TSS Master List of Bid Day Themes 2013

We're kicking off the TSS Master List with the most exciting, nerve racking, cheer chanting filled day that comes once a year- that's right, BID DAY!  We asked you all on our Instagram account (@thesororitysecrets), your favorite Bid Day Theme that you've done and we compiled it all to bring you one master list of Bid Day Themes!  We listed everything we received so each sorority can play around with each theme!  

Wanna add more onto our 2013 Bid Day Theme list?  Comment below! 

1.  Glow Gamma Phi

2.  Welcome to the Good Life

3.  Hawaiian

4.  Hollywood

5.  You Had Me at Hello

6.  Flying First Class Since 1870

7.  Sweet Home Delta Gamma

8.  Shine Bright Like a DZ

9.     Wizard of Oz “There’s No Place Like Home”

10.     Nothing Dazzles like a Alpha Gam

11.     Welcome to the Good Life

12.     God Bless Pi Phi

13.     These Girls are on PHIre

14.     Know Theta Know Fun, No Theta No Fun.

15.     Kappa Karnival

16.     You’ve Got a Friend in Me

17.     New Bids on the Block (90s)

18.     Making America Beautiful Since 1874

19.     Red, Kite, and Blue

20.     Pretty Little Lyres

21.     Hollywood “Every girl wants to see her name in lights”

22.     In APhi We Trust

23.     Say “Yes” to the Crest

24.     Ain’t Nothing but a GPhi Thang

25.     Welcome to the BIG League

26.     Happily Ever After Starts Here

27.     Theta Joe “We Want You” (America Themed)

28.     How Sweet is it to be a Sigma Kappa

19.     Gamma Phi Just Got Beta

30.     Lucky You, Lucky Me, Lucky to be a Pi Phi (Clover Themed)

31.     Following Your Heart… Lead to the Best

32.     Pi Phiesta (Mexican Themed)

33.     Bows Over Bros

34.     I’ve Got Alpha Phiver

35.     Walk This Way (Rock Themed)

36.     Sail with the Best 

37.     A Golden Key Can Open Any Door- KKG

38.     Fall in Love

39.     It’s Not Four Years, It’s For Like

40.     Chi ‘Omerica

41.     Why Walk When You Can Fly

42.     Twin Stars & Stripes

43.     Get on Board

44.     Kappily Ever After

45.     Three Times is Better Than Just One Letter (Tri Delta)

46.     Oh, the Places You’ll Go with Delta Gamma (Dr. Seuss)

47.     The Best Just Got Better

48.     Kappa Alpha Theta Uh Huh Is the One I Love

49.     We Won the Race (Olympics themed)

50.     Why Walk When You Can Fly – Theta

51.     I’ve Got the Golden Ticket (Willy Wonka Themed)

52.     Who’s the Luckiest of Them All? (Snow White Themed)

53.     Bow Down 

54.     Betas in Wonderland (Alice in Wonderland)

55.     Wish Came True (Dream Catcher Themed)

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!

Better be Taking These Everyday, Ladies!

Source: FitDay

We all know how important vitamins are but do we actually take them??  There are so many different kind of vitamins, multi-vitamins, brands, etc who knows what we should be taking.  We thought it would be beneficial to share the TOP 5 most important vitamins for women to take... and all you gotta know is your ABC's!  

Here are the TOP 5 vitamins all women should be taking, why you should be taking it, and where it can be found!

Stay healthy, ladies!

Recruitment Wardrobe Do's!

With recruitment just around the corner, a lot of you may be asking yourself “what do I wear?!” Keep calm; we are here to help! While sorority recruitment is so much more than the volume of your hair or what designer you are wearing, it is still important to care about your appearance and be confident, because a first impression can be a lasting impression. I have come up with some tips to help you put your best self forward and stand out in a crowd. 

Your outfit can say a lot about your personality. In any situation where you do not know what to expect, or you are meeting hundreds of people for the first time, it is best to keep it classy with higher necklines and longer hems. This Laundry dress is classic and colorful. The jersey material is soft and comfortable, and won’t wrinkle so you stay looking put together all day!

