is coated-- this really adds length to your lashes, because the lacquer can extend over the tips of your lashes a bit," Serena adds.

What is your favorite mascara brand?  We would love to hear about the mascara you love to use! 

It Girl Interns Trend Report: Statement Pieces

Colored jeans. Amrita Singh bangle. Tory Burch wristlet.

Be bold. Stand out. Make a statement. This week's It Girl Trend Report features our It Girls showing off their favorite statement pieces. A statement piece is unique to you; it could be a pop of color with your jeans, a bright handbag, a spunky nail polish design, or a piece of eclectic jewelry. A statement piece stands on its own. One of the best ways to make a statement is through the use of color in your wardrobe. Our It Girl Victoria shared, "I love mixing a bold color with an essential yet classic counterpart. It keeps symmetry within the outfit and is more aesthetically appealing and fashionable!" Whichever way you decide to make a statement this spring and summer, rock it!

What is your favorite statement piece? Show us on Instagram by hash-tagging #thesororitysecrets and #statementpiece.

It Girl Trend Report: Beach Essentials

Since school is (almost) out for everyone, one thing is on our mind... sunshine and summertime!  Pool parties, beach bonfires, and warm nights await us.  Those summer days wouldn't be complete without a few style essentials, to keep us looking cool with the sand between our toes.  We asked our It Girls to tell us all about their favorite beach staples, in this week's trend report.

One of the biggest trends?  Cute swimwear.  We loved Alyx's tribal pattern 2-piece from Karma Loop, and Rachel's black & white striped option is always classic.  Next up is accessories, from sunglasses to hats.  Ray Bans seem to be the It Girl brand of choice- so many cute styles!  Hats, from floppy to straw, offer style as well as sun protection.  Also, leave it to our It Girls to think of something useful, such as an insulated lunch bag.  As Marisa says, "This is one of my favorite beach items to bring with me... they come in all sorts of cute patterns, and they keep food and drinks cold!"  Serena's adorable Lilly Pulitzer bag is also practical, because "the inside (of the tote) is lined with plastic, so getting sand out is easy."

Palm trees, sea breeze... yes please!  Summer is almost upon us, and we can't wait to hit the beach in style.

It Girl Trend Report: Think PINK!

You heard it- this week, we're thinking pink.  We can't get enough of our favorite pink accessories and girly pink touches.  When in doubt, we choose pink as our go-to color to make us feel happy.  There's just something irresistible about this hue that has us totally smitten.  Plus, pink has evolved into a staple wardrobe color all of it's own.  Is pink the new black?  It just might be!

We loved all of the pretty pink submissions from our It Girls this week!  Victoria's story about the color pink's significance to her, and her sorority, really touched us.  Victoria told us, "Most everyone has seen the pink ribbon in its annual October appearance and occasionally throughout the rest of the year.  These little pink ribbons are my favorite pink item.  Zeta Tau Alpha's philanthropy focuses on Breast Cancer Education and Awareness.  Last year as my chapter's Think Pink chair, I learned the sentimental value and support that is embedded in every single ribbon.  Handing these ribbons out on campus, school sporting events, as well as games with the Seattle Seahawks and Sounders has been a heartwarming and gratifying experience.  So many survivors told me their inspiring stories.  For this reason, I've never loved the color pink so much."

We invite all of our readers to Think Pink this week, and celebrate what the color pink means to you.  From honoring breast cancer awareness to making a fashion statement, this color will always be a favorite of ours.  Do you love the color pink?  Tell us what your favorite pink item is below- we would love to hear!

It Girl Trend Report: Handbag Essentials

All of us girls keep little treasures in our purse that we can't live without.  Hey, who knows what you might need at a moment's notice?  Gotta be prepared!  We talked to our It Girls, and were curious to see what handbag essentials they coveted the most.  Now, for an exclusive peek inside their handbags...

Alyx:  "This is a great hand sanitizer that contains lemon oil.  I also love this small Altoids tin, because it fits in any size purse."

