It really isn’t just four years, it’s for life….

Hello, hello!

Ever go on one of those runs when you do SO much thinking that you feel like your brain may explode? Well, that was how I spent yesterday morning. One of those thoughts (when I wasn’t thinking about which Kylie lip kit to purchase, what I should wear to see Toby Keith this weekend, or my future wedding to Animal Kingdom star Finn Cole) was about how Greek life has impacted my life in the past month since graduating school.

This whole thought process started when I received a text message about writing a letter of recommendation for someone who is looking to go rush Alpha Delta Pi at USC.

Whenever someone in ADPi gets a little butterfly feeling about remembering why they chose to come home to ADPi, we call it an “ADPi moment.” Some of mine included getting my big and little, when all my sisters supported me at my first Relay for Life to honor my father, and when I realized that one of my sisters, Lauren, is pretty much my soulmate. I’ve heard some alum sisters talk about how they get these ADPi moments as alums and our advisors say that this moments continue, but I wasn’t really sure when I would experience my first one.

Then, I got that text. It came from a girl who I used to work on our school’s television station with who was transferring. Knowing my involvement with Alpha Delta Pi, she said she would be “honored” for me to write her a letter of recommendation. Completely ecstatic, I said yes. I figured I would plan out everything I wanted to say in that letter when I went for a run.

As my mind went through everything I wanted to say, I started to think about the true impact ADPi has had on me. I’m one month out of college (gag), but still see so many ties to the organization.

I think the fact that my sisters are a majority of those that I am still deeply in contact with speaks volumes about the bonds I have made within my chapter. Every girl in my Snapchat best friends list, except for my hometown best friend, is a sister. I don’t go a day without being in contact with someone from ADPi. I recently needed some fitness advice – I texted a sister. I recently got tagged in a super funny meme on Instagram – it was from a sister. I’m getting a FaceTime call – it’s from a sister. I didn’t graduate and become just some face on a composite.

And this is all because the bonds I have with these women aren’t just for four years, they’re for life and it’s during post-grad that I’m finding out how true this statement really is.

Interested in going Greek? Check out some of my recent posts about Greek life:

Story time with Sami: That time I ran a match-making service for my sisters

My last Alpha Delta Pi formal {pictures & senior superlative}

Hey sorority gals, The Collegiate Standard is having a give away!

An Open Letter to my Little as she becomes a Grand-Big

How I asked my date to sorority semi & cute ways you can ask, too!

ALSO, have you seen my new Instagram theme? Just one of the exciting things happening for Sparkle and Shine! Make sure to stay around to see what else is coming.

16Jun2016

Story time with Sami: That time I ran a match-making service for my sisters

by sparkleandshinesami

Happy Thursday, babes!

I don’t know if it’s because I am a blogger or because I’m addicted to social media, but I love when bloggers are transparent – whether this means on their Twitter, Instagram, or sharing personal stories for their readers. Some of my favorite YouTubers often post “story time” videos about crazy events that happen to them or weird memories they made with their friends.

And if you know me in real life, then you know that I have a tooooon of stories. This is why I decided to create a series called “Story time with Sami” where I share some funny stories about things that I’ve done. So for the first edition, I decided to share about Sami’s Sexy Singles, my match making service.

for all age

Now, Sami’s Sexy Singles originally started as a joke my sophomore year at Quinnipiac. One of our sisters, Tammy, was the sweetheart of SigEp and would always try to match make sisters with her brother – I mean, she made Google spreadsheets and PowerPoints. I would have a lot to live up to! When she graduated, that left someone to try and arrange sisters with dates for all of our events. Somehow, I don’t even know how, the position fell into my lap. I joked about Sami’s Sexy Singles but nothing ever came of it.

All of a sudden, for a grab-a-date last semester, Sami’s Sexy Singles re-appeared. I’m friends with a lot of affiliated men who wanted to come to our grab-a-date, so I thought I would jokingly bring back Sami’s Sexy Singles. Unknowing to me, a lot of my sisters were interested in being matched. So in true senioritis/lack of motivation fashion, I decided to pour my all into Sami’s Sexy Singles – even staying up until 3 AM one night to make a professional Google Drive through the official Sami’s Sexy Singles e-mail account!

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I even had my friends Kristina, Courtney, and Dale get involved! We would send out e-mails to those who were matched and even to our entire chapter reminding them to e-mail us if they wanted dates and the “rules” for the match-making service (including no liability and about customer satisfaction). We would try to keep the e-mails as professional as possible, to add to the humor of the entire situation. Our dates also received e-mails, to help them realize how serious we took our match0making responsibilities that night.

We weren’t the only people taking Sami’s Sexy Singles serious…. We had people tweeting about us with the hashtag “#samissexysingles” and e-mailing us about getting matched. Guys were coming up to us and e-mailing us asking to be added to the list of eligible bachelors! We were a hit.

