Diversity is Cool

The New York Times

Most of the time, we try to avoid controversial stories in an effort to promote positivity on our site. However, this specific story in The New York Times was shocking to us and really caught our attention, hitting home for us as sorority women. As a result, we wanted to share with you, our readers, this story and our thoughts about it in an effort to bring to light a topic that can be overlooked: discrimination.

Recruitment is one of the most amazing parts about being in a sorority because you get to bond with your sisters and share in the excitement of bringing new sisters on board. Each woman that walks through the door into your house is a potential lifelong sister. There are so many beautiful women that you meet throughout the experience, but only a few are the "perfect fit". But, what is the perfect fit? For us, it is that women's personality, academic accomplishments, community service efforts, and overall presence that screams "That's who I want to PREF!" With all of these factors in mind, we were sad to hear that for one school, the color of a women's skin takes precedent.

As you can see, we come from different backgrounds, representing different races and cultures.  However, despite our differences in appearance, we share a sisterly bond that is deeper than the pigment of our skin. Being able to relate to another human being is the greatest gift to have and it can be shared among all races, faces, shapes, and sizes.

Whether you're participating in recruitment or being introduced to a new person in your friendship circle, we encourage you to not lead with race, but lead with an open mind. You never know who could be your next best friend or lifelong sister.

Click here to read the full article in The New York Times.

My Favorite Online Boutiques-Serena Kamlani

Online shopping is easily one of my favorite pastimes. I find it rewarding to weed through thousands of things to find the perfect item at the best price. Plus, there’s something so exciting about knowing you have a package in the mail; knowing I have a little present waiting for me to be opened!  There are so many cute online boutiques that I thought I would share my TOP 4 favorite online boutiques! 

My favorite place for my online shopping desires is definitely The Flaunt Shop.  One of my favorite things about The Flaunt Shop is that there’s a little something for everyone! From preppy bow back dresses to pretty lace panels to the perfect pair of boots for Autumn, The Flaunt Shop has it all! It’s reasonably priced and offers fast shipping through UPS, which is complimentary on orders over $100. They also recently released a game day line featuring clothes and accessories in college sports team colors, and they are constantly adding new schools to the mix! Additionally, there’s a huge selection of all black and all white dresses. These dresses are perfect for recruitment and initiation and are cute enough that you’d actually wear them again! The other awesome thing about The FlauntShop is they are constantly expanding the line.  For instance, I recently collaborated with them to start a California Collection which will feature edgier and a more laid back styles that are so popular in California—think Nasty Gal and Brandy Melville. After seeing some of the garments being added, I can safely say you won’t want to miss this one! Check out The Flaunt Shop on Instagram to stay updated!

My next favorite place to shop online is Tobi.  With a slogan like “from California with love,” Tobi is a bit edgier in general, more nightlife oriented, and very trendy. Think American Apparel meets Urban Outfitters. If I want the perfect crop top, dress with a lot of cut-outs, or ultra high platform shoes, Tobi is my go-to. It’s also very wallet friendly since new arrivals are always discounted.  Additionally, Tobi offers 50% off your first order for all new members. Shipping is lightening-fast, especially if you’re on the West coast since Tobi is based out of San Francisco.  Tobi’s styles are a lot sexier in nature and definitely appeals to a college aged audience. They also post the cutest outfit ideas with their clothes on Instagram, so make sure to check them out!

Now this this one is a bit of a hassle, but if you truly want that dress you saw on Pinterest, it probably came from XeniaBoutique. Some of you may have seen my picture in the Summer Dress It Girl Trend Report of the white dress with the big bow on the back? Yep, that came from Xenia.  Xenia is based out of Australia, so ignore the seasonal arrivals because you’ll just end up confused since their seasons are opposite of ours. The downfall about Xenia is that since things have to ship overseas, it takes a little extra time and all orders are $15 for shipping, so buy everything you want at once. I’ve also occasionally had issues with the way things fit or are made—the white dress arrived with a broken clasp, and two dresses in different colors of the exact same style and size ended up fitting very differently. However, I find it worth it because the clothes are just so darn cute. To get a glimpse of the most recent items, look at their Instagram.