Rachel:  "These are my favorite sunglasses hands down.  I never leave the house without my Ray Ban wayfarers!"

Victoria: "I have so much trust in Bobbi Brown Cosmetics- it was the first makeup I started wearing when I turned 13.  This palette that I keep in my purse is perfect... if you're looking tired, you can use it on your lips and cheeks.  It brightens up your whole look, for effortless beauty!"

Serena: "I chose these because this is my signature bag-- my sisters know me by my bright pink purse.  I always carry lipstick and bobby pins in case of a beauty emergency.  I feel like lipstick can really transform a look.  I try to carry a few different colors so I can pick one suited to the situation-- I usually have a nude, a soft pink, and a statement color.  Right now, I'm really into coral on my lips!  It's really handy when I go out last minute and wanna kick my look up a notch."

Marisa: "I keep my mascara, called Fairy Drops, in my purse.  This mascara has fibers that attach to your eyelashes, which acts like extensions.  Perfect for going out on last minute notice!"

There you have it!  Our It Girls keep their purses stocked with all sorts of things, to be prepared for life as it comes.  What necessity do you keep in your purse at all times?

It Girl Trend Report: Fab&Fit

Working out and being fit is something that should be a priority for everyone.  Sure, we may feel lazy and unmotivated but sometimes a cute pair of running shoes or a cute workout gear can really boost your motivation to workout- we like to call this being “Fab&Fit”!  We personally like to get our motivation from our dearest friend and blogger, Lauryn Evarts’ blog, “The Skinny Confidential”.  (Meet her here!)

For this week’s It Girl Intern Trend Report, we asked our It Girl Interns to snap a picture of their favorite workout item!  

What are some of your favorite work out items?  Instagram and mention us! @thesororitysecrets

Katwalk Philanthropy

Last week, TSS was proud to be involved with a very special philanthropy event- Katwalk!  Katwalk is the annual event hosted by Kappa Alpha Theta at the University of Colorado Boulder.  Our very own It Girl, Alyx, was also the emcee for the event!  Katwalk raises money for Kappa Alpha Theta's official philanthropy, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates).  As stated on the Theta website, "CASA programs can help a displaced child find the security needed to grow and reach full potential."

We sat down with Alyx to ask her a little bit about the event- and the models who walked down the Katwalk runway, representing TSS!

TSS: What exactly is Katwalk?
Alyx: Katwalk is a fashion show event to raise money for CASA.  25 organizations on campus participated, and were each given 45 seconds to walk down the runway.  They each put together dances and fun skits, to show off to the audience.  The cool thing is that not only did Greek organizations participate, but so did other campus organizations- such as the CU Dance Team!

TSS: That's so awesome that all of campus got involved!  How did you raise money, and how much did you raise?
Alyx: This year, we raised about $3,500!  We raised funds through the entry fee, participation, VIP ticket sales, and donations.  VIP's got front row seats, and goody bags!

TSS: How did you integrate CASA into the event?
Alyx: A CASA came to our event, and spoke at the beginning to introduce Katwalk.  He explained to the crowd how CASA helps to give kids a stable role model, and someone to count on.  It's so important that kids feel comforted and like someone is there for them... and that's exactly where CASA steps in to help.

TSS: What was your favorite part of Katwalk?
Alyx: The best part was seeing the Boulder community come together, have fun with one another, and all support a cause.  I also loved being the emcee!  I had a great time coming up with quirky lines and commentary after each participant took stage.  It was also exciting to see TSS represented on the runway!  The models wearing the TSS tees had a ton of fun dancing on stage.  All in all, Katwalk was a great event!

We are so happy that TSS could be a part of Katwalk.  CU Boulder Thetas, thanks for having us!

It Girl Trend Report: Mint

There's just something about the color mint that everyone loves.  For this week's It Girl Intern Trend Report, we had our It Girls send us a picture of their favorite mint colored items!  If you didn't get a chance to meet our It Girl Interns, make sure you do!

Do you have a favorite mint colored item? Instagram it this week and mention us to get a repost!
Have a minty week!