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!

A Girl's Guide To A Gluten-Free Lifestyle

[Picture Source: Pinterest]

Okay, so we have all heard of the word "gluten" and even Jimmy Kimmel joked around here when he interviewed people and they really didn't know what it meant {haha}. But, in all seriousness, gluten has been something that negatively affects many, including Co-Founder, Karen. The affects can include IBS or extreme bloating that can last days or even weeks. According to WebMD, gluten is a protein found in anything made from wheat, rye, or barley. It can also be found in products less obvious like soy sauce and lunch meat. The best way to avoid gluten is to start by reading the labels of all the food you encounter. Look for trigger ingredients such as barley, wheat flour, rye bread or flour, oatmeal, semolina, malt flavoring and the list goes on. Check out a full list here! "Gluten-free" shouldn't sound daunting and a lot of grocery stores have many gluten-free and tasty selections. Karen reached out to some of her friends to get some tips on great foods to consume that are gluten free so here are some of the suggestions:

• Corn based pasta from Trader Joe's 
• Trader Joe's gluten free oatmeal 
• Fruits
• Vegetables (especially green and dark green veggies)
• Lean meats (like grilled chicken, fish, pork tenderloin and beef tenderloin)
• Ezekiel bread or sprouted grain bread
• Pure, plain Greek yogurt

Special tip from TSS Reader, Brynn: "Be careful with food labeled "gluten free" because for the gluten they've taken out, they've also added 5 crappy ingredients in it! It's definitely all carb based products too!!"

Stores like Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, and Udis have great gluten-free products. One suggestion that Karen received is to avoid Maltodextrin and Dextrose. Those are terrible preservatives that are in spices and a lot of foods. Again, LOOK AT THE LABELS.

At the end of the day, cooking at home is the best way to avoid processed food that can contain gluten so that is the best option when trying to live a gluten-free lifestyle. Above all else, consult with your doctor or nutritionist before you adopt any new change in food lifestyle. All of this is new to us so we want to hear from you! What are some of your favorite foods to eat that are gluten-free? Please share them below!

Bananas for Banana Leaves

clockwise from top left: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]
{photo sources: 1, 2, 3}

We have a pattern crush on banana leaves!  The classic design-- originating from the 1940's-- is having a trendy moment this summer, and it's prettier than ever.  The tropical print looks fresh on everything from phone cases, to stationery, to bikinis.  The bikini is a total steal, found at Target!  Co-Founder Ali couldn't wait to get her hands on the iPhone case, and even showed it off on our Instagram the other day.

Banana leaf prints look great when styled simply; pair it with black, white, or tan/nude shades.  Or, take inspiration from the iconic Beverly Hills Hotel (where the walls are decorated with wallpaper in the pattern), and pair your print with a shade of light pink!  You can also add a taste of the trend to your home, with pillows in the print from Kate Spade.

We're totally bananas for banana leaves.  What's your favorite print for summer?

TSS Favorite Things {June}

Sakura- Book | Bangle | Lipgloss

Ali- Dress | Shoes | Lipgloss

Karen- Scrub | Speaker | Nail Polish

Oh boy, June is coming to an end already and our summer has been absolutely crazy!  Like every month, we gather our favorite things of the month and compile them just for our readers!  This month, we have a little bit of everything from books, lip glosses, to speakers!  Check them out and share with us what your favorite things of June are!

Happy Summer!

10 Ways To Make Traveling Easier

It's summa, summa, summa time! Time to sit back and unwind so what better way to do that than traveling?! But, wait. There is nothing more stressful than being an unprepared traveller. How many times have you made it to the airport and you've experienced every possible delay of things you could have controlled, from wearing better shoes so you're not struggling at TSA to having airline personnel tell you your carry on is too large/heavy and you have to go all the way back to check it? Whomp, whomp. Failing to prepare is preparing to fail, right? Well, we have come up with ten ways to make traveling easier. Take out a pen and paper!

