My Monday Musts

Happy Monday, readers!

I’m now back at school, except something is different…… I’m now 20 years old!

On Saturday, I celebrated my 20th birthday, saying goodbye to my teenager years and welcoming in a new chapter of my life. I was lucky enough to be home with my family for my birthday thanks to spring break. Since my best friend from home also comes to Quinnipiac with me, we rang in the big 2 – 0 together at midnight. While my Facebook, Twitter, Instagram…like this cute collage from my big diamond, Katherine …

……and text messages were flooded with “happy birthday” messages from my friends, I will be celebrating this Saturday with them.

PLUS, Friday night all my hard work as Social Chair of ADPi will come together for our “Alice in Wonderland” themed formal. Wow, this is going to be a great weekend!

Look to next week’s Monday Musts to find out more about these events, but in the mean time, here are this week’s My Monday Musts!

1. Cabin in the Woods

When I wasn’t crafting away for formal decorations over spring break, I spent my time on Netflix and watching shows on Demand to try and catch up on all my favorite shows that I have missed while at school (including “Duck Dynasty” of course). I’m a huge fan of horror movies and heard quite the buzz about “Cabin in the Woods.” Mixed with an “Inception” type thought process and a “Hunger Games” style plot-line, the movie was quite entertaining. If you’re looking for just a basic horror flick, it’s not this one. At times, it may feel like you would want to take notes or just yell out “huh?” at the screen, but in the end, once it all clicks together, you’ll really start to get into it!

2. Four Year Anniversary of my Sweet Sixteen

As sweet sixteens continue to sweep across high school society, I still remember mine every time March 13th rolls around. I can’t help, but to think about that day every time the anniversary of it rolls around. My Hollywood themed Sweet Sixteen was – and still is – the best night I have ever had of my life. I can still remember every detail and every moment that had occurred that night – from my candle ceremony, to my guests dressed in black and silver, my entrance, absolutely everything. March 13 will always hold a special place in my heart and I wanted to share that with all of you.

3. Man Sings “Let it Go” in Different Disney Voices

Ever since my chapter of Alpha Delta Pi watched “Frozen,” our whole entire chapter has been obsessed with the movie. If you can recall back to my Cinderella iPhone case review, you may remember that I am a huge Disney fan. My Facebook newsfeed has been flooded with everyone sharing the link of Brian Hull singing the popular Disney song in the voices of different Disney and Pixar characters. I can’t get over how accurate each character’s voice was. Check it out for yourself by watching the video now.

And to all of you reading this who are proud to be Irish, or wish you were, Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!

Have a great week, readers! Keep sparkling!

12Mar2014

Seventeen Social Club: Girl Power Pack

by sparkleandshinesami

Hey, readers!

Remember how I told you all about how I am now a member of the Seventeen Social Club and can rock that awesome badge on the side of my blog? Well, I just got my first ever package from Seventeen, entitled the Girl Power Pack!

The Girl Power Pack included:

COVERGIRL Clump Crusher by Lashblast Mascara
Murad Acne Spot Fast Fix

Murad Acne Clearing Solution

Both products have made me feeling like the best me possible! The Girl Power Pack, along with what “Seventeen” is all about is empowering females and feeling like the best them possible. With clear skin and perfect eyelashes, how can I not feel like the best me possible and ready to take on the world?!

While wearing just mascara to chapter, you can clearly see how defined my eyelashes are and how they’re clump free. I love really prominent eye lashes, especially when I don’t do any other makeup. Without color in this photo, you can see each and every eye lash super defined. The Murad was also working towards creating clearer skin for me. I had a pimple Thursday night, put the Acne Spot Fast Fix on that night, a little Friday morning – and here I am on Sunday with not a pimple in sight!

Here’s another picture of me with one of my sisters (who celebrated her birthday this week….so Happy Birthday Justine!). Unlike the chapter picture above, I had done all my makeup for a QU hockey game! In color, you can still see how dark and prominent each eye lash is, with no clumps! COVERGIRL’s Clump Crusher promises 200% more volume – and boy, did I notice it! I also had clear skin for the game thanks to the Murad products.