One day I was getting lunch in a Greek-life populated area and I had some fraternity men that I wasn’t friends with come ask to me and ask if I could match them for their formal. People that Kristina, Courtney, Dale, and I weren’t friends with even knew about Sami’s Sexy Singles and were interested. I bet that’s like what Kim K. felt the first time someone recognized her as more than just Paris’ BFF….

The day the grab-a-date rolled around, we had over 15 couples – that’s more than 30 people who were coming to the event because of Sami’s Sexy Singles. Our phones were blowing up with questions and e-mails, I felt like a real life C.E.O!

In the end, I had a blast at the event, Kristina, Courtney, Dale and their dates had fun, and so did our sisters and their dates!

Here’s my date and I at the event. His little was one of our eligible bachelors who came to the event! Gotta keep it in the family, you know? –

Here is me and my date, Justin, from the event. All the seniors celebrated the event in a duck-hunting themed (aka my dream theme due to my “Duck Dynasty” obsession). Recognize this picture? If you follow me on Instagram, it’s the picture I posted that night!

Now, I’m not saying Sami’s Sexy Singles was extremely successful (I haven’t finished our customer satisfaction survey yet, but I’ll say it was pretty dang successful), but I am saying that many sisters asked what would happen to it once I graduated. Since Kristina is a year younger, I passed down Sami’s Sexy Singles to her in my senior will, so my legacy will live on.

I would love to know how you feel about Story time with Sami!! Comment below & tell me some different types of stories you would want to hear or tweet them to me @sparkleshinesam!

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9Mar2016

My last Alpha Delta Pi formal {pictures & senior superlative}

by sparkleandshinesami

Happy Wednesday, readers!

And for those of you who are an Alpha Delta Pi sister of mine, whether from the Theta Theta chapter or not, happy We Live For Each Other Wednesday!

I figured that We Live for Each Other Wednesday would be the best day to share my favorite pictures from my very last formal (cue the tears). Per usual, I took my best friend Paul cause I knew that I would have the best time. I even had him fill out the University’s required off-campus event forms before I even asked him – whoops!

Check out some of my favorite pics from the night:

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And to make the night complete, seniors receive superlatives. Though the word senior/graduation (and the constant reminder that I turn twenty two in less than a week) makes me want to curl up in ball , have a quarter life crisis, and cry, I was so excited to find out what my award was going to be.

Last year, my big won “Most Likely to Be at Toad’s on a Saturday Night,” which not only shows her love – and our family’s love – for the popular club, but how much we live up to our Bad Girls Club family name.

So in true BGC fashion, I won….

drum roll please…..

Most Likely to Make a Bad Decision Seem Like a Good One

Sorry, mom.

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19Nov2015

Viva Las Alpha Delta Pi {Semi Formal 2015 pictures!}

by sparkleandshinesami

Hey, readers!

Looking back at recent Sparkle and Shine posts, I realized how I shared how super excited I was for my semi formal. I told you how I asked my date and how I was fueling my excitement by wearing my new letters, but then I never told you about how the actual semi formal was!

And it was awesome!

Since I was my chapter’s previous social chair, I haven’t been to a semi that I haven’t planned in years. It was so nice to go to an event and just be able to enjoy it and not need to make sure everything is going smoothly. Plus, I went with my best friend in the entire world so I knew we were going to have a blast.

Plus, since my big is still here for grad school, she came to pictures, too! It was the first family photo with my big, me, my little, grand little, and great grand little.

Check out some of my favorite pictures from the night below:

And after a great night at my semi formal, Paul asked me to his fraternity’s Christmas party on Tuesday. Stay tuned to see more about his proposal in an upcoming post!

11Nov2015

Hey sorority gals, The Collegiate Standard is having a give away!

by sparkleandshinesami

Hey, readers, The Collegiate Standard is having a giveaway and you need to enter!

And I mean need to just as much as you desperately need that morning coffee….

The Collegiate Standard is currently hosting a Heart to Heart Sorority giveaway. The awesome Greek life jewelry company is giving away two heart pendants to one lucky sorority gal.

The giveaway is all about why you love that sister who is always there for you no matter what – whether it be your big, little, or someone from your pledge class! No only is it an awesome way of reminding yourself of why you’re so in love with your sorority (like you really need that reminder anyway), but it is super easy to enter.

Just head on over to their Instagram page and throw them a follow.
From there, check out the picture for the giveaway.
In the comments section of the pic, tag a sister that you love and say why you love them.
As soon as you hit send, you’re entered to win! Easy, right?

The giveaway ends this Friday, the 13th, and the winner will be announced the same day.

But don’t wait until Friday to wear their beautiful jewelry – Head on over to their website, shop around, and use coupon code SAMI10 to get 10% off your order!