You know that gorgeous statement necklace or cute headband that you always get complimented on? Accessorize! Adding a pop or color or statement piece to your outfit is a great way to make yourself stand apart and be unique. It can also be a great conversation starter because everyone will want to know where you got it! This aqua statement necklace or pink Tory Burch flats are sure to be remembered.

Although recruitment is so much fun, it is also a very long and exhausting process. We have all had those nights where our new heels are killing us and we are asking everyone we know if they have a band-aid for our blisters; comfy footwear is key! Heels are great, but make sure that you can walk and stand in them all day! A wedge can provide more support and adding Dr. Scholl’s Foot Cushions to any high heels can be life changing. I would recommend breaking new heels in around the house!

It’s always better to be overdressed than underdressed. Don’t be afraid to get dressed up, especially for the last day of recruitment! Think like you're meeting your boyfriend’s parents or going to a job interview. That special outfit or your favorite cocktail dress? Wear it! I love this fun and flirty Parker dress. It is elegant and classy, but still unique and memorable.

The most important thing to keep in mind is to be yourself and make sure that you are comfortable in any outfit before walking out the door. When you are comfortable, you are confident!

Wishing you all the best of luck in recruitment!

Crazy for Cupcakes!

Crazy For Cupcakes
By: Victoria, TSS It Girl
   
In my free time, outside of being a student, Greek member, and It Girl Intern, I take time to update my blog, The Guide to Whimsy, where I love to share some of my favorite homemade and quirky recipes. I love experimenting with flavors and how they complement each other in really odd, but scrumptious ways! In general, I just love being in the kitchen, but am known by my hometown, friends, family, and sorority sisters for the cupcakes I bake! From Chai Tea Latte, Fresh Strawberry, Crazy Carrot Cake, Almond Roca, Cheesecake Cupcake, Red Velvet, Raspberry Chocolate, and tons of others, I’ve catered for small parties, family gatherings, birthdays, graduations and even bridal showers.
Here’s one of my recent favorite cupcakes, The Triple C (Chocolate-Coconut Cupcake). This cupcake is the ultimate sweet, salty, slightly tangy, creamy, crunchy, and soft cupcake! For those of you not keen on the idea of coconut, I’ve included ways to void the coconut and switch things up to make another cupcake that’s simpler but still delicious! I love to bake in a really roundabout and experimental way, and rarely use measurements outside my base recipe. So widen your horizons, because the key to success for these cupcakes is a little creativity and having fun putting it all together!
Here’s what you’ll need!

TGTW's Chocolate-Coconut Cupcake (Triple C):
1 box of Pillsbury Traditional Chocolate (If you don’t have time to bake from scratch) OR:

Chocolate Base Recipe:
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup sour cream

Extras:
Shredded Coconut
Almond Extract
Coconut Extract
Ground Cinnamon
Sea Salt
Olive Oil
Sugar Crystals
Neufchatel Cheese (a low fat kind of cream cheese)
Powdered Sugar
Dark Chocolate Cocoa Powder

• Okay, so go ahead and put together the pre-boxed cake batter. For this recipe, however, since I use Olive Oil in another part of the recipe, also use it in the cake mix in replace of Canola Oil. It won't really alter the taste, if anything, I've noticed it makes it the cake more rich and gives better texture. 
• The next thing you're going to do is put roughly 3/4 teaspoons of coconut extract in the batter. Also add another half a tablespoon of almond extract in the batter and mix.
• Now you're going to add your shredded coconut. However much you add is up to how much you or your party likes coconut; my input is to not put any more than a cup and a half.
• The next two steps are to add the cinnamon and sea salt. I love sweet and salty mixes in dessert. It gives it more layers and intricacies, and makes it well rounded. For this, you're going to lightly sprinkle ground cinnamon over the top to how much you prefer, and make sure when you grind the sea salt that you give the top of the cake mix a light even coverage. Mix batter again.
• Put batter into cupcake tins, sprinkle each with sugar crystals, and place in the oven for about 22 minutes. This would also make a really great cake if you'd rather choose to do it that way.
• For the topping, take about a cup and a half of the shredded coconut you have on hand, and toss with about 3 tablespoons of Olive Oil. Spread this onto a cookie sheet (I usually use a silicone pad on mine, but it's not necessary). Grind Sea Salt over the coconut, and add the sugar crystals on top as well. With 10 minutes left on the cupcakes, put them in the oven for the remaining time. You will need to stir up the coconut at 5 minutes.
• For the frosting, I never use a recipe. This will turn out more of like a royal icing for the cupcake. The texture should be a little thicker than a usual icing. Take two boxes of the Neufchatel and whip in your mixer, add a cup of powdered sugar at a time until you get the texture you want. If you've added too much powdered sugar, add a half a teaspoon of cold water to water it down (be careful with water, even the smallest bit will drastically change the texture!!) Add a quarter teaspoon of coconut extract, and a tablespoon of Dark Cocoa Powder to the frosting and mix. Store in fridge.