Thanks Seventeen for showing me girl power and making me super confident with flawless skin and eye lashes to take on my challenging college days! I can’t wait for my next gift as a proud member of the Seventeen Social Club!

10Mar2014

My Monday Musts

by sparkleandshinesami

Happy Monday, readers!

So I’m currently on Spring Break! Instead of laying out on a Florida beach soaking up the sun or skiing the Vermont slopes (not that I know how to ski anyway, I’m too accident prone that no one ever will take me on the slopes….), I’m laying on my couch in good ole’ Dirty Jersey planning my sorority’s formal, while taking a few breaks to catch up on America’s family, the Kardashians.

So with my messy bun looking messier than ever, 10 tabs of Pinterest open to my formal board, and crafting supplies scattered all over my dining room table, I decided to take a break from creating Alpha Delta Pi’s own wonderland for our “Alice in Wonderland” themed formal to share with you all this week’s My Monday Musts!

1. My Big Diamond and I celebrated our One Year Anniversary this Week!

Remember before I mentioned how I’m not skiing on any slopes because I’m so accident prone – well, one year ago during big/little diamond reveal ceremony, I wasn’t there because I had broken my hand and had possibly tendon damage. So a few days after everyone else had their formal reveal, I came back to school, and within 10 minutes, Katherine took me and my sling out to froyo so we can do an impromptu reveal. The day I received Katherine as my big diamond was one of the biggest blessings Alpha Delta Pi has given me. Katherine has been there for me through every up, every down, and every weekend adventure. She is my best friend, my sister, and my big diamond. I can’t express how incredible she is in my life, so not only did I have to share with you all that we just celebrated one year together as being big/little diamond sisters, but hope that all of your sorority girls have bigs like her!

2. Adding Resident Assistant to my Resume

One of my biggest goals of my college career was to become a Resident Assistant for freshman on Quinnipiac’s campus. This past week was the interviewing processes. Finally, on Wednesday, I received the e-mail saying that out of 236 applications, 26 where chosen – and I was one of them. I don’t think I have been this happy and this proud of myself in such a long time. Having a bunch of freshman residents is all I could dream about – I want to stay up late with them eating Dominoes discussing boy problems and life, I want them to come to me for outfit approvals, and for me to ultimately be their shoulder to lean on as they get through their first year of college. I have already been looking on Pinterest for ideas for door decorations and program ideas. For the Quinnipiac Class of 2018 who will be living in Irma next year, get ready, because RA Sami is ready to create the best year you can imagine.

3. Jack Rogers & Chubbie’s Giveaway

Jennifer Taylor, the social media and PR associate of Jack Rogers, contacted me this week to help spread the word on their current giveaway! (Talk about total fan girling… someone from Jack Rogers contacted ME!). Jack Rogers and Chubbies partnered together to create a sorority woman and fraternity man’s dream giveaway – to give away a pair of Jack Rogers sandals for her and Chubbies shorts for him. I entered the giveaway! Have you? Whether you’re on your phone or computer, you can enter the giveaway here.

So as I get back to the craziness of planning a formal and the spring break of a 40 year old woman thanks to the over 100 e-mail I need to answer, I just wanted to share something fun with you all…..

IT’S MY BIRTHDAY WEEK! MY BIRTHDAY IS ON SATURDAY, MARCH 15, AND I WILL NO LONGER BE A TEEN! I’M TURNING 20!

And on that note, have a great week! Keep sparkling!

6Mar2014

For the Kids

by sparkleandshinesami

Quinnipiac’s chapter of Delta Tau Delta held their philanthropy event Q-Thon, a dance marathon that is similar to that of Penn State’s Thon, this past weekend. Delt holds the event in honor of Connecticut’s Children Medical Center. This past Saturday, my Alpha Delta Pi sisters and I, helped Delta raise over $31,000 this year for the kids.