1. Plan Out & Pack Your Outfits
2. Roll Your Clothes When Packing
3. Download Your Airline's Mobile App
4. Take a Picture Of Where You Parked
5. Use the Curbside Check-In
6. Wear Laceless Footwear
7. Pull Your Laptop Out Before You Get In the TSA Line
8. Just Check Your Luggage
9. Wear Comfortable Clothes To the Airport
10. Use the Restroom Before You Load Onto the Plane

Do you have some traveling tips? Share them below!

Happy Traveling!

DIY Fabric Covered Mason Jars!

Things you’ll need: Glue, scissors, fabric, a mason jar (duh), and a small sponge brush.

We feel silly writing steps, because really all you need to do is cut the fabric into strips that are the length of your jar, dip them in glue, and stick them to the walls of your jar. Once they are dried, you can begin using them! It also works best to use fabric with a pattern that doesn’t get too mismatched when layered on top of itself!

Have fun crafting!

EDM Workout Playlist

Nothing boosts your workout quite like the right music, so we've put together a playlist of songs guaranteed to pump you up... especially for the EDM lovers out there.  Co-Founder Ali is a devoted Kaskade fan, so naturally we had to include a little from him, and lots of other favorites too!  For those of you who went to Electric Daisy Carnival this past weekend (or wanted to go), these beats will take you right back to EDC.  Go hit the pavement, the gym, have a dance party, and get that heart rate going!

Press play below for our EDM Workout playlist... and be sure to check out our TSS Summer 2014 playlist on Spotify too!

What songs motivate you for a workout?  We would love to hear below!

DIY Humongous Piñata Letters!

If you're a Pinterest fanatic like we are, you've probably already seen these adorable piñata letters!  They're so fun and festive but we have always wondered how to make these darn cute things!  They seem really complicated, but they're actually pretty fun and easy to make.  They are a bit time consuming so we would recommend grabbing a few of your girlfriends to make it a group project or keep the word simple and short!

Things you’ll need: Cardboard letters (we found ours at Joann’s), hot glue gun, tissue paper in a few different colors, scissors, a ruler.

Step 1. Keeping the tissue paper folded, cut into sections about 3″ wide.

Step 2. Cut a fringe about 0.5″ long onto either side of the tissue paper section. Make sure you aren’t cutting the folded sides or else you’ll end up with tons of small pieces instead of a nice long strip of fringe.

Step 3. Unfold each section and re-fold it in half lengthwise. Using a hot glue gun, attach strips of tissue paper to the cardboard letter. A ruler comes in handy for making sure you’re gluing each strip straight across.

Step 4. Alternate colors to create your pattern. Continue gluing your tissue paper fringe pieces onto the cardboard until the entire letter is covered. Repeat with as many letters as you want, and spell out something fun!

Have fun crafting!

Quotes To Live By

Quotes To Live By

“I avoid looking back. I prefer good memories to regrets.”

-Grace Kelly

“We make a living with what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” 

-Winston Churchill

“Elegance is the only beauty that never fades.”

-Audrey Hepburn

“I hope you live a life you are proud of.”

–F. Scott Fitzgerald

“It’s impossible to satisfy everyone and I suggest we stop trying.”

–Jennifer Aniston

“Fashion is a trend. Style is within a person.”

–Oscar De La Renta

“In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different.”

–Coco Chanel

All photos courtesy of Pinterest.

Glam Up Your Pad

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Home is where the heart is!  It's where we relax, kick back, and snuggle up.  We could browse through beautiful pictures of home decor on Pinterest for hours on end (check out our pinboard here) but sometimes it's hard to make those images into a reality.  We've put together a few of our favorite helpful tips on how to be your own interior decorator, on a real-life budget!

1. Shop smart.  
Ikea is great for cost effective items (we love this area rug), but also think outside the box when it comes to larger furniture pieces.  After all, you don't need to have the same dresser as all of your friends!  If you do a little searching, you can still stick to your price range and find good quality items.  We love World Market & HomeGoods.  They both have plenty of stylish finds that are both well made & affordable.