Swanky Doll is near and dear to me because Stephanie, the owner, started her shop so she could stay at home with her son to work.  Swanky Doll started out selling exclusively customized bows, like the ones featured on The Sorority Secrets a while back (Read Here). She offers bows in a variety of fabrics and designs including Lilly Pulitzer prints! However, she has begun expanding her line to lanyards, vanity trays, key chains, and more, all of which will be available in the coming weeks. Another great part about Swanky Doll is you can customize your bows with your monogram! Catch Swanky Doll on Instagram for their latest updates!

Happy shopping, everyone!

Meetup.com

 Meetup

Meetup.com.
Really, it's probably not what you're thinking! No, it's not a dating site. Meetup.com is possibly one of the smartest, most resourceful websites out there. Founded right after the events of September 11th, Meetup.com was created to help bring people together. Whether you're looking for people in your city who love playing lacrosse, to girls who love to go out and do fun adventurous things, Meetup.com can link you up with people of similar interests. One of our Co Founders, Karen, used this website when she moved to Seattle after graduating and it wasn't easy to meet girlfriends in the real world (aka after sorority life). Realizing how convenient the site was, Karen ended up starting her own Meetup group!

So how does it work? It's pretty simple. Go to Meetup.com and register. Once you're registered, select 'Find a Meetup Group'. Then, type in the city you are looking to join a group in including key words of the type of group you're interested in finding. Example: If you are moving to Chicago and want to find women who love to do Yoga, type in the key words 'women' and 'yoga'. Press search and a list of Meetup groups centered around Yoga in Chicago will appear. If you don't see a group catered to your interests, you have the ability to start your own group!

We love the story behind Meetup.com in the wake of September 11th and it reminds us the power of knowing and appreciating your neighbor. Meetup.com is awesome and helps you to meet like-minded individuals, so if you are new to a city, seeking new meaningful friendships, or eager to explore your home, we encourage you to check it out!

Airbrush Legs

Airbrush Legs: Sally Hansen

Before it gets too cold outside, and we're still wearing our dresses and short shorts, we had to reveal one of our favorite reader's secrets... Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs!  This one comes from Jaclyn, an Alpha Chi Omega alumni from Arizona State.  According to Jaclyn, this magical lotion gives you "Barbie legs".  Tried, tested, and TSS approved: this stuff is the real deal!

Whether your summer tan is fading, you have a bit of razor burn, or a less than pretty bruise, this stuff makes it all vanish away.  Essentially makeup for your legs, it covers everything up... leaving flawless & even toned skin.  It's also waterproof, so a little wear won't take it off.  We actually had to use soap and water in the shower to get it off; it really has staying power!  A little fun fact, TSS Co-Founder Ali just brought this stuff with her to a bachelorette party in Las Vegas last weekend... it was a hit before all the girls headed out for a night on the town! 

Our tips for a flawless application: start with clean, freshly shaved legs.  Apply the lotion about 10-15 minutes before getting dressed, so it has a chance to fully dry.  Rub into legs like any other lotion, making sure to blend in any harsh edges.  Wash hands immediately after applying, using soap and warm water.  We prefer the lotion version (it also comes in a spray formula) for easy application.  After enjoying your flawless legs, rinse off in the shower with soap and warm water.

This product is truly a winner.  We hope you love our reader's secret for perfectly fabulous, airbrushed legs!

20 Powerful Words to Use in a Resume

Sure, resumes are very important, but put yourself in the employer's shoes- wouldn't you want to know exactly who you're hiring and why you should hire them?  Resumes only do so much and tell the employers so little about you; and that's exactly why there is such a thing as a cover letter.

Cover letters are often optional when submitting a resume, but we feel as though it shouldn't be optional.  By submitting your cover letter, you have the chance to tell the employer who you are, why you are qualified for this position, and what you can offer them if they hire you!  

People tend to overuse the same words in cover letters such as "hard-working" or "goal-oriented"... which could potentially categorize your resume in the "eh" pile.  So, with that said, The Sorority Secrets is all about helping you succeed and we came up with our list of 20 most powerful words to use in a cover letter!  Remember, just because we gave you these list of 20 words does not mean that you should over use them... just remember to always be yourself!

Happy Monday everyone!