One of my favorite aspects of Greek Life at Quinnipiac is how philanthropic based it is, and how much other Greek organizations, as well as not affiliated groups, will join together to help raise money for charities. Alpha Delta Pi helped co-sponsor the event, and was able to sponsor Quinn, the beautiful little girl above in a tutu and princess pajamas. Quinn, age three, suffers from a tumor.

The brothers of Delta Tau Delta, sisters of Alpha Delta Pi, and the other participants not only go to dance…

but got to play with the kids, as well!

Besides Quinn, my heart fell in love with Shemar, the little boy that I danced for – and with – that I talked about in this week’s My Monday Musts!

Though suffering from scoliosis, Shemar still managed to be one of the happiest kids I have ever met. He danced and ran around, told me that his favorite song was “Pleasure,” and was not afraid to talk to anyone and everyone. I will forever dance for Shemar.

Every morning when I wake up and I’m going through my day, I think of beautiful Quinn and energetic Shemar. I danced for them at QThon and will always hold them close to my heart.

I can’t wait for the upcoming philanthropy events at Quinnipiac, including Alpha Delta Pi’s Diamond Dash.

Readers, I want to not only remind you how important philanthropy is, but how important it is to be a philanthropist. Participating in something that will is much bigger than yourself is more rewarding than anything else in the world.

If you have the chance to do something like QThon, or any other philanthropic event, I challenge you to do it. You won’t regret. Especially when you can do it, For the Kids.

3Mar2014

My Monday Musts

by sparkleandshinesami

Happy Monday, “Sparkle and Shine” readers!

It’s midterms week here at Quinnipiac, so to say that I am STRESSED is an understatement. However, I was able to de-stress on Friday night with my sisters……

…and then Saturday night at a fellow Greek organization’s Philanthropy event, Q-Thon – a dance marathon which raises money for Connecticut Children’s Medicial Center. I will be writing a post about the incredible event later on this week.

Until then, meet Shemar – one of the little boys that I not only danced for – but danced with!

But in the meantime, my head can’t be stuck too much in Q-Thon mode, because I have three midterms, a monologue to memorize, a formal to plan, and much, much more. All I know is that come Friday, my mom will be here at Quinnipiac to pick Julia and I up and we will be well on our way back to good ole New Jersey to spend Spring Break relaxing at home with our family. I love my family more than anything so I am so excited to go and celebrate my birthday with them, see my cousin’s karate ceremony, and much more.

Until next week’s Monday Musts that will be posted from the comfort of my bed, here are this week’s Monday Musts!

1. First ever Starbucks trip

What kind of girl am I that never had Starbucks? Well, two year ago I had my gall bladder removed and ever since then, coffee doesn’t always sit well with me. It’s always a toss up if it will or won’t, so I never tested it and had Starbucks. After my ADPi conference that I will be sharing more about this week, we stopped at Starbucks. I neeeeeded it to stay awake after only getting 7 hours of sleep that whole weekend. I got a mocha frappuccino and now I am in love! Looks like I’m joining the ranks of all other girls in America and becoming addicted to Starbucks!

2. My first ever time being ON AIR LIVE!!

In a previous edition of My Monday Musts, I shared with you all the exciting news that I was selected to be one of the three weather girls for my school’s TV station! This past Wednesday, I finally go to go on live for Q30 share the weather report. It was my first time EVER going live on TV! It was such a rush and such a reminder that this is exactly what I want to do with the rest of my life. To check out my first ever weather report, here is Wednesday, Feb. 26’s edition of Q30 News!

3. My friend, Pat, started a blog

Honestly, I love talking about “Sparkle and Shine” and all things blogging related. I love talking about my blog, giving&getting advice from other bloggers, and talking about the different benefits I have received from blogging (hellllo Seventeen Magazine contract for the Seventeen Social Club!). So when one of my good friends, Pat, texted me and told me he wanted to started a sports blog – I was so excited! Pat’s been working so hard to get his blog, Bar Down Sports, up and running. So, readers, please check it out here!