2. Add A Rug.
Buy big!  Don't make the mistake of buying an area rug that's too small.  Know your room dimensions, and buy a larger rug that can fit in the space needed.  Bigger rugs help to create the optical illusion of a bigger space!

3. Illuminate.
The right lighting adds cozy ambiance.  Add a soft glow with lamps placed strategically around a room, illuminating any dark corners or spaces.  Choose a 3-way bulb for all lamps, so you have the option of brightness level.  Use either all Soft White bulbs or all Reveal bulbs (which give off a more "blue" glow)-- but try to not combine the two.  Keep the lightbulb color consistent throughout when possible, and the lighting will "blend" together to brighten up your space.

4. Fresh Paint.
Nothing changes a room quite like a new paint job.  When choosing a paint swatch, look at it in natural lighting 3 different times: morning, afternoon, and night.  Tape your swatch on the unpainted wall, and check on it throughout the day.  You'll notice that different times of day will bring out different hues in a paint color.  For example, Co-Founder Ali once had dark grey walls in her house.  In the morning light, the grey had a blue undertone.  In the afternoon, the glow from the sun brought out shades of purple and mauve.  It was beautiful all day long!  For more on paint, check out this article from Elle Decor on Color Picks From the Pros.

5. Get Artsy.
Artwork hanging on the walls is a great way to show your personality.  Hanging up art can sometimes be forgotten or an afterthought... don't forget to dress up those walls!  Find pieces that speak to you, and make you feel happy.  When in doubt, choose something abstract & colorful, or a classic black and white photograph.  Don't be afraid of larger pieces, and experiment with creating your own "gallery wall" of favorite works.  We love Society6 for art prints, and Ikea is great for affordable frames!  Ali also fell in love with these perfume bottle prints from Z'Gallerie for her gallery wall.  Helpful hint for gallery walls: all of the pieces should line up at the same height straight across the bottom (or close to it) for a clean look.  Check out this great "how to" on gallery walls from Z'Gallerie.

6. Go Green.
A simple houseplant or fresh flowers (even of the faux variety) can do wonders to warm up your space.  Succulents are a chic and low maintenance option, that need only sunlight and very little water to stay healthy.  If you're going faux, just make sure that whatever you pick looks as real as possible.  If neon blue roses don't exist in real life, chances are the faux version isn't going to look too real either.  Silk orchid plants with white flowers are a great choice, and usually look pretty close to the real deal!

7. Accessorize.
Not a fan of your couch, but buying a new one isn't in the budget?  Add accessories!  Try out pillows and throw blankets in fun patterns and colors.  Instead of the usual 4"x6" picture frame, try enlarging a favorite photo to an 8"x10" size with a big new frame.  Think beyond the picture frame... coffee table books, sculptures, decorative boxes, and geodes all make for decorative pieces with personality.

8. Mirror On The Wall.
Small space?  Simple solution... add mirrors!  They create depth and the illusion of a larger area.  HomeGoods is our favorite spot for finding pretty mirrors at a reasonable price.

9. Invest Wisely.
Think "long term relationship" with your big ticket furniture.  If you're making a large purchase, choose something timeless.  Pick a neutral color, a classic shape.  We found some beds from Z'Gallerie that we just love (here & here) that are sophisticated, and that you'll enjoy for years to come.

10. Eclectic Feel.
Want something funky?  Go cheap!  Hunt for treasures with "good bones" at your local Goodwill or vintage market.  Garage sales can have gems too.  See beyond the color it's in now, and envision it as a whole new piece.  Antique brass iron bed + turquoise spray paint= bohemian bedroom dreamland.  Or, add white spray paint for a shabby chic paradise!  The choice is yours.

What are some of your favorite places to shop for home decor?  Share with us!