Hope you have a great Wednesday, your coffee is strong, and one of you win this awesome giveaway!

5Nov2015

Wearing my New Greek Streak letters for any occasion to get pumped for semi formal

by sparkleandshinesami

This is a sponsored post. However, all opinions are my own.

Hey, readers!

Did you survive Halloween? I’m sure that my absence from Sparkle and Shine may have caused you to think that I didn’t, but I promise that I did!

Since Halloween, I have been preparing for semi formal which means going to the gym, booking nail appointments with my sisters, and browsing Pinterest for the perfect hair and makeup look. While I am getting ready for the super fun night with my best friend and sisters, I have been wearing Alpha Delta Pi letters to get even more excited!

Recently, I filled you in on my new favorite Greek life company, Greek Streak. I received two tank tops from the company and have been loving them ever since I received them. The site offers fresh designs that I have not seen on any other Greek shirt website.

Of all my favorite parts of Greek Streak – the cool designs, ability to design my own tops, and the fact that the company is built for Greeks by Greeks -my absolutely favorite was that I have the ability to dress up or dress down the tank tops I got.

When I want to go to the gym, the tank top is perfectly versatile enough to throw it on with my favorite part of crop leggings! It’s light weight which avoids my biggest pet peeve of having my top stick to me when I am sweating on the elliptical or is too tight and makes me feel uncomfortable in Zumba class.

Tank top: Alpha Delta Pi – Beach letters from Greek Streak | Yoga pants: Yoga Crop Leggings from Victoria’s Secret PINK

Sneakers: No longer sold (Similar from Kohl’s) | Water bottle: Contigo 32 oz. water bottle from Walmart |

Yoga mat: C9 Champion yoga mat from Target

And then after the gym, my schedule is filled with meetings, lunch dates, classes, library sessions, and coffee runs. For this, if I don’t want to just lounge around in gym clothes, I can dress the tank top up. I’m still in my letters and look super cute for no matter what the day throws at me.

Cardigan: Merino Crew Cardigan from Gap | Tank top: For Any Sorority- Retro Letters from Greek Streak

Leggings: The Daily Legging from Victoria’s Secret | Boots: No longer sold (Similar)

Purse: MICHAEL Michael Kors Black Jet Set Tote (Similar)

Photos by Caitlin Cryan. Check out more of her work on her Instagram and her portfolio.

With the temperature getting colder here in Connecticut, I definitely will need to be adding long sleeves and spirit jerseys from the site to my shopping list.

For anyone else looking to treat themselves, you can do so with my special coupon code for Greek Streak!

You can get 15% off all spirit jerseys by entering code “SPARKLESFJ” at checkout.

Are you lucky enough to not be wearing sweatshirts and Uggs? Or just need something new to wear to your partner yoga class that you go to with your little? I still have a coupon code for you!

You can get 10% off all single shirt orders by entering code “SPARKLESHINE” at check out.

If you shop on the site, let me know! Tag me at @sparkleshinesam on your Instagram pictures to show off your look! I can’t wait to see.

9Jul2015

Welcome my sorority sister, Lianna, to the blogging world!

by sparkleandshinesami

Hey, readers!

A little over a week ago, I introduced you all to my sorority sister Tori and her Chloe + Isabel shop.

Well, Tori isn’t the only ADPi sister of mine who is being super cool this summer! It seems as though my school’s chapter of Alpha Delta Pi is continuing to reach for the stars, because our sister Lianna has started her own blog, Chic Freak.

(OMG, How white girl am I apple picking in a flannel?!)

I’m so proud of her for starting her own fashion and lifestyle blog!

Check out what Lianna had to say about herself, our friendship, and Chic Freak:

Hello beautiful Sparkle and Shine readers!

My name is Lianna Regina, I’m 19 and from Monroe, Connecticut. Not only am I Sami’s sorority sister in the Theta Theta chapter of Alpha Delta Pi, I am the owner of the blog Chic Freak. Fashion has always been my top priority, and I probably shouldn’t be admitting this but it may have been my number one focus in high school.

I currently attend Quinnipiac University in Hamden, CT and am majoring in Public Relations with a double minor in music and management. I had the pleasure of meeting Sami in the bathroom the week after recruitment with her asking “You’re in ADPi right?” It was the start of a wonderful, definitely never dull, friendship.

Starting a blog was something I always wanted to do. I tried endless times, but could never find something to write about that I was truly passionate about. Recently I was sick and didn’t want to sit in bed doing nothing all day, so I found that it was a perfect opportunity. I am just getting the hang of it and am very proud of every single post I write.

My blog is mainly about what I’m obsessing that day, which is usually what I’m wearing or something exciting that happened that day. I try to keep the common theme as fashion or something new and exciting that I think would be appealing to my readers. As time goes on, I hope to see my blog grow as I get into more of a routine. I feel that by running this blog, I am expanding my horizons in building a future for myself.