You're all done! When the cupcakes come out, let them cool down to room temperature before icing with a flat spatula and covering in the salted toasted coconut. This is a real crowd-pleaser that hits every spot on the flavor spectrum!

Bon Appétit!

How to Wear Neon

Skirt: H&M (old, similar here). Tank: Brandy Melville. Denim Vest: Paper Crane (old, similar here). Lips: Sephora. Heels: Forever 21 (old, similar here).

There is just something about wearing neon that has not phased out for us! Neon has been the greatest addition to our closets and adds a level of happiness and flare to anyone's wardrobe. One of our readers, Zenia, asked us the best way to rock neon so it looks more high fashion and less like a walking highlighter {haha}. It Girl, Victoria, is a true neon fashionista. Neon from head to toe is just too much for the eyes, so we suggest contrasting your neon outfit with some neutral colors such as black, ivory, or white like Victoria did in the above outfit. The contrast between neon and neutral colors makes for a more fresh, modern, visually appealing look. Not ready to go full force neon? Then add a pop of neon color to your outfit with a bright shade of lipstick. Neon lips against a soft makeup look like Victoria's let's your face shine with little work (a nice smile like Victoria's always helps too!). Wearing neon is bold, so don't be afraid to be seen and rock what you've got!

What neon ensembles are you loving right now? Hashtag #tssneon to show us your favorite neon look!

Top 5 Most Accurate Celeb Tabloids

Source: Erik Hayden

We take it to the gym, we read it during breaks, or while waiting in the Waiting Room at the doctor's office!  Us girls just have to know who's dating who (who broke up with who), what they wore on the Red Carpet, and what trouble they're getting into now- celebrity tabloids are every girl's guilty pleasure!  We all know that some reports are true and some aren't, but how are we supposed to know which tabloid to trust and buy?! In all reality, even the #1 "accurate" tabloid isn't 100% non-fiction, but according to Erik Hayden, these are the Top 5 most accurate celebrity tabloids!  (People isn't listed on this list because it is actually gossip that is coming straight from publicist.)

What are some of your favorite celebrity tabloids?  

DIY: Protect Your Jewels

Acrylic Clear Gloss Spray: Krylon.  Bracelets: Forever 21 (here & here).

You know that really cute faux gold bracelet that you love to wear?  Sure, it's shiny and pretty now that it's fresh out of the package.  But once you give it a little too much love, it might start to turn green on you.  Before long, it starts to tarnish... the gold chips away, and there's no turning back.  Since it's not real gold, it can't be polished.  With all of the cute & inexpensive costume jewelry options out there, what's a girl to do?  Just because it didn't cost a lot shouldn't mean that it's disposable.

Low and behold, we came across a solution to the costume jewelry dilemma... clear gloss spray!  We had heard of this trick before, and so we decided to give it a try.  Local craft stores (such as Michael's) carry clear gloss acrylic sprays, usually in the spray paint section.  If you want the results to be shiny, make sure to get the bottle marked "Gloss"- otherwise, the ones marked "Matte" or "Satin" will leave a matte finish on your items.  This will work for all metal costume jewelry; not suggested for real precious metals or plated items, or for use with items that have shiny stones.  Since the spray is clear, it doesn't matter what color the metal is.