Heat Wave! 5 Cute & Easy Summer Hairstyles

Photo Credit

With summer right around the corner, so are those pesky heat waves. While long, luxurious hair can be a blessing at times, it can also be a huge burden during those scorching or humid summer days. Even if you have shorter hair, these styles will help keep your hair pulled off of your face so you can be as carefree as possible this summer! 

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• The sock bun
• This is such a sleek way to pull your hair out of your face. It takes only a few seconds and looks beautifully polished

• Fishtail braid
• The fishtail braid is a twist on the classic braid that’s perfect for unruly summer hair.

• Messy top knot
• This is a classic. Take two seconds to pull your hair on the top of your head into a chic yet messy top knot.

• Beachy waves
• Let the heat do all the work! Let your hair air-dry after spraying texturizing spray in it for some beach-worthy waves.

• Miley-worthy double buns!
• Rock Miley’s signature double top knots for a playful, easy hair style! 

DIY Butcher Paper Wall Calendar

Staying organized can be tough. But when it looks this good, it is actually pretty easy!  With different events, study sessions, and all of the birthdays we have to remember, things can fall through the crack easily!  That is, unless you have a ginormous (cute) calendar hanging on your wall!

Things you’ll need: A roll of kraft paper, a roll of string or cord, a wooden dowel, washi tape, scissors, a hot glue gun, chalk pen markers, a ruler and Command hooks.

Step 1. Roll out your kraft paper and draw your calendar. Here is where a ruler comes in handy. We traced ours out before, creating a grid that was seven squares wide by five squares long.

Step 2. Tie your cord around the end of the wooden dowel. Measure out about six feet in cord. You’ll have plenty leftover, but it is better if you have too much than too little.

Step 3. Secure the cord to the end of the dowel by wrapping it around a few times and gluing it down.

Step 4. Thread the dowel through the middle of your kraft paper roll and repeat steps 2 & 3 on the opposite end.

Step 5. Use washi tape to mark important dates, appointments and meetings on your calendar. You can write the details (time, place, etc.) directly on top of the washi tape with a permanent marker.

Happy Crafting!

12 Reasons Why You Should Live in the House

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1. It's a sleepover... every. single. night.
Sure, that could mean giving up some of your quiet time, but there's nothing like spending every day and night with your sisters.

2. Yummy food!
We are officially out of the parents' house and we are living on our own- which means no more home cooked meal! That is, unless you live in the sorority house!  There's nothing like home cooked meals (breakfast, lunch, AND dinner) by the house chef!  We can't live off of cereal forever, right?

3. Gain 50 new closets... but lose your own
Sharing is caring, right?

4. Pretty Little Liars & Bachelor/ette Nights
Everyone knows exactly what day and time to show up in the living room to watch the weekly house shows.  The best part about it? Everyone's reactions ("OMG", "What?!", "No!") is always on cue.

5. There's always someone that will go on a froyo run with you
At least half of the house has a sweet tooth just as bad as yours.

6. Study buddies
There's always someone that's in the same program as you- you can always share flash cards, study guides, and help test each other!

7. Easy access to chapter meetings
Instead of driving to the house, finding parking (which is always impossible), and being 15 minutes late, just live at the house and have chapter meetings right down the hall from your bedroom!

8. Pre-party central
Whether it's a date party or formal, the house is always going to be a meet up spot to get ready with your sisters!

9. Dibs on leftover food
Those yummy desserts that the boys bring over to chapter meetings when they serenade your sorority is all yours.

10. Gym buddies
You always have a froyo buddy, but you can also always find a gym buddy to motivate one another for a great workout!

11.  Inside scoop on everything
What happens in the house, stays in the house, and the great part about it is that you live at the house so you know everything!

12. You will never have the opportunity to experience living with all of  your sisters, ever again
An opportunity like this will never come again, so enjoy every second with your sisters and experience what sisterhood is all about.

What are some other reasons why you've enjoyed living in the house?!