Before I leave you all to go back to hitting the books, I just wanted to share with you all a little quote that has been getting me through this week:

Good luck with midterms, enjoy your spring break, and keep sparkling!

2Mar2014

Top 3 Instagrams of the Month: February 2014

by sparkleandshinesami

Hello, readers!

It’s officially March a.k.a. my birthday month! WOOHOO!

Last month, you may remember how I introduced the post saying I will be starting the monthly tradition of sharing my Instagram posts with the most likes. Well, if you don’t, you can check out January’s top Instagram posts here and keep reading to find out what February’s most liked photos were!

So my first Instagram with the most likes was in honor of my guardian angel, my father, on World Cancer Day. February 4 was World Cancer Day, as well as the 3 years and 8 months since my father passed away. I couldn’t help but to dedicate a post to my hero on this day explaining not only the importance of having him in my life, but the importance of finding a cure.

My second post with the most Instagram likes was during my Alpha Delta Pi District Leadership Conference. Alea, is currently our chapter’s president. Prior to becoming our sister prez, she was the Director of Social Enrichment, which is what I currently am. I am so honored to follow in Alea’s shoes as the Director of Social Enrichment for the Theta Theta chapter and plan on living up to those big shoes to fill in the next year, since she did such an incredible job.

My third Instagram post with the most likes was when I pinned my little diamond, Amber, with her own pin for the first time. It is Alpha Delta Pi tradition that little diamond’s wear their big diamond’s pin until they get their own. Two chapters ago, Amber finally got her own pin. I was honored to pin her with her own pin!

Don’t want to wait for the beginning of each month to see the Instagram pictures with the most likes, then follow me on Instagram!

Enjoy your Sunday readers!

25Feb2014

My Latest Netflix Binge

by sparkleandshinesami

I honestly think Netflix may be the biggest addiction in 2014. Have no fear, readers, for when you have no idea what to watch!

When you’re laying in bed on Netflix unsure of what to watch – check out the latest movies I have watched on my past snow day Netflix binges!

1. Stuck in Love

Follow an aclaimed writer, his ex-wife, and their teenage children over a year, in which they all come to terms with their love lives and deal with the ups and downs of what it’s like to be in love, deal with heartbreak, and deal with having your guard up. (And then, if you follow me on Twitter, you could have followed my up-and-down crush that I quickly had for the teenage son, Rusty).

2. LOL

Miley Cyrus, as Lola, has her heart broken by her boyfriend at the start of the school year. Then, surprisingly, her musician best friend, Kyle, reveals his feelings for her. Follow along with the high schoolers as they learn about love in the modern world. This film is definitely underrated, especially for all Miley fans!

3. Safe Haven

Nicholas Sparks does it again! The book-turned-movie follows a mysterious young woman who lands in Southport, North Carolina. Watch as the bond with a local (and very cute) widower unfolds, while forcing her to comfront her dark, secret past that haunts her. If you’re looking for a tear-jerker than is suspenseful, you found it!

4. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

Feeling an 80’s chick flick? You found the perfect one! Follow the new girl in town, Janey (played by a young SJ Parker), as her and her best friend, Lynne, share their passion for dancing and “Dance TV.” When the show announces open auditions, the two teens are determined to audition – no matter what obstacles they must face, they use their friendship and love to dance to pull through.

5. A Haunting at Silver Falls

You all know I love a good scary movie. If you do, too, then here’s one you need to check out! This small town is haunted by the twin daughters of a wrongly convicted murderer. Once teenager Jordan gets involved in putting the pieces of their death together, she starts to discover the killer isn’t so obvious – and may be very, very close to her.

Well, if this didn’t make you want to take a Netflix break – I don’t know what will! So take a break from your stressful day, watch one of these movies, and let me know what you think of them!

17Feb2014

My Monday Musts

by sparkleandshinesami

Happy Monday, readers!

Hope you all stayed warm this week, “Sparkle and Shine” readers! I got to spend my week in the snow with some of my best friends and sisters – thanks to all the snow Connecticut has gotten this week. Check out another post coming up this week about all the movies I Netflix binged on during this snowy week.