To start, take the jewelry out that you wish to protect.  Clean it off with a slightly damp paper towel, and dry off completely with a dry paper towel.  Any dirt or fingerprint marks left on the item will literally get "sealed" inside the clear coat, so try to make everything look nice and clean.  Take your items outdoors, along with something to protect the ground (a flat piece of cardboard or a paper grocery bag, for example).  Lay your items flat on the cover, give the can a few good shakes, and begin to lightly mist away.  Start with even and light strokes about 1-1.5 feet away from the ground, gently covering the jewelry with each mist.  Be careful to not let the gloss spray get too thick or drippy; the coat should be light.  Once evenly coated, do not touch the wet jewelry.  Leave it outside for 1-2 hours to dry, flip the pieces over to the opposite side, and repeat coating the back side with the gloss spray.  After the back side dries for another 1-2 hours, your jewelry is ready to go!  Wait until the jewelry no longer feels tacky or sticky before taking inside to wear.

We hope you love our trick for your costume jewelry... TSS tested & approved!  We know we're excited to give some of our favorite pieces an extra long, wearable life!

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!

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?

The Secret to Cleaning Your Makeup Brushes!

Raise your hand if you know how to properly wash your makeup brushes.

crickets....crickets....

Ok, so we are not alone on this one! Merely rinsing our makeup brushes with water after using it has proven to be a not-so-effective way to keep the brushes clean for its next use. We finally decided to turn to the beauty experts about how to best clean off our makeup brushes and we were exposed to literally the simplest way to clean our brushes: baby shampoo! Here is a quick rundown:

Step 1: In one hand, pour a quarter size amount of baby shampoo into the palm of your hand.

Step 2: Turn your water faucet on until the water is lukewarm.

Step 3: Using your empty hand, grab your dirty makeup brush and begin to swirl the brush into the baby shampoo as you hold it under the sink water. You will see the makeup start to pour off into the sink from your hands.

Step 4: After you are done cleaning your makeup brush, lay a paper towel or cloth towel onto the sink counter making sure that one end of the paper towel hits the edge of the counter. Place the wet makeup brushes on the towel so that it is hanging over the edge of the counter. Allow the water from the brush to drip dry (place a towel on the floor where the water is dripping to avoid a wet puddle on the floor).

Another easy and simple alternate to keep your makeup brushes extra clean is by investing in a brush cleanser. You can find a good brush cleanser at MAC Cosmetics or Estee Lauder.

Know of any makeup tips? Share your secret by emailing us at secret@thesororitysecrets.com!

Colorful shorts that'll {BRIGHTEN} everyone's day!

ASOS, J.Crew, Banana Republic, Gap, Anthropologie, Free People, Alice & Olivia, Express

Summer's not over yet, so now is the time to wear all of your bright colored shorts!  If you didn't get to shop for bright colored shorts in the beginning of Summer, don't you fret, because they're all on sale now! (woop woop!)  We compiled our favorite bright color shorts, so you can brighten everyone's day! 

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.

TSS Summer Playlist

Summer is the perfect season to have your sunroof open or your convertible top down to cruise the streets enjoying your favorite summer tunes. Karen is obsessed with Ariana Grande's song featuring Mac Miller called "The Way" (she literally sounds just like Mariah Carey!). Ali just can't get enough of Kaskade's song "Atmosphere"-it gets her pumped the entire day. We asked you what was on your summer playlist so we compiled some awesome summer tunes from your suggestions that you can download in the iTunes store!

1. @itsdianacarol: Showstopper by Brandon & Leah
2. @ohitsvan: Slow Down by Selena Gomez
3. @victoria_ashley: The Love Club by Lorde
4. @mdflood: Holy Grail by Jay Z ft. Justin Timberlake
5. @noelwormwood: Miss Jackson ft Lolo by Panic! at the Disco
6. @aves444: Tequila remix by J Rabbit (not in iTunes)
7. @shelbyrevis: Best Song Ever by One Direction
8. @summ_a: We Can't Stop by Miley Cyrus
9. @vegranillo: Aw Naw by Chris Young
10. @gloglostef: Treasure by Bruno Mars
11. @itsnotshania: Blurred Lines by Robin Thicke ft. T.I. & Pharrell
12. @mytieslc: And We Danced by Macklemore ft. Ziggy Stardust

Are we missing some great music on our list? Share with us your favorite summer tunes (new or old!) by leaving a comment or sharing with us on Instagram: @thesororitysecrets.

Happy singing!