A Touch Of Grunge

Shoes: Converse.  Shorts: Urban Renewal.  Sunglasses: Ray Ban.

Grunge has come a long way since the 90's, and we're loving the little touches of it that we're seeing in fall fashion.  Plaid, army fatigues, and distressed anything (denim, leather, vintage tees... you name it) are turning up everywhere.  For a spin on the usual plaid shirt styling, try it tied around your waist for a carelessly cool vibe.  It's disheveled, it's fresh, and it feels new all over again.  Plus, with some added feminine touches, it can be surprisingly girly!

Now, we could go pairing this outfit with some combat boots... or even better, some chunky-soled Dr. Martens.  But if you don't want to go that far with the look, we suggest pairing it with some cute & classic Chucks.  They're the perfect simple addition to complete the ensemble, as shown by It Girls Cristina and Allie.

This fall, we're throwing on our flannels and getting grunge-chic.  Can't wait!

Category 5 Boat Shoes: A Kickstarter You'll Want to Fund!

Shoes: Category 5

A school project for Jason Shuman, a recent University of Miami grad, turned into a business with 5 best friends.  Category 5 was founded 2 years ago, which provides the first customizable boat shoes that was geared towards fraternities.  After the success of their men's line, Category 5 is ready to take on a women's line; featuring coral, coconut, and mint colored boat shoes... but, this will happen ONLY WITH YOUR HELP! 

Category 5 has started a Kickstarter to help them launch their women's line and they are only less than a month away from the deadline!  Their goal is to reach $15,000 and they've raised more than $10,000 and the rest is up to you!

What's cuter than boat shoes with your Greek letters, sports team, logo, or state? Category 5 shoes can also be the best gift for your boyfriend, dad, or brother. 

Check out their Kickstarter page and help the boys launch their women's line! 

           

Urbanwalls-the only decal shop we need!

Wall Decals: Urbanwalls

Alright, so we have to share a secret that we have been obsessing over and it's these amazing, in-your-face (but in a classy way) decals from Urbanwalls! These decals are not your typical wall decals, it really is a wallpaper in it's own way and the best part about these decals is that they are all removable! Oh, and reasonable! 

Danielle is the face behind this amazing company with a love for design and creativity.  She's a stay-at-home mom that turned her passion into her "job" and when she's not with her boys and her new baby girl (congrats, Danielle!) and "work", she's probably working on her adorable blog!

Can we talk about the adorable designs though?! She has everything from dots, hearts, anchors (hint, hint DGs!), triangles, and SO MUCH MORE on her site and you can also find her on Etsy! 

We may just be feeling generous and give our readers a coupon code for Urbanwalls... stay tuned!

Happy Hump Day, Everyone! 

The Spirit Jersey Craze

Spirit Football Jersey 

Summer has finally come to a close and sorority girls all around the country are looking forward to the upcoming fall semester that is quickly approaching! One of my favorite things to do right before I go back, is stock up on new fall clothes that I can show off all semester while walking around campus. One particular item that has hit the sorority (and non sorority) world by storm is the extremely popular SPIRIT JERSEY! This trend started out in the south and then made its way up north and across the country! By now, just about everyone has heard of these shirt/sweatshirt combination tops! The spirit jersey is perfect for fall because it is not as heavy as a sweatshirt but it can still keep you warm on those chilly October days. They come in a variety of different colors and can be personalized on the back with almost anything that you ask the Spirit Football Jersey company to put on it. What a great way to represent your school, sorority or even town. Amazing way to also get your sorority name out there to upcoming freshman--think recruitment! 

Typically worn with shorts or leggings, these tops are perfect for lounging around or even going to class if you are having a lazy day. It is funny to walk around campus and see the sea of girls in different colored jerseys walking around! To check out the different color and sizing options Spirit Football Jersey has, here is their website: Spirit Football Jersey. Or you can check out their Facebook page which has tons of amazing pictures that girls have taken with them on: Spirit Football Jersey !

Even one of our friends here at The Sorority Secrets, Sarah Belle, did a vlog on how Spirit Football Jersey actually made her her own version of one! You can watch the vlog on it here!

Look out for spirit jerseys across your campus this fall!