I had so much fun – even though I am sick this week, I’m so not regretting the good times in the snow! We even “borrowed” some lunch trays to go sledding with. If you follow me on Instagram, you can watch the video of Jamie and I sledding with the trays!

And now with another snow storm looming over Connecticut, I present you with this week’s Monday Musts:

1. Alpha Delta Pi Decal

As I said, snow here in Connecticut has been super crazy. When I opened up a package from my mom – which thankfully included a new phone charger – there also was a letter from one of my sponsors, Jacqueline! I had previously posted about Jacqueline’s Etsy shop and being the fabulous woman that she is, she sent me back a thank you note which included this decal! I was so excited – it was like Jacqueline had read my mind, because I was planning on buying a new one soon. Plus, it’s set up like a monogram – which EVERY sorority girl loves! Meet Jacqueline in this post and make sure to check out her blog and her Etsy shop to order decals like mine!

2. My Formal Date

Based on yesterday’s post about how I’m living that single girl life, that put me in quite a predicament for formal dates. But hey, my formal date doesn’t have to be my boy toy. Instead, I decided to ask my best friend, Julia! A lot of other sisters will bring their best friends, so I figured, why not bring Julia. Julia is a year younger than me, so we never got a chance to put on pretty long dresses and go to prom together. Now, when my Alice in Wonderland themed formal comes rolling around, Julia and I can finally both put on our long dresses and get all dolled up together. Just because I was bringing my best friend didn’t mean that I couldn’t still do it in a fun way. So, I wrote a note, on Alpha Delta Pi stationary, that read “Julia, since we never got to go to prom and DANCE, will you be my date to ADPi formal BY ANY CHANCE?” and attached it to her favorite tea. I put it at her spot for yearbook, so when she walked in and went to sit down, it was the first thing she saw. I can’t wait for formal with my best friend!!

3. And the giveaway winner is…..

Sam Edwards, a sister of Alpha Delta Pi, won the giveaway! According to the raffle copter results, which pick a winner at random, it was Sam’s tweet about the giveaway that won my first giveaway for the Go Greek Pro app. Happy Monkey Apps, the sponsor of the giveaway, has been excellent to work with. I would also like to thank Caro for helping me post the giveaway! For the other entrants that did not win, I still recommend spending the money to download the ap. I hope you enjoy the app, Sam, I sure did!

So now, after finish typing this week’s Monday Musts, I’m seeing that it was very sorority related. I didn’t even plan on doing that. But while I continue to talk about sorority life, and bring it to your attention if you didn’t notice that this post unintentionally had a sorority theme, I think I realized why ended up being a sorority girl thanks to THIS TSM post!

Have a great week, readers! Keep sparkling!

16Feb2014

Who Needed a Valentine When You Could Have Had Galentines?!

by sparkleandshinesami

So now that Valentine’s Day is officially 363 days away, I figured now would be a good time to discuss this past year’s without getting any hostile eye rolls. For all the single ladies out there, like myself, I spent Valentine’s Day with some of my closest single friends having a good time, blasting everything but “Single Ladies,” instead of wallowing in my single-ness by watching Nicholas Sparks movies and eating chocolate icing from the container.

(P.S. I couldn’t not mention “Single Ladies” and not include a gif…..so here you go, readers!)

Since I had such an incredible time celebrating Galentine’s (get it gal-instead of val) Day, I decided to share with you all how you can make the most of next year’s February 14. Instead it will help you appreciate the true loves of your life – YOUR FRIENDS!

So first off, we started the night by doing a Secret Cupid.

We made the classic Christmas “Secret Santa,” and turned it into something that will make the night more enjoyable! I mean, who doesn’t love gifts?! At the beginning of last week, we all pulled names out of a plastic bag and then had to get $15 worth of gifts for our Secret Cupid! We then put the gifts on the table and once everyone was dressed and had arrived, we went through and opened our gifts. We each went one at a time, which made it more exciting because we would guess at the end who had us.