I hope you enjoy my blog!

I love seeing my friends jump into the blogging world. I have really found myself, found such a confidence, and have been able to show the world who I am thanks to Sparkle and Shine. I would love for everyone, especially my friends and my sorority sisters, to find the same happiness that I did.

Now, go make Lianna and I both happy by visiting her blog!

PS. Did you realize this post was coming because of yesterday’s Instagram post? If not, make sure you follow my Instagram to stay up-to-date on all things Sparkle and Shine!

7Oct2014

Top 3 Instagrams of the Month: October 2014

by sparkleandshinesami

Hey, readers!

It’s officially one week into October – a.k.a. one of the best months! Before deciding which Halloween movie I am going to want to watch while on R.A. duty tonight, I have to share with you all my top Instagrams of September!

A majority of my September involved around sorority recruitment – which is why there is no surprise that my photo with the top likes came from day one of recruitment! This year was the first time my little diamond, Amber, went through recruitment as an Alpha Delta Pi and the last time my big diamond, Katherine, would get to go through recruitment. It was amazing getting to snap my fingers, chant my loudest, and recruit new sisters with them by my side in our day one attire of chapter letters and white jeans!

My second most popular post related to my Back to School post, courtesy of Seventeen Magazine and Office Depot. Through my contract with Seventeen, I was able to get some awesome school supplies from Office Depot. I stocked up on cute folders and my multi-purpose four color pen. To learn more about these supplies, check out the post or search the #GottaGetIt hashtag on your favorite social media site!

As I mentioned, this was Katherine’s last recruitment. As you can see in the caption, Katherine has been one of the greatest assets to my life. If I never went Greek or Alpha Delta Pi, I wouldn’t have been able to be blessed with Katherine was my big diamond. Over these past few years, Katherine has shown me how to exemplify the Alpha Delta Pi values each and everyday. More importantly, she has become my best friend, my forever friend, my future bridesmaid, and my rock. Going through recruitment made me reflect on my time in ADPi and I know it wouldn’t have been the same without her. So, on our last day of recruitment, I posted this photo of us before we started the final rounds!

To stay update on all things Sparkle and Shine, you can follow me on Instagram by going HERE.

OR if you want to check out previous Top Instagram posts, you can see what made the list in January, February, March, April, May, June, and July/August.

I wonder what Instagrammable opportunities October will have for me!

6Oct2014

Guess Whose Back…Back Again! {Special Monday Musts}

by sparkleandshinesami

Guess whose back….tell a friend!

Well, it’s not Eminem, readers – it’s me!

Now that recruitment is over and I have 49 beautiful new sisters, I’m able to get back down into the wonderful word of blogging!

I’ve missed blogging so much recently and was reminded about how much I love it during a recent trip out with my best friend.

After breaking my iPhone (whoops), my best friend and I went to the local Apple store to get it fixed. While out, we decided to get Shake Shack and skip the usual cafe food. While ordering, I was asked if I was Sami from “Sparkle and Shine” – I was so surprised!

Julia and I both starred with our mouths dropped. I felt like a mini celebrity; like Paris Hilton before the “Simple Life” gig or Bieber before the YouTube discovery. It turned out to be Emma from The World According to Emma, another college blogger. It was by far one of the coolest moments of my life!

Besides being a mini-celebrity, I’ve been super busy.

I’ve been working on my broadcasting skills. This past week I was the entertainment anchor for my school’s TV station, Q30, and did a package for one of our entertainment segments, #That. Check them out –

Plus, I’ve been getting down and derby with my sisters.

As an Executive Board Member of my sorority, I plan events for our sisters. This past weekend, I executed our first ever Bowties and ADPis event, a Kentucky Derby themed Grab-a-Date on our quad. Sisters and their dates dressed in their floppiest hats and brightest bowties and spent the day playing croquet and other yard games. I brought my best friend, Ben, because there is no one I know who is willing to get fratty and dress preppy! Here’s one of the many pictures of us-

But readers, I can’t even begin to tell you how excited I am to finally be back!

Recruitment is over and I am finally back into my blogging groove. I have so many posts planned, so get set…get ready…because Sparkle and Shine is about to really shine.

But, make sure you shine, too, readers! Have a great week and keep sparkling!

15Sep2014

TTYL, BLOGOSPHERE! It’s recruitment time!

by sparkleandshinesami

Happy Monday, readers!

The Monday Musts are going on hold this week.

Why? BECAUSE IT’S RECRUITMENT TIME!

Instead of having a list of my fabulous happenings from this week, I am going to share with you posts about my sorority and about recruitment.

If you’re interested in recruitment, check out some of these posts about going through recruitment, about Alpha Delta Pi, and different aspects of Greek life:

WHY GO THROUGH RECRUITMENT?