Then, to continue on with our Valentine’s Day festivities, we had a party! Keeping in classic sorority girl style – the party had a theme! It was anti-Valentine’s day, so all the guests had to wear black. Except, the hostesses (the group photo above), wore some shade of pink or red to show off that we were the hosts!

Here’s some pictures of me with some of my fabulous Galentines – my sisters and my best friend!

My sisters and I were some of the hostesses of the party – so we all had on some form of red or pink to indicate it:

My best friend, Julia, was one of the guests – so she wore black:

As I said before, you still have 363 days to find a Valentine. But if you don’t I would rather you end up smiling like us…..

…then sobbing in bed while eating chocolate and watching soap operas like Elle Woods.

Either way, single or not, hope you all had a great Valentine’s Day, readers!

12Feb2014

[Guest Post]: Meet my Newest Sponsor, Jacqueline!

by sparkleandshinesami

Hello, my fabulous readers!

I wanted for you all to meet my newest sponsor, who you will see featured on my sidebar for quite a long time – Jacqueline from Pretti Please.

What’s more awesome than having Jacqueline as a sponsor, but she’s only a blogging friend of mine AND my sister!

We had originally been in contact when I reviewed my Alpha Delta Pi hair bow from her Etsy shop. Then, we started discussing how we were both sisters from the same sorority, Alpha Delta Pi! It was so awesome to meet a sister from completely across the country – I go to school in Connecticut and Jacqueline goes to school in California! Talk about such a major difference – I’m planning on having a snow day tomorrow and Jacqueline sure isn’t in sunny Cali. I have never met a sister that was from a different state, so it was such an incredible experience for me!

After having so much success from her shop, Jacqueline decided to start a blog. She reached out to me and soon we began discussing the blogging world. We lean on each other for different aspects of blogging – such as doing ad swaps, asking questions, and getting opinions. It’s so awesome to have a blogging friend who I know I can always count on. Whenever I’m on Facebook, I almost always have a conversation with Jacqueline popped up on my screen.

Now it’s your chance to get to know her!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hello! My name is Jacqueline Bridgford and I am a 21-year-old daughter, sister, student, girlfriend, small business owner, sorority girl, fashionista, and (more recently) the author of a blog called Pretti Please! I am a sister of Alpha Delta Pi. I spend most of my time in Los Angeles, where I am a junior at the University of Southern California, or with my family in Newport Coast, my hometown. I am interested in a little bit of everything – I am very creative and hope to have a wildly successful career in the fashion industry after I graduate from USC in 2015. As of right now, I keep busy with my blog and my small business that I operate through Etsy. I personally design, produce, and ship my one-of-a-kind gifts. Most of my items are aimed at college girls, mainly sorority girls! I started my shop because I had an excessive amount of crafts that I originally made for my wonderful little sis, Lissa. Since crafting is one of my favorite hobbies, I was accumulating hair bows and canvases left & right! My mom suggested that I sell some things online, so I set up a little shop and called it Bowtique By Jacqueline. The shop turned into my biggest project – I made more sales in the first month than I would have ever expected. It turned out that girls really liked my stuff and my shop grew faster than I could have imagined! I now offer a variety of products, including: sweatshirts & t-shirts with super cute glittery monograms, personalized vinyl decals, hair bows, soft hair ties, wall décor, canvases, and special orders. I love being able to make money while also getting the satisfaction out of designing and producing the items! After starting Bowtique By Jacqueline, I really delved into my creative side and started focusing on what I wanted to do in life after graduating. I started applying for internships (in fashion!) and decided in early February that I am going to spend this summer taking Fashion Design courses at Parsons! Studying fashion has always been a dream of mine, and the fact that I will be going to NYC makes it even better! I will return to USC this upcoming fall and finish up my last year of undergraduate studies. I can’t wait to see where Bowtique By Jacqueline, Pretti Please, and my fashion industry dreams take me! Thanks